Bill's Daily BriefingBlog's for May, 2019http://www.BillOReilly.comBill O'Reilly2024-03-29T11:52:28Z2024-03-29T11:52:28ZBill O'ReillyBattle Over New Jersey's Tax Incentive Program Spreads to Congress; Media Flooded With Impeachment StoriesBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Battle-Over-New-Jerseys-Tax-Incentive-Program-Spreads-to-Congress;-Media-Flooded-With-Impeachment-Stories/-266376263676444076.html2019-05-31T12:56:00Z2019-05-31T12:56:00Z<p><strong>Trump Announces Escalating Tariffs Against Mexico Starting at 5 Percent, Until Illegal Immigrants ‘STOP’</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-mexico-tariffs-escalating-illegal-immigrants-stop">President Trump announced on Thursday that starting in June a new tariff will be placed on Mexico. </a> The tariff will start at 5 percent and gradually increase until the surge of illegal immigrants is controlled at the border. The tariff is reportedly on all goods by land, sea, and air from Mexico, and they will likely reach 10 percent by July 1. According to what the president said, it seems as though tariffs will increase by 5 percent every month the issue at the border is not solved until they reach 25 percent. The White House says that what it wants is for Mexico to step up security efforts on the border, target transnational smugglers, crack down on illicit bus lines and align with the U.S. on a workable asylum policy.</p>
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<p><strong>The Memo: Trump’s Anti-Mueller Rage is For Real</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/446263-the-memo-trumps-anti-mueller-rage-is-for-real">President Trump has come out to say that he is genuinely angry at the idea of impeachment. </a> His angry comes after special counsel Robert Mueller’s first public statement about the report, in which he implied that while he could not come to a conclusion on the obstruction of justice charge, Congress should take a deeper look. Prior to the last few days, Michael Caputo had told The Hill earlier on that he believed the president might have intentionally been leading Democrats to an impeachment movement by stonewalling Congressional requests for records and discouraging aides from testifying, also known as a “briar-patch strategy’. It appears as though the reaction Trump is having is no longer out of strategy but out of actual anger instead.</p>
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<p><strong>Battle Over New Jersey’s Tax Incentive Program Spreads to Congress</strong></p>
<p>New Jersey Democratic Rep. <a href="https://www.politico.com/states/new-jersey/story/2019/05/31/battle-over-new-jerseys-tax-incentive-program-spreads-to-congress-1032355">Donald Norcross attempting to make it look like he had a smaller role in a controversial tax incentive program than he actually did.</a> The program that he co-sponsored directly benefited a company and non profit run by one of his brothers, and generated business for a law firm run by another one of his brothers. He claims that he was just one of dozens of co-sponsors, but the way that he describes his role now is in stark contrast to how he described it back a few years ago when the legislation was being created. Back in a press release from 2014, Norcross claimed that he “led the charge” in getting the bill passed and was bragging about it. The bill is now being examined by Dem Governor Phil Murphy who is skeptical as to whether the program has actually brought jobs to New Jersey or crippled state revenue for the upcoming years.</p>
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<p><strong>California Dems Propose Resolution Linking Israeli Government to Massacre at Pittsburgh Synagogue</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/california-dems-draft-resolutions-link-israel-to-white-supremacist-violence-massacre-at-pittsburgh-synagogue">A draft resolution that is set to be debated in California accuses the Israeli government of aligning with white supremacist groups and being Islamophobic. </a> It also indirectly links Israel to the 2018 massacre at a Pittsburgh synagogue. The resolution could start a lively debate at the California Democratic Party State Convention if the Resolutions Committee decides to table it. This is mainly due to the fact that prominent Democrats have had some very high-profile allegations of anti-Semitism. This resolution is set to be debated Friday morning, where 14 Democratic presidential contenders are set to appear including Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, and Bernie Sanders.</p>
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<p><strong>Media Flooded With Impeachment Stories, Despite Tepid Backing on Capitol Hill </strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/media-flooded-with-impeachment-stories-despite-tepid-backing-on-capitol-hill">Nancy Pelosi is still holding out on impeachment calls even after Robert Mueller’s public statement the other day. </a> Impeachment seems to be the only thing on a lot of people’s minds when it comes to President Trump these days, including presidential candidate hopefuls Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Beto O’Rourke. Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders have not given an opinion yet, but three-quarters of Democrats favor impeachment at this point. Pelosi has pointed out the the number of House Democrats that are calling for impeachment are from the far left and total around 40, but there are 235 Democrats in the chamber. Impeachment cannot happen without the House Speaker (Pelosi) approval.</p>
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<p><strong>Other Headlines:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/446265-sanders-banking-on-iowa-win-to-surge-past-biden">Sanders Banking on Iowa Win to Surge Past Biden</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/pence-trudeau-canada-nafta/2019/05/30/id/918250/">Pence Says US-Canada Relationship Has ‘Never Been Stronger’</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/30/uss-john-mccain-trump-japan-1491631">Outrage Over McCain Incident Adds to Shanahan’s Hurdles</a></li>
</ul>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-05-31T12:56:00ZPelosi Continues to Stave Off Calls for Trump Impeachment; De Niro Pens Open Letter to Mueller: 'The Country Needs to Hear Your Voice'BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Pelosi-Continues-to-Stave-Off-Calls-for-Trump-Impeachment;-De-Niro-Pens-Open-Letter-to-Mueller:-The-Country-Needs-to-Hear-Your-Voice/73883760036083253.html2019-05-30T12:33:00Z2019-05-30T12:33:00Z<p style="display: inline !important;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">DOJ Watchdog Accuses Ex-FBI Official of Leaking 'Sensitive' Information, Accepting Gift from Media</span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong>A former deputy assistant director of the Justice Department was accused of leaking sensitive information by the department’s Inspector General. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/47811/breaking-doj-muellers-office-release-joint-ryan-saavedra">The deputy is being accused of accepting a gift from a member of the media in exchange for information, which was later leaked.</a> The deputy accepted a ticket with a value of $225 to attend a media sponsored dinner. No charges have been filed yet, but the case has been referred to the FBI for possible further investigation. These accusations come as part of the Justice Department’s review of the FBI, particularly during the 2016 campaign season, where the FBI was encouraged to restate to its employees what contact they should have with the media and its ethics rules when it comes to accepting gifts.</p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Pelosi Continues to Stave Off Calls for Trump Impeachment</span></strong></p>
<p>Special counsel Robert Mueller surprised everyone on Wednesday by giving a brief public statement about his findings in the Russia investigation, and deemed that it was up to Congress to decide what to do with what he found. He reminded everyone that he could not exonerate Trump, but also under Justice Department policy no sitting president can be charged with a crime. This is all Congress needed to get back into the motion of talking about impeachment proceedings. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/headline/pelosi-impeachment-mueller-democrats/2019/05/29/id/918088/">House Speaker Nancy Pelosi once again has shut down any talks of impeachment</a>, saying that it would be divisive for the nation and they prefer to continue investigating the president.</p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Feds Transferred Over 230 Undocumented Immigrants Detained Near Mexico Border to NYC-Area Jails</span></strong></p>
<p>As the crisis at the border continues on, more than 230 undocumented immigrants that were detained at the US-Mexico border were transferred to jails near New York City. <a href="https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-borders-crossers-nyc-20190529-jspoiqkm7bd3foedvon2nlkopu-story.html">ICE jails in Bergen, Hudson, and Orange county are being called on to take in these migrants</a>, and this is the first time this area has received such a large number of border crossers. They are said to be transferred here in order to maintain safe and healthy environments for all migrants. This fiscal year has brought in the largest number of people to the southern border in years, and border patrol is still struggling to keep up with the amount of arrivals as resources continue to wear thin. The only comparable act to what is being done right now is when roughly 300 undocumented children separated from their families were held at New York area facilities last year, but that was under the orders of a different federal agency.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Clinton Blasts Trump Admin For Work To 'Tear Down Civil Rights'</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/clinton-trump-civil-rights/2019/05/29/id/918111/">Hillary Clinton decided to negatively target the Trump administration while giving her commencement address at Hunter College in New York City. </a> She said that the administration’s work was an attempt “to tear down hard-earned civil rights.” She also referenced President Donald Trump’s travel ban, which she referred to as a “Muslim ban”, and his new zero-tolerance immigration policy. Clinton began to go in on the administration only ten minutes into her speech, and continued to talk about his numerous attempts to control immigration including the now-rescinded immigration policy from last year that took children away from their parents. Clinton spent a good amount of her speech bashing Trump and his administration.</p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">De Niro Pens Open Letter to Mueller: 'The Country Needs to Hear Your Voice'<br /><br /></span></strong>Actor Robert De Niro plays special counsel Robert Mueller on “Saturday Night Live”. <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/446061-de-niro-pens-letter-to-mueller-the-country-needs-to-hear-your">On Wednesday he called for the attention of the real Mueller,</a> just hours after the special counsel made his first public statement about the Russia investigation, with an open letter to the New York Times. De Niro wrote in response to Mueller saying that everything everyone needed to know was in the 448-page report, saying that while the document may “speak for itself” the country still needs to hear Mueller’s actual voice on the matter. He makes it a point to say that since it is the special counsel’s report, he should be the voice of what it says and means to the American public. If the special counsel had nothing more to say about the matter, he could just read directly from the report itself.</p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Other Headlines:</span></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>DOJ, Mueller’s Office <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/47811/breaking-doj-muellers-office-release-joint-ryan-saavedra">Release Joint Statement Clarifying Mueller’s Comments</a></li>
<li><a href="https://thehill.com/hilltv/what-americas-thinking/445989-hill-harrisx-poll-trump-job-approval-at-44-percent-down">Trump Job Approval Stands at 44 Percent in Poll</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/05/29/pelosi-facebook-photo/">Pelosi Keeps Riff with Facebook</a> Alive After Dinging Execs for ‘Wittingly’ Enabling Russian Interference</li>
<li>Twitter Researching How to Deal with White Supremacists on the Platform: <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/technology/446049-twitter-researching-how-to-deal-with-white-supremacists-on-the-platform">Report</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/trump-bannon-wolff/2019/05/29/id/918125/">WashPost Runs Scathing Review of Wolff’s New Trump Book</a></li>
</ul>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-05-30T12:33:00ZMueller Team: There Was No Draft Indictment for Trump; Resurfaced Video Shows Biden Favoring English Requirement For 'Illegal Aliens'BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Mueller-Team:-There-Was-No-Draft-Indictment-for-Trump;-Resurfaced-Video-Shows-Biden-Favoring-English-Requirement-For-Illegal-Aliens/-226344045856925626.html2019-05-29T12:29:00Z2019-05-29T12:29:00Z<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Mueller Team: There Was No Draft Indictment for Trump</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/robert-mueller-michael-wolff-indictment/2019/05/28/id/917845/">On Tuesday, a claim that special counsel Robert Mueller drafted an indictment for obstruction of justice against President Trump was said to be false</a>. The claim was made by “Fire and Fury” author Michael Wolff who wrote in his new book that Mueller wrote a three-count indictment for obstruction of justice, but ultimately decided against using it. Peter Carr, Mueller’s spokesman, told The Guardian that “The documents that you’ve described do not exist.” Wolff has defended his writing by stating that he has never investigated, or facet checked anything. He calls himself an “observer” and writes about what he sees and hears, which he says, “has nothing to do with the truth.”<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">New Mexico mayor files cease and desist to group starting to build border wall</span></strong></p>
<p>The private group that had put up funding to help build part of the wall at the southern US-Mexico border has been <a href="https://thehill.com/latino/445863-new-mexico-mayor-files-cease-and-desist-to-group-starting-to-build-border-wall">issued a cease and desist. </a> Within the past few days the group We Build the Wall started to fill the gaps in existing barriers with an 18-foot steel bollard wall. The organization’s website lists former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon as members of its leadership team. The organization has also raised more than $20 million for wall funding through a GoFundMe campaign so far this year. The cease and desist has been ordered because there have been no permits or construction plans that have gone through the city for approval. The mayor of Sunland Park Javier Perea says that the wall is taller than city ordinance allows.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Resurfaced Video Shows Biden Favoring English Requirement For 'Illegal Aliens'</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/resurfaced-video-shows-biden-favoring-english-requirement-for-illegal-aliens-says-bilingual-nations-dont-do-all-that-well">A video from a 2006 interview between then-Sen. Joe Biden and MSNBC host Chris Matthews shows that Biden pushed for illegal immigrants to learn English</a> as a condition for legal status. The two men are shown agreeing that there should be a language requirement because countries that have two dominant languages do not do well, using Switzerland and Canada as examples. Matthews said that immigrants speaking the same language would “unite” the country. The video has surfaced after Biden launched his challenge against Trump’s immigration plan that was proposed earlier this month and has subsequently been criticized by congressional Democrats. Earlier this month there was another video that surfaced that showed Biden advocating for “700 miles of fence” at the border and criminal punishment for illegal immigrants.</p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Report: Trump Administration Allowing Tourist Visas for Elderly Mexicans to Visit Undocumented Family in US</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/05/28/trump-visas-elderly-mexicans-visit/">The US government has been granting tourist visas to elderly Mexicans who want to visit their undocumented children in the US since 2017. </a> While the program, called “Palomas Mensajeras Michoacán”, is not officially endorsed by the government, it has officials in Michoacan, Mexico who have been working with the US State Department to give families the chance to reunite with one another over a three-week visit. The groups involved with making this program happen are now worried that with the crackdown on immigration this is just a trick to catch their undocumented family members. There has been no report that any of the undocumented immigrants returned to their countries have been captured through this program.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Morgan Stanley Says Economy is on ‘Recession Watch’ as Bond Market Flashes Warning</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/28/morgan-stanley-says-economy-on-recession-watch-amid-bond-warning.html">According to an analysis done by Morgan Stanley, one of Wall Street’s top investment banks, the stock market and economic outlook in the US are “deteriorating”. </a> Renewed trade tensions coupled with falling durable goods and spending in the service sector spiraling downward, the US’s profits and economic growth are at risk. A recent survey from financial data firm IHS Markit showed that manufacturing activity has reached an all time low compared to the last nine years. Many reports that show the numbers falling date back to April, which means that even before trade tensions began to rise these problems were already there. Dow and the S&P have both fallen this month by 4.6% and 4.8%, respectively.</p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Other Headlines:</span></strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/pope-trump-border-wall/2019/05/28/id/917899/">Pope Says He Would Confront Trump Directly on Border Wall</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/05/28/dhs-immigration-deal-guatemala/">DHS Inks Deal With Guatemala to Combat Immigration Crisis</a></li>
<li>NYT Reporter: <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/05/28/nyt-obama-wh-officials-ignored-subpoenas/">Obama WH Officials Ignored Subpoenas Too</a></li>
<li>Report: <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/05/28/christopher-steele-not-cooperate-durham/">Christopher Steele Will Not Cooperate With US Attorney’s Investigation</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/avenatti-pleads-nike-stormydaniels/2019/05/28/id/917930/">Avenatti Pleads Not Guilty to Extorting Nike, Ripping Off Stormy Daniels</a></li>
</ul>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-05-29T12:29:00ZGOP Rep Criticizes Trump for Tweeting Pelosi Video; First-Ever Private Border Wall Built in New MexicoBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/GOP-Rep-Criticizes-Trump-for-Tweeting-Pelosi-Video;-First-Ever-Private-Border-Wall-Built-in-New-Mexico/-213482681322682640.html2019-05-28T12:14:00Z2019-05-28T12:14:00Z<p><strong>GOP Rep Criticizes Trump for Tweeting Pelosi Video</strong></p>
<p><a href="Rep.%20Will%20Hurd%20criticized%20President%20Trump%20after%20he%20shared%20a%20video%20on%20Twitter%20that%20inaccurately%20depicted%20House%20Speaker%20Nancy%20Pelosi">Rep. Will Hurd criticized President Trump after he shared a video on Twitter that inaccurately depicted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi</a>. The video first appeared last week after Trump walked out of a meeting with Pelosi saying that he would not meet with any Democratic lawmakers until all investigations about him were ceased. The video going around Twitter was slowed down audio-wise to make it appear as though Pelosi was slurring her words, but the first one to appear was on Fox News’s “Lou Dobbs Tonight” that also included several verbal pauses.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>First-Ever Private Border Wall Built in New Mexico</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/may/27/first-ever-private-border-wall-built-new-mexico/">A private group called We Build the Wall have begun constructing an 18-foot steel bollard wall along the southern border</a>, which is similar in design used by Border Patrol. The part that the group has now funded has sealed off a part of the area that was lacking a fence. One of the president’s candidates for a new head of immigration, former secretary of state in Kansas Kris Kobach, said that the new project has Trump’s blessing and that the agents are eager to have assistance down at the border. This comes at a critical time for wall construction after a federal judge halted the president’s emergency declaration to shift funds around after Congress refused to grant him the money he wanted.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Rep. Rashida Tlaib Says House ‘Moving Towards’ Consensus for Trump Impeachment</strong></p>
<p>Rep. Rashida Tlaib <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/rashida-tlaib-house-moving-trump-impeachment">first filed her impeachment resolution in March of this year</a>. Within one month she has gained five co-sponsors. When asked on “Meet the Press” about why a majority of House Democrats do not already support impeachment, Tlaib did not give a straight answer. She instead said that he believes that “it’s moving towards that.” A lot of belief as to why they will not pursue impeachment is because of the 2020 election, but Tlaib claims that this is not the case. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has remained firm and continues to resist impeachment proceedings within the House, but she has been facing an immense amount of pressure that is only continuing to increase.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Meghan McCain to Amy Klobuchar: Leave My Father’s Legacy Out of Politics</strong> </p>
<p>Sen. Amy Klobuchar hosted a campaign event last week and claimed that the late Sen. John McCain “kept reciting to me the names of dictators” while President Trump was giving his inaugural address. McCain’s daughter, Meghan McCain, wrote on Twitter in response to this quote given by Klobuchar. <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/meghan-mccain-amy-klobuchar-tweet-trump-dictators">She implored that Klobuchar “be respectful to all of us and leave my father’s legacy and memory out of presidential politics.” </a> Klobuchar continued her speech to say that the country has been dark since the day the current president took office.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Republican Congressman Hits Trump Hard on Twitter for Teaming Up With Kim Jong Un to Bash Biden</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.mediaite.com/trump/republican-congressman-hits-trump-hard-on-twitter-for-teaming-up-with-kim-jong-un-to-bash-biden/">Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Illinois) did not hold back when criticizing President Trump for tweets that he made praising North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. </a> The North Korean leader was quoted by the president saying that “he called Swampman Joe Biden a low IQ individual, & worse.” There was a fake quote that began to circulate on Sunday afternoon regarding the president’s meeting with Jong Un that sparked a lot of outrage, but there was actually a real quote made by the president that was the basis for the fake quote. There was a flood of criticism that poured in after this was tweeted, many people saying they are unhappy the president is siding with a known dictator over a fellow American, despite that person being his leading opponent for the 2020 election.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Other Headlines:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.mediaite.com/trump/nyu-prof-ian-bremmer-universally-panned-for-tweeting-out-fake-trump-quote/">NYU Prof Ian Bremmer Universally Panned for Tweeting Out Fake Trump Quote</a></li>
<li>3 Forecast Modelers <a href="https://www.axios.com/trump-2020-presidential-election-forecast-models-b9a95aca-7f25-4c6a-af91-720b7828afa5.html">Predict Trump Will Win in 2020</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/05/27/ocasio-cortez-glamour-shot-hope-hicks/">Ocasio-Cortez Lashes Out Over NYT’s ‘Glamour’ Shot of Hope Hicks</a></li>
<li><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/445681-trump-hits-biden-for-1994-crime-bill-support">Trump Hits Biden for 1994 Crime Bill Support</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-police-record-83-rise-in-hate-crimes-11558958400">New York Police Record 83% Rise in Hate Crimes</a></li>
</ul>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-05-28T12:14:00ZBrexit Failure Forces British Prime Minister Theresa May to Announce Resignation; Trump Orders Intel Agencies to Cooperate with Barr Probe IntoBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Brexit-Failure-Forces-British-Prime-Minister-Theresa-May-to-Announce-Resignation;-Trump-Orders-Intel-Agencies-to-Cooperate-with-Barr-Probe-Into/-949151922152203654.html2019-05-24T12:40:00Z2019-05-24T12:40:00Z<p><strong>Trump-Pelosi Fight Threatens Drug Pricing Talks</strong> </p>
<p>One of the major standpoints of President Trump’s 2016 campaign was that he was going to work to lower prescription drug prices. After an explosive fight on Wednesday with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Trump is vowing to cut off work with Democrats thus threatening recent progress in bipartisan talks to lower drug prices. Some Republican lawmakers have been worried about these talks between the White House and Pelosi, fearing that the administration is moving too far left on the position of supporting Medicare to negotiate these prices. These lawmakers may not have anything to worry about though, because Trump is now refusing to talk with Democrats until they stop investigating him. <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/445324-trump-pelosi-fight-threatens-progress-in-drug-pricing-talks">The talks of new drug pricing are expected to continue at a staff level.</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><strong>Brexit Failure Forces British Prime Minister Theresa May to Announce Resignation</strong></strong></p>
<p>UK Prime Minister <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/24/europe/theresa-may-resigns-brexit-gbr-intl/index.html">Theresa May announced her resignation in an emotional speech on Friday</a>, finally bowing to intense political pressure over the failure to deliver her signature policy -- Britain's withdrawal from the European Union. Standing at a lectern outside Downing Street on Friday morning, May said she would quit as leader of the Conservative Party on June 7, but would stay on as Prime Minister <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/24/uk/may-resigns-what-next-merrick-gbr-intl/index.html" target="_blank">until a successor is chosen</a>. May said she had done everything she could to convince Members of Parliament (MPs) to back her thrice-rejected Brexit deal, but acknowledged that she had failed.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Trump Orders Intel Agencies to Cooperate with Barr Probe Into ‘Spying’ on 2016 Campaign</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/445347-trump-orders-intel-agencies-to-cooperate-with-barr-probe-into-spying">President Trump has given Attorney General William Barr complete access to any information related to the investigation into him. </a> U.S. intelligence officials have been ordered to cooperate with Barr, as well as gave him full authority to declassify any information necessary. Barr said that he would be reviewing how the information against the president was collected, saying that he believes the campaign was spied on. FBI Director Christopher Wray shied away from the term “spying” when referring to government investigations. The memo to give Barr access to any document necessary to the investigation included the Directors of National Intelligence and CIA, the Secretaries of State, Treasury, Defense, Energy, and Homeland Security.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Reports: Trump Agrees to $19B Disaster Relief Without Wall Funds</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/disaster-relief-bill-richard-shelby-alabama-border-wall/2019/05/23/id/917368/">President Trump has agreed with Democrats to sign a $19.1B disaster aid bill without any funding for his wall at the southern border of the US.</a> After months of fighting over a deal, all while the humanitarian crisis at the US-Mexico border was happening along with still rebuilding Puerto Rico two years after Hurricane Maria. The bipartisan bill gives Puerto Rico $605M for the food stand Nutrition Assistance Program and $304M to Community Development Block Grants. There is also a provision in the bill that forces the president to allow for $8.9B in withheld aid to get to Puerto Rico, and another provision that makes sure damaged facilities get repaired or replaced.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Nadler: Mueller Wants to Testify Privately</strong></p>
<p>After there were reports that special counsel <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/jerrold-nadler-robert-mueller-house-judiciary/2019/05/23/id/917393/">Robert Mueller wanted to do testify partly in private to shield some information from the public, it is now being reported that he wants to fully testify in private</a>. This comes from the Democratic head of the House Judiciary Committee Jerrold Nadler. Although he would be testifying in private, he would provide a public opening statement and there will be a transcript of it. His reasoning is he does not want to come off as too political or show any form of bias while he is speaking. By not having this public it eliminates the ability for anyone outside of the room to speculate and twist what he is saying. The committee’s intentions with everyone testifying is to allow the American people to understand exactly what was in the Mueller report, what was not in the report, and to just basically understand what is going on.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>House Intelligence Enjoys Breakthrough with Justice Department</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/445334-house-intelligence-enjoys-breakthrough-with-justice-department">The Justice Department and the House Intelligence Committee have begun to come together in their negotiations when it comes to investigations into the 2016 election. </a> The breakthrough will begin to allow lawmakers to look at highly sensitive intelligence files that were collected by Robert Mueller. The negotiations led to a delayed vote on the enforcement of a subpoena to force Attorney General William Barr to turn over materials. It is believed that the House Intelligence Committee is making more progress than Judiciary because Intelligence is more interested in foreign and counterintelligence files, while Judiciary is focusing on getting Mueller’s unredacted report. If the administration does not produce all of the documents they’ve requested, the committee will uphold and enforce its subpoena on Barr.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Other Headlines:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/judge-who-ruled-against-trump-on-house-subpoenas-donated-to-dems-on-panel-that-requested-the-records">Judge Who Upheld Trump Subpoena Donated to Dems on Committee Seeking the Records</a></li>
<li>Trump Defense Chief: <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/defense/445296-trump-defense-chief-us-may-send-more-troops-to-middle-east-amid-iran-tensions">US May Send More Troops to Middle East Amid Iran Tensions</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/trump-jr-senate-judiciary/2019/05/23/id/917316/">Trump Jr.: ‘Fully Cleared’ After ‘Testimony Nonsense’</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/court-trump-financials-house/2019/05/23/id/917374/">Court Order Fast-Track For Battle Over Release of Trump’s Financial Records </a> </li>
</ul>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-05-24T12:40:00ZTrump Denies 'Tantrum' in Meeting with Pelosi: 'It is all Such a Lie!'; Inslee Signs Bill Making Washington a Sanctuary StateBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Denies-Tantrum-in-Meeting-with-Pelosi:-It-is-all-Such-a-Lie!;-Inslee-Signs-Bill-Making-Washington-a-Sanctuary-State/-873902953367038292.html2019-05-23T12:26:00Z2019-05-23T12:26:00Z<p><strong>Judge Says Deutsche Bank, Capital One Can Turn Over Trump Financial Records to House Democrats</strong></p>
<p>President Trump, along with three of his children and his company, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/headline/judge-ruling-deutsche-bank-release/2019/05/22/id/917192/">lost their battle in trying to prevent their banks from providing financial records to Democratic lawmakers. </a> The House Oversight Committee is also seeking Trump’s financial records from his accounting firm and are one step closer to doing so after Wednesday night. The committee reached an agreement with the president’s lawyers to seek an expedited appeal in a court case. The banks are complying with all House subpoenas now after a decision from U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos in New York said that Congress has the legal authority to demand the records. Wells Fargo and TD Bank have already complied with the subpoena and are turning over documents,</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Unsealed Court Filings Reveal How Mueller Quickly Zeroed in on Michael Cohen</strong></p>
<p>A month after President Trump took office, Michael Cohen started making deals that caught the attention of now former special counsel Robert Mueller. Cohen agree to provide consulting services to a major pharmaceutical company that was set to take a big hit if Trump reduced prescription drug prices. The contract with Novartis was extremely vague on what Cohen would do for them, but one executive knew exactly what he was signing up for. The pharma giant was using Cohen primarily for one thing, and that was access to the president. This was all written in emails that were part of a seizure after Mueller obtained search warrants against Cohen from July and November 2017. <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/unsealed-court-filings-reveal-how-mueller-quickly-zeroed-in-on-michael-cohen/ar-AABKH0Y">The documents provide insights as to what Cohen did to spark interest in his business activity.</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Trump Denies ‘Tantrum’ in Meeting with Pelosi: ‘It is all Such a Lie!’</strong></p>
<p>After President Trump exited a meeting with Democratic leadership, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told her colleagues that he “had a temper tantrum for us all to see.” <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/445158-trump-denies-tantrum-in-meeting-with-pelosi-it-is-all-such-a-lie">The president responded in a Tweet later saying that this was all a lie and that he left in a very calm and polite matter.</a> Kellyanne Conway had a different story, saying it was actually Pelosi who was curt and rude. After Trump left the meeting early, which was meant to discuss the country’s infrastructure, Conway asked Pelosi if she had a response for the president to which she said, “I’m responding to the president, not staff.” This abrupt exit of the meeting is thought to have been because Pelosi accused the president of perpetrating a cover-up.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Inslee Signs Bill Making Washington a Sanctuary State</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/445134-inslee-signs-bill-making-washington-a-sanctuary-state">Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) declared on Wednesday that Washington is now a sanctuary state</a>, meaning that state and local authorities cannot question a person’s immigration status except in certain cases. The Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson (D) is also set to develop rules for courthouses and hospitals to prevent any searches by the federal government when they are searching for undocumented immigrants. Some of the rules that come with being a sanctuary state are that local law enforcement can only question people about their immigration status or birthplace when the person is directly tied to a criminal investigation. Local jails and state prisons also do not have to comply with federal immigration holds or notify federal authorities when an immigrant is being released from custody. This new bill gives the state of Washington “the strongest and most comprehensive state law on sanctuary in the country.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Pentagon Approves DHS Request to Build Tents to House 7,500 Migrants at Southern Border</strong></p>
<p>A request from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been approved by acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan to build temporary housing at six locations along the southern border, which can hold 7,500 adult migrants. <a href="https://thehill.com/latino/445128-pentagon-approves-dhs-request-to-build-tents-to-house-7500-adult-migrants-at-southern">The request was approved to help support DHS as the number of migrants increases every month and the humanitarian and security crisis continues to persist at the border. </a> The tents will be loaned by the Pentagon and will be erected by military personnel but will not be operated by the military. Acting DHS Secretary Kevin McAleenan said that he has asked for more money for the agency in the fiscal year 2020 budget as the overwhelming amount of people at the border are draining resources and stretching the agency so thin that they are unable to adequately respond.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Other Headlines:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/ice-immigration-mobile-devices-cellphones/2019/05/22/id/917206/">ICE Seeks Contract to Track Mobile Devices</a></li>
<li>Nearly ⅔ of Dems <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/05/22/fox-news-democrats-presidential-candidates/">Approve of Presidential Candidates Having Fox News Town Halls</a></li>
<li>Report: <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/trump-pardon-soldiers-war/2019/05/22/id/917213/">Military Law Experts Warn Against Presidential Pardons for US Soldiers’ War Crimes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/defense/445116-pentagon-to-present-white-house-with-plans-to-deploy-up-to-10k-troops-to">Pentagon to Present White House with Plans to Deploy Up to 10k Troops to Middle East:</a> Report</li>
<li><a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=12248">Left-Leaning Student Paper is About to Find Out What the Free Market is Like</a></li>
</ul>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-05-23T12:26:00ZNadler Subpoenas Hope Hicks and McGahn's Former Aide for Testimony; ICE Seeks Detention of Teens Accused in Murder of 14-Year-Old GirlBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Nadler-Subpoenas-Hope-Hicks-and-McGahns-Former-Aide-for-Testimony;-ICE-Seeks-Detention-of-Teens-Accused-in-Murder-of-14-Year-Old-Girl/-746144288519577477.html2019-05-22T12:48:00Z2019-05-22T12:48:00Z<p><strong>Nadler Subpoenas Hope Hicks and McGahn’s Former Aide for Testimony</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/444850-nadler-subpoenas-hope-hicks-and-mcgahns-former-aide-for-testimony">House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler subpoenaed two former White House officials</a> to testify before his committee and provide documents. There is already a lot of tension between Congress and the executive branch right now, and this move is likely going to increase that. The subpoenas were issued to Hope Hicks, former White House communications director and one of President Trump’s longest-serving aides, and Annie Donaldson, who served as chief of staff to former White House counsel Don McGahn. The subpoena orders both women to turn over documents by June 4. Hicks is then required to testify before the committee on June 19 and Donaldson on June 24. The committee believes that the two women witnessed a series of key events that they hope to examine as they review what special counsel Robert Mueller examined as possible obstruction of justice.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Report: RNC Paid $2 Million to McGahn’s Law Firm in April</strong><strong> </strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/rnc-mcgahn-law-firm-guns/2019/05/21/id/917033/">The Republican National Committee provided former White House counsel Donald McGahn’s law firm $2 million for legal services. </a> The RNC said in a statement that the payment was a bulk billing for two years’ worth of work. This is the largest RNC payment to the firm recorded in recent years. The payments went to Jones Day in the same month the House Judiciary Committee began seeking McGahn’s testimony in connection with its investigation into potential obstruction of justice by President Donald Trump. The RNC has spent for than $3.3 million on legal fees since 2017, and the Democratic National Committee has spend $1.4 million.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>DOJ Offers House Intel Some Mueller Materials if Schiff Drops Barr Threat</strong></p>
<p>The Justice Department is starting to bargain with the House Intelligence Committee. The Justice Department said they would provide them materials related to special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation as long as they dropped its threat to pursue an “enforcement action” against Attorney General William Barr. The department made to offer to Chairman Adam Schiff one day before the committee was set to vote on said “enforcement action”, although it was never stated what the action would be. The Justice Department has said that it will allow the entire committee to review a less redacted version of the first volume of the report, specifically the section that discusses Russian interference. <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/444833-doj-offers-house-intel-some-mueller-materials-if-schiff-drops-barr">This is the part of the report the committee is most interested in.</a> They will also identify an initial tranche of materials the committee is demanding that it would prioritize for review.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Mueller Reportedly Reluctant to Testify Publicly About Russia Probe</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/05/21/mueller-reluctant-congress-testimony/">Special counsel Robert Mueller and House Democrats have reportedly hit a roadblock.</a> Mueller is apparently reluctant to testify publicly about the Russia investigation for fear of being seen as too political. The roadblock comes from the two parties being unable to agree about how much of the testimony will be public. Mueller reportedly wants to testify privately about topics that are not laid out in the less redacted report. Democrats are going into this with the hope that Mueller will say whether or not President Donald Trump would be facing obstruction of justice charges if he were not president. They are hoping to get some more answers after Mueller concluded the report by saying that prosecutors were unable to establish that Trump officials colluded with Russia during the 2016 election.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>House Appropriations Passes Defense Bill That Would Limit Funds for Border Wall, Pull US Support from Yemen War</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/444891-house-appropriations-passes-defense-bill-that-would-limit-funds-for-border">The House Appropriations Committee passed its version of the fiscal year 2020 defense spending bill on Tuesday. </a> The committee voted for legislation that falls $8 billion below what the Trump administration requested. This shortage will curb the use of defense dollars away from building a border wall and ends U.S. military support for the conflict in Yemen. The bill funds the Defense Department $690.2 billion, which is $15.8 billion above what they received last year but still $8 billion below what was requested.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>‘Take Care of Your Own First’: Carson Defends Plan to Evict Illegals From Government Housing</strong></p>
<p>Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson is defending a White House proposal that would exclude all illegal immigrants from public housing. It began when <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/05/21/carson-democrats-hud-plan-immigrants/">Carson testified on Tuesday</a> in the House Financial Services Committee to discuss a range of topics. Several Democrats attacked Carson for his involvement in the plan that will reportedly kick as many as 55,000 legal children out of their homes. As it currently stands, families of mixed-immigration status can receive federal housing subsidies as long as one of the members was born in the U.S. or is the spouse of a citizen. The new White House proposal requires that every member of a household be of “eligible immigration status” in order to qualify. Carson is pushing back with the statement that, “this is common sense. You take care of your own first.”</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>ICE Again Seeks Detention of Maryland Teens Accused in Murder of 14-Year-Old Girl</strong></p>
<p>The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency announced that it had sought custody of <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/ice-again-seeks-detention-of-maryland-teens-accused-in-murder-of-14-year-old-girl">two MS-13 members accused of beating and stabbing a 14-year-old girl to death</a>. The two boys are natives of El Salvador and were arrested by police in Maryland last week. They are being charged as adults with first-degree murder. The two boys were arrested back in May 2018 and charged with attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, participation in gang activity, conspiracy to commit murder and attempted robbery. They were released without the notification of ICE on an unknown date and time, which allowed them to take a life.</p>
<p><strong> </strong><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Other Headlines:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/federal-wall-funding-of-1-57-billion-yields-1-7-miles-of-fence-1.1262220">Federal Wall Funding of $1.57 Billion</a> Yields 1.7 Miles of Fence</li>
<li><a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/immigration/article230577329.html">ICE Looked to Hire Transport Provider to Move Unaccompanied Minors and Migrant Families</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.mediaite.com/trump/draft-irs-memo-reportedly-contradicts-trump-admins-justification-for-not-giving-congress-trump-tax-returns/">Draft IRS Memo Reportedly Contradicts Trump Admin’s Justification</a> for Not Giving Congress Trump Tax Returns</li>
<li><a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/may/22/nevada-senate-passes-national-popular-vote-bill-pa/?234">Nevada Passes National Popular Vote Bill</a> in Bid to Upend Electoral College</li>
<li><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/bernie-sanders-bill-de-blasio-least-liked-2020-dems-poll-finds">Bernie Sanders, Bill de Blasio are Least-Liked 2020 Dems</a>, Poll Finds</li>
<li><a href="https://freebeacon.com/politics/men-paid-more-than-women-in-kamala-harriss-senate-office-and-campaign/">Men Paid More Than Women in Kamala Harris’s Senate Office and Campaign</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ocasio-cortez-growing-cauliflower-colonial">Ocasio-Cortez Says Growing Cauliflower in Community Gardens is ‘Colonial’</a></li>
</ul>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-05-22T12:48:00ZJudge Upholds Dem Subpoena for Trump Financial Records; Barr Says He's Working to Protect Presidency, Not TrumpBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Judge-Upholds-Dem-Subpoena-for-Trump-Financial-Records;-Barr-Says-Hes-Working-to-Protect-Presidency-Not-Trump/-249036751386533954.html2019-05-21T12:28:00Z2019-05-21T12:28:00Z<p><strong>Judge Upholds Dem Subpoena for Trump Financial Records</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/20/judge-upholds-dem-subpoena-for-trump-financial-records-1335370">A federal judge upheld a congressional subpoena seeking President Donald Trump’s financial records from an accounting firm. </a> The judge argued that even without launching a formal impeachment inquiry, Congress is still within its rights to investigate potentially illegal behavior by a president. The president has been resisting Democratic investigations, and the ruling now opens doors for Democrats to look into Trump, his finances, and his campaign. Not only did U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta uphold the subpoena, but Mehta also took it a step further by denying the president’s request for a stay pending appeal. Mehta’s decision enforces the idea that Trump is not immune from congressional scrutiny, and that lawmakers have the authority to investigate Trump’s conduct from both before and after he took office.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>House Panel Releases Michael Cohen Transcripts</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/444651-house-panel-releases-michael-cohen-transcripts">The House Intelligence Committee has released transcripts of its private interviews with Michael Cohen. </a> The documents reveal that Cohen told lawmakers that Jay Sekulow, the president’s attorney, knew that the testimony he gave to Congress back in 2017 would be false. Before Cohen was sent to prison for three years, earlier this year in February and March, the committee interviewed Cohen. It focused heavily on Cohen’s previous statement to Congress on discussions within the Trump Organization about building a Trump Tower in Moscow. Cohen told lawmakers that he discussed his false statement to Congress with Sekulow in 2017, and that Sekulow encouraged him to say the Tower discussions ended in January 2016 as opposed to June 2016.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>CNN Interviews 19 Undocumented Immigrants Who Worked for and Met Trump: He ‘Must Have Known’ About Us</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.mediaite.com/tv/cnn-interviews-19-undocumented-immigrants-who-worked-for-and-met-trump-he-must-have-known-about-us/">CNN correspondent Randi Kaye interviewed 19 undocumented workers</a> who all worked for the Trump Organization. They all said they had met Donald Trump, and several claimed he must have known they were undocumented. The workers, coming from places including Mexico and Guatemala, provided pay stubs and work uniforms during the interview. Anibal Romero, an immigration attorney, was also present and represents a larger group of undocumented former Trump employees. One worker, Sandra Diaz, worked as a housekeeper for Trump for four years. He had keys to his house at his New Jersey golf resort and claims to have “worked really close to him in his house.” She believes Trump knew she was undocumented because he had to sign off on everything at the club.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Kobach Gave List of Demands to White House for ‘Immigration Czar’ Job: Report</strong><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach is not taking it lightly when it comes to demands regarding his potential acceptance of the “immigration czar” position President Trump is creating. <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/444662-kobach-gave-list-of-demands-to-white-house-for-immigration-czar-job">He reportedly would like the White House to provide him access to a jet 24 hours a day and an office in the West Wing. </a> He also asked for a promise that Trump would eventually nominate him to be Homeland Security secretary unless he wanted to stay in the role. He also said that he would need to be the principal spokesperson for issues related to immigration and the cabinet secretaries with expertise on the issue would need to defer to him. The czar’s main responsibilities would be to coordinate his border policies across federal agencies.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>House Oversight Committee Requests Information on Reported Trump Plan to Send TSA Employees to Border</strong></p>
<p>The House Oversight and Reform Committee requested information related to <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/444658-house-oversight-committee-requests-information-on-reported-trump-plan-to-send">President Trump’s new plan to send Transportation Security Administration employees to the border. </a> The committee is expressing concerns that by directing these employees elsewhere, aviation security will be weakened, and risks faced by the American people will increase. Multiple outlets reported that the Department of Homeland Security had started assigning agents from airports to the southern border in response to a surge in migrant crossings.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Barr Says He’s Working to Protect Presidency, Not Trump</strong><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Attorney General William Barr that he views his role at the Justice Department one<a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/444684-barr-says-hes-working-to-protect-presidency-not-trump"> where he can help protect his long-held belief in executive power</a>. He has been fighting hard at President Trump’s defense because he feels as though “the rules were being changed to hurt Trump.” This core belief is what caused him to take the position as attorney general again after previous serving in the position as part of President George H.W. Bush’s administration. Barr made his position clear after facing scrutiny from Democrats over his handling of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Other Headlines:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/loretta-lynch-james-comey-contradition-clinton-probe-matter-investigation">Loretta Lynch Accuses Comey of Misrepresenting Key Clinton Probe Conversation</a>, Was ‘Quite Surprised’ By His Testimony</li>
<li><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/444666-top-house-dem-calls-to-launch-impeachment-inquiry-if-mcgahn-skips-testimony">Top House Dem Calls to Launch Impeachment Inquiry if McGahn Skips Testimony</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/20/nancy-pelosi-impeachment-1336587">Pelosi Clashes with Fellow Dems</a> in Closed-Door Debate on Impeachment</li>
<li><a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/20/politics/trump-inaugural-prosecutors-new-york/index.html">Prosecutors Examining Tens of Thousands of Trump Inauguration Documents</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-pennsylvania-maga-rally-2020-biden">Trump, at Raucous Pennsylvania Rally, Slams Scranton-Born Biden:</a> ‘He Deserted You’</li>
<li>Researchers Find Coordinated <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/technology/444597-researchers-find-campaign-on-instagram-to-undermine-trump">Anti-Trump Campaign on Instagram</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/05/20/pete-buttigieg-town-hall-fox-news-msnbc-nielsen-ratings/">Buttigieg’s Town Hall Beats MSNBC, CNN Combined</a></li>
<li><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/444661-orourke-says-he-would-absolutely-do-fox-news-town-hall">O’Rourke Says He Would ‘Absolutely’ Do Fox News Town Hall</a></li>
</ul>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-05-21T12:28:00ZMaxine Waters Calls Trump's Immigration Plan 'Very Racist'; Border Patrol Flies Hundreds of Migrants to CaliforniaBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Maxine-Waters-Calls-Trumps-Immigration-Plan-Very-Racist;-Border-Patrol-Flies-Hundreds-of-Migrants-to-California/82018279442115349.html2019-05-20T12:48:00Z2019-05-20T12:48:00Z<p><strong>Maxine Waters Calls Trump’s Immigration Plan ‘Very Racist’</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/444240-maxine-waters-parts-of-trump-immigration-plan-are-very-racist">Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) claimed that some aspects of President Donald Trump’s immigration proposal are “very racist”. </a> When asked what specifically is racist about the plan, Waters pointed to the part that is giving highly skilled workers and proficient English speakers priority over other migrants. The plan as of now allows for more well-educated migrants to be admitted in exchange for fewer low-skilled migrants. Trump’s plan also limits migrants coming over just because their family is already in the US.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Trump Officials Not Sending Migrants to Florida After Backlash</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/444391-trump-admin-wont-be-sending-migrants-to-florida-after-backlash">U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will no longer send migrant families to Florida after the proposal from the Trump administration resulted in backlash from local and state officials. </a> A CBP official said that the administration is no longer looking at transporting family units to Florida, but they are looking at other areas of the country to house migrants in. President Trump spoke with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R.) and claimed he never approved of this plan and would not authorize it. Governor DeSantis was never notified by federal authorities that such a plan was in place. A CBP official said that Immigration and Customs Enforcement were flying people to San Diego and Del Rio, Texas.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Border Patrol Flies Hundreds of Migrants to California</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/may/19/border-patrol-flies-migrants-california/">The U.S. Border Patrol is flying hundreds of migrant families from south Texas to San Diego for processing. </a> They are also considering flying them to cities such as Detroit, Miami and Buffalo, New York. This plan is just the latest sign of how the Border Patrol is struggling to keep up with the number of migrants coming to the southern border. The flights moving the migrants were set to start on Friday and carry on indefinitely three times a week. U.S. authorities are already moving four buses a day from the Rio Grande Valley to Larego, Texas. Each flight will carry 120-135 people. Moving the migrants to less crowded places is expected to distribute the workload more evenly.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Homeland Security Releases 9K Illegal Aliens into U.S. in 8 Days; 1.1K Released Every Day</strong></p>
<p>Within eight days (May 6 through May 13) the <a href="https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/05/16/homeland-security-releases-9k-illegal-aliens-into-u-s-in-8-days-1-1k-released-every-day/">Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released almost 9,000 border crossers and illegal aliens into the interior of the United States. </a> Catch and release totals confirm that between these dates roughly 9,000 border crossers, about 1,100 every day within that week, have been released into a variety of American communities by DHS. The catch and release process often entail busing border crossers into nearby border cities and dropping them off with the hope that they will show up for their immigration and asylum hearings. Since December 21, 2018, about 177,600 border crossers haven been released into the interior of the U.S.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Alleged Serial Killer, a Kenyan Man in the US Illegally, is Charged in Multiple Dallas-Area Deaths</strong><strong> </strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/alleged-serial-killer-a-kenyan-man-in-the-us-illegally-is-charged-in-11-dallas-area-deaths">A Kenyan man living in the U.S. illegally has been charged with killing 11 more elderly women and stealing their jewelry/valuables. </a> Billy Chemirmir, 46, was indicted Tuesday on multiple counts of capital murder. All of his victims ranged from 76 to 94 years old. Chemirmir also faces five charges of capital murder in Collin County, and he been charged with two counts of attempted capital murder in connection with similar attacks there.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Treasury Department Rejects Dem Subpoena for Trump Tax Returns</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/finance/444335-trump-administration-rejects-house-dem-subpoena-for-trump-tax-returns">Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin once again ignored a subpoena from House Democrats for President Trump’s tax returns</a>, which is likely now going to start a court battle for the documents. After Mnuchin rejected the subpoena, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D.-Mass) said he is “consulting with counsel on how best to enforce the subpoenas moving forward. Neal said in a statement on Friday that the subpoenas should not have been needed in the first place because Treasury should have complied with his requests earlier. </p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Mueller’s House Testimony Likely Off Until At Least June</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong><a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/17/mueller-testimony-june-1331704">House Democrats are backing away from plans to hold a blockbuster hearing with Robert Mueller after talks stalled out with the special counsel and his representatives. </a> Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler said that there is no Mueller hearing planned for next week, but that can change at any time if he decides he is ready to testify. The hearing has been stalled because of the fight between Democrats and the Trump administration over access to documents and testimony tied to the Russia investigation. President Trump has threatened to invoke executive privilege on a range of outstanding congressional requests which include access to a full unredacted version of the Mueller report, stating that he does not think Mueller should testify.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Other Headlines:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/dna-tests-reveal-30-of-suspected-fraudulent-migrant-families-were-unrelated">DNA Tests Reveal 30% of Suspected Fraudulent Migrant Families Were Unrelated</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-border-patrol-to-ease-overcrowding-by-flying-migrants-from-texas-to/">Border Patrol to Fly Migrants from Texas to California Three</a> Times Per Week to Ease Overcrowding</li>
<li>The Little-Noticed Surge Across the U.S.-Mexico Border: <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/the-little-noticed-surge-across-the-u-s-mexico-border-americans-heading-south/">Americans Heading South</a></li>
<li>Fox News Surprising Poll Results: <a href="https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-fox-new-poll-trump-mueller-20190518-flmgbtawonbzvnebgp4vz4l254-story.html">Mueller is More Trusted Than Trump and Barr</a></li>
<li><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/finance/444462-bank-staff-highlighted-suspicious-activity-in-trump-kushner-controlled">Bank Staff Highlighted ‘Suspicious Activity’ in Trump-, Kushner-Controlled Accounts</a>: Report</li>
<li><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/news/444368-aclu-womens-march-and-other-womens-groups-to-hold-nationwide-protests-over">ACLU, Women’s March to Hold Nationwide Protests Over Abortion Bans</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/offset-alabama-abortion-law-slavery-twitter">Rapper Offset Likens Alabama Abortion Law to Slavery</a>, Says He’s Not Proud to be an American</li>
</ul>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-05-20T12:48:00ZPresident Trump to Propose New Immigration Plan; Alabama Governor Signs New Abortion Bill Into LawBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/President-Trump-to-Propose-New-Immigration-Plan;-Alabama-Governor-Signs-New-Abortion-Bill-Into-Law/-294775771288363208.html2019-05-16T12:33:00Z2019-05-16T12:33:00Z<p><strong>Trump to Propose Plan to Make Immigration More Merit-Based</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/headline/trump-immigration-plan-merit/2019/05/15/id/916158/">President Donald Trump will outline a plan for immigration that will harden border control</a>, as well as overhaul the legal immigration system to favor certain applicants. The applicants the new system will focus on allowing into the country more are those who speak English, are well-educated and have job offers. This proposal is largely the product of senior advisors Jared Kushner and Stephen Miller with economic aide Kevin Hassett also in the mix. While the chances of it being passed are slim, President Trump is hoping the plan will unite Republicans finally on this issue, which is projected to be a key issue during the 2020 election. The plan will keep legal immigration steady at 1.1 million people a year, but unlike past decades family-based immigration will only count for a third of that while high-skilled people with jobs would be given priority. It will also harden border patrol by building more of the wall at the southern border and improve inspections of goods and people at ports of entry.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>White House Launches Tool to Report Censorship on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter</strong></p>
<p><a href="The%20White%20House%20launched%20a%20new%20tool%20for%20people%20to%20use%20on%20social%20media%20platforms%20if%20they%20feel%20they’ve%20been%20wrongly%20censored.">The White House launched a new tool for people to use on social media platforms if they feel they’ve been wrongly censored. </a> The site in which the tool is on stated that if a person thinks their account has been suspended, banned, or reported because of political bias that the person should share their story with the President. A Twitter spokesperson responded to the new tool by saying that they enforce the rules for every user the same way no matter what their background or political affiliation is. Facebook, Google, and YouTube did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Over the past few months, Republicans have taken aim at social media networks, citing claims that conservatives have been wrongly censored on these platforms. This movement by conservatives began last April when the House Judiciary Committee invited pro-Trump online personalities Diamond and Silk to discuss being censored on social media. The tool is hosed on Typeform and asks users for screenshots and links of the offending content, and allows for them to explain in a text field what actions were taken against them.<br /> </p>
<p><strong>Mnuchin Signals Administration Won’t Comply with Subpoena for Trump Tax Returns</strong><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Wednesday signaled that the administration would not provide President Trump’s tax returns that have been subpoenaed by House Democrats. Mnuchin also stated multiple times that he thinks the fight between Congress and the executive branch is going to end up in courts. <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/finance/443807-mnuchin-signals-administration-wont-comply-with-subpoena-for-trump-tax">These comments come two days before the deadline for him and IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig must comply with the subpoenas</a>, which they are not expected to do. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D.-Mass) wants the returns because his committee is interested in oversight and legislation relating to how the IRS audits and enforces tax laws against a president.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Trump Declares National Emergency Over Threats Against US Technology Amid Campaign Against Huawei</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/15/trump-signs-executive-order-declaring-national-emergency-over-threats-against-us-technology.html">President Donald Trump declared a national emergency over threats against American technology. </a> The move was done by Trump issuing an executive order, which authorized the Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to block transactions that involve information or communications technology that may pose a threat to national security. The U.S. Department of Commerce then announced the addition of Huawei Technologies and its affiliates to the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) Entity List, making it more difficult for the Chinese telecom giant to conduct business with U.S. companies. This means that U.S. companies now need a license issued by the BIS in order to sell or transfer technology to Huawei. This decision comes as the U.S. and China remain locked in a trade dispute.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>DHS Asks Military to Build Six New Tent Cities at the Southern Border</strong><strong> </strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/latino/443925-dhs-asks-military-to-build-six-new-tent-cities-at-the-southern-border">The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reportedly enlisting the military to build half a dozen tent cities at the southern border to hold some 7,500 migrants. </a> The Pentagon would build the tents while the camps themselves are to be operated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan is expected to sign an order fulfilling the DHS request.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>TSA to Deploy Hundreds, Including Air Marshals, to Border</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/15/politics/tsa-border-security/index.html">The Transportation Security Administration plans to send hundreds of officials to the southern border</a> to help deal with the massive inflow of migrants as the busy summer travel season begins. The TSA workers, including air marshals, will be assisting with immigration duties. The need for these workers at the border means that TSA has accepted that there will be “some risk” in aviation security. There are plans for up to 175 law enforcement officials and as many as “400 people from Security Ops” to be deployed. The initial law enforcement teams will be drawn from six cities.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Alabama Governor Signs Near-Total Abortion Ban Into Law</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/abortion-kay-ivey-signs-bill/2019/05/15/id/916170/">Alabama’s Republican governor signed an abortion law into place that is the biggest challenge to Roe v. Wade yet. </a> The law makes abortion in nearly all cases a felony. The bill’s supporters want to give the U.S. Supreme Court justices a chance a gut abortion rights nationwide, while abortion rights advocates claim that the bill is a slap in the face to women voters. Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison says that she hopes the bill will wake up women voters in the state, but Republican Chris Kratzer noted that there is no congressional district and likely no legislative district with enough swing votes to put Republicans at serious risk. The legislation passed make it so that performing an abortion at any stage of pregnancy a felony punishable by 10 to 99 years or life in prison for the provider. The only exception would be when the woman’s health is at serious risk. Women seeking or undergoing abortions wouldn’t be punished.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Immigrants in US Military Denied Citizenship More Often Than Civilians</strong><strong> </strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/immigration-citizenship-military-civilians/2019/05/15/id/916153/">More immigrants who are civilians are being granted U.S. citizenship than immigrants who are serving in the military. </a> U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton has said that, “the U.S. has had a long-standing tradition of immigrants come to the U.S. and have military service provide a path to citizenship. To have this turnaround, where they are actually taking a back seat to the civilian population, strikes me as a bizarre turn of events.” The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) denied 16.6% of applications for citizenship from military members, and just 11.2% of foreign-born, non-military members.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Other Headlines:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/may/15/border-agents-less-50-pct-time-patrolling-border/">Border Agents Spend Less Than 50 Percent of Time Patrolling Border</a></li>
<li><a href="https://thehill.com/latino/443970-migrant-toddler-dies-after-border-apprehension-report">Migrant Toddler Dies After Border Apprehension:</a> Report</li>
<li>Obama’s Former DHS Secretary: <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/05/15/johnson-says-immigration-like-orlando/">Population of Orlando Reached Our Border in Two Months</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/state-department-christopher-steele-bruce-ohr-judicial-watch-russia-dossier">State Department Official Cited Steele in Emails with Ohr After Flagging Credibility Issues to FBI, Docs Reveal</a></li>
<li>Ex-FBI Lawyer: <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fbi-officials-were-quite-worried-comey-appeared-to-be-blackmailing-trump-with-dossier">Officials Were ‘Quite Worried’ Comey Appeared to be Blackmailing Trump with Dossier</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.mediaite.com/trump/fmr-national-economic-council-director-reportedly-told-republicans-he-got-psychiatrists-to-analyze-trump/">Former Bush Official Reportedly Told Republicans He Got Psychiatrists to Analyze Trump</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/biden-trump-poll-democrats/2019/05/15/id/916169/">Biden Leads Trump</a>, All Other Dems in Quinnipiac Poll</li>
</ul>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-05-16T12:33:00ZDon Jr. to Testify in Front of Senate Intelligence Committee; Trump to Unveil Immigration ProposalBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Don-Jr.-to-Testify-in-Front-of-Senate-Intelligence-Committee;-Trump-to-Unveil-Immigration-Proposal/763313903316546514.html2019-05-15T12:18:00Z2019-05-15T12:18:00Z<p><strong>Don Jr. to Testify in Front of Senate Intelligence Committee</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/05/14/donald-trump-jr-don/">Donald Trump Jr., the oldest son the President Trump, will give a private testimony in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee in mid-June</a>. Although he initially refused, he is now complying as a result of a deal struck on Tuesday. He will answer questions limited to five or six topics for up to four hours. The issue began when Committee chair Richard Burr (R.-NC) subpoenaed the President’s son’s testimony, which also caused tension with fellow Republican allies. Burr told other Republican senators that Trump Jr. had already volunteered to show up for interviews but failed to appear twice. Burr is now being accused of caving to Democrats who are trying to weaken the White House’s position.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Trump to Unveil Immigration Proposal Very Soon, GOP Senators Say</strong></p>
<p>After meeting with White House officials on Tuesday, <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/05/14/trump-immigration-plan/">Republican senators say that President Donald Trump is set to give a major immigration speech within the coming days. </a> Vice President Mike Pence and senior advisers Jared Kushner and Stephen Miller briefed the select group of Republican lawmakers. Kushner has been working on a reform package that would shift the U.S. immigration system to a more merit-based system. While the details of his plan have not been released, it has been described as a two-pronged approach. The first part of the plan tackles legal immigration by limiting low-skilled migrants who enter the country based on family ties, and the second part pertains to border security.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Survey: Only 2-in-15 Americans Aware of Soaring Illegal Immigration to U.S.</strong></p>
<p>Less than two-in-fifteen American voters are aware of the soaring levels of illegal immigration across the United States-Mexico border, a new survey finds. When Americans were asked how many illegal aliens are arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border, <a href="https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/05/14/survey-only-2-in-15-americans-aware-of-soaring-illegal-immigration-to-u-s/">only about 13 percent answered correctly, and 76 percent believe that immigration levels are vastly lower than they actually are. </a> There were nearly 100,000 border apprehensions in April alone, which puts illegal immigration at the southern border on track to exceed every year of illegal immigration under former President Obama. With the way things are going, the projected number of apprehensions by the end of the fiscal year are set to reach 863,000. When voters were told there were more than 100,000 border apprehensions in the last month, about 52 percent said they supported President Trump’s decision to declare a national emergency at the southern border.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Trump Legal Team Slams House Dems for Investigating Possible Russia Probe Obstruction</strong></p>
<p>President Trump’s legal team slammed House Democrats after receiving a report that the House Intelligence Committee has been investigating possible obstruction by Trump’s lawyers after the 2016 election. <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-lawyers-house-dems-russia-probe-obstruction">The statement came in response to a New York Times article that said the committee “is investigating whether lawyers tied to President Trump and his family helped obstruct the panel’s inquiry into Russian election interference by shaping false testimony.”</a>The questions being asked emerged from claims made by Michael Cohen, the President’s former lawyer, who told Congress that “the lawyers in question helped edit false testimony that he provided to Congress in 2017 about a Trump Tower project in Moscow.” The committee’s chairman Adam Schiff states that the reasoning behind the investigation is to find out whether anyone was participating in the act of obstruction besides Cohen.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Dems Plan 12-Hour Marathon Mueller Report Reading at Capitol</strong><strong> </strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/443721-dem-lawmakers-plan-12-hour-long-marathon-mueller-report-reading-at-capitol">A group of more than 20 Democratic lawmakers are planning to read the newly less redacted version of Robert Mueller’s report.</a> Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D.-Pa), the vice chairwoman of the House Judiciary Committee says that she devised the plan because of the “no collusion” and “no obstruction” claims that were made after the report was released. Scanlon said that the lawmakers will be conducting the reading inside the House Rules Committee Room inside the Capitol, that the group will be reading all 448 pages of the report, and that the reading will stretch between 12 and 14 hours. Earlier this year is when Mueller wrapped up his 22-month investigation into Russian interference and obstruction of justice. The report on the investigation was released last month, and it said that Mueller was unable to uncover evidence to conclude that a conspiracy took place. The report also noted that Mueller could not come to a conclusive determination on whether Trump obstructed justice<br /> </p>
<p><strong>Other Headlines:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/05/14/william-barr-cia-fbi-russia-probe/">Barr Reportedly Working Closely with CIA to Review Russia Probe Origins</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/elizabeth-warren-turns-down-fox-news-town-hall-calling-the-network-a-hate-for-profit-racket?ref=scroll">Elizabeth Warren Turns Down Fox News Town Hall,</a> Calling the Network a ‘Hate-for-Profit Racket’</li>
<li><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/443751-alabama-senate-votes-to-ban-almost-all-abortions-sending-measure-to">Alabama Senate Votes to Ban Almost All Abortions,</a> Sending Measure to Governor’s Desk</li>
<li><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/cities-drowning-debt-chicago-study">America’s Largest Cities Drowning in Debt, With</a> Chicago Leading the Way, Study Finds</li>
<li><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/san-francisco-facial-recognition-technology/2019/05/14/id/916018/">San Francisco Bans Government’s Use of Facial-Recognition Software</a></li>
<li><a href="https://phys.org/news/2019-05-journalism-subjective.html">US Journalism Has Become More Subjective: Study</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/state-department-orders-all-non-essential-personnel-to-leave-iraq">US Non-Essential Personnel Ordered to Leave Iraq Embassy,</a> Consulate</li>
<li>Report: <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/work-skills-military-readiness-pentagon/2019/05/14/id/916021/">Young People Mostly Unqualified for Military, Careers</a></li>
</ul>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-05-15T12:18:00ZBarr Assigns U.S. Attorney in Connecticut to Review Origins of Russia Inquiry; Harvard 'UndocuGraduation' for Illegal ImmigrantsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Barr-Assigns-U.S.-Attorney-in-Connecticut-to-Review-Origins-of-Russia-Inquiry;-Harvard-UndocuGraduation-for-Illegal-Immigrants/436555182213169113.html2019-05-14T12:28:00Z2019-05-14T12:28:00Z<p><strong>Barr Assigns U.S. Attorney in Connecticut to Review Origins of Russia Inquiry</strong> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/barr-assigns-us-attorney-in-connecticut-to-review-origins-of-russia-inquiry/ar-AABjF9U">Attorney General William P. Barr has assigned the top federal prosecutor in Connecticut to examine the origins of the Russia investigation. </a> This is something that President Trump has been an advocate of for some time now, but it risks angering law enforcement officials who insist that scrutiny of the Trump campaign was lawful. The prosecutor being brought in on this case is John H. Durham, the US attorney in Connecticut, who has a history of working on special cases that investigate potential wrongdoing among national security officials. Coinciding with this, inspector general Michael E. Horowitz is examining investigators’ use of wiretap applications and informants and whether any political bias against Trump influenced investigative decisions. Several other government officials have launched reviews of the F.B.I.’s actions.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Trump to Meet Chinese Leader as Trade Tensions Escalate</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/443424-trump-says-he-will-meet-with-putin-xi-at-g-20-summit">President Trump announced he plans to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin next month</a> when all world leaders gather for the Group of 20 summit in Japan. Trump says he foresees the meeting with Xi Jinping going very well for the US, considering “we’re in a great position right now, no matter what we do…” These comments come after tensions flared last week when the US and China failed to negotiate tariff deals, and both countries upped the tariff on each others imported goods. Trump has raised Tariffs from 10 to 25 percent on $200 billion Chinese goods, but is debated upping all tariffs to 25 percent on the remaining $325 billion Chinese imports. Beijing has responded by increasing tariffs up to 25 percent on $60 billion US goods. The conflict has rattled financial markets.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Study: Illegal Immigrants Not More Likely to Increase Crime Rate</strong></p>
<p>An analysis derived from newly available information disputes the perception that a growth in illegal immigration leads to higher local crime rates. Previous research had indicated that there is no connection between crime in the US and immigrants in general. However, there was limited ways to study undocumented immigrants specifically because of the uncertainty of data on the number of illegals and where they are. The Pew Research Center recently released estimates of undocumented populations sorted by metropolitan area. The Marshall Project has compared those numbers to local crime rates that were put out by the FBI. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/illegal-immigrants-crime-rates-cato-institute-study/2019/05/13/id/915782/">This combination of data provided the most in-depth analysis of how illegal immigration might have affected crime rates.</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Feds: Immigration Top US Crime, One-Third of All Sentencings</strong> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/washington-secrets/feds-immigration-top-us-crime-one-third-of-all-sentencings">Immigration crime, virtually all involving illegal male, Hispanic immigrants, was the top offense in federal courts last year. </a> In the United States Sentencing Commission’s annual report that was just released, immigration crimes accounted for 34.4% of all sentencing cases, up from 30% last year. Overall, the courts saw 69,425 cases and most involved Hispanics and illegal immigrants. The report stated that, “54.3 percent of all offenders were Hispanic, 21.2 percent were white, 20.6 percent were black, and 3.8 percent were of another race.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Study: Sanctuary Policies Protect Illegals from Terror-Sponsored States</strong></p>
<p>Sanctuary city policies have repeatedly prevented illegal immigrant from being deported back to countries the State Department has designated as state sponsors of terrorism. A state sponsor of terror is any country that the Secretary of State concludes is continually providing financial or other forms of support to acts of terrorism. Countries that currently meet that criteria are North Korea, Sudan, Iran and Syria. Of the 44 illegal immigrants from state-sponsored countries who were not deported, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deemed 39 of them as level 1 and 2 threats. <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/05/13/sanctuary-cities-protect-terror-illegals/">The crimes committed by these illegals included homicide, fraud, kidnapping, burglary, sexual assault and aggravated assault. </a> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>CNN: Trump Jr. Refuses Return to Testify Before Congress</strong></p>
<p>Last week Richard Burr, Committee Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and Mark Warner, Vice Chairman, subpoenaed Donald Trump Jr. for information on his role in a June 2016 meeting with a Russian lawyer and his pursuit of a Trump Tower Moscow project. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/cnn-donald-trump-jr-congress-subpoena/2019/05/13/id/915840/">Trump Jr. is refusing to answer more questions before the committee,</a> considering he already testified to the Senate Judiciary Committee for over five hours in, to the Senate Intelligence Committee for nine hours, and to the House Intelligence Committee for more than eight hours all in 2017.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Harvard ‘UndocuGraduation’ for Illegal Immigrants Features Previously Arrested Prof</strong> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=12219">A student-run group at Harvard University hosted a special graduation ceremony for illegal immigrants Wednesday,</a> an event dubbed “UndocuGraduation.” The special ceremony for those in the country illegally came amid President Donald Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration. According to the Harvard Crimson, the student-run group Act on a Dream hosted the event for illegals. According to the group's website, it has four pillars, which include advocacy for the abolishment of ICE. mong the speakers at the "UndocuGraduation" was Harvard history professor Kirsten Weld, who, as Campus Reformreported in 2016, was one of more than 30 professors who were arrested while protesting Trump's decision to rescind the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, which granted temporary legal status to those who first came to the U.S. as children, with their parents.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Other Headlines:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/finance/443490-white-house-posts-list-of-300b-in-chinese-goods-to-be-targeted-by-tariffs">White House Posts List of $300B in Chinese Goods to Be Targeted by Tariffs</a></li>
<li>Poll: <a href="https://thehill.com/hilltv/what-americas-thinking/443404-poll-most-americans-dont-think-trumps-china-negotiations-will">Most Americans Say Trump’s Trade Talks With China Won’t Improve US Economy</a></li>
<li><a href="https://thehill.com/latino/443508-former-dhs-officials-blocked-trump-plan-to-arrest-thousands-of-migrants-before-being">Former DHS Officials Blocked Trump Plan to Arrest Thousands of Migrants Before Being Ousted:</a> Report</li>
<li>On the Eve of a Hearing, <a href="https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/on-eve-of-hearing-trump-lawyers-tell-federal-judge-they-arent-happy-about-fast-tracked-subpoena-fight/">Trump Lawyers Tell Judge They Aren’t Happy About Fast-Tracked Subpoena Fight</a></li>
<li><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/443468-feds-ask-judge-to-postpone-manafort-associates-sentencing">Feds Ask Judge to Postpone Ex-Trump Campaign Aide’s Sentencing</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/terence-p-jeffrey/2573708000000-federal-spending-sets-all-time-record-through-april">Federal Spending Sets Record</a> Through April</li>
</ul>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-05-14T12:28:00ZTrump Jr. Subpoena Sparks Internal GOP Battle; US, China Trade Talks to Continue FridayBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Jr.-Subpoena-Sparks-Internal-GOP-Battle;-US-China-Trade-Talks-to-Continue-Friday/-44020590789066393.html2019-05-10T12:47:00Z2019-05-10T12:47:00Z<p><strong>Trump Jr. Subpoena Sparks Internal GOP Battle</strong></p>
<p>After Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr decided to subpoena Donald Trump Jr., <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/443026-trump-jr-subpoena-sparks-internal-gop-battle">Senate Republicans are now fighting internally trying to press Burr to back off the request.</a> They argue that the President’s oldest son has spent enough time testifying in Congress, and now that Robert Mueller’s report has been delivered it is time to end the investigations of the 2016 election. President Trump said that he was very surprised by the subpoena considering it has already been announced that there was no collusion between Trump and Russia. It is unsure if Trump Jr. will comply with the subpoena, but if he does not it will only lead to more tension in the nation’s capital.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>White House Says US, China Trade Talks to Continue Friday</strong> </p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/finance/trade/443059-china-vice-premier-to-continue-trade-talks-friday">The White House announced that the U.S. and China will continue to discuss trade after they were unable to spark a deal on Thursday to avoid additional tariffs</a>. At 12:01 a.m. on Friday, a tariff increase on $200 billion in Chinese goods rose from 10 percent to 25 percent. President Trump claims that his reasoning for increasing the tariffs is that China has already been paying tariffs to the U.S. of 25 percent on $50 billion of high tech products, and that these payments are partially responsible for the U.S.’s current great economic standing.</p>
<p> </p>
<div>
<p><strong>NYT: Giuliani Pressing Ukraine to Investigate Biden, Origin of Mueller Report</strong></p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/t/newsmax/article/915366/1">Rudy Giuliani, President Trump’s personal lawyer, is urging the Ukraine’s president-elect to pursue investigations into the origin of the Russia investigation. </a> He claims that there was a conflict of interest between Joe Biden’s family and the Ukrainian government. He states that Ukrainian government officials worked with Democrats to spread misinformation about Trump. He also claims he discovered that while Biden was vice president, he abused his power to kill an investigation into a Ukrainian energy company called Burisma that was paying his son $50,000 a month to sit on the board. Giuliani defends his meddling by saying they are “not meddling in an election, [they’re] meddling in an investigation,” something that they have the right to do.</p>
<p> <strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>U.S. Seizes North Korean Ship Suspected of Violating UN Sanctions</strong> </p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/u-s-seeks-seize-north-korean-ship-suspected-violating-u-n1003811">U.S has seized a 17,000 ton North Korean cargo ship called the Wise Honest. </a> It had been caught shipping coal that is in violation of U.N. sanctions. The ship was stopped in Indonesia last year after it was found to be carrying coal, and the ship’s captain was charged with violating Indonesian law. The U.S. filed an action last July to seize the ship. This seizure marks the first time the U.S. has taken possession of a North Korean ship. This ship is also North Korea’s second-largest ship for carrying bulk cargo. By stopping this ship, the U.S. was able to uncover North Korea’s scheme to export tons of high=grade goal and import heavy machinery, which helped them continue evading sanctions.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Arizona Tribe Refuses Trump’s Wall, But Agrees to Let Border Patrol Build Virtual Barrier</strong><strong> </strong></p>
<p><a href="https://m.arcamax.com/currentnews/newsheadlines/s-2206322?fs">Verlon Jose of the Tohono O’odham Nation in Arizona has been a long deterrent of President Trump building a wall along his tribe’s 75-mile border with Mexico. </a> Late last month though, the Nation’s vice chairman began to praise the idea of a wall if it meant keeping migrant, smugglers, and federal agents from disturbing its lands. The wall he has in mind, however, is not physical, but virtual. He explains the concept of having ten towers up to 140 feet tall, with radar and night vision cameras that are capable of surveying over several miles. While the older generations in the tribe are for the idea of this wall, the younger members fear that they will just be leaving a larger problem for them to inherit. They fear that compromising with a virtual wall will lead to more surveillance and physical barriers. The hope of tribal leaders is to reduce the amount of surveillance and lead to less intrusion on their land.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Trump Faces Mounting Foreign Policy Changes Around the World</strong></p>
<p>With new North Korean missile test, a trade standoff with China, and new nuclear tensions with Iran, President Trump’s foreign policy challenges are piling up around the world. These rising tensions with multiple nations are compromising his ability to focus on domestic concerns, which was the platform for his “America first” administration. Trump does state, however, that his efforts to staring down high-stakes diplomacy around the world are working. The President told supporters at a rally in Florida that he’s<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/trump-faces-mounting-foreign-policy-challenges-around-world">, “made a decisive break from the failed foreign policy establishment...we are now putting America first.” </a> He is working on solving the foreign policy problems he inherited such as North Korea, Syria, and Afghanistan.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Other Headlines:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/defense/434211-trump-nominates-shanahan-as-pentagon-chief">Trump Nominates Shanahan as Pentagon Chief</a></li>
<li>Anita Hill: <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/t/newsmax/article/915367/16">#MeToo Would’ve Started in ‘91 Had Biden’s Senate Panel ‘Done Its Job’</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-says-barr-will-decide-if-mueller-testifies-before-congress">Trump Says Barr Will Decide if Mueller Testifies Before Congress</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-says-we-have-obligation-to-provide-health-care-to-illegal-immigrants">Biden Backs Healthcare for Illegal Immigrants</a>, Says ‘We Have an Obligation’ to Provide It</li>
<li><a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=12213">Texas Christian College Student Gove Votes to Ban Chick-fil-A</a></li>
</ul>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-05-10T12:47:00ZHouse Panel Votes to Hold Attorney General Barr in Contempt of Congress; Feds Release 168,000 Illegal Immigrant Family Members Into U.S.BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/House-Panel-Votes-to-Hold-Attorney-General-Barr-in-Contempt-of-Congress;-Feds-Release-168000-Illegal-Immigrant-Family-Members-Into-U.S./938105433457946579.html2019-05-09T12:56:00Z2019-05-09T12:56:00Z<p><strong>House Panel Approves Contempt for Barr After Trump Claims Privilege Over Full Mueller Report</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/08/us/politics/trump-executive-privilege-mueller-report.html">On Wednesday the House Judiciary Committee voted to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress</a> after he failed to turn over the unredacted version of the Mueller report. This came hours after President Trump instilled executive privilege over the report and underlying evidence around it to shield it from Congress. This vote, which was 24-16, was the first official House action to punish a government official over the Mueller report. The Justice Department, the White House, and House Republicans have all lined up to contest this claim, and are not backing down against the Democrats, stating that they are the ones abusing their powers to manufacture a crisis.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Republicans Rip GOP Intel Decision to Subpoena Trump Jr.</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/442825-republicans-rip-gop-intel-decision-to-subpoena-trump-jr">The Senate Intelligence Committee has subpoena Donald Trump Jr</a>., who was a key witness in the investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election. Senate Democrats such as Sen. Richard Blumenthal (Conn.) are going back to the Mueller report and subpoenaing witnesses such as Trump Jr. to see if their answers match the findings in the report. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) appeared to be upset by the subpoena, tweeting that Trump Jr. “has already spent dozens of hours testifying in front of congressional committees.” McCarthy went even further as to say, “it’s time to move on. It’s time to focus on ISSUES, not investigations.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>White House: Not a Single Democrat Has Looked at Less Redacted Mueller Report</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/05/08/white-house-democrat-mueller-report/">It was announced on Wednesday by Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee that not a single Democrat has even viewed the new, less redacted version of the Mueller report. </a> According to the Department of Justice, 98.5% of the report is available in the version that is now available to Congress, and the only information that is still redacted is the grand jury information that by law cannot be disclosed to anyone including members of Congress. Attorney General William Barr is being held in contempt of Congress because he refuses to turn over the full unredacted report.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Top US General: Pentagon, DHS Working on ‘Multiyear Plan’ For Border</strong> </p>
<p>It has been suggested by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff that the Pentagon is working with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to have active duty and National Guard troops be deployed to the southern border for the remainder of President Trump’s first term. <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/defense/442758-top-us-general-pentagon-dhs-working-on-multi-year-plan-for-border">They are doing this as part of a multi-year plan for the border. </a> General Joseph Dunford said the interagency planning team will prepare around the number of migrants expected to come to the southern border, the capacity of DHS to handle the migrants and the expected support DHS will need from the rest of the government. There are currently about 4,364 U.S. service members at the border.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Feds Released 168,000 Illegal Immigrant Family Members Into Communities</strong></p>
<p>With the overwhelming amount of people arriving at the southern border, the government has been forced to <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/may/8/feds-release-168k-illegal-immigrant-family-members/">release 168,000 illegal immigrant family members directly into communities</a>. An ICE official, along with other top immigration officials, have been pleading with Congress to do something to stop the surge of migrants that are overwhelming the system. April broke records with more than 58,000 illegal immigrants traveling as families were stopped at the border. This is only part of the 109,000 illegal immigrants that have been approaching the border at or between the ports of entry. More than half of the adults arriving at the border are now bringing children with them looking to take advantage of loopholes in U.S. policy to gain entry to the country.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>NY Senate Passes Bill Allowing Congress to Request Trump’s State Tax Returns=</strong></p>
<p>On Wednesday, <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/finance/442718-new-york-senate-passes-bill-to-allow-congress-to-request-trumps-state-tax">the New York Senate passed legislation in a 39-21 vote</a> that would allow Congress to obtain President Trump’s tax returns from the state. The measure will now head to the state Assembly. Governor Andrew Cuomo has signaled he would sign the bill into law. The new legislation authorizes the New York commissioner of taxation and finance to provide state returns as long as the requests have a legitimate legislative purpose and Congress is also requesting related returns from the U.S. Treasury Department.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Other Headlines:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>James Comey, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/two-years-after-getting-fired-by-trump-comeys-reign-at-fbi-remains-under-fire-amid-spygate">A Media Star After Trump Fired Him 2 Years Ago, Now Dogged By ‘Spying’ Accusations Against FBI</a></li>
<li>Report: <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/immigration-border-trump-officials/2019/05/08/id/915164/">Immigration System Breaking Under Strain of Migrant Families</a></li>
<li><a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/442844-former-trump-national-security-adviser-says-some-white-house">McMaster Accuses some in White House of Being a “Danger to the Constitution”</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.mediaite.com/politics/washington-post-columnist-says-his-wh-hard-pass-was-revoked-as-part-of-mass-purge/">Washington Post Columnist Says His WH Hard Pass Was Revoked as Part of ‘Mass Purge’</a></li>
<li><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/442849-sanders-ocasio-cortez-to-unveil-legislation-targeting-credit-card-banking">Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez to Unveil Legislation Targeting</a> Credit Car, Banking Industries</li>
<li><a href="https://www.bloombergquint.com/onweb/2019/05/08/nearly-one-in-two-americans-takes-prescription-drugs-survey">Nearly One in Two Americans Takes Prescription Drugs:</a> Survey</li>
<li><a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2019/05/08/denver-psychedelic-magic-mushroom/">Denver First in U.S. to Decriminalize Psychedelic Mushrooms</a></li>
</ul>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-05-09T12:56:00ZCourt Rules Trump Can Continue Policy Requiring Asylum Seekers Remain in Mexico; Red Sox Boycotting White House VisitBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Court-Rules-Trump-Can-Continue-Policy-Requiring-Asylum-Seekers-Remain-in-Mexico;-Red-Sox-Boycotting-White-House-Visit/-845325976178529177.html2019-05-08T13:44:00Z2019-05-08T13:44:00Z<p><strong>NYT: Tax Papers Suggest Trump Had $1 Billion in Business Losses Over a Decade</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/442614-irs-docs-show-trump-ran-up-over-1-billion-in-business-losses-over-a">According to the New York Times, citing IRS Transcripts, President Trump lost nearly $1.2 billion between 1985 and 1994. </a> The Times did not receive copies of Trump’s actual tax returns from this time period, but they instead obtained copies of Trump’s tax transcripts which contained figures from is federal tax forms. In just two years, 1990 and 1991, his business losses exceeded $250 million each year. The documents state that since he lost so much money during that time period, he avoided paying income tax, although it is unclear whether or not the IRS asked him to make changes after the audits. The Times reports on this amid the fight between President Trump and Democrats over trying to get Trump’s tax returns for over a month now.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Dems Moving Forward With Barr Contempt Vote After DOJ Talks Break Down</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/07/william-barr-contempt-vote-1309622">The Justice Department is now moving to a defensive strategy when it comes to Robert Mueller’s redacted report. </a> They are planning on asking the White House to invoke executive privilege over the report and any underlying evidence the night before Democrats are set to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt for refusing to allow Congress to access the entire non-redacted report. An invocation of executive privilege could halt Democrats’ efforts for months or even years. Democrats claim that the move would be baseless and easily tossed out in court, but there is no telling how long that would actually take to do. Despite all of this, the contempt vote is still set for Wednesday morning.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Mueller Didn’t Want Comey Memos Released Out of Fear Trump, Others Would Change Stories</strong></p>
<p>Special counsel Robert Mueller fought the release of former FBI Director James Comey’s memos to avoid any witnesses in the Russia investigation from altering their stories. Mueller’s prosecutors argued that the memos could conflict with their investigation if they were released, and were negotiating with Trump’s legal team back in January 2018. <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/442616-mueller-didnt-want-comey-memos-released-out-of-fear-trump-others">The documents ended up being released in April 2018.</a> One of Muller’s prosecutors, Michael Dreeben, released a statement saying that “in any investigation of this kind, the recollections of one witness, if disclosed to another potential witness, have the potential to influencing, advertently or inadvertently, the recollections of that witness.” Dreeben was the one who advocated for the fact that Comey’s memos between him and Trump were crucial in the special counsel’s probe, and that they included much more detail than Comey’s public statements. The President never did agree to meet with Mueller to discuss this issue and answer any questions, and the documents were released.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Court Says Trump Can Continue Policy Requiring Asylum Seekers to Remain in Mexico</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/latino/442625-court-rules-trump-admin-can-continue-policy-requiring-asylum-seekers-remain-in-mexico">The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Trump administration can continue to uphold their policy requiring some asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while awaiting the decision on their cases</a>. The panel of judges chose to keep the policy seeing as there are more than 2,000 migrants arriving at the southern border daily, and the policy helps to avoid irreparable harm. The policy helps to process all of these new migrants in a congressionally authorized manner. The judges also found that the policy was not implemented in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act- the act that is the United States federal statute that governs the way administrative agencies propose and establish regulations. Judge Paul Watford, however, believes that sending asylum seekers back to a country where they could face persecution is in violation of the U.S.’s obligation to these people.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>David Ortiz Backs Red Sox Boycotting White House Visit: “I’m an Immigrant”</strong> </p>
<p>Former Boston Red Sox first baseman David Ortiz stated that if he were still on the team, he would join his fellow teammates who are planning to skip an upcoming trip to the White House. <a href="https://thehill.com/latino/442606-david-ortiz-backs-red-sox-boycotting-white-house-visit-im-an-immigrant">The team is supposed to meet with President Trump to celebrate their 2018 World Series win,</a> but several current players and manager Alex Cora refuse to go. Cora, born in Puerto Rico, states that his specific reason for not going is because of the President’s handling of the aftermath of Hurricane Maria back in 2017. Ortiz, a native of the Dominican Republic, also stated this as a reason for why he would not attend. His other reasons stem from the fact that he is an immigrant and, “You don’t want to go and shake hands with a guy who is treating immigrants like s--t,” Ortiz states.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Other Headlines:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/442628-nadler-threatens-mcgahn-with-contempt-over-failure-to-turn-over">Nadler Threatens McGahn With Contempt</a> Over Failure to Turn Over Documents</li>
<li><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/wray-fbi-trump-spying/2019/05/07/id/914894/">FBI Director Wray Breaks With Barr on Use of Term “Spying”</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.mediaite.com/trump/mueller-team-feared-trump-would-change-his-story-after-release-of-comey-memos-report/">Mueller Team Feared Trump Would Change His Story After Release of Comey Memos</a>: Report</li>
<li>House Dems to Admin. Staffers: <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/cummings-house-investigations-salary-probes/2019/05/07/id/914981/">Comply With Probes or No Salary</a></li>
<li>Attempt to Hack Email Server Stunned Clinton Aide, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/attempt-to-hack-email-server-stunned-clinton-aide-fbi-files-show">FBI Files Show</a></li>
<li>Shock: <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/washington-secrets/shock-over-1-of-guatemala-honduras-entered-us-since-september">Over 1% of Guatemala, Honduras Entered US Since September</a></li>
<li>Arizona Construction Company <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/border-wall-fence-construction/2019/05/07/id/914942/">Sues Over Border Fence</a></li>
</ul>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-05-08T13:44:00ZMnuchin Formally Rejects Dem Request for Trump's Tax Returns; Migrant Paid $130 to "Rent" Boy to Cross BorderBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Mnuchin-Formally-Rejects-Dem-Request-for-Trumps-Tax-Returns;-Migrant-Paid-$130-to-Rent-Boy-to-Cross-Border/668621531515919487.html2019-05-07T12:49:00Z2019-05-07T12:49:00Z<p> </p>
<p><strong>Mnuchin Formally Rejects Dem Request for Trump’s Tax Returns</strong></p>
<p>Treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin formally rejected democrats’ request for President Trump’s tax returns on Monday. This unsurprising response will now set the issue up for a likely court battle, seeing as Democrats are not giving up any time soon to obtain the returns. It is being anticipated now that Democrats are going to sue the Trump administration, due to the fact that there is a portion of the tax code that can be enforced allowing for certain lawmakers to request and receive tax returns. <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/finance/442364-mnuchin-formally-rejects-dem-request-for-trumps-tax-returns">The initial request for the returns is now over a month old, with the first request happening on April 3rd.</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>DOJ Releases Second Redacted Version of Mueller Report Over FOIA Lawsuits</strong> </p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/442400-doj-releases-second-redacted-version-of-mueller-report-over-foia">The Department of Justice has released a second version of the Mueller report,</a> but there were no new findings or information that has come out of it. Reporter Jason Leopold of BuzzFeed and Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) were the leaders of the lawsuit filed that called for more information under the Freedom of Information Act. The two parties initially stated they would be challenging every redaction made, but waited to see the new version because they were told that some simply would not be overturned. Leopold stated through Twitter that while new information was not shared, it does help to understand why some of the information was redacted in the first place.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Migrant Paid $130 to “Rent” Boy to Cross Border as a Family, says DOJ</strong> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.breitbart.com/border/2019/05/06/migrant-paid-130-to-rent-boy-to-cross-border-as-family-says-doj/">A Guatemalan man allegedly paid $130 for the use of another family’s child so that he could go to the United States as a “family”. </a> He even went so far as to pay another $130 for a fake birth certificate for the boy, making the total cost for the excursion $260. The man claimed he used the child because he was told that it would be “easier to get into the United States with a child.” The man and the boy were both stopped at the border west of the Lukeville Port of Entry along with 101 other migrants looking to cross the border illegally. A grand jury returned with an indictment charge of human smuggling, but light sentences have followed these cases in the past.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>US to Allow 30,000 More Visas for Seasonal Workers, Including Trump’s Mar-a-Lago</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/fl-ne-ap-trump-seasonal-workers-20190506-story.html">The Trump administration has announced its plans to allow for 30,000 foreigners to return to the United States for seasonal work.</a> This move shows the complicated relationship between the President’s bustling economy and his stance on enforcing the efforts he has instilled to keep immigration to a minimum. This move will benefit Trump’s own Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, as well as oyster shucking companies, fisheries, loggers, and seasonal hotels. The visas will only be going to workers who are returning to the US and have used the H-2B visas in the past because these individuals are trusted to not stay past their allotted time. Within the White House, both adviser Stephen Miller and Jared Kushner are working to help reform immigration laws amid the upcoming 2020 election. Border patrol chief says agency has made over 30,000 arrests in the past 10 days. In the past 10 days the U.S. Border patrol has apprehended more than 30,000 illegal immigrants at the southern border, an official states. Border Patrol Chief Carla Provosts says the number of arrests are “unsustainable” and “beyond capacity”. So far this year there have been 474,000 arrests, and the number is getting exponentially higher as the fiscal period goes on.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Dems Request Probe of Barr Communication on Mueller Spinoff Probes</strong> </p>
<p>Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/442353-dems-request-probe-of-barr-communication-on-mueller-spin-off-probes">sent a letter to officials in the Justice department to probe potential talks between Attorney General William Barr and White House staff about spinoff cases</a>. While Barr admits to the possibility of a name of a case being mentioned, he claims to have not had substantive talks with the staff about the 14 cases.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Former US Attorney Who Signed Letter on Obstruction: Mueller Didn’t Clear Trump, he ‘Documented Crimes’</strong></p>
<p>Former US attorney Barbara McQuade spoke to Steve Kornacki on a letter that she co-signed, along with 300 other former federal prosecutors, that <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/tv/fmr-us-attorney-who-signed-letter-on-obstruction-mueller-didnt-clear-trump-he-documented-crimes/">argued that Trump would’ve been charged with obstruction of justice if he were not the president. </a> She claims that Mueller’s report was a “prosecution memo” and that all of the elements of obstruction of justice were present in that. She states that the point of the letter and why so many former prosecutors are backing it is that if any of them had ever received a memo like Mueller’s, they would have expected the case to be prosecuted.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-05-07T12:49:00ZRosenstein Submits Resignation Letter to President Trump; MS-13 Filled Caravan Headed to U.S.BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Rosenstein-Submits-Resignation-Letter-to-President-Trump;-MS-13-Filled-Caravan-Headed-to-U.S./-707132439486826534.html2019-04-30T14:27:00Z2019-04-30T14:27:00Z<p><strong>Rod Rosenstein Resigns in Letter to President Trump</strong></p>
<p>Deputy Attorney General <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/headline/rosenstein-resign-trump/2019/04/29/id/913804/">Rod Rosenstein submitted his resignation letter</a> to President Trump on Monday, ending a nearly two-year run in his position. His last day will be May 11<sup>th</sup>, 2019. Mr. Rosenstein's departure had been expected since the confirmation of William Barr as attorney general. The Rod Rosenstein intended to leave around mid-March but stayed on for the completion of special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Pelosi: Trump Obstructing Justice 'On a Daily Basis'</strong></p>
<p>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters Monday night that President Trump "has demonstrated on a daily basis his obstruction of justice" amid a conflict between the White House and Congress over the terms of scheduled testimony by Attorney General William Barr before the House Judiciary Committee. <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pelosi-trump-obstructing-justice-on-daily-basis-amid-standoff-over-barr-testimony">Attorney General Barr is scheduled to testify before the Senate and House Judiciary panels this week</a> on Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report. When asked if she had a message for William Barr Monday evening, Nancy Pelosi said: “Respect the constitution. Honor your oath of office. Honor the request of Congress. For the American people.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Acting ICE Director: Children 'Victimized' by Cartels to Exploit Loophole</strong></p>
<p>Acting Director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Matthew Albence revealed the extent of the danger migrant children face as they are brought across the border, and the actions his department is taking to defend them, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/ice-border-immigration-cartels/2019/04/29/id/913788/">Fox News reports.</a> During an appearance on "Fox & Friends", Matthew Albence said the "first and primary goal" of ICE is to preserve the "safety and security" of children. In nearly 3,000 documented cases, children have been brought across the border with adults posing as a family unit to avoid detainment. "These children are being victimized," Matthew Albence said. </p>
<p><strong><br /><br />Mexican Government Official says MS-13 Infiltrated Caravans Headed for US: Reports</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/04/29/mexican-gov-official-ms-13-caravan/">Mexican authorities have found members of the violent gang MS-13 among migrant caravans headed towards the United States</a>, multiple Mexican media outlets quoted a high-ranking government official as saying. Enrique Cárdenas del Avellano, the Ministry of Interior’s northeastern regional delegate, said that authorities have deported some MS-13 gang members they detected in migrant caravans, Mexican media outlets La Prensa, El Mañana and La Verdad de Tamaulipas reported over the weekend.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Sanders Suggests Disney Should Use 'Avengers' Profits to 'Pay all of its Workers a Middle Class Wage'</strong> </p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/441237-sanders-suggests-disney-should-use-avengers-profits-to-pay-all-of-its-workers">Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Monday called on Disney to use profits from its “Avengers: Endgame"</a> record-breaking opening weekend to pay all employees “a middle class wage.”</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">What would be truly heroic is if Disney used its profits from Avengers to pay all of its workers a middle class wage, instead of paying its CEO Bob Iger $65.6 million – over 1,400 times as much as the average worker at Disney makes. <a href="https://t.co/NrcFSk4LZc">https://t.co/NrcFSk4LZc</a></p>
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenSanders/status/1122950001657827328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Second Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Abortion Measures</strong><strong> </strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/abortion/441267-second-federal-judge-blocks-trump-abortion-measures">An Oregon federal judge issued a national injunction against the Trump administration’s measure cutting off federal funds for family planning clinics</a> that offer abortions or referrals. In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Michael McShane called the proposed rule “madness.” "At worst, it is a ham-fisted approach to health policy that recklessly disregards the health outcomes of women, families, and communities. In the guise of 'program integrity,' the Gag Rule prevents doctors from behaving like informed professionals,” McShane wrote. “It prevents counselors from providing comprehensive counseling. It prevents low-income women from making an informed and independent medical decision.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>UVA Basketball Team Rejects White House Invitation Amid Dem-Backed Petition</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=12162">The University of Virginia men's basketball team announced Friday</a> that will not accept an invitation to visit the White House. The announcement came amid a petition calling on the 2019 NCAA mens basketball champions to boycott visiting the president .</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"We have received inquiries about a visit to the White House. With several players either pursuing pro opportunities or moving on from UVA, it would be difficult, if not impossible to get everyone back together. We would have to respectfully decline an invitation.” - Tony Bennett</p>
— Virginia Men's Basketball (@UVAMensHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/UVAMensHoops/status/1121890137758105600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2019</a></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>A petition, signed more than 15,000 times, had called for the University of Virginia’s men’s basketball team to decline a White House invitation for the team’s recent national championship victory. The petition was started by UVA alumna Lacey Kohlmoos, who urged people to sign the petition to celebrate the national championship “without hate.”</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">OTHER HEADLINES: </span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/jerrynadler-williambarr/2019/04/29/id/913810/">Jerry Nadler Issues Subpoena Threat</a> If AG Barr Skips Hearing</p>
<p><a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/apr/29/pentagon-approves-320-troops-illegal-immigrant-bab/">Pentagon Approves 320 Troops</a> for Illegal Immigrant Babysitting Duties</p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-administration-eying-on-designating-muslim-brotherhood-as-terror-group">Trump Wants to Designate Muslim Brotherhood a</a> Terror Group: Report</p>
<p>Trump's Lack of Cooperation with Congress <a href="https://www.lmtonline.com/news/article/Trump-s-lack-of-cooperation-with-Congress-sparks-13805488.php">Sparks Impeachment Push in House</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/majority-oppose-bernie-sanders-inmate-prisoner-voting-plan-insider-poll-2019-4">75% of Americans Disagree with Bernie Sanders' Plan to Let Every US Prisoner Vote</a></p>
<p>House Dems Propose <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/441229-house-democrats-propose-25-million-for-cdc-to-study-gun-violence">$25 Million to Study Gun Violence Prevention</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/california-professor-baby-cancer-parasite">California Professor Slammed for Calling Fetus 'Legitimate Parasite'</a> During Lecture on Cancer</p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-04-30T14:27:00ZJoe Biden Formally Announces 2020 Presidential Bid; President Trump Denies Ordering McGahn to Oust MuellerBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Joe-Biden-Formally-Announces-2020-Presidential-Bid;-President-Trump-Denies-Ordering-McGahn-to-Oust-Mueller/932707801252157992.html2019-04-25T15:26:00Z2019-04-25T15:26:00Z<p><strong>Joe Biden Says He Will Run for President in 2020</strong><strong>: ‘We Have to Remember Who We Are’</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/426692-biden-says-he-will-run-for-president-in-2020">Former Vice President Joe Biden formally entered the Democratic race</a> for the White House on Thursday, saying in a video message that the country could not afford to see <a href="https://thehill.com/people/donald-trump">President Trump</a> reelected. "Everything that has made America America is at stake," Joe Biden said. "That’s why today I'm announcing my candidacy for president of the United States." </p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VbOU2fTg6cI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Progressive group comes out against Biden's White House bid</strong></p>
<p>Justice Democrats, a top progressive group that has seen its sway within the Democratic Party rise in recent months, hammered former Vice President Joe Biden after his presidential campaign launch on Thursday. <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/440597-progressive-group-comes-out-in-opposition-to-biden-candidacy">The group slammed Joe Biden as a relic of the Democratic Party’s “old guard”</a> who opposes policies favored by the progressive base. “The old guard of the Democratic Party failed to stop Trump, and they can’t be counted on to lead the fight against his divide-and-conquer politics today. The party needs new leadership with a bold vision capable of energizing voters in the Democratic base who stayed home in 2016,” the group said in a statement.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Pete Buttigieg Draws New Scrutiny, Criticism</strong></p>
<p>Pete Buttigieg’s early success in the Democratic presidential primary has prompted scrutiny and rougher treatment from his rivals and the news media, creating new challenges his campaign. National media outlets are calling on local activists and politicians in South Bend, Indiana <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/440556-buttigieg-draws-new-scrutiny-criticism">to churn out investigative pieces on Pete Buttigieg’s years as the city’s mayor</a>. Competing Democratic campaigns have taken aim, engaging with Buttigieg over perceived slights on the campaign trail.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>President Trump Denies Ordering McGahn to Oust Mueller</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/440595-trump-denies-ordering-mcgahn-to-oust-mueller">President Trump on Thursday said he did not order former White House counsel Don McGahn to fire Robert Mueller</a>, denying some of the most damaging testimony for the president in the special counsel’s report on the Russia investigation. President Trump’s first direct denial of McGahn’s testimony comes one week after the release of Mueller’s redacted 448-page report, showing its findings and the media coverage of them are still attracting the president’s attention.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">As has been incorrectly reported by the Fake News Media, I never told then White House Counsel Don McGahn to fire Robert Mueller, even though I had the legal right to do so. If I wanted to fire Mueller, I didn’t need McGahn to do it, I could have done it myself. Nevertheless,....</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1121380133137461248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2019</a></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p> <strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>White House Denies Cummings's Request for Stephen Miller to Testify on Immigration</strong><strong> </strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/440584-white-house-denies-cummings-request-for-stephen-miller-to-testify-on">The White House is denying a request from the House Oversight and Reform Committee for senior adviser Stephen Miller to testify before the panel,</a> according to reports. Representative Elijah Cummings the committee’s chairman, reportedly received a letter from the White House late Wednesday refusing his request for Miller to appear before the panel to testify on the Trump administration’s immigration policies.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Trump Vows Stonewall of ‘All’ House Subpoenas</strong></p>
<p>The Trump administration escalated its defiance of Congress on Wednesday, as the Justice Department refused to let an official testify on Capitol Hill and President Trump vowed to fight what he called a “ridiculous” <a href="https://judiciary.house.gov/sites/democrats.judiciary.house.gov/files/documents/McGahn%20Subpoena%204.22.19.pdf" target="_blank">subpoena ordering a former top aide</a> to appear before lawmakers. “We’re fighting all the subpoenas,” <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/24/us/politics/donald-trump-subpoenas.html">President Trump told reporters outside the White House.</a> “These aren’t, like, impartial people. The Democrats are trying to win 2020.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Gillibrand 'Not Worried' About Being 'Discounted' in 2020 Race</strong></p>
<p>Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand on Wednesday said she’s “not worried” about being dismissed among the crowded field of 2020 Democratic presidential candidates. “I've always been an underdog. I'm used to it. I've also won every race I've run. So when I say I'm not worried about being discounted now, you can believe it,” Kirsten Gillibrand tweeted.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I've always been an underdog. I'm used to it. I've also won every race I've run. So when I say I'm not worried about being discounted now, you can believe it. <a href="https://t.co/iLh51neXiT">pic.twitter.com/iLh51neXiT</a></p>
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenGillibrand/status/1121216319481839618?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2019</a></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>DHS Draft Proposal Would Speed Deportations</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/04/25/deportation-undocumented-immigrants-1380380">The Homeland Security Department is weighing a plan</a> to bypass immigration courts and remove undocumented immigrants who cannot prove they’ve been present continuously in the U.S. for two years or more. The proposal is described in a draft regulatory notice. If finalized, it would represent the latest escalation of President Trump’s immigration crackdown. The administration has considered since 2017 expanding a fast-track deportation procedure known as “expedited removal,” but thus far has refrained from moving ahead.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>OTHER HEADLINES:</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/04/25/717024974/kim-jong-un-willing-to-denuclearize-if-given-security-guarantees-putin-says">Kim Jong Un Willing To Denuclearize If Given Security Guarantees,</a> Putin Says</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/440398-buttigieg-says-he-doubts-sanders-can-win-general-election">Buttigieg Says he Doubts Sanders Can Win General Election</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/florida-house-passes-bill-mandating-ex-felons-pay-criminal-fees-n998381">Florida House Passes Bill</a> Mandating Ex-Felons Pay Criminal Fees Before They Can Vote</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/fbi-irs-agents-search-baltimore-mayor-catherine-pugh-s-homes-n998386">FBI, IRS agents search Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh's Homes, City Hall</a></p>
<p><strong>Extinction Rebellion <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/extinction-rebellion-protests-win-political-attention-u-k-n998361">Protests Win Political Attention in the U.K.</a></strong></p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-04-25T15:26:00ZPresident Trump Renews Threat of Border Closure; Border Patrol Agents Found a Crying 3-year-old Boy AloneBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/President-Trump-Renews-Threat-of-Border-Closure;-Border-Patrol-Agents-Found-a-Crying-3-year-old-Boy-Alone/-220565388819824641.html2019-04-24T14:06:00Z2019-04-24T14:06:00Z<p><strong>President Trump Renews Threat of Border Closure; Border Patrol Agents Found a Crying 3-year-old Boy Alone</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Trump Suggests Mexican Soldiers Disarmed US Troops as Cover for Drug Smuggling</strong></p>
<p>President Trump in a tweet Wednesday <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/defense/440356-trump-suggests-mexican-soldiers-disarmed-national-guard-troops-as-cover-for">morning accused Mexican soldiers involved in a recent incident with U.S. troops along the border of aiding drug cartels.</a></p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mexico’s Soldiers recently pulled guns on our National Guard Soldiers, probably as a diversionary tactic for drug smugglers on the Border. Better not happen again! We are now sending ARMED SOLDIERS to the Border. Mexico is not doing nearly enough in apprehending & returning!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1121021160827887616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p> <br /><br /></p>
<p><strong>White House Plans to Fight House Subpoena of Former Counsel Donald McGahn for Testimony on Mueller Report</strong></p>
<p>The White House plans to fight a subpoena issued by the House Judiciary Committee for former White House counsel Donald McGahn to testify, according to people familiar with the matter, setting up another showdown in the aftermath of the special counsel report. <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/white-house-plans-to-fight-house-subpoena-of-former-counsel-donald-mcgahn-for-testimony-on-mueller-report/ar-BBWdPXY">White House lawyers plan to tell attorneys for administration</a> witnesses called by the House that they will be asserting executive privilege over their testimony, officials said. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Democrats Charge Ahead on Immigration</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/440335-dems-charge-ahead-on-immigration">Hispanic Democrats are charging ahead with plans to move a comprehensive immigration reform bill this year</a>, bolstered by recently secured support from some of the party’s top brass. Leaders of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) are drafting a measure that some Democratic leaders say they are ready to bring to the floor after the chamber tackles legislation that would both create a path to citizenship Dreamers under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and strengthen protections for temporary protected status (TPS) beneficiaries.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>President Trump Renews Threat of Border Closure</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/people/donald-trump"><br /> President Trump</a> on Wednesday <a href="https://thehill.com/latino/440359-trump-renews-threat-of-border-closure-citing-new-caravan-of-migrants">renewed his threats to close parts of the U.S.-Mexico border </a>citing the need to stop a “very big caravan.” President Trump tweeted that the migrant caravan, comprising more than 20,000 people, had already been “reduced in size by Mexico.” Mexican Interior Secretary Olga Sanchez Cordero has said the group, comprising migrants from El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, has over 20,000 people, but a WhatsApp group that called for people to gather in El Salvador to begin the trek in late March had just over 200 members, <a href="https://www.apnews.com/597b194af93c473aa4f041a4462788d8">according</a> to the Associated Press.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>University of Michigan $10M Multicultural Center Makes Grand Debut</strong></p>
<p>Ten million dollars was the price tag on the “multicultural center” opened at the University of Michigan earlier in April. The school unveiled the Trotter Multicultural Center as a place for students and faculty to discuss topics such as gender, race, and multiculturalism, <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=12144">according to a University of Michigan news release.</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>ISIS Suspect Gave Advance Warning of Sri Lanka Bombings, Source Says</strong></p>
<p>Early warnings from India's intelligence services to Sri Lankan officials ahead of the Easter Sunday bombings were based on information gleaned from an ISIS suspect, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/23/asia/sri-lanka-investigation-ntj-intl/index.html">CNN reported.</a> Delhi passed on specific intelligence in the weeks leading up to the attacks, Sri Lankan officials have said, and at least some of it came from material obtained during interrogations of an ISIS suspect arrested in India. In a statement published by the ISIS-affiliated news agency Amaq, the group said the attackers were "fighters of the Islamic State."</p>
<p> <br /><br /></p>
<p><strong>Border Patrol Agents Found a Crying 3-year-old Boy Alone in a Cornfield Near the Texas Border</strong></p>
<p>A 3-year-old boy was all by himself in the middle of a cornfield on the Texas border when Border Patrol agents found him Tuesday, US Customs and Border Protection officials said. The boy was crying, and had his name and phone numbers written on his shoes. The agency tweeted out an image indicating they were still trying to reach the child's family.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Early this morning, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USBP?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USBP</a> Agents found a 3-year-old boy alone and crying in a corn field in TX. He had his name & phone numbers written on his shoes. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CBP?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CBP</a> is attempting to reach his family. We believe the boy was with a larger group that ran when they encountered Agents. <a href="https://t.co/0s0zwmFxih">pic.twitter.com/0s0zwmFxih</a></p>
— CBP (@CBP) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBP/status/1120847239595855872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Biden and Bernie set for clash</strong></p>
<p>Former Vice President Joe Biden’s looming entry into the Democratic presidential primary sets up what could be a titanic clash against Sen. Bernie Sanders. The elder statesmen who are the two front-runners for the nomination served together in the Senate briefly. <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/440334-biden-and-bernie-set-for-clash">Joe Biden was the far bigger star than Bernie Sanders on Capitol Hill. </a> Former colleagues describe Biden and Sanders as polar opposites in terms of personalities and interacting with fellow senators.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>OTHER HEADLINES: </strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/04/24/trump-pennsylvania-2020-1288797">Trump Camp Descends on Pennsylvania as Alarms Grow Over 2020</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>Oregon Judge Says He’ll Block <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/04/23/abortion-gag-rule-judge-block-1288800">Trump’s Abortion Rule</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/04/23/pelosi-schumer-trump-infrastructure-1288794">Pelosi, Schumer to Meet with Trump</a> on Infrastructure Next Week</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/04/23/trump-jack-dorsey-twitter-1288758">Trump Met with Twitter</a> CEO Amid Bias Complaints</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-turn-tables-in-russia-probe">Trump World Ramps up Campaign to Turn Tables in Russia Case</a>, Target Dems who 'Colluded'</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ocasio-cortez-called-out-for-abnormal-silence-over-sri-lanka-terror-attacks-while-seizing-over-new-zealand-attack">Ocasio-Cortez Called out For Social Media Silence</a> in Wake of Sri Lanka Terror Attacks</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-04-24T14:06:00ZSri Lanka says Local Extremist Group Carried out Easter Attacks; MSNBC 'Ambushes' Mueller Outside Church After Easter ServiceBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Sri-Lanka-says-Local-Extremist-Group-Carried-out-Easter-Attacks;-MSNBC-Ambushes-Mueller-Outside-Church-After-Easter-Service/495731871606398259.html2019-04-22T14:33:00Z2019-04-22T14:33:00Z<p><strong>Sri Lanka says local extremist group carried out Easter attacks; at least 290 dead including 39 tourists</strong></p>
<p>Health Minister and cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne told reporters that a local group, National Thowheeth Jama’ath, was behind the series of explosions that killed at least 290 people and wounded another 500.</p>
<p>The health minister blamed the group at a news conference in Colombo, the capital, adding: “There was an international network without which these attacks could not have succeeded.”</p>
<p><a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/thawheed-jamat-group-active-in-tamil-nadu-prime-suspect-behind-sri-lanka-blasts/articleshow/68982186.cms">The Times of India</a> has an in-depth look at the group and the attacks. It has not been confirmed whether the group had help from an outside network.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Dieter Kowalski from Colorado was identified as one of the Americans killed in the attacks in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Sunday, according to his employer Pearson.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">We grieve the loss of our colleague Dieter Kowalski in the Easter Sunday atrocities in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Our thoughts are with his family and friends, and with our 800 colleagues in Sri Lanka. <a href="https://t.co/tjRWaFGK73">https://t.co/tjRWaFGK73</a></p>
— Pearson (@pearson) <a href="https://twitter.com/pearson/status/1120307515047256064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p>Former President Obama and former candidate Hillary Clinton are now coming under fire for offering similar condolence messages on Twitter both condemning the attacks on ‘<a href="https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2019/04/22/obama-clinton-democrats-denounce-attacks-on-easter-worshippers-not-christians/">Easter worshippers</a>,’ as opposed to ‘Christians’.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Trump on Impeachment Talk: Dems Committed the Crime!</strong></p>
<p>The president is not taking impeachment talk lightly.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">How do you impeach a Republican President for a crime that was committed by the Democrats? MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1120093671356022785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>MSNBC ‘Ambushes’ Mueller Outside Church After Easter Service</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2019/04/21/msnbc-ambushes-mueller-outside-church-after-easter-service">Newsbusters found</a> some big breaking news on MSNBC Sunday morning - Robert Mueller spotted leaving Church.</p>
<p>Reporter Mike Vaqueira said on Joy Reid’s morning show, “This is, you know, what some people would characterize as an ambush interview of a man coming out of Easter services at a church,”</p>
<p>“Some passersby weren't happy that we were doing that.”</p>
<iframe width="640" height="360" title="MRC TV video player" src="https://www.mrctv.org/embed/538991" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>GOP Hits Romney for Criticizing Trump</strong></p>
<p>Several Republicans took issue with Sen. Mitt Romney over the weekend after he said he was “sickened” by President Donald Trump’s actions as detailed in special counsel Robert Mueller’s report.<br /><br /> <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/us-trump-russia-probe-congress/2019/04/19/id/912525/"><strong>Romney said</strong></a> it was “good news that there was insufficient evidence to charge” Trump with conspiracy following the report’s release and that “the alternative would have taken us through a wretching process with the potential for constitutional crisis.”<br /><br /> However, he went on to slam Trump, writing, “Even so, I am sickened at the extent and pervasiveness of dishonesty and misdirection by individuals in the highest office of the land, including the President.”<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong>CNN UP in Arms: Guiliani Says “There’s Nothing Wrong with Taking Information from Russians”</strong></p>
<p>Giuliani told CNN host Jake Tapper on State of the Union: "It depends on where it came from.”</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">“There's nothing wrong with taking information from Russians … Depends on where it came from,” says President Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CNNSOTU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CNNSOTU</a> <a href="https://t.co/pjZm8o0aCf">pic.twitter.com/pjZm8o0aCf</a></p>
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNNPolitics/status/1119955856139923457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Parents Sue CT School, Say Son Was Expelled Due to Conservative Views</strong></p>
<p>Parents in Connecticut have filed a lawsuit against Cheshire Academy alleging that their son, Michael Mancini, was expelled due to his conservative views, <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/439921-connecticut-parents-file-lawsuit-claiming-son-expelled-over"><strong>The Hill </strong></a>reported Sunday.</p>
<p>Mancini during an English class discussion on William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” said people who are transgender have "legitimate hormonal or mental disorder" and are "just looking for attention," <a href="http://www.myrecordjournal.com/News/Cheshire-Citizen/Cheshire-News/Parents-claim-political-bias-motivated-Cheshire-Academy-discipline.html"><strong>myrecordjournal.com.</strong></a> reported.<br /> Julie Anderson, head of schools at the academy, wrote in a letter to parents that Mancini “was given a number of chances to adhere to our expectations, and the rules and code of conduct of Cheshire Academy,” according to myrecordjournal.com. “Contrary to what you may have read, our decision was not based on an opposition to political dialogue."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>MORE HEADLINES</strong></p>
<p>Philippines hit by magnitude 6.3 earthquake, <a href="http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/4/22/earthquake-Zambales-Metro-Manila-April-22-2019.html?fbclid=IwAR2bMhwSO4354W9dyFl54Lti1YjJ9vcRLzPlqMlaialCp810wnvdbZdb4Uc">US Geological Survey says</a><br /> Pope Francis asks Catholics to <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/pope-francis-asks-catholics-to-reject-glitter-of-wealth-in-easter-vigil">reject 'glitter of wealth' i</a>n Easter vigil<strong><br /> </strong>Newsbusters runs down the <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/culture/alexa-moutevelis-coombs/2019/04/19/10-worst-tv-shows-christians">10 worst TV shows for Christians</a><strong><br /> </strong>Authorities searching for woman who <a href="https://abc7ny.com/5261923/?ex_cid=TA_WABC_TW&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+New+Content+(Feed)&utm_content=5cbb9414ecb1b80001882cb7&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter">threw puppies in a dumpster at Coachella festival</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://amgreatness.com/2019/04/21/russian-collusions-greatest-hits/"><strong><br /> </strong>Opinion: Victor Davis Hanson - Collusion Delusion: The Most Absurd Moments</a></span>13 students hospitalized after becoming <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/04/21/passengers-hospitalized-after-landing-logan-airport/L2wY5eCXCcX2Hb52AU68YL/story.html?s_campaign=bostonglobe%3Asocialflow%3Atwitter">'violently ill'</a> on an American Airlines flight<br /> Twitter is collecting <a href="https://twitter.com/i/events/1120295585867689985">stunning images of the Earth</a> in celebration of Earth Day<br /><br /></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-04-22T14:33:00ZAG Barr: No Collusion, No Obstruction; NBC Host Chuck Todd Finds the 'Actual Collusion'BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/AG-Barr:-No-Collusion-No-Obstruction;-NBC-Host-Chuck-Todd-Finds-the-Actual-Collusion/-372150922581163003.html2019-04-18T13:29:00Z2019-04-18T13:29:00Z<p><strong>Nadler says Congress won't get Mueller report until after Barr press conference</strong></p>
<p>Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, is “<a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/439423-nadler-says-doj-wont-deliver-mueller-report-to-congress-until-after-barr-press">deeply troubled</a>” that the Department of Justice won't deliver special counsel Robert Mueller's report to Congress until after Thursday morning’s press conference from Attorney General William Barr is finished.</p>
<p>"I’m deeply troubled by reports that the WH is being briefed on the Mueller report AHEAD of its release," Nadler tweeted. "Now, DOJ is informing us we will not receive the report until around 11/12 tomorrow afternoon — AFTER Barr’s press conference. This is wrong."</p>
<p>Nadler has been leading the Democratic push to obtain the full Mueller report, with his committee voting earlier this month to authorize a subpoena for the entire document.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Finally! Chuck Todd Finds ‘Actual Collusion'</strong></p>
<p>Attempting to save face? NBC host Chuck Todd said the New York Times report that the Justice Department has already briefed the White House about the findings of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation was evidence of "actual collusion."</p>
<p>"This is actual collusion," Todd said on MSNBC's "Meet The Press."</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aM-UXasZjuw" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
<p>"In case you’re wondering what does collusion look like, it looks like the attorney general’s lawyers briefing the president before Congress or the public.”</p>
<p>The discussions have allowed Trump's legal team to begin preparing a rebuttal to the report, which is expected to be more than 400 pages, the Times noted.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Report: Canada Seeks US Help to Stem Asylum Seeker Flood</strong></p>
<p>Canada's government is trying to crack down on the relatively unimpeded flow of asylum seekers into their country — and is asking the United States to help, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/canada-asylum-border-security-migrants/2019/04/17/id/912157/">The Washington Post reported Wednesday.</a></p>
<p>The Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made a formal request to the United States to amend a 15-year-old border treaty between the countries. A spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department declined to provide details.</p>
<p>A spokeswoman for Bill Blair, Canada's minister of border security and organized crime reduction, said he hopes a renegotiated treaty will "encourage people to cross at regular points of entry to maintain the security and the integrity of our borders."</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Funding for Gun Violence Research Surges</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/17/upshot/gun-research-is-suddenly-hot.html">The New York Times is reporting</a> that state and private funding for gun violence research has surged following a series of mass shootings.</p>
<p>Arnold Ventures is spending $20 million to fund research grants in the field, while Kaiser Permanente said it would set aside $2 million for its own research program. College campuses are getting grants too, of course.</p>
<p>Researchers are also publishing more studies on gun violence, according to the Times, but many have called on the U.S. government to conduct more research on the topic. It stopped doing so in 1996.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Fox News Poll: Trump Approval Steady since Mueller probe ended</strong></p>
<p>President Trump’s job approval stands at 45 percent, while 51 percent of voters disapprove, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fox-news-poll-approval-of-president-trump-steady-since-mueller-probe-ended">according to a new Fox News Poll</a>. And that is almost exactly where it was last month, 46-51 percent, before Special Counsel Robert Mueller completed his Russia probe March 22.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Study: Americans Drink Too Much</strong></p>
<p>A new poll found 33% of adults aged 35-44 who have at least one drink in a typical week agreed with one or more statements that would prompt an addiction specialist to consider treatment, according to the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).</p>
<p>Of adults from this age group, 9% said they continue to drink even though it has already harmed their career, education, and/or relationships, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/health/health-news/americans-study-alcohol-alcoholism/2019/04/17/id/912148/">the online survey of nearly 2,000 people found</a>.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Cuomo: NY to Waive Tuition for Fallen Service Members' Kids</strong></p>
<p>New York state will grant free state tuition and room and board to the families of New York military members killed or disabled while on duty, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/newyork-free-tuition-fallen/2019/04/17/id/912139/">Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday.</a></p>
<p>The move comes after President Trump and Republicans criticized a decision by Democrats in the state Assembly to block legislation that would have expanded an existing scholarship for Gold Star families.</p>
<p>Cuomo said Wednesday that there was no need to wait for lawmakers to act, and he had already directed state higher education officials to expand the existing Military Enhanced Recognition Incentive and Tribute scholarship program immediately.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>MORE HEADLINES</strong></p>
<p>Pew Research: <a href="https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/04/16/pew-research-hispanics-to-outpace-black-americans-as-largest-voting-minority-in-2020/">Hispanics to Outpace Black Americans as Largest Voting Minority in 2020</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/amazon-netflix-chevron-ibm-federal-taxes-trump-tax-law">Amazon isn't the only company that paid $0 in federal taxes last year</a></p>
<p>Johnny Cash statue to <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/439425-johnny-cash-statue-to-replace-confederate-figure-on-capitol">replace Confederate figure on Capitol Hill</a></p>
<p>Naval Academy to <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/defense/navy/439376-naval-academy-to-begin-banning-transgender-students-next-school-year">ban transgender students starting in 2020</a></p>
<p>Socialist students: Don't let <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=12126">'war criminal' Condoleezza Rice</a> speak</p>
<p>RI Gov. pushes for 'free' college...<a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=12124">with $200 million deficit</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/04/17/russia-poll-joseph-stalin-approval/">70% OF RUSSIANS APPROVE OF MASS MURDERER JOSEPH STALIN’S IMPACT ON COUNTRY</a></p>
<p>North Korea test-fires a <a href="https://apnews.com/2ff1e53cfc9d42a7821c7f4e6a740642">new tactical guided weapon</a></p>
<p>Millennials <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/finance/streettalk/millennials-worried-stocks-older/2019/04/17/id/912169/">More Worried About Stocks</a> Than Older Generations</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-04-18T13:29:00ZBernie Sanders' Fox News Town Hall; Beto O'Rourke's Shockingly Low Charitable GivingBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Bernie-Sanders-Fox-News-Town-Hall;-Beto-ORourkes-Shockingly-Low-Charitable-Giving/763233358848552196.html2019-04-16T14:43:00Z2019-04-16T14:43:00Z<p><strong>Bernie Sanders’ Fox News Town Hall – No Apologies for Making Millions </strong></p>
<p>Sanders owned the floor Monday night as the moderators mostly let Sanders bloviate.</p>
<p>They should have asked something like, “why do you think the economy is doing so well, Senator Sanders?” But they didn’t as anything like that.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">During a town hall with <a href="https://twitter.com/FoxNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FoxNews</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/SenSanders?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenSanders</a> explains his millionaire status despite his railing against the wealthy. <br /><br />"If anyone thinks I should apologize for writing a best selling book, I'm sorry, I'm not gonna do it." <br /><br />He also notes he voted against Trump's tax bill. <a href="https://t.co/9P5KYXs9Oy">pic.twitter.com/9P5KYXs9Oy</a></p>
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) <a href="https://twitter.com/dcexaminer/status/1117920393615089664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2019</a></blockquote>
<p>Baier asked whether Sanders' success -- and subsequent decision to hold onto his cash -- wasn't an implicit endorsement of the capitalist system he has repeatedly called dysfunctional.</p>
<p>"When you wrote the book and made the money, isn’t that the definition of capitalism and the American dream?” <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/bernie-sanders-takes-stage-at-fox-news-town-hall-after-emerging-as-apparent-dem-frontrunner">Baier asked.</a></p>
<p>"No," Sanders replied flatly, after a long pause. "What we want is a country in which everyone has an opportunity. ... A lot of people don't have a college degree. A lot of people are not United States senators."</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Beto O'Rourke releases 10 years of tax returns</strong></p>
<p>2020 hopeful and former Rep. Beto O'Rourke released 10 years of his tax returns on Monday, the same day as Bernie Sanders.</p>
<p>The tax returns stretch from 2008 through 2017, and his campaign said in a statement that O'Rourke will release his 2018 returns "as soon as possible after they are filed."</p>
<p>In 2017 The O’Rourkes reported <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/439014-orourke-releases-10-years-of-tax-returns">about $366k in income</a>, paid a tax rate of 22% and donated a shockingly low - 0.3% (or about $1200) – amount to charity. $1000 of their charitiable donations went to Annunciation House, which helps migrant, homeless and economically vulnerable people in the El Paso-Juarez area.</p>
<p>This puts O’Rourke in the ballpark with other 2020 Dem hopefuls, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Socialist-Charity-Donations/901183136933593270.html">many of which give very little of their large incomes to charity.</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Ocasio-Cortez: Biden presidential run would be going back, instead of moving forward</strong></p>
<p>The freshman congresswoman from New York told Yahoo News podcast “Skullduggery” that she will support whoever wins the nomination, <a href="file:///Users/bor/Dropbox/BillOReilly.com%20Dropbox.com/but%20I%20don’t%20want%20to%20go%20back.%20I%20want%20to%20go%20forward.">but said a bid by Biden</a> would be going backward, instead of forward.</p>
<p>“That does not particularly animate right now,” she said, adding that she has “a lot of issues” with a potential Biden run.</p>
<p>“I can understand why people would be excited by that, this idea that we can go back to the good old days with Obama, with Obama’s vice president. There’s an emotional element to that,</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>DNC will not reconsider holding Dem debates on Fox News</strong></p>
<p>"Will you reconsider your decision on having debates here on the Fox News Channel?" Bill Hemmer asked asked DNC Chairman Tom Perez <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/media/438984-dnc-chief-says-party-will-not-reconsider-holding-dem-debates-on-fox-news">during an interview on "America's Newsroom."</a></p>
<p>"You know what, Bill? Here's why we won't do that," Perez responded.</p>
<p>"I don't have faith in your leadership at Fox News at the senior levels. I have great respect for Bret [Baier] and for Chris [Wallace] and for you, but you've demonstrated that above your pay grade, they don't trust your own listeners, and so they feel like they have to put the thumb on the scale." </p>
<p>Hemmer responded by making the case that there is a line between the news division and editorial sides of the network. </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>San Francisco's Human Waste Problem</strong></p>
<p>Paging Nancy Pelosi.</p>
<p>San Francisco hosts an estimated homeless population of 7,500 people.</p>
<p>Affluent sections of the city have become dangerous with open-air drug use, tens of thousands of discarded needles, and, sadly, human feces.</p>
<p>Since 2011, there have been at least 118,352 reported instances of human fecal matter on city streets. <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamandrzejewski/2019/04/15/mapping-san-franciscos-human-waste-challenge-132562-case-reports-since-2008/#499ba4fa5ea5">Forbes is tracking this.</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>NY Times, Wall Street Journal Win Pulitzers for Trump Investigations</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/media/438978-pulitzer-prizes-awarded-to-newspapers-investigating-trump">The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal</a> received Pulitzer Prizes Monday for delving into President Donald Trump's finances and reporting on the scandals involving two women who said they had affairs with him. The folks sure must love fraud.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Lying on a Resume? Millennials Do it Most</strong></p>
<p>Who’s really going to check if you were an intern at Goldman Sachs five years ago?</p>
<p>According to a new survey, two percent of respondents hope not, as they admitted to fudging their internship experience to order to impress recruiters among other things.</p>
<p>Personal finance website GoBankingRates.com surveyed more than 1,000 individuals of various age groups and found that for the most part people actually tell the truth.</p>
<p>Here are the most common things people lied about on their resumes, <a href="https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/here-are-the-most-common-resume-lies">according to the survey</a>.</p>
<p>1. Work Experience – 38 percent</p>
<p>2. Dates of employment – 31 percent</p>
<p>3. Job titles – 16 percent</p>
<p>4. Reference – 15 percent</p>
<p>5. College Education – 11 percent</p>
<p>6. Responsibilities at previous roles – 7 percent</p>
<p>7. GPA – 4 percent</p>
<p>8. Internship experience – 2 percent</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>MORE HEADLINES</strong></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">NYU prof: <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=12112">‘When did the memory of 9/11 become ‘sacred’?’</a></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Poll: <a href="https://thehill.com/hilltv/what-americas-thinking/438956-only-18-percent-of-americans-say-theyre-paying-less-in-taxes">Only 18 percent say they are paying less under Trump tax law</a></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Bill Weld Announces He’s <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/tv/breaking-bill-weld-announces-hes-officially-running-against-trump-in-2020-gop-primary/">Officially Running Against Trump in 2020 GOP Primary</a></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">White House says <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/438954-white-house-says-jimmy-carter-wrote-trump-beautiful-letter-on-china">Jimmy Carter wrote Trump 'beautiful letter' on China</a></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Snoop Dogg, Other Notable Rappers <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/entertainment/snoop-dogg-other-notable-rappers-call-for-laura-ingraham-to-be-fired-for-mocking-nipsey-hussle/">Call For Laura Ingraham to Be Fired</a> For Mocking Dead Rapper</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Students, alumni <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/pence-taylor-university-commencement">outraged, 'shaking'</a> after Vice President Pence invited to give commencement</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Conservative speaker <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=12106">doused during UMKC speech</a> slams chancellor over response</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Officials say <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/news/439005-officials-say-notre-dames-main-structure-is-saved-and-preserved">Notre Dame's main structure is saved and preserved</a><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-04-16T14:43:00ZPelosi's Big '60 Minutes' Interview; Another Anonymously Sourced NYT Article Denigrating President TrumpBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Pelosis-Big-60-Minutes-Interview;-Another-Anonymously-Sourced-NYT-Article-Denigrating-President-Trump/-134918942465482671.html2019-04-15T16:10:00Z2019-04-15T16:10:00Z<p><strong>Pelosi’s Big ‘60 Minutes’ Interview</strong></p>
<p>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) did a Sunday interview with Leslie Stahl of CBS's "60 Minutes" and said that the left flank of the House Democratic caucus represented by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is “like five people.”</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Can the Speaker of the House unify the Democratic party while getting pushback from the left and self-described democratic socialists like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez? <a href="https://t.co/f4VUYTYIdw">https://t.co/f4VUYTYIdw</a> <a href="https://t.co/a9wOobPj5g">pic.twitter.com/a9wOobPj5g</a></p>
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) <a href="https://twitter.com/60Minutes/status/1117567179107569665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p>"I do reject socialism as an economic system,” Pelosi said in the interview. “If people have that view, that's their view,” Pelosi said. “That is not the view of the Democratic Party.”</p>
<p>“By and large, whatever orientation [House Democrats] came to Congress with, they know that we have to hold the center. That we have to go down the mainstream,” she told Stahl.</p>
<p>Trump took to Twitter to call the interview a ‘puff piece’ –</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Such a “puff piece” on Nancy Pelosi by <a href="https://twitter.com/60Minutes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@60minutes</a>, yet her leadership has passed no meaningful Legislation. All they do is Investigate, as it turns out, crimes that they instigated & committed. The Mueller No Collusion decision wasn’t even discussed-and she was a disaster at W.H.</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1117585367358738433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p>Shortly thereafter, Pelosi's political account quipped, "Thanks for watching!"</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Another Anonymously Sourced NYT Article Denigrating President Trump</strong></p>
<p>This time some secret source tells the paper that Mr. Trump is using illegal aliens to divert attention away from the Mueller Report, which we are hearing will be released this week.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/14/us/politics/trump-mueller-report.html">The paper says that</a> President Trump reportedly revived an earlier proposal to release migrants in sanctuary cities in part to distract from lingering questions about special counsel Robert Mueller’s report.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">....So interesting to see the Mayor of Oakland and other Sanctuary Cities NOT WANT our currently “detained immigrants” after release due to the ridiculous court ordered 20 day rule. If they don’t want to serve our Nation by taking care of them, why should other cities & towns?</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1117216153728897024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p>The truth is that Mr. Trump realizes that giving cities that disobey federal law a hard time is a good campaign issue for him. Trump has deliberately escalated his language to gin up his base since the Mueller investigation's conclusion, according to the Times.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>AP: Trump Campaign to Report $30 Million Haul in 1st Quarter</strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump's re-election campaign is set to report that it raised more than $30 million in the first quarter of 2019, edging out his top two Democratic rivals combined, according to figures it provided to The Associated Press.</p>
<p>The haul brings the campaign's cash on hand to $40.8 million, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/us-election-2020-trump/2019/04/14/id/911659/">an unprecedented war chest for an incumbent president this early in a campaign.</a></p>
<p>Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale said in a statement that Trump "is in a vastly stronger position at this point than any previous incumbent president running for re-election, and only continues to build momentum."</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Pelosi moves to ensure Omar's safety after Trump tweet</strong></p>
<p>“Following the president’s tweet,” Pelosi said Sunday after Trump tweeted a video targeting Rep. Omar, “I spoke with the Sergeant-at-Arms to ensure that Capitol Police are conducting a security assessment to safeguard Congresswoman Omar, her family and her staff. They will continue to monitor and address the threats she faces.".</p>
<p>Pelosi called on Trump to take down the video, which she called "disrespectful and dangerous."</p>
<p>“The President’s words weigh a ton, and his hateful and inflammatory rhetoric creates real danger. President Trump must take down his disrespectful and dangerous video," <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/438839-pelosi-speaks-to-capitol-hill-security-to-ensure-omars-safety-following-trump">Pelosi said.</a></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Another Honduran Migrant Caravan Headed to the U.S.</strong></p>
<p>Another migrant caravan is making its way to the United States from Honduras.</p>
<p>Spanish language news <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/04/13/honduran-migrant-caravan/">showed footage of hundreds of Hondurans waiting at a bus station getting ready to start the long journey.</a></p>
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<p><strong>Bernie Sanders Writes Complaint Letter After Being Criticized For Being a Millionaire</strong></p>
<p>2020 Democratic hopeful Bernie Sanders sent an angry letter to a liberal think tank after its website ‘ThinkProgress’ published an article critical of Sanders’ wealth, which was mostly garnered from the books he has written.</p>
<p>The New York Times obtained <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/5839898-Bernie-Sanders-Letter-Accusing-CAP-of.html">a copy of the full letter</a>, addressed to “members of the Board of the Center for American Progress and CAP Action Fund,” that complains about articles published by ThinkProgress, which describes itself as “an editorially independent project of the Center for American Progress Action Fund.”</p>
<p>Sanders writes, “Last week, you published an article on ThinkProgress criticizing me for my appearance and for the income I earned from writing a book. Then, a day later, you published a video that dishonestly attacked me for hypocrisy in my effort to address income inequality in America – a video that was excitedly discussed on many conservative websites.”</p>
<p>He also complains about critical articles written about 2020 Democratic candidates Warren and Booker.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Buttigieg slams Electoral College for overruling popular vote 'twice in my lifetime'</strong></p>
<p>South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D) formally announced he is running for president in 2020, and called to end the Electoral College in his announcement speech.</p>
<p>“We can’t say it’s much of a democracy when twice in my lifetime the Electoral College has overruled the American people," he said <a href="ttps://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/438846-buttigieg-again-calls-for-eliminating-electoral-college">during a rally in South Bend</a>.</p>
<p>"Why should our vote in Indiana only count once or twice in a century? Or your vote in Wyoming or New York?” he added.</p>
<p> “We’ve got to repair our democracy. The Electoral College needs to go, because it’s made our society less and less democratic," Buttigieg said back in January, during an appearance on "CBS This Morning."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>MORE HEADLINES</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://lawandcrime.com/politics/heres-what-reportedly-worries-white-house-officials-the-most-before-release-of-mueller-report/">Here’s What Reportedly Worries Trump Team the Most Before Release of Mueller Report</a></p>
<p>Dems push back on White House suggesting they're <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/438850-democrats-push-back-on-white-house-suggesting-theyre-not-smart-enough-for">'not smart enough'</a> for Trump's tax returns</p>
<p>2020 Dem Contender Kamala Harris Releases <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/us-election-2020-harris-taxes/2019/04/14/id/911618/">15 Years of Tax Returns</a></p>
<p>Women’s March Launches Petition to Ban Trump from Twitter, Facebook for <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/04/14/womens-march-ban-trump-twitter-facebook/">‘Inciting Violence’ against Rep. Ilhan Omar</a></p>
<p>Fox's Wallace <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/media/438848-foxs-wallace-not-comfortable-playing-full-9-11-video-tweeted-by-trump">not 'comfortable'</a> playing full 9/11 video tweeted by Trump</p>
<p>President of Brazil Causes Uproar After Saying <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/politics/president-of-brazil-causes-uproar-after-saying-holocaust-can-be-forgiven-but-not-forgotten/">Holocaust Can be ‘Forgiven But Not Forgotten’</a></p>
<p>Report: CBP <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/customs-border-protection-tent-cities-illegals/2019/04/14/id/911649/">Building Two More Texas Tent Cities</a></p>
<p>Pot Sales Expected to Double on <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/pot-sales-double-420/2019/04/14/id/911621/">'Stoners' Fourth of July:'</a> 4/20</p>
<p>Putting American flags on police cars <a href="https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-laguna-beach-police-cars-american-flag-20190413-story.html">sparks backlash in Laguna Beach</a></p>
<p>Tiger Woods <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/tigerwoods-wins-masters-golf/2019/04/14/id/911642/">Wins Masters to End 11-Year Major Drought</a></p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-04-15T16:10:00ZDems Block College Tuition for Gold Star Families; Georgetown Students Agree to Create Slavery Reparations FundBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Dems-Block-College-Tuition-for-Gold-Star-Families;-Georgetown-Students-Agree-to-Create-Slavery-Reparations-Fund/-738840496109552828.html2019-04-12T15:45:00Z2019-04-12T15:45:00Z<p><strong> </strong><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">NY Dems block bill expanding college tuition for Gold Star families… after approving $27M in tuition aid for illegal immigrants</span></strong></p>
<p>New York Assembly Democrats blocked a bill which proposed expanding college tuition aid for children of deceased and disabled military veterans.</p>
<p>This after having approved just a week earlier, a state budget that set aside $27 million in college tuition aid for illegal immigrants. The Assembly’s Higher Education Committee voted 15 to 11 on Tuesday to shelve the bill, <a href="https://www.syracuse.com/politics/2019/04/ny-assembly-no-free-college-tuition-for-gold-star-families.html">effectively quashing its chances of going to the floor.</a></p>
<p> “Assemblywoman Glick should be ashamed of herself,” said State Sen. Robert Ortt, R-Niagara. “We set aside $27 million dollars for college for people that are here illegally… Apparently, $2.7 million is all that the families of soldiers who are killed, get. If you’re a child of a fallen soldier, you do not rank as high and you know that by the money.”</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ocasio-Cortez: Criticizing Ilhan Omar over 9/11 remarks ‘an incitement of violence against progressive women of color” </span></strong></p>
<p>Freshman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) told reporters Thursday that criticism of her and Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar has become “an incitement of violence against progressive women of color</p>
<p>“We are getting to the level that this is an incitement of violence against progressive women of color and if they can’t figure out how to get back to policy, we have to call it out for what it is because this is not normal, and this is not a normal level of political debate or rhetoric,” the congresswoman said. She suggested it was wrong to put pictures of the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York on the front page of the newspaper because such images are “incredibly upsetting and triggering” and that discussing 9/11 is just a thinly disguised veneer for what is really a “politically motivated attack” on Omar. Ocasio-Cortez referenced the New York Post’s recent front page of the 9/11 attacks, saying that was wrong because such images are “incredibly upsetting and triggering” and that discussing 9/11 is just a thinly disguised veneer for what is really a “<a href="https://dailycaller.com/2019/04/12/ocasio-cortez-ilhan-omar-front-page-9-11-progressive-women-color/">politically motivated attack</a>” on Omar.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Georgetown Students Agree to Create Reparations Fund</span></strong></p>
<p>Students at Georgetown University voted on Thursday to increase their own school tuition by $27.20 per student, in order to benefit descendants of the 272 enslaved Africans that the Jesuits who ran the school sold nearly two centuries ago to secure its financial future, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/12/us/georgetown-reparations.html">the New York Times reports.</a></p>
<p>The proposal passed with a nearly 2/3 vote but must be approved by the board of directors before it takes effect.</p>
<p>“We value the engagement of our students and appreciate that they are making their voices heard and contributing to an important national conversation,” Todd Olson, vice president for student affairs, said in a statement on Thursday.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Kamala Harris: 'I am a gun owner' </span></strong></p>
<p>2020 hopeful Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) said Thursday that she owns a gun for personal safety reasons, adding that she believes in some changes to gun laws. </p>
<p>“I am a gun owner and I own a gun for probably the reason that a lot of people do, for personal safety,” she told reporters in Iowa. </p>
<p>“For too long and still today we are being offered a false choice which suggests you’re either in favor of the Second Amendment or you want to take everyone’s guns away,” she said. She added that she supports "<a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/438514-kamala-harris-i-am-a-gun-owner-for-personal-protection">smart gun safety laws</a>" such as universal background checks and renewing the assault weapons ban. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Cable News Ratings: Every CNN Presidential Town Hall Finishes behind FNC and MSNBC </span></strong></p>
<p>Every single one of the 12 Democratic presidential town halls held so far in 2019 by CNN lost against simultaneous programming on other cable news networks, as of last Thursday. The average viewership of CNN’s town halls were approximately 903,000 people. Comparatively, the Fox News programming that was going on while the town halls aired averaged 2.2 million viewers, whereas the MSNBC programming had 1.8 million viewers.</p>
<p>CNN has hosted just about every 2020 hopeful for town halls. Only five – Harris, Schultz, Klobuchar, Sanders, and Warren — <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2019/04/11/democratic-town-hall-cnn-msnbc-fox-news/">garnered more than 1 million viewers</a>. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Google under fire for dubbing 'Unplanned' film 'propaganda'</span></strong></p>
<p>Google is being accused of bias against the newly released pro-life film “Unplanned,” with the search engine listing the movie as “propaganda.” “Unplanned” is the story of a Planned Parenthood clinic director who becomes an anti-abortion activist. The Daily Signal’s Kelsey Bolar <a href="https://twitter.com/kelseybolar/status/1116486414856798208" target="_blank">noted</a> Thursday that Google classifies “Unplanned” as a “drama/propaganda.”</p>
<p>“Who knew that ‘propaganda’ was a movie genre? Google once again exposing its gross political bias,” Bolar tweeted a screenshot of search results.</p>
<p>A Google spokesperson <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/tech/google-slammed-labeling-pro-life-film-unplanned-propaganda">explained to Fox News</a> that its "Knowledge Graph" analyzed web content on "Unplanned" and that a large volume of it described the film as propaganda and placed the label without a universal consensus.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Disney Chief: 'Hitler would have loved social media' </span></strong></p>
<p>Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger rebuked social media during a ceremony in which he was being honored with a humanitarian award on Thursday.</p>
<p>“Hitler would have loved social media,” Iger said, <a href="https://variety.com/2019/scene/news/disneys-bob-iger-blasts-political-discourse-and-social-media-we-can-do-better-1203186601/">according to Variety</a>, upon receiving the Simon Wiesenthal Center's Humanitarian Award. “It’s the most powerful marketing tool an extremist could ever hope for because by design social media reflects a narrow world view filtering out anything that challenges our beliefs while constantly validating our convictions and amplifying our deepest fears."</p>
<p>He continued, “It creates a false sense that everyone shares the same opinion. Social media allows evil to prey on troubled minds and lost souls and we all know that social news feeds can contain more fiction than fact, propagating vile ideology that has no place in a civil society that values human life.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>MORE HEADLINES</strong></p>
<p>Elizabeth Warren: <a href="https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/04/12/elizabeth-warren-profile-young-republican-2020-president-226613">The Republican Years</a></p>
<p>Is Bill de Blasio Running for President in 2020? <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/05/nyregion/bill-de-blasio-2020.html">Sure Looks Like It</a></p>
<p>Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6913879/Alexandria-Ocasio-Cortez-says-time-IRS-prepare-taxpayers-returns.html">IRS Should Prep Taxpayers’ Returns</a></p>
<p>Jussie Smollett is <a href="https://pagesix.com/2019/04/12/jussie-smollett-spotted-vacationing-in-hawaii/?utm_source=maropost&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nypdaily&utm_content=20190412&tpcc=morning_report&mpweb=755-7775579-719674876">all smiles while vacationing in Hawaii</a></p>
<p>Video of Candace Owens firing back at Ted Lieu <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/candace-owens-ted-lieu-cspan-twitter-record">nears CSPAN record</a></p>
<p>Revealed: Two decades before college admissions scandal, t<a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/revealed-two-decades-before-college-admissions-scandal-the-clintons-tried-to-game-the-system-for-chelseas-boyfriend">he Clintons tried to game the system for Chelsea's boyfriend</a></p>
<p>Retired Pope Benedict weighs in Catholic Church sex abuse scandals, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/world/pope-catholic-church-sex-abuse-scandals-germany">blames it on swinging 60s</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>One More Thing: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Follow Holly's adventures on Bill's Instagram! </a>She's now asking Question of the Day...</strong></p>
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<p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BvuHsDQg2kH/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">Can I be considered woke if I still get 16 hours of sleep a day?</a></p>
<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> Bill O'Reilly</a> (@billoreilly) on Apr 1, 2019 at 10:04am PDT</p>
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<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-04-12T15:45:00ZDems Rage Against Barr's Investigation in Spying on Trump Campaign; U.S. Deficit 15% Higher than 2018BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Dems-Rage-Against-Barrs-Investigation-in-Spying-on-Trump-Campaign;-U.S.-Deficit-15-Higher-than-2018/309274379556250969.html2019-04-11T12:23:00Z2019-04-11T12:23:00Z<p><strong>Treasury Set to Miss Democrats’ Deadline for Trump Tax Returns</strong></p>
<p>Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Wednesday, April 11, that <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/finance/438334-mnuchin-treasury-needs-more-time-to-review-trump-tax-returns-request">the department will not be able to finish its review of Democrats' request for President Trump's tax returns</a> by Wednesday — the deadline that Democrats had given the IRS to provide the documents. "The House Ways and Means Committee requests the materials by April 10, but the Treasury Department will not be able to complete its review of your request by that date," Steven Mnuchin said in a letter to the committee's chairman, Rep. Richard Neal.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Dems Rage Against Barr for Backing President Trump’s Claims that Campaign was Spied on by FBI</strong></p>
<p>Democrats lined up to hammer <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dems-rage-against-barr-for-backing-claims-of-trump-campaign-spying-by-fbi">Attorney General William Barr for testifying that federal authorities had spied on the Trump campaign in 2016,</a> with one top House Democrat charging that Attorney General Barr is not acting "in the best interest of the DOJ or the country." Despite mounting evidence that the FBI pursued an array of efforts to gather intelligence from within the Trump campaign and the fact that the FBI successfully pursued warrants to surveil a former Trump aide in 2016, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., told Fox News that William Barr's loyalties were compromised.</p>
<p>The media is also furious with William Barr, MSNBC host Chuck Todd was visibly irritated Wednesday evening after Attorney General William Barr admitted before Congress that the Trump campaign was spied on in 2016, and he planned to investigate it.</p>
<p><iframe width="640" height="360" title="MRC TV video player" src="https://www.mrctv.org/embed/538715" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
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<p><strong>Former Obama Aide Expected to be Charged Soon: Reports</strong></p>
<p>Former Obama White House counsel Gregory Craig expects to face federal charges in connection with his 2012 work for Ukraine, <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/438356-former-obama-aide-expected-to-be-charged-soon-report">according to The Washington Post.</a> The expected charges relate to special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation and illegal lobbying done by former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort for the Ukrainian Ministry of Justice. Paul Manafort pleaded guilty to charges relating to his work for Ukraine last year.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Republicans Call for ex-Trump Lawyer Cohen to be Referred to DOJ</strong></p>
<p>House Republicans are demanding that a transcript of former Trump personal attorney <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/438258-republicans-call-for-ex-trump-lawyer-cohen-to-be-referred-to-doj">Michael Cohen's testimony before lawmakers be sent to the Department of Justice for a potential perjury investigation.</a> Rep. Mark Green introduced the privileged resolution on Wednesday. It directs Oversight and Reform Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings to send a copy of the Cohen transcript to the DOJ for review. “We're making a simple request today that Democrats protect the integrity of the House of Representatives and refer Michael Cohen to the Department of Justice for perjury. Why is this controversial?” Mark Green told reporters at a press conference.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Trump Says He Will Call Up More Military at US-Mexico Border</strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would have to mobilize more of the military at the U.S. border with Mexico after listening to stories about migrants crossing the border from people attending a Republican fundraiser. There are currently about 5,000 active-duty and National Guard troops near the border, though that number fluctuates.</p>
<p>Also on Wednesday, in a tweet President Trump bashed the open border policies being pushed by many Democrats.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I think what the Democrats are doing with the Border is TREASONOUS. Their Open Border mindset is putting our Country at risk. Will not let this happen!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1116167275948597249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2019</a></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Warren Releases Tax Returns Showing Million-Dollar Income</strong></p>
<p>Presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren released her 2018 tax returns on Wednesday, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/warren-releases-tax-returns">showing she and her husband earned nearly $1 million last year.</a> Elizabeth Warren’s campaign released the candidate’s returns minutes after the senator concluded a speech to a union crowd in the nation’s capital where she once again pushed for her proposal to tax ultra-wealthy Americans based on their assets.</p>
<p>“I’ve put out eleven years of my tax returns because no one should ever have to guess who their elected officials are working for. Doing this should be law,” Elizabeth Warren said in a statement, in a likely jab at President Trump and possibly rival Bernie Sanders.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>US Budget Deficit Running 15% Higher Than a Year Ago</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article229076234.html">The federal government reported a $146.9 billion</a> deficit in March 2019, causing annual debt to rise 15% for the first half of the budget year compared to the same period in 2018. The Treasury Department said Wednesday in its monthly report that the fiscal year deficit has so far totaled $691 billion, up from nearly $600 billion in 2018. The Treasury Department expects that the deficit will exceed $1 trillion when the fiscal year ends in September.</p>
<p> <strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">OTHER HEADLINES: </span></strong></p>
<p>Mnuchin: <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/finance/438269-mnuchin-treasury-will-consult-with-doj-on-trumps-tax-returns">Treasury Will Consult with DOJ on Trump's Tax Returns</a></p>
<p>More Information from Mueller Won't Shift Public Opinions, <a href="https://thehill.com/hilltv/what-americas-thinking/438191-ahead-of-mueller-report-publication-americans-somewhat">Poll Finds</a></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/438308-acting-ice-director-resigns">Acting ICE Director Resigns After Trump Pulls Nomination</a></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/defense/438351-defense-dept-paid-trump-properties-300000-since-start-of-trump-presidency">Defense Department Paid Trump Properties $300,000</a> Since Start of Presidency: Report</p>
<p>Warren Campaign Says it <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/438264-warren-campaign-says-it-raised-6-million-in-first-quarter-of-2019">Raised $6 Million in First Quarter of 2019</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/quinnipiac-poll-biden-women/2019/04/10/id/911036/">Poll:</a> Biden Leads Pack of 2020 Dems in California</p>
<p><a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/washington-post-says-teen-viral-video-cant-show-defamation-anti-trump-bias-1200889">Washington Post Says Teen in Viral Video Can't Show Defamation Nor Anti-Trump Bias</a></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>One More Thing: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Follow Holly's adventures on Bill's Instagram! </a>She's now asking Question of the Day...</strong></p>
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<p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BvuHsDQg2kH/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">Can I be considered woke if I still get 16 hours of sleep a day?</a></p>
<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> Bill O'Reilly</a> (@billoreilly) on Apr 1, 2019 at 10:04am PDT</p>
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<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-04-11T12:23:00ZNunes Files $150M Lawsuit Against McClatchy; Bernie Sanders Will Release Tax Returns April 15BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Nunes-Files-$150M-Lawsuit-Against-McClatchy;-Bernie-Sanders-Will-Release-Tax-Returns-April-15/897277583468358072.html2019-04-10T17:33:00Z2019-04-10T17:33:00Z<p><strong>Nunes Files $150M Lawsuit Against McClatchy</strong></p>
<p>House Intelligence Committee ranking member Devin Nunes has <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/devin-nunes-150m-lawsuit-mcclatchy">filed a $150 million lawsuit</a> in Virginia state court against The McClatchy Company on Monday, alleging that one of the news agency's reporters conspired with a political operative to derail Devin Nunes' oversight work into the Hillary Clinton campaign and Russian election interference.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Rasmussen Daily Tracking Poll: President Trump’s Job Approval 53%</strong></p>
<p>The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows that <a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/current_events/politics/prez_track_apr10">53% of likely U.S. voters approve of President Trump’s job performance</a>, while 45% disapprove. Other results of the Rasmussen Daily Tracking poll shows that 37% of like U.S. voters strongly approve of the job President Trump is doing, while 36% strongly disapprove.</p>
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<p><strong>The Best and the Worst Places to Live</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://realestate.usnews.com/places/rankings/best-places-to-live?sort=overall&high_to_low=true">U.S. News & World Report has released</a> this year's list of the best and worst places to live in America after evaluating the country’s 125 most populous metropolitan areas.</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This year, once again, Austin, Texas took the No. 1 spot in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BestPlaces?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BestPlaces</a> to Live ranking. <a href="https://t.co/zpqD0zM6IT">https://t.co/zpqD0zM6IT</a> <a href="https://t.co/4CVlWP7d5Q">pic.twitter.com/4CVlWP7d5Q</a></p>
— U.S. News (@usnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/usnews/status/1115982868235399175?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
<p> </p>
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<p><strong>Barr Will Form Team to Review FBI's Actions in Trump Probe</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/northam-pol-us-world/2019/04/09/id/910949/">Attorney General William Barr has assembled a team to review controversial counterintelligence decisions made by Justice Department and FBI officials.</a> According to Attorney General Barr’s testimony on Tuesday, “I am reviewing the conduct of the investigation and trying to get my arms around all the aspects of the counterintelligence investigation that was conducted during the summer of 2016.” William Barr’s inquiry is separate from the Justice Department’s inspector general’s investigation. William Barr said he expected the inspector general’s work to be completed by May or June.</p>
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<p><strong>White House to Appeal Court Ruling on Sending Asylum Seekers to Mexico</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/438134-white-house-to-appeal-court-ruling-on-sending-asylum-seekers-to">The White House announced on Tuesday</a> it will appeal a federal judge's ruling from blocking an administration policy of having some asylum seekers remain in Mexico while their case is processed in the United States. Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders blasted U.S. District Judge Richard Seeborg's decision, arguing it "gravely undermines the President’s ability to address the crisis at the border with the tools Congress has authorized and disrupts the conduct of our foreign affairs."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>CBP Data: Border Apprehensions Surge in March</strong></p>
<p>According to statistics released by Customs and Border Protection, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/family-units-cbp-apprehensions-immigration/2019/04/09/id/910922/">border agents apprehended more than 92,000 migrants</a> trying to sneak into the country in the month of March — continuing a surge of illegal crossings at the southern border. The CBP report showed the March figure of 92,607 follows a February jump in apprehensions of 66,884.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Pentagon says Border Missions to Cost Over $500 million</strong></p>
<p>According to the Pentagon, the Trump administration's deployment of troops to the southern border <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/defense/438108-pentagon-tells-lawmakers-border-missions-to-cost-at-least-534m">is expected to cost at least $534 million by the end of the fiscal year</a> in September, the Pentagon told lawmakers in a letter that was released Tuesday. That includes $350 million on the National Guard-backed mission called Operation Guardian Support for the current and previous fiscal year, and $184 million for the active-duty supported mission called Operation Secure Line.</p>
<p> <br /><br /><strong>Bernie Sanders Will Release Tax Returns April 15</strong></p>
<p>Sen. Bernie Sanders is pledging to release 10 years of his tax returns next week as he seeks the presidency. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/bernie-sanders-taxes-returns-trump/2019/04/09/id/910944">He told The New York Times he will make his returns public on tax day</a>. Bill describes Bernie Sanders as: </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bernie Sanders is a “democratic socialist,” which means no matter how we vote, the Feds would still take our money in great amounts and then “provide” fantastic entitlements to the folks.</p>
— Bill O'Reilly (@BillOReilly) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly/status/1115985286167584770?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Bernies-Taxing-Behavior/-231549287333874687.html">Read Bill’s newly released column, ‘Bernie’s Taxing Behavior’ here.</a></p>
<p> </p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">OTHER HEADLINES</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/438145-dhs-deputy-secretary-resigns-nielsen-says">DHS Acting Deputy Secretary Resigns</a></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/international/americas/438135-canada-considering-tightening-laws-against-asylum-seekers">Canada Considering Tightening Laws</a> Against Asylum-Seekers Rejected by US</p>
<p>MSNBC <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/04/09/msnbc-trump-workplace-violence/">Contributor Accuses Trump of ‘Workplace Violence’</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/04/09/aclu-florida-travel-warning/">ACLU Issues Florida ‘Travel Warning’ for</a> Black, Brown AND Latinx People</p>
<p>Booker Introduces <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/438167-booker-introduces-bill-to-form-reparations-study-commission">Bill to Form Reparations Study Commission</a></p>
<p>Ocasio-Cortez claims climate change is driving migrant crisis</p>
<p>Study: <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/drugs-crime-immigration-methamphetamine/2019/04/09/id/910936/">Drugs Remain Top Federal Crime; Immigration Close Behind</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>One More Thing: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Follow Holly's adventures on Bill's Instagram! </a>She's now asking Question of the Day...</strong></p>
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<p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BvuHsDQg2kH/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">Can I be considered woke if I still get 16 hours of sleep a day?</a></p>
<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> Bill O'Reilly</a> (@billoreilly) on Apr 1, 2019 at 10:04am PDT</p>
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<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-04-10T17:33:00ZAttorney General Barr Set to Testify Before the House and Senate; Biden Still Leads 2020 Dems After AccusationsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Attorney-General-Barr-Set-to-Testify-Before-the-House-and-Senate;-Biden-Still-Leads-2020-Dems-After-Accusations/-921039739976290224.html2019-04-09T13:16:00Z2019-04-09T13:16:00Z<p><strong>Lawmakers get First Crack at Barr Post-Mueller</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/437936-lawmakers-get-first-crack-at-barr-post-mueller">Attorney General William Barr is set to testify publicly before the House and Senate on Tuesday and Wednesday</a>, giving Democrats an opportunity to raise the pressure on him to release special counsel Robert Mueller’s report. William Barr is expected to face questions about his handling of the Mueller investigation and report when he testifies on the Trump administration’s fiscal 2020 budget request.</p>
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<p><strong>Dallas and Houston considered for New Migrant Shelters</strong></p>
<p>Thousands of asylum-seeking children could be headed to Dallas, Texas as the federal government looks to relieve pressure on a bloated immigration system and overwhelmed nonprofit shelters along the U.S.-Mexico border. <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/immigration/2019/04/08/dallas-houston-considered-new-migrant-shelters-monthly-apprehensions-expected-reach-100000">The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has contacted Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins</a> to gauge the county's willingness and ability to house some migrants as shelters along the border. A HHS spokesperson confirmed that the Office of Refugee Resettlement in HHS’ Administration for Children and Families is assessing vacant properties in Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Houston for “potential future use as state-licensed permanent shelter locations for unaccompanied alien children.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Judge Blocks Trump Policy of Returning Asylum Seekers to Mexico</strong></p>
<p>A federal judge in Northern California issued a preliminary injunction that blocks the Trump administration from requiring asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while they await immigration court hearings. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/mexico-asylum-trump/2019/04/08/id/910745/">The ruling came from District Judge Richard Seeborg in San Francisco,</a> and means the Migrant Protection Protocols program must stop by the end of the week, and that those named in the lawsuit be allowed into the United States to pursue asylum.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Obama: Don't Label Racist Everyone Opposed to Immigration</strong></p>
<p>Former President Barrack Obama has gone on the defense to the tougher stance on immigration. It is unfair to label everyone who is disturbed by migration as racist, former President Barack Obama told a town hall meeting in Berlin over the weekend, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/immigration-racist/2019/04/08/id/910688/">Newsweek reported.</a> Obama gave as an example that “it's not racist to say, 'Ah, if you're going to be here then you should learn the language of the country that you just arrived at because we need to have some sort of common language in which all of us can work, and learn and understand each other.’”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Andrew Cuomo to Back NY Effort to Obtain Trump Tax Returns</strong></p>
<p>New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is putting his support behind efforts in the state legislature to obtain President Trump's tax returns. <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/437956-cuomo-to-back-ny-effort-to-obtain-trump-tax-returns">The legislation was introduced Monday</a> by Sen. Brad Hoylman that would enable the New York Department of Taxation and Finance to release any individual's tax returns if they are requested by certain congressional committees.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>HarrisX Poll: Biden Leads Dem Pack After Women's Accusations</strong></p>
<p>Joe Biden leads the pack of Democratic presidential contenders despite a week of several accusations by women, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/biden-sanders-democrats-2020/2019/04/08/id/910733/">a new poll showed Monday.</a> In the HarrisX survey for The Hill, the former vice president garnered 28% support, ahead of Sen. Bernie Sanders, who pulled in 20%. Other findings revealed, 36% of respondents who identified as Democrats picked Biden; 19% supported Sanders; and 9% picked Harris.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Minimum Wage Hikes Trigger 'Payroll Tsunami,' as Small Businesses Cut Back</strong></p>
<p>Small business owners across the country are beginning to feel the pinch as more states move toward a $15 minimum wage. The proposals to raise pay are intended to help workers, several mom-and-pop coffee shops as well as restaurants are responding by cutting hours, eliminating jobs or closing down entirely because they can't keep up with rising wages under the law. Last month, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/15-minimum-wage-hikes-payroll-tsunami-hurt-small-businesses">Maryland became the sixth state in the nation</a> to approve a gradual minimum wage increase to $15 an hour. The American Action Forum predicts the move could cost the state 94,600 jobs.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">OTHER HEADLINES</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/latino/437914-trump-told-border-patrol-to-defy-law-block-migrants-report">Trump Told Border Patrol Agents to Defy Law, Block Migrants</a></p>
<p>Warren Wants to Investigate <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/04/08/warren-investigate-trump-secret-service/">Trump’s firing of Secret Service Director</a></p>
<p>NBC: <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/kirstjen-nielsen-family-separation/2019/04/08/id/910669/">Dispute Over Family Separations at Border Forced Nielsen Out</a></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/437920-officials-say-trump-called-secret-service-director-dumbo-because-of">Trump Called Secret Service director 'Dumbo' because of his ears:</a> NY Times</p>
<p>Rep. Eric Swalwell <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/437938-swalwell-announces-he-is-running-for-president">announces he is running for president</a></p>
<p>Rep. Omar <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/ilhan-omar-stephen-miller-white-nationalist-white-house/2019/04/08/id/910747/">Calls Stephen Miller a 'White Nationalist'</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=12078">UCLA event</a> Compares Communist Dictator Che Guevara to Jesus</p>
<p>12 Other Parents to <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/us-college-admissions-bribery/2019/04/08/id/910717/">Plead Guilty in College Scheme</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-sac-skelton-soda-tax-20190408-story.html">Sacramento Wants to Tax Soda, Tires, Guns, Water, Pain Pills, Lawyers, and More</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>One More Thing: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Follow Holly's adventures on Bill's Instagram! </a>She's now asking Question of the Day...</strong></p>
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<p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BvuHsDQg2kH/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">Can I be considered woke if I still get 16 hours of sleep a day?</a></p>
<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> Bill O'Reilly</a> (@billoreilly) on Apr 1, 2019 at 10:04am PDT</p>
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<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-04-09T13:16:00ZAmerica Becoming Godless; Massive Delays Expected at Southern BorderBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/America-Becoming-Godless;-Massive-Delays-Expected-at-Southern-Border/-999533942031360530.html2019-04-08T12:21:00Z2019-04-08T12:21:00Z<p><strong>The Number of People who have no Religion has Risen 266 Percent</strong></p>
<p>According to the General Social Survey, the number of Americans who identify as having no religion has risen 266 percent since 1991, to now tie statistically with the number of Catholics and Evangelicals, according to a new survey. <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6886705/Is-America-Godless-number-people-no-religion-rose-266-three-decades.html">People with no religion accounted for 23.1 percent of the U.S. population in 2018.</a> By comparison, Catholics make up 23 percent and Evangelicals account for 22.5 percent.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Trump Warns of 'Traffic' and 'Commercial' Delays at Border</strong></p>
<p>A week of heated threats from President Trump to close the border means Mexican companies are rushing to send as much cargo into the U.S. as they can, in case of a shutdown that would limit trade. Plus, as many as 750 U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers were reassigned to border patrol sectors in late March, crimping the staffing needed to allow for the flow of goods from south to north. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/trump-traffic-commercial-delays/2019/04/07/id/910520/">As a result, wait times to cross the border have soared and can be as many as 10 hours longer than usual.</a> The wait times are especially long in El Paso, Laredo and the San Diego area, said Ben Enriquez, senior vice president of Mexico for Transplace, a logistics service provider. In El Paso, it’s taking as long as 12 hours to cross into the U.S., up from about 1 to 2 hours on a normal day, he said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Former President Obama Defends Assimilation</strong></p>
<p>Former President Barack Obama defended the concept of “assimilation” and called for “some levels of adaptation” from incoming immigrants. <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/04/06/barack-obama-assimilation-immigration/">During a segment on the topic of immigration at a Saturday town hall event for the Obama Foundation in Berlin</a>, Barrack Obama called for a “humane, intelligent, thoughtful, orderly immigration process that is grounded in our better selves,” the former U.S. president emphasized that the job of “reducing fear on the part of people who are already there … requires some levels of adaptation from the people who are coming in.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Trump: I have not read Mueller report, 'though I have every right to do so'</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/437697-trump-i-have-not-read-mueller-report-though-i-have-every-right-to-do">President Trump said in a series of tweets</a> Saturday that he has not yet read special counsel Robert Mueller’s final report that was delivered to the Justice Department late last month but said he has "every right to do so". President Trump's comments come as Democrats on Capitol Hill seek to see Mueller's report made public. Democratic lawmakers have tried five times to pass a House resolution that says there is "overwhelming public interest" in the government releasing the contents of the high-profile Mueller report.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Bernie Sanders Believes States Should Allow Felons to Vote from Behind Bars</strong></p>
<p>Senator Bernie Sanders said people convicted of felonies should never lose access to the ballot box in the first place. At a town hall meeting in Muscatine’s West Middle School gymnasium Saturday, the Vermont senator was asked whether the imprisoned should have the right to vote. <a href="https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2019/04/06/bernie-sanders-says-states-should-felon-voting-rights-election-2020-iowa-caucus/3388679002/">"I think that is absolutely the direction we should go," he said.</a> While most states disenfranchise felons, Sanders said the convicted still have a right to participate in elections.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>As Cold Weather Breaks, Violence Returns to Chicago: 24 Shot in 30 Hours Over the Weekend </strong></p>
<p>In a period of a little over 24 hours this weekend, <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-citywide-shootings-20190407-story.html">24 people were shot in Chicago and three of the adults shot died from their injuries, according to police.</a> Beginning at 4 a.m. Saturday through about 10 a.m. Sunday, Chicago police were investigating shooting cases that included the homicides and a mass shooting of six people outside an afternoon baby shower in West Englewood. Chicago police typically see an increase in violence during summer months, in part because cold winter weather keeps more people indoors.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>California College Offers Class on Trump's 'Potential Impeachment'</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=12063">The University of California-Santa Cruz is currently offering a course on President Trump’s “potential impeachment"</a> with a focus on climate change in regard to “the Native Uprising against the Dakota Access Pipeline" and President Trump's "'neglect of duty'" with regard to the issue. The course is being taught “in a progressive historical perspective” and lists several assigned readings detailing the process of impeachment, the Mueller report, climate change, and the efforts of Indigenous peoples’ against pipelines and other environmental impacts, according to Sheehan’s personal website.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">MORE HEADLINES</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/latino/437724-justice-department-says-it-could-take-two-years-to-identify-thousands-of-additional">DOJ Says it Could Take up to Two Years to Identify Children Separated at Border</a></p>
<p>Rep. Nunes Will Send <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/devin-nunes-referrals-russia-probe/2019/04/07/id/910578/">Eight Criminal Referrals to AG Barr</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/tech/americans-hate-social-media-but-cant-give-it-up-wsj-nbc-news-poll-finds">New WSJ/NBC Poll</a> Finds Americans Hate Social Media but Can’t Give it Up</p>
<p>Cory Booker <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/cory-booker-presidential-campaign-donors/2019/04/07/id/910576/">Raises More than $5 Million</a> for 2020 Campaign</p>
<p>AOC Blames Judge Jeanine Pirro’s Anti-Muslim Rhetoric for <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/politics/ocasio-cortez-blames-jeanine-pirros-anti-muslim-rhetoric-for-death-threat-against-ilhan-omar/">Death Threat Against Ilhan Omar</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/nancy-pelosi-house-speaker-2020/2019/04/07/id/910571/">Nancy Pelosi Aims to Win 2020 Races by Thanksgiving Holiday</a></p>
<p>Chicago Prosecutor <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/chicago-prosecutor-kim-foxx-defends-jussie-smollett-decision">Kim Foxx Defends Dropping Charges in Jussie Smollett Case</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/sports/michigan-states-final-four-loss-brings-unruly-crowds-to-streets-23-arrested">23 Arrested</a> after Michigan State’s Final Four Loss</p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/international/437779-us-pulls-troops-out-of-libya-amid-rise-in-violence">US Pulls Troops out of Libya</a> Amid Rise in Violence</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span>One More Thing: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Follow Holly's adventures on Bill's Instagram! </a>She's now asking Question of the Day...</strong></p>
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<p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BvuHsDQg2kH/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">Can I be considered woke if I still get 16 hours of sleep a day?</a></p>
<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> Bill O'Reilly</a> (@billoreilly) on Apr 1, 2019 at 10:04am PDT</p>
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<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-04-08T12:21:00ZMore Women Accuse Biden of Misconduct; Another Accusatory NYT ReportBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/More-Women-Accuse-Biden-of-Misconduct;-Another-Accusatory-NYT-Report/-391360537479470839.html2019-04-04T13:14:00Z2019-04-04T13:14:00Z<p><strong>More Women Accuse Biden of Misconduct</strong></p>
<p>Three additional women have come forward to say former Vice President Joe Biden touched them in ways that made them uncomfortable. The women came forward shortly after Biden, in a two-minute video, pledged to be more “mindful” of women’s personal space.</p>
<p>“If Biden does enter the race,” <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Biden-His-Time/623676833862322997.html">Bill predicted in his column this week,</a> “there will be more women.”</p>
<p>“And if you don’t believe me, ask Donald Trump, who might put it this way if he were chatting with Biden: ‘me, too, Joe.’”</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>NYT: Mueller Report is More Damaging to Trump than Barr Summary Suggests</strong></p>
<p>Another day, another accusatory anti-Trump NYT article littered with anonymous sources. Apparently some members of Mueller's team have said Attorney General William Barr's summary of their report “did not sufficiently portray the results of their investigation, suggesting their findings could be more damaging to President Trump than Barr conveyed,” The New York Times reported Wednesday. The Hill reached out to the special counsel's office for comment but no comment yet.</p>
<p>Check out <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-New-York-Times-VS-Trump/-762473998221623380.html">Bill’s Message of the Day on the report</a> and his tweet below.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Someday The New York Times may discover something that is very important.<br /><br />And no one will believe them.</p>
— Bill O'Reilly (@BillOReilly) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly/status/1113770993565093888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>House Dem asks IRS for 6 years of Trump's tax returns</strong></p>
<p>“Is that all?" Trump responded when notified Democrats <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-dem-asks-irs-for-6-years-of-trumps-tax-returns">had asked for six years of returns</a>. "Usually it’s 10 so I guess they’re giving up."</p>
<p>The request made Wednesday by Massachusetts Rep. Richard Neal, who heads House Ways and Means Committee, is the first demand for a sitting president's tax information in 45 years.</p>
<p> “It is critical to ensure the accountability of our government and elected officials," Neal said in a statement. "To maintain trust in our democracy, the American people must be assured that their government is operating properly, as laws intend."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Jorge Ramos: ‘Nothing We Can Do to Stop’ Migrants from Crossing the Border</strong></p>
<p>Our old pal and Univision anchor Jorge Ramos said on Tuesday evening that the solution to the migrant crisis at U.S.-Mexico border is to legalize illegal immigrants because “nobody can really stop them” from entering the United States.</p>
<p>“The U.S. economy has been absorbing them and it seems that we have to realize that the only way to deal with this is in a legal way,” Ramos told CNN’s Anderson Cooper. “Just to understand that legally they are going to keep coming and there is really nothing we can do to stop them.”</p>
<p>He added that “Central American countries and Mexico are not the immigration police of Donald Trump” and insisted that no matter how much money is spent trying to solve the migrant crisis, governments “simply don’t have the power to stop that from becoming reality.”</p>
<p>“But the truth is that, Anderson, nobody can stop them,” Ramos said. “<a href="https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/04/03/jorge-ramos-amnesty-for-illegals-migrants-nothing-we-can-do-to-stop-them/">Nobody can really stop them.</a>”</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Trump's approval rating up 1 point since Mueller probe ended</strong></p>
<p>President Trump's job approval rating has ticked up 1 percentage point since the end of the Mueller probe, the first increase in six weeks, <a href="https://thehill.com/hilltv/what-americas-thinking/437192-trumps-job-approval-ticks-up-1-point-since-ending-of-mueller">according to a new poll</a>.</p>
<p>A Hill-HarrisX poll released Wednesday found that 46 percent of registered voters approve of the president's job performance, compared with 54 percent who disapproved.</p>
<p>Trump has been at a 45-percent approval rating since Feb. 17.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Slavery Reparations Bill Gains Momentum – Beto Would “Absolutely” Vote for it</strong></p>
<p>House legislation to form a commission to study whether black Americans should receive reparations for slavery is getting a <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/437286-reparations-bill-wins-new-momentum-in-house">significant boost from Democrats on the presidential campaign trail.</a></p>
<p>Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee’s (D-TX) bill would form a commission to study the issue of reparations but does not call for black Americans to receive payments.</p>
<p>2020 hopefuls including Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) are backing the legislation. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), another presidential candidate, is a co-sponsor.</p>
<p>And on Wednesday, former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas) endorsed the idea, a pivot from an earlier statement opposing reparations payments.</p>
<p>“Absolutely I would sign that into law,” O’Rourke said of Jackson Lee’s bill during an interview with the Rev. Al Sharpton at his National Action Network convention in New York.</p>
<p>Beto recently reported he is raisingmoney at a faster rate than the rest of the 2020 Democratic primary field, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/o-rourke-raises-9-4-million-18-days-faster-pace-n990531">bringing in $9.4 million in just 18 days.</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Bill and Hillary Clinton Headed on Star-Studded Speaking Tour</strong></p>
<p>Bill and Hillary will be joined by a gaggle of big Hollywood names on their upcoming speaking tour — including Ben Stiller, Jordan Klepper, and “Scandal’s” Tony Goldwyn.</p>
<p>The DC tour date with the political pair is scheduled for the same night as the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner — considered the biggest social event of the season in the nation’s capital.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Next week, Bill and I will be in New York on the 11th with <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulBegala?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PaulBegala</a> (expect 2020 talk), Detroit on the 12th with <a href="https://twitter.com/RedHourBen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RedHourBen</a> (expect belly laughs), and Philadelphia on the 13th with Nnamdi Asomugha (expect football & Broadway chatter). Looking forward! <a href="https://t.co/jGd6elyrnt">https://t.co/jGd6elyrnt</a> <a href="https://t.co/ESoZp2jrpN">pic.twitter.com/ESoZp2jrpN</a></p>
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) <a href="https://twitter.com/HillaryClinton/status/1113454054951260160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
<p> </p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">MORE HEADLINES</span></strong></p>
<p>Dem Candidate Mayor Buttigieg: <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/trump/mayor-buttigieg-its-hard-to-look-at-trumps-actions-and-think-he-believes-in-god/">It’s Hard to Look at Trump’s Actions and Think He Believes in God</a></p>
<p>AOC calls new campaign finance complaint <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/aoc-calls-new-campaign-finance-complaint-bogus">'bogus'</a></p>
<p>Survey: <a href="https://www.apnews.com/1a2b67e6641c4a8380547bd545bf7bdd">Businesses add jobs at slowest pace in 18 months</a></p>
<p>Deported MS-13 member, a convicted killer in the US, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/deported-ms-13-member-convicted-of-manslaughter-arrested-again-on-new-yorks-long-island-feds-say">caught back on New York's Long Island</a></p>
<p>Kim <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/kim-north-korea-trump-military/2019/04/03/id/910082/">Ordered Generals to Halt Military Activity</a> Ahead of Summit With Trump</p>
<p>Parent charged in college admissions scandal <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/437279-parent-charged-in-college-admissions-scandal-agrees-to-plead">agrees to plead guilty</a></p>
<p>KU offers <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=12058">'angry white male' course</a></p>
<p>Media Multitasking: <a href="https://www.studyfinds.org/media-multitasking-switching-between-phone-computer-tablet-linked-obesity/">Using Multiple Digital Devices At Same Time Linked To Obesity</a></p>
<p>Robert Kraft’s lawyers rip ‘<a href="file:///https:/www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/04/03/hearing-bob-kraft-case-canceled-detailed-legal-argument-suppress-spa-video-filed-court/qRl7qKtmLbwhvrQOGnbk6I/story.html">fake bomb threat</a>’ used to install hidden spa cameras</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span>One More Thing: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Follow Holly's adventures on Bill's Instagram! </a>She's now asking Question of the Day...</strong></p>
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<p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BvuHsDQg2kH/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">Can I be considered woke if I still get 16 hours of sleep a day?</a></p>
<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> Bill O'Reilly</a> (@billoreilly) on Apr 1, 2019 at 10:04am PDT</p>
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<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-04-04T13:14:00ZMore women accuse Biden of Misconduct; Trump to Pursue 'Aggressive' Crackdown on ImmigrationBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/More-women-accuse-Biden-of-Misconduct;-Trump-to-Pursue-Aggressive-Crackdown-on-Immigration/967189810234552624.html2019-04-03T14:37:00Z2019-04-03T14:37:00Z<p><strong>More women accuse Biden of Misconduct</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/437069-two-more-women-accuse-biden-of-inappropriate-touching">Two additional women came out Tuesday</a> to say that former Vice President Joe Biden touched them in ways that made them uncomfortable.</p>
<p>One woman said that Biden rested his hand on her thigh even as she attempted to show her discomfort by squirming in her seat during a sexual assault event at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. She added that Biden hugged her "just a little bimnt too long."</p>
<p>She highlighted that the interaction was uncomfortable because she had just discussed a time she was sexually assaulted, and expected Biden to be aware of physical boundaries.</p>
<p> “Only he knows his intent,” the second woman said, adding that today “if something makes you feel uncomfortable, you have to feel able to say it.”</p>
<p>Biden said in a statement Sunday that he has “offered countless handshakes, hugs, expressions of affection, support and comfort.”</p>
<p> “And not once — never — did I believe I acted inappropriately,” Biden added. “If it is suggested I did so, I will listen respectfully."</p>
<p>"I was going to call [Biden]," Trump said Tuesday, taunting him. "I don't know him well. I was going to say, 'Welcome to the world, Joe. You having a good time, Joe? Are you having a good time?'"</p>
<p>Bill’s column this week is on the allegations against Joe Biden – <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Biden-His-Time/623676833862322997.html">click here to check that out.</a></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">With a pliant and corrupt media in place, Joe Biden now stands accused of things he allegedly did years ago. There is no statute of limitations in the progressive world.</p>
— Bill O'Reilly (@BillOReilly) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly/status/1113108831230406657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Stephen Miller says Trump to Pursue ‘Aggressive’ Crackdown on Immigration, Leveraging Existing Laws</strong></p>
<p>Senior adviser to the president Stephen Miller, Trump’s senior adviser, spoke on the impending plan with <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/04/02/stephen-miller-crackdown-illegal-immigration/">The Daily Caller in an exclusive telephone interview.</a></p>
<p>“There’s going to be an aggressive effort to utilize every existing authority in statute,” Miller announced, explaining that several authorities exist in immigration laws passed by Congress throughout history, including the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act.</p>
<p>He neglected to offer a timeline for when the orders will be implemented, but said that “this is going to begin right away.”</p>
<p>Miller explained that the actions were designed to “dramatically raise the pressure on Congress and, in particular, the congressional Democrats” to pass laws reforming the U.S. immigration system.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Trump Steps Back from Mexico Border Threat</strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/trump-mexico-border-threat/2019/04/02/id/909902/">took a step back</a> on Tuesday from his threat to close the U.S. southern border to fight illegal immigration, as pressure mounted from companies worried that a shutdown would cause economic chaos.</p>
<p>Closing the border could disrupt millions of legal crossings and billions of dollars in trade. Auto companies have been warning the White House privately that it would lead to the idling of U.S. plants within days because they rely on prompt deliveries of components made in Mexico.</p>
<p>“I really wanted to close it,” Trump said on Tuesday night at a fundraiser for congressional Republicans.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Gallup: Americans Borrowed $88B for Healthcare in '17</strong></p>
<p>Americans borrowed an estimated $88 billion last year to pay for healthcare, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/gallup-americans-healthcare-crisis/2019/04/02/id/909836/">according to a study conducted by Gallup for West Health.</a></p>
<p>Other notable findings from the survey include 45% of American adults fear an illness might lead to bankruptcy and partisan division on the current quality of American healthcare. A large majority of Republicans see America's healthcare to be among the best worldwide (67%), while just 38 percent of Democrats agree.</p>
<p>One in four Americans surveyed say they have skipped treatment due to the high cost of care.</p>
<p>15 million Americans have deferred purchasing prescription drugs in the past year due to cost.</p>
<p>Nearly 3 million borrowed $10,000 or more to pay for healthcare in the past year.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Students Demand George Mason University Fire Justice Kavanaugh as Visiting Professor</strong></p>
<p>Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh is set to teach as a visiting law professor GMU’s Antonin Scalia Law School this summer. In response, students have set up a petition demanding the university terminate its three-year contract with Kavanaugh.</p>
<p> “Dear George Mason University Administration,” <a href="https://www.change.org/p/tell-president-cabrera-support-mason-4-survivors-cancelkavanaughgmu">the petition begins</a>.</p>
<p>“There is a historic amount of institutional negligence on your part to support survivors of sexual assault and the student body as a whole, which has bred a sense of mistrust and suffering within the Mason community and allies.”</p>
<p>“Let’s hire a rapist who repeatedly lied to Congress to teach law,” <a href="https://twitter.com/ahsanib/status/1109522350461075456" target="_blank">tweeted</a> GMU professor Ahsan Butt.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Hofstra University Students Demand Removal of Thomas Jefferson Statue</strong></p>
<p>Students at Hofstra University on Long Island held their second annual “Jefferson Has Gotta Go!” protest, demanding the removal of a Thomas Jefferson statue on campus. They want the statue moved into a museum along with the “appropriate context.”</p>
<p>They argue the school cannot “pride itself on diversity and inclusion” while leaving the statue up.</p>
<p>Students are also calling on the school to train its faculty to behave in a more politically correct way.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>MORE HEADLINES</strong></p>
<p>Feds: <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/chinese-woman-malware-mar-a-lago/2019/04/02/id/909873/">Chinese Woman Brought Malware Into Mar-a-Lago</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.breitbart.com/the-media/2019/04/02/house-democrats-want-oversight-over-fox-news-editorial-decisions/">House Democrats Want ‘Oversight’ over Fox News’ Editorial Decisions</a></p>
<p>Trump admin <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/437054-trump-admin-asks-courts-to-dismiss-legal-challenges-to-emergency">asks courts to dismiss</a> legal challenges to emergency declaration</p>
<p>Large majority of GOP voters in new poll say media outlets <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/media/437000-large-majority-of-gop-voters-in-new-poll-say-media-outlets-publish-fake-news">publish 'fake news' for political purposes</a></p>
<p>Chicago Police Department Says <a href="https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/04/01/chicago-crime-statistics-march-2019/">Murders Down 30 Percent, Shootings Down 17 Percent Through March</a></p>
<p>House Oversight Committee serves <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/437064-house-oversight-committee-serves-subpoenas-in-security-clearance-census-probes">subpoenas in security clearance, census probes</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span>One More Thing: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Follow Holly's adventures on Bill's Instagram! </a>She's now asking Question of the Day...</strong></p>
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<p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BvuHsDQg2kH/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">Can I be considered woke if I still get 16 hours of sleep a day?</a></p>
<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> Bill O'Reilly</a> (@billoreilly) on Apr 1, 2019 at 10:04am PDT</p>
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<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-04-03T14:37:00ZTrump Calls Maria Bartiromo Fake News during Fox Interview; Ocasio-Cortez Lands Time Magazine CoverBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Calls-Maria-Bartiromo-Fake-News-during-Fox-Interview;-Ocasio-Cortez-Lands-Time-Magazine-Cover/759570773102970186.html2019-03-22T15:14:00Z2019-03-22T15:14:00Z<p><strong><strong>WATCH: Trump Calls Fox’s Maria Bartiromo ‘Fake News’ for McCain Questions</strong></strong></p>
<p>Trump sat down for a wide-ranging interview on FBN which aired Friday morning. Things get tense toward the end, around the 9:40 minute mark when Bartiromo pushes Trump on the McCain stuff.</p>
<p>Trump calls “fake news” at the 10:55 mark - and Bartiromo pushes back.</p>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1Bwa5ffuTSs" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<p><strong><br />Ocasio-Cortez Lands Time Magazine Cover Less than 100 Days into Term</strong></p>
<p> “Wonder Woman of the left, Wicked Witch of the right,” the magazine’s <a href="http://time.com/longform/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-profile/" target="_blank">profile</a> of Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), written by Charlotte Alter, reads, “Ocasio-Cortez has become the second most talked-about politician in America, after the President of the United States.”</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">TIME’s new cover: “Change is closer than we think.” Inside Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s unlikely rise <a href="https://t.co/qV0hB6qDRd">https://t.co/qV0hB6qDRd</a> <a href="https://t.co/L0RUIvuC3U">pic.twitter.com/L0RUIvuC3U</a></p>
— TIME (@TIME) <a href="https://twitter.com/TIME/status/1108709241781661696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p> </p>
<p><strong>Ocasio-Cortez on Fox News ‘Haters’: ‘Why Are So Many Grown Men Just Obsessed’ With Me?</strong></p>
<p>This is a long clip of Seth Meyers interviewing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez so you may want to pass. They start talking Fox News at the 2:30 minute mark.</p>
<p>“Why are so many grown men just obsessed with this 29-year-old?” she ponders.</p>
<p>“The conspiracy theories are great,” she says.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>She also hit the network on Twitter for incorrect usage of her last name.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">By the way: Fox News likes to say my name (incorrectly) as “Cortez,” which I can only imagine is bc that sounds more ‘stereotypically’ Hispanic + probably incites more ‘anxiety’ for them.<br /><br />Pro Tip:<br />My last name is not “Cortez,” just as theirs isn’t “Ingra” or “Carl” or “Hann.”</p>
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) <a href="https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1108531448775102464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p> </p>
<p><strong>Alan Dershowitz: FBI, Feds Should Investigate Me<br /></strong><br />Harvard Law professor and former Trump lawyer Alan Dershowitz wants the FBI and federal prosecutors to open a criminal investigation into allegations he sexually assaulted two women, including one who was underage.</p>
<p>"All three of us have filed sworn affidavits in federal court. These affidavits are in irreconcilable conflict: I have sworn that I never met either of them; they have both sworn that I engaged in sexual acts with them. Either I have committed perjury or they have,” Dershowitz wrote in an op-ed for <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/i-want-to-be-investigated-by-the-fbi-11553209347" target="_blank"><strong>The Wall Street Journal on Thursday.<br /><br /></strong></a></p>
<p><strong>Dems Pushing to Get Trump's Business Tax Returns<br /> <br /></strong>Some liberal Democratic lawmakers are urging their colleagues to demand President Donald Trump’s business tax returns, <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/22/trumps-business-returns-could-reveal-much-much-more-1231519"><strong>Politico</strong></a> is reporting.<br /> <br />The move comes as top Democratic lawmakers prepare to request Trump’s personal tax returns. Democrats are planning to use a nearly century-old statute in an attempt to get his returns.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong> Jimmy Carter just became the longest-living president in history</strong></p>
<p>On Friday, at the age of 94 years and 172 days, Jimmy Carter — the 39th president of the United States — became the longest-living president in U.S. history.<br /><br /> This after doctors discovered that cancer had spread to his brain just a few years earlier.<br /><br /> “There are no special celebrations planned,” <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/jimmy-carters-new-milestone-longest-lived-us-president/2019/03/22/84a5bfd2-4c61-11e9-8cfc-2c5d0999c21e_story.html?utm_term=.f74a001003c7">his spokeswoman said</a>. Carter has lived a modest life relative to his successors.</p>
<p><strong><br />Unprecedented Flooding Will Get Worse this Spring, Forecasters Warn</strong></p>
<p>The stage is set for unprecedented major flooding this spring for most of the nation, U.S. weather officials said Thursday. 25 states are at risk of serious flooding with the Midweat likely getting hit the hardest.</p>
<p>"We expect the flooding will get worse and become more widespread," a National Weather Service official said.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">JUST IN:: <a href="https://twitter.com/NOAA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NOAA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpringOutlook?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SpringOutlook</a> 2019: Historic, widespread <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/flooding?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#flooding</a> to continue through May. Access our images & video at <a href="https://t.co/h0FHkKJavk">https://t.co/h0FHkKJavk</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NWS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NWS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Spring?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Spring</a> <a href="https://t.co/fZruKfQ8nR">pic.twitter.com/fZruKfQ8nR</a></p>
— NOAA Communications (@NOAAComms) <a href="https://twitter.com/NOAAComms/status/1108746030663811075?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
<p>More than 200 million Americans are at risk for some kind of flooding, with 13 million of them at risk of major inundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in its spring weather outlook . About 41 million people are at risk of moderate flooding.</p>
<p><strong><br />John McCain’s Youngest Daughter Makes Rare Public Statement, Calls President a “Child”</strong></p>
<p>Meghan McCain read her sister’s Tweets on The View:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/MeghanMcCain?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MeghanMcCain</a> responds to Pres. Trump’s latest attack on her father by reading a response to his comments from her little sister, and urging people get involved with veterans charity.<br /><br />“Can we take this awful moment and turn it into something positive?” <a href="https://t.co/p07nTozIs8">https://t.co/p07nTozIs8</a> <a href="https://t.co/Mi9gZtqUHy">pic.twitter.com/Mi9gZtqUHy</a></p>
— The View (@TheView) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheView/status/1108749695801647106?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>McCain’s close friend Joe Lieberman wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post, saying, “The person who suffers most from the strange, posthumous attacks by the president <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/joseph-lieberman-trump-could-learn-a-lesson-from-john-mccain/2019/03/21/aa6f293c-4c17-11e9-93d0-64dbcf38ba41_story.html?utm_term=.2aa5aa0ea2f3">is the president himself</a>.”</p>
<p><strong><br />MORE HEADLINES<br /> </strong></p>
<p>NBC, ABC, CBS evening newscasts <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/nbc-abc-cbs-evening-newscasts-ignore-trumps-executive-order-to-promote-free-speech-on-college-campuses">ignore Trump’s executive order to promote free speech on college campuses</a><br /> Obama Donors <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/22/biden-obama-donor-2020-bid-1231962">Prepare to Power Biden’s Campaign</a><br /> Turn in your smartphones! <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-secrecy/turn-in-your-smartphones-how-mueller-kept-a-lid-on-trump-russia-probe-idUSKCN1R3195">How Mueller kept a lid on Trump-Russia probe</a><br /> <a href="https://nypost.com/2019/03/21/jared-kushner-accused-of-using-whatsapp-and-personal-email-for-state-business/">Jared Kushner accused of using WhatsApp and personal email for state business</a><br /> Running against Beto? Trump says he <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/22/trump-beto-orourke-2020-1232023">'wouldn't mind'</a><br /> Deadline: <a href="https://deadline.com/2019/03/fox-news-donald-trump-jeanine-pirro-pulled-second-week-racist-remark-1202580266/">Fox News Risks “Wrath Of Donald Trump,” Keeping Jeanine Pirro Off Another Week </a><br /> <a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/03/22/705710793/u-k-gets-brief-extension-to-withdraw-from-e-u-as-cliff-edge-date-delayed">Brexit Delay OK’d by EU</a> – Two Weeks, Maybe Two Months</p>
<p><strong><br />One more thing… </strong>this week, Bill announced his new book “The United States of Trump: How the President Really Sees America.”</p>
<p>Watch him talk about it below.</p>
<p><a href="http://bor.com/n/fjnaoa">Pre-order here</a> or get it free with <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/site/member/modifyprofile?action=extendMembership">annual membership renewal</a>.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">My new history book “The United States of Trump: How the President Really Sees America” out September 17. No anonymous sources in the book.<br /> <br />Not pro-Trump or anti-Trump. This is an up-to-the-minute, intimate view of the man and his sphere of influence. <a href="https://t.co/AD87pRjWNd">https://t.co/AD87pRjWNd</a> <a href="https://t.co/eDFkpzHX20">pic.twitter.com/eDFkpzHX20</a></p>
— Bill O'Reilly (@BillOReilly) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly/status/1108009526144483330?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-03-22T15:14:00ZISIS Caliphate has Officially Crumbled; U.S. Immigration Courts Facing 'Existential Crisis'BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/ISIS-Caliphate-has-Officially-Crumbled;-U.S.-Immigration-Courts-Facing-Existential-Crisis/-234913758559124646.html2019-03-21T17:15:00Z2019-03-21T17:15:00Z<p><strong>ISIS Caliphate has Officially Crumbled</strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump said Wednesday the last pocket of the Islamic State's land in Syria will be liberated by U.S.-backed forces "by tonight."</p>
<p>Trump has previously announced the defeat of the group, but sleeper cells of fighters have re-emerged. With no signs of fighting on Wednesday, however, the long-running battle to retake the militants' last outpost in eastern Syria appeared to have reached its conclusion.</p>
<p>"The caliphate is gone as of tonight," Trump said in <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/trump-syria-islamic-state/2019/03/20/id/907877/">a speech at a factory in Lima, Ohio</a>, where military tanks are assembled.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>American Bar Association: US immigration courts facing an 'existential crisis'</strong></p>
<p>The American Bar Association (ABA) released a report Wednesday drawing attention to the “existential crisis” facing U.S. immigration courts, saying they are "irredeemably dysfunctional," <a href="https://thehill.com/latino/435006-american-bar-association-says-us-immigration-courts-facing-an-existential-crisis">The Hill is reporting</a>.</p>
<p>"The immigration courts are facing an existential crisis," the report reads. "The current system is irredeemably dysfunctional and on the brink of collapse."</p>
<p>The immigration courts tasked with deciding whether or not immigrants are allowed to remain in the country have been bogged down by an overflow of cases recently, so much so that the bar association says they are “on the brink of collapse,” according to the report.</p>
<p>Bill has been talking about this for months: the plan is to overwhelm the system and get more people into the country.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Border Patrol released 50 recently apprehended migrants in Texas on Tuesday, the first of several hundred border-crossers who officials say will soon be freed <a href="https://pilotonline.com/news/government/nation/article_b47a4ead-d1f4-541b-9167-c80121d65c04.html">because there is no room to hold them.</a> We will break that down on tonight’s No Spin News.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Trump says public can see Mueller report</strong></p>
<p>"Let it come out. Let people see it,” Trump told reporters on the South Lawn of the White House before traveling to Ohio for a speech and a campaign fundraiser.</p>
<p>Trump also said the decision whether to release Mueller’s report rests with Attorney General William Barr, who was noncommittal about such a release, telling lawmakers during his January confirmation hearing that his goal is “to provide as much transparency as I can consistent with the law.”</p>
<p>“We’ll see what happens,” the president said. “<a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/434938-trump-on-mueller-report-well-see-if-its-legit">Let's see whether or not it’s legit</a>.”</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>New Zealand Bans Assault Rifles in Wake of Deadly Mosque Attacks</strong></p>
<p>New Zealand banned military style semi-automatics and assault rifles and is establishing a nationwide buyback of the weapons in the wake of a terrorist attack on two mosques that left 50 people dead.</p>
<p>The ban takes immediate effect to prevent the stockpiling of weapons while the legislation is being drafted, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/new-zealand-bans-assault-weapons-mosque/2019/03/20/id/907958/">Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told reporters Thursday.</a></p>
<p>“I strongly believe that the vast majority of legitimate gun owners in New Zealand will understand that these moves are in the national interest, and will take these changes in their stride,” she said in a statement.</p>
<p>In sharp contrast with the U.S., where a string of gun massacres have failed to spur political action, Ardern’s announcement comes just days after the worst mass shooting in New Zealand’s modern history.</p>
<p>Televised images from the time show truckloads of weapons being dumped.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Florida bill would allow illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses</strong></p>
<p>A bill filed in Florida's House and Senate would allow people to get driver's licenses regardless of their immigration status.</p>
<p>The bill would let illegal immigrants use identifying documents like an unexpired foreign passport or a foreign birth certificate to get a license to drive.</p>
<p>Democratic Rep. Anna Eskamani,(who is sponsoring the House bill) said she believes this legislation "helps to build trust" with those who are considered "marginalized" in the state, and said it would make roads safer, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/florida-bill-would-allow-illegal-immigrants-to-get-drivers-licenses">according to the News Service of Florida</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Biden-Abrams Meeting Stokes 2020 Ticket Rumors</strong></p>
<p>Former Vice President Joe Biden's <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/stacey-abrams-2020-election/2019/03/20/id/907952/">recently requested a meeting with Stacey Abrams</a>, a former lawmaker in the Georgia House of Representatives, which sparked speculation the two could team up for a presidential run in the upcoming election.</p>
<p>Biden has yet to publicly announce his candidacy for president, but stories in recent days have claimed he is preparing to launch a campaign and rumors are mounting that he may announce with a VP candidate.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>CNN Poll: Fewer Democrats Support Impeachment</strong></p>
<p>36% percent of registered voters support impeaching President Donald Trump, a 7-point percent decrease from December. The drop largely comes from Democrats who have changed their mind, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/democrats-impeachment-cnn-ssrs/2019/03/20/id/907949/">a CNN poll finds.</a></p>
<p>In December, 80 percent of Democrats said they were in favor of impeachment, but that number now stands at 68 percent. The poll follows a statement by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., that impeachment would be "so divisive to the country."</p>
<p>About 40 percent say Democrats are overreaching in investigating Trump, while 34 percent say they are doing the right amount, and 22 percent say they are doing too little.</p>
<p>67 percent say Trump should release his tax returns publicly.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>More Headlines</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/2019/02/27/mexican-drug-cartels-use-social-media-for-extortion-threats-violence-facebook-whatsapp-youtube/2280756002/">‘We’re going to find you.’</a> Mexican cartels turn social media into tools for extortion, threats and violence</p>
<p>Fed: <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/finance/streettalk/fed-rate-hikes-asset/2019/03/20/id/907884/">No 2019 Hikes</a>, Slow Balance-Sheet Reduction to Begin</p>
<p>Former White House staffer Hope Hicks <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/435017-former-white-house-staffer-hope-hicks-to-cooperate-with-house-dems-probe-into">to cooperate with Dems' probe into Trump</a></p>
<p>Unsealed documents <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/435021-unsealed-documents-shed-new-light-on-depth-of-the-cohen-probe">shed new light on depth of the Cohen probe</a></p>
<p>Poll: <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/poll-immigration-americans-want/2019/03/20/id/907940/">More Americans Want Immigration to Stay the Same</a></p>
<p>Clarence Thomas asks question <a href="https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/434933-thomas-asks-question-in-supreme-court-for-second-time-in-a-decade">for second time in a decade</a> at Supreme Court</p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/harvarduniversity-lawsuit-slave-photographs/2019/03/20/id/907939/">Harvard Sued by Descendant of Slave Photographed in 19th Century</a></p>
<p>Maine House passes bill to <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/435020-maine-house-passes-bill-to-rename-columbus-day-to-indigenous-peoples-day">rename Columbus Day to Indigenous People's Day</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-03-21T17:15:00ZTed Koppel Calls out Media's Anti-Trump Bias; Dems Escalate the Culture WarBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Ted-Koppel-Calls-out-Medias-Anti-Trump-Bias;-Dems-Escalate-the-Culture-War/-73807329473660222.html2019-03-20T14:38:00Z2019-03-20T14:38:00Z<p><strong>Tonight on the No Spin News<br /></strong>A big report on the escalating culture war heading into the 2020 election. <br /><br />Unfettered abortion, marijuana legalization, lowering the voting age, reparations for slavery, stacking the Supreme Court, all ideas coming from the left heading into 2020. We will break it down. <a href="/poll-center?catID=3&surveyID=18854" target="_blank">Take our poll on the most outrageous idea coming from the left.</a><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong>Ted Koppel Calls out Media’s Anti-Trump Bias</strong></p>
<p>Big reality check from legendary newsman Ted Koppel, who spoke with journalist and author (and Bill’s former professor) Marvin Kalb about the challenges faced by the press, notably, political attacks like those of President Donald Trump on traditional media.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Veteran journalist Ted Koppel calls out an anti-Trump bias in the media. <br /><br />"We're talking about organizations that have decided that Donald J. Trump is bad for the United States ... So many of the liberal media describe themselves as belonging to 'the resistance." <a href="https://t.co/QAAmHwg8i0">pic.twitter.com/QAAmHwg8i0</a></p>
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) <a href="https://twitter.com/dcexaminer/status/1108353917103034368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Koppel gave credence to the notion of a press that is politically biased and motivated to take down Trump.</p>
<p>“I’m terribly concerned that when you talk about the New York Times these days, when you talk about the Washington Post these days, we’re not talking about the New York Times of 50 years ago. We are not talking about the Washington Post of 50 years ago. We’re talking about organizations that I believe have, in fact, decided as organizations that Donald J. Trump is bad for the United States.”</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Mueller Team Requests Delay Due to 'Press of Other Work'</strong></p>
<p>Special counsel Robert Mueller's team says it won't be able to meet a court deadline this week in part because of the <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/us-trump-russia-probe/2019/03/19/id/907768/">"press of other work,"</a> begging the question, is this investigation winding down or what?</p>
<p>It’s unclear whether the cryptic reference is related to Mueller's timeline for concluding his Russia investigation or to unrelated responsibilities of his team members.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Texas Border Agents Snag 430 Illegal Immigrants in 5 Minutes</strong></p>
<p>In a mere five minutes on Tuesday morning, Border Patrol agents in Texas <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/border-agents-in-texas-snag-more-than-400-illegals-in-5-minute-span">apprehended over 400 illegal immigrants.</a></p>
<p>U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reports that agents in El Paso encountered a group of 194 illegals around 2:45 a.m. Just five minutes later, agents snagged a second group -- this time, it was 245 people – also in El Paso.</p>
<p>The immigrants mainly comprised families and unaccompanied minors from Central America.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Catherine Herridge: Someone in State Department likely involved in bid to take down Trump</strong></p>
<p>Fox News’ chief intelligence correspondent Catherine Herridge believes claims of a coordinated effort to hurt President Trump -- including sitting ambassadors, the FBI and the DOJ -- <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/catherine-herridge-someone-in-the-state-dept-likely-involved-in-effort-to-take-down-president-trump">also likely involves someone in the State Department.</a></p>
<p>“I think the [Congressman Meadows] is referring to someone within the State Department based on my reporting,” Herridge said on Brian Kilmeade’s radio show. </p>
<p>“Because we have a pretty good sense now from these transcripts that have been revealed and then also records that were unsealed at the end last week in the defamation suit with BuzzFeed that … the government network was being pulsed with the dossier in the final months of the campaign and then during the transition period. And that it was coming at the FBI and Justice Department through many different lanes or many different avenues, and the objective was to lend it credibility.”</p>
<p>Herridge continued, “My recollection is there is a tie into the State Department, so we’ll see exactly who Congressman Meadows is referring to … but that is where I think it’s going.”</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Gallup: Public Approval of Congress Hits Two-Year High</strong></p>
<p>The public's approval of Congress has hit a two-year high, according to <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/gallup-congress-approval-two-year-high/2019/03/19/id/907742/">a Gallup poll released on Tuesday.</a></p>
<p>Twenty-six percent of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing, according to the new poll, the highest rating since February 2017, when 28 percent said they approved.</p>
<p>Ratings are historically low for Congress, it is generally the lowest rated institution – although that has recently been replaced by the media.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Biden Telling Supporters He's Running for President</strong></p>
<p>Former Vice President Joe Biden <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/joe-biden-tells-supporters-running/2019/03/19/id/907763/">has begun telling some supporters</a> that he’ll jump into the 2020 Democratic race. According to most every poll, he would enter as the instant front-runner in a large field of Dem candidates.</p>
<p>Biden could capture significant support from major Democratic donors, many of whom held off from backing other candidates while awaiting his decision. There already are 15 other Democrats seeking the party’s presidential nomination.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Poll Finds US Adults Think 'SNL' Too Political, Leans Left</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/saturday-night-live-poll-trump-too/2019/03/19/id/907757/">A plurality of American adults</a> think "Saturday Night Live" has gotten too political and said it leans left politically. Ya think?</p>
<p>54 percent said they hold a very favorable or somewhat favorable view of "Saturday Night Live.</p>
<p>48 percent said "SNL" leans more liberal politically.</p>
<p>5 percent said it leans more conservative. Okay…</p>
<p>A combined 39 percent said they either strongly or somewhat agree that "SNL" has gotten too political, while a combined 30 percent said the opposite.</p>
<p>Former President Barack Obama (14 percent) was the top choice of respondents when asked who they would most want to see appear on the show, followed by President Donald Trump (12 percent).</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Smoking Strong Pot Daily Raises Psychosis Risk, Study Finds</strong></p>
<p>Scientists say smoking high-potency marijuana every day could increase the chances of developing psychosis <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/world/globaltalk/eu-med-marijuana-psychosis/2019/03/19/id/907765/">by about five times</a>.</p>
<p>The new research adds to previous studies that have found links between marijuana and psychotic disorders, but it still does not definitively pinpoint marijuana as the cause.</p>
<p>Psychosis is usually triggered factors like genetics and the environment. Experts say the new study's findings have implications for jurisdictions legalizing marijuana, warning they should also consider the impact on their psychiatric services.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>More Headlines</strong></p>
<p>AP: Trump, Republicans <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/headline/mueller-trump-probe-will/2019/03/19/id/907773/">Increasingly Optimistic</a> That Mueller Will Show No Collusion</p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/obama-wh-counsel-faces-possible-prosecution-in-mueller-initiated-probe">Obama WH counsel faces possible prosecution</a> in Mueller-initiated probe</p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/434850-trump-administration-to-stop-detaining-some-migrant-families-at">Trump administration to stop detaining some migrant families at border: report</a></p>
<p>Ocasio-Cortez <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/03/18/ocasio-cortez-justice-democrats-pac/">Quietly Removed from Board</a> of PAC She & Aide Controlled</p>
<p>Judge says <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/defense/434802-federal-judge-says-hold-on-trumps-transgender-military-policy-remains">Trump cannot implement transgender military policy</a></p>
<p>More households subscribe to streaming than traditional TV, <a href="https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-deloitte-touche-report-20190318-story.html">according to new report</a></p>
<p>Walking even <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2019/03/19/walking-even-week-reduces-chance-early-death-study-finds/">once a week</a> reduces chance of early death, study finds</p>
<p>Trump again lashes out at George Conway<a href="https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Trump-lashes-out-at-George-Conway-who-has-been-13699482.php">, who has been questioning his mental health</a></p>
<p>Poll: <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/03/19/poll-17-percent-voting-age-16/">17% Support Lowering the Voting Age to 16</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>It’s the first day of spring! And Thursday is National Flower Day</strong></p>
<p>We want you to check out the website <a href="http://www.flowerpowerwithjill.com">www.flowerpowerwithjill.com</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">. </span><strong> </strong>Jill Brooke has started something on her site called the State Flower Project. Each week, she asks readers to send in pictures of their favorite local gardens that include their state flower.</p>
<p>“Our desire is to celebrate state pride while remembering that we all share the same roots,” she says. "Flowers have always been with us to calm and soothe. Plus, it’s an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the U.S.A.”</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-03-20T14:38:00Z7 in 10 Say Economy in Good Shape; Liz Warren Calls for Ending the Electoral CollegeBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/7-in-10-Say-Economy-in-Good-Shape;-Liz-Warren-Calls-for-Ending-the-Electoral-College/618264932244991270.html2019-03-19T14:14:00Z2019-03-19T14:14:00Z<p><strong>CNN Poll: 7 in 10 say economy in good shape -- and Trump may reap the benefits</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/18/politics/cnn-poll-trump-economy-tech/index.html">A new CNN Poll</a> has Americans giving the nation's economy glowing reviews, and Donald Trump's approval rating may be reaping the benefits.</p>
<p>71% say the nation's economy is in good shape, the highest share to say so since February 2001, and the best rating during Trump's presidency by two points.</p>
<p>A majority give the President positive reviews for his handling of the nation's economy (51% approve), and his overall approval rating has ticked up to 42% in the new poll.</p>
<p>The 51% who say they disapprove of the President's job performance overall represent the lowest share to do so in CNN polling since the start of his presidency. Trump’s disapproval rating has dropped to the lowest point of his presidency</p>
<p>Trump's 42% approval rating at this point in his presidency puts him near the bottom of the list of modern elected presidents, between President Bill Clinton in 1995 (44%) and President Ronald Reagan in 1983 (41%). Both were re-elected to second terms.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Elizabeth Warren Calls for Ending the Electoral College</strong></p>
<p>Speaking of Warren, at a CNN Town Hall last night in Mississippi, she called for an end to the electoral college so that we can have “every vote count.” Check that out below.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Every vote matters. We need to get rid of the Electoral College so that presidential candidates have to ask every American in every part of the country for their vote, not just those in battleground states. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WarrenTownHall?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WarrenTownHall</a> <a href="https://t.co/UT3mYHXHQ2">pic.twitter.com/UT3mYHXHQ2</a></p>
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) <a href="https://twitter.com/ewarren/status/1107830449118810114?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
<p>
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<strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>House Judiciary Committee plans hearing on white nationalism</strong></p>
<p>The House Judiciary Committee is planning to hold a hearing on the rise of white nationalism in the U.S. in the wake of last week’s mosque shootings in New Zealand, <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/434555-house-judiciary-committee-plans-hearing-on-white-nationalism">a source confirmed to The Hill.</a></p>
<p>The recent New Zealand shooting led to calls for President Trump, who was referenced in the shooter’s “manifesto” and who has been criticized for anti-Muslim rhetoric, to directly condemn white nationalism.</p>
<p>Trump on Friday expressed skepticism about the rise of far-right extremists, saying such incidents as the New Zealand shootings involved “a small group of people.”</p>
<p>The committee apparently plans to summon FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials for questioning on agency efforts to address white nationalism, with a goal date of early April, <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/house-judiciary-committee-planning-hearing-on-the-rise-of-white-nationalism">according to the Daily Beast.</a></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Meth from Southern Border Skyrocketing</strong></p>
<p>Law enforcement officials are confiscating a much higher volume of methamphetamine as Mexican drug cartels increasingly push the drug into the U.S.</p>
<p>The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) indicates that, from 2010 to 2017, there was a 118% hike in meth seizures that were submitted to various labs across the country.</p>
<p>U.S. meth-related deaths hit 6,762 in 2016, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is approximately 3.5 times the amount in 2011. Specific data beyond 2016 is not currently available, but preliminary data through July 2018 indicates that meth-related deaths are still climbing.</p>
<p>Meth production in the U.S. has generally declined in the past 10 years, but this trend has been offset with an increase in supply from Mexico.</p>
<p>“They’re flooding it through tunnels, they’re flooding it through ports of entry, they’re flooding it between ports of entry,” <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/03/18/meth-border-mexico-trump/">stated DEA Special Agent Doug Coleman</a>.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>MSNBC Guest: Fox News Is the ‘Singular Cause of This Kind of Hate and Discourse’ in the Country</strong></p>
<p>During a MSNBC panel discussing the responsibility that social media platforms have with their live-streaming capabilities, guest <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/tv/msnbc-guest-fox-news-is-the-singular-cause-of-this-kind-of-hate-and-discourse-in-the-country/">Jeff Jarvis said Fox News is to blame for a lot of hatred and fear in the country.</a></p>
<p>Answering a question about how public discourse and civility has gone out the window, Jarvis said, “Part of that is the business we are in right here. I don’t say MSNBC because you guys are nice and I like you all. But there’s a certain other network a few blocks away that really manufactured hate and fear in this country… To my mind, Fox News is the single cause — singular cause of this kind of hate and discourse.”</p>
<p>“But is that because you don’t support what their views are,” the MSNBC host followed up.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Trump Donates paycheck to Department of Homeland Security</strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Monday revealed he donated a quarter of his $400,000 salary to the Department of Homeland Security.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">While the press doesn’t like writing about it, nor do I need them to, I donate my yearly Presidential salary of $400,000.00 to different agencies throughout the year, this to Homeland Security. If I didn’t do it there would be hell to pay from the FAKE NEWS MEDIA! <a href="https://t.co/xqIGUOwh4x">pic.twitter.com/xqIGUOwh4x</a></p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1107771030385426432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p> </p>
<p>While a candidate for the presidency in 2016, Trump pledged not to accept the $400,000 annual presidential salary, which, by law, must be paid out.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Nunes sues Twitter for over $250M alleging anti-conservative 'shadow bans,' smears</strong></p>
<p>California GOP Rep. Devin Nunes filed a big lawsuit seeking $250 million in damages against Twitter and a handful of its users, accusing the social media site of "shadow-banning conservatives" - including himself - to influence the 2018 elections.</p>
<p>In a complaint filed in Virginia state court on Monday, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/nunes-files-bombshell-defamation-suit-against-twitter-seeks-250m-for-anti-conservative-shadow-bans-smears">obtained by Fox News</a>, Nunes said Twitter was guilty of "knowingly hosting and monetizing content that is clearly abusive, hateful and defamatory – providing both a voice and financial incentive to the defamers – thereby facilitating defamation on its platform."</p>
<p>"Twitter created and developed the content at issue in this case by transforming false accusations of criminal conduct, imputed wrongdoing, dishonesty and lack of integrity into a publicly available commodity used by unscrupulous political operatives and their donor/clients as a weapon," Nunes' legal team wrote. "Twitter is 'responsible' for the development of offensive content on its platform because it in some way specifically encourages development of what is offensive about the content."</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Poll Roundup: Biden leads among millennial voters; Sanders leads in Wisconsin</strong></p>
<p>Former Vice President Joe Biden leads a selection of Democratic presidential candidates and potential candidates among millennial voters, according to a survey released Monday.</p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/434639-poll-biden-leads-among-millennial-voters">According to CBS News</a>, a poll organized by the University of Chicago's GenForward Project found that Biden has the support of 21 percent of voters between the ages of 18 and 34. Coming in second is Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who is supported by 18 percent of millennials, according to the poll.</p>
<p>The poll also showed that young minority voters support Biden. Twenty-nine percent of Asian-American millennials, 28 percent of African-American millennials and 19 percent of Hispanic millennials said they plan to back Biden, the poll found.</p>
<p>Biden has not yet announced whether he will run for the presidency but is reportedly close to entering the race.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the first <a href="https://emersonpolling.reportablenews.com/pr/wisconsin-2020-bernie-sanders-leads-democratic-field-trump-competitive-in-general-election">Emerson College Wisconsin Poll</a> of the Democratic primary finds Bernie Sanders holding a strong lead with 39% of the vote, followed by Joe Biden at 24%. In third place, Elizabeth Warren, the only other candidate in double digits, is at 14%.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>MORE HEADLINES</strong></p>
<p>Poll: <a href="https://thehill.com/hilltv/what-americas-thinking/434546-poll-most-americans-trust-mueller-and-democrats-to-investigate">Most Americans trust Mueller, Dems in Trump probes</a></p>
<p>Pentagon sends Congress<a href="https://thehill.com/policy/defense/434615-pentagon-sends-congress-list-of-projects-that-could-lose-funds-to-trumps"> list of projects that could lose funds to Trump's emergency declaration</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/another-top-russia-probe-prosecutor-left-robert-muellers-team-raising-speculations-investigation-is-nearing-its-end">Another top prosecutor</a> exits Robert Mueller's team, raising speculations investigation is nearing its end</p>
<p>Biden <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/434644-biden-weighing-an-early-announcement-of-running-mate-report">weighing an early announcement of running mate</a></p>
<p>Trump administration requests nearly<a href="https://thehill.com/policy/defense/434629-trump-administration-requests-nearly-86b-for-spy-budget"> $86B for spy budget</a></p>
<p>Trump renews call to <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/finance/434586-trump-renews-call-to-pull-arts-pbs-funding">pull arts, PBS funding</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/tech/national-enquirer-paid-brother-of-jeff-bezos-girlfriend-200000-for-intimate-text-messages-wsj">National Enquirer paid brother of Jeff Bezos' girlfriend $200,000 for text messages</a>: WSJ</p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/health/health-news/sugaray-drinks-study-premature-death/2019/03/18/id/907511/">Study Links Sugary Drinks to Higher Risk of Premature Death</a></p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-03-19T14:14:00ZDonna Brazile Joins Fox News; Majority Sees Mueller Probe as Witch HuntBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Donna-Brazile-Joins-Fox-News;-Majority-Sees-Mueller-Probe-as-Witch-Hunt/78765121176929179.html2019-03-18T18:00:00Z2019-03-18T18:00:00Z<p><strong>Poll: Majority Sees Mueller Probe as Witch Hunt</strong><strong><br /> </strong>Just over a half of voters agree with President Donald Trump's long-shared condemnation of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation as a political witch hunt, according to the <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/03/18/trust-mueller-investigation-falls-half-americans-say-trump-victim-witch-hunt/3194049002/" target="_blank"><strong>latest USA Today/Suffolk University Poll</strong></a> on Monday.</p>
<p>A total of 503 registered among 1,000 polled (50.3 percent) replied "yes" to the question:</p>
<p>"President Trump has called the special counsel's investigation a 'witch hunt' and said he's been subjected to more investigations than previous presidents because of politics. Do you agree?"</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Wow! A Suffolk/USA Today Poll, just out, states, “50% of Americans AGREE that Robert Mueller’s investigation is a Witch Hunt.” <a href="https://twitter.com/MSNBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MSNBC</a> Very few think it is legit! We will soon find out?</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1107659841538015232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Donna Brazile Joins Fox News…</strong></p>
<p>“I am excited by the opportunity to share my perspective and views with the Fox News audience and to help shape the dialogue at this important juncture in our history. <br /><br />More importantly, I’m eager to learn from the experience,” Brazile said in a column on FoxNews.com entitled <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/donna-brazile-why-i-am-excited-to-join-fox-news-and-take-part-in-a-civil-and-sensible-debate">‘Why I am excited to join Fox News and take part in a civil - and sensible – debate”<br /></a><br />Interesting choice...!<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong>Officials Dismiss Criticism that Trump Rhetoric to blame for New Zealand attack</strong></p>
<p>Trump administration officials pushed back against the idea that the President’s rhetoric is partly to blame for the attack at two New Zealand mosques that left 50 people dead.</p>
<p>The suspect in the shooting wrote in his manifesto that he supported Trump — which acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand Scott Brown <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/434450-administration-officials-dismiss-">downplayed Sunday.</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Christopher Steele, Dossier Author, Used Unverified Material for Document</strong></p>
<p>Former British spy Christopher Steele, the author of the salacious dossier about President Donald Trump, admitted in a deposition that he used unverified sources for some of the information contained in the document.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/christophersteele-russia-dossier-citizen-journalist/2019/03/17/id/907371/">CNN reported on a deposition</a> Steele gave last summer, in which he said he used material gathered from CNN iReport stories. CNN iReport was a citizen journalist feature of the news network that allowed users to submit stories and multimedia content.</p>
<p>Steele said during the deposition that he believed the content he read on CNN iReport had "some kind of CNN status. Albeit that it may be an independent person posting on the site."</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Ocasio-Cortez's 'Unfavorable' Rating Skyrockets</strong></p>
<p>U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s unfavorable rating has spiked after a few months in Congress, with most of the public viewing her negatively rather than favorably, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ocasio-cortezs-unfavorable-rating-sky-rockets-most-people-view-her-negatively-new-poll-shows">a new poll shows.</a></p>
<p>A Gallup poll released Friday shows that Ocasio-Cortez's unfavorable rating has risen by 15 points since last September, when she had yet to win the general election, increasing from 26 percent to 41 percent of the American adults polled.</p>
<p>More surveyed people know the freshman New York Democrat than they knew Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Marco Rubio or Ted Cruz as freshmen.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></p>
<p><strong>Beto O'Rourke Vows to Stop Using F-Word on Campaign Trail</strong></p>
<p>Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke committed Sunday during a stop in Madison, Wisconsin, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/orourke-campaign-vulgar/2019/03/17/id/907409/">to stop using the F-word while campaigning</a>, a word he used frequently while running for U.S. Senate in Texas and while exploring his presidential bid.</p>
<p>O'Rourke was asked about his past drug use after signing a person's skateboard. Another voter asked O'Rourke if he was going to "clean up his act" and stop using profanities, especially in front of his children.</p>
<p>O'Rourke says "great point, and I don't intend to use the F-word going forward. Point taken, and very strongly made. ... We're going to keep it clean."</p>
<p>On tonight’s No Spin News we will talk about Beto’s latest apology.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Bernie Sanders’ Campaign will be first to Unionize </strong></p>
<p>Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders announced Friday that his 2020 campaign voluntarily recognized a labor union, making it the first major party presidential campaign to do so.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I’m proud that our campaign is the first presidential campaign to unionize. <br /><br />We cannot just support unions with words, we must back it up with actions. On this campaign and when we are in the White House, we are going make it easier for people to join unions, not harder. <a href="https://t.co/JNv3dpss6D">https://t.co/JNv3dpss6D</a></p>
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) <a href="https://twitter.com/BernieSanders/status/1106671808282013696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p> </p>
<p><strong>MORE HEADLINES</strong></p>
<p>Washington State passes bill to <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/434412-washington-senate-passes-bill-that-would-keep-trump-off-2020-ballot">keep Trump off 2020 ballot</a> unless he releases tax returns</p>
<p>MS-13 members accused of <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/ms-13-members-accused-of-stabbing-16-year-old-100-times-setting-body-on-fire">stabbing 16-year-old 100 times, setting body on fire</a></p>
<p>Trump<a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6819181/Trump-threatens-Saturday-Night-Live-federal-investigation-Sunday-morning-tweet-storm.html"> threatens 'Saturday Night Live' with federal investigation</a></p>
<p>A shadowy group trying to overthrow Kim Jong Un allegedly <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/a-shadowy-group-trying-to-overthrow-kim-jong-un-raided-a-north-korean-embassy-in-broad-daylight/2019/03/15/ae4208a4-c451-4886-b608-f5ac1f182d3d_story.html?utm_term=.8a66a26381b2">raided a North Korean embassy in broad daylight</a></p>
<p>California county's sanctuary policy may have protected illegal immigrant before murder, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/california-countys-sanctuary-policy-may-have-protected-illegal-immigrant-before-murder-documents-show">documents show</a></p>
<p>New Mexico state Senate votes to <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/434410-new-mexico-state-senate-votes-to-replace-columbus-day-with-indigenous">replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day</a></p>
<p>CUNY: <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11980">'Whiteness continues to be a crucial problem</a> in our English department'</p>
<p>UMD student gov votes to create full-time <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11985">'undocumented student coordinator'</a> role </p>
<p><a href="https://www.france24.com/en/20190315-students-around-world-begin-climate-change-walkout-protest">Students around the world skip class to demand action on climate</a></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-03-18T18:00:00ZTrump Slams John McCain; FNC Did Not Air Judge Jeanine; Biden Almost AnnouncesBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Slams-John-McCain;-FNC-Did-Not-Air-Judge-Jeanine;-Biden-Almost-Announces/-254483234451850720.html2019-03-17T14:53:00Z2019-03-17T14:53:00Z<p><strong>Trump Slams Late John McCain Over Steele Dossier <br /> </strong>Trump tweeted Sunday morning calling McCain “last in his class” after<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/court-files-reveal-role-of-mccain-aide-in-spreading-anti-trump-dossier" target="_blank">Fox News reported</a> that newly unsealed documents showed that a McCain associate had shared the dossier with the FBI and several media outlets.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">So it was indeed (just proven in court papers) “last in his class” (Annapolis) John McCain that sent the Fake Dossier to the FBI and Media hoping to have it printed BEFORE the Election. He & the Dems, working together, failed (as usual). Even the Fake News refused this garbage!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1107260609974943745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2019</a> </blockquote>
<p>Meghan McCain posted an emotional response yesterday, when Trump first brought up the report on Twitter.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">No one will ever love you the way they loved my father.... I wish I had been given more Saturday’s with him. Maybe spend yours with your family instead of on twitter obsessing over mine? <a href="https://t.co/q7ezwmHiQ4">https://t.co/q7ezwmHiQ4</a></p>
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) <a href="https://twitter.com/MeghanMcCain/status/1107030813198217217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p><br /> <strong>FNC Did Not Air Judge Jeanine This Week<br /><br /> </strong>Judge Jeanine Pirro’s show was scheduled to air on Saturday, but Fox News replaced it with a documentary rerun. This comes days after the network condemned remarks Pirro made about Minnesota Rep. Illhan Omar. <br /><br /> <a href="https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/fox-news-says-judge-jeanine-pirro-schedule-change-1203165078/">A Fox News spokesperson told Variety</a>, “We’re not commenting on internal scheduling matters”<br /><br /> Trump Tweeted in defense of Pirro Sunday morning.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bring back <a href="https://twitter.com/JudgeJeanine?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JudgeJeanine</a> Pirro. The Radical Left Democrats, working closely with their beloved partner, the Fake News Media, is using every trick in the book to SILENCE a majority of our Country. They have all out campaigns against <a href="https://twitter.com/FoxNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FoxNews</a> hosts who are doing too well. Fox .....</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1107269978678611969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Biden Announces He’s Running — Then Corrects Himself</strong></p>
<p>"I know I get criticized. I'm told I get criticized by the new left,” Biden said during his keynote remarks at the First State Democratic Dinner in Dover. <br /><br /> “I have the most progressive record of anybody running for the — anybody who would run.”</p>
<p>A chorus of cheers and a standing ovation broke out, and Biden made the sign of the cross on his chest, <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/16/biden-2020-announcement-1224007">according to Politico</a>.</p>
<p>“I didn’t mean… of anybody who would run,” Biden concluded.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong>Trump: I Told GOP Leadership to Vote for 'Transparency' on Mueller Report<br /></strong><br /> President Donald Trump tweeted on Saturday that he told GOP House members to vote in favor of releasing Special Counsel Robert Mueller's upcoming report. The House voted unanimously to pass the resolution.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">On the recent non-binding vote (420-0) in Congress about releasing the Mueller Report, I told leadership to let all Republicans vote for transparency. Makes us all look good and doesn’t matter. Play along with the game!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1106949834739720192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong><br />John Bolton: North Korea 'Not Willing' on Denuclearization<br /></strong><strong><br /> </strong>National Security Adviser John Bolton says President Donald Trump has found North Korea to be an unwilling partner on a denuclearization pact.<br /><br /> "The North Koreans were unfortunately not willing to do what they needed to do," Bolton said on radio, <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/434398-bolton-north-korea-was-not-willing-to-do-what-they-needed-to-do-to" target="_blank">per The Hill</a>. "Just [Friday] night they issued an unhelpful statement that they're thinking of going back to nuclear and ballistic missile testing, which would not be a good idea on their part."<br /><br /> "President Trump wants this threat resolved through negotiations," Bolton added to radio host John Catsimatidis, per The Hill. "He wants North Korea to be free of nuclear weapons, that's for sure."</p>
<p><strong><br />Anther 2020 Candidate: Kirsten Gillibrand Launches Campaign<br /><br /> </strong>Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) formally announced that she is running for president Sunday morning. She plans to give her first major speech in front of Trump International Hotel in NYC to take “her positive, brave vision of restoring America’s moral integrity straight to President Trump’s doorstep,” her campaign said.<br /><br /> She has to do something to get some attention in the crowded Dem field! <br /><br /> “We need a leader who makes big, bold, brave choices. Someone who isn’t afraid of progress,” Gillibrand says in a video released Sunday morning which you can watch below.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nice video from Gillibrand. <a href="https://t.co/7t50VHaOWA">pic.twitter.com/7t50VHaOWA</a></p>
— Waleed Shahid (@_waleedshahid) <a href="https://twitter.com/_waleedshahid/status/1107264861606739968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>MORE HEADLINES</strong></p>
<p>Photos: <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-47594949">St Patrick's Day sees global landmarks go green</a></p>
<p>Politico: Mueller's busy week offers <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/16/mueller-probe-report-1223959">new signs his report is coming soon<br /><br /></a>‘I’m incredibly embarrassed’: <a href="https://nypost.com/2019/03/16/im-incredibly-embarrassed-beto-orourkes-campaign-swing-turns-into-apology-tour/">Beto O’Rourke’s campaign swing turns into apology tour</a></p>
<p>Pope Offers <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/pope-francis-new-zealand-mosque-shooting-grandparents/2019/03/17/id/907372/">Prayers for Mosque Shooting Victims</a><br /><br />March Madness Could Cost Employers <a href="https://boston.cbslocal.com/2019/03/14/march-madness-could-cost-employers-more-than-13-billion/">More Than $13 Billion</a></p>
<p>Trump Campaign Announces <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/us-trump-campaign-rally/2019/03/15/id/907266/">Michigan Rally on March 28</a><br /><br />US <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/cb-cuba-us-visas/2019/03/15/id/907271/">Eliminates Coveted 5-year Tourist Visa for Cubans</a></p>
<p>Former actor and television host <a href="http://ktla.com/2019/03/16/tom-hatten-who-hosted-family-film-festival-on-ktla-dies-at-92/">Tom Hatten dies at 92</a></p>
<p>Photos: <a href="https://twitter.com/i/moments/1107242575906381824">Runners hit the streets for NYC Half-Marathon</a></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-03-17T14:53:00ZDozens Killed and Injured in New Zealand Terror Attack; Dems Want to Lower the Voting Age to 16BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Dozens-Killed-and-Injured-in-New-Zealand-Terror-Attack;-Dems-Want-to-Lower-the-Voting-Age-to-16/183084214920778437.html2019-03-15T13:21:00Z2019-03-15T13:21:00Z<p><strong>Dozens Killed and Injured in New Zealand Terror Attack</strong></p>
<p>At least 49 people have been killed and 20 injured after mass shootings at two mosques in the city of Christchurch, new Zealand. Four people have been taken into custody and one charged with murder.</p>
<p>Trump condemned the ‘horrible massacre’ this morning on Twitter.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">My warmest sympathy and best wishes goes out to the people of New Zealand after the horrible massacre in the Mosques. 49 innocent people have so senselessly died, with so many more seriously injured. The U.S. stands by New Zealand for anything we can do. God bless all!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1106520743855251456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2019</a></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>The shooters live streamed the brutal attack on multiple social media platforms. The social media companies moved to take the video down but continue to find the video popping up. This raises questions about <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/15/tech/new-zealand-shooting-video-facebook-youtube/index.html">their inability to manage harmful content</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Ocasio Cortez Hits NRA After NZ Shooting: ‘What good are your thoughts and prayers?’</strong></p>
<p>Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also made a foolish statement on people praying for murder victims in NZ and their families. The Congresswoman should <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly/status/1106532587441475584">“do more thinking and less talking,”</a> according to Bill on Twitter.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">At 1st I thought of saying, “Imagine being told your house of faith isn’t safe anymore.”<br /><br />But I couldn’t say “imagine.”<br /><br />Because of Charleston.<br />Pittsburgh.<br />Sutherland Springs.<br /><br />What good are your thoughts & prayers when they don’t even keep the pews safe?<a href="https://t.co/2mSw0azDN8">pic.twitter.com/2mSw0azDN8</a></p>
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) <a href="https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1106408088603713536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2019</a></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Pelosi, 2020 Dems Support Lowering Voting Age to 16</strong></p>
<p>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., says she would support lowering the national voting age to 16.</p>
<p>"I myself, personally, I'm not speaking for my caucus, I myself have always been for lowering the voting age to 16," Pelosi <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2019/03/14/2020-dems-vote-16/" target="_blank">told <strong>The Daily Caller</strong></a> after making her preference known at a Thursday news conference.</p>
<p>"I think it's really important to capture kids when they're in high school when they're interested in all of this when they're learning about government to be able to vote."</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Beto’s First National TV Interview</strong></p>
<p>CBS” Gayle King asked him what’s up with his “paper thin record” and no real legislation in his own name after three terms in Congress. Good question from Gayle while Beto bloviates.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fmr. Texas Rep. <a href="https://twitter.com/BetoORourke?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BetoORourke</a> begins day two of his three-day tour through Iowa this morning. He spoke with us in his first TV interview since announcing his campaign. <a href="https://twitter.com/GayleKing?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GayleKing</a>: Why shouldn't voters be concerned about voting for you with your lack of experience? <a href="https://t.co/m4z0FFz5Ob">pic.twitter.com/m4z0FFz5Ob</a></p>
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSThisMorning/status/1106524964440735744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2019</a></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Joe Biden and Stacey Abrams met privately to discuss 2020 plans</strong></p>
<p>Failed Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/2020-pow-wow-joe-biden-and-stacey-abrams-meet-in-washington">sat down with Joe Biden on Thursday</a>, representatives for both politicians confirmed. The meeting led some to speculate they were planning a joint ticket or that Abrams was thinking of a presidential bid. If they announce a joint ticket right out of the gate, that would be a departure from the normal way of operating.</p>
<p>Abrams has met with many 2020 candidates including Booker, Klobuchar, Warren, and Harris.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, people on The Hill think <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/434174-the-memo-bidens-nice-words-for-republicans-may-doom-white-house-hopes">Biden’s ability to get along with Republicans could cost him the job</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Global Climate Strike:</strong><strong>Students Skipping School to Protest Climate Inaction</strong></p>
<p>Students around the globe are skipping school Friday to protest inaction on climate change.</p>
<p>Strikes are planned in every state and over 100 countries.</p>
<p><strong>School <a href="https://www.youthclimatestrikeus.org/strikes" target="_blank">strikes organized by U.S. children and teens</a> in almost every <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/climate-strikes-u-s-students-skipping-school-part-global-action-n983176">state call for the implementation of the Green New Deal</a>, a plan <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/ocasio-cortez-offers-green-new-deal-plan-switch-renewable-energy-n968781">championed by Democrats like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez</a>.</strong></p>
<p><strong><br /><br />MORE HEADLINES<br /><br /> <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/434113-the-31-trump-districts-that-will-determine-the-next-house-majority">31 Trump Districts that will Determine the Next House Majority<br /></a><br /> <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-eu/long-delay-to-brexit-unless-you-back-pms-deal-top-may-ally-idUSKCN1QW0TZ">The UK will ask the EU for a Brexit delay<br /></a><br /> North Korea Considering <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-usa/north-korea-considering-suspending-nuclear-talks-with-u-s-tass-idUSKCN1QW0C9">Ending Nuclear Talks with ‘Gangster-Like’ U.S.<br /></a><br /> U.S. Diplomats Leave Venezuela <a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/03/14/703622867/state-department-says-all-u-s-diplomats-have-left-venezuela">‘For the Time Being’<br /></a><br /> De Blasio wants to spend <a href="https://nypost.com/2019/03/14/de-blasio-wants-to-spend-10b-to-make-manhattan-bigger/">$10B to make Manhattan bigger<br /></a><br /> Trump Reportedly Annoyed <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-annoyed-by-republicans-interrupting-dinner-2019-3">GOP Senators Interrupted his Dinner<br /><br /></a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://bor.com/n/ehjjnk">Take our Quiz on the History of St. Patrick’s Day!<br /><br /></a></strong></p>
<p><strong>ICYMI: Bill’s New Column </strong><a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Donald-Trumps-Revenge/834658341745860184.html"><strong>‘Donald Trump’s Revenge’</strong></a></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">My new column, "Donald Trump's Revenge"<a href="https://t.co/ymHQjoLLhZ">https://t.co/ymHQjoLLhZ</a></p>
— Bill O'Reilly (@BillOReilly) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly/status/1106269672557723649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-03-15T13:21:00ZBeto O'Rourke Running for President; Robert Mueller Going After Foreign CorporationBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Beto-ORourke-Running-for-President;-Robert-Mueller-Going-After-Foreign-Corporation/-77755544304624715.html2019-03-14T13:08:00Z2019-03-14T13:08:00Z<p><strong>Beto O’Rourke Confirms He’s Running For President</strong></p>
<p>Former Texas Rep.Beto O'Rourke announced he is running for President in 2020, entering a crowded field of Democrats.</p>
<p>“This is going to be a positive campaign that seeks to bring out the very best from every single one of us, that seeks to unite a very divided country,” O’Rourke said in a video announcement with his wife on a couch. “We saw the power of this in Texas.”</p>
<p>He will hold a kick-off rally for his campaign in El Paso, Texas, on March 30. We will analyze his positions on tonight’s show.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Mueller After Foreign Corporation</strong></p>
<p>Documents filed with the Supreme Court revealed definitively, and for the first time, that Special Counsel Robert Mueller is seeking a grand jury subpoena against an <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/confirmed-mueller-seeking-subpoena-contempt-citation-against-foreign-corporation">unnamed, government-controlled foreign corporation</a> that has resisted prosecutors' efforts at every turn.</p>
<p>The unnamed company -- listed as owned by "Country A" -- refused to turn over requested documents to U.S. investigators. The corporation argued that complying with the subpoena would violate the laws of its country and thus constitute an undue hardship. But in December, a three-judge panel for the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals held otherwise.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Trump on Manafort: 'It's a very sad situation'</strong></p>
<p>President Trump said Wednesday he feels “very badly” for Paul Manafort after his former campaign chairman’s prison sentence <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/433909-trump-mum-on-manafort-pardon-its-a-very-sad-situation">was increased to 7 ½ years</a>, but he would not say if he would offer Manafort a pardon.</p>
<p>“It’s a very sad situation. Certainly on a human basis, it’s a very sad thing. I feel badly for him,” Trump said.</p>
<p>“I have not even given [a pardon] a thought as of this moment. It’s not something that’s right now on my mind,” the president said.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Lawyer Told Cohen 'Sleep Well Tonight' After Talking to Giuliani</strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump's ex-lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen got some reassuring advice last April from Rudy Giuliani — that Cohen had "friends in high places" and could "sleep well tonight," CNN reported Wednesday.</p>
<p>Two emails dated April 21, 2018 provided to Congress by Cohen do not specifically mention a pardon, CNN reported. But Cohen provided the emails in closed-door testimony to back up his claim a pardon was dangled before he decided to cooperate with federal prosecutors, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/michael-cohen-pardon-lawyer-rudy-giuliani/2019/03/13/id/906839/">CNN reported, citing unnamed sources.<br /><br /></a></p>
<p><strong>Media Matters President Wrote About ‘Japs,’ ‘Jewry,’ ‘Trannies’</strong></p>
<p>President of the vile Media Matters group President Angelo Carusone – the one currently trying to get Tucker Carlson fired - Carusone apparently has <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2019/03/12/angelo-carusone-rules-dont-apply/">his own track record of inflammatory statements.</a></p>
<p>His old blog included degrading references to “trannies,” “jewry” and Bangladeshis.</p>
<p>Carusone made anti-Semitic comments on his blog as well.</p>
<p>He wrote in one October 2005 post that “despite his jewry, you KNOW he’s adorable,” referring to his boyfriend.</p>
<p>Doe the hypocrisy surprise anyone?</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>CBP Arrested 2,245 Mexicans Along Canadian Border in '18</strong></p>
<p>More than half of the 4,316 illegal immigrants apprehended by Customs and Border Protection at the U.S.-Canada border last year were Mexican citizens, <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/more-than-half-of-all-illegal-immigrants-arrested-at-the-us-canada-border-are-mexican">reports the Washington Examiner</a>.</p>
<p>Total arrests at the northern border jumped 43 percent, reaching its highest level since 2011, according to CBP.</p>
<p>The Examiner also cited CBP data in its report on the arrests of 23,034 illegal immigrants over the past six months at the Southern border with the help of National Guard troops.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Senate GOP expected to force vote on Green New Deal in March</strong></p>
<p>Senate Republicans will attempt to bring the Green New Deal resolution to the floor <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/433972-senate-gop-expected-to-force-vote-on-green-new-deal-in-march">the week of March 25</a></p>
<p> A spokesman for McConnell said he didn’t have an announcement on timing for the Senate’s vote but that the GOP leader has said it will take place during the upcoming work period.</p>
<p>The Senate is expected to leave town by Friday for a one-week recess. They’ll then return on March 25 and remain until April 12, when they’ll leave for two weeks.</p>
<p>The Green New Deal, which strives for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the United States while creating millions of “good, high-wage jobs,” has zero chance of passing in the Senate, where it needs 60 votes to advance.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>CNN Host Says Shutdown to Blame for Boeing Ethiopia Crash </strong></p>
<p>CNN host Brianna Keilar asserted Wednesday that the Boeing crash in Ethiopia last week was due in part to Trump’s latest government shutdown in an interview with Michigan Democratic Rep. Kildee.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q7zkTHBy2wc" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
<p>“The software fix, then according to The Wall Street Journal, was supposed to happen in January, and it was delayed because of the government shutdown because the FAA was offline. What’s your reaction to this revelation?”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>State Dept: China's Treatment of Minorities Worst Abuses 'Since the 1930s'</strong></p>
<p>The U.S. State Department on Wednesday <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/china-human-rights-abuses-muslims/2019/03/13/id/906847/">slammed human rights violations in China</a>, saying the sort of abuses inflicted on Muslim minorities had not been seen "since the 1930s."</p>
<p>U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo highlighted abuses the world over in the department's annual "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices," but told reporters that China was "in a league of its own when it comes to human rights violations."</p>
<p>"Rounding up, in some estimations ... in the millions of people, putting them into camps, and torturing them, abusing them, and trying to basically erase their culture and their religion and so on from their DNA. It’s just remarkably awful," said Michael Kozak, the head of the State Department's human rights and democracy bureau.</p>
<p>"It is one of the most serious human rights violations in the world today," he said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>MORE HEADLINES</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/obama-administration-slow-to-answer-early-alarms-about-fentanyl-report">Obama administration slow to answer early alarms about fentanyl</a>: report</p>
<p>Report: <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/house-oversight-michael-cohen-perjury/2019/03/13/id/906832/">Cummings Accepts Cohen Correction on Pardon Claim</a></p>
<p>Activists go on <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/433961-activists-go-on-birth-strike-over-climate-change">'birth strike'</a> over climate change</p>
<p>Flipping off cop is free speech, <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/flipping-off-cop-is-free-speech-court-says/">court says</a></p>
<p>UMich targets Ben Shapiro with prof of Nazi history <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11975">'enwhitenment' talk</a></p>
<p>Average U.S. mortgage size hits <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-mortgages/average-u-s-mortgage-size-hits-record-high-354500-mba-idUSKBN1QU1VA">record-high $354,500</a></p>
<p>The U.S. Now Has <a href="https://www.bloombergquint.com/markets/the-u-s-now-has-more-millionaires-than-sweden-has-people#gs.0taxag">More Millionaires Than Sweden Has People</a></p>
<p>No U.S. city cracks the top 30 on <a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/no-us-city-even-ranks-in-the-top-30-of-this-respected-list-of-best-places-to-live-2019-03-13">this well-regarded list of the world’s best places to live</a></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-03-14T13:08:00ZTrump May Label Mexican Cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations; Will 2020 Democrats Seek to 'Pack' Supreme Court?BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-May-Label-Mexican-Cartels-as-Foreign-Terrorist-Organizations;-Will-2020-Democrats-Seek-to-Pack-Supreme-Court/502875115044572871.html2019-03-13T14:15:00Z2019-03-13T14:15:00Z<p><strong>Trump May Label Mexican Cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations</strong></p>
<p>During an interview with Breitbart in the Oval office on Monday, President Donald Trump revealed his administration is considering <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-very-seriously-considering-designating-mexican-drug-cartels-as-terrorists/2019/03/12/9bfc30f0-44cb-11e9-8aab-95b8d80a1e4f_story.html?utm_term=.f69ad21fc402">designating Mexican drug cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations</a> (FTOs).</p>
<p>“We’re thinking about doing it very seriously. In fact, we’ve been thinking about it for a long time,” Trump said. “It’s psychological, but it’s also economic. As terrorists — as terrorist organizations, the answer is yes. They are.”</p>
<p>“Mexico, unfortunately, has lost control of the cartels,” he continued. “They’ve totally lost control of the cartels. Mexico last year had 42,000 deaths — murders — 42,000. It’s considered one of the most unsafe countries in the world.”</p>
<p>Groups like the Palestine Liberation Front (PLF), al-Qa’ida, al-Shabaab, and Boko Haram have been designated as FTOs.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Will 2020 Democrats Seek to “Pack” Supreme Court?</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://freebeacon.com/issues/2020-democrats-silent-about-whether-theyd-pack-supreme-court/">The Washington Free Beacon has an interesting report</a> about the possibility of “packing” the Supreme Court – that is, adding more justices to the bench through legal action.</p>
<p>2020 Democratic presidential candidates are silent about whether they support recent progressive calls to "pack" the Supreme Court to tilt the judiciary to the left.</p>
<p>The Constitution does not specify the number of Supreme Court judges - the Judiciary Act of 1869 is the most recent legislation to establish the size as one chief justice and eight associate justices.</p>
<p>Former Attorney General Eric Holder said last week the next Democratic U.S. president should consider adding seats to the Supreme Court upon taking office. Democrats are still fuming over Senate Republicans' denial of a hearing and vote for Merrick Garland, the judge nominated in 2016 by President Barack Obama after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.</p>
<p>"Given the Merrick Garland situation, the question of legitimacy is one that I think we should talk about," Holder told the Washington Post. "We should be talking even about expanding the number of people who serve on the Supreme Court, if there is a Democratic president and a Congress that would do that."</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>U.S. Expands Program Making Asylum Seekers Wait in Mexico</strong></p>
<p>A U.S. government program requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico has expanded to a second port of entry.</p>
<p>The Trump administration's program is a potentially seismic shift on how the U.S. handles the cases of immigrants seeking asylum and fleeing persecution in their homeland. So far, 240 people total have been returned to wait out their asylum cases.</p>
<p>The program began in January at the San Ysidro port. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/us-mexico-asylum/2019/03/12/id/906603/">Homeland Security officials say</a> the program is now at the Calexico port, about 120 miles east.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>GOP Senators Want to Rein in President's Emergency Powers</strong></p>
<p>Days before the Senate will vote on President Trump’s national emergency declaration, more than a dozen Republican senators introduced legislation that would make it easier for Congress to terminate future national emergency declarations.</p>
<p>The legislation would require that Congress pass a resolution extending an emergency declaration after 30 days, otherwise it would be terminated.</p>
<p>“If Congress is troubled by recent emergency declarations made pursuant to the National Emergencies Act, they only have themselves to blame. Congress gave these legislative powers away in 1976 and it is far past time that we as an institution took them back,” <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/433775-gop-senators-introduce-bill-to-rein-in-presidents-emergency-powers">Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) said in a statement.</a></p>
<p>GOP supporters of the legislation include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah)</li>
<li>Chuck Grassley (Iowa)</li>
<li>Thom Tillis (N.C.)</li>
<li>Joni Ernst (Iowa)</li>
<li>Pat Toomey (Pa.)</li>
<li>Ron Johnson (Wis.)</li>
<li>Jerry Moran (Kansas)</li>
<li>Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.)</li>
<li>Ben Sasse (Neb.)</li>
<li>Roy Blunt (Mo.)</li>
<li>Rob Portman (Ohio)</li>
<li>Todd Young (Ind.)</li>
<li>Mitt Romney (Utah)</li>
<li>Ted Cruz (Texas)</li>
<li>Roger Wicker (Miss.)</li>
</ul>
<p>Lee's legislation would not impact Trump's current emergency declaration on the wall but, if passed, would impact any future emergency declarations.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Report: Pelosi revokes Pence's bonus office in House</strong></p>
<p>Speaker Pelosi has decided to revoke the honorary office that former House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., gave Pence on the first floor of the Capitol building in 2017.</p>
<p>While Pence rarely used the office, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/03/12/702577175/speaker-pelosi-revokes-mike-pences-house-office-space">NPR reported</a> that his nameplate was removed and that the space has been reassigned, according to a Democratic aide.</p>
<p>The space is at the moment sitting empty.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Ocasio-Cortez Accuses Wells Fargo CEO of financing the 'caging' of children</strong></p>
<p>The freshman congresswoman accused the bank of "financing the caging of children" and suggested it should bear liability for climate change.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) asks Wells Fargo CEO Timothy Sloan: "Why was the bank involved in the caging of children and financing the caging of children to begin with?"<br /><br />Sloan: "I don't know how to answer that question because we weren't." <a href="https://t.co/0ecaOAvvu8">pic.twitter.com/0ecaOAvvu8</a></p>
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealSaavedra/status/1105536407475412992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p>Ocasio-Cortez's inquiries come as activists increasingly seek to "deplatform" political opponents by cutting off their funding - a concerted effort that <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ocasio-cortez-accuses-stunned-wells-fargo-ceo-of-financing-the-caging-of-children">conservatives and libertarians have said threatens free speech</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>CA Governor to use Executive Order to suspend California death penalty</strong></p>
<p>California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is issuing an executive order to suspend the use of the death penalty in his state, <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/Gov-Newsom-orders-halt-to-California-s-death-13683693.php">the San Francisco Chronicle reported Tuesday</a>.</p>
<p>“I do not believe that a civilized society can claim to be a leader in the world as long as its government continues to sanction the premeditated and discriminatory execution of its people,” the governor said in a statement.</p>
<p>“The death penalty is inconsistent with our bedrock values and strikes at the very heart of what it means to be a Californian.”</p>
<p>According to the Chronicle, the governor does not actually have the authority to change state death penalty law. But Newsom will grant reprieves to anyone sentenced to death while he is in office.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Dick's Sporting Goods pulling guns from 125 stores</strong></p>
<p>Dick’s Sporting Goods store <a href="https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/433735-dicks-sporting-goods-pulling-guns-from-125-stores">announced Tuesday</a> that it will stop selling guns at dozens of its stores. Last year, Dick’s was one of the first stores to make a policy change in the wake of the Parkland shooting, when it stopped selling guns to people under 21.</p>
<p>“Based on what's happened, and looking at those kids and those parents, it moved us all unimaginably and to think about the loss and the grief that those kids and those parents had, we said, we need to do something,” CEO Ed Stack said at the time.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Jay Leno laments today's late-night shows: 'Everyone has to know your politics'</strong></p>
<p>Former NBC "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno said Tuesday that he doesn't miss hosting a late-night show and lamented that “everyone has to know your politics” now during an interview with NBC's Al Roker.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"I don't miss it," says <a href="https://twitter.com/jayleno?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JayLeno</a> on leaving the 'Tonight Show' and the current climate of late night. <a href="https://t.co/N8mAN6uWKO">pic.twitter.com/N8mAN6uWKO</a></p>
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) <a href="https://twitter.com/TODAYshow/status/1105462615269130240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p>"I kind of used Johnny’s model. People couldn’t figure out. 'Well, you and your Republican friends' or 'Well, Mr. Leno, you and your Democratic buddies.' And I would get hate mail from both sides equally," Leno said, referring to his predecessor at "The Tonight Show," Johnny Carson.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>MORE HEADLINES</strong></p>
<p>Hollywood actresses charged in alleged <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/felicity-huffman-lori-loughlin-charged-in-college-admissions-bribery-scam-report">college admissions scam</a></p>
<p>CBS staffers in a <a href="https://nypost.com/2019/03/12/cbs-staffers-in-a-panic-over-call-for-100m-in-cuts/">panic over call for $100M in cuts</a></p>
<p>Concord Univ <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11967">pays for students to protest</a> W.V. campus carry bill</p>
<p>Report: <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/pentagon-federal-government-spending/2019/03/12/id/906657/">Pentagon Biggest Spender in End-of-Year Spree</a></p>
<p>More than <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/more-than-half-of-all-illegal-immigrants-arrested-at-the-us-canada-border-are-mexican">half of all illegal immigrants arrested at the US-Canada border are Mexican</a></p>
<p>Wash Post: <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/citizenship-international-downsizing-government-reduction/2019/03/12/id/906649/">US to Shutter International Immigration Offices</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/elizabeth-warren-bill-feud/2019/03/12/id/906619/">Biden, Warren Locked in Feud for Years</a></p>
<p>Pentagon signs directive to <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/defense/433788-pentagon-signs-directive-to-implement-transgender-military-ban">implement transgender military ban</a></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/transportation/433694-pressure-grows-on-faa-to-ground-737-max">Pressure grows on FAA to ground 737 Max 8 After Ethiopian Crash</a></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-03-13T14:15:00ZPelosi Not For Impeachment; Trump Doesn't Want Immigrants on Welfare Coming to U.S.BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Pelosi-Not-For-Impeachment;-Trump-Doesnt-Want-Immigrants-on-Welfare-Coming-to-U.S./784267711119635709.html2019-03-12T14:55:00Z2019-03-12T14:55:00Z<p><strong>Pelosi: ‘I’m not for Impeachment’ </strong></p>
<p>Speaker Nancy Pelosi told The Washington Post Magazine in an interview that she opposes moving to impeach President Trump - even though she believes he is “unfit” for office. This is her first definitive statement on the subject – a shrewd one that is likely to make other Dems unhappy.</p>
<p>“I’m not for impeachment,” she said pithily.</p>
<p>“I haven’t said this to any press person before. But since you asked, and I’ve been thinking about this, impeachment is so divisive to the country that unless there’s something so compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan, I don’t think we should go down that path because it divides the country. And he’s <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/im-not-for-impeachment-pelosi-says-potentially-roiling-fellow-democrats/ar-BBUDZTQ">just not worth it</a>.”</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Trump says he doesn't want immigrants on welfare entering the country</strong></p>
<p>President Trump said that he's opposed to allowing immigrants into the U.S. who are dependent on welfare, citing the country's already extensive financial commitments.</p>
<p>"I don’t want to have anyone coming in that’s on welfare,” <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/433589-trump-says-he-doesnt-want-immigrants-on-welfare-entering-the-country">Trump told Breitbart News in an Oval Office interview.</a></p>
<p>“We have a problem, because we have politicians that are not strong - or they have bad intentions, or they want to get votes - because they think if they come in, they’re going to vote Democrat, you know, for the most part," he said.</p>
<p>Trump's budget laid out a plan to require tougher work requirements for Americans to receive government benefits like Medicaid, food benefits and housing vouchers. The administration says the measure will help save money over the course of several years.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Michigan, Iowa Polls: Biden Far Ahead of Rival Dems</strong></p>
<p>Former Vice President Joe Biden maintains a strong lead over his Democratic rivals in Michigan, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/michigan-poll-democrats/2019/03/11/id/906384/">according to a new poll from Emerson College Polling</a> – and in Iowa, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/2020-presidential-race-iowa/2019/03/11/id/906445/">according to CNN.</a></p>
<ul>
<li>Biden: 40 percent</li>
<li>Sanders: 23 percent</li>
<li>Harris: 12 percent</li>
<li>Warren: 11 percent</li>
</ul>
<p>No other candidate managed double-digit numbers in Michigan.</p>
<p>Emerson also found that Sanders leads among young voters, while Biden is more popular with voters over 30.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump won almost 9-in-10 Republican voters.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Sarah Sanders spars with CNN’s Jim Acosta over anti-Semitism allegations</strong></p>
<p>Sarah Sanders sparred with CNN’s Jim Acosta during the first White House press briefing in 42 days on Monday.</p>
<p>Following Trump's declaration last week that Democrats are "anti-Israel" and "anti-Jewish," NBC’s Hallie Jackson initially asked Sanders if Trump truly believes that “Democrats hate Jews.” </p>
<p>The White House press secretary declined to answer directly, noting that the president has laid out his position on the matter in the past. Then Jim Acosta got involved.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/Acosta?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Acosta</a> spars with Sarah Sanders after telling her that she's "saying something that's just patently untrue" <br /><br />"Democrats don't hate Jewish people, it's just silly. It's not true." <a href="https://t.co/6RWh19VTgv">pic.twitter.com/6RWh19VTgv</a></p>
— Yahoo News (@YahooNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/YahooNews/status/1105178435423395840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p> </p>
<p><strong>Dick Cheney Confronts Pence about Trump Foreign Policy </strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/former-vice-president-cheney-challenges-pence-on-trumps-foreign-policy/2019/03/11/ecddbff6-4436-11e9-aaf8-4512a6fe3439_story.html?utm_term=.6fbdc11e23fb">According to the Washington Post</a>, former Vice President Dick Cheney got into a “vigorous” back and forth with VP Mike Pence over the weekend at an American Enterprise Institute retreat in Georgia, an off-the-record gathering of top Republicans leaders, donors and lawmakers.</p>
<p>“I worry that the bottom line of that kind of an approach is we have an administration that looks a lot more like Barack Obama than Ronald Reagan,” Cheney said.</p>
<p>Pence responded to Cheney’s grilling by joking, “Man, who wrote all these softball questions?”</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Illegal border crossings from Canada quietly rising, data shows</strong></p>
<p>More than 960 people crossed into the U.S. illegally from the northern border with Canada last year, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/illegal-border-crossings-canada-quietly-rising-data-shows-n981131">according to data released by Customs and Border Protection</a> – that’s a tiny fraction compared to the southern border, but it represents a 91% increase from the prior year.</p>
<p>Border Patrol Agent Richard Ross, who runs the station in Newport, Vermont, part of the Swanton sector, told NBC News there is a perception that coming in from Canada is safter, and that some immigrants looking to get into the U.S. illegally could pay a few hundred dollars for a flight to Canada, pay a small electronic travel authorization fee and make their way into the United States.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Axios: Trump Jokes About Secret Service Agents in Blackface</strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump joked about Secret Service agents wearing blackface during a private speech to Republican National Committee donors at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Axios reports.</p>
<p>Axios said a person attending the speech described the apparent joke. There was no recording of it because security guards made attendees put their cellphones in magnetized pouches until they left the club in order to prevent leaks.</p>
<p>Trump then said he had seen agents wearing night vision goggles. "They're in blackface," the president added, so maybe "they have to take them away," he said <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/blackface-trump-republican-donors/2019/03/11/id/906351/">according to two sources who were at the event.</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>2019’s Happiest Cities in America</strong></p>
<p>The website “WalletHub” ranked the Happiest cities in the U.S. based on “31 key indicators of happiness, ranging from depression rate to income-growth rate to average leisure time spent per day.”</p>
<p>Happiest Cities in the U.S.:</p>
<p>1 Plano, TX </p>
<p>2 Irvine, CA </p>
<p>3 Madison, WI </p>
<p>4 Fremont, CA </p>
<p>5 Huntington Beach, CA </p>
<p>6 Fargo, ND </p>
<p>7 Grand Prairie, TX </p>
<p>8 San Jose, CA </p>
<p>9 Scottsdale, AZ </p>
<p>10 San Francisco, CA </p>
<p>11 Bismarck, ND </p>
<p>Check out <a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/happiest-places-to-live/32619/">WalletHub’s report on the Happiest States in America</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>MORE HEADLINES:</strong></p>
<p>Report: <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/433591-mueller-probe-being-funded-through-september-report">Mueller probe being funded through September</a></p>
<p>Amid Ilhan Omar's anti-Semitic comments, <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11962">Ivy League students push to 'divest' from Israel</a></p>
<p>Alyssa Milano slammed for <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/alyssa-milano-slammed-for-calling-herself-trans-immigrant-person-of-color-disabled-lesbian-gay-man">calling herself trans, immigrant, person of color, disabled, lesbian, gay man</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/us-withdrawing-remaining-staff-from-embassy-in-venezuela">US withdrawing remaining staff from embassy in Venezuela</a></p>
<p>AOC Says People Should Be Excited to Lose Their Jobs <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/tv/aoc-says-people-should-be-excited-to-lose-their-jobs-so-they-have-time-to-go-to-space/">So They Have Time to ‘Go to Space’</a> – and <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/433536-ocasio-cortez-mocks-fox-news-over-hosts-controversial-comments-who-gets-a">Mocks Fox News over Pirro, Carlson controversies</a></p>
<p>Tlaib Reportedly <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/03/11/tlaib-anti-semitism-instagram/">Unfollows Anti-Semitic Instagram Account</a> After Being Called Out</p>
<p>Mayor de Blasio: NYC will have <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mayor-de-blasio-nyc-will-have-meatless-mondays-in-all-public-schools">'Meatless Mondays</a>' in all public schools</p>
<p>New York Attorney General opens <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/deutsche-bank-investors-bank-subpoenaed-for-records-relating-to-business-with-trump-report">civil investigation into Trump projects</a>: report</p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/433560-whitaker-to-meet-with-house-committee-privately-on-wednesday">Former Acting AG Matt Whitaker to meet with House Committee</a> privately on Wednesday</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>One More Thing:</strong> don’t miss tonight’s No Spin News – Bill will reveal the cover of his upcoming Trump book!</p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-03-12T14:55:00ZTrump's Budget Revives Border Battle; Ocasio-Cortez thinks the State of America is 'Garbage'BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trumps-Budget-Revives-Border-Battle;-Ocasio-Cortez-thinks-the-State-of-America-is-Garbage/-547101169877011167.html2019-03-11T13:59:00Z2019-03-11T13:59:00Z<p><strong>Trump’s Budget Revives Border Battle</strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump is reviving his border wall fight, preparing a new budget that will seek $8.6 billion for his signature project, impose steep spending cuts to other domestic programs and set the stage for another fiscal battle.</p>
<p>Titled "<a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/us-trump-budget/2019/03/11/id/906326/">A Budget for a Better America: Promises Kept. Taxpayers First</a>," Trump's proposal "embodies fiscal responsibility," said Russ Vought, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget. </p>
<p>Fresh off the longest government shutdown in history, Trump's 2020 proposal shows he is eager to confront Congress again to boost defense spending and cut $2.7 trillion in nondefense spending over a decade.</p>
<p>Democrats, who oppose the wall as unnecessary and immoral, control the House, making it unlikely Trump’s request will pass.</p>
<p>"Congress refused to fund his wall and he was forced to admit defeat and reopen the government. The same thing will repeat itself if he tries this again," <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/433400-pelosi-schumer-push-back-on-new-trump-demand-for-wall-funding-we-hope-he">Pelosi and Schumer said in a statement</a>. "We hope he learned his lesson."</p>
<p>On Fox News Sunday, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow was asked about the new budget, and if there would be another fight. He said, "I suppose there will be.... He's going to stay with his wall and he's going to stay with the border security theme. I think it's essential."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Another 2020 Dem Hopeful Eyes Reparations</strong></p>
<p>Democratic presidential candidate Julian Castro isn't ruling out direct payments to African-Americans for the legacy of slavery — a stand separating him from his 2020 rivals.</p>
<p>"If under the Constitution we compensate people because we take their property, why wouldn't you compensate people who actually were property," the former Obama-era housing secretary and ex-San Antonio mayor <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/election-julian-castro-san-antonio-obama/2019/03/10/id/906283/">said on Sunday</a>.</p>
<p>Other Democratic candidates talking about reparations are discussing tax credits and other subsidies, rather than direct payments for the labor and legal oppression of slaves and their descendants.</p>
<p>Castro stopped short of saying he would push for direct compensation to descendants as president, saying instead that he would appoint a commissioner or task force that would make recommendations. But he isn’t ruling it out!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Bernie Sanders: My ‘Radical’ Ideas Now Define Democrats Campaigns</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/mar/10/bernie-sanders-radical-ideas-now-define-democrats-/">In his first trip to New Hampshire this past Sunday</a>, the Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders said his ideas that seemed "radical and extreme" four years ago are now helping define Democrats campaigns across the country.</p>
<p>"Those ideas that we talked about when I came here to New Hampshire four years ago, ideas that seemed so very radical at that time," Sanders said.</p>
<p>"Well, today, virtually all of those ideas are supported by a majority of the American people and they are being supported by Democratic candidates from school board to president of the United States."</p>
<p>He has a point…!</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Iowa Poll: Joe Biden leads herd of Democrats; Bernie Sanders close behind</strong></p>
<p>Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders lead the pack among likely Iowa caucusgoers, <a href="https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/iowa-poll/2019/03/10/election-2020-joe-biden-bernie-sanders-harris-warren-democrats-iowa-caucuses-poll-president-caucus/3098982002/">according to a new Iowa Poll</a>. Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Beto O'Rourke, Amy Klobuchar and Cory Booker also chart.</p>
<p>Joe Biden has yet to enter the 2020 presidential race — he is currently lining up donors — but the former vice president still leads the pack in Iowa.</p>
<p>“He’s got a lot of years of political experience — being a senator for over 35 years, being the vice president,” said Travis Underwood, a 30-year-old Ottumwa resident and poll respondent who said Biden is his first choice for president. “And he’s very charismatic. It seems like today we’re in an era where it’s all partisan politics. There are not too many out there who are middle-of-the-road. Biden is moderate, and that means he actually talks about issues.”<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong>Poll: Young Americans are embracing socialism</strong></p>
<p>This generation has a more positive view of the word "socialism" than previous generations, and — along with millennials — are more likely to embrace socialistic policies and principles than past generations, <a href="https://www.axios.com/exclusive-poll-young-americans-embracing-socialism-b051907a-87a8-4f61-9e6e-0db75f7edc4a.html">according to a new Harris Poll given exclusively to Axios.</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">CNN Chief Derides Fox News as 'Propaganda Network' for Trump</span></strong></p>
<p>CNN president Jeff Zucker delivered a keynote speech at the SXSW Festival Saturday in Texas and latched on to a recent New Yorker article about the Fox News Channel.</p>
<p>Zucker criticized the relationship between the Trump administration and Fox News, calling the network a "propaganda network" and noting their relationship is "completely symbiotic," which is detrimental to journalism. He says the network has "<a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/jeff-zucker-fox-propaganda-network-trump/2019/03/10/id/906210/">done a lot of damage to the political discourse"</a> in the country.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>MORE HEADLINES:</strong></p>
<p>ICE investigating agents for sharing social media posts promoting conspiracy theories about Omar: <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/433418-ice-officials-under-review-for-sharing-social-media-posts-promoting-conspiracy">Report</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/SF-libraries-as-sanctuaries-for-the-homeless-13674982.php?t=9b0889f47d">San Francisco Libraries Serve as Sanctuaries for the Homeless</a></p>
<p>Venezuela enters <a href="http://news.trust.org/item/20190310171437-jhq11">fourth day of blackout</a> as Maduro blames U.S. cyberattack</p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/venezuela-oil-india-maduro/2019/03/10/id/906271/">US Presses India to Stop Buying Oil from Venezuela's Maduro</a></p>
<p>ABC News’ Terry Moran: <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2019/03/10/terry-moran-mueller-collusion-reckoning/">Media, Demos Face ‘Reckoning’ if Mueller Finds No Collusion</a></p>
<p>Jussie Smollett Update: <a href="https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/03/08/jussie-smollett-grand-jury-indictment/">Grand Jury Returns 16 Counts Against ‘Empire’ Actor</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Tonight: We Discuss Ocasio-Cortez Saying “the State of America is Garbage”</strong> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Don’t overreact to Congresswoman Cortez saying “the state of America is garbage” in Texas. Her attitude is not uncommon on the left - it’s just that she verbalizes what others hide. Best news analysis is on <a href="https://t.co/rryWmyXe7C">https://t.co/rryWmyXe7C</a>.</p>
— Bill O'Reilly (@BillOReilly) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly/status/1104789520061530112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2019</a></blockquote>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-03-11T13:59:00ZTrump to Ask Congress for $8.6 Billion for Wall; No Survivors on Crashed Ethiopian Airlines Flight; More Whoppers from Ocasio-CortezBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-to-Ask-Congress-for-$8.6-Billion-for-Wall;-No-Survivors-on-Crashed-Ethiopian-Airlines-Flight;-More-Whoppers-from-Ocasio-Cortez/110907825441330259.html2019-03-10T14:11:00Z2019-03-10T14:11:00Z<p><strong> </strong><strong>In Budget, Trump to Ask Congress for $8.6 Billion for Border Wall</strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump on Monday will ask the U.S. Congress for an additional $8.6 billion to help pay for the wall, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/headline/trump-budget-8-billion/2019/03/10/id/906213/">officials familiar with his 2020 budget request told Reuters.</a></p>
<p>The demand is more than six times what Congress allocated for border projects in each of the past two fiscal years, and 6 percent more than Trump has corralled by invoking emergency powers this year.</p>
<p>Democrats, who oppose the wall as unnecessary and immoral, control the House, making it unlikely the president's request will pass there.</p>
<p><strong><br /><br />No Survivors on Crashed Ethiopian Airlines Flight, including 7 Americans</strong></p>
<p>An Ethiopian Airlines flight crashed a few minutes after takeoff from Ethiopia’s capital on Sunday, killing all 157 people on board including at least 7 Americans, the airline and government officials said.</p>
<p>Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 left Addis Ababa bound for Nairobi, Kenya at 8:38 a.m. before losing contact with the control tower minutes later at 8:44 a.m. The crash occurred some 31 miles south of Addis Ababa.</p>
<p>Ethiopian <a href="https://twitter.com/flyethiopian/status/1104702003924619264%22%20%5Ct%20%22_blank">Airlines posted a photo that showed its CEO standing amid the wreckage of the plane that crashed shortly after takeoff</a>.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Ocasio-Cortez Draws Bigger Crowd than 2020 Candidates; Blasts FDR, Reagan, Capitalism, Political Moderates</strong></p>
<p>“Moderate is not a stance. It's just an attitude towards life of, like, ‘meh,’” the New York Democrat said Saturday at the trendy SXSW festival in Austin, TX this weekend. </p>
<p>The event attracted 2020 hopefuls from both sides of the aisle but Ocasio-Cortez drew the biggest crowd by far - and hit them with some whoppers.</p>
<p>“We’ve become so cynical, that we view ‘meh,’ or ‘eh’ — we view cynicism as an intellectually superior attitude, and we view ambition as youthful naivete when ... the greatest things we have ever accomplished as a society have been ambitious acts of visions, and the ‘meh’ is just worshipped now, for what?”</p>
<p>She also called FDR’s New Deal “racist,” and Reagan’s policies pitted white people against minorities "to screw over all working-class Americans.” </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) suggests former President Ronald Reagan was a racist and claims he "pitted white working-class Americans against brown and black working-class Americans to screw over all working-class Americans" <a href="https://t.co/oxM2QPRgrB">pic.twitter.com/oxM2QPRgrB</a></p>
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealSaavedra/status/1104529639374901249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2019</a> </blockquote>
<p>Cortez also contends that capitalism cannot be redeemed because it values profit over “everything else,” according to her:</p>
<p>“The most important thing is the concentration of capital, and it means that we prioritize profit and the accumulation of money above all else, and we seek it at any human and environmental cost… But when we talk about ideas like democratic socialism, it means putting democracy and society first, instead of capital first; it doesn’t mean that the actual concept of capitalistic society should be abolished,” she said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>House to Vote to Demand Release of Mueller Report Due to ‘Overwhelming Public Interest'</strong></p>
<p>The House will send another signal to special counsel Robert Mueller that he needs to release his report on President Trump's alleged collusion with Russia.</p>
<p>Dem House leaders <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/pressure-house-to-demand-release-of-mueller-report-due-to-overwhelming-public-interest">have scheduled a vote on a resolution</a> from House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y. that calls for the Justice Department to release his final report to Congress.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>CNN’s Chris Cuomo Politicizes Alex Trebek's Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis with Veiled Trump Attack</strong></p>
<p>Alex Trebek announced this week that he has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cance. Panceatic cancer generally has a very low survival rate. Trebek said he plans to fight and continue working. CNN took his use of “facts” as a trivia host to take a swipe at Trump.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nothing is sacred at <a href="https://twitter.com/CNN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CNN</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisCuomo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChrisCuomo</a> exploits Alex Trebek's cancer diagnosis to take a veiled swipe at Trump <a href="https://t.co/aWkGAf8L0y">https://t.co/aWkGAf8L0y</a></p>
— NewsBusters (@newsbusters) <a href="https://twitter.com/newsbusters/status/1103515050680246272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2019</a> </blockquote>
<p>“Trebek is a major asset to our culture, not just to the game show. In a time of shallow beliefs and rampant truth abuse in our politics and beyond, every night he makes facts first,” he said, referring to the nightly trivia show hosted by Trebek.</p>
<p><a href="https://dailycaller.com/2019/03/08/wapo-editor-alex-trebek-attacks-trump/">The Washington Post made a similar reference</a> in a recent op-ed: “The loss of Trebek means the loss of a zone where the truth is clear and uncontested.”</p>
<p>As Bill put it this week, he is a TV icon no question… prayers for him and his family.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tough to hear Alex Trebek is fighting cancer. Very good guy, TV icon no question. Prayers for Alex and his family.</p>
— Bill O'Reilly (@BillOReilly) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly/status/1103683875560194048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p> </p>
<p><strong>MORE HEADLINES</strong></p>
<p>More than <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/immigration-disease-outbreaks-border/2019/03/10/id/906220/">2,000 Migrants Quarantined in U.S. Detention Centers</a> Due to Disease Outbreaks
<br /><br />New Tech could help <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/tech/ai-could-help-identify-civil-war-veterans-in-your-family">identify Civil War veterans in your family</a></p>
<p>NASA Announces <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/nasa-worlds-first-all-female-spacewalk">First All-Female Space Walk</a></p>
<p>Fox News Op-Ed: <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/trump-is-more-principled-than-his-critics-on-left-and-right">Trump is more principled than his critics on left and right</a></p>
<p>Islamic State fighters stand guard <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-islamic-state-fighters/with-shrouded-faces-islamic-state-fighters-stand-guard-over-final-enclave-idUSKBN1QR09E">over final enclave</a></p>
<p><a href="https://nypost.com/2019/03/09/new-york-city-is-edging-toward-financial-disaster-experts-warn/">NYC heading For Financial Disaster, Experts Warn</a> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-47514248">Brexit Chaos Continues</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>ICYMI:</strong> We are posting all of Bill’s radio appearances each week. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/blog?categoryID=24">Check them out right here.</a></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lots of radio action on <a href="https://t.co/rryWmyXe7C">https://t.co/rryWmyXe7C</a> this weekend. O’Reilly with Hannity, Beck, Bernie and Sid, Mark Simone. Hope you check it out. Free for all!</p>
— Bill O'Reilly (@BillOReilly) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly/status/1104429994535804933?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p> </p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-03-10T14:11:00ZCohen Gives New Documents to House Intel Committee; DNC Won't Let Fox News Host Primary DebateBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Cohen-Gives-New-Documents-to-House-Intel-Committee;-DNC-Wont-Let-Fox-News-Host-Primary-Debate/448196102911302575.html2019-03-07T08:00:00Z2019-03-07T08:00:00Z<p><strong> </strong><strong>Cohen Gives New Documents to House Intel Committee</strong></p>
<p>On Tuesday, Michael Cohen provided the House Intel Committee with new documents showing edits to his false written statement he gave to Congress in 2017 regarding of the Trump Tower Moscow project. It's unclear what Cohen's documents show was specifically changed in the statement, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/06/politics/michael-cohen-testimony-congress/index.html">but it does provide more fodder for the hate-Trump media</a>.</p>
<p>Right this second, as you are reading these words, four committees in the House of Representatives are thinking up more ways to investigate President Trump. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Liberal-Emergency/-564702060396491437.html">Read Bill’s just-posted column on “The Liberal Emergency”</a></p>
<p>One of those ways will be <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/finance/432963-dems-inch-closer-to-seeking-the-presidents-tax-returns">hunting down his tax returns</a> instead of solving vexing problems.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>DNC Won’t Let Fox News Host Primary Debate</strong></p>
<p>The DNC said Wednesday it would not permit Fox News to host a presidential primary debate, citing a long story in the New Yorker this week alleging deep ties between FNC network and President Trump’s inner circle.</p>
<p>The story was full of inaccuracies, alongside some accurate reporting, as O’Reilly mentioned in this week’s No Spin News.</p>
<p>“Recent reporting in The New Yorker on the inappropriate relationship between President Trump, his administration and FOX News has led me to conclude that the network is not in a position to host a fair and neutral debate for our candidates. Therefore, FOX News will not serve as a media partner for the 2020 Democratic primary debates,” Perez said in the statement.</p>
<p>In a statement, Fox News said the network hoped the DNC would reconsider, citing the network’s journalists Chris Wallace, Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, “<a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/media/432879-dems-wont-let-fox-news-host-primary-debate">all of whom embody the ultimate journalistic integrity and professionalism.</a>”</p>
<p>Who needs them? Trump has his own plan… </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Democrats just blocked <a href="https://twitter.com/FoxNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FoxNews</a> from holding a debate. Good, then I think I’ll do the same thing with the Fake News Networks and the Radical Left Democrats in the General Election debates!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1103446552524345346?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2019</a></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p><strong> </strong><strong>Biden Likely to Announce Candidacy by April</strong></p>
<p>Now that Michael Bloomberg has decided not to run, the crowded field is open for frontrunner Joe Biden. Bloomberg and Biden would have split the moderate Democrat vote.</p>
<p>Biden is indicating to Democratic Party insiders he will make some announcement by April, these people say.</p>
<p>"He keeps telling people that he's almost certain he will run," said one veteran Democratic Party insider who deals directly with people inside the Biden camp. "Nothing is ever 100 percent until you announce, <a href="https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/biden-moves-even-closer-announcing-presidential-bid-as-bloomberg-exits-the-field">but this is about as close as you get."</a></p>
<p>If elected, 76-year-old Biden would be the oldest president in U.S. history. Donald Trump is turning 73 in June.<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Poll Roundup: Trump Approval Steady; Majority Disapprove of Emergency Powers for Wall; More Americans Back Impeachment</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/hilltv/what-americas-thinking/432844-trump-approval-rating-holding-steady-despite-cohen-testimony">A Hill/Harris-X poll</a> has Trump’s approval rating holding steady at 45%. The president's approval rating does not appear to have been affected by allegations from Michael Cohen that Trump engaged in criminal acts before becoming president.</p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/432595-trumps-approval-rating-on-economy-hits-new-high-gallup">A Gallup poll</a> released Tuesday found that 56 percent of adults surveyed said they approved of Trump's handling of the nation's economy - the highest so far of his presidency. 43 percent of respondents in that survey approved of Trump's overall job performance.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/quinnipiac-poll-trump/2019/03/06/id/905733/">A Quinnipiac poll</a> suggests sixty-six percent of voters disapprove of President Donald Trump’s use of emergency executive powers to fund a wall on the southern border of the U.S. Thirty-one percent approve of it.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/impeachment-monmouth-university-americans-resistance/2019/03/06/id/905772/">A Monmouth poll</a> finds that forty-two percent of Americans think President Trump should be impeached, a six-point percent increase since they asked in November.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>CA Judge: Trump’s Crackdown on Sanctuary Cities Illegal</strong></p>
<p>A California judge ruled President Donald Trump cannot withhold federal funds from jurisdictions that harbor illegal aliens, <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/03/06/judge-trump-sanctuary-cities/">the latest in a string of court defeats against the administration’s effort to crack down on sanctuary cities</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>U.S. Posts Record Annual Trade Deficit</strong></p>
<p>The U.S. trade deficit in goods hit a record in 2018, going against President Trump’s efforts to narrow the gap.</p>
<p>The deficit in goods grew 10% last year to $891.3 billion, the widest on record, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/december-2018-trade-data-from-u-s-commerce-department-11551877494">according to Commerce Department data released Wednesday</a>. The U.S.’s trade gaps with China and Mexico, already the largest, reached new records.</p>
<p>Trump commented on a deal with China yesterday. "They're moving along well and we'll see what happens," the president said on Wednesday during a meeting in the Oval Office, referring to the trade talks. He said there would either be "a good deal or it's not going to be a deal, but I think they're moving along very nicely."</p>
<p><strong><br />Whole Foods cuts workers' hours after Amazon introduces minimum wage</strong></p>
<p>In response to public pressure and increasing scrutiny over the pay of its warehouse workers, Amazon put in place a $15 minimum wage for all employees late last year, including workers at the grocery chain Whole Foods, which it purchased in 2017.</p>
<p>Since the wage increase, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/06/whole-foods-amazon-cuts-minimum-wage-workers-hours-changes">Whole Foods employees have told the Guardian</a> that they have experienced widespread cuts in hour, often negating wage gains for employees.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, nearly three-quarters of economists oppose raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/03/06/minimum-wage-increase-economists/">according to an Employment Studies Institute (ESI) study released Tuesday.</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>MORE HEADLINES</strong></p>
<p>Obama says he based his presidency on <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/432956-obama-i-based-my-presidency-on-facts-and-reason-and-logic">'facts and reason and logic'</a></p>
<p>Facebook's Reputation Plummets in ‘<a href="https://www.newsmax.com/finance/companies/facebook-data-privacy-social-media-top-100/2019/03/06/id/905768/">Corporate Reputation’</a> List</p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/alabama-teen-sues-abortion-clinic-on-behalf-of-aborted-child-alarming-pro-choice-leaders">Alabama judge allows teen boy to sue on behalf of girlfriends’ aborted fetus</a></p>
<p>Trump <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-revokes-obama-era-rule-that-requires-defense-intel-officials-an-annual-public-report-on-civilian-casualties-from-drone-strikes">reverses Obama-era rule</a> requiring reports on drone strike casualties </p>
<p>US growth to slow 'considerably' in 2019: <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/20190306-us-growth-slow-considerably-2019-ny-fed">NY Fed</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/world/american-journalist-based-in-caracas-detained-by-government-officials-amid-venezuela-unrest">American journalist based in Caracas detained</a> by government officials amid Venezuela unrest</p>
<p>Gas Scarcity Could Turn Venezuela's <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/world/globaltalk/venezuela-gasoline-shortages-maduro-guaido/2019/03/06/id/905760/">Crisis to Catastrophe</a></p>
<p>US Senators Say Saudi Crown Prince Has Gone <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/saudi-crown-prince-full-gangster/2019/03/06/id/905794/">‘FULL GANGSTER’</a></p>
<p>NJ forks over <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11947">$1.6M to help send illegal immigrants to college</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-03-07T08:00:00ZPresident Trump Signals White House Won't Comply with Congressional Investigations; MS-13 Gang Member Arrested in ArizonaBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/President-Trump-Signals-White-House-Wont-Comply-with-Congressional-Investigations;-MS-13-Gang-Member-Arrested-in-Arizona/78768129791006296.html2019-03-06T13:19:00Z2019-03-06T13:19:00Z<p><strong>Dems Continue to Investigate—President Trump Signals WH Won’t Comply</strong></p>
<p>While speaking with reporters at the White House after signing an executive order on veterans’ suicide prevention, President Trump signaled that the White House would not be complying with the current congressional investigations launched by Democrats.</p>
<p>President Trump suggested he was unwilling to comply with the House Judiciary Committee’s requests for documents related to 81 of his associates. </p>
<p>“Instead of doing infrastructure, instead of doing health care, instead of doing so many things that they should be doing, they want to play games,” <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/432695-trump-signals-white-house-wont-comply-with-democratic-probes">President Trump said in his remarks to reporters.</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>POLL: Majority of Americans Say Trump Should Not Be Impeached</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/432683-poll-majority-of-americans-dont-believe-trump-should-be-impeached">According to a Quinnipiac Poll released on Tuesday,</a> a majority of respondents said they believe that President Trump should not be impeached.</p>
<p>The poll found that 59 percent of voters surveyed said Congress should not begin impeachment proceedings against President Trump, while 35 percent said Congress should do so. The remaining 6 percent of Americans said they don't know if Trump should be impeached.</p>
<p>Younger voters were more likely to say Congress should begin impeachment proceedings, with the poll finding support that 42 percent of respondents between ages 18 and 34 support the start to impeachment proceedings.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Mueller: Paul Manafort Fails to Accept Responsibility for his Crimes</strong></p>
<p>Special Counsel Robert Mueller told the Virginia judge who will sentence him in two days that Mr. Manafort has failed to accept responsibility for his crimes.</p>
<p>In the Special Counsel’s response to Paul Manafort’s bid for leniency, prosecutors working for Mueller accused Paul Manafort of shifting blame to <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/meuller-manafort-remorse-sentencing/2019/03/05/id/905617/">“everyone from the Special Counsel’s Office to his Ukrainian clients”.</a> This was during their final submission to U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III in Alexandria.</p>
<p>Paul Manafort could face up to 24 years in prison after being convicted of bank fraud, tax fraud and failing to disclose offshore bank accounts to U.S. authorities.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Report: President Trump Pushed for Ivanka Trump’s Security Clearance</strong></p>
<p>According to a CNN report, President Trump pressured his former chief of staff John Kelly and former White House counsel Donald McGahn to grant Ivanka Trump a security clearance.</p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/432777-trump-pressured-white-house-officials-to-grant-ivanka-trump-security">The report states that the president’s decision to intervene in his daughter’s security clearance process "rankled" White House officials.</a></p>
<p>This is simply the latest du jour on President Trump. It is clear that Mr. Trump values Ivanka and Jarred Kushner’s counsel. That’s his prerogative, is it not?</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Michael Cohen Back on Capitol Hill</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/432767-cohen-returns-for-new-closed-door-hearing-with-house-lawmakers">Michael Cohen returns to Capitol Hill for new closed-door hearing with the House Intelligence Committee.</a> His return appearance comes as House Democrats are continuing broad probes into President Trump and his administration, some of which involve Michael Cohen and stem from allegations of criminal conduct he made last week.</p>
<p>Michael Cohen claimed that President Trump knew in advance that WikiLeaks was planning to dump hacked Democratic emails that could hurt the Clinton campaign, after listening in on a phone call between his longtime friend Roger Stone and WikiLeaks.</p>
<p>Roger Stone has denied his account.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>The U.S. Budget Deficit Widened to $310 Billion</strong></p>
<p>In just the first four months of the fiscal year,<a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/u-budget-deficit-widens-77-190217899.html"> the budget gap widened 77 percent compared with the same October-January period a year earlier.</a></p>
<p>The financial shortfall is set to widen further in the coming years as the Republican tax cut package, which costs about $1.5 trillion over a decade, and increased spending for defense and other priorities boost government outlays.</p>
<p>The Congressional Budget Office forecast earlier this year that the budget gap in the fiscal year through September would widen to $897 billion, up by $118 billion from a year earlier.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders Lead Polls for 2020</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/432687-poll-biden-sanders-lead-2020-dem-field-followed-by-harris">According to a new poll released Tuesday by Morning Consult</a>, Former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Bernie Sanders are leading the rest of the Democratic presidential primary field by double digits. This is despite the fact that Joe Biden has yet to formally announce his entrance into the 2020 race.</p>
<p>Joe Biden leads with 31 percent and Bernie Sanders follows shortly behind with 27 percent support among Democratic primary voters.</p>
<p>The Morning Consult poll shows Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) with 11 percent support among Democratic primary voters, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) with 7 percent support and former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas) with 6 percent support.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>U.S. Company Offers to Build Portion of the Wall for $1.4 Billion</strong></p>
<p>A U.S. company is offering to build 234 miles of President Trump's border wall for just $1.4 billion.</p>
<p>Fisher Sand and Gravel Company's President and CEO Tommy Fisher said the government is overpaying and said that for $4.31 billion, he can build the wall and incorporate paved roads and border technology plus warranty.</p>
<p>"Our whole point is to break through the government bureaucracy," <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/company-offers-to-build-234-miles-of-border-wall-for-1-4-billion">Fisher told the Washington Examiner.</a> "If they do the small procurements as they are now … that’s not going to cut it."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>MS-13 Gang Member One of Six Arrested in Arizona Drug Raid</strong></p>
<p>The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Scottsdale Police Department joint-task force concluded an investigation into a drug trafficking ring in Mesa, Arizona on March 1st. The state approved warrants that allowed agents and investigators to search four different homes, leading to six arrests.</p>
<p>Among those six arrested, Jose Gonzalez-Ramos, admitted to being a member of the violent Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang after he was taken into custody on Friday</p>
<p>In addition to six arrests, the drug bust lead to the seizing of two kilograms of cocaine, 1,000 pills suspected to contain fentanyl, $28,000 in cash, 16 weapons, stolen firearms, body armor and thousands of rounds of ammunition agents during the raid.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>MORE HEADLINES</strong> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/05/michael-bloomberg-will-not-run-for-president-in-2020.html">Michael Bloomberg will not run for president in 2020</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.mediaite.com/online/bernie-sanders-signs-dnc-loyalty-pledge-promises-to-run-and-govern-as-a-democrat/">Bernie Sanders vows to run and govern as Democrat</a> after the DNC changed its rules for the 2020 election and forced Bernie Sanders to join the party to run in the Democratic primary</p>
<p>A Rising Number of Family, Work and Student <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/03/05/immigration-visa-rejections-rise/">Visa Applications to the United States Are Getting Denied</a></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/432776-fbi-chief-foreign-influence-campaigns-continually-targeting-us">FBI chief: Foreign influence campaigns continually targeting US</a></p>
<p><a href="https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2019/03/05/median-1-bedroom-rent-sf-3690-month-zumper/">Median 1-Bedroom Rent In San Francisco Soars To Nearly $3,700 A Month</a></p>
<p>The Daily Caller Asked <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/03/05/college-students-trust-media/">Students at George Washington University if They Still Trust the Media</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.bloombergquint.com/onweb/u-s-credit-card-debt-closed-2018-at-a-record-870-billion">U.S. Credit Card Debt Closed 2018 at a Record $870 Billion</a></p>
<strong>One Last Thing -</strong> We are on watch for the Mueller Report, but no one knows what it is going on regarding the timeline of its release. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/OReilly:-What-to-Expect-from-the-Mueller-Report/620645062286004481.html">Check out Bill’s Talking Points Memo on what to expect from the Mueller Report</a>– and check back here because Bill will post No Spin analysis ASAP after details of the report becom
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-03-06T13:19:00ZSanctuary Cities Still Enjoy Federal Funding Despite Trump Executive Order; Hillary Clinton 'Not Running' in 2020BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Sanctuary-Cities-Still-Enjoy-Federal-Funding-Despite-Trump-Executive-Order;-Hillary-Clinton-Not-Running-in-2020/358813390420078195.html2019-03-05T15:25:00Z2019-03-05T15:25:00Z<p><strong>Most Sanctuary Cities Still Enjoy Federal Funding, Despite Trump’s January 2017 Order</strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump issued an executive order in January 2017 to block federal funding from jurisdictions that harbor illegal immigrants and refuse to work with federal immigration authorities.</p>
<p>The Department of Justice later targeted 29 specific cities, metro areas, counties and states, accusing them of violating federal law with their “sanctuary policies.” In letters sent to the 29 different jurisdictions, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions warned they must comply with federal law or else risk losing millions of dollars in federal funds.</p>
<p>However, 16 months since those letters were issued, all but one of the jurisdictions has either received or been cleared to receive funds, <a href="https://www.apnews.com/cbb6091bebd94f56889ceef6c3899460">the Justice Department confirmed to the Associated Press</a>. What’s going on? We will analyze on tonight’s No Spin News.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Poll: GOP Majority Sees Trump Held to Higher Standard</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/harrisx-presidential-standard-republicans/2019/03/04/id/905420/">A recent poll from The Hill and HarrisX</a> suggests that about two-thirds of Republican voters believe that President Trump is being held to a higher standard than his presidential predecessors,</p>
<p>Of course, most Democrats feel the opposite is true. Overall, voters were almost evenly split on whether Trump is held to a higher or lower standard.</p>
<ul>
<li>38 percent said Trump is held to a lower standard.</li>
<li>37 percent said Trump is held to a higher standard.</li>
<li>19 percent said Trump is held to the same standard. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>67 percent of Republicans think Trump is held to a higher standard.</li>
<li>15 percent of GOP voters think he is held to a lower standard.</li>
<li>14 percent of Democrats think Trump is held to a higher standard.</li>
<li>60 percent of Democrats think he is held to a lower standard.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>House Dems Looking at Trump’s Communications with Putin</strong></p>
<p>Top House Democrats Adam Schiff (CA), Elijah Cummings (MD), and Eliot Engel (NY) –– chairs of the House Intel, House Oversight, and House Foreign Affairs Committees, respectively – have requested documents from the White House on communications between President Trump and Vladimir Putin.</p>
<p>They also want to speak to White House employees, including translators, who have been part of their communications.</p>
<p>In January, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-has-concealed-details-of-his-face-to-face-encounters-with-putin-from-senior-officials-in-administration/2019/01/12/65f6686c-1434-11e9-b6ad-9cfd62dbb0a8_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.c80633287086">the Washington Post ran a report relying on anonymous sources</a> which said Trump has gone to “extraordinary lengths to conceal details of his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.”</p>
<p>Meanwhile, on Monday <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/432582-white-house-democrats-not-after-the-truth-in-investigations">the White House blasted Democrats for their series of document requests</a>. Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) opened a "disgraceful and abusive investigation" into allegations she said were already covered by special counsel Robert Mueller and Congress.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Trump's New Attorney General Won't Recuse Himself in Mueller Probe</strong></p>
<p>Attorney General William Barr said he won’t recuse himself from being in charge of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, a major development affecting the fate of the politically charged probe into President Donald Trump.</p>
<p>“Following General Barr’s confirmation, senior career ethics officials advised that General Barr should not recuse himself from the special counsel’s investigation. Consistent with that advice, General Barr has decided not to recuse,” <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/barr-recuse-mueller/2019/03/04/id/905435/">said Kerri Kupec, a Justice Department spokeswoman.</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Cohen’s Lawyer Asked Trump For Pardon: Report</strong></p>
<p>An attorney representing Michael Cohen broached the idea of a pardon for the longtime Trump associate during a conversation last year with lawyers for the president,<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/lawyer-for-cohen-approached-trump-attorneys-about-pardon-11551753372"> The Wall Street Journal reported Monday.</a></p>
<p>In his testimony, Cohen said he has "never asked for, nor would I accept, a pardon from Mr. Trump."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>FEC Complaint: Alexandria Ocasio Cortez Chief of Staff Violated Campaign Finance Law</strong></p>
<p>Looks like New York. Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her multimillionaire chief of staff apparently violated campaign finance law. <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ocasio-cortezs-millionaire-chief-of-staff-violated-fec-rules-to-hide-885g-fec-complaint-alleges">A complaint filed Monday with the FEC and obtained by Fox News</a> alleges her chief of staff worked to funnel nearly $1 million in contributions from political action committees he established, to private companies that he also controlled. That’s not allowed.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Hillary Clinton: 'I'm not running' in 2020 </strong></p>
<p>Hillary Clinton ruled out a 2020 presidential run for the first time on camera in an exclusive interview with News 12.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hillary Clinton rules out the 2020 presidential run <a href="https://t.co/m3jGf8SXOb">https://t.co/m3jGf8SXOb</a> <a href="https://t.co/r6VT90gKYQ">pic.twitter.com/r6VT90gKYQ</a></p>
— RT (@RT_com) <a href="https://twitter.com/RT_com/status/1102935546245058560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p> </p>
<p>"I'm not running, but I'm going to keep on working and speaking and standing up for what I believe," <a href="http://westchester.news12.com/story/40067049/im-not-running-hillary-clinton-rules-out-2020-bid-for-first-time-on-camera-in-exclusive-interview-with-news-12">she told News 12's Tara Rosenblum</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Multiple States Sue Trump Admin Over Abortion Restriction Rule</strong></p>
<p>California and other Democrat-led states are going to court to block the Trump administration’s policy that bars taxpayer-funded health-care providers like Planned Parenthood from referring pregnant women for abortion services. </p>
<p>The administration’s new policy “prohibits the use of Title X funds to perform, promote, refer for, or support abortion as a method of family planning,” according to a fact sheet published by the Department of Health and Human Services.</p>
<p>A multi-state lawsuit, brought mostly by Democratic-controlled states, is set to be filed Tuesday in federal court in Eugene, Oregon, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/trump-abortion-california-restriction/2019/03/04/id/905408/">the New York attorney general’s office said in a statement</a>.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Higher Ed: Colleges add Cannabis to the Curriculum</strong></p>
<p>Nearly 300 students are majoring in “medicinal plant chemistry,” a four-year degree at Northern Michigan University, <a href="https://www.apnews.com/111fc6b22d4f4301bceaa6f4576b98be">The Associated Press reported Monday</a>.</p>
<p>The area of study was first introduced about two years ago - and other colleges have since launched similar programs. Ohio State University, Harvard and Vanderbilt each already offer classes focused on marijuana policy.</p>
<p>The professor who proposed the major told the AP that students in the program at Michigan won't grow marijuana, but will learn how to measure and extract medical compounds from plants like and apply those skills to marijuana.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>More Headlines</strong></p>
<p>Russia <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-withdraws-from-nuclear-missile-treaty-11551713037">Suspends Nuclear Missile Treaty With U.S.</a></p>
<p>North Korea Still Using Uranium-Enrichment Facility, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/north-korea-still-using-uranium-enrichment-facility-u-n-agency-says-11551728932">U.N. Agency Says</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-dems-plan-to-introduce-resolution-condemning-anti-semitic-comments-amid-omar-controversy">House Dems plan to introduce resolution condemning anti-Semitic comments</a> amid Omar controversy</p>
<p>Chicago could soon have as many as <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/chicago-could-soon-have-as-many-as-5-democratic-socialists-on-its-city-council">5 democratic socialists on city council</a></p>
<p>Justice Ginsburg’s recovery prescription: <a href="https://apnews.com/a3de2762a73b45848befd231169ee4af">Plenty of opinions</a></p>
<p>Ben Carson <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/432574-ben-carson-says-he-will-step-down-after-trumps-first-term-ends">will step down after Trump's first term</a></p>
<p>Rand Paul: <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/432572-rand-paul-says-at-least-10-gop-senators-are-">'at least' 10 GOP senators are ready to vote against Trump's emergency declaration</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11940">UCLA student group demands millions for black student center</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-metro-homicides-surge-february-nypd-20190304-story.html">Homicides in NYC up 37% so far this year, driven by stunning 50% spike in February</a></p>
<p> </p>
<strong>One Last Thing -</strong> We are on watch for the Mueller Report, but no one knows what it is going on regarding the timeline of its release. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/OReilly:-What-to-Expect-from-the-Mueller-Report/620645062286004481.html">Check out Bill’s Talking Points Memo on what to expect from the Mueller Report</a>– and check back here because Bill will post No Spin analysis ASAP after details of the report becom
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-03-05T15:25:00ZTrump Approval UP Amid Media Attacks; House Launches Probe into Trump ObstructionBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Approval-UP-Amid-Media-Attacks;-House-Launches-Probe-into-Trump-Obstruction/632549400060561038.html2019-03-04T16:58:00Z2019-03-04T16:58:00Z<p><strong>House Committee Launches Probe into Trump Obstruction, Suggests ‘Enormous,’ ‘Direct’ Evidence</strong></p>
<p>The House Judiciary Committee will seek documents from over 60 people and organizations as it begins investigations into possible obstruction of justice and abuse of power by President Donald Trump, <a href="http://news.trust.org/item/20190303144708-i4sem">the panel's chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) said on ABC this Sunday</a>, as part of the panel’s investigation into “obstruction of justice, corruption and abuse of power.”</p>
<p>“Tomorrow, we will be issuing document requests to over 60 different people and individuals from the White House to the Department of Justice, Donald Trump Jr., Allen Weisselberg, to begin the investigations to present the case to the American people about obstruction of justice, corruption and abuse of power,” Nadler told ABC’s “This Week.”</p>
<p>"It's very clear that the president obstructed justice," he said.</p>
<p>"Before you impeach somebody, you have to persuade the American public that it ought to happen," he said.</p>
<p>Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) said on Sunday said there are "enormous amounts of evidence" linking the Trump campaign to Russia — on the same day that House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said there is "direct evidence" of collusion between the two.</p>
<p>"There’s no one that could factually say there’s not plenty of evidence of collaboration or communications between Trump Organization and Russians," said Warner.</p>
<p>He did say that he'd be withholding full judgment until the Senate Intelligence Committee <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mark-warner-says-theres-enormous-evidence-of-russia-trump-collusion">finishes its investigation into the 2016 presidential campaign</a>. </p>
<p>On Sunday, House Intel Chair Adam Schiff told CBS that he believes "there is direct evidence in the emails from the Russians through their intermediary offering dirt on Hillary Clinton as part of what is described in writing as the Russian government effort to help elect Donald Trump."</p>
<p>“They offer that dirt. There is an acceptance of that offer in writing from the president’s son, Don Jr., and there is overt acts and furtherance of that… That to me is direct evidence," said Schiff.</p>
<p><strong> </strong><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Trump's Job Approval Up 3 Points Since January</strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump’s approval rating has gone up three percentage points since January to 46 percent, according to a NBC News/ Wall Street Journal poll released on Sunday.</p>
<p>His disapproval stands at 52 percent, down from 54 percent in January.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/5756864-19062-NBCWSJ-February-Poll.html">Other results from the survey include</a>:</p>
<ul>
<li>Sixty percent of rural residents support the job the president is doing, as do 60 percent of whites without college degrees.</li>
<li>Among men, 54 percent approve of Trump’s performance, as well as 54 percent of whites overall.</li>
<li>Eighty-eight percent of African Americans and 64 percent of Latinos disapprove of the president.</li>
<li>Sixty-one percent of women and 57 percent of those 34 years old and younger do not approve of Trump’s performance.</li>
<li>Fifty-five percent of whites with college degrees disapproved of the president, as well as 51 percent of independents.</li>
</ul>
<p> According to this same poll, Americans are least favorable toward a presidential candidate who’s a socialist or older than 75.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Trump Suggests Cohen Hearing Possibly Contributed to NK Summit Result</strong></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">For the Democrats to interview in open hearings a convicted liar & fraudster, at the same time as the very important Nuclear Summit with North Korea, is perhaps a new low in American politics and may have contributed to the “walk.” Never done when a president is overseas. Shame!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1102373344987496448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p> </p>
<p>Trump initially blamed North Korea for demanding too much sanction relief - which would only come with total denuclearization. Trump said he simply “had to walk away” from the table. </p>
<p><strong><strong>Rand Paul Pens Op-Ed – “I Support President Trump, but I can’t Support this Emergency Declaration”</strong></strong></p>
<p>Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said that he will vote against President Trump's national emergency declaration to fund a wall along the southern border, potentially setting up the first veto of Trump’s presidency.</p>
<p>Speaking at the Southern Kentucky Lincoln Day Dinner on Saturday, he said that he cannot "vote to give extra-constitutional powers to the president."</p>
<p>“I can’t vote to give the president the power to spend money that hasn’t been appropriated by Congress. We may want more money for border security, but Congress didn’t authorize it. If we take away those checks and balances, it’s a dangerous thing," he said.</p>
<p>He also wrote an <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/sen-rand-paul-i-support-president-trump-but-i-cant-support-this-national-emergency-declaration">op-ed for Fox News published Sunday evening</a>. </p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>AOC Makes No Excuse for Her Own Huge Carbon Footprint</strong></p>
<p>The N.Y. Post ran a cover story over the weekend blasting Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), for repeated "hypocrisy" of her own significant carbon footprint.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Post put the fact that I get into cars (while proposing a plan to invest in better car technology) on their front page 😂<br /><br />Pack it up folks, the Pulitzer’s been decided. No one can rival this kind of hard-hitting journalism <a href="https://t.co/007iOcpyz2">https://t.co/007iOcpyz2</a></p>
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) <a href="https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1102235167723274240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p>The freshman Congresswoman pushing the Green New Deal responded via Twitter on Saturday night, she has no shame in "living in the world."</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I also fly ✈️ & use A/C<br /><br />Living in the world as it is isn’t an argument against working towards a better future.<br /><br />The Green New Deal is about putting a LOT of people to work in developing new technologies, building new infrastructure, and getting us to 100% renewable energy. <a href="https://t.co/DZGE1WwLbn">https://t.co/DZGE1WwLbn</a></p>
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) <a href="https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1102021054363586561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p> </p>
<p>The Post's report that got to the Green New Deal activist chronicled excessive campaign spending on car rides <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/aoc-carbonfootprint-greennewdeal/2019/03/03/id/905233/">when the subway could have been used to practice what she preaches</a>.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>MORE HEADLINES</strong></p>
<p>Anonymous NYT Report: Trump Complains <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/03/us/politics/trump-daily-intelligence-briefing.html">“My Generals Don’t Understand Business”</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/hillary-clinton-defeat-blames-voting-rights/2019/03/03/id/905239/">Hillary Blames 'Voting Rights' Decision for Her Defeat</a></p>
<p><a href="https://dailycaller.com/2019/03/02/covington-sandmann-lawyer-wapo-editors-note/">“BARELY WORTH COMMENT:”</a> Covington Student’s Lawyer Blasts WaPo Editor’s Note: Too Little Too Late</p>
<p>29 parents deported & separated from their children by U.S. <a href="https://thehill.com/latino/432409-nearly-30-parents-separated-from-children-last-year-and-deported-reenter-us-asking-to">seek to be reunited</a></p>
<p>Most Sanctuary Cities Still Enjoy Federal Funding<a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/03/03/sanctuary-cities-still-receiving-funds/"> … Despite Trump Threats</a></p>
<p>N.J. college invites students to <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11930">'White Fright,' 'Rethinking Masculinity'</a> forums</p>
<p>Despite NYC’s Positive Outlook On Crime Numbers, <a href="https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2019/03/02/nypd-reports-murders-rapes-2019/">NYPD Reports Murders & Rapes Soaring In 2019</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
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FOBillOReilly.com Staff2019-03-04T16:58:00ZTrump Goes Off-Script at CPAC, Calls Mueller Probe 'Bull----,' Sanders Vows to Defeat 'Dangerous' Trump at Brooklyn RallyBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Goes-Off-Script-at-CPAC-Calls-Mueller-Probe-Bull-----Sanders-Vows-to-Defeat-Dangerous-Trump-at-Brooklyn-Rally/-210977417151237580.html2019-03-03T14:48:00Z2019-03-03T14:48:00Z<p><strong>Trump Goes Off-Script at CPAC, Calls Mueller Probe “Bull----"</strong></p>
<p>President Trump denounced Democrats as the party of "the socialist nightmare" (echoing <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Woke-Nightmare/941561042519509664.html">Bill’s latest column “The Woke Nightmare”</a>) and took on his "sick," ''lunatic" and "dirty" opponents.</p>
<p>“You know I’m totally off script right now and this is how I got elected, by being off script. And if we don’t go off script, our country’s in big trouble, folks, because we have to get it back.”</p>
<p>He also talked about the Green New Deal, saying the Democrats should definitely run with that idea, to raucous laughter:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">'Is The Wind Blowing Today?' Trump Mocks Green New Deal During CPAC Address <a href="https://t.co/mNmqlQPSpH">pic.twitter.com/mNmqlQPSpH</a></p>
— Online Video Creator (@GeoBeats) <a href="https://twitter.com/GeoBeats/status/1101908413783646210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
<p>You can watch the full speech, which clocks in at just over 2 hours, right here:</p>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o8pIAOxEvYU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Sanders Officially Launches Campaign, Vows to Defeat ‘Dangerous’ Trump at Brooklyn Rally</strong></p>
<p>Bernie Sanders officially kicked off his campaign Saturday with a rally in his native Brooklyn, New York.</p>
<p>"Thank you for being part of a campaign which is not only going to win the Democratic nomination, which is not only going to defeat Donald Trump, the most dangerous president in modern American history ... I want to welcome you to a campaign which says, loudly and clearly, that the underlying principles of our government will not be greed, hatred and lies," Sanders said. "It will not be racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia and religious bigotry."</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">“I want to welcome you to a campaign which says loudly and clearly that the underlying principles of our government will not be greed, hatred and lies,” Sen. Bernie Sanders says in Brooklyn rally kicking off his 2020 bid for president. <a href="https://t.co/khOtAc1cQq">https://t.co/khOtAc1cQq</a> <a href="https://t.co/cmReyyUhgW">pic.twitter.com/cmReyyUhgW</a></p>
— CNN (@CNN) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNN/status/1101911855444963329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Trump to Sign Executive Order Requiring Colleges to Support Free Speech on Campus </strong></p>
<p>“Today I am proud to announce that I will be very soon signing an executive order requiring colleges and universities to support free speech if they want federal research dollars,” <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/trump-to-sign-executive-order-requiring-colleges-universities-to-support-free-speech-on-campus">the president said at his CPAC speech.</a></p>
<p>“If they want our dollars, and we give it to them by the billions, they’ve got to allow people like Hayden and many other great young people and old people, to speak, free speech,” said Trump. “If they don’t, it will be very costly. That will be signed very soon.”</p>
<p>Trump was referring to Hayden Williams, the conservative activist from Turning Point USA who was <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/uc-berkeley-police-arrest-suspect-in-campus-attack-on-conservative-activist">punched in the face at UC Berkeley last month.</a></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>NBC News/WSJ poll: 2020 race will be uphill for Trump, but he has strong party loyalty</strong></p>
<p>According to a new poll from NBC News/WSJ, just 4 in 10 voters say they would re-elect Trump next year, 58% don’t think he has been truthful about the Russia probe, and 60% disapprove of his National Emergency.</p>
<p>However, the president enjoys a high approval rating among the Republican Party, and Americans remain confident in the economy, both working in Trump’s favor.</p>
<p>“It’s a 45-55 against the president at this stage of the game,”<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/meet-the-press/nbc-news-wsj-poll-2020-race-will-be-uphill-trump-n978331"> said Democratic pollster Peter Hart.</a></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>U.S. Hits Debt Ceiling</strong> </p>
<p>The U.S. officially hit its debt ceiling Saturday.</p>
<p>Congress had suspended the debt ceiling in February 2018, and it went back into effect Saturday. According to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/debt-ceiling-hit-national-debt-22-trillion-trump-congress-fall-deadline-2019-3">a report released by the Congressional Budget Office</a>, the deadline to raise or extend the ceiling can be pushed to the fall, setting up another potentially nasty battle in Congress. </p>
<p>If the debt ceiling is breached, it would have disastrous consequences for the US's credit rating, the global economy, and stock markets around the world, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/debt-ceiling-hit-national-debt-22-trillion-trump-congress-fall-deadline-2019-3">according to the report from Business Insider</a>.</p>
<p><strong> </strong><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Laura Ingraham: The Rise of Socialism is Trump’s Gain</strong></p>
<p>Astute analysis from “The Ingraham Angle” (that name has a nice ring to it!) –</p>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3EnJvYGjI38" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<p> </p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Don Lemon Thinks this may be the worst Black History Month ever</strong></p>
<p>He credits “blackface, the N-word, call for the return of the KKK” this February. </p>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/24qwYVfk1JA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>MORE HEADLINES</strong> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/02/us/new-york-fentanyl-heroin-raid/index.html">DEA: Fentanyl Bust in NY Finds Enough to Kill 2 MILLION People</a></p>
<p>U.S, South Korea end Military Drills <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/us-south-korea-end-spring-military-drills-to-back-diplomacy">in Olive Branch to North Korea</a> </p>
<p>Roseanne Goes <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/roseanne-barr-calls-metoo-founders-hos-says-kamala-harris-slept-her-way-to-the-bottom">Off the Rails…</a></p>
<p>Op-ed from Lt. Col. Tony Shaffer: <a href="https://thehill.com/opinion/international/432343-donald-trump-puts-past-presidents-to-shame-with-north-korea-policies">Donald Trump puts past presidents to shame with North Korea policies</a></p>
<p>Pentagon Sends Congress Proposal for <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/space-force-military-service-budget-2019-3">New Space Force</a> with 15,000 Troops</p>
<p>Top House Dems want to Subpoena Sean Hannity to Testify Before Congress. <a href="https://www.theblaze.com/news/sean-hannity-cohen-cicilline-testify-congress?">Here’s why.</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/02/us/winter-weather-wxc/index.html">More than 52 million people under winter weather alerts</a> – stay warm out there!</p>
<p> </p>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-03-03T14:48:00ZTrump Returns Home to Another Accusatory NYT Report; Pelosi Goes Off, Won't Commit to Green New Deal VoteBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Returns-Home-to-Another-Accusatory-NYT-Report;-Pelosi-Goes-Off-Wont-Commit-to-Green-New-Deal-Vote/-1806269421594312.html2019-03-01T15:32:00Z2019-03-01T15:32:00Z<p><strong>Trump Returns Home to Another Accusatory NYT Report</strong></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great to be back from Vietnam, an amazing place. We had very substantive negotiations with Kim Jong Un - we know what they want and they know what we must have. Relationship very good, let’s see what happens!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1101464443114921984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p>President Trump landed just after 8p in D.C. Thursday night after returning home from Vietnam with no denuclearization deal yet in place with North Korea. </p>
<p>Just in time for the New York Times to drop another long-winded report littered with anonymous sources and lazy reporting. </p>
<p>“<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/28/us/politics/jared-kushner-security-clearance.html">Four people briefed on the matter</a>” told the New York Times that “President Trump ordered his chief of staff to grant his son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, a top-secret security clearance last year, overruling concerns flagged by intelligence officials and the White House’s top lawyer.”</p>
<p>This contradicts what Trump told the NYT directly last month, that he had no involvement in his son-in-law receiving clearance.</p>
<p>Now that collusion looks to be off the table, the left is scrambling to come up with anything.</p>
<p><strong><br /><br />Nancy Pelosi Won’t Commit to Green New Deal Vote</strong></p>
<p>“I can’t say we’re going to take that and pass it because we have to go through our checks and balances of it with our committee chairs and the rest,” the California Democrat said when asked about the Green New Deal during a Howard University lecture series. </p>
<p>“We welcome all the enthusiasm that people want to put on the table, and the Green New Deal is one of them, but we have to operate in a way that’s evidence-based, current in its data,” <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pelosi-commit-vote-on-green-new-deal">Pelosi said</a>.</p>
<p>As Bill put it last night, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Insane-Coverage-of-Cohens-Testimony;-Pelosi-Backs-Reparations-for-Slavery;-New-College-Course-on-Marxism/544187503356326122.html">Pelosi is not smart – but she is shrewd</a>.</p>
<p>In a closed-door meeting with Congressional Democrats, she reportedly said, “<a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/02/28/nancy-pelosi-house-democrats-1195854">This is not a day at the beach. This is the Congress of the United States</a>,” - so STOP voting with Republicans.</p>
<p>For her part, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortex warned she is keeping a list of Democrats who vote with Republicans. She plans to <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ocasio-cortez-moderate-democrats-who-vote-with-republicans-are-putting-themselves-on-a-list">send it around to progressive activists</a> to help them get moderates voted out of office – mobilizing the Twitter mob – that is the cycle.</p>
<p><strong> <br /></strong></p>
<p><strong>Axios Outlines Democrats’ Post-Mueller Plan</strong></p>
<p>Axios has published a comprehensive overview of how Democrats plan to take the baton from Robert Mueller once his investigation winds down, likely with no “grand finale” as many Democrats were hoping.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-am-8e32f553-953e-40a3-8e22-55a0c1eb207c.html">That outline is here and it is worth a read</a>. It outlines how Congress will call from Trump family members and workers to testify.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Insane-Coverage-of-Cohens-Testimony;-Pelosi-Backs-Reparations-for-Slavery;-New-College-Course-on-Marxism/544187503356326122.html">As Bill said last night</a>, Trump should advise his entire family and all employees of his organization to plead the fifth, since the continued investigations are clearly just to harm him.</p>
<p>Axios also just <a href="https://www.axios.com/economic-inequality-dog-parks-chicago-6e998cae-f6ec-4c3c-ab17-ba8be7e6cc2c.html">published a study of inequality through dog parks</a> so maybe take the above with a grain of salt.</p>
<p> <strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Biden Thinks Trump Did The Right Thing in Vietnam, Says Pence is a “Decent Guy" – Quickly Backtracks</strong></p>
<p>"The president did the right thing by walking away," Biden said while speaking at the University of Nebraska, the <a href="https://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/federal-politics/biden-calls-for-u-s-to-lead-again-in-omaha/article_50c21dde-3a09-5080-83ed-785647a482da.html">Lincoln Journal-Star</a> reported Thursday. "But diplomacy matters; preparation matters. The president treats everything like it's a real estate deal."</p>
<p>Biden said that he hopes that Trump "learned a very important lesson."</p>
<p>Biden also referred to Mike Pence as a “decent guy” at another event, sparking outrage from the Twitter mob, led by actress turned failed NYC gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoeBiden</a> you’ve just called America’s most anti-LGBT elected leader “a decent guy.”<br /><br />Please consider how this falls on the ears of our community. <a href="https://twitter.com/DrBiden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrBiden</a> <a href="https://t.co/Cw2beknTj7">https://t.co/Cw2beknTj7</a></p>
— Cynthia Nixon (@CynthiaNixon) <a href="https://twitter.com/CynthiaNixon/status/1101253381522243584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p> </p>
<p><strong>Cuomo Begs Amazon to Come Back to NYC</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/28/nyregion/amazon-hq2-nyc.html">The New York Times is reporting</a> that Andrew Cuomo is trying to get Amazon to come back to New York City by calling top executives, including the richest man in the world, Jeff Bezos.</p>
<p>Cuomo us not happy with the Ocasio-Cortezes of the world and plans to have a group of city leaders publish an open letter in the Times asking them to come back.</p>
<p>"Governor Cuomo will take personal responsibility for the project's state approval," the letter read,<a href="https://int.nyt.com/data/documenthelper/640-amazon-ad-nyt/23be553f1bef2065302d/optimized/full.pdf%22%20%5Cl%20%22page=1"> according to a version of the letter published by the Times in advance on Thursday.</a></p>
<p> <strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Stratfor: Why an Abrupt Finale to the Trump-Kim Summit Won't Kill Negotiations</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>The second Trump-Kim summit ended suddenly and prematurely, reportedly due to an impasse over what North Korea was willing to trade for sanctions relief, along with other issues related to Pyongyang's weapons program, according to Washington. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>This, however, does not presage a return to the escalating tests and tensions that preceded the 2018 rapprochement, as progress and negotiations at a lower level are likely to continue. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>In the wake of this summit breakdown, China and South Korea will move quickly to try to put the U.S.-North Korea relationship back on track and sustain diplomatic dialogue. </li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/why-abrupt-finale-trump-kim-summit-wont-kill-negotiations-us-north-korea">Read Stratfor’s Report Here.</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>George H.W. Bush's service dog Sully has a new job at Walter Reed</strong></p>
<p>The former president's companion has been reassigned to care for wounded veterans at Walter Reed Military Medical Center.</p>
<p><a href="https://apnews.com/9b7601a221414ff8bb273f9cf4e739e8">This line from the AP</a>: Sully offered his paw as he was administered an oath <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WRNMMC/videos/vb.295857217111107/585577821957910/?type=2&theater">streamed</a> on Facebook to “support, comfort and cheer warriors and their families.”</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sully H.W. Bush, Labrador Retriever (2 y/o), America’s VetDogs, Smithtown, NY • “Sully was President George H.W. Bush’s service dog...(continue reading in note) <a href="https://t.co/rrH3LE2KEK">pic.twitter.com/rrH3LE2KEK</a></p>
— The Dogist (@thedogist) <a href="https://twitter.com/thedogist/status/1101296356440793088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>MORE HEADLINES</strong></p>
<p>U.S. hunting for bin Laden's son, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/u-s-hunting-bin-laden-s-son-will-pay-1m-n978001">will pay up to $1M for info on his whereabouts</a></p>
<p>UNICEF Report: Measles Levels Alarmingly High – <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/28/health/global-measles-increase-unicef-intl/index.html">2019 Measles Deaths already higher than all of 2018</a></p>
<p>Man accused of faking own kidnapping <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47414530">to avoid Super Bowl bet</a></p>
<p><a href="https://phys.org/news/2019-03-evidence-planet-wide-groundwater-mars.html">First evidence of planet-wide groundwater system on Mars</a></p>
<p>The Gap splits into 2 companies,<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-gap-stocks/gap-shares-surge-25-percent-as-wall-street-praises-split-idUSKCN1QI4NY"> shares rise 25%</a></p>
<p><a href="https://gizmodo.com/twitter-is-experimenting-with-a-hide-tweet-feature-to-h-1832978335">Twitter 'Experimenting' With a Hide Tweet Feature to Help Make the Site Less Awful</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>ICYMI: Bill’s New Column “The Woke Nightmare”</strong></p>
<p>Bill talked about the column last night – watch that below and <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Woke-Nightmare/941561042519509664.html">read the column exclusively on BillOReilly.com</a>.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">My new column called “The Woke Nightmare” describes the radical left’s intrusion into our political system.<br /><br />Backlash is coming – it is just a matter of time. <a href="https://t.co/ez1d9RGJNR">pic.twitter.com/ez1d9RGJNR</a></p>
— Bill O'Reilly (@BillOReilly) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly/status/1101496484783099904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-03-01T15:32:00ZTrump-Kim Summit Ends Abruptly - with No Agreement; Pelosi Seemingly On Board with Reparations for SlaveryBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Kim-Summit-Ends-Abruptly---with-No-Agreement;-Pelosi-Seemingly-On-Board-with-Reparations-for-Slavery/127730762342279357.html2019-02-28T14:12:00Z2019-02-28T14:12:00Z<p><strong>Trump-Kim Summit Ends Abruptly - No Denuclearization Agreement</strong></p>
<p>President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s second summit ended without any agreement Thursday.</p>
<p>“Sometimes you have to walk,” Trump said at a solo press conference following the summit.</p>
<p>Trump said the sticking point was sanctions, which Kim wanted lifted before taking all steps the United States was asking of him. </p>
<p>Despite the outcome, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-wasnt-prepared-to-lift-us-sanctions-on-north-korea-leading-to-abrupt-end-to-summit">Trump said the summit was "very productive."</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span></strong><strong>Trump: Cohen Lied about Everything but ONE Thing</strong></p>
<p>President Trump blasted Michael Cohen’s testimony before Congress -but did say he was “a little impressed” his former personal lawyer said there was “no collusion” between the Trump campaign and Russia.</p>
<p>“It was pretty shameful, I think,” said Trump, who said he tried to watch as much of the hearing as he could.</p>
<p>“But it was very interesting because <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/431960-trump-blasts-cohen-but-impressed-with-collusion-comments">he didn’t lie about one thing</a>. He said no collusion with the Russian hoax,” Trump continued. “I mean, he lied about so many different things. I was actually impressed that he didn’t say, ‘well I think there was collusion for this reason or that.’”<br /><br /><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Pelosi Seemingly On Board with Reparations for Slavery</strong></p>
<p>Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said Wednesday she supports a bill that would establish a commission to study and consider reparations for African-Americans regarding slavery.</p>
<p>Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) reintroduced the bill last year and it currently has 35 co-sponsors.</p>
<p>“As you probably are aware, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee has legislation to study this issue, and I support that,” <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/431857-pelosi-says-she-supports-bill-to-study-issue-of-reparations-for-slavery">Pelosi said in response to a question about reparations during an event at Howard University</a> in Washington, D.C.</p>
<p>"We have to reduce the disparity in income in our country, we have to reduce the disparity in access to education in an affordable way in our country, reduce the health disparities in our country … so while we’re studying how we deal with the reparations issue, there’s plenty we can do to improve the quality of life of many people in our country,” she said.</p>
<p> <strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Report: North Korea Treatment of Christians Getting WORSE</strong></p>
<p>A new report suggests North Korea's treatment of Christians is getting worse, with people of the faith who live in the reclusive nation resorting to praying in the bathroom or hiding under blankets on Sundays to worship in their homes.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/world/trump-kim-summit-christian-persecution-in-north-korea-worsening-as-talks-begin-group-says">According to Fox News</a>, the summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is happening in Vietnam as Christians continue to be persecuted in North Korea.</p>
<p>A group called Open Doors USA exposed the Christian crackdown, which has resulted in North Koreans being imprisoned for simply practicing their faith.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Ocasio-Cortez questions Cohen on Trump tax documents, assets</strong></p>
<p>Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., a member of the House Oversight Committee, asked Michael Cohen yesterday if Trump had intentionally devalued his real estate assets to reduce his tax bills, to which Cohen replied, "Yes."</p>
<p>"What you do is, you deflate the value of the asset and then you put in a request to the tax department for a deduction," said Cohen when Ocasio-Cortez asked how Trump attempted to reduce his tax burden. </p>
<p>"And would it help for the committee to obtain federal and state tax returns from the president and his company to address that discrepancy?" Ocasio-Cortez asked.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ocasio-cortez-questions-cohen-on-trump-tax-documents-assets">"I believe so," Cohen answered.</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Kamala Harris fundraises off Cohen testimony</strong></p>
<p>Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) sent out an email blast to supporters saying Cohen’s testimony was evidence that Trump has eroded key political institutions. </p>
<p> “Since Trump was elected, public trust in our democracy and institutions has been completely decimated. He has proven to be a threat to the very foundation of our country. If we’re going to correct course and get back on the right track, we need to fight like hell to elect a President who will speak truth,” Harris campaign manager Juan Rodriguez wrote in the email.</p>
<p>He added that <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/431918-harris-fundraises-off-cohen-testimony">the campaign is not on pace to hit its February fundraising goal.</a></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/431918-harris-fundraises-off-cohen-testimony"> </a></p>
<p><strong><strong>O'Rourke Says He's Decided on 2020, Will Announce Plans Soon</strong></strong></p>
<p>Beto O'Rourke says he has made up his mind about a 2020 presidential run and will announce his intentions "soon."</p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/us-election-2020-beto-orourke/2019/02/27/id/904737/">He said in a statement Wednesday</a> that he and his wife, Amy, "have made a decision about how we can best serve our country" and are "excited to share it with everyone soon."</p>
<p>A group raising money for an O'Rourke presidential run has announced the creation of a "Beto Alert" which will use emails and texts once O'Rourke decides to "mobilize supporters right away."<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong>China Infiltrating U.S. Education System in Propaganda Coup</strong></p>
<p>The Chinese government has infiltrated nearly every sector of the U.S. education system via a package of programs and monetary schemes that seek to indoctrinate American children and bring the Communist government's propaganda into the classroom, <a href="https://freebeacon.com/national-security/china-infiltrating-u-s-education-system-in-propaganda-coup/">according to a new report by a Senate investigatory body.</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Happiest and Healthiest States, Ranked</strong></p>
<p>Hawaii once again takes over the No. 1 spot on the Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index released on Wednesday — the seventh time it has topped the list since the rankings began in 2008. <a href="https://www.today.com/health/happiest-healthiest-states-us-ranked-t149455">Check out the full list here.</a> </p>
<p>TOP 5 HAPPIEST STATES:</p>
<p>1. Hawaii</p>
<p>2. Wyoming</p>
<p>3. Alaska</p>
<p>4. Montana</p>
<p>5. Utah</p>
<p>TOP 5 UNHAPPIEST STATES:</p>
<p>50. West Virginia</p>
<p>49. Arkansas</p>
<p>48. Kentucky<br /><br />47. Mississippi</p>
<p>46. Tennessee</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>MORE HEADLINES</strong></p>
<p>The Hollywood Reporter Suggests <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/02/27/hollywood-reporter-smollett-fake-crime/">“Hollywood Stress” to Blame for Smollett’s Hoax</a> …!</p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/ms-13-members-reportedly-seeking-to-hit-nypd-police-officers-living-in-parts-of-long-island">MS-13 members seeking to ‘hit’ NY police officers</a> living in parts of Long Island: report</p>
<p>Two democratic socialists win <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/431915-two-democratic-socialists-win-spot-on-chicago-city-council-as-three-more">spots on Chicago city council</a>, three headed to run-offs</p>
<p>Report: DC attorney general <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/431890-dc-attorney-general-subpoenas-trump-inaugural-committee-report">subpoenas Trump Inaugural Committee</a></p>
<p>American Univ. pumping DOZENS of millions into diversity<a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11924">...per year</a></p>
<p>UMN offers <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11923">'relevance' of Marxism</a> course</p>
<p> </p>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-02-28T14:12:00ZTrump, Kim Begin Summit with Smiles; House votes to overturn Trump's Emergency DeclarationBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Kim-Begin-Summit-with-Smiles;-House-votes-to-overturn-Trumps-Emergency-Declaration/-148730941171034694.html2019-02-27T13:26:00Z2019-02-27T13:26:00Z<p><strong>Trump, Kim Jon Un Begin Summit with Smiles</strong></p>
<p>I think it’ll lead to a wonderful, really a wonderful situation long term,” Trump said, sitting beside Kim at the dinner table, <a href="https://www.apnews.com/59ce7efa8b9f4dfa9fcf366c9cb607e3">according to the AP</a>.</p>
<p>Kim, who spoke through an interpreter, told Trump he was “confident that we can achieve great results that everyone welcomes.”</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Democrat Controlled House votes to overturn Trump's emergency declaration</strong></p>
<p>House Democrats <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/431722-house-votes-to-overturn-trump-emergency-declaration">voted unanimously to pass legislation Tuesday to block President Trump’s emergency declaration</a> at the southern border. 13 Republicans joined Democrats to vote to block the declaration.</p>
<p>The one-page resolution would terminate Trump’s emergency declaration, preventing the administration from extending the U.S.-Mexico border wall using funds previously allocated for other programs.</p>
<p>The vote marks the first time Congress has taken formal action to block a presidential emergency declaration since the power was created in the National Emergencies Act of 1976.</p>
<p>The GOP led Senate is expected to vote soon. If it passes the Senate, Trump has said he will veto it, the first of his presidency. The House could potentially overturn that veto but they would need more than 13 Republicans to join their ranks.</p>
<p>Here are the 13 Republicans who voted for the measure to block Trump's declaration:</p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Rep. Justin Amash (Mich.)</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.)</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Rep. Mike Gallagher (Wis.)</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (Wash.)</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Rep. Will Hurd (Texas)</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Rep. Dusty Johnson (S.D.)</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Rep. Thomas Massie (Ky.)</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Wash.)</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Rep. Francis Rooney (Fla.)</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (Wis.)</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Rep. Elise Stefanik (N.Y.)</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Rep. Fred Upton (Mich.)</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Rep. Greg Walden (Ore.)</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"> </div>
<p><strong>Michael Cohen: Trump a 'conman,' 'racist' who knew Stone talked with WikiLeaks</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/431758-cohen-to-deliver-scathing-testimony-allege-trump-knew-stone-talked">The Hill obtained a copy of Michael Cohen’s prepared remarks</a> that he is expected to deliver before the House Oversight and Reform Committee on Wednesday.</p>
<p>In it, he calls President Trump a "conman," a "racist" and a "cheat."</p>
<p>"I am ashamed because I know what Mr. Trump is. He is a racist. He is a conman. He is a cheat. He was a presidential candidate who knew that Roger Stone was talking with Julian Assange about a WikiLeaks drop of DNC emails," Cohen says in the prepared remarks. </p>
<p>"A lot of people have asked me about whether Mr. Trump knew about the release of the hacked Democratic National Committee emails ahead of time. The answer is yes," he continues.</p>
<p>White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, “It’s laughable that anyone would take a convicted liar like Cohen at his word, and pathetic to see him given yet another opportunity to spread his lies,” in a statement released Tuesday.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Biden: “Major” Republican Donors Want to Help my 2020 Campaign</strong></p>
<p>Major Republican donors encouraged former Vice President Joe Biden to run against President Donald Trump in 2020<a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/02/26/joe-biden-2020-republican-donors/">, Biden said Tuesday in an interview</a> with historian Jon Meacham at the University of Delaware’s Biden School.</p>
<p>Biden said, “the people who are usually the biggest donors in the Democratic Party” and “some major Republican folks” have already offered to help fund his 2020 presidential campaign. Biden has not yet announced whether he will run but is expected to do so shortly.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Kamala Harris insists Trump is racist</strong></p>
<p>2020 presidential hopeful Kamala Harris doubled down on Tuesday<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/kamala-harris-calls-for-decriminalizing-sex-work-insists-trump-is-racist"> in labeling President Trump a racist.</a></p>
<p>Interviewer Terrell Jermaine Starr asked Harris, “Is President Trump a racist?”</p>
<p>“Well look, when you talk about his statement [responding to the violence protests in Charlottesville, Virginia], when you talk about him calling African countries ‘s---hole’ countries, when you talk about him referring to immigrants as racists and murderers, I don’t think you can reach any other conclusions,” Harris said.</p>
<p>Starr asked Harris again if she “definitely” agreed that the president was a racist.</p>
<p>“I do, yes. Yes.” Harris said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Trust in Media Hits Rock Bottom – 60% think sources pay for stories</strong></p>
<p>Confidence in the media has hit rock bottom, with many news consumers believing that reporters file their reports before knowing the facts and 60 percent are under the impression that sources pay for stories, <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/washington-secrets/trust-in-media-hits-bottom-60-percent-say-sources-pay-for-stories">according to a depressing new survey of American journalism</a>.</p>
<p>The press now leads institutions for which the public has the lowest confidence – used to be Congress</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Trump, Jr Pens. Op-Ed:Media Prove They Don’t Care About Violence Against Trump Supporters</strong></p>
<p>Whenever I open my mouth about the outrageous bias of our national news media, liberal journalists always seem to jump at the opportunity to prove me right.</p>
<p>When I went on “Fox and Friends” Monday to talk about the Jussie Smollett hoax, for instance, I pointed out how ridiculous it was for the actor to claim he was attacked by two men in MAGA hats on the streets of Chicago. I made a joke about how no one wore MAGA hats in downtown Chicago because they would get shot in “two seconds.”</p>
<p><a href="https://amgreatness.com/2019/02/26/media-proves-my-point-again/#.XHW7_Hp4Oz8.twitter">Read the full column on AM Greatness.<br /><br /></a></p>
<p><br /> <strong>US Denied 37k Visas in 2018 Due to Travel Ban</strong></p>
<p>The State Department denied tens of thousands of visa applications last year as a result of President Trump's travel ban, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-ban/u-s-denied-tens-of-thousands-more-visas-in-2018-due-to-travel-ban-data-idUSKCN1QF2KF">Reuters reports</a>.</p>
<p>The department refused 37,000 visa applications because of the travel ban, mostly affectING people from the Muslim-majority countries Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen.</p>
<p>According to Reuters, the data released Tuesday was the first far-reaching look at the effects of the travel ban. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>MORE HEADLINES</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Harvard Poll: <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/us/presidential-approval-rating-harvard-harrisx/2019/02/26/id/904518/">Trump Approval Unchanged in February</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/431668-thousands-of-migrant-children-were-allegedly-abused-in-us-custody-documents">Thousands of migrant children allegedly sexually assaulted while in US custody</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>US Seeks Vote on UN Resolution to <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/united-nations-venezuela-aid/2019/02/26/id/904534/">Allow Aid into Venezuela</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>GOP Candidate in Disputed NC Race <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/markharris-northcarolina-election/2019/02/26/id/904492/">Won't Run in New Election</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>UW-Madison <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11914">compares migrant crisis to Nazi Germany</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>REPORT: UT spent over <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11916">100k in student fees on ‘Sex Week’ since 2013</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Report: <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/school-districts-funding-report/2019/02/26/id/904488/">Majority-White Schools Get $23B More Than Non-White</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.breitbart.com/environment/2019/02/25/global-warming-los-angeles-has-coldest-february-in-60-years/">Los Angeles Has Coldest February in 60 Years</a></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-02-27T13:26:00ZMichael Cohen to Publicly Flog Trump; Senate Democrats Vote to Protect InfanticideBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Michael-Cohen-to-Publicly-Flog-Trump;-Senate-Democrats-Vote-to-Protect-Infanticide/381088329484763612.html2019-02-26T14:55:00Z2019-02-26T14:55:00Z<p><strong>Jason Chaffetz: Michael Cohen Hearings Only Purpose to Publicly Flog Trump</strong></p>
<p>Writing an op-ed for FoxNews.com, former House Rep Jason Chaffetz outlines what to expect in Michael Cohen’s testimonies this week: a public flogging of Trump during his meeting with Kim Jong Un in Vietnam.</p>
<p>“Aside from the obvious question of why Democrats are wasting time on someone with a history of lying to them,” Chaffetz writes, “there is a bigger question. How can they justify <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/jason-chaffetz-michael-cohen-hearings-only-purpose-is-to-publicly-flog-trump-during-meeting-with-kim-jong-un" target="_blank">a hearing that is clearly outside the scope of the committee's broad jurisdiction</a>?”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Senate Democrats Vote to Protect Infanticide</strong></p>
<p>Senate Democrats blocked a Republican bill that would have threatened prison for doctors who don't try saving the life of infants born alive during abortions.</p>
<p>Supporters on the right say the measure presents lawmakers with <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/us-congress-abortion/2019/02/25/id/904318/">an easy moral choice</a>.</p>
<p>"I want to ask each and every one of my colleagues whether or not we're OK with infanticide," said the measure's sponsor, Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb).</p>
<p>The vote was the latest effort by Mitch McConnell to put Democratic abortion-rights lawmakers in an uncomfortable position. All Democrats running for president in 2020 voted against the bill.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">You MUST be kidding me! Dems vote to protect infanticide, and THIS is Politico's headline: "Senate defeats anti-abortion bill, as GOP tries to jam Dems." <a href="https://t.co/wv0lmIHWbT">https://t.co/wv0lmIHWbT</a> Read that again. GOP jams Dems. On what sounds like a run-of-the-mill anti-abortion bill. GOP POUNCES!</p>
— Quin Hillyer (@QuinHillyer) <a href="https://twitter.com/QuinHillyer/status/1100218273101172737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Rise in Pro-Life Democrats</strong></p>
<p>The number of Democrats who say they’re pro-life rose 14 percent between January and February, <a href="http://www.kofc.org/un/en/resources/communications/americans-opinions-on-abortion.pdf">according to a Marist Poll released Sunday night.</a></p>
<p>Americans are split down the middle on abortion, with 47 percent identifying as pro-life and 47 percent identifying as pro-choice.</p>
<p>“Current proposals that promote late-term abortion have reset the landscape and language on abortion in a pronounced – and very measurable — way,” Marist Poll Director Barbara Carvalho said in a press release.</p>
<p>Could be one of the effects of the radical ideas currently on display by the Democrat Party. We'll run it down on tonight's No Spin News. </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span></strong><strong>Univision anchor Jorge Ramos, team detained, released in Venezuela, network says</strong></p>
<p>Univision anchor (and former Factor guest) Jorge Ramos - and five members of his team - <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/world/univision-anchor-jorge-ramos-team-detained-released-in-venezuela-network-says">were detained and later released in Caracas, Venezuela</a> by President Nicolas Maduro during an interview on Monday in which the president "didn't like the questions" he was being asked.</p>
<p>Ramos said Maduro cut the interview short when the anchor showed him footage of children picking through garbage in the street.</p>
<p>The Venezuelan president "became upset with the line of questioning and ordered the seizure of the video and Univision equipment, including TV and phones, as well as the detention of the journalists," Univision reported.</p>
<p>"He didn't like the things we were asking, about the lack of democracy in Venezuela, the torture of political prisoners, about the humanitarian crisis that they are living," Ramos said upon his release.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Attention: A <a href="https://twitter.com/Univision?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Univision</a> team, headed by <a href="https://twitter.com/jorgeramosnews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jorgeramosnews</a>, is being arbitrarily detained at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas. They were interviewing <a href="https://twitter.com/NicolasMaduro?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NicolasMaduro</a> but he didn't like the questions. Their technical equipment was also confiscated. <a href="https://t.co/c45tB0E4er">https://t.co/c45tB0E4er</a></p>
— Univision News (@UnivisionNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/UnivisionNews/status/1100193338634964993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p> </p>
<p><strong>Russian TV lists Nuclear Targets in U.S.</strong></p>
<p>Russian state television has listed U.S. military facilities that Moscow would target in the event of a nuclear strike, and said that a <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-nuclear-russia/after-putins-warning-russian-tv-lists-nuclear-targets-in-u-s-idUSKCN1QE1DM">hypersonic missile Russia is developing would be able to hit them in less than five minutes.</a></p>
<p>The targets included the Pentagon and the presidential retreat in Camp David, Maryland.</p>
<p>The United States has dismissed Putin’s words as disingenuous propaganda.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>2020 Hopeful Julián Castro Defends Push for Reparations </strong></p>
<p>2020 presidential candidate Julián Castro is one of three candidates who have backed the idea of reparations for descendants of slaves – and he doubled down on his support Monday.</p>
<p>“I have long believed that this country should resolve its original sin of slavery and that one of the ways we should consider doing that is through reparations for people who are the descendants of slaves,” Castro said on MSNBC.</p>
<p>“It is interesting to me that under our Constitution and otherwise that we compensate people if we take their property. Shouldn’t we compensate people if they were property sanctioned by the state? So, I believe that that is a conversation worth having, and I see that as right and wrong and I don’t see that political or non-political.”</p>
<p>He outlined how <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/julian-castro-defends-reparations-stance-compensate-people-who-were-property">he would establish a “task force” to determine how reparations would be paid out.</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span></strong><strong>AOC Ponders If It's Ethical to Have Kids Amid Climate Crisis</strong></p>
<p>In a long, winding live stream on her Instagram page, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., suggested it might not be ethical to have children, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-aoc-children-birth-rate/2019/02/25/id/904291/">given the problems climate change will likely cause in the years to come.</a></p>
<p>"There's scientific consensus that the lives of children are going to be very difficult – and it does lead young people, I think, to have a legitimate question: Is it OK to still have children?" she asked.</p>
<p>"Even if you don't have kids, there are still children still here, and we have a moral obligation . . . to leave a better world for them . . . a lack of urgency is going to kill us." </p>
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/08/global-warming-must-not-exceed-15c-warns-landmark-un-report">A report from the UN</a> predicts we have about 12 years to limit or reverse the effects of climate change before its impact causes unmanageable drought, floods, extreme heat, and life-threatening weather events. <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-25/group-sees-ocasio-cortez-s-green-new-deal-costing-93-trillion">The Green New Deal would cost an estimated $93 trillion.</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span></strong><strong>Manafort Asks for Leniency in Mueller Case</strong></p>
<p>Paul Manafort, the troubled political consultant who once led Donald Trump's presidential campaign, asked a federal judge for leniency Monday. He could be facing life in prison.</p>
<p>His lawyers say he was merely a wealthy consultant who committed <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/us-trump-russia-probe-manafort/2019/02/25/id/904338/">"garden variety" crimes</a> by illegally lobbying for Ukrainian interests and hiding millions from the IRS.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Poll: Most registered voters want jail time for people filing false hate crime reports</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/hilltv/what-americas-thinking/431445-poll-59-percent-of-americans-believe-people-who-make-false-hate">In a Hill-HarrisX poll released Monday</a>, 59 percent respondents said that the penalty for making up hate crimes should be jail time.</p>
<p>Thirty-one percent said the penalty should be a fine while 2 percent said there should be no penalty. Nine percent of them said they weren't sure what the sentence should be.</p>
<p>The findings come after actor Jussie Smollett claimed to be a victim of a hate crime in Chicago.</p>
<p>The majority of Republican respondents in the survey, 70 percent, said a prison sentence should be the penalty for making a false hate crime report. Fifty-six percent of independents also recommended jail time while 53 percent of Democrats agreed. Independent and Democratic voters were the most likely to say they were unsure about how people convicted of making fake hate crimes should be sentenced.</p>
<p>Older Americans were the most likely to favor jail time for people convicted of making false hate crime reports, the poll found.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span></strong><strong>MORE HEADLINES</strong></p>
<p>Trump announces <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2019/02/25/politics/donald-trump-daniel-burch-yemen-hostage/index.html">recovery of American hostage in Yemen</a></p>
<p>Americans' <a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/247064/americans-perceptions-world-image-best-2003.aspx">Perceptions of U.S. World Image Best Since 2003</a></p>
<p>'Unconscious bias tour' asks students to <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11909">'check their bias'</a> by signing a pledge</p>
<p>Hollywood Stars <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/thewire/chris-pratt-justin-bieber-kylie-jenner-selena-gomez/2019/02/25/id/904224/">Under Attack for Attending Church</a></p>
<p>Robin Roberts says there were <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/02/25/gma-roberts-smollett-hate-crime/">“Red Flags” in Smollett Case</a>…why didn’t she ask him about them?</p>
<p>Bernie Sanders donations continue to pour in – <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/431519-nearly-40-percent-of-sanders-2020-donors-used-email-address-never">40% apparently from new donors<br /><br /><br /></a></p>
<p><strong>No Spin News Preview (subject to change!)</strong></p>
<p>Tonight’s Guest: Christopher Metzler , Ph.D., author of <em>Divided We Stand: The Search for America’s Soul. </em>Mr. Metlzer is an immigrant who came from Grenada and is now an American citizen. He will talk about the divide in our nation, where it began, and how we can move forward with a strong sense of unity.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-02-26T14:55:00ZPresident Trump Touts Progress in Asia Ahead of North Korea Summit; Plans July 4 Bash in D.C.BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/President-Trump-Touts-Progress-in-Asia-Ahead-of-North-Korea-Summit;-Plans-July-4-Bash-in-D.C./-248455787583630315.html2019-02-25T16:23:00Z2019-02-25T16:23:00Z<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">President Trump Touts Progress in Asia Ahead of 2<sup>nd</sup> North Korea Summit</span></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump spent Sunday morning reflecting on the success of ongoing meetings in China and looking forward to his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. </p>
<p>In a series of early morning Sunday tweets, President Trump seemed happy with the progress being made in Asia, even questioning whether denuclearization was a possibility going into his second U.S.-North Korea Summit <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/02/24/trump-previews-second-north-korea-summit/">which will take place this week in Hanoi, Vietnam</a>.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Very productive talks yesterday with China on Trade. Will continue today! I will be leaving for Hanoi, Vietnam, early tomorrow for a Summit with Kim Jong Un of North Korea, where we both expect a continuation of the progress made at first Summit in Singapore. Denuclearization?</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1099654763531055104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2019<br /><br /></a></blockquote>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></strong><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Trump Plans July 4 Bash in D.C.</span></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump will be hosting a July Fourth celebration at the Lincoln Memorial. Trump promises his "A Salute to America" celebration will be one of the city's biggest Independence Day gatherings -- ever.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">HOLD THE DATE! We will be having one of the biggest gatherings in the history of Washington, D.C., on July 4th. It will be called “A Salute To America” and will be held at the Lincoln Memorial. Major fireworks display, entertainment and an address by your favorite President, me!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1099651121088466946?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
<p>The White House has not provided any additional details, including how the celebration will fit in to the other annual events, like the evening concert on the Capitol's West Lawn or the traditional holiday parades.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">LA Times Op-Ed: Rename John Wayne Airport Over '71 Racist Remarks</span></strong></p>
<p>John Wayne's 1971 Playboy interview is leading to a call for an airport bearing his name to be renamed, as Michael Hiltzik wrote in an L.A. Times op-ed.</p>
<p>"With a lot of blacks, there's quite a bit of resentment along with their dissent, and possibly rightfully so," Wayne told Playboy in 1971. "But we can't all of a sudden get down on our knees and turn everything over to the leadership of the blacks.</p>
<p>"I believe in white supremacy until the blacks are educated to a point of responsibility. I don't believe in giving authority and positions of leadership and judgment to irresponsible people."</p>
<p>Those comments should force Orange County to take Wayne's name off its airport, <a href="https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-hiltzik-john-wayne-oc-airport-20190221-story.html">according to Hiltzik in the Times.</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span></strong><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Spike Lee ‘furious’ that ‘Green Book’ Won Best Picture</span></strong></p>
<p>Spike Lee, the famed director whose “BlacKkKlansman” won best adapted screenplay lat night, apparently tried to storm out of the theater after “Green Book" won the award for best picture. “BlacKkKlansman” was also nominated for best picture.</p>
<p>Lee compared the "Green Book" win to a referee making "the wrong call." At the event he was visibly angry and threw his arms up in disgust. He along with a few others did not applaud the winner.</p>
<p>Lee eventually <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/spike-lee-furious-when-green-book-won-best-picture-oscar-attempted-to-storm-out-of-theater">found his way back to his seat</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Maya Rudolph Take on Trump’s Wall in Oscars Opener</span></strong></p>
<p>The Oscars opted to go with no host this year - since no one wanted to go up against the Twitter Mob - but comediennes Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Maya Rudolph opened up the show with some jokes of their own - and could not resist throwing politics into the mix.</p>
<p>“Good evening and welcome to the one millionth Academy Awards,” Fey said.</p>
<p>Rudolph clarified a few things about the ceremony: “There is no host tonight. There won’t be a popular movie category, and Mexico is not paying for the wall.”</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hollywood just couldn't have its biggest night without taking a dig at <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realdonaldtrump</a>. <br /><br />Maya Rudolph takes a swing at a favorite talking point for Democrats lately. <a href="https://t.co/Yt8L1duWlh">https://t.co/Yt8L1duWlh</a> <a href="https://t.co/2yx7NC30kz">pic.twitter.com/2yx7NC30kz</a></p>
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) <a href="https://twitter.com/dcexaminer/status/1099848979892920320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2019<br /><br /></a></blockquote>
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<p><strong><span><span><br />Schiff: Dems 'absolutely' will take DOJ to court over Mueller report if necessary</span></span></strong></p>
<p>House Intel Committee Chairman Adam Schiff insisted on Sunday that he's willing to take the Justice Department to court over Mueller's forthcoming report on the Russia investigation, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/schiff-dems-absolutely-take-doj-to-court-over-mueller-report-if-necessary">which sources tell Fox News is wrapping up</a>.</p>
<p>"We will obviously subpoena the report," Schiff told George Stephanopoulos on ABC. "We will bring Bob Mueller in to testify before Congress; we will take it to court if necessary. And in the end, I think the department understands they're going to have to make this public."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>New Mexico governor says she withdrew border troops because there was no 'real emergency'</strong></p>
<p>New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D)says she pulled National Guard troops from the southern border because there is no “real emergency.”</p>
<p>During a Sunday appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation, Grisham said, “as everyone ought to be doing, I was on the border, and <a href="https://thehill.com/latino/431352-new-mexico-governor-says-she-withdrew-border-troops-because-there-was-no-real">I’m looking and assessing whether or not there’s a real emergency or a crisis, and there isn’t</a>…. And the reality is these troops need to be available when there is a serious issue or an emergency to deal with.”</p>
<p>Grisham ordered the troop withdrawal Feb. 5 after Trump ordered National Guard troops to the border to provide extra security.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Kamala Harris on if America Can Afford Expensive Green New Deal: ‘It’s Not About Cost’</strong></p>
<p>On CNN’s Inside Politics this Sunday, host John King aired portions of interviews with Democratic 2020 hopefuls in Iowa. </p>
<p>Rather than directly answering how America can afford the price tag that comes with parts of the Green New Deal, Harris said “It’s not about a cost.”</p>
<p>“The question should be, is it worth the cost in terms of the investment potential?” she said. “Are we going to get back more than we put in?”</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is a great answer from <a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KamalaHarris</a> on the Green New Deal and Medicare for All. <a href="https://t.co/4f02e8vj18">pic.twitter.com/4f02e8vj18</a></p>
— Waleed Shahid (@_waleedshahid) <a href="https://twitter.com/_waleedshahid/status/1100044617649668096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Mueller Tells Judge That Manafort 'Brazenly' Broke the Law</strong></p>
<p>Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team told a U.S. judge on Saturday that President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort "repeatedly and brazenly" broke the law, and argued <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/us-trump-russia-probe-manafort/2019/02/23/id/904035/">he did not deserve leniency at sentencing</a>.</p>
<p>The recommendation from Mueller increases the likelihood that Manafort will spend the rest of his life behind bars. He is due to be sentenced on March 13.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>MORE HEADLINES</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.bloombergquint.com/politics/u-s-tax-refunds-plunge-17-as-treasury-ratchets-up-defense">U.S. Tax Refunds Plunge 17% according to the IRS</a></p>
<p>Report: <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/unconstitutional-military-draft-women/2019/02/24/id/904114/">Court Rules Male-Only Draft Unconstitutional</a> </p>
<p>VIDEO: Conservative <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11898">punched in the face</a> at Berkeley</p>
<p>UC Berkeley employee elated by violence against conservative; made him feel “<a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11901">emotionally so much better</a>.”</p>
<p>Emory University hosts ‘<a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11907">abortion as a moral good</a>’ lecture</p>
<p>CAMPUS REFORM REPORT: UC-San Francisco tries to bridge diversity gap <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11907">by shelling out millions</a></p>
<p>NASA concerned as <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/science/nasa-concerned-as-iceberg-twice-the-size-of-new-york-city-is-about-to-break-off-from-antarctica">iceberg twice the size of New York City</a> is about to break off from Antarctica</p>
<p><strong><br /></strong><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">And if you’re not already – FOLLOW BILL ON TWITTER!</span></strong></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">No high-profile progressive person who condemned Trump supporters after the bogus Jussie Smollett story has apologized.<br /> <br />Not one famous person who convicted Brett Kavanaugh of heinous crimes without a shred of supporting evidence, has said ‘maybe that was wrong.’</p>
— Bill O'Reilly (@BillOReilly) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly/status/1099307901485670400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-02-25T16:23:00ZJussie Smollett Dropped from Empire; Dems Back Reparations for Slavery Ahead of 2020BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Jussie-Smollett-Dropped-from-Empire;-Dems-Back-Reparations-for-Slavery-Ahead-of-2020/-541571815693506856.html2019-02-22T16:30:00Z2019-02-22T16:30:00Z<p><strong>House will Vote on Blocking Trump’s National Emergency</strong></p>
<p>Democrats in the House have introduced a resolution to block President Trump’s National Emergency, and will schedule a vote for Tuesday, <a href="https://www.axios.com/house-democrats-block-trump-national-emergency-border-wall-0e44a601-8864-4b30-b659-c0fef810d7ce.html">House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.</a></p>
<p>If it passes the Democratic House, the Senate will be forced to vote on it, putting everyone on record. This could also lead to the first “veto” of Trump’s presidency.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Dems Back Reparations for Slavery Ahead of 2020</strong></p>
<p>Senators Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren have both signaled that they support reparations for black Americans ahead of the 2020 election.</p>
<p>A report by the New York Times of all places outlines the movement for reparations. Senator Kamala Harris was asked whether she supported the idea on a podcast and later, and reaffirmed it to NYT:</p>
<p>"We have to be honest that people in this country do not start from the same place or have access to the same opportunities," <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/21/us/politics/2020-democrats-race-policy.html">Harris said in the statement to the Times.</a> <br /><br />"I’m serious about taking an approach that would change policies and structures and make real investments in black communities."</p>
<p>Senator Elizabeth Warren, who is likely finished because of her own issues surrounding race, has also said she supports reparations.</p>
<p>Bill talked about this on <a href=" https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Jussie-Smollett-Arrested;-Bookies-Have-Trump-as-2020-Favorite;-Funny-Guy-Adam-Carolla-on-Hollywood-Loons/-922314223643219612.html" target="_blank">last night’s No Spin News</a>:</p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>“The two senators, they want reparations given to African-Americans for slavery - which would cost trillions of dollars if that ever happened, because every African-American would have to get reparations – every one. Every person can trace their ancestry back to abuse. It’s incredible. What about Native Americans? If you start down this road, you never stop you never stop.<br /><br /> </em></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>Is that justice? It's pandering. I want you to be aware that that's coming down now - reparations by these nuts.”</em></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong> </strong></div>
<p><strong>Jussie Smollett Dropped from “Empire”</strong></p>
<p>Fox announced on Friday that Jussie Smollett has been suspended from his role on “Empire” after he was accused of paying to men to attack him. His character will not appear in the final two episodes of this season.</p>
<div>“While these allegations are very disturbing, we are placing our trust in the legal system as the process plays out. We are also aware of the effects of this process on the cast and crew members who work on our show and to avoid further disruption on set, we have decided to remove the role of Jamal from the final two episodes of the season,” <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2019/02/22/jussie-smollett-empire-fox-statement-staged-attack-career/2949135002/">said a statement from 20th Century Fox Television</a> that was attributed to the show's executive producers. </div>
<div> </div>
<p><strong>O’Reilly’s Latest Column: The Extreme Team</strong></p>
<p>In this week’s column, O’Reilly outlines an interesting conversation he had with the president’s son, Donald Trump, Jr., about his father and the rank hostility surrounding him. </p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>“I’m pretty damn conservative, but I have friends who are not. I used to be able to say, okay, I can put myself in their shoes and I can argue their side of the deal and do it pretty effectively. I can’t do that anymore, Bill.<br /><br /></em></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>“Post-term abortion, the black face (Virginia), there is no double standard they won’t blow out of the water.”</em></div>
<p><a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Extreme-Team/852809687703239894.html">Read the full column here.</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>“ISIS Bride” – Dad Suing Trump to Let her back into U.S.</strong></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I have instructed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and he fully agrees, not to allow Hoda Muthana back into the Country!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1098327855145062411?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
<p>The lawyer for Hoda Muthana, who joined the Islamic State group in Syria and now wants to return to the U.S., says he has evidence she's a U.S. citizen.</p>
<p>U.S. officials contend that isn't a citizen and has no legal basis to travel to the U.S.</p>
<p>Her father is filing a lawsuit to get her back into the country. <br /><br />Muthana "is willing to pay whatever debts she has to society” – even if it means serving a lengthy prison sentence, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/father-of-isis-wife-is-now-suing-trump-us-to-let-her-back-into-the-country">her family's lawyer told Fox News on Thursday</a>.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Trump Team Sees Muller Endgame</strong></p>
<p>Axios is reporting that <a href="https://www.axios.com/mueller-investigation-end-trump-team-4d0b703b-7870-46d0-acba-0b06a027e53e.html">President Trump’s team believes Robert Mueller will submit his report "imminently."</a></p>
<p>Muller’s team hasn’t spoken with Trump’ team in weeks, and many on Muller’s team have returned to their normal jobs. Once the repor is handed over, new AG Bill Barr will decide what will be made public – likely amid calls from Democrats to release the full report.</p>
<p> <strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Bernie Goldberg’s Latest: Being a Liberal Journalist Means Never Having to Say You’re Sorry</strong></p>
<p>In Chicago last year, 2948 people were shot; 561 were killed; almost all of the shooters and almost all of the victims were black. And the national news media yawned.</p>
<p>This wasn’t their kind of story. Black on black crime is not something that interests them. And it’s not only because in too many big American cities, it’s all too commonplace, amounting to a dog bites man story. No, there’s more to it than that.</p>
<p>Liberal journalists don’t like putting black people in a bad light, even if the black people in question are murderous thugs. White liberal guilt forbids it. Displaying good racial manners doesn’t allow it. So, by and large, they look the other way.</p>
<p>And then the <em>Empire </em>actor Jussie Smollett comes along to give journalists the kind of story they crave: a gay, black man minding his own business, just trying to get a sandwich on a bitter cold Chicago night, gets mugged by two white racists who put a noose around his neck and pour bleach on him while screaming racial and anti-gay slurs.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Being-a-Liberal-Journalist-Means-Never-Having-to-Say-Youre-Sorry/-345625859500452109.html">Read the full column here. </a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>MORE HEADLINES</strong></p>
<p>LISTEN: <a href="http://billoreilly.com/b/OReilly-on-Hannity:-NYT-Bogus-Report;-The-Washington-Post-in-Major-Trouble;-Bills-New-Book/-757571641511222024.html">O'Reilly on Hannity Radio - Bogus NYT Report; WaPo in Major Trouble; Bill's New Book</a></p>
<p>Justice Clarence Thomas says<a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/clarence-thomas-retirement/2019/02/22/id/903844/"> it is time for the Supreme Court to revisit a First Amendment precedent</a></p>
<p>North Carolina holding new election <a href="https://www.axios.com/north-carolina-election-board-fraud-9th-district-8afaa3a7-f008-4d64-ab77-568b1de6f656.html">amid evidence of ballot tampering</a></p>
<p>Judge Places <a href="https://www.axios.com/roger-stone-gag-order-5a4a381b-3f26-4f59-a61b-d76a5a7c9409.html">Full Gag Order on Roger Stone</a></p>
<p>Nike stock plummets <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/nike-share-price-zion-williamson-shoe-duke-blue-devils-north-california-stock-a8791476.html">after shoe rips on televised basketball game</a></p>
<p>From Thursday’s No Spin News: <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Adam-Carolla-on-the-Hollywood-Loons/234490556543065549.html">Adam Carolla on The Oscars, Hollywood Loons</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>And some suggested reading from the President this morning:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">A must read by <a href="https://twitter.com/KimStrassel?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KimStrassel</a>! <a href="https://t.co/Gfyrfpy55b">https://t.co/Gfyrfpy55b</a></p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1098976205238398976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-02-22T16:30:00ZPolice say Jussie Smollett Staged Attack; Bookies have Trump as 2020 Favorite - by FarBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Police-say-Jussie-Smollett-Staged-Attack;-Bookies-have-Trump-as-2020-Favorite---by-Far/-23709251972339421.html2019-02-21T17:10:00Z2019-02-21T17:10:00Z<p><strong><strong>Chicago police say Jussie Smollett staged his attack because he was 'dissatisfied with his salary'</strong></strong></p>
<p>“Smollett took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career," Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson said at a news conference Thursday morning.</p>
<p>Smollett was charged with one count of felony disorderly conduct for filing a false police report, punishable by up to three years in jail, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office said Wednesday evening.</p>
<p>Smollett is due in court today, <a href="https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/02/21/jussie-smollett-surrenders-disorderly-conduct-staged-attack/">and turned himself in hours after he was charged</a>.</p>
<p>President Trump took to Twitter Thursday morning to comment:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/JussieSmollett?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JussieSmollett</a> - what about MAGA and the tens of millions of people you insulted with your racist and dangerous comments!? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAGA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MAGA</a></p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1098615818512941057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p> </p>
<p><strong><br /></strong><strong>Bookies have Donald Trump as 2020 Favorite – By Far</strong></p>
<p>With twelve Democrats already in the ring for 2020, Donald Trump is still the favorite to win the election according to gambling bookies, with 3-2 odds.</p>
<p>Apparently, the entrance of Bernie Sanders into the race <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/washington-secrets/bookies-still-favor-trump-reelection-even-after-12-challengers-enter-2020-race">didn’t even budge the numbers.</a></p>
<p>Bill will break this down on tonight’s No Spin News.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>The Twitter Mob is FURIOUS: CNN Hires Jeff Sessions’ Former Spokeswoman! </strong></p>
<p>CNN announced Tuesday that they hired Sarah Isgur Flores, a former spokeswoman for Jeff Sessions to serve as a political editor, and the backlash from the Twitter Mob was intense and immediate, <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/02/20/cnn-sessions-sarah-isgur-flores-hired/">as The Daily Caller points out</a>.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is absolutely insane <a href="https://twitter.com/CNNPolitics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CNNPolitics</a>. Why on earth would you hire a right-wing hack to oversee political coverage in 2020? You just gave every Democrat in the country a reason to doubt your objectivity. <a href="https://t.co/bjRKPqAIm6">https://t.co/bjRKPqAIm6</a></p>
— Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) <a href="https://twitter.com/TVietor08/status/1097901833933094912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
<p>The addition of a Trump administration official seems to have set the far-left off – will CNN change course?</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Work begins on border wall in San Diego</strong></p>
<p>Construction has begun on the fifth border wall project of the Trump presidency. This will replace roughly 14 miles of barrier in San Diego, <a href="http://www.fox5ny.com/news/work-begins-to-replace-steel-mesh-layer-of-border-wall-in-san-diego">authorities said Tuesday</a>.</p>
<p>U.S. Customs and Border Protection says the first panels are ready to replace a steel-mesh fence with 30-foot-high steel bollards. The latest groundbreaking came three days after Trump declared a national emergency to build a wall along the southern border. </p>
<p>The ACLU filed their fourth legal challenge to the declaration on Tuesday.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Michael Cohen to Testify before House Oversight Panel Next Week</strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen will testify in a public hearing before a U.S. House of Representatives committee on Feb. 27, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/michael-cohen-testifying-house-oversight/2019/02/20/id/903609/">the panel's chairman said on Wednesday</a>.</p>
<p>"I am pleased to announce that Michael Cohen’s public testimony before the Oversight Committee is back on, despite efforts by some to intimidate his family members and prevent him from appearing," House Oversight and Reform Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings said in a statement.</p>
<p>Cohen had originally been scheduled to testify on Feb. 7.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></span></p>
<p><strong>Lawsuit Claims Trump Campaign NDAs are Unlawful</strong><br /><br />A former staffer on President Trump’s 2016 campaign filed a class action lawsuit trying to nullify the nondisclosure and nondisparagement agreements campaign workers signed before starting work with the campaign.</p>
<p>The lawsuit was filed by former staffer Jessica Denson and argues that the agreements - which the Trump campaign had staffers, volunteers and contractors sign – are unlawful. The agreements prohibit the signers from publicly criticizing or disparaging Trump, his family and his company, and bars them from disclosing private or confidential information.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/zoetillman/trump-campaign-nondisclosure-agreements-class-action-lawsuit">According to a report by BuzzFeed News</a>, the lawsuit could allow thousands of former staffers, volunteers, and contractors to talk publicly about their time on the campaign without fear of legal action.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Nike Unveils New Kaepernick Jersey After NFL Settlement</strong></p>
<p>Nike is selling a new Colin Kaepernick jersey now that the controversial former quarterback has settled his grievance with the National Football League.</p>
<p>"The Kaepernick Icon Jersey is a celebration of those who seek truth in their communities, and those who remain true to themselves," the product description reads. "Built with Dri-FIT technology, the jersey is made to keep you dry and comfortable wherever you go."</p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/nike-nfl-social-injustice-national-anthem/2019/02/20/id/903592/">The sports apparel company is offering the black jersey for $150</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Report: Americans Using Too Much Toilet Paper, Heating Planet</strong></p>
<p>A new research study says that Americans use more toilet paper than anyone else in the world, helping destroy the habitats of native people who live where it is sourced and contributing to global warming.</p>
<p>U.S. consumers account for a fifth of the world's tissue consumption, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/toilet-paper-stirring-climate-change/2019/02/20/id/903608/">according to the report by environmental groups Stand.earth and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)</a>.</p>
<p>The NRDC singled out big U.S. tissue producers Procter & Gamble Co., Kimberly-Clark Corp. and Georgia-Pacific for not using recycled content or alternative fibers.</p>
<p>"The average American consumer doesn't think about how their toilet paper is made," said Shelley Vinyard, a co-author of the report and campaign manager of the NRDC's boreal corporate campaign, on a conference call with members of the media.</p>
<p>Probably true.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span>2019’s Most Sinful States in America</span></strong></p>
<p>The website WalletHub compared 50 states across 43 key indicators of immorality. Do you agree with <a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/most-sinful-states/46852/" target="_blank">their list of the most sinful states in America</a>? <br /><br />Bill is not buying it - hear why on tonight's No Spin News. <br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong>MORE HEADLINES</strong></p>
<p>California has sued the Trump administration 46 times. <a href="https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/430863-california-has-sued-the-trump-administration-46-times-here-are-the">Here are the lawsuits</a></p>
<p>Poll: <a href="https://thehill.com/hilltv/what-americas-thinking/430797-hill-harrisx-poll-59-percent-oppose-trumps-emergency">59 percent oppose Trump's emergency declaration</a></p>
<p>Bernie Sanders <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/430885-bernie-sanders-to-pledge-he-plans-to-run-as-a-democrat">pledges he plans to run as a Democrat</a> (he is an Independent)</p>
<p>UMass Poll: <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/joe-biden-new-hampshire-democratic-primary-presidential-candidate/2019/02/20/id/903596/">Biden Leads the 2020 Pack</a></p>
<p>Ben Stein: AOC's <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/ben-stein-green-new-deal-aoc-bankrupt/2019/02/20/id/903605/">Green New Deal Would Bankrupt US</a></p>
<p>Nutty Johns Hopkins professors: <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11896">Police would 'decrease public safety'</a></p>
<p>Conservative students receive <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11889">death threats for wanting to 'Build the Wall'</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/celebrities-faith-god-church/2019/02/20/id/903603/">Report Cheers Celebrities Discussing Faith in God</a></p>
<p>Vandals go After Wrong Confederate Statue; <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/02/20/vandals-wrong-confederate-statue/">Burn WWII General’s Statue Instead</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-02-21T17:10:00ZAnother Day, Another Accusatory NYT Article; Twitter Mob Attacks... John Wayne?BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Another-Day-Another-Accusatory-NYT-Article;-Twitter-Mob-Attacks...-John-Wayne/-830091773784366765.html2019-02-20T14:40:00Z2019-02-20T14:40:00Z<p><strong> </strong><strong>NYT Goes “Inside Trump’s Two-Year War on the Investigations Encircling Him”</strong></p>
<p>Another day, another New York Times report accusing President Trump of obstructing justice.</p>
<p>If you can get through <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/19/us/politics/trump-investigations.html">this long-winded article</a>, not an easy task, you will learn that many invisible people allege Donald Trump was seeking a way to counter unproven charges against him but took no action. That’s what you will find out.</p>
<p>The President took to Twitter this morning to remind the folks…</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The New York Times reporting is false. They are a true ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1098218016255414272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Putin warns: Russia will target US with new weapons if it deploys missiles to Europe</strong></p>
<p>Speaking during his State of the Nation address Wednesday, Putin warned that <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/worldputin-warns-us-russia-will-target-us-with-new-weapons-if-it-deploys-missiles-to-europe">Russia will aim new missiles at the U.S. should it deploy new intermediate-range missiles in Europe.</a></p>
<p>Putin claimed the new missiles fly at nine times of the speed of sound and have a range of 620 mile - part of its ongoing effort to upgrade its defense against what it regards as an increasingly hostile U.S. </p>
<p>The announcement follows the U.S. recently withdrawing from an arms control pact. Our withdrawal was prompted by Putin violating the pact, which he denied in this speech.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Jussie Smollett Pleaded Guilty to Giving Officials FALSE INFORMATION in 2007</strong></p>
<p>“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett pleaded guilty for driving under the influence of alcohol, driving without a license, and giving law enforcement false information in 2007.</p>
<p>Smollett was sentenced to two years of probation, <a href="https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/Jussie-Smollett-2007-DUI-arrest-506058301.html?_osource=SocialFlowFB_PHBrand">the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office confirmed with NBC News Tuesday</a>.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Cook County state's Attorney Kim Foxx recused herself from the Jussie Smollett investigation on Tuesday, but it was not immediately clear why. First Assistant State's Attorney Joseph Magats will take over the case as acting state's attorney, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/cook-county-states-attorney-recuses-herself-from-jussie-smollett-case">Fox News has learned.</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>US Debt Hits $22 Trillion, New Record under Trump</strong></p>
<p>The national debt hit a <a href="https://news.yahoo.com/us-debt-hits-record-under-trump-republicans-mum-020620122.html">new record of $22 trillion</a> under President Donald Trump – expect that only to rise as we head into 2020, because Donald Trump needs the economy roaring, <a href="file:///b/Roger-Stones-Indictment-looks-Familiar%3B-Trumps-Wall-Strategy%3B-Calling-Howard-Schultzs-Bluff%3B-Actress-Raising-Her-Kids-Genderless/568398760580051184.html">as Bill laid out on the No Spin News earlier this month</a>: </p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>O’REILLY: </strong><em>Now, you Trump supporters out there, the president could not care less about this. He wants a strong economy, vibrant economy, he doesn't want any austerity measures in spending. He wants to let it fly. Now, his apathy towards this pales in the face of the far left, who want to double the spending at least, to give everybody everything.</em></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p><strong>Covington teen sues Washington Post for $250 million</strong></p>
<p>A Covington Catholic student sued the Washington Post for defamation on Tuesday, claiming the newspaper “vilified” him because he is white.</p>
<p>“The Post wrongfully targeted and bullied Nicholas because he was the white, Catholic student wearing a red ‘Make America Great Again’ souvenir cap on a school field trip to the Jan. 18 March for Life in Washington, D.C.,” the lawsuit claims.</p>
<p>The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Kentucky by Covington Catholic High School student Nicholas Sandmann, 16, seeks $250 million in damages - saying that was the amount Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon.com and the world’s richest person, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-covington-suit/teen-in-lincoln-memorial-protest-sues-washington-post-for-250-million-idUSKCN1Q82SW">paid for the Post in 2013</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Bernie Sanders Brings in $4M in Donations in First 12 Hours</strong></p>
<p>Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) presidential campaign <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/430690-sanders-campaign-reports-raising-4m-in-less-than-a-day">raised more than $4 million Tuesday in the 12 hours after it was announced</a>.</p>
<p>Sanders raised the money from about 150,000 individual donors across all 50 states, the campaign said in a press release. The average donation amounted to $27, mirroring that of the 2016 campaign.</p>
<p>That more than doubles Sen. Kamala Harris’ (D-Calif.) donations of $1.5 million in the first 24 hours after she announced her own presidential campaign. Harris had previously been the largest first-day fundraiser in the primary field.</p>
<p>Sanders entered what is already a crowded primary field, with a dozen Democrats already running, <a href="file:///b/Bernie-Sanders-Enters-2020-Race%3B-More-Liberal-States-Jump-on-Lawsuit-Bandwagon%3B-Ruth-Bader-Ginsburg-Back-on-the-Bench/400427785083165281.html">as Bill laid out on yesterday’s No Spin News</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Trump nominates Jeffrey Rosen to replace Rosenstein at DOJ</strong></p>
<p>President Trump announced he will nominate Jeffrey Rosen, the current deputy Transportation secretary, to be the next deputy attorney general.</p>
<p>Rosen would replace Rod Rosenstein, who oversees the Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation.</p>
<p>Rosenstein plans to leave the Department of Justice next month, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/rosenstein-plans-to-leave-justice-dept-next-month/2019/02/18/f94af3c4-33ee-11e9-af5b-b51b7ff322e9_story.html">according to the Washington Post.</a></p>
<div> </div>
<p><strong>Michael Cohen to give America a look into Trump Tower, and it's CHILLING,' says lawyer</strong></p>
<p>"He needs to tell his personal story to the American people," Lanny Davis, Cohen's attorney, <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/michael-cohen-plans-give-america-peek-trump-tower/story?id=61106078/">said in an interview for a new podcast called "The Investigation</a>," which is focused on the probe led by special counsel Robert Mueller.</p>
<p>"And when he does, you're going to hear personal, front-line experiences of memories, and incidents, and conduct, and comments that Donald Trump said over that 10-year time period behind closed doors that, to me when I first heard Michael tell me all this, even as much as I knew about Trump that was negative, was chilling."</p>
<p>Prepare to be chilled…!</p>
<p><strong><br /><br />MORE HEADLINES</strong></p>
<p>More than <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/more-than-12m-worth-of-meth-seized-in-texas-cbp-says">$12M worth of meth seized in Texas</a>, CBP says</p>
<p><a href="https://www.wcvb.com/article/vandals-spray-paint-metoo-on-statue-of-wwii-sailor-kissing-nurse/26411314">Vandals spray-paint '#MeToo' on statue of WWII sailor kissing nurse</a> after sailor dies at 95</p>
<p>Judge gives go-ahead to <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/judge-gives-go-ahead-to-lawsuit-aimed-at-stopping-chicago-obama-library">lawsuit aimed at stopping Obama’s Chicago Presidential Library</a></p>
<p>AP: Federal government shares terror watchlist <a href="https://apnews.com/ae4779a057c04947a332fce64f6cf345">with over 1000 private groups</a></p>
<p>Trump <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-administration-exploring-every-legal-option-to-reclaim-money-spent-on-defunct-california-high-speed-rail-project">'exploring every legal option'</a> to reclaim money from defunct California high-speed rail project</p>
<p>WSJ: Nearly 70 individuals in North Korea have been <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/kim-jong-un-purges-north-korean-elite-in-violent-crackdown-11550593810">exiled, jailed, or executed as part of a so-called anti-corruption campaign</a></p>
<p>Syracuse U: <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11888">U.S. Constitution is 'exclusionary' to some students</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: THE TWITTER MOB COMES AFTER…JOHN WAYNE</strong></p>
<p>Forty years after his death, John Wayne’s views on race and homosexuality have suddenly sparked a firestorm of tweets from users who believe his comments are somehow representative of America as a whole in the Trump era. <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/02/19/twitter-firestorm-1971-john-wayne-playboy/">The Daily Caller highlights the Twitter mob at work – and runs down some funny responses</a> like these: <br /><br /></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">John Wayne was only emboldened to say these terrible things because Donald Trump is president.</p>
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) <a href="https://twitter.com/benshapiro/status/1097905568964964352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><br />I wish John Wayne was still alive so he could laugh in the face of today’s weaklings, light up a Lucky Strike, and cruise away with their girlfriends.</p>
— Jesse Kelly (@JesseKellyDC) <a href="https://twitter.com/JesseKellyDC/status/1097968826224967680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2019<br /><br /></a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
Want a throwback? <a href="/quiz?action=viewQuiz&categoryID=1&quizID=1105" target="_blank">Take our American Patriot Quiz on John Wayne from back in 2016</a>.BillOReilly.com Staff2019-02-20T14:40:00ZSmollett May have staged Attack After Receiving Racist Letter; Obama Aides Hold Secret Meeting, 2020 AuditionsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Smollett-May-have-staged-Attack-After-Receiving-Racist-Letter;-Obama-Aides-Hold-Secret-Meeting-2020-Auditions/-26052842356163869.html2019-02-19T16:33:00Z2019-02-19T16:33:00Z<p><strong>Smollett May have staged Attack After Racist Letter Got Little Attention </strong></p>
<p><a href="https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/02/18/jussie-smollet-motive-staged-attack/">CBS Chicago reported Monday</a> afternoon that a racist letter - and the way the show handled it - could have been the motive behind a possible false claim by Smollett that he was attacked by two men in Chicago last month in the middle of the night.</p>
<p>"When the letter didn't get enough attention, he concocted the staged attack," an anonymous source told the station. The story was corroborated by others.</p>
<p>The Daily Mail is reporting that <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6720553/Jussie-Smolletts-scenes-Empire-cut.html">more than half of Smollett’s scenes on Empire have been cut</a>, and Page Six is reporting that Smollett previously <a href="https://pagesix.com/2019/02/18/jussie-smollett-attack-similar-to-plot-of-play-he-auditioned-for/">auditioned for a play with a plot very similar to the staged attack</a>. The truth will come out...</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Some Apologies over the Jussie Smollett Development</strong></p>
<p>● Cory Booker (on tape):</p>
<p>“"I’m gonna withhold until all the information actually comes out from on-the-record sources," the senator from New Jersey said after meeting with voters in Rochester, N.H. "We know in America that bigoted and biased attacks are on the rise in a serious way, and we actually even know in this country that since 9/11, the majority of the terrorist attacks on our soil have been right-wing terrorist attacks -- the majority of them white supremacist attacks."</p>
<p>"What we're seeing is attacks on people because they're different and we all need to join together and condemn those attacks and the hatred and the bigotry that sources them," Booker said.</p>
<p>● Nancy Pelosi:</p>
<p>Pelosi has deleted her tweet. Pelosi’s deputy chief of staff, Drew Hammill, confirmed that the tweet was intentionally taken down. “As the Speaker who passed the fully inclusive Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, we spoke out because this appeared to be a deeply troubling incident of violence motivated against vulnerable communities. Given the turn in the investigation, we decided to no longer amplify the original accusation. Following the conclusion of the ongoing investigation, we will comment further. We should all be united in fighting racism and homophobia.”</p>
<p>● Kamala Harris:</p>
<p>Speaking to reporters in Concord, New Hampshire, on Monday during her first 2020 presidential campaign trip here, Harris says that “the facts are still unfolding” and that while she is “very concerned” about Smollett’s initial allegation and that it should be taken seriously, “there should be an investigation.”</p>
<p>She says, “I think that once the investigation is concluded, then we should all comment, but I’m not going to comment until I know the outcome of that investigation.”</p>
<p>● Al Sharpton (on tape):</p>
<p>“If it is found that Smollett and these gentlemen did, in some way, perpetrate something that is not true, they ought to face accountability to the maximum. Let us get to the bottom of it, and let justice be done, no matter who is right or wrong.”</p>
<p>● City Council Speaker Corey Johnson:</p>
<p>Johnson apologized on Monday for calling the alleged attack on Jussie Smollett “an attempted modern-day lynching” — amid reports claiming it was all a hoax.</p>
<p>The openly gay Democrat walked back his comments on Jan. 30 blasting a New York Times story for describing the assault as a possible hate crime.</p>
<p>“‘POSSIBLE’ hate crime?” the 37-year-old tweeted. “This was an attempted modern-day lynching carried out by homophobic racists. PSA — please call racist things racist.”</p>
<p>On Monday he tweeted: “As a gay man, I was deeply disturbed with what I was reading. But the tweet was unfair to investigators and journalists who often need time to figure out the facts of a case. As you said, we still don’t know all of the answers. I apologize.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Obama Aides Hold Secret Meeting, 2020 Auditions</strong></p>
<p>Former President Barack Obama’s financial backers earlier this month secretly interviewed numerous 2020 presidential candidates to determine which one or two of them they should support monetarily, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/18/us/politics/obama-2020-democratic-candidates.html" target="_blank">The New York Times </a>reported on Monday.</p>
<p>Obama was not involved, but Obama’s former chief strategist David Axelrod confirmed that he briefed the group, but not as an official Obama emissary. He said he did not think the former president would endorse anyone, even if his Vice President Joe Biden entered the race, and that Obama did not believe it was up to him to determine the 2020 nomination, preferring instead that the primaries serve as a contest of ideas.</p>
<p>We wonder what Obama’s aides would say to Bernie Sanders, who just put his hat in the ring for another round:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I'm running for president. I am asking you to join me today as part of an unprecedented and historic grassroots campaign that will begin with at least 1 million people from across the country. Say you're in: <a href="https://t.co/KOTx0WZqRf">https://t.co/KOTx0WZqRf</a> <a href="https://t.co/T1TLH0rm26">pic.twitter.com/T1TLH0rm26</a></p>
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) <a href="https://twitter.com/BernieSanders/status/1097828878310096901?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>CBS’s Lara Logan Calls Media ‘Mostly Liberal’ in Scorched Earth Interview: I’m Committing ‘Professional Suicide’</strong></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">South African native Lara Logan says 85% of journalists in US are registered Democrats, and so the media is constituted by 'left or liberal or Democrat. She postulates how you know when you're being manipulated, and calls journalists propagandists <a href="https://t.co/NMw0mhgqiJ">pic.twitter.com/NMw0mhgqiJ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mapoli?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mapoli</a></p>
— First, they came for immigrants.. (@RWwatchMA) <a href="https://twitter.com/RWwatchMA/status/1097665167205240833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p> </p>
<p><strong>Cartel Ambushes Mexican Soldiers near Texas Border</strong></p>
<p>One Mexican solider is dead and two others are injured after a gunman open fired along a highway just south of Laredo, Texas. Citizen journalists using a Twitter account called La Voz Del Pueblo (“The People’s Voice”) warned people to stay away from the area with audio of the gunfire exchange.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="es" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OJO?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OJO</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NuevoLaredo?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NuevoLaredo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tamaulipas?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tamaulipas</a><br />. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Precauci%C3%B3n?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Precaución</a> <br />Agresión a elementos de la <a href="https://twitter.com/SEDENAmx?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SEDENAmx</a> a la altura del Km 22. Por parte de Sicarios Del Cártel Del Noreste (<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CDN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CDN</a>) <a href="https://t.co/xBWsTUFJkJ">pic.twitter.com/xBWsTUFJkJ</a></p>
— LaVozDelPueblo(Oficial) (@LPueblo2) <a href="https://twitter.com/LPueblo2/status/1096710888151642112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Ruth Bader Ginsburg says she's 'just fine' after health scares</strong></p>
<p>Ruth Bader Ginsburg returned to the bench Tuesday after undergoing surgery for lung cancer in late December. She missed some oral arguments but participated in the decisions of the cases she missed based on written briefs and transcripts.</p>
<p>She has been working hard with a trainer, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/02/19/695773628/ruth-bader-ginsburg-returns-to-supreme-court-bench-after-lung-cancer-surgery">walking over a mile a day and working out twice a week</a>.</p>
<p> <strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>MORE HEADLINES</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>The Hill: <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/430283-five-things-to-watch-as-barr-takes-the-reins-of-justice-mueller">Five things to watch as Barr takes the reins of Justice, Mueller probe</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Socialism alert: <a href="https://thehill.com/campaign-issues/healthcare/430499-warren-set-to-announce-plan-that-would-provide-universal-child">Warren set to announce plan for universal child care</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/430490-four-names-emerge-for-un-position-report">Four names emerge for UN position</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/heartbeat-bills-gaining-momentum-in-several-states">'Heartbeat' bills gaining momentum in several states</a>, including Kentucky and Mississippi</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Poll: <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/troops-military-national-emergency-immigration/2019/02/18/id/903225/">Troops Don't View Immigration as an Emergency</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Yale event <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11885">helps illegal immigrants find jobs</a></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Follow Bill on Twitter!</strong> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The media is now playing damage control as Jussie Smollett’s story unravels. But last week when the story broke, they were all, “yeah it happened, it happened.” <a href="https://t.co/wtTPkzJ07H">pic.twitter.com/wtTPkzJ07H</a></p>
— Bill O'Reilly (@BillOReilly) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly/status/1097845344178704384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-02-19T16:33:00ZJussie Smollett Case Takes a Turn; Biden Calls America 'AN EMBARRASSMENT'BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Jussie-Smollett-Case-Takes-a-Turn;-Biden-Calls-America-AN-EMBARRASSMENT/-614496992217612214.html2019-02-18T16:21:00Z2019-02-18T16:21:00Z<p><strong>O’Reilly: J</strong><strong>ussie Smollett and how the Media & Far-Left are Destroying Honesty</strong></p>
<p>It’s President’s Day and if George Washington and Abraham Lincoln were still around, I believe they would be depressed by what has happened to America. From the political hatred, to the proposed socialism, to the failure of the powerful media to seek the truth. </p>
<p>The truth situation is truly dire and here’s the proof. In late January, TV actor Jussie Smollett apparently told Chicago police that two white men spouting pro-Trump slogans assaulted him at around 2am while he was walking home from a fast food place.</p>
<p>Smollett is African-American and gay. He claimed the assailants put a noose around his neck among other things.</p>
<p>The press, led by The New York Times of course, ran hard with Smollett’s narrative just as it did with the Covington, Kentucky teenagers. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Jussie-Smollett-and-how-the-Media--Far-Left-are-Destroying-Honesty/-40425457008420806.html">READ THE FULL MESSAGE.</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Tonight’s No Spin News Guest: John Ziegler – Read his Column on Jussie Smollett</strong></p>
<p>Last night, the dam of media protection for Empire actor Jussie Smollett finally broke, as major news outlets suddenly decided it was safe to report that police strongly believe, backed by evidence, that his story of being a victim of a Trump-motivated hate crime is false.</p>
<p>While his high-priced lawyers are still desperately playing the victim card, it appears that Smollett paid the two Nigerian brothers who “attacked” him (and whom he clearly knows) in a conspiracy to create a hoax… <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/columnists/the-news-medias-jussie-smollett-problem-is-far-bigger-than-just-him-and-its-helping-trump/">READ MORE</a></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Trump Says McCabe’s Story has “So Many Lies” </strong></p>
<p>After former acting director of the FBI Andrew McCabe’s 60 Minutes interview, the president took to Twitter to call his claims deranged.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">60 Minutes Moment of the Week: Former FBI acting director McCabe says Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein raised the idea of removing President Trump via the 25th Amendment. <a href="https://t.co/wkC4AKxGiC">https://t.co/wkC4AKxGiC</a> <a href="https://t.co/UkOb4QbrZh">pic.twitter.com/UkOb4QbrZh</a></p>
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) <a href="https://twitter.com/60Minutes/status/1097299443374792704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p>President Trump lashed out against McCabe early Monday morning…</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Wow, so many lies by now disgraced acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe. He was fired for lying, and now his story gets even more deranged. He and Rod Rosenstein, who was hired by Jeff Sessions (another beauty), look like they were planning a very illegal act, and got caught.....</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1097469642048716801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></strong><strong><br />Lindsey Graham: Talk About Removing Trump Will Be Probed in Hearing</strong></p>
<p>"The whole point of Congress existing is to provide oversight of the executive branch," Graham said on "Face the Nation" Sunday. </p>
<p>"So through good reporting by '60 Minutes,' there's an allegation by the acting FBI director at the time that the deputy attorney general was basically trying to do an administrative coup, take the president down to the 25th Amendment process. The deputy attorney general denies it. So, I promise your viewers the following, that we will have a hearing about who's telling the truth, what actually happened."</p>
<p>He added, "I'm going to do everything I can to get to the bottom of the Department of Justice FBI behavior toward President Trump and his campaign."</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sen. Lindsey Graham on alleged discussion of using 25th Amendment to remove President Trump: "We're a democracy. People enforce the law. They can't take it into their own hands. And was this an attempted bureaucratic coup? I don't know. I don't know who is telling the truth" <a href="https://t.co/RNt9prdOOZ">pic.twitter.com/RNt9prdOOZ</a></p>
— CBS News (@CBSNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSNews/status/1097158415703597056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p>Graham called the idea of invoking the 25th Amendment "beyond stunning."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Biden in Europe: America is ‘an embarrassment’</strong></p>
<p>Speaking on German soil 75 years after the U.S. and its allies prepared for D-Day, Joe Biden <a href="https://www.theblaze.com/news/joe-biden-america-embarassment-europe">described America as "an embarrassment" and its trade policies "self-defeating."</a></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Democrat Joe Biden in Munich: America today is "an embarrassment" <a href="https://t.co/VyhmTOKkuk">pic.twitter.com/VyhmTOKkuk</a></p>
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealSaavedra/status/1096974881801957376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p>Biden did not mention President Trump by name. Despite a longstanding tradition of politics "stopping at the water's edge" (refraining from criticizing a commander-in-chief on foreign soil), Biden took the opportunity to blast Trump.</p>
<p>The concept of American politics ending at "the water's edge" started 1947 by Sen. Arthur Vandenberg, a Republican from Michigan who was the Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman. He was urging President Truman to take a bipartisan approach to foreign policy.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Florida sixth-grader ARRESTED After Refusing to Recite the Pledge of Allegiance</strong></p>
<p>A Florida middle school student was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor following an altercation that stemmed from him not standing up and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.</p>
<p>The 11-year-old reportedly refused to recite the pledge and told the teacher that “the flag is racist and the national anthem is offensive to black people,” <a href="https://www.theledger.com/news/20190215/lakeland-11-year-old-arrested-for-confrontation-after-refusal-to-stand-for-pledge">according to local news outlet The Lakeland Ledger</a>.</p>
<p>Polk County School District spokesperson Kyle Kennedy told the Ledger the student was arrested for being “disruptive and refusing to follow repeated instructions” from both a police officer and school officials.</p>
<p>Kennedy noted that reciting the Pledge of Allegiance is voluntary.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>MORE HEADLINES</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Ex-Cambridge Analytica Director <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/cambridgeanalytica-russia-probe-robertmueller-brittany-kaiser/2019/02/17/id/903122/">Cooperating With Mueller Probe</a></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>6 illegal immigrants linked to Mexican cartel <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/6-illegal-immigrants-arrested-in-nc-for-drug-trafficking-operation-officials-say">arrested in NC for drug trafficking operation</a></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Anthony Weiner <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/anthony-weiner-released-from-prison-as-part-of-federal-re-entry-program">released from prison</a> as part of federal re-entry program</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Red Line? Syria used chemical weapons <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/international/430414-syria-used-chemical-weapons-more-than-300-times-researchers-say">more than 300 times, researchers say</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reportedly <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/international/430403-us-asked-japanese-leader-to-nominate-trump-for-nobel-prize-report">nominated President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize at the request of the U.S. government</a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Tomorrow’s NO SPIN guest: Ex-Obama border patrol chief: 'absolutely false' to say walls don't work</strong></p>
<p>Former border patrol chief during the Obama administration, Mark Morgan, on Wednesday <a href="https://thehill.com/hilltv/rising/429773-ex-obama-border-patrol-chief-says-its-false-to-say-walls-dont-work">said on Hill.TV on that it is "absolutely false"</a> to say that walls do not work along the border.</p>
<p>"There's so much false information that's being provided out there, and they're misleading the American people, so I'm just trying to do my best," Morgan told hosts Buck Sexton and Krystal Ball in an appearance on "Rising."</p>
<p>We’ll have Morgan’s take on Tuesday’s No Spin News (as always, subject to change!).</p>
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<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-02-18T16:21:00ZNational Emergency Hit with First Lawsuits; Pope Francis makes Rare Move of Defrocking Ex-Cardinal Guilty of Sex AbuseBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/National-Emergency-Hit-with-First-Lawsuits;-Pope-Francis-makes-Rare-Move-of-Defrocking-Ex-Cardinal-Guilty-of-Sex-Abuse/262853803016471426.html2019-02-17T15:01:00Z2019-02-17T15:01:00Z<p><strong>President Trump’s Declaration of National Emergency Hit with First Lawsuits</strong></p>
<p>Just a day after President Trump declared a National Emergency, advocacy groups had already filed lawsuits against it, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/02/16/trumps-declaration-national-emergency-faces-political-legal-challenges/?utm_term=.a10b57837d40">The Washington Post reports</a>.</p>
<p>The group Public Citizen is seeking to block Trump’s declaration on behalf of three Texas landowners. And another group is suing the Department of Justice for failing to provide adequate documents related to the president’s decision. Here we go…</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Pope Francis makes Rare Move of Defrocking Ex-Cardinal Guilty of Sex Abuse</strong></p>
<p>Pope Francis has defrocked Theodore McCarrick, the former U.S. Cardinal who was found <a href="http://time.com/5531153/pope-francis-defrocks-cardinal-sex-crimes/">guilty by Vatican officials of sex abuse against minors and adults</a>. He is the highest ranking official to be “laicized,” meaning he can no longer celebrate Mass or other sacraments or be addressed by any religious title. </p>
<p>This week the Pope will welcome more than 100 top Catholic bishops from around the globe for an unprecedented summit aimed at tackling the issue of clergy sex abuse. Sunday morning in St. Peter’s Square, he asked for prayers toward that effort. </p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong><strong>Lindsay Graham Expresses Support for President Trump’s Emergency Declaration</strong> </p>
<p>“I think the president's been making a persuasive case that the border is broken, you know,” he said on Sunday’s Face the Nation on CBS. “Drugs are flowing across the border killing Americans, human trafficking. We've got a dangerous situation along the border.”</p>
<p>Senator Graham also said today that <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lindsey-graham-on-face-the-nation-vows-to-hold-hearing-on-andrew-mccabe-25th-amendment-comments-on-60-minutes/">he will be holding a hearing on Andrew McCabe’s “stunning” comments</a> regarding the 25<sup>th</sup> Amendment.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Trump: Europe Must take 800 ISIS Fighters or They’ll be Freed</strong></p>
<p>Trump on Saturday said the caliphate was "ready to fall” and that the United States was asking European allies to take back more than 800 Islamic State fighters captured in Syria and put them on trial. </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The United States is asking Britain, France, Germany and other European allies to take back over 800 ISIS fighters that we captured in Syria and put them on trial. The Caliphate is ready to fall. The alternative is not a good one in that we will be forced to release them........</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1096980408401625088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong> </strong>Trump said on Friday there would be "great announcements" about Syria over the next 24 hours.</p>
<p><strong><br /><br />Illinois Gunman Kills 5 After Losing Job</strong></p>
<p>The man brought a gun to his termination meeting at the Henry Pratt Company plant in Aurora, Illinois, and started killing people in the room immediately after he learned had been fired. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/17/us/aurora-shooting-termination/index.html">He killed 5 and injured 6</a> – including 5 police officers – in a 90-minute rampage. Police say he did not legally own the gun.</p>
<p>Also among his victims – a 21-year-old intern on his first day on the job.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Police Investigating whether Jessie Smollett Staged Attack</strong> </p>
<p>Chicago police say the investigation has “shifted” while CNN and others are reporting evidence suggests Smollett might have organized the attack. His lawyers are pushing back against that.</p>
<p>“We can confirm that the information received from the individuals questioned by police earlier in the Empire case has in fact shifted the trajectory of the investigation,” Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in an emailed statement Saturday. “We’ve reached out to the Empire cast member’s attorney to request a follow-up interview.”</p>
<p>A Chicago Police sources <a href="file:///Police%20sources/%20New%20evidence%20suggests%20Jussie%20Smollett%20orchestrated%20attack">told CNN new evidence suggests Smollett orchestrated the attack.</a></p>
<p>A statement from Smollett’s attorneys reads, "Jussie Smollett is angered and devastated by recent reports that the perpetrators are individuals he is familiar with…. He has been further victimized by claims attributed to these alleged perpetrators that Jussie played a role in his own attack. Nothing is further from the truth."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Alexandria Ocasio Cortez Gives Inaugural Address in the Bronx, Touts Amazon Win & Green New Deal</strong></p>
<p>Alexandria Ocascio Cortez spoke to a group of about 300 constituents in a performing arts high school in the Bronx, giving a formal address to establish her congressional agenda – an unusual move for a freshman member of Congress, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/ocasio-cortez-returns-her-bronx-neighborhood-her-inaugural-address-n972326">NBC reports</a>.</p>
<p>She touched on Amazon’s exit from New York City, saying “we don’t have to settle for scraps in the greatest city in the world.”</p>
<p>She also defended the Green New Deal, noting that it is supported by every Democratic presidential candidate and said the Green New Deal belongs to “indigenous communities in the United States, it belongs to the residents of Flint, it belongs to the people Puerto Rico, it belongs to the coal miners of West Virginia, it belongs to the victims of wildfires.”</p>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8YH0t3H1Y_Y" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Colin Kaepernick Settles with the NFL</strong></p>
<p>Kaepernick and the NFL <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/02/15/colin-kaepernick-eric-reid-settle-collusion-grievances-against-nfl-teams/?utm_term=.768138b3a092">have reached a settlement</a> in the case where Kaepernick accused the NFL of collusion to keep him off the field after his decision the kneel during the national anthem.</p>
<p>The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.</p>
<p> <br /><br /><strong>MORE HEADLINES</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2019/02/16/supreme_court_to_decide_if_2020_census_can_ask_about_citizenship_139495.html">Supreme Court to decide if 2020 census can ask about Citizenshi</a>p</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Heather Nauert <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/former-fox-news-host-heather-nauert-withdraws-consideration-replace-nikki-1333964">won’t be replacing Nikki Haley</a> as Ambassador to the UN</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>'<a href="https://www.kwtx.com/content/news/505946512.html">Zombie deer disease'</a> has impacted wildlife in 24 states</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>NYC Mayor de Blasio <a href="https://www.axios.com/bill-de-blasio-amazon-capitalism-economic-power-37c550b9-2c77-404b-ab5f-42a9dc66ae5d.html">slams Amazon HQ2 Reversal</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Meanwhile, Manhattan ATMs are <a href="https://nypost.com/2019/02/16/manhattan-atms-are-absolutely-riddled-with-bacteria/">absolutely riddled with bacteria</a></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Brett Tolman: Trump’s ability to declare a National Emergency “virtually unassailable” </strong></p>
<p>Make sure to follow @BrettTolman, @NoSpinNews, and @BillOReilly on Twitter! </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">As <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BillOReilly</a> and I have discussed on <a href="https://twitter.com/NoSpinNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NoSpinNews</a> the President’s ability to declare a national emergency is virtually unassailable. S 2808 however limits where the $ can come from. <a href="https://t.co/5EXjVOJZ8k">https://t.co/5EXjVOJZ8k</a></p>
— Brett L. Tolman (@tolmanbrett) <a href="https://twitter.com/tolmanbrett/status/1096557226519494656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-02-17T15:01:00Z$8 BILLION for THE WALL: Trump Declares National Emergency; Pelosi Fires a Warning Shot on Gun ControlBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/$8-BILLION-for-THE-WALL:-Trump-Declares-National-Emergency;-Pelosi-Fires-a-Warning-Shot-on-Gun-Control/-519594019941634654.html2019-02-15T15:41:00Z2019-02-15T15:41:00Z<p><strong>Trump to Sign Spending Deal and Declare a national Emergency at the Southern Border</strong></p>
<p>President Trump is expected to sign a border security deal funding the government and immediately after that he will declare a national emergency and allocate $8 billion toward building a barrier on our southern border.</p>
<p>“Right after he puts the pen to paper [on the budget deal],” <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Trump-Must-Sign-Border-Deal;-Senate-Intel-Finds-no-Collusion-with-Russia;-Vegan-Cory-Booker;-Late-Term-Abortion-Laws-Around-the-World/-29328906737978734.html">Bill reported on Wednesday’s No Spin News</a>, “he's going to declare a state of emergency on the southern border… giving him the authority of taking funds from Homeland Security and other places to build whatever he wants to build. So it's going to be simultaneous.“</p>
<p>“Sounds like a decent strategy to me keep the government open, because closing the government hurts the economy.” Bill continued. “ It'll be good for four or five days on the Hate Trump networks, the conservatives, I think will like it, pro-Trump people will like it, then will be court challenges. The America we live in.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Overstepping Authority? Pelosi warns: Gun Control is a National Emergency</strong></p>
<p> “Just think of what a president with different values can present to the American people,” Speaker Pelosi said late yesterday. </p>
<p>Watch the clip below.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"Democratic presidents can declare emergencies as well," <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerPelosi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpeakerPelosi</a> warned Republicans today <a href="https://t.co/gxm0zaYWxU">https://t.co/gxm0zaYWxU</a> <a href="https://t.co/yA3Y59GBVV">pic.twitter.com/yA3Y59GBVV</a></p>
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) <a href="https://twitter.com/FaceTheNation/status/1096152314782670848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>“You want to talk about a national emergency? Let’s talk about today the one year anniversary of another manifestation of the epidemic of gun violence in America - that is a national emergency.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Amazon Ditches NYC, Cuomo blasts Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Others</strong></p>
<p>In a surprise move, Amazon announced yesterday that it was scrapping its plan to build its new headquarters in New York City after being hit with backlash from local residents about tax incentives and jobs. </p>
<p>Huge loss for Governor Cuomo, who helped structure the deal. “A small group of politicians put their own narrow political interests above their community — which poll after poll showed overwhelmingly supported bringing Amazon to Long Island City — the state’s economic future and the best interests of the people of this state,” <a href="https://nypost.com/2019/02/14/andrew-cuomo-blames-democrats-for-killing-amazon-hq2-deal/">Cuomo said in a statement</a>. </p>
<p><br /><br /> <strong>Was Jussie Smollett Attack a Hoax? </strong></p>
<p>Last night some local media reports suggested that the physical attack on Empire star Jussie Smollett was planned, but shortly after a representative for the Chicago Police said reports of a hoax are unconfirmed.</p>
<p>Smollett spoke with Robin Roberts about “his truth” and the criticism he has faced after the attack.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">EXCLUSIVE: “Empire” star Jussie Smollett says he’s heartbroken over criticism after attack: “You don't even want to see the truth.” <a href="https://t.co/gBJlgtR1XY">https://t.co/gBJlgtR1XY</a> <a href="https://t.co/VflXy1BC4V">pic.twitter.com/VflXy1BC4V</a></p>
— ABC News (@ABC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1096018049084342278?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p> </p>
<p><strong>Lindsey Graham: “Americans Should be Concerned” about McCabe Interview</strong></p>
<p>McCabe spoke with Scott Pelley of CBS and talked about discussions to get President Trump out of office. The full interview will air Sunday.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The McCabe <a href="https://twitter.com/60Minutes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@60Minutes</a> interview is stunning. <br /><br />Was there an attempt at a bureaucratic coup to take out President Trump? <br /><br />Who is telling the truth about invoking the 25th Amendment – McCabe or Rosenstein? <br /><br />Must find answers. All Americans should be concerned.</p>
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/status/1096182481479495680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p> </p>
<p><strong>Monica Crowley: “Why the Virginia Implosion Really Matters”</strong></p>
<p>CROWLEY: In polite company, the saying goes, one should never discuss sex, politics, race or religion. In the Commonwealth of Virginia, all four topics are roiling the state at the same time. And what hangs in the balance are fateful turns for the major political and cultural movements of the moment. <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/feb/13/why-the-virginia-implosion-really-matters/?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=socialnetwork">Read More.</a> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">New from me: "Why the Virginia implosion really matters". -> <a href="https://t.co/BQ3OoSdlpQ">https://t.co/BQ3OoSdlpQ</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/WashTimes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@washtimes</a></p>
— Monica Crowley (@MonicaCrowley) <a href="https://twitter.com/MonicaCrowley/status/1096049917464924160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>MORE HEADLINES</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Beto O’Rourke “absolutely” Supports <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/beto-orourke-says-he-absolutely-supports-destroying-existing-walls-on-southern-border">Tearing Down Existing Border Wall in El Paso</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>JP Morgan has Announced <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/13/jp-morgan-is-rolling-out-the-first-us-bank-backed-cryptocurrency-to-transform-payments--.html">First Cryptocurrency by a U.S. bank</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Utah suffered <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/uu60312667/executive">two big earthquakes early Friday</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Valentine’s Hangover: <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/valentine-s-day-candy-may-have-made-nearly-two-dozen-n971786">Valentine’s chocolate might have made 28 students sick</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Study: <a href="https://nypost.com/2019/02/15/drinking-diet-coke-increases-risk-of-dying-young-from-stroke-and-heart-attack/">Drinking 2 or more Diet Sodas a day could lead to heart attack</a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:</strong> Bill will be on Sean Hannity’s radio program every Wednesday! </p>
<p>This week <a href="file:///b/Bill-OReilly-on-Sean-Hannitys-Radio-Program:-The-Absurd-Nature-Of-The-Green-New-Deal/728583929618358793.html" target="_blank">O'Reilly and Hannity discussed the Green New Deal and more - click here to listen. </a></p>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-02-15T15:41:00ZSenate Intel's Mixed Messaging; Shutdown Averted; Judge rules Manafort Intentionally Lied to FBIBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Senate-Intels-Mixed-Messaging;-Shutdown-Averted;-Judge-rules-Manafort-Intentionally-Lied-to-FBI/906976367089924916.html2019-02-14T14:33:00Z2019-02-14T14:33:00Z<strong>Shutdown (Probably) Averted</strong> <br /><br />Congress introduced a bill Wednesday night to prevent a second partial shutdown. The bill includes #1.375 billion for physical barriers along the southern border- far below what President Trump had previously demanded. However, as Bill mentioned on last night’s No Spin News, Trump will likely sign it for the good of the country and go another route on getting a barrier in place. That being said, <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/429953-bill-introduced-to-fund-government-prevent-shutdown">Trump has not explicitly said he will back it.</a> But a new poll suggests <a href="https://thehill.com/hilltv/what-americas-thinking/429840-poll-voters-strongly-want-trump-to-approve-border-compromise">voters overwhelmingly want him to</a>.<br /><br />Also – <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2019/02/13/house-vote-spending-bill-read/">no one in the House has actually read it</a>.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Senate Intel’s Mixed Messaging</strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><br /><br /></strong></span> The Senate Intelligence Committee’s Russia investigation is nearing an end but top officials are clashing over what their findings reveal. Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) publicly stated that none of their evidence indicates the Trump campaign conspired with Russia during the 2016 presidential campaign. Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D-Va.) <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/429930-drama-hits-senate-intel-panels-russia-inquiry">told The Hill on Wednesday</a>, “I just respectfully, factually, disagree with Chairman Burr…. I’m not going to reach any final conclusions until we finish our report. That has kept us together, and I am going to adhere to those rules.” Warner, who says he still has “a strong working relationship” with Burr, also said the committee has other witnesses to interview. Democrats argue there was a “pattern of communication” between the Trump campaign and Russia that could point toward collusion. <br /><br /><br /><strong>Judge rules Manafort Intentionally Lied to FBI, Mueller</strong> <br /><br />A <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/429917-judge-rules-manafort-lied-multiple-times-to-fbi-mueller">judge ruled on Wednesday</a> that Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort “intentionally made multiple false statements to the FBI, the OSC and the grand jury concerning matters that were material to the investigation." Manafort is currently in prison for various financial crimes that are seemingly unrelated to the campaign. <br /><br /><br /><strong>O</strong><strong>mar fires back after Trump calls for her resignation: 'You have trafficked in hate your whole life'</strong> <br /><br />Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) fired back at President Trump over his call for her resignation, accusing the president of "trafficking" in hate and intolerance for his whole life.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hi <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>- <br /><br />You have trafficked in hate your whole life—against Jews, Muslims, Indigenous, immigrants, black people and more. I learned from people impacted by my words. When will you? <a href="https://t.co/EqqTyjkiNE">https://t.co/EqqTyjkiNE</a></p>
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) <a href="https://twitter.com/IlhanMN/status/1095683268693905410?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Omar is facing a wave of backlash for her tweets which many in her own party viewed as anti-Semitic. She has since apologized, pledging to listen to the Jewish community while affirming her stance against AIPAC.<br /><br />"Anti-Semitism is real and I am grateful for Jewish allies and colleagues who are educating me on the painful history of anti-Semitic tropes," Omar wrote. "My intention is never to offend my constituents or Jewish Americans as a whole. We have to always be willing to step back and think through criticism, just as I expect people to hear me when others attack me for my identity. This is why I unequivocally apologize." <br /><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Amazon will pay $0 in federal income taxes for the second year in a row</strong> </span><br /><br />Amazon doubled its profits and made more than $11 billion in 2018. Yet they won’t be paying any federal income taxes for the second year in a row, <a href="https://itep.org/amazon-in-its-prime-doubles-profits-pays-0-in-federal-income-taxes/">the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy reported</a> on Wednesday. They are not required to pay the standard 21 percent income tax rate on its 2018 profits, and is claiming a tax rebate of $129 million, which ITEP describes as a "a tax rate of negative 1 percent." <br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Spike Lee: Christopher Columbus was a 'terrorist' who 'sailed the ocean blue'</strong></span><br /><br />“BlacKkKlansman” director Spike Lee labeled famed explorer Christopher Columbus a “terrorist” during an interview on “Morning Joe” Wednesday while also urging the United States to be truthful about the country’s past. <br /><br />“You know, I think that when I was in public school in Brooklyn, New York, I was not told George Washington owned slaves. I was told that he chopped down the cherry tree and wouldn’t tell a lie. In 1492, this guy, this terrorist sailed the ocean blue.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Spike Lee: Christopher Columbus a "terrorist." Foundation of USA "genocide of Native Americans and slavery." #tcot#SpikeLee#slavery#NativeAmericans#genocide <a href="https://t.co/MC3kEodrNH">pic.twitter.com/MC3kEodrNH</a></p>
— Mark Finkelstein (@markfinkelstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/markfinkelstein/status/1095678096626405383?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<strong><br />No Spin News Preview: Brett Tolman is back tonight!</strong>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Catch me and <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BillOReilly</a> tomorrow analyzing the Senate Intelligence Committee findings, immigration issues and more.</p>
— Brett L. Tolman (@tolmanbrett) <a href="https://twitter.com/tolmanbrett/status/1095910342859739136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<strong><br />More Headlines</strong><br />
<p>At Cornell, nothing says Happy Valentine's Day like...a <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11870">Planned Parenthood fundraiser?</a></p>
<p>Meanwhile, OSU celebrates Valentine's Day with <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11874">Planned Parenthood-sponsored abortion talk</a></p>
<p>Paging Cory Booker: <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/health/health-news/health-nutrition-diet-processed-foods/2019/02/13/id/902609/">Study Finds New Link Between Processed Foods and Early Death</a></p>
<p>Michael Cohen is headed to jail – <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/429843-cohen-to-testify-before-three-congressional-panels-before-going">but has to testify before three Congressional Panels first</a></p>
<p>And the Justice Department is looking into <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/13/politics/michael-cohen-personal-bank-records-charges/index.html">how Michael Cohen’s bank records leaked</a></p>
<p>Investigation <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/covington-catholic-school-boys-media/2019/02/13/id/902597/">Clears Covington Students of Wrongdoing<br /><br /></a>Report: <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/john-cornyn-chuck-schumer-beto-orourke-2020/2019/02/13/id/902622/">O'Rourke Weighs Run Against Texas Sen. Cornyn in '20<br /></a><br /><br /><strong>One More Thing</strong>: Bill isn’t the only one on Twitter - the No Spin News has its own separate Twitter account too! Check it out here-</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bloomingdale’s pulled a ‘Fake News’ t-shirt after a journalist saw it and flocked to Twitter to express his outrage—outrage from a T-SHIRT. Shame on Bloomingdale’s for pulling the shirt. <a href="https://t.co/ks782sdqJK">pic.twitter.com/ks782sdqJK</a></p>
— Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News (@NoSpinNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/NoSpinNews/status/1095766149265047556?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-02-14T14:33:00ZSenate Finds no Evidence of Russian Collusion; Green New Deal Vote Coming; George Soros Pens Op-EdBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Senate-Finds-no-Evidence-of-Russian-Collusion;-Green-New-Deal-Vote-Coming;-George-Soros-Pens-Op-Ed/-179507734880396573.html2019-02-13T14:39:00Z2019-02-13T14:39:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, February 13, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Senate Intel Committee finds no Evidence of Russian Collusion</span></strong></p>
<p>As the Senate Intel Committee nears the end of its investigation into the 2016 election – two years and 200+ interviews later - Democrats and Republicans alike have found no direct evidence of a conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia.</p>
<p>Last night,Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/senate-has-uncovered-no-direct-evidence-conspiracy-between-trump-campaign-n970536">told NBC</a>, "There is no factual evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia."</p>
<p>Go figure!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>McConnell: Senate will vote on ‘Green New Deal’</strong></p>
<p>The Senate will hold a vote on the Green New Deal, the environmental and energy plan being pushed by Alexandria Ocascio-Cortez and some on the left, <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/429635-mcconnell-to-set-up-vote-on-ocasio-cortezs-green-new-deal">Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told reporters Tuesday</a>. McConnell has “great interest” in the plan and will “give everybody an opportunity to go on record and see how they feel about the Green New Deal,” McConnell said.</p>
<p>The deal has no chance of passing the Senate but will be telling t oget everyone on the record heading into 2020 … although many in the crowded Democrat field have already backed the plan, including Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar, and Kirsten Gillibrand.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>George Soros Pens Op-Ed: Europe ‘Sleepwalking in Oblivion’ as Right-Wing Parties Set to Win Big</strong></p>
<p>Billionaire George Soros has penned a rare op-ed, which begins with an ominous warning:</p>
<p><em>“Europe is sleepwalking into oblivion, and the people of Europe need to wake up before it is too late. If they don’t, the European Union will go the way of the Soviet Union in 1991.”</em></p>
<p>Sounds scary! </p>
<p>Last year, British media reported that Soros had delivered $560,000 to an anti-Brexit campaign, which led to accusations that he was part of an international plot to stop Brexit and bring down the government.</p>
<p>If you want to read the full piece as written by Soros, <a href="https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/political-party-systems-undermining-european-union-by-george-soros-2019-02">click here.</a></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>National Debt Milestone: $22 TRILLION</strong></p>
<p>The national debt has been rising at a faster rate since the passage of President Donald Trump’s $1.5 trillion tax-cut package about a year ago, and as the result of congressional efforts to increase spending on domestic and military programs.</p>
<p>The nation has added more than $1 trillion in debt in the last 11 months. “There's going to come a time when America will default on the debt,” <a href="file:///b/Analyzing-Trump-Schumer--Pelosi-Speeches-Effectiveness-A-Wall-On-The-Border-Would-Have--An-Interview-With-Dr.-Jeanne-Zaino/656765690374857998.html">Bill predicted on last month’s No Spin News.</a></p>
<p>“This is the fault of both the Trump administration, Republicans, and Democrats. They are all spending money in an insane way… and $5 billion for the wall is nothing compared to the overall spending”</p>
<p>“Now, Donald Trump is not going to cut back on government spending. He needs the economy to roar into re-election but he's not going to do it. Maybe if he's re-elected he'll do it the second term when he doesn't worry about being elected again. And the Democrats will never stop spending. That's what they live to do.”</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Trump Confronts Cuomo on New Late-Term Abortion Law</span></strong></p>
<p>‘The President raised his concerns to Governor Cuomo about Democrats’ support of late term abortions,” <a href="https://www.dailycaller.com/2019/02/12/trump-confronts-cuomo-late-term-abortion/">deputy press secretary Judd Deere said in a Tuesday evening statement</a>. The two leaders also discussed “the positive impacts of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on the American economy, and the President listened to the Governor’s concerns regarding SALT. The President reiterated the negative impact that high taxes in states like New York have on hardworking families and job creators.” </p>
<p>New York State recently passed the “Reproductive Health Act” which ensures that abortion will remain legal in the state regardless of whether Roe v. Wade is overturned and includes provisions allowing for late-term abortion.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">About $4.8 MILLION in Meth Seized Last Week on Southern Border</span></strong></p>
<p>Border Patrol Agents seized nearly $4.8 million in meth being last week, CPB officials said Monday,</p>
<p>The meth were apprehended at Falfurrias checkpoint in Texas following the disruption of “three separate methamphetamine smuggling attempts,” <a href="https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/rio-grande-valley-border-patrol-checkpoint-seizes-48m-worth-meth">Customs and Border Protection said in a news release.</a></p>
<p>They also put it out on Twitter:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BorderPatrol?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BorderPatrol</a> agents disrupted three separate methamphetamine smuggling attempts at the Falfurrias Checkpoint resulting in over $4.8 million worth of meth being kept out of our communities.<a href="https://twitter.com/CBP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CBP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USBP?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USBP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SouthwestBorder?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SouthwestBorder</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BorderSecurity?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BorderSecurity</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AlwaysVigilant?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AlwaysVigilant</a><a href="https://t.co/Q1qO3S8ZfJ">https://t.co/Q1qO3S8ZfJ</a> <a href="https://t.co/GO1FNqBIam">pic.twitter.com/GO1FNqBIam</a></p>
— CBP RGV (@CBPRGV) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBPRGV/status/1095089787814457345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2019</a></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Cory Booker thinks meat-centric ‘Standard American Diet’ not sustainable</span></strong></p>
<p>“I remember my last non-vegan meal was Election Day, November 2014,” U.S. Senator Cory Booker <a href="https://vegnews.com/2019/2/cory-booker-on-animal-rights-veganism-and-how-to-change-the-world">told the news outlet “VegNews”</a></p>
<p>"The tragic reality is this planet simply can’t sustain billions of people consuming industrially produced animal agriculture because of environmental impact. It’s just not possible."</p>
<p>If the former mayor of Newark, N.J. wins the White House in 2020, he’d be the first vegan elected U.S. President.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>More Headlines:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Poll:<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/429594-poll-dems-gop-united-by-love-of-stranger-things-walking-dead">Democrats & Republicans united by love of Zombies, Paranormal</a></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>IRS Watchdog: <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/watchdog-government-shutdown-taxpayers-advocate/2019/02/12/id/902407/">Shutdown Did 'Real Harm to Real Taxpayers'</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://boston.cbslocal.com/2019/02/12/boston-worst-rush-hour-traffic/">Boston apparently has the worst rush hour traffic in the nation</a>… we would have swore it was NYC</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>In New York: <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/man-confesses-to-slaying-new-york-woman-found-stuffed-in-suitcase-left-on-side-of-road-report-says">Illegal Immigrant Arrested in connection with death of woman found stuffed in a suitcase</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>EXCLUSIVE CAMPUS REFORM ANALYSIS: <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11867">Faculty, admin at Ilhan Omar's alma mater gave exclusively to Dems</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Newsmax: <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/finance/personal-finance/auto-loan-delinquencies-car/2019/02/12/id/902392/">Record 7 Million Americans Delinquent on Car Loans</a></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></p>
<p><strong>No Spin News Preview (as always, subject to change):</strong> </p>
<p>Tonight we are joined by Maria Espinoza, co-founder of The Remembrance Project. </p>
<p>The Remembrance Project is a group dedicated to keeping the memories alive of the people killed by illegal aliens. They introduced President Trump to angel families during his campaign.</p>
<p>Espinoza thinks the true objective of the left is to undermine border security, open our borders, let every illegal in the country and stop deportation. Get her take on the border situation tonight.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>One last thing:</strong><br /><br /></p>
<ul>
<li>If you’re not following Bill on Twitter …. why not?! Click below to follow.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gave a speech to the New York City Police Athletic League today. Proud to do it. Sold out event, serious money raised to help kids who need help. Even got to plug new Trump book and Killing the SS. Good day.</p>
— Bill O'Reilly (@BillOReilly) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly/status/1095442629343498241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Be sure to check out Bill’s latest column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Ignoring-Truth/649495517692191490.html">“Ignoring Truth”</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Get a <strong>free copy of The Gettysburg Address on parchment</strong> when you <a href="/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-Lincoln/32648.html?dispid=174" target="_blank">order 'Killing Lincoln' on BOR.com.</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-02-13T14:39:00ZLawmakers Reach Border Deal 'In Principle,' Including $1.375B for Physical Barriers; Biggest CPAC Ever to Kick Off 2020BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Lawmakers-Reach-Border-Deal-In-Principle-Including-$1.375B-for-Physical-Barriers;-Biggest-CPAC-Ever-to-Kick-Off-2020/520555259108576620.html2019-02-12T14:20:00Z2019-02-12T14:20:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, February 12, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Lawmakers Reach Border Deal 'In Principle,' Including $1.375B for Physical Barriers</em></strong></p>
<p>House and Senate negotiators late Monday struck <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/congress/lawmakers-reach-deal-in-principle-on-spending-border-security">a bipartisan deal “in principle”</a> that would dodge a second partial government shutdown by providing President Trump $1.375 billion in funding for physical barriers along 55 miles of the Rio Grande Valley. The accord, which must pass the House and Senate and receive the president’s signature, resolved a weekend impasse over illegal immigrant detentions. By Monday night, both sides were claiming victory in the talks, although the exact details of the agreement weren't yet clear, and two of the major claims seemed to contradict each other. The $1.375 billion in funding for a border barrier is far below President Trump’s request for $5.7 billion for a southern border wall, but the GOP aide said all of the money can be used for physical barriers and is double the miles of new fencing funding provided in 2018.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Biggest CPAC Ever to Kick Off 2020, Theme 'What Makes America Great'</em></strong></p>
<p>This month’s <a href="http://cpac.conservative.org/" target="_blank">Conservative Political Action Conference</a> is expected to break attendance records as it signals the start of the 2020 presidential election and poses the question of whether President Trump is making good on his promise to “Make America Great Again.” The theme for <a href="http://cpac.conservative.org/" target="_blank">CPAC 2019</a> pulls no punches in answering that question. It is: “What Makes America Great.” Already one of the largest conventions of its kind, the American Conservative Union, which is organizing the Feb. 27-March 2 at the <a href="http://cpac.conservative.org/reserve-a-room/" target="_blank">Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center</a> just outside Washington, is expecting to draw a record 10,000 amid signs of increased activism among conservatives energized by the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation hearings. The president and vice president are expected to speak, as are dozens of top-tier lawmakers, media figures, and even sports stars like New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Holds Rally in Texas Amid Border Wall Debate</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump held a <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/politics/2020-presidential-election">campaign-style rally</a> Monday night in <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/us/us-regions/southwest/texas">El Paso, Texas</a> just as possible 2020 contender and former U.S. Democratic Rep. Beto O'Rourke led a <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/topic/border-wall">border wall</a> protest roughly a half-mile away. Trump's event, held at the El Paso County Coliseum for his first "Make America Great Again Rally" of the year, didn't identify the dueling rally nearby, in the town that sits along the U.S.-Mexico border, but the president did mention O'Rourke. The "young man" with a "great name," "challenged us," the president said in reference to O'Rourke. The president <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-el-paso-as-border-wall-debate-continues">announced his rally last week</a> during his second State of the Union address, in which he alleged El Paso is now one of the nation's safest cities because of a "powerful barrier" that was put in place, a claim that others disputed. He reiterated that point on Monday night. Speaking to the crowd, in front of a large red banner that read, "finish the wall," Trump said El Paso is one of the "safest cities" in America "thanks for a powerful border wall."<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Ocasio-Cortez Blasts Trump’s Comparison of Green New Deal to ‘HS Term Paper'</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., lashed out at President Donald Trump on Monday after he ridiculed the freshman lawmaker’s controversial <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ocasio-cortez-adviser-admits-he-falsely-claimed-green-new-deal-didnt-promise-security-for-those-unwilling-to-work" target="_blank">“Green New Deal”</a> during a rally in El Paso, Texas. Trump derided the Green New Deal – an economic stimulus concept designed to fight income inequality and climate change – as a “massive government takeover over that would destroy the incredible economic gains” the U.S. has made under his administration. “Sounds like a high school term paper that got a low mark,” he quipped. Ocasio-Cortez scoffed at the president’s evocation of literary aptitude, retorting: “Ah yes, a man who can’t even read briefings written in full sentences is providing literary criticism of a <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/tops-on-house-democrats-to-do-list-try-to-end-shutdown" target="_blank">House Resolution</a>.”</p>
<p class="speakable"> </p>
<p><strong><em>Border Patrol Arrests 330 in New Mexico, Many of them Unaccompanied Minors</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/customs-and-border-patrol-head-migrant-children-deaths-absolutely-devastating-for-us-on-every-level" target="_blank">The Border Patrol's</a> El Paso sector announced Monday that its agents had taken <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/30-unaccompanied-children-were-among-376-migrants-who-tunneled-under-border-wall-into-arizona" target="_blank">330 migrants into custody</a>, hours before President Trump was to visit the sector to make his latest pitch for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The migrants were arrested shortly after midnight at the Antelope Wells entry point in southern New Mexico, which is part of the Border Patrol's El Paso sector. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in a statement that the group was composed primarily of "Central American families and unaccompanied juveniles" and was the 28<sup>th</sup> group of 100 or more migrants to be apprehended in the El Paso sector since the beginning of October.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>‘The View’ Host Joy Behar Shuts Down Meghan McCain Over ‘Hissy Fit’ During Awkward Segment</em></strong></p>
<p>ABC News’ “The View” <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/the-view-co-host-joy-behar-snaps-when-asked-to-honor-george-h-w-bush-without-trashing-trump" target="_blank">Joy Behar</a> scolded colleague Meghan McCain on Monday morning, telling the conservative co-host that she was having a “hissy fit” and ending a conversation before McCain had a chance to chime in. The <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/the-view-star-joy-behars-anti-trump-statements-of-2018" target="_blank">daytime gabfest</a> got uncomfortable during a conversation about Senator Amy Klobuchar, who poked fun at President Trump’s hair over the weekend after he mocked her presidential announcement. McCain appeared to talk over Behar’s introduction of the segment when the fiery liberal shot back, “Can I get through this, please?” Behar continued setting up the discussion as McCain repeatedly said the entire thing was “stupid.” The panel dissected the feud between Klobuchar and Trump when McCain chimed in. McCain rhetorically asked, “Can I say something now? Is that OK?” Behar told her to “go ahead” and McCain sarcastically replied, “I have permission to speak now on Amy Klobuchar? We’re all good?” “No, by all means, keep going, Joy,” a visibly frustrated McCain said. Behar shot back, “If you’re going to have a hissy fit, we can’t continue.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Cory Booker: ‘This Planet Simply Can’t Sustain’ People Eating Meat</em></strong></p>
<p>Sen. Cory Booker (D., N.J.) said the planet "can't sustain" people eating meat, as the 2020 hopeful aims to become the first vegan president. Booker told the vegan magazine <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://vegnews.com/2019/2/cory-booker-on-animal-rights-veganism-and-how-to-change-the-world" target="_blank"><em>VegNews</em></a> </span>earlier this month that he became vegan after coming to the realization that eating eggs "didn't align with my spirit." While claiming he does not want to lecture Americans on their diets, Booker says Americans need to be nudged into fake cheese because the planet cannot sustain the "environmental impact" of the food industry. "You see the planet earth moving towards what is the Standard American Diet," Booker said. "We've seen this massive increase in consumption of meat produced by the industrial animal agriculture industry." "The tragic reality is this planet simply can't sustain billions of people consuming industrially produced animal agriculture because of environmental impact," he said. "It's just not possible." Booker says the "devastating impact" of greenhouse gases produced by the meat industry is "just not practical."</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Ignoring-Truth/649495517692191490.html">“Ignoring Truth”</a><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-02-12T14:20:00ZCalifornia Governor to Reduce National Guard Presence at Border; Joy Villa Dresses as a Border Wall, Ricky Rebel Rocks Pro-Trump MAGA MerchBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/California-Governor-to-Reduce-National-Guard-Presence-at-Border;-Joy-Villa-Dresses-as-a-Border-Wall-Ricky-Rebel-Rocks-Pro-Trump-MAGA-Merch/154247781381700111.html2019-02-11T13:49:00Z2019-02-11T13:49:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Monday, February 11, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>California Governor to Reduce National Guard Presence at Border</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/new-california-gov-newsom-makes-early-gun-crackdown-push" target="_blank">California Gov. Gavin Newsom</a> is slated to pull several hundred National Guard troops from the state’s border with Mexico on Monday in an apparent rebuff to President Donald Trump’s characterization of the region being <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/world/frustration-grows-as-migrant-caravan-stuck-in-mexico-shelter" target="_blank">under siege</a> by Central American refugees and migrants, according to reports. The move comes despite his predecessor’s agreement along with other past and current border state governors to send troops to the border at the Trump administration’s request. Former California Gov. Jerry Brown originally <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/california-gov-jerry-brown-issues-order-deploying-up-to-400-national-guard-troops-but-lays-out-strict-terms" target="_blank">approved the mission</a> through the end of March, but qualified that the state’s troops “will not be enforcing federal immigration laws.” Newsom’s plan will require the National Guard to immediately begin withdrawing troops but still give it until the end of March to do so. According to excerpts from his Tuesday State of the State address, he will call the “border emergency” a “manufactured crisis,” and will say that “California will not be part of this political theater.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Joy Villa Dresses as a Border Wall, Ricky Rebel Rocks Pro-Trump MAGA Merch</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/person/v/joy-villa" target="_blank">Joy Villa</a> made her annual MAGA statement on the 2019 Grammys red carpet, and this time the "Make America Great Again" singer had some company: Ricky Rebel. Villa, 27, dressed as a barbed wire border wall on her way into the Grammys with a silver dress and crown with a red Make America Great Again purse. Once inside, she ditched the shell and showed off a low-cut gown emblazoned with bricks and a back that read, "BUILD THE WALL." Rebel, 38, sported a blue jacket that read "KEEP AMERICA GREAT AGAIN" down the front lapels with a white shirt and pants. He accessorized with patriotic star glasses and white heeled boots. The back of Rebel's jacket simply read "TRUMP."</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Ahead of Trump's El Paso Visit, Dozens of Americans Link Hands at the Southern Border Forming a Human Wall</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Dozens of supporters of President Donald Trump's border security efforts formed a human wall across a small part of the southern border where there is no fencing. The group gathered near Sunland Park, New Mexico, linking arms and chanting "build a wall," according to <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/border-security-advocates-form-human-wall-along-u-s-mexico-border" target="_blank">CNN affiliate KFOX.</a> Many held up American flags. Some sported "Make America Great Again" hats, and said they were there to show their support for the construction of a wall at the border. The demonstration came just two days before President Donald Trump's visit to El Paso, Texas for a rally on Monday. Women's March El Paso has organized a counter to Trump's visit. Former Texas congressman Beto O'Rourke will join a one-mile march past Trump's rally and <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/08/politics/beto-orourke-trump-el-paso-visit-2020/index.html" target="_blank">give a speech across the street</a> at about the same time the President plans to take the stage.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Harrison Ford Issues Apocalyptic Climate Change Warning: ‘Greatest Moral Crisis of Our Time’</em></strong> </p>
<p>Veteran actor Harrison Ford issued a stark warning to the world about the effects of climate change this weekend, describing it as the “greatest moral crisis of our time.” In a pre-recorded video ahead of his appearance at the <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/uae/government/world-government-summit-global-leaders-gather-in-dubai-live-updates-1.823700" target="_blank">World Government Summit</a> in Dubai on Sunday, the <em>Star Wars </em>actor urged leaders around the world to take urgent action to reverse the supposed effects of man-made global warming. “Fresh water shortages, higher greenhouse gas emissions, unprecedented fires, worldwide destruction. Is this the world we want?” Harrison Ford said in the video. “Our planet, the only home we’ve got, is suffering. This is the bare truth. This is our reality. It’s up to you and me to act, now, to face the greatest moral crisis of our time. To take action. It is time to make a difference. It affects you.” The 76-year-old actor is known as one of Hollywood’s most outspoken environmental activists and has repeatedly taken veiled <a href="https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2018/09/14/harrison-ford-global-warming-future-of-humanity-at-stake/">swipes</a> at President Donald Trump and other Republican leaders for their skepticism of the man-made climate change theory. Ford, of course, has produced a massive carbon footprint, piloting vintage, carbon-spewing airplanes for decades. In 2015, <a href="https://www.breitbart.com/big-hollywood/2015/03/05/happening-now-harrison-ford-injured-in-plane-crash/" target="_blank">Ford crash-landed</a> a vintage World War II-era airplane after the engine failed. He suffered only minor injuries. The <em>Blade Runner </em>star also <a href="https://www.hotcars.com/car-force-one-harrison-fords-car-and-aircraft-collection/" target="_blank">owns</a> a fleet of planes, cars, motorcycles, and a Bell 407 helicopter.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Border Wall Talks Break Down Ahead of Second Possible Government Shutdown</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>With less than a week to go until another <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-signs-bill-ending-government-shutdown-after-3-days" target="_blank">potential partial federal government shutdown</a> begins on Friday, bipartisan compromise talks on funding for President Trump's proposed border wall have completely broken down, sources tell Fox News. The sudden development again raised the possibility that Trump will <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/yes-trump-can-declare-an-emergency" target="_blank">declare a national emergency</a> to access previously appropriated funds to initiate construction on a border wall. The White House agreed to a temporary <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-to-make-announcement-on-partial-government-shutdown-from-rose-garden" target="_blank">spending bill late last month</a> to end a historic 35-day government shutdown, although Trump said at the time that the move was not a "concession" and that he would not relent on his demands for a wall. "Talks have broken down because Senate Republicans are refusing to compromise on limits to the Trump administration’s cruel immigration policies," a senior Democratic aide told Fox News on Sunday. "A deal that includes new physical barriers must also include limits on the number of ICE detention beds. If Senate Republicans won’t compromise with us on both, we can’t reach a deal.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Nick Sandmann's Lawyer Announces Serious Action Against Nathan Phillips</em></strong></p>
<p>An attorney representing Nick Sandmann, the 16-year-old student from Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky who became the center of political controversy last month, has announced legal action against Nathan Phillips, the Native American man who Sandmann and his classmates were accused of mocking. Atlanta-based lawyer L. Lin Wood, who is known for winning defamation cases, <a href="https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/covington-students-lawyer-nathan-phillips-will-be-sued-first-round-of-lawsu" target="_blank">told LifeSiteNews</a> that Phillips will be sued for his "lies and false accusations" against Sandmann and the Covington students, which he said are "well documented." Wood said the first round of lawsuits would be filed within two weeks. Sandmann's <a href="https://www.theblaze.com/news/nick-sandmann-lawyers-lawsuits" target="_blank">legal team sent legal notices to more than</a> 50 journalists, media personalities, Hollywood celebrities, media organizations, and Catholic organizations on Feb. 1, notifying them that they could potentially be sued for defaming Sandmann. Those entities, the lawyers allege, propagated a false narrative that accused Sandmann and Covington students of mocking Native Americans in Washington, D.C., last month.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Fairfax Calls on FBI to Investigate Sexual Assault Allegations Against Him</em></strong></p>
<p>Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax (D) is asking for an FBI investigation into the sexual assault allegations against him amid calls from his own party to resign. Late Saturday, Fairfax released a statement calling for “all appropriate and impartial investigatory authorities, including the FBI, to investigate fully and thoroughly the allegations against me,” <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/calls-mount-for-va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-to-resign-after-second-sex-assault-accusation/2019/02/09/003dc0a0-2c81-11e9-b2fc-721718903bfc_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.550bef6ccfa2">according to multiple reports.</a> "The one thing I want to make abundantly clear is that in both situations I knew at the time, and I know today, that the interactions were consensual," he said. “I am asking that no one rush to judgment and I am asking for there to be space in this moment for due process,” Fairfax added.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Ignoring-Truth/649495517692191490.html">“Ignoring Truth”</a><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-02-11T13:49:00ZElizabeth Warren Officially Launches Presidential Bid; Obamacare Reforms Will Save BillionsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Elizabeth-Warren-Officially-Launches-Presidential-Bid;-Obamacare-Reforms-Will-Save-Billions/254529823804684274.html2019-02-10T13:55:00Z2019-02-10T13:55:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, February 10, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
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<p><strong><em>Elizabeth Warren Officially Launches Presidential Bid</em></strong></p>
<p>Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., on Saturday <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/elizabeth-warren-officially-launches-presidential-bid-with-call-for-big-structural-change">made it official</a>: She's running for president. Warren, who on the last day of last year announced she'd formed an exploratory committee in anticipation of a 2020 White House bid, told supporters at the Everett Mills business center in Lawrence, Mass., she's ready to fight on behalf of working Americans, promising to build a small-dollar, grassroots movement around her cause. Lawrence, nicknamed the "Immigrant City," was the perfect backdrop to launch her campaign, she said, given it was the setting of the 1912 Bread and Roses textile labor strike, a protest instigated by women. "We are here to say: Enough is enough," Warren, 69, said. "This is the fight of our lives, the fight to build an America where dreams are possible, an America that works for everyone. And that is why I stand here today to declare that I am a candidate for president of the United States of America." She said that President Trump is just the "latest and most extreme symptom of what's gone wrong in America."</p>
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<p><strong><em>Actor Rob Lowe Deletes 'Chief' Elizabeth Warren Joke After People Got 'Upset'</em></strong></p>
<p>Actor Rob Lowe deleted a tweet mocking Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., for her past claims of Native American ancestry. The 54-year-old "The West Wing" and "Parks and Recreation" actor tweeted Saturday evening, "Elizabeth Warren would bring a whole new meaning to Commander in 'Chief,'" after Warren officially <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/elizabeth-warren-officially-launches-presidential-bid-with-call-for-big-structural-change" target="_blank">launched</a> her 2020 presidential campaign. In another tweet after midnight Sunday, Lowe explained why he took down the "joke." "I deleted my Elizabeth Warren tweet. It was a joke and some peeps got upset, and that’s never my intention," Lowe said. "On the GOOD side: I just got to use the Oxford comma!" </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Ocasio-Cortez Forced to Clarify Green New Deal Details After Rollout</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Rep. <a href="https://thehill.com/people/alexandria-ocasio-cortez">Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez</a> (D-N.Y.) and her aides are rushing to clarify details of her recently proposed Green New Deal (GND) after an FAQ sheet it released sparked an uproar. Ocasio-Cortez’s office sent a copy of the resolution this week as well as an embargoed FAQ sheet about the initiative to various media outlets, including The Hill. NPR published the FAQ sheet, which included provisions about eliminating air travel, guesswork surrounding cows’ flatulence and economic security for those who are “unable or unwilling to work.” The document swiftly drew the ire of conservatives who said some of the policies in the FAQ document showed the GND was not a serious proposal. “There are multiple doctored GND resolutions and FAQs floating around. There was also a draft version that got uploaded + taken down. There’s also draft versions floating out there,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted Saturday, attaching the proposal she introduced in the House. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Obamacare Reforms Will Save Billions</em></strong></p>
<p>A White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) study <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Deregulating-Health-Insurance-Markets-FINAL.pdf">released</a> on Friday found that Americans will save $450 billion through Trump’s Obamacare reforms. The CEA suggested that Trump’s repeal of the Obamacare individual mandate and the expansion of short-term insurance plans and Association Health Plans (AHPs) will save Americans billions over the next ten years. The White House also suggested that the benefits of Trump’s deregulatory actions saved Americans billions, increased access to more health insurance options, and did not amount to a “sabotage” of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). President Trump signed an executive order in October 2017 which expanded short-term limited-duration health insurance plans. Short-term plans allow for Americans to keep their plans for up to 364 days and to renew their plans for up to three years. Because short-term plans do not have to comply with many Obamacare insurance regulations, insurance companies can offer more customized and cheaper plans compared to the individual market. Trump also expanded AHPs, which offer businesses and workers more affordable health insurance options. AHPs are health insurance pools sponsored by an industry, trade, or professional association that provides health coverage to their members.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Ohio City Ditches Columbus Day as Paid Holiday</em></strong></p>
<p>Sandusky, Ohio, is ditching Columbus Day in favor of Election Day as a paid holiday in a decision that officials hope sends a message that the city values voting rights and diversity over a contentious holiday that many Americans already don’t celebrate. “Ultimately, we knew that Columbus Day was a day that all of our citizens couldn’t necessarily be proud of celebrating. One of the things we’re doing is to begin to celebrate and build on the strength that is our diversity,” Eric Wobser, Sandusky’s city manager, told The Washington Post, adding that the city has passed anti-discrimination legislation. “Columbus Day was not a way for us to show that we value our diversity.” Sandusky’s population of almost 25,000 is nearly 70 percent white, 23 percent black and 7 percent Hispanic. The city is more Democratic than the rest of Erie County, which voted for President Trump in 2016. But it swung to blue last year and helped reelect Sen. Sherrod Brown (D). The move means that Sandusky’s more than 200 government employees would receive paid time off every first Tuesday of November. Wobser said officials are hoping to convince local private companies to observe the holiday, as well. Nationwide, <a href="http://takeoffelectionday.com/companies" target="_blank">more than 300 companies</a> pledged to give their employees paid time off on Election Day last year, despite the absence of federal regulation.</p>
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<p><strong><em>South Korea Signs Deal to Pay More for U.S. Troops After Trump Demand</em></strong> </p>
<p>Officials signed <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-southkorea-troops/south-korea-signs-deal-to-pay-more-for-u-s-troops-after-trump-demand-idUSKCN1PZ03Q">a short-term agreement</a> on Sunday to boost South Korea’s contribution toward the upkeep of U.S. troops on the peninsula after a previous deal lapsed amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for the South to pay more. About 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea, where the United States has maintained a military presence since the 1950-53 Korean War. The new deal must still be approved by South Korea’s parliament, but it would boost its contribution to 1.03 trillion won ($890 million) from 960 billion won in 2018. Unlike past agreements, which lasted for five years, this one is scheduled to expire in a year, potentially forcing both sides back to the bargaining table within months. “It has been a very long process, but ultimately a very successful process,” South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said at a meeting before another official from the foreign ministry initialed the agreement. While acknowledging lingering domestic criticism of the new deal and the need for parliamentary approval, Kang said the response had “been positive so far”.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Authorities Seize Record-Setting 1.7 Tons of Meth Worth $1.29 Billion t Los Angeles Port</em></strong></p>
<p>A joint <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/police-seize-million-drugs-truck-avoid-border-checkpoint/story?id=60798180" target="_blank">drug bust</a> between Australian and U.S. authorities in mid-January resulted in a record 1.7 tons of <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/meths-resurgence-highlights-lack-meds-combat-addiction/story?id=60369221" target="_blank">methamphetamine being seized</a> at Los Angeles/Long Beach seaport. <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek/video/customs-border-protection-commissioner-kevin-mcaleenan-60076313" target="_blank">Customs and Border Protection</a> announced the seizure of the three containers last Thursday, which were intended to be shipped to Australia before being searched on Jan. 11. The containers were filled with speakers "artfully" stuffed with the drugs. In addition to the 3,810 pounds of meth, the shipment also contained 55.9 pounds of cocaine and 11.5 pounds of heroin. Australian officials said the total street value of the haul was $1.29 billion. "There's no question that the criminal organization behind this scheme has been dealt a significant blow," Joseph Macias, special agent-in-charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles, said in a statement. "Along with our law enforcement partners here and around the world, we continue in a day-to-day battle against the blight of methamphetamine that continues to devastate our communities. Through a collaborative effort -- pooling our information, resources and expertise -- we are keeping this dangerous contraband from reaching our streets and potentially saving lives." The bust was the largest amount of methamphetamine ever seized in the United States, according to police. Authorities said six people have been arrested in the scheme, two Americans and four Australians. The Americans were identified by Australian police as a 52-year-old man and 46-year-old woman living in Woodstock, Victoria.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Ignoring-Truth/649495517692191490.html">“Ignoring Truth”</a><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-02-10T13:55:00ZGreen New Deal: Ocasio-Cortez Aims to Make Air Travel Obsolete, Aid Those 'Unwilling' to Work; Whitaker to Testify Publicly FridayBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Green-New-Deal:-Ocasio-Cortez-Aims-to-Make-Air-Travel-Obsolete-Aid-Those-Unwilling-to-Work;-Whitaker-to-Testify-Publicly-Friday/-725883663409391500.html2019-02-08T13:37:00Z2019-02-08T13:37:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, February 8, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Green New Deal: Ocasio-Cortez Aims to Make Air Travel Obsolete, Aid Those ‘Unwilling’ to Work</em></strong></p>
<p>In what may be the most far-reaching proposal to ever be considered in Congress, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., unveiled her <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/politics/socialism" target="_blank">"Green New Deal"</a> on Thursday. A government-led overhaul of virtually every aspect of American life that would guarantee a host of taxpayer-covered benefits for all and phase out fossil fuels. Along the way, her office says the plan would aim to make air travel obsolete, upgrade or replace every building in America to ensure energy efficiency and give economic security even to those "unwilling" to work. “Today is the day that we truly embark on a comprehensive agenda of economic, social and racial justice in the United States of America,” she said alongside Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and other lawmakers outside the Capitol. “That’s what this agenda is all about.” The plan, which calls for a massive package of big-government proposals including health care for all, quickly picked up the backing of 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls including Sens. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Cory Booker, D-N.J., <a href="https://ocasio-cortez.house.gov/sites/ocasio-cortez.house.gov/files/Resolution%20on%20a%20Green%20New%20Deal.pdf" target="_blank">who all co-sponsored the resolution</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Whitaker to Testify Publicly Friday, Judiciary Chairman Says</em></strong></p>
<p>Acting Attorney General Matthew <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/429072-whitaker-to-testify-publicly-friday-judiciary-chairman-says">Whitaker will testify</a> as planned before the House Judiciary Committee on Friday, Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) said. “CONFIRMED: Acting Attorney General Whitaker will appear tomorrow morning at 9:30am,” Nadler announced on Twitter Thursday evening. The development came shortly after Nadler sent a letter to Whitaker saying there would be “no need” for the committee to subpoena him if he appeared before the panel as scheduled and is prepared to respond to questions. Whitaker had agreed to testify publicly before the committee last month on Feb. 8. However, his appearance was abruptly called into question on Thursday after the Democrat-led panel voted to authorize a subpoena to ensure his appearance, in the case he declined to show up or answer certain questions by citing executive privilege.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Supreme Court Blocks Louisiana Abortion Law from Taking Effect</em></strong></p>
<p>The Supreme Court on Thursday blocked a Louisiana abortion law from taking effect in a split 5-4 vote. Chief Justice John Roberts joined the court's liberal wing in putting enforcement of the Louisiana law on hold. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh said they would have denied the stay application, allowing the law to take effect. The case marked the first time the Supreme Court has taken action on a case dealing with abortion since Kavanaugh, who replaced Justice Anthony Kennedy, <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/watch-live-trump-holds-swearing-in-ceremony-for-brett-kavanaugh" target="_blank">joined the high court in October</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">. </span>The Louisiana law requires doctors who provide abortions to have admitting privileges at a local hospital. If it ultimately goes into effect, two of Louisiana's three abortion clinics are expected to close because they would not be able to meet the requirement. In a <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/18pdf/18a774_3ebh.pdf" target="_blank">dissent</a>, Kavanaugh said the case "largely turns" on whether Louisiana's three doctors who provide abortions can obtain the necessary admitting privileges during a 45-day regulatory transition period. The plaintiffs then could bring a challenge to the law if the doctors were unable to obtain admitting privileges at the end of that period, Kavanaugh wrote.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Republican State Senator in Virginia Challenges Report He Edited Yearbook with Blackface Picture</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/virginia-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-sexual-assault-accuser-releases-statement-detailing-allegations" target="_blank">slew of scandals</a> rocking Virginia state government expanded to the Republican Party on Thursday as a local newspaper <a href="https://pilotonline.com/news/government/politics/virginia/article_d4ce7700-2ae3-11e9-ace9-ff7814740140.html" target="_blank">confirmed</a> that State Senate Majority Leader Tommy Norment was one of the editors of a 1968 Virginia Military Institute (VMI) yearbook that contained numerous racial slurs and at least one blackface picture. In response, Norment, 72, suggested he was the victim of a smear campaign intended to distract from the multiple allegations of past racism and sexual assault surrounding the state's highest-ranking Democratic officials. The Virginian-Pilot reported first reported that Norment was the managing editor of The Bomb, which included a photo of a man in blackface standing with others in costumes and used racial slurs to describe a student from Thailand. In a statement, Norment condemned the use of blackface; he also asserted he was not featured in any of the photographs and did not take any of the pictures. He said he was one of seven people who worked on the yearbook and "cannot endorse or associate" himself with everything in it.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Ivanka Trump Has 'Zero Concern' About Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Investigation</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump's daughter and White House adviser <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/exclusive-ivanka-trump-defends-private-email-brushes-mueller/story?id=59455437" target="_blank">Ivanka Trump says</a> she “barely" knew about the <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/rudy-giuliani-walks-back-statements-president-donald-trumps/story?id=60528339" target="_blank">prospective Moscow deal</a> that the Trump Organization pursued while Trump was also running for president, downplaying the significance of the project’s exploration. “Literally almost nothing,” Ivanka Trump said of her knowledge of the prospective deal. “We were an active business.” “There was never a binding contract. I never talked to the -- with a third party outside of the organization about it. It was one of -- I mean we could have had 40 or 50 deals like that, that were floating around, that somebody was looking at. Nobody visited it to see if it was worth our time. So this was not exactly like an advanced project," the president's eldest daughter said. Trump further downplayed the significance of <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/russia-probe-timeline-moscow-mueller/story?id=57427441" target="_blank">doing business in </a><a href="https://abcnews.go.com/alerts/russia-nation" target="_blank">Russia</a>, noting that other major hotel chains also have properties there. Asked if she has any concerns about any of her loved ones being entangled in the ongoing Mueller probe investigating potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, Ivanka Trump said she has no concerns. “Are you concerned about anyone in your life that you love being involved?” ABC's Abby Huntsman, co-host of "The View," asked. “I'm not. I'm really not,” Trump said.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Illinois Dems Introduce Bill Requiring Gun Buyers to Reveal Social Media Accounts Before Getting Firearm License</em></strong></p>
<p>Illinois Democrats are introducing a bill forcing <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/us/personal-freedoms/second-amendment" target="_blank">gun</a> buyers to reveal their public social media accounts to police before they are given permission to get a <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/south-dakota-becomes-latest-state-to-allow-concealed-handguns-without-permit">firearm </a>license. The new legislation is sponsored by two state Democratic lawmakers, in an effort to block people from acquiring guns if they have made some troubling comments on social media. State Rep. Daniel Didech, a Democrat who’s pushing the bill, told <a href="https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/02/06/gun-law-bill-social-media-illinois-background-foid/" target="_blank">CBS 2 Chicago</a>: “A lot of people who are having mental health issues will often post on their social media pages that they’re about to hurt themselves or others,” adding that these people need “the help they need.” The bill’s proponents point to Nikolas Cruz, the Parkland High School shooter, saying he posted “very disturbing” images on social media before going on a rampage and killing 17 people last year.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Kim Kardashian Shifts Focus to Helping People Get Jobs After Prison</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tagged/kim-kardashian/">Kim Kardashian</a> stopped by <em>The Tonight Show</em> <em>Starring Jimmy Fallon</em>, where she discussed the next step in her fight for criminal justice reform. "I think there's such a stigma on people hiring formerly incarcerated people," Kardashian told Fallon. Kardashian has been seen as an influential advocate for prison reform ever since President Trump granted Alice Marie Johnson clemency last June, after Kardashian advocated on her behalf at the White House. During Trump's State of the Union address Tuesday night, Johnson made an emotional cameo as Trump admitted that Johnson's story is an example of the "disparities and unfairness that can exist in criminal sentencing." Kardashian echoed those same sentiments when she told Fallon Thursday night, "There's so many people that are incarcerated for life. For murder, that maybe they were just next to someone, and there was a group of people, and a fight broke out and somebody unfortunately died. But they didn't even hit the person, didn't even have a weapon, and were serving life." Kardashian then told Fallon that she believes these people, who are pardoned, deserve a second chance at life, and she has one idea of how she can help them once they get out. "I would love to hire formerly incarcerated people," Kardashian stated.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Ignoring-Truth/649495517692191490.html">“Ignoring Truth”</a><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-02-08T13:37:00ZCovington Catholic Teen Begins Legal Battle Against Media, Celebrities; Maryland Governor: Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam Should ResignBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Covington-Catholic-Teen-Begins-Legal-Battle-Against-Media-Celebrities;-Maryland-Governor:-Virginia-Gov.-Ralph-Northam-Should-Resign/555052448247125650.html2019-02-07T13:23:00Z2019-02-07T13:23:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, February 7, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Nick Sandmann, Covington Catholic Teen Begins Legal Battle Against Media, Celebrities</em></strong></p>
<p>Last month’s incident involving the boys from Kentucky’s Covington Catholic High School at the Lincoln Memorial may be over, but the <a href="http://www.gopusa.com/nick-sandmann-covington-catholic-teen-begins-legal-battle-against-media-celebrities/">legal battle has just begun</a>. Attorneys for Covington junior Nick Sandmann made a splash this week when they sent letters to 54 news outlets, lawmakers, celebrities, media figures and Catholic institutions asking them to preserve information related to the episode and warning of a possible lawsuit. “There was a rush by the media to believe what it wanted to believe versus what actually happened,” attorney Todd McMurtry told The Cincinnati Enquirer. Those receiving the preservation letters included The Washington Post, The New York Times, CNN, National Public Radio, The Hill, The Atlantic, and TMZ, as well as more than two dozen journalists such as MSNBC’s Joy Reid and NBC’s Savannah Guthrie, who interviewed Mr. Sandmann on the “Today” show. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts Democrat, and Rep. Ilhan Omar, Minnesota Democrat, were also included. So were celebrities Jim Carrey, Kathy Griffin and Alyssa Milano, as were the Diocese of Covington and Archdiocese of Louisville.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Maryland Governor: Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam Should Resign</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan believes embattled <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/maryland-governor-virginia-gov-ralph-northam-should-resign">Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam should vacate</a> the neighboring state's executive mansion. “The governor of Virginia should resign. It's completely unacceptable,” Hogan, a Republican, told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday. “I’m sure he’s lost the confidence of the people of Virginia, and I've been very clear." Hogan, who is openly considering challenging President Trump in next year's GOP presidential primary, piled on as critics rushed to condemn Northam. Northam, a Democrat, faces mounting pressure to resign after a racist photo from his 1984 medical school yearbook was unearthed. Should Northam step down, it is unclear who will take his place as Virginia's chief executive. Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, a Democrat, has become engulfed in his own scandal, facing an allegation that he forced Vanessa Tyson, a politics professor, to engage in oral sex during the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston. Fairfax insists their encounter was consensual. The state's attorney general, Mark Herring, on Wednesday also revealed he too has worn blackface, but in his case, it was at a college party in 1980.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Photo of Joy Behar Dressed as ‘Beautiful African Woman’ Resurfaces</em></strong> </p>
<p>A long forgotten video clip from ABC's <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/the-view-host-sunny-hostin-argues-leaked-executive-time-documents-are-a-national-security-issue" target="_blank">"The View" </a>resurfaced on Wednesday that showed co-host Joy Behar trying to explain a Halloween costume from when she was younger. The co-hosts appeared surprised by her drastically different look. Raven-Symoné, a former co-host, asked, "Joy, are you black?" "I was so cute," Behar said. "Joy... are you my auntie, Joy?" Raven-Symoné joked. Behar explained that the picture was taken at a Halloween party where she dressed up as a "beautiful African woman" and stressed that it was her actual hair. "Did you have tanning lotion on, Joy?" Raven-Symoné asked. Behar responded by saying she wore makeup "that was a little bit darker than my skin."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Calls Schiff 'Political Hack' as Dems Open New Russia Probe, Send Transcripts to Mueller</em></strong></p>
<p>One day after President Trump <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/president-trump-delivers-state-of-the-union-address" target="_blank">decried</a> what he called "the politics of revenge" and "partisan investigations" in his State of the Union address, Democratic House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff announced a new, wide-ranging probe into the president's foreign business dealings and Russian election meddling. The move was fiercely condemned by Trump, who called Schiff a "political hack" on a partisan search-and-destroy mission. The Intelligence Committee on Wednesday also voted to hand over a slew of interview transcripts to Special Counsel Robert Mueller that were generated by the panel's previous Russia investigation, which was conducted under GOP leadership and concluded last March. That investigation found "no evidence" of collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russian government in the 2016 election. Republicans <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-republicans-vote-to-release-russia-probe-transcripts-plan-subpoena-for-fusion-gps-co-founder" target="_blank">had previously voted to release the transcripts</a> publicly, but that has been held up by an intelligence community review to ensure no sensitive materials are disclosed.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>'Green New Deal' Could Win Over Centrists by Avoiding a Ban on Fossil Fuels</em></strong></p>
<p>Centrist Democrats and some environmental groups are <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/energy/green-new-deal-could-win-over-centrists-by-avoiding-a-ban-on-fossil-fuels">welcoming a subtle shift in the "Green New Deal"</a> that could help broaden its support beyond progressives. Legislative text being drafted by Democrats won’t explicitly call for the end of fossil fuels or a shift to 100 percent renewable energy, as originally intended, according to multiple reports. Instead, the proposal, set to be introduced as early as this week by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., would mandate "net-zero greenhouse gas emissions" by 2030 but allow for noncarbon-emitting energy sources that aren’t wind and solar power to reach the goal. By leaving the door open for nonrenewable energy, Democrats taking their first stab at transforming lofty goals to combat climate change into policy are recognizing the political and technical realities of the nation’s energy system.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>House Democrats Divided on Strategy to Force Release of Trump's Tax Returns</em></strong></p>
<p>House Democrats have devoted themselves to a pledge to <a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/02/07/692108591/house-democrats-divided-on-strategy-to-force-release-of-trumps-tax-returns">investigate President Trump</a> at every turn, but when it comes to releasing his tax returns members are preparing for what could be a slow road ahead. Democrats on the House Ways and Means Committee face a dilemma that is already familiar in the first weeks of their majority. Members generally agree that the public has a right to see the tax entanglements of a president. Things get trickier when it comes to who should be demanding those returns and how quickly they should force what is likely to be a confrontation with the administration over the issue. There is a mechanism, known as the "committee access" provision, that allows the tax writing committee to request tax records of any taxpayer from the secretary of the Treasury. It is unclear how the agency will respond to that request and whether it will stall or resist efforts to turn over Trump's personal returns to the panel. On Thursday, the committee will take its first small step toward a resolution when it holds a narrow hearing on the laws related to presidential and vice presidential tax returns. Ways and Means Committee Member Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J., says the subcommittee-level session, set to include academics and think tank scholars, is cautious but necessary. "This is our first real crack," Pascrell said. "We have a responsibility. You either live up to the responsibility or you don't."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>After New Document is Revealed, Warren Struggles with Questions of Identity</em></strong></p>
<p>Elizabeth Warren was a law professor at the University of Texas when she filled out a form from the state bar that asked her to list her race. Her answer, printed in careful block letters: <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/after-new-document-is-revealed-warren-struggles-with-questions-of-identity/2019/02/06/bf380538-2a24-11e9-b011-d8500644dc98_story.html?utm_term=.ca584a987ce9">“American Indian.”</a> Thirty-three years later that newly disclosed document has emerged as a political flash point, forcing Warren to reckon with a question that has been dogging her for years and that she has never put to rest: why, through much of her life and legal career, she claimed to be Native American despite being white. By Wednesday, after the bar registration card was published by The Washington Post, Warren faced new doubts about her viability in the presidential race, as activists and strategists evaluated how much damage the issue might do especially given Democrats’ focus on finding a candidate who can defeat President Trump and what she might do to move past it.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Ignoring-Truth/649495517692191490.html">“Ignoring Truth”</a><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-02-07T13:23:00ZTrump Lays Out Agenda to Divided Congress in Second State of the Union; Ruth Bader Ginsburg Skips State of the UnionBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Lays-Out-Agenda-to-Divided-Congress-in-Second-State-of-the-Union;-Ruth-Bader-Ginsburg-Skips-State-of-the-Union/228706022523917115.html2019-02-06T13:49:00Z2019-02-06T13:49:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, February 6, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Lays Out Agenda to Divided Congress in Second State of the Union</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/live-news/2019-state-of-the-union-live-stream-donald-trump-democratic-rebuttal-live-updates/">delivered his second State of the Union speech</a> on Tuesday, imploring lawmakers to "break decades of political stalemate" and "heal old wounds" just weeks after the longest government shutdown in history. With House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Mike Pence seated behind him on the dais of the House chamber, Trump spoke for nearly an hour and a half, with frequent interruptions of applause from Republican members who broke into chants of "USA!" at several points. The House chamber was marked by dozens of Democratic women wearing white, the color historically associated with the suffragette movement. The president’s remarks came as Congress works to craft a deal on border security to prevent another shutdown before a looming mid-month deadline.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Ruth Bader Ginsburg Skips State of the Union</em></strong></p>
<p>Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was conspicuously absent from President Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday. Ginsburg, who turns 86 next month, has been working from home in recent weeks as she recovers from treatment for cancer. Her son said this week she has been out walking and sees a personal trainer twice a week. She appeared in public Monday for the first time since her recent surgery when she <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/ginsburg-makes-first-public-appearance-since-surgery-for-lung-cancer" target="_blank">attended a concert</a> at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C. Ginsburg wasn’t the only Supreme Court absentee in the House chamber Tuesday evening. Only Chief Justice John Roberts and associate justices Elena Kagan, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh were there to represent the high court. Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Stephen Breyer all stayed away. Before Trump was elected, Ginsburg joked that she might move to New Zealand if he won the 2016 election. “I can’t imagine what this place would be — I can’t imagine what the country would be — with Donald Trump as our president,” <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/11/us/politics/ruth-bader-ginsburg-no-fan-of-donald-trump-critiques-latest-term.html?_r=0" target="_blank">she said</a>. “For the country, it could be four years. For the court, it could be — I don’t even want to contemplate that.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Nearly 2,000 Migrants Arrive at Texas-Mexico Border, Prompting 500 State Troopers to Respond</em></strong></p>
<p>A caravan of almost 2,000 Central American migrants<a href="https://bit.ly/2D9ePdk"> has arrived just outside the Texas-Mexico border</a> with the hopes of crossing into the United States, according to officials. Authorities say the migrants arrived in Piedras Negras, across the Rio Grande from Eagle Pass in Maverick County, Texas. There to meet the influx of migrants was a surge in law enforcement that included multiple sheriff's offices, the U.S. Border Patrol and the Texas Department of Public Safety. "If anyone tries to cross the border illegally, they'll be arrested," Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber said. Schmerber said about 500 Texas state troopers had arrived in Maverick County by Tuesday along with 50 reserve deputies from across the state. "We feel very comfortable that police from other counties are ready to respond," Schmerber said. Including the U.S. Border Patrol and personnel from surrounding county sheriff's offices, Schmerber said two SWAT teams also are on standby to maintain order.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Grassley Cites "Rumors" for Belief Mueller's Findings will be Released within a Month</em></strong></p>
<p>Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley told radio host Hugh Hewitt Tuesday that he expects special counsel Robert <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chuck-grassley-expects-mueller-report-in-a-month-based-on-rumors/">Mueller's conclusions to be released "within a month,"</a> if they ever do become public. But Grassley later clarified to CBS News that his assertion was based on "rumors" and he probably shouldn't have said that. Asked on Hewitt's show Tuesday when he expects to see any report Mueller has, Grassley said, "Within a month, if we see it. ... I don't care what the report says. We paid $25 million, maybe $35 million to do it, and the public ought to know what their $25 or $35 million bought. And except for national security and privacy of individuals, those would be understandably redacted, everything else, I think, ought to be out." Grassley later clarified, pressed by CBS News' John Nolen, that his claim about Mueller's timeline was just based on "all the rumors you hear." "It's just based upon all the rumors you hear, which probably isn't a very good basis for me saying what I said," Grassley said on Capitol Hill. "But I'm getting tired of for the last 13 months it's been reported every month it was going to come out and I want it out."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Peter King to MSNBC Host: ‘Control Your Excitement’ Over Investigations into Trump</em></strong></p>
<p>Rep. Peter King (R-NY) told MSNBC host Katy Tur on Tuesday to control her "excitement" over the numerous investigations into President Donald Trump. "Come on, hey, come on Katy, you’re so excited over this. You’re talking about all the potential, all that could be there, and so far nothing’s come out. And maybe it will, who knows?" King said. At the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuaxsxC7T50&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">beginning of her show</a>, Tur talked about a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/04/us/politics/trump-inaugural-committee-subpoena.html" target="_blank">report</a> from Monday that federal investigators subpoenaed Trump’s inaugural committee to turn over all documents about donors, finances and activities. She then went to talk about the numerous of investigations that are looking into Trump's affairs. "It's another investigation, add to the many investigations into the president, and he's the president of the United States, which warrants— I'm not going to argue about our news coverage, because it warrants news coverage," Tur said. "I'm not saying don't cover it. I'm saying try to control your excitement. Try to control your excitement a bit," King said. Earlier in the interview, King, a member of the House intelligence committee, said he hasn't seen anything that incriminates Trump.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>32 Religious Groups on Probation for Alleged Discrimination at University of Iowa</em></strong></p>
<p>The University of Iowa has placed 32 campus religious groups on probation because they are supposedly in violation of the school's anti-discrimination policy. The public became aware of the list during arguments in federal district court last week involving a Christian student group initially kicked off campus. Business Leaders in Christ (BLinC) <a href="https://www.becketlaw.org/case/blinc-v-university-iowa/" target="_blank">brought</a> together students for weekly discussions centered on prayer and biblical messages. The mission of the group is to form future business leaders who integrate the values of their faith into their work. BLinC's group leaders are expected to share its Christian faith. In February 2017, a member of BLinC <a href="https://www.apnews.com/a29a846351ae4cbfa658da500b627a47" target="_blank">filed</a> a complaint with the university after he was denied the chance to serve as the group's vice president because he was openly gay and disagreed with the group's views on marriage and sexuality. The student was told he could remain as a member but could not serve in a leadership role. Group leaders must affirm a statement of faith, which says they "embrace, not reject, their God-given sex" and support marriage between a man and a woman only. The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which is acting as counsel for the student group, notes that the university "supports the rights of other groups to select leaders who share and live by their mission." Fraternities are permitted to admit only men, the Feminist Union can require members to agree "on issues of contraception and abortion," and Students for Life mandates that members are pro-life.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>American Fertility Hits Historical Low</em></strong></p>
<p>The American birth rate tied its historical low in the first nine months of 2018, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/natality-dashboard.htm">new data</a> from the Centers for Disease Control shows, and demographers say it will likely go lower. The United States <a href="https://freebeacon.com/issues/americans-fewer-kids-now-past-42-years/">has been</a> in the midst of a baby bust for decades. The total fertility rate, a demographic measure which estimates how many children a woman can expect to have in her lifetime has consistently been below the requisite 2.1 children per woman required to sustain the population at current levels. Americans are having fewer kids, and the number they are having is steadily declining. Specifically, the latest CDC data indicate that as of September of 2018, an average American woman can expect to have about 1.73 children in her lifetime. That rate is effectively tied with the rate 42 years ago, the lowest on record.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Pope Francis Confirms Priests' Abuse of Nuns Included "Sexual Slavery"</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Nuns have suffered and are still suffering <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-francis-catholic-church-sexual-abuse-germany-bishop-says-need-outside-help/">sexual abuse at the hands of Catholic priests</a> and bishops, and have even been held as sexual slaves, Pope Francis confirmed on Tuesday. The abuse was so severe in one case that an entire congregation of nuns was dissolved by former Pope Benedict. The scope of the abuse of nuns by clergy members first came to light with the publication at the beginning of February of the monthly Vatican magazine "Women Church World." The edition included Francis' own take on the scandal, long known about by the Vatican but virtually never discussed in which he blamed the unchecked power wielded by priests and higher clergy across the Catholic Church for such crimes. An Associated Press journalist who first reported on the scandal last year asked Pope Francis on his flight home from the Arabian Peninsula on Tuesday whether enough was being done by the Church hierarchy to address the problem. The pontiff conceded that it was a problem and said more action was needed. He insisted the will to confront the abuse is there, and stressed that the problem is not new, and that the Church has been working to address it for some time.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/A-Bad-Moon-Rising-in-America/-62789386519833896.html">“A Bad Moon Rising in America”</a><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-02-06T13:49:00ZState of the Union to Offer Grand Showcase for Trump Border Wall Pitch; Democrats Seek to Take on Trump at State of the UnionBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/State-of-the-Union-to-Offer-Grand-Showcase-for-Trump-Border-Wall-Pitch;-Democrats-Seek-to-Take-on-Trump-at-State-of-the-Union/958566237397962675.html2019-02-05T13:30:00Z2019-02-05T13:30:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, February 5, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>State of the Union to Offer Grand Showcase for Trump Border Wall Pitch</em></strong></p>
<p>After having his State of the Union address temporarily canceled during the government shutdown last month by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, President Trump Tuesday will finally take the greatest stage in politics to make <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/state-of-the-union-to-offer-grand-showcase-for-trump-border-wall-pitch">his case for a wall on the Mexican border</a>. “It's one of the few times, like the Super Bowl, where you have all the American people watching, and if you handle it in the right way, you can move the voters,” said former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., who attended more than 30 State of the Union addresses during his time in the Senate and the House. White House officials teasing the speech have emphasized a bipartisan message while also saying Trump will push his signature 2016 campaign promise of a wall. House and Senate Democratic leaders have refused to fund either a wall or steel-slat barrier, however. Trump will either try to galvanize public support for pressuring Democrats to agree to fund a wall, or for an emergency declaration he might make to build it unilaterally.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Democrats Seek to Take on Trump at State of the Union</em></strong></p>
<p>Democrats want to use the <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/428450-democrats-seek-to-take-on-trump-at-state-of-the-union">State of the Union address on Tuesday night</a> to illustrate their efforts to take on President Trump now that they have a majority in the House. Fresh off their political victory in the government shutdown — which led Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) approval ratings to rise in a CNN poll released Monday, Democrats are eager to show that they’re actively showing up and resisting Trump’s agenda. While 14 Democrats made a point of boycotting the speech last year, so far only five have said they’ll skip this year’s address to Congress. Viewers at home will primarily see Pelosi seated behind Trump for the first time, offering a partisan contrast next to Vice President Pence in how they respond to what the president says in his speech. And when Trump looks at his audience, he’ll see a congressional body that includes record numbers of women and minorities. Scores of Democrats are also bringing guests designed to send political messages. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Census Bureau: 75 Million More Immigrants by 2060, 95% of Future U.S. Growth</em></strong></p>
<p>The Census Bureau is projecting that the population of the United States will hit 404 million by 2060, and nearly all of the net growth will be from immigrants and their families. A <a href="https://cis.org/Report/Projecting-Impact-Immigration-US-Population" target="_blank">new analysis</a> of the figures shows that of the 79 million more in 2060, 75 million will be legal and illegal immigrants and their families, a population the size of France and Belgium combined. Without immigration, according to the Census analysis from the <a href="https://cis.org/" target="_blank">Center for Immigration Studies,</a> the U.S. population would increase by just 3.7 million, the latest sign that the country is on a path to zero native population growth. Steven Camarota's report concluded, "The debate over immigration should not be whether it makes for a much larger population — it does. The debate over immigration should also not be whether it has a large impact on increasing the working-age share of the population or the ratio of workers to retirees — it does not. The key question for the public and policy-makers is what costs and benefits come with having a much larger population and a more densely settled country. Some foresee a deteriorating quality of life with a larger population, including its impact on such things as pollution, congestion, loss of open spaces, and sprawl. Others may feel that a much larger population will create more opportunities for businesses, workers, and consumers. These projections do not resolve those questions. What the projections do tell us is where we are headed as a country in terms of the size and density of our population. The question for the nation is: Do we wish to go there?"</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Federal Investigators Close in on Trump Inaugural Committee</em></strong></p>
<p>The federal investigation into President Trump’s inaugural committee has intensified with a subpoena ordering the handover of virtually all documentation to prosecutors looking into possible crimes including conspiracy against the U.S., wire fraud, and money laundering. “We have just received a subpoena for documents. While we are still reviewing the subpoena, it is our intention to cooperate with the inquiry,” a spokesperson for the inaugural committee told <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/beta-story-container/US/wireStory/federal-prosecutors-subpoena-trumps-inaugural-committee-60843207" target="_blank">ABC News</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span> The move by prosecutors underlined the reality that the investigations into Trump have stretched far beyond his campaign's potential ties to Russia during the 2016 election and now include his presidential bid, his inauguration, his businesses, and his actions while in office. The investigation into the inaugural committee began last year, stemming from an inquiry into Trump’s former personal attorney Michael Cohen. According to the Wall Street Journal, federal prosecutors are investigating whether the committee misused $107 million it raised from donations, whether donations were given in exchange for influence on the Trump administration, and whether illegal donations were channeled to the committee and a pro-Trump super PAC by foreign interests.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes First Public Appearance Since Surgery</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg made what is believed to be her first public appearance since her December cancer surgery when she attended a performance of "Notorious RBG in Song" on Monday, the Supreme Court spokesperson told CNN. The Washington outing was to support her daughter-in-law, soprano Patrice Michaels, who released an album of songs chronicling Ginsburg's life. Ginsburg's son, James, produced the album. The concert was performed by Michaels and other musicians, and was held at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Jeff Rosen, CEO of the National Constitution Center, tweeted the news of Ginsburg's attendance. The iconic liberal justice, 85, was released from the hospital in late December following surgery to remove two cancerous nodules from her left lung. While recovering from the surgery, she did not attend oral arguments in person at the start of the new year. As she continued to recuperate, the Supreme Court <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/11/politics/ruth-bader-ginsburg-recovery/index.html" target="_blank">confirmed</a> there was "no evidence of remaining disease" nor was there a need for further treatment. In addition to missing in-person oral arguments before the court, Ginsburg canceled two events scheduled for late January and early February, adding to the significance of her public appearance on Monday.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>'Green New Deal' Details Emerge, as Ocasio-Cortez Preps Big Reveal of WW2-Level Mobilization</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Monday unveiled new details on the so-called <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/if-ocasio-cortezs-green-new-deal-succeeds-in-2019-it-will-be-the-most-radical-plan-offered-in-decades" target="_blank">"Green New Deal"</a> she plans to introduce in a matter of days, as she worked behind-the-scenes to rally congressional support for the proposal that could cost as much as $7 trillion. Ocasio-Cortez, who is set to unveil the plan with Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Ed Markey, told her fellow representatives in a letter that the Green New Deal calls for a "national, social, industrial and economic mobilization at a scale not seen since World War II." "Next week, we plan to release a resolution that outlines the scope and scale of the Green New Deal,” Ocasio-Cortez said in the letter, adding that the country's near-total economic transformation should take approximately ten years. To raise awareness for the measure, Markey announced Monday he had invited Varshini Prakash, the co-founder of the Sunrise Movement environmentalist group, to be his guest at President Trump's State of the Union address Tuesday night. The Green New Deal proposal would lead to national net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, according to Ocasio-Cortez's letter, “through a fair and just transition for all communities and workers,” while also generating millions of “good, high-wage jobs." Details of the letter were first published by Bloomberg. Through it all, the Green New Deal would additionally “promote justice and equity by preventing current and repairing historic oppression to frontline and vulnerable communities," according to Ocasio-Cortez.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Border Agents Reportedly Discover 60-Foot Tunnel to Mexico at Southern Border</em></strong></p>
<p>Border Patrol agents have reportedly discovered a 60-foot-long tunnel <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-visits-u-s-mexico-border-as-shutdown-talks-stall">in Texas along the U.S.-Mexico border</a>. The tunnel, which is seemingly under construction to stretch toward Mexico, was discovered on the American side of the border, near the Rio Grande River in Hidalgo, Texas, <a href="http://www.kxxv.com/story/39890023/60-foot-long-tunnel-found-next-to-border-wall-in-texas">KRGV</a> reported. Hidalgo is roughly 10 miles away from McAllen, a town President Donald Trump visited last month during a trip to the southern border. The tunnel is nearly impossible to see from the Rio Grande River, at the bottom of a 30-foot embankment, and is located roughly 1,500 feet down the river from Brand's county water pump station, according to the report.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/A-Bad-Moon-Rising-in-America/-62789386519833896.html">“A Bad Moon Rising in America”</a><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-02-05T13:30:00ZPentagon Confirms 3,750 Additional Troops Heading to the U.S.-Mexico Border; Patriots Win 6th Lombardi TrophyBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Pentagon-Confirms-3750-Additional-Troops-Heading-to-the-U.S.-Mexico-Border;-Patriots-Win-6th-Lombardi-Trophy/125929399395513191.html2019-02-04T13:14:00Z2019-02-04T13:14:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Monday, February 4, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Pentagon Confirms 3,750 Additional Troops Heading to the U.S.-Mexico Border</em></strong></p>
<p>Approximately 3,750 additional active duty U.S. troops are <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/pentagon-sending-2000-additional-us-troops-southern-border/story?id=60725790" target="_blank">heading to the southern border</a> in support of Customs and Border Protection, according to a statement released by the Department of Defense on Sunday. "That support includes a mobile surveillance capability through the end of September 2019, as well as the emplacement of approximately 150 miles of concertina wire between ports of entry," the statement said. The new troops are expected to deploy in mid-February, a U.S. official told ABC News. There are already about 2,350 active duty troops along the border in Texas, Arizona, and California. In the statement, the DOD said the total number of active duty forces would only rise to 4,350, meaning some of those currently deployed troops would return to their bases. There are also about 2,200 National Guard troops who have been serving on the southern border since last April.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Patriots Win 6th Lombardi Trophy, Topping Rams 13-3 in Lowest-Scoring Super Bowl Ever</em></strong></p>
<p>The New England Patriots <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/sports/super-bowl-liii-rams-vs-patriots">broke one record and tied another</a> by beating the Los Angeles Rams 13-3, to win the lowest-scoring Super Bowl in history, and match the Pittsburgh Steelers as the NFL's only six-time Lombardi Trophy winners. The matchup shattered the record of lowest-scoring Super Bowl to date: Super Bowl VII, when Miami Dolphins beat Washington Redskins by a score of 14–7 in January 1973. New England rookie running back Sony Michel scored on a 2-yard run with roughly 7 minutes remaining to give the Patriots a 10-3 lead over the Rams. Kicker Stephen Gostkowski later added a field goal late in the fourth quarter to close out the scoring.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump's State of the Union Aims for a Unifying Tone</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump heads into his State of the Union address dogged by bruising midterm losses and sinking poll numbers, wounded by a blistering standoff with Democrats. But for the stately speech, he plans to embrace unity at least for the night. "Choosing Greatness" is the official White House theme. <a href="https://www.ajc.com/news/trump-state-the-union-aims-for-unifying-tone/EBSFkdTaQcMzmTC2N9SZpM/">Addressing the nation</a> at the weakest point of his presidency, Trump will seek to use the ceremonial moment to pitch a unifying vision and reset relations with Democrats. The prime-time presidential set-piece Tuesday night comes amid a bitter border wall fight that nearly derailed the speech altogether, but Trump is not expected to dwell on the rancor. "I really think it's going to be a speech that's going to cover a lot of territory, but part of it's going to be unity," Trump told reporters this week. While Trump may strive for a unifying tone for the evening, harsh rhetoric has been a constant of his presidency. Previous efforts by Trump to shift gears have been short-lived and have struck many as disingenuous, given the ferocity with which he often takes on Democrats. Even on Friday, Trump was going after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi by name, calling her clueless and her ideas dangerous.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Ocasio-Cortez Bringing Woman Who Confronted Flake in Elevator to State of the Union</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Ana Maria Archila, the woman who had a widely seen confrontation with former Sen. <a href="https://thehill.com/people/jeff-flake">Jeff Flake</a> (R-Ariz.) last year over his support for then-Supreme Court nominee <a href="https://thehill.com/people/brett-kavanaugh">Brett Kavanaugh</a>, on Tuesday will attend the State of the Union address as a guest of Rep. <a href="https://thehill.com/people/alexandria-ocasio-cortez">Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez</a> (D-N.Y.). Archila, who is the co-executive director of the Center for Popular Democracy, <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/408918-flake-confronted-by-victims-of-sexual-assault-on-way-to-committee-vote">in September, confronted Flake in an elevator</a> when he was on his way to a Senate Judiciary Committee vote to advance Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination to the Senate floor. Archila, who is from Queens and is one of Ocasio-Cortez's constituents, told <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/02/04/ana-maria-archila-queens-woman-who-confronted-jeff-flake-will-be-ocasio-cortezs-sotu-guest/">The Intercept</a> that she was "moved" by Ocasio-Cortez's decision to invite her to the address. “I just feel particularly moved that in her first participation in the State of the Union she is inviting me to join and inviting that moment of the elevator, my confrontation with the men who do not understand the life of women and the lives of people who are not in power, that she’s inviting that into the imagination of people again,” Archila said. “What you are doing is allowing someone who actually violated a woman to sit on the Supreme Court. This is not tolerable. You have children in your family. Think about them," Archila said at the time. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Super Bowl Commercials: Washington Post Gets Political, 'Game of Thrones' and Pepsi Make Splashes</em></strong></p>
<p>Tom Hanks narrated the <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/super-bowl-commercials-washington-post-gets-political-game-of-thrones-and-pepsi-make-splashes">first-ever Super Bowl ad</a> for The Washington Post, showcasing the importance of journalism and the Jeff Bezos-owned publication's slogan, "Democracy dies in darkness." The spot aired in the fourth quarter and was one of the only commercials not to previously be released online. The advertisement showed several journalists who'd gone missing or been killed, including Jamal Khashoggi, who was murdered at the Saudi Arabian Consulate in Istanbul in October; Austin Tice, who's been missing in Syria for six years; and Marie Colvin, an American war correspondent for The Sunday Times of London, who was killed in Syria in 2012. Deadline estimates that The Washington Post spent upwards of $5 million for the ad. Thankfully, there was also lighter fare. "Game of Thrones" teamed up with Bud Light for a battle between The Mountain and "Bud Knight" — and it doesn't end well for Knight, nor for the audience, which gets torched by a dragon.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Adam Levine Breaks Silence After Maroon 5's Super Bowl Halftime Show</em></strong></p>
<p>Adam Levine spoke out after Maroon 5 played a tame, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/super-bowl-halftime-show-maroon-5-travis-scott-big-boi-avoid-politics-and-stick-to-hits" target="_blank">apolitical Super Bowl Halftime Show</a> on Sunday. The singer took to Instagram, where he wrote a long missive alongside an image of the "One Love" light display featured during their performance. "When we accepted the responsibility to perform at the SBHTS, I took out my pen and just wrote," Levine, 39, captioned the photo. "Some of the words that came to me in that moment eventually made their way onto the incredible lanterns that flew high and low tonight. We thank the universe for this historic opportunity to play on the world’s biggest stage. We thank our fans for making our dreams possible. And we thank our critics for always pushing us to do better. One Love." He continued, "And the list of words is... Forgive, Laugh, Cry, Smile, Share, Live, Endure, Embrace, Remember, Enlighten, Preserve, Inspire, Sweat, Fight, Express, Give, Receive, Elevate, Climb, Unify, Fortify, Soften, Dance, Scream, Dream, Educate, Provide, Inhale, Exhale, Persevere, Stand, Kneel, Overcome, Love, Listen." Maroon 5 was plagued with backlash leading up to the Super Bowl Halftime Show, largely due to artists protesting the NFL over its treatment of Colin Kaepernick.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>Roseanne Barr I'm Done with the U.S... I'm Moving to Israel</strong></em></p>
<p>Barr appeared on Rabbi Shmuley's podcast and said she's headed for Israel ... first she says for a few months to study, but then she talks about a full-on move -- "I have an opportunity to go to Israel for a few months and study with my favorite teachers over there, and that's where I'm going to go and probably move somewhere there and study with my favorite teachers." Barr says she made a "fatal mistake," apologizing for her racist comment about former Obama aide Valerie Jarrett. She says when the left gets hold of an apology from someone on the other side of the political spectrum they don't let it go and eventually destroy their adversary. Barr, who is a deeply religious Jew, goes on to say, "I have some mental health issues and depression and stuff. I got to stay in the middle or I'll go dark and I don't want to go dark again." John Goodman just said Roseanne's gonna be killed off at the beginning of the reboot, "The Conners." As for moving to Israel, Barr says, "I have saved a few pennies and I'm so lucky I can go."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/A-Bad-Moon-Rising-in-America/-62789386519833896.html">“A Bad Moon Rising in America”</a><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-02-04T13:14:00ZFeds Versus Illegal Drones is the Game Within the Game at Super Bowl LIII; Trump: Pelosi 'Very Bad for Our Country'BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Feds-Versus-Illegal-Drones-is-the-Game-Within-the-Game-at-Super-Bowl-LIII;-Trump:-Pelosi-Very-Bad-for-Our-Country/-298614177194996864.html2019-02-03T13:30:00Z2019-02-03T13:30:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, February 3, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Feds Versus Illegal Drones is the Game Within the Game at Super Bowl LIII</em></strong></p>
<p>Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies are ready to take down any <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/feds-versus-illegal-drones-is-the-game-within-the-game-at-super-bowl-liii">unauthorized drones</a> that are caught buzzing around the Mercedes-Benz Stadium during the Super Bowl Sunday night. Department of Homeland Security agencies and the FBI have been working with the Georgia Department of Public Safety and the Atlanta Police Department, including Special Weapons and Tactics, for six months to come up with the best way to handle any drone makes its way into the stadium. Atlanta's stadium can hold 70,000 people, and an estimated 100 million people from around the world will be watching the game, making it a high-profile event a domestic terrorist might target. Mercedes-Benz Stadium has not said whether it plans to open its retractable roof Sunday night, which would make it even easier for a drone to enter. While an unauthorized drone itself may not be a threat to the public, Homeland Security officials have warned about the risks they pose because of what they could carry. Border Patrol agents along the southern border have seen cartels in Mexico use drones to fly small quantities of high-potency drugs into the country.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump: Pelosi 'Very Bad for Our Country'</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump said he believes House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is "very bad for our country." Referring to negotiations with Pelosi on border security, Trump said the California Democrat is refusing to support his demand for border wall funding for political reasons. "Well, I think that she was very rigid — which I would expect — but I think she's very bad for our country," Trump said in an interview with CBS. "She knows that you need a barrier. She knows that we need border security. She wanted to win a political point. I happen to think it's very bad politics because basically, she wants open borders. She doesn't mind human trafficking or she wouldn't do this." Pelosi responded through her deputy chief of staff Drew Hammill: "The President knows, bluster aside, that Democrats are committed to securing our borders while upholding our values as a nation. The President should stop undermining bipartisan efforts to do just that." The CBS interview, conducted Friday in the White House, will air in full on "Face the Nation" Sunday morning. In about two weeks funding from a stopgap spending bill that ended the 35-day partial government shutdown expires. A bipartisan group of more than a dozen House and Senate lawmakers <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/congress/democrats-pitch-cutting-edge-technology-but-no-border-wall-money" target="_blank">began meeting</a> last week in an effort to strike a deal on border security and federal funding by a Feb. 15 deadline.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Gov. Northam Says He is Not in Racist Yearbook Photo, but Acknowledges Another Party</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ralph-northams-medical-school-yearbook-page-shows-men-dressed-in-blackface-kkk-robe" target="_blank">Embattled Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam</a> said Saturday that he was not in a racist 1984 yearbook photo of two men dressed in blackface and Ku Klux Klan garb, despite admitting he was in the picture a day earlier. He did, however, acknowledge darkening his face for another occasion that same year, when he dressed as singer Michael Jackson as part of a talent contest. The governor also continued to assert that he won't resign over the photo controversy. "When I was confronted with the image, I was appalled that it appeared on my page, but I believed then and I believe now that I am not either of the people in that photograph," he said at a press conference at the governor's mansion. He apologized for the picture appearing on his page, calling the image "offensive" and "racist," but said that he had nothing to do with the preparation of the yearbook, and that he did not purchase it. He acknowledged that he had initially admitted to being in the image, but said that "in the hours since I made my statement, I reflected with family and classmates from that time and it affirmed my conclusion that I am not the person in that photograph." Northam said that while he did not attend the party where the picture was taken, he did attend one the same year, for which he said he "darkened my face as part of a Michael Jackson costume." "I look back now and regret that I did not understand the harmful legacy of an action like that," he said. However, he went on to note that he had gone on to win that contest, in part because he could perform Jackson's signature dance move -- the Moonwalk. When asked if he still able to perform the dance, Northam paused to look at the space next to him as if he was about to attempt the move, before his wife Pamela said it was "inappropriate circumstances."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Slams Ralph Northam Photo Controversy as Being ‘Unforgivable’</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump condemned Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam on Saturday amid the controversy surrounding a racist photo on his medical school yearbook page, as well as comments he's made about a late-term abortion bill. “Democrat Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia just stated, ‘I believe that I am not either of the people in that photo.’” Trump <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1091858686371344384" target="_blank">tweeted</a>. “This was 24 hours after apologizing for appearing in the picture and after making the most horrible statement on ‘super’ late-term abortion. Unforgivable!” The president also appeared to make reference to Northam’s comments earlier this week about a controversial abortion bill that one sponsor said could allow women to terminate a pregnancy up until the moment before birth.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Ocasio-Cortez Campaign Documentary Wins Sundance Film Festival Audience Award</em></strong></p>
<p>Audience members at the annual Sundance Film Festival voted Saturday to recognize the documentary "Knock Down the House" with the festival's coveted annual audience award in the documentary category. The film, described on Twitter as a "powerful and painful" look at the freshman Democrat's stunning 2018 defeat of former Rep. Joe Crowley (D-N.Y.) in the state's primary election by one attendee of the festival, reportedly received a five-minute standing ovation from the audience after its viewing. Ocasio-Cortez herself appeared at the festival through a video call following the film's showing, admitting that she herself was still "recovering" from the shock of her own victory. "I’m still recovering from the tears myself," she said on the video call, according to <a href="http://remezcla.com/film/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-surprise-knock-down-the-house-sundance-premiere/" target="_blank">remezcla.com.</a> “I’m just so glad that this moment for all four of us was captured and documented not just for the personal meaning of it but for everyday people to see that yes, this is incredibly challenging, yes, the odds are long but also that yes, this is worth it." The film's positive reception comes days after <a href="https://variety.com/2019/film/markets-festivals/netflix-close-to-knock-down-the-house-aoc-doc-sundance-1203122167/" target="_blank">Variety reported</a> that streaming service Netflix was nearing a deal for rights to the documentary, with a rumored sale price as high as $6 million.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Report: Migrant Caravan Now 5,600 Strong</em></strong></p>
<p>The latest caravan of nearly 6,000 illegal aliens headed toward the U.S.-Mexico border, and an estimable character Mexican cops found inside it, have once again proven the president right about illegal immigration. The latest caravan is moving without resistance through Mexico, another 500 illegal aliens left Honduras on last Sunday. Another invasion army is forming now for departure in February, the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-caravan-grows-as-mexico-eases-passage-11548191845" target="_blank">Wall Street Journal reported.</a> In other words, the invaders won’t stop coming. And it doesn’t appear that Mexico is interested in stopping the invasion of its own territory, and hopes the illegal-alien invaders will land in the United States. Frighteningly, the size of the latest caravan has grown from 500 when it left San Pedro Sula in Honduras on January 15 to 5,600 now.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>National Parks Struggle with Up to $11 Million in Revenue Loss from Shutdown</em></strong></p>
<p>An internal email sent to National Park Service (NPS) staff reveals for the first time that the <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/428217-national-parks-struggle-with-up-to-11-million-in-revenue-loss-from">parks lost between $10 million and $11 million</a> during the 35-day partial government shutdown, which left a number of popular parks open but furloughed most rangers and staff. The email strongly suggests the shutdown and its aftermath had a detrimental effect on the morale of park staff, and that lawyers are looking into whether it was legal for the Department of Interior to use “rec fees” to pay for maintenance and trash collection while parks such as Joshua Tree in California were kept open. Parks resumed operations this past week, and the email makes clear the Park Service is scrambling to keep up morale while catching up on lost time. “Our work has become increasingly stressful. For some, the shutdown was a much-needed relief, for others the shutdown added a new dimension of stress, anxiety, anger,” NPS regional fee manager Cindy David told Pacific West Region (PWR) staff in an emailed two-part document Friday. David’s email states that the parks lost between $10 million and $11 million in visitor fee revenue during the shutdown, the majority of which came from losses in high-revenue parks in California and Hawaii that are popular in winter months. In addition to Joshua Tree, these parks include Yosemite and Muir Woods in California and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Tulsi Gabbard Officially Launches 2020 Campaign</em></strong></p>
<p>Hawaii Rep. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://thehill.com/people/tulsi-gabbard">Tulsi Gabbard</a></span> (D) officially joined the race for president on Saturday afternoon at a rally in her home state hosted weeks after she announced her campaign on CNN. Gabbard took aim at America's foreign policy establishment in her campaign announcement Saturday, blaming politicians in "ivory towers" for U.S. involvement in costly armed conflicts abroad. "We must stand against powerful politicians from both parties who sit in ivory towers thinking up new wars to wage & new places for people to die. Wasting trillions of dollars, hundreds of thousands of lives, undermining our economy and security, and destroying our middle class," Gabbard said during her address.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/A-Bad-Moon-Rising-in-America/-62789386519833896.html">“A Bad Moon Rising in America”</a><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-02-03T13:30:00ZCory Booker Launches His Presidential Campaign with a Call for America to 'Rise'; Trump Now Says He and Intel Chiefs in AgreementBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Cory-Booker-Launches-His-Presidential-Campaign-with-a-Call-for-America-to-Rise;-Trump-Now-Says-He-and-Intel-Chiefs-in-Agreement/762749530489884868.html2019-02-01T13:39:00Z2019-02-01T13:39:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, February 1, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Cory Booker Launches His Presidential Campaign with a Call for America to ‘Rise’</em></strong></p>
<p>Cory Booker is in. The New Jersey senator launched his White House bid on Friday morning with an email to supporters declaring, “I’m running for President of the United States of America.” His letter was followed up by the release of a <a href="https://twitter.com/CoryBooker/status/1091308916879884288" target="_blank">video</a> in which he focused on the idea that people in the country share “common pain,” a case that has been a centerpiece of his speeches throughout the past year. “Together, we will channel our common pain back into our common purpose. Together, America, we will rise,” Booker said in the clip.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Now Says He and Intel Chiefs in Agreement</em></strong></p>
<p>A day after he lashed out at <a href="https://news.yahoo.com/trump-changes-course-says-intel-chiefs-agreement-060556104--politics.html">U.S. intelligence agency chiefs</a> over their assessments of global threats, President Donald Trump reversed course and said that he and the intelligence community "are all on the same page." Trump met with his director of national intelligence and other top security officials in the Oval Office Thursday and said afterward that they told him their testimony at a Senate hearing had been "mischaracterized" by the news media. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats had slammed the president for his comments disparaging Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, CIA Director Gina Haspel and other top security officials. The officials told Congress on Tuesday that North Korea is unlikely to dismantle its nuclear arsenal and that the Iran nuclear deal is working, contrary to what Trump has claimed. The intelligence agency chiefs "said that they were totally misquoted and ... it was taken out of context," Trump told reporters at the White House. "They said it was fake news."</p>
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<p><strong><em>Donald Trump Jr. Calls Out Schiff After Reports Say that Blocked Phone Calls Weren’t to Father</em></strong></p>
<p>Donald Trump Jr. late Thursday laid into House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., after reports appeared to vindicate the younger Trump of Democratic suspicions that he made phone calls to President Trump around the time of the Trump Tower meeting with Russians in June 2016. Senate investigators obtained phone records which appeared to show that Trump Jr. had actually spoken to two longtime Trump family friends – Brian France, the chief executive of Nascar, and the investor Howard Lorber, the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/31/us/politics/donald-trump-jr-blocked-number-calls.html">New York Times</a> reported. Trump Jr. responded to the reports on Twitter, knocking Schiff. “Has anyone heard from Adam Schiff? I imagine he’s busy leaking other confidential info from the House Intelligence Committee to change the subject?!? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FullOfSchiff?src=hash">#FullOfSchiff</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">”</span>. Democrats have long suspected the calls were between Trump Jr. and his then-candidate father regarding a meeting with Russians offering dirt on Hillary Clinton during the 2016 campaign.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Says He is Not the ‘Target’ of the Mueller Investigation<br /></em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Thursday said <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-says-he-is-not-the-target-of-the-mueller-investigation">in a published report</a> that he is not the target of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into whether Trump's campaign coordinated with Russia during the 2016 election. Trump told the New York Times in a wide-ranging interview that outgoing Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein assured his attorneys that he was "not a subject" or "target" in the investigation. Trump claimed to have never spoken to his longtime adviser Roger Stone about WikiLeaks and denied discussing the proposed Trump Tower in Moscow late into his campaign. Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker on Monday announced that Mueller's Russia investigation is “close to being completed." Mueller has secured convictions of former Trump advisers, including Trump’s onetime campaign chairman Paul Manafort and National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, but none of the charges directly pertained to a criminal conspiracy with Russian officials related to efforts to meddle in the 2016 elections.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Nogales Border Officers Make Record 254-Pound Fentanyl Bust</em></strong></p>
<p>In <a href="https://tucson.com/news/local/nogales-border-officers-make-record--pound-fentanyl-bust/article_3d584107-abb9-54f8-b079-ee6e84179321.html">a record seizure</a> for Customs and Border Protection, officers confiscated 254 pounds of fentanyl, enough for millions of potentially lethal doses, hidden in a cargo of cucumbers at a Nogales port of entry. It was the largest single seizure of the potent opioid in CBP history. Juan Antonio Torres-Barraza, a 26-year-old Mexican truck driver, was caught Saturday with more than 650 pounds of methamphetamine and fentanyl worth $4.6 million, officials said Thursday during a news conference at the Mariposa Port of Entry. He is in federal custody facing two counts of possession with intent to distribute. The fentanyl, worth about $3.5 million, was mainly in powder form, but there were also pills. The meth seizure was the third-largest discovered at Arizona ports of entry and consisted of 322 packages weighing about 395 pounds and worth $1.18 million.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Says He’s ‘Set the Stage’ for Wall Action</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump says congressional negotiations over border security are a <a href="https://apnews.com/c2a379abd5fa4297943ac18d1491eef3">“waste of time,”</a> while insisting he has “set the stage” to take action on his own if lawmakers don’t provide funding for his border wall. Trump told The New York Times in an interview published Thursday night that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi “is hurting our country very badly by doing what’s she doing and, ultimately, I think I’ve set the table very nicely.” Trump added, “I’ll continue to build the wall, and we’ll get the wall finished. Now whether or not I declare a national emergency — that you’ll see.” Trump has threatened to declare a national emergency to get the wall built, but such a move would be challenged in court, tying up the money indefinitely. Four House freshmen are urging congressional negotiators to not increase spending for Immigration and Customs Enforcement as part of any congressional deal to bolster border security and keep the government open. The progressives say the Homeland Security Department’s budget should be cut, not enlarged, because it has an “inhumane” agenda toward immigrants and children. In a letter circulated Thursday, they say next year’s budget offers a chance to “reform” the agency. They added, “In the meantime, not another dollar.” The letter is signed by freshman Democrats Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan. All four have in the past advocated abolishing ICE, which is part of Homeland Security.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>San Francisco Area Restaurant Bans 'Make America Great' Hats</em></strong></p>
<p>An award-winning cookbook author and California restaurant owner says anyone wearing a red "Make America Great Again" baseball cap <a href="http://www.fox5ny.com/news/san-francisco-area-restaurant-bans-make-america-great-hats-compares-to-white-hoods-and-swastikas">will be refused service</a> at his restaurant. J. Kenji Lopez-Alt is a chef-partner of the Wursthall restaurant in San Mateo and says in a tweet Sunday that he views the hats as symbols of intolerance and hate. The San Francisco Chronicle reported Thursday that Lopez-Alt's decision was met with mixed reaction by restaurant clients. Diners interviewed by the newspaper said they understood Lopez-Alt's stance but questioned the hat ban and said he could have found a way to start a dialogue on the issue. On Twitter, many criticized the so-called tolerance of the liberal Bay Area. </p>
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<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/A-Bad-Moon-Rising-in-America/-62789386519833896.html">“A Bad Moon Rising in America”</a><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-02-01T13:39:00ZTrump Criticizes Virginia Dems Over Late-Term Abortion Bill; Polar Vortex Brings Subzero Temps to Midwest, Prompts USPS to Suspend ServiceBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Criticizes-Virginia-Dems-Over-Late-Term-Abortion-Bill;-Polar-Vortex-Brings-Subzero-Temps-to-Midwest-Prompts-USPS-to-Suspend-Service/-966974669695203022.html2019-01-31T13:37:00Z2019-01-31T13:37:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, January 31, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Criticizes Virginia Dems Over Late-Term Abortion Bill</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump is criticizing Virginia Democrats for a proposed bill that would ease restrictions on late-term abortions in the state. Trump in an interview with the <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/30/exclusive-trump-rips-virginia-democrats-abortion-comments/">Daily Caller published Wednesday</a> predicted that recent comments about the bill are "going to lift up the whole pro-life movement like maybe it’s never been lifted up before." Trump commented on <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/427689-dem-bill-in-virginia-would-loosen-restrictions-on-late-term-abortions">a video</a> of Virginia Del. Kathy Tran (D) that recently went viral in which Virginia's House Majority Leader Todd Gilbert (R) questioned the delegate about when an abortion would be permissible under her legislation. The Virginia <a href="http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?191+ful+HB2491">bill</a> would eliminate the requirement for second trimester abortions to happen at state-licensed hospitals and reduce the amount of doctors necessary to determine the need for a third trimester abortion from three to one. The bill is unlikely to pass given that Republicans control the House of Delegates and it was tabled on Monday.</p>
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<p><strong><em>House Democrat Invites Illegal Immigrant Fired from Trump Golf Course to the SOTU</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/house-democrat-invites-illegal-immigrant-fired-from-trump-golf-course-to-state-of-the-union">A House Democrat invited an illegal immigrant</a> who was fired from the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., to President Trump's State of the Union address next week. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., announced Thursday that she extended the offer to Victorina Morales, who lives in her district in Bound Brook and since being fired has become an advocate for fellow illegal immigrants. In a statement, Coleman blamed Trump for the recent partial government shutdown stemming from his demand for border security funding, which led to a delay of the State of the Union address to Feb. 5. "I hope that in his State of the Union address, Donald Trump will finally acknowledge the real face of immigrants in this country — women and children fleeing violence, law-abiding, tax-paying people who would do almost anything to be Americans," Coleman said. "And if he can’t, I’ve invited Victorina so that he may look her in her eyes to tell his lies to a familiar face.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Mueller Says His Files Were Leaked to Russia, which Used it for 'Disinformation Campaign'</em></strong></p>
<p>A pro-Russia Twitter account somehow gained access to nonpublic evidence gathered by special counsel Robert Mueller and tweeted out altered versions of those files as part of a "disinformation campaign," Mueller asserted Wednesday. The allegation was made by Mueller’s team in <a href="https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/5700877/Concord-Discovery-Opposition.pdf" target="_blank">a new court filing</a> Wednesday in the case against Concord Management and Consulting, a Russian company owned by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a billionaire friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Concord Management helped finance a known Russian troll farm, Internet Research Agency. According to Mueller, “certain non-sensitive” evidence given by federal prosecutors to the defense team was "altered" and posted online “as part of a disinformation campaign aimed (apparently) at discrediting ongoing investigations into Russian interference in the U.S. political system.” Mueller didn't describe how the information was altered.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump to Meet Top China Trade Negotiator in Final Day of Talks</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-30/u-s-china-hold-first-day-of-trade-talks-amid-wide-differences">U.S. President Donald Trump will meet China’s top trade negotiator</a> in the Oval Office on Thursday for high-level talks, with little indication that Beijing will bend to American demands to deepen economic reforms. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will lead a second and final day of negotiations with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, the highest-level talks since Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Dec. 1 and declared a 90-day truce to reach a lasting deal to end the trade war. Trump is scheduled to meet Liu at 3:30 p.m., according to an email of his schedule from the White House. While a breakthrough deal is seen as unlikely from this round of negotiations, the White House has said a concluding statement will be released on the progress they’ve made on core issues such as Chinese technology transfers and intellectual property practices, market access and Beijing’s pledge to buy more American goods.</p>
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<p><strong><em>72 Percent in Poll Think Trump, Congress Will Fail to Reach Border Deal</em></strong></p>
<p>Just 28 percent of those surveyed in a new poll think President Trump and Congress will reach a deal on border security in the next three weeks, underscoring the deep skepticism voters hold toward Washington after the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. 72 percent of registered voters polled think no deal will be reached, according to the latest <a href="https://thehill.com/hilltv/what-americas-thinking/427722-72-percent-in-poll-think-trump-congress-will-fail-to-reach-border-deal?userid=288034">Hill-HarrisX poll</a>. Lawmakers aiming to reach a deal met for the first time on Wednesday — and just hours after Trump tweeted his own apparent skepticism of their efforts. “If the committee of Republicans and Democrats now meeting on Border Security is not discussing or contemplating a Wall or Physical Barrier, they are Wasting their time!” Trump wrote on Twitter. Trump agreed to end a partial shutdown that had closed about a quarter of the government on Friday, signing a measure later that day that will put off another shutdown until Feb. 16. The measure is intended to buy time for negotiators to work out a deal on funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the border. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Polar Vortex Brings Subzero Temps to Midwest, Prompts USPS to Suspend Service</em></strong></p>
<p>The deadly deep freeze enveloping the Midwest sent temperatures plunging Wednesday to rival some of the most frigid spots in the world, triggering widespread closures of schools and businesses, and the canceling of more than 1,600 flights to and from Chicago's airports. The U.S. Postal Service even took the rare step of <a href="https://abc7chicago.com/weather/deep-freeze-envelops-midwest-even-stops-the-mail/5112721/">suspending mail delivery</a> across much of the region. The USPS announced that no mail will be delivered in parts of Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Some retail offices of the postal service will be open, but couriers won't be delivering any mail to those areas. There's no word yet on when mail service will resume in the affected regions. The wind chill in northern Illinois made the air feel as cold as negative 57 degrees. The National Weather Service warned that a wind chill of minus 25 can freeze skin within 15 minutes.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Ocasio-Cortez, Markey to Unveil Green New Deal Bill</em></strong></p>
<p>Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) are set to unveil legislation laying out a “Green New Deal” as soon as next week, Axios has learned. A spokeswoman for Markey confirmed the offices are working on legislation, but said there is no final text and timing isn’t final yet for next week. A request to Ocasio-Cortez’s office wasn’t immediately returned. The Green New Deal is a set of vague, but broad progressive policy goals seeking to transform the economy in the name of fighting climate change. It has risen from obscurity to prominence since the November election, with Ocasio-Cortez leading the charge. Democrats eyeing presidential runs, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris are backing the general concept of the Green New Deal, which is sure to play a role in the 2020 primary. It’s unclear to what extent the proposal will adhere to <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jxUzp9SZ6-VB-4wSm8sselVMsqWZrSrYpYC9slHKLzo/edit">a draft legislative document</a> circulating that describes the policy, which dates back to Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign website.</p>
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<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/A-Bad-Moon-Rising-in-America/-62789386519833896.html">“A Bad Moon Rising in America”</a><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-01-31T13:37:00ZMcConnell Calls for Releasing as Much of Mueller's Report as Possible; Baltimore Will Stop Prosecuting Marijuana PossessionBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/McConnell-Calls-for-Releasing-as-Much-of-Muellers-Report-as-Possible;-Baltimore-Will-Stop-Prosecuting-Marijuana-Possession/-222806328871278615.html2019-01-30T14:07:00Z2019-01-30T14:07:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, January 30, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
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<p><strong><em>McConnell Calls for Releasing as Much of Mueller's Report as Possible</em></strong></p>
<p>Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Tuesday that he wants special counsel Robert Mueller's report on the Russia investigation to be as "open" as possible. "Obviously I would like for as much as possible of the Mueller report to be open. I don't know enough about Justice Department regulations to know what part of that, you know, might make sense not to be disclosed," McConnell told reporters. "I think it ought to be as fully open and transparent, whatever the recommendation is, as possible," he added. A bipartisan pair of lawmakers, Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn<a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/427575-mcconnell-calls-for-releasing-as-much-of-muellers-report-as-possible">.), introduced legislation on Monday</a> that would require Mueller, or any other Justice Department special counsel, to turn over a report to Congress once the investigation ends or if they are removed or fired. An unclassified version of the report would also be publicly released. McConnell was asked about the Grassley-Blumenthal bill but didn't indicate whether or not he supported it. Currently, under Justice Department guidelines, a special counsel sends a confidential report to the attorney general “explaining the prosecution or declination decisions reached” during an investigation.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Baltimore Will Stop Prosecuting Marijuana Possession</em></strong></p>
<p>Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby <a href="https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-mosby-marijuana-prosecution-policy-20190129-story.html">announced Tuesday</a> her office would cease prosecuting people for possessing marijuana regardless of the quantity or the person’s criminal history. Calling the move monumental for justice in Baltimore, Mosby also requested the courts vacate convictions in nearly 5,000 cases of marijuana possession. “When I ask myself: Is the enforcement and prosecution of marijuana possession making us safer as a city?” Mosby said, “the answer is emphatically ‘no.’” Mosby follows district attorneys in Manhattan and Philadelphia who have scaled back or outright ended marijuana prosecutions. Maryland lawmakers decriminalized possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana in 2014. But Mosby stood alone, politically: No police and no other city officials joined her at the announcement.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Dems to Strike 'So Help You God' from Oath Taken in Front of Key House Committee</em></strong></p>
<p>A key committee in the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives is moving to eliminate the God reference from the oath administered to witnesses testifying before the panel, as part of a new rules package expected to be approved this week, according to a draft obtained exclusively by Fox News. The <a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/398429608/Hnrc-Rules-Proposed" target="_blank">draft</a> shows that the House Committee on Natural Resources would ask witnesses to recite only, "Do you solemnly swear or affirm, under penalty of law, that the testimony that you are about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?" The <a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/398429608/Hnrc-Rules-Proposed" target="_blank">rules proposal</a> places the words "so help you God" in red brackets, indicating they are slated to be cut. The words "under penalty of law" are in red text, indicating that Democrats propose to add that phrasing to the oath. The draft rules also remove the phrase "his or her" throughout the document, changing those two pronouns to "their." The rules additionally modify all references to the committee's "Chairman" to instead refer only to the committee's "Chair."</p>
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<p><strong><em>‘Several Thousand’ More Troops Headed for US-Mexico Border</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.rt.com/usa/450096-pentagon-troops-border-mexico/">A few thousand U.S. military service members</a> will be sent to the border with Mexico in the coming days, the Pentagon confirmed, as another migrant ‘caravan’ made its way north from Honduras. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requested additional surveillance capability and concertina wire, Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan told reporters at the Pentagon on Tuesday. “We’ve responded with, you know, here’s how many people it would take,” Shanahan said. However, he would not disclose the exact number. When asked how many troops would be headed to the border, he said “Several thousand, and I’ll kind of leave it at that.” A Pentagon spokesman later followed that up, explaining that the Department of Defense is <em>“currently sourcing the units involved and there will be an increase of a few thousand troops,”</em> and that <em>“we will provide more clarity on the numbers when we have it.” </em>All the troops are in a <em>“support role”</em> to civilian authorities and not engaged in law enforcement, Shanahan stressed.</p>
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<p><strong><em>DC Antifa Leader Charged with ‘Ethnic Intimidation’ Related to Attack on Marines</em></strong></p>
<p>Washington, D.C. Antifa leader Joseph “Jose” Alcoff, also known as “Chepe,” was arrested and charged with multiple felonies in Philadelphia on Jan. 10 in connection to the Antifa mob attack against two Marines in November. Alcoff faces 17 charges, including multiple counts of aggravated assault, ethnic intimidation, conspiracy and terroristic threats, and one count of robbery while inflicting serious bodily injury. The Marines, Alejandro Godinez, and Luis Torres <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/17/antifa-hispanic-marines-cnn-don-lemon-chris-cuomo/">testified</a> in December that a group of 10 to 12 Antifa members called them “Nazis” and “white supremacists” and attacked them on the street despite their denials that they had no association with the right-wing group demonstrating nearby. Alcoff is an organizer of Smash Racism DC, the Antifa group responsible for mobbing Fox News host and DCNF co-founder Tucker Carlson’s house in November and for chasing Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz from a D.C. restaurant in September.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Kennedy Offers State of the Union Advice to Abrams: ‘Misplace Your Chapstick’</em></strong></p>
<p>Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-Mass.) on Tuesday <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/427552-kennedy-offers-advice-to-abrams-on-giving-dem-sotu-response-misplace-your">offered former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams advice</a> for when she is due to present the Democratic response to <a href="https://thehill.com/people/donald-trump">President Trump</a>’s State of the Union address next week. Kennedy, who gave the response last year, tweeted out some tips as Abrams prepares for her rebuttal. His tips included “be yourself,” “be the fighter we know you are,” and “keep snacks handy” because the president will talk longer than expected. The Massachusetts Democrat also included a line telling her to "misplace" her chapstick, a reference to the mocking he received on social media last year about his shiny lips when delivering the response to the State of the Union speech, which he later blamed on lip balm.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Maroon 5, NFL Announces Huge Donation to Big Brothers & Big Sisters of America Charity</em></strong></p>
<p>Maroon 5 and the National Football League, along with Interscope Records announced Tuesday that a donation of $500,000 had been cut for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America charity. “Playing the Super Bowl has been a dream of our band for a long time,” Adam Levine, frontman for the band told <a href="https://people.com/music/super-bowl-2019-maroon-5-nfl-donation/" target="_blank">PEOPLE magazine.</a> “We thank the NFL for the opportunity and also to them, along with Interscope Records, for making this donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters, which will have a major impact for children across the country.” The donation comes two weeks after Super Bowl LIII performer, Travis Scott, announced a donation of $500,0000 to Dream Corps along with the NFL and confirmed rumors that he would join the band in doing the halftime show in Atlanta, when the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams battle out on the field for the Super Bowl championship. </p>
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<p><strong><em>College Reinstates Pledge of Allegiance at Board Meetings...For Now</em></strong></p>
<p>The President of the Santa Barbara City College Board of Trustees has reinstated the Pledge of Allegiance at board meetings following fierce public backlash. Previously, Robert Miller, the president of the SBCC Board of Trustees, “decided to discontinue use of the Pledge of Allegiance for reasons related to its history and symbolism,” according to an email obtained exclusively by <em>Campus Reform</em>. However, according to a statement by Miller on Tuesday, he has reversed course on his decision. “Effective immediately, the Pledge of Allegiance will be recited at Board of Trustee meetings until some future date when the matter may be considered by the Board. This decision, which restores the status quo, follows an appeal for reinstatement from members of the public who raised important issues at the January 24 board meeting,” Miller said in a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SBCityCollege/photos/a.104585115589/10156678034550590/?type=3&theater">statement on Facebook</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span></p>
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<p><strong><em>Thousands Demand Nike Recall Airmax Shoe, Saying Logo is Offensive to Muslims</em></strong></p>
<p>Thousands of people are asking Nike to recall its Air Max 270 shoe, saying that the logo is offensive to Muslims. <a href="https://www.change.org/p/nike-needs-to-recall-offensive-shoe-with-allah-s-name-from-worldwide-market-immediately" target="_blank">A Change.org petition,</a> which garnered over 10,000 signatures in two weeks, says that the logo resembles “Allah,” the Arabic word for God, written in Arabic script. Saiqa Noreen, who launched the petition, wrote that “it is outrageous and appalling of Nike to allow the name of God on a shoe,” Noreen wrote. “This is disrespectful and extremely offensive to Muslim’s and insulting to Islam.” A Nike spokesperson <a href="https://www.today.com/style/nike-air-max-shoe-logo-called-offensive-muslims-allah-design-t147626?cid=sm_npd_td_tw_ma" target="_blank">told “Today”</a> that the logo is a “stylized” version of the Air Max trademark. “Nike respects all religions and we take concerns of this nature seriously,” the spokesperson said. “The AIR MAX logo was designed to be a stylized representation of Nike’s AIR MAX trademark. It is intended to reflect the AIR MAX brand only. Any other perceived meaning or representation is unintentional.”</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/A-Bad-Moon-Rising-in-America/-62789386519833896.html">“A Bad Moon Rising in America”</a><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-01-30T14:07:00ZNew Details of 2016 Meeting with Trump Dossier Author Conflict with Dems' Timeline; The Next Battle Over the Border WallBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/New-Details-of-2016-Meeting-with-Trump-Dossier-Author-Conflict-with-Dems-Timeline;-The-Next-Battle-Over-the-Border-Wall/16558687553699382.html2019-01-29T14:08:00Z2019-01-29T14:08:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, January 29, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong><em>New Details of 2016 Meeting with Trump Dossier Author Conflict with Dems’ Timeline</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>New details contained in congressional transcripts and emails about a July 2016 meeting involving the author of the anti-Trump “dossier,” <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/gregg-jarrett-testimony-in-russia-probe-shows-fbi-and-justice-department-misconduct-in-effort-to-hurt-trump">Justice Department</a> official Bruce Ohr, and his wife, Nellie, appear to conflict with claims from Democrats, and the co-founder of the firm behind the dossier that significant contacts did not occur until after the election. According to the records, the little-known breakfast meeting was held on July 30, 2016, at Washington, D.C.’s Mayflower Hotel. Congressional transcripts, confirmed by Fox News, showed Nellie Ohr told House investigators last year that Christopher Steele, the British ex-spy who compiled the dossier, wanted to get word to the FBI at the time. “My understanding was that Chris Steele was hoping that Bruce (Ohr) could put in a word with the FBI to follow-up in some way,” Nellie Ohr testified in response to a Republican line of questioning, regarding the purpose of the meeting. Bruce Ohr did just that, almost immediately contacting then-FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe and FBI lawyer Lisa Page.</p>
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<p><strong><em>The Next Battle Over the Border Wall</em></strong></p>
<p>The longest-ever government shutdown is over but federal employees returning to work Monday faced the possibility of <a href="https://www.wbal.com/article/370084/3/the-next-battle-over-the-border-wall-19-days-to-strike-an-immigration-deal">another shutdown</a> in just a couple of weeks unless congressional negotiators can find a politically acceptable solution. Both parties have appointed lawmakers to a new bipartisan 17-member conference committee on border security, called for as part of the "deal" announced Friday, but the panel won’t hold its first meeting until Wednesday so, there’s essentially just 17 days on the clock to generate an agreement that could avoid another shutdown. After meeting Wednesday, when lawmakers are expected to do little beyond exchange introductions, Congress will recess until next Tuesday illustrating how quickly a congressional calendar can evaporate and deadlines that seem far off can sneak up on Capitol Hill. The burning question inside the Capitol as lawmakers return to work Monday is whether there's any room at all for a compromise on the central question in any immigration deal: President Donald Trump's proposed border wall. At this stage, even with a new deadline looming, both sides appear to remain at the same impasse that led to the record-breaking 35-day shutdown.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Kamala Harris Has an Extreme Idea to Get Gun Control Legislation Passed</em></strong></p>
<p>While fielding a question about gun violence during a CNN Town Hall appearance, presidential hopeful Senator <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/tagged/kamala-harris?guccounter=1">Kamala Harris</a> called out Congress for the lack of gun control legislation. And she even suggested "harsh" means to encourage Congress to introduce a new bill. Harris started her discussion about gun reform by saying: "You can be in favor of the second amendment and also understand that there is no reason in a civil society that we have assault weapons around communities that can kill babies and police officers." Senator Harris made it abundantly clear who she holds accountable for the continued gun violence plaguing our great nation. "We're not waiting for a tragedy. We have seen the worst human tragedies we can imagine. So what's missing? What's missing is people in the United States Congress to have the courage to act the right way," she said. The Town Hall took place Monday in Des Moines, Iowa.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Bill Aims to Expand ‘Stand Your Ground Law’</strong></em></p>
<p>Indiana lawmakers on Monday tackled a <a href="http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2019/bills/house/1284#document-3dcc0b44">bill</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span>that would expand the parameters of justifiable use of force in the defense of yourself and others. State Rep. Jim Lucas, a Republican from Seymour, said his bill expands on Indiana's current 'stand your ground' law and would grant immunity, meaning you would not be liable in a civil case. Two years ago, in February 2017, News 8 reported a woman <a href="https://www.nbc4i.com/news/u-s-world/armed-woman-shoots-kills-suspect-attacking-conservation-officer/1064765545">shot and killed a man</a> while he was fighting with a conservation officer in Ohio County, near Rising Sun, Indiana. "I couldn't just stand there and watch a police officer murdered in front of my eyes, when I had the ability to help that day, and so I helped," Kystie Phillps said Monday at the Statehouse. Now she says she's being sued by the family of the man who died. <a href="http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2019/bills/house/1284#document-3dcc0b44">Lucas's bill</a>, House Bill 1284, would grant immunity in a civil case for a justified use of force. A vote wasn't taken Monday. The committee chairman said he wants lawmakers to make changes to the bill and come back at a later date.<br /><br /> </p>
<p><em><strong>CA College Board Stops Saying Pledge</strong></em></p>
<p>The Santa Barbara City College Board of Trustees President says <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11805">the Pledge of Allegiance</a> to the American flag is “steeped in expressions of nativism and white nationalism.” In emails obtained exclusively by <em>Campus Reform</em>, the president of the SBCC Board of Trustees, Robert Miller, stated that he decided to “discontinue use of the Pledge of Allegiance” at board meetings because of its history. “I decided to discontinue use of the Pledge of Allegiance for reasons related to its history and symbolism,” Miller said in an email to Celeste Barber, a former adjunct instructor at SBCC. “I have discovered that the Pledge of Allegiance has a history steeped in expressions of nativism and white nationalism." In addition to these reasons, Miller stated that he’d rather pledge his allegiance to the Constitution “instead of a physical object." </p>
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<p><em><strong>Starbucks Dives into 2020</strong> </em></p>
<p>Starbucks chairman emeritus Howard Schultz is a long shot to win the White House, but a sure bet to create headaches for the coffee chain he turned into a global empire. Schultz's reputation and fortune comes from his time as the Ray Kroc of coffee, turning a small Seattle roaster with four stores into a 28,000-store phenomenon spanning 77 countries. That means massive scrutiny of Starbucks, by both the media and political opponents, unlike anything the company has yet experienced. Schultz's successor as CEO, Kevin Johnson, emailed the chain's 350,000 employees worldwide <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/message-to-partners-from-kevin-regarding-our-mission-and-values/">a message</a> at 6 a.m. yesterday that said: "As a company, we don’t get involved in national political campaigns. And nothing changes for Starbucks." However, if the company is publicly attacked, it will have little choice but to defend itself.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>Killer Vortex: Dangerous 'Life-Threatening' Subzero Temperatures are Set to Strike the Midwest and Northeast</strong></em></p>
<p>Heavy snow and life-threatening subzero temperatures are <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6640847/Dangerous-subzero-temperatures-set-strike-Midwest-Northeast.html">set to strike the U.S. Midwest and Northeast this week</a> as a polar vortex is forecast to bring a dangerous cold outbreak that could kill within minutes. Forecasters are warning that the dangerously cold weather will closely follow the blizzard-like conditions that are currently slamming parts of the Midwest and will bring frigidly low temperatures that the region hasn't seen in a quarter century. The plunging temperatures expected from Tuesday have forecasters especially concerned with the National Weather Service calling them 'possibly life threatening'. Wednesday is expected to be the worst. In Minnesota, temperatures could fall to 30 degrees below zero but feel as cold as 60 below because of the wind chill. The potentially record-breaking low temperature forecast in Milwaukee is negative 28 degrees, with a wind chill as low as negative 50. The potentially record-breaking low temperature forecast in Milwaukee is negative 28 degrees, with a wind chill as low as negative 50. </p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/How-the-American-Press-Collapsed/373946649274930281.html">“How the American Press Collapsed”</a><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-01-29T14:08:00ZSen. Warren Targets NFL Owner with Her Tax Plan; British Paper Apologizes to Melania TrumpBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Sen.-Warren-Targets-NFL-Owner-with-Her-Tax-Plan;-British-Paper-Apologizes-to-Melania-Trump/562743939332980132.html2019-01-27T14:17:00Z2019-01-27T14:17:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, January 27, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Sen. Warren Targets NFL Owner with Her Tax Plan</em></strong></p>
<p>Democratic Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren targeted NFL owner Dan Snyder on Saturday in a public pitch for her “ultra-millionaire” tax plan, but the narrative got away from her when a few people pointed out which team Snyder happens to own: the Washington Redskins. “This billionaire NFL owner just paid $100M for a ‘superyacht’ with its own iMax theater,” Warren tweeted. “I’m pretty sure he can pay my new <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UltraMillionaireTax?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UltraMillionaireTax</a> to help the millions of yacht-less Americans struggling with student loan debt.” At first, people just balked at her tax plan in general, the <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/31/warren-exploratory-committee-2020/" target="_blank">2020 presidential contender</a> made an argument earlier in the week for a tax plan that would introduce a “wealth tax” on households with a net worth of $50 million or greater. What Warren failed to mention is that although Snyder certainly spent a fair amount on his “superyacht,” he has donated millions to charitable causes over the years, from disaster relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina and the tsunami in Indonesia to community-based organizations such as Youth For Tomorrow, a residential facility for at-risk kids in Manassas, Virginia.</p>
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<p><strong><em>British Paper Apologizes to Melania Trump, Pays 'Substantial Damages' Over Article</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>London's Daily Telegraph apologized to First Lady Melania Trump on Saturday and said it had agreed to pay her "substantial damages" for publishing false statements regarding her family and her modeling career. It was at least the third time that the first lady has successfully sued publications or online blogs over defamatory articles. "We apologize unreservedly to The First Lady and her family for any embarrassment caused by our publication of these allegations," the <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/01/26/melania-trump-apology/">newspaper wrote </a>Saturday. "As a mark of our regret we have agreed to pay Mrs. Trump substantial damages as well as her legal costs." The claims appeared last week in a cover story in its Saturday magazine entitled "The mystery of Melania." The conservative British newspaper said the article should not have made the claim that Melania Trump was struggling in her modeling career before she met Donald Trump nor that she had advanced in her career due to his help.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Fresh Off Arrest and Indictment, Roger Stone Revels in TV Exposure</em></strong></p>
<p>Roger Stone has been on a seemingly <a href="https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/fl-ne-roger-stone-tv-exposure-20190126-story.html">nonstop TV blitz</a> after he was indicted and arrested on obstruction and witness-tampering charges from special counsel Robert Mueller. It’s not just TV. On Saturday, he posted an image on his Instagram page depicting Muller as a waiter holding a “nothingburger.” “Here’s what Mueller has on me #nothingburger,” Stone wrote. The seven-count indictment against Stone, a self-proclaimed "dirty trickster," charges him with lying to Congress and obstructing the investigation. He was released Friday on $250,000 bond. Appearing outside the federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale after his first court appearance on Friday, he proclaimed he was innocent, defended President Donald Trump, and claimed he’s the victim of politics. Cable news loved the images especially of Stone spreading his arms wide and spreading fingers on both hands to make a V for victory gesture similar to the displays from another president to whom Stone was devoted, Richard Nixon.</p>
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<p><strong><em>9 Arrested at Rockefeller Center Climate Change Protest</em></strong></p>
<p>Dozens of climate change activists swarmed Rockefeller Plaza and its skating rink Saturday, draping the famous Prometheus statue with a protest banner. <a href="https://nypost.com/2019/01/26/9-arrested-at-rockefeller-center-climate-change-protest/">Police arreste</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">d </span>seven men and two women in the afternoon demonstration. Eight protesters were booked for disorderly conduct. The ninth was charged with reckless endangerment for scaling the statue of the Greek god of fire and hanging a banner that read “Climate Change = Mass Murder” and “Rebel For Life.” At one point, some of the protesters had laid down on the ice to form the symbol for the UK-based environmental group, Extinction Rebellion. But the skaters, meanwhile, continued doing their thing — circling the demonstrators while gliding by.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Cities Worry About Post-Shutdown Pain</em></strong></p>
<p>Tight city budgets were stretched thin during the 35-day partial shutdown, and some officials fear the damaging financial effects will extend beyond the reopening of the federal government. <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/427074-cities-worry-about-post-shutdown-pain">Cities across the country</a> in recent weeks have stepped in to fill shortfalls left by shuttered federal agencies. Some, like Washington, D.C., offered no-interest loans or mortgage assistance to furloughed federal workers. Others like New Orleans have said they will waive penalties for late tax or tuition payments. In San Jose, Calif., the city council this week passed an ordinance that would prohibit landlords from evicting anyone who cannot make rent because of the shutdown, covering residents who are federal workers or those who rely on government assistance to pay their housing bill. Mayors across the country, meeting in Washington this week for an annual conference, said they were concerned the shutdown would take a measurable toll on their economies. Individuals who aren’t receiving their paychecks or federal benefits are less likely to make purchases at the local level.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Pompeo Denounces Russia, China Over Support for Venezuela's Maduro</em></strong></p>
<p>Secretary of State Mike Pompeo <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/pompeo-denounces-russia-china-over-support-for-venezuelas-maduro">delivered a sharp rebuke</a> of Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro’s international backers on Saturday in a United Nations Security Council meeting that afforded a face-off with Russian and Chinese envoys. “It’s not a surprise that those who rule without democracy in their own countries are trying to prop up Maduro while he is in dire straits,” Pompeo told the Security Council, in a specific reference to “our Russian and Chinese colleagues” at the meeting. Those comments continued an argument that began earlier Saturday when the Security Council debated the decision to hold a meeting on the Venezuela crisis. Russia kicked off the discussion by denouncing the meeting as a “gross abuse” of the Security Council by the United States, arguing that the crisis is an internal Venezuelan problem and that President Trump’s team is unjustly threatening a foreign government. Pompeo dismissed that argument by referencing the humanitarian crisis in the country, which is suffering from food and medicine shortages, along with the collapse of its currency. “We’re here because scores of Venezuelan women, some of them teenagers, have fled Maduro’s madness to other countries, and in desperation turned to prostitution to survive,” he said. “Three million Venezuelans have been forced to flee their homeland, thereby flooding the region and threatening international peace and security. Maduro’s prisons are full of political prisoners unjustly behind bars, and the graveyards hold dissidents and protesters that have been killed by this regime.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>After Surrendering in Shutdown Standoff, Trump Again Vows to Build Wall</em></strong> </p>
<p>A day after President Donald Trump surrendered in his standoff with congressional Democrats and agreed to reopen the federal government, he continued to push back against the notion including criticism from political allies that the episode represented a major defeat. Trump had insisted for more than a month that he would not let the government shutdown end without <a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2019/01/26/trump-shutdown-border-wall-funding/">securing money for his promised wall at the U.S.-Mexico border</a>. But on Friday, he reversed course in the face of mounting public pressure, declining poll numbers, escalating air travel delays and anger from the FBI director he selected. The deal struck with congressional leaders reopens the government through Feb. 15, while creating a committee meant to negotiate a border-security agreement. On Saturday morning, the president took to Twitter, saying that “21 days goes very quickly” and once again vowing that the promised wall would be constructed. “Will not be easy to make a deal, both parties very dug in,” he wrote. “The case for National Security has been greatly enhanced by what has been happening at the Border & through dialogue. We will build the Wall!” He also had tweeted Friday night that the deal “was in no way a concession.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>U.S. Economy Lost At Least $6 Billion During Shutdown, S&P Says</em></strong></p>
<p>The U.S. economy lost at least $6 billion during the record-long partial government shutdown, S&P Global Ratings said Friday. The economic hit stems from a loss of productivity and economic activity lost to outside business during the shutdown, which ended on its 35th day on Friday, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-shutdown-s-p/u-s-economy-lost-at-least-6-billion-to-government-shutdown-sp-idUSKCN1PJ2MU?il=0" target="_blank">Reuters reported</a>. Nearly 800,000 federal employees were furloughed or working without pay during the shutdown. The shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, started on Dec. 22 over President Trump’s demand for $5.7 billion in funding for his long-desired wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/427041-senate-votes-to-reopen-government-after-trump-agrees-to-end-shutdown" target="_blank">signed</a> a three-week funding bill on Friday night, formally ending the shutdown without securing money for a border wall.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/How-the-American-Press-Collapsed/373946649274930281.html">“How the American Press Collapsed”</a><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-01-27T14:17:00ZTrump Associate Stone Arrested, Faces Obstruction Charge; Senate Rejects Two Measures to End ShutdownBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Associate-Stone-Arrested-Faces-Obstruction-Charge;-Senate-Rejects-Two-Measures-to-End-Shutdown/-998062082635885341.html2019-01-25T13:43:00Z2019-01-25T13:43:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, January 25, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Associate Stone Arrested, Faces Obstruction Charge</em></strong></p>
<p>Roger Stone, a confidant of President Donald Trump, was <a href="https://news.yahoo.com/trump-associate-stone-arrested-faces-obstruction-charge-113041826--politics.html?.tsrc=notification-brknews">arrested Friday morning</a> on several criminal charges stemming from the special counsel's Russia investigation. Stone is charged in a seven-count indictment with witness tampering, obstruction and false statements about his interactions related to the release by WikiLeaks of hacked emails during the 2016 presidential election. Some of those false statements were made to the House intelligence committee, according to the indictment. The indictment brought by special counsel Robert Mueller does not accuse Stone of coordinating with the Russian government's election interference in 2016. But the indictment lays out in detail Stone's conversations about stolen Democratic emails posted by WikiLeaks in the weeks before Trump beat Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton. Stone is scheduled to appear in court in Florida later Friday. The indictment had been expected. Stone has said for months he was prepared to be charged, though he has denied any wrongdoing.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Senate Rejects Two Measures to End Shutdown</em></strong></p>
<p>Senate Republicans blocked a stopgap measure to end the partial shutdown on Thursday, the second of <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/426826-senate-rejects-two-measures-to-end-shutdown">two failed efforts to end the longest government shutdown</a> in U.S. history. Senators voted 52-44 on the legislation, falling short of the 60 votes needed to defeat a filibuster. The vote came after the Senate also rejected a White House–backed proposal on Thursday that would have exchanged reopening the government for $5.7 billion for the wall. It would have allowed Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients and some temporary protected status holders to apply for a three-year extension of some legal protections, but included new restrictions on asylum seekers. In a blow to Trump, that proposal got less support in the Senate than the stopgap measure, failing in a 50-47 vote. The back-to-back failed votes in the Senate guarantees that the partial government shutdown will stretch into next week. More than 800,000 federal workers have been furloughed or forced to work without pay; they will miss their second paycheck on Friday.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Senate Panel Subpoenas Michael Cohen</em></strong></p>
<p>The Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday subpoenaed Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's former lawyer and longtime fixer, to testify about his dealings with the president. The panel is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. The move came <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/23/michael-cohen-testimony/2658437002/">a day after Cohen refused to testify</a> voluntarily before a House panel because of "threats" from the president and his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani. Lanny Davis, one of Cohen's lawyers, confirmed Thursday that he had received a subpoena to testify on February 12, before Cohen is due to report to federal prison. Davis told MSNBC that Cohen will “honor” congressional subpoenas, but any appearance would depend on lawmakers’ assurances that Cohen and his family would be protected.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Southwest Airlines: Hawaii Flights Likely Delayed for Months</em></strong></p>
<p>Southwest Airlines' <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/2018/10/25/southwest-airlines-getting-closer-launching-hawaii-flights/1759783002/">long-awaited flights to Hawaii</a> are likely going to be delayed for months due to the government shutdown, executives said Thursday. It is the first time the airline has put a timetable on the impact of the shutdown. Southwest Chief Operating Officer Mike Van de Ven said the airline has a "reasonable chance'' of beginning service by the end of March if the shutdown ends within a week. "Otherwise, it will actually be in the second quarter,'' he said. The second quarter runs from April through June. The airline had hoped to begin flights early this year but the shutdown put its efforts to obtain Federal Aviation Administration certification for long, over-water flights on hold. "Until the government shutdown ends we are at a total standstill,'' Van de Ven said on the airline's earnings conference call. Southwest Airlines said the shutdown, which began Dec. 22, has cost an estimated $10 million to $15 million in lost revenue so far in January. Southwest also said Thursday <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/todayinthesky/2019/01/24/southwest-airlines-mexico-city-flights-end-march/2667951002/">it plans to end service to Mexico City</a> on March 30.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>U.S. Labor Market Remains Strong, Economy Slowing</em></strong></p>
<p>The number of Americans filing applications for <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-economy-unemployment/u-s-weekly-jobless-claims-lowest-since-1969-idUSKCN1PI1SM">unemployment benefits</a> fell to more than a 49-year low last week, but the drop likely overstates the health of the labor market as claims for several states including California were estimated. Still, labor market conditions remain strong, which for now should help to temper fears of a sharp slowdown in economic growth. Other data on Thursday showed a gauge of future U.S. economic activity fell in December. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 13,000 to a seasonally adjusted 199,000 for the week ended Jan. 19, the lowest level since mid-November in 1969 when 197,000 applications were recorded, the Labor Department said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Alyssa Milano Doubles Down on Calling Trump MAGA Hats 'The New White Hood'</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Self-proclaimed activist Alyssa Milano doubled down on her controversial tweet in which she compared "Make America Great Again” hats to the white hoods worn by the Ku Klux Klan. The Hollywood actress said she's "sorry not sorry" <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/alyssa-milano-doubles-down-on-calling-trump-maga-hats-the-new-white-hood">in a new op-ed</a> published by The Wrap. "Here’s the thing: I was right," the actress penned. "Some things in that video cannot be disputed — no matter what angle or how extended the cut is," Milano began. "These boys, who attend a religious school, were there on a school trip protesting against a woman’s right to reproductive freedom. Several of these boys were wearing red MAGA hats, a hat that has become synonymous with white nationalism and racism. Several were doing a ‘tomahawk chop.’ Several were laughing." The 46-year-old went on to deride the high school students as “boys flaunting their entitlement and displaying toxic masculinity.” She continued her rebuke of “MAGA” merchandise, arguing that it has become a symbol of “white nationalism and racism. “So, I won’t apologize to these boys. Or anyone who wears that hat. But I will thank them,” she added. “I will thank them for lighting a fire underneath the conversation about systemic racism and misogyny in this country and the role President Donald Trump has had in cultivating it and making it acceptable.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>CNN’s Jim Acosta to Write Book About Media’s Contentious Relationship with Trump</em></strong></p>
<p>CNN White House correspondent and frequent sparring partner of President Trump Jim Acosta is penning a new book about the administration’s often <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-blasts-media-as-the-real-opposition-party-and-enemy-of-the-people-in-twitter-tear">combative relationship with the media.</a> Harper Collins Publishers announced the book Thursday, saying it will be titled, "The Enemy of the People: A Dangerous Time to Tell the Truth in America." "Jim Acosta unveils the chaotic first two years of the Trump administration detailing, for the first time, his view from the frontlines of Trump’s relentless war on the media," the book publisher said in a <a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/corporate/press-releases/harper-to-publish-the-enemy-of-the-people-by-cnns-chief-white-house-correspondent-jim-acosta/">statement</a>. "Going inside the briefing room and onto Air Force One with the White House press corps, Acosta reveals the conversations, battles, and near-constant conflict that define life for a media working to hold the Trump administration accountable for its actions and its words." The book is due to be released June 11. The White House press corps, and particularly Acosta, have often raised the ire of President Donald Trump and his press team during his first two years in office.</p>
<p><strong> </strong> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/How-the-American-Press-Collapsed/373946649274930281.html">“How the American Press Collapsed”</a><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-01-25T13:43:00ZPresident Trump Declares State of The Union Address Canceled; Russia: US Military Intervention in Venezuela Would Be 'Catastrophic Scenario'BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/President-Trump-Declares-State-of-The-Union-Address-Canceled;-Russia:-US-Military-Intervention-in-Venezuela-Would-Be-Catastrophic-Scenario/709534215607982717.html2019-01-24T13:25:00Z2019-01-24T13:25:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, January 24, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>President Trump Declares State of The Union Address Canceled</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump declared his yearly <a href="https://fox8.com/2019/01/23/pelosi-no-state-of-the-union-in-the-house-until-shutdown-ends/">State of the Union address “canceled”</a> on Wednesday after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she would not allow him to deliver the speech in the House chamber while the government is shut down.” She doesn’t want to hear the truth. She doesn’t want the American public to hear what’s going on,” Trump said from the Cabinet Room after Pelosi made her intentions known in a letter. Trump bemoaned the decision, calling it a “great blotch on the incredible country we love.” Pelosi responded saying, “I am writing to inform you that the House of Representatives will not consider a concurrent resolution authorizing the President’s State of the Union address in the House Chamber until the government has opened.” Speaking from the White House Roosevelt Room as Pelosi’s letter became public, the President vowed to formally respond soon. “I’m not surprised,” Trump said. “It’s really a shame what’s happening with the Democrats. They’ve become radicalized. They don’t want to see crime stopped.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Russia: US Military Intervention in Venezuela Would Be 'Catastrophic Scenario'</em></strong></p>
<p>The Russian government warned the Trump administration Thursday against U.S. intervention in Venezuela, where opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president on Wednesday in an attempt to oust the country's President Nicholas Maduro. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-russia/kremlin-accuses-u-s-of-trying-to-usurp-power-in-venezuela-idUSKCN1PI0Q5?il=0" target="_blank">Reuters reports</a> that a Russian foreign ministry spokesperson warned of "catastrophic" consequences if the Trump administration were to send military assistance to Guaido to aid his bid to oust the socialist president. A Kremlin spokesman weighed in, accusing President Trump and his team of trying to undermine Venezuela's legitimate government. “We consider the attempt to usurp sovereign authority in Venezuela to contradict and violate the basis and principles of international law,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to Reuters.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Senate to Vote on Competing Bills to End U.S. Shutdown</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>The Republican-led <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/24/senate-in-flicker-of-action-to-vote-on-competing-bills-to-end-us-shutdown.html">U.S. Senate planned votes for Thursday</a> on competing proposals, one broadly backed by Democrats and the other by Republicans, to end the partial government shutdown, both of which seemed unlikely to resolve the month-long impasse. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell plans a vote on a Democratic proposal to fund the government for three weeks but does not include the wall funding that Trump wants. He also planned to hold a vote on a bill including wall funding and a temporary extension of protections for "Dreamers," hundreds of thousands of people brought to the United States illegally as children, an offer Trump made on Saturday. Democrats have dismissed Trump's offer, saying they would not negotiate on border security before reopening the government and would not trade a temporary extension of the immigrants' protections in return for a permanent border wall they have called ineffective, costly and immoral. McConnell's calculation may be that if both bills fail, that might help convince Republicans and Democrats to look for a compromise. One possibility emerged on Wednesday when House Democratic leaders floated the idea of giving Trump most or all of the money he seeks for security along the Mexican border but that could not be used to build a wall.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Donald Trump: ‘Build a Wall & Crime Will Fall!’</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump tested a new slogan Wednesday on Twitter, promoting his idea to build a wall on the southern border. “BUILD A WALL & CRIME WILL FALL!” he <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1088058134713823233" target="_blank">wrote</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span> “This is the new theme, for two years until the Wall is finished (under construction now), of the Republican Party.” The president commented as the partial government shutdown showdown continues. “Use it and pray!” Trump wrote, referring to the slogan. Despite the president’s attempt to work out a deal with Democrats, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi refuses to budge, demanding the president unconditionally reopen the government. Trump said that Republicans were still united in the standoff. “Great unity in the Republican Party. Want to, once and for all, put an end to stoppable crime and drugs!” he <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1088055980263424000" target="_blank">wrote</a>. “Border Security and Wall. No doubt!”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>‘Extraordinarily Angry and Very Upset Taxpayers’: IRS Faces Chaotic Tax Season Amid Shutdown</em></strong></p>
<p>The IRS is facing tax season amid the shutdown with new rules that could complicate filing for millions of Americans and a potential shortage of workers to handle the returns raising the possibility of refund delays and angry taxpayers. As it prepares to accept 2018 filings beginning Monday, the administration has <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/24/irs-tax-returns-government-shutdown-1121839">recalled tens of thousands of IRS employees</a>, but there are already signs that some will be no-shows because they’re facing the prospect of working without pay. An IRS union says some are taking advantage of rules allowing them to stay home if they face financial hardships. The public, meanwhile, will be filing for the first time under Republicans’ sweeping tax overhaul, H.R. 1, and many will surely be confused by changes made as part of the biggest tax code rewrite in a generation. At the same time, even experts are unsure whether workers have had the correct amount of taxes withheld from their paychecks, which could mean that many people accustomed to receiving refunds may instead owe the IRS.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong><em>El Paso Museum Sheds Light on Border Patrol's History, Mission</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/life/travel/2019/01/22/el-paso-museum-sheds-light-border-patrols-history-mission">A museum dedicated to the history of the U.S. Border Patrol</a> seeks to provide a complex view of a once unknown agency that rose from obscurity to become one of the nation's most powerful arms of law enforcement. The privately funded museum in El Paso, near one of the busiest U.S. ports of entry, attempts to piece together its history as the nation's views on immigration, travel and border security have changed. Using photos, artifacts, newspaper clippings and even movie posters, the U.S. Border Patrol Museum explores the story from the agency's formation to fight Chinese immigration and enforce Prohibition to its current role at a time of massive migration, cartel drug smuggling and political skirmishes. Museum visitors learn about some of the challenges agents faced over the years, from rudimentary equipment to lack of jurisdiction. Mounted horsemen and poorly assembled vehicles gave way to high-tech helicopters and surveillance accessories as expectations of the agency increased.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Florida Shooting: 5 Killed at SunTrust Bank in Sebring</em></strong></p>
<p>Five people were killed Wednesday when a <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/florida-shooting-5-killed-at-suntrust-bank-in-sebring">gunman opened fire inside a Florida bank</a>, taking hostages before surrendering to police, authorities said. The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as Zephen Xaver, 21, a Sebring resident who “eventually surrendered” after failed hostage negotiations forced a SWAT team to storm the SunTrust bank. Xaver is now in police custody. “After negotiations to try to get the barricaded subject to exit the bank were not successful, the HCSO SWAT team entered the bank and continued the negotiations,” the sheriff’s office said. Police said Xaver entered the bank located in central Florida about 90 miles southeast of Tampa and locked the door before demanding customers fall to the floor. He called authorities around 12:36 p.m. after opening fire inside the bank. When SWAT arrived, Xaver refused to negotiate with officers and barricaded himself and his hostages inside, forcing police to take action, police said. It is not immediately clear how many hostages were inside the bank.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Fox News Poll: President Trump’s Ratings After Two Years in Office</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump took office on January 20, 2017. The <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fox-news-poll-president-trumps-ratings-after-two-years-in-office">Fox News Poll</a> checked in with voters about how things are going for the administration after <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/liz-peek-two-years-of-trump-hatred-and-democrats-resistance-has-accomplished-what-exactly">two years.</a> Here are some takeaways. <em>Voters feel better about the economy than they did two years ago. </em>41 percent of voters rate the economy positively (excellent or good), which is better than the 33 percent who felt that way when President Trump took office. However, 41 percent is down from 47 percent excellent/good last month and the lowest mark since August 2017. President Trump’s best job ratings continue to be on the economy: 49 percent approve vs. 46 percent disapprove. He gets negative marks on border security (43-53 percent), immigration (42-54 percent), and foreign policy (38-53 percent). Voters are less satisfied about the direction of the country. Six in 10 (61 percent) are dissatisfied with how things are going in the country. That’s worse than the 53 percent who were unhappy at Trump’s 100-day mark (April 2017).</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>OkCupid to Fund Date Night for Furloughed Government Employees</em></strong></p>
<p>OkCupid is picking up the tab for furloughed government employees this week with a “DTFund Date Night” event. The dating app is offering two free drinks for workers with a government ID “until the tab runs out” on Thursday and Friday at Washington, D.C.’s Gaslight Tavern. Federal employees are set to miss their second paycheck on Friday as the ongoing partial government shutdown approaches its sixth week. The Senate is set to vote Thursday on two competing proposals to reopen the government, but both are expected to fail. OkCupid is just one of now-dozens of businesses, celebrities, restaurants and other organizations working to aid federal employees who may be facing financial strain due to the missed paychecks.</p>
<p><strong> </strong> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/How-the-American-Press-Collapsed/373946649274930281.html">“How the American Press Collapsed”</a><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-01-24T13:25:00ZJohn Kerry Tells Davos Crowd Trump Should Resign; Supreme Court Denies Review to Football Coach Fired for Praying After GamesBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/John-Kerry-Tells-Davos-Crowd-Trump-Should-Resign;-Supreme-Court-Denies-Review-to-Football-Coach-Fired-for-Praying-After-Games/-394901034532343605.html2019-01-23T13:37:00Z2019-01-23T13:37:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, January 23, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>John Kerry Tells Davos Crowd Trump Should Resign</em></strong></p>
<p>Former Secretary of State John Kerry <a href="https://freebeacon.com/politics/john-kerry-tells-davos-crowd-trump-should-resign/?utm_source=Freedom+Mail&utm_campaign=31b54341a9-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_03_19_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b5e6e0e9ea-31b54341a9-46474477">said Tuesday at the World Economic Forum</a> in Davos that the only solution to President Donald Trump’s failures of leadership would be for him to resign. CNBC's Tania Bryer interviewed Kerry, also a former senator from Massachusetts, for a CNBC-sponsored panel called "The Future of Our Oceans." Kerry focused on climate change in a highlight video from the panel posted by CNBC, in which he blasted Trump for pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement he helped negotiate during the Obama administration. When he was pressed on what advice he would give Trump, Kerry questioned the premise that Trump would ever listen to him. "I can’t play that," Kerry said, stuttering. "He doesn't take any of this seriously, he doesn’t have an ability to have that kind of conversation." "What would your message be?" Bryer asked. "Resign," he replied after stammering for a moment. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Supreme Court Denies Review to Football Coach Fired for Praying After Games</em></strong></p>
<p>The Supreme Court decided <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/22/supreme-court-wont-hear-praying-football-coach-case/1943694002/" target="_blank">not to consider</a> an appeal from a high school football coach who was fired for praying at the 50-yard line after games. Joseph Kennedy, who coached at Bremerton High School in Washington before being fired in 2015, argued his First Amendment rights had been violated by the school district. Kennedy began praying after games in 2008, when he "took a knee and silently thanked God for his players" after his first game, according to a <a href="https://firstliberty.org/cases/coachkennedy/#simple1" target="_blank">case history</a> published by his legal counsel, the nonprofit First Liberty Institute. Kennedy continued to do this for seven years with no complaints. In 2015, the Bremerton School District superintendent sent Kennedy a <a href="https://firstliberty.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/BremertonSchoolDistricttoCoachKennedyLetter.pdf" target="_blank">letter</a> telling him to stop praying after games. The letter cited "two problematic practices in the football program." First, Kennedy would often deliver a motivational speech at midfield after games in which students from both teams were invited to participate. His speeches usually included "overtly religious references," and he "acknowledged that they likely constitute prayer." Second, Kennedy led students and coaches in voluntary prayer prior to most games.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>'I Had Every Right’ to Stand There: MAGA Hat-Wearing Teen Nick Sandmann Says His Actions Were Not Disrespectful</em></strong></p>
<p>The MAGA hat-wearing high school teen seen in a viral video facing down with a Native American drummer on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial said he had “every right” to stand there and that he was “not disrespectful.” Nathan Phillips, 64, a veteran and Native American elder, who is drumming, is seen in one video face-to-face with Nick Sandmann, a Covington student, who smiles silently as they stare at each other. Phillips was part of an Indigenous Peoples March in Washington that day. Sandmann, who was wearing one of Donald Trump's infamous "Make America Great Again" red hats, became the focus of sharp criticism on social media, a chorus of anger joined by celebrities, journalists and politicians. He and the students were accused of racism and hatred. “As far as standing there, I had every right to do so,” <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/nick-sandmann-today-maga-hat-covington-video-1301225">Sandmann told NBC’s Today show</a> in an interview set to air on Wednesday morning. “My position is that I was not disrespectful to Mr. Phillips. I respect him, I would like to talk to him. In hindsight, I wish we could have walked away and avoided the whole thing.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump: I Told Sanders to Stop Briefings Because Press Covers Her 'Rudely'</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Tuesday said he directed White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders to stop holding regular briefings, citing unfair treatment by the news media. “The reason Sarah Sanders does not go to the ‘podium’ much anymore is that the press covers her so rudely & inaccurately, in particular certain members of the press,” <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/426394-trump-i-told-sanders-to-stop-briefings-because-press-covers-her">Trump tweeted.</a> “I told her not to bother, the word gets out anyway!” The White House has come under fire from media organizations for the lack of regular press briefings. Sanders has yet to hold a formal briefing in 2019; the last one took place on Dec. 18, the longest stretch without a briefing during the Trump presidency.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>White House Announces 51 Judicial Picks, Including Two for Liberal 9th Circuit</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>The White House on Tuesday announced the re-nomination of 51 federal judicial nominees left over from the previous Congress, kickstarting the administration's effort to install more conservative judges after GOP activists worried that such appointments had stalled. Nine of the 51 appointments are for spots on prestigious and influential federal appellate benches, including two on the mostly liberal San Francisco-based 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which President Trump has often derided as <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-condemns-disgraceful-9th-circuit-dubbing-it-rubber-stamp-for-his-foes">"disgraceful" and politically biased</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Behar: Media Smeared Covington Catholic Boys ‘Because We’re Desperate to Get Trump Out of Office’</em></strong></p>
<p>Co-host of ABC's "The View" <a href="https://freebeacon.com/issues/behar-media-smeared-covington-catholic-boys-because-were-desperate-to-get-trump-out-of-office/?utm_source=Freedom+Mail&utm_campaign=31b54341a9-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_03_19_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b5e6e0e9ea-31b54341a9-46474477">Joy Behar attributed the media attacks</a> on a group of Catholic high school boys from Covington, Kentucky after a video surfaced this weekend showing a confrontation between them and an elderly Native American to the media's dislike of President Donald Trump. Behar's comment came during the show's opening segment on Tuesday when co-host Whoopi Goldberg mused aloud about why the media had so quickly assumed the boys were antagonizing the Native American. "Many people admitted they made snap judgement before these facts came in," Goldberg said. "But is it that we just instantly say ‘that's what it is' based on what we see in that moment and then have to walk stuff back when it turns out we're wrong? Why do we keep making the same mistakes?" "Because we're desperate to get Trump out of office," Behar replied. After the other hosts protested, Behar continued. "I think that's the reason," she said. "I think the press jumps the gun a lot because we have so much circumstantial evidence against this guy that we're basically hoping that [Trump's former attorney Michael] Cohen has the goods, and what have you. It's wishful thinking."</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Kathy Griffin Falsely Accuses Covington Catholic Basketball Players of Throwing Up ‘Nazi Sign’</em></strong></p>
<p>Comedienne Kathy Griffin on Tuesday deleted a tweet that misinterpreted Covington Catholic basketball players' hand signs and accused students of signaling support for Nazism. Griffin tweeted several times about the incident, including a call for the minors to be identified and publicly named. In a now-deleted tweet, Griffin suggested that even the basketball players at Covington are Nazis. "Covington's finest throwing up the new Nazi sign," she tweeted with an image of the basketball players making an "OK sign." It is a common hand gesture in basketball to signal that someone made a three-point shot. Many players of all races make the same gesture. Griffin's claim came after an aide to then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh was accused by social media users of signaling support for Nazism by <a href="https://freebeacon.com/politics/illinois-dem-candidate-spreads-conspiracy-theory-kavanaugh-aide-white-power-signs-hearing/" target="_blank">making the same hand gesture</a> during a televised hearing. In fact, the woman was signing "OK" to someone off-camera.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Poll: More Americans Want Trump to Give up on Wall Funding than Prefer Dems Agree to it</em></strong></p>
<p>More Americans say President Trump should agree to end the prolonged partial government shutdown without funding for a border wall than say Democrats should concede to the president’s demands, a poll released Wednesday found. The <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pelosi-has-edge-over-trump-on-budget-negotiations-says-cbs-news-poll/" target="_blank">CBS News poll</a> showed that 66 percent of Americans want Trump to agree to government spending legislation without wall funding, compared to 52 percent who would like to see congressional Democrats accept a measure that includes funding for the structure. Forty-three percent of Americans support the Democrats' refusal to fund a border wall, according to the poll, while 31 percent back Trump's stonewalling of any proposal that does not contain wall funding.</p>
<p><strong> </strong> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/A-Disturbing-Partnership/-160143827719130186.html">“A Disturbing Partnership”</a><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-01-23T13:37:00ZGOP Texas Rep. Will Hurd Calls Border 'Crisis' a 'Myth'; MLK's Son Hits Pence for Comparing Trump to His FatherBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/GOP-Texas-Rep.-Will-Hurd-Calls-Border-Crisis-a-Myth;-MLKs-Son-Hits-Pence-for-Comparing-Trump-to-His-Father/-594570022197597003.html2019-01-22T14:02:00Z2019-01-22T14:02:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, January 22, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span><strong><br /></strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong><em>GOP Texas Rep. Will Hurd Calls Border 'Crisis' a 'Myth'</em></strong></p>
<p>Texas Rep. Will Hurd, a Republican, is familiar with the country’s southern border; his district spans more than 800 miles of it. But when it comes to a border wall, Hurd isn’t fully on board. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Hurd, 41, denied President Trump’s claim there is a “crisis” at the border, calling it a “myth” and contending a concrete wall is a “3rd-century solution to a 21st-century problem.” Hurd, who has represented Texas’ 23rd district since 2015, isn’t a fan of a border wall. He was one of <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/425407-house-rejects-latest-funding-bill-reopen-government" target="_blank">only a handful of Republicans</a> who joined his colleagues across the aisle in voting for a plan to reopen the government without Trump’s border wall funding. “A wall from sea to shining sea is the most expensive and least effective way to do border security,” he <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/17/us/politics/will-hurd-border-wall-trump.html" target="_blank">previously told The New York Times</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></p>
<p><strong><em>MLK's Son Hits Pence for Comparing Trump to His Father</em></strong></p>
<p>Martin Luther King Jr.’s son is criticizing Vice President Pence for invoking his father’s words to pitch President Trump’s immigration proposal. “The vice president attempted to compare the president to Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a bridge builder, not a wall builder,” Martin Luther King III said Monday, <a href="https://twitter.com/isaacdovere/status/1087349880044093441?s=21">according to The Atlantic</a>. “Martin Luther King Jr. would say, ‘Love, not hate, will make America great’,” added Martin Luther King III, who was in Washington, D.C., to mark the national holiday celebrating his father. Pence, appearing on CBS’s “Face the Nation” on Sunday, quoted the civil rights icon’s “I Have a Dream” speech in urging Congress to accept the president’s immigration proposal.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>According to Ocasio-Cortez Climate Change Will Cause the World to End in 12 Years</em></strong></p>
<p>Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., spoke out on Monday about <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ocasio-cortez-calls-climate-change-our-world-war-ii-warns-the-world-will-end-in-12-years">the urgency to take on climate change</a>, comparing it to World War II. Speaking at an event commemorating Martin Luther King Day, Ocasio-Cortez expressed how the issue of climate change is a “generational” issue that younger people are more focused on. “Millennials and people, you know, Gen Z and all these folks that will come after us are looking up and we’re like: ‘The world is gonna end in 12 years if we don’t address climate change and your biggest issue is how are we gonna pay for it?'" Ocasio-Cortez said. While a steady stream of international reports have raised alarm about climate change, they stop markedly short of predicting the end of the world.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Noah's Ark Park Battles Advocacy Group Over Public School Field Trip Visits<br /> <br /> </em></strong></p>
<p>A theme park depicting an ark as described in the Bible is battling with an advocacy group over whether <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jan/20/ark-encounter-fights-freedom-religion-school-visit/">public school field trips to the attraction are legal</a>. The Courier Journal reports the Freedom From Religion Foundation sent letters last month to more than 1,000 public school districts in five states telling them field trips to the Ark Encounter in northern Kentucky are unconstitutional. The letters said it was “unacceptable to expose a captive audience of impressionable students to the overtly religious atmosphere.” Ark Encounter founder Ken Ham responded by offering free admission to any public school that visits the park on a field trip. The park features a 510-foot long ark as described in the biblical book of Genesis.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump: 'I Guess I Found a Magic Wand' to Boost Manufacturing Jobs</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump said he's found the 'magic wand' to create <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/426290-trump-i-guess-i-found-a-magic-wand-to-boost-manufacturing-jobs">job growth in the manufacturing industry</a>. His tweet follows the news earlier this month that the industry posted net job gains of 284,000 over 2018, its best year since 1997. The industry added 207,000 jobs in 2017. On Monday, Trump tweeted, “Last year was the best year for American Manufacturing job growth since 1997, or 21 years. The previous administration said manufacturing will not come back to the U.S., “you would need a magic wand.” I guess I found the MAGIC WAND - and it is only getting better!” Most of the gains are in the manufacturing of fabricated metals, and computer and electronic products, according to the Department of Labor. </p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong><em>CNN, MSNBC Mentioned Trump Impeachment Nearly 200 Times Friday Before BuzzFeed Report was Discredited</em></strong></p>
<p>CNN and MSNBC gushed over impeachment nearly 200 times based on a Thursday BuzzFeed report before it was discredited by the office of Special Counsel Robert Mueller. CNN and MSNBC couldn’t confirm BuzzFeed’s now-debunked report claiming President Trump directed his former attorney Michael Cohen to lie to Congress, but that didn’t stop the networks from using it as the impetus to talk about impeachment throughout the day. The <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/18/cnn-msnbc-impeach-trump-buzzfeed-mueller/" target="_blank">Daily Caller reported</a>, citing TV clipping service Grabien, that CNN and MSNBC mentioned the words “impeach,” “impeachment,” or “impeachable,” a whopping 179 times on Friday after before Mueller’s team released a statement pushing back against BuzzFeed’s alleged scoop. “CNN mentioned impeachment 82 times while MSNBC mentioned it a whopping 97 times,” Daily Caller media editor Amber Athey wrote. “The review included only original Friday programming and ran up until each network learned that BuzzFeed’s report was in dispute.”</p>
<p><strong> </strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Members of Group Giving Food, Water to Migrants Convicted of Misdemeanors</em></strong></p>
<p>Four humanitarian aid volunteers were convicted of misdemeanor charges on Friday after leaving food and water for migrants crossing a remote wildlife refuge on the United States-Mexico border in 2017. Four other volunteers with the group No More Deaths are set to go on trial next month and in March over similar charges, the organization said. A ninth volunteer, Scott Warren, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/volunteer-arrested-after-giving-food-water-undocumented-immigrants-arizona-n840386">also faces felony harboring and concealment charges</a> after allegedly providing food, water, beds and clean clothes to two undocumented immigrants last year. His trial is scheduled to begin in May. In Friday’s decision, United State District Court Judge Bernardo Velasco said the volunteers, Natalie Hoffman, Oona Holcomb, Madeline Huse and Zaachila Orozco, hadn’t obtained permits to enter the Cabeza Prieta Refuge and Wilderness Area or followed the Department of Interior’s rules while they were there. They face a maximum sentence of six months in prison and a possible $500 fine.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/A-Disturbing-Partnership/-160143827719130186.html">“A Disturbing Partnership”</a><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-01-22T14:02:00ZBuzzfeed Reporter, After Rebuke by Mueller, Unable to Explain Discrepancies; Kamala Harris is Running for President in 2020BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Buzzfeed-Reporter-After-Rebuke-by-Mueller-Unable-to-Explain-Discrepancies;-Kamala-Harris-is-Running-for-President-in-2020/531917713681239303.html2019-01-21T14:39:00Z2019-01-21T14:39:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Monday, January 21, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span><strong><br /> </strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Buzzfeed Reporter, After Rebuke by Mueller, Unable to Explain Discrepancies</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pence-slams-disappointing-pelosi-rejection-of-trump-border-funding-compromise">BuzzFeed News</a> investigative reporter Anthony Cormier on Sunday declined to explain why his colleague Jason Leopold claimed to have seen documents proving that President Trump had ordered his former lawyer Michael Cohen to lie to Congress contradicting Cormier's insistence that he had not personally seen the documents. "We can't get into, like, the details there," Cormier, sitting next to BuzzFeed News Editor-in-Chief Ben Smith, told CNN's "Reliable Sources" host Brian Stelter. "We really can't go any further at all, in order not to jeopardize our sources." Leopold did not appear for the interview, which occasionally became tense as Stelter openly criticized BuzzFeed's journalistic practices. Smith claimed Leopold, who has been out of the public view since Friday, was busy "reporting." Leopold has been involved in numerous scandals during his career related to his false reports, including one in 2002 for Salon.com about Enron that the outlet said was "riddled with inaccuracies and misrepresentations," and another incorrect story in 2006 for Truthout.org about supposedly pending indictments against former George W. Bush aide Karl Rove. Mueller issued his first public statement in more than a year to repudiate the BuzzFeed report the next day, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mueller-team-disputes-buzzfeed-report-claiming-trump-told-cohen-to-lie">flatly asserting that BuzzFeed's story was "not accurate."</a> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Kamala Harris is Running for President in 2020</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Democratic California Sen. Kamala Harris announced Monday that she is officially throwing her hat into the ring and seeking the Democratic nomination for the presidency in 2020. Amid speculation of Harris’s presidential aspirations, the <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/03/kamala-harris-2020-decision-christmas/" target="_blank">California senator revealed</a> in December she would make a decision on whether or not to launch a 2020 presidential run over the holiday season. She also acknowledged the challenges she would face while running in such a heated election and how cutthroat the presidential race might be.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Winter Storm Grounds Flights, Delays Trains and Knocks Out Power</em></strong></p>
<p>A major winter storm is disrupting transportation routes in parts of New England and the Midwest, after bringing snow and freezing rain to the areas. The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings or advisories for parts or all of at least <a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=Winter%20Storm%20Warning">eight states</a>, and states of emergencies were declared in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Amtrak has canceled some trains along the northeast corridor, and more than 9,000 flights were delayed or canceled on Sunday according to FlightAware.com. On Saturday the storm dumped 10 inches of snow on parts of the Midwest, left more than 13,000 power outages in the state of Ohio, and created havoc for many travelers throughout the region. In Kansas, a snowplow driver was killed when the plow drove onto the shoulder of a road, turned over and rolled on top of him. Slick roads led to a 15-vehicle pileup in Missouri, and a United Airlines plane <a href="https://abc7chicago.com/travel/plane-skids-off-runway-at-ohare/5097395/">skidded </a>off the runway at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on Saturday morning.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Michael Cohen Given a Date to Appear Before House Intelligence</em></strong></p>
<p>House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff vowed Sunday to look into the claims from BuzzFeed's disputed story claiming Michael Cohen told special counsel Robert Mueller the president directed him to lie to Congress about business dealings in Russia. "Congress has a fundamental interest in two things, first in getting to the bottom of why a witness came before us and lied and who else was knowledgeable that this was a lie," the California Democrat told CBS News' "Face the Nation." <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/adam-schiff-michael-cohen-given-a-date-to-appear-before-house-intelligence">Cohen is due to appear</a> before the House Oversight Committee on Feb. 7 ahead of when he is required to report to federal prison in March. He was sentenced to two months behind bars in December after he pleaded guilty to “knowingly and willfully" making "a materially false, fictitious and fraudulent statement and representation” to Congress. Those two months will be served concurrently with the three years he received as part of the campaign finance violations and tax and bank fraud case he faced last year in New York.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>TSA Says Many Employees Not Reporting to Work Because of 'Financial Limitations'</em></strong></p>
<p>The Transportation Security Administration said Sunday that many of its employees are not reporting to work because of "financial limitations," a statement that comes as the government shutdown persists into its fifth week. "[Saturday's] complete figures show that TSA experienced a national rate of 8 percent of unscheduled absences compared to a 3 percent rate one year ago on the same day," TSA <a href="https://www.tsa.gov/news/releases/2019/01/20/tsa-statement-checkpoint-operations-january-20" target="_blank">said in a statement</a> released Sunday afternoon. "Many employees are reporting that they are not able to report to work due to financial limitations." TSA closed a checkpoint at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport over a lack of staffing on Saturday.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Roseanne Barr Calls Natalie Portman 'Repulsive' for Israel Award Snub</em></strong></p>
<p>Roseanne Barr slammed actress Natalie Portman in a recent interview, calling her “repulsive” for refusing to attend an award ceremony in her honor because she didn't want to appear to endorse the Israeli prime minister. Speaking to Israel Hayom, an Israeli national newspaper, the comedian criticized Portman over her action. Last year, the "Black Swan" star declined to accept the Genesis Prize because she “did not want to appear as endorsing” Benjamin Netanyahu, who was attending the event, according to The <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/roseanne-barr-slams-natalie-portman-defends-kevin-hart-1177378" target="_blank">Hollywood Reporter.</a> “I am not part of the BDS movement and do not endorse it,” she said, last year in The Times of Israel, referring to a Palestinian-led global movement of boycott, divestment, and sanctions against Israel. “Like many Israelis and Jews around the world, I can be critical of the leadership in Israel without wanting to boycott the entire nation. I treasure my Israeli friends and family, Israeli food, books, art, cinema, and dance.” The award, commonly referred to as the “Jewish Nobel” prize, is given every year to an individual in recognition of his or her philanthropy and commitment to combating anti-Semitism. “It was really sickening, I find her repulsive," Barr said of Portman, who was born in Jerusalem. “She was raised in incredible privilege of safety in the Jewish state and knows nothing about anti-Semitism.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>New England Patriots Will Face Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII</em></strong></p>
<p>Los Angeles went more than two decades without an NFL team. Now, it has one playing for a championship. The Rams never led in regulation, but with a 57-yard field goal by Greg Zuerlein in overtime, Los Angeles has advanced to <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2019/01/20/sport/nfl-playoffs-nfc-and-afc-championship-games/index.html">Super Bowl LIII</a> with a 26-23 win, shocking the Saints in the NFC title game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday. But that's not the only game that needed extra time. The Rams will face a Super Bowl mainstay in the New England Patriots, who held off the Kansas City Chiefs to win the AFC Championship 37-31 in overtime. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are back in a very familiar place. They're heading back to another Super Bowl, winning on the road at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Patriots join the Buffalo Bills (1990-1993) and Miami Dolphins (1971-1973) as the third team to appear in three consecutive Super Bowls. They also extended their NFL record for Super Bowl appearances to 11.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Writing Prof: Grading Based on Quality is Racist</em></strong></p>
<p>American University in Washington, D.C. is hosting an event on Feb. 1 on "antiracist" grading with a professor who serves as director of a writing center which argues that American grammar is a "racist," "unjust language structure." The <a href="https://edspace.american.edu/ariwa/" target="_blank">seminar</a>, titled, "Grading Ain't Just Grading: Rethinking Writing Assessment Ecologies Towards Antiracist Ends," will be led by University of Washington-Tacoma professor <a href="http://directory.tacoma.uw.edu/employee/asao" target="_blank">Asao Inoue</a>, who previously published an <a href="https://www.academia.edu/12027143/A_Grade-less_Writing_Course_that_Focuses_on_Labor_and_Assessing" target="_blank">essay</a> titled, "A Grade-less Writing Course that Focuses on Labor and Assessing," in which he argues in favor of "dispens[ing] almost completely with judgments of quality when producing course grades."</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/A-Disturbing-Partnership/-160143827719130186.html">“A Disturbing Partnership”</a><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-01-21T14:39:00ZTrump Pitches New Plan to Reopen Government Amid Dem Pushback; Border Agents, Working Without Pay, See Large Groups of Migrants Crossing into ArizonaBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Pitches-New-Plan-to-Reopen-Government-Amid-Dem-Pushback;-Border-Agents-Working-Without-Pay-See-Large-Groups-of-Migrants-Crossing-into-Arizona/766103156671011024.html2019-01-20T14:11:00Z2019-01-20T14:11:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, January 20, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></span><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Pitches New Plan to Reopen Government Amid Dem Pushback</em></strong></p>
<p>On Saturday, <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/426178-trump-pitches-new-plan-to-reopen-government-amid-dem-pushback">President Trump pitched</a> linking funding for the border wall with temporary protections for some undocumented immigrants as a pathway out of the weeks-long partial shutdown but quickly ran into pushback from Democrats. Trump, who made his offer during a televised speech from the White House, floated extending protections for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program recipients for three years and a three-year extension of protections for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders in exchange for more than $5 billion for a border wall. “Both sides in Washington must simply come together, listen to each other, put down their armor, build trust, reach across the aisle and find solutions,” Trump said. Trump added that he was making his pitch to “break the logjam” that has paralyzed Washington since late December, leaving roughly a quarter of the government closed and forcing roughly 800,000 federal employees to be furloughed or work without pay. Trump said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has pledged to give the bill a vote next week. McConnell confirmed that he will bring up the bill, saying it was "time to make a law."</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Border Agents, Working Without Pay, See Large Groups of Migrants Crossing into Arizona</em></strong></p>
<p>Around 5 a.m. last Monday, a group of <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/border-agents-working-without-pay-see-large-groups-migrants-crossing-n960631">84 migrants hurried off a large tour bus</a> on a Mexican highway, crawled under a small fence and walked into the United States. Customs and Border Protection videotaped the migrants, all families from Central America, crossing the border in Quitobaquito Springs in Arizona’s Organ Pipe Cactus National Park, a four-hour drive from Tucson. Border agents used a mobile surveillance capability truck to capture images of the crossing, released exclusively to NBC News. Along the Southwest border, the overall number of apprehensions has plummeted over the last two decades. In the Tucson sector, the number has dropped from more than 616,000 in 2008 to about 52,000 in 2018. Jeffrey Self, the Border Patrol’s acting chief of the Tucson sector, insisted a humanitarian crisis had developed. Although the overall number of apprehensions was down, families are more difficult to for his agents to process and diverted resources from stopping drug smuggling and other crime. The nearly 20,000 border agents stationed across the country are currently working without pay.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Women's March Faces Shutdown and Anti-Semitism Controversy in Return to DC</em></strong></p>
<p>Controversy and the government shutdown greeted marchers who gathered in the Washington cold Saturday for the third annual National <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/womens-march-2019-what-is-it-how-will-it-be-different-this-year">Women’s March</a>. The event, which kicked off near Freedom Plaza blocks from the White House, drew thousands, a number far fewer than the hundreds of thousands who descended on the National Mall for the first Women’s March, the day after Donald Trump’s inauguration in 2017. A National Park permit issued Thursday anticipated a crowd of 10,000, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/womens-march-on-washington-thousands-expected-for-third-womens-march-after-year-of-controversy/2019/01/18/68044464-1b2b-11e9-9ebf-c5fed1b7a081_story.html?utm_term=.f6127a88cb39" target="_blank">The Washington Post</a> reported. Weeks ago, organizers anticipated a crowd of several hundred thousand in a permit application. Sister marches in other cities included one in New York City. Bronx Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez spoke at that march. This year’s Women’s March has been hurt by accusations of anti-Semitism that have trailed the group’s organizers. Two of them, Linda Sarsour, a Palestinian activist who has embraced the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, and co-President Tamika Mallory, have been criticized over their ties to Nation of Islam firebrand Louis Farrakhan.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Travels to Dover Air Force Base to Meet with Families of Americans Killed in Syria</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump traveled to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Saturday to meet with the families of four Americans who were killed in an explosion Wednesday in Syria. Trump announced the trip early Saturday, tweeting that he would be meeting with the families of four "very special people" who died "in service" to the U.S. but offering no further details on the trip. Trump was joined Saturday by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, according to the White House press office. The unexpected trip comes days after U.S. Central Command confirmed that four Americans, including two U.S. troops, were <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/defense/425583-us-troops-reportedly-caught-in-suicide-blast-in-syria">killed in the explosion</a> in the northern Syrian town of Manbij. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Gets Another Invitation to Deliver State of Union Address Away from DC</em></strong></p>
<p>With plans for President Trump's annual <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pelosi-renews-call-to-delay-state-of-the-union-address-says-date-not-sacred">State of the Union address uncertain</a>, a North Carolina state lawmaker has extended the latest invitation for the president to deliver the speech in a setting away from Capitol Hill. Tim Moore, a Republican who serves as speaker in North Carolina's state House of Representatives, issued a <a href="http://speakermoore.com/speaker-moore-invites-president-trump-deliver-state-union-north-carolina/">letter</a> asking Trump to give the speech in the House chamber of North Carolina's Statehouse in Raleigh. “I attended your first State of the Union address in Washington D.C. last year,” Moore wrote. “It was an unforgettable experience to witness this tradition of our commander-in-chief’s speech to a joint session of Congress. Previously, another Republican state lawmaker in Michigan also <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/michigan-lawmaker-invites-trump-to-give-state-of-the-union-address-from-state-capitol">invited Trump</a> to deliver his speech in the state Capitol of that state, in Lansing. The State of the Union address is typically delivered early each year from the U.S. House chamber at the Capitol in Washington D.C. But plans for Trump to deliver this year's speech on Jan. 29 were rattled last week when newly installed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., recently urged the president to postpone the speech, or deliver it in writing, or from the Oval Office.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>U.S. Airstrike in Somalia Kills 52 Al-Shabaab Fighters, Military Says</em></strong></p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/us-military">U.S. military</a> said it carried out an airstrike in Somalia that killed 52 al-Shabaab extremists, in response to an attack on Somali forces. Al-Shabaab controls large parts of rural southern and central Somalia and continues to carry out high-profile attacks in the capital, Mogadishu, and elsewhere. The group claimed responsibility for the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/16/sas-member-helped-secure-nairobi-hotel-complex">deadly attack on a luxury hotel</a> complex in Nairobi, Kenya on Tuesday. A U.S. Africa Command statement said the airstrike occurred on Saturday near Jilib in Middle Juba region. The U.S. said Somali forces had come under attack by a “large group” of the al-Qaida-linked extremists. The statement did not say how many Somali forces were killed or wounded. There were no reports of Americans killed or wounded.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>FDA Threatens to Pull E-Cigs if Marketing to Teens Continues</em></strong></p>
<p>The FDA could move to snuff out Juul and other e-cigarettes if makers keep courting teens. Agency head Scott Gottlieb demanded that producers of vaping devices stop targeting young users or risk having their products pulled from shelves. “If the youth use continues to rise and we see significant increases in 2019, on top of the dramatic rise in 2018, the entire category will face an existential threat,’’ the commissioner told a hearing in Silver Spring, Maryland on Friday, <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/426140-fda-threatens-to-pull-e-cigarettes-off-the-market-citing-possible">The Hill reported</a>. He took aim at Juul, the top-selling e-cig among high school and middle school kids, and noted that <a href="https://nypost.com/2018/10/12/feds-crack-down-on-e-cigarettes-amid-epidemic-of-teen-use/">vaping in that age group rose dramatically</a> last year while traditional tobacco smoking declined. Vaping went up 78 percent among high schoolers and 48 percent for middle school students, he said. In most states, those under 18 are not allowed to buy any tobacco product, including e-cigarettes.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/A-Disturbing-Partnership/-160143827719130186.html">“A Disturbing Partnership”</a><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-01-20T14:11:00ZMcConnell Blocks Bill to Reopen Most of Government; Trump, via Video, to Address Projected March for Life Gathering of 100,000BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/McConnell-Blocks-Bill-to-Reopen-Most-of-Government;-Trump-via-Video-to-Address-Projected-March-for-Life-Gathering-of-100000/-47268687296379727.html2019-01-18T13:24:00Z2019-01-18T13:24:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, January 18, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>McConnell Blocks Bill to Reopen Most of Government</em></strong></p>
<p>Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/425945-mcconnell-blocks-bill-to-reopen-most-of-government">blocked legislation on Thursday</a> that would have reopened most of the federal government impacted by the partial shutdown. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) tried to get consent to take up a House-passed bill that would reopen all agencies except the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is at the center of the shutdown fight. But McConnell objected. The Senate GOP leader didn’t explain his objection from the Senate floor but he has warned for weeks that he will not bring up a government funding bill unless it’s the product of an agreement between congressional Democratic leadership and President Trump. "The solution to this is a negotiation between the one person in the country who can sign something into law, the president of the United States, and our Democratic colleagues," McConnell said Tuesday when he blocked a House bill as well as a piece of legislation to fund DHS through Feb. 8. This marks the third time that McConnell has blocked House-passed government funding bills in the past two weeks. Under Senate rules, any senator can ask for consent to vote on or pass a bill, but any senator can object.</p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump, via Video, to Address Projected March for Life Gathering of 100,000</em></strong></p>
<p>An estimated 100,000 people are expected to gather in Washington, D.C., on Friday for the <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/march-for-life-a-look-at-the-largest-pro-life-rally-in-the-united-states.">45th March for Life</a>, with President Trump reportedly sending a message of support via video. The event is among the most high-profile events organized by the nation's opponents of abortion, which was made legal across the U.S. by the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. Conservative commentator and author Ben Shapiro will be the event's headline speaker, according to the <a href="https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/lawmakers-from-both-parties-to-address-2019-march-for-life-15836">Catholic News Agency</a>. A bipartisan group of lawmakers also will address the crowd. Participants will include Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., and Reps. Dan Lipinski, D-Ill., and Chris Smith, R-N.J., plus Louisiana state Rep. Katrina Jackson, a Democrat. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Fires Back at Pelosi, Cancels Her Foreign Travel</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Thursday hit back at Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) for warning she may postpone the State of the Union address <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/425887-trump-fires-back-at-pelosi-cancels-her-foreign-travel">by scrapping her planned trip overseas</a>. In a letter to Pelosi, Trump told her that a congressional delegation trip she intended to take to Brussels, Egypt and Afghanistan, which he dismissed as a “public relations event,” is now “postponed.” “We will reschedule this seven-day excursion when the shutdown is over,” Trump wrote. “I also feel that, during this period, it would be better if you were in Washington negotiating with me and joining the Strong Border Security movement to end the shutdown.” The announcement means that Trump will refuse to provide military transportation for lawmakers to make the journey, which would have included a stop in a war zone, according to the White House. Trump added, however, if Pelosi wanted to go ahead by flying commercial, “that would certainly be your prerogative.” </p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Intel Dem: Trump Must Resign or Be Impeached if Report About Directing Cohen to Lie is True</em></strong></p>
<p>Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) called for President Trump to resign or be impeached if a report about him directing his former longtime lawyer Michael Cohen <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/425967-trump-directed-cohen-to-lie-about-plans-to-build-trump-tower-in" target="_blank">to lie to Congress is true</a>. Castro, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, was referring to a report published by <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/jasonleopold/trump-russia-cohen-moscow-tower-mueller-investigation">Buzzfeed News</a> on Thursday night regarding Cohen’s misstatements to Congress. Two federal law enforcement officials who were reportedly involved in an investigation into the matter told the outlet that Trump directed Cohen to lie to Congress about an effort to build a Trump Tower in Moscow during the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump also reportedly supported a plan by Cohen to visit Russia to launch negotiations about the construction effort shortly before the 2016 presidential election. The then-candidate also supported a plan to have Cohen meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the trip, Buzzfeed reported.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Giuliani Dismisses Report Trump Told Cohen to Lie to Congress</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani late on Thursday dismissed a <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/425967-trump-directed-cohen-to-lie-about-plans-to-build-trump-tower-in">bombshell report</a> from Buzzfeed News that said the president directed Michael Cohen to lie to Congress about plans to build a Trump Tower in Moscow during the 2016 presidential campaign. “If you believe Cohen I can get you a great deal on the Brooklyn Bridge,” Giuliani said according to The Washington Post’s Philip Rucker.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Women’s March Losing Steam, Supporters Amid Anti-Semitism Concerns</em></strong></p>
<p>The Women’s March, which was hailed as an international rebuke of President Trump in 2017 when throngs of activists took the streets the day after his inauguration, is steadily losing supporters amid <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/democratic-national-committee-will-not-sponsor-womens-march-amid-anti-semitic-concerns" target="_blank">an anti-Semitism scandal</a> that won't go away. The march will be held in D.C. again on Saturday at the National Mall, but the controversial ties of organizers have caused the campaign to lose steam. Groups ranging from EMILY’s List to The National Council of Jewish Women as well as high-profile Democratic politicians are keeping their distance, even as other <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/list-of-2019-womens-march-sponsors" target="_blank">prominent organizations</a> stand by the movement and newly announced 2020 candidate Kirsten Gillibrand schedules an appearance at the march's Iowa offshoot. At the center of the controversy are leaders' ties to and statements about radical Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. Both Linda Sarsour, a Palestinian activist who has embraced the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, and co-President Tamika Mallory have ties to Farrakhan. The controversy picked up after Mallory attended a Farrakhan speech last February. “White folks are going down. And Satan is going down. And Farrakhan, by God's grace, has pulled the cover off of that Satanic Jew and I'm here to say your time is up, your world is through,” Farrakhan said in that sermon. Sarsour, in particular, has made a number of controversial statements related to Israel. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Arm of Congressional Hispanic Caucus Spent Lavishly Last Election Cycle, FEC Data Show</em></strong></p>
<p>The fundraising arm of the <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/its-time-for-the-congressional-hispanic-caucus-to-realize-that-being-a-latino-is-not-a-partisan-issue">Congressional Hispanic Caucus</a> doled out hundreds of thousands of dollars for luxury hotels, nightclubs and tickets to Las Vegas events during the 2018 election cycle, filings to the Federal Election Commission show. During the cycle, the caucus's <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/democrats-fly-to-puerto-rico-amid-ongoing-government-shutdown">Bold PAC</a> pulled in $9.5 million in contributions in reaction to President Trump’s policies, said Rep. Tony Cardenas, D-Calif., who chairs the PAC, according to a report. Also, in that time, the Hispanic caucus paid out more than $200,000 for catering, hotel stays and fees at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa, and Marina in Cambridge, Md. Nearly $50,000 was spent on a Las Vegas Caesar’s Palace event, and $6,000 at the nearby Omnia Nightclub. Another $60,000 went toward food and lodging at the ARIA Resort & Casino and thousands more bought tickets for an event at the luxurious Bellagio hotel and tickets for a Michael Jackson One concert. Other funds went to tours and restaurants, the federal records show, <a href="https://freebeacon.com/politics/congressional-hispanic-caucus-pac-spent-300k-at-luxury-resorts-last-cycle/">according to the Washington Free Beacon</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/A-Disturbing-Partnership/-160143827719130186.html">“A Disturbing Partnership”</a><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-01-18T13:24:00ZPelosi Only Gives Trump a Bigger Audience by Canceling State of the Union; Kremlin Says it's 'Stupid' to Think that Trump Could be a Russian AgentBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Pelosi-Only-Gives-Trump-a-Bigger-Audience-by-Canceling-State-of-the-Union;-Kremlin-Says-its-Stupid-to-Think-that-Trump-Could-be-a-Russian-Agent/591782342155532481.html2019-01-17T14:05:00Z2019-01-17T14:05:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, January 17, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Pelosi Only Gives Trump a Bigger Audience by Canceling State of the Union</em></strong></p>
<p>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, citing the government shutdown, urged President Donald Trump in a letter Wednesday to either reschedule his upcoming <a href="https://history.house.gov/Institution/SOTU/State-of-the-Union/">State of the Union address</a> or to deliver it in writing to Congress. "He can make it from the Oval Office if he wants," Pelosi, D-California, later told reporters. In her letter to the president, Pelosi noted "security concerns" related to the partial shutdown's effect on the U.S. Secret Service, which is responsible for security for the president's annual in-person address to a joint session of Congress. That speech, which is nationally televised, currently is scheduled for Jan. 29. "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," wrote Pelosi. "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," wrote the speaker, who also cited a historical precedent for nearly all presidents delivering their address in writing prior to the early 20th Century.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Ocasio-Cortez Set to Join Maxine Waters on Key Financial Services Committee</em></strong></p>
<p>Self-described socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez announced on Twitter that she will join California Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters on the influential House Financial Services Committee, which oversees Wall Street and the housing industry. California Rep. Katie Porter, Michigan's Rashida Tlaib, Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, and Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley have also reportedly <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/financial-industry-braces-for-maxine-waters-ascent-on-key-committee" target="_blank">been tapped</a> for the committee by Democratic House leaders, and a vote finalizing their appointments is expected within days. "I am very grateful for the opportunity to sit on this committee as a freshman, and look forward to working under the leadership of @RepMaxineWaters!" Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Twitter late Tuesday. "Financial Services is one of just four exclusive committees in the House. It oversees big banks, lending, & the financial sector." The roles would afford the rising far-left Democrats a powerful platform to pursue the sweeping reforms they campaigned on, even as some moderate liberals voiced concerns that intra-party clashes would be inevitable. Ocasio-Cortez, 29, has suggested that the nation's largest banks should be broken up, and she shunned corporate donations during her House run last year.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Kremlin Says it's 'Stupid' to Think that Trump Could be a Russian Agent</em></strong></p>
<p>Top Kremlin officials are scoffing at the idea that President Donald Trump is working as a Russian agent, dismissing the notion as “nonsense” and blasting U.S. journalists for their attention to the issue. “That’s stupid,” said Yuri Ushakov, a foreign policy aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-16/russia-s-lavrov-dismisses-claims-of-trump-collusion-with-kremlin?srnd=premium" target="_blank">according to</a> Bloomberg News. “How can the president of the United States be an agent of another country? Just think about that.” The White House was hit with a pair of bombshell reports over the weekend that involve Trump and Putin, including <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/11/us/politics/fbi-trump-russia-inquiry.html" target="_blank">one</a> from The New York Times that revealed the FBI opened a counterintelligence investigation into Trump in 2017 over whether he was wittingly or unwittingly working on Russia’s behalf. Another <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-has-concealed-details-of-his-face-to-face-encounters-with-putin-from-senior-officials-in-administration/2019/01/12/65f6686c-1434-11e9-b6ad-9cfd62dbb0a8_story.html?utm_term=.eb0839fecfc0" target="_blank">report</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">,</span> from The Washington Post, revealed that Trump has sought to conceal the details of his meetings with Putin from members of his administration, possibly in an effort to avoid leaks. Trump this week rejected both reports, telling reporters Monday that he “never worked for Russia.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Don Lemon Says Giuliani’s CNN ‘Performance’ is Proof He’s up to Something</em></strong></p>
<p>While Rudy Giuliani may have “out-Giulianied” himself Wednesday during a heated segment with Chris Cuomo, CNN’s Don Lemon has warned that there’s a method to his madness. Earlier, Trump’s attorney said that he never denied the president’s campaign colluded with the Russian government in the lead-up to the 2016 election. “Quite a performance, right?” Lemon said of <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-giuliani-cuomo-cnn-collusion_us_5c3ff0a1e4b027c3bbbdf224">Giuliani’s debate with Cuomo</a>. “But make no mistake, there is a method to this madness. The president’s attorney, as he always does, laying out the groundwork there for what is to come. So, stay tuned to that.” Lemon appeared to suggest that Giuliani’s performance was a pre-emptive strike against any stories that may contain further allegations concerning collusion with the Kremlin. As special counsel Robert Mueller continues to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, Giuliani has conceded that “if the collusion happened, it happened a long time ago.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Waiting for Final Mueller Report? It May Be Short on Detail</em></strong></p>
<p>Robert Mueller’s Russia probe <a href="https://apnews.com/b224c81d1e464fd19241069a2eb6058b">has to end with a report</a>. But anyone looking for a grand narrative on President Donald Trump, Russian election interference and all the juicy details uncovered over the last 20 months could end up disappointed. Attorney General nominee William Barr, who will oversee the investigation after an almost certain Senate confirmation, says he wants to release as much information as he can about the probe into possible coordination between Trump associates and Russia’s efforts to sway the 2016 election. But during his confirmation hearing Tuesday, he also made clear that he will ultimately decide what the public sees and that any report will be in his words, not Mueller’s. Justice Department regulations require only that Mueller give the attorney general a confidential report that explains the decisions to pursue or to decline prosecutions. That could be as simple as a bullet point list or as fulsome as a report running hundreds of pages.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>NY Times Prints Special Section Featuring Women of the 116th Congress</em></strong></p>
<p>The New York Times on Thursday printed a special section featuring portraits of nearly every member of the record number of female lawmakers in Congress. The paper printed 27 separate covers, one for each region of the country, to lead the feature, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/01/14/us/politics/women-of-the-116th-congress.html?action=click&module=RelatedCoverage&pgtype=Article&region=Footer">“Redefining Representation: The Women of the 116th Congress.”</a> A viral Twitter thread from the Times’ design editor, Josh Crutchmer, includes a video of the covers the night before publication that has been viewed over 320,000 times as of Thursday morning. There are 131 women serving in the House and Senate this term, a <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/424449-116th-congress-breaks-records-for-women-minority-lawmakers">record class that includes a number of other “firsts,”</a> including the youngest woman elected to the House, the first two female Muslim lawmakers, and the first two Native American female lawmakers. “Redefining Representation” features 130 portraits – Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) was not available, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/17/insider/congresswomen-photographs.html">according to the Times.</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Cable-News-War/901369017233601976.html">“The Cable News War”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-01-17T14:05:00ZKey Moments from William Barr's Confirmation Hearing; DOJ Seriously Eyes Changes to Media Subpoena PolicyBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Key-Moments-from-William-Barrs-Confirmation-Hearing;-DOJ-Seriously-Eyes-Changes-to-Media-Subpoena-Policy/-612254508115766465.html2019-01-16T14:28:00Z2019-01-16T14:28:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, January 16, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span><strong><br /><br /></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>DOJ Seriously Eyes Changes to Media Subpoena Policy</em></strong></p>
<p>The Department of Justice (DOJ) is seriously considering adjusting existing policy to eliminate advance notice of a subpoena in media leak investigations, <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/15/doj-change-media-subpoena-policy/?utm_medium=push&utm_source=daily_caller&utm_campaign=push">according to a senior DOJ official</a> with direct knowledge. Existing DOJ guidance requires advance notice to third parties related to a media leak investigations. Officials familiar with the policy characterize it as hindering investigators’ ability to discern the source of damaging national security leaks and say the lengthy timeline of notice to media organizations and others hinders the ability to conduct timely investigations. The policy change has its roots in President Donald Trump’s directive to former Attorney General Jeff Sessions to crack down on national security leaks emanating from the DOJ. Sessions announced that the media subpoena policy would be placed under review in August 2017.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Key Moments from William Barr's Confirmation Hearing</em></strong></p>
<p>Special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into the president’s 2016 campaign was front and center during William Barr’s hearing Tuesday, with the attorney general nominee pledging to remain independent. <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/15/key-moments-barr-promises-to-protect-mueller-special-counsel-1101410">In his remarks</a> before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Barr sought to clarify his positions on executive privileges when asked if his memo criticizing Mueller’s probe would compromise his ability to oversee the investigation. Barr had written in the memo to the Department of Justice that Trump's firing of his former FBI director, James Comey, could not constitute an obstruction of justice. But during the committee hearing, Barr emphasized his personal and professional respect for Mueller, saying he would not interfere with his work. Barr vowed to protect the Mueller investigation. The attorney general nominee said “I certainly think it would be an abuse of his power” when asked if a president would be prohibited from halting a criminal investigation for personal reasons based on Barr's understanding of the president's constitutional duties. Barr may have diverted from Trump on Mueller, but he stuck with the president on most everything else. From a border wall with Mexico to questioning Obama-era revisions to Title IX procedures, Barr still fell in line with many of Trump's policy priorities. He even echoed Trump's mistrust of the press, casting doubt on media reports there is an obstruction of justice element to the Mueller investigation.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Dem Who Opposed Pelosi for Speaker is Blocked from Judiciary Committee Seat</em></strong></p>
<p>Nancy Pelosi apparently doesn’t forgive fellow Democrats who cross her. On Tuesday the House speaker from California blocked a bid by Rep. Kathleen Rice of New York to land a seat on the influential House Judiciary Committee in what seemed like payback for Rice opposing Pelosi's effort to regain the speakership after Democrats retook control of the House. Pelosi managed to keep Rice, a third-term Democrat from the Long Island suburbs of New York City, off the list of her preferred members for the committee after convincing other Democrats to join the panel, <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/15/pelosi-rice-judiciary-committee-1102772">Politico </a>reported. The move came despite the New York delegation's efforts to get Rice on the high-profile committee, which oversees, among other things, appointments to the federal courts and law enforcement agencies, as well as impeachment.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>American Killed in Terror Attack at High-End Complex in Nairobi</em></strong></p>
<p>An American was among more than a dozen killed when gunfire and explosions erupted at a high-end hotel complex in Nairobi, Kenya, on Tuesday afternoon, according to the U.S. Department of State and those who knew him. I-DEV International, a San Francisco-based strategy and investment advisory firm with an office in Kenya's capital, told ABC News on Wednesday that its founder and managing director Jason Spindler "was tragically among the fatalities." "The situation is under control, and the country is safe," Matiang'i added. "Terrorism will never defeat us." A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State told ABC News that "all mission personnel are safe and accounted for." Extremist group Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the assault, <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/beta-story-container/International/wireStory/gunfire-blast-upscale-complex-kenyas-capital-60387681" target="_blank">The Associated Press reported</a>. The al-Qaida-linked group, based in neighboring Somalia, made the claim Tuesday via its radio arm.</p>
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<p><strong><em>UNC Chancellor Resigns Abruptly, Wipes Out Silent Sam Statue Before She Goes</em></strong></p>
<p>The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill chancellor announced her resignation Monday night, but not without first putting a plan in motion to remove the remains of the controversial Confederate monument, “Silent Sam,” completely from public view. UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Carol Folt <a href="https://www.unc.edu/posts/2019/01/14/folt-resignation-orders-confederate-monument-pedestal-removed/" target="_blank">announced</a> Monday that she will step down. Included in her announcement was confirmation that she had ordered the remains of the school's Silent Sam statue which had been toppled by protesters in August be removed. Folt's resignation came as a surprise, even to the UNC system board, whose chair said it was not aware of Folt’s resignation before the public announcement. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Denver ‘Womxn’s March’ Scrubs Website of Secret Service Agent’s ‘Leadership’ Role </em></strong></p>
<p>While the Democratic National Committee and other liberal organizations are dropping their affiliation with the Women's March on Washington over allegations of antisemitism, a separate women's march in Denver is distancing itself from one of its controversial leaders. The Denver "womxn's march," set to take place Saturday, has scrubbed its website of any mention of Kerry O'Grady, the senior Secret Service agent who decried taking "a bullet" for President Trump on Facebook the month before he was elected president. Just last week, O'Grady was prominently featured on the Denver "womxn's march" website with a large photo and a bio under a section titled "2019 Executive Leadership team." Separately, the website says march organizers included an "x" in the word "woman," "because we believe in equity and we act with purpose to make space for trans, non-binary, and genderqueer persons in our name." Following the publication of a <a href="https://freebeacon.com/issues/denver-womxns-march-scrubs-website-of-secret-service-agents-leadership-role/?utm_source=Freedom+Mail&utm_campaign=7fa566a632-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_01_16_12_24_COPY_143&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b5e6e0e9ea-7fa566a632-46474477">Washington Free Beacon</a><em> </em>story raising legal questions about O'Grady's participation in the march's organization and evidence that she was still active on the Secret Service payroll, the March erased her from the site.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Tells Colbert She’s Launching Presidential Exploratory Committee</em></strong></p>
<p>Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is taking steps toward a 2020 presidential bid. The New York Democrat <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/gma/sen-kirsten-gillibrand-tells-colbert-she-launching-presidential-234013777.html?.tsrc=notification-brknews">announced that she is forming a presidential exploratory</a> committee Tuesday night during a taping of CBS’ “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” Sen. Gillibrand is the third woman to throw her hat in the ring for president. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts have taken steps toward a 2020 run in recent days. Once considered a moderate Democrat, Gillibrand was first elected to Congress in 2006 and represented a rural Republican district in upstate New York. In 2009, she was appointed to finish then-senator Hillary Clinton’s term when former President Barack Obama nominated her as Secretary of State. Sen. Gillibrand has used her time in the Senate to push a more left-leaning agenda.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Cable-News-War/901369017233601976.html">“The Cable News War”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-01-16T14:28:00ZMexico Death Toll in Two Days of 'Gang Violence' Reaches 29, Details on Attorney General Nominee William Barr's Confirmation HearingsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Mexico-Death-Toll-in-Two-Days-of-Gang-Violence-Reaches-29-Details-on-Attorney-General-Nominee-William-Barrs-Confirmation-Hearings/146554191280220120.html2019-01-15T13:59:00Z2019-01-15T13:59:00Z<p><em><strong>Mexico Death Toll in Two Days of 'Gang Violence' Reaches 29:</strong></em></p>
<p>Mexican authorities said on Friday that five attackers have died in a clash with soldiers in the northern border state of Tamaulipas, bringing the state's death toll in two days of presumed gang-related violence to 29. A group of armed assailants attacked a military patrol Thursday on a highway near the Rio Grande, wounding one soldier, according to a Tamaulipas state official who was not authorized to be quoted by name. The official said the patrol returned fire, killing five assailants. Some of the gunmen were wearing bulletproof vests and military-style camouflage. The area where the confrontation occurred, near the town of Miguel Aleman, has long been dominated by the Zetas drug cartel.</p>
<p><br /><em><strong>‘Huge Red Flag’: Border Wall GoFundMe Founder Refuses to Answer Basic Questions About His New Nonprofit:</strong></em></p>
<p>The founder of the viral $20 million border wall GoFundMe campaign is refusing to answer basic questions about his new nonprofit organization that will use donor funds to construct a piecemeal wall mile-by-mile along the U.S.-Mexico border. Triple-amputee Air Force veteran Brian Kolfage is asking donors to transfer their donations to We Build The Wall, Inc. following his announcement Friday that the federal government will not accept any funds from his viral fundraising campaign, despite his initial claim otherwise. GoFundMe said Friday that donors will need to opt into transferring their donations to Kolfage’s new Florida-based nonprofit by April 10, when all remaining contributions will be automatically refunded. Kolfage claims the bylaws of We Build The Wall, Inc. prevent him from taking any salary from donor funds that originate from GoFundMe. But Kolfage has refused to provide The Daily Caller News Foundation a copy of the nonprofit’s bylaws to corroborate his claim.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>Coachella Founder's Tough Truth to Liberal Fans: 'Most Billionaires Are Republicans':</strong></em></p>
<p>Paul Tollett, co-founder of the annual Coachella music festival in Southern California, gave a rare interview Friday to address the controversy surrounding the festival’s Christian conservative owner, Philip Anschutz. Coachella, now in its 20th year, is organized by Mr. Tollett’s Goldenvoice Productions, a subsidiary of Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), which is owned by billionaire Philip Anschutz. The personal politics of Anschutz, who reportedly gave nearly $200,000 to Republican politicians and super PACs in 2017, have been a point of controversy for the festival and new calls for a boycott arose Tuesday after the festival’s 2019 lineup was announced. Tollett, who retains half ownership of Coachella, told The Los Angeles Times that critics would be hard-pressed to find a billionaire who doesn’t support conservative policies. “Most billionaires are Republicans,” he said. “The billionaire attached to Live Nation is a Republican Trump supporter. Ticketmaster, same thing. Madison Square Garden? Billionaire Trump supporter. I know Anschutz isn’t a Trump supporter. None of it matters to me. I run a show 365 days a year, making all the decisions.” Tollett said Mr. Anschutz owns “thousands of companies” and has nothing to do with the organizing for Coachella. Still, Anschutz has shown “no discrimination” and is “good to all of us,” Tollett said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>Attorney General Nominee William Barr’s Confirmation Hearings:</strong></em></p>
<p>President Trump's pick for attorney general, William Barr, faces the first day of confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill Tuesday morning. William Barr is to replace former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, is looking for the approval from the Senate Judiciary Committee before his nomination goes to the Senate floor for a vote. Barr has already met with a number of senators on the committee individually. He needs the approval of a simple majority of senators to be confirmed, and take the helm from Acting Attorney General Matt Whittaker. Barr will answer to questions from Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee. To prepare for Tuesday's confirmation hearings, he has been working with a group of lawyers from the Office of Legal Policy. And though he's been through the confirmation process before, he held a mock hearing to practice.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>New Migrant Caravan Leaves Honduras for Journey to the US Border:</strong></em></p>
<p>A new caravan of at least 500 migrants late Monday began its journey from a bus station in Honduras to the United States border, members of the group told Fox News. The group had a mix of people that included some mothers carrying their young children on their shoulders. It's unclear where the group will rest, but past migrants have used the Honduran city of Quimistan, which is 35 miles from the bus stop, as an early checkpoint. President Trump last week mentioned the new caravan and said, "we're trying to break it up," according to The New York Times.</p>
<p><em><strong> </strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>Democrats Preview Mueller Questions for Attorney General Nominee:</strong></em></p>
<p>Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) in a letter obtained by Huffington Post previewed the questions about special counsel Robert Mueller that he plans to ask President Trump's attorney general nominee William Barr. Senator Whitehouse tweeted that he delivered the letter directly to William Barr. "I personally delivered a letter to Attorney General nominee Bill #Barr asking him to prepare for questions on protecting #Mueller, blocking political interference at @TheJusticeDept, and #darkmoney," Whitehouse tweeted on Monday. "Now I expect full answers at tomorrow’s hearing." Barr's Senate confirmation hearing is set for Jan. 15 and 16. He is certain to face sharp questioning from Democrats who are raising concerns about his stance towards Mueller.</p>
<p><br /><em><strong>More than 42,000 Immigration Hearings Canceled Due to Shutdown:</strong></em></p>
<p>An estimated 42,726 immigration court hearings have been canceled as a result of the partial government shutdown. Syracuse University's Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, an institution that tracks immigration data, in a report released on Monday found that cancelled hearings will likely grow by around 20,000 during each week that the shutdown continues. Many immigration courts are closed due to the ongoing shutdown, and immigration judges are only hearing cases of detained immigrants. The report's estimate is based upon an analysis of court records.<br /><br /></p>
<p><em><strong>US Veteran Unemployment Rate Hits All-Time Low in 2018:</strong></em></p>
<p>Unemployment among America’s military veterans reached an all-time low in 2018, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2018, unemployment among post-9/11 vets fell below 4 percent, to 3.8 percent, for the first time. For veterans of all ages, the unemployment rate fell to 3.5 percent – the lowest level since 2000. That compares with 3.7 percent in 2017 – which was the lowest annual rate since 2001. In December, the unemployment rate for veterans ages 18 and over was 3.2 percent, compared with 3.8 percent from the same period one year ago. Additionally, homelessness among veterans decreased by 5.4 percent last year.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Cable-News-War/901369017233601976.html">“The Cable News War”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-01-15T13:59:00ZImmigration Loophole Allows MS-13 Gang Members to go Free; FBI Wondered if Trump Was 'Acting at the Behest' of Russia, Transcripts ShowBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Immigration-Loophole-Allows-MS-13-Gang-Members-to-go-Free;-FBI-Wondered-if-Trump-Was-Acting-at-the-Behest-of-Russia-Transcripts-Show/-945604291218937720.html2019-01-14T13:18:00Z2019-01-14T13:18:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Monday, January 14, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span><strong><br /></strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Immigration Loophole Allows MS-13 Gang Members to go Free</em></strong></p>
<p>Two of the three suspects in the MS-13 gang-related assault of a Long Island teenager exploited the unaccompanied minor loophole after crossing the border illegally in South Texas, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official told Breitbart News. The two unaccompanied minors were transported to the New York area where they later allegedly carried out a vicious attack on a group of Huntington High School teens. “Two of the suspects entered into the country illegally through the unaccompanied alien child loophole in the Rio Grande Valley,” a DHS official told Breitbart News on Saturday morning. Police identified all three of the MS-13 gang members suspected of carrying out the attack as having entered the U.S. illegally, Breitbart News’ Michelle Moons <a href="https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/11/ms-13-illegal-alien-gang-members-charged-stabbing-fellow-student/">reported</a> on Friday. Later on Saturday, DHS Spokeswoman Katie Waldman expanded on the reported loophole for unaccompanied minors. “One of the loopholes we are imploring Congress to close could have prevented this gruesome attack,” Waldman stated. “Not only are the alleged assailants MS-13 gang members, but they entered the country illegally as unaccompanied alien children from the Northern Triangle.” “The Trafficking Victims Protections Reauthorization Act incentivizes unaccompanied alien children to entry the country illegally with little to no chance of ever being removed,” she explained. “This loophole is exploited by MS-13 to gain additional recruits.” Breitbart News <a href="https://www.breitbart.com/border/2017/04/11/houston-will-hostile-territory-gangs-says-texas-governor/">reported</a> in April 2017 about the connection between the loopholes allowing virtually unrestricted admission of Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) into the U.S.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>FBI Wondered if Trump Was 'Acting at the Behest' of Russia, Transcripts Show</em></strong></p>
<p>FBI officials debated whether President Trump was <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/425151-fbi-wondered-if-trump-was-acting-at-the-behest-of-russia-transcripts">"acting at the behest of" Russia</a> after he fired former FBI director James Comey in 2017, the FBI's general counsel told House investigators last year. James Baker told investigators that the possibility Trump was working for Russia was "one extreme" that FBI officials debated, according to transcripts that CNN obtained. "The other extreme is that the President is completely innocent, and we discussed that too. There's a range of things this could possibly be," he said, according to the news network. "We need to investigate, because we don't know whether, you know, the worst-case scenario is possibly true or the President is totally innocent and we need to get this thing over with — and so he can move forward with his agenda," Baker added. The New York Times reported on Friday that the FBI in 2017 opened a counterintelligence investigation into whether Trump was working on behalf of Russia. The Times reported that Trump's firing of Comey prompted the probe.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Media Refuse to Discuss Angel Families, Victims of Illegal Alien Crimes</em></strong></p>
<p>Since January 1, neither CNN nor MSNBC has booked a single “<a href="https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/13/silence-of-the-moms-media-refuses-to-discuss-angel-families-victims-of-illegal-alien-crimes/">Angel Mom” mothers of children brutally murdered by illegal aliens</a> as guests on their networks, per an analysis conducted by the Republican National Committee (RNC). The RNC told Breitbart News it has tracked both networks since the beginning of the year as they intensely bash President Donald Trump over the government shutdown that is now the longest ever in the history of the United States. Since the turn of the year to 2019 from 2018, neither network has conducted a single interview with any family members of victims of illegal alien crimes. The Angel Moms, or Angel Families, are the surviving family members of those Americans who were tragically killed by illegal aliens. Their plight is a particularly vivid illustration of the effects of unfettered illegal immigration. Had the federal government enforced immigration law and removed the illegal aliens who committed these heinous crimes before they committed them, the crimes never would have happened and their loved ones would presumably still be alive today.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Senate Dems Set to Take Aim at New Trump Attorney General Pick</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>The fate of special counsel Robert Mueller's probe is looming large over a high-stakes hearing for President Trump's attorney general nominee. <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/425004-senate-dems-set-to-take-aim-at-new-trump-attorney-general-pick">William Barr will be in the hot seat</a> this week when he faces the Senate Judiciary Committee for a two-day grilling that is expected to focus on the fate of Mueller’s investigation into the 2016 election and potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Moscow. Democrats were already anxious over Barr because of an unsolicited memo he drafted criticizing Mueller’s investigation. But those concerns have ballooned amid reports that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller and has overseen the investigation, will be leaving the Justice Department. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the No. 2 Senate Democrat and a member of the committee, predicted that the special counsel investigation will be “front and center” at the hearing.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Republican Ally Graham Urges Trump to Open U.S. Government Temporarily</em></strong></p>
<p>Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator close to President Donald Trump on Sunday <a href="http://news.trust.org/item/20190113192336-1wc1i">backed a temporary re-opening of the federal government</a>, in the 23rd day of the longest shutdown ever, to allow for talks on a spending agreement that could satisfy Trump's border security demands. Democrats in Congress rejected Trump's request that legislation to fund the government includes $5.7 billion of taxpayer money for a wall on the U.S. border with Mexico. They have refused further negotiations until the government is reopened after being partially shut down since Dec. 22. Graham, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he urged the president on Sunday to reopen the government for a limited period to try to get talks going again. If no progress is made, he said, then Trump should declare a national emergency as a way to get money to build his wall, a plan not popular with some fellow Republicans. "Before he pulls the plug on the legislative option, and I think we are almost there, I would urge them to open up the government for a short period of time, like three weeks, before he pulls the plug (to) see if we can get a deal," Graham said on the "Fox News Sunday" program. He said Trump told him, "Let's make a deal, then open up the government."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>BYU Buckles to 'Taco Tuesday' Criticism: 'We Are Very Sorry'</em></strong></p>
<p>Brigham Young University apologized and deleted an Instagram post that depicted two students dressed in sombreros and taco costumes amid cultural appropriation criticism. The Melvin J. Ballard Center for Economic Self-Reliance at BYU removed an Instagram post of students dressed in Latin American attire and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsZCTAVB-a4/"> issued its "sincere apologies" on the website</a>. Two students in the original photo wore sombreros, dressed as tacos, and held flags from Bolivia, the United States, and Argentina to promote “Taco Tuesday." The post advertised free tacos for students. However, comments deemed the display to be “insensitive” to Latin American culture. “They don’t eat tacos in Argentina or Bolivia,” one Twitter user <a href="https://twitter.com/livvidiaz/status/1082737020848336896">said</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span> “Hispanic/Latino cultures aren’t interchangeable. Y’all should know better than to be this insensitive and dumb.” Despite some students and other individuals deeming the incident insensitive, there were others who thought it was “funny” and did not see it as offensive.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Californians Start 'Goat Fund Me' to Bring in Animals as Wildfire Prevention</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>California residents have launched a "Goat Fund Me" campaign to bring herds of farm animals to city-owned land as part of a proactive effort to <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/southern-california-wildfires-trigger-mass-destruction-hurting-families-economy">prevent wildfires</a>. The online fundraiser was sparked by Nevada City residents, in the Sierra Nevada, as the threat of catastrophic wildfires in the state "have become the ultimate cautionary tale." The locals behind the campaign, which was launched in December with the goal of raising $30,000, say that because it takes time to secure grant funding, the town needs money now to hire goat ranchers because they're only available this winter. City officials said booking a herd of goats costs between $500 to $1,500 an acre. Approximately 200 goats can munch on an acre of overgrown brush daily. The ranchers have rented out their herds to other municipalities in California the rest of the year and have been expanding their herds to meet demand, officials said. “Why not do something — and as soon as we can?” Nevada City Vice Mayor Reinette Senum told the <a href="https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-goat-fund-me-20190111-story.html">Los Angeles Times</a> on Friday. “If we’re not proactive, if we don’t help ourselves, no one else is going to step up.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Cable-News-War/901369017233601976.html">“The Cable News War”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-01-14T13:18:00ZSupport for Trump's Wall Reaches All-Time High; FBI Moved 'Quickly' to Spy on Carter Page for 'Operational Reasons'BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Support-for-Trumps-Wall-Reaches-All-Time-High;-FBI-Moved-Quickly-to-Spy-on-Carter-Page-for-Operational-Reasons/-79113905155191529.html2019-01-13T14:33:00Z2019-01-13T14:33:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, January 13, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span><strong><br /><br /></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Support for Trump's Wall Reaches All-Time High</em></strong></p>
<p>Support for President Trump's wall along the U.S.-Mexico border is at an all-time high, weeks into partial government shutdown which began over a border security dispute for funding. According to the results of an <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-gop-blamed-shutdown-crisis-fewer-oppose-wall/story?id=60337670" target="_blank">ABC News/Washington Post poll</a> released Sunday morning, 42 percent of Americans support a wall. That is up from 34 percent one year ago and a previous high of 37 percent in 2017. With 54 percent, opposition to a wall still tops the charts. However, that opposition is shrinking as 63 percent opposed the wall a year ago and the previous low was 60 percent two years ago.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Donald Trump Tells Fox News' Jeanine Pirro that Question about if He Worked for Russia is 'The Most Insulting Thing I've Ever Been Asked'</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump didn't hold back from once again unleashing his opinion about the <em>New York Times</em> on Saturday. <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-tells-fox-news-jeanine-pirro-question-about-if-he-worked-russia-1289330">Trump called in to Fox News' <em>Justice with Jeanine</em> </a>to discuss several topics, including the newspaper's article, which was published on Friday, that revealed the president had been the subject of an FBI counterintelligence investigation in 2017 after James Comey was fired as director of the federal agency. Jeanine Pirro, the show's anchor, began by asking the president if he had ever worked for Russia. “I think it’s the most insulting thing I’ve ever been asked. I think it’s the most insulting article I’ve ever had written. And if you read the article, you’d see that they found absolutely nothing. But the headline of that article, it’s called ‘The failing New York Times’ for a reason, they’ve gotten me wrong for three years. They’ve actually gotten me wrong for many years before that," Trump said. Trump went on to call Comey a liar and place the investigation at the feet of former FBI agents Andrew McCabe, Lisa Page, and Peter Strzok. "Obviously nothing was found," Trump said. "And I can tell you this, if you ask the folks in Russia, I’ve been tougher on Russia than anybody else, any other probably any other president period, but certainly the last three or four presidents, modern day presidents. Nobody’s been as tough as I have from any standpoint including the fact that we’ve done oil like we’ve never done it, we’re setting records in exporting oil and many other things.” Trump added that the Times was a disaster as a newspaper.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Dems Fly to Puerto Rico on Chartered Jet, Meet with Lobbyists, see 'Hamilton' as Shutdown Drags on</em></strong></p>
<p>Despite a partial government <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/shutdown-hits-record-length-as-workers-miss-paychecks">shutdown with no end in sight,</a> about 30 Democratic members of Congress traveled to Puerto Rico this weekend with their families and lobbyists for a winter retreat where they also planned to see a special performance of the hit Broadway show “Hamilton.” Those attending the Congressional Hispanic Caucus BOLD PAC gathering in San Juan also planned to meet Saturday with Puerto Rican officials to discuss ongoing cleanup efforts from <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/one-year-after-hurricane-maria-puerto-rico-more-vulnerable-than-before-storm-governor-says">Hurricane Maria</a>, according to a report. The junket is taking place at a seaside resort where rooms run around $429 a night. The participants paid for the "Hamilton" tickets with their own funds, <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/washington-secrets/30-dems-in-puerto-rico-with-109-lobbyists-for-weekend-despite-shutdown">the Washington Examiner</a> reported. "Hamilton" creator Lin-Manuel Miranda began a two-week run of his hit play Friday in Puerto Rico to raise money for artists and cultural groups still struggling in wake of Hurricane Maria. Tickets for opening night ranged from $10 to $5,000, according to the Associated Press.</p>
<p class="speakable"><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>FBI Moved ‘Quickly’ to Spy on Carter Page for ‘Operational Reasons’</em></strong></p>
<p>FBI officials were frustrated with the Justice Department in the run-up to the 2016 election over the slow pace in granting a secret surveillance warrant against former Trump campaign aide Carter Page, a former FBI lawyer told Congress in 2018. Lisa Page, who served as general counsel to former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, told lawmakers in a closed-door setting in July 2018 that the FBI wanted to “quickly” obtain a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant against Carter Page for “operational reasons.” “There was an operational reason that we were pushing to get the FISA up, which I am not at liberty to discuss,” she told lawmakers, <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/transcripts-of-lisa-pages-closed-door-testimonies-provide-new-revelations_2763452.html" target="_blank">according to The Epoch Times</a>, which obtained a leaked transcript of Lisa Page’s testimony. “We had an operational reason that we wanted to get this thing up quickly with respect to the subject himself,” she said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Julian Castro: I'm Running for President</em></strong></p>
<p>Julian Castro, the former Obama administration housing secretary and ex-mayor of San Antonio, Texas, is <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/julian-castro-im-running-for-president">officially running for president</a>. Castro, 44, the grandson of a Mexican immigrant and son of an outspoken Chicana activist, made his announcement on Saturday at San Antonio's Plaza Guadalupe, a historic outdoor amphitheater close to his childhood haunts. "When my grandmother got here almost a hundred years ago, I’m sure she never could have imagined that just two generations later, one of her grandsons would be serving as a member of the United States Congress and the other would be standing with you here today to say these words: I am a candidate for President of the United States of America," he said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Joe Biden’s Brother Says Family Members Voted for Trump, ‘Felt Slighted’ By Clinton</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Frank Biden, the younger sibling of <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/person/joe-biden" target="_blank">former Vice President Joe Biden</a>, reportedly said that some members of the family “felt slighted” by 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and instead decided to cast their ballots for Donald Trump. The former U.S. leader’s brother took aim at the Clinton team’s campaign strategy during an interview with The <a href="https://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/20190107/joe-biden-running-for-president-his-brother-thinks-so" target="_blank">Palm Beach Post</a>. Frank told the outlet, in the report posted Monday that he believed if his brother had run at the time, he would’ve secured states that Clinton lost. “We never would have lost Pennsylvania, and all my relatives — the Finnegan family — who voted for Donald Trump because they felt slighted by Hillary and her campaign,” Biden said. “We never would have not gone to Michigan as the campaign decided not to do because they felt entitled to the votes of those people.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Department of Veterans Affairs Could Let Vets See Private Doctors</em></strong></p>
<p>The Department of Veterans Affairs is considering new rules that would give vets more freedom to see private doctors outside the federal system, potentially shifting billions of dollars of federal funding out of the VA’s own hospital network. The guidelines are meant to eliminate long waiting times that have plagued many VA hospitals, but the plan could starve VA hospitals of funds if patients choose other options, critics say, and potentially force some facilities to close. President Trump may detail the plan in his State of the Union address Jan. 29, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/12/us/politics/veterans-administration-health-care-privatization.html">the New York Times reported</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Cable-News-War/901369017233601976.html">“The Cable News War”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-01-13T14:33:00ZTrump Moves to Brink of Emergency Declaration; Former Trump Lawyer Michael Cohen to Testify Before CongressBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Moves-to-Brink-of-Emergency-Declaration;-Former-Trump-Lawyer-Michael-Cohen-to-Testify-Before-Congress/-621173979531322554.html2019-01-11T13:49:00Z2019-01-11T13:49:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, January 11, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span><strong><br /> </strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Moves to Brink of Emergency Declaration</em></strong></p>
<p>It is more likely than ever that President Trump will <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/the-memo/424845-the-memo-trump-moves-to-brink-of-emergency-declaration">declare a national emergency</a> at the border and that’s just fine with some of his most fervent supporters. Stephen Bannon, the president's former chief strategist, told The Hill that Trump “wins politically and practically he uses his powers as a ‘forcing function’” if he makes an emergency declaration. But such a move would set off a firestorm of criticism from Democrats, and legal challenges would be all but guaranteed. Critics argue Trump would be overstepping his powers in an effort to circumvent Congress. They also condemn his rigidity in demanding funds for a southern border wall as the price for reopening the government. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), a likely 2020 presidential candidate, said on ABC’s "Good Morning America” earlier this week that “there is no question that we will litigate” if Trump were to make an emergency declaration. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Former Trump Lawyer Michael Cohen to Testify Before Congress in February Before Heading to Prison</em></strong></p>
<p>Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, and longtime fixer will <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/10/michael-cohen-trumps-former-lawyer-testify-before-congress/2539820002/">testify publicly before the House Oversight Committee</a> in February, an appearance that is likely to air potentially embarrassing details and set up a very public spectacle about his now-fraught relationship with the president. Cohen, who was sentenced to three years in prison for a series of crimes, including campaign finance violations and tax evasion, is scheduled to testify Feb. 7 about his dealings with Trump that resulted in his conviction. For years, Cohen worked as Trump's most strident defender in legal, business and political matters yet turned on him as federal prosecutors honed in on his business and legal dealings. “In furtherance of my commitment to cooperate and provide the American people with answers, I have accepted the invitation by Chairman Elijah Cummings to appear publicly... before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform," Cohen told USA TODAY in a text message. "I look forward to having the privilege of being afforded a platform with which to give a full and credible account of the events which have transpired.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Cancels Davos Trip Over Shutdown</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Thursday <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/424759-trump-cancels-davos-trip-over-shutdown?userid=288034">canceled his planned trip</a> to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, citing the prolonged government shutdown. “Because of the Democrats intransigence on Border Security and the great importance of Safety for our Nation, I am respectfully canceling my very important trip to Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Forum,” he tweeted. The president also offered his “warmest regards and apologies” to the organizers of the gathering of world leaders and global elites. The announcement came on the shutdown's 20th day, with no end in sight to the funding impasse. The Davos conference is set to begin on Jan. 22 and conclude three days later. The U.S. delegation’s head, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, is still expected to attend the gathering even in Trump's absence, multiple media outlets reported.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Fed Chief Powell: Prolonged Shutdown Will Harm U.S. Economy</em></strong></p>
<p>Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said Thursday that <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/finance/424769-fed-chief-powell-prolonged-shutdown-will-harm-us-economy">the partial government shutdown could hinder the U.S. economy</a> and the central bank’s ability to keep it stable. Powell said in a Thursday interview that a prolonged shutdown could harm the U.S. economy beyond the hardship faced by furloughed federal workers and contractors. The Fed chief said at the Economic Club of Washington D.C. that shutdowns “typically don’t last very long,” but an extended shutdown “would show up in the data pretty clearly.” Roughly 800,000 federal workers are sidelined while Trump and Democratic leaders squabble over his request for $5 billion to build a wall along the southern border. The shutdown is expected to break the record for the longest in U.S. history, and federal workers are on track to miss their first paycheck since funding for several departments expired on December 22. The White House Council of Economic Advisers said each week of the shutdown will cost the U.S. economy roughly $1 billion.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Steve King Asks How Terms 'White Nationalist' and 'White Supremacist' Became Offensive</em></strong></p>
<p>Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) is questioning how terms such as "white nationalist" and "white supremacist" became offensive in the U.S. “White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization — how did that language become offensive?” King asked in an <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/10/us/politics/steve-king-trump-immigration-wall.html" target="_blank">interview</a> with The New York Times published on Thursday. “Why did I sit in classes teaching me about the merits of our history and our civilization?” King later on Thursday, responding to the Times article, said he is not a white nationalist or white supremacist. "I want to make one thing abundantly clear; I reject those labels and the evil ideology that they define. Further, I condemn anyone that supports this evil and bigoted ideology which saw in its ultimate expression the systematic murder of 6 million innocent Jewish lives," he said in a statement. "It's true that like the Founding Fathers I am an advocate for Western Civilization's values, and that I profoundly believe that America is the greatest tangible expression of these ideals the World has ever seen. Under any fair political definition, I am simply a Nationalist."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Cuomo Defends 'Offhand' #Metoo Joke About Being Assaulted</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) on Thursday defended a #MeToo joke he made Wednesday, saying it as an "offhand comment." Cuomo told a gaggle of reporters that he needed space and that he would "bring you all up on charges under the #MeToo movement," said Thursday that he was trying to get the reporters "to move back." "You know, I walked out into the highway, and I was assaulted by the gaggle and pieces of equipment hitting me in all sorts of my anatomy," Cuomo said in a radio interview, according to the <a href="https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/politics/albany/2019/01/10/andrew-cuomo-dismisses-me-too-joke/2536222002/">Democrat & Chronicle.</a> "It was an offhand comment just to get them to move back." Jon Campbell, a reporter with the Democrat & Chronicle, wrote Thursday on Twitter that Cuomo was "absolutely not" assaulted by the gaggle.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>'H.R. 420' is a Proposed Bill That Would Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol</em></strong></p>
<p>A bill introduced in Congress this week that seeks to regulate marijuana like alcohol. It has been numbered "H.R. 420," a name the bill's sponsor has called a "tongue-in-cheek" reference to cannabis. A press release from U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, a Democrat from Oregon, who is the founder and co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus says that "while the bill number may be a bit tongue in cheek, the issue is very serious," according to <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomangell/2019/01/09/new-congressional-marijuana-bill-is-actually-numbered-h-r-420/#63b6f5392e60">Forbes</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span> "Our federal marijuana laws are outdated, out of touch and have negatively impacted countless lives," Blumenauer is quoted as saying by the publication. "Congress cannot continue to be out of touch with a movement that a growing majority of Americans support. It's time to end this senseless prohibition." Blumenauer's proposed bill would remove marijuana from the federal controlled substances list. The "Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act" would establish regulation for cannabis that would be overseen by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Cable-News-War/901369017233601976.html">“The Cable News War”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-01-11T13:49:00ZTrump Makes a Shutdown Demand to Pelosi, Schumer; Central American Migrants Keep Heading Toward USABillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Makes-a-Shutdown-Demand-to-Pelosi-Schumer;-Central-American-Migrants-Keep-Heading-Toward-USA/987407047282372983.html2019-01-10T13:50:00Z2019-01-10T13:50:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, January 10, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Makes a Shutdown Demand to Pelosi, Schumer Their Response Makes Him Get Up and Walk Out</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump walked out of a meeting with Congressional leaders on Wednesday after Democrats refused to fund a border wall in exchange for reopening the government immediately. Democrats have declined to negotiate with the president over border security until he signs a temporary spending bill reopening the government from a partial shutdown. The president met with Republican and Democrat leaders at the White House on Wednesday afternoon in an attempt to <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/09/trump-abc-jon-karl-government-shutdown/" target="_blank">reach some kind of deal</a>. However, the president claimed on Twitter that when he offered to reopen the government in exchange for Democrats funding a border wall or barrier within 30 days, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said “no.” “Just left a meeting with Chuck and Nancy, a total waste of time,” the president said in a tweet posted after his meeting. “I asked what is going to happen in 30 days if I quickly open things up, are you going to approve Border Security which includes a Wall or Steel Barrier? Nancy said, NO. I said bye-bye, nothing else works!” Speaker Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Schumer said in a press conference afterward that the president walked out of the meeting.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Central American Migrants Keep Heading Toward USA, Even as Trump Focuses on Stopping Caravans</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump's efforts to <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/10/25/donald-trump-migrant-caravan-military-troops-mexico-border/1762704002/">halt migrant caravans</a> and <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/12/20/new-trump-plan-forces-asylum-seekers-stay-mexico-bans-us-entry/2374603002/">limit asylum</a> have not deterred Central American minors and members of their families from rushing toward the USA, according to data released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Wednesday. Border Patrol agents apprehended 27,518 members of family units in December, the highest monthly total on record. That figure has steadily climbed for five months, even as Trump made stopping migrant caravans the <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/2018/11/01/donald-trump-immigration-migrant-caravan-central-america-asylum-midterm-elections/1846817002/">centerpiece of his midterm election strategy</a> and drove Washington into a <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/08/government-shutdown-democrats-dig-president-trump-pushes-wall/2513788002/">partial government shutdown</a> over funding for his border wall. Those caravan members, most of whom tried to exercise their <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/12/10/asylum-claims-migrants-spiking-border-despite-trump-crackdown/2266986002/">legal right to request asylum</a> in the USA, contributed to a third straight month of more than 60,000 migrants being detained at U.S. ports of entry and arrested in the vast stretches of the border in between. The Trump administration points to those numbers as proof that the situation along the southern border is at "crisis" levels that require the expansion of the border wall. </p>
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<p><strong><em>DOD IG Reveals the Pentagon Let $27.7 Billion ‘Expire’ as Trump Seeks $5.7 Billion in Border Wall Funding</em></strong></p>
<p>The Defense Department has relinquished over $27 billion to the U.S. Treasury since 2013 simply because it couldn’t spend the money quick enough, according to a DOD Inspector General report released Tuesday. The DOD was required to fork over the “expired funds” because the Pentagon failed to spend it “within the legal timeframes,” according to the <a href="https://media.defense.gov/2019/Jan/08/2002077454/-1/-1/1/UNDERSTANDING%20THE%20RESULTS%20OF%20THE%20AUDIT%20OF%20THE%20DOD%20FY%202018%20FINANCIAL%20STATEMENTS.PDF">report</a>. The revelation comes as President Donald Trump is <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/08/trump-national-emergency-not-unprecedented-obama/">considering</a> declaring a state of emergency that would allow him to bypass Congress and leverage unobligated military funds to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The partial shutdown of the federal government entered its 19th day on Wednesday as Trump remains steadfast in his demand for $5.7 billion in border wall funding from Congress. Democrats, in turn, say they won’t negotiate with the president on the wall until the government reopens.</p>
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<p><strong><em>‘He Stops at Nothing’ Cher Urges Nancy Pelosi to Let Trump ‘Have His Fkng Money’</em></strong></p>
<p>Cher urged House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday to let President Donald Trump “have his fkng money” and end the government shutdown. The pop singer, no fan of the president, nevertheless tweeted that Trump was “playing it right” and that Pelosi was “playing right into his hands.” Contending that Trump would make <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/08/bernie-sanders-delivers-trump-rebuttal-says-national-emergency-is-federal-employees-going-without-pay/" target="_blank">Democrats</a> look like “obstructionist swamp scum” while real people suffer, Cher urged Pelosi to not “die on this hill” because Trump “stops at nothing.” “FOR trump THIS IS POLITICAL…BUT REAL PPL ARE REALLY SUFFERING ‼️” Cher tweeted. “WHERE WAS THE FKNG CRISIS 1 MONTH AGO,1YR AGO!? WHERE HAS IT BEEN FOR THE LAST 2 YRS. HAVING SAID THATNANCY (sic) YOU ARE A HERO LET HIM HAVE HIS FKNG MONEY‼️PPL WILL STARVE LOSE THEIR HOMES, B UNABLE 2 C DRS.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Dubs Media the 'Opposition Party,' Accuses Press of Working with Democrats</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Wednesday took aim at the press, accusing members of the media of working with Democrats and dubbing it the "Opposition Party." "The Mainstream Media has NEVER been more dishonest than it is now. NBC and MSNBC are going Crazy," <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/424666-trump-dubs-media-the-opposition-party-accuses-press-of-working-with">Trump tweeted</a> late Wednesday night. "They report stories, purposely, the exact opposite of the facts. They are truly the Opposition Party working with the Dems." Trump, in a follow-up tweet, accused the press of going "totally bonkers." "Who would believe how bad it has gotten with the mainstream media, which has gone totally bonkers!" he wrote. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>U.S.-North Korea Summit Looks Imminent, South Korean Leader Says</em></strong></p>
<p>President Moon Jae-in of South Korea said Thursday that the visit to China this week by the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, heralded an imminent second summit meeting between Mr. Kim and President Trump to negotiate the terms of denuclearizing the North. Mr. Moon held his New Year’s news conference in Seoul, South Korea, on Thursday, hours after Mr. Kim wrapped up a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/07/world/asia/kim-jong-un-china-train.html?module=inline">four-day trip to China</a>, which included his fourth summit meeting with President Xi Jinping. China is considered the best buffer North Korea has against American pressure and sanctions as Mr. Kim prepares for a second meeting with Mr. Trump. He also consulted with Mr. Xi before and after his first meeting with Mr. Trump, which took place in Singapore in June.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Kamala Harris to Launch White House Run in Oakland on MLK Day</em></strong></p>
<p>Sen. Kamala Harris has decided to run for president in 2020 and is expected to announce her candidacy on or around Martin Luther King Jr. Day, according to KCBS Radio. Sources close to the California Democrat have reportedly told the station that she will announce her candidacy at a campaign rally in Oakland. Harris has been reluctant to answer whether or not she intends to run, but <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2019/01/09/politics/kamala-harris-the-lead-interview-shutdown-book/index.html">told CNN on Wednesday</a> that she believes the country is ready for a woman of color as president. The sources told the radio station that Harris decided to run after receiving the blessing of her husband and their two stepchildren. Her team has reportedly been looking for a location that could give her a “Springfield moment” similar to Barack Obama’s campaign launch in 2007 at the Old State Capitol in Illinois. Harris was born in Oakland and she returned there after law school to become a deputy district attorney for Alameda County. MLK Day falls on Monday, Jan. 21.<br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>Turkey Threatens to Launch Syria Offensive if Trump Delays Troop Withdrawal</em></strong></p>
<p>Turkey has <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/turkey-threatens-to-launch-syria-offensive-if-trump-delays-troop-withdrawal">threatened to launch</a> an offensive against Syrian Kurds if Donald Trump delays his announced withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said: “If the [pullout] is put off with ridiculous excuses like Turks are massacring Kurds, which do not reflect the reality, we will implement this decision.” Diplomatic ties between Turkey and the U.S. have been strained this week—President Recep Tayyip Erdogan refused to meet with National Security Adviser John Bolton on Tuesday after Bolton said no U.S. troops would leave Syria until Turkey agreed to not attack the Syrian Kurds. Erdogan—who sees the U.S.-backed YPG Kurdish militia as a terrorist organization—has refused to sign up to that promise. Cavusoglu said Turkey was not afraid to go ahead with its attack plan, adding: “We are determined on the field and at the table… We will decide on its timing and we will not receive permission from anyone.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Person-of-the-Year/262804348732268726.html">“The Person of the Year”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-01-10T13:50:00ZTrump on Border Wall: 'Choice Between Right and Wrong'; Pelosi, Schumer Spark Laughs on Social Media for 'Angry Parents' Rebuttal to Trump AddressBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-on-Border-Wall:-Choice-Between-Right-and-Wrong;-Pelosi-Schumer-Spark-Laughs-on-Social-Media-for-Angry-Parents-Rebuttal-to-Trump-Address/887952220356155814.html2019-01-09T14:04:00Z2019-01-09T14:04:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, January 9, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></span> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump on Border Wall: 'Choice Between Right and Wrong'</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Tuesday argued the U.S. is facing a “growing humanitarian and security crisis” at the southern border <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/424471-trump-on-wall-choice-between-right-and-wrong">in a primetime address</a> designed to seize leverage over Democrats in a prolonged shutdown battle over his demand for a border wall. In his first address to the nation from the Oval Office, Trump pressured Democrats to grant his request for $5.7 billion in wall funding by accusing the party of ignoring what he claims is an influx of drugs and criminals that can only be stopped with a wall. “How much more American blood must we shed before Congress does its job?” Trump said. “This is a choice between right and wrong, justice and injustice. This is about whether we fulfill our sacred duty to the American citizens we serve.” Trump plans to join Pence on Wednesday at the weekly Senate Republican policy lunch in the Capitol, where they are expected to deliver a similar message.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Pelosi, Schumer Spark Laughs on Social Media for 'Angry Parents' Rebuttal to Trump Address</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., triggered <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pelosi-schumer-see-social-media-mockery-for-angry-parents-rebuttal-to-trump-address">plenty of laughs</a> on social media Tuesday night for their rebuttal to President Donald Trump’s address from the Oval Office. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi spoke moments after the President made his speech. Pelosi said the President's speech was full of "Misinformation and malice." Schumer also responded to the President and said, "There is no excuse for hurting millions of Americans over policy difference." Folks on Twitter drew more attention to the serious tone of the Democrats’ remarks and had some fun at their expense. Many compared Pelosi and Schumer to “disappointed” parents.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Rosenstein to Leave DOJ Once New Attorney General Confirmed</em></strong></p>
<p>Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein is expected to leave his role in the coming weeks once a new attorney general is confirmed, sources familiar with the matter told Fox News. Rosenstein wants to ensure a smooth transition for incoming AG Nominee <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/america-needs-bill-barr-to-take-the-reins-at-the-badly-damaged-justice-department" target="_blank">Bill Barr</a> and plans to transition out of the job in the coming weeks. Rosenstein long thought of his time as DAG as a two-year position and the two-year mark is coming soon, officials close to the departing attorney general told Fox News. Speculation of Rosenstein’s departure mounted after the firing of former Attorney General Jeff Sessions in November. He has overseen Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into whether Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election and has been a target of Trump on Twitter.</p>
<p class="speakable"> </p>
<p><strong><em>Supreme Court Turns Down Mysterious Mueller Subpoena Fight</em></strong></p>
<p>The Supreme Court has declined to intervene in a mysterious subpoena fight that apparently involved an unidentified foreign-government-owned company and special counsel Robert Mueller. Last month, the unknown firm asked the high court to block a federal judge’s contempt order and a $50,000-a-day penalty for refusing to comply with the subpoena, arguing that the company is immune from U.S. grand jury subpoenas. The company also insisted that complying with the subpoena would violate the law in the firm’s home country. But on Tuesday, the Supreme Court turned down the company’s request to step into the dispute, at least for now. The order in the case came a little more than two weeks after Chief Justice John Roberts put a temporary freeze on the contempt order and the sanctions. The <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/010819zr1_m6hn.pdf" target="_blank">court’s order</a> Tuesday offered no explanation for its decision and no justice publicly signaled any dissent. The high court did indicate that Roberts referred the issue to the full court and that the short-term stay he ordered last month was now dissolved.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Pelosi Announces Legislation to Expand Background Checks on Guns</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>On the eighth anniversary of the shooting of former Democratic Rep. Gabby Giffords, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and other Democrats Tuesday <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pelosi-announces-legislation-to-expand-background-checks-on-guns">announced a bill</a> to expand background checks for sales and transfers of firearms. The legislation marks one of Pelosi’s first acts since retaking the role of House Speaker after Democrats took back control of the lower chamber of Congress in the midterm elections. Many Democrats promised swift action on gun control during last year’s campaign season. Pelosi, who was joined at a news conference by Giffords and Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chair, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., called the legislation a commonsense measure and cited polling that shows strong support for background checks among Americans. “We say enough is enough by bringing commonsense, bipartisan background check legislation to the floor of the House,” Pelosi said. The Trump administration moved last month to ban bump stocks, the firearm attachments that allow semi-automatic weapons to fire like machine guns. Bump stocks became a focal point of the gun control debate after they were used in October 2017 by a gunman in Las Vegas who fired into a crowd at a country music concert, killing 58 people and injuring hundreds more. A new regulation gives gun owners until late March to turn in or destroy the devices.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Broward County Sheriff Faces Possible Suspension for Parkland Response</em></strong></p>
<p>Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel has told his top commanders that he expects newly sworn-in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R.) to remove him from office because of his response to the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland last year. DeSantis, who took office on Tuesday, has not made any formal announcement about a suspension, and one of Israel’s lawyers said that Israel was working in his office at the public safety building in Fort Lauderdale, the <em>Miami Herald</em> <a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article224080655.html" target="_blank">reported</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span>Tuesday. But Jeff Bell, the Broward Sheriff Office's union chief, said Israel told his top staff on Monday that he would definitely be ousted. Bell would not comment on a possible replacement.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>'Waking Up White' Conference Comes to Maine</em></strong></p>
<p>A Maine school is slated to host "racial justice educator" Debby Irving, who will discuss her book <em>Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race</em>. The University of Maine at Fort Kent will host the author on Jan. 16, according to a university <a href="https://www.umfk.edu/valleyvision/libra-presentation-racial-justice/" target="_blank">news release</a>. Irving's website features a ten-session discussion guide on the book, including sections with titles such as "Childhood in White" and "Twenty-Five Years of Tossing and Turning." Participants share their gender pronouns in the first session and address Irving's TEDx Talk. The guide states that "it’s a lifelong process for white folks to unlearn racism" and describes "structural racism" as resembling "a smog that we can’t help but breathe."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Person-of-the-Year/262804348732268726.html">“The Person of the Year”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-01-09T14:04:00ZTrump to Address Nation on Wall; Harris Launching Book Tour as 2020 Speculation MountsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-to-Address-Nation-on-Wall;-Harris-Launching-Book-Tour-as-2020-Speculation-Mounts/568568672801537720.html2019-01-08T13:39:00Z2019-01-08T13:39:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, January 8, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump to Address Nation on Wall</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump is ramping up his efforts to make a public case for his border wall as the partial government shutdown is now in its third week, planning a prime-time address Tuesday night and a visit to the border Thursday. Trump announced the news of the presidential address in a Monday tweet. “I am pleased to inform you that I will Address the Nation on the Humanitarian and National Security crisis on our Southern Border,” he <a title="twitter.com" href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1082347305699889157">said</a>. “Tuesday night at 9:00 P.M. Eastern.” The presidential speech and visit come amid the partial government shutdown and Trump’s insistence that any funding bill to reopen federal agencies includes $5.7 billion for his border wall. In a joint statement Monday night, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said Democrats deserved airtime as well to rebut the president’s message.</p>
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<p><strong><em>North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un Goes to China</em></strong></p>
<p>North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has traveled to China at the request of Chinese president Xi Jinping, state media of both countries announced. It's Kim's fourth visit to China in a year. The four-day visit could be a chance for the two leaders to coordinate ahead of a second summit between Kim and President Trump, NPR's international correspondent Anthony Kuhn reports. Kim, accompanied by his wife and top North Korean officials, was "warmly seen off by leading officials of the Party, government and armed forces organs at the railway stations," North Korea's <a href="http://www.kcna.kp/kcna.user.special.getArticlePage.kcmsf">state news agency</a> announced. The officials, North Korea said, wished him "good successes in his visit to China and a safe trip." What exactly those successes might be is an open question. The two countries are known for their secrecy, and neither has announced an agenda for the visit. "Washington has expressed concerns that China could use the North Korean issue for leverage in its trade disputes with the U.S.," Kuhn reports. "But Secretary of State Mike Pompeo <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/video/2019/01/07/mike-pompeo-interview-cnbc-middle-east-trump-politics.html">told CNBC</a> on Monday that China has so far kept the two issues separate."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Harris Launching Book Tour as 2020 Speculation Mounts</em></strong></p>
<p>Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) is launching a book tour and media blitz this week as speculation over her possible 2020 White House bid mounts. Harris will promote her second memoir, “The Truths We Hold: An American Journey," during television appearances on "Good Morning America," "The View," "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" and National Public Radio (NPR). She will also make stops in New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/07/kamala-harris-readies-2020-rollout-1086049">Politico reported</a>. <a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/01/08/683039887/sen-kamala-harris-considers-a-collection-of-factors-related-to-possible-2020-bid?utm_campaign=storyshare&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social" target="_blank">In an interview with NPR broadcast Tuesday</a>, she said she is considering a "collection of factors" related to a possible presidential campaign. "I am not prepared to make any announcement at the moment," she said. Harris's publisher <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Truths-We-Hold-American-Journey/dp/B07FTVRR59">describes the memoir as</a> “a book about the core truths that unite us, and the long struggle to discern what those truths are and how best to act upon them, in her own life and across the life of our country.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Ruth Bader Ginsburg Misses 1st Oral Argument in Supreme Court Tenure, After Surgery</em></strong></p>
<p>Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is missed oral arguments on Monday for the first time since she joined the court in 1993, as she recuperates from a recent cancer surgery. A Supreme Court spokesperson told Fox News that Ginsburg, who underwent lung surgery in New York City in December to remove cancerous growths, is continuing to recuperate from the surgery. The spokesperson said that Ginsburg would participate in the consideration of the cases through written briefs and transcripts, but there has yet to be a date decided for when she will return to the bench. Ginsburg, 85,<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/supreme-court-justice-ruth-bader-ginsburg-undergoes-lung-surgery"> last month</a> underwent a pulmonary lobectomy at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center after two nodules in the lower lobe of her left lung were discovered, the Supreme Court said in a statement. The discovery came incidentally during tests after she fractured several ribs during a fall in November. The news release said both nodules removed during surgery were found to be malignant, but scans performed before surgery indicated no evidence of disease elsewhere in the body. No further treatment was planned.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Food Stamps for Millions of Americans Become Pawn in Shutdown Fight</em></strong></p>
<p>As the partial government shutdown extends into its third week, the Department of Agriculture won't say how long it can keep paying out food stamp benefits for the nearly 39 million people who depend on the program each month. The White House and House Democrats, locked in a bitter political struggle over border wall funding, have<strong> </strong>started raising alarm that the food stamp program, one of the most significant forms of aid for low-income Americans, could run out of funds in coming weeks if Congress doesn’t act, an apparent attempt by both sides to increase pressure on Congress to end the shutdown. Senior administration officials said last week they think the program has enough money for January, but not enough to cover all benefits in February, a scenario that could lead to a major cutback in benefits for millions of recipients, The Washington Post <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/millions-face-delayed-tax-refunds-cuts-to-food-aid-as-white-house-scrambles-to-deal-with-shutdown/2019/01/04/b5b58616-0fa3-11e9-8938-5898adc28fa2_story.html?utm_term=.6e38a037d6f1" target="_blank">reported</a>. But the Trump administration may, in fact, have more leeway to use reserve funds to keep food stamps afloat if Congress and President Donald Trump don't reach an agreement to break the impasse, which has shuttered nine of 15 federal departments, including the Department of Agriculture, for 17 days.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Senate Dems Keep Distance from Warren Campaign</em></strong></p>
<p>Senate Democrats aren’t ready for Elizabeth Warren. The Massachusetts Democrat electrified some in the liberal grassroots when she became the first senator to enter the race to take on President Donald Trump. But her colleagues aren’t leaping to support her or anyone else in the Senate, for that matter. Warren’s hard-edged brand of progressive politics has annoyed some of her colleagues at times, but the lack of support from her caucus isn’t personal. With a wide-open Democratic primary, including perhaps a half-dozen of Warren’s own colleagues set to join the race, there’s no sense in getting out ahead of anyone, according to a dozen Democratic senators from across the ideological spectrum. So even as Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Kamala Harris of California, Warren and others eye the 2020 gantlet, they might move forward with little to no support from the national politicians who know them best. It’s a sharp contrast from the 2016 race. Hillary Clinton began receiving endorsements from Democratic senators years before she formally entered the presidential campaign, with 16 Senate Democratic women, including Warren, <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/10/in-secret-letter-senate-democratic-women-rally-behind-hillary-clinton/" target="_blank">signing</a> a letter in 2013 urging Clinton to run.</p>
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<p><strong><em>CBP Stopped 6 Immigrants Listed in Terrorism Database at U.S.-Mexico Border in the First Half of 2018</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. Customs and Border Protection encountered only six immigrants <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/trump-admin-wants-send-more-troops-border-string-concertina-wire-n954521">on the U.S.-Mexico border</a> in the first half of the fiscal year 2018 whose names were on a federal government list of known or suspected terrorists, according to CBP data. The low number contradicts statements by Trump administration officials, including White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders who said Friday that <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/fact-check-did-u-s-catch-4-000-terrorists-southern-n954796">CBP stopped nearly 4,000 known or suspected terrorists</a> from crossing the southern border in the fiscal year 2018. Overall, 41 people on the Terrorist Screening Database were encountered at the southern border from Oct. 1, 2017, through March 31, 2018, but 35 of them were U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. Six were classified as non-U.S. persons.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Person-of-the-Year/262804348732268726.html">“The Person of the Year”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-01-08T13:39:00ZGolden Globes: 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and 'Green Book' Win Big; White House Adds to List of Border Demands as Shutdown ContinuesBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Golden-Globes:-Bohemian-Rhapsody-and-Green-Book-Win-Big;-White-House-Adds-to-List-of-Border-Demands-as-Shutdown-Continues/272017708477304633.html2019-01-07T14:36:00Z2019-01-07T14:36:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Monday, January 7, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>White House Adds to List of Border Demands as Shutdown Continues</em></strong></p>
<p><br />With the partial government shutdown <a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/01/06/682698007/trump-repeats-calls-for-a-border-wall-as-shutdown-negotiations-continue">in its third week</a>, White House officials and congressional leaders again failed to make progress toward a resolution during talks on Sunday. In the latest proposal put before the House Appropriations Committee, President Trump remains steadfast in his request for $5.7 billion in funding for a border wall with Mexico. NPR's John Burnett reports, "The White House is asking for 234 miles of steel barrier which works out to about $24 million a mile." However, in what could be read as a gesture to appease Democrats, the Trump administration is now offering $800 million in aid to address humanitarian needs at the border, including better medical care and additional facilities for processing and holding those in temporary custody considered to be the most "vulnerable population." In a Power Point presentation, the White House states that 50 migrants per day are referred to medical providers. Other items on the White House list include: $563 million for 75 additional immigration judges and support staff to "reduce the backlog of pending immigration cases." $211 million to hire an additional 750 Border Patrol Agents, and $4.2 billion to support 52,000 detention beds In a tweet, President Trump characterized Sunday's meeting as "productive," but The <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congress/the-latest-scientific-conferences-fall-victim-to-shutdown/2019/01/06/5685ed44-1213-11e9-ab79-30cd4f7926f2_story.html?utm_term=.50cdbcd0a82a">Associated Press reports </a>Democrats familiar with the talks had a different take, saying the White House did not offer budget details and again refused to reopen the government. President Trump also <a href="http://time.com/5495002/trump-national-emergency-threat-border-wall/">re-asserted on Sunday</a> that he's willing to declare a national emergency in order find funding to build a border wall.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Golden Globes: 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and 'Green Book' Win Big</em></strong></p>
<p>You'll find a lot of 2018 films more loved by critics than Green Book and Bohemian Rhapsody, but both have found enthusiastic audiences. On Sunday night, they were the big winners in film at the <a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/01/07/681902255/golden-globes-bohemian-rhapsody-and-green-book-win-big">Golden Globes</a>, in a ceremony that dragged 20 minutes past its scheduled time and occasionally felt as if it was rushing through a list of awards and trying desperately to get winners to wrap it up. As to the ceremony itself, hosts tend to set the tone for such an evening, and this one was no different. Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg both have laid-back and agreeable personas. They're performers who like to please people. Nobody expected their monologue to be particularly cutting, and it wasn't. Of course, not everything was quite so feel-good. Christian Bale, who won for his lead comedy performance as Dick Cheney in Vice, thanked Satan for the inspiration.<br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>U.S.-China Trade War: Beijing Says Both Sides Have Expressed a Desire to Hammer Out a Deal</em></strong></p>
<p>As officials from Beijing and Washington met to attempt to hash out their countries' ongoing trade dispute, China's foreign ministry said Monday that both sides had expressed a will to work together in order to implement the consensus of their respective presidents. Lu Kang, the spokesman at the foreign ministry, told reporters that China is willing to resolve its trade disputes with the U.S. on equal footing. Those comments come as Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Jeffrey Gerrish leads a working team in <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/china/">China</a> for a two-day round of trade discussions set to conclude on Tuesday. Trade tensions between the world's two largest economies escalated last year, putting global stock markets on edge. The U.S. announced tariffs on $250 billion worth of Chinese goods, while Beijing countered with its own. In early December, U.S. President <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/donald-trump/">Donald Trump</a> and Chinese President <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/xi-jinping/">Xi Jinping</a> agreed to a temporary ceasefire, giving both sides until March to reach some agreement on trade and issues such as the forced transfer of technology.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Bolton Reassures a Nervous Israel About Trump’s Syria Plan</em></strong></p>
<p>National security adviser John <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/06/john-bolton-israel-syria-withdrawal-1083303">Bolton on Sunday sought to reassure Israeli leaders</a> who fear that President Donald Trump’s plan to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria might increase the risk of war with Iran. Bolton held meetings here with top security and intelligence officials Sunday to help reassure Israel that the U.S. intends to protect it from Iranian aggression even after the 2,000 U.S. troops stationed in Syria, where Iran has a growing military presence, are gone. The meetings were part of what U.S. officials, diplomats and outside experts called a damage-control tour by the top Trump adviser who himself disagreed with the president’s December troop withdrawal decision in part because Bolton believes the U.S. must challenge Iran’s influence in the war-ravaged country. Bolton met with the Israelis amid multiple signals that an American withdrawal from Syria will be slower than Trump first indicated last month. He and Trump both said on Sunday that there is no specific timeline for the exit. Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before the two men had dinner, Bolton also reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel. “We now have the best U.S.-Israel relationship in our history, and on our side we’re certainly determined to continue that,” Bolton said. In an implicit message to Iran, he warned that any country contemplating aggression against Israel should “think again.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Sarah Sanders: Trump Looking at ‘Every Option Available’ to Build Wall</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Sunday left open the possibility that President Donald Trump will a<a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/06/trump-build-border-wall-1082638">ttempt to build a wall on the southern border using his own authority</a>. The president’s demands for more than $5 billion for physical border barriers have led to a more than two-week-long partial government shutdown, as House Democrats have declined to provide any new funding for that purpose. Trump said earlier this week that he could declare a national emergency and entirely bypass Congress. Asked about those comments on “Fox News Sunday,” Sanders said Trump “is prepared to do what it takes to protect our borders to protect the people of this country.” “We’re looking at exploring every option available that the president has,” she said. “Whatever action he takes will certainly be lawful.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Elizabeth Warren’s First Week on the Stump Filled with Missteps</em></strong></p>
<p>Democratic Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren kicked off her 2020 presidential campaign with a series of awkward gaffes and lingering questions about her alleged Native American ancestry. The day Warren announced she was launching an exploratory committee for a 2020 bid, she appeared on Instagram Live with her husband, Bruce Mann. In the video, Warren attempts to appear folksy as she tells viewers, “Hold on a sec, I’m gonna get me, um, a beer.” Warren returns to the frame with a bottled beer and then wraps her entire mouth around the bottle neck as she takes a sip. Her husband declines a beer for himself. While Warren may have been attempting to be relatable like her young Democratic colleagues notably Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and failed Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke instead the moment <a href="https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/01/04/warren-pours-a-cold-one-on-image-of-authenticity/" target="_blank">lead to mockery</a> and questions about Warren’s “likability.” On Friday night, Warren was speaking at an event in Sioux City, Iowa when an audience member forced her to <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/05/warren-explains-dna-test-iowa/" target="_blank">address the DNA test</a> again. Warren was careful to wrap the criticisms of the Cherokee Nation primarily that DNA tests do not show tribal membership in her answer. “I’m not a person of color,” Warren told the audience. “I’m not a citizen of a tribe. Tribal Citizenship is very different from ancestry. Tribes and only tribes determine tribal citizenship and I respect that difference.” Warren’s Native American ancestry claims weren’t the only struggle she faced on the stump in Iowa, one of the biggest presidential election battleground states. After just one day of campaigning, Warren had already <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/elizabeth-warren-loses-voice-after-a-day-in-iowa" target="_blank">lost her voice</a> and had to address a group of supporters with a hoarse throat. Her explanation came with a poorly-worded excuse: “Too much time with little people,” which a spokesperson says was in reference to Warren’s grandchildren.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Biden Likely to Make Decision on 2020 Run Within Next Two Weeks</em></strong></p>
<p>Former Vice President Joe Biden (D) is likely to make a decision on whether he will run for the presidency in 2020 within the next two weeks, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/06/us/politics/joe-biden-2020-president.html">according to a New York Times report</a>. Biden has reportedly told those close to him that he does not feel other potential Democratic presidential contenders could beat President Trump. The former vice president has been contacting supporters and allies over the last few weeks, the Times reported. One Democrat he spoke to recently told the Times that Biden during a phone call said, “If you can persuade me there is somebody better who can win, I’m happy not to do it. But I don’t see the candidate who can clearly do what has to be done to win." This would be Biden's third White House bid. Biden has continually topped 2020 polls, often winning about support from a third of those surveyed, but skeptics say that polls this far out from elections often rely on name recognition. The former vice president during an appearance in Montana last month said that he believes he is "<a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/420922-biden-takes-his-time-on-presidential-decision">the most qualified person in the country to be president</a>." </p>
<p><br /> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Person-of-the-Year/262804348732268726.html">“The Person of the Year”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-01-07T14:36:00ZSupreme Court Could Hear 'Eugenics Statute' Suit Challenging Roe v. Wade; Ocasio-Cortez Tells NY Post "I've Gotta Run" When Asked if She'll Forego Salary During ShutdownBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Supreme-Court-Could-Hear-Eugenics-Statute-Suit-Challenging-Roe-v.-Wade;-Ocasio-Cortez-Tells-NY-Post-Ive-Gotta-Run-When-Asked-if-Shell-Forego-Salary-During-Shutdown/915118622754446539.html2019-01-06T13:47:00Z2019-01-06T13:47:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, January 6, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Supreme Court Could Hear 'Eugenics Statute' Suit Challenging Roe v. Wade</em></strong></p>
<p>The Supreme Court is expected to announce as early as next week whether it will hear a case challenging the <em>Roe v. Wade </em>decision that legalized abortion nationwide. The case is an appeal from Indiana that seeks to enforce a 2016 state law that makes it illegal for women to have an abortion on the basis of race or sex or because they learn they will otherwise give birth to a baby with Down syndrome. If taken up, the case will be the first direct challenge to abortion rights since conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined the Supreme Court. The justices privately reviewed the case on Friday, and at least four need to agree to accept a case for it to be taken up. State lawmakers in Indiana appealed the case about a week after Kavanaugh was sworn in, arguing that “technological advances have improved ... prenatal testing that screens for Down syndrome and other fetal abnormalities,” which results in most women choosing abortion when they receive a diagnosis. The latest available data, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/down-syndrome-iceland/" target="_blank">from 1995-2011</a>, shows that 67 percent of pregnancies that test positive for Down syndrome end in abortion. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Ocasio-Cortez Tells NY Post “I’ve Gotta Run” When Asked if She’ll Forego Salary During Shutdown</em></strong></p>
<p>Freshman socialist Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) dodged the New York Post when asked if she would give up her salary during the partial government shutdown (something she previously advocated for lawmakers). <a href="https://bongino.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/GettyImages-1066818388-768x512.jpg">“I’ve gotta run!” Ocasio-Cortez told The Post</a><em> when asked the question Thursday on Capitol Hill. She then scampered down a crowded hallway to get in line for her mock swearing-in with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. </em>On December 22–the first morning of the government shutdown–the New York lawmaker tweeted, “Next time we have a gov shutdown, Congressional salaries should be furloughed as well. It’s completely unacceptable that members of Congress can force a government shutdown on partisan lines and then have Congressional salaries exempt from that decision.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Pentagon Chief of Staff Quits</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Department of Defense chief of staff <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/pentagon-chief-of-staff-kevin-sweeney-announces-resignation">Rear Adm. Kevin Sweeney announced Saturday that he is resigning</a> from his post at the Pentagon. "After two years in the Pentagon, I've decided the time is right to return to the private sector,” Sweeney said in a statement. “It has been an honor to serve again alongside the men and women of the Department of Defense.” Just last month, former Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis resigned on principle after President Trump announced his intent to withdraw troops from Syria. Since then, other administration officials including Brett McGurk, the special presidential envoy for the global coalition to counter ISIS, and Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White have also departed their posts within the administration. Mattis, who worked with Sweeney when he led the U.S. Central Command, tapped Sweeney to be his chief of staff in Jan. 2017. In his role at the Pentagon, Sweeney advised and counseled Mattis. During his time as an active-duty service member, Sweeney was the commanding officer of the USS Cole and was in charge of overseeing the restoration of the destroyer after the October 2000 terrorist attack, among other notable tours of duty.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Netflix Warns People Not to do the 'Bird Box Challenge'</em></strong></p>
<p>It seems that Sandra Bullock's hit Netflix thriller "Bird Box" has become the latest piece of popular entertainment to inspire a potentially dangerous internet "challenge." The film has Bullock and company masking their eyes to avoid death, which means they spend much of the movie running, boating and doing just about everything else blind. <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/netflix-warns-people-bird-box-challenge/story?id=60137133">The "Bird Box Challenge"</a> invites people to try the same thing which, as you can imagine, is pretty dangerous. "Can’t believe I have to say this, but: PLEASE DO NOT HURT YOURSELVES WITH THIS BIRD BOX CHALLENGE," Netflix tweeted. "We don’t know how this started, and we appreciate the love, but Boy and Girl have just one wish for 2019 and it is that you not end up in the hospital due to memes."</p>
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<p><strong><em>Bolton Cautions Syria Against Using Chemical Weapons Amid Plan to Pull U.S. Troops</em></strong></p>
<p>Following the decision to pull U.S. troops out of Syria, National Security Adviser John Bolton reportedly cautioned the Syrian government on Saturday that the drawdown should not be viewed as an opening to use chemical weapons. The U.S. official was traveling to Israel when he expressed there was “absolutely no change” in the U.S.’s stance on the matter of chemical weapons, according to <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/bolton-warns-syria-not-to-use-chemical-weapons-11546706137" target="_blank">The Wall Street Journal</a>. “As we elaborate how the withdrawal is going to occur and the circumstances, we don’t want the Assad regime to see what we do as representing any diminution in our opposition to the use of weapons of mass destruction,” Bolton said, adding that “the Assad regime should be under no illusion.” His comments referred to Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad. Bolton said that any such usage “will be met by very strong response,” according to the report.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Pelosi, Nielsen Clashed During Border-Security Meeting: 'I Reject Your Facts,' House Speaker Said</em></strong></p>
<p>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen got into a tense confrontation this week, with the California Democrat interrupting Nielsen’s presentation on border security and illegal immigration, telling her “I reject your facts.” The clash between the top House Democrat and a key member of President Trump's Cabinet occurred during a Wednesday meeting in the White House amid the impasse over the government shutdown, with Trump standing firm and demanding $5 billion for the border wall. At one point during the meeting, according to the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/schumer-pelosi-report-on-progress-on-shutdown-after-talks-with-trump-11546627419">Wall Street Journal</a>, Pelosi interrupted Nielsen, who was citing statistics related to the border, including how many criminal illegal immigrants attempted to enter the U.S. last year. “I reject your facts,” Pelosi told Nielsen. “These aren’t my facts," Nielsen shot back. "These are the facts.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>NAACP Blames 'White Supremacy' for Portland Earthquake Signs</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jan/6/naacp-blames-white-supremacy-portland-earthquake-s/">A new city policy</a> requiring public signs on brick buildings warning they might collapse in an earthquake is part of a long history of white supremacy aimed at forcing black people to move out of neighborhoods, the NAACP of Portland, Oregon, says. The group on Thursday decried the policy affecting some 1,600 unreinforced masonry buildings that are on average 90 years old, many in areas with a predominantly black population, The Oregonian/OregonLive reports. The policy “exacerbates a long history of systemic and structural betrayals of trust and policies of displacement, demolition, and dispossession predicated on classism, racism, and white supremacy,” the group said. The NAACP said the policy will make it tougher for owners of brick buildings to get loans and will discourage investment. It says that means buildings will have to be sold, and that developers will demolish and redevelop, increasing the cost to live there and forcing current residents out. Experts say Portland is at risk because there’s close to a 50 percent chance of a giant earthquake along the Cascadia Subduction Zone off the Oregon coast in the next 50 years. The warning signs and a requirement that building owners must file a record of compliance is “really just a disclosure,” said Alex Cousins, a spokesman for the city Bureau of Development Services. “That’s the purpose behind it.”<br /><br /> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Person-of-the-Year/262804348732268726.html">“The Person of the Year”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-01-06T13:47:00ZDecember Jobs Report: 312,000 Jobs Added, Unemployment Slightly Rises; Trump Makes Surprise Appearance in WH Briefing RoomBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/December-Jobs-Report:-312000-Jobs-Added-Unemployment-Slightly-Rises;-Trump-Makes-Surprise-Appearance-in-WH-Briefing-Room/-280607625651254132.html2019-01-04T14:06:00Z2019-01-04T14:06:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, January 4, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>December Jobs Report: 312,000 Jobs Added, Unemployment Slightly Rises</em></strong></p>
<p>The U.S. economy added 312,000 jobs in the month of December and the unemployment rate trickled up slightly to 3.9 percent, the Department of Labor (DOL) reported on Friday morning. The U.S. economy added 312,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in the month of December. The number blew past economists’ expectations who forecasted only 182,000 jobs would be added in the final month of 2018. The Department of Labor <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf" target="_blank">jobs report</a> caps what has been a strong year for the American economy.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Makes Surprise Appearance in WH Briefing Room, Touts Border Wall Support, Congratulates Pelosi</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump made <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-makes-surprise-appearance-at-wh-news-conference-touts-border-wall-support-congratulates-pelosi">his first appearance in the White House briefing room</a> Thursday afternoon at which he made another push for Congress to provide funding for his long-promised wall along the U.S.-Mexico border while flanked by members of the border patrol officers' union. Trump was introduced by White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders after the White House press corps was hastily called to the briefing room. Neither Trump nor Sanders took questions from the assembled media. The president began by congratulating Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on her election as speaker of the House, calling it a "very, very great achievement." Trump then turned his attention to the border wall, the main sticking point in the partial government shutdown, which began Dec. 22. "We need protection in our country," the president said. "The people of our country want it. I have never had so much support as I have in the last week over my stance for border security, for border control and for, frankly, the wall or the barrier. I have never had anything like it in terms of calls coming in, in terms of people writing and tweeting and doing whatever they have to do. I've never had this much support."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Pence: 'No Deal' With Dems Without Border Wall Funding, Trump 'Evaluating' Afghanistan Pullout</em></strong></p>
<p>In an exclusive interview on Fox News' "Tucker Carlson Tonight," Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday night affirmed that the White House would reject any Democratic spending bill without funding for a border wall. The vice president added that President Trump "is in the process of evaluating" whether to remove troops from Afghanistan and vowed that the military's withdrawal from Syria will be conducted in an "orderly fashion." Pence's comments came as the new House majority, which was sworn in earlier Thursday, debated an interim, stopgap spending bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security through Feb. 8. The bill, which was ultimately approved late Thursday by a 239 to 192 vote, does not include any new wall money, and Senate Republicans and the White House have both described it as a non-starter that will never become law. Five Republicans voted for the bill. Asked whether Trump would similarly pursue an Afghanistan withdrawal, as he has <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-plans-significant-drawdown-of-us-troops-in-afghanistan-senior-official-says">reportedly been debating</a>, Pence said only that the idea was under active consideration. The potential maneuver would involve more than 3,000 U.S. troops getting pulled out, a senior U.S. official told Fox News in December. There are 15,000 troops currently on the ground in Afghanistan.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Jim Webb Emerges as Candidate for Defense Secretary</em></strong></p>
<p>Jim Webb, the iconoclastic former Democratic senator from Virginia who served as Ronald Reagan's secretary of the Navy, is under consideration for Defense secretary, according to an administration official with knowledge of the process. Webb would be an eye-opening choice as a member of the opposing party who briefly ran for president. But his views on foreign policy and military affairs align with President Donald Trump in key respects. For example, he ran for the Senate in 2006 on a platform to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq, even campaigning while wearing his Marine son's combat boots. Whether he gets the nomination “really depends on how the military views him, how the career people view him, what his view are of Syria and Afghanistan and any number of issues,” said the official, who added that a <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/20/trump-next-defense-secretary-mattis-replacement-1049135" target="_blank">number</a> of candidates exist.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Dianne Feinstein Snubs California Colleague Kamala Harris, Backs Joe Biden</em></strong></p>
<p>California Senator Dianne Feinstein didn't even wait for her longtime political ally and junior colleague Kamala Harris to throw her hat in the 2020 primary ring before endorsing former Vice President Joe Biden, stressing the importance of "seniority" for the job. Feinstein told reporters on Thursday morning that Biden would be the ideal candidate, <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/03/dianne-feinstein-2020-pick-joe-biden-1079024" target="_blank">saying</a>" he brings a level of experience and seniority which I think is really important." Harris is yet to formally announce that she will join the Democratic primary field, but she is already viewed as one of the <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/12/politics/2020-rankings-democrats/index.html" target="_blank">frontrunners</a>. Asked about a potential run by Harris, Feinstein indicated her belief that Harris wasn't suited for the presidency. "I love Kamala," Feinstein <a href="https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/feinstein-signals-2020-support-for-biden-over-harris" target="_blank">said</a>. "But this is a different kind of thing."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Rashida Tlaib Calls Trump an Expletive During Pitch to Impeach</em></strong></p>
<p>Fresh-faced U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib wasted no time in calling for the impeachment of President Donald Trump just hours after being sworn in. Speaking to a crowd of supporters Thursday night, the Michigan Democrat and one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress said of Trump: "People love you and you win. And when your son looks at you and says, 'Momma, look you won. Bullies don't win.' And I said, 'Baby, they don't, because we’re gonna go in there and we’re gonna impeach the (expletive)'”. Tlaib’s proclamation came hours after<a href="https://www.freep.com/story/opinion/contributors/2019/01/03/donald-trump-impeachment/2463127002/"> the Detroit Free Press</a> published her op-ed calling for Trump’s impeachment. To remove a sitting president, the constitution requires conviction of “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.” The impeachment process would further require the consent of both the House and two-thirds of the Senate, which is still a Republican majority.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>American Charged in Russia Over Espionage</em></strong></p>
<p>As Russia <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/03/us/russia-paul-whelan-espionage-charge/index.html" target="_blank">charged American Paul Whelan with espionage</a>, we're hearing more about his arrest. Whelan, a corporate security director from Michigan, had classified information on a flash drive with him when he was arrested in his hotel room, a Russian news site reported. CNN hasn't independently verified that these are the official Russian allegations against him. Whelan's lawyer is trying to get him released on bail because it could be half a year before his case goes to trial. He's been visited in prison by US Ambassador Jon Huntsman. Whelan's family says <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/02/us/paul-whelan-detained-russia-what-we-know/index.html" target="_blank">he's not a spy</a> and was only in Moscow for a friend's wedding.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Gender 'X': New York City Adds Gender-Neutral Option to Birth Certificates</em></strong></p>
<p>Birth certificates in New York City now have a <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/03/health/new-york-city-gender-neutral-birth-certificate-trnd/index.html" target="_blank">gender-neutral option</a>. A law that went into effect on New Year's Day makes it easier for transgender and non-binary New Yorkers to match their birth certificate to their gender identity. An "X" label option on birth certificates is also available. New York City joins California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho in allowing a birth certificate change without the signature of a medical authority. New Jersey will allow that starting next month.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Ellen Urges Kevin Hart to Reconsider Hosting the Oscars</em></strong></p>
<p>Ellen DeGeneres is urging Kevin Hart to reconsider hosting this year's Oscars. The U.S. comedian and actor <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-46479017">pulled out of hosting the awards in December</a>, amid controversy over homophobic tweets he posted almost a decade ago. In an hour-long interview on <a href="https://www.ellentube.com/">The Ellen Show</a>, Hart said he is "evaluating" his options. DeGeneres also revealed she had spoken to the Academy about Hart, and tweeted the hashtag, #OscarsNeedHart. During the interview with DeGeneres, who is openly gay and hosted the Oscars in 2014 and 2007, Hart apologized again for the tweets, but said he did not want the awards to be about his "tweets from 10 years ago and homophobia". "I do not want to stand on that stage and make that night about me and my past, when you have got people who have worked hard to step on that stage for the first time and receive a reward."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Person-of-the-Year/262804348732268726.html">“The Person of the Year”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-01-04T14:06:00ZNancy Pelosi Vows 'Different World' for Trump with New Congress, No More 'Rubber Stamp'; Mitt Romney Pledges Support for Border Wall After Slamming Trump AdministrationBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Nancy-Pelosi-Vows-Different-World-for-Trump-with-New-Congress-No-More-Rubber-Stamp;-Mitt-Romney-Pledges-Support-for-Border-Wall-After-Slamming-Trump-Administration/-442565935268509025.html2019-01-03T13:50:00Z2019-01-03T13:50:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, January 3, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Nancy Pelosi Vows 'Different World' for Trump with New Congress, No More 'Rubber Stamp'</em></strong></p>
<p>Nancy Pelosi, who is expected to take the gavel as House speaker Thursday, told USA TODAY in an exclusive interview that <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/12/25/government-shutdown-donald-trump-democrats-odds-over-border-wall/2409226002/">President Donald Trump can expect a “different world”</a> from the first two years of his presidency when the GOP controlled both chambers of Congress. The California Democrat plans to confront Trump on many fronts, from investigating the deaths of immigrant children in U.S. custody to demanding Trump’s tax returns and protecting special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe. Those clashes loom as Pelosi and her Democratic colleagues remain locked in a budget and border-security battle with Trump that has left parts of the federal government shut for nearly two weeks. The election of speaker is one of the first orders of business for the new Congress being sworn in Thursday. With Democrats in control of the House for the first time in eight years, Trump has warned that investigations of him and his administration would lead to a “war-like posture” in Washington. But the presumed incoming speaker has made clear she won’t shrink from a fight. But despite <a href="https://preview.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/12/18/20-years-after-clinton-impeachment-lessons-loom-trump-congress-russia/2287529002/">calls from some on the left wing of her party to try to remove Trump </a>from office, Pelosi said the efforts to serve as a check on Trump’s power don’t extend to impeachment, at least not yet.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>RNC’s Ronna McDaniel Calls Uncle Romney’s Anti-Trump Op-Ed ‘Disappointing and Unproductive’</em></strong></p>
<p>Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel criticized her uncle, incoming Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), on Wednesday for publishing an op-ed on New Year’s Day <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/mitt-romney-the-president-shapes-the-public-character-of-the-nation-trumps-character-falls-short/2019/01/01/37a3c8c2-0d1a-11e9-8938-5898adc28fa2_story.html?utm_term=.e7b1cc993565" target="_blank">blasting</a> President Trump. Romney’s actions have sparked concerns he will try to make a primary run in 2020. “POTUS is attacked and obstructed by the MSM media and Democrats 24/7. For an incoming Republican freshman senator to attack @realdonaldtrump as their first act feeds into what the Democrats and media want and is disappointing and unproductive,” McDaniel tweeted. McDaniel’s tweet was seen as an early attempt by the GOP to quash potential primary challengers, but it remains to be seen if action will back up her rhetoric. Jevon O.A. Williams, U.S. Virgin Islands national committeeman on the RNC, sent out a strongly worded email to fellow RNC members on Tuesday. He called for the RNC to amend its rules at the organization’s meeting later this month and thereby discourage potential challengers from running against Trump. “Any contested re-nomination campaign even a forlorn hope would only help Democrats,” he said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Tells Congressional Leaders to Return Friday, After Border Security Sit-Down in Situation Room</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump has called for congressional leaders to return to the White House on Friday, top Republicans said shortly after <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-meets-with-congressional-leaders-in-situation-room-amid-partial-shutdown">a hotly anticipated, contentious closed-door meeting on border security</a> in the Situation Room concluded Wednesday afternoon. The sit-down apparently ended without any progress made in resolving the ongoing partial federal government shutdown that has persisted for almost two weeks, and several senior GOP officials said Democrats didn't seem interested in listening to what Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen had to say. A source inside the Situation Room told Fox News that it was the consensus of all participants that House Democrats would be able to negotiate once House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi is elected speaker of the House on Thursday, as expected. 60 votes in the Senate are needed to pass a spending bill and reopen the government. A White House official separately told Fox News that Trump began the meeting and then turned it over to Nielsen to provide information on the border. Just five or six seconds into the briefing, the official said, Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer leaned over to Pelosi and suggested she interrupt Nielsen. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and top House Republicans Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and Steve Scalise, R-La., also attended the meeting in the high-security enclave of the White House, which typically is used to handle sensitive information. The location meant that the conversation was not televised.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Mitt Romney Pledges Support for Border Wall After Slamming Trump Administration</em></strong></p>
<p>Incoming Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) revealed he would support President <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/topic/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>’s proposed border wall one day after publishing an opinion piece in The Washington Post critiquing nearly everything about the current administration. “I would vote for the border wall,” Romney, former Republican presidential candidate, told CNN’s Jake Tapper in a Wednesday afternoon interview. “We should have a wall on the southern border,” the former governor of Massachusetts added. While he considers the government shutdown which has gone on for nearly two weeks an “unfortunate” situation, Romney did not directly criticize it. Trump has pledged to continue the shutdown for “<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-meets-with-cabinet-as-shutdown-lingers-live-updates-today-1-2-2019/" target="_blank">as long as it takes</a>” to secure federal funding for his proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall, which would come with a multibillion-dollar price tag, even though the president has previously said that Mexico would pay for it. The senator-elect appears willing to fall in line with Trump over his most divisive campaign promise, even though he believes the president is causing “dismay around the world” and tension in America, <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mitt-romney-trump-washington-post_us_5c2c250de4b0407e9085d6a7">as he wrote for The Post in the piece published Tuesday morning</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Death Penalty Sought for at Least 5 Suspects in Jamal Khashoggi Killing</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Saudi prosecutors will <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2019/01/03/suspects-jamal-khashoggis-killing-brought-before-saudi-court/2470651002/">seek the death penalty</a> for at least five people in the slaying of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, the kingdom’s state media reported on Thursday as 11 suspects attended their first court hearing. The state-run Saudi Press Agency and state television gave few details about the hearing and did not name the suspects. However, a statement from prosecutors said the suspects attended the hearing with their lawyers. The statement also said that prosecutors sent a request to Turkey for evidence that Ankara has collected over the Oct. 2 slaying of Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. “No response has been received to date and the Public Prosecutor’s Office is still waiting for an answer,” the statement said.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Report into Deadliest U.S. High School Shooting Calls for Arming Teachers, More Security</em></strong></p>
<p>Arm teachers, spend more on school security and mental health and train police to be more aggressive when responding to school shootings, those are some of the recommendations in a report into the deadliest U.S. high school shooting released Wednesday. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-florida-shooting-report/report-into-deadliest-u-s-high-school-shooting-calls-for-arming-teachers-more-security-idUSKCN1OX0A7">The 485-page report</a> into the Parkland, Florida school massacre, that left 14 students and three adults dead at the hands of a lone gunman in February 2018, will be studied by Florida Governor Rick Scott, Governor-elect Ron DeSantis and a state commission charged with finding ways to prevent another school shooting massacre. The report, by the state-appointed Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission, finds a cascade of errors from law enforcement officers holding back as shots were fired and lax school security that allowed a former student with an AR-style semi-automatic rifle access to the campus. But not everyone on the 16-member commission agreed with all of its findings. Commission member Lori Alhadeff, whose daughter Alyssa was killed at Stoneman Douglas, told the Sun Sentinel that she opposes the idea of arming teachers. “Teachers want to teach,” she told the newspaper. “That’s their expertise. Law enforcement, their expertise is supposed to be to engage the threat.” The report acknowledges that more money is needed to implement the recommendations.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Poll Shows Most Democrats Pessimistic About 2019</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>The majority of Democrats are pessimistic about the road ahead in 2019, according to a survey released Tuesday. An Axios/SurveyMonkey <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/curiosity/first-survey-results-2019/" target="_blank">poll</a> found that Democrats were not only less optimistic about the state of the world than their Republican counterparts, but also pessimistic about the state of the economy. 54 percent of Democrats predicted the economy would do poorly in 2019, compared to the 46 percent of Democrats who predicted the economy would go in a positive direction. Democrats also had low expectations for President Trump in the new year, 52 percent of the Democrats surveyed predicted President Trump would have a rough year ahead of him. Despite Democrats’ doom and gloom attitude on the state of the world in 2019, most respondents held pretty optimistic views about things to come in the new year. More than three-fourths of those surveyed said they were <a href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-am-0550c428-cbe1-4bc0-8299-253e48cfbac0.html?chunk=4#story4" target="_blank">optimistic</a> about what the year had in store for them, and 65 percent of Americans expect the economy to be good or very good in 2019.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Mexican Mayor Gunned Down During His First Day in Office</em></strong></p>
<p>A local mayor in Mexico was gunned down on his first day of office on New Year's Day. Tlaxiaco Mayor Alejandro Aparicio Santiago was walking to his first official meeting at city hall shortly after taking office, when a group of gunmen opened fire, according to a statement from the prosecutor's office of Mexico's southern state of Oaxaca. He was taken to a hospital, where he died. Gov. Alejandro Murat of Oaxaca confirmed the killing of Santiago via Twitter Tuesday. Murat condemned Santiago's slaying, promising a thorough investigation. He said a suspect was already in custody. Between September 2017 and August 2018, 175 politicians were killed in Mexico, NPR <a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/01/02/681536831/in-mexico-a-mayor-is-murdered-within-hours-of-taking-office">reported</a>, citing the consulting firm Etellekt.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Person-of-the-Year/262804348732268726.html">“The Person of the Year”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-01-03T13:50:00ZTrump to Pelosi on Shutdown, Border Wall: 'Let's Make A Deal'; NY Gov. Cuomo Pardons Immigrants at Risk of Deportation, Takes Swipe at TrumpBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-to-Pelosi-on-Shutdown-Border-Wall:-Lets-Make-A-Deal;-NY-Gov.-Cuomo-Pardons-Immigrants-at-Risk-of-Deportation-Takes-Swipe-at-Trump/-807760515578260747.html2019-01-02T13:05:00Z2019-01-02T13:05:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, January 2, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Tweets, Confirmations, and Rallies: Trump's Year in Numbers</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump’s second year in office was highlighted by controversial tweets, clashes over immigration policies and federal judges, a return to the campaign trail and much of the same internal chaos that shadowed his first year in office. Here’s a look at Trump’s 2018, as told by some of the numbers that defined it. 2,860: Number of tweets, excluding retweets (through 9 p.m. Dec. 31). 66: the number of federal judges confirmed, including one Supreme Court justice. The Senate <a href="https://www.uscourts.gov/judges-judgeships/judicial-vacancies/confirmation-listing">confirmed</a> 66 federal judges in 2018, a signature accomplishment for Trump and conservatives. 46: The number of campaign rallies held by Trump. Trump spent much of the year drumming up support for Republican candidates in the midterm elections, particularly those running for Senate. In total, the president held 46 campaign rallies, making multiple stops in battleground states Florida, Missouri, Indiana, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Ohio. 43 percent: Trump's average approval rating for 2018. Trump’s average approval rating for the year sat at <a href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/president_trump_job_approval-6179.html">43 percent </a>as of Dec. 27, according to the Real Clear Politics average of polls. A majority of Americans, 52 percent, disapproved of the president as of Dec. 27, according to the average of polls.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump to Pelosi on Shutdown, Border Wall: ‘Let’s Make A Deal’</em></strong></p>
<p>As the fight over the federal government shutdown entered the new year, President Trump on Tuesday expressed <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-to-pelosi-on-shutdown-border-wall-lets-make-a-deal">his desire to “make a deal”</a> with House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi over funding for his border wall. “Border Security and the Wall ‘thing’ and Shutdown is not where Nancy Pelosi wanted to start her tenure as Speaker!” Trump tweeted. “Let’s make a deal?” Pelosi is poised to become speaker of the House when Democrats officially take back control of the chamber on Thursday. Trump’s comments come amid the news that House Democrats plan to introduce a legislative package to re-open the government on Thursday though it is unclear whether Trump or Republicans in the Senate will go along with it. Fox News has learned there is a briefing at the White House on Wednesday for the top two leaders of each party from each chamber for the new Congress to discuss the impasse. The House Democratic plan will include one bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security at current levels through Feb. 8, with $1.3 billion for border security. It doesn't include money for the president's desired wall on the border.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>NY Gov. Cuomo Pardons Immigrants at Risk of Deportation, Takes Swipe at Trump</em></strong></p>
<p>New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday took a swipe at President Trump's immigration policies as he <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/31/nyregion/cuomo-pardons-immigrants-trump.html" target="_blank">granted clemency to 29 people</a>, including some immigrants who were facing deportation. According to reports, Cuomo (D) issued pardons to 22 immigrants who, because mainly of drug-related convictions, could have been deported or blocked from citizenship. He also commuted the sentences of seven other individuals, including four for murder and three for armed robbery. In a statement, Cuomo's office said Trump and the federal government are "waging a war on our border against immigrant communities." The governor also took a shot at the president for the ongoing partial government shutdown over border security funding. “While President Trump shuts down the federal government over his obsession with keeping immigrants out, New York stands strong in our support for immigrant communities,” Cuomo said in the statement. “These actions will help keep immigrant families together and take a critical step toward a more just, more fair and more compassionate New York.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Kanye West Talks Politics After Seeking Distance from Politics</em></strong></p>
<p>The year has changed. But the politically incendiary Kanye West? Perhaps not so much. The rapper, who said just months ago that he'd be <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/kanye-west-says-hes-distancing-himself-from-politics">"distancing" himself from politics</a>, jumped back in with a tweet on Tuesday that reaffirmed his support for President Donald Trump. "Trump all day," West wrote as 2019 was getting underway. In a tweet on Tuesday, West simply stated, "2024," a possible reference to the presidential election to be held that year. Weeks earlier, West had lunch with Trump and also <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/president-trump-praises-kanye-wests-words-at-white-house-that-was-quite-something">met with him in the Oval Office</a>. Donning a red "MAGA" cap. Referring to Trump's signature hat, West said, "They tried to scare me not to wear this hat. When I put this hat on, it made me feel like Superman my favorite superhero. You made a Superman cape for me."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Authorities Use Tear Gas to Stop Migrants at Southern Border</em></strong></p>
<p>The new year brought <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/world/authorities-use-tear-gas-to-stop-migrants-at-southern-border">continued tensions along the U.S.-Mexico border</a> as U.S. authorities fired tear gas at migrants from the Central American caravan that has gathered there. Authorities fired the gas into Mexico to keep roughly 150 migrants from breaching the border fence in Tijuana. Such clashes have been common as the migrants, who have put their names on a waiting list that is thousands of names long, have grown restless, with some opting to force their way across the border. U.S. border agents have responded to such moves with tear gas. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Kevin McAleenan said last year that the Border Patrol’s use-of-force policy allows agents to use tear gas and other non-lethal methods.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Former Prosecutor Predicts Mueller Won't Submit His Report for 'Many, Many Months'</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani tweeted Sunday that it's time for Special Counsel Robert Mueller to "put up or shut up," but former federal prosecutor John Lauro believes it could be <a href="http://insider.foxnews.com/2019/01/01/special-counsel-robert-mueller-trump-russia-report-many-many-months-away-legal-expert">"many, many months" before Mueller submits his final report</a> on the Russia probe. Giuliani followed up his "challenge" to the special counsel with another tweet Monday, calling for an end to the "Mueller Witch Hunt." Lauro said the timeline is "entirely in Mueller's hands," and he predicted that the release of his report could be "many, many months away." "The way that the Justice Department procedure works is that the report goes to the attorney general, and then the attorney general decides how much of the report to make public," Lauro explained. "I suspect that Mueller will not turn over a report until there is an actual...appointed attorney general in place." He said if that's the case, then Mueller will wait for a permanent replacement to take over for Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>'I'm Embarrassed for America': Puzzled Viewers Slam NBC for its 'Train-Wreck' New Year's Eve Coverage After It Failed to Show the Ball Drop </em></strong></p>
<p>NBC has been <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6544499/Viewers-slam-NBC-train-wreck-New-Years-Eve-coverage.html">slammed for its New Year's Eve coverage </a>in New York's Times Square with angry viewers describing it as a 'train-wreck' after the network failed to show the entire countdown and aired Chrissy Teigen talking about vaginal steaming. Baffled viewers flooded Twitter with complaints about NBC's coverage and its hosts as the countdown unfolded on Monday night. Some called the network's coverage a 'complete disaster' and others suggested it was the 'worst New Year's Show ever'. Many complained about NBC failing to broadcast a countdown clock or the ball drop in Time's Square.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>TV Ratings: New Year's Eve Broadcasts Fall, ABC Stays Dominant</em></strong></p>
<p>The New Year's Eve countdown shows on ABC, Fox and NBC all suffered year-to-year declines Monday night. As usual, <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/new-years-eve-tv-ratings-monday-dec-31-2018-1172083">ABC's New Year's Rockin' Eve </a>led the way. The primetime portion of ABC's telecast averaged a 2.2 rating among adults 18-49 and 7.92 million viewers from 8 to 10 p.m. and a 3.5 and 11.47 million from 10 to 11 p.m. For all of primetime, the network is down 30 percent versus New Year's Eve in 2017 (2.6 versus 3.7) and 25 percent in viewers (9.1 million versus 11.21 million). The 2017 Primetime <em>New Year's Rockin' Eve</em> hit a multiyear high, as bitterly cold weather in much of the country kept more people inside and watching TV. Monday's broadcast came in a little ahead of 2016's (2.5, 8.26 million). NBC averaged 1.1 among adults 18-49 primetime with <em>A Toast to 2018!</em> and <em>NBC's New Year's Eve</em>; Fox's <em>New Year's Eve With Steve Harvey</em> delivered a 0.9 in primetime. CBS (0.4) and The CW (0.2) aired reruns. ABC's dominance extended into late night, where all three networks were also down. Fox (3.8 households, 3.0 in 18-49) came down 22 percent in households and 14 percent in the demo from the previous year.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>OWU Offers 'Social Justice' Major with Mandatory 'Activism' Work</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>A university in Ohio is offering a “social justice major” to students, aiming to "cultivate...the knowledge and skills needed to analyze social injustices.” Ohio Wesleyan University is offering the <a href="https://catalog.owu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=22&poid=4502&returnto=577" target="_blank">major</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span>to undergraduate students who are interested in creating social change through activism, stating that the major gives students the skills to “reflect critically on the meaning of social justice” on multiple levels. “Through this interdisciplinary major, students will develop the knowledge and skills to reflect critically on the meaning of social justice at both the local and global levels, examine the dynamics of societal conflicts and struggles for social justice within and among various groups and institutions, and apply interdisciplinary perspectives at multiple levels of analysis,” states the description for the major. In addition to coursework, the major requires that each student does work outside of class, which includes an “activism” project. “Students will be required to supplement their classwork with a more experientially-oriented activist project and will be encouraged to further participate in a travel-learning course, theory-to-practice grant, and other service projects,” states the description.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Georgetown Takes 'A.C.T.I.O.N.' Against 'Microaggressions in Medicine'</em></strong></p>
<p>A Georgetown University department will be starting a <span style="text-decoration: underline;">“</span><a href="https://som.georgetown.edu/microaggressions">Microaggressions in Medicine</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">”</span> initiative this winter, aiming to teach students how to respond to microaggressions. The School of Medicine at Georgetown along with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion will be sponsoring a “poster campaign,” with an aim at educating students on what to do about microaggressions. “This campaign will work towards developing a response strategy before a microaggression appears, and building efficacy in faculty, staff, students, and trainees who must respond in real time to microaggressors,” the page states. According to the Georgetown webpage, while microaggressions are a “brief” insult, they can have a “macro” effect. The poster campaign gives examples of possible microaggressions that someone in the medicinal field could encounter, such as “aren’t you a little old to be in medical school?” “They yelled HIV as a diagnosis after learning he was a gay male,” and “I’m assuming English wasn’t the first language for some of you.” To respond to these microaggressions, Georgetown suggests that students take A.C.T.I.O.N.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Person-of-the-Year/262804348732268726.html">“The Person of the Year”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2019-01-02T13:05:00ZPhilippine Mall Bombing; Graham Says 'I Feel Pretty Good' About Syria After Lunch with TrumpBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Philippine-Mall-Bombing;-Graham-Says-I-Feel-Pretty-Good-About-Syria-After-Lunch-with-Trump/870952975358781131.html2018-12-31T13:05:00Z2018-12-31T13:05:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Monday, December 31, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Two Dead, 30 Injured in Philippine Mall Bombing</em></strong></p>
<p>Two people died and nearly 30 were injured after a bomb was detonated near a mall entrance in the southern Philippines on Monday, the Associated Press reported. Officials said that Muslim militants who have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State are suspected of carrying out the attack, <a href="https://apnews.com/33f3a6f49879434e81e42086873f2e9d" target="_blank">according to the AP</a>. The bomb exploded near an entrance at the South Seas mall in Cotabato. Roughly 30 people were injured in the blast, which sent debris and glass flying. Two people died en route to the hospital, according to reports. Authorities recovered another bomb nearby that did not explode, and the government imposed a lockdown on the city in response to the attack. The bomb was reportedly similar to others used in the past by local militants with ties to the Islamic State. Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana told reporters that the country had recently launched an offensive against militants belonging to a group called Daulah Islamiyah and that Monday's bombing was likely retaliation.</p>
<p><strong><em><br /><br />Russia Reportedly Detains American Over Suspected Spying</em></strong></p>
<p>An American citizen has been detained in Russia over spying allegations leveled by the country’s domestic security service, Reuters <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-usa-espionage/russia-detains-american-in-moscow-over-suspected-spying-agencies-idUSKCN1OU0BR">reported </a>early Monday. The FSB, the country's main security arm, said the unidentified American was detained in Moscow on December 28 and there is a criminal case against him, according to the report. The FSB said the American faces up to 20 years in jail if convicted, TASS news agency reported. The FSB, which conducts domestic intelligence and counterintelligence, is a spin-off from the KGB after the collapse of the Soviet Union. A former KGB agent, Vladimir Putin ran the FSB before ascending to the presidency.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Texas Judge Lets Obamacare Stand While Court Challenge Continues</em></strong></p>
<p>The federal judge in Texas who <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/14/judge-rules-obamacare-unconstitutional-1066640" target="_blank">ruled</a> the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional said on Sunday that the law can stand while his judgment is under appeal. In his <a href="https://static.politico.com/17/86/6721f2eb435fb2512430e54c2904/220.pdf" target="_blank">order</a> issuing a stay and final partial judgment in the controversial<strong> </strong>case, U.S. District Court Judge Reed O’Connor reiterated that he believes the entire ACA cannot stand without its individual mandate penalty, which Congress zeroed out last year. O'Connor argued that appellate judges will agree with his judgment, but said it should not take effect while the case is being appealed. “[M]any everyday Americans would otherwise face great uncertainty,” he wrote. The judge's order means that Obamacare will likely remain the law of the land for at least another year. Depending on how the appeals proceed, it also tees up the possibility of a Supreme Court ruling on the case in 2020, during the presidential campaign. Public health groups, Democrats and even some Republicans had warned of catastrophic cuts in health coverage if O'Connor's Dec. 14 ruling to strike down the entire ACA had been allowed to take immediate effect. Many health policies proposed by the Trump administration, including efforts to lower drug prices and reshape hospital payment, also <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/17/why-trump-still-needs-obamacare-1037948" target="_blank">depend</a> on<strong> </strong>provisions of the law.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Graham Says 'I Feel Pretty Good' About Syria After Lunch with Trump</em></strong></p>
<p>Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told reporters Sunday that "I feel pretty good about where we're headed" in Syria after suggesting that President Trump is "reconsidering" the planned pullout which had drawn bipartisan criticism and forced the resignation of Defense Secretary James Mattis. Graham emerged from the White House after a two-hour lunch with Trump and said the president "told me some things I didn't know that makes me feel a lot better about where we're headed in Syria." "He promised to destroy ISIS. He's going to keep that promise," Graham said of Trump. "We're not there yet. But as I said today, we're inside the 10-yard line and the president understands the need to finish the job." <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/graham-says-i-feel-pretty-good-about-syria-after-lunch-with-trump">After lunch with the president</a>, Graham said that he thought Trump's post-Christmas visit to Iraq was "eye-opening." "The commanders there told him that ISIS was in a world of hurt," the senator said. "Not completely destroyed but well on their way. I think operations to completely destroy and decimate ISIS are going to be ongoing and are going to be accelerated. "So the president assured me that he's going to make sure he gets the job done and I assured him that nobody has done more to defeat ISIS than he has," Graham added.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Claims 'Wall' Around Obamas' DC Home is 'Same Thing' as Border Wall</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Sunday referenced reports of <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/423273-trump-us-needs-border-wall-like-obamas-needed-privacy-wall-outside-dc">a privacy "wall" built around President Obama's Washington, D.C., home</a> to justify the construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, as he continues to push for funding the structure amid a partial government shutdown. Trump tweeted that the brick structure reportedly put up last year along the Obamas' Kalorama home was "totally necessary for their safety and security." "The U.S. needs the same thing, slightly larger version!" Trump tweeted. TMZ first reported two years ago that the former first family had obtained permits for additional security at their D.C. home. The structure, which in photos appears to be similar to a security fence but made of brick, was reportedly completed in 2017. A spokesperson for the Obamas declined to comment. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Kelly: ‘To be Honest, it’s Not a Wall’</em></strong></p>
<p>Outgoing White House chief of staff <a href="https://thehill.com/people/john-kelly">John Kelly</a> said in an interview published Sunday that the Trump administration has moved on from the push for a concrete wall along the southern border. <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/423213-kelly-to-be-honest-its-not-a-wall">“To be honest, it’s not a wall,”</a> Kelly <a href="https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-john-kelly-exit-interview-20181230-story.html" target="_blank">told the Los Angeles Times</a>. “The president still says ‘wall’ — oftentimes frankly he’ll say ‘barrier’ or ‘fencing,’ now he’s tended toward steel slats,” Kelly added. "But we left a solid concrete wall early on in the administration when we asked people what they needed and where they needed it." Kelly, who will leave the administration in the coming days after a contentious tenure, said Customs and Border Protection agents told him during his brief stint as Homeland Security secretary that they need physical barriers in some areas, but largely indicated a desire for new technology and additional personnel. The Los Angeles Times reported that Kelly did not directly answer when asked whether President Trump had ginned up fear over illegal immigration for political reasons, such as when he repeatedly warned of a caravan of migrants in the weeks before the midterm elections. Kelly said only that the country has an "immigration problem," and largely put the burden to address it on Congress.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Florida School Shooting Voted Top News Story in AP Survey</em></strong></p>
<p>The mass shooting at a Parkland, Florida, high school which killed 17 students and staff, and sparked nationwide student-led marches for gun control was the top news story of 2018, according to The Associated Press’ annual poll of U.S. editors and news directors. The No. 2 story was the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into whether Donald Trump’s election campaign coordinated with Russia. It was one of several major stories, in a year jam-packed with dramatic developments in which the U.S. president played a role. A year ago, the surge of #MeToo sexual misconduct allegations that toppled many powerful men was voted the top news story of 2017. The continuing momentum of #MeToo in 2018 was this year’s No. 3 story. The first AP top-stories poll was conducted in 1936, when editors chose the abdication of Britain’s King Edward VIII. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Nancy Pelosi is Spending Shutdown at Hawaii Resort</em></strong></p>
<p>Democratic House leader Nancy Pelosi is spending the government shutdown at a luxury resort in Hawaii, the <em>Washington Free Beacon </em>has learned. Pelosi, who has <a href="https://news.yahoo.com/government-shutdown-day-4-pelosi-110001163.html">put blame</a> squarely on President Donald Trump for the current government shutdown, was spotted vacationing in Hawaii at the Fairmont Orchid resort, where room accommodations range from $899-a-night for a standard room to $4,899-a-night for the presidential suite. The resort, on Hawaii's Big Island, features a golf course, six restaurants, and a 10,000-square-foot oceanfront pool. Trump <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-congress-shutdown-trip/trump-cancels-florida-trip-as-shutdown-deadline-looms-cnn-idUSKBN1F81HU">canceled</a> his Christmas trip to Florida and remained in the White House, saying on Christmas Eve that he was "waiting for the Democrats to come back and make a deal." The president left the White House on Christmas to <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1078026520021544960">travel to Iraq</a> and meet with American troops stationed overseas.<strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Person-of-the-Year/262804348732268726.html">“The Person of the Year”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-12-31T13:05:00ZGiuliani Tells Mueller: 'It's Time to Put Up or Shut Up'; AP Poll Shows High Job Approval for Trump from VeteransBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Giuliani-Tells-Mueller:-Its-Time-to-Put-Up-or-Shut-Up;-AP-Poll-Shows-High-Job-Approval-for-Trump-from-Veterans/-653058851357357535.html2018-12-30T13:57:00Z2018-12-30T13:57:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, December 30, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Giuliani Tells Mueller: ‘It’s Time to Put Up or Shut Up’</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump’s attorney Rudy Giuliani is seeking to put pressure on special counsel Robert Mueller to submit his report on whether the investigation into the Trump campaign and Russia has found collusion, saying Mueller should "put up or shut up." In an <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/423194-giuliani-rips-mueller-its-time-to-put-up-or-shut-up">interview with New York radio host John Catsimatidis </a>airing Sunday, Giuliani claimed that Mueller's team has known since "May or June" that there is no evidence to support the allegation that members of Trump's campaign knowingly worked with Russians during the 2016 election. “It should have been wrapped up probably in May or June. That’s when they figured out they had no evidence of collusion," Giuliani asserted, adding, "Collusion is not a crime, by the way."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>AP Poll Shows High Job Approval for Trump from Veterans</em></strong></p>
<p>Nearly 6 in 10 military veterans voted for Republican candidates in the November midterm elections, and a similar majority had positive views of President Donald Trump’s leadership. <a href="https://www.apnews.com/3b0264d3b4db4c899d98ab3df9902fe4">according to AP VoteCast</a>, a nationwide survey of more than 115,000 midterm voters including more than 4,000 current and former service members conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago. It found that veterans overall approved of Trump’s job performance, showing high support for the president’s handling of border security and his efforts to make the U.S. safer from terrorism. Overall, 56 percent of veterans both current and former service members said they approve of the job Trump is doing as president, while 43 percent disapproved. Voters who have not served in the military were more likely to disapprove (58 percent) than approve (42 percent) of the president’s job performance.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Putin Tells Trump That Moscow is Open for Dialogue</em></strong></p>
<p>Russian President Vladimir Putin told his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump in a New Year letter on Sunday that <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-usa-dialogue/putin-tells-trump-that-moscow-is-open-for-dialogue-idUSKCN1OT07W">Moscow was ready for dialogue</a> on a “wide-ranging agenda”, the Kremlin said following a series of failed attempts to hold a new summit. At the end of November, Trump abruptly canceled a planned meeting with Putin on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Argentina, citing tensions about Russian forces opening fire on Ukrainian navy boats and then seizing them. Trump and Putin also failed to hold a full-fledged meeting in Paris on the sidelines of the centenary commemoration of the Armistice. The two leaders held their one and only summit in Helsinki in July. “Vladimir Putin stressed that the (Russia - United States) relations are the most important factor for providing strategic stability and international security,” a Kremlin statement said. “He confirmed that Russia is open for dialogue with the USA on the most wide-ranging agenda.” Moscow has said one of the key issues it wanted to discuss with the United States is Washington’s plans to withdraw from a Cold War era nuclear arms pact.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Another, Bigger Migrant Caravan is Set to Leave from Honduras Next Month</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.latimes.com/world/la-me-ln-new-migrant-caravan-20181227-story.html">Another migrant caravan</a> this one estimated at 15,000 people is preparing to leave Honduras on Jan. 15, according to migrant rights advocates and Spanish-language media. “They say they are even bigger and stronger than the last caravan,” said Irma Garrido, a member of the migrant advocacy group Reactiva Tijuana Foundation. Meanwhile, thousands of Central American migrants from a caravan that left Honduras in October remain stranded at the U.S.-Mexico border and languishing in crowded Tijuana shelters while they wait out a lengthy process to file asylum requests with the United States. Garrido said this new, larger caravan will probably be joined by more people in El Salvador and in Guatemala, but she said they don’t plan on coming straight to the Tijuana-San Diego border, where resources are already stretched nearly to a breaking point. “They will stay in the south of Mexico in Chiapas and Oaxaca. Their aim is to request work there,” Garrido said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Says 'Big Progress' on Possible China Trade Deal</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump said on Twitter that he had a “long and very good call” with Chinese President Xi Jinping and that <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-trade/trump-says-big-progress-on-possible-china-trade-deal-idUSKCN1OS0IL">a possible trade deal between the United States and China was progressing well</a>. The two nations have been in a trade war for much of 2018, shaking world financial markets as the flow of hundreds of billions of dollar’s worth of goods between the world’s two largest economies has been disrupted by tariffs. Trump and Xi agreed to a ceasefire in the trade war, deciding to hold off on imposing more tariffs for 90 days starting Dec. 1 while they negotiate a deal to end the dispute following months of escalating tensions. “Just had a long and very good call with President Xi of China,” Trump wrote on Saturday. “Deal is moving along very well. If made, it will be very comprehensive, covering all subjects, areas and points of dispute. Big progress being made!” Chinese state media also said Xi and Trump spoke on Saturday, and quoted Xi as saying that teams from both countries have been working to implement a consensus reached with Trump.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Computer Virus Hits Tribune Publishing, Los Angeles Times</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://apnews.com/78c2948b326f4baab79d61956fbfc831">A computer virus hit newspaper printing plants</a> in Los Angeles and at Tribune Publishing newspapers across the country. Tribune Publishing said a computer virus disrupted production of the Chicago Tribune and its other newspapers, the Chicago Tribune reported. The print edition of the Chicago Tribune was published Saturday without paid death notices and classified ads, while in other markets a similarly slimmed-down version of the Saturday newspaper will be delivered on Sunday, the company said. “This issue has affected the timeliness and in some cases the completeness of our printed newspapers. Our websites and mobile applications however, have not been impacted,” Tribune Publishing spokeswoman Marisa Kollias said in a statement. Tribune Publishing also reported the attack to the FBI on Friday, the Chicago Tribune said. The virus that hit Los Angeles prevented it from printing and delivering Saturday editions of the Los Angeles Times, the San Diego Union-Tribune and other papers to some subscribers. The Los Angeles Times, which runs the facility, said the computer virus infected systems that are associated with the printing process. Spokeswoman Hillary Manning said the paper has been working to fix the issues but added that Sunday deliveries may be affected as well.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Tells Dems to ‘Come on Over and Make a Deal’ </em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Saturday called on Democrats to <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/423184-trump-tells-dems-to-come-on-over-and-make-a-deal-as-shutdown-enters">"come on over and make a deal"</a> as the partial government shutdown continues with no agreement in sight. “I am in the White House waiting for the Democrats to come on over and make a deal on Border Security," Trump tweeted late Saturday morning. "From what I hear, they are spending so much time on Presidential Harassment that they have little time left for things like stopping crime and our military!” Neither the House nor the Senate held votes this week to reopen the government, and many agencies will likely remain closed into 2019 and when the new Congress begins on Jan. 3.<br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>Calif. Organizers Cancel Women's March for Being Too White</em></strong></p>
<p>Organizers of the Women’s March in Humboldt County, California, <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/dec/28/organizers-cancel-womens-march-being-too-white/">announced that they have canceled</a> the local Jan. 19 event because the marchers are overwhelmingly white. In a Facebook statement, the group said it opted to nix the third annual march “after many conversations between local social-change organizations and supporters of the march,” saying they would work on how to “broaden representation in the organizing committee.” “Up to this point, the participants have been overwhelmingly white, lacking representation from several perspectives in our community,” said the statement. “Instead of pushing forward with crucial voices absent, the organizing team will take time for more outreach.” The Humboldt County group said it was still interested in holding an event in March on International Women’s Day. People pointed out that the Northern California community of about 137,000, located near the Oregon border, is predominantly white. Census Bureau data from July showed that the county was about 74 percent non-Hispanic white, 12 percent Hispanic, 6 percent Native American, 2 percent Asian, and 1 percent black.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Supporter </em></strong><strong><em>Triggers Epic Vape Store Meltdown</em></strong></p>
<p>A Trump supporter who was refused service at a vape shop <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2018/12/29/trump-supporter-maga-vape-store-employee-meltdown-fired-georgia/">captured a meltdown</a> from a store clerk because the customer was wearing MAGA clothing. Georgia resident Ian Furgeson tried buying something at Xhale City in Tucker, GA, about half an hour outside of Atlanta, and was apparently told by the store employee to leave the store because he didn't want to sell anything to a Trump supporter. Things escalated quickly from there. Furgeson started recording the encounter, and the employee told him to stop or he'd call the cops. The employee exploded saying "F*** Off!" Furgeson eventually left empty-handed and posted the video to Facebook, which went viral. He later went on to say that someone at the company reached out to apologize and assured him the employee had been fired because the employee's actions weren't in line with his former employer's policy. The company reportedly put out a statement on the matter, saying it values its clients and treats them with respect and dignity ... "regardless of their political views."</p>
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<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Person-of-the-Year/262804348732268726.html">“The Person of the Year”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-12-30T13:57:00ZTrump, Dems Dig-In as Shutdown Heads into Second Week; New York Sky Lights Up with Eerie Blue Glow After Huge Power Plant ExplosionBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Dems-Dig-In-as-Shutdown-Heads-into-Second-Week;-New-York-Sky-Lights-Up-with-Eerie-Blue-Glow-After-Huge-Power-Plant-Explosion/-325876812597308809.html2018-12-28T13:30:00Z2018-12-28T13:30:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, December 28, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump is Done with Mueller, Won't Provide Anymore Answers in Russia Probe</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani reiterated that President Trump is done with Special Counsel Robert Mueller and won’t provide any additional written answers, speculating that the Russia probe will end soon. “I think I announced about ten days ago 'over my dead body' and I’m not dead yet,” Giuliani said Thursday after being asked on <a href="https://thehill.com/hilltv/rising/422970-giuliani-backtracks-trump-will-not-give-mueller-any-more-written-answers">Hill TV</a> whether Trump would give more answers in writing. “[President Trump's] not answering any more questions from these people they are outrageous activity … we did enough,” he added. Giuliani was referring to his comments on “Fox News Sunday” earlier this month where he dismissed any possibility of an in-person interview with the special counsel. Trump’s legal team submitted written answers to the special counsel in November on questions concerning alleged Russian activities during the 2016 presidential election.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump, Dems Dig-In as Shutdown Heads into Second Week</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump and congressional Democrats are digging deeper into their trenches over funding for a wall on the Mexican border, <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/finance/423061-trump-dems-dig-in-as-shutdown-heads-into-second-week">prolonging a government shutdown</a> that seems almost certain to head into the next year. Both the House and Senate on Thursday conducted brief, minutes-long pro forma sessions before quickly gaveling out. In the Capitol building, there was little sign of work, and visitors were more likely to see reporters, security guards or fellow tourists than a working member of Congress. There was also little sign of negotiation, with Trump and Democrats seemingly focused more on a public relations battle over who was to blame for the shutdown. “The President and his team stayed in Washington over Christmas hoping to negotiate a deal that would stop the dangerous crisis on the border, protect American communities, and re-open the government. The Democrats decided to go home,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a Thursday statement released as the Senate was adjourning. A spokesman for Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who is set to be elected House Speaker on Jan. 3 after Democrats take the House majority, responded a short time later, saying Democrats would pass a bill to reopen the government when they took power if the GOP did not act.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Bloomberg Prepared to Spend at Least $100 Million on a 2020 Campaign for President if He Decides to Run</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Billionaire Mike Bloomberg is <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/26/mike-bloomberg-likely-to-spend-over-100-million-on-a-2020-campaign-for-president-if-he-chooses-to-run.html">prepared to spend</a> well over the $100 million he put into his last campaign for New York City mayor if he runs for president in 2020. And he does not plan to accept any outside money from political action committees if he jumps into the race, CNBC has learned. Howard Wolfson, Bloomberg's top political advisor, in an email hinted at how much his boss would look to invest into his own potential campaign for president. "Mike spent more than $100 million in his last mayor's race. Last time I looked, NYC is a fraction of the size of the country as a whole," he explained. The last time he ran for public office was in 2009, when he ran for re-election as mayor for a third term and pulled off a victory as an independent. If the former New York City mayor contributes that much to his own coffers, he will have one of the largest 2020 war chests and a stark advantage over other potential Democratic hopefuls, such as former Vice President Joe Biden, Sens. Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, and Kamala Harris and Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Anti-Trump Oakland Mayor Insists She 'Did the Right Thing' in Tipping Off Illegal Immigrants About ICE Raid</em></strong></p>
<p>Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf who once warned Northern California residents about an impending ICE raid said she has “no regrets” for her actions and said the federal immigration agency “has gone astray.” “I have no regrets, none. The more time goes by, the more certain I feel that I did the right thing in standing up for our community and pointing out our values are not aligned with our laws,” Schaff told BuzzFeed in an <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/hamedaleaziz/oaklands-mayor-warned-her-community-about-an-ice-raid-she">interview</a>. “That’s hopefully the message that is sent out.” Schaaf also slammed federal immigration authorities, saying that Immigration and Customs Enforcement should be abolished. In February, she posted a warning on Twitter claiming the immigration agency was “preparing to conduct an operation in the Bay Area, including Oakland.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Deaths of Police Officers on Duty on the Rise in the U.S.</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>More police officers have died in the line of duty this year in the United States than in 2017, according to data released Thursday. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund said in a report that <a href="http://time.com/5489190/police-officer-deaths-rise-united-states/">144 federal, state and local officers have died so far in 2018</a>. That figure represents roughly a 12 percent increase from the 129 who died in 2017. The majority of the officers who died were shot or fatally injured in car crashes. Other deaths involved heart attacks, drownings and cancer and other illnesses developed by responders to the World Trade Center attack.</p>
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<p><strong><em>New York Sky Lights Up with Eerie Blue Glow After Huge Power Plant Explosion</em></strong></p>
<p>The sky above New York was lit up by an <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8072400/new-york-sky-lights-eerie-blue-glow-explosion-power-plant/">eerie blue glow</a> that could be seen across the city after a huge power plant explosion on Thursday night. Electricity was cut off for thousands while the busy La Guardia airport was shut down by the blast leading to dozens of flights being grounded or diverted. Residents were stunned when the chilling glow emerged just after 9 pm local time on Thursday. Twitter was awash with clips showing the flickering light piercing through low-hanging cloud which even led some to suspect an alien invasion. But the New York Fire Department confirmed it was investigating a transformer explosion at a power facility in the Astoria area of Queens. Jim Long, a spokesman for Fire Department New York, said: "There was a boom and a bang and a flash of light. "It's all under control but we're still getting calls from residents wondering what happened." The blue flashes that briefly lit up the night sky were caused by a power surge and electrical "arching" and sparked a transformer explosion and a small fire, said Con Edison. The firm's spokesman Bob McGee added that there were no injuries.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Shooting Suspect Surrenders After SWAT Negotiator Sings 'White Christmas'</em></strong></p>
<p>It wasn't the Nat King Cole version of "White Christmas" that the suspect requested, but it worked. A Pennsylvania man who allegedly fired shots at 11 officers during a 10-hour standoff that began Christmas night finally surrendered after a SWAT officer sang him the holiday song he wanted to hear, authorities said. The suspect was reportedly stressed by the process of separating from his wife during the holidays, Chester County District Attorney Thomas Hogan said, according to the <a href="http://www.philly.com/news/pennsylvania/chester-county-shooting-police-suspect-surrenders-christmas-music-20181227.html">Philadelphia Inquirer</a>. "That's a Christmas miracle in our book, all because one negotiator was willing to sing him a Christmas carol," Hogan told Lancaster's <a href="https://www.wgal.com/article/da-swat-officer-ends-standoff-by-singing-white-christmas-to-barricaded-gunman/25695178">WGAL-TV</a>. "[It was a] tremendous job all around." Around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Christmas night, Lewis' sister-in-law checked on him after family members said they had been unable to reach him, the Inquirer reported, but he had barricaded himself inside his home, about 42 miles west of Philadelphia. Around 7 a.m. Wednesday, Lewis asked to hear a negotiator sing a Christmas carol, authorities said. "He requested 'White Christmas,' the Nat King Cole version," Hogan said. The negotiator, who has over a decade of SWAT team experience, started singing to him, Hogan said. Lewis then came out of the house and surrendered, according to the Inquirer. He was taken into custody and faces 11 charges of attempted homicide of a police officer, the station reported.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Person-of-the-Year/262804348732268726.html">“The Person of the Year”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-12-28T13:30:00ZTrump Makes Surprise Trip to Iraq to Visit with Troops; Department of Homeland Security Promises Changes to Protect Migrant ChildrenBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Makes-Surprise-Trip-to-Iraq-to-Visit-with-Troops;-Department-of-Homeland-Security-Promises-Changes-to-Protect-Migrant-Children/-488734075281743810.html2018-12-27T14:01:00Z2018-12-27T14:01:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, December 27, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
<p><strong><em><br /><br />Trump Makes Surprise Trip to Iraq to Visit with Troops, Says the U.S. Intends to Stay</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump made an unannounced visit to troops stationed in Iraq on Wednesday, delivering a speech and posing for selfies at an air base west of Baghdad. Trump was in Iraq approximately three and a half hours, arriving after shortly after 7 p.m. local time and leaving before 11 p.m. Speaking in Iraq, Trump said he does not have plans to remove U.S. troops from the war-torn country. Instead, he said Iraq could be used as a base to help combat the Islamic State, according to <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-12-26/trump-visits-troops-in-iraq-after-dismissing-pentagon-s-mattis?utm_source=twitter&utm_content=business&utm_campaign=socialflow-organic&utm_medium=social&cmpid=socialflow-twitter-business" target="_blank">Bloomberg.</a> Troops <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1078034144557322241" target="_blank">chanted</a> "USA! USA!" as Trump walked to a podium to deliver brief remarks. "We like to win. Do we like to win?" Trump said to cheers. He thanked them for helping nearly eliminate the once-vast ISIS holdings in Iraq and Syria. The visit was a closely guarded secret until after Air Force One landed. Trump's arrival in Iraq was first disclosed by the transmission of Reuters photos and was quickly <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1078007105339224064" target="_blank">confirmed</a> on Twitter by White House press secretary Sarah Sanders. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Russia is Setting Up a Military Base on a Caribbean Island to Host Nuclear Bombers</em></strong></p>
<p>Russia has sent supersonic bombers capable of carrying nuclear missiles to one of Venezuela’s islands in the Caribbean Sea, according to reports. This follows news earlier in the month that the former-Soviet state was planning to set up its first military base in the Caribbean after striking a deal with cash-strapped Venezuela. Russian military Colonel Eduard Rodyukov said the move was in response to U.S. president Donald Trump’s threat to scrap nuclear treaties. The U.S. recently gave Russia 60 days to comply with a treaty banning the development of intermediate range nuclear missiles or the agreement would be scrapped altogether. U.S. officials accused <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4581107/fears-russia-plotting-invasion-baltic-nato/">Russia of developing missiles </a>in violation of the treaty, a charge Russia has strongly denied. The supersonic bombers – nicknamed White Swans – are capable of carrying short-range nuclear missiles. The planes can fly over 7,500 miles without refueling. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blasted the move on Twitter: “Russia’s government has sent bombers halfway around the world to Venezuela. “The Russian and Venezuelan people should see this for what it is: two corrupt governments squandering public funds, and squelching liberty and freedom while their people suffer.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>After Trump's Visit, Iraqi Lawmakers Demand U.S. Withdrawal</em></strong></p>
<p>Iraqi lawmakers Thursday demanded U.S. forces leave the country in the wake of a <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-makes-surprise-visit-to-iraq-to-meet-with-troops-2018-12-26/">surprise visit</a> by President Donald Trump that politicians denounced as arrogant and a violation of Iraqi sovereignty. Politicians from both blocs of Iraq's divided Parliament called for a vote to expel U.S. troops and promised to schedule an extraordinary session to debate the matter. "Parliament must clearly and urgently express its view about the ongoing American violations of Iraqi sovereignty," said Salam al-Shimiri, a lawmaker loyal to the populist cleric <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iraq-election-2018-muqtada-al-sadr-iran-backed-fatah-pull-ahead-2018-5-14/">Moqtada al-Sadr</a>. Containing foreign influence has become a hot-button issue in a year that saw al-Sadr supporters win the largest share of votes in May elections. Al-Sadr has called for curbing U.S. and Iranian involvement in Iraqi affairs. U.S. troops are stationed in Iraq as part of the coalition against the Islamic State of Syria and Iraq (ISIS). American forces withdrew in 2011 after invading in 2003 but returned in 2014 at the invitation of the Iraqi government to help fight the jihadist group. Now, after defeating ISIS militants in their last urban bastions last year, Iraqi politicians and militia leaders are speaking out against the continued presence of U.S. forces.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Department of Homeland Security Promises Changes to Protect Migrant Children</em></strong></p>
<p>In the wake of the death of a second migrant child in U.S. custody within the last two weeks, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen announced on Wednesday the government is calling on several federal agencies to help Customs and Border Protection implement a host of new directives intended to improve how it cares for children and adults held in federal facilities. "In response to the unprecedented surge of children into our custody, I have directed a series of extraordinary protective measures," Nielsen said in a statement. She explained the changes had been enacted as a result of the "heartbreaking" death of Guatemalan <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/12/25/680066848/8-year-old-migrant-boy-dies-in-government-custody-in-new-mexico-hospital">8-year-old Felipe Gomez Alonso</a>, who died after being diagnosed with a cold and a high fever in New Mexico on Monday night. As of Tuesday, Border Patrol agents have started conducting secondary medical checks on all children in CBP custody, including unaccompanied minors and those part of family units traveling with other family members or legal guardians. "Moving forward, all children will receive a more thorough hands-on assessment at the earliest possible time post apprehension – whether or not the accompanying adult has asked for one," Nielsen said. The Homeland Security Secretary said she had tapped the Department of Defense to boost medical staffs along the border as well as the U.S. Coast Guard Medical Corps to assess CBP's medical programs and make recommendations for improvements.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Poll: What do Democrats want in 2020? Definitely not Hillary</em></strong></p>
<p>Democratic and Independent voters are crystal clear about the candidate they'd be most excited to see in the 2020 presidential field: someone entirely new. A USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll tested which candidates now seem intriguing to voters, and who turns them off. Landing at the top of the list of 11 options was "someone entirely new" perhaps a prospect not on the political radar screen yet. Nearly six in 10 of those surveyed, 59 percent, said they would be "excited" about a candidate like that; only 11 percent said they'd prefer that a new face not run. That said, close behind was Joe Biden, the opposite of someone entirely new and Hillary Clinton who won the popular vote against Trump two years ago, but lost the Electoral College had the steepest climb of all: 15 percent would be excited if she ran again. A number swamped by the 70 percent who said she shouldn't. Asked recently if she wants to run again, Clinton said "no" but then added, "Well, I'd like to be president."</p>
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<p><strong><em>About 500 Migrants Released by ICE Wednesday, over 1,000 Released Past Few Days</em></strong></p>
<p>About 518 migrants are expected to be released by U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Wednesday, according to the Annunciation House. That makes more than 1,000 migrants released in the past three days. The migrants will be dropped off at undisclosed shelters across El Paso. The Annunciation House says they need relatives or sponsor families to buy bus or plane tickets for their migrant relatives as soon as possible to free up space at the shelter. Annunciation said following the death of the Guatemalan boy in custody, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol is working to release families faster. ICE said in a statement earlier this week the mass release was to ensure families were not detained longer than the time frame permitted. Immigrants released this week have been processed by Customs and Border Protection. They’ve been issued a court date to present themselves at. <a title="https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/200-migrants-expected-to-be-released-by-ice-on-christmas-day" href="https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/200-migrants-expected-to-be-released-by-ice-on-christmas-day" target="_blank">There were about 200 immigrants released Tuesday by ICE</a> and dropped off at a downtown El Paso bus station. Then, they were led by volunteers to a makeshift headquarters at Rock House Cafe and Gallery, a block away. The migrants waited at the Rock House Cafe and Gallery and were shortly thereafter loaded onto Sun Metro buses and taken to nonprofit shelters. <a title="https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/ice-releases-another-200-migrants-at-bus-station-in-downtown-el-paso-on-christmas-eve" href="https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/ice-releases-another-200-migrants-at-bus-station-in-downtown-el-paso-on-christmas-eve" target="_blank">On Sunday, about 400 migrants were released.</a> Most migrants are from Honduras and Guatemala.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Workers Prep Times Square Crystal Ball as New Year’s Nears</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://1010wins.radio.com/articles/workers-prep-times-square-crystal-ball-new-year-s-nears">Workers in Times Square</a> were getting the famous Waterford crystal ball ready on Wednesday, with less than a week to go before revelers ring in the new year. Workers were at the top of 1 Times Sq. installing nearly 200 new triangular Waterford crystals to the ball, which sports more than 2,600 crystals in total. They were also fixing any technical difficulties before the big night. The ball weighs almost 12,000 pounds and has nearly 32,000 LED lights. The glittering ball-drop ceremony began back in 1907 but still wows tourists at the stroke of midnight each Dec. 31.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Mariah Carey's 1994 Christmas Classic Sets New Streaming Record on Spotify</em></strong> </p>
<p>Mariah Carey’s 24-year-old Christmas classic is so popular it <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2018/12/26/all-want-christmas-you-set-spotify-record-christmas-eve-mariah-carey/2416092002/">set a new one-day streaming record</a> on Spotify on Christmas Eve. Chart Data reported that "All I Want for Christmas Is You," released in 1994, was played 10.8 million times on Spotify on Monday. Carey called the new feat “such an amazing Christmas gift” in an Instagram post on Tuesday. Every holiday season “All I Want for Christmas Is You” begins to climb the Billboard charts as its popularity resurfaces. This year the song reached its highest peak, No. 6, on the Billboard Hot 100 chart; it’s currently No. 7 on the chart.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Person-of-the-Year/262804348732268726.html">“The Person of the Year”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-12-27T14:01:00ZTrump in Christmas Remarks Says Shutdown Won't End Until He Gets Money for Wall; Chicago Police Seize More Than 9,600 Illegal Guns in 2018BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-in-Christmas-Remarks-Says-Shutdown-Wont-End-Until-He-Gets-Money-for-Wall;-Chicago-Police-Seize-More-Than-9600-Illegal-Guns-in-2018/-658940278092141785.html2018-12-26T13:58:00Z2018-12-26T13:58:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, December 26, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump in Christmas Remarks Says Shutdown Won't End Until He Gets Money for Wall</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/422821-trump-digs-in-as-shutdown-enters-fourth-day">President Trump on Tuesday</a> dug in on his demand for a border wall as the government shutdown stretched into its fourth day. Speaking to reporters after calling troops on Christmas Day, Trump said lawmakers must approve wall funding or else the shutdown will continue. “I can't tell you when the government is going to be open,” he said. “I can tell you, it's not going to be open until we have a wall, a fence, whatever they'd like to call it. I'll call it whatever they want.” Trump argued that thousands of workers being furloughed due to the shutdown also want the wall. “Many of those workers have said to me, communicated, stay out until you get the funding for the wall. These federal workers want the wall,” the president said. The comments suggest the funding impasse is unlikely to be resolved quickly when Congress comes back into sessions after Christmas.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Chicago Police Seize More Than 9,600 Illegal Guns in 2018</em></strong></p>
<p>The <a title="Chicago Police Department" href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/crime-law-justice/law-enforcement/chicago-police-department-ORGOV000080-topic.html">Chicago Police Department </a>says officers have seized more than 9,600 illegal guns so far this year and the department is on pace to recover about 900 more guns than were taken off the city’s streets in 2017. The department has made a concerted effort in recent years to find as many illegal guns as possible, and the total has climbed to the point where police Superintendent Eddie Johnson says in a news release that officers in 2018 were taking more than one illegal gun off the street every hour. The department says the seizures along with making more than 4,200 arrests on gun-related charges this year is part of a strategy that has helped significantly reduce the number of homicides, robberies and other violent crimes in 2018. Most of the guns seized by police have been semi-automatic handguns. The department has also collected nearly 200 assault-style weapons, including AK-47 and AR-15 rifles. Just last weekend, police took 49 guns off the street, according to the department.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>See Differences as Asset, Not Danger, Pope Says in Christmas Message</em></strong></p>
<p>Pope Francis, in <a href="http://news.trust.org/item/20181225110915-ylfkw">his Christmas message</a> to the world, urged people on Tuesday to see differences as a source of richness instead of danger and called for reconciliation in places torn apart by conflict. Francis delivered the traditional papal "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) message to tens of thousands of people in a sunny St. Peter's Square from the same basilica balcony where he first appeared as pontiff shortly after his election on March 13, 2013. In his address, in what appeared to be a reference to the shrill political climate in a number of countries, Francis called for "fraternity among people with different ideas, yet capable of respecting and listening to one another". Francis, the first pope from Latin America, alluded to polarization over migration, saying God wanted "love, acceptance, respect for this poor humanity of ours, which we all share in a great variety of races, languages, and cultures". "Our differences, then, are not a detriment or a danger; they are a source of richness," he said.</p>
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<p><strong><em>During Gloomy Washington Christmas, Trump Takes Kids' Santa Calls</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>It was the night before Christmas, and U.S. <a href="https://news.yahoo.com/during-gloomy-washington-christmas-trump-takes-kids-santa-000822679--business.html">President Donald Trump was on the phone with children</a>, peppering them with questions about whether they were looking forward to the holiday. Every Christmas Eve, the North American Aerospace Defense Command in Colorado Springs, Colorado, claims to track Santa Claus' flight across the globe, a tradition dating to 1955, when a department store printed the phone number of a NORAD colonel in a Christmas newspaper ad by mistake. This year, though, the NORAD calls came at a precarious time for the president, who is mired in crises, from a government shutdown that has affected a quarter of federal agencies and departments to a stock market selloff amid Trump's public criticisms of the Federal Reserve. The NORAD calls were the first time Trump has been seen in public since the shutdown began. NORAD said on Friday it would continue the tradition in the event of a shutdown, adding in a tweet that military personnel would be supported by 1,500 volunteers.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Chicago Nixes Next Women's March Amid Growing Rift Over Anti-Semitism Claims Against National Group</em></strong></p>
<p>As controversy swells around national Women’s March organizers, the local group has decided <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-womens-march-chicago-global-march-womens-wave-20181225-story.html">not to host a march in January</a>, an event that for the past two years drew hundreds of thousands of supporters to Grant Park in concert with similar marches across the globe. While Women’s March Chicago organizers cited high costs and limited volunteer hours as the main reasons for nixing the annual rally and march, the break comes amid splintering within the national Women’s March leadership following accusations of anti-Semitism and scrutiny of its ties to Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. Marches and rallies are still planned for Jan. 19 in Washington, D.C., and dozens of cities nationwide and internationally, as well as other parts of Illinois like Rockford, southwest suburban New Lenox and northwest suburban Woodstock. Women's March Chicago leaders say they'll commemorate the anniversary of the original march with another activity but haven't released any details on the location or nature of the event.</p>
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<p><strong><em>U.S. Holiday Retail Sales Are Strongest in Years</em></strong></p>
<p>Shoppers delivered the strongest holiday sales increase for U.S. retailers in six years, according to early data. Total U.S. retail sales, excluding automobiles, rose 5.1% between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24 from a year earlier, according to <a href="https://quotes.wsj.com/MA">Mastercard</a> SpendingPulse, which tracks both online and in-store spending with all forms of payment. Overall, U.S. consumers spent over $850 billion this holiday season, according to Mastercard. The figures suggest a stock-market swoon and partial government shutdown haven’t curbed consumer confidence and spending. “Wall Street is running around like a chicken with its head cut off, while Mr. and Mrs. Main Street are happy with their jobs, enjoying their best wage increases in a decade,” said Craig Johnson, president of Customer Growth Partners, a retail research and consulting firm. A recent drop in gas prices has helped last-minute spending, he said.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Cannabis is a Big Hit for Christmas Gift-Giving</em></strong></p>
<p>Dozens of customers have been lining up and packing into Bay Area cannabis dispensaries to buy holiday gifts including gummies, chocolates, cartridges and flowers. “From the moment we were open at 9 o’clock we had a line,” Magnolia assistant general manager Kysa Butler said. “We’ve been knocking the lines out quickly but they’ve been steady, too.” <a href="http://www.fox5ny.com/news/cannabis-is-a-big-hit-for-christmas-gift-giving">Pot presents are pretty popular</a> as many visited for the first time to get gifts. Customers must be 21-years-old in order to enter a dispensary and purchase one of the cannabis products. Many cannabis businesses report having five times as many customers or more during the days leading up to Christmas.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Person-of-the-Year/262804348732268726.html">“The Person of the Year”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-12-26T13:58:00ZPresident Trump Orders Defense Secretary James Mattis to Leave Immediately; Migrants Say Caravan Escort Group Misled Them on Dangers of TripBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/President-Trump-Orders-Defense-Secretary-James-Mattis-to-Leave-Immediately;-Migrants-Say-Caravan-Escort-Group-Misled-Them-on-Dangers-of-Trip/324775620050784906.html2018-12-24T12:55:00Z2018-12-24T12:55:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Monday, December 24, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
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<p><strong><em>President Trump Orders Defense Secretary James Mattis to Leave Immediately</em></strong> </p>
<p>Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will leave Jan. 1, rather than the previously announced resignation date of Feb. 28 because of policy disputes with President Donald Trump. <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/12/20/defense-secretary-jim-mattis-retiring-donald-trump-says/2381121002/">Mattis announced Thursday</a> he was stepping down Feb. 28 because of disagreements with Trump ranging from Syria to global alliances and sparking deep anxiety among lawmakers about national security. But Trump tweeted Sunday that Mattis would leave sooner. Trump named Patrick Shanahan, the deputy defense secretary, as acting secretary of defense. Shanahan will be taking over as acting Defense secretary Jan. 1, Dana White, chief Pentagon spokeswoman, said Sunday. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Migrants Say Caravan Escort Group Misled Them on Dangers of Trip</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Some migrants and activists are claiming the escort group that led the so-called migrant "caravan" across Mexico by foot misled participants about the dangers of the trek, <a href="https://apnews.com/f44d2daa66604b599191e07414e1de7a">according to The Associated Press</a>. Pueblo Sin Fronteras, or People Without Borders, allegedly downplayed how dangerous the trip would be and misled the migrants about how long they would have to stay in Mexico while asylum claims are being processed, critics told the AP. “We were never told along the way that it would be this hard,” Adelaida Gonzalez told the AP. Gonzalez came from Guatemala with her son and neighbor. Four of the migrants traveling with the caravan have died, the AP reported. The group has been waiting in squalid conditions in Tijuana for weeks, which multiple people told the AP they were not expecting. U.S. authorities are processing about 100 asylum claims per day.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Mystery Mueller Case Reaches the Supreme Court</em></strong></p>
<p>An unnamed foreign corporation appears to be fighting a subpoena from Special Counsel Robert Mueller in the Supreme Court. The unidentified entity filed an application for a stay with Chief Justice <a href="https://dailycaller.com/buzz/john-roberts" target="_blank">John Roberts</a> on Saturday after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit turned down their request to quash a subpoena. The application was the first time a matter arising from the Mueller probe has reached the high court. Very little is known about the case, which apparently arose on Aug. 16 in the Washington, D.C. federal trial court. The entire matter has proceeded under seal, meaning all filings are closely held by court officials, hearings take place in secret, and attorneys are forbidden from discussing details in public. One of the <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/5663760-In-Re-Grand-Jury-Subpoena-D-C-Circuit.html" target="_blank">few documents</a> made public in the case was released on Dec. 18, when the corporation lost its appeal of a lower court ruling requiring their compliance with the subpoena. A three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit rejected both arguments, prompting the appeal to the Supreme Court.<br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>Sen. Bob Corker Calls Reasoning for Government Shutdown a 'Made-Up Fight,' President Trump Fires Back</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>With less than two weeks left before he leaves office, Sen. Bob Corker <a href="https://bit.ly/2V9OEvl">stood his ground once again</a> to denounce President Donald Trump's decisions from the government shutdown to pulling U.S. troops from Syria. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Corker</span> called the partial <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/12/23/government-shutdown-no-end-sight-lawmakers-head-home-holidays/2398875002/">federal government shutdown</a> an unnecessary action and a "made up fight" perpetrated by the president. "This is a purposefully contrived fight," <a href="https://www.cnn.com/shows/state-of-the-union">the Tennessee Republican said on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday morning</a>. On Thursday, Trump announced he wouldn't sign a Senate-approved budget deal to keep a number of federal departments funded through early February because it did not include $5 billion of funding for the construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. That led to the shutdown on Saturday. With no signs of a deal, the Senate adjourned until after Christmas, ensuring that the shutdown would continue until least Dec. 27. Corker said that Democrats and Republicans had supported legislation to provide $25 billion for border security while also dealing with young immigrants who arrived with parents who entered the country illegally. That legislation wasn't ultimately approved. The president fired back on Twitter Sunday afternoon. Trump tweeted, “Senator Bob Corker just stated that “I’m so priveledged [sic] to serve in the Senate for twelve years, and that’s what I told the people of our state that’s what I’d do, serve for two terms.” But that is Not True - wanted to run but poll numbers TANKED when I wouldn’t endorse him.....” Corker quickly replied, seeming to imply that the president's statement was misleading by pointing to a certain Trump campaign promise. "Yes, just like Mexico is paying for the wall... #AlertTheDaycareStaff," Corker tweeted.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Immigration Groups to Challenge Trump’s ‘Remain in Mexico’ Policy</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Immigration advocates plan to fight the Trump administration’s new directive of requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their claims are processed. Speaking before a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Secretary of Homeland Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/20/asylum-seekers-migrants-mexico/" target="_blank">revealed</a> a sweeping new policy for migrants who claim asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border. Dubbed the “Remain in Mexico” plan, migrants who seek asylum at the country’s southern border will no longer be allowed to stay in the U.S. while their cases maneuver through the immigration courts, but instead will have to wait in Mexico. A number of immigration-rights groups argue the “Remain in Mexico” policy violates international laws and guarantees of due process set out in the Constitution. Opponents also point to federal laws that protect child migrants. “Refusing to process children very clearly violates the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, written specifically to protect this vulnerable population,” Lisa Frydman, vice president of Kids in Need of Defense, a nonprofit that helps unaccompanied children, said Friday. Frydman described the Tijuana shelters that unaccompanied children stay in as “squalid.” However, the Trump administration argues that the new policy stops migrants from abusing the U.S. asylum process by entering the country and never showing up to their immigration court hearings. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recorded 78,564 requests for asylum in 2017, a dramatic uptick from the 13,880 requests made in 2012. The requests have only <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/07/asylums-record-levels/" target="_blank">increased</a>, with the USCIS recording a record-setting 99,035 asylum requests 62,609 of which included Guatemalans, Salvadorians, and Hondurans during the 2018 fiscal year.</p>
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<p><strong><em>New York State Funds Statue of Liberty to Remain Open During Shutdown</em></strong></p>
<p>The New York state government is funding Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island to keep them open during the partial government shutdown that has affected national parks across the country. New York has kept the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island open during federal government shutdowns three times in the past five years, <a href="https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2018/12/22/statue-of-liberty-open-shutdown/">CBS New York reported</a>. When the government funded the Statue of Liberty in January of this year, it reportedly cost $65,000 per day. Most national parks in the U.S. are reducing staffing and some parks-run locations are shutting down completely during the shutdown, which started after Congress failed to reach an agreement by the Friday deadline. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Queen Elizabeth Encourages 'Respect' and 'Greater Understanding' in Christmas Message</em></strong></p>
<p>Her Majesty is going all in on peace, love, and understanding in <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2018/12/19/royal-christmas-queen-harry-meghan-and-kate-celebrate-family-traditions/2281611002/">her annual Christmas message</a>. Buckingham Palace has released a few teasers for Queen Elizabeth II’s pre-taped holiday speech to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, which will be broadcast Dec. 25. The queen has delivered the address since 1952. She’ll reflect on the importance of treating others with consideration, the palace announced. “Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step towards greater understanding," the queen will say. The annual speech is significant because it is her own words, the only public address she ever makes that isn’t written or edited by the government. Her speech will also reference “the places from which she draws strength and encouragement,” the palace says, noting the queen will mention “faith, family and friendship” as “not only a constant for me but a source of personal comfort and reassurance.” “I believe his message of peace on earth and goodwill to all is never out of date,” she’ll say of the birth of Jesus. “It can be heeded by everyone; it’s needed as much as ever.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Burglary Suspect Disguised as 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' Wanted by Colorado Police</em></strong></p>
<p>A suspect wearing a "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" mask that was <a href="https://bit.ly/2PZBFby">caught on camera</a> stealing several items from a Colorado business might end up on Santa's naughty list this year. Fort Collins, Colorado, police are now looking for the Rudolph imposter they dubbed "Burglarudolph," who was spotted early Tuesday morning. They shared the security camera footage on Facebook, asking for help identifying the suspect, who about halfway through the video removes her disguise. Police also shared a rewritten version of the song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" to help in the search efforts: On one foggy December eve, Rudolph came to steal, Broke into a Hickory shop, Never expected to see a cop. Oh how the camera caught her, As she committed burglary, Rudolph the Red Nosed Criminal, We need your help with her I.D."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Person-of-the-Year/262804348732268726.html">“The Person of the Year”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-12-24T12:55:00ZTrump Cancels Mar-a-Lago Christmas Trip Over Shutdown; Counter-ISIS US Official Resigns in Protest Over 'Reckless' Syria WithdrawalBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Cancels-Mar-a-Lago-Christmas-Trip-Over-Shutdown;-Counter-ISIS-US-Official-Resigns-in-Protest-Over-Reckless-Syria-Withdrawal/-76429797743261903.html2018-12-23T14:06:00Z2018-12-23T14:06:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, December 23, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
<p> <br /><br /><strong><em>Trump Cancels Mar-a-Lago Christmas Trip Over Shutdown</em></strong></p>
<p>The White House announced on Saturday that President Trump will not take his scheduled Christmas vacation in South Florida, citing the government shutdown. “Due to the shutdown, President Trump will remain in Washington, D.C. and the first lady will return from Florida so they can spend Christmas together,” White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement. The president <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1076628127525294080" target="_blank">tweeted</a> the news himself later Saturday: “I will not be going to Florida because of the Shutdown - Staying in the White House! #MAGA.” Trump had planned to spend 16 days at his Mar-a-Lago club with his family for the holidays, but he said on Friday he would remain in the nation’s capital if Congress could not reach an agreement to avert a partial government shutdown. But the president did not say at the time how long he planned to stay in Washington and there was some speculation he might still make the trip to Florida for Christmas if a lengthy shutdown appeared to be in the works. On Saturday the Senate adjourned without a spending deal in place. Senators are not expected to meet again until Dec. 27.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Counter-ISIS US Official Resigns in Protest Over 'Reckless' Syria Withdrawal</em></strong></p>
<p>Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s top deputy in the effort to defeat the Islamic State resigned in protest of the abrupt decision to withdraw from Syria, according to new reports. Brett McGurk has served as the special envoy to the counter-ISIS coalition since 2015, when then-President Barack Obama appointed him to the role as the would-be caliphate rampaged across Iraq. President Trump’s administration kept him in the post, which took him to Syria about 20 times to coordinate with the factions fighting ISIS. He said last week that it would be “reckless” for the United States to withdraw from Syria abruptly, not knowing that Trump was just days away from an unexpected and major policy shift. “The military objective is the enduring defeat of ISIS,” McGurk told reporters at the State Department. “Areas that we have cleared of ISIS, they have not returned or actually seized physical space. There’s clandestine cells. Nobody is saying that they are going to disappear. Nobody is that naive. So we want to stay on the ground and make sure that stability can be maintained in these areas.” Trump changed course <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/trump-declares-victory-over-isis-to-order-total-withdrawal-us-troops-from-syria">just a few days later</a>. "We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency,” he tweeted Wednesday. McGurk, in a move first reported by <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/brett-mcgurk-top-u-s-envoy-in-isis-fight-to-quit/" target="_blank">CBS</a>, planned to leave in February, but will now resign effective Dec. 31.<br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>Resilient Ruth Bader Ginsburg Fights Back from Latest in Line of Health Woes</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/resilient-ruth-bader-ginsburg-fights-back-from-latest-in-line-of-health-woes">Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is resting in a New York hospital</a> following surgery to remove two malignant growths in her left lung, the third time the Supreme Court's oldest justice has been treated for cancer and her second stay in a hospital in two months. Worries over Ginsburg's health have been a constant of sorts for nearly 10 years, and for liberals, particularly in the last two. Ginsburg, the leader of the court's liberal wing and known to her fans as the Notorious RBG, has achieved an iconic status rare for Supreme Court justices. If she did step down, President Donald Trump would have another opportunity to move a conservative court even more to the right. "Wishing Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg a full and speedy recovery!" Trump tweeted after the court's announcement. Ginsburg will remain in the hospital for a few days, the court said. She has never missed arguments in more than 25 years as a justice. The court next meets on Jan. 7.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Dow Dives 400 Points to End its Worst Week in 10 Years</em></strong></p>
<p>Stocks continued to plunge on Friday, sending the Dow Jones Industrial Average to its worst week since the financial crisis in 2008, down nearly 7 percent. The Nasdaq Composite Index closed in a bear market and the S&P 500 was on the brink of one itself, down nearly 18 percent from its record earlier this year. The Federal Reserve's rate hike on Wednesday drove the losses this week and fears of an extended government shutdown only added to the pain on Friday. The <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/quotes/?symbol=.DJI">Dow Jones Industrial Average</a> fell 414.23 points to finish at 22,445.37 in turbulent trading that sent the blue-chip index up as much as 300 points earlier in the day, only to trade back in negative territory less than one hour later.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Poll: Record Polarization, Partisanship Tops Accomplishments</em></strong></p>
<p>Modern American politics has reached a new level of partisanship and polarization that judges leaders like President Trump not on their accomplishments but their party, according to a new survey. The Democrat-Republican partisan gap, which reached a record 70 points under former President Barack Obama, has now grown to 77 points and appears to overshadow the types of rallies in approval ratings past presidents had, according to a new <a href="https://news.gallup.com/opinion/polling-matters/245567/trump-approval-stable-approval-prior-presidents.aspx?g_source=link_NEWSV9&g_medium=TOPIC&g_campaign=item_&g_content=Trump%2520Approval%2520More%2520Stable%2520Than%2520Approval%2520for%2520Prior%2520Presidents" target="_blank">Gallup analysis.</a> “Presidents today may now be judged simply by Americans on shared or divergent partisanship rather than on the president's accomplishments in office or on the state of the nation,” said the polling service. “Many of these patterns under Trump were in place before he took office. Polarization in presidential approval ratings began to expand under Reagan and has accelerated with each president since Clinton. And while Obama had a strong honeymoon, his support generally held in the 40s after that until his last year in office. Obama's approval rating did not increase significantly in response to a number of events between 2010 and 2015 that arguably could have produced rallies,” said Gallup.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Tsunami Set Off by Volcanic Eruption Kills 222 in Indonesia</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://apnews.com/e91d55a6b39542c0896c5f31a0098870">A tsunami believed to be triggered by a volcanic eruption</a> killed at least 222 people in Indonesia during a busy holiday weekend, sweeping away hotels, hundreds of houses and a group of people attending a beach concert. More than 800 were reported injured and 28 missing after the tsunami hit around the Sunda Strait on Saturday night, the Disaster Management Agency said. The toll could continue to rise because some areas had not yet been reached. Nine hotels and hundreds of homes were heavily damaged. Broken chunks of concrete and splintered sticks of wood littered hard-hit coastal areas, turning beach getaways popular with Jakarta residents into near ghost towns. Vehicles tossed by the waves remained belly up in the rubble or were lodged in the air under collapsed roofs. Debris from thatch-bamboo shacks was strewn along beaches. Indonesia, a vast archipelago of more than 17,000 islands and home to 260 million people, lies along the “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin.</p>
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<p><strong><em>A Grinch Steals Thousands of Dollars of Christmas Trees</em></strong></p>
<p>A Grinch has hit a Vermont tree farm, stealing thousands of dollars of Christmas trees. The Caledonian Record <a href="https://www.caledonianrecord.com/news/local/grinch-strikes-barton-tree-farm/article%E2%80%94c10e2d4c-2757-59c8-a9a3-7b8041464629.html" target="—blank">reports</a> that thieves cut the lock on a chained gate last month in Barton, drove onto the lot, and stole brush and 18 to 20 trees worth an estimated $300 each. Greg Dowd, the owner of the property, says they also stole a game camera that was being used for surveillance. Dowd says the 20-foot trees that have been pruned for years were supposed to be sold to municipalities and churches in the future. He expects the thieves cut them up to use for wreaths. Dowd is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Birds Overdose in California Park After Eating Pills Dumped in Huge Pile, Rescuers Say</em></strong></p>
<p>Hundreds of pills were scattered on the grass Wednesday at a park in Huntington Beach, California, and a witness saw something even more disturbing nearby, wildlife rescuers said. A Canada goose was <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10156523180400081&id=157106350080" target="_blank">lying “in distress” in the park</a>, the Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center in Orange County wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday. The person who spotted the ailing goose called animal control officers. The nonprofit animal rescue group said it is now treating the goose and a ring-billed gull, who both lost muscle control. Their symptoms were “most likely caused by ingesting these medications,” the animal rescuers said. Rescuers have been “pushing IV fluids through (the birds) to flush” the drugs out of their bodies. Those two birds might not be the only victims. “There were other birds that may have eaten some of the pills but they were able to fly away,” animal rescuers said in the Facebook post. One photo from the scene, provided by Lisa Perrone of Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center, shows white, green, yellow, orange and blue pills of all shapes and sizes sprinkled on the grass. Another depicts a goose lying catatonic on the ground, its wings pulled in close to its body and its legs pointing straight up in the air.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Person-of-the-Year/262804348732268726.html">“The Person of the Year”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-12-23T14:06:00ZDefense Secretary James Mattis to Retire at the End of February; House Approves $5 Billion In Border Wall Funding to Avoid Government ShutdownBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Defense-Secretary-James-Mattis-to-Retire-at-the-End-of-February;-House-Approves-$5-Billion-In-Border-Wall-Funding-to-Avoid-Government-Shutdown/656374039245718623.html2018-12-21T10:09:00Z2018-12-21T10:09:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, December 21, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
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<p><strong><em>Defense Secretary James Mattis to Retire at the End of February, Trump Says</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump said Thursday evening that Defense Secretary James Mattis will be retiring in February, in a shock announcement adding to the list of the president's outgoing Cabinet members after his second year in office. Mattis will step down "with distinction" after serving in his role for two years, the president said on Twitter. "During Jim’s tenure, tremendous progress has been made, especially with respect to the purchase of new fighting equipment," Trump <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1075878793393463296" target="_blank">tweeted</a>. "General Mattis was a great help to me in getting allies and other countries to pay their share of military obligations. A new Secretary of Defense will be named shortly. I greatly thank Jim for his service!" A senior U.S. defense official told Fox News that Mattis was not pushed out of his role and this was not a forced resignation.</p>
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<p><strong><em>House Approves $5 Billion In Border Wall Funding to Avoid Government Shutdown</em></strong></p>
<p>A deeply divided House voted on Thursday to add $5 billion in border wall funding to a short-term spending bill, yielding to President Donald Trump’s demand for the money but casting further doubts upon the fate of efforts to avert a government shutdown. The bill, which the House approved by a vote of 217-185, now heads back to the Senate, which must either approve the measure or risk shutting down a quarter of the government at midnight Friday. A Senate vote is expected Friday afternoon. The House vote capped a drama-filled day that started with lawmakers anticipating quick passage of an already approved Senate funding bill, but then erupted into chaos when Trump announced he would not support the measure because it did not contain funding for the border wall one of his signature campaign promises. “I’ve made my position very clear: Any measure that funds the government must include border security,” <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-signing-h-r-2-agriculture-improvement-act-2018/">Trump said</a> at the White House. At an Oval Office meeting a few hours earlier, Trump had informed House GOP leaders that he would not sign the <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/12/19/government-shutdown-democrats-republicans-look-deal/2336303002/">Senate version</a>, sending them scrambling to deliver new legislation that included $5 billion in border wall funding.</p>
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<p><strong><em>U.S. Plans for More Than 5,000 Troops to be Withdrawn from Afghanistan</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-afghanistan-trump/us-plans-for-more-than-5000-troops-to-be-withdrawn-from-afghanistan-idUSKCN1OJ2VN">Trump is planning to withdraw</a> more than 5,000 of the 14,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, a U.S. official said on Thursday, in the latest sign Trump’s patience is thinning with America’s longest war and overseas military interventions. It is unclear how the United States will be able to fulfill the full set of missions now underway, including training Afghan forces, advising them in the field, and waging an air campaign against the Taliban and other militant groups. Instead, the United States almost certainly would have to curtail its missions, something that could provide an opportunity for a resurgent Taliban to expand their offensives across Afghanistan. Mattis had argued for maintaining a strong U.S. military presence in Afghanistan to bolster diplomatic peace efforts. He resigned shortly after U.S. officials raised the possibility that Trump would order the drawdown.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Graham Plans Resolution Urging Trump to Change Mind on Syria</em></strong></p>
<p>Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) plans to introduce a resolution calling on President Trump to reverse his decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria, the senator said Thursday. “Mr. President, you have a chance to change course. You’ve got a lot of bipartisan support to do so. Take advantage of it,” Graham said at a news conference alongside Sens. Jack Reed (R.I.) and Bob Menendez (N.J.), the top Democrats on the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees respectively. Graham, a staunch Trump ally, has been among the most vocal critics of the president’s Wednesday declaration of victory against ISIS in Syria and the decision to send home the 2,000 U.S. troops in the country. The decision received bipartisan backlash, both because the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) continues to hold territory in Syria and because of the haphazard way it was made. Congress was not notified ahead of time, and the Pentagon appeared to be caught off guard as well. On Thursday morning, Trump <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/422215-trump-getting-out-of-syria-no-surprise">defended his decision</a> on Twitter asking, "Does the USA want to be the Policeman of the Middle East." "Russia, Iran, Syria & many others are not happy about the U.S. leaving, despite what the Fake News says, because now they will have to fight ISIS and others, who they hate, without us," Trump added.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Dow Drops 470 Points to 14-Month Low in Second Day of Big Losses Following Fed Rate Hike</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. stocks swooned for a second day Thursday after the <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/federal-reserve/">Federal Reserve</a> <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/19/fed-hikes-rates-by-a-quarter-point-.html">raised benchmark interest rates</a> and said that it would continue to let its massive balance sheet shrink at the current pace. Fears of a government shutdown also sent stocks tumbling to new lows Thursday afternoon. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 464.06 points to 22,859.6, bringing its two-day declines to more than 800 points and its 5-day losses to more than 1,700 points. The S&P 500 fell 1.5 percent to finish at 2,467.41 as technology stocks underperformed. The Nasdaq Composite fell 1.6 percent and closed at 6,528.41. The Nasdaq is 19.7 percent below its recent high. Companies in the S&P 500 have lost a total of $2.39 trillion in market cap this month. The Dow and Nasdaq posted their lowest closes since October 2017, while the S&P 500 finished at its lowest level since September 2017. The Dow and S&P 500, which are both in corrections, are on track for their worst December performance since the Great Depression in 1931, down more than 10 percent each this month. The S&P 500 is now in the red for 2018 by 7.7 percent.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Survey: Professors Out of Step with Everyday Americans on Trump's Foreign Policy</em></strong></p>
<p>A recent poll shows that 93 percent of college and university employees believe that America is “less respected” under President Donald Trump than before his time in the White House. The pollster, the <a href="https://trip.wm.edu/about-us">Teaching, Resource, and International Policy Project</a> (TRIP) at the College of William and Mary in Virginia, seeks to “compare scholarship and pedagogy to see whether or not scholars teach the same paradigms, methods, issue areas and regions that they employ and examine in their own research.” Of the <a href="https://trip.wm.edu/data/our-surveys/snap-polls/Representativeness%20writeup.pdf">1,157 university employees</a> who responded to TRIP’s most recent poll, 93 percent believed that America is “less respected” under Trump's leadership. These figures, fielded in October, are notably higher than those of a similar survey of the general population released by the <a href="https://www.thechicagocouncil.org/publication/america-engaged">Chicago Council on Global Affairs</a> during the same month. In that survey, 56 percent of Americans polled by the council purported to believe that U.S. “relations with other countries are worsening.” A 2017 TRIP <a href="https://trip.wm.edu/charts/#/fullreport/44">survey</a> reveals that only nine percent of professors surveyed identify as economically “somewhat conservative,” while 42 percent call themselves “somewhat liberal,” and 23 percent call themselves “very liberal.” “Very conservative” professors made up less than two percent of the sample.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Nation of Islam Defends Federal Funding for Prison Lectures as a 'Blessing' to Prisoners</em></strong></p>
<p>The Nation of Islam defiantly defended its government-funded work teaching religion to federal prisoners on Thursday, calling the program “a great benefit and blessing to the American Penal System.” A black nationalist group led by Louis Farrakhan, the Nation of Islam preaches that white people are “blue-eyed devils” and Jews are “the synagogue of Satan." Its leaders have received at least $364,500 in contracts and awards from the U.S. Bureau of Prisons and the Department of Justice between fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2019, the <em>Washington</em> <em>Examiner</em> <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/exclusive-nation-of-islam-receiving-federal-cash-to-teach-prisoners" target="_blank">first reported on Wednesday</a>. Demetric Muhammad, a long-time leader in the Nation of Islam Research Group, wrote a vehement defense of the group’s contract work with the Bureau of Prisons. “The Nation of Islam, which is comprised of tax paying citizens, has a right to do business with the American government," wrote Muhammad on <a href="http://researchminister.com/" target="_blank">ResearchMinister.com</a>. “As effective as Minister Farrakhan’s message is and has been, it should be supported with the resources it needs to remain a strong presence within the prison system.”</p>
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<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Person-of-the-Year/262804348732268726.html">“The Person of the Year”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-12-21T10:09:00ZRussia's Putin Warns Over Nuclear War; Paul Ryan Delivers Farewell AddressBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Russias-Putin-Warns-Over-Nuclear-War;-Paul-Ryan-Delivers-Farewell-Address/-80164214025163432.html2018-12-20T12:34:00Z2018-12-20T12:34:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, December 20, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
<p><strong><em><br /><br />Russia's Putin Warns Over Nuclear War</em></strong></p>
<p>Vladimir Putin held his end-of-year news conference Thursday for members of the media, a pageantry-laden and heavily-scripted annual event in Moscow where the Russian president fields dozens of questions on domestic and foreign policy. Russia's leader said President Donald Trump's decision to terminate the <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/10/21/russian-reaction-nuclear-arms-treaty-withdrawal/1721250002/">1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces, or INF, Treaty</a> an arms control accord between the United States and Russia – increased the threat of a nuclear war and that a conflict of that caliber "could lead to the destruction of civilization as a whole and maybe even our planet." Putin noted, citing Western security analysts, that if the U.S. decides to put intermediate-range ballistic missiles in Europe, any launch of such a missile could be mistaken for the launch of a nuclear-tipped one and trigger a global catastrophe.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Paul Ryan Delivers Farewell Address</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>House Speaker Paul Ryan bemoaned America's "broken politics" <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/paul-ryan-speaker-of-house-farewell-address-speech-leaves-congress-today-12-19-2018-live-stream/">in a farewell speech</a> Wednesday and called Washington's failure to overhaul costly federal benefit programs "our greatest unfinished business." "Our complex problems are solvable," Ryan said. "That is to say, our problems are solvable if our politics will allow it." But he admits that as he leaves office, he's been stymied by this. "The drivers of our broken politics are more obvious than the solutions," Ryan said, and, "the state of politics these days is another question, and frankly one I don't have an answer for." As Congress is closing out the year with a fight over funding for President Trump's border wall, Ryan urged his colleagues to think bigger, saying "no matter what the outcome is in the coming days, the larger problem will remain." Noting that Trump's signature border wall is just one aspect of improving the nation's immigration system, Ryan said that Congress needs to modernize the visa system, find a solution for both the DACA recipients who "came here as no fault of their own," and "ultimately the undocumented population." Ryan also pressed his party to pursue "good free trade agreements that open up new markets to American-made products." The Wisconsin Republican and former vice presidential candidate spoke at the Library of Congress, across the street from the Capitol where he served two decades in the House of Representatives. It was the same location where he laid out his vision three years ago when he became House Speaker. More than two dozen members of Congress, as well as the men and women who have served on Ryan's staff over the years, came to witness his final speech.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Federal Judge Strikes Down Trump Asylum Rules for Domestic and Gang Violence Victims</em></strong></p>
<p>A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed Justice Department policies that made it harder for immigrants to claim asylum because of domestic violence or gang violence, finding the policies violated existing law. Judge Emmet Sullivan of the U.S. District Court in Washington ruled the harsher Justice Department policies ordered by former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions were "arbitrary, capricious and in violation of the immigration laws." Because "it is the will of Congress — not the whims of the Executive that determines the standard for expedited removal, the Court finds that those policies are unlawful," Sullivan wrote in his 107-page decision. He permanently blocked the government "from continuing to apply those policies and from removing plaintiffs who are currently in the United States without first providing credible fear determinations consistent with the immigration laws," and ordered the feds "to return to the United States the plaintiffs who were unlawfully deported and to provide them with new credible fear determinations consistent with the immigration laws." The ruling was hailed by the American Civil Liberties Union, which had challenged DOJ's "expedited removal" policies in court.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Administration Aims to Toughen Work Requirements for Food Stamps Recipients</em></strong></p>
<p>The Trump administration <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/trump-administration-aims-to-toughen-work-requirements-for-food-stamps-recipients/2018/12/20/cf687136-03e6-11e9-b6a9-0aa5c2fcc9e4_story.html?stream=top&utm_campaign=newsletter_axiosam&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_term=.5ff3d81852b2">unveiled a plan Thursday</a> to force hundreds of thousands more Americans to hold jobs if they want to keep receiving food stamps, pursuing through executive powers what it could not achieve in Congress. The country’s food assistance program, which is run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, already requires most adults without dependents to work if they collect food stamps for more than three months in a three-year period. But USDA regulations allow states to waive the requirement in areas with unemployment rates that were at least 20 percent greater than the national rate. The USDA is now proposing that states could waive the requirement only in areas where unemployment is above 7 percent. The current national unemployment rate stands at 3.7 percent. Approximately 2.8 million able-bodied recipients without children or an ailing person in their care were not working in 2016, according to the USDA’s latest numbers. Roughly 755,000 live in areas that stand to lose the waivers.</p>
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<p><strong><em>U.S. to Withdraw All American Troops in Syria</em></strong></p>
<p>The Trump administration will soon withdraw all of the approximately 2,000 American <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/us-to-withdraw-all-american-troops-in-syria-official-says">troops from Syria</a>, a U.S. official said Wednesday as President Donald Trump declared victory in the mission to defeat Islamic State militants there. Planning for the pullout has begun and troops will begin leaving as soon as possible, said the official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss military planning and spoke on condition of anonymity. On Wednesday, as Vice President Mike Pence met with top military leaders in the Pentagon, Trump tweeted: "We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency." That declaration of victory is far from unanimous. The decision will fulfill Trump's long-stated goal of bringing troops home from Syria, but military leaders have pushed back, arguing that the IS group remains a threat and could regroup as it battles in Syria's long-running civil war. Trump has argued for the withdrawal since he was a presidential candidate. But the decision underscores the division between him and his military advisers, who have said in recent weeks that pockets of IS militants remain and U.S. policy has been to keep troops in place until the extremists are eradicated. Leading Republican senators reacted with displeasure to the news. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, typically a Trump backer, said he was "blindsided" by the report and called the decision "a disaster in the making." He said, "The biggest winners in this are ISIS and Iran."</p>
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<p><strong><em>Congressman Castro Demands Top Border Official Resign After Migrant Girl's Death</em></strong></p>
<p>Democratic Rep. Joaquín Castro <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/congressman-castro-demands-top-border-official-resign-after-migrant-girl-n949651">issued a call</a> for the head of Customs and Border Protection to step down for failing to speedily report the death of a 7-year-old girl while in border officials' custody. Castro made the demand Tuesday after he and 11 other members of Congress visited border facilities to find out more about the death of Jakelin Caal Maquin. “Based on my conversations with him, based on his conduct I believe he should step down,” Castro said of Commissioner Kevin McAleenan at a news conference outside the Lordsburg station. Castro has previously criticized McAleenan for failing to advise Congress of Jakelin’s death within the 24 hours required by law or mentioning it when he testified before Congress last week. McAleenan has said he didn’t want to politicize her death.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Colorado Baker Back in Court Over 2nd LGBT Bias Allegation</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/colorado-baker-back-in-court-over-2nd-lgbt-bias-allegation">Attorneys for a Colorado baker</a> who refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple on religious grounds, a stand partially upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, argued in federal court that the state is punishing him again over his refusal to bake a cake celebrating a gender transition. Lawyers for Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop in suburban Denver, are suing to try to stop the state from taking action against him over the new discrimination allegation. They say the state is treating Phillips with hostility because of his Christian faith and pressing a complaint that they call an "obvious setup." "At this point, he's just a guy who is trying to get back to life. The problem is the state of Colorado won't let him," Jim Campbell, an attorney for the Alliance Defending Freedom, said after the hearing. The conservative Christian nonprofit law firm is representing Phillips. State officials argued for the case to be dismissed, but the judge said he was inclined to let the case move forward and would issue a written ruling later. The Colorado Civil Rights Commission said Phillips discriminated against Denver attorney Autumn Scardina because she's transgender. Phillips' shop refused to make a cake last year that was blue on the outside and pink on the inside after Scardina revealed she wanted it to celebrate her transition from male to female.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Amy Schumer Takes Credit for Stars' Super Bowl Halftime Show Boycott</em></strong></p>
<p>Amy Schumer gave herself a pat on the back, taking credit for no artists collaborating with Maroon 5 at the Super Bowl LIII halftime show. "I have done 2 Super Bowl commercials in the last couple years and I'm so stupid thinking my opinion would matter, right? Well guess what? I may have made a difference," the 37-year-old "Snatched" star <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BrkjxQZlvLJ/" target="_top">wrote on Instagram</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span> "No one is stepping up to perform. Maybe they wouldn't have anyway. But at least I tried to help out and do what other people are too greedy or afraid to." Schumer called out artists in an effort to block them from performing at the Super Bowl Halftime Show in an effort to protest the NFL's treatment of players who kneel during the national anthem a protest in itself against police brutality against people of color. So far, no artists have credited Schumer with influencing their decisions.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Person-of-the-Year/262804348732268726.html">“The Person of the Year”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-12-20T12:34:00ZThousands of Migrant Children Could Be Released Under Newly Relaxed Trump Policy; Bump Stock BanBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Thousands-of-Migrant-Children-Could-Be-Released-Under-Newly-Relaxed-Trump-Policy;-Bump-Stock-Ban/-164616283325534369.html2018-12-19T12:37:00Z2018-12-19T12:37:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, December 19, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Thousands of Migrant Children Could Be Released Under Newly Relaxed Trump Policy</em></strong></p>
<p>The Trump administration is loosening some of the vetting requirements for sponsors of migrant children, potentially clearing the way for thousands of children to be released from custody. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) late Tuesday said it will drop a requirement that everyone in a sponsor's household be fingerprinted and receive an extensive criminal background check. HHS admitted the extensive vetting was taking too long and was not helping to improve the safety of children. Starting immediately, only the sponsors will continue to be fingerprinted and run through FBI and state databases and through Department of Homeland Security arrest records. The administration has come under fire for the policy, which immigration advocates say has resulted in thousands of children remaining in HHS custody for longer than necessary. The requirement was first put into place in June. “The children should be home with their parents. The government makes lousy parents,” Lynn Johnson, assistant secretary of HHS’s Administration for Children and Families, said in an <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/12/18/677894942/several-thousand-migrant-children-in-u-s-custody-could-be-released-before-christ">interview</a> with National Public Radio. Johnson told NPR there are about 2,000 children in the shelter system who are ready to be released to already vetted parents in the next 4 to 5 days. There are currently close to 15,000 unaccompanied migrant children in government custody.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Bump Stock Ban</em></strong></p>
<p>Yesterday, the Trump administration <a href="https://link.theskimm.com/click/15457052.1281973/aHR0cHM6Ly9za2ltbXRoLmlzLzJMcUpidms/5bae7dac2ddf9c633bc33580Bcab4712f" target="_blank">banned</a> the sale of bump stocks. Earlier this year, the DOJ <a href="https://link.theskimm.com/click/15457052.1281973/aHR0cHM6Ly9za2ltbXRoLmlzLzJRR0pSNVM/5bae7dac2ddf9c633bc33580Ba620bf06" target="_blank">proposed this rule</a> in response to the deadly 2017 Las Vegas shooting, where the gunman used bump stocks. Reminder: bump stocks are an attachment that allows semi-automatic weapons to fire rapidly. But while semi-automatic weapons are legal in most states, automatic weapons (like machine guns) aren't. And the admin says the combo of bump stocks plus semi-automatic weapons equals a machine gun. Lawmakers have threatened to ban bump stocks. They didn't. Now the admin is taking charge. This new regulation is set to take effect in late March, and people will have 90 days to destroy their bump stocks or turn them in. The NRA says it is "<a href="https://link.theskimm.com/click/15457052.1281973/aHR0cHM6Ly9za2ltbXRoLmlzLzJSYm1xQmY/5bae7dac2ddf9c633bc33580Bc5d727d2" target="_blank">disappointed</a>" and there will likely be legal challenges that could take the issue to court. The DOJ says it's prepared to fight any challenges that may come.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Sentencing Delayed in Michael Flynn Case After Judge Blasts Ex-National Security Advisor</em></strong></p>
<p>Michael Flynn’s sentencing in the special counsel’s case was delayed for 90 days on Tuesday during a hearing that saw the judge handling the case question whether the former national security advisor committed treason against the U.S. Flynn’s lawyer, Robert Kelner, took Judge Emmet Sullivan up on an offer to delay sentencing until the retired lieutenant general finishes his cooperation with prosecutors handling other criminal investigations. The delay comes as a surprise since Flynn’s team appeared poised to go through with sentencing at the beginning of Tuesday’s hearing. The special counsel’s office had recommended that Flynn be sentenced to the low end of a zero to six-month sentencing guideline because of his “substantial cooperation” with prosecutors. But those plans seemingly went awry after Sullivan lambasted Flynn for lying to the FBI and for working as an unregistered foreign agent of Turkey. “Arguably, you sold your country out,” Sullivan <a href="https://twitter.com/stevenportnoy/status/1075072332853624844" target="_blank">said</a> at one point during Flynn’s sentencing. Flynn will appear in court again on March 13.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Fewer Americans List Immigration, Health Care as Country’s Top Problems After Midterms</em></strong></p>
<p>Fewer Americans say immigration and health care are the country’s most pressing problems in the first survey since November’s midterm elections. A <a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/245513/healthcare-immigration-down-important-problem.aspx?utm_source=alert&utm_medium=email&utm_content=morelink&utm_campaign=syndication" target="_blank">new Gallup poll</a> shows 16 percent of Americans believe immigration is the nation’s top problem, down from 21 percent in November, and 5 percent say the most important issue is health care, down from 11 percent last month. About the same amount of people say the top problem facing the U.S. is some aspect of the federal government, at 19 percent in the new poll compared to 18 percent who said the same in November. Americans polled are less satisfied now than in November with how the country is doing overall. About 31 percent are currently satisfied with the way things are going in the U.S., compared to 35 percent last month. The drop was largely fueled by Republicans and Independents, while Democrats’ satisfaction held firm at 8 percent. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Clinton Foundation Exec Mocks Trump Foundation Closing Amid Legal Trouble</em></strong></p>
<p>An executive with the Clinton Foundation on Tuesday mocked President Trump amid news that his own charity is closing amid ongoing legal trouble. The Donald J. Trump Foundation <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/421874-trump-charity-agrees-to-dissolve-amid-allegations-of-a-shocking" target="_blank">agreed to dissolve</a> under judicial supervision following allegations from the New York attorney general’s office that Trump used the charity for political and personal gain. Craig Minassian, the Clinton Foundation’s chief communications and marketing officer, responded on Twitter by sharing a photo of the Energizer bunny — a symbol of durability. New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood’s (D) office <a href="https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/ag-underwood-announces-stipulation-dissolving-trump-foundation-under-judicial">announced</a> that it would continue to pursue a lawsuit filed in June against the foundation. “Our petition detailed a shocking pattern of illegality involving the Trump Foundation – including unlawful coordination with the Trump presidential campaign, repeated and willful self-dealing, and much more," Underwood said in a statement. "This amounted to the Trump Foundation functioning as little more than a checkbook to serve Mr. Trump’s business and political interests." Underwood accuses Trump of using charitable funds to pay off legal obligations, to pay off Trump hotels, support his 2016 presidential campaign and to buy personal items. The lawsuit seeks $2.8 million in restitution plus penalties. It would also block Trump and his three oldest children, Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Eric Trump from serving on the boards of other New York charities.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Rep. Martha McSally Appointed by Arizona Governor to Senate Seat Held by John McCain</em></strong></p>
<p>Republican Rep. Martha McSally, just weeks after losing one of the midterms' tightest and most contentious Senate races, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/rep-martha-mcsally-appointed-to-open-arizona-senate-seat">was appointed</a> by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Tuesday to fill the state’s other U.S. Senate seat. McSally will serve for at least the next two years in the seat that was held by longtime Arizona Sen. John McCain until his death in August. “With her experience and long record of service, Martha is uniquely qualified to step up and fight for Arizona’s interests in the U.S. Senate,” Ducey said in a statement. Ducey had appointed former Sen. Jon Kyl to the seat in September, but Kyl, after serving for several months, announced plans to resign at the end of the year. According to Ducey’s office, Kyl’s resignation will be effective Dec. 31. McSally was defeated by Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema in this year’s midterm election for the seat held by retiring GOP Sen. Jeff Flake. Her appointment means she will now serve alongside her opponent, something Ducey noted in his statement. McSally will serve until the 2020 election when voters will elect someone to serve the final two years of McCain's term.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Criminal Justice Reform</em></strong></p>
<p>The Senate just passed a <a href="https://link.theskimm.com/click/15457052.1281973/aHR0cHM6Ly9za2ltbXRoLmlzLzJFQko0d3g/5bae7dac2ddf9c633bc33580B80857527" target="_blank">sweeping criminal justice bill</a>. The U.S. has the highest incarceration rate in the world. For years, lawmakers have been trying to make changes to the criminal justice system to help fix that problem. Now, senators are checking that off their to-do list. The <a href="https://link.theskimm.com/click/15457052.1281973/aHR0cHM6Ly9za2ltbXRoLmlzLzJTZVhCQkg/5bae7dac2ddf9c633bc33580B5a64bd7d" target="_blank">new bill</a> includes things like more rehab programs for inmates, shortening mandatory minimum sentences for some drug-related crimes, providing sanitary products to female inmates, and making sure inmates are within 500 miles of family. The House and President Trump still have to OK the bill. If that all goes smoothly, it'll be a major bipartisan win, where people on both sides of the aisle came together. All before we get a divided government in 2019.</p>
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<p><strong><em>California Man, Previously Deported in 2014, Goes on 24-Hour 'Reign of Terror' Before Dying in Police Chase</em></strong></p>
<p>A 36-year-old man who had been deported at least once and who owned a lengthy rap sheet died Monday <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/california-man-previously-deported-in-2014-goes-on-24-hour-reign-of-terror-before-dying-in-police-chase">after a day-long "reign of terror"</a> in which he shot and killed someone, carjacked another person and led California police on a dangerous high-speed pursuit. Gustavo Garcia, of Visalia, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on State Route 65 in Porterville when he was ejected from a stolen truck. Four others were injured, including one person who was in critical. Garcia, who was deported in 2014, had engaged in a gun battle with police and purposely tried to smash into other cars during the chase, officials said. “We have one man that essentially [has] been on a personal reign of terror,” Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said at a news conference. Garcia has a lengthy criminal record that dates back to 2002, including charges for illegal firearm possession and meth, according to the Fresno Bee. Before his 2014 deportation, Garcia had three Immigration and Customs Enforcement violations. Boudreaux wouldn’t confirm Garcia's immigration status at the time of his death or what country Garcia originated from.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Person-of-the-Year/262804348732268726.html">“The Person of the Year”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-12-19T12:37:00ZComey Rips Trump, GOP Over 'Lying'; Flynn Heads to Sentencing, with 'Good Luck' Wish from TrumpBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Comey-Rips-Trump-GOP-Over-Lying;-Flynn-Heads-to-Sentencing-with-Good-Luck-Wish-from-Trump/717645021484674498.html2018-12-18T13:25:00Z2018-12-18T13:25:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, December 18, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
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<p><strong><em>Flynn Heads to Sentencing, with ‘Good Luck’ Wish from Trump</em></strong></p>
<p>Michael Flynn will likely walk out of a courtroom a free man due to his extensive cooperation with federal prosecutors, but the run-up to his sentencing hearing Tuesday has exposed raw tensions over an FBI interview in which he lied about his Russian contacts. The former Trump national security adviser’s lawyers have suggested that investigators discouraged him from having an attorney present during the January 2017 interview and never informed him it was a crime to lie. Prosecutors shot back, “He does not need to be warned it is a crime to lie to federal agents to know the importance of telling them the truth.” On Monday evening, the dispute — and a judge’s intervention — led prosecutors to publicly file a <a href="http://apne.ws/xfm8IsO">redacted copy</a> of the notes from Flynn’s FBI interview that largely bolster the case, showing he told agents things he later said were false. Trump wished Flynn “Good luck” in court on Tuesday. “Will be interesting to see what he has to say, despite tremendous pressure being put on him, about Russian Collusion in our great and, obviously, highly successful political campaign. There was no Collusion!” Trump tweeted hours before Flynn was to be sentenced.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Mueller Releases Memo Summarizing FBI's Interview with Michael Flynn</em></strong></p>
<p>Special counsel Robert Mueller <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/17/politics/mueller-memo-michael-flynn-interview/index.html">has released a January 2017 memo</a> detailing the FBI's interview that month with Michael Flynn a moment that led to a high-profile criminal case against the former Trump national security adviser. In the interview described in the memo, Flynn lied about his contact during the presidential transition in 2016 with then-Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak. At times, Flynn offered the FBI agents more benign descriptions of what he and Kislyak had said about Russian policy. In all, the newly released memo shows clear examples of Flynn denying he had made policy requests of Russia, and the agents prodding him toward fuller descriptions of the calls. The release of the memo Monday night on the eve of Flynn's criminal sentencing for lying to investigators sets up a clearer picture of what he said to the FBI agents in January 2017. Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to investigators in that interview and about his lobbying for the Turkish government. He will likely face zero to six months in prison, though Mueller's team has asked the judge to give him no prison time because he has helped their investigation, along with other federal probes.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Poll Shows That Just One-Third Say Women Made 'Major Gains' Toward Equality in Past Year</em></strong></p>
<p>Just over a third of Americans say they believe there were “major gains” in the past year in the push toward gender equality, according to a poll released Monday. An <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/meet-the-press/poll-just-third-americans-see-major-gains-toward-women-s-n948831?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma" target="_blank">NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll</a> found that 36 percent of Americans said women's rights achieved “major gains” in 2018, while 49 percent said the year featured “minor” progress toward equality. Fourteen percent of respondents said they did not believe the movement for women’s equality advanced at all in 2018, according to the poll. Responses among men and women were nearly identical in regards to 2018, the poll found, but half of men said there have been major gains over the past 10 years toward equality, compared to 42 percent of women. The poll also found that while a majority of Democratic men and Republican men, as well as 49 percent of Republican women, described the past year's gains as "major," 59 percent of Democratic women characterized the progress as "minor." </p>
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<p><strong><em>Comey Rips Trump, GOP Over 'Lying'</em></strong></p>
<p>Former FBI Director James Comey on Monday railed against <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/421745-comey-rips-trump-gop-over-lying">President Trump and his Republican allies in Congress</a>, arguing their attacks on the FBI made no sense. Comey slammed GOP lawmakers for remaining silent while he said Trump disregarded the rule of law. "So another day of Hillary Clinton’s emails and the Steele dossier,” Comey told reporters after he was interviewed for roughly six hours behind closed doors. “This while the president of the United States is lying about the FBI, attacking the FBI and attacking the rule of law in this country. How does that make any sense?” In biting comments, Comey characterized GOP lawmakers as too cowardly to stand up for the FBI for fear of political backlash. “Republicans used to understand that the actions of a president matter, the words of a president matter, the rule of law matters, and the truth matters. Where are those Republicans today,” Comey said. “At some point, someone has to stand up and in the fear of Fox News and fear of their base, and fear of mean tweets, stand up for the values of this country and not slink away into retirement.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Robert De Niro Slams Trump White House: 'Like a Nightmare You Remember'</em></strong></p>
<p>Robert De Niro on Monday continued an ongoing tirade against President Trump, comparing his time in office to "a nightmare you remember." The 75-year-old actor <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cnn/videos/vb.5550296508/320774015186161/?type=2&theater">told CNN</a> that Trump's tenure in the White House will be "one of those things" that people will look back on years from now, and recall, "Remember all that stuff, how terrible it was?" De Niro, who portrays Special Counsel Robert Mueller on "Saturday Night Live" said what's happening in the world is something he "never thought" he'd experience during his lifetime. He said he's become so outspoken against the president and his administration because he knows "what kind of person this guy is." "He's a New Yorker who I never would want to meet, never want to meet him, and now he's president," the "Raging Bull" actor said. "And the reason I wouldn't want to meet him is because of the kind of person he is. As we all know now, there's nothing new. It's disgraceful, but we'll get past it." De Niro has often been critical of Trump, saying <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/robert-de-niro-says-hes-offended-by-behavior-of-trump-republicans-in-general">during an interview in October</a> with fellow "SNL" guest star Alec Baldwin that he's "so offended" by the 45th president.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Marines Testify About Antifa Mob Attack in Philadelphia</em></strong></p>
<p>Two alleged Antifa activists accused of attacking a pair of Marines in Philadelphia were ordered to stand trial just after Christmas on aggravated assault and conspiracy charges following a dramatic day of testimony last week in which the Marines described being beaten and called ethnic slurs. U.S. Marine Corps reservists Alejandro Godinez and Luis Torres, dressed in their military uniforms, testified Thursday against suspects Thomas Massey and Tom Keenan, who were allegedly part of a larger group of left-wing Antifa activists who began beating the Marines after mistaking them for participants in a November "We the People" rally in Old City. The two Marines testified they were in Philadelphia to attend a Marine event at a local hotel and were touring attractions around the city when they were approached by Keenan, who allegedly asked the men if they were “Proud Boys” an allusion to one of the right-wing groups behind the Nov. 17 rally, the <a href="https://www.phillymag.com/news/2018/12/13/marines-assaulted-philadelphia-keenan-massey-antifa/?amp=1&__twitter_impression=true" target="_blank">Philly Mag</a> reported.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Ohio Police Officer Pens Emotional Plea to Speeders After Ticketing Teen for Driving 100 Mph</em></strong></p>
<p>An Ohio police officer told a teenager "you're welcome" in an <a href="https://www.facebook.com/North-Ridgeville-Police-Department-189080547779140/?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARAuTgDOA5SwnCeVnQSbWu-_DeN-eba0BM6M2ExpoK_R4ru7ElpfzmVN2KE3UMS_lqV6peaCYkN1TXfOBYMYp1F6dZ0D8LMUT8saUeq9QwX2mHowr8Ruui-g8zoLQ7sr9eTK338p0GPYvCsyM5CEBgx-dL-yrMvBNImTe9HoTgaD5jqanciB-H1DtYTeBPA4ajtMDWrNa5h9a3sdkeIUuIF12Z5kueL78EztDyIky_8u8y5tezjEUxsUpPeHBwUF9lPpnq2GItlbM-t31gzkSK6Nu3NS7MOlmeHhNRuoxWZVDsi-D8XYvyehtd4K9Sl46w0ybp1unnuAEtjdUvZzdTF2Rg&__tn__=k*F&tn-str=k*F" target="_blank">open letter on Facebook</a> Sunday after issuing the 18-year-old a speeding ticket on State Route 10. And the cop hopes other lead-footed drivers will take note. When the officer who was not identified in the post with the North Ridgeville Police Department pulled the teenager over for speeding, the driver claimed to not realize how fast he or she was going. But the officer immediately knew that wasn't true. In fact, the official said it should be pretty obvious you're speeding when you hit 100 miles per hour in a 65 mile-per-hour zone. The officer said the teen was just "minutes away" from causing a Christmas tragedy, potentially harming him or herself as well as others on the road. It was clear the teen was upset "visibly shaking and breathing hard" after being pulled over by the patrol car, but that wasn't the right reason to panic, the cop added.</p>
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<p><strong><em>U.S. Border Agents Will Not Speak to Lawmakers About Girl's Death</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. Border Patrol agents who detained a 7-year-old Guatemalan migrant girl who later died in federal custody will not speak with U.S. lawmakers investigating her death, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said on Monday, citing their union membership. Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus on Tuesday plan to visit the New Mexico patrol station where Jakelin Caal and her father were taken on Dec. 7 to learn more about why she died the next day. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-border/us-border-agents-will-not-speak-to-lawmakers-about-girls-death-idUSKBN1OH097">Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said</a> it showed the dangers of her journey and the family’s decision to cross the border illegally. U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro, a Democrat who leads the Hispanic Caucus, said lawmakers needed to see how Border Patrol stations were equipped to protect the health and safety of migrants. The lawmakers want to question agents who were present when Caal became ill. DHS said the majority of agents involved in the girl’s detention were union members and, as such, their duties did not include speaking to members of Congress.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Person-of-the-Year/262804348732268726.html">“The Person of the Year”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-12-18T13:25:00ZHungarians Rally Again Against 'Slave Laws'; Poll: Two-Thirds of Iowa Republicans Say They Would Vote to Reelect TrumpBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Hungarians-Rally-Again-Against-Slave-Laws;-Poll:-Two-Thirds-of-Iowa-Republicans-Say-They-Would-Vote-to-Reelect-Trump/829588800453832919.html2018-12-17T12:22:00Z2018-12-17T12:22:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Monday, December 17, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
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<p><strong><em>Top Republican Predicts Flynn Guilty Plea Will Be Thrown Out, Citing FBI 'Misconduct'</em></strong></p>
<p>A day before fired FBI Director James Comey is set to again testify behind closed doors with House Republicans, a party leader is predicting that Special Counsel Robert Mueller's case against ex-National Security Adviser Michael Flynn will soon be thrown out of court. California Republican Rep. Darrell Issa <a href="https://video.foxnews.com/v/5980119751001/?#sp=show-clips">told Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures"</a> that the FBI had "tricked" Flynn into not having a lawyer and had improperly "post-dated" documents to "morph" them into critical evidence against him. He promised Comey would face tough questioning about the episode. "Tomorrow is going to be a very different day for Comey, particularly in light of what we've learned -- the misconduct during the Flynn investigation was all about, thanks to a judge that demanded to understand what had happened," Issa told host Maria Bartiromo, referring to U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan's <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/flynn-judge-orders-mueller-to-turn-over-fbi-docs-after-bombshell-filing-claiming-he-was-pressured-by-agents">order last week</a> that led Mueller to turn over key documents in the case. In <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/flynn-says-fbi-advised-him-against-having-lawyer-present-during-questioning-that-led-to-false-statements-charge">explosive court documents filed last week by Flynn's legal team</a>, it was revealed that FBI agents in his case deliberately did not instruct Flynn that any false statements he made could constitute a crime, and decided not to "confront" him directly about anything he said that contradicted their knowledge of his wiretapped communications with former Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Hungarians Rally Again Against 'Slave Laws'</em></strong></p>
<p>About 10,000 people have rallied in Hungary's capital Budapest against new labor laws, which have been labelled "slave" legislation by opponents. The crowds marched towards parliament and the state TV headquarters, in what was the fourth and largest protest since the laws were passed last week. Police fired tear gas to disperse protesters near the TV station. New rules mean companies can demand up to 400 hours of overtime a year and delay payment for it for three years. The government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban says the labor reform will benefit workers as well as companies who need to fill a labor shortage. Sunday's demonstration was led by trade unionists and students. The event was dubbed "Happy Xmas Prime Minister". Mr Orban is seen by his opponents as becoming increasingly authoritarian.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Mick Mulvaney, New Chief of Staff, Once Called Trump 'Terrible Human Being'</em></strong></p>
<p>Mick Mulvaney, who was <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/12/14/donald-trumps-next-chief-staff-could-mission-impossible/2280265002/">tapped this week</a> to replace Gen. John Kelly as the president's acting chief of staff, once called Donald Trump a "terrible human being." While campaigning to retain his South Carolina House seat during the 2016 election, Mulvaney denounced Trump, who is now his direct boss. Still, Mulvaney said he was forced to support the then-Republican nominee because the alternative was Democrat Hillary Clinton. "We have perhaps <a href="https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article112195367.html">two of the most flawed human beings running for president in the history of the country</a>," Mulvaney said during a forum with Democratic challenger Fran Person, according to the local newspaper, The State. "Yes, I am supporting Donald Trump, but I’m doing so as enthusiastically as I can, given the fact that I think he’s a terrible human being. But the choice on the other side is just as bad," Mulvaney continued. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Poll: Two-Thirds of Iowa Republicans Say They Would Vote to Reelect Trump</em></strong></p>
<p>About two-thirds of Iowa Republicans say they would vote for President Trump if the 2020 election was held today, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/16/politics/cnn-poll-iowa-republicans-trump/index.html">according to a new CNN/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll.</a> The survey, which was released on Sunday night, found that 67 percent of the state's Republican voters said they would vote for Trump if the election were held today. Nineteen percent of GOP voters said they would consider someone else, while 10 percent said they would definitely vote for someone else. But the poll also reveals that 63 percent of Republican voters said that the Republican Party of Iowa should welcome challengers to compete at the Iowa 2020 caucuses. Twenty-six percent said that the Republican Party of Iowa should discourage potential candidates challenging Trump. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Adviser: We Will ‘Do Whatever Is Necessary to Build the Border Wall’</em></strong></p>
<p>White House senior adviser Stephen Miller on Sunday said <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/16/border-wall-stephen-miller-trump-shutdown-1066802">the Trump administration would “do whatever is necessary” to build its signature wall</a> on the U.S.-Mexico border, even if it means shutting down the government. “We're going to do whatever is necessary to build the border wall to stop this ongoing crisis of illegal immigration,” Miller, a well-known immigration hard-liner, said in an interview on CBS' “Face the Nation.” Asked by interviewer Margaret Brennan whether that meant forcing a partial government shutdown, Miller replied, “If it comes to it, absolutely.” Building a border wall to stop illegal immigration, and making Mexico pay for it, was a signature issue in President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign. Funding the wall is at the epicenter of a battle over funding a slew of federal agencies that will come to a head later this week. Funding for numerous federal agencies, including the Homeland Security Department, runs out after Friday — though the majority of the government, including massive bureaucracies like the Defense Department, Health and Human Services and the Department of Veterans Affairs, is already fully funded through next fall. Trump has demanded $5 billion for the wall as part of a deal to prevent a shutdown.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump: Cohen Only Became a ‘Rat’ After FBI Did Something ‘Absolutely Unthinkable’</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump said on Sunday that his former personal attorney Michael Cohen only became a "rat" after the FBI did something "absolutely unthinkable." "Remember, Michael Cohen only became a "Rat" after the FBI did something which was absolutely unthinkable & unheard of until the Witch Hunt was illegally started," Trump tweeted. "They BROKE INTO AN ATTORNEY’S OFFICE! Why didn’t they break into the DNC to get the Server, or Crooked’s office?" Trump calling his former attorney a "rat" comes after Cohen went on ABC and <a href="https://freebeacon.com/politics/cohen-i-hope-to-be-remembered-as-someone-who-helped-bring-this-country-back-together/" target="_blank">said</a> he was done lying and being loyal to the president. "I'm done with the lying. I'm done being loyal to President Trump. My first loyalty belongs to my wife, my daughter, my son and this country," Cohen said. Cohen was <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/12/politics/michael-cohen-sentencing/index.html" target="_blank">sentenced</a> on Wednesday to three years in prison for two campaign-finance violations and one charge of lying to Congress. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Chicago, Suburban Mayors Call for Hike That Could Make Illinois’ Gas Tax Highest in Nation</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://freebeacon.com/issues/chicago-suburban-mayors-call-hike-make-illinois-gas-tax-highest-nation/">Suburban mayors joined Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel</a> to ask Illinois lawmakers to raise the state's gas tax by 20 to 30 cents a gallon, a proposal that could make Illinois' motor fuel tax the highest in the nation and ensure that per gallon taxes increase yearly with the rate of inflation. Outgoing mayor Emanuel joined other mayors from suburban Chicago on Tuesday to push the General Assembly should pass a gas tax hike in January. He said the costs and use of roads have increased while funding to maintain them has been stagnant. "We’re calling on the lawmakers, when they convene starting in January, to start to work on a number of issues that have not been addressed over the years, calling for an increase to the gas tax by 20 to 30 cents," he said. "If you took the low range of the 20 to 30 cents that we're talking about, the 20 cents would reflect just inflation." The money, Emanuel said, should go to fund a new infrastructure bill. Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker has said the state needs a new transportation funding bill.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Feds Spend $245,331 to Boost Kids’ Self-Esteem by Teaching Them ‘Sustainable Gardening’</em></strong></p>
<p>The U.S. Department of Agriculture is spending a quarter of a million dollars on an effort to boost the self-esteem of teenagers by teaching them how to garden. Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., received the funding earlier this year in an attempt to "eradicate food deserts" and hold fitness rallies at the end of the school year to "combat obesity since kids tend to overeat during the summertime." "The Eradicating Food Deserts in Neighborhoods through the Development of School Gardens project seeks to successfully educate local community people and students on the importance of growing their own produce," a <a href="https://cris.nifa.usda.gov/cgi-bin/starfinder/0?path=fastlink1.txt&id=anon&pass=&search=R=78576&format=WEBLINK" target="_blank">grant</a> for the project states. The project is developing a "Community Garden Curriculum" for teens aged 13 to 17, training them to become "Youth Master Gardeners." The goal of the study is to use children to "change the mindset" of their parents.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Preschool That Refused Atheist Family Who Complained About Christmas, Hanukkah Celebrations is Forced to Pay</em></strong></p>
<p>An atheist family in Canada whose child was barred from re-enrolling in school -- after the parents complained about holiday celebrations in the classroom -- was awarded nearly $12,000 Canadian (roughly $9,000 U.S.) by a British Columbia human-rights body in the family's lawsuit against the school. Gary Mangel and Mai Yasué were told their daughter would not be allowed to re-register to attend Bowen Island Montessori School (BIMS), northwest of Vancouver, until they signed a letter agreeing to the school's curriculum, <a href="http://www.bchrt.bc.ca/shareddocs/decisions/2018/dec/281_Mangel_and_Yasue_obo_Child_A_v_Bowen_Island_Montessori_School_and_others_2018_BCHRT_281.pdf">according to a decision issued</a> last Tuesday by the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal. The parents, who identify as atheists, claimed the school discriminated against the family "on the bases of religion, race, ancestry and family status."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Person-of-the-Year/262804348732268726.html">“The Person of the Year”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-12-17T12:22:00ZMain Suspect in Strasbourg Attack Has Been Killed; Cohen Says Trump Knew it Was Wrong to Make Hush-Money Payments During CampaignBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Main-Suspect-in-Strasbourg-Attack-Has-Been-Killed;-Cohen-Says-Trump-Knew-it-Was-Wrong-to-Make-Hush-Money-Payments-During-Campaign/-575763544205710153.html2018-12-14T13:42:00Z2018-12-14T13:42:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, December 14, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span> </p>
<p><strong><em>Main Suspect in Strasbourg Attack Has Been Killed</em></strong></p>
<p>French police have <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46561574">shot dead</a> the man who attacked Strasbourg's Christmas market on Tuesday, the interior minister has said. A police unit came across the suspected gunman in a Strasbourg street and shot him after he opened fire. Three people have died following the shooting at the market and several more were seriously injured. The suspected gunman had a string of criminal convictions in France and Germany and had become a radical Islamist in jail.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Ex-Trump Lawyer Michael Cohen Says Trump Knew it Was Wrong to Make Hush-Money Payments During Campaign</em></strong></p>
<p>Ex-Trump lawyer Michael Cohen says Trump knew it was wrong to make hush-money payments during the campaign. Donald Trump directed Michael Cohen to <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/cohen-trump-made-follow-path-darkness-light/story?id=59776233" target="_blank">arrange hush-money payments</a> with two women because then-candidate Trump “was very concerned about how this would affect the election” if their allegations of affairs became public, the president’s former personal attorney said in an exclusive interview with ABC News. Cohen’s comments are his first <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/cohen-face-sentencing-campaign-finance-violations-lying-congress/story?id=59738100" target="_blank">since being sentenced</a> earlier this week to three years in federal prison for financial crimes, lying to Congress and two campaign finance violations in connection with the deals with the women, Karen McDougal and Stormy Daniels, who claim past affairs with Trump. “I knew what I was doing was wrong,” Cohen told ABC News’ Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos. “I stood up before the world [Wednesday] and I accepted the responsibility for my actions.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Responds to Cohen Allegations: ‘I Never Directed Him to Do Anything Wrong’</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump said <a href="https://freebeacon.com/politics/trump-responds-to-cohen-allegations-i-never-directed-him-to-do-anything-wrong/?utm_source=Freedom+Mail&utm_campaign=967ae0c0ee-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_12_13_11_40_COPY_134&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b5e6e0e9ea-967ae0c0ee-46474477">during an interview</a> Thursday that he "never directed" his former attorney Michael Cohen "to do anything wrong." "I never directed him to do anything wrong. Whatever he did, he did on his own," Trump told Fox News' Harris Faulkner. "He's a lawyer. A lawyer who represents a client is supposed to do the right thing. That's why you pay them a lot of money, etc., etc. He is a lawyer. He represents a client. I never directed him to do anything incorrect or wrong, and he understands that." Trump said Cohen made a deal with prosecutors to embarrass him and receive a shorter sentence. "He did some bad things unrelated to me, may be related to his other clients. I wasn't his only client; he had other clients. He did some bad things: income tax evasion, I heard about taxicab medallions – I heard about a lot of things. I'm not reading about any of that stuff because what he did is he made a deal to embarrass me. In order to embarrass me, they cut his term down. Pretty terrible stuff," Trump said.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Homeland Security Reiterates Dangers of Illegal Border Crossing After Migrant Girl, 7, Reported Dead</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/7-year-old-immigrant-girl-dies-after-border-patrol-arrest">The Department of Homeland Security</a> expressed its "sincerest condolences" Thursday after reports that a 7-year-old Guatemalan girl died last week after more than eight hours in custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). In a statement, DHS said CBP agents “took every possible step to save the child’s life under the most trying of circumstances.” "Unfortunately, despite our best efforts and the best efforts of the medical team treating the child, we were unable to stop this tragedy from occurring," the statement continued. DHS also noted the risks inherent in attempting to enter the U.S. illegally. "Once again, we are begging parents to not put themselves or their children at risk attempting to enter illegally," the statement said. "Please present yourselves at a port of entry and seek to enter legally and safely.” The girl died of dehydration and shock more than eight hours after she was arrested by agents near Lordsburg, N.M., according to an agency statement released to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/7-year-old-migrant-girl-taken-into-border-patrol-custody-dies-of-dehydration-exhaustion/2018/12/13/8909e356-ff03-11e8-862a-b6a6f3ce8199_story.html">the Washington Post</a>.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Turnover in Trump Cabinet, White House Shows No Sign of Slowing Amid New Departures</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump has long promised to create jobs and has consistently delivered especially in his own White House and Cabinet, where rapid turnover is showing no signs of slowing down as 2018 comes to a close. High-profile departures in the Trump administration, from former Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price and Press Secretary Sean Spicer to fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson have attracted the most attention. They have contributed to what some analysts have called an <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/03/19/594164065/trump-cabinet-turnover-sets-record-going-back-100-years">unprecedented number of high-level Cabinet departures</a> going back 100 years. The most popular parlor game in Washington right now centers on who will replace outgoing Chief of Staff John Kelly. For his part, Trump has clearly signaled that replacements for other roles are very likely coming up in the new year. "Yeah, other people will go, sure," Trump told Leslie Stahl in a "60 Minutes" interview. "We have a great Cabinet. There are some people I'm not happy with. I have some people that I'm not thrilled with. And I have other people that I'm beyond thrilled with."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>UNC Faculty Threaten Not to Teach Over Confederate Statue</em></strong></p>
<p>University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill faculty members are threatening not to teach during the first week of the spring semester if the school approves a proposal to house in a new $5 million building a Confederate statue torn down by protesters. Faculty members from the UNC-CH School of Education and other departments signed a <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iYb_Pnpdt_fSx32x0c1K4QtH7XVxEJ8iv8j5hBZzdkw/edit">letter</a> stating that they will not teach during the first week of the spring semester if the Board of Governors approves the Silent Sam proposal during a scheduled meeting on Dec. 14. UNC education policy Ph.D. student James Sadler <a href="https://twitter.com/sadlerja/status/1070920003246018560">tweeted</a> out the letter. The threat comes amid a grading strike consisting of TAs and faculty who are withholding final grades in protest of the Board of Trustees decision to approve the $5 million plan. “[Silent Sam’s] continuing presence on our campus is contrary to our School's commitment to the transformative power of education. It is contrary to our belief, as embodied in our mission, that ‘education has the power to break down barriers, lift up individuals, and empower communities to rise and thrive,’" states the letter signed by UNC faculty and TA’s.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Samantha Bee Likens Fox Viewers to Nazis, Hints Most Whites Racist</em></strong></p>
<p>On Wednesday's <em>Full Frontal</em> show on TBS, liberal comedienne Samantha Bee displayed <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/brad-wilmouth/2018/12/13/samantha-bee-likens-fox-viewers-nazis-hints-most-whites-racist">the latest example of liberals throwing around accusations of racism</a> as she not only suggested that Fox News viewers are Nazi sympathizers, but a segment about alleged voter suppression hinted that most whites are racist because they refuse to vote for Democrats. Early in tne show, Bee took aim at Fox News over the recent launch of FoxNation.com as she suggested that eldery men who write racist comments on Facebook might be interested in the new Fox News platform. Bee: "It's like television, Grandpa, but you get it on the smaller screen you use for writing racism on Facebook." The show then made reference to the pro-KKK film <em>Birth of a Nation</em> by displaying on screen the words "Birth of a Fox Nation" while Bee continued to speak. After reading a quote from the <em>New York Times </em>likening the service to "Netflix for conservatives," Bee then worked in a Nazi reference as she added: "Which means it's for people who like Netflix but wish its World War II documentaries weren't so mean to the Nazis."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Person-of-the-Year/262804348732268726.html">“The Person of the Year”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-12-14T13:42:00ZMichael Flynn Judge Seeks Review of Key FBI Notes Before Sentencing Decision; Judges Ask ICE to Make Courts Off Limits to Immigration ArrestsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Michael-Flynn-Judge-Seeks-Review-of-Key-FBI-Notes-Before-Sentencing-Decision;-Judges-Ask-ICE-to-Make-Courts-Off-Limits-to-Immigration-Arrests/543919763931335994.html2018-12-13T13:37:00Z2018-12-13T13:37:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, December 13, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span> </p>
<p><strong><em>Michael Flynn Judge Seeks Review of Key FBI Notes Before Sentencing Decision</em></strong></p>
<p>The federal judge who will issue a sentence against Michael Flynn next week wants to review FBI documents related to a fateful White House interview that the retired lieutenant general gave to two FBI agents just days into his tenure as President Donald Trump’s national security adviser. District Court Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on Wednesday ordered Flynn’s lawyers to hand over two documents: a memo that then-FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe wrote after speaking with Flynn ahead his Jan. 24, 2017 interview with two FBI agents and the FBI summary of notes taken during that same interview. That summary, known as an FD-302, was compiled on Aug. 22, 2017 by the two FBI agents who interviewed Flynn. It is unclear why the summary was put together seven months after the Flynn interview. Sullivan also ordered <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/04/michael-flynn-robert-mueller-jail-time/" target="_blank">the special counsel</a> to hand over any other memos or interview notes relevant to Flynn’s interview. The judge set a Friday deadline to turn over the documents. He will decide on Flynn’s sentence next Monday.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Judges Ask ICE to Make Courts Off Limits to Immigration Arrests</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>For 25 years, schools, hospitals and places of worship have effectively been off-limits to federal immigration officers. Now, a group of dozens of former state and federal judges is asking U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to add courthouses to the list of "sensitive locations" where their officers generally do not go. "Judges simply cannot do their jobs — and our justice system cannot function effectively — if victims, defendants, witnesses, and family members do not feel secure in accessing the courthouse," said the judges <a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/395488473/Letter-From-Former-Judges-Courthouse-Immigration-Arrests">in a letter Wednesday</a> to Acting Director Ronald Vitiello. "ICE's reliance on immigration arrests in courthouses instills fear in clients and deters them from seeking justice in a court building." The judges cited reports of a marked increase in ICE activity in courts over the past two years. One study by the Immigrant Defense Project found a <a href="https://www.immigrantdefenseproject.org/ice-courts/">1200 percent increase</a> in arrests and attempted arrests across New York state from 2016 to 2017. Arrests have been documented in dozens of states, the judges wrote, affecting <a href="https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/2017/02/15/ice-detains-domestic-violence-victim-court/97965624/">survivors of domestic violence</a>, <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/when-a-day-in-court-is-a-trap-for-immigrants">parents seeking to protect their children</a> from unsafe living conditions, and even <a href="https://www.wnyc.org/story/when-ice-shows-court/">victims of human trafficking</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Cancels White House Holiday Party for Press: Report</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump has cancelled the traditional White House holiday party for members of the press, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-cancels-white-house-christmas-party-for-the-press">according to a Fox News report published Thursday</a>. The White House did not immediately respond to The Hill's request for comment. The annual White House party for the media has been a tradition for decades, as members of the press descended on the back-to-back, invitation-only events. The party's cancellation marks the latest development Trump's ongoing feud with the media. He has also bucked the press by declining to attend the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, a media awards event that had been attended by presidents since former President Nixon.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Nancy Pelosi Cuts Deal with Democratic Rebels to Ensure Return to Speakership</em></strong></p>
<p>House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi has very likely sewn up the support she needs to become <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/12/12/676293936/nancy-pelosi-cuts-deal-with-democratic-rebels-to-ensure-return-to-speakership">speaker of the House next year</a> when the new Congress is sworn in. In a deal struck with a group of House Democrats who had vowed to vote against the longtime Democratic leader in next month's House speaker election, the California lawmaker agreed to term limits that would see her hold the post through 2022 at the latest. The agreement ensures Pelosi will easily have the 218 votes she needs to win the speakership on the House's first ballot. The term limits agreement, which still needs to be formalized by a vote of House Democrats, would limit caucus leaders to three terms, and a fourth term if two-thirds of the caucus agrees to it. The new limits would apply retroactively to Pelosi as well as incoming Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland and incoming Majority Whip Jim Clyburn of South Carolina.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Muslim Group Files Discrimination Complaint After Man Says He Was Kicked Off Greyhound Bus for Speaking Arabic</em></strong></p>
<p>The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has filed a discrimination complaint with the state of Michigan after a man says he was kicked off of a Greyhound bus for speaking Arabic. The Michigan chapter of the Muslim advocacy group <a href="https://cairmichigan.org/cair-michigan-files-civil-rights-complaint-on-behalf-of-muslim-kicked-off-greyhound-bus-for-speaking-arabic/">announced in a press release Wednesday</a> that it filed the complaint with the state’s Department of Civil Rights on behalf of Abrahaim Mohamed, an American Muslim man. The complaint alleges that Mohamed was not permitted to complete his trip from Michigan to Ohio after the Greyhound bus driver said she “did not like the way he was speaking on his phone.” Mohamed told CAIR that other passengers on the bus were using their phones, but that he was the only one speaking Arabic. CAIR-Michigan said that Greyhound has not responded to several outreach attempts. Greyhound declined to comment on the <a href="https://www.wxyz.com/homepage-showcase/man-allegedly-kicked-off-michigan-greyhound-bus-for-speaking-arabic">complaint to WXYZ in Detroit,</a> citing the “sensitivity of the issue.”<br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>Melania Trump Tells Fox News She Does What's 'Right,' Despite Media Criticism</em></strong></p>
<p>First lady Melania <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/melania-trump-says-she-does-what-i-think-is-right-despite-facing-criticism-from-the-public-media">Trump on Wednesday explained that she does what she believes to be the “right” thing</a>, despite any potential disapproval that may come her way. She also doesn't hold back when it comes to expressing her opinions to her husband, she said. Trump’s remarks came during an exclusive interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity while the pair were aboard the USS George H.W. Bush. Hannity asked the first lady to explain why she often uses the phrase, “stay true to myself,” and what it means. “I do what I think is right. I know I will get the criticism – from the public or from the media – but I will do what is right and what I feel is right for the country and for the people,” Trump replied. “That’s why I say I want to stay true to myself and listen to myself and what to do and what is right, what is wrong and live a meaningful life every day.” The first lady told Hannity that she's aware of the ongoing news and willing to offer her perspective to the president. "I follow what’s going on. And I give my husband advice and my honest opinion," Trump said. "And sometimes he listens and sometimes he doesn’t." After Hannity noted that the couple has "different styles," she added: "I don’t agree with his tone sometimes and I tell him that." The first lady also discussed the difficulties she encountered while in the White House. She called out “the opportunists,” specifying comedians, journalists and others who she said were “using my name or my family name to advance themselves.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>WSJ: Boy Scouts May File for Bankruptcy</em></strong></p>
<p>The Boy Scouts of America is considering filing for bankruptcy, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. Boy Scouts leadership has hired the law firm Sidley Austin LLP for possible chapter 11 bankruptcy filing assistance, people familiar with the matter told the<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/boy-scouts-of-america-considers-bankruptcy-filing-amid-sex-abuse-lawsuits-11544649657" target="_blank"> Wall Street Journal</a></span>. According to the newspaper, filing for bankruptcy would halt the many <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.cnn.com/2015/11/18/us/scoutmaster-sexual-abuse/index.html" target="_blank">lawsuits</a></span> the organization faces alleging inappropriate conduct by employees. In a<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://m.email.scouting.org/rest/head/mirrorPage/@EzF_ZP-rnV30_sebVUU6_nzuveiM-aVbd_3nrYQ00woT9XfZp4LgyXo3ae0-6uc9qQTFotkVO1t6UH60ji9diXpwScri9K-5yQHVI-ffxMAw03OS.html" target="_blank"> statement </a></span>released Wednesday "in anticipation of news reports that will speculate about the BSA's financial position," the Boy Scouts said no immediate decisions are expected.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Faces Pushback After Saying He May Intervene in Arrest of Huawei Executive</em></strong></p>
<p>President <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/donald-trump/">Donald Trump</a> is facing pushback for saying that he might intervene in a legal case involving the chief financial official of Chinese telco giant Huawei Technologies, if such a move would help <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/washington-dc/">Washington</a> secure a trade deal with <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/beijing/">Beijing.</a> Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland on Wednesday warned the U.S. not to politicize extradition cases, saying that the legal process should not be hijacked for political purposes. Huawei's CFO Meng Wanzhou was <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/06/huawei-cfo-arrested-gloves-are-now-fully-off-says-eurasia-group.html">arrested in Vancouver</a> on Dec. 1 where she is facing extradition to the U.S. amid claims she misled multinational banks about Iran-linked transactions, putting the banks at risk of violating American sanctions. Meng has said she is innocent. She was released on bail on Tuesday and is due to appear before a judge on Feb. 6. In a wide-ranging interview with Reuters, Trump said: "If I think it's good for the country, if I think it's good for what will be certainly the largest trade deal ever made — which is a very important thing — what's good for national security — I would certainly intervene if I thought it was necessary."</p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/O-Come-All-Ye-Faithful/-736983363443790784.html">“O Come All Ye Faithful”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-12-13T13:37:00ZTrump: 'The People Would Revolt' if I Was Impeached; Cohen Saga Reaches Dramatic Climax in Federal CourtBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump:-The-People-Would-Revolt-if-I-Was-Impeached;-Cohen-Saga-Reaches-Dramatic-Climax-in-Federal-Court/234316887281419279.html2018-12-12T13:18:00Z2018-12-12T13:18:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, December 12, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump: 'The People Would Revolt' if I Was Impeached</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump said Tuesday he is not worried about being impeached and added the "people would revolt" if that were to happen. In an Oval Office interview <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-impeachment-exclusive/exclusive-trump-says-he-is-not-concerned-about-being-impeached-defends-payments-to-women-idUSKBN1OB01N" target="_blank">with Reuters</a>, Trump said payments made by his former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen to two women who claimed to have affairs with him did not violate campaign finance laws. "It’s hard to impeach somebody who hasn’t done anything wrong and who’s created the greatest economy in the history of our country," Trump said. "I’m not concerned, no. I think that the people would revolt if that happened." Cohen has pleaded guilty to multiple felonies, including lying to Congress, bank fraud and campaign finance violations. The latter charge is related to payments he said he made to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal at Trump's direction with the intent of silencing them before the 2016 election.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>California Judge Orders Porn Star to Pay Trump Legal Fees</em></strong></p>
<p>A federal judge has ordered porn star Stormy <a href="https://news.yahoo.com/california-judge-orders-porn-star-pay-trump-legal-215454082.html?.tsrc=notification-brknews">Daniels to pay Donald Trump nearly $293,000</a> for his attorneys' fees and another $1,000 in sanctions after her defamation suit against the president was dismissed. Judge S. James Otero made the order Tuesday in Los Angeles. Trump's lawyer, Charles Harder, had asked for nearly $390,000. Attorney Michael Avenatti, who represents Daniels, tweeted the order "will never hold up on appeal." Daniels alleges she had an affair with Trump in 2006 and was paid $130,000 as part of a nondisclosure agreement days before the 2016 presidential election. She sued him after he dismissed her claims of being threatened to keep quiet about the tryst as a "total con job." The judge threw out the case in October.<br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>Cohen Saga Reaches Dramatic Climax in Federal Court</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump’s former personal attorney Michael <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/420872-cohen-saga-reaches-dramatic-climax-in-federal-court">Cohen will be sentenced on Wednesday</a>, capping off months of public scrutiny that saw him morph from a fierce defender of Trump into a key witness for federal investigators probing possible wrongdoing by the president. Cohen faces sentencing for nine federal charges, including campaign finance violations stemming from a scheme to pay off women alleging affairs with Trump and a false-statements charge brought about in connection with special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation. His appearance in a federal court in Manhattan promises high drama, coming days after federal prosecutors in New York recommended he serve “substantial” prison time despite his ongoing cooperation in the Mueller probe and assistance in other active law enforcement investigations. Cohen has agreed to continue to cooperate with the special counsel investigation and signaled he is willing to do so in other inquiries in New York. Cohen, 52, is likely to face significant prison time for charges of tax fraud, false statements and campaign finance violations that stemmed from his work for Trump. Federal sentencing guidelines call for him to spend roughly four to five years in prison for the eight offenses he pleaded guilty to in August. Comparatively, the separate charge he admitted to in Mueller’s investigation carries minimal potential jail time.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Admin. Declares War on Russian, Chinese, Iranian Propaganda</em></strong></p>
<p>The State Department has launched a new effort to counter propaganda and disinformation campaigns launched across the globe by a host of rogue nations, including Russia, China, and Iran, according to senior U.S. officials who briefed the <a href="https://freebeacon.com/national-security/trump-admin-declares-war-russian-chinese-iranian-propaganda/?utm_source=Freedom+Mail&utm_campaign=f929087534-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_12_11_11_32_COPY_133&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b5e6e0e9ea-f929087534-46474477">Washington Free Beacon </a>on the new undertaking, which they say will put the United States "on the offense" against these countries. The State Department's Global Engagement Center, or GEC, which just received a $40 million cash influx, is refocusing its priorities on what senior Trump administration officials described as a global battle against propaganda that undermines the U.S. role in the world and its national security priorities. As the Trump administration undertakes efforts domestically to address Russian election meddling as well as efforts by Iran and China to disrupt the American political landscape, the GEC will focus outside the U.S. borders to disrupt a range of disinformation operations by rogue nations seeking to increase their influence in regional hotspots. While the GEC's operations largely focus on counterterrorism missions, such as the fight against ISIS, the recent cash allocation to the organization will enable it to expand its reach and put a renewed focus on global propaganda operations, U.S. officials say.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Pelosi Corrects Herself, says ‘Holiday Present’ After First Saying ‘Christmas Present’</em></strong></p>
<p>House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) corrected herself at a press conference outside the White House on Tuesday, saying "holiday present" after initially using the phrase "Christmas present." "Should, unfortunately, the president choose to shut down the government, so that we have a Trump shut down as a Christmas present, a holiday present, to the American people, I told the president that the new House of Representatives when it convenes will pass what Mr. Schumer suggested here," Pelosi said. Her comments came after a <a href="https://freebeacon.com/issues/trump-spars-with-pelosi-schumer-im-proud-to-shut-down-the-government-for-border-security/" target="_blank">contentious and public meeting</a> between President Donald Trump, Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.), and Vice President Mike Pence, in which the four negotiated terms of a spending bill to avoid a government shutdown. A survey by the <a href="https://www.prri.org/research/poll-post-election-holiday-war-christmas/" target="_blank">Public Religion Research Institute</a> in 2016 found two-thirds of Democrats prefer stores and businesses to say "Seasons Greetings" or "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas," while about the same percentage of Republicans, 67 percent, had the opposite view. Independents were split, a slight plurality favoring "Merry Christmas."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Strasbourg Shooting: Gunman at Large After Three Killed and 12 Injured</em></strong></p>
<p>Hundreds of police officers are hunting a gunman <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46530265">after three people were killed and 12 others wounded</a> in a shooting in the eastern French city of Strasbourg. The suspect, who is known to security services, escaped after exchanging fire with soldiers and armed police on Tuesday. He is believed to be injured. The shooting happened close to a popular Christmas market near one of the central squares, Place Kléber. France's counter-terrorism prosecutor has opened an investigation. There were reports on Wednesday morning that a police operation had been launched around the cathedral area in the city. The motive for the shooting remains unclear. "He fought twice with our security forces," French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said. Confirming that three people had died, Mr. Castaner said that border controls had been strengthened and security at all Christmas markets would be stepped up, with 350 security agents hunting for the gunman. He added that France had raised its security alert level to "emergency attack". Six of those reportedly injured on Tuesday were said to be in a serious condition, while six others suffered light injuries, police said. Police added that the 29-year-old suspect was born in Strasbourg and was already known to the security services as a possible terrorist threat.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Biden Takes His Time on Presidential Decision</em></strong></p>
<p>Former Vice President Joe Biden is taking his time making a decision <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/420922-biden-takes-his-time-on-presidential-decision">about entering the 2020 race</a>. Biden, who earlier this year said he expected to make a decision on a third White House bid by the end of the year, is extending his timeline. During an appearance in Montana last week to promote his book, he said a decision would come in the next two months. Compared to other prospective 2020 candidates, the former vice president has time on his side, allies say because he has all the mechanics in place if he decides to pull the trigger and launch another White House bid. Waiting would keep Biden above the fray, even as the former vice president continues to top a number of 2020 polls. Biden allies say there are a couple of things the former vice president must consider before entering a primary fight, including the mood of his family. Biden decided against a run in 2016 as his family reeled from the loss of Biden’s son Beau Biden, who died in 2015 of brain cancer. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/O-Come-All-Ye-Faithful/-736983363443790784.html">“O Come All Ye Faithful”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-12-12T13:18:00ZComey Reveals That Four Americans Were Investigated for Russia Ties,; Yellow Vest Protest in Paris Sees Police Detain HundredsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Comey-Reveals-That-Four-Americans-Were-Investigated-for-Russia-Ties;-Yellow-Vest-Protest-in-Paris-Sees-Police-Detain-Hundreds/-91334336376457315.html2018-12-09T13:54:00Z2018-12-09T13:54:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, December 9, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Comey Reveals That Four Americans Were Investigated for Russia Ties, and Trump Wasn't One of Them</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Former FBI Director James Comey in testimony to House lawmakers last week said that the FBI during its investigation into allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election probed four Americans. In transcripts of the closed-door session released Saturday, Comey did not disclose the identities of the Americans investigated but revealed that President Donald Trump was not one of them. “I was briefed sometime at the end of July that the FBI had opened counterintelligence investigations of four individuals to see if there was a connection between those -- any of those four and the Russian effort,” Comey said. “And those four Americans did not include the candidate.” Comey was asked whether the FBI had any evidence that Americans were assisting Russians to subvert the election when Trump was briefed on foreign intelligence threats as a candidate. “If it was after July 29th, then the answer would be, yes, we had some reason to suspect that there were Americans who might have assisted the Russians,” Comey said. <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/former-fbi-director-comey-reveals-four-americans-were-investigated-russia-1251036">On Friday, Comey testified for six hours</a> before the House Judiciary and House Oversight Committees over his handling of the FBI probe into Hillary Clinton’s use of private email servers while secretary of state, and the investigation into allegations of Russian interference. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>White House Chief of Staff John Kelly to Leave at the End of the Year</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump said Saturday that chief of staff John Kelly will leave his job <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-john-kelly-chief-of-staff-trump-20181208-story.html">by year's end</a> amid an expected West Wing reshuffling reflecting a focus on the 2020 re-election campaign and the challenge of governing with Democrats reclaiming control of the House. Nick Ayers, Vice President Mike Pence's chief of staff, is Trump's top choice to replace Kelly, and the two have held discussions for months about the job, a White House official said. An announcement was expected in the coming days, the president told reporters as he left the White House for the Army-Navy football game in Philadelphia.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Not Quite All the President's Men are Cooperating with Robert Mueller</em></strong></p>
<p>Special counsel <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/not-quite-all-the-presidents-men-are-cooperating-with-robert-mueller">Robert Mueller filed papers</a> in court over the past week that show he's getting significant cooperation from former national security adviser Michael Flynn and President Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen. But while some think that bodes poorly for Trump, Mueller also indicated that former campaign chairman Paul Manafort is going against his agreement to help Mueller, and instead appears to be working against him.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Amid 2020 Speculation, Booker Draws Big Crowds in New Hampshire</em></strong></p>
<p>New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker drew big crowds <a href="https://www.wmur.com/article/amid-2020-speculation-booker-visits-new-hampshire/25444674">during a swing through the Granite State</a> [New Hampshire] on Saturday. Democrats cheered as the possible 2020 presidential contender stopped in Manchester. Booker started his day in Nashua, joining Mayor Jim Donchess and state Sen. Cindy Rosenwald for coffee and making an impression with his grasp of New Hampshire issues. "He was familiar with what's going on in our mental health crisis, the number of people waiting in our emergency departments, our drug crisis. He'd heard of safe stations,” Rosenwald said. Sitting down for a one-on-one interview with WMUR, Booker said he doesn't have a timeline for making a decision about a 2020 White House bid. “During the holidays, I'm going to sit down and take a lot of stock about what I want to do next, whether run for president or stay in the Senate and help this continued movement in our country to reinvigorate our democracy,” he said. Booker largely avoided discussion of President Donald Trump, saying he's here to talk about "bread-and-butter economic issues" that matter to everyday Americans.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>ICE Arrests 105 in New Jersey</em></strong></p>
<p>Foreign nationals from 24 countries, including four people with Interpol warrants for their arrests, were among the 105 arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a five-day sweep. The agency announced the arrests Friday in a <a href="https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ice-arrests-105-new-jersey-operation-targeting-criminal-aliens-and-public-safety" target="_blank" data-cms-ai="0">news release</a>. “Our focus has been and will continue to be on arrests of illegal aliens who have been convicted of serious crimes or those who pose a threat to public safety,” said John Tsoukaris, director of the Newark field office. The people arrested ranged in age from 18 to 65 years old. The agency said more than 80 percent had either prior convictions or pending charges for a variety of crimes, including sexual assault on a minor, child abuse, possession of narcotics, distribution of narcotics, extortion, DUI, fraud, domestic violence, theft, possession of a weapon, robbery, promoting prostitution, aggravated assault, resisting arrest, endangering the welfare of a child, credit card fraud, insurance fraud, shoplifting, and illegal re-entry. The agency said the pre-planned sweep targeted criminal aliens, illegal re-entrants, and other immigration violators. Those arrested who are not already facing deportation will go before an immigration judge for removal proceedings.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Yellow Vest Protest in Paris Sees Police Detain Hundreds</em></strong></p>
<p>Police in Paris have fired rubber bullets and tear gas <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46492070">as the fourth weekend of anti-government protests</a> across France turned violent. Almost 1,000 people have been taken into custody nationwide. Parisian hospital authorities said 126 people had been injured in the city, but none seriously. At least three police officers were also hurt. The "yellow vest" movement opposed fuel tax rises but ministers say it has been hijacked by "ultra-violent" protesters. An estimated 125,000 demonstrators gathered across the country during the day, with 10,000 of them in the capital, where the scenes were the most destructive. Looters have been seen smashing shop fronts, and cars have been set on fire.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Hillary Clinton’s Use of Private Email Server Among ‘Gravest’ Offenses to Transparency, Judge Says</em></strong></p>
<p>A conservative group won a court victory this week when a federal judge ordered more fact-finding in the Hillary Clinton email investigation. In his ruling Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth assailed Clinton’s use of a private email server while secretary of state as “one of the gravest modern offenses to government transparency.” Conservative group Judicial Watch had filed a Freedom of information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the State and Justice departments, alleging that Clinton’s email practices represented a deliberate effort to violate the FOIA, <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/06/hillary-clinton-emails-lawsuit-judicial-watch-1048196">Politico reported</a>. On Friday, Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton praised Lamberth’s ruling, telling Fox News it showed the court was “not terribly convinced” that former FBI Director James Comey adequately investigated Clinton’s use of the private server while secretary of state from 2009 to 2013.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/O-Come-All-Ye-Faithful/-736983363443790784.html">“O Come All Ye Faithful”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-12-09T13:54:00ZFrance Shuts Down Eiffel Tower, 89K 'Security Forces' Deployed; Report: Nauert Will Be Next Ambassador to UNBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/France-Shuts-Down-Eiffel-Tower-89K-Security-Forces-Deployed;-Report:-Nauert-Will-Be-Next-Ambassador-to-UN/943683566046301147.html2018-12-07T13:34:00Z2018-12-07T13:34:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, December 7, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>France Shuts Down Eiffel Tower, 89K 'Security Forces' Deployed</em></strong></p>
<p>French authorities are rapidly preparing for a weekend of “major violence” as ‘Yellow Vest’ protests plan countless demonstrations across the capital; preemptively shutting down the famed Eiffel Tower before Saturday’s clashes. “French authorities will close dozens of museums, tourism sites, and shops on Saturday, including the Eiffel Tower and Louvre, fearing a recurrence of last week’s violence in Paris, officials said on Thursday,” reports <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/eiffel-tower-close-saturday-due-planned-paris-protests-n944876">NBC News</a>. “We cannot take the risk when we know the threat,” said Culture Minister Franck Riester. French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe confirmed Thursday that his government will deploy upwards of <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-protests-security/france-to-deploy-89000-security-personnel-ahead-of-saturday-protests-idUSKBN1O52BS">89,000</a> ‘security forces’ to assist police as the demonstrations take place throughout the country.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Report: Nauert Will Be Next Ambassador to UN</em></strong></p>
<p>State Department spokeswoman Heather Naeurt is in line for a big promotion: She'll soon be announced as President Trump's nominee to be America's next ambassador to the United Nations, insiders say. Sources tell <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-un/trump-to-nominate-state-department-spokeswoman-for-u-n-ambassador-white-house-officials-idUSKBN1O6022" target="_blank">Reuters</a> that Nauert—a former ABC journalist and <em>Fox & Friends </em>presenter whose State Department role was her first government job—could be unveiled as the choice as soon as Friday morning. The 48-year-old became a department spokesman in April 2017 and was named as an acting undersecretary for public diplomacy and public affairs earlier this year. White House officials say the UN ambassador post will no longer be considered part of the Cabinet. Sources tell <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/06/trump-next-un-ambassador-search-nikki-haley-1048194" target="_blank">Politico</a> that Nauert was an early contender to replace Nikki Haley, who departs at the end of this month, but they thought she had fallen out of contention. Other candidates who had been considered include former White House deputy national security adviser Dina Powell; the ambassadors to France, Germany, and Canada; and NATO ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison, the sources say. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Unleashes Fresh Tirade Against Mueller Ahead of Key Court Filings Expected Friday</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump took aim Friday at special counsel Robert S. Mueller III and his team of lawyers, accusing them <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-unleashes-fresh-tirade-against-mueller-ahead-of-key-court-filings-expected-friday/2018/12/07/4ba2d57c-fa12-11e8-863c-9e2f864d47e7_story.html?utm_term=.d037b50b960c">in angry morning tweets</a> of conflicts of interest and overzealous prosecutions that have “wrongly destroyed people’s lives.” Trump’s announcement came ahead of expected court filings from prosecutors that could shed more light on the scope of an investigation that began with an examination of Russian interference in the 2016 campaign and has become increasingly perilous for the president. By the end of the day Friday, Mueller is expected to detail why prosecutors accused Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign chairman, of lying to them and breaking a cooperation agreement. Separately, the special counsel’s office and federal prosecutors in New York are expected to recommend a sentence for Michael Cohen, Trump’s former loyalist, and lawyer, in filings that could detail the extent of his cooperation against Trump in multiple investigations.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Nebraska Principal Reportedly Bans Candy Canes, says 'J Shape' Stands for Jesus</em></strong></p>
<p>An elementary school principal in Nebraska was placed on leave after telling teachers to avoid decorating their classrooms with Christmas-themed ornamentations so as not to offend those who don't celebrate the holiday. The principal at Manchester Elementary School, identified by <a href="https://fox42kptm.com/news/local/elkhorn-principal-placed-on-leave-after-memo-banning-candy-canes-red-and-green-items">Fox affiliate KPTM</a> as Jennifer Sinclair, sent out a memo earlier this week with guidelines as to what is considered appropriate for classroom decorations and assignments. Teachers were reportedly told that generic winter-themed items, such as sledding and scarves, and the "Frozen" character Olaf, were acceptable. Decorations that included Santa, Christmas trees, reindeer, green and red colored items and even candy canes, however, were not acceptable for the elementary school. The candy canes, <a href="https://www.ketv.com/article/elkhorn-elementary-principal-put-on-leave-for-banning-santa-candy-canes-and-other-christmas-decorations/25424233">according to KETV</a>, were prohibited because Sinclair deemed them to have religious significance. "Historically, the shape is a 'J' for Jesus. The red is for the blood of Christ, and the white is a symbol of his resurrection," she reportedly wrote. "This would also include different colored candy canes."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Boston Globe Advises Warren to Bow Out of 2020 Field</em></strong></p>
<p>The <em>Boston Globe</em> used former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick's Thursday announcement that he would not make a run for president as an opportunity to advise Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) to make the same decision. "Running for president is hard," wrote the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2018/12/07/deval-patrick-knew-when-call-quits-presidential-bid-other-political-figures-should-take-note/nOLcrzE5xTQgfXpPMKrUZM/story.html">paper's editorial board</a></span>. "Deciding not to run? That can be even harder." The <em>Globe</em>‘s board, which in 2015 argued that "<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2015/03/21/democrats-need-elizabeth-warren-voice-presidential-race/TJkJtbu3UYaJYBmVHcrAcI/story.html">Democrats need Elizabeth Warren’s voice in 2016 presidential race</a>,"</span> does not explicitly say Warren shouldn't run, but it does lay out the case for why it would be an ill-advised decision. "Warren missed her moment in 2016, and there’s reason to be skeptical of her prospective candidacy in 2020," it wrote. "While Warren won reelection, her margin of victory in November suggests there’s a ceiling on her popularity; Republican governor Charlie Baker garnered more votes than her in a state that is supposed to be a Democratic haven. Meanwhile, a September poll indicated that Massachusetts voters were more enthusiastic about Patrick making a White House bid than Warren." The paper called the Massachusetts poll results "warning signs from the voters who know her best." It also argued that Warren is the wrong type of candidate to take on Republican President Donald Trump in 2020.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>China's Xi Urges North Korea, United States to Meet Halfway</em></strong></p>
<p>Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday told North Korea’s foreign minister that he hoped North Korea and the United States could <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-northkorea/chinas-xi-urges-north-korea-united-states-to-meet-halfway-idUSKBN1O60RV">meet each other halfway</a> and address each other’s reasonable concerns, China’s foreign ministry said. China is the North’s most important economic and diplomatic backer, despite anger over its neighbor’s nuclear and missile programs. Ties have warmed in the last year as Pyongyang’s relations with both Seoul and Washington have also improved. At a landmark June summit in Singapore, the North’s leader, Kim Jong Un, and U.S. President Donald Trump pledged to work towards denuclearization, but the pact was sketchy and talks since have made little headway. Xi “hoped North Korea and the United States meet each other halfway and address each other’s reasonable concerns, allowing positive progress on the peninsula’s nuclear talks,” the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Kevin Hart Steps Down from Oscar Hosting Gig Amid Criticism over Past Anti-Gay Tweets</em></strong></p>
<p>Comedian Kevin Hart has announced he is stepping down from hosting the 2019 Academy Awards amid criticism over years-old tweets deemed anti-gay. Hart, 39, posted on Twitter early Friday an apology to the LGBTQ community for his past comments. “I have made the choice to step down from hosting this year's Oscar's....this is because I do not want to be a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists. I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past,” Hart tweeted. In a follow-up tweet, he added that" "I'm sorry that I hurt people.. I am evolving and want to continue to do so. My goal is to bring people together not tear us apart. Much love & appreciation to the Academy. I hope we can meet again." The announcement came two days after Hart announced on his Instagram account that he’d been <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/kevin-hart-to-host-the-2019-oscars-now-its-time-to-rise-to-the-occasion">selected to host the 91st Academy Awards</a>, which will be broadcast Feb. 24. He was slated to take over the hosting duties from Jimmy Kimmel, who emceed the past two ceremonies.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/O-Come-All-Ye-Faithful/-736983363443790784.html">“O Come All Ye Faithful”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-12-07T13:34:00ZMueller Recommends No Jail Time for Michael Flynn; 'Open it Up or We'll Shut It Down,' U.S.-Based Group with Violent History Says of BorderBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Mueller-Recommends-No-Jail-Time-for-Michael-Flynn;-Open-it-Up-or-Well-Shut-It-Down-U.S.-Based-Group-with-Violent-History-Says-of-Border/645947369728829862.html2018-12-05T12:54:00Z2018-12-05T12:54:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, December 5, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Mueller Recommends No Jail Time for Michael Flynn, Who Provided ‘Substantial Assistance’ to Russia Probe</em></strong></p>
<p>Special Counsel Robert Mueller on Tuesday effectively recommended that Michael Flynn receive no prison time for lying to the FBI, citing the former national security advisor’s “substantial assistance” in the Russia probe and other Department of Justice (DOJ) cases. “Given the defendant’s substantial assistance and other considerations set forth below, a sentence at the low end of the guideline range — including a sentence that does not impose a term of incarceration — is appropriate and warranted,” Mueller wrote in a court filing submitted Tuesday night. Flynn, a retired Army lieutenant general, met with the special counsel’s office or other prosecutors in the DOJ 19 times since pleading guilty Dec. 1, 2017. Flynn acknowledged in the guilty plea to making false statements to the FBI about his conversations in December 2016 with <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2017/08/23/sergey-kislyak-to-cnn-you-should-be-ashamed-video/" target="_blank">Sergey Kislyak</a>, who then served as Russia’s ambassador to the U.S. He will be sentenced in the case Dec. 18.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Top FBI Official Bill Priestap to Retire</em></strong></p>
<p>A top FBI official who had a role in overseeing investigations into both Hillary Clinton and the Trump campaign will retire at the end of the year. Bill Priestap, who currently serves as assistant director of the FBI's counterintelligence division, will leave the bureau after 20 years, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/another-high-ranking-fbi-official-to-depart-1543964483">The Wall Street Journal</a> reported Tuesday. His departure is unrelated to the 2016 investigations and the questions that have been raised about them, the Journal reported. Priestap was involved in the FBI's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and whether Russians colluded with the Trump campaign, and he was also part of the bureau's investigation into Clinton's use of a private email server while she was secretary of State. When Priestap leaves the FBI, there will be no high-ranking officials who were involved in both investigations left at the bureau, according to the Journal.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>‘Open it Up or We’ll Shut It Down,’ U.S.-Based Group with Violent History Says of Border</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>A Detroit-based faction operating in Tijuana that’s encouraging the migrant caravan to march to the U.S. border has a history of violence and has been disavowed by Communist and progressive organizations. BAMN, a Detroit-based group whose motto is “Trump must go or be removed BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY,” is inciting the migrants to march to the border. Its <a href="http://www.bamn.com/social-justice/openitup" target="_blank">flier</a>, titled “Open It Up Or We’ll Shut It Down! Everyone Must Be Let In!” was distributed to the migrants and its banner hung in the Benito Juarez sports complex that housed the caravan. The faction, originally dedicated to affirmative action and affiliated with the Revolutionary Workers League, has been repeatedly condemned by groups it has crossed paths with, dating back two decades. The leftist group has dispatched its organizers to Mexico to help bring the migrants, all of them, into the U.S., and has attempted to get them to march on the U.S. border. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>This Supreme Court Case Could Strengthen Trump’s Hand with Mueller</em></strong></p>
<p>The Supreme Court is set to take up a double jeopardy case Thursday that could have significant implications for special counsel Robert Mueller’s ongoing investigation of Paul Manafort and other associates of President Donald Trump. The Fifth Amendment’s double jeopardy clause prohibits multiple prosecutions for the same offense. An exception to this rule called the separate sovereigns doctrine allows state and federal governments to bring successive prosecutions for the same crime. The Supreme Court will consider the continued validity of this exception on Thursday. The case is of potential consequence for Manafort and other embattled Trump confidants. Speculation abounds that the president will pardon former aides implicated in the Mueller probe, but his clemency powers only extend as far as federal law. Therefore, the states could still bring indictments under their own laws, the pardon notwithstanding. The special counsel was reportedly <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2017/08/30/report-mueller-working-with-dem-state-ag-on-russia-probe/" target="_blank">working with former New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman</a> to build a case against Manafort as of August 2017.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>NYPD Launches Drone Program</em></strong></p>
<p>The skies above New York City will be covered by <a href="http://www.fox5ny.com/news/nypd-drone-program">a fleet of drones piloted by police officers</a>. The New York City Police Department announced its Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) program on Tuesday. Licensed NYPD officers of the Technical Assistance Response Unit will operate them. Police officials said they will be used in search-and-rescue missions, to survey inaccessible crime scenes, a hostage situation, and even hazardous material incidents. The department claims that the drones will not be used for "routine patrols" and will not be equipped with weapons.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>U.S., NATO Give Russia 60 Days to Comply with Nuclear Pact</em></strong></p>
<p>Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday accused Russia of violating a landmark Cold-War era nuclear pact and said the U.S. will suspend its obligations under the treaty in the next 60 days unless Russia comes back into compliance. "We either bury our head in the sand, or we take common sense action in response to Russia’s flagrant disregard of the express terms of the INF treaty," Pompeo said at a news conference at NATO headquarters. The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty was signed in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Pompeo accused Russia of cheating on the arms control agreement, also pointed to a long list of alleged Russian transgressions around the globe, including in Georgia, Ukraine and Syria, as well as election meddling, and the <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/suspect-u-k-spy-poisoning-works-russian-intelligence-report-says-n918016" target="_blank">attempted assassination</a> of former spy Sergei Skripal with a nerve agent in the United Kingdom and the recent incident involving Russian warships <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russia-s-response-ukraine-crisis-deploying-missile-system-crimea-n941111" target="_blank">firing at Ukrainian naval vessels</a> in the Kerch Strait. The move brings the U.S. a step closer towards following through on threats to withdraw from the Cold War era agreement, which prevents the U.S. and Russia from possessing any land-based cruise missiles that can strike within a 310 to 3,410 mile range. The deal was primarily designed to keep ground-based nuclear weapons out of Europe.</p>
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<p><strong><em>REPORT: Stanford Admin Suggests Frat Takes Down American Flag</em></strong></p>
<p>Stanford University administrator allegedly persuaded a now-defunct fraternity to remove an American flag from its house in order to break stereotypes. While on suspension during the fall 2017 semester, Sigma Chi met with an administrator acting as a liaison between the frat and Stanford's Residential Education office, according to the <a href="https://stanfordreview.org/does-the-american-flag-offend-you-stanford-thinks-it-might/" target="_blank"><em>Stanford Review</em></a>. The administrator, identified by the<em> Stanford Review</em> as "Mr. Z," suggested that Sigma Chi take the flag down. This was during a period when the frat was trying to bring itself back into good standing with the school so that it could resume operations, which ultimately did not happen. A Stanford alum reported that, during a dinner at Sigma Chi, the administrator suggested that the frat take down its American flag to help get rid of stereotypes and remove the presence of a potentially unsettling symbol.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Satanic Sculpture Installed at Illinois Statehouse, Just in Time for the Holidays</em></strong></p>
<p>In the Illinois Capitol rotunda this month, several traditions are being celebrated. There's a Nativity scene for Christmas, a menorah for Hanukkah, and then something a little different: an arm holding an apple, with a snake coiled around it. It's a gift from the Chicago branch of <a href="https://thesatanictemple.com/pages/about-us">The Satanic Temple</a>. Called "Snaketivity," the work also has a sign that reads "Knowledge Is The Greatest Gift." Illinois Secretary of State spokesman Dave Druker <a href="https://www.sj-r.com/news/20181203/satanic-temple-monument-added-to-capitol-rotunda-displays">told</a> <em>The State Journal-Record</em> the temple has the same rights as religious organizations. "This recognizes that."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Silent-Threat/-827332994506825569.html">“The Silent Threat”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-12-05T12:54:00ZSupreme Court Turns Down Challenge to the Border Wall; CIA Chief Will Brief Senators on Khashoggi KillingBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Supreme-Court-Turns-Down-Challenge-to-the-Border-Wall;-CIA-Chief-Will-Brief-Senators-on-Khashoggi-Killing/612995515879043595.html2018-12-04T13:35:00Z2018-12-04T13:35:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, December 4, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Supreme Court Turns Down Challenge to the Border Wall</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/03/supreme-court-border-wall/?utm_medium=push&utm_source=daily_caller&utm_campaign=push">The U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up a challenge</a> to President Donald Trump’s border wall Monday, which asserted that the administration violated the Constitution when it exempted border barrier projects from environmental regulations. The plaintiffs warn of adverse effects to local ecosystems should the administration raise a wall along the border with Mexico. A 1996 law authorized the attorney general (and later the Homeland Security secretary) to build border barriers to deter illegal immigration. In that connection, the law gave the Department of Homeland Security secretary power to exempt certain border projects from environmental laws like the Endangered Species Act, as well as other legal rules, to ensure quick construction.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>President George H.W. Bush Honored at Capitol as Americans Say Goodbye; Trump Pays Respects</em></strong></p>
<p>Former President George H.W. Bush was eulogized at a ceremony in the Capitol on Monday as a gracious, humble public servant who remained a model of human decency throughout his life. “In consequential times, George Herbert Walker Bush demonstrated the finest qualifies of our nation and of humankind,” said House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis. Later Monday, President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump joined other Americans who showed up at the Capitol to pay their respects to Bush, who <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/nation/2018/12/01/former-president-george-h.w.-bush-has-died/38650759/">died late Friday</a> in Houston at age 94 after a battle with vascular Parkinsonism. Trump and the first lady walked into the Capitol Rotunda at 8:30 p.m. and stood side by side for roughly a minute in front of Bush’s flag-draped coffin. Trump saluted the casket, and the first lady placed her hand on her heart before the couple exited. Neither the president nor the first lady spoke. But in a message to Congress, Trump said Bush led a life "that exemplified what is truly great about America."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>CIA Chief Will Brief Senators on Khashoggi Killing</em></strong></p>
<p>CIA Director <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/03/cia-chief-brief-senators-khashoggi-killing-1041044">Gina Haspel will brief Senate committee leaders on the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi</a> on Tuesday after members of both parties expressed outrage over the absence of intelligence officials at a briefing last week. The spy chief will meet with top leaders of the Senate‘s Armed Services Committee, Foreign Relations Committee and Intelligence Committee, according to a source familiar with the matter. The meeting comes ahead of a scheduled vote on whether the Senate will vote to pull support for the civil war in Yemen. The number of attendees<strong> </strong>at the briefing could grow given the concern among both parties about Khashoggi's killing at the Saudi Arabian Consulate in Istanbul earlier this year. Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) confirmed the briefing, adding it would take place at 11 a.m. When asked when the Senate would debate the resolution, Corker said it could happen as early as Thursday but likely wouldn't happen before Monday.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>2 Migrant Children Dropped Over Border Wall by Suspected Smuggler, CPB Video Shows</em></strong></p>
<p>Two small migrant children appeared to be dropped from the Mexico side of the border into the Arizona side by a suspected smuggler, according to surveillance footage provided by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Monday. The children were dropped from the 18-foot wall near the San Luis Port of Entry, according to <a href="https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/suspected-human-smuggler-observed-dropping-small-children-border-wall">CBP release</a>. One child suffered a facial injury. At least one person in Mexico was seen helping adult members of the family group over the top of the wall, and then dropping the children to the waiting family members below, according to the release. The six family members were from Guatemala, including three children ages 2, 7 and 10, the release said. The ages of the two children who were dropped were unclear. All six were taken into custody. The suspect who helped the children over the border wall to the group did not cross into the U.S., CPB said, according to Yuma's <a href="https://www.kyma.com/news/migrant-children-dropped-over-border-wall-by-suspected-smuggler/909201210">KYMA-TV</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Claims Spending Money on Border Wall Will Save U.S. 'Billions'</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump claimed Monday that the United States would “save Billions of Dollars if the Democrats would give us the votes to build the Wall.” Lawmakers are looking to avoid a partial government shutdown at the end of this week, and disagreements over how much money to provide for border security are the primary holdup. Trump has suggested he won’t sign a spending bill that includes less than $5 billion tabbed for building a wall along the southern border, significantly more than the $1.6 billion agreed to in a bipartisan Senate proposal. While Trump <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/02/trump-assents-to-shutdown-delay-1037152" target="_blank">has agreed</a> to consider punting the shutdown deadline in light of former President George H.W. Bush's death over the weekend, he made no indication of that in his tweet on Monday. While the president did not elaborate on his claim that erecting a border wall would result in savings for the country, he vowed that “either way, people will NOT be allowed into our Country illegally,” threatening in a tweet that “we will close the entire Southern Border if necessary.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>As Frustration with Slow Asylum Process Grows Caravan Migrants Begin to Breach Border</em></strong></p>
<p>At least two dozen Central American migrants disillusioned and frustrated with the asylum-seeking process <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/world/caravan-migrants-breach-us-border-amid-anger-from-slow-asylum-seeking-process">breached the U.S.-Mexico border on Monday</a> just before dusk by scaling a 10-foot metal fence, Reuters reported. Other migrants managed to squeeze through the fence on the beach. Some migrants reportedly tried to escape the capture by the U.S. Border Patrol, but most were caught. It remains unclear how many migrants managed to escape the detention.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>America’s Safest and Most Dangerous Cities</em></strong></p>
<p>East Coast cities won first and second place rankings as the safest cities in America, according to a Monday WalletHub study. Columbia, Maryland, and South Burlington, Vermont, rank as America’s two safest cities, respectively, <a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/safest-cities-in-america/41926/" target="_blank">according to the study</a>. Plano, Texas, and Virginia Beach, Virginia, followed as the third and fourth safest cities in the U.S., respectively, according to the study. St. Louis ranked as the least safe city, followed by Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and San Bernardino, California, as the most unsafe cities, respectively, according to WalletHub. The WalletHub authors conducted their study by comparing 182 cities across factors of home and community safety, natural disaster risk and financial safety. The cities selected for the study include America’s 150 most populated cities along with at least two of the most populated cities in each state, according to WalletHub.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Newsom Vows to Withdraw Guard from Border, Seeks Help for Humanitarian Crisis</em></strong></p>
<p>A month out from his inauguration, <a href="https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2018/12/01/newsom-vows-to-withdraw-guard-from-border-seeks-help-for-humanitarian-crisis-721863">California Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom is staking out his own ground</a> when it comes to immigration policy and relations with Mexico, signaling he’s not interested in keeping National Guard troops at the border and that he intends to seek more state resources to address humanitarian concerns. The approach, which Newsom discussed Friday with POLITICO, could suggest a shift from the approach taken by current Gov. Jerry Brown, a fellow Democrat. “What’s the point of our National Guard being there at this point? I can’t see any,’’ he told POLITICO in a phone interview from Mexico as he prepared to attend the inauguration of Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. He said he would review current National Guard commitments, those made by Brown under pressure from President Donald Trump. Those commitments are set to extend until March 31, but Newsom said he believed those troops could be far better utilized. Newsom said he will explore a role for California’s Office of Emergency Services to aid refugees who have already arrived in California and hopes to assist services being offered by nonprofit groups like the Salvation Army.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Silent-Threat/-827332994506825569.html">“The Silent Threat”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-12-04T13:35:00ZComey Reaches Agreement with Republicans for Testimony; Tijuana Looks to New Mexican President for Help with Migrant CaravanBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Comey-Reaches-Agreement-with-Republicans-for-Testimony;-Tijuana-Looks-to-New-Mexican-President-for-Help-with-Migrant-Caravan/-84060469276814364.html2018-12-03T13:09:00Z2018-12-03T13:09:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Monday, December 3, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Comey Reaches Agreement with Republicans for Testimony</em></strong></p>
<p>Former FBI director <a href="https://thehill.com/people/james-comey">James Comey</a> will testify before Congress in private this week after reaching a deal with Republicans and dropping his challenge to a House subpoena. His lawyer, David Kelly, confirmed to The Hill that Comey had reached an agreement to testify next Friday. Comey tweeted earlier Sunday that he had reached a deal with Republican lawmakers regarding his testimony, which he wanted to give in a public hearing. "Grateful for a fair hearing from judge. Hard to protect my rights without being in contempt, which I don’t believe in," Comey wrote on Twitter, following a hearing on his challenge. "So will sit in the dark, but Republicans agree I’m free to talk when done and transcript released in 24 hours," he added. "This is the closest I can get to public testimony."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Tijuana Looks to New Mexican President for Help with Migrant Caravan</em></strong></p>
<p>Mexico’s incoming President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has his work cut out for him. In Tijuana, his highest priority, something city residents expect him to tackle immediately after his swearing-in ceremony are the thousands of Central American migrants on the brink of a humanitarian crisis at the border. Many of the migrants are waiting for a chance to plea for asylum with U.S. immigration officials, but they may be stuck for months. In his inauguration speech Saturday, López Obrador promised to address migration issues at the root, saying he will work with his counterparts in Central America to stem the flow of migrants seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border. He followed up, in <a href="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/migrant-caravan/sd-me-amlo-caravan-20181201-story.html">one of his first acts in office</a>, by signing an agreement with presidents from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras to do just that. The plan includes a fund to generate jobs in those regions.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>U.S. Markets to Close on Wednesday in Honor of George H.W. Bush</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-bush-markets/us-markets-to-close-on-wednesday-in-honor-of-george-hw-bush-idUSKCN1O03T4">Major U.S. markets will be closed on Wednesday</a> in honor of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will both close on Wednesday in observance of the National Day of Mourning after Bush’s death Saturday at the age of 94. Both the NYSE and Nasdaq will also observe a moment of silence at 9:20 a.m. ET on Monday. U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday ordered the federal government to close on Wednesday out of respect for Bush. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is scheduled to testify on Wednesday on the economic outlook before the congressional Joint Economic Committee. A spokesman for the committee did not immediately respond to questions on Saturday about whether the hearing would be rescheduled.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Stormy Daniels: Michael Avenatti and I 'Have Sorted Sh-- Out' After Fundraiser Accounting Questions</em></strong></p>
<p>Adult-film star <a href="https://twitter.com/StormyDaniels/status/1069355191336603649">Stormy Daniels revealed</a> Sunday that she and attorney Michael Avenatti have "straightened s--- out" days after she questioned the origin of a fundraising appeal Avenatti launched on her behalf. Daniels told the Daily Beast on Wednesday that Avenatti had launched the campaign on the website CrowdJustice "without my permission or even my knowledge" after she questioned him about how money raised through an initial fundraiser had been spent. The initial fundraiser brought in a reported $580,000 toward Daniels' expenses; the second fundraiser brought in $4,785 before the page was taken down Wednesday evening. On Sunday, Daniels tweeted that "we know the accounting is on the up and up," but did not elaborate further. When contacted by Fox News, Avenatti said in an email: "We haven’t decided whether we are going to raise more money - ultimately it will be Stormy’s decision."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Bono to Speak in Chicago on Fighting AIDS, Poverty in Africa</em></strong></p>
<p>Bono will speak in Chicago about his efforts to combat AIDS and extreme poverty in Africa. The lead singer of the rock band U2 is scheduled to appear Thursday at an Economic Club of Chicago dinner meeting. He’ll participate in a discussion with Ariel Investments President Mellody Hobson, who is also the club’s chairwoman. Bono is the co-founder of ONE, an advocacy organization that lobbies governments around the world to address poverty. He also co-founded RED, which partners with well-known brands to raise public awareness of AIDS. It has raised more than $500 million for AIDS prevention and treatment in Africa.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Michigan to be First Midwest State to Allow Recreational Pot</em></strong></p>
<p>Michigan clears a threshold this week as the first state in the Midwest to allow <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/alerts/Marijuana" target="_blank">marijuana</a> for more than just medical purposes. In the Nov. 6 <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/alerts/Elections" target="_blank">election</a>, voters by a wide margin endorsed recreational use by adults who are at least 21. The move comes 10 years after voters approved marijuana to alleviate the effects of certain illnesses. Many supporters believe that decade-long experience, as well as similar legalization efforts in other states, led to victory at the ballot box. Michigan residents who are 21 or older can possess or transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana. They can grow up to 12 plants, although not in public view. They also can give 2.5 ounces to another person, but not for payment.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Be Celibate or Leave the Priesthood, Pope Tells Gay Priests</em></strong></p>
<p>Men with deep-rooted homosexual tendencies should not be admitted to the Catholic clergy, and it would be better for priests who are actively gay to leave rather than lead a double life, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-homosexuals-book/be-celibate-or-leave-the-priesthood-pope-tells-gay-priests-idUSKBN1O10K7">Pope Francis says in a new book</a>. While he has previously spoken of the need for better screening of candidates for the religious life, his comments suggesting that priests who cannot keep their vows of celibacy should leave are some of his clearest to date. Francis made the comments in a book-length interview with Spanish priest Fernando Prado called “The Strength of Vocation”, in which he discusses the challenges of being a priest or nun today. Francis said in the book that homosexuality in the Church “is something that worries me”. It is due to be published this week in several languages. An advance copy of the Italian version was made available to Reuters.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Michelle Obama on 'Leaning In:' 'That S--t Doesn’t Work All the Time'</em></strong></p>
<p>Former first lady <a href="https://thehill.com/people/michelle-obama">Michelle Obama</a> said Saturday that it's not always enough for women to "lean in" when trying to find a balance between their marriage and career. “That whole ‘so you can have it all.’ Nope, not at the same time,” Obama said while speaking in Brooklyn as she promoted her book, "Becoming," <a href="https://www.thecut.com/2018/12/michelle-obama-lean-in-becoming-book-tour.html">according to New York magazine. </a> “That’s a lie. And it’s not always enough to lean in, because that shit doesn’t work all the time.” During her stop in Brooklyn as part of a tour for the book, Obama spoke about balancing life and work. New York magazine reported that she said the expectation of “having it all” isn't realistic all the time. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Silent-Threat/-827332994506825569.html">“The Silent Threat”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-12-03T13:09:00ZTrump and Xi Agree to a 90-Day Trade Truce; Trump Sending Air Force One to Carry George H.W. Bush's BodyBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-and-Xi-Agree-to-a-90-Day-Trade-Truce;-Trump-Sending-Air-Force-One-to-Carry-George-H.W.-Bushs-Body/394953838612205669.html2018-12-02T13:50:00Z2018-12-02T13:50:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, December 2, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>U.S. Will Hold Off on Raising China Tariffs to 25% as Trump and Xi Agree to a 90-Day Trade Truce</em></strong></p>
<p>Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump put their <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/01/us-china-wont-impose-additional-tariffs-after-january-1-report.html">bilateral trade war</a> on pause momentarily, striking an agreement to hold off on slapping additional tariffs on each other's goods after January 1, as talks continue between both countries. In a White House readout of a dinner at the G-20 summit in Argentina, Xi and Trump discussed a range of nettlesome issues — among them the trade dispute that has left over $200 billion worth of goods hanging in the balance. "President Trump has agreed that on January 1, 2019, he will leave the tariffs on $200 billion worth of product at the 10 percent rate, and not raise it to 25 percent at this time," the statement read. Over the next 90 days, American and Chinese officials will continue to negotiate lingering disagreements on technology transfer, intellectual property and agriculture. "Both parties agree that they will endeavor to have this transaction completed within the next 90 days. If at the end of this period of time, the parties are unable to reach an agreement, the 10 percent tariffs will be raised to 25 percent," the statement added.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Sending Air Force One to Carry George H.W. Bush’s Body to D.C. to Begin Final Tributes</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump plans to send Air Force One to Texas this week to bring the body of <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/news-events/remembering-george-h-w-bush">former President George H.W. Bush</a> to Washington, D.C., where the body is scheduled to lie in state in the U.S. Capitol before returning to Texas for burial. Trump's disclosure was among a list of funeral plans that emerged Saturday as the nation prepared to bid a final farewell to Bush, the nation's 41st president, who <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/george-h-w-bush-41st-president-of-the-united-states-dead-at-94">died Friday night at age 94</a>. "We will be spending three days of mourning and three days celebrating a really great man's life," Trump told reporters in Buenos Aires, before returning to Washington on Saturday, <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/dec/1/trump-sending-air-force-one-carry-late-president-g/">the Washington Times reported</a>. “Air Force One will be taking myself and a group of our people back to Washington. It will then be reset, and it will be sent to Houston to pick up the casket of President Bush and it will be sent back to Washington,” Trump said, according to the report. Family spokesman Jim McGrath said Bush died shortly after 10 p.m. Friday, about eight months after the death of former first lady Barbara Bush, his wife of more than 73 years.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Mexico Closes Migrant Shelter Near U.S. Border </em></strong></p>
<p>The city government of Tijuana announced Saturday that it has closed a migrant shelter at a sports complex close to the U.S. border that once held about 6,000 Central Americans who hope to get into the U.S. Officials said all the migrants <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/mexico-closes-migrant-shelter-near-us-border-/4683220.html">were being moved to a former concert venue</a> much farther from the border. The city said in a statement the sports complex shelter was closed because of unsanitary conditions. Experts had expressed concerns about unsanitary conditions that had developed at the partly flooded sports complex, where the migrants had been packed into a space adequate for half their numbers. Mud, lice infestations and respiratory infections were rampant. The new shelter is being run by federal authorities.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Says Next Meeting with North Korea's Kim Likely in Early 2019</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday he is likely to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in January or February and that three sites for their second meeting are under consideration. “We’re getting along very well. We have a good relationship,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his return from a G20 summit in Argentina. Trump added that at some point he will invite Kim to the United States. The White House said in a statement on Saturday after Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping that they and Kim will strive “to see a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.” The statement said Xi and Trump “agreed that great progress has been made with respect to North Korea.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Al Sharpton Sells His Life Story Rights for $531G to His Own Charity</em></strong></p>
<p>The Rev. Al Sharpton has found <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/al-sharpton-sells-his-life-story-rights-for-531g-to-his-own-charity">an eager buyer for the rights to his life story</a>, his own charity. The National Action Network agreed to pay the activist preacher $531,000 for his “life story rights for a 10-year period,” according to the non-profit’s latest tax filing, which was obtained by The Post. NAN can apparently turn around and sell those rights to Hollywood or other takers at a profit, but neither the reverend nor the charity would identify what producers are waiting for such Sharpton content. The document does not indicate when Sharpton, who is president of NAN, gets the cash, which is above and beyond the $244,661 he already pulled down in compensation from the group in 2017. Sharpton also wouldn’t say when the cash would come in.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Democratic Socialist Ocasio-Cortez Compares Her Election Victory to Moon Landing</em></strong></p>
<p>Democratic Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said fellow progressives’ and her election victory, in an overwhelmingly Democratic district, was akin to the 1969 moon landing and the 1964 Civil Rights Act. “We've done what we thought was impossible,” she told a crowd during an event hosted by an environmental group, the Sunshine Movement, that aims to combat climate change. “We went to the moon. We electrified the nation. We established civil rights. We enfranchised the country. We dig deep, and we did it. We did it when no one else thought that we could. That's what we did when so many of us won an election this year,” Ocasio-Cortez added. The New York Democrat is making the fight against climate change her signature issue, joining a climate change protest outside House Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi’s offices on her first day on Capitol Hill. She’s also been pushing for the so-called “Green New Deal” that aims to transform the U.S. economy away from fossil fuels and embrace renewable energy.</p>
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<p><strong><em>‘Saturday Night Live’ Pays Tribute to George H.W. Bush</em></strong></p>
<p>“Saturday Night Live” this weekend paid tribute to former President George H.W. Bush, who <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/news/419231-former-president-george-hw-bush-dies-at-94">died Friday night at the age of 94</a>. On sketch comedy show's “Weekend Update” segment, hosts Michael Che and Colin Jost gave their “thoughts and condolences” to Bush’s family and friends. “President Bush was famously a warm and gracious man who always understood the power of being able to laugh at yourself,” Jost said. The show then aired clips of former cast member Dana Carvey’s portrayal of Bush during his presidency, followed by a clip of Bush responding to Carvey on the show. “I’m watching you do your impression of me, and I’ve gotta say it’s nothing like me,” Bush said in the clip. “It’s bad, it’s bad." Carvey, who performed at the White House Christmas Party in 1992 at Bush’s invitation, said earlier this year that he enjoyed “so many warm moments” with Bush and former first lady Barbara Bush, who died in April.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Silent-Threat/-827332994506825569.html">“The Silent Threat”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-12-02T13:50:00ZTrump Signs Trade Deal with Mexico and Canada; Caravan Women Launch Hunger Strike, Putting Pressure on U.S. and MexicoBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Signs-Trade-Deal-with-Mexico-and-Canada;-Caravan-Women-Launch-Hunger-Strike-Putting-Pressure-on-U.S.-and-Mexico/-718216497274674449.html2018-11-30T13:34:00Z2018-11-30T13:34:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, November 30, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Signs Trade Deal with Mexico and Canada</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto are <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/11/30/672150010/usmca-trump-signs-new-trade-agreement-with-mexico-and-canada">signing the new U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement or USMCA</a> in Buenos Aires Friday, using the backdrop of the G-20 Summit to resolve a trade dispute with America's closest neighbors. Saying that all three countries will benefit from the deal, Trump said of the USMCA, "It is probably the largest trade deal ever made." The USMCA replaces the North American Free Trade Agreement, which had created a free trade zone between the three countries back in 1994.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Border Patrol Chase in California Ends in Crash with 3 Dead from Packed Pickup Truck</em></strong></p>
<p>A high-speed chase near the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego County ended with three dead and eight injured after a Chevrolet pickup attempted to flee an enforcement stop, hit a spike strip and rolled into an embankment on Interstate 8, authorities said in a statement. The pickup was carrying 11 people, 9 of whom were lying unrestrained in the bed while weaving through traffic and traveling at speeds of more than 100 mph, witnesses said. A male driver and a female passenger were believed to be seated in the cab of the truck, CHP spokesman Officer Travis Garrow said. Border Patrol agents had attempted to conduct an enforcement stop around 4:30 p.m. but the driver reportedly failed to yield to the Border Patrol’s marked vehicle and fled, authorities said. Agents deployed a spike strip as the vehicle traveled westbound and the driver lost control, became airborne and rolled down an embankment into a two-lane interstate east of Crestwood Road, authorities said, <a href="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/public-safety/sd-me-interstate-8-rollover-deadly-crash-20181129-story.html">according to the San Diego Union-Tribune</a>. It wasn’t immediately clear whether they were part of the migrant caravan currently awaiting entry at San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Report: Former Trump Associates Considered Giving Putin Penthouse in Moscow Trump Tower</em></strong></p>
<p>Former Trump associates Felix Sater and Michael Cohen considered giving Russian President Vladimir Putin a $50 million penthouse at the top of the planned Trump Tower they discussed building in Moscow, BuzzFeed News’ Jason Leopold and Anthony Cormier <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/anthonycormier/the-trump-organization-planned-to-give-vladimir-putin-the?bftw&utm_term=4ldqpfp#4ldqpfp">report</a>. Cohen entered a <a href="https://www.axios.com/cohen-confessions-mueller-investigation-plea-russia-bdf3d078-8df3-4be4-a9de-16b87356d01a.html">guilty plea</a> Thursday morning over lying to Congress about his conversations with Russians over the Moscow tower deal, which he says he did to protect Trump's campaign. Top U.S. law enforcement officials told BuzzFeed News that Cohen discussed the deal with Putin's press team. It's not clear if Trump knew of the discussions about awarding Putin the penthouse.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Caravan Women Launch Hunger Strike, Putting Pressure on U.S. and Mexico</em></strong></p>
<p>A group of migrant women in the caravan announced Thursday that they would <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/29/migrant-caravan-hunger-strike-1030649">begin a hunger strike</a> to protest the slow pace at which they are being allowed to apply for asylum, as officials from the United States and Mexico are set to meet this weekend to negotiate a plan to process their claims. The fast, which has no set end date, represents a dramatic escalation from the migrants, most of whom have been waiting in Tijuana, Mexico, to cross into the United States through official ports of entry for weeks. Fifteen women are set to begin striking, and they expect the number will increase gradually. The women who led the group said they want the governments to expedite humanitarian visas for them, to increase the number of migrants being allowed to cross into the United States, and to halt any deportations against migrants.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Comey Sues to Block Subpoena for House Deposition</em></strong></p>
<p>Former FBI Director James Comey is asking a federal judge to block a subpoena for his closed-door testimony before the House Judiciary Committee. The committee subpoenaed Comey on Nov. 21 to appear for a deposition Dec. 3 regarding his handling of the FBI investigations into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server and possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian government. Comey responded to the subpoena on Twitter, calling for a public hearing instead of a private interview. His attorneys <a href="https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/5332620/Motion-to-Quash-Congressional-Subpoena.pdf" target="_blank">argue</a> the subpoena request violates House rules, which they assert operate under the presumption that hearings be open to the public.</p>
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<p><strong><em>CNN Sacks Contributor Marc Lamont Hill After Controversial Israel-Palestine Comments</em></strong></p>
<p>CNN has reportedly fired commentator Marc Lamont Hill on Thursday, a day after he gave a speech in front of the U.N. condemning Israel and stating his belief that Palestinians should not be condemned if they feel the need to resort to violence. Lamont’s firing was first reported by <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/tv/exclusive-cnn-fires-marc-lamont-hill-following-israel-comments/" target="_blank">Mediaite</a>, which came 24 hours after he spoke at the U.N. commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. “Marc Lamont Hill is no longer under contract with CNN,” a CNN spokesperson told The Daily Caller without providing any additional information. Lamont Hill is also a professor at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A Temple University spokesperson told the Daily Caller, “Marc Lamont Hill has been quoted extensively over the last 24 hours. Marc Lamont Hill does not represent Temple University and his views are his own. However, we acknowledge that he has a constitutionally protected right to express his opinion as a private citizen.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>'Rudolph' Holiday Classic ‘Not So Jolly After All,' Liberals Claim</em></strong></p>
<p>This year, <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/randy-hall/2018/11/29/rudolph-holiday-classic-not-so-jolly-after-all-liberals-claim">Rudolph has come under fire</a> from liberal viewers who dismiss the tale as everything from “seriously problematic” to “not so jolly after all” because the lead character is bullied by other reindeer and even Santa Claus himself, all of whom treat him and the misfit dentist elf as outcasts just because they’re different.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Mother Upset After Southwest Airlines Employee Mocks Daughter’s Name: Abcde</em></strong></p>
<p>A mother is criticizing <a href="https://ktla.com/2018/11/29/mother-upset-after-southwest-airlines-employee-mocks-daughters-name-abcde/">Southwest Airlines after an agent mocked the name of her 5-year-old daughter</a>, Abcde. Traci Redford said she and Abcde (pronounced AHB-sih-dee), who has epilepsy, were preboarding their flight home to El Paso when a gate agent at John Wayne Airport laughed at her daughter’s name. The agent snapped a photo of the boarding pass and posted it on social media. Redford said she asked the agent to stop making fun of her daughter. She learned about the social media post later, when someone sent it to her and told her they had notified Southwest about the mocking.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Jesuit University Blocks Ben Shapiro Event, saying it Prompts ‘Hateful Speech’ from Protesters</em></strong></p>
<p>A Jesuit university has blocked a proposed event featuring conservative writer Ben Shapiro, citing the possibility of “hateful speech” by protesters. Officials at Gonzaga University in Washington state rejected a request from the school’s College Republicans chapter seeking to bring Shapiro to campus, <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11572">according to conservative college news site Campus Reform.</a> Judi Biggs Garbuio, Gonzaga’s vice president of student development, reportedly said in the denial that Shapiro’s speeches “routinely draw protests that include extremely divisive and hateful speech and behavior, which is offensive to many people, regardless of their age, politics or beliefs.” Olivia Johnston, president of Gonzaga College Republicans, told Campus Reform that the school’s response to the event shows that they “have made it clear diversity of thought [is] not welcome.” “I refuse to accept a University that only supports strictly liberal thinking,” she added. “The hypocrisy must end.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Silent-Threat/-827332994506825569.html">“The Silent Threat”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-11-30T13:34:00ZTrump Leaves Press Pool Behind at National Christmas Tree Lighting; Trump Ramps Up Attacks on MuellerBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Leaves-Press-Pool-Behind-at-National-Christmas-Tree-Lighting;-Trump-Ramps-Up-Attacks-on-Mueller/-442240763973453656.html2018-11-29T13:14:00Z2018-11-29T13:14:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, November 29, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Ramps Up Attacks on Mueller</em></strong></p>
<p>Trump started Thursday on Twitter the same way he ended it on Wednesday, <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/418840-trump-ramps-up-attacks-on-mueller">attacking special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation</a> into Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election and possible collusion between Moscow and the Trump campaign. "Did you ever see an investigation more in search of a crime?" he asked in an early morning tweet. "A total disgrace!" he added. Trump in a subsequent tweet asked when "will this illegal Joseph McCarthy style Witch Hunt, one that has shattered so many innocent lives, ever end," adding that it has proven there was "NO Collusion with Russia." Wednesday night, Trump tweeted that "so much happening with the now discredited Witch Hunt. This total Hoax will be studied for years!" </p>
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<p><strong><em>Stormy Daniels Alleges Michael Avenatti Sued Trump Against Her Wishes</em></strong></p>
<p>Stormy Daniels accused attorney Michael Avenatti of filing a defamation suit against President Donald Trump against her wishes, according to a statement she gave to The Daily Beast. “I haven’t decided yet what to do about legal representation moving forward. Michael has been a great advocate in many ways. I’m tremendously grateful to him for aggressively representing me in my fight to regain my voice. But in other ways Michael has not treated me with the respect and deference an attorney should show to a client,” she said to <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/stormy-daniels-michael-avenatti-filed-defamation-case-against-trump-against-my-wishes/" target="_blank">them</a>. “He has spoken on my behalf without my approval. He filed a defamation case against Donald Trump against my wishes.” Daniels continued, “He repeatedly refused to tell me how my legal defense fund was being spent. Now he has launched a new crowdfunding campaign using my face and name without my permission and attributing words to me that I never wrote or said. I’m deeply grateful to my supporters and they deserve to know their money is being spent responsibly.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Leaves Press Pool Behind at National Christmas Tree Lighting</em></strong> </p>
<p>President Trump on Wednesday departed the National Christmas Tree lighting event without White House staff notifying a pool of reporters assigned to monitor the president's movements of his whereabouts. Members of the protective press pool, a group of reporters assigned to remain with the president and document his activities indicated shortly after 6:30 p.m. that Trump had returned to the White House without any warning or comment from staffers. Reporters were briefly held at the Ellipse outside the White House without any immediate indication of where the president had gone. The president and first lady <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/418804-trump-first-lady-light-national-christmas-tree">attended</a> the national Christmas tree lighting on Wednesday night. They sat in the front row for most of the festivities, and the two appeared on stage briefly to light the tree and wish the crowd a merry Christmas.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Nancy Pelosi Wins Nomination for Speaker of the House</em></strong></p>
<p>House Democrats selected Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi as the nominee for speaker of the House on Wednesday in a closed-door meeting with the caucus. The nomination marks a win for Pelosi in the first major step in her bid to reclaim the leadership position when Democrats take back control of the House in January 2019. She needed only half of the Democratic Caucus to vote on her behalf in order to secure the nomination. Pelosi served as the speaker from 2007 until 2011 the only woman to ever hold that position. Despite ultimately running unopposed, Pelosi faced a challenge from a small, but vocal fraction of Democratic congressmen and congressmen-elect who <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2018/11/26/nancy-pelosi-house-speaker-support/" target="_blank">opposed</a> her ascension to the leadership position.</p>
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<p><strong><em>U.S. Border Agents Arrest MS-13 Gang Member ‘Intending on Filing for Asylum in the United States’</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. border patrol agents arrested an MS-13 gang member at the Calexico Port of Entry on Saturday the Department of Homeland Security announced on Wednesday. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection <a href="https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/border-patrol-arrests-ms-13-gang-member-2" target="_blank">press release</a> read, “After a short interview, the man told agents he is a Honduran citizen and active gang member with the notorious Mara Salvatrucha 13 (MS-13) international crime organization. The man also told agents he traveled to the United States border with a large group of people from Central America intending on filing for asylum in the United States.” The statement also said that the gang member will be sent back to Honduras. It’s unclear if he was the only gang member arrested at the border.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>California Considering Legal Action Over Use of Tear Gas at Southern Border</em></strong></p>
<p>California is considering if the state can take legal action over the Trump administration's use of tear gas on a group of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. “We have been approached by folks who have expressed complaints,” California Attorney General <a href="https://thehill.com/people/xavier-becerra">Xavier Becerra</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-california/california-assessing-legal-action-against-use-of-force-on-mexico-border-idUSKCN1NX2FB">said in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday</a>. “We are monitoring what’s occurring.” Reuters notes, however, that California has limited jurisdiction, because the federal government has a large authority over border and immigration policies. But Becerra told the news outlet that California could have the authority to take legal action if a state resident was impacted by the Border Patrol agents' use of force this past weekend. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Donald Trump Will Meet One-on-One with Russia's Putin at G-20, Kremlin Says</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump will meet one-on-one with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the G-20 on Saturday, according to the Kremlin. They will hold discussions in private at the summit in Buenos Aires before being joined by officials, <a href="http://tass.com/politics/1033190" target="_blank">Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told the TASS state news agency</a> late Wednesday. Trump already has much to discuss with global leaders in the Argentinian capital, and will have a working dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping Saturday night. During the talks, Putin and Trump are expected to discuss disarmament, global anti-terrorism and future bilateral relations, Ushakov told TASS. Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov echoed that on Thursday, telling reporters: "Bilateral relations-connected issues will come first. We should give thought to how to start discussing bilateral relations, strategic security and disarmament, and regional conflicts.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Trump-Media-War/946561633146775574.html">“The Trump-Media War”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-11-29T13:14:00ZCindy Hyde-Smith Defeats Democrat Mike Espy; Warren and Controversial Women's March Leader to Speak at Immigration ConferenceBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Cindy-Hyde-Smith-Defeats-Democrat-Mike-Espy;-Warren-and-Controversial-Womens-March-Leader-to-Speak-at-Immigration-Conference/851671305540618042.html2018-11-28T13:17:00Z2018-11-28T13:17:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, November 28, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Cindy Hyde-Smith Defeats Democrat Mike Espy</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/11/27/cindy-hyde-smith-becomes-1st-woman-elected-congress-mississippi/2127134002/">Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith fended off a challenge from Democrat Mike Espy</a> Tuesday in a closely watched Senate runoff election marked by racial tensions. She becomes the first woman from Mississippi elected to Congress. The Associated Press called the race for Hyde-Smith just before 10:30 pm EST. President Donald Trump, who campaigned for Hyde-Smith in Mississippi Monday, applauded Hyde-Smith on her victory. "Congratulations to Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith on your big WIN in the Great State of Mississippi,'' he tweeted late Tuesday. "We are all very proud of you!" Hyde-Smith was appointed by Republican Gov. Phil Bryant to fill the seat of longtime GOP Sen. Thad Cochran, who retired in April because of failing health. Hyde-Smith, a former state agriculture commissioner and state senator, will complete the two years remaining of Cochran’s term.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Gore Announces Celebrity Guests for 24-Hour Climate Special</em></strong></p>
<p>A slew of Hollywood stars and musicians including Sting, David Crosby, Claire Danes, and Tea Leoni will join Al Gore as the former vice president hosts <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/418461-gore-announces-celebrity-guests-for-24-hour-climate-special">a 24-hour broadcast special focused on what he calls the “climate crisis.”</a> “Our health depends on the health of the planet,” Gore, a longtime environmental activist, said in a statement about the upcoming eighth annual “24 Hours of Reality: Protect Our Planet, Protect Ourselves.” Also, among the entertainers expected to appear during the daylong broadcast from Gore's Climate Reality Project: Jaden Smith, actor Jeff Goldblum, TV host Bill Nye, HGTV’s Jonathan Scott, “Homeland’s” Mandy Patinkin, The Lumineers, singers Robyn and Michael Franti, and 5 Seconds of Summer. News of the 24-hour show comes just a day after President Trump said he doesn’t “believe” the findings of a major report his administration released last week which predicted dire consequences to the United States due to climate change.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Lashes Out at Mueller: A ‘Conflicted Prosecutor Gone Rogue’</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Tuesday took aim at special counsel Robert Mueller, one day after Mueller said in a new filing that Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, had <a href="https://thehill.com/regulation/national-security/418341-manafort-violates-plea-agreement">violated a plea agreement</a> by lying to federal prosecutors. In a series of tweets, Trump lashed out at Mueller, accusing him of causing "tremendous" damage to the nation's criminal justice system and calling the special counsel a "conflicted prosecutor" who is “only looking at one side” in his investigation. "The Fake News Media builds Bob Mueller up as a Saint, when in actuality he is the exact opposite,” Trump continued in a subsequent tweet. “He is doing TREMENDOUS damage to our Criminal Justice System, where he is only looking at one side and not the other. Heroes will come of this, and it won’t be Mueller and his.” The president went on to reference the FBI's shuttered investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, which chastised the former Democratic presidential nominee as "extremely careless" for her use of a private email server to do official business at the State Department.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Andrew Cuomo Swears He's Not Running for President in 2020</em></strong></p>
<p>New York Governor Andrew Cuomo still swears he is definitely, for sure not running for president in 2020. "I am ruling it out," Cuomo said Tuesday of a 2020 presidential bid, adding that he has "a full plate with many projects," per <em>USA Today </em>reporter Jon Campbell. This comes a week after a report from <em>The Associated Press</em> that said Cuomo had contacted Democrats in Des Moines, Iowa as presidential contenders look to set up staff in the state that hosts the first caucus. Cuomo <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/cuomo-denies-report-that-hes-contacted-iowa-democrats-is-eyeing-2020-run" target="_blank">denied this report</a>, calling it a "conspiracy theory."</p>
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<p><strong><em>Comey: If a Democrat Acted Like Trump, GOP 'Heads Would Explode'</em></strong></p>
<p>Former FBI Director James Comey criticized congressional Republicans this week, saying that the GOP should do more to reign in President Trump's "threats and tweets." In a Monday interview with <a href="https://www.wgbh.org/news/national-news/2018/11/26/i-always-respect-subpoenas-comey-says-his-legal-team-is-looking-at-his-options" target="_blank">Boston NPR affiliate WGBH</a>, the former FBI chief said that a Democratic president acting in a manner similar to Trump's would cause heads to "explode" among those on the right. “I am a little bit numb to the president’s threats and tweets because there is nothing there,” Comey, a sharp Trump critic, told the news outlet. “Then I stop myself, because it’s wrong for me or anybody else to become numb to the president of the United States announcing that a private citizen should be prosecuted." He continued, “I say that slowly because I hope Republicans listen to it and realize that if a Democrat were president and did that, their heads would explode. So, my question is, why are your heads not exploding now?” In the same interview, Comey cast doubt on speculation that acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker would take action to hamper the special counsel investigation into Russian election interference and the Trump campaign, adding that he expected Whitaker to know the consequences of such an action.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Nielsen Backs Up Border Patrol Saying Caravan Migrants Are Using Women and Children as 'Human Shields' and Says 'Over 600 Convicted Criminals' </em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said late Monday night that some migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border have been using women and children as 'human shields' in clashes with federal agents, confirming what U.S. Border Patrol officers and their labor union claimed hours earlier. And she said hundreds of convicted criminals including rapists and child abusers are known to be among the 'predominantly male' convoy of Central Americans who have set up camp in Tijuana, waiting to cross into California. 'It appears in some cases that the limited number of women and children in the caravan are being used by the organizers as “human shields” when they confront law enforcement,' Nielsen said in a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/179587888720522/posts/2230592780286679/" target="_blank">statement</a> posted on Facebook. President Donald Trump claimed Monday evening in Mississippi that some of the adults trying to cross the border illegally aren't related to the children who accompany them. He called them 'grabbers.' Nielsen also increased DHS's count of known convicts in the 'organized' caravan, saying: 'This is serious.' '[A]t this point we have confirmed that there are over 600 convicted criminals traveling with the caravan flow,' she said. 'This includes individuals known to law enforcement for assault, battery, drug crimes, burglary, rape, child abuse and more.'</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Warren and Controversial Women’s March Leader to Speak at Immigration Conference</em></strong></p>
<p>Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) will attend an immigration conference next month with Women's March organizer and liberal activist Linda Sarsour, who has come under increased scrutiny for her ties to radical Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan. Both Warren and Sarsour are slated to speak at the National Immigrant Integration Conference in Arlington, Virginia. The conference, which will run from Dec. 9 to 11, is the largest immigration conference in the United States and "plays a central role in the powerful, diverse and broad immigrant and refugee rights and integration field," according to its <a href="https://niic2018.org/about-2018/" target="_blank">website</a>. Sarsour, a Palestinian-American, has a long history of anti-Israel rhetoric, including a speech in 2015 at a Nation Of Islam event. She has also <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JewishVoiceforPeace/videos/10156056191824992/" target="_blank">discounted</a> anti-Semitism, saying that "while anti-Semitism is something that impacts Jewish Americans, it’s different than anti-black racism or Islamophobia because it’s not systemic."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Triumphant in Lawsuit Against His DC Hotel</em></strong></p>
<p>A Washington bar lost its case against President Trump and Trump International Hotel, in what it alleged was unfair competition because the president could use his position to increase business at the luxury hotel located blocks from the White House. U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon <a href="https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000167-520d-d6f7-adf7-724d6d8b0001" target="_blank">dismissed the lawsuit</a> brought last year by Cork Wine Bar on Monday. Co-owners Khalid Pitts, who has described himself <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/mike-debonis/wp/2014/10/21/meet-an-at-large-d-c-council-candidate-khalid-pitts/?utm_term=.a97ef15b56c7" target="_blank">as an advocate for liberal values</a>, and Diane Gross, argued that by hosting foreign dignitaries and by personally appearing at his hotel, Trump was unfairly attracting customers who would otherwise consider their establishment. Leon, however, said that a ruling in favor of the bar would be “condemning a wide swath of legitimate business conduct” and that using the White House to promote a family business didn’t violate Washington’s common law ban on unfair competition. Pitts said they planned on appealing the ruling. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Upstate NY Mayor Who Called Democratic Voters 'Retarded' Won't Resign, Says He Will Run for Reelection</em></strong></p>
<p>A mayor in upstate New York is rejecting calls for him to resign over his social media post that described Democratic voters as “retarded.” Denis Langlois, mayor of Fort Ann, told local news outlet the <a href="https://poststar.com/news/local/i-m-not-a-quitter-fort-ann-mayor-says-he/article_b9a76ae6-4baa-52d4-8195-e7460eafd964.html">Post Star</a> in an interview Monday that he will not step down and plans to run for reelection. “I’m not a quitter, and I won’t quit for no reason at all,” Langlois said. “No one will make me quit. I won’t quit. I took a job, and I’ll complete my job.” Langlois faced backlash over his <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/415751-upstate-ny-mayor-stands-by-calling-democratic-voters-retarded">pre-Election Day post on Facebook</a> in which he referred to Democrats as "retarded," a word that is largely considered offensive by disability-rights organizations and others. "If anyone that I know vote [sic] for a Democrat on Tuesday you should sign yourself into the Mental Health unit at your local Hospital because you are retarded and need help, Vote Republican and 'Keep America Great'!" He has not apologized for the comment but did remove the post after screenshots were circulated.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Florida State University Fan Fired After Posting Facebook Picture of Black Football Coach Willie Taggart Being Lynched</em></strong></p>
<p>A college football fan has been fired from his job after he allegedly posted a mocked-up picture of the Florida State University coach being lynched. Tom Shand allegedly posted a meme showing Willie Taggart with a noose around his neck, hanging from a tree. He appeared to post the picture under a <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/facebook/index.html">Facebook</a> threat on the Florida State Football group. Around the sickening black and white image was written: 'Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing your rep.' He added the hashtag #firetaggart and #justdoit to the post. When another FSU fan asked if he was serious, the user with the name Ton Shand replied: 'I'm dead f*****g serious. This is how far I'm willing to go to get rid of this clown!!!' Florida State President, John Thrasher, defended Taggart, the college's first black head coach, against the racist attack which was reportedly carried out by a fan named Tom Shand. Thrasher said via the college's Facebook page: 'A recent racist social media post aimed at our football coach is ignorant and despicable. 'I speak for the entire FSU community in expressing our disgust and extreme disappointment, and I am glad the state attorney is investigating. Coach Taggart has our full support and as true Seminoles know, he is a respected member of the FSU family.'</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Trump-Media-War/946561633146775574.html">“The Trump-Media War”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-11-28T13:17:00Z'I Don't Believe It': Trump Dismisses Grim Government Report on Climate Change; Mueller: Manafort Has Lied to FBI, Special Counsel's Office Since Plea DealBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/I-Dont-Believe-It:-Trump-Dismisses-Grim-Government-Report-on-Climate-Change;-Mueller:-Manafort-Has-Lied-to-FBI-Special-Counsels-Office-Since-Plea-Deal/767790056382798475.html2018-11-27T13:11:00Z2018-11-27T13:11:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, November 27, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Mueller: Manafort Has Lied to FBI, Special Counsel's Office Since Plea Deal</em></strong></p>
<p>Former Trump campaign chairman <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mueller-manafort-has-lied-to-fbi-special-counsels-office-since-plea-deal">Paul Manafort lied to the FBI and Special Counsel Robert Mueller's office</a> "on a variety of subject matters" since his plea deal earlier this year, thereby violating the agreement, Mueller said in a court filing submitted Monday night, while adding that Manafort claims he's been truthful. Manafort, 69, was convicted on multiple counts of financial fraud over the summer in connection to work he completed in Ukraine as a political consultant. Approaching a separate trial on similar charges in September he entered into an arrangement with the government in which he was expected to answer questions on a wide variety of matters. Manafort remains jailed and is expected to face at least 10 years in prison. Mueller's joint status report noted that both sides called for a sentencing date to be set without delay. “After signing the plea agreement, Manafort committed federal crimes by lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Special Counsel’s Office on a variety of subject matters, which constitute breaches of the agreement," Mueller's office said. Manafort, however, according to the report, contested the claims of the special counsel.</p>
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<p><strong><em>'I Don't Believe It': Trump Dismisses Grim Government Report on Climate Change</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump on Monday dismissed a grim report on climate change produced by his own government, saying he didn’t believe the report’s prognosis of dire economic fallout. Trump was asked by reporters whether he had read the <a href="https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/" target="_blank">report</a>, which was released on Friday in what critics said was an attempt to bury the news over a holiday weekend. “I’ve seen it. I’ve read some of it, and it’s fine,” Trump responded. The report predicted that economic losses due to climate change in some sectors could reach hundreds of billions of dollars a year by the end of the century. Trump rejected that claim. “I don’t believe it,” he said when a reporter asked about the grim projected economic effects. “No, no, I don’t believe it.” The annual report, mandated by Congress and put together by federal scientists, warned that every region and economy in the U.S. would be harmed. Trump said, however, that it wouldn’t mean much for the U.S. to address greenhouse gas emissions if “all of these other countries,” like China, Japan, “and all of Asia” did not cut back on pollution also, even though the United States is the only country that has rejected the Paris climate agreement. He claimed Monday that the U.S. is “the cleanest” it’s ever been.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Christine Blasey Ford Makes Rare Public Statement: ‘I Feel Hopeful that Our Lives Will Return to Normal’</em></strong> </p>
<p>Christine Blasey Ford in a rare public statement is thanking supporters for donations that she says will be used to get her family's lives back in order following the frenzy surrounding her accusations against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Blasey Ford wrote<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/help-christine-blasey-ford" target="_blank"> last Wednesday</a> that GoFundMe supporters had been a "godsend" in the days following her public testimony on Capitol Hill. "With immense gratitude, I am closing this account to further contributions. All funds unused after completion of security expenditures will be donated to organizations that support trauma survivors," the college professor wrote. "Your donations have allowed us to take reasonable steps to protect ourselves against frightening threats, including physical protection and security for me and my family, and to enhance the security for our home," she added. Ford said in the post, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/christine-blasey-ford-statement-gofundme-today-2018-11-26" target="_blank">first noted by CBS News</a>, that her family had begun scaling back security guards hired to protect them after threats were received during and in the weeks after her testimony, which galvanized Kavanaugh's supporters and critics alike in the days leading up to the justice's confirmation to the Supreme Court.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Race and Trump Factors in Final U.S. Senate Race of 2018, In Mississippi</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/27/race-and-trump-factors-in-final-us-senate-race-of-2018-in-mississippi.html">Voters in Mississippi on Tuesday</a> will decide a U.S. Senate special election runoff marked by racial controversy and capped by a last-minute visit by President Donald Trump to shore up the beleaguered Republican incumbent. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, a white former state lawmaker who was appointed to the seat in April, is still favored over black Democrat Mike Espy in the reliably Republican state, which has not sent a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1982. The runoff to serve the last two years of former Republican Senator Thad Cochran's term was necessary because neither Espy nor Hyde-Smith gained more than 50 percent of the vote in a Nov. 6 special election with four candidates. Cochran, 80, resigned earlier this year, citing health concerns. The last contest of the midterm election cycle, Tuesday's election will not affect the balance of power in the new Congress that sits in January. Republicans will still hold a Senate majority even if Hyde-Smith loses, while Democrats will take control of the House of Representatives.<br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>PC Police Attack Kevin Hart for Son’s ‘Cowboys and Indians’ Birthday Party</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>People are "outraged" Kevin Hart and his wife threw a "Cowboys and Indians" themed birthday party for their baby. Hart and his wife Eniko are facing "backlash," for their "culturally insensitive" party, according to reports. Yahoo News <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/people-not-happy-comedian-kevin-hart-throwing-son-cowboys-indians-party-195501957.html">reported</a>, "it's possible" the comedian and his wife "were thinking of nothing" but having a fun themed birthday party for their one-year-old child. "When Eniko and Kevin Hart planned their son Kenzo's first birthday party, it's possible they were thinking of nothing but the kind of themed birthday parties they'd attended as children, then selected one that seemed like it would appeal most to their toddler," Yahoo reported. "But once Eniko posted the photos from the cowboys and Indians party, they raised a storm of opinions about what such a theme really means." Eniko <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BqfesIYAFJF/?utm_source=ig_embed">posted</a> a photo on Instagram calling the party, which was thrown on Thanksgiving, "nothing but amazing!" News outlets, however, have since seized on the photo, claiming, "people are not happy" that children dressed up and pretended to be cowboys and Indians for the toddler's birthday. Yahoo News quoted several comments to the Instagram post, which called the party "disgusting" and the "equivalent to having a KKK and black slaves party."</p>
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<p><strong><em>Reporter Challenges Trump after he says Obama had Same Family Separation Policy</em></strong></p>
<p>A reporter on Monday challenged <a href="https://itk.thehill.com/people/donald-trump">President Trump</a> while he spoke with reporters outside the White House over his assertion that his family separation policy was a continuation from the Obama administration. “You said your policy at the border was the same as the Obama administration’s. It wasn’t," the reporter said. “Obama had a separation policy," Trump replied. "We all had the same policy.” Past administrations did not have the same policy as the Trump administration, which has prosecuted all individuals who crossed the border illegally, resulting in thousands of families being separated at the border, more than in previous administrations. "60 Minutes" reported that the administration began separating families earlier than was previously reported. "<a href="https://twitter.com/60Minutes">@60Minutes</a> did a phony story about child separation when they know we had the exact same policy as the Obama Administration," Trump tweeted. "Obama separated children from parents, as did Bush etc., because that is the policy and law. I tried to keep them together, but the problem is, when you do that, vast numbers of additional people storm the Border. So, with Obama separation is fine, but with Trump it’s not. Fake 60 Minutes!" he added.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Mars InSight Lander Shows Off First Image from Mars</em></strong></p>
<p>NASA’s Mars InSight Lander touched down on the <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/science/air-and-space/mars" target="_blank">Martian</a> surface Monday and wasted no time in getting the first breathtakingly clear picture back to Earth. "There’s a quiet beauty here. Looking forward to exploring my new home. #MarsLanding" NASA tweeted late Monday. The InSight Lander entered Mars' atmosphere just shortly after 2:40 p.m. EST and touched the surface at approximately 2:54 p.m. EST. The last part of the journey was the most harrowing, with NASA calling it "seven minutes of terror" due to the agency's inability to control the landing of the spacecraft, which cost $828 million. The InSight's landing on Monday ended a journey that lasted six months and covered more than 300 million miles.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Trump-Media-War/946561633146775574.html">“The Trump-Media War”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-11-27T13:11:00ZTrump's Last, Best Chance for Wall Creates Latest Shutdown Threat; Judge Rejects George Papadopoulos's Bid to Delay Prison SentenceBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trumps-Last-Best-Chance-for-Wall-Creates-Latest-Shutdown-Threat;-Judge-Rejects-George-Papadopouloss-Bid-to-Delay-Prison-Sentence/-824738621991385816.html2018-11-26T13:35:00Z2018-11-26T13:35:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Monday, November 26, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump’s Last, Best Chance for Wall Creates Latest Shutdown Threat</em></strong></p>
<p>Congress is returning to Washington with a tight deadline to pass seven spending bills and avert <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/finance/417929-trumps-last-best-chance-for-wall-creates-latest-shutdown-threat">a partial government shutdown</a> over President Trump’s demand that lawmakers fund his wall on the Mexican border. The partial shutdown will take place on December 7 if Congress does not pass legislation, creating the last chance for Trump to win wall funding before Democrats take over the House majority in January. Trump has threatened to veto a spending bill that does not include funding for the wall. If he follows through, the partial shutdown would hit the Homeland Security, Justice and State departments, among other government entities. “This would be a very good time to do a shutdown,” Trump told reporters at the White House earlier this month. “I don’t think it’s going to be necessary, because I think the Democrats will come to their senses, and if they don’t come to their senses, we will continue to win elections.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Migrant Caravan Tries to Storm Border, U.S. Responds with Tear Gas</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials closed the San Ysidro port of entry in the wake of several hundred migrants who tried to storm the border between Tijuana, Mexico and the San Diego area on Sunday afternoon. Tear gas was fired at the <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2018/11/02/migrant-caravan-throwing-rocks-mexican-helicopter/" target="_blank">oncoming migrants</a> from the U.S. side, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/world/mexico-denies-deal-with-white-house-on-migrants-as-trump-threatens-to-close-entire-border" target="_blank">Fox News reports</a>, and the migrant group comprised of <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2018/10/29/migrant-caravan-honduras-illegal-immigration/" target="_blank">mostly men</a> dispersed in less than an hour. Officials were able to clear the port of all vehicles later in the day.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Threatens to 'Close the Border Permanently' Amid Escalating Tensions</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Monday urged Mexico to deport Central American migrants who are attempting to reach the U.S. and threatened to permanently shut down the southern border. "Mexico should move the flag waving Migrants, many of whom are stone cold criminals, back to their countries," Trump wrote on Twitter. "Do it by plane, do it by bus, do it anyway you want, but they are NOT coming into the U.S.A. We will close the Border permanently if need be. Congress, fund the WALL!" The president's tweet came the morning after Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents <a href="https://thehill.com/latino/418170-tensions-escalate-at-us-mexico-border" target="_blank">clashed with a group of migrants</a> who rushed the southern border.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Democrat Kamala Harris Could Lose Seat on Senate Judiciary Committee</em></strong></p>
<p>Reducing the size of the 21-member <a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/about/members">Senate Judiciary Committee</a> is reportedly among the actions being considered by Senate Republicans as they prepare for the next Congress. If that happens, Sen. Kamala Harris of California a high-profile Democrat who is considered a possible candidate for her party’s 2020 presidential nomination could be left off the panel, according to a report. That’s because the first-term senator is the judiciary committee’s most junior member, and would be among the first to go if the panel is downsized, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/democrats-senate-losses-jeopardize-national-spotlight-for-possible-2020-hopeful/2018/11/25/75d26312-ef45-11e8-8679-934a2b33be52_story.html?utm_term=.d46d8c55079d">the Washington Post reported</a>. Some Democrats are reportedly scrambling to find a way to keep Harris on the committee, the report said. The ideas include negotiating with Republicans who maintained control of the chamber after this month's midterm elections to keep the committee at 21 members or convincing a more senior Democrat to step aside.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Judge Rejects George Papadopoulos’s Bid to Delay Prison Sentence</em></strong></p>
<p>A federal judge has ordered George Papadopoulos to report to prison on Monday, rejecting the former Trump campaign aide’s attempt to delay his sentence while the special counsel’s probe is being challenged in a separate legal case. Papadopoulos, who will serve his 14-day sentence in Wisconsin, filed a motion on Nov. 16 seeking to delay his prison sentence. But Judge Randolph Moss ruled that Papadopoulos had not shown how the investigation, which is being led by special counsel <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2018/08/18/mueller-george-papadopoulos-jail/" target="_blank">Robert Muller</a>, is illegal. He also noted that Papadopoulos had failed to appeal his own conviction within a timely manner. Papadopoulos was sentenced to 14 days in prison on Sept. 7 for lying to the FBI about the timing and extent of his contacts with <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2018/09/10/joseph-mifsud-alive/" target="_blank">Joseph Mifsud</a>, a Maltese professor who Papadopoulos met shortly after he joined the Trump campaign.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Compares Migrant Caravan to Jews Fleeing Holocaust</em></strong></p>
<p>New York Democratic Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez compared members of the migrant caravan attempting to enter the United States to Jews fleeing Nazi Germany during the Holocaust. Ocasio-Cortez <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2018/11/25/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-migrant-holocaust/">took to Twitter to denounce the treatment of the caravan members</a>. “Asking to be considered a refugee & applying for status isn’t a crime,” she wrote. “It wasn’t for Jewish families fleeing Germany. It wasn’t for targeted families fleeing Rwanda. It wasn’t for communities fleeing war-torn Syria. And it isn’t for those fleeing violence in Central America,” she added. Some of the caravan members reportedly threw rocks at American authorities before tear gas was used.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Gowdy: Avoid ‘Carnival’ by Taping Comey Interview for Public to See</em></strong></p>
<p>Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) on Sunday said that former FBI Director James <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/25/gowdy-comey-videotape-interview-1014383">Comey's interview with Congress should not be public, but should instead be videotaped and released</a>. "The remedy for leaks is not to have a public hearing where you are supposed to ask about 17 months‘ worth of work in five minutes," he said on “Face the Nation” on CBS. "I think the remedy is to videotape the deposition. That way, the public can see whether the question was fair. They could judge the entirety of the answer." Comey was subpoenaed to appear for a closed-door testimony on Dec. 3 as part of an investigation into the FBI and Justice Department's decision-making in 2016 and 2017, a time when some officials believe the bureau downplayed the investigation into Hillary Clinton's private email server and instead began probing possible connections between Russia and Donald Trump's presidential campaign. However, Comey has requested a public hearing and has said that he believes there will be leaks if his testimony were to be private. Gowdy said he thought Comey "is right" and that "leaks are counterproductive."</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Trump-Media-War/946561633146775574.html">“The Trump-Media War”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-11-26T13:35:00ZMigrant Caravan: Mexican Officials Deny U.S. Border Deal; Gowdy Turns Attention to Ivanka Trump's EmailsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Migrant-Caravan:-Mexican-Officials-Deny-U.S.-Border-Deal;-Gowdy-Turns-Attention-to-Ivanka-Trumps-Emails/62221267866059078.html2018-11-25T13:41:00Z2018-11-25T13:41:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, November 25, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Migrant Caravan: Mexican Officials Deny U.S. Border Deal</em></strong></p>
<p>Mexico's incoming foreign minister has said discussions on how to deal with migrants traveling to the United States are continuing despite reports a deal has been reached. Marcelo Ebrard denied reaching an agreement which would see asylum seekers waiting in Mexico while their claims were processed in US courts. Ebrard's words seem to contradict U.S. President Donald Trump's latest tweet. He said migrants would not be allowed entry until their claims were approved. "Migrants at the Southern Border will not be allowed into the United States until <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1066480700046655488">their claims are individually approved in court," Trump wrote</a>, adding: "No 'releasing' into the U.S. All will stay in Mexico." The conflicting statements emerged after the Washington Post reported Mexican officials had agreed to let migrants trying to enter the US stay in Mexico while their asylum claims were heard. According to the newspaper, the plan was called "Remain in Mexico".</p>
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<p><strong><em>White House Says it’s Dems Must Work with Trump</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump will be dealing with a divided government for the first time in January, and the White House says the onus will be on Democrats to determine how much can get done in Congress. People close to Trump cite issues such as infrastructure, criminal justice reform, and drug pricing as having the potential for bipartisan progress with a Democratic House. Democrats, for their part, argue that they cannot be held responsible for the polarization engendered by the most combative president of recent times, who called his 2016 election opponent “crooked” at every opportunity, described Democrats as a “mob” repeatedly while campaigning in the run-up to the midterms, and as recently as last Sunday belittled Rep. <a href="https://thehill.com/people/adam-schiff">Adam Schiff</a> (D-Calif.) as “little Adam Schitt” in a tweet. At the same time, Democrats say that they, too, have an interest in strengthening the economy and enacting proposals that can attract some measure of bipartisan support. </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span></strong><strong><em>Brexit Withdrawal Agreement Approved by EU Leaders</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/25/eu-endorses-uk-leader-theresa-may-brexit-deal.html">EU leaders backed Theresa May's Brexit withdrawal</a> agreement on Sunday, setting up a showdown with lawmakers in her own country as the U.K. leader nears a crucial vote on her proposals. European leaders gathered in Brussels officially endorsed her plan on how the U.K. will leave the bloc in March of next year. The special summit was largely symbolic and the agreement was widely expected to be approved, despite last-minute concerns from Spain on whether it will have a say on the future of Gibraltar a disputed British territory that lies on the southern tip of the Mediterranean nation. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker reiterated his sadness at the U.K.'s departure, telling reporters in the Belgian capital that it was a "tragedy." But he backed May's plan and said it was the best deal possible for Britain. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Gowdy Turns Attention to Ivanka Trump's Emails</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump is being pressed for details on his daughter’s email use in office by the same Republican responsible for spearheading the congressional investigation into his former White House rival, Hillary Clinton, that uncovered details about her own email habits while secretary of state. <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/trey-gowdy/">Rep. Trey Gowdy</a>, the outgoing head of the House Oversight Committee, wrote the president’s chief of staff this week requesting further details about Ivanka Trump’s use of a private email address while serving as a formal adviser to her father. “In light of the importance and necessity of preserving the public record and doing so in a manner that is reflective of relevant statutory and regulatory requirements, the Committee must assess whether the White House took adequate steps to archive Ms. Trump’s emails and prevent a recurrence,” Mr. Gowdy, South Carolina Republican, wrote in a letter Wednesday to John Kelly.</p>
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<p><strong><em>D.C. Braces for Affordable Housing Crunch When Amazon Arrives</em></strong></p>
<p>The Washington, D.C. metro area doesn't have enough affordable housing to meet the needs of its current workforce, and urban leaders fear 25,000 more workers flooding into the area to work at Amazon's new Arlington headquarters will exacerbate the problem. This was the top concern raised at a recent Axios Expert Voices event on economic issues in D.C. It's already one of the most expensive cities in the country, with high housing prices and a tight labor market. Property rates are expected to rise as demand increases with the influx of new workers, which could push lower-income residents out and worsen the existing economic disparities. The response to Amazon's new headquarters, to be located just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., was mixed. While some locals are excited about the promise of new jobs, others dread the strain those jobs will put on local schools, transportation systems and housing supply. Washington, D.C. is the fifth most expensive U.S. city, according to an <a href="https://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/cost-of-living-san-francisco-new-york-boston-most-expensive-cities.html">Inc. ranking</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span> It takes an annual income of about $90,000 to live comfortably, and residents' median income is nearly $73,000. Washington D.C. attracts 100 net new residents each month.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Democratic Lawmaker: 'We Will Nominate a Progressive' in 2020</em></strong></p>
<p>Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz took to Twitter for a lengthy thread discussing Democratic strategy ahead of the 2020 presidential election. "We must reject the premise that this is a fight between moderates and progressives," he wrote. "We are going to nominate a progressive." The Democrat said his party saw success in 2018 running on policy issues and against corruption, and that grassroots donors helped expand the playing field. Schatz also said that a progressive candidate nominated by the party should be able to attract voters from both parties. "Everyone who wants to run should run," he said. "Primaries can and do strengthen the Party." Schatz said, "all of my friends appear to be running which is good." The 2020 Democratic primary is <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/washington-secrets/2020-list-457-democrats-eye-presidential-nomination-55-top-tier" target="_blank">already attracting a large field</a>, with up to 50 prominent Democrats rumored to be interested and more than 400 candidates reportedly having already filed. Sens. Cory Booker, D-N.J., Kamala Harris, D-Calif., former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, and former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton have all been discussed as potential candidates.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Roseanne Barr Tweets 'I'm Fine' After Rumors of Heart Attack</em></strong></p>
<p>Social media went a crazy Saturday night as <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/roseanne-barr-tweets-im-fine-after-reports-of-heart-attack">rumors spread that Roseanne Barr had suffered a heart attack</a>. But the former star of the "Roseanne" reboot now called "The Conners" following her high-profile departure dispelled the rumors herself with a tweet. "I'm fine," she wrote, attaching a photo of herself. The rumors started when Lee Stranahan, co-host of the "Fault Lines with Nixon and Stranahan" radio show on Russian-controlled Sputnik Radio, was hosting a chat on Periscope when he received a call from someone claiming to be Barr’s assistant. The caller, who gave his name as Frank, said the actress had been rushed to a hospital, prompting Stranahan to abruptly end the live chat. A short while later, Barr, 66, took to Twitter with her message.</p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Trump-Media-War/946561633146775574.html">“The Trump-Media War”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-11-25T13:41:00ZPompeo Holds the Line: Caravans 'Will Not Be Permitted' to Enter U.S.; Comey Vows to Fight GOP Subpoena, Fears 'Selective Leaking' of His TestimonyBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Pompeo-Holds-the-Line:-Caravans-Will-Not-Be-Permitted-to-Enter-U.S.;-Comey-Vows-to-Fight-GOP-Subpoena-Fears-Selective-Leaking-of-His-Testimony/-966333285027295736.html2018-11-23T13:22:00Z2018-11-23T13:22:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, November 23, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Pompeo Holds the Line: Caravans 'Will Not Be Permitted' to Enter U.S.</em></strong></p>
<p>Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday that the <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/pompeo-holds-the-line-caravans-will-not-be-permitted-to-enter-us">migrant caravans headed toward the U.S. won't be allowed to enter</a>, a prediction he made after talking to Mexico's foreign secretary. "I have been in close contact with Mexican Foreign Secretary Videgaray and it has been one week since Secretary Nielsen and I had a constructive meeting with Mexican Foreign Secretary-designate Marcelo Ebrard to discuss the migrant caravans," Pompeo said in a statement issued on Thanksgiving. "We have affirmed our shared commitment to addressing the current challenge," he said. "The caravans will not be permitted to enter the United States. There are real dangers to the safety and human rights of migrants from those who would prey on them." Pompeo wasn't specific, but his statement indicates Mexico is willing to help the U.S. make sure members of the caravan are kept in Mexico, and won't be allowed to enter the U.S. and claim asylum.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Small Group Breaks from Caravan, within 500 Feet of U.S. Border, Report Says</em></strong> </p>
<p>A group of about 150 migrants carrying white flags that read, "La paz y Dios," or "Peace and God are With Us," separated from the larger caravan near Southern California and inched within 500 feet of the U.S., a report Thursday said. The migrants said they are carrying the white flags to show that they are peaceful, and will attempt to present themselves as asylum seekers near Baja, Calif., <a href="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/border-baja-california/sd-me-border-show-of-force-tijuana-20181122-story.html">The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.</a> President Trump on Thursday <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-threatens-to-shut-down-whole-border-with-mexico-if-immigration-becomes-uncontrollable">threatened to close the border</a> with Mexico if his administration determines that Mexico has lost control of the situation. The Union-Tribune reported that Mexican federal police held a barrier near a pedestrian crossing and urged the migrants to apply for jobs in Tijuana. Police claimed there are thousands of jobs in the city. Federal police were dressed in riot gear and prevented the caravan from getting closer to the U.S. The report also said the larger group contains about 6,219 Central Americans. The federal government estimates the number of migrants could grow to 10,000 in the coming weeks, or months. President Trump warned that the caravan is a national security threat and it will not enter the U.S.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Comey Vows to Fight GOP Subpoena, Fears 'Selective Leaking' of His Testimony</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Fired FBI Director James <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/comey-vows-to-fight-gop-subpoena-fears-selective-leaking-of-his-testimony">Comey confirmed Thursday he has been subpoenaed</a> by House Republicans but said he would "resist" it because he fears Republicans will selectively leak his testimony to the public. "Happy Thanksgiving," Comey tweeted. "Got a subpoena from House Republicans. I’m still happy to sit in the light and answer all questions. But I will resist a 'closed door' thing because I’ve seen enough of their selective leaking and distortion. Let’s have a hearing and invite everyone to see." Comey and Obama-era Attorney General Loretta Lynch had been expected to be subpoenaed to appear before Congress by House Republicans while they still have the House majority, and their power to compel witnesses to appear. GOP lawmakers are investigating potential bias within the FBI and the Justice Department as they investigated former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election. Retiring House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., on Wednesday issued the demand that Comey attend a private session on Dec. 3, while Lynch is scheduled to testify on Dec. 4.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump, Xi Signal Readiness for Trade Talks Ahead of G-20 Meeting</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have indicated they’re both ready for a highly anticipated meeting at the Group of 20 summit in Argentina next week. The world’s biggest economies have been engaged in an escalating <a title="U.S.-China Trade War: What’s Happened So Far, and What’s Next" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-09-18/the-trade-war-is-on-timeline-of-how-we-got-here-and-what-s-next" target="_blank">trade war</a> that is starting to have a greater impact on financial markets and global growth. On Thursday, Trump told reporters that China wants to make a deal “very badly” after his administration placed tariffs on about $200 billion worth of Chinese goods. China “wants to make a deal and we’re very happy with that,” Trump <a title="Trump Says ‘Very Prepared’ For Talks With Xi at G20 Meeting" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/terminal/PIMK3X6KLVR4" target="_blank">said</a>. “I’m very prepared, I’ve been preparing for it all my life.” On Friday in Beijing, top Chinese officials briefed on Xi’s upcoming travels, including the Nov. 30-Dec. 1 G-20 in Buenos Aires where he’ll meet with Trump. Xi’s trip will include stops in Spain, Portugal, and Panama. They didn’t name any officials who would accompany Xi.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Two Shoppers Injured, Gunman Dead After Alabama Mall Shooting on Thanksgiving Night</em></strong></p>
<p>A gunman was killed on Thursday night after police say he opened fire in an Alabama mall full of early Black Friday shoppers, injuring two people. The incident began with a physical altercation between an 18-year-old and the 21-year-old at the Riverchase Galleria in Hoover, a large suburb near Birmingham, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/23/us/alabama-mall-hoover-shooting/index.html" target="_blank">CNN reported</a> on Friday. Police do not know what started the confrontation near the Footaction and JC Penney stores but the gunman opened fire, hitting the 18-year-old twice as hundreds of shoppers ran for cover. “We do not believe at this point the 18-year-old was armed," Hoover police Capt. Gregg Rector said. A police officer allegedly confronted the gunman as he ran away and fatally shot him. At some point during the altercation, a 12-year-old girl was struck and injured, Rector said. It is unclear who shot her. The girl had a single gunshot wound, has gone through surgery and "does not have life-threatening injuries," Rector told CNN.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Obama: U.S. Failing to Handle Climate Change Challenges Because of ‘Racism,’ ‘Mommy Issues’</em></strong></p>
<p>Former President Barack Obama said during a speech on Monday that the United States has failed to adequately address climate change because of "hate, anger, racism, [and] mommy issues." "Climate change, we're going to have to come up with some new technologies," Obama said during the second Obama Foundation Summit. "We could reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent, and it's not like we would all have to go back to caves and live off fire … The reason we don't do it is because we are still confused, blind, shrouded with hate, anger, racism, [and] mommy issues." The future lies not in investing in technologies but in investing in people, according to Obama. "I mean, we are fraught with stuff, and so if that's the case, then the single most important thing we have to invest in is … people," he said. In his 2015 State of the Union Address, Obama said climate change was the single greatest threat to future generations. "[T]he best scientists in the world are all telling us that our activities are changing the climate, and if we do not act forcefully, we’ll continue to see rising oceans, longer, hotter heat waves, dangerous droughts and floods, and massive disruptions that can trigger greater migration, conflict, and hunger around the globe," he <a href="https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/01/20/remarks-president-state-union-address-january-20-2015" target="_blank">said</a>.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump and Family Hold Thanksgiving Dinner at Mar-A-Lago</em></strong> </p>
<p>President Trump and his family <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/418005-trump-and-family-hold-thanksgiving-dinner-at-mar-a-lago">hosted a Thanksgiving dinner Thursday evening at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort</a> in Florida, with a menu that featured turkey, a salad bar and seafood. In addition to the president, those in attendance for the meal included first lady Melania Trump and their son Barron. Trump's daughters, Ivanka and Tiffany, were also seated at the table. As reporters were briefly brought into the ballroom, a man performed “Music of the Night” from the musical "Phantom at the Opera" at the president's request. Trump is spending his holiday break at the Florida resort. Earlier Thursday, he participated in a teleconference with leaders from the five branches of the military before visiting members of the Coast Guard at a station in Florida.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Fun Turkey Day Trivia</em></strong></p>
<p>The first Thanksgiving took place in November 1621 in Plymouth, Mass., but it wasn't until more than 200 years later, in 1863, that former President Abraham Lincoln first established Thanksgiving as an annual holiday. <strong>54 million: </strong>The number of people who are expected to travel 50 miles or more for Thanksgiving, projects AAA. <strong>$48.90: </strong>The average cost of a Thanksgiving Day feast for 10 people, <a href="https://www.fb.org/newsroom/farm-bureau-survey-thanksgiving-dinner-cost-down-for-third-straight-ye" target="_blank">according to the American Farm Bureau Federation</a>. This is a 22-cent decrease from last year’s average of $49.12. <strong>3,000:</strong> Number of calories in a typical Thanksgiving dinner, <a href="https://caloriecontrol.org/stuff-the-bird-not-yourself-how-to-deal-with-the-3000-calorie-thanksgiving-meal/" target="_blank">says the Calorie Control Council</a>. A person would need to run a marathon to burn that off. <strong>46 million:</strong> Number of turkeys killed every year for Thanksgiving, <a href="http://www.peta.org/issues/animalsused%C2%ADfor%C2%ADfood/factory%C2%ADfarming/turkeys/" target="_blank">according to PETA</a>. <strong>1989:</strong> The first year a turkey was <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/a-thanksgiving-tradition-for-the-birds/2015/11/25/eb2a5d8a-9387-11e5-a2d6-f57908580b1f_story.html" target="_blank">officially pardoned</a>, which was done by President George H.W. Bush. President Trump this year <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/trump-pardons-thanksgiving-turkeys-no-word-on-humans" target="_blank">pardoned</a> turkeys named Peas and Carrots. <strong>154 million: </strong>Number of people in the U.S. who plan to shop during the long holiday weekend this year, <a href="https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/nrf-survey-says-more-164-million-consumers-plan-shop-over-five-day" target="_blank">according to</a> the National Retail Federation. Black Friday remains the busiest shopping day, with 116 million prepared to head to the stores on that day. <strong>Three:</strong> Americans are three times more likely to having a cooking fire on Thanksgiving Day compared to any other day, <a href="https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/News-and-media/Press-Room/News-releases/2018/Thanksgiving-is-by-far-the-leading-day-for-US-home-cooking-fires" target="_blank">says</a> the National Fire Protection Association. It is the most common day of the year for home fires.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Trump-Media-War/946561633146775574.html">“The Trump-Media War”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-11-23T13:22:00ZJudge Bars U.S. from Enforcing Trump Administration's Asylum Ban; WHCA Resists New White House RulesBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Judge-Bars-U.S.-from-Enforcing-Trump-Administrations-Asylum-Ban;-WHCA-Resists-New-White-House-Rules/-568890827836681081.html2018-11-20T13:39:00Z2018-11-20T13:39:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, November 20, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Judge Bars U.S. from Enforcing Trump Administration’s Asylum Ban</em></strong></p>
<p>A federal judge in San Francisco on Monday barred the Trump administration from refusing asylum to immigrants who cross the southern border illegally, likely prompting a legal challenge from the White House. Trump issued a <a href="https://video.foxnews.com/v/5859798314001/">proclamation on Nov. 9</a> that said anyone who crossed the southern border would be ineligible for asylum. U.S. District Judge Jon S. Tigar, who was nominated by President Obama in 2012 to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, issued a temporary restraining order after hearing arguments in San Francisco. The request was made by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Constitutional Rights, which quickly sued after President Trump issued the ban this month in response to the caravans of migrants that have started to arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border. Baher Azmy, a lawyer for the Center for Constitutional Rights, said, "Individuals are entitled to asylum if they cross between ports of entry. It couldn't be clearer."</p>
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<p><strong><em>White House Backs Down in Acosta Fight, Lays Out Three Basic Rules for Reporters</em></strong></p>
<p>The White House is backing down from actions toward permanently banning CNN reporter Jim Acosta from the grounds but has set new rules concerning decorum for reporters at presidential press conferences, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Monday. Sanders listed several enumerated rules for reporters during presidential press conferences including: A journalist called upon to ask a question will ask a single question and then will yield the floor to other journalists; At the discretion of the President or other White House official taking questions, a follow-up question or questions may be permitted; and where a follow up has been allowed and asked, the questioner will then yield the floor; “Yielding the floor” includes, when applicable, physically surrendering the microphone to White House staff for use by the next questioner; Failure to abide by any of rules (1)-(3) may result in suspension or revocation of the journalist’s hard pass. “Should you refuse to follow these rules in the future, we will take action in accordance with the rules set forth above. The President is aware of this decision and concurs,” the White House <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/19/media/cnn-acosta-emergency-hearing/index.html" target="_blank">warned</a> Acosta in a letter.</p>
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<p><strong><em>WHCA Resists New White House Rules</em></strong></p>
<p>The White House Correspondents' Association said Monday it "fully” expects reporters will continue to ask follow-up questions at presidential news conferences pushing back on <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/white-house-press-rules-issued/2018/11/19/id/891309/">new rules limiting the practice.</a> "The White House Correspondents' Association had no role in crafting any procedures for future press conferences. For as long as there have been White House press conferences, White House reporters have asked follow-up questions," the group’s president, <a href="https://twitter.com/whca/status/1064657573310271488" target="_blank">Olivier Knox, wrote in a statement.</a></p>
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<p><strong><em>DHS Confirms More than ‘500 Criminals’ Traveling with ‘Migrant Caravan’</em></strong></p>
<p>The Department of Homeland Security issued a stark warning regarding the approaching ‘migrant caravan’ Monday; confirming at least ‘500 criminals’ are traveling with the Central American immigrants. DHS officials made the stunning announcement during a conference call with reporters Monday afternoon; saying “most of the caravan members are not women and children” but are comprised of mostly single adult males or teenagers. “More than 500 criminals are traveling with the migrant caravan that’s massed on the other side of a San Diego border crossing,” <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/migrant-caravan-may-be-in-tijuana-for-the-long-haul-while-u-s-shuts-down-san-diego-area-crossing">Fox News</a> said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Pelosi’s Bid for House Speaker Hangs in the Balance as Handful of Dems Revolt</em></strong></p>
<p>A handful of Democrats vowed Monday to oppose Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s bid to retake the speaker of the House, putting the California Democrat’s chances of retaking the job in peril. Sixteen Democrats, 12 incumbent representatives, three incoming House freshmen and one candidate who has not yet won his seat <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/19/pelosis-bid-for-speaker-imperiled-as-public-opposition-grows-1005368?fbclid=IwAR2VjlqARydqVMkUYVtH-nwjUMyS_wSJlypaihM_b_wNKtF_5oImVUdmSp8">signed a letter</a> opposing Pelosi’s campaign. They claim the party needs a new direction. “Our majority came on the backs of candidates who said that they would support new leadership because voters in hard-won districts, and across the country, want to see real change in Washington,” they wrote. “We promised to change the status quo, and we intend to deliver on that promise.” The letter puts a substantial crimp in Pelosi’s plan. She needs 218 votes among lawmakers present and voting to be elected speaker in January. House Democrats won 233 seats, meaning she can only afford to lose 15 votes.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Actress Files Restraining Order Against Michael Avenatti</em></strong></p>
<p>An actress has filed a restraining order against attorney and potential 2020 candidate Michael Avenatti, following his arrest last week on suspicion of felony domestic violence. Estonian actress Mareli Miniutti filed a restraining order against Avenatti, and the Los Angeles Superior Court’s online records show a hearing is slated for Dec. 10 on the matter, <a href="https://theblast.com/michael-avenatti-actress-files-domestic-violence-restraining-order/" target="_blank">The Blast first reported Monday</a>. On Monday evening after The Blast published their initial report, Avenatti said that any allegations that he had committed domestic violence were “completely bogus and fabricated.” “I look forward to a full clearing of my name and disclosure of all of the facts,” Avenatti tweeted Monday. “I have NEVER abused a woman or committed domestic violence against anyone. Any claim to the contrary is completely bogus and fabricated. I am a target. And I will be exonerated.” TMZ reported last week that Avenatti’s estranged wife Lisa Storie-Avenatti had filed a complaint with the Los Angeles Police Department. But Storie-Avenatti’s attorney said that the “article is not true as it pertains to my client," and TMZ <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2018/11/14/michael-avenatti-arrested-domestic-violence-stormy-daniels-attorney/" target="_blank">updated its report</a> to say the incident involved a different woman.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Mia Love Loses Lead, Utah House Race 'Likely' to Go to Democrat</em></strong></p>
<p>Rep. Mia Love, R-Utah, appears to have lost the lead in her close contest against Democratic opponent Ben McAdams. Earlier in the day Monday, <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/congress/mia-love-expands-lead-past-recount-trigger-as-5-races-remain-uncalled" target="_blank">Love had moved up by about 1,500 votes, leading by 0.58 percent</a>. But with ballots counted from Salt Lake County, she had fallen behind McAdams by 739 votes in the evening. Reacting to the news, polling guru Nate Silver <a href="https://twitter.com/NateSilver538/status/1064685454556127232" target="_blank">tweeted</a> FiveThirtyEight would be moving the race to "Likely D" for the time being, noting that "there isn't really supposed to be a lot left out there to count." The race may yet end up within the margin for a mandatory recount, which is .50 percent. The race must be certified by Tuesday. Emboldened by the numbers Monday evening, McAdams declared victory.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Trump-Media-War/946561633146775574.html">“The Trump-Media War”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-11-20T13:39:00ZDemocrat Andrew Gillum concedes to Republican Ron DeSantis; Trump Visits Community Badly Damaged by California WildfiresBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Democrat-Andrew-Gillum-concedes-to-Republican-Ron-DeSantis;-Trump-Visits-Community-Badly-Damaged-by-California-Wildfires/753658092286794522.html2018-11-18T13:19:00Z2018-11-18T13:19:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, November 18, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Florida governor race: Democrat Andrew Gillum concedes to Republican Ron DeSantis</em></strong></p>
<p>Florida Democratic candidate for governor Andrew Gillum officially conceded on Saturday to Republican Ron DeSantis, two days after a <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-to-know-about-the-florida-recounts-senate-hand-recount-underway/" target="_blank">machine recount ended</a>. The machine recount had DeSantis still leading by over 3,000 votes. The Tallahassee mayor congratulated DeSantis on becoming the next governor. In a Facebook video, Gillum didn't say what his plans for the future are but told his supporters to stay tuned. DeSantis responded on <a href="https://twitter.com/RonDeSantisFL/status/1063924662726533121" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, saying "This was a hard-fought campaign. Now it's time to bring Florida together." Gillum <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/live-news/florida-senate-race-scott-nelson-florida-governor-race-gillum-concedes-election-results-live-updates/" target="_blank">conceded</a> on Election Night but retracted it after the margin of votes between him and DeSantis shrunk within the level of a legally required recount. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Visits Community Badly Damaged by California Wildfires</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump saw for himself on Saturday the ravages of <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-11-17/trump-to-survey-incredible-fire-damage-following-criticism?srnd=premium">California’s deadly wildfires</a> that have killed 76 people and potentially left more than 1,000 missing. Touring Paradise, a town all but leveled by the Camp Fire in northern California, Trump viewed the charred remains of burned-out homes during a visit accompanied by Governor Jerry Brown and Governor-elect Gavin Newsom. Afterward, the president stressed common ground on how to approach the forest-fire problem, marking a change of tone to his previous criticism of the state’s Democratic leaders. “I think we’re all on the same path. We do have to do management, maintenance. We’ll be working also with environmental groups,” Trump told reporters. “I think everybody’s seen the light. And I don’t think we’ll have this again to this extent. We’re going to have to work quickly.” The Camp Fire in northern California is now the nation’s deadliest wildfire in a century. Eight sets of human remains were found Friday and 1,011 people are unaccounted for in Butte County, a number that’s expected to fluctuate, Sheriff Kory Honea said. The fire has burned more than 146,000 acres and was only 50 percent contained as of Friday evening, according to the Butte County Fire Department.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Calls CIA Assessment of Khashoggi Murder Premature but Possible</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump on Saturday called a CIA assessment blaming Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi “very premature” and said he will receive a complete report on the case on Tuesday. Trump, on a trip to California, said the killing “should never have happened.” The report on Tuesday will explain who the U.S. government believes killed Khashoggi and what the overall impact of his murder is, Trump said. It was unclear who is producing the report. Trump also said the CIA finding that bin Salman was responsible for the killing was “possible.” Trump made the remarks after the State Department said the government was still working on determining responsibility for the death of Khashoggi, a U.S.-based Washington Post columnist.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Pope Says World Mustn't Turn a Blind Eye to Migrants, the Poor</em></strong></p>
<p>Pope Francis criticized rising wealth inequality and <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-poor/pope-says-world-mustnt-turn-a-blind-eye-to-migrants-the-poor-idUSKCN1NN0EG">the treatment of migrants on Sunday</a>, saying the world should not ignore those “tossed by the waves of life. Injustice is the perverse root of poverty,” Francis said at a Mass marking the Roman Catholic Church’s annual World Day of the Poor. “The cry of the poor daily becomes stronger but heard less, drowned out by the din of the rich few, who grow ever fewer and more rich.” Francis also reiterated his support for migrants saying that people must pay attention to “all those forced to flee their homes and native land for an uncertain future”. His remarks came as hundreds of migrants from a caravan of Central Americans were stalled at the U.S.-Mexico border after being denied entry to the United States, although Francis made no direct reference to the situation in the United States.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Portland Police Report Weapons at Demonstrations</em></strong></p>
<p>A small protest called #HimToo organized by the far-right group Patriot Prayer was met by hundreds of counter-protesters in Portland on Saturday, <a href="https://www.koin.com/news/local/multnomah-county/portland-protests-patriot-prayer-antifa-himtoo-november-17-2018/1603542470" target="_blank">CBS Portland affiliate KOIN reports</a>. The protests were meant to be peaceful, but clashes began as the groups started to disperse. Portland police said six people were arrested. Officers had observed demonstrators with weapons. "If demonstrators use weapons you are subject to citation, arrest and potentially use of force," Portland police tweeted. Police also reported glass bottles being thrown. Tear gas and explosives went off as the crowd marched through the streets chanting "Nazis, go home!" Police in riot gear arrived in various locations to keep the demonstrators on the sidewalks, KOIN reports. The Democratic Socialists of America on Portland held the first rally, which started around 11:30 a.m. Portland DSA tweeted they stand "with survivors and against oppressors. Fascists out of our city!"</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump and Congress on Collision Course with Military Spending</em></strong></p>
<p>The House, Senate, and <a href="https://thehill.com/people/donald-trump">President Trump</a> are heading toward a collision over next year’s defense budget. A recent report ordered by Congress found that the U.S. military is facing a "grave" erosion in superiority. Senate Republicans see the report as evidence of the need for a $733 billion defense budget in the next fiscal year. But Democrats who will control the House starting in January want to cut defense spending. And Trump has already ordered his administration to trim the defense budget to $700 billion for next year. All that combines for what is likely to be a fiery and lengthy debate in the coming budget season.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Pence's Sharp China Attacks Fuel Fears of New Cold War</em></strong></p>
<p>Vice President Mike Pence sharpened U.S. attacks on China during a week of summits that ended Sunday, most notably with a call for nations to avoid loans that would leave them indebted to Beijing. He said the U.S. wasn’t in a rush to end the trade war and would “not change course until China changes its ways” -- a worrying prospect for a region heavily reliant on exports. The meetings in Singapore and Papua New Guinea produced little to suggest U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping would reach a deal when they meet in a few weeks at the Group of 20 summit in Argentina. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit <a title="APEC Fails to Agree on Joint Statement Amid U.S.-China Tensions" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-11-18/apec-fails-to-agree-on-joint-statement-amid-u-s-china-tensions" target="_blank">ended in disarray</a> on Sunday after leaders failed to agree on a joint statement, reflecting tensions after Trump threatened to add to tariffs already in place on $250 billion worth of Chinese goods. Xi has retaliated with duties on $110 billion in U.S. imports.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Saturday Night Live Mocks Trump-Amazon Feud with Steve Carell as Jeff Bezos</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>“Saturday Night Live” in its latest episode mocked the feud between <a href="https://thehill.com/people/donald-trump">President Trump</a> and Amazon, with actor Steve Carell playing the retail giant’s founder and CEO, Jeff Bezos. "As you know, Amazon just announced the location of its two new headquarters in New York and Virginia, and everyone -- except for the people who live there and the people who live in all the places we didn't choose -- is thrilled," Carell said. “Some folks have speculated that I was somehow trolling President Trump by building one headquarters in his hometown of Queens and the other in his current residence of Washington, D.C., thereby overshadowing or humiliating him,” he added. "But that's simply not true. Sure, he attacked me repeatedly on Twitter. But I chose our locations because they were ideal for growing business, not just to make Donald Trump think about how I'm literally 100 times richer than he is," he said. Trump has frequently criticized Bezos, who also owns The Washington Post, and links the online retailer to its White House coverage even though the newspaper has said that Bezos plays no role in its editorial decisions. He has also targeted Amazon’s agreement with the U.S. Postal Service, which allows it to ship packages at reduced rates, blaming it for the fiscal woes at USPS. </p>
<p><strong><em><br /> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Trump-Media-War/946561633146775574.html">“The Trump-Media War”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-11-18T13:19:00ZChaos as Snow Hits New York City Unprepared, Mayor Catching Heat; U.S. Attorney Accidentally Reveals Feds Have Charged Julian AssangeBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Chaos-as-Snow-Hits-New-York-City-Unprepared-Mayor-Catching-Heat;-U.S.-Attorney-Accidentally-Reveals-Feds-Have-Charged-Julian-Assange/-121256409790537259.html2018-11-16T13:03:00Z2018-11-16T13:03:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, November 16, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Judge Rejects Bill Nelson’s Recount Deadline Extension Push Right Before Florida County Misses Deadline</em></strong></p>
<p>A federal judge rejected a push by Democratic Florida Sen. Bill Nelson to extend the machine recount deadline in a Thursday ruling, labeling Florida a “laughingstock” because of its election failures. “We have been the laughingstock of the world, election after election, and we chose not to fix this,” U.S. District Judge Mark Walker said in the ruling, which he handed down on the same afternoon that Florida’s Palm Beach County missed the machine recount deadline at 3 p.m. Thursday. Walker, an Obama appointee, decided that Florida’s 67 counties will still have to submit machine recount results at 3 p.m. Thursday, <a href="https://www.apnews.com/058c5f727bab45be9372110fbba9c07a">reported the Associated Press</a>. <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2018/11/15/rick-scott-ballot-signatures-ruling/">Earlier on Thursday morning, however, Walker had granted 4,000 Florida voters an extension</a> which would give them until 5 p.m. Saturday to verify whether their mail-in and provisional ballots were rejected for signature mismatches.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Chaos as Snow Hits New York City Unprepared, Mayor Catching Heat</em></strong></p>
<p>New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is catching heat from all corners as several inches of November snow has virtually crippled one of America’s major cities. Even a congressman from <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2018/11/04/bloomberg-millions-ad-elections/" target="_blank">De Blasio’s party</a> was critical of the “unacceptable” response to the storm. “Transportation and transit are the lifeblood of our city,” tweeted <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2018/10/13/bloomberg-hosts-manhattan-fundraiser-for-phil-bredesen/" target="_blank">Democratic Rep Adriano Espaillat</a>. “3 inches of snow have crippled #NYC and this is unacceptable. Moms are stranded with their kids, people are running out of gas. This is unacceptable & we demand answers.” Liberal pundit Keith Olbermann criticized New York City officials for “COMPLETELY FORGETTING” that snow can come in November, punctuating his comment with the hashtag “YouShouldAllResign.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>U.S. Attorney Accidentally Reveals Feds Have Charged Julian Assange</em></strong></p>
<p>Justice Department prosecutors inadvertently revealed Thursday that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been charged under seal as part of a separate case connected to special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation, according to a report published late Thursday. The private matter was shared in a filing Assistant U.S. Attorney Kellen S. Dwyer sent to a judge in the Eastern District of Virginia in August, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/julian-assange-has-been-charged-prosecutors-reveal-in-inadvertent-court-filing/2018/11/15/9902e6ba-98bd-48df-b447-3e2a4638f05a_story.html?utm_term=.d99edccb2af5" target="_blank">according to</a> the Washington Post. Dwyer is also working on the WikiLeaks case. “[D]ue to the sophistication of the defendant and the publicity surrounding the case, no other procedure is likely to keep confidential the fact that Assange has been charged,” Dwyer wrote, adding, "need to remain sealed until Assange is arrested.” Eastern District of Virginia spokesman Joshua Stueve told the Post the filing was made by mistake and said Assange's name was used by mistake. However, others familiar with the case told the Post the charge against Assange had been filed.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump to Visit California on Saturday Amid Deadly Blaze</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump will head to California on Saturday to visit the site of one of the worst outbreaks of wildfires in recent history, which have claimed the lives of over 60 people. Hundreds of people are still believed to be missing. Officials are still not sure what was the direct cause of the fires which are raging in Butte County, north of Sacramento, and in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties and firefighters have not yet contained 50 percent of the blaze. "The President will travel to California this Saturday to meet with individuals impacted by the wildfires. We will keep you updated on details as they are available," White House spokeswoman <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/15/trump-california-fires-woolsey-camp-visit-994381">Lindsay Walters said Thursday.</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Kamala Harris Compares ICE to KKK</em></strong></p>
<p>At a Thursday confirmation hearing for President Donald Trump's nominee to head Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, <a href="https://freebeacon.com/politics/kamala-harris-compares-ice-to-the-kkk/?utm_source=Freedom+Mail&utm_campaign=a483c75ded-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_11_15_10_07_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b5e6e0e9ea-a483c75ded-46474477">Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.) compared the agency to the Ku Klux Klan</a>. Harris asked Trump's nominee for the position, Ronald Vitiello, about comments he previously made in which he referred to the Democratic Party as "neo-Klan" like. Vitiello apologized for the comments, calling them inappropriate because of the Klan's history. Harris asked him to expound on why the comments were inappropriate. "The Klan was what we could call today a domestic terrorist group," said Vitiello, a 30-year Border Patrol veteran who has been serving as the acting head of ICE. "Why?" Harris asked. "Because they tried to use fear and force to change the political environment," Vitiello replied. "And what was the motivation for the use of fear and force?" Harris asked. "Based on race and ethnicity, " Vitiello responded. "Right," Harris responded. "And are you aware of the perception of many about how the power and discretion at ICE is being used to enforce the law and do you see any parallels?" “I do not see any parallels," Vitiello responded, prompting Harris to say she was talking about perceptions. "There's a lot of perceptions in the media and in the public that are incorrect about the agency," Vitiello said. Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel responded to Harris's comments saying, "Kamala Harris is trying to launch her 2020 campaign off of comparing ICE officers to the KKK, and it's absolutely disgusting.”</p>
<p><br /><br /> <strong><em>GOP Pushes Trump for New Attorney General Amid Mueller Uproar</em></strong></p>
<p>Senate Republicans are urging President Donald Trump to <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/16/matthew-whitaker-mueller-senate-republicans-995056">quickly nominate a permanent attorney general</a>, hoping a new top law enforcement officer will blunt bipartisan concern over the future of special counsel Robert Mueller and boost the GOP ahead of tough government funding talks. Even after Trump’s latest attack on Mueller in a flurry of tweets Thursday, most Republicans argue the president will not fire Mueller or derail his investigation because the political consequences would be too great. But they said that naming an attorney general nominee as soon as possible — specifically one who would vow to preserve the Russia probe — would go a long way in halting legislative momentum to protect Mueller and Democratic messaging that acting attorney general Matt Whitaker will undermine the investigation.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Wisconsin Company Decides to Buy Firearms for Every Employee this Holiday Season</em></strong></p>
<p>A company that produces novelty glassware embedded with a bullet as if it had been shot has <a href="http://bit.ly/2qIDfEA">decided to give every employee a handgun</a> as a Christmas present. Giving employees their choice of a revolver as a gift is part of an effort to promote personal safety and team building, Ben Wolfgram, who co-owns BenShot. The business has 16 full-time employees, including several veterans. But the business also has employees who had never fired a gun, he said. This is the first time his company has done anything like this, Wolfgram said. Most workers were excited at the prospect of receiving their handguns, he said. Employee Chelsea Priest of Green Bay said she feels as if the gift will empower her and will help keep her safe. At least two employees initially declined the gift but are considering accepting it after taking a gun-safety course that company executives required before giving the guns, Wolfgram said.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Trump-Media-War/946561633146775574.html">“The Trump-Media War”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-11-16T13:03:00ZMichael Avenatti Arrested on Allegations of Domestic Violence; Pelosi Thanks Al Sharpton for 'Saving America'BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Michael-Avenatti-Arrested-on-Allegations-of-Domestic-Violence;-Pelosi-Thanks-Al-Sharpton-for-Saving-America/729384756565017657.html2018-11-15T13:30:00Z2018-11-15T13:30:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, November 15, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Michael Avenatti Arrested on Allegations of Domestic Violence</em></strong></p>
<p>Michael Avenatti, the attorney for adult film star Stormy Daniels in her legal battles with President Trump, was arrested Wednesday following allegations of domestic violence, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Avenatti, who has denied the allegations, was booked Wednesday afternoon on <a href="https://twitter.com/LAPDHQ/status/1062876803587432448">a felony domestic violence charge</a>, after police took a report on Tuesday of the alleged incident. He was released on $50,000 bail. Police say the incident occurred at a residence on Santa Monica Boulevard near Beverly Hills, according to <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/claudiarosenbaum/michael-avenatti-arrested">BuzzFeed News</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Decision Expected Today in CNN Suit Over White House Revoking Acosta's Press Pass</em></strong></p>
<p>A federal judge in Washington, D.C., is <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/11/15/668045729/decision-expected-thursday-in-cnn-suit-over-white-house-revoking-acostas-press-p">expected to rule Thursday</a> on CNN's lawsuit seeking immediate restoration of Chief White House Correspondent Jim Acosta's press pass. Earlier this week, CNN sued President Trump and other White House officials, contending that they acted unconstitutionally when they stripped Acosta of his press credentials, known as a "hard pass." The network is seeking a temporary restraining order while the case plays out. Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, heard two hours of argument late Wednesday. The White House Correspondents Association issued a statement saying it "strongly objects to the Trump Administration's decision to use US Secret Service security credentials as a tool to punish a reporter with whom it has a difficult relationship. Revoking access to the White House complex is a reaction out of line to the purported offense and is unacceptable. ...We urge the White House to immediately reverse this weak and misguided action."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Pelosi Thanks Al Sharpton for ‘Saving America’</em></strong></p>
<p>House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) on Wednesday <a href="https://freebeacon.com/politics/pelosi-thanks-al-sharpton-for-saving-america/">praised MSNBC host Rev. Al Sharpton and thanked him for "saving America."</a> Pelosi spoke at the National Action Network's (NAN) legislative and policy conference, where she laid out the Democratic Party's agenda before introducing Sharpton, who founded the non-profit civil rights organization in 1991. The organization was focused on turning out voters during the midterms. Pelosi went on to tell the conference attendees about how she has received so many letters and phone calls from people thanking her for "saving America." She then said that she would like to give the thanks to the attendees before she introduced Sharpton and thanked him for "saving America."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>McCarthy Defeats Jordan in Bid for House Minority Leader</em></strong></p>
<p>House Majority Leader <a href="https://freebeacon.com/politics/mccarthy-defeats-jordan-in-bid-for-house-minority-leader/">Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.) will serve as House minority leader</a> in the 116th Congress after defeating Rep. Jim Jordan (R., Ohio) on Wednesday with a final vote of 159 to 43. Republican Reps. Liz Cheney (Wyo.) and Steve Scalise (La.), were also elected to Republican leadership positions as the party prepares to move into the minority come January. House Speaker Paul Ryan (R., Wis.) announced earlier this year that he would not run for reelection, so his retirement opened up the top spot in House Republican leadership for McCarthy and Jordan to compete over. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Florida Faces Recount Deadline</em></strong></p>
<p>Florida's U.S. Senate and gubernatorial races are likely to remain in flux after the deadline for the election recount passes. Tension is high as 67 counties race toward a 3 p.m. ET deadline Thursday to finish the recount. Many counties have completed their machine recounts, but larger Democratic strongholds are still racing to meet the deadline. No less than six federal lawsuits have been filed so far in Tallahassee. In a key court battle, a federal judge said he was unlikely to order election officials to automatically count thousands of mail-in ballots that were rejected because the signatures on the ballots did not match signatures on file. <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/florida-voters-have-until-saturday-to-fix-signature-issue-federal-judge-says">U.S. District Judge Mark Walker, however, did say he was open to giving voters extra time to fix their ballots.</a> Palm Beach County looked like it could miss the Thursday deadline, even though incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and Democrats filed lawsuits seeking to suspend it. However, FOX News reports, it appears Broward County will make the deadline. In addition, Florida election officials asked federal prosecutors to <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/florida-asks-us-to-investigate-irregularities-as-state-races-toward-recount-deadline">look into allegations state Democrats sent faulty forms to voters in four counties</a> that could have resulted in mail-in ballots being disqualified, FOX News confirmed Wednesday. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>‘Alarming’ Study Claiming Global Warming Heating Up Oceans Based on Math Error</em></strong></p>
<p>A highly circulated study claiming oceans are warming at a much higher rate due to global warming contains "key errors," forcing researchers to issue a correction. The study published by the journal <em>Nature</em> on Oct. 31 by researchers at Princeton University and UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography claimed the oceans were warming at a rate 60 percent higher than previously thought. However, a mathematical error discovered by independent climate scientist Nic Lewis after he <a href="https://judithcurry.com/2018/11/06/a-major-problem-with-the-resplandy-et-al-ocean-heat-uptake-paper/" target="_blank">perused the study's first page</a> has led the journal to retract its key finding. The study has a much larger margin of error, making their findings of a 60 percent increase in ocean warming less precise, and actually between 10 percent and 70 percent. The lead researcher now says its findings are practically meaningless, with a margin of error "too big now to really weigh in" on ocean temperatures.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Liberal Student Activists Chant ‘John McCain’s Dead,’ Outside Ben Shapiro Event</em></strong></p>
<p><em>Daily Wire</em> Editor-in-Chief Ben Shapiro spoke at a conservative event Tuesday night at Ohio State University, prompting liberal student activists to chant, "Reagan’s dead" and "John McCain’s dead." Shapiro's speech was part of a campus lecture tour sponsored by Young America’s Foundation where he travels to various universities across the country to speak to both conservative college students and students who do not agree with him. "Now more than ever, conservative ideas are in demand on college campuses. And despite the Left’s best efforts, Shapiro continues to reach capacity campus audiences and millions more online," YAF's website reads. "These powerful events are the result of combining Young America’s Foundation’s logistical expertise and financial support with Shapiro’s concise, compelling conservative message. It is a message young people are eager to hear." The <em>Daily Wire </em>also captured footage of several protesters chanting, "F*** Ben Shapiro" repeatedly. Shapiro found out what they were chanting during his speech, prompting him to tell the crowd that "Apparently there are protesters outside shouting ‘f*** Ben Shapiro.’ To which I say, ‘No thanks, but I’m married," the <em>Daily Wire</em> <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/38323/protesters-ohio-state-shapiro-event-reagans-dead-daily-wire" target="_blank">reported</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Officials in California Tally Losses, Release Missing Persons List</em></strong></p>
<p>Officials are still tallying losses and combating both growing and receding fires as several large blazes rage across California. Meanwhile, a <a href="https://www.buttecounty.net/Portals/24/CampFire/BCSO%20UNACCOUNTED%20FOR%2011-14-2018%20PM.pdf?ver=2018-11-14-202802-993">list of missing persons in Butte County</a> is now seven pages long, totaling some 300 names. At least 56 people have died in the Camp Fire, the <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/11/13/667315613/californias-camp-fire-becomes-the-deadliest-in-state-history">deadliest wildfire in state history</a> and among its most destructive. The fire has torn through the northern town of Paradise, laying waste to some 138,000 acres. Three people have died in the Woolsey Fire, which is now more than half contained, according to officials.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Muzzling-the-White-House-Press-Corps/112973439550161593.html">“Muzzling the White House Press Corps”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-11-15T13:30:00ZMelania Trump's Office Calls for Firing of Top Bolton Deputy; Amazon Chooses Northern Virginia, New York City for Its 2 New Satellite OfficesBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Melania-Trumps-Office-Calls-for-Firing-of-Top-Bolton-Deputy;-Amazon-Chooses-Northern-Virginia-New-York-City-for-Its-2-New-Satellite-Offices/414769478211333074.html2018-11-14T14:05:00Z2018-11-14T14:05:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, November 14, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Melania Trump's Office Calls for Firing of Top Bolton Deputy</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>The office of First Lady Melania Trump said Tuesday deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel should be dismissed from her post, an extraordinary call that came as President Trump considers further shakeups to his Cabinet after the departure of Jeff Sessions as attorney general. "It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that [Ricardel] no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House,” Stephanie Grisham, Melania Trump's communications director, said in a statement. <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-has-decided-to-remove-homeland-security-secretary-nielsen-1542126979">The Wall Street Journal reported</a> Tuesday that Ricardel had clashed with Melania Trump's staff over seating arrangements on a plane during the first lady's trip to Africa last month. The paper added that the first lady's office suspects Ricardel of leaking negative stories about the first lady and her staff.<br /><br /><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Amazon Chooses Northern Virginia, New York City for Its 2 New Satellite Offices</em></strong></p>
<p>Amazon has ended its search for its new headquarters but not without walking away with an immense trove of data about cities across the country and massive incentives. <a href="https://www.adweek.com/digital/amazon-chooses-northern-virginia-and-new-york-city-for-its-2-new-satellite-offices/?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=ABN_MorningMediaNewsfeed&utm_campaign=MorningMediaNewsfeed_Newsletter_2018111408&s_id=57e9a04f2ddf9c7ef3828467">The company said it will establish dual East Coast headquarters</a> located in Long Island City, in the New York City borough of Queens, and the Crystal City neighborhood in Arlington just south of Washington, D.C. The HQ2 sweepstakes had pitted more than 200 cities, which was narrowed down to a shortlist of 20 in January, looking to woo Amazon with tax breaks and other amenities. The company says it plans to invest $5 billion across both locations and create more than 50,000 jobs. Amazon specified in its request for proposals that the location be near a major airport, have the ability to attract top tech talent, and be in an area with a population of more than 1 million people. Amazon has said employees who work in Seattle will have a chance to relocate. It will also hire teams and executives for the new locations. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>DC Council Suspends Action on Bill to Lower Voting Age to 16</em></strong></p>
<p>The Washington, D.C., Council on Tuesday voted to indefinitely delay action on a proposed bill to lower the city's voting age to 16. Lawmakers in the body voted 7 to 6 to table the bill, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/should-16-year-olds-be-able-to-vote-for-president-in-the-nations-capital/2018/11/12/f2c32d34-e699-11e8-b8dc-66cca409c180_story.html?utm_term=.5c5632713ad3">according to The Washington Post</a>. The Post notes that the proposal received a significant blow after a pair of councilors who initially introduced the bill flipped their positions. Anita Bonds, one of the council members to reverse their stance, told the Post that parents had voiced confusion about the bill and that she needed to educate constituents. The legislation would have allowed D.C. residents as young as 16 in to cast ballots in federal and local elections starting in 2020. Census data indicates that about 10,000 youth citizens would have become eligible to vote, according to The Post. Nearly 80 percent of the teenagers who would have been impacted by legislation are youths of color, WJLA, <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/414491-dc-council-to-vote-on-letting-16-year-olds-vote">a local ABC affiliate, previously reported</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>2020 Politics Make an Immigration Deal Unlikely in Lame-Duck</em></strong></p>
<p>Immigration was a good issue for Senate Republicans in the midterm elections, but Democrats see it as a winner for them in 2020 and have little desire to negotiate on the issue in the lame-duck session or next year. The offer that Senate Democratic Leader <a href="https://thehill.com/people/charles-schumer">Charles Schumer</a> (N.Y.) proffered at the start of this year full funding for the border wall in exchange for reauthorization of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protects immigrants who came to the country illegally as children is no longer on the table. Democrats say they are content to take the issue into 2020 when Democratic voters are projected to turn out in larger numbers and two pivotal Senate races will be fought in states with large Hispanic populations: Arizona and Colorado. “One, it will continue to help with suburban women. Number two, it will mobilize Latino voters,” said Celinda Lake, a Democratic pollster. “The third thing [is], particularly if Democrats lean into it, immigration can be a huge liability [for Republicans].</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Toys Encourage Children to Build a Border Wall</em></strong></p>
<p>With Christmas around the corner, a new toy aimed at kids could find its way into your home this holiday season. <a href="https://www.foxcarolina.com/news/new-toy-aimed-at-kids-urges-them-to-build-the/article_65d5b10a-e7f0-11e8-bc3c-730ab4e72184.html">Keep and Bear</a> has introduced their new LEGO-like building blocks called MAGA building blocks. The set encourages kids to "build the wall". It comes with 101 pieces including a President Trump figurine with a MAGA hard hat. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Rubio Cites Bible Verse Amid Recount Criticisms: ‘You Cannot Count What is Not There’</em></strong></p>
<p>Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) on Wednesday tweeted a Bible verse amid his criticism of the Florida recounts, writing, "What is crooked cannot be made straight, and you cannot count what is not there. Ecclesiastes 1:15.” <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/416592-rubio-tweets-bible-quote-amidst-recount-criticisms-you-cannot-count-what-is">Rubio, who frequently posts Bible passages</a>, posted the quote as he continues to accuse Democrats of attempting to "steal" elections in Florida as the races for governor and Senate undergo recounts mandated by law. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>ISIS is Back and 'Expanding and Building its Strength' Around the World</em></strong></p>
<p>ISIS is back, and the terror group is actually “expanding and building its strength” around the world, an expert has warned. The extremist sect was believed to be on its knees when its stronghold in Raqqa was liberated in October last year. But last week's knife rampage in Melbourne has served as a reminder that the threat is still real. Professor of global Islamic politics Greg Barton at Australia's Deakin University has warned the world not to be complacent. “We lulled ourselves into a false sense of security,” he told <a href="https://www.news.com.au/world/middle-east/we-have-lulled-ourselves-into-a-false-sense-of-security-about-is/news-story/73a4bd9c32dee9abba6d0dafd788eaa6">news.com.au</a>. “They are not controlling a caliphate now but unfortunately they are still a very potent force.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Muzzling-the-White-House-Press-Corps/112973439550161593.html">“Muzzling the White House Press Corps”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-11-14T14:05:00ZSinema Defeats McSally in Arizona Senate Race; ICE Has Record Number of People in CustodyBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Sinema-Defeats-McSally-in-Arizona-Senate-Race;-ICE-Has-Record-Number-of-People-in-Custody/-130662540606243396.html2018-11-13T14:13:00Z2018-11-13T14:13:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, November 13, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Sinema Defeats McSally in Arizona Senate Race</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/414604-sinema-defeats-mcsally-in-key-arizona-senate-race">Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) has won Arizona’s marquee Senate race</a>, handing Democrats a major victory six full days after Election Day. Sinema defeated Rep. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) in one of the most closely watched Senate races this cycle. Sinema led by a margin of 38,197 votes, or about 1.7 percentage points, out of more than 2.1 million votes cast, when the Associated Press called the race on Monday. The AP made the call after Sinema, who was first elected to Congress in 2012, increased her lead over McSally for the fifth straight day. Arizona still has about 200,000 ballots left to count, but McSally would have to win an improbable percentage of those remaining votes to overcome Sinema's edge.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Maryland Expected to Ask for Injunction Saying Whitaker is Not Legitimate Acting Attorney General</em></strong></p>
<p>The state of Maryland is expected to ask for an injunction on Tuesday saying <a href="https://thehill.com/people/matthew-whitaker">Matt Whitaker</a> is not the legitimate acting attorney general, claiming instead that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein should have been promoted to the position, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/13/us/politics/matt-whitaker-lawsuit-illegal-appointment.html">The New York Times reported</a>. The injunction will come as part of the state's lawsuit against former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, according to the Times, who resigned at President Trump's request last week. A federal judge in Maryland will now have to name Sessions's successor in the lawsuit, and the state is planning to argue Whitaker's appointment to the role was not constitutional, according to a draft filing obtained by the newspaper.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Torches Allies, Threatens NATO Pullout After Tense WWI Memorial Trip to Paris</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump on Monday unloaded on the US's European allies and appeared to threaten to pull out of NATO, upon returning home from a World War I memorial event in Paris, where French President Emmanuel Macron openly rebuked Trump's political philosophy in a speech on Sunday. Trump returned to his old talking points that the U.S. is treated unfairly within NATO while maintaining trade deficits with those countries as Macron talked up the idea of a European army that would in part serve to protect the continent from the U.S. Macron floated the idea before Trump's trip, and Trump described it as "very insulting." <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-slams-allies-threatens-nato-pullout-after-wwi-paris-trip-2018-11">On Monday, Trump tweeted</a>, "Just returned from France where much was accomplished in my meetings with World Leaders.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Blames Stock Market Slide on 'Presidential Harassment by the Dems'</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Monday blamed a sharp stock market downturn on the specter of Democratic investigations when they take control in the new Congress. “The prospect of Presidential Harassment by the Dems is causing the Stock Market big headaches!” Trump said Monday in a <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1062005636488142848">tweet published two hours after U.S. stocks opened</a> with heavy losses. The Dow Jones Industrial Average had lost more than 400 points by 11:20 a.m., a 1.6-percent drop, while the Nasdaq composite sunk almost 3 percent. The S&P 500 fell 1.5 percent. A 4.5-percent drop in Apple’s stock prices led to steep declines across the tech sector as one of Wall Street’s best-performing industries continued to take heavy losses throughout the year. U.S. stocks <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/finance/413416-stock-correction-comes-at-bad-time-for-trump-gop">have dropped steadily</a> since the start of October as traders fear an imminent economic slowdown, fading global growth, and rising trade tensions. Analysts have said that the strong U.S. economy appears to be past its peak, while corporations report narrower profit margins.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Brennan: 'I Miss the Days When American Presidents ... Were Respected for their Honesty & Integrity'</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Former CIA Director <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/416256-brennan-i-miss-the-days-when-american-presidents-were-respected-for">John Brennan took a shot at President Trump </a>on Monday, saying he "missed the days" when U.S. presidents "were respected" for their honesty and integrity. Brennan, a frequent critic of Trump's who saw the president revoke his security clearance earlier this year, took the shot while praising French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for their handling of the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. “Trudeau, Macron, Merkel...it is so refreshing to see principled leaders saying & doing the right things...for their countries as well as for global peace & stability,” Brennan tweeted. “I miss the days when American Presidents, while never perfect, were respected for their honesty & integrity.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>ICE Has Record Number of People in Custody</em></strong></p>
<p>Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is currently holding more detainees than ever before, according to statistics reviewed by The Daily Beast. <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/ice-is-imprisoning-a-record-44000-people" target="_blank">The Beast reported Sunday</a> that ICE has an average daily population of 44,631 people in custody. That number is 4,000 higher than the totals for which Congress has allotted funding. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) told The Beast that he demanded ICE account for where it had gotten the extra money to house 4,000 more detainees.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>U.S. Analysts Locate Secret North Korean Missile Sites</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. analysts said Monday they have located more than half of an estimated 20 secret <a href="https://apnews.com/a3a17c9ab55e480981a5be15f5a5ebce">North Korean missile development sites</a>, highlighting the challenge the Trump administration faces in ensuring that North Korea complies with any eventual agreement to end its nuclear and missile programs. The findings, which were released amid signs the administration’s negotiations with the North have stalled, draw on commercial satellite imagery and identify 13 secret facilities used to produce missiles and related technology. They suggest that Pyongyang is continuing its missile work, even though it has halted test launches in what President Donald Trump and his administration have claimed as a success since his historic June meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Poll: 56% of Democrats Don't Want Pelosi to be House Speaker</em></strong></p>
<p>Rep. Nancy Pelosi recently said she is "100-percent" confident that she will be the next Speaker of the House, but a new poll found that a majority of Democrats don't want her in the leadership role she held from 2007 to 2011. A <a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/244658/democrats-favor-someone-pelosi-speaker.aspx" target="_blank">new Gallup poll</a> shows that by 56 percent to 39 percent, Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents said Pelosi (D-Calif.) should be replaced as their leader in the House. The question was posed to Democrats in Gallup's Oct. 15-28 poll, conducted before the party won back control of the House in the midterm elections. Dozens of Democratic candidates, including many who won their elections last week, have pledged not to support Pelosi for Speaker when the party decides on its leader for the next Congress later this month.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Muzzling-the-White-House-Press-Corps/112973439550161593.html">“Muzzling the White House Press Corps”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-11-13T14:13:00ZDem Leaders Call for Whitaker's Recusal from Mueller Oversight; California Governor on Wildfires: 'This is the New Abnormal'BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Dem-Leaders-Call-for-Whitakers-Recusal-from-Mueller-Oversight;-California-Governor-on-Wildfires:-This-is-the-New-Abnormal/705775411266273819.html2018-11-12T13:30:00Z2018-11-12T13:30:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Monday, November 12, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump: I Told World Leaders That ‘Ridiculously Unfair’ Trade, Military Funding Situations Can’t Continue</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Monday said he told world leaders while in France over the weekend that the United States "must be treated fairly" on trade and military funding. "Just returned from France where much was accomplished in my meetings with World Leaders. Never easy bringing up the fact that the U.S. must be treated fairly, which it hasn’t, on both Military and Trade," he wrote in a tweet. "We pay for LARGE portions of other countries military protection, hundreds of billions of dollars, for the great privilege of losing hundreds of billions of dollars with these same countries on trade. I told them that this situation cannot continue - It is, and always has been, ridiculously unfair to the United States," Trump continued. He added that other countries must either "pay the United States" or protect themselves.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Dem Leaders Call for Whitaker's Recusal from Mueller Oversight</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump's recently designated Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker should recuse himself from oversight of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into the 2016 president election meddling, congressional Democratic leadership <a href="https://www.democrats.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Letter%20to%20DOJ%20Lofthus%20re%20Whitaker%20Ethics%2011-11-2018.pdf" target="_blank">wrote in a letter Sunday</a>. "There are serious ethical considerations that require Mr. Whitaker's immediate recusal from any involvement with the special counsel investigation of the Russian government's efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election," Democrats wrote to Lee Lofthus, the Justice Department's assistant attorney general and designated ethics officer. "Mr. Whitaker has a history of hostile statements toward special counsel Mueller's investigation, including televised statements suggesting that the investigation be defunded or subjected to strict limitations on its scope."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>California Governor on Wildfires: 'This is the New Abnormal'</em></strong></p>
<p>California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) on a Sunday press conference called the wildfires ravaging the state "the new abnormal," warning environmental disasters will only "intensify" over the next two decades. "This is not the new normal," Brown said at the press conference to update Californians about the most destructive wildfires in the state's history. "This is the new abnormal, and this new abnormal will continue, certainly in the next 10, 15, 20 years." Brown on Sunday requested a major disaster declaration from <a href="https://thehill.com/people/donald-trump">President Trump</a>, who spent the weekend blaming the wildfires on "gross mismanagement" by the state government. State officials and fire experts quickly pointed out that the lands most affected by wildfires are those managed by the federal government. The Trump administration has slashed the budget for the agencies that oversee California's forests. Brown at the press conference discussed the pressing threat of climate change. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Wants to End Federal Relief Money for Puerto Rico</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump reportedly wants to end federal relief money for Puerto Rico to aid its recovery from Hurricane Maria, the worst natural disaster on record to affect the island. Axios <a href="https://www.axios.com/donald-trump-federal-funding-puerto-rico-hurricane-maria-c9e4edc8-2365-40be-af36-8d91463578d6.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=organic">reported on Sunday</a> that Trump has told GOP leaders and appropriators he does not want to provide more disaster relief funds to Puerto Rico, claiming without evidence that the money is being misused and mismanaged. Trump also said he wants to roll back some of the funding Congress has already set aside for Hurricane Maria relief, which he cannot do. The president's reluctance to provide funding stems in part from a misreading of a Wall Street Journal article, Axios reported. The <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/puerto-rico-bonds-soar-after-revised-forecast-for-disaster-funding-1540222127">Journal article</a> from October reportedly led him to believe the Puerto Rican government has been using disaster relief money to pay off its debt, though that is not the conclusion of the piece.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Illegal Immigrant Families Shattered Record in October</em></strong></p>
<p>Illegal immigrant families <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/nov/9/illegal-immigrant-families-shattered-record-octobe/">shattered the old records</a> and snuck into the country at record rates in October, according to new numbers released Friday. A staggering 23,121 parents and children traveling as families were caught jumping the border last month. That’s nearly 40 percent higher than any month on record. It’s also nearly 400 percent more than the number recorded just a year ago. The numbers underscore the challenge the Trump administration is facing as it tries to tamp down on what appears to be a run for the border by Central Americans, particularly from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. Pushed by grim conditions back home and enticed into the U.S. by lax policies, children and families from those countries have come to dominate the border immigration problem.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Migrant Caravan Refuses Offers to Stay in Mexico, Demands Buses to U.S. Border</em></strong></p>
<p>Central American migrants in a caravan that has stopped in Mexico City <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/nov/8/migrant-caravan-refuses-offers-stay-mexico-demands/">demanded buses</a> to take them to the U.S. border, saying it is too cold and dangerous to continue walking and hitchhiking. Mexico City authorities say that of the 4,841 registered migrants receiving shelter in a sports complex, 1,726 are under the age of 18, including 310 children under five. “We need buses to continue travelling,” said Milton Benitez, a caravan coordinator. Benitez noted that It would be colder in northern Mexico and it wasn’t safe for the migrants to continue along highways, where drug cartels frequently operate. The Mexican government has said most of the migrants have refused offers to stay in Mexico, and only a small number have agreed to return to their home countries. About 85 percent of the migrants are from Honduras, while others are from the Central American countries of Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Abrams’ Campaign Files Federal Lawsuit in Hopes to Force Runoff</em></strong></p>
<p>Stacey Abrams' campaign on Sunday filed a federal lawsuit asking a judge to delay vote certifications in Georgia’s unsettled governor's race by one day and block counties from tossing some provisional and absentee ballots that may have minor mistakes on them. Brian Kemp, her Republican challenger, issued a statement a day earlier calling for Abrams to concede. Kemp has <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/georgia-election-fight-heats-up-as-kemp-declares-victory-resigns-as-secretary-of-state-abrams-prepares-to-force-runoff">declared victory</a> and said it is "mathematically impossible" for her campaign to force a runoff. Fox 5 Atlanta <a href="http://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/kemp-abrams-refusal-to-concede-a-disgrace-to-democracy-">reported </a>that Kemp is up by 59,000 votes. <a href="https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/GA/91639/Web02-state.220747/#/">Kemp had 50.2 percent of the vote</a> by early Monday. Abrams, 44, has maintained that she will not concede until every vote has been counted and pointed to the 5,000 votes tallied over the weekend that favored her. The Washington Post <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/11/12/stacey-abrams-still-hoping-force-runoff-georgia-governors-race-files-new-lawsuit/?utm_term=.f0b1a8a43003">reported</a> that she would need 21,700 additional votes to force a runoff. The suit, if successful, would prevent officials from certifying county vote totals until Wednesday and could restore at least 1,095 votes that weren't counted. The campaign said thousands of more ballots could be affected.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Muzzling-the-White-House-Press-Corps/112973439550161593.html">“Muzzling the White House Press Corps”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-11-12T13:30:00ZFlorida's Secretary of State Orders Recounts; Illegal Immigrant Killed 3 After 'Sanctuary' Release from CustodyBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Floridas-Secretary-of-State-Orders-Recounts;-Illegal-Immigrant-Killed-3-After-Sanctuary-Release-from-Custody/-507677273280020469.html2018-11-11T15:26:00Z2018-11-11T15:26:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, November 11, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Florida's Secretary of State Orders Recounts in Senate, Gubernatorial Races; Trump 'Watching Closely'</em></strong></p>
<p>Florida’s secretary of state <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/floridas-secretary-of-state-orders-recounts-in-senate-gubernatorial-races">announced Saturday</a> that there will be recounts in the Senate and gubernatorial races after the races became tight enough to trigger them amid controversy over the handling of the counts, with President Trump warning that he will be "watching closely." Secretary Ken Detzner issued the order after the unofficial results in both races fell within the margin that by law triggers a recount. The results of the machine recount will be due by 3 p.m. ET this coming Thursday. The votes in the Senate race between Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson and Republican Gov. Rick Scott, and the gubernatorial race between Republican Rep. Ron DeSantis and Democratic mayor of Tallahassee Andrew Gillum, will be recounted. There will also be a recount for the race for agriculture commissioner. Election officials in Miami-Dade County said they launched a "machine recount" Saturday evening, meaning they were loading paper ballots into scanning machines. The processing of some 800,000 ballots could take several days, the Associated Press reported.</p>
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<p><strong><em>As Uncounted Ballots Dwindle, Kyrsten Sinema's Lead Grows Again</em></strong></p>
<p>Democrat Kyrsten Sinema expanded her narrow lead in Arizona’s U.S. Senate on Saturday with gains in Maricopa and Pima counties erasing smaller losses to Republican Martha McSally elsewhere around the state. Sinema’s lead grew to 29,832 votes as of 7 p.m. and gave her a 1.4 percentage point advantage. Overall, Sinema has 1,048,655 votes and McSally has 1,018,823. Green Party candidate Angela Green has 49,584. <em><a href="https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2018/11/10/arizona-election-senate-ballots-counting-kyrsten-sinema-martha-mcsally-update/1956622002/">T</a></em><a href="https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2018/11/10/arizona-election-senate-ballots-counting-kyrsten-sinema-martha-mcsally-update/1956622002/">he Arizona Republic</a> estimates there are 260,000 ballots still to be counted in the state. The number for Maricopa County is 198,000, where, so far, Sinema has been winning by 3.5 percentage points. While McSally’s vote deficit grew, Republicans took aim at the election process. In a statement Saturday, the National Republican Senatorial Committee attacked Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes, a Democrat, saying he "has been using his position to cook the books for Kyrsten Sinema." The Arizona Republican Party noted Saturday that it had filed a public-records request Saturday of Fontes and alleged "questionable and possibly illegal decisions made by Adrian Fontes, including opening voter centers for non-emergencies the weekend before the election, and curing ballots in the general, but not the primary election." Republicans are seeking "all communications between Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes’ Office and the Sinema campaign and her allies," the state GOP announced.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Illegal Immigrant Killed 3 After 'Sanctuary' Release from Custody, ICE Says</em></strong></p>
<p>An illegal immigrant accused of a triple murder in Missouri was previously jailed and released in New Jersey on domestic violence charges, authorities said, putting the spotlight on the conflict between local and immigration authorities nationwide. Luis Rodrigo Perez, 23, a native of Mexico, is charged with fatally shooting two men and wounding two others on Nov. 1 and fatally shooting a woman the next day. He was being held on domestic violence charges at the Middlesex County Jail in New Jersey in December 2017 and was released in February, <a href="https://www.nj.com/middlesex/index.ssf/2018/11/ice_slams_nj_county_jail_over_suspect_charged_in_m.html">NJ.com reported</a>. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials said they placed a detainer on Perez while he was in custody, but the request was not honored nor was the agency notified when he was let go, <a href="https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/mexican-national-released-local-custody-facing-murder-charges">said Corey Price</a>, acting executive director of ICE.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Tucker Carlson Denies Avenatti’s Claim of Alleged Assault, Says Man Called His Daughter a ‘W****’</em></strong></p>
<p>After lawyer Michael Avenatti said he was investigating “an alleged assault on a gay latino immigrant” by Tucker Carlson at a Virginia country club, the <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/online/tucker-carlson-denies-avenattis-claim-of-alleged-assault-says-man-called-his-daughter-a-w/">Fox News</a> host issued a statement denying the assault and claiming the man lobbed insults at his daughter. Avenatti, the lawyer for Stormy Daniels and recurring foe of Carlson’s, tweeted out a video on Saturday that appeared to show Carlson in a verbal spat with several people. “We are investigating an alleged assault on a gay latino immigrant committed by T. Carlson and/or members of his inner circle at a club in VA in Oct.,” Avenatti wrote. “It likely includes underage drinking in violation of VA law.” The lawyer did not provide any evidence for his claims, nor does the video appear to show Carlson assaulting anyone. In his statement provided to Mediaite, Carlson said that while at the Farmington Country Club in Charlottesville, Virginia last month, a man called his 19-year-old daughter obscenities. His son confronted the man, Carlson said, throwing a glass of red wine in the man’s face and telling him to leave the bar. Carlson added that the club conducted an investigation and ultimately revoked the man’s membership.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Macron Goes Head-to-Head with Trump in Speech Commemorating the End of WWI</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/donald_trump/index.html">Donald Trump</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">'s</span> rising feud with Emmanuel Macron took a new turn on Sunday as the French leader forcefully denounced nations 'looking after their own interests' and decried nationalist policies like the ones the American president has embraced. Macron specifically referred to the 'selfishness of nations only looking after their own interests' in remarks at an Armistice Day event in Paris that Trump and other world leaders attended. 'Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism. Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism by saying our interests first, who cares about the others, we erase what a nation holds dearest, what gives it life, what gives it grace. And what is essential— its moral values,' he said in an English-language translation of the speech he delivered with Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin sitting in the front row. Trump and Macron have been sparring over comments that Macron made last week about his desire to form a European army. The U.S. president said in a stinging tweet that Macron's comments were 'very insulting' as he landed in Paris on Friday evening with the first lady</p>
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<p><strong><em>California Wildfires </em></strong><strong><em>Giving Firefighters a Narrow Window of Calm</em></strong></p>
<p>A destructive 83,275-acre brush fire, pushed by strong Santa Ana winds, marched through Los Angeles and Ventura counties Friday and Saturday toward the sea, destroying at least 177 structures, forcing the evacuation of more than 250,000 people and leaving at least two people dead. Firefighters are looking ahead to a <a href="https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/national-international/Wind-May-Help-Southern-California-Wildfire-Fight-500197021.html" target="_blank">narrow window of calm wind</a> Saturday as they battle to gain ground on the Woolsey Fire, which forced closures Friday and Saturday on the 101 Freeway and Pacific Coast Highway. After a brief respite from the strong winds, firefighters achieved at least some level of containment on Saturday before the fire a red flag warning goes into effect early Sunday and isn't set to expire until Tuesday evening. "Mother Nature has given us a little reprieve today," Ventura County Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen said on Saturday. "The winds have stopped. It gives us some opportunities. But please don't let your guard down."</p>
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<p><strong><em>SNL’s Pete Davidson apologizes on set to Republican veteran he mocked</em></strong></p>
<p>Pete Davidson apologized on “Saturday Night Live” for mocking a Republican congressman-elect who lost an eye in combat, calling him a "war hero." "In what I'm sure was a huge shock to people who know me, I made a poor choice last week," Davidson said on SNL’s “Weekend Update” segment. “I made a joke about Lieutenant Commander Dan Crenshaw and on behalf of the show and myself, I apologize.” Davidson last week <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/media/414762-snls-pete-davidson-ripped-for-mocking-gop-candidate-who-lost-eye-in-combat" target="_blank">mocked</a> Crenshaw, who <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/415411-gop-war-veteran-mocked-on-snl-wins-texas-house-seat" target="_blank">won</a> a U.S. House seat in a Texas race, for wearing an eye patch after losing his eye while serving as a Navy SEAL in Afghanistan, prompting swift backlash on social media. “I mean this from the bottom of my heart, it was a poor choice of words. The man is a war hero and he deserves all the respect in the world,” Davidson said on the latest SNL episode. “If any good came of this, maybe it was that for one day the left and the right finally came together to agree on something: That I’m a d---.” “You think?” Crenshaw asked as he slid next to Davidson on set. “Thank you so much for coming,” Davidson said. “Thanks for making a Republican look good,” Crenshaw responded. The congressman-elect then played along when Davidson asked him to make fun of the SNL cast member. “This is Pete Davidson. He looks like if the meth from 'Breaking Bad' was a person," he said. He added that Davidson looks like a "Troll doll with a tapeworm." Crenshaw later said that there are a “lot of lessons to learn" from the incident. “Americans can forgive one another,” he said. “We can remember what brings us together as a country and still see the good in each other.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Muzzling-the-White-House-Press-Corps/112973439550161593.html">“Muzzling the White House Press Corps”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-11-11T15:26:00ZTrump Administration Seeks to Limit Asylum-Seekers with New Rule; Flake, Coons Push for Vote on Mueller Protection BillBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Administration-Seeks-to-Limit-Asylum-Seekers-with-New-Rule;-Flake-Coons-Push-for-Vote-on-Mueller-Protection-Bill/-971654636516013849.html2018-11-09T14:32:00Z2018-11-09T14:32:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, November 9, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Administration Seeks to Limit Asylum-Seekers with New Rule</em></strong></p>
<p>The Trump administration is taking steps to stem the flow of Central American migrants crossing the U.S. border from Mexico. <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/11/08/665875770/trump-administration-seeks-to-limit-asylum-seekers-with-new-rule">The administration issued a new rule</a> Thursday designed to prohibit migrants who cross the border outside of designated entry points from seeking asylum in the United States. The measure is almost certain to face legal challenges. Advocates say federal law allows anyone on U.S. soil to petition for asylum, even if that person crossed the border illegally. The administration wants to get around that provision by using the president's broad authority to exclude any immigrant or class of immigrants deemed "detrimental to the interests of the United States." That's the same authority the president used when he issued his travel ban on a variety of mostly Muslim countries. That ban was initially blocked by the courts but after several revisions were ultimately upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>On His Way Out, Sessions Limits Justice's Use of Consent Decrees</em></strong></p>
<p>Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, in one of his final acts as the nation’s top cop, curtailed the ability of law enforcement officials to use court-enforced agreements to create change within local police departments accused of civil rights violations. Consent decrees are often used to enforce an agreement between the Justice Department and a local police department to address a violation of the law. <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1109621/download">The memorandum</a>, which Sessions signed shortly before President Trump effectively fired him, “provides guidance on the limited circumstances in which such a consent decree may be appropriate” and “limits the terms for consent decrees and settlement agreements with state and local governmental entities, including terms requiring the use of monitors; and amends the process for the approval of these mechanisms in cases in which they are permissible.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Flake, Coons Push for Vote on Mueller Protection Bill</em></strong></p>
<p>Sens. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) plan to ask for a floor vote on legislation to shield Special Counsel Robert Mueller from a firing when the upper chamber returns to session next week, Flake said on Thursday. Following Trump’s Wednesday ousting of Attorney General Jeff Sessions and appointment of acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker — who has publicly criticized the Mueller probe — Flake <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffFlake/status/1060633950433890304" target="_blank">tweeted</a>, “it is more important than ever to protect the Special Counsel.” Flake and Coons’ plan to seek unanimous agreement for the Senate to vote on the bill, however, is still likely to draw an objection from the GOP side of the aisle.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Sinema Takes Slim Lead in Too-Close-To-Call Arizona Senate Race</em></strong></p>
<p>Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/08/sinema-takes-slim-lead-in-too-close-to-call-arizona-senate-race-978733">took a narrow 9,610-vote lead</a> over GOP Rep. Martha McSally Thursday evening as Arizona’s election authorities counted more ballots in the state’s uncalled Senate race. The lead amounts to less than half a percentage point with more than 1.8 million votes counted. McSally was up by 17,703 votes earlier in the day, before the counties processed another 160,000 votes, but about a half-million, more votes remain to be counted across Arizona, according to both campaigns. Most of the outstanding ballots are coming from Arizona's largest county, Maricopa County, which is home to Phoenix and includes Sinema's congressional district. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Says Law Enforcement is Examining Possible 'Election Fraud' in Florida</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump said Thursday that law enforcement was examining a "big corruption scandal" regarding "Election Fraud" in two Florida counties that have found themselves at the center of a bitter fight over vote counts in the state's hotly contested Senate race. The president's tweet came less than two hours after Rick Scott, the Republican governor of Florida who's seeking to oust Sen. <a href="https://thehill.com/people/bill-nelson">Bill Nelson</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> (D-Fla.), </span><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/415852-scott-sues-broward-supervisor-of-elections-as-florida-senate-race-spirals" target="_blank">sued Broward County Supervisor of Elections</a> Brenda Snipes. The lawsuit, filed in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida Thursday evening, alleges that Snipes's office withheld critical information about vote counts, including how many people voted and how many ballots have yet to be counted. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>'America's Got Talent' Alum Loses Gig on ZZ Top Guitarist's Tour After Posing in MAGA Hat, Holding Chick-Fil-A</em></strong></p>
<p>“America’s Got Talent” alum Benton Blount <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/political-post-by-americas-got-talent-alum-gets-him-kicked-off-tour">abruptly lost his opening-act gig</a> on ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons' concert tour after his pro-Trump Facebook post got him temporarily banned from the social media website. The post showed Blount wearing a red “Make America Great Again” hat and an “I Voted” sticker on Election Day while holding a Chick-Fil-A sandwich and drink. The photo carried the caption, "Someone reading this just got offended multiple times. My work here is done! #Vote." No reason was given for Blount's removal from the tour, only that the post “did not meet community standards,” Blount said. “I thought that it would be OK for me to post that I voted. I thought that it would be OK for me to say who I supported,” Blount said. “I had a MAGA hat on. For that reason, and that reason alone ... my career is on hold for the week.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Michelle Obama Says She'll Never Forgive Trump Over Birther Conspiracy</em></strong></p>
<p>Former first lady Michelle Obama says she can never forgive President Donald Trump for spreading rumors that her husband was not born in America, according to excerpts from her upcoming book that was obtained by <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/in-revealing-new-memoir-michelle-obama-candidly-shares-her-story/2018/11/08/6bc1d2ca-e20e-11e8-b759-3d88a5ce9e19_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.666aea7ec0ea">The Washington Post</a>. In her new memoir, "Becoming," Obama reportedly derides the so-called "birther" conspiracy as thinly-veiled racism. “The whole thing was crazy and mean-spirited, of course, its underlying bigotry and xenophobia hardly concealed,” reads an excerpt, according to the report. “But it was also dangerous, deliberately meant to stir up the wingnuts and kooks.” She reportedly accuses the president of jeopardizing her family’s safety.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Muzzling-the-White-House-Press-Corps/112973439550161593.html">“Muzzling the White House Press Corps”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-11-09T14:32:00Z13 Dead in Mass Shooting at Bar in Southern California; White House Pulls Press Pass from CNN's AcostaBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/13-Dead-in-Mass-Shooting-at-Bar-in-Southern-California;-White-House-Pulls-Press-Pass-from-CNNs-Acosta/-37276326039171993.html2018-11-08T14:03:00Z2018-11-08T14:03:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, November 8, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>13 Dead in Mass Shooting at Bar in Southern California</em></strong></p>
<p>Thirteen people were killed in an overnight shooting at a popular bar in a Los Angeles suburb, authorities said. The victims included a sheriff's sergeant. Officials also said the suspected shooter is dead. It is not yet known if he took his own life. The gunman, dressed in black, opened fire inside the crowded Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks, Calif., a favorite of college students, <a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-thousand-oaks-20181107-story.html" target="_blank">the Los Angeles Times reported</a>. "We have no idea if there is a terrorism link or not," Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean told reporters early Thursday. An undetermined number of people were also injured, Dean said.</p>
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<p><strong><em>White House Pulls Press Pass from CNN's Acosta</em></strong></p>
<p>The White House on Wednesday <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/415644-white-house-yanks-press-pass-from-cnns-acosta">suspended the press credentials of CNN Chief White House Correspondent Jim Acosta</a> after he engaged in a heated back-and-forth with President Trump. In a statement, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders justified the decision by claiming that Acosta became physical with a young female intern during his exchange with Trump. At a Wednesday news conference, Trump grew frustrated with Acosta's line of questioning about a migrant caravan and cut him off by saying “OK, that's enough.” That's when a White House intern approached Acosta and tried to take the microphone out of his hand. The CNN reporter said “pardon me, ma'am” and refused to let go of the mic. Acosta's hand appeared to brush the intern's arm during the exchange. The woman then crouched down and away from Acosta.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Rubio: ‘I Don’t Think They Should Revoke’ Acosta’s Press Pass</em></strong></p>
<p>Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) on Thursday said he did not agree with the White House revoking CNN's Jim Acosta's press pass, but also called out the reporter for acting like an “activist.” "I don’t think they should revoke his WH pass," <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/media/415670-marco-rubio-i-dont-think-they-should-revoke-acostas-press-pass">the senator tweeted</a>. "Revoking press access for being rude is a very slippery slope. But the WH pass is to cover the news, not make yourself the news. This tweet & his behavior is what you expect from an activist, not a journalist." </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Fires Jeff Sessions</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions and replaced him with Sessions’ chief of staff, Trump announced by tweet Wednesday. “We are pleased to announce that Matthew G. Whitaker, Chief of Staff to Attorney General Jeff Sessions at the Department of Justice, will become our new Acting Attorney General of the United States,” Trump tweeted. “He will serve our Country well. We thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his service, and wish him well! A permanent replacement will be nominated at a later date.” <a href="https://dailycaller.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Letter-from-the-Attorney-General.pdf" target="_blank">Sessions’ letter</a> of resignation indicates he was forced out. “At your request, I am submitting my resignation,” Sessions wrote.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trey Gowdy: Sessions Was 'Dead Man Walking for Several Months'</em></strong></p>
<p>Retiring Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) said Wednesday that Jeff Sessions was a <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/415629-trey-gowdy-sessions-was-dead-man-walking-for-several-months">"dead man walking for several months"</a> before he resigned earlier Wednesday from his post as attorney general. “[The resignation] was gonna happen. I knew it was gonna happen after the election. I did not think it would happen before all the votes had been counted, but he’s been a proverbial dead man walking for several months now," Gowdy said on Fox News. Gowdy went on to say that he doesn't think "anything is going to happen" to Rosenstein until Mueller is finished with his probe. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>DoD Drops Border Deployment Name, No Longer Calling it ‘Faithful Patriot’</em></strong></p>
<p>The Pentagon is no longer using its name for the <a href="https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2018/11/02/here-are-the-rules-of-engagement-for-troops-deploying-to-the-mexican-border/" target="_blank">U.S. military mission on the southern border</a>, military officials said Wednesday. “Operation Faithful Patriot” was the name for the deployment of at least 5,000 active-duty troops at ports of entry along three border states. A Pentagon spokesman told Military Times that there will be “no official name change,” but department officials “are not calling it ‘Operation Faithful Patriot’” anymore. “We are merely referring to it as border support,” the spokesman said. The change was decided by Defense Secretary James Mattis’ office and was issued on Election Day, military officials told the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/pentagon-dropping-use-of-faithful-patriot-as-name-for-border-deployment-1541605581?mod=hp_listc_pos2" target="_blank">Wall Street Journal</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Antifa Group Suspended from Twitter After Posting Video of Tucker Carlson's Home</em></strong></p>
<p>An Antifa affiliate group in the nation's capital, <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/antifa-group-suspended-from-twitter-after-posting-video-of-tucker-carlsons-home">Smash Racism DC, was suspended from Twitter</a> after posting a video of a mob descending on Fox News host Tucker Carlson’s home Wednesday evening. In the video, the crowd can be heard chanting, “Tucker Carlson, we will fight! We know where you sleep at night!” Carlson was not home at the time the mob appeared at his house and was at Fox preparing for his evening show. The Fox News host said someone from the group threw himself against the front door and caused it to crack.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Muzzling-the-White-House-Press-Corps/112973439550161593.html">“Muzzling the White House Press Corps”</a><br /> </div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-11-08T14:03:00ZTrump Plans News Conference Wednesday Morning to Discuss Midterm Results; CNN's Jake Tapper on Election Day: 'This is Not a Blue Wave'BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Plans-News-Conference-Wednesday-Morning-to-Discuss-Midterm-Results;-CNNs-Jake-Tapper-on-Election-Day:-This-is-Not-a-Blue-Wave/-140349748772558421.html2018-11-07T13:48:00Z2018-11-07T13:48:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, November 7, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Plans News Conference Wednesday Morning to Discuss Midterm Results</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump will hold a news conference on Wednesday morning when he will speak with reporters as the GOP deals with the fallout from the midterm elections. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced in a tweet that Trump will appear at 11:30 a.m. in the East Room. The president added later that the news conference would focus on "our success in the midterms!" Republicans <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/415435-five-takeaways-from-a-divisive-midterm-election">lost control of the House</a> in Tuesday's midterms, but appear poised to add to their majority in the Senate. With 23 House races still not officially decided, Democrats have won 219 seats and Republicans have won 193, enough to secure a Democratic majority for the next two years. In the Senate, Republicans hold a 51-47 lead over Democrats, with GOP candidates leading races that are too close to call in Montana and Arizona.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>CNN's Jake Tapper on Election Day: 'This is Not a Blue Wave'</em></strong><strong><em><br /></em></strong></p>
<p>CNN anchor Jake Tapper said <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/live-blog" target="_blank">the results coming in Tuesday evening on Election Day</a> did not indicate the anticipated "blue wave" by Democrats. "I have to say, when you look at what’s going on here tonight, this is not a blue wave," Tapper said on air. "This is not a wave that is knocking out all sorts of Republican incumbents." He went on to say, "Republicans have not just sat back and let this happen," Tapper said of the supposed "blue wave" that some had predicted. "They have been fighting for it. And as we see by what’s going on in Florida right now, what’s going on in Georgia right now, what’s going on in Indiana right now, Republicans have managing to get their voters to the polls as well."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Rips Pundits for Not Giving Him ‘Proper Credit’ for ‘Great’ Midterm</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Wednesday dismissed those in the media he said are not giving the White House and the GOP “proper credit” for midterm results, labeling them as “fake news.” Trump tweeted Wednesday morning after Republicans lost control of the House but picked expanded their majority in the Senate, “To any of the pundits or talking heads that do not give us proper credit for this great Midterm Election, just remember two words - FAKE NEWS!” Several pundits and anchors <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/415383-cnns-tapper-on-early-midterm-results-this-is-not-a-blue-wave">acknowledged</a> early in the night on Tuesday that the results were not indicative of a "blue wave" carrying Democrats into majorities in both chambers of Congress, including Democratic strategist James Carville, and Jake Tapper and Van Jones of CNN.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Kremlin Sees No ‘Bright Prospects’ for Normalizing Relations with U.S.</em></strong></p>
<p>The Kremlin on Wednesday said that the results of the U.S. midterm elections are unlikely to negatively affect relations between the two countries, noting it would “be hard to make [the relationship] worse.” Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, told reporters that Democrats taking control of the House and <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/415437-the-blue-wave-ran-into-trumps-red-wall" target="_blank">ensuring a divided U.S. government</a> for the next two years is unlikely to worsen tensions between the U.S. and Russia since they are already so bad. “We can say with a large amount of confidence that of course no bright prospects for normalizing Russian-American relations can be seen on the horizon,” Peskov said, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-russia-midterm-kremlin/kremlin-sees-no-prospects-for-better-u-s-ties-after-elections-idUSKCN1NC178?il=0" target="_blank">according to Reuters</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>“It’s Okay to be White” Flyers Posted at Idaho University</em></strong></p>
<p>Flyers with the slogan “it’s okay to be white” were posted on the University of Idaho campus and around Moscow last week as part of a provocation campaign by white nationalist groups. The Moscow-Pullman Daily News <a href="http://dnews.com/local/it-s-okay-to-be-white---explained/article_90fb15cf-d7c9-5dab-98c2-f22d7c874dc7.html">reports</a> the flyers were an apparent repeat of a year-old campaign stemming from online message boards, intending to create strong reactions. Washington State University Communications Director Phil Weiler says the Pullman campus was the site of the same campaign last year. He says the flyers are not harmless, “they’re interested in being provocative, trying to upset people, trying to intimidate people.” University President Chuck Staben says he is disappointed to see such flyers on campus, but personnel would not remove the ones posted on authorized surfaces, noting the university supports free speech.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>DHS: No Evidence So Far of Foreign Hacking in Midterm Elections</em></strong></p>
<p>Election officials said Tuesday that they have not yet seen attempts by foreign adversaries to breach voting systems as Americans cast their ballots in the midterm elections. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and Chris Krebs, the undersecretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/415308-dhs-no-evidence-so-far-of-foreign-hacking-in-midterm-elections">said at a briefing</a> that cyber actors are scanning systems for possible vulnerabilities at the same level they normally do. Nielsen also repeated her assertion that Tuesday's election "will be the most secure elections in the modern era." Nielsen went on to say, “At this time we have no indication of compromise to our nation’s election infrastructure that would prevent voting, change vote counts, or distrust the ability to tally votes.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Parkland Parents Vote in First Election Since Becoming U.S. Citizens</em></strong></p>
<p>The parents of a student killed during February's school shooting in Parkland, Florida, on Tuesday <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/415345-parkland-parents-vote-in-first-election-since-becoming-us">voted in their first election</a> since becoming U.S. citizens. Manuel and Patricia Oliver’s son, Joaquin “Guac” Oliver, was one of 17 people killed inside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Valentine’s Day. Originally from Venezuela, the Olivers became U.S. citizens just 24 days before their son was killed in the school shooting, CNN reported. Manuel Oliver said he was “mad” because his son would have been 18 and would have voted for the first time too. “We are leading a fight in my son's honor," Manuel Oliver said, according to CNN. “I am sad but needed to make my voice active (and) make these politicians accountable.” He encouraged other Latinos to get out and vote.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Tom Arnold Says Trump Should Be 'Disqualified' From Office</em></strong></p>
<p>Actor Tom Arnold said <a href="https://thehill.com/hilltv/pollywood/415324-tom-arnold-says-trump-should-be-disqualified-from-office">in an interview</a> Tuesday that President Trump should be disqualified from office because they are acquainted with many of the same people. “The fact that Donald Trump and I have so many people in common should disqualify him for office," Arnold told Hill.TV's Alison Spann. "The best way I can be of service, and I love being of service, is to just do stuff like this [interview], and help out people, and be a good father, and vote, and get people to vote," he continued, when asked whether he would consider running for office. Arnold, like many members of Hollywood, have been outspoken critics of Trump and his administration.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Our-Country/-903918301886558877.html">“Our Country”</a><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-11-07T13:48:00ZTrump Says He Would 'Like to Have a Much Softer Tone'; Farrakhan in Iran: 'Death to Israel,' America Is 'Satan'BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Says-He-Would-Like-to-Have-a-Much-Softer-Tone;-Farrakhan-in-Iran:-Death-to-Israel-America-Is-Satan/334650269108363962.html2018-11-06T13:31:00Z2018-11-06T13:31:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, November 6, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Farrakhan in Iran: ‘Death to Israel,’ America Is ‘Satan’</em></strong></p>
<p>Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan spoke in Tehran Sunday, leading chants of "death to Israel" and "death to America," according to Iranian news agencies. Farrakhan's trip to Iran comes just as the United States prepares to reimplement sanctions against the nation, Fox News <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/world/farrakhan-chants-death-to-america-in-iran" target="_blank">reports</a>. Speaking alongside Secretary of Iran's Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaee to Iranian law students, Farrakhan referred to the United States as "Satan" and voiced support for Iranian opposition to American interests. "I understand how the enemies have plotted against the Iranian people and I would like to stay alongside you to stop their plots," he said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Says He Wants to Unite the Country 'Eventually'</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump said he "eventually" wants to <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/415084-trump-says-he-wants-to-unite-the-country-eventually">unite the country</a> during a raucous Monday campaign rally where he repeatedly attacked Democrats and the news media. "I do eventually want to unite, but the fact is, we're driving them crazy," Trump said inside a packed Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. "They're going loco." Trump repeatedly lambasted the "fake news media" for turning the cameras toward demonstrators in the crowds instead of Trump supporters. The cameras turned like a pretzel, did you see that? But they won't show these huge crowds," he said. "They don't turn because they're fake news. They're fake news." </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>'Taylor Swift Effect' Dismissed by Tennessee Students as Early Vote Totals Smash 2014 Numbers</em></strong></p>
<p>In Tennessee, early voting totals nearly tripled compared to 2014 and some pollsters and voters are attributing it to, pop star, Taylor Swift’s last-minute October surprise endorsement of the Democratic candidate for Senate, Phil Bredesen. Swift posted on Instagram in early October said in part, "As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn. Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me." There were <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/taylor-swift-effect-dismissed-by-tennessee-students-as-early-vote-totals-smash-2014-numbers">97,826 early voters</a> under the age of 30, compared to 12,812 young early voters in 2014; a spike of more than 700 percent, according to the data firm Targetsmart. But the young, independent college students say they’re betting on their own smarts to make up their mind.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Says He Would 'Like to Have a Much Softer Tone'</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump conceded Monday that he could take a softer tone but refuted any suggestion that his heated rhetoric about immigration has emboldened racism in the country. "There would be certain things, I’m not sure I want to reveal all of them," Trump told WJLA in Washington, D.C., amid a campaign blitz on the eve of Tuesday's midterm elections. "But I would say tone," he continued. <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/415073-trump-says-he-would-like-to-have-a-much-softer-tone">"I would like to have a much softer tone</a>. I feel to a certain extent I have no choice. But maybe I do, and maybe I could be softer from that standpoint." Trump added that he'd "love to get along" with Democrats but suggested that bipartisanship would have to wait until after the midterm campaign.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Mueller Expected to Make Moves After Midterms</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Whether intentional or not, Robert Mueller has honored an unofficial Justice Department policy that limits major actions in political investigations 60 days before an election. But as Mueller and his team of prosecutors have worked behind the scenes on investigations of Trump associates, numerous clues about the probe have emerged through witnesses and attorneys who have shared insight from the investigation with reporters. The smoke signals <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2018/11/01/election-is-almost-here-that-means-muellers-next-move-is-coming-soon/" target="_blank">have</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/chrisgeidner/special-counsel-russia-investigation-returns" target="_blank">generated</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><a href="http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/11/mueller-post-midterms-surprises.html" target="_blank">speculation</a> that, if Mueller plans to issue indictments in his investigation, they will be handed down within days or weeks. There have also been reports that Mueller will submit a report on the investigation to the Justice Department by the end of the year.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court for Swift Action on DACA</em></strong></p>
<p>The Justice Department <a href="https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/5028991/DOJ-DACA-Letter-SCOTUS-110518.pdf">urged</a> the Supreme Court on Monday to take up a legal battle over the Trump administration's <a href="https://www.axios.com/jeff-sessions-reveals-plans-to-end-daca-1513305282-1c167393-8db4-4a9b-b90e-6dcc3ae65120.html">attempt to end</a> the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, despite lower courts having yet to rule on the legality of the effort. The administration has been trying to bypass lower-court rulings on some of President Trump’s signature policy proposals with the hope that the now conservative Supreme Court majority will help push his measures through. The DOJ argues that by the time the lower courts rule on the issue it might be too late to get the case on the Supreme Court's 2018-2019 docket. If so, that means the administration would have to keep the Obama-era program for at least another year. Meanwhile, cases in California, New York, and Washington, D.C. are challenging the legality of Trump’s attempt to undo DACA, which protects unauthorized immigrants who came to the U.S. as children from deportation.<br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>Ted Cruz Fires Back at Jim Carrey's 'Vampire' Attack with Shot at Democrats</em></strong></p>
<p>Liberal Hollywood actor Jim Carrey and GOP Texas Senator Ted Cruz engaged in a contentious back-and-forth on Twitter Monday, just hours before voters in the state head to polling stations to help determine Cruz’s fate in the Senate. Cruz is holding a slight lead in his race against Democratic Rep. Beto O’Rourke in the Lone Star State, according to the recent polls. So Carrey, a vocal liberal who <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/jim-carrey-says-stop-apologizing-and-say-yes-to-socialism">recently urged Americans to ‘stop apologizing’ and ‘say yes to socialis</a><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/jim-carrey-says-stop-apologizing-and-say-yes-to-socialism">m</a><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/jim-carrey-says-stop-apologizing-and-say-yes-to-socialism">,'</a> got into the fray by tweeting his support for the Democrat. Carrey said, “Go Beto! Go Democrats! Vote like there’s no tomorrow. Let’s make this Tuesday like the end of every great vampire movie. Pull back the curtains and let the sunshine turn all those bloodsuckers to dust.” Cruz soon <a href="https://twitter.com/tedcruz/status/1059516954841673729">tweeted</a> in response, “Hollywood liberals all in for Beto,” “But (self-described socialist) Jim Carrey made a mistake here: Vampires are dead, and everyone knows the dead vote Democrat...”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Democrats Have Slim Hopes of Flipping the Senate</em></strong></p>
<p>Democrats are feeling better about their chances of limiting GOP gains in the Senate as signs emerge that voter turnout on Tuesday could be exceptional for a midterm election. While the party has slim hopes of winning the majority, Democrats think that if voter turnout is high, <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/415091-democrats-have-slim-hopes-of-flipping-the-senate">they may see a number of tightly fought races swing their way</a>. The problem for Democrats is that they’d have to win Nevada, Tennessee and an open seat in Arizona to even have a chance of winning the majority. They’d then need to hold on to every one of their seats in jeopardy to seal the deal. Besides Missouri and Florida, Democrats are in tough contests in Montana, Indiana, West Virginia and North Dakota. Losing just one of those seats would make it almost impossible for Democrats to win the Senate majority.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Fox News Hosts Join Trump on Stage at Missouri Campaign Rally</em></strong></p>
<p>Fox News hosts Sean Hannity and Jeanine Pirro joined President Trump on stage at his final campaign rally of the midterms, singing the president's praises and urging attendees to vote Republican. "I have a few people that are right out here, and they’re very special," Trump said, teasing their appearances. "They’ve done an incredible job for us. They’ve been with us from the beginning, also." Trump, who has a well-known penchant for Fox News programming, proceeded to call Hannity on stage, even though the Fox News host <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/414925-hannity-clarifies-appearance-at-trump-rally-i-will-not-be-on-stage">tweeted earlier in the day</a> that he "will not be on stage campaigning with the President." While Hannity and Pirro are vocal Trump supporters and frequently speak to him, it's unusual for cable news anchors to give candidate-style speeches at campaign rallies.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Our-Country/-903918301886558877.html">“Our Country”</a><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-11-06T13:31:00ZPoll Shows Dems' Lead on Generic Ballot Shrinks to 3 Points; Trump Campaigns for Blackburn in Tennessee After Stumping for Kemp in GeorgiaBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Poll-Shows-Dems-Lead-on-Generic-Ballot-Shrinks-to-3-Points;-Trump-Campaigns-for-Blackburn-in-Tennessee-After-Stumping-for-Kemp-in-Georgia/-983227442350986191.html2018-11-05T13:29:00Z2018-11-05T13:29:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Monday, November 5, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Poll Shows Dems’ Lead on Generic Ballot Shrinks to 3 Points</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>The Democrats' lead over Republicans among registered voters on a generic ballot has shrunk to 3 points ahead of Tuesday's midterms, according to a new poll. The <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/05/poll-generic-ballot-narrows-on-eve-of-midterms-960757?nname=playbook&nid=0000014f-1646-d88f-a1cf-5f46b7bd0000&nrid=0000014e-f115-dd93-ad7f-f91513e50001&nlid=630318" target="_blank">Politico/Morning Consult poll published Monday</a> found that 43 percent of registered voters prefer the Democratic candidate in their district, compared to 40 percent who prefer the Republican. Another 18 percent of registered voters are undecided, according to the poll. The poll was conducted from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2. It shows the Democrats' lead narrowing from the 8-point advantage in the previous version of the poll, which was conducted from Oct. 25 to 30. It also shows a notably smaller advantage for Democrats than a number of other generic ballot polls. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Campaigns for Blackburn in Tennessee After Stumping for Kemp in Georgia</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-says-abrams-will-turn-georgia-into-venezuela-at-macon-rally">warned Georgia voters</a> Sunday that Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Stacey Abrams would turn the state "into Venezuela" and "make your jobs disappear like magic" if she defeats Republican Brian Kemp in Tuesday's election. Trump campaigned for Kemp in Macon, and then went to Chattanooga, Tenn., to hold an evening rally on behalf of Republican Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn. "Brian Kemp is an incredible fighter and a tireless champion for the people and for the values of Georgia, and he was with me right from the beginning," said Trump, who also warned that if Abrams is elected "your Second Amendment is gone." Kemp, Georgia’s secretary of state, is locked in a close race against Abrams, who could become the first black woman to serve as a U.S. governor. Fox News has rated the race as a “toss-up.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Obama Stumps for Senator Who Supports Trump’s Wall</em></strong></p>
<p>In a race that the Cook Political Report currently considers a tossup, former President Barack Obama urged Hoosiers not to fall for the GOP’s attempts to distract from issues and backed a Democratic candidate who has sometimes strayed from party lines. Speaking at a rally in Indiana for Sen. Joe Donnelly, who is in a highly competitive race with Republican challenger Mike Braun, Obama praised the Democrat for his honestly. Braun, a steadfast Trump supporter, has campaigned as a businessman and outsider who is tired of career politicians. Braun has criticized Donnelly for backing Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, voting against the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh and supporting the Iran-nuclear deal. But Donnelly isn’t the most liberal candidate, either. He has campaigned on his support for <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-administration-sued-border-wall-waiver-environmental-protections-182242352.html">President Trump’s border wall</a>, condemned the “radical left” and even quoted former President Ronald Reagan’s “peace through strength” Cold War motto.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Non-Stop Ads and Robocalls: America's Costliest Election</em></strong></p>
<p>Welcome to the <a href="https://ca.news.yahoo.com/non-stop-ads-robocalls-welcome-americas-costliest-election-113052901.html">most expensive race</a> in the hard-fought battle between Republicans and Democrats for control of the U.S. House of Representatives, which will be decided in Tuesday's elections. The blizzard of spending in California's 25th district, a region stretching north and east of Los Angeles into the high desert of the Antelope Valley, stands out even during the most expensive congressional elections in U.S. history. Most of the money is funneled into non-stop advertising - on TV, radio, social media, yard signs, automated robocalls to cell phones and landlines, bumper stickers and a deluge of pamphlets stuffed into mailboxes. The contest, a top Democratic target, has drawn more than $26 million in spending by candidates and outside groups since January 2017, according to a Reuters analysis of Federal Election Commission (FEC) data. It leads the 10 priciest House races, where a total of $238 million has been spent. Democrats aiming to pick up the 23 House seats and two in the Senate needed to control Congress and block much of Republican President Donald Trump's agenda and increase oversight of his administration - have far outpaced their opponents in spending. Democrats and their allies in the 10 costliest House races spent $142 million to Republicans' $96 million, Reuters' analysis found.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Migrant Caravan Sets Sight on Getting to Mexico City</em></strong></p>
<p>Thousands of tired Central Americans set their sights on Mexico City on Sunday after <a href="https://apnews.com/d12be31914c04c6ba4b66c5c112da59f">undertaking a grueling journey</a> through a part of Mexico that has been particularly treacherous for migrants seeking to get to the United States. An estimated 4,000 migrants are in the Gulf state of Veracruz, where hundreds of migrants have disappeared in recent years, falling prey to kidnappers looking for ransom payments. The day’s 124-mile trek was one of the longest yet, as the exhausted migrants tried to make progress walking and hitching rides toward the U.S. border still hundreds of miles away. The migrants now aim to regroup in the Mexican capital, seeking medical care and rest while they await stragglers. The caravan has found strength in numbers as it meanders north, with townspeople pouring out to offer food, water, fresh clothes, and replacement footwear.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Poll: Trump's 2020 Woman Problem</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump would lose the 2020 election against every woman mentioned as a possible Democratic opponent, according to an Axios poll by SurveyMonkey, aired first on HBO Sunday night. Trump is <a href="https://d25d2506sfb94s.cloudfront.net/cumulus_uploads/document/1defh18ekn/tabs_Trump_Tweets_20181030.pdf">underwater</a> with women voters (64% of women view him unfavorably), and particularly among white suburban women — a group that will be critical in 2020. Look for Democrats to turn to their top 2020 female candidates after Tuesday’s election. A record number of women are running and a record number of women are expected to vote and win come Tuesday. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Age Becomes Talking Point Surrounding 2020 Democratic Field</em></strong></p>
<p>It's a question some Democrats are pondering as <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/414698-age-becomes-talking-point-surrounding-2020-democratic-field">the 2020 presidential election</a> inches closer: Can their party represent change when three of its top candidates are not only familiar faces but people in their retirement years? Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) will enter her 70s in June. Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) is 77. Former Vice Joe Biden will turn 76 later this month. Though the primaries are still a ways off, all three have emerged in early polls as favorites to be the 2020 Democratic nominee. Some strategists say that might be a problem. “Democrats would be better off with a young candidate,” said Democratic strategist Brad Bannon, who argued that an electorate that seems to want change might prefer someone from a younger generation. He put it as a generational battle, this time between baby boomers and millennials. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Another Kavanaugh Accuser Admits to Fabricating Rape Story</em></strong></p>
<p>One of Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s accusers admitted this week that she made up her lurid tale of a backseat car rape, saying it “was a tactic” to try to derail the judge’s confirmation to the Supreme Court. Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Judiciary Committee revealed the fraud in a <a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/2018-11-02%20CEG%20to%20DOJ%20FBI%20(Munro-Leighton%20Referral)%20with%20redacted%20enclosures.pdf" target="_blank">letter </a>to the FBI and Justice Department Friday, asking them to prosecute Judy Munro-Leighton for lying to and obstructing Congress. Mr. Grassley said Ms. Munro-Leighton is a left-wing activist who hijacked another “Jane Doe” anonymous report about a backseat rape and claimed it as her own story, calling it a “vicious assault.” “I am Jane Doe from Oceanside, CA, Kavanaugh raped me,” Ms. Munro-Leighton wrote in an Oct. 3 email claiming to have been a victim of the judge. Mr. Grassley’s investigators tried to reach her for a month but were unsuccessful until this week, when they spoke to her by phone and she confessed that she was not the original Jane Doe, and “did that as a way to grab attention.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>'SNL' Mocks House GOP Candidate Who Lost Eye in Afghanistan</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/nov/4/snl-mocks-vet-who-lost-eye-afghanistan/">NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” came under fire</a> Sunday for a sketch that mocked the appearance of a Texas House candidate who lost an eye to an IED blast in Afghanistan. Cast member Pete Davidson targeted Republican Dan Crenshaw, a retired Navy SEAL who wears an eyepatch, during a “Weekend Update” segment ridiculing candidates, mainly Republicans, over their looks. “This guy’s kind of cool Dan Crenshaw. You may be surprised to hear he’s a congressional candidate from Texas,” Davidson said. After the joke met with shocked laughter, Davidson joked, “I’m sorry, I know he lost his eye in war or whatever.” The segment touched off a wave of fierce criticism on social media as well as a response Sunday from Crenshaw. “Good rule in life: I try hard not to offend; I try harder not to be offended,” tweeted Mr. Crenshaw.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Our-Country/-903918301886558877.html">“Our Country”</a><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-11-05T13:29:00Z2 Killed, 5 Others Injured in Shooting at Florida Yoga Studio; Ken Starr: I Haven't Seen Trump Commit Anything 'Close' to an Impeachable OffenseBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/2-Killed-5-Others-Injured-in-Shooting-at-Florida-Yoga-Studio;-Ken-Starr:-I-Havent-Seen-Trump-Commit-Anything-Close-to-an-Impeachable-Offense/-714892273046577309.html2018-11-04T13:29:00Z2018-11-04T13:29:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, November 4, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>2 Killed, 5 Others Injured in Shooting at Florida Yoga Studio</em></strong></p>
<p>A lone shooter opened fire in a Tallahassee yoga studio on Friday, shooting two fatally and injuring five others, officials said. The suspect, identified as Florida resident Scott Paul Beierle, 40, died of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound Friday evening. Police are reportedly investigating possible motives, but declined to offer further details about the shooter, <a href="https://apnews.com/2aa3abbc5ad84ed9a6eaec3788743b94">The Associated Press reported</a>. Police and authorities told Reuters that members of the yoga class fought back against the shooter before he killed himself. The gunman reportedly pistol-whipped a man who rushed him after he began shooting. “There were indications that several people not only fought back but tried to save other people,” Police Chief Michael DeLeo told reporters, according to Reuters. Tallahassee Mayor and Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum said Friday that he would depart the campaign trail to return to the state’s capital city after Friday's shooting.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Ken Starr: I Haven't Seen Trump Commit Anything 'Close' to an Impeachable Offense</em></strong></p>
<p>Former independent counsel Ken Starr said that he has not seen President Trump commit any offense that is <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/414722-ken-starr-i-havent-seen-trump-commit-anything-close-to-an-impeachable">"even close" to being impeachable."</a> John Catsimatidis in an interview airing Sunday on AM 970 in New York asked Starr, who led the investigation into former President Clinton's sexual misconduct with Monica Lewinsky, if Trump had committed any "impeachable offenses." "Not even close," Starr replied. "I know of no evidence … that would suggest that [Trump] has committed high crimes and misdemeanors…You can hate the way he tweets … you can disagree with his policies ... but be very careful before you move the country toward impeachment," he added. "It’s inherently divisive."</p>
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<p><strong><em>'No Evidence' to Back Kavanaugh Accusers' Claims, Senate Panel's Report on FBI Probe Finds</em></strong></p>
<p>An investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh by multiple women found that no witnesses could provide evidence to substantiate their claims, a <a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/2018-11-02%20Kavanaugh%20Report.pdf">letter</a> to Senate Republicans from the Senate Judiciary Committee chairman said Friday. According to the 414-page report released by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, investigators interviewed more than 40 people, monitored social media and news reports and reviewed evidence provided by the judge and his accusers. “Following the separate and extensive investigations by both the Committee and the FBI, there was no evidence to substantiate any of the claims of sexual assault made against Justice Kavanaugh,” the report states. Grassley said, “Indeed, the evidence appears to support the position that Julie Swetnick and Mr. Avenatti criminally conspired to make materially false statements to the Committee and obstruct the Committee’s investigation.”</p>
<p class="speakable"> </p>
<p><strong><em>Migrant Caravan Splinters in Mexican State</em></strong></p>
<p>A 4,000-strong caravan of Central American migrants traveling through Mexico <a href="https://www.apnews.com/d12be31914c04c6ba4b66c5c112da59f">split up into several groups</a> with one spending the night in a town in the coastal state of Veracruz and other migrants continuing toward the country’s capital. The divisions came during a tense day in which tempers flared and some migrants argued with caravan organizers and criticized Mexican officials. They were upset that Veracruz Gov. Miguel Angel Yunes had reneged on an offer late Friday to provide buses on Saturday to leapfrog the migrants to Mexico City. The migrants trekked to the town of Isla, about 700 miles south of the U.S. border, where several thousand stopped to rest, eat and receive medical attention. They planned to spend the night there before departing at 5 a.m. Sunday en route to the town of Cordoba. But other migrants, mainly men and the younger members of the group, kept on walking or hitching rides toward Puebla and Mexico City. They hunkered down for the night in Juan Rodriguez Clara or Tierra Blanca farther along the route.</p>
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<p><strong><em>New Poll Shows 65% of all Americans Rate the Economy Good or Excellent</em></strong> </p>
<p>Heading into Tuesday’s critical midterm elections, Democrats retain their advantage in the battle for the House, but Republicans could be buoyed by increasingly positive assessments of the economy and by President Trump’s harsh focus on the issues of immigration and border security, according to a new <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/page/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2018/11/04/National-Politics/Polling/release_535.xml?tid=a_inl_manual">Washington Post-ABC News national poll</a>. The poll finds that registered voters prefer Democratic candidates for the House over Republican candidates by 50 percent to 43 percent. That marks a slight decline from last month when Democrats led on the generic congressional ballot by 11 points. Trump’s approval rating among all adults stands at 40 percent, those who disapprove account for 53 percent. The poll also shows that Americans have the most optimistic attitudes about the economy in nearly two decades, with 65 percent of all Americans rating the state of the economy as good or excellent and 34 percent offering a negative assessment. The last time optimism ranked so high was in January 2001.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Idaho School Staff Put on Paid Leave for ‘Border Wall,’ Mexican Halloween Costumes</em></strong> </p>
<p>Fourteen staff members of an Idaho school district were placed on paid administrative leave after they <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/idaho-school-staff-put-on-paid-leave-for-border-wall-mexican-halloween-costumes">dressed up as Trump’s “border wall” </a>and stereotypes of Mexicans for Halloween, the Associated Press reports. Middleton School District superintendent Josh Middleton announced the decision at a Saturday school board meeting. At the meeting, Board Chairman Tim Winkle reportedly said the costumes were “part of a team building activity after school hours.” Staff members who dressed up as the “border wall” posed behind pieces of cardboard with painted-on bricks and red, white, and blue letters spelling the phrase, “Make America Great Again.” Others dressed as Mexicans in sombreros, ponchos, and fake mustaches. Photos of the staff members wearing the costumes inside classrooms circulated social media after they were posted on the school district’s Facebook page Thursday night.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Voter Enthusiasm Surges Among U.S. Hispanics</em></strong></p>
<p>Hispanics are more interested in voting this year than in the last U.S. congressional midterm elections in 2014 and their enthusiasm outpaces that of all U.S. adults, according to a <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-latinos/ready-for-a-fight-voter-enthusiasm-surges-among-u-s-hispanics-idUSKCN1N90AS?il=0">Reuters/Ipsos national tracking poll</a> released on Sunday. The poll also found likely Hispanic voters nearly twice as inclined to support Democrats for the House of Representatives as Republicans in Tuesday’s elections. Voter registration groups are using Republican President Donald Trump’s nationalist, anti-immigrant rhetoric as an opportunity to drive up Latino enthusiasm. In an illustration of their passion, one group that is part of an alliance that has reached out to more than 1 million potential voters in Arizona took its name from the Spanish word for “fight.” Most opinion polls and political handicappers expect Democrats to win the 23 seats they need to assume control of the House. Republicans are favored to keep control of the Senate.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>U.S., South Korea Set Delayed Military Drills; North Korea Urges End to Pressure</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-southkorea-military/u-s-south-korea-set-delayed-military-drills-north-korea-urges-end-to-pressure-idUSKCN1N90DS">The United States and South Korea</a> will begin small-scale military drills on Monday that were delayed during talks with North Korea, days after Pyongyang threatened to restart work on its nuclear program if international pressure does not ease. The Korean Marine Exchange Program was among the training drills that were indefinitely suspended in June after U.S. President Donald Trump met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore and promised to end joint, U.S.-South Korea military exercises often criticized by the North. A spokesman for South Korea’s Ministry of Defense confirmed a round of training would begin near the southern city of Pohang, with no media access expected. About 500 American and South Korean marines will participate in the maneuvers, the Yonhap news agency reported. In Washington last week, South Korea’s defense minister said Washington and Seoul would make a decision by December on major joint military exercises for 2019.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Our-Country/-903918301886558877.html">“Our Country”</a><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-11-04T13:29:00ZTrump Announces Plan to Deny Asylum-Seekers Who Don't Show Up at Ports of Entry; Suspect Pleads Not Guilty in Deadly Pittsburgh Synagogue AttackBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Announces-Plan-to-Deny-Asylum-Seekers-Who-Dont-Show-Up-at-Ports-of-Entry;-Suspect-Pleads-Not-Guilty-in-Deadly-Pittsburgh-Synagogue-Attack/-920222541449748829.html2018-11-02T12:20:00Z2018-11-02T12:20:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, November 2, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Announces Plan to Deny Asylum-Seekers Who Don't Show Up at Ports of Entry</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump announced in a <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-caravan-remarks-at-the-white-house">lengthy speech </a>at the White House on Thursday that, in response to what he called the "crisis at our southern border" and a surge of fraudulent asylum claims, his administration will require asylum-seekers to "lawfully present themselves" at a port of entry. The move appeared designed to prevent many members of the leading Central American migrant caravan which now numbers approximately 4,000, down from a high of 7,200 to make asylum claims if and when they reach the U.S. border. Asylum claims made by migrants caught crossing the border illegally would seemingly be summarily denied under Trump's proposal. The asylum clause of the Immigration and Nationality Act says that anyone who arrives to the U.S. may apply for asylum based on a well-founded fear of persecution, and Trump's decision was likely to prompt immediate federal court challenges. In his remarks, Trump called the thousands of migrants in the approaching caravans from Central America "not legitimate asylum-seekers" because most of them have not decided to remain in Mexico and pursue asylum there. "Asylum is not a program for people living in poverty," he said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Oprah: If You Don’t Vote, You’re ‘Dishonoring’ Your Ancestors Who Couldn’t</em></strong></p>
<p>Oprah Winfrey on Thursday delivered a powerful message to attendees of a town hall in support of Georgia gubernatorial candidate <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/topic/stacey-abrams" target="_blank">Stacey Abrams</a>: Don’t dishonor your ancestors by failing to vote in the midterm elections. The media mogul invoked <a href="http://www.oprah.com/own-oprahshow/why-oprah-casts-her-votes-for-otis-moss-sr-video" target="_blank">the story of Otis Moss Sr.</a>, who had walked 18 miles to vote in an election but was told he was too late to cast a ballot. He died before he was able to finally vote in the next election. “For anybody here who has an ancestor who didn’t have the right to vote and you are choosing not to vote wherever you are in this state, in this country, you are dishonoring your family,” Winfrey said at an event in Marietta on Thursday. “You are disrespecting and disregarding their legacy, their suffering, and their dreams when you don’t vote,” she added.<strong> </strong></p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump on Mail Bomb and Pittsburgh Shooting Suspects: 'Two Maniacs' Halted GOP 'Momentum'</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Thursday described the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting suspect and the man accused of mailing pipe bombs to prominent Democrats as a <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/414467-trump-on-mail-bomb-and-pittsburgh-shooting-suspects-two-maniacs-who">pair of "maniacs"</a> whose actions halted Republican momentum ahead of Tuesday's midterm elections. "We did have two maniacs stop a momentum that was incredible because for seven days nobody talked about the elections," Trump said at a Missouri campaign rally. “It stopped a tremendous momentum.” “More importantly, we have to take care of our people, and we don't care about momentum when it comes to a disgrace like just happened to our country,” he quickly added. “But it did nevertheless stop a certain momentum, and now the momentum is picking up.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Suspect Pleads Not Guilty in Deadly Pittsburgh Synagogue Attack</em></strong></p>
<p>The suspect in Saturday's Tree of Life Synagogue shooting walked into a federal courtroom in Pittsburgh on Thursday and pleaded not guilty to all 44 counts against him. The case is set for a jury trial and could result in the death penalty. A day earlier, <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/pennsylvania-man-charged-federal-hate-crimes-tree-life-synagogue-shooting">a federal grand jury</a> charged Robert Bowers of Baldwin, Pa., with the murder of 11 people, as well as with hate crimes. Bowers, 46, strode into U.S. District Court clad in a red jumpsuit and shackled by handcuffs.<br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>Pompeo Says 'Handful More Weeks' Before U.S. Responds to Khashoggi Killing</em></strong></p>
<p>Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Thursday it would be <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-khashoggi-usa-sanctions/pompeo-says-handful-more-weeks-before-u-s-responds-to-khashoggi-killing-idUSKCN1N667V?il=0">a “handful more weeks”</a> before the United States had enough evidence to impose sanctions in response to the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Pompeo, in an interview with KMOX radio in St. Louis, said President Donald Trump had made it clear Washington would respond to the killing. He said the administration is “reviewing putting sanctions on the individuals that we have been able to identify to date that ... were engaged in that murder.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>In Migrant Caravan, Kids and Parents Struggle with Long Trek</em></strong></p>
<p>The U.N. children’s agency estimated last week that 2,300 children were traveling in the caravan of Central American migrants. That number has declined somewhat as the group’s size diminishes, but kids of all ages are still everywhere and at risk of illness, dehydration and other dangers. And if it’s exhausting for children, it’s perhaps even more so for their parents trying to care for them as they walk long hours in the sun, sleep on the ground outdoors and rely on donations of food and clothing to get by. Unless they unexpectedly find some way of traveling faster and Mexican officials have shown no inclination to facilitate that, they are still weeks away from reaching the U.S. border. <a href="https://www.apnews.com/95dc53ee126e4a6e8ec8a3233b1b6aea">Thousands have already dropped out, applying for asylum in Mexico</a> or accepting free bus rides home, and many more are expected to do the same. A caravan earlier this year fizzled to just about 200 who actually made it to the Tijuana-San Diego border.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Judge Refuses to Block Voter ID Law for Native Americans in North Dakota </em></strong></p>
<p>A federal district court judge on Thursday <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/414384-judge-refuses-to-block-voter-id-law-for-native-americans-in-north-dakota">refused to temporarily exempt</a> Native Americans in North Dakota from a state law requiring residents to show a valid ID that lists a current residential street address when voting. Chief Judge Daniel Hovland, of the U.S. District Court for North Dakota, cited Tuesday’s midterm election in his decision to reject the emergency request for temporary relief from the requirement to provide proof of a residential address. Hovland, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, stated, "The federal courts are unanimous in their judgment that it is highly important to preserve the status quo when elections are fast approaching." Native Americans argue they are disenfranchised by the law because residents of reservations don't have standard addresses. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Items Owned by Tupac Shakur Donated to Temple University</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.apnews.com/0c6a47e66c5d4142946435a61e9d5458">Items owned by Tupac Shakur</a> have been donated to Temple University, including a bullet-dented golden medallion the rapper was wearing in 1994 when he was shot five times. The rapper’s items will be on display at the school’s main campus at the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection. The collection consists of roughly 500,000 items detailing “the global black experience.” “For a hip-hop head, this is truly a dream come true,” said Aaron Smith, a professor of Africology and African American Studies who teaches a Shakur-focused class at Temple. About a dozen items that belonged to Shakur were donated to the collection by Runnemede, New Jersey-based Goldin Auctions. Among the pieces included are handwritten lyrics for famous tracks like “It Ain’t Easy” and “I Ain’t Mad At Cha,” as well as handwritten track listings for unreleased albums Shakur was working on before his death in September 1996 from a still-unsolved drive-by shooting.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Our-Country/-903918301886558877.html">“Our Country”</a><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-11-02T12:20:00ZTrump: 'I Wouldn't Be Surprised' if Soros Were Paying for Migrant Caravan; Trump Says Border Troops May Reach 15,000BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump:-I-Wouldnt-Be-Surprised-if-Soros-Were-Paying-for-Migrant-Caravan;-Trump-Says-Border-Troops-May-Reach-15000/-925222699674282644.html2018-11-01T12:13:00Z2018-11-01T12:13:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, November 1, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Turkish Prosecutor: Saudi Journalist Jamal Khashoggi Was Strangled and Dismembered</em></strong></p>
<p>Jamal Khashoggi was strangled to death and then dismembered in a preplanned attack inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, a Turkish prosecutor said on Wednesday, the first <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/31/world/europe/jamal-khashoggi.html">official confirmation</a> from Turkey’s government about how the journalist died. In a statement released to the Turkish press on Wednesday, Istanbul’s top prosecutor Irfan Fidan described the killing as “premeditated” and categorized recent meetings with Saudi Arabia’s prosecutor about the ongoing investigation as less than helpful. “Despite all our good intentions and efforts to unravel the truth, a concrete outcome was not reached from the meetings,” <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/31/world/europe/jamal-khashoggi.html">Fidan’s statement said</a>. The Saudi official, Saud al-Mujeb, had spent three days conferring with Turkish authorities in Istanbul but was scheduled to head back to Saudi Arabia later that day. The Saudis maintain that Khashoggi died as the result of a rogue operation gone awry and have detained 18 people in connection to the case.<br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump: 'I Wouldn't Be Surprised' if Soros Were Paying for Migrant Caravan</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump said on Wednesday that he "wouldn't be surprised" if billionaire philanthropist George Soros or someone else is funding the caravan of Central American migrants moving toward the U.S. "I wouldn’t be surprised," Trump told reporters outside the White House when asked if "someone" is paying for the caravan. "George Soros?" a reporter interjected. "I don’t know who, but I wouldn’t be surprised," Trump said. "A lot of people say yes.” The unfounded conspiracy theory that Soros, a Democratic mega donor, may be providing financial support for the group of migrants has steadily spread among conservatives in recent weeks, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/10/29/how-trumps-conservative-media-helped-mainstream-conspiracy-theory-now-tied-tragedy/?utm_term=.d41980cc623b" target="_blank">The Washington Post reports</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Says Border Troops May Reach 15,000</em></strong></p>
<p>As he departed for a campaign swing in Florida, <a href="https://www.aol.com/article/news/2018/10/31/feeding-caravan-hysteria-trump-says-border-troops-may-reach-15000/23577300/">Trump told reporters</a> that he might send up to 15,000 troops to the border with Mexico to deter a Central American migrant caravan slowly heading toward the United States. “We’ll go up to anywhere between 10,000 and 15,000 military personnel on top of Border Patrol, ICE and everybody else at the border,” Trump said. The Trump administration announced Monday that it planned to deploy 5,200 troops to the southern border to deter the estimated 3,500 migrants seeking political asylum in the U.S. If Trump does send 15,000 troops to the border, the force there would outnumber American forces in Afghanistan.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Poll Shows More Voters Associate with Trump than GOP</em></strong></p>
<p>More GOP voters associate with President Trump than they do with the Republican party itself, underscoring the degree to which the president has taken over the party's brand, according to a new poll. The <a href="https://harvardharrispoll.com/" target="_blank">Harris Poll</a>, conducted with Harvard University’s Center for American Political Studies, found that the GOP is "Trump's party," as 46 percent of Republican registered voters associate with Trump compared to 25 percent who say they associate with GOP itself. Eighteen percent said they associate with both, and nine percent replied they associate with either.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Top Dem on Senate Russia Probe Decorates House for ‘Witch Hunt’ on Halloween</em></strong></p>
<p>Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, decorated his house for a "witch hunt" on Halloween. "It’s Halloween @MarkWarner's house," Rachel Cohen, Warner's communications director, <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/414214-top-dem-on-senate-russia-probe-decorates-house-for-witch-hunt">wrote in a tweet</a> Wednesday that was accompanied by a photo of Warner's decorated house. In the image, "Beware witch hunt" is seen written in chalk outside Warner's house, a reference to President Trump's frequent attacks against special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian election interference. Trump has repeatedly sought to discredit Mueller's investigation, often denouncing it as a "witch hunt" and claiming that it is illegal. Muller is investigating possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia during the 2016 election. </p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Releases 'Closing' Ad Promising Hard Line Border Stance, Sets Off Media Firestorm</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump released a <a href="https://news.grabien.com/story-trump-releases-closing-ad-promising-hard-line-border-stance">"closing" ad</a> for the 2018 midterm elections Wednesday night, and it's causing a firestorm in the media. The ad features footage of Luis Bracamontes, a convicted cop killer, and illegal immigrant. The ad says Bracamontes "Killed our people!" The spot features footage of Bracamontes boasting of his killings and saying he'd like to kill more cops. Democrats let him into our country," the ad reads. "Democrats let him stay." The ad then shows footage from the migrant caravan heading north and shows one man telling a Fox News reporter that he's hoping President Trump will grant him a pardon for his role in a murder. "Who else would Democrats let in?" the ad asks. It closes with a title card reading: "President Donald J. Trump and Republicans Are Making America Safe Again." </p>
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<p><strong><em>Mourner Refuses to Shake De Blasio’s Hand at Terror Attack Memorial</em></strong></p>
<p>A mourner at a memorial for the <a href="https://nypost.com/2017/10/31/8-killed-truck-pedestrians-downtown-nyc-terror-attack/">West Side Highway terror attack</a> on Wednesday refused to shake Mayor Bill de Blasio’s hand — after the city only let loved ones know about the event at the last minute. Hugh Hales-Tooke stared straight ahead and refused to acknowledge de Blasio’s presence as de Blasio stuck out his hand while greeting those gathered to grieve the eight people mowed down by a truck-driving terrorist on the pathway a year ago. Adding insult to injury, de Blasio then <a href="https://nypost.com/2018/10/31/de-blasio-forgets-to-honor-terror-attack-victims-at-their-memorial/">forgot to read out any of the victims’ names</a> during his address at the service — despite managing to name-check all of the politicians who showed up. When family members objected after the memorial, the mayor returned to the podium to apologize for the faux pas.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Tomi Lahren Recreates Kathy Griffin Photo Shoot for Halloween</em></strong></p>
<p>Tomi Lahren <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/414043-tomi-lahren-recreates-kathy-griffin-photo-shoot-for-halloween">dressed up as Kathy Griffin</a> for Halloween, mocking the comedian’s controversial photo shoot in which she posed with a prop resembling <a href="https://thehill.com/people/donald-trump">President Trump</a>’s decapitated head. The conservative firebrand and Fox Nation host posted to her more than 1.2 million followers on Twitter on Wednesday. The costume, including a royal blue blouse and fiery red hair, was similar to the May 2017 snapshot of Griffin that ignited a media firestorm. In response to Lahren on Wednesday, Griffin called Lahren a "dumb, racist, and talentless hack." Griffin tweeted, “Gosh you are just so original @TomiLahren! I thought images like this one incite violence! At least that’s what you and your colleagues at @FoxNews have told me for the past year and a half. I’m busy on tour right now or I’d dress up as you: a dumb, racist, and talentless hack.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column "<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Whos-Behind-the-Caravan/483215628865342841.html">Who's Behind the Caravan</a>"<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-11-01T12:13:00ZBorder Patrol Warns Texas Landowners About 'Possible Armed Civilians' in Area Due to Caravan; Special Counsel Asks FBI to Investigate Conspiracy Against MuellerBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Border-Patrol-Warns-Texas-Landowners-About-Possible-Armed-Civilians-in-Area-Due-to-Caravan;-Special-Counsel-Asks-FBI-to-Investigate-Conspiracy-Against-Mueller/637163729987620425.html2018-10-31T12:53:00Z2018-10-31T12:53:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, October 31, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Border Patrol Warns Texas Landowners About ‘Possible Armed Civilians’ in Area Due to Caravan</em></strong></p>
<p>The U.S. Border Patrol this week reportedly told Texas landowners along the U.S.-Mexico border to prepare for <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/border-patrol-warns-texas-landowners-about-possible-armed-civilians-in-area-due-to-caravan-report">a possible influx of "armed civilians"</a> on their property as the migrant caravan moves closer to the U.S., a report said. The Associated Press reported that these civilians say they intend to support the National Guard and Border Patrol to prevent the illegal migrants from crossing into the U.S. But some see the move as a negative, arguing that the armed civilians' presence would add even more tension should there be a confrontation. Shannon McGauley, president of the Texas Minuteman militia, told the AP that he already has members at three points of the state's border and expects 25 to 100 more people to arrive in the coming days. People from other states have raised money to assist the militias with supplies and equipment. The militias are expected to bring guns and tactical gear, such as bulletproof vests.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Special Counsel Asks FBI to Investigate Conspiracy Against Mueller</em></strong></p>
<p>The office of the special counsel investigating the 2016 election has asked the FBI to investigate whether women have been offered money to make claims of sexual harassment against <a href="https://thehill.com/people/robert-mueller">Robert Mueller</a>. Peter Carr, a spokesman for the special counsel's office, told The Hill in an email: “When we learned last week of allegations that women were offered money to make false claims about the Special Counsel, we immediately referred the matter to the FBI for investigation.” The FBI declined to comment on Tuesday. Mueller's office confirmed that they learned of the scheme from several journalists who were approached by a woman who said she had been offered $20,000 to make sexual assault allegations against Mueller, <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/10/special-counsel-refers-scheme-targeting-mueller-to-fbi/574411/?utm_term=2018-10-30T17%3A14%3A35&utm_campaign=atlantic-politics-and-policy&utm_content=edit-promo&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter">The Atlantic reported</a>.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Ryan Rejects Trump Proposal to Eliminate Birthright Citizenship</em></strong></p>
<p>House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI.) on Tuesday blasted President Trump's stated push to eliminate birthright citizenship via executive order. "Well, you obviously cannot do that. You cannot end birthright citizenship with an executive order," Ryan told Lexington, Ky., radio station WVLK. "We didn’t like it when Obama tried changing immigration laws via executive action, and obviously as conservatives, we believe in the Constitution." Ryan, who is retiring at the end of his term, said an executive order would not adhere to the 14th Amendment, adding that he thinks there is a better way to address the country's "unchecked illegal immigration." Ryan's comments follow hours after Trump said in <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/413770-trump-says-he-will-sign-executive-order-banning-birthright">a new interview</a> with Axios that he plans to draft an executive order that would terminate birthright citizenship for children of non-citizens who are born in the United States.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Protests Greet Trump in Pittsburgh After Synagogue Massacre</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump visited the Pittsburgh synagogue where 11 people were killed and six others were injured in a mass shooting Saturday over the objections of local officials who said this was not the time for him to come to the city. Trump, his wife Melania, daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner arrived Tuesday afternoon. No local dignitaries met them at the airport. A spokesman for Pittsburgh's Democratic mayor, Bill Peduto, claimed that the city did not have enough police to "provide enough protection at the funerals and to be able at the same time draw attention to a potential presidential visit.” <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/reporters-notebook-protests-greet-trump-in-pittsburgh-after-synagogue-tragedy">Two large demonstrations coincided with Trump's visit</a> to the Tree of Life synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, where Saturday's massacre unfolded. One of the groups organizing the protest said they had three primary goals: educating the public on the Jewish grieving process, demonstrating that anti-Semitism is not acceptable in Pittsburgh and sending a message that President Trump is not welcome in the city.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Boston Mob Boss James ‘Whitey’ Bulger Killed in Prison</em></strong></p>
<p>Infamous Boston gangster James “Whitey” Bulger was killed Tuesday, shortly after being transferred to a federal prison in West Virginia, a law enforcement source told The Post. A fellow inmate with Mafia ties is under investigation in the slaying at the Hazelton federal penitentiary in Bruceton Mills, three people briefed on the situation <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/10/30/james-whitey-bulger-moved-hazelton-federal-prison-west-virginia/2lFAoqNktMi5fjaJ8PWRAI/story.html">told the Boston Globe</a>. Bulger, who ran Boston’s violent Winter Hill Gang while secretly working as an FBI informant spent 16 years as one of the nation’s most wanted fugitives before he was tracked down in Santa Monica, Calif., in 2011. He was convicted on racketeering charges that included 11 murders and sentenced to life in prison in 2013, with the judge telling him that the “scope, callousness and depravity of your crimes are almost unfathomable.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Ben & Jerry's Launches Donald Trump-Inspired Ice Cream Flavor, Pecan Resist</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/03/03/ben-and-jerrys-co-founder-ben-cohen-arrested/392588002/">Ben & Jerry’s</a> is launching a new flavor, Pecan Resist, which the company made to promote activism in the U.S. The Limited Batch flavor, chocolate ice cream with white and dark fudge chunks, pecans, walnuts and fudge-covered almonds – is part of the company’s campaign to "lick injustice and champion those fighting to create a more just and equitable nation for us all," it said Tuesday. Ben & Jerry’s is donating $25,000 to each of four organizations working on behalf of people of color, Native Americans' environmental justice and women, Color of Change, Honor the Earth, Women’s March and Neta. The Burlington, Vermont-based business is using the new flavor to criticize some of President Donald Trump's recent pronouncements. "The company cannot be silent in the face of President Trump’s policies that attack and attempt to roll back decades of progress on racial and gender equity, climate change, LGBTQ rights, and refugee and immigrant rights – all issues that have been at the core of the company’s social mission for 40 years," Ben & Jerry's said in a statement.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Shaun White Apologizes to Special Olympics Community After Controversial Halloween Costume</em></strong></p>
<p>Snowboarder Shaun White apologized to the Special Olympics community Monday after dressing up for Halloween as "Simple Jack," a character with an intellectual disability from the 2008 movie "Tropic Thunder." White, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, posted a picture of the costume on Instagram over the weekend, which sparked a backlash from people associated with the Special Olympics. Soeren Palumbo, the co-founder of the organization's "Spread the Word to End the Word" campaign, <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/shaun-white-special-olympics-simple-jack-costume_us_5bd74b74e4b055bc948f08dc">told <em>The Huffington Post</em> in part of a statement</a> that "disability is not a joke nor should it be a punchline." White has since deleted the Instagram post and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BpiNmJBH8D8/?taken-by=shaunwhite">replaced it with an apology</a>, which he also posted to Twitter.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Tapper Stays Silent When Guest Says Trump Radicalized More People Than ISIS</em></strong></p>
<p>CNN’s anchor Jake Tapper is <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/cnn-slammed-as-disgraceful-after-jake-tapper-silent-when-guest-says-trump-radicalized-more-people-than-isis">under fire for remaining silent</a> when a guest on his program declared that President Trump had radicalized more people than ISIS. Hours later, CNN’s Don Lemon drew the ire of Majority Whip Steve Scalise by declaring that Democrats don’t kill people, completing a 24-hour span being labeled CNN’s “new low” by critics. CNN has preached a call for civility since its New York headquarters was evacuated when a pipe bomb was found in the mailroom last week but critics feel the network only cares about hate speech when it comes from the right. This theory came to a head when controversial GQ Magazine columnist Julia Ioffe was on Tapper's show, “The Lead,” on Monday during a heated debate about hateful rhetoric. “I think this president, one of the things that he really launched his presidential run on is talking about Islamic radicalization and this president has radicalized so many more people than ISIS ever did,” Ioffe said.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Kanye West Takes a ‘Break’ from Politics</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.tmz.com/person/kanye-west/" target="_blank">Kanye West</a> says he's been used by people to spread political messages and he's now done with it. Kanye just fired off a series of tweets apparently distancing himself from politics. He said, "My eyes are now wide open and now realize I've been used to spread messages I don't believe in. I am distancing myself from politics and completely focusing on being creative." Kanye all but says the culprit is conservative Candace Owens. He said, "I introduced Candace to the person who made the logo and they didn't want their name on it so she used mine. I never wanted any association with Blexit. I have nothing to do with it." Owens had said, "Blexit [black exit from Democratic Party] is a renaissance and I'm blessed to say that this logo, these colors, were created by my dear friend and fellow superhero -- Kanye West."</p>
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<p><strong><em>Suzanne Somers on Roseanne Barr's Firing: ‘The Anti-Trumps Won’</em></strong> </p>
<p>Former "Three's Company" star Suzanne Somers is weighing in on Roseanne Barr's firing from ABC. “The anti-Trumps won in this case, but really I think the network lost big,” Somers told <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/former-abc-star-suzanne-somers-roseannes-firing-anti-trumps-won-case-140015646.html" target="_blank">Yahoo Entertainment</a> about Barr's canceled comedy series in a new interview published on Tuesday. “The ratings on the spinoff show were nowhere near what any one of the 'Roseanne' shows accomplished,” Somers continued, adding that the network "won’t be able to sit with that for very long, unless some miracle happens.” Last week's episode of “The Conners” – which is the Roseanne Barr-less spinoff of “Roseanne” – <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/roseanne-barr-less-the-conners-loses-25-percent-of-viewers-from-series-premiere" target="_blank">lost roughly 25 percent of viewers</a> who tuned in to the show's premiere, according to <a href="https://www.thewrap.com/world-series-conners-down-25-percent-series-premiere/" target="_blank">TheWrap</a>. “Roseanne is extremely unique, and she’s fearless,” Somers explained. “[She] took a point of view that’s very unpopular right now, so she hit the eye of the storm … with the 50 percent of the country who is pro-Trump and 50 percent who is not," Somers added.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column "<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Whos-Behind-the-Caravan/483215628865342841.html">Who's Behind the Caravan</a>"<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-10-31T12:53:00ZPresident Trump to Visit Pittsburgh to Show Support for Community; Trump Says He Plans to End Birthright Citizenship via Executive OrderBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/President-Trump-to-Visit-Pittsburgh-to-Show-Support-for-Community;-Trump-Says-He-Plans-to-End-Birthright-Citizenship-via-Executive-Order/646007895724985933.html2018-10-30T12:51:00Z2018-10-30T12:51:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, October 30, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>President Trump to Visit Pittsburgh to Show Support for Community</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump will travel to Pittsburgh on Tuesday after a gunman left 11 dead in a shooting at a synagogue over the weekend that Trump condemned as an "evil anti-Semitic attack." The president will “express the support of the American people and grieve with the Pittsburgh community,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters Monday. Sanders said first lady Melania Trump will travel with the president. Trump says he wants to be sensitive to the grief being experienced by families of the victims but felt it was important to travel to the Squirrel Hill neighborhood to meet with members of the Jewish community there, along with police and first responders. “I'm just going to pay my respects. I'm also going to the hospital to see the officers and some of the people that were so badly hurt. And I really look forward to going,” <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/5-200-troops-to-the-southern-border-just-a-start-says-us-commander">Trump said.</a> “I would have done it even sooner but I didn't want to disrupt any more than they already have disruption, but I look forward to going.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Says He Plans to End Birthright Citizenship via Executive Order</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump says he plans to sign an executive order that would end the right to citizenship for the children of non-citizens and unauthorized immigrants born on US soil. It's unclear if the President has the authority to strip the citizenship of those born in the US with an executive order, and he did not say when he would sign the order in the clip released by Axios. "We're the only country in the world where a person comes in, has a baby, and the baby is essentially a citizen of the United States for 85 years with all of those benefits," Trump said in an <a href="https://www.axios.com/trump-birthright-citizenship-executive-order-0cf4285a-16c6-48f2-a933-bd71fd72ea82.html" target="_blank">interview for "Axios on HBO.</a>" Several other countries, including Canada, have a policy of birthright citizenship, according to an analysis by the Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates for reducing immigration. "It's ridiculous. It's ridiculous. And it has to end," Trump continued. The President didn't provide any details of his plan but said that "it's in the process. It'll happen."</p>
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<p><strong><em>‘Ready for Hillary’ Founder Announces He Will ‘Absolutely’ Support Avenatti in Dem Primary</em></strong></p>
<p>The founder of a pro-Hillary Clinton super PAC said Monday that he would "absolutely" support Michael Avenatti if he ran for president in 2020. The anti-Trump lawyer is quietly building up the infrastructure for a Democratic primary run, including recruiting a group of Democratic campaign veterans, fundraisers, and other operatives, <em>Politico</em> <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/10/29/michael-avenatti-2020-election-campaign-944994" target="_blank">reports</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span> One such operative is Adam Parkhomenko, who founded Ready PAC– formerly "Ready for Hillary"–in the lead-up to the 2016 election. "He’s absolutely the person I’m supporting in the 2020 primary, should he decide to run," Parkhomenko told <em>Politico</em>. "I think he is 90 [percent] to 95 percent leaning toward doing it."</p>
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<p><strong><em>Synagogue Shooting Suspect’s Court Appearance</em></strong></p>
<p>The man accused in the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre <a href="https://www.apnews.com/f5a2da00ce204e10a34d5447d8bc6045">appeared briefly in federal court</a> in a wheelchair and handcuffs Monday to face charges he killed 11 people in what is believed to be the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history. Robert Gregory Bowers, who was wounded in a gun battle with police, was released from a hospital in the morning and a few hours later was wheeled into the courtroom, where he was ordered held without bail for a preliminary hearing on Thursday when prosecutors will outline their case against him. During the court appearance, Bowers talked with two court-appointed lawyers, went over documents and confirmed his identity to a judge, speaking softly as he said little more than “Yes” a few times. Courtroom deputies freed one of his hands from cuffs so he could sign paperwork. He was expressionless.</p>
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<p><strong><em>'Another Suspicious Package' to CNN Is Intercepted in Atlanta</em></strong></p>
<p>A suspicious package addressed to CNN's office in Atlanta was intercepted on Monday, the network said, adding that all of its mail is being screened off-site. The announcement comes three days after <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/10/26/660823141/authorities-search-miami-postal-sorting-facility-in-suspicious-packages-investig">the FBI arrested Cesar Altieri Sayoc</a> and accused him of trying to send improvised explosive devices to high-profile Democrats and media targets. He's facing charges for five federal crimes, including the illegal mailing of explosives. It's not yet clear whether the package in Atlanta is similar to more than a dozen that were intercepted last week — all of them using the address of Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz's office in South Florida as their return address. Despite Sayoc's arrest, the authorities have warned that there may be other packages that were still working their way through the postal system. The latest package was stopped at an Atlanta post office before it reached CNN, according to the news network's president, Jeff Zucker. "There is no imminent danger to CNN Center," Zucker said, <a href="https://twitter.com/CNNPR/status/1056913518367260674">in a statement about the package</a>. He added that CNN's screening process is working.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Military Plans to Deploy Over 5200 Troops to the Southern Border</em></strong></p>
<p>The U.S. will deploy more than 5,200 troops to the southern border in response to the thousands of Central American migrants headed to America <a href="https://nypost.com/2018/10/25/mattis-to-send-troops-to-mexico-border-over-migrant-caravan/">up from the initial estimate of 800</a>, according to reports Monday. The troops will be sent to Texas, Arizona and California and will likely staff ports of entry, at least in the early phases of the military mission, officials <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/military-to-deploy-5-000-troops-to-southern-border-u-s-officials-say-1540820650">told the Wall Street Journal.</a> The Pentagon has dubbed the mission which comes amid the midterm elections Operation Faithful Patriot. The troops, mostly military police and engineers, will come from roughly 10 US Army bases, the Journal reported. U.S. Marines will also be deployed. It’s expected that most will serve until mid-December, a Pentagon official said.</p>
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<p><strong><em>39 Percent Say Trump, 28 Percent Say Media Responsible for Toning Down Rhetoric</em></strong></p>
<p>39 percent of voters say <a href="https://thehill.com/people/donald-trump">President Trump</a> is the most responsible for <a href="https://thehill.com/hilltv/what-americas-thinking/413663-voters-undecided-on-who-is-responsible-for-toning-down-partisan?userid=288034">toning down the heated partisan rhetoric</a> in the U.S., according to a new American Barometer survey. Twenty-eight percent said it's the media that is most responsible for toning down the rhetoric, while 24 percent said Trump's critics are most responsible, the poll conducted by Hill.TV and the HarrisX polling company found. 9 percent said there was no need to lower the rhetoric. The results come days after a gunman entered a Pittsburgh synagogue and killed 11 people. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Axl Rose Urges Fans to Vote Democrat in Midterms</em></strong></p>
<p>Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose is <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/413661-axl-rose-urges-fans-to-vote-democrat-in-midterms">urging voters to elect Democrats</a> in the midterm elections. The rock icon shared a blunt message with his more than 1.2 million Twitter followers on Sunday, ahead of the Nov. 6 midterm: “Vote Blue... B*tches!!” Rose, born William Rose, Jr., is a frequent critic of President Trump on social media. Last month, the “Welcome to the Jungle” singer who is currently also the lead singer of AC/DC wrote Americans "don’t have a president.” In early October, Rose, 56, blasted a visit to the Oval Office by rapper Kanye West, calling it “a joke.” Earlier this year, Rose slammed Trump’s White House as “disgraceful.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Shots Fired into Florida GOP Office While Unoccupied</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/news/413669-shots-fired-into-florida-gop-office-while-unoccupied">Four shots were fired</a> into the window of a Republican Party office in South Daytona, Fla., at some point between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning, according to law enforcement. No one was injured in the shooting, South Daytona police Capt. Mark Cheatham told The Hill, though a front window was broken and some damage was done to the drywall inside the office. Cheatham confirmed that a GOP volunteer reported the incident Monday, which he said likely occurred between 4 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. Monday morning. Authorities have not identified any eyewitnesses and have been unable to gain surveillance footage from nearby businesses, Cheatham said.<br /><br /> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column "<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Whos-Behind-the-Caravan/483215628865342841.html">Who's Behind the Caravan</a>"<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-10-30T12:51:00ZSuspected Mail Bomber Headed to Miami Court on Monday; Hillary Clinton Says, 'I'd Like to be President,' at NYC EventBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Suspected-Mail-Bomber-Headed-to-Miami-Court-on-Monday;-Hillary-Clinton-Says-Id-Like-to-be-President-at-NYC-Event/-261072042010508345.html2018-10-29T12:15:00Z2018-10-29T12:15:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Monday, October 29, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span></p>
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<p><strong><em>Suspected Mail Bomber Headed to Miami Court on Monday</em></strong></p>
<p>A former male stripper and part-time pizza deliveryman suspected of mailing at least 14 pipe bombs to some of U.S. President Donald Trump’s leading critics, including former president Barack Obama, was <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-packages/suspected-mail-bomber-headed-to-miami-court-on-monday-idUSKCN1N315E">due in federal court in Miami, Monday</a>. The Brooklyn-born Cesar Sayoc, 56, is charged with five felony counts - interstate transportation and illegal mailing of explosives, threatening a former president, making threatening interstate communications and assaulting federal officers. The case is expected to be moved to New York, where he will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of New York, officials said. Sayoc has been held without bond since he was taken into custody in south Florida Friday by federal agents after a four-day nationwide manhunt for the person who sent homemade pipe bombs to Trump critics including Obama and former first lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, whom Trump defeated in the 2016 presidential race.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Hillary Clinton Says, 'I'd Like to be President,' at NYC Event</em></strong></p>
<p>Hillary Clinton during an event Friday at the New York City's 92nd Street Y told the audience: “I’d like to be president.” The comments come amid speculation whether the former Democratic presidential nominee would run again in the 2020 election. Clinton said she did not want to run again, but would not definitively rule it out either. She said her eight years in the Senate and term as secretary of state under former President Barack Obama qualified her for the job. But she insisted she would not consider a run until after the November midterm. Supporters and opponents alike have noted an increase in Clinton’s public appearances in recent months, as an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump. Five times in June Clinton <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/is-hillary-clinton-secretly-planning-to-run-in-2020">sent emails touting her super PAC’s role</a> in combating the president.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Indonesia Plane Crash Had ‘Technical Difficulties’ Before the Plane Plunged 5,000 Feet into Sea Killing 189</em></strong></p>
<p>A plane with 189 passengers <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/worldnews/7605999/indonesian-plane-crash-lion-air-aircraft-crashed-take-off-jakarta/">crashed into the sea</a> just moments after the pilot reported "technical difficulties". No survivors have been found after the Lion Air flight JT-610 crashed 13 minutes after its 6:20 am take-off while the firm's CEO said the jet underwent repair work last night. A search and rescue effort has been launched for the plane, which lies in waters off West Java that are up to 115 feet deep. Emergency workers have been pictured carrying body bags away at Tanjung Priok Harbor in northern Jakarta. Indonesia's disaster agency posted photos online of a crushed smartphone, books, clothing, ID cards, life vests and bags that have been collected by search and rescue teams. The aircraft, on a 1 hour and 10-minute flight, was said to be carrying 189 people, including one child, two babies, and seven crew members. One Italian national and at least 23 government officials were on board the plane which was traveling to the city of Pangkal Pinang on the Indonesian island of Bangka. The plane’s Indian pilot Bhavye Suneja had reported “technical difficulties” and asked air traffic control to return to the airport minutes after taking off, according to reports. Following his distress call, the jet vanished from radar before losing altitude and plunging into the sea.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Sarah Sanders Fires Back at Washington Post for Tying Terror to Trump</em></strong></p>
<p>White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders lashed out at The Washington Post Sunday, criticizing the outlet for <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2018/10/27/nyts-paul-krugman-blames-trump-for-deadly-synagogue-shooting/" target="_blank">editorially tying</a> President Donald Trump to the events of the past week. “Is there any tragedy the Washington Post won’t exploit to attack President @realDonaldTrump?” she tweeted. The Washington Post’s front page tied the president and his rhetoric to both the shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill near Pittsburgh and the explosive devices that were received by a number of prominent Democrats.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Nielsen Says DHS Security Adviser Visited Pittsburgh Synagogue 'As Recently as March'</em></strong></p>
<p>Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen on Sunday condemned a shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue that left 11 dead, calling it a "pure act of evil." "We all condemn this in the strongest terms possible," <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/413515-nielsen-says-dhs-security-adviser-visited-pittsburgh-synagogue-as">Nielsen said on "Fox News Sunday."</a> The secretary said DHS does "an extraordinary amount" of planning and training for active shooter events like the one that unfolded Saturday at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. Nielsen noted that a department security adviser was at the synagogue as recently as March for a site visit. "This is something we often do," she said. "We feel that the best way to help communities support their efforts in terms of protection is to be there. To be there on the ground, to listen to them, to understand their needs." She said DHS has conducted similar training with more than 900,000 officials nationwide on planning for active shooter events. Each site and event will prompt a different response, she said, which makes the training critical.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Father Apologizes for Dressing Son as Adolf Hitler for Halloween</em></strong></p>
<p>A Kentucky father has apologized for dressing his young son as <a href="https://thehill.com/person/adolf-hitler">Adolf Hitler</a> for a Halloween event while posing as a Nazi soldier, saying his intent was to portray historical figures. Bryant Goldbach also donned the uniform of a Nazi soldier and headed to a “Trail of Treats” event in Owensboro, Ky., on Thursday, <a href="https://www.tristatehomepage.com/news/local-news/owensboro-man-s-nazi-costume-sparks-criticism-online/1552705089">WEHT Eyewitness News</a> reported. “I think it was in bad taste for me to let my child wear that, probably for me to wear that. It didn't occur to me. I thought it was a bad decision on my part," Goldbach said, according to the news outlet. He added he would “give anything to make it right.” Rabbi Gary Mazo of Temple Adath B’nai Israel said in a statement that Goldbach’s apology was “important” but said it was a “sad reflection” on society that he didn’t know it would be offensive. “A good rule of thumb would be: ‘If your costume calls to mind an event where millions were killed, choose another costume,’” he wrote.</p>
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<p><strong><em>San Francisco Spends About $6,326 for Each Non-Citizen Voter to Sign Up for Local Election, Report Says</em></strong></p>
<p>San Francisco reportedly spent $310,000 on a new registration system aimed at getting non-citizens to cast votes in school board elections. The program resulted in 49 new voters, which turned out to cost the city $6,326 each, <a href="https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/SF-spends-300k-register-noncitizen-voters-how-much-13340917.php?t=1cc71b89e3&f">The San Francisco Chronicle reported.</a> The paper called the effort “pretty much a bust the first time out.” Local officials suggest residents who might otherwise consider registering are worried the Trump administration would learn their identities. The voters are <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/san-francisco-oks-voting-for-noncitizens-but-most-are-staying-on-sidelines">only able to vote in a school board race</a>. John Arntz, the city elections chief, In San Francisco, noncitizens who opt to vote will be listed on a separate roster from citizens and will get a ballot with just the school board contest, city elections chief John Arntz said.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Angry Protesters Removed from Marsha Blackburn, Lindsey Graham Rally</em></strong></p>
<p>Rep. Marsha Blackburn, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Tennessee, condemned a group of protesters who were forcibly removed from a rally on Sunday, tying them to her Democratic opponent, former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen. "This Sunday afternoon, the liberal angry mob made it clear they are active in Tennessee and will stop at nothing to disrupt civil political discourse," Blackburn wrote in a statement. "They resisted law enforcement, and they interrupted a moment of silence. Phil Bredesen is their leader, and their behavior is despicable." BuzzFeed News <a href="https://twitter.com/HenryJGomez/status/1056640615562252289" target="_blank">reported</a> at least five protesters were taken away. Graham has been stumping with GOP candidates across the country ahead of the 2018 midterm elections. As of Sunday, Blackburn is ahead of Bredesen by 6.5 percentage points in the last from RealClearPolitics' poll aggregator.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Feds Want Death Penalty for Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting Suspect Robert Bowers</em></strong></p>
<p>Federal prosecutors want to pursue the death penalty for Pittsburgh synagogue shooting suspect Robert Bowers. U.S. Attorney Scott Brady said they are seeking Attorney General Jeff Sessions' approval for the move, according to the <a href="https://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article220756610.html" target="_blank">Associated Press</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span> Eleven people were killed and six others wounded, including four police officers, after Bowers walked into the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh on Saturday morning and opened fire while making comments about mass-killing Jews, officials said. Bowers was wounded by police responding to the shooting and surrendered. Sessions opened the door to the death penalty Saturday when he said the DOJ was filing federal hate crime charges against Bowers. “Hatred and violence on the basis of religion can have no place in our society,” Sessions <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/prosecutors-death-penalty-possible-in-hate-crime-synagogue-massacre" target="_blank">said</a>. “Every American has the right to attend their house of worship in safety."</p>
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<p><strong><em>North Korean Defector Describes ‘Prison Camp’ Conditions for Slaves Sent Overseas</em></strong></p>
<p>The Kim Jong Un regime in North Korea has ramped up the use of overseas slave labor to prop up its economy in the face of stiff sanctions, leading to what former North Korean construction official and defector Roh Hui-Chang said is "no different from a prison camp." Prisons in North Korea are among the <a href="https://freebeacon.com/national-security/holocaust-survivor-north-korean-prisons-worse-world-nazi-concentration-camps/" target="_blank">worst in human history</a>, so many assume the lives of overseas workers constitute an improvement, but they face impossible work requirements and seizure of almost all of their wages. At the National Press Club Friday, Roh explained the inner workings of the system Friday, recalling his experience working overseas and overseeing foreign construction projects. The system to control workers is diabolically effective: No workers are able to hold onto their wages because the vast majority is confiscated for a "loyalty fund." They also receive demerits for failing to complete the impossible daily requirements, obliging them to do more work. No one can leave because their passports are seized, they have minders who keep watch over them, and they aren't ever by themselves. If one gets away, those who were with him are punished, creating a culture of mutual suspicion and control.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Red Sox Win World Series: Boston Earns Fourth Title in 15 Years</em></strong></p>
<p>The Red Sox, once again, are <a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/red_sox/2018/10/red_sox_win_world_series">World Series champions</a>. Following a record-breaking regular season in which they won a franchise-best 108 games, the Red Sox cemented themselves in history. David Price dazzled again, the stars finally arrived, and Steve Pearce provided the dagger as these Red Sox beat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 5-1, in Game 5 of the World Series to clinch another championship, their fourth since 2004 and ninth in franchise history. "This one, in my mind, was easily the best," said Red Sox owner John Henry. "They were just relentless throughout the season. But it was just the unity and sense of purpose. I’ve never seen, I mean, I’ve never seen anything like it.” After the 108 wins, the Red Sox reset and beat three of the best teams in baseball convincingly, ousting the New York Yankees in four games, the Houston Astros in five and the Dodgers in five to take the crown.</p>
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<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column "<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Whos-Behind-the-Caravan/483215628865342841.html">Who's Behind the Caravan</a>"<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-10-29T12:15:00ZTrump: Pittsburgh Shooting an 'Assault on Humanity'; Mattis: Military Already Moving Equipment to Southern BorderBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump:-Pittsburgh-Shooting-an-Assault-on-Humanity;-Mattis:-Military-Already-Moving-Equipment-to-Southern-Border/552780869808155648.html2018-10-28T12:59:00Z2018-10-28T12:59:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, October 28, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span></p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump: Pittsburgh Shooting an ‘Assault on Humanity’</em></strong></p>
<p>On Saturday, President Trump <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/413492-trump-pittsburg-shooting-an-attack-on-humanity">condemned the shooting</a> at the Tree of Life Synagogue near Pittsburgh that killed at least 11 people. “The hearts of all Americans are filled with grief following the monstrous killing of Jewish Americans at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pa., you’ve all seen it, you’ve been watching it, it’s horrible,” he said at a rally in Murphysboro, Illinois. “This evil anti-Semitic attack is an attack on all of us, it is an assault on humanity. It will require all of us working together to extract the hateful poison of anti-Semitism from our world. This was an anti-Semitic attack at its worst," Trump added. "The scourge of anti-Semitism cannot be ignored, cannot be tolerated, and it cannot be allowed to continue … It must be confronted and condemned everywhere it rears its very ugly head."</p>
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<p><strong><em>Democrats Use Mass Shooting at Pittsburgh Synagogue to Demand Gun Control</em></strong></p>
<p>Congressional Democrats immediately pushed for gun control measures following the mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue Saturday that left at least 11 people dead. The suspect, identified as Robert Bowers, was reportedly armed with a rifle and several handguns. Bowers’ social media accounts were filled with anti-Semitic rhetoric and is said to have yelled “All Jews must die!” during <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2018/10/27/shooter-pittsburgh-synagogue/">the shooting</a>. “Congress is complicit—by its inaction—in this loathsome epidemic of gun violence,” Democratic Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal <a href="https://twitter.com/SenBlumenthal/status/1056264137574150144">wrote on Twitter</a>. Democratic Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, currently in the midst of a competitive re-election race, slammed unnamed “opponents of common-sense gun safety” following Saturday’s mass murder. “Every time this happens, we’re shocked – and say it mustn’t happen again. When will opponents of common-sense gun safety work with us?” asked Nelson. “We need to get assault weapons off the streets and out of the hands of those who would do us harm.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Mattis: Military Already Moving Equipment to Southern Border</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis says <a href="https://www.apnews.com/4258f2e25da84951860e0d2664e613c1">the military has already begun</a> delivering jersey barriers to the southern border in conjunction with plans to deploy active-duty troops there as a caravan of Central Americans slowly heads across Mexico toward the United States. Mattis says details of the deployment, including the number of troops, are still being worked out, but he should have them by Sunday night. The additional troops will provide logistical and other support to the Border Patrol and will bolster the efforts of the approximately 2,000 National Guard forces already there. The new forces are expected to provide logistical assistance such as air support and equipment, such as vehicles and tents. Mattis spoke Sunday during a visit to the Czech Republic.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Pipe Bombs Suspect Cesar Sayoc Charged with Five Federal Crimes</em></strong></p>
<p>The FBI has recovered 13 improvised explosive devices, said FBI director Christopher Wray. They were made of six inches of PVC pipe, a small block, a battery, wiring, and potentially explosive energetic material. “These are not hoax devices,” <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2018/oct/26/pipe-bombs-latest-live-news-updates-arrest-florida?page=with%3Ablock-5bd35e0fe4b0b20e3d7ca773">Wray said</a>. Investigators found Sayoc after finding a fingerprint on the envelope sent to California Rep. Maxine Waters, which has been confirmed to belong to him, Wray said. They also believe there is DNA on other packages. Other bombs may still be found. Cesar Sayoc has been charged with five federal crimes, including interstate transportation of an explosive, illegal mailing of an explosive, threats against former presidents, threatening interstate commerce, and assaulting current and former federal officers, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said at a press conference. He faces up to 58 years in prison.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Migrant Caravan to Rest Following Report of Abducted Child</em></strong></p>
<p>Coordinators of a caravan of several thousand Central American migrants moving through southern Mexico <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/migrant-caravan-rest-following-report-abducted-child-041924282.html">urged its members to rest Sunday</a>. At first, the migrants vowed to press on anyway but later changed their minds amid reports that a child had been abducted. The migrants said they would stay and hold a meeting Sunday in Tapanatepec. Late Saturday night, groups of migrants were running through the town's streets saying a migrant's child had been snatched. Something similar led to a panic at an earlier stop but was not confirmed. After being delayed for a couple hours when federal police halted their exit from the town of Arriaga Saturday morning, most of the migrants arrived in Tapanatepec in the searing heat. Dozens headed down to the Novillero river below the central square to bathe, wash clothing and cool off. Others lined up at a medical aid station mostly for attention to their battered feet. For the first time, an arm of the federal government seemed to be directly helping the migrants advance rather than trying to diminish the caravan. In this case, Grupo Beta, Mexico's migrant protection agency, gave rides to stragglers and passed out water.</p>
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<p><strong><em>In Talks with Saudi Minister, Mattis Calls for Transparent Investigation in Khashoggi Killing</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Sunday that <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-khashoggi-usa-mattis/in-talks-with-saudi-minister-mattis-calls-for-transparent-investigation-in-khashoggi-killing-idUSKCN1N20AM?il=0">he had met Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister</a> and called for a transparent investigation into the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Mattis said he met Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir during a conference in Bahrain on Saturday and discussed the killing. “We discussed it. You know the same thing we talked about, the need for transparency, full and complete investigation,” Mattis told a small group of reporters traveling to Prague with him. “(There was) full agreement from foreign minister Jubeir, no reservations at all, he said we need to know what happened and it was very collaborative, in agreement,” Mattis added. U.S. President Donald Trump has said he wants to get to the bottom of the case, while also highlighting Riyadh’s role as an ally against Tehran and Islamist militants, as well as a major purchaser of U.S. arms. Saudi Arabia’s public prosecutor has said Khashoggi’s killing was premeditated, contradicting a previous official statement that it happened accidentally during a tussle in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Jim Carrey Lays into Trump at LA Gala</em></strong></p>
<p>Comedian Jim Carrey tore into President Trump again <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/413504-jim-carrey-lays-into-trump-yet-again-at-la-gala-shamelessness">during a fiery awards speech</a> at the Britannia Awards on Friday night. As one of the six honorees at the Los Angeles event, Carrey delivered remarks after being awarded with the Britannia Award for Excellence in Comedy. The actor, who has criticized Trump for much of his time in office, went on to make several digs at the president. "We need to be clear: Shamelessness is not, and will never be a superpower. It is the mark of a villain, kidnapping children is not what great nations do,” Carrey said. “One half of America at this moment believes there is a sinister deep state diabolically plotting, to what? Give them health care?" </p>
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<p><strong><em>Lebron James Dons Beto O'Rourke Hat to Game in San Antonio</em></strong> </p>
<p>Los Angeles Lakers player LeBron James <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/413494-lebron-james-dons-beto-orourke-hat-to-game-in-san-antonion">donned a Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D) hat </a>ahead of his team's matchup with the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night. In a photo shared by James’s team on Saturday evening, the player could be seen wearing a white hat reading: “Beto for Senate.” The show of support for O’Rourke arrives as the Texas Democrat continues to draw national attention as he seeks to unseat incumbent Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in the Texas Senate race. This is not the first time the athlete has offered the Democrat public support, however. In late August, the NBA star praised O’Rourke for a video featuring the political candidate defending NFL players who kneel during the national anthem.</p>
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<p><strong><em>2 winning tickets sold for $750 million Powerball jackpot</em></strong></p>
<p>Lottery officials say two tickets have won the estimated $750 million Powerball jackpot. Powerball officials say tickets purchased in Iowa and New York match all six numbers in Saturday night’s drawing. The jackpot is the<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><a href="https://apnews.com/f0eefe7bdc5f416894708d2c5ee1984d">fourth-largest</a> in U.S. history. The winning numbers were 8, 12, 13, 19 and 27, and Powerball 4. Lottery officials say one ticket was sold in central Iowa, and the other was sold in New York at West Harlem Deli at 2040 5th Ave.<br /><br /> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column "<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Whos-Behind-the-Caravan/483215628865342841.html">Who's Behind the Caravan</a>"<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-10-28T12:59:00ZTrump is 'Preparing an Executive Order' to Ban Central American Migrants; White House Invites Putin to Visit WashingtonBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-is-Preparing-an-Executive-Order-to-Ban-Central-American-Migrants;-White-House-Invites-Putin-to-Visit-Washington/728397365127316917.html2018-10-26T12:37:00Z2018-10-26T12:37:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, October 26, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>White House Invites Putin to Visit Washington</em></strong></p>
<p>The White House has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to Washington, U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton <a href="https://nypost.com/2018/10/26/white-house-invites-putin-to-visit-washington/">said on Friday</a>. Putin and Trump have met several times on the sidelines of multilateral gatherings, but had only one bilateral summit, in the Finnish capital in July. “We have invited president Putin to Washington,” Bolton said. It was not immediately clear if Putin had accepted the invitation.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Grassley Refers Swetnick, Avenatti to Justice Dept. for Investigation</em></strong></p>
<p>Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) announced Thursday that he is referring Julie Swetnick and her lawyer Michael Avenatti to the Justice Department for a <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/413153-grassley-refers-swetnick-avenatti-to-justice-dept-for-investigation">potential criminal investigation</a> into whether they made false statements to Congress about Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Grassley said that in addition to making false statements, he is asking for the Justice Department to look into whether the two sought to obstruct his panel's investigation of the allegations against Kavanaugh. Avenatti quickly fired back in a tweet, saying it was "ironic that Senator Grassley now is interested in investigations." Avenatti added in an email to The Hill that "Grassley has just made a major mistake. Let the investigation into Kavanaugh and his lies begin.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump is 'Preparing an Executive Order' to Ban Central American Migrants </em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump is preparing an executive order to ban the caravan of Central American migrants from entering the United States, sources familiar with the plan have revealed. Trump's plan would also block the migrants - who are still nearly a month away from reaching the border - from being able to seek asylum, according to <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/10/25/migrants-caravan-white-house-executive-order-941993" target="_blank">Politico</a>. News of the executive action broke just hours after Trump took to Twitter to tell the caravan to 'turn around' because border patrol agents would block them. American law permits foreigners who are fleeing persecution in their native countries to apply for asylum on US soil. The executive order would suspend this statue for all Central Americans as a matter of 'national security'. Department of Homeland Security Department Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said that 'everything is on the table'. 'If they come here illegally with no legitimate reason to stay, they absolutely will be apprehended and removed immediately,' she told Fox News on Thursday. 'This caravan cannot come to the United States,' she continued. 'They will not be allowed in. They will not be allowed to stay.' </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Blasts CNN in 3 A.M. Tweet, Accuses Media of ‘Blaming’ Him in Bomb Scare</em></strong></p>
<p>Early Friday morning, President Trump lashed out at the media, accusing them of “blaming” him for the series of bombs and suspicious packages sent to prominent Democrats. In a 3 a.m. tweet, Trump hit “lowly rated CNN” days after its New York newsroom was evacuated. “Funny how lowly rated CNN, and others, can criticize me at will, even blaming me for the current spate of Bombs and ridiculously comparing this to September 11th and the Oklahoma City bombing, yet when I criticize them they go wild and scream, ‘it’s just not Presidential!’” <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/413267-trump-blasts-cnn-accuses-media-of-blaming-him-in-bomb-scare">Trump tweeted.</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Erdogan Demands Saudi Arabia Reveal the Location of Jamal Khashoggi's Body</em></strong></p>
<p>Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has demanded that Saudi Arabia reveal the location of Jamal Khashoggi's body and <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/26/middleeast/saudi-turkey-khashoggi-investigation-intl/index.html">hand over the suspects in his murder</a>. Erdogan said that the top Saudi prosecutor will travel to Turkey on Sunday to meet with the top Istanbul prosecutor, and argued that those responsible for killing him should face trial in Turkey. "Whatever happened, it comes down to these 18 persons. If you are determined, if you want to remove the suspicion and clear the air, these 18 persons are the bottom line to this," Erdogan said, addressing the provincial heads of his ruling Justice and Development Party in Ankara. If the Saudis can't make the suspects talk, then Turkey will, he said. "The incident took place in Istanbul. So, hand them to us, and let us judge them," he said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>On the Border in El Paso, the Migrants Arrive So Regularly there's a Housing Crunch</em></strong></p>
<p>While President Trump railed against a migrant caravan heading its way north through Mexico this week, hundreds of Central American immigrant families had already arrived at the border and been released into the U.S. by authorities. The influx, unrelated to the caravan, has crowded immigration holding areas and detention centers across the Southwest. The Border Patrol has released so many families, advocacy groups in Arizona and Texas have had to house them in churches and motels. <a href="http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-migrant-families-el-paso-20181023-htmlstory.html">In El Paso</a>, the nonprofit Annunciation House shelter is expected to take in 1,200 migrants this week and 1,500 more next week. “We’re in effect receiving a caravan a month,” said Ruben Garcia, the shelter’s director, after serving pizza to immigrant families staying in 70 hotel rooms his group rented this week at a nightly cost of $3,500.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Gingrich: 'Odds are 2 Out Of 3' Pelosi Becomes Speaker</em></strong></p>
<p>Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) said Thursday that he believes the odds are "two out of three" that House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA.) will become Speaker following November's midterm elections, despite some opposition from within her own party. "I would say, first of all, Nancy Pelosi is a very smart, very tough person who has earned her position by just brute hard work, by applying her intelligence and by applying a network that has sustained her for a long time," <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/413224-gingrich-odds-are-2-out-of-3-pelosi-becomes-speaker">Gingrich said during a Washington Post Live event</a>. "Anybody who thinks they’re going to outmaneuver her is up against somebody who has spent literally her lifetime… she’s been in this business forever," he added. Gingrich, a former Speaker himself, set the odds at "two out of three" that Pelosi will be speaker in the next session of Congress, and "one out of three" that the job will be filled by House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA.).</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>After Attempted Bomb Attacks, Meghan McCain Admits She Regrets Saying 'I Hate Hillary Clinton'</em></strong></p>
<p>Meghan McCain is reconsidering the power of her own words in the wake of the attempted bomb attacks against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President Barack Obama, and other prominent Democrats. On Thursday’s episode of <em>The View</em>, the 34-year-old host said she regretted using combative language toward Clinton, who sits across the political aisle from McCain and her late father, Sen. John McCain. She expressed concern that her past comments have contributed to the country’s current polarized climate, <a href="https://people.com/politics/joe-biden-suspicious-packages-intercepted/">a climate that led to several Democratic figures and CNN being targeted by pipe bombs</a> in the mail this week. “I really try every day, I really try to come into work thinking about what rhetoric I’m going to put out in the world and what my father would’ve done if he was still here,” McCain began. “Last year on this show I said, ‘I hate Hillary Clinton’ and I called her Crooked Hillary, and it is one of the things I regret doing.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Poll: Nearly 60 Percent Want Obamacare to Remain in Place</em></strong></p>
<p>Nearly 60 percent of likely voters across the nation want the Affordable Care Act to remain in place, according to a new <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-poll-healthcare/u-s-democratic-campaigns-target-healthcare-as-republican-weak-spot-reuters-poll-idUSKCN1N018X?il=0">Reuters/Ipsos poll released Friday</a>. The poll comes as the health care law takes a front and center role in November’s midterm elections, with Democrats going on the offensive with a message that Republican victories would put voters’ health care in jeopardy. The debate surrounding health care has become so prominent that it is airing in a majority of Democrats’ federal election ads. From Sept. 18 to Oct. 15, 54.5 percent of those ads mentioned health care, according to the <a href="http://mediaproject.wesleyan.edu/releases/101818-tv/">Wesleyan Media Project</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Harvard Law Course Looks at Ways to 'Push Back Against' Trump Strategies</em></strong></p>
<p>A course offered by Harvard University Law School for the spring 2019 semester will focus on ways to “push back against” strategies employed by President Donald Trump and Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Harvard professor <a href="https://hls.harvard.edu/faculty/directory/10899/Tribe" target="_blank">Laurence Tribe</a> will be teaching <a href="https://hls.harvard.edu/academics/curriculum/catalog/default.aspx?o=73785" target="_blank">the course</a>, titled "Constitutional Strategies For the McConnell/Trump/Kavanaugh Era.” “This seminar will assess the challenges for democracy under law, for human rights, and for fact-based government posed by the successful strategies of [Kentucky Republican Sen. Mitch] McConnell, Trump, and Kavanaugh — and will explore ways of using constitutional law and politics to push back against those strategies,” the course description states. The Ivy League professor has previously been outspoken with his views on the Trump administration.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column "<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Whos-Behind-the-Caravan/483215628865342841.html">Who's Behind the Caravan</a>"<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-10-26T12:37:00ZTrump Places Blame After Bombs Sent to Prominent Democrats; Survey: Fears Over Election Security Will Stop Americans from Voting in MidtermsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Places-Blame-After-Bombs-Sent-to-Prominent-Democrats;-Survey:-Fears-Over-Election-Security-Will-Stop-Americans-from-Voting-in-Midterms/674066734737551755.html2018-10-25T12:54:00Z2018-10-25T12:54:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, October 25, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Places Blame After Bombs Sent to Prominent Democrats</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Wednesday night opened his rally in Wisconsin with a call for "peace and harmony" in the political arena following a <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/412999-bombs-targeting-dems-raise-new-fears" target="_blank">series of bombs</a> sent to prominent Democratic officials but appeared to blame the media and his opponents for the current political climate. The president condemned the explosive devices addressed to former President Barack Obama, Hillary and Bill Clinton, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) and others, declaring that such attempted attacks are "an attack on our democracy itself." "We want all sides to come together in peace and harmony," Trump said, without naming those who were targeted. "We can do it. We can do it. It’ll happen."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Suspicious Package Addressed to Robert De Niro</em></strong></p>
<p>On Thursday, a New York City police bomb squad recovered a suspicious package addressed to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/25/suspicious-package-sent-robert-de-niro-attempted-pipe-bombings">actor Robert De Niro</a>, who has been critical of President Donald Trump. Investigators told The Associated Press that it contains a similar device, according to an X-ray, as those sent to Democratic figures and CNN. CNN and NBC’s New York affiliate reported the package was similar to ones sent to prominent Democrats and was sent to an address in lower Manhattan that houses a restaurant and offices owned by the actor.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Sickness, Fear, Harassment in Mexico Whittle Away at Caravan</em></strong></p>
<p>Little by little, sickness, fear and police harassment are whittling down the <a href="https://www.apnews.com/1d84f778ad3a45c292c418c378e4656d">migrant caravan</a> making its way to the U.S. border, with many of the 4,000 to 5,000 migrants camped overnight under plastic sheeting in a town in southern Mexico complaining of exhaustion. The group, many with children and even pushing toddlers in strollers, planned to depart Mapastepec at dawn Thursday with more than 1,000 miles still to go before they reach the U.S. border. But in recent days a few hundred have accepted government offers to bus them back to their home countries. The Mexican federal government’s attitude has also played a role in wearing down the caravan. All the food, old clothes, water and medicine given to the migrants have come from private citizens, church groups or sympathetic local officials. The federal government hasn’t given the migrants on the road a single meal, a bathroom or a bottle of water. It has reserved those basic considerations only for migrants who turn themselves in at immigration offices to apply for visas or be deported. Officials say nearly 1,700 migrants have already dropped out and applied for asylum in Mexico. In Mapastepec, where the main group stayed Wednesday night, it appeared the size of the caravan had diminished slightly. The United Nations estimated earlier in the week that about 7,000 people were in the group. The Mexican government gave its own figure Wednesday of “approximately 3,630.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Survey: Fears Over Election Security Will Stop Americans from Voting in Midterms</em></strong></p>
<p>Nearly 1 in 5 Americans is unlikely to vote in the upcoming midterm elections, largely over worries of foreign interference, <a href="https://www.unisys.com/unisys-security-index/us" target="_blank">according to a new survey</a>. The 2018 Unisys Security Index, released Wednesday, found that a vast majority of the respondents, 86 percent, said they feared that U.S. voting systems could be manipulated by outside actors. The survey also found that 19 percent of American respondents "will not vote" or "have a high likelihood" of not voting next month. Out of those concerned about election security, Americans between the ages of 18 and 34 were the most likely to say that they would not vote, with 31 percent of respondents in that age bracket saying they might not cast ballots.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Study Finds One in Four College Students with Clinical 'Distress' in Response to Trump's Election</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>A new study from a team of psychology researchers found significant clinical distress among college students, related to the 2016 presidential election. The study, <a href="https://tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07448481.2018.1515763?journalCode=vach20">published Monday in the peer-reviewed Journal of American College Health</a>, found 25 percent of students had “clinically significant event-related distress.” Such distress is linked to future diagnoses of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, according to the study, which interviewed students at Arizona State University around the time of President Trump’s inauguration.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Disney World’s Big Secret: It’s a Favorite Spot to Scatter Family Ashes</em></strong></p>
<p>Custodians at the Walt Disney Co. theme parks in Orlando, Fla., and Anaheim, Calif., use code words to disguise the messier aspects of their work from visitors. When a manager radios for a “Code V” cleanup, it means a patron has vomited. “Code U” signals urine. No code is kept more under wraps at <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/move-it-elsa-disney-diehards-race-to-hit-49-rides-in-one-day-1533657651.?mod=article_inline">Walt Disney World and Disneyland </a>than the call for a “HEPA cleanup.” It means that, once again, a park guest has scattered the cremated ashes of a loved one somewhere in the park, and an ultrafine (or “HEPA”) vacuum cleaner is needed to suck them up. Disney custodians say it happens about once a month. Human ashes have been spread in flower beds, on bushes, and on Magic Kingdom lawns; outside the park gates and during fireworks displays; on Pirates of the Caribbean and in the moat underneath the flying elephants of the Dumbo ride. Most frequently of all, according to custodians and park workers, they’ve been dispersed throughout the Haunted Mansion, the 49-year-old attraction featuring an eerie old estate full of imaginary ghosts. “The Haunted Mansion probably has so much human ashes in it that it’s not even funny,” said one Disneyland custodian.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>More Than 6,000 Signatures Collected to Remove Statue from MLK Jr. Park</em></strong></p>
<p>A Buffalo activist is collecting thousands of signatures to try to <a href="https://www.wivb.com/news/local-news/more-than-6-000-signatures-collected-to-remove-statue-from-mlk-jr-park/1542844736">remove the current Martin Luther King Jr. statue at MLK Park</a>. His goal is to get 10,000 signatures and get a new statue in place by 2020. Now an artist from North Carolina wants to help. It's not hard to miss, the giant head has been a fixture at MLK Park for decades. Some people say it looks nothing like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but according to the original artist, it's not supposed to, it's a representation. "We have allowed this distorted image to sit here for 35 years," said Samuel Herbert, chairman of the Coalition To Save MLK Park. Samuel Herbert wants to change that. He's collected more than 6,000 signatures to remove and replace this statue with something that looks more like Dr. King. "Our beef has never been with the sculptor, but the committee that approved this shameful image of a great American," said Herbert.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column “<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/How-the-Left-Helps-the-Violent-Gang-MS-13/581177789107870188.html">How the Left Helps the Violent Gang MS-13</a>”<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-10-25T12:54:00ZMigrant Caravan of 7,200 People Believed to Be Largest on Record; Hollywood Donors Flood Dems with Midterm CashBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Migrant-Caravan-of-7200-People-Believed-to-Be-Largest-on-Record;-Hollywood-Donors-Flood-Dems-with-Midterm-Cash/-87928997622808130.html2018-10-24T12:03:00Z2018-10-24T12:03:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, October 24, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Hollywood Donors Flood Dems with Midterm Cash</em></strong> </p>
<p>Hollywood Democrats are pouring money into the midterm elections, infusing races with cash in a last-ditch push to flip control of Congress. Some of the country's most famous faces, including Meryl Streep, Steven Spielberg, Alec Baldwin, and Paul Rudd, have been splashing their signatures on big-money checks for House and Senate candidates in recent months. Streep and actor Jack Black each donated $10,000 in September to a joint fundraising committee that benefits Sen. <a href="https://thehill.com/people/claire-mccaskill">Claire McCaskill</a>'s reelection bid, according to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). The two performers aren't the only ones coughing up campaign dollars for McCaskill, one of 10 Democratic senators up for reelection in states Trump won. Michael Douglas gave $5,000 to the McCaskill Victory Fund in September.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Saudis in Damage Control Mode as Outrage Grows Over Khashoggi's Death</em></strong></p>
<p>Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday the Trump administration is <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mike-pompeo-briefs-reporters-as-questions-over-khashoggi-linger-today-2018-20-23-live-updates/" target="_blank">revoking visas of Saudi officials</a> who have been implicated in the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. President Trump on Tuesday sharply criticized Saudi Arabia. "They had a bad original concept and the cover-up was one of the worst in the history of cover-ups," he said. But, once again, he stressed the importance of the U.S.-Saudi relationship. "I want to see the facts first. Look, Saudi Arabia has been a really great ally. They've been one of the biggest investors, maybe the biggest investor in our country," he said. Trump was responding to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jamal-khashoggi-latest-news-turkish-president-recep-tayyip-erdogan-turkey-evidence-today-2018-10-23/" target="_blank">contradicted Saudi Arabia's story</a> that Khashoggi was killed in a fight, calling it instead a "savage murder" and demanding the 18 suspects arrested by Saudi Arabia be brought to Turkey and put on trial.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Migrant Caravan of 7,200 People Believed to Be Largest on Record</em></strong></p>
<p>A caravan of migrants heading for the U.S. stopped in southern Mexico Tuesday, about 1,000 miles and several weeks from the nearest U.S. border crossing. The migrants created a tarp city on their second stop into Mexico, leaving people entangled, emotional and exhausted. The <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/caravan-of-central-american-migrants-continue-north-despite-warnings-to-turn-around/" target="_blank">mass exodus</a> organized by activists in Honduras is believed to be the largest migrant caravan on record, with an estimated 7,200 people, or about five times the size of the last one in April. Most of the travelers tell CBS News they are fleeing extreme poverty, but that is not a condition for asylum or refugee status in the U.S.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Rosenstein’s Interview Postponed</em></strong></p>
<p>House Republicans are <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/412851-house-republicans-postpone-rosenstein-interview">postponing a closed-door interview</a> with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein planned for Wednesday. Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), the chairmen of the House Judiciary and Oversight and Government Reform committees, respectively, announced Tuesday evening that they would push back the interview because they are "unable to ask all questions" of Rosenstein in the allotted time. "The Committees are unable to ask all questions of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein within the time allotted for tomorrow's transcribed interview, therefore, the interview will be postponed," the chairmen said in a statement. "Mr. Rosenstein has indicated his willingness to testify before the Judiciary and Oversight Committees in the coming weeks in either a transcribed interview or a public setting. We appreciate his willingness to appear and will announce further details once it has been rescheduled."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Illegal Immigrant Families Set Record in 2018; Top 100,000 for First Time</em></strong></p>
<p>Illegal immigration by families surged this summer after the collapse of President Trump’s zero-tolerance border policy, reaching record levels and leaving the <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/trump-administration/">Trump administration</a> frustrated over the lack of easy solutions. More than 16,600 illegal immigrant parents and children traveling together were nabbed by the Border Patrol in September, marking the worst month on record and nearly twice the numbers from before the <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/trump-administration/">administration</a> tried and then backed off zero tolerance. That helped fuel a surge for the entire fiscal year, with agents catching more than 107,000 family members over 12 months, a 38 percent increase over 2017, and eclipsing the previous record set under President Obama in 2016. The numbers were released as a migrant caravan, also made up of parents and children, streams north from Central America through Mexico. “Something needs to be done,” Trump said Tuesday at the White House. “You can’t have this happen.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Utah State Lawmaker Films Himself Trying Marijuana Ahead of Vote on Legalization</em></strong></p>
<p>Utah state Sen. Jim Dabakis (D) shared a video of himself trying marijuana for the first time ahead of a vote on legalizing medical cannabis in the state. Dabakis said he drove to Las Vegas, where the drug is legal, and consumed an edible gummy bear from a dispensary, which he described as “a little bit bitter” but “nothing to get worked up about.” “I wouldn’t recommend it as sheer candy,” the Salt Lake City lawmaker said in the video, posted to Facebook and <a href="https://kutv.com/news/local/utah-senator-films-self-trying-marijuana-for-first-time-before-prop-2-vote">first highlighted by local CBS affiliate KUTV</a>. Dabakis said that he thought it was important for lawmakers to try marijuana before they “change all the laws.” “I think, maybe nobody [in the Utah Senate] has ever smoked marijuana,” Dabakis said. “I think if the Legislature would actually try it they would find it and realize this is no big deal, and at least let those who are suffering have the help that they need.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>Illegal Immigrant Faked Kidnapping in Attempt to Secure Legal Visa: FBI</strong></em></p>
<p>An illegal immigrant from Mexico pleaded guilty Tuesday to faking his own kidnapping to try to win a special visa given out to victims of crimes. <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/alejandro-mario-cortes/">Alejandro Mario Cortes</a> beat himself with an extension cord to create bruises, then had his nephew wrap his mouth and wrists in duct tape and drop him off at a location in St. Paul, Minnesota, hoping police would think he’d suffered an abduction, the FBI says. The nephew was also recruited to send bogus threatening text messages to fill out the kidnapping story, federal officials said. Investigators poked holes in Cortes’s story after tracing the phone numbers used to send the threats and discovering the nephew was involved. The nephew admitted to his part in the scam, the FBI said in court papers. Cortes was hoping to win a U visa, which is available to victims of serious crimes and are willing to help authorities track down and prosecute the perpetrators.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>No Clowning Around this Halloween</em></strong> </p>
<p>If you plan to attend the Boo Bash in the Detroit suburb of Oak Park on Halloween, you can be a ghost, goblin, zombie, vampire or any other character that you wish, but you can't be a clown. City officials have banned clown costumes because they are too scary. The annual Boo Bash is held at the city's community center. The city's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CityofOakPark/photos/gm.624728004595397/1892731607487066/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">public invitation</a> invites people to "enjoy cider and donuts" at the trick-or-treating event. Kids are invited to wear their favorite costume, but the invitation says, "clown costumes are not allowed." The <a href="http://oaklandcounty115.com/2018/10/21/oak-park-bans-clown-costumes-at-boo-bash-halloween-event/" target="_blank">Oakland County Times</a> got the following explanation from the city's recreation director: “This event is centered around young children,” Laurie Stasiak said in an email to the newspaper. "In the past few years, many clown costumes have been given a very scary and evil look. Many scary and horror movies are centered around these types of characters. About 3 years [ago] there were national incidents in the news were people were dressing up as clowns and scaring people and in some cases assaulting them. Many people have phobias and anxiety about clowns. It’s because of this that we asked people not to dress up as clowns for this community event.”<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column “<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/How-the-Left-Helps-the-Violent-Gang-MS-13/581177789107870188.html">How the Left Helps the Violent Gang MS-13</a>”<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-10-24T12:03:00ZExplosive Device Found at George Soros' Home; Trump Vows to Send as Many Troops 'as Necessary' to Keep Growing Migrant Caravan OutBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Explosive-Device-Found-at-George-Soros-Home;-Trump-Vows-to-Send-as-Many-Troops-as-Necessary-to-Keep-Growing-Migrant-Caravan-Out/201444305075264512.html2018-10-23T12:36:00Z2018-10-23T12:36:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, October 23, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Explosive Device Found at George Soros’ Home: Report</em></strong></p>
<p>An explosive device was found on Monday at the New York home of billionaire George Soros. <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/explosive-device-found-at-george-soross-home-1540264208?mod=e2tw">The Wall Street Journal</a>, citing local law enforcement, reported that police received a phone call from the Bedford residence in Westchester County about a suspicious package. An employee that works at the home found the package and opened it, revealing what appeared to be an explosive device, according to a press release from the Bedford Police Department. The employee then placed the package in a wooded area until authorities arrived. The department told Fox News that a suspicious package was found in a mailbox. Police referred Fox News to the F.B.I's New York office, which did not confirm the report.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Vows to Send as Many Troops 'as Necessary' to Keep Growing Migrant Caravan Out</em></strong></p>
<p>In an interview aboard Air Force One on Monday, President Trump made clear there was no limit to the number of troops he's willing to send to the border to address the growing migrant caravan quickly making its way through hot and humid temperatures in Mexico to the U.S. border. The president previously vowed to send the U.S. military, as opposed to the National Guard, to confront the group, which the United Nations now estimates is over 7,200 members strong. <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/world/caravan-migrants-defying-trump-warnings-smash-through-border-fence-en-route-to-mexican-territory">Dramatic footage over the weekend</a> showed the caravan, which is at least 1,100 miles from the U.S. border, defying Trump's warnings and smashing a border fence, as migrants flooded into Mexico despite the presence of riot police. Trump <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/10/22/trump-halt-migrant-caravan-many-troops-necessary/1731717002/">told USA Today in an interview</a> that "people from the Middle East” are among the thousands of migrants in the caravan, echoing remarks he made on Twitter Monday morning when he complained there were MS-13 gang "criminals and unknown Middle Easterners mixed in." The president did not elaborate. Asked how many troops he was willing to send, Trump told the paper simply, “as many as necessary."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Vandals Throw Giant Boulder Through Rep. McCarthy’s Office Window</em></strong></p>
<p>House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s office in California was vandalized on Monday, according to an Instagram post by the Congressman. McCarthy, whose local office is in Bakersfield, CA, posted photos of the suspects and some of the damage. Two young men were caught on surveillance camera outside of the office, which had its window smashed in by a large boulder. “Does anyone know these two guys? They threw a boulder thru our office window and took office equipment,” McCarthy <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BpQYPX2gzlq/?taken-by=repkevinmccarthy" target="_blank">wrote</a> on his Instagram account. McCarthy has been tapped to replace Rep. Paul Ryan as Speaker of the House after Ryan steps down at the end of the year, but he is facing a challenge from House Freedom Caucus Republican Jim Jordan. A spokesperson for McCarthy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Turkish President Says Murder of Jamal Khashoggi was ‘Planned,’ Calls for Extradition of Saudi Suspects</em></strong></p>
<p>Turkish President <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/turkeys-president-to-deliver-speech-expected-to-describe-how-khashoggi-was-killed/2018/10/22/4098c300-d60c-11e8-8384-bcc5492fef49_story.html?utm_term=.05f9917549eb">Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday</a> that the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was a “planned” and “brutal” murder and called on Saudi Arabia to extradite 18 suspects to Turkey to face justice for the crime. Erdogan’s highly anticipated comments, during a speech to his ruling party in Ankara, the Turkish capital, contradicted Saudi accounts that Khashoggi was killed when an argument inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul escalated into a fistfight. The Turkish leader did not directly accuse the Saudi leadership of involvement in the killing but strongly indicated that the Saudi investigation, which has resulted in the arrests of 18 people so far, has not yet reached high enough into the kingdom’s ruling circles. “It will not satisfy the public by just pinning this kind of matter on a few security and intelligence officers,” he said. “Covering up this kind of savagery will hurt the conscience of all humanity.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Georgia Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Stacey Abrams Helped Torch State Flag During College Protest</em></strong></p>
<p>The Democratic gubernatorial nominee in Georgia, Stacey Abrams, helped light a state flag on fire on the steps of the state's Capitol in June 1992, as part of a protest that her campaign on Monday night characterized as an effort to "overcome racially divisive issues." The flag at the time incorporated designs from the Confederate battle flag, and Abrams, then a freshman at Atlanta's Spelman College, was one of about a dozen demonstrators involved, according to contemporaneous newspaper accounts and several social media posts that surfaced the issue late Monday. An article from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution <a href="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2018/10/23/us/politics/23abramsflag/merlin_145687572_36991bd5-7b5d-4cf5-91ff-1e15dcbb4389-jumbo.jpg?quality=90&auto=webp">shows Abrams torching the flag in a photograph</a>. A 20-year-old senior at the school told the paper that the protest was designed to "send Georgia's racist past up in flames," and "fight fire with fire. ... Burn, baby, burn!" No arrests reportedly occurred at the protest. Abrams is set to face off in a debate Tuesday against her Republican opponent, two-term Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp, who had called her an "extreme" candidate before Monday's dramatic revelation.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Avenatti's Bad Day: Evicted from Office, Ordered to Pay $4.85M to Former Employee</em></strong></p>
<p>Lawyer Michael Avenatti suffered two court losses on Monday, including one that saw a judge order him to pay $4.85 million to a former lawyer who argued he was underpaid. Shortly after that ruling from a California judge, another judge ruled that Avenatti and his staff must be evicted from their suite office at Fashion Island mall after they missed <a href="http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-avenatti-eviction-20181022-story.html" target="_blank">four months worth of rent payments</a>. In the first case, Superior Court Judge Dennis Landin said Avenatti had to personally pay the $4.85 million because he guaranteed a settlement with former employee, Jason Frank, the <a href="https://apnews.com/53f6f2f316844b14bdbe24a7b80dcc7c" target="_blank">Associated Press reported</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Obama Says the Economic Boom Began with Him: ‘Remember Who Started’ Economic Miracles</em></strong></p>
<p>Former President Barack Obama said <a href="https://freebeacon.com/politics/obama-makes-point-economic-boom-began-remember-started-economic-miracles/">during a campaign rally</a> Monday that the current economic boom, which President Donald Trump has highlighted as a major victory for his administration, began with him. "When you hear all this talk about economic miracles, remember who started it," Obama told the Nevada crowd. Obama, who was in Nevada supporting Democratic Senate candidate Jacky Rosen, reflected on his own administration, saying, "When I walked into the Oval Office 10 years ago, we were in the middle of the worst economic crisis of our lifetime, the last time the other party was in charge." "I hope people notice," he continued, "that every time there is a pattern where they [Republicans] run things into the ground, we have to come back and clean things up."</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Biden Thinks He’s in Miami During Tampa Campaign Rally</em></strong></p>
<p>Former Vice President Joe Biden appeared confused on Monday as to what Florida city he was in during a campaign rally for Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum. Biden was speaking at the University of South Florida in Tampa when he misspoke about being in Miami, according to a video flagged by the <a href="https://ntknetwork.com/biden-confusion-thinks-hes-in-miami-at-tampa-campaign-event/" target="_blank">NTK Network</a>. Miami is 280 miles away from Tampa. "It’s great to be with you all. You know Bill, we have a rule back in Delaware that you all don’t have here in Miami, in Florida, that is," the <a href="https://freebeacon.com/politics/biden-age-totally-legitimate-issue-raise-presidential-candidates/" target="_blank">75-year-old Biden</a> said. "If you keep an audience standing more than 15 minutes, you lose them." Biden traveled to Florida in an effort to boost voter turnout for Florida Democrats, including Gillum and Nelson.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column “<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/How-the-Left-Helps-the-Violent-Gang-MS-13/581177789107870188.html">How the Left Helps the Violent Gang MS-13</a>”<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-10-23T12:36:00ZMcConnell Confronted by Angry Customers at Louisville Restaurant; Second Migrant Caravan: New Group Rushes to Join RanksBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/McConnell-Confronted-by-Angry-Customers-at-Louisville-Restaurant;-Second-Migrant-Caravan:-New-Group-Rushes-to-Join-Ranks/-292940098830775331.html2018-10-22T12:57:00Z2018-10-22T12:57:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Monday, October 22, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>McConnell Confronted by Angry Customers at Louisville Restaurant</em></strong></p>
<p>Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) was confronted at a restaurant Friday by a small group of angry diners who were upset with him over the issue of Social Security. McConnell and his wife, Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, were eating dinner at the popular Cuban restaurant Havana Rumba in Louisville when four men approached McConnell. The main aggressor screamed at McConnell, "Why don't you get out of here? Why don't you leave the entire country?" <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2018/10/20/senator-mitch-mcconnell-confronted-restaurant-protesters/" target="_blank">according</a> to a video obtained by TMZ. The woman who recorded the video told TMZ that the guy screaming at McConnell slammed his fists on his table, grabbed his to-go bag, and threw his food out the door of the restaurant before she could start recording. She also said that the man was angry with McConnell over health care and Social Security, saying that he was screaming that McConnell was killing people with his policies.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Second Migrant Caravan: New Group Rushes to Join Ranks, Deportees Vow Return to America</em></strong></p>
<p>As the massive migrant caravan pushes toward the southern U.S. border, a second group of about 1,000 people from Honduras is rushing to join the main group -- which reportedly has swelled its ranks with several people who've already been deported. The caravan, which has around 5,000 to 7,000 members, was on the move again Monday morning, departing the southern Mexico city of Tapachula. The smaller group trailing it entered Guatemala from Honduras late Sunday, according to the Associated Press. “They catch you, and you try to get back,” said Imner Anthony Fuentes, a 29-year-old who reportedly was deported for the sixth time from the U.S. five months ago. He has a son and a U.S. citizen girlfriend living in Birmingham, Ala., according to the Washington Post. Another of the lead caravan's members who had previously live in the U.S., 36-year-old Job Reyes told the Washington Post he's going back because America is “a country where I can live my life, unlike Guatemala.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Approval Jumps Ahead of Obama’s Midterm Approval Rating</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump’s approval rating before the November elections has jumped to a higher level than former President Obama's ahead of the 2010 midterms, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/first-read/nbc-wsj-poll-democrats-hold-nine-point-advantage-midterm-elections-n922266">according to a new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll</a>. The poll found Trump's approval rating at its highest level for that poll yet, at 47 percent. Obama's approval rating was 45 percent around the same time in 2010, according to <a href="http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/wsjnbcnewspoll10312010.pdf" target="_blank">a similar NBC/Wall Street Journal poll</a> taken in late October 2010. Obama's approval rating was reaching a record low in October 2010, just before his party lost a significant number of seats in the House and Senate. Trump is a historically unpopular president among the general U.S. population, but consistently retains extremely high levels of Republican support. Recent polls have put him at around a 90 percent approval rating among Republicans. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Surveillance Video Captures Saudi Operative in Khashoggi’s Clothes After Journalist’s Death: Report</em></strong></p>
<p>An individual suspected of being part of the group of Saudis involved in the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was reportedly seen around Istanbul wearing Khashoggi's clothes, a fake beard and glasses on the day of the killing. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/22/middleeast/saudi-operative-jamal-khashoggi-clothes/index.html" target="_blank">CNN, citing a senior Turkish official, reported</a> that the man in the video, identified as Mustafa al-Madani, was captured by surveillance cameras leaving the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on the day Khashoggi died there. He appears to be wearing the same clothes Khashoggi was seen wearing when he entered the consulate. Turkish investigators have said they have audio and other evidence that proves Khashoggi was killed and dismembered by a group of Saudis in the consulate. The Turkish official told CNN that al-Madani was used as a body double in the operations.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Scaramucci Claims John Kelly has ‘Hissy Fits,’ and ‘Hurt the President’</em></strong></p>
<p>Former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci revived his spat with Chief of Staff John Kelly, claiming on Sunday that Kelly throws "hissy fits" and hurts West Wing morale. "He hurt the morale inside the place and he’s hurt the president. And he has hissy fits," Scaramucci said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "The good news is, I’m being vindicated by that because he’s demonstrating his personality now, the way he really is," Scaramucci added. Kelly was reportedly involved in an <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/412100-kelly-and-bolton-get-in-profanity-laced-shouting-match-report">intense shouting match</a> with national security advisor John Bolton last week when the two got into an argument about immigration. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Julia Louis-Dreyfus Hits Kavanaugh While Accepting Mark Twain Prize</em></strong> </p>
<p>Julia Louis-Dreyfus took multiple digs at Supreme Court Justice <a href="https://thehill.com/people/brett-kavanaugh">Brett Kavanaugh</a> during a politically charged acceptance speech while receiving the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. “I attended Holton-Arms, a girls school in the Washington area,” Louis-Dreyfus told the audience at Sunday’s award ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. “It has been in the news lately,” Louis-Dreyfus said of the school in Bethesda, Md., which Kavanaugh accuser Christine Blasey Ford attended the same year as the former “Seinfeld” star. “You know it’s funny with us Holton girls — I remember every detail of that play. I could swear to it under penalty of perjury,” said Louis-Dreyfus. “And yet, I don’t remember who drove me to the show or who drove me home,” she added, to applause from the crowd.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Panthers' Eric Reid Blasts Eagles' Malcolm Jenkins Over Anthem Protests</em></strong> </p>
<p>Two NFL players who have protested during the national anthem and seemed to be in each other’s corners nearly came to blows Sunday before their game against each other. Carolina Panthers defensive back <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/sports/eric-reid-who-supported-colin-kaepernick-in-protests-during-national-anthem-signs-with-panthers" target="_blank">Eric Reid</a>, a former teammate of Colin Kaepernick, confronted Philadelphia Eagles player Malcolm Jenkins on the field near the Eagles’ logo before their game. The exchange got heated and both players had to be separated. The bad blood between the two stems from Reid splitting from Jenkins’ The Players Coalition after the organization sought to have the protests during the national anthem stopped if the NFL made donations to causes the group supports. Jenkins’ group and the NFL agreed to a deal in which the league would donate about $90 million to <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000933742/article/nfl-players-coalition-finalize-social-justice-partnership" target="_blank">organizations supported by the players</a>.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Michael Avenatti Lived the High Life While Owing Millions to IRS</em></strong></p>
<p>On the Fourth of July, Michael Avenatti suited up for a CNN interview and floated his name as <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/michael-avenatti-is-making-concrete-2020-moves-behind-the-scenes">a contender against President Trump in 2020</a>. CNN’s Jim Scuitto told Avenatti he’d face scrutiny over his finances, including his former law firm’s then-unpaid $2.4-million bill to the IRS. “You know, look, I’ll be happy to put my tax records and background up against the president’s background and his tax records. Of course, he won’t release any of that information,” Avenatti replied. The questions over his finances remain and could become a sore spot on the campaign trail, as creditors pursue him and his former companies. Both the <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/michael-avenatti-after-losing-dollar10m-dispute-im-not-a-celebrity-im-a-lawyer">Eagan Avenatti law firm</a> and a shuttered Seattle coffee chain, which Avenatti says he no longer owns, owe millions in unpaid taxes and judgments, according to court documents and filings with local recorder’s offices. Tax liens filed in Orange County also show that Avenatti has personally owed at least $1.2 million in federal taxes on top of the corporate debts. One lien, filed in February 2018, was for $308,396, while another filed in August 2015 showed a balance of $903,987. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column “<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/How-the-Left-Helps-the-Violent-Gang-MS-13/581177789107870188.html">How the Left Helps the Violent Gang MS-13</a>”<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-10-22T12:57:00ZBiden and Trump Duel in the Desert for Critical Nevada Senate Race; Two GOP Candidates Assaulted in MinnesotaBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Biden-and-Trump-Duel-in-the-Desert-for-Critical-Nevada-Senate-Race;-Two-GOP-Candidates-Assaulted-in-Minnesota/249570411242299771.html2018-10-21T13:04:00Z2018-10-21T13:04:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, October 21, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Two GOP Candidates Assaulted in Minnesota</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://freebeacon.com/politics/two-gop-candidates-assaulted-minnesota/?utm_source=Freedom+Mail&utm_campaign=63f8809cff-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_10_19_05_24_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b5e6e0e9ea-63f8809cff-46474477">The Minnesota Democratic Party</a> has suspended a spokesman for calling for violence against Republicans even as two GOP candidates have been assaulted in suspected politically motivated attacks. The Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party has suspended communications staffer William Davis for one week without pay after making a Facebook post joking that Democrats would "bring [Republicans] to the guillotine" on Nov. 7, the day after the midterm elections. </p>
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<p><strong><em>GOP Women’s Group Attacking Trump Funded Solely by Male Democratic Donor</em></strong></p>
<p>A new Republican women's group who is "fed up with Trump" and pouring cash into toss-up congressional districts is bankrolled solely by a male billionaire venture capitalist who is a major donor to Democratic campaigns and causes, Federal Election Commission filings show. Republican Women for Progress, a Washington, D.C.-based "grassroots" nonprofit, was founded by Jennifer Pierotti Lim and Meghan Milloy and is <a href="https://gopwomenforprogress.org/" target="_blank">comprised</a> of "right-leaning" women who are opposed to President Donald Trump. The group has garnered glowing national media profiles that include a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvFr_t0xBIk" target="_blank">ten-minute segment</a> on CBS News and articles in publications such as Glamour, Slate, and others. The group is so far active in competitive congressional districts in New Jersey, Kentucky, and Michigan. The group established a political action committee, the Republican Women for Progress PAC, on Sept. 13 to support their work for the midterms and has since spent $231,000 on independent expenditures for voter recruitment and advertisement productions in the toss-up districts in three states.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Migrant Caravan Re-Forms in Mexico, Members Vow to Reach the U.S.</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/migrant-caravan-forms-mexico-members-vow-reach-us-040050654.html">Despite Mexican efforts</a> to stop them at the border, about 2,000 Central American migrants swam or rafted across a river separating that country from Guatemala, re-formed their mass caravan in Mexico and vowed to resume their journey toward the United States. The migrants, who said they gave up trying to enter Mexico legally because the asylum application process was too slow, gathered Saturday at a park in the border city of Ciudad Hidalgo. They voted by a show of hands to continue north en masse, then marched to the bridge crossing the Suchiate River and urged those still on it to come join them. "We are going to reach the United States," said Erasmo Duarte, a migrant from Danli, Honduras, despite warnings to turn back this week from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has sought to make the caravan and border security into a campaign issue before the U.S. midterm election in November. The decision to re-form the migrant caravan capped a day in which Mexican authorities again refused mass entry to migrants on the bridge, instead accepting small groups for asylum processing and giving out 45-day visitor permits to some. Authorities handed out numbers for people to be processed in a strategy seen before at U.S. border posts when dealing with large numbers of migrants. But many became impatient and circumventing the border gate, crossing the river on rafts, by swimming or by wading in full view of the hundreds of Mexican police manning the blockade on the bridge. Some paid locals the equivalent of $1.25 to ferry them across the muddy waters. They were not detained on reaching the Mexican bank.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Says U.S. to Exit Nuclear Treaty, Russia Warns of Retaliation</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump said Washington will exit the Cold-War era treaty that eliminated a class of nuclear weapons due to Russian violations, triggering a warning of retaliatory measures from Moscow. The <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-nuclear-trump/trump-us-to-exit-nuclear-treaty-citing-russian-violations-idUSKCN1MU0Z8">Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty</a>, negotiated by then-President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1987, required the elimination of short-range and intermediate-range nuclear and conventional missiles by both countries. “Russia has not, unfortunately, honored the agreement so we’re going to terminate the agreement and we’re going to pull out,” Trump told reporters on Saturday after a rally in Nevada. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Sunday that a unilateral U.S. withdrawal would be “very dangerous” and lead to a “military-technical” retaliation. U.S. authorities believe Moscow is developing and has deployed a ground-launched system in breach of the INF treaty that could allow it to launch a nuclear strike on Europe at short notice. Russia has consistently denied any such violation.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Saudi Explanation of Khashoggi Killing 'Not Enough', U.S.'S Mnuchin Says</em></strong> </p>
<p>Saudi Arabia’s explanation of the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was a “good first step but not enough”, the <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-khashoggi/saudi-explanation-of-khashoggi-killing-not-enough-u-s-s-mnuchin-says-idUSKCN1MV0HI">U.S. Treasury secretary said on Sunday</a>, adding it was premature to discuss sanctions against Riyadh over the incident. The comments from Steven Mnuchin are the latest from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump that appears aimed at censuring a killing that has sparked global outrage while protecting relations with the world’s top oil exporter. European governments have been more forceful in dismissing Riyadh’s explanation that Khashoggi died following a fistfight in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. On Sunday, Britain’s Brexit minister said the account was not credible. He confirmed he would not attend a Saudi investment conference on Tuesday. However, he said he would visit Riyadh as planned for talks with his counterpart there on joint efforts to counter terrorist financing and plans by Washington to reimpose sanctions against Iran in November.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Biden and Trump Duel in the Desert for Critical Nevada Senate Race</em></strong> </p>
<p>Former <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/joe-biden-delivers-eulogy-for-john-mccain-we-shall-not-see-his-like-again">Vice President Joe Biden</a> spoke at the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 on Saturday. Biden who had already stripped away his token aviator sunglasses after Bruce Springsteen’s “We Take Care of Our Own” played, started removing his suit jacket as one attendee happily encouraged him to take it off. “See if you could get a good price for it,” the last vice president of the United States joked as he tossed it aside. Over 400 miles away, in the northern Nevada city of Elko, Air Force One was landing carrying not only <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-declares-war-on-immigration-in-fiery-arizona-rally">the president</a> but also incumbent Republican Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV), who infamously <a href="https://www.rgj.com/story/news/politics/2016/10/20/gop-sen-heller-still-wont-say-who-hes-voting/92491284/">once said </a>that he was “100 percent against Clinton and 99 percent against Trump.” He has since moved much closer to the President, voting in favor of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and shifting his positions on Obamacare repeal. The latter has become a big feature of his opponent Rep. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) on the campaign trail. The closer kinship was on display on Saturday as <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-campaigns-for-former-gop-foe-at-nevada-rally/2018/10/20/7ebab6a0-d483-11e8-a275-81c671a50422_story.html?utm_term=.9161e910ee40">Heller told</a> the president “I think everything you touch turns to gold.” Heller, who <a href="https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/nevada/heller-confident-in-re-election-promotes-record-in-congress/">has confidently said</a> he’s never lost an election in the state, was deemed the most vulnerable of the Republican incumbents this election cycle as the only one to run in a state that Hillary Clinton carried in 2016. Nevada broke for Clinton by 2.4 percentage points while she only won two counties including Clark, the most populous by far, and the one in which Biden was rallying on Saturday.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Comic Amy Schumer Backs Kaepernick, Says She Won't Do Super Bowl Ads</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. comedian and actress Amy Schumer has said <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-amy-schumer/comic-amy-schumer-backs-kaepernick-says-she-wont-do-super-bowl-ads-idUSKCN1MU0YA">she will not appear in any commercials</a> during the 2019 Super Bowl in support of National Football League quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s protests against racial injustice. “I personally told my reps I wouldn’t do a Super Bowl commercial this year,” Schumer wrote in an Instagram post on Friday. “Hitting the nfl with the advertisers is the only way to really hurt them.” The “Trainwreck” star also urged members of the band Maroon 5, who are scheduled to play during the Super Bowl halftime show, to back out. U.S. media reported on Friday that singer Rihanna had declined an offer to perform during the halftime show in support of Kaepernick, who in 2016 began kneeling to protest multiple police shootings of unarmed black men. In 2016, Schumer appeared in a Super Bowl commercial alongside actor Seth Rogen. It was not immediately clear if she had been approached to appear in any ads for the 2019 game.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Sales are Brisk as Mega Millions Jackpot Hits $1.6 Billion</em></strong></p>
<p>The Mega Millions lottery may see a streak of jackpot rollovers end as it heads toward a record $1.6 billion drawing on Tuesday. As more tickets sell, chances grow that at least one buyer will pick all six winning numbers. That would stop the streak of 25 rollovers, most recently on Friday night. Based on sales projections, 75 percent of the 302 million possible combinations will be chosen for Tuesday’s drawing, up from 59.1 percent in Friday’s, said Carole Gentry, spokeswoman for Maryland Lottery and Gaming. “It’s possible that nobody wins again. But it’s hard to fathom,” Gentry said. About 280 million tickets sold in Friday’s drawing, none matching the winning mix of 7, 15, 23, 53, 65 and 70 to claim an estimated prize of $1 billion. Fifteen tickets matched five numbers for second-tier prizes of at least $1 million. The $1.6 billion estimated jackpot would be <a href="https://apnews.com/b5637f95dd9745f39b5adfdadda4aeb3">the largest prize in U.S. history</a>. The second-largest jackpot was a $1.586 billion Powerball drawing on Jan. 13, 2016.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column “<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/How-the-Left-Helps-the-Violent-Gang-MS-13/581177789107870188.html">How the Left Helps the Violent Gang MS-13</a>”<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-10-21T13:04:00ZU.S., Mexico Agree on Plan to Handle Migrant Caravan from Central America; Turkey Suggests Khashoggi's Remains Taken Out of ConsulateBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/U.S.-Mexico-Agree-on-Plan-to-Handle-Migrant-Caravan-from-Central-America;-Turkey-Suggests-Khashoggis-Remains-Taken-Out-of-Consulate/-221040849512565978.html2018-10-19T12:28:00Z2018-10-19T12:28:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, October 19, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>U.S., Mexico Agree on Plan to Handle Migrant Caravan from Central America</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. and Mexican officials have agreed on <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/us-mexico-agree-on-plan-to-handle-migrant-caravan-from-central-america">a plan to handle the approaching migrant caravan</a> making their way up from Central America, a senior administration official told Fox News on Thursday. Under the deal, which was developed over the course of several months, Mexico requested that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) establish shelters along its southern border with Central America, the official said. “Just today, the Mexican government, and this is a very important step, requested the intervention of the U.N., the Office of the High Commissioner on Refugees, to help Mexico review any asylum claims from the members of the caravan,” Mexican Ambassador to the U.S. Geronimo Gutierrez said. “That will allow us to have a process by which in our border we will make sure that of serving human rights, respecting international law, if there are legitimate claims to refugee, those can be processed in a very clear way.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Mark Meadows: New Info Shows Rod Rosenstein Should Resign 'Immediately'</em></strong></p>
<p>House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows said Thursday that lawmakers in recent days have "learned" information that warrants Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to step down “immediately.” “Based on additional information we've learned over the last week, it is clear Rod Rosenstein should resign immediately,” Meadows, R-N.C., tweeted Thursday afternoon. “He has not cooperated with Congress, failed to be transparent about his actions, and shown a lack of candor in the way he's characterized a number of events.” Rosenstein, who <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/rod-rosenstein-rejects-report-saying-he-talked-about-getting-rid-of-trump-with-the-25th-amendment" target="_blank">denies </a>he ever considered wearing a wire or looking into the use of the 25th Amendment as the New York Times had reported, was tentatively set to meet with GOP lawmakers last week to discuss the report. However, last week's meeting was postponed, and a House Judiciary Committee aide told the <em>Washington Examiner</em> at the time they are working to confirm a potential meeting. Rosenstein irked GOP lawmakers by <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/special-counsel-investigation-appropriate-and-independent-rosenstein" target="_blank">participating in an interview</a> with the Wall Street Journal this week, where he claimed Mueller’s investigation is “appropriate and independent.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Turkey Suggests Khashoggi’s Remains Taken Out of Consulate</em></strong></p>
<p>A Turkish official said Friday that investigators are looking into the possibility that missing Saudi journalist <a href="https://www.apnews.com/933ba58ee362452f9135f4fa743fb2e8">Jamal Khashoggi’s remains</a> may have been taken to a forest on the outskirts of Istanbul or to another city if and after he was killed in Istanbul earlier this month. Ankara’s top diplomat, meanwhile, denied sharing any audio from the Saudi consulate with U.S. officials. The official told The Associated Press that police have established that two vehicles belonging to the consulate, left the building on October 2, the day Khashoggi had walked into the consulate and vanished. One of the vehicles traveled to the nearby Belgrade Forest while the other traveled to the city of Yalova, across the Sea of Marmara from Istanbul, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the secrecy of the ongoing investigation.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Intel Chief Dan Coats: Media Outlets Need to 'Step Up'</em></strong></p>
<p>Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats called on media outlets to "step up" and <a href="https://twitter.com/JenGriffinFNC/status/1052989382398017538" target="_blank">combat</a> efforts by foreign adversaries to spread propaganda in news reports. Speaking at a cybersecurity event in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Coats said the federal government can't have all the "responsibility" for protecting Americans and that the private sector needs to help. "Responsibility doesn't stop with the federal government. We also need the private sector and media outlets to step up and take greater responsibility because this is a national interest that demands a response from both the federal government and from the private sector," Coats said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Protesters March Against Trump Visit to Missoula</em></strong> </p>
<p>With Mount Jumbo’s “L” transformed into the word “LIAR” and scores of people taking to the streets across Missoula, <a href="https://missoulian.com/news/local/protesters-turn-mount-jumbo-l-into-liar-as-others-march/article_97b94760-74ee-59b5-b5b1-a3c4f119cc5e.html#1">protesters peacefully unleashed their dissatisfaction</a> with President Donald Trump Thursday. The president was visiting Missoula, a small blue island in a big red sea, to campaign for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Matt Rosendale, who is seeking to unseat two-term Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat. To avoid reinforcing that line, protesters in Missoula overwhelmingly avoided Trump's rally and focused on a rally and march to cast ballots in the city.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Nikki Haley Mocks Warren at Charity Dinner: ‘You Wanted an Indian Woman, but Elizabeth Warren Failed Her DNA Test’</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley zinged Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) on Thursday night at a charity dinner, joking that the organizers wanted an Indian woman, but "Warren failed her DNA test." Haley, who recently <a href="https://freebeacon.com/politics/nikki-haley-resigns-as-u-n-ambassador/" target="_blank">announced</a> that she would be leaving her ambassador role at the end of the year, cracked jokes at the annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, which is a charity event that raises money for impoverished children. It's a regular stop for prominent political leaders. She began her joke by mentioning how House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) spoke at the charity dinner last year, calling him a "boy scout" and "a little boring." "So this year you wanted to spice things up a bit, right? I get it. You wanted an Indian woman, but Elizabeth Warren failed her DNA test," said Haley, whose parents both emigrated from India.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Poll: Support for Gun Control Drops Ahead of Midterm Elections</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://freebeacon.com/issues/poll-support-gun-control-drops-ahead-midterm-elections/">A new Gallup poll</a> shows support for new gun-control laws dropped significantly over the last seven months. The Gallup poll found 61 percent of respondent’s support making gun laws stricter. That's down 6 points from when Gallup asked the same question in March. At the same time support for the idea that gun laws should be kept the same increased from 28 percent to 30 percent and support for the idea, they should be made less strict doubled from 4 percent to 8 percent.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Southwest Flight Makes Emergency Landing After Passenger Allegedly Plays Unwanted Game of 'Footsie'</em></strong></p>
<p>A Southwest flight on Tuesday was diverted after a Texas man on board played an unwanted game of "footsie" with a female passenger sitting next to him and got into a confrontation with the flight crew, authorities said. Justin Riley Brafford, 29, remains in federal custody in New Mexico and faces felony interference with a flight crew and a misdemeanor assault charge, the <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/2018/10/18/unwanted-game-footsies-southwest-airlines-flight-ends-emergency-landing-denton-mans-arrest">Dallas Morning News reported</a>. Brafford and the woman, identified as M.W., were seated next to each other on Southwest Flight 859 from Los Angeles to Dallas when he allegedly put his arm on her leg as the plane readied for takeoff, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque. Authorities said the woman leaned away but Brafford got closer and began trying to play “footsie” with her. An FBI report said M.W. told Brafford to stop kicking and bothering her and that he asked her to go out after the flight, the <a href="https://www.abqjournal.com/1234631/feds-man-faces-assault-charge-after-flight-diversion-to-abq.html">Albuquerque Journal reported</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column “<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/How-the-Left-Helps-the-Violent-Gang-MS-13/581177789107870188.html">How the Left Helps the Violent Gang MS-13</a>”<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-10-19T12:28:00ZWH Lawyer Quits After Helping Trump Put His Mark on the Federal Bench; Trump Threatens Military Blockade at The Border as Honduran Caravan ApproachesBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/WH-Lawyer-Quits-After-Helping-Trump-Put-His-Mark-on-the-Federal-Bench;-Trump-Threatens-Military-Blockade-at-The-Border-as-Honduran-Caravan-Approaches/315331508233084491.html2018-10-18T12:55:00Z2018-10-18T12:55:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, October 18, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>White House Lawyer Quits After Helping Trump Put His Mark on the Federal Bench</em></strong></p>
<p>White House counsel <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/10/17/656945741/white-house-lawyer-quits-after-helping-trump-put-his-mark-on-the-federal-bench">Don McGahn has left the job</a> effective Wednesday. But his influence will live on for years, thanks to the dozens of conservative judges that McGahn helped President Trump put on the federal bench. The grueling confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh marked an explosive end to McGahn's White House tenure. But he's also worked more quietly in the last two years to put his stamp on the lower courts. McGahn oversaw the president's judicial selection process, picking nominees who are uniformly conservative, often suggested by the Federalist Society or the Heritage Foundation, and typically young, capable of shaping the federal courts' decisions for decades to come.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Threatens Military Blockade at The Border as Honduran Caravan Approaches</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Thursday <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/trump-threatens-military-blockade-at-the-border-as-honduran-caravan-approaches">threatened to “close our southern border”</a> if the Mexican government allows Honduran migrants to approach the U.S., and if Democrats continue to resist his plan to build a border wall. Trump also repeated his threat to cut off aid to Central American countries if they did not assist in stopping the widespread migration, especially the 4,000 and growing caravan of people from Honduras making its way to Mexico in an effort to enter America. “In addition to stopping all payments to these countries, which seem to have almost no control over their population, I must, in the strongest of terms, ask Mexico to stop this onslaught - and if unable to do so I will call up the U.S. Military and CLOSE OUR SOUTHERN BORDER!..” Trump said on Twitter Thursday morning. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Joe Biden Slams Trump's 'Love Affair' With Dictators</em></strong></p>
<p>Former Vice President Joe Biden criticized President Trump for helping Saudi Arabia and its leadership come up with excuses for how dissident Jamal Khashoggi <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/recordings-jamal-khashoggis-fingers-cut-off-then-beheaded-dismembered" target="_blank">went missing</a>, before the facts are known. “I’m very worried that the president [Trump] seems to have a love affair with autocrats,” Biden told CBS This Morning in an interview aired Thursday. “And the idea that he’s already making excuses before the facts are known is typical, but it hurts us internationally.” Biden said if it were proven that the Saudis had carried out the kill order on Khashoggi, it would be right for the U.S. to retaliate, which he speculates the Trump administration wouldn’t do. “I just don’t know why this administration seems to feel the need to coddle autocrats and dictators from Putin and Kim Jong Un to, you know, Duterte,” Biden said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Robert Mueller Pushing Paul Manafort for Information on Roger Stone</em></strong></p>
<p>Special counsel Robert Mueller's team has been prodding ex-Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort about his old <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/robert-mueller-pushing-paul-manafort-for-information-on-roger-stone">consulting business partner, Roger Stone</a>, according to a report. Stone, a self-described political trickster and former confidant of the president, has reportedly piqued the interest of Mueller's office for appearing to foreshadow the WikiLeaks dump of John Podesta's emails when Podesta was Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign chairman. The hack is believed to have been conducted by Russian intelligence officers under the pseudonym “Guccifer 2.0.” Stone has denied colluding with Wikileaks and its founder Julian Assange to coordinate the release of damaging information on Clinton in order to boost President Trump's electoral prospects. Manafort's cooperation, part of a plea deal reached in September to avoid a trial in Washington, comes as a number of Stone's associates have been questioned by Mueller's investigators.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Voter Turnout Could Hit 50-Year Record for Midterm Elections</em></strong></p>
<p>The 2018 elections could see the highest turnout for a midterm since the mid-1960s. "It's probably going to be a turnout rate that most people have never experienced in their lives for a midterm election," Michael McDonald, a professor at the University of Florida who studies turnout and <a href="http://www.electproject.org/">maintains a turnout database</a>, told NPR. McDonald is predicting 45 to 50 percent of eligible voters will cast a ballot. That would be a level not seen since 1970 when 47 percent of voters turned out or 1966 when a record 49 percent turned out in a midterm.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Nancy Pelosi Details Democrats’ Plan for Open Borders: ‘I Don’t See Any of Us Voting for Wall Funding’</em></strong></p>
<p>House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) says that if the Democrats take back the House in the 2018 midterm elections, none of them will vote for President Trump’s wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. In <a href="https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2018/10/16/pelosi-gives-playbook-a-preview-of-the-democratic-majority-327201" target="_blank">an interview</a> with <em>Politico</em>, Pelosi detailed her plans, or lack thereof, for the U.S.-Mexico border and national immigration policy, which does not include Trump’s proposed border wall. “I don’t see any of us voting for wall funding,” Pelosi said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Twitter Takes No Action as Louis Farrakhan Calls Jews ‘Termites’</em></strong></p>
<p>Racist and anti-semite hate preacher Louis Farrakhan <a href="https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/10/17/louis-farrakhan-im-not-an-anti-semite-im-anti-termite/" target="_blank">referred to Jews</a> as “termites” on Twitter. Twitter has said it will do nothing. On Wednesday, Farrakhan tweeted that he is “not anti-semite” but “anti-termite,” posting a link to a video where he makes the same remark, along with a comment calling his Jewish critics “stupid.” “To the members of the Jewish community that don’t like me, thank you very much for putting my name all over the planet … I’m not mad at you, ’cause you’re so stupid,” Farrakhan said. “So when they talk about Farrakhan, call me a hater, you know they do, call me an antisemite — stop it! I’m anti-termite! I don’t know nothing about hating somebody because of their religious preference.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>'The Conners' Reveals How the Show Kills Off Roseanne</em></strong> </p>
<p>Viewers learned that the TV matriarch had died at the top of the premiere of "The Conners," the spinoff sitcom that replaced "Roseanne" after a <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2018/06/14/roseanne-barr-claims-new-meaning-her-racist-tweet-anti-semitism/702203002/">racist May tweet</a> by star Roseanne Barr led to her firing and the top-rated sitcom's cancellation. The cause of death Roseanne’s death? Opioid drug use that aggravated existing health conditions. Barr, perhaps not surprisingly, took a different tack in a tweet shortly after the episode aired on the East Coast. "I AIN'T DEAD, (EXPLETIVES)!!!" she wrote. She also issued <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RabbiShmuleyBoteach/posts/10155972880386089?__tn__=K-R-R">a more carefully crafted statement</a> with her friend and adviser, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, arguing the importance of the canceled "Roseanne" in addressing the deep divisions threatening society and celebrating a strong matriarch. They objected strongly to the character's cause of death.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column "Your Truth is a Myth"<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-10-18T12:55:00ZPompeo Moves to Turkey in Search for Answers on Missing Journalist; Chief Justice Roberts Breaks Silence on Kavanaugh FightBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Pompeo-Moves-to-Turkey-in-Search-for-Answers-on-Missing-Journalist;-Chief-Justice-Roberts-Breaks-Silence-on-Kavanaugh-Fight/-236968599125441037.html2018-10-17T12:36:00Z2018-10-17T12:36:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, October 17, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Pompeo Moves to Turkey in Search for Answers on Missing Journalist</em></strong> </p>
<p>Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday met with Turkey’s president and foreign minister in Ankara as the United States attempts to learn what happened to Jamal Khashoggi, the journalist who was last seen more than two weeks ago. Pompeo met for about 40 minutes each with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, according to <a href="https://www.apnews.com/b6622a7e8381421c9115beb413bcfda1">The Associated Press</a>, which reported that details from their talks were not immediately available. Turkish authorities are hoping to enter the consul's residence on Wednesday and search it as part of their investigation into Khashoggi's disappearance. “We hope the police will enter to the residence today. We have said before that Saudi Arabia must cooperate with us in every aspect without delay," Cavusoglu said, according to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-politics-dissident-turkey/turkey-hopes-to-enter-saudi-consuls-home-weds-minister-idUSKCN1MR159">Reuters</a>. Turkish officials have said they believe Khashoggi was killed and likely dismembered by Saudi officials inside the consulate. A number of U.S. lawmakers have also said Saudi Arabia appears to be complicit in Khashoggi's disappearance, but President Trump has yet to blame the Saudis.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Liberal Professors Launch Campaign to Pack Supreme Court After Kavanaugh Confirmation</em></strong></p>
<p>Less than a month after the confirmation of Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh entrenched a 5-4 conservative majority on the Supreme Court, leading law professors are urging Democrats to expand the size of all of the nation's federal courts and pack them with liberals. Far-left Harvard professors Mark Tushnet and Laurence Tribe are lending their support to the so-called "1.20.21 Project," which was launched by political science professor Aaron Belkin on Wednesday to counter "Republican obstruction, theft and procedural abuse" of the federal judiciary. That rhetoric reflects the professors' apparent surprise after Democrats lost the 2016 presidential election, which they had hoped would allow the party to continue appointing liberal judges and justices. In 2016, when Hillary Clinton was leading in all major polls in her bid for the presidency, Tushnet definitively <a href="https://balkin.blogspot.com/2016/05/abandoning-defensive-crouch-liberal.html">declared in a blog post</a> that conservatives were the "losers in the culture wars." He wrote that liberal judges who "no longer have to be worried about reversal by the Supreme Court" could be useful in marginalizing those Republican "losers," whom he compared to the defeated Japanese in World War II or the Confederacy in the Civil War.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Melania’s Spokeswoman Calls Out T.I. Over ‘Disrespectful and Disgusting’ Video Depicting First Lady as Exotic Dancer</em></strong> </p>
<p>First lady Melania Trump’s spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham called rapper T.I.’s video depicting the first lady as an exotic dancer, “disgusting and disrespectful.” “Like it or not, she is the first lady and this is the White House,” Grisham shared in a statement to <a href="https://twitter.com/KateBennett_DC/status/1052260184113012736" target="_blank">CNN Tuesday</a>. “It’s disrespectful and disgusting to portray her this way simply because of politics.” “These kinds of vulgar attacks only further the divisiveness and bias in our country — it needs to stop,” she added. “How is this acceptable? #disgusting #boycottT.I. @Tip,” Grisham wrote, along with a retweet of an article about the one-minute video. The comments came after Grisham called for a boycott Saturday of the 38-year-old rapper’s music over his latest video showing him watching a lookalike of the first lady strip in the Oval Office and dance on the desk naked.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Chief Justice Roberts Breaks Silence on Kavanaugh Fight</em></strong></p>
<p>Chief Justice John Roberts spoke publicly for the first time Tuesday about Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s contentious ascension to the U.S. Supreme Court, vowing to protect the Court’s independence and impartiality. <a href="https://wjla.com/news/nation-world/watch-live-chief-justice-john-roberts-speaks-at-university-of-minnesota" target="_blank">Delivering remarks</a> at the University of Minnesota Law School, Roberts opened by alluding to Kavanaugh’s confirmation. He noted that the justices shake hands with one another before entering the courtroom for oral argument or gathering for private conferences, in keeping with a tradition established by Chief Justice Melville Fuller, who led the Court from 1888 to 1910. “It’s a small thing, perhaps, but it is a repeated reminder that, as our newest colleague put it, we do not sit on opposite sides of an aisle, we do not caucus in separate rooms, we do not serve one party or one interest, we serve one nation,” the chief said, referencing remarks Kavanaugh made during his ceremonial installation at the White House. “I want to assure all of you that we will continue to do that,” Roberts added.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Senate Aide Was in Contact with Reporter Who Broke Carter Page FISA Story</em></strong></p>
<p>Former Senate aide James Wolfe <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2018/10/16/senate-aide-carter-page-fisa/">lied to the FBI</a> about contacts with several journalists, including one who wrote a report in April 2017 that the government was conducting surveillance against Carter Page. The Justice Department revealed Wolfe’s contacts with the unidentified reporter in court papers filed on Monday. Wolfe pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his media contacts. He has not pleaded guilty to leaking classified information. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Dozens of Black Senior Citizens Ordered Off Bus Taking Them to Vote</em></strong></p>
<p class="p1">Dozens of black senior citizens were ordered off a bus taking them to vote this week in Georgia. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the bus was preparing to leave a county-operated senior center when the center director told them to get off. LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, the group who arranged for the bus to take the seniors to vote early, <a href="https://politics.myajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/black-senior-citizens-ordered-off-georgia-bus-taking-them-vote/42lZxIGOF1uFo637TEc9jP/">told the Journal-Constitution</a> that a county clerk called the senior center to raise concerns about the bus. Brown said that Black Voters Matter had secured permission from the senior center for the event. "We knew it was an intimidation tactic,” Brown said. Jefferson County Administrator Adam Brett told the AJC that the county considered the transporting of the group to be “political activity,” which would violate county policy since they operate they senior center.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Honduran Government Begs Migrant Caravan to Turn Back</em></strong></p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/honduran-government/">Honduran government</a> called on 2,000 immigrants Tuesday to give up their trek north and return home, just hours after President Trump threatened to withhold $65 million in U.S. money if the country’s leaders don’t find a way to head off the caravan. Honduras’s foreign ministry, in a statement reported by local news, said the caravan was being politically manipulated in order to make the country look bad, just days after leaders were in Washington promising better cooperation with the Trump administration. Trump via Twitter on Tuesday said that Honduras had to find a way to bring the people back, or else “no more money or aid will be given to Honduras, effective immediately!” Vice President Mike Pence delivered that message personally in a phone call to Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, and also warned Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales to do what he can to dissuade the caravan. The $65 million the administration had proposed for Honduras in 2019 amounts to about 1.5 percent of the country’s total government revenue. Hours later the Honduran ministry issued a nine-point statement pleading for the caravan to “desist,” and warning would-be immigrants they’re being duped by the organizers to make a “political” statement.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Elizabeth Warren Takes Political Hit with Much-Mocked DNA Rollout</em></strong> </p>
<p>Sen. Elizabeth Warren became the punchline for more “Pocahontas” jokes Tuesday after her high-profile <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/oct/16/elizabeth-warren-dna-test-backfires/">DNA rollout backfired</a>, angering Native Americans and rekindling questions about her claims to Cherokee ancestry. President Trump called on her to apologize for “perpetrating this fraud against the American Public” after her DNA test showed she has between 1/64th and 1/1,024th Native blood, or 0.09 to 1.5 percent, about the same as the average U.S. white person. “Now that her claims of being of Indian heritage have turned out to be a scam and a lie, Elizabeth Warren should apologize for perpetrating this fraud against the American Public,” he tweeted. Boston radio host Howie Carr said that far from proving her ancestry, the test actually showed that she isn’t Native American. The average European American has 0.18 percent Native ancestry, according to a 2014 study. “The whole thing is just ridiculous,” Mr. Carr said on his show. “Again, she’s just got to count on the alt-left media, the credulous Boston Globes of the world and CNN's, promoting this as a real example that she’s a Native American when the reality is it proves that she is not a Native American.” Even CNN had its doubts. The network featured an article by Kate Maltby called “Elizabeth Warren’s big mistake,” while anchor Chris Cillizza said she “might have actually made things worse with her DNA gambit.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column "Your Truth is a Myth"<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-10-17T12:36:00ZMarch of the Migrants: New Migrant Caravan Moves North from Honduras; New York Marks First Shooting-Free Weekend in 25 YearsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/March-of-the-Migrants:-New-Migrant-Caravan-Moves-North-from-Honduras;-New-York-Marks-First-Shooting-Free-Weekend-in-25-Years/-757310965259550429.html2018-10-16T13:11:00Z2018-10-16T13:11:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, October 16, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>March of the Migrants: New Migrant Caravan Moves North from Honduras</em></strong></p>
<p>A new migrant caravan of more than 1,600 people is moving north from Honduras, heading toward Guatemala with the ultimate goal of reaching the U.S.-Mexico border, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/spontaneous-caravan-of-migrants-winds-way-through-honduras/2018/10/13/d30dfee0-cf44-11e8-ad0a-0e01efba3cc1_story.html?utm_term=.b1eba50cc5e9" target="_blank">according to The Associated Press</a>. The group started out at around 160 people leaving from San Pedro Sula, a dangerous city in Honduras, on Friday, according to the AP. It has continued to expand as news of the caravan has spread. An organizer with the group, Dunia Montoya, told The Associated Press that many of the migrants might be blocked at the Guatemalan border because they do not have official identification documents. The caravan formed a day after Vice President Pence urged the leaders of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala to warn their citizens against trying to cross the southern border. "Tell your people: Don't put your families at risk by taking the dangerous journey north to attempt to enter the United States illegally," Pence said, according to the AP.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Lesley Stahl Says Trump is ‘So Much More Confident’ as President than After the Election</em></strong></p>
<p>After <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2018/10/15/leslie-stahl-trump-more-confident-president/">interviewing President Donald Trump</a>, “60 Minutes” correspondent Lesley Stahl sat down to do an interview of her own. During a “60 Minutes Overtime” segment, Stahl called Trump “completely different” than when she interviewed him just after the 2016 election. She said he seemed “so much more confident,” and that he is “truly president.” Stahl has interviewed Trump three times; as a candidate, as president-elect, and most recently, as president. “Well, in terms of the three interviews, he was completely different,” she said. “The one that really stood out was the one three days after the election. It was my impression that he was in total shock.” She said she noticed a change when she sat down with Trump last Thursday to tape the interview, which aired Sunday night. “Right now, he’s so much more confident,” Stahl said. “He is truly president, and you felt it, I felt it, in this interview.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Dems Fear Party is Headed to Gutter from Avenatti’s Sledgehammer Approach</em></strong></p>
<p>Michael Avenatti’s attacks on the Democratic establishment are creating new friction as the party debates how abrasive an approach to take against <a href="https://thehill.com/people/donald-trump">President Trump</a>. Avenatti, who is stoking the possibility that he could run for president, calls prominent party strategists “out of touch” and “clueless” about how to win against Trump and Republicans. “I think they’re out of touch. I don't think they understand what’s required,” Avenatti said in an interview with The Hill on Monday. Democrats warn that Avenatti is dragging their party into the gutter, and they argue the Stormy Daniels attorney hurt the party’s efforts to block Supreme Court nominee <a href="https://thehill.com/people/brett-kavanaugh">Brett Kavanaugh</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">’s</span> confirmation. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>FBI Investigated Andrew McCabe in 2017 for Alleged Leak About Trump, Michael Flynn</em></strong></p>
<p>The FBI initiated an investigation into since-fired FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe in March 2017 concerning an alleged, previously unreported media leak about President Trump and former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, <a href="https://vault.fbi.gov/deputy-director-mccabe-office-of-professional-responsibility-investigation/deputy-director-mccabe-office-of-professional-responsibility-investigation-part-01-of-01/view">newly released documents publicly posted by the FBI show</a>. McCabe was <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/06/05/mccabe-asks-for-immunity-ahead-congressional-hearing-on-handling-clinton-case.html">fired in March</a> just before his planned retirement by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, following a <a href="https://redirect.viglink.com/?format=go&jsonp=vglnk_153964405569213&key=07fc33cfae8c975920593b7e84c31bbc&libId=jnawa6ie0102c1o6000DLbcfge0k9&loc=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedailybeast.com%2Fjustice-departments-inspector-general-mccabe-committed-misconduct&v=1&out=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic01.nyt.com%2Ffiles%2F2018%2Fus%2Fpolitics%2F20180413a-doj-oig-mccabe-report.pdf&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&title=Justice%20Department%E2%80%99s%20Inspector%20General%3A%20McCabe%20Committed%20Misconduct%20-%20The%20Daily%20Beast&txt=report">review by the DOJ's internal watchdog</a> that found McCabe "repeatedly" lied to investigators about his knowledge of leaks to the Wall Street Journal regarding the agency's probe into the Clinton Foundation. In reality, McCabe had authorized a series of leaks, according to the DOJ's Inspector General, and he reportedly is <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/former-fbi-official-mccabe-under-grand-jury-probe">under a grand jury investigation</a> to determine if any criminal wrongdoing took place. Monday's document release by the FBI suggested McCabe may have been involved in an additional leak that was not previously disclosed. In mid-February 2017, the bureau's Office of Public Affairs "was electronically contacted" by a source "regarding a media leak involving a statement overheard in early February 2017, allegedly made by FBI EM [employees].<br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>New York Marks First Shooting-Free Weekend in 25 Years</em></strong></p>
<p>New York has marked its <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/york-marks-first-shooting-free-weekend-25-years-231946033.html">first weekend without a shooting</a> in 25 years, police said Monday. "We went Friday, Saturday, Sunday without any shootings and homicides," New York Police Department chief James O'Neill told reporters. "That's the first time in decades, and that's something, not just the NYPD, but all New Yorkers can be proud of." The last time the most populous US city of 8.5 million had a weekend without shootings was in 1993, according to police. But there have been intermittent spikes. The weekend of October 6-7, for example, was "terrible," with several shootings in Brooklyn and the Bronx, authorities said. The number of murders is on the rise again this year, after hitting a low in 2017 with 292 total, a record since the 1950s. In the first half of 2018, the city recorded 147 murders, an eight percent increase over the same period in 2017, and mostly in Brooklyn and the Bronx.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Alumni, Faculty Push to Revoke Susan Collins' Honorary Degree Over Kavanaugh Vote</em></strong></p>
<p>Alumni and faculty at Sen. Susan Collins’ alma mater are demanding the university revoke an honorary degree she received last year after she voted to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. More than 1,800 alumni and dozens of staff members at St. Lawrence University are sending letters to the college on Tuesday calling for the revocation of the honorary degree, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alumni-and-faculty-call-on-st-lawrence-university-to-rescind-susan-collins-honorary-degree/" target="_blank">according to CBS News</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">. </span>Collins, R-Maine, graduated from the northern New York university in 1975. <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdtouS_ai57qFmZRsLAKDJeeBsXRXRybQxFeHfjrf_BB1dj1Q/viewform" target="_blank">Another message</a> signed by faculty said rescinding Collins’ 2017 honorary degree would help “dismantle rape culture” on campus. University spokesman Ryan Deuel said the university had no plans to rescind Collins’ honorary degree. "Throughout its long history, St. Lawrence University has never rescinded any earned or honorary degree, and it has no intention of doing so in this situation," Deuel told CBS News.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Mike Pompeo Meets Saudi King Over Khashoggi’s Disappearance</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. Secretary of State Mike <a href="https://www.apnews.com/4ec1eeb6c3464bbc8cda6edb35e964a0">Pompeo met on Tuesday</a> with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman over the disappearance and alleged slaying of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi, who vanished two weeks ago during a visit to the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Pompeo’s arrival came hours after a Turkish forensics team finished a search inside the consulate. Police planned a second search, this one of the Saudi consul’s home in Istanbul, a Turkish Foreign Ministry official said. Turkish officials say they fear Khashoggi was killed and dismembered inside the Istanbul consulate. Saudi officials previously have called the allegations “baseless,” but reports in U.S. media on Tuesday suggested the kingdom may acknowledge the writer was killed there. Pompeo landed in Riyadh on Tuesday morning and was welcomed by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on landing. He didn’t make any remarks to the media. Soon after, Pompeo arrived at a royal palace, where King Salman greeted him. America’s top diplomat thanked the king “for accepting my visit on behalf of President (Donald) Trump” before going into a closed-door meeting.</p>
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<p><strong><em>UConn to Offer Class on the Science of Growing Weed</em></strong></p>
<p>The University of Connecticut will soon offer a course on how to grow marijuana. The class, Horticulture of Cannabis: From Seed to Harvest, will be offered for the first time this spring, according to university publication <a href="https://today.uconn.edu/2018/10/cannabis-course-responds-industry-need/">UConn Today</a>. The course was developed in response to a “tremendous student demand,” said Gerald Berkowitz, a professor of plant science at UConn. Berkowitz told UConn Today there's a bevy of career opportunities in the budding industry and colleges need to prepare and educate the workforce for these jobs. UConn is now one of several colleges and universities delving into the cannabis industry, which has seen growth as more states across the country legalize the substance. Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge grows medical marijuana at an off-campus site and offers a course on growing as well.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column "Your Truth is a Myth"<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-10-16T13:11:00ZAlec Baldwin Calls on Voters to 'Overthrow' Government; Trump Says Defense Secretary Mattis Could Leave AdministrationBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Alec-Baldwin-Calls-on-Voters-to-Overthrow-Government;-Trump-Says-Defense-Secretary-Mattis-Could-Leave-Administration/-499396622671361082.html2018-10-15T11:53:00Z2018-10-15T11:53:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Monday, October 15, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Alec Baldwin Calls on Voters to ‘Overthrow’ Government</em></strong></p>
<p>Actor Alec Baldwin is reportedly urging voters to use the ballot box to "overthrow" the government in order to effect change on gun violence, energy policies and racial equality. “The way we implement change in America is through elections. We change governments here at home in an orderly and formal way,” Baldwin said at a fundraising dinner for the New Hampshire Democratic Party late Sunday, <a href="https://www.apnews.com/d5af6c88feb74a89afcf9d9a9e96f796" target="_blank">The Associated Press reported</a>. “In that orderly and formal way and lawful way, we need to overthrow the government of the United States under Donald Trump," he added.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Portland’s Mayor Defends Police Non-Response to Antifa’s Anarchy</em></strong></p>
<p>The mayor of Portland defended the city’s response, or lack thereof, to members of Antifa who blocked traffic and harassed bystanders after a video of the incident went viral. “I was appalled by what I saw in that clip and I support the decisions of the [<a href="https://dailycaller.com/2018/10/08/antifa-protesters-portland-traffic-riot/" target="_blank">Portland</a> Police]. I trust them,” Mayor Ted Wheeler tweeted Friday. “I believe them as the law enforcement professionals who have to weigh complex legal and safety issues, not only for the people on the streets but also for themselves.” The video was captured by journalist Andy C. Ngo and shows an older gentleman in a Lexus turning at an intersection occupied by a host of <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2018/09/25/antifa-ted-cruz-restaurant-twitter/" target="_blank">Antifa</a> protesters. After making the turn against the orders of the protesters, a mob chases the Lexus down the street banging on the car, even going so far as to break a window. Officers <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/oct/14/ted-wheeler-portland-mayor-stands-decision-allow-a/" target="_blank">reportedly</a> watched the incident unfold from a block away. The hysteria arose after more than 100 protesters took to the Portland streets to rally against the death of Patrick Kimmons, who was fatally shot by police after a gunfight which left two men wounded, according to <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/portland-antifa-protesters-caught-on-video-bullying-elderly-motorist-woman-in-wheelchair" target="_blank">Fox News</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Says Defense Secretary Mattis Could Leave Administration</em></strong></p>
<p>In an <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-60-minutes-interview-president-suggests-defense-secretary-james-mattis-could-be-next-to-leave-cabinet/">interview</a>, President Trump speculated whether Secretary of Defense James Mattis might soon leave the administration, just weeks after a book by journalist Bob Woodward reported that Mattis had privately compared Trump to a "fifth- or sixth-grader." Asked by "60 Minutes" host Lesley Stahl whether Mattis would depart, Trump responded, "Well, I don't know. He hasn't told me that." He continued: "I have a very good relationship with him. I had lunch with him two days ago. ... It could be that he is. I think he's sort of a Democrat if you want to know the truth. But General Mattis is a good guy. We get along very well. He may leave. I mean, at some point, everybody leaves. Everybody. People leave. That's Washington." The president also called reports that the White House is in chaos "so false" and "fake news." He added, "I have people now on standby that will be phenomenal. They'll come into the administration.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Poll: Melania Trump’s Favorability Bounces Back to Near Highest Levels</em></strong></p>
<p>First lady Melania Trump’s favorability rating has rebounded after lagging during the summer months, according to a SSRS poll released on Friday. The <a href="http://cdn.cnn.com/cnn/2018/images/10/12/rel9d.-.melania.trump.pdf" target="_blank">poll</a> shows 54 percent of respondents viewed Melania favorably, up three points from June and down three points from her highest rating in May. Alternatively, her unfavorability rating has remained relatively consistent at around 30 percent. Melania’s lowest rating occurred the month President Donald Trump was inaugurated in January 2017, beginning her role as the first lady with 36 percent favorability, reported <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/12/politics/melania-trump-poll-favorability/index.html" target="_blank">CNN</a>. She is viewed highly among Republicans and Independents, with a rating of 83 percent and 55 percent, respectively. However, among Democrats, only 28 percent view her favorably, with 56 percent of Democrats viewing her as unfavorably. The SSRS poll was conducted for CNN while Melania was embarking on her first solo international trip as the first lady, where she visited four African countries. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Sen. Elizabeth Warren Releases Results of DNA Test</em></strong></p>
<p>Senator Elizabeth Warren has released a DNA test that provides “strong evidence’’ she had a Native American in her family tree dating back 6 to 10 generations, an unprecedented move by one of the top possible contenders for the 2020 Democratic nomination for president. Warren, whose claims to Native American blood have been mocked by President Trump and other Republicans, provided the test results to the Globe on Sunday in an effort to defuse questions about her ancestry that have persisted for years. She planned an elaborate rollout Monday of the results as she aimed for widespread attention. The analysis of Warren’s DNA was done by Carlos D. Bustamante, a Stanford University professor and expert in the field who won a 2010 MacArthur fellowship, also known as a <a href="https://www.macfound.org/fellows/844/">genius grant</a>, for his work on tracking population migration via DNA analysis.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Hillary Clinton Says Husband's Affair Was Not an Abuse of Power</em></strong></p>
<p>Hillary Clinton vehemently denied in an interview Sunday that her husband’s extramarital affair with then-White House intern Monica Lewinsky was an abuse of power and added that former President Bill Clinton was right not to resign amid a scandal that led to his impeachment on perjury and obstruction charges. “Absolutely not,” <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hillary-clinton-cbs-sunday-morning-bill-should-absolutely-not-have-resigned-over-lewinsky-scandal/">the former first lady said</a> during the CBS "Sunday Morning" interview when asked if Bill Clinton should have stepped down. “It wasn't an abuse of power?” CBS News correspondent Tony Dokoupil asked. Clinton responded: “No. No.” Hillary Clinton, who went on to be elected to the Senate and served as President Obama’s secretary of state, said the relationship was not an abuse of power because Lewinsky “was an adult.” At the time of the affair, Lewinsky was 22.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>ABC Executives Having Second Thoughts About Firing Roseanne</em></strong></p>
<p>Two senior-level ABC executives recently said in an interview that they regret firing Roseanne Barr after she made controversial comments in a tweet about former Obama aide Valerie Jarrett. The two executives, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told <span style="text-decoration: underline;">the </span><a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6261259/ABC-fears-Conners-flop-without-Roseanne-Barr.html">Daily Mail</a> last week that firing Barr "was a 'knee-jerk' reaction by ABC's president and admitted that temporarily suspending Barr may have been a wiser decision." "We didn't think it through properly," one executive said. "What Roseanne did was wrong but we shouldn't have rushed to fire her. It was almost a knee-jerk reaction by Ben [Sherwood] and Channing [Dungey] who should have launched an investigation." ABC reportedly fears that the show's replacement, "The Conners," will be a ratings disaster because Barr's fan base will not watch "out of loyalty to the actress."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column "Your Truth is a Myth"<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-10-15T11:53:00ZPriebus: Republican Voters Energized By 'Kavanaugh Effect'; Saudi Arabia Responds to Trump, Vows to Retaliate Against Any ActionBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Priebus:-Republican-Voters-Energized-By-Kavanaugh-Effect;-Saudi-Arabia-Responds-to-Trump-Vows-to-Retaliate-Against-Any-Action/-147245056195573382.html2018-10-14T13:02:00Z2018-10-14T13:02:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, October 14, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Priebus: Republican Voters Energized By 'Kavanaugh Effect'</em></strong> </p>
<p>Former White House chief of staff Reince Priebus said Sunday that Brett Kavanaugh's successful nomination to the Supreme Court last week energized Republican-leaning voters and will boost turnout in next month's midterm elections. In an interview airing Sunday on AM 970's "The Answer" radio in New York, <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/411282-priebus-republican-voters-energized-by-kavanaugh-effect">Priebus told host John Catsimatidis</a> that the "Kavanaugh effect" over the last three weeks has closed the enthusiasm gap between Democratic and Republican voters ahead of the November's midterm elections. “Something incredible has happened over the last couple of weeks. And that’s called the 'Kavanaugh effect' on Republican voters," Priebus said, adding that Republican enthusiasm before Kavanaugh's confirmation was at a "six" out of 10 prior to the newly minted Supreme Court justice's confirmation. "Republicans were at like a six. They were happy with the economy. They were happy with the wins that we had. But they weren’t at the level where they had to be. Well, now they are at a 10," Priebus continued.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Saudi Arabia Responds to Trump, Vows to Retaliate Against Any Action</em></strong></p>
<p>Saudi Arabia is rejecting President Trump’s latest comments related to the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and vowing to retaliate to any actions. In a statement released Sunday, Saudi Arabia affirmed its “total rejection of any threats and attempts to undermine it,” according to an <a href="https://www.spa.gov.sa/1827976">English translation of the statement</a> from the Saudi Press Agency. “The kingdom also affirms that if it receives any action, it will respond with greater action,” the statement reads. Trump, in a new interview on “60 Minutes,” vowed<a href="https://thehill.com/policy/international/411248-trump-vows-severe-punishment-if-saudia-arabia-killed-journalist"> “severe punishment” if Saudi Arabia killed Khashoggi.</a> Turkish officials say they have evidence that Khashoggi was killed under orders from Riyadh inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The journalist, who was a U.S. resident and wrote for The Washington Post, entered the consulate earlier this month and was never seen leaving the building.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Alabama Grocery Store Says It Won't Sell Pepsi Products with NFL Logo to Oppose Kneeling Protests</em></strong></p>
<p>An Alabama grocery store this week announced that it will not stock Pepsi products bearing the NFL logo to protest against football players who kneel in protest during the national anthem, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/alabama-supermarket-refuses-to-sell-pepsi-products-with-nfl-logo" target="_blank">Fox News reported</a>. The S&Z Grocery located in Athens, Alabama, announced its decision in a post on its Facebook page earlier this week. “This may cause me to lose some business, but here goes. S&Z supermarket currently will not be selling 20 ounce Pepsi or Diet Pepsi,” the store said. “These two items are currently produced with the NFL logo on them. I refuse to sell the product until the logo is removed. I will not bow down in order to make a dollar as long as the athletes are allowed to bow down and disrespect the flag and country I love.” The owner of the store, Phillip Stewart, told local TV station <a href="http://www.waff.com/2018/10/11/athens-grocery-store-refusing-sell-pepsi-products-with-nfl-logo/">WAFF</a> that he pulled the products from the shelf because he felt it was “just wrong” to sell them with the logo. “I can’t in good conscious sell the product because it does have the logo on it,” Stewart said. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Hundreds of Hondurans Head for U.S. Border in Mass Migration 'March'</em></strong></p>
<p>Hundreds of Honduran migrants are headed for the United States border, just days after Vice President Pence sat down with the Central American country’s leader, urging him to take a tougher stance on mass migrations. At least 1,300 people, including young children, left San Pedro Sula in northern Honduras on Saturday, in what some are calling the “March of the Migrant,” <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-caravan/honduran-migrant-group-treks-north-as-u-s-calls-for-tighter-borders-idUSKCN1MN0RA">Reuters </a>reported. Bartolo Fuentes, the organizer, told the news agency that the group plans to march through Guatemala and into Mexico. From there, participants will request refugee status, which would allow them to stay in the country, or they will apply for a visa to pass through into the U.S.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Patriot Prayer Rally in Portland Turns Bloody</em></strong></p>
<p>Members of opposing groups violently clashed in downtown Portland, Oregon, on Saturday night during an event that was billed as a march for “law and order.” Participants with the conservative Patriot Prayer group and counter-demonstrators with Antifa got into a bloody melee outside a popular bar where members on both sides used bear spray, fists, and batons to beat each other, the <a href="https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2018/10/patriot_prayer_flash_march_cal.html">Oregonian reported</a>. Police fired pepper balls and other non-lethal impact munitions to break up the brawls and there were no immediate reports of arrests. Earlier in the evening, police reported seeing participants from both groups with hard-knuckle gloves, knives, and firearms. No weapons were reported seized. Authorities said four people received medical attention, but it was not known if any were taken to a hospital. The march, dubbed “Flash March for Law and Oder in PDX,” was organized by Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson in response to Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler’s oversight of the city’s police department. (PDX is the abbreviation for Portland International Airport that is sometimes used as shorthand for the city as well.) The Patriot Prayer group gathered around 6 p.m. near Pioneer Courthouse Square and marched through downtown holding a sign that read “Replace PDX Mayor!”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Administration Weighs New Family-Separation Effort at Border</em></strong></p>
<p>The White House is actively considering plans that could again separate parents and children at the U.S.-Mexico border, hoping to reverse soaring numbers of families attempting to cross illegally into the United States, according to several administration officials with direct knowledge of the effort. One option under consideration is for the government to detain asylum-seeking families together for up to 20 days, then give parents a choice — stay in family detention with their child for months or years as their immigration case proceeds, or allow children to be taken to a government shelter so other relatives or guardians can seek custody. That option, called “binary choice” is one of several under consideration amid the president’s frustration over border security. The number of migrant family members arrested and charged with illegally crossing the border jumped 38 percent in August and is now at a record level, according to Department of Homeland Security officials.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Pastor Brunson Meets President Trump in Oval Office, Thanks Administration for its Role in His Release</em></strong></p>
<p>American pastor Andrew Brunson met with President Trump in the Oval Office on Saturday, just one day after he was released from a two-year imprisonment in Turkey. As the two sat together, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/pastor-andrew-brunson-meets-trump-after-release-detention-turkey-n919811" target="_blank">Trump congratulated</a> the North Carolina pastor and thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his role in Brunson’s release. Brunson was arrested in October 2016 and accused of aiding terrorists through a church he and his wife operated. He was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison but was released for time served and allowed to leave Turkey, returning home on Friday. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Principal Replaced After Making a Student Take Off His Trump Jersey at a Patriotic-Themed Football Game</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>A North Carolina high school principal was replaced after she asked a student to take off his Trump jersey at a patriotic-themed football game. Cindy Gordon, the former principal at Harnett Central High School, asked Matthew Collins, 18, to remove the jersey because it was political, according to <a href="https://www.wral.com/a-week-after-harnett-student-s-trump-shirt-gets-him-kicked-out-of-game-school-has-a-new-principal/17911609/" target="_blank">WRAL</a>. The front of the jersey read “USA” in red, white and blue and the back of the shirt had the word “Trump” with the number “45” written below. Gordon informed Collins that some parents were complaining about the shirt and he had to take it off in order to stay at the game, according to the son’s father Michael Collins. Matthew Collins left the game that day. Students were encouraged to dress patriotically for the school’s football game on Oct. 5, according to <a href="https://abc11.com/society/harnett-school-forces-student-to-remove-trump-jersey-at-patriotic-themed-football-game/4456547/" target="_blank">ABC11</a> on Wednesday. Catherine Jones, who is the current principal at Harnett Primary, was named as Gordon’s replacement, according to a <a href="https://www.harnett.k12.nc.us/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=97&ModuleInstanceID=2019&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=22225&PageID=2304" target="_blank">press release</a> from Harnett County Schools Friday.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Alec Baldwin Returns to 'SNL' to Spoof Trump-Kanye West Meeting in Oval Office</em></strong></p>
<p>Alec Baldwin returned to “Saturday Night Live” to spoof this week's meeting between Kayne West and President Trump in the show’s cold open sketch. Baldwin reprised his role as Trump as he welcomed West, played by Chris Redd, into the Oval Office. Cast member Kenan Thompson played NFL legend, Jim Brown. As Trump, Baldwin first thanks West, who donned a "Make America Great Again" hat, for giving him a pair of Yeezy sneakers. Redd’s character rambles about everything from the MAGA hat to calling 13th Amendment "a trap door" and claiming that time is a "myth." “Oh, this guy might be cuckoo,” Trump says to himself in a voiceover. “And I've been in a room with Dennis Rodman and Kim Jong Un and they made a lot more sense than him.” The skit parodied an <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/president-trump-praises-kanye-wests-words-at-white-house-that-was-quite-something">entertaining meeting</a> between the real-life Trump and West in the White House on Thursday. During the press conference, West talked about a range of subjects, including the 13th and Second amendments, North Korea and Superman.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column "Your Truth is a Myth"<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-10-14T13:02:00ZHurricane Michael Aftermath; Dark Money Group Teams with Progressive Fund Led by Steyer and SorosBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Hurricane-Michael-Aftermath;-Dark-Money-Group-Teams-with-Progressive-Fund-Led-by-Steyer-and-Soros/334787349884203448.html2018-10-12T12:47:00Z2018-10-12T12:47:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, October 12, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Dark Money Group Teams with Progressive Fund Led by Steyer and Soros</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>A dark money nonprofit is teaming up with a project launched earlier this year financed by political billionaire activists Tom Steyer and George Soros in a bid to boost Democratic causes and candidates in at least 11 states, according to campaign finance disclosure documents. The State Engagement Fund, a 501(c)(4) based in Washington, D.C., does not have to disclose its donors. From late August through September, State Engagement Fund made four donations worth $2.1 million to State Victory Action. State Victory Action, meanwhile, is a 527 organization formed this year. Previous disclosures showed nearly all of that group's $11 million in seed funding had come from billionaire political activists Tom Steyer and George Soros. The <em>Washington Free Beacon</em> <a href="https://freebeacon.com/politics/fund-led-steyer-soros-rolling-state-focused-donations-strategy/" target="_blank">reported</a> earlier this month that State Victory Action was rolling out a strategy focused on state-level politics and candidates in Minnesota, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Maine.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Hurricane Michael Aftermath: Death Toll Spikes After Five Storm-Related Fatalities Reported in Virginia</em></strong></p>
<p>Hurricane Michael is no more. The violent storm that ripped through the Southeast, leaving a trail of <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2018/10/11/hurricane-michael-live-updates-powerful-storm-clobbers-the-southeast/?utm_term=.ff151cb6df19">death</a> and <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/floridas-forgotten-coast-devastated-by-historic-hurricane-michael/2018/10/11/ef9d127a-cd6f-11e8-a360-85875bac0b1f_story.html?utm_term=.09bd46d8f683">destruction</a> from Florida to Virginia, finally moved off the coast over the Atlantic Ocean overnight. It is now known as Post-Tropical Cyclone Michael. Michael made landfall in the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday as a Category 4 hurricane the strongest on record to hit the area and charged north through Georgia and into the Carolinas and Virginia, wreaking havoc and causing emergencies. In the storm’s wake lay crushed and flooded buildings, shattered lives and at least 11 deaths, a number that officials worry could rise. Nearly 1.5 million people throughout the Southeast woke up without power Friday, including more than a half-million in Virginia, according to Dominion Energy. There are about 425,000 outages in North Carolina, according to a Duke Energy spokeswoman. The Florida State Emergency Response Team reported more than 350,000 outages.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Fusion GPS Founder Will Plead the Fifth to Avoid Testifying to Congress</em></strong></p>
<p>The co-founder of the opposition research firm behind the Steele dossier, Glenn Simpson, will invoke his First and Fifth Amendment privileges to avoid testifying before Congress next week, his lawyer has told Congress. <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/411062-fusion-gps-co-founder-will-invoke-constitutional-rights-not-to" target="_blank">According to The Hill</a>, Simpson’s attorney, Joshua Levy, told House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Bob Goodlatte that Simpson will not appear for a deposition because the congressional investigation “is not designed to discover the truth.” The Virginia Republican subpoenaed Simpson on Sept. 29 after Levy said his client would not appear voluntarily for an interview before members of the House Judiciary and House Oversight & Government Reform committees. Simpson’s firm, Fusion GPS, was hired during the 2016 presidential campaign by the law firm that represented the DNC and Clinton campaign. Fusion GPS hired former British spy Christopher Steele to conduct an investigation into Donald Trump’s possible links to Russia. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Dems Struggle to Mobilize Latino Voters for Midterms</em></strong></p>
<p>Democrats have a major edge when it comes to support among female voters, but they have struggled to lock down another key voting bloc: Latinos. While midterm voter turnout among Hispanics has historically been lower than other demographic groups, many on the left have been hoping that <a href="https://thehill.com/people/donald-trump">President Trump</a>'s hardline immigration policies and heated rhetoric will lead to a surge of energized Latinos at the polls in favor of Democrats on Election Day. But with less than four weeks before the Nov. 6 midterm elections, there are signs that Democrats have room for improvement with Hispanic voters. Latinos are positioned to help decide key races in California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, and Florida, where Democrats need to notch victories in order to take back the House and Senate. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Kimmel on Trump-Kanye Meeting: Conversation Was Typical of 'People Wearing Hospital Bracelets'</em></strong></p>
<p>Last night host Jimmy Kimmel on Thursday mocked rapper Kanye West and President Trump for their meeting in the Oval Office earlier in the day. The “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” host told his audience that he had no idea why they decided to allow cameras into the highly-anticipated meeting to capture the surreal interaction. “Not only was this a crazy conversation for this White House, this is the kind of conversation that would typically be held between people wearing hospital bracelets.” Kanye sat across from a quiet Trump at the Resolute Desk wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat and <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/410989-trump-meets-kanye-at-surreal-oval-office-meeting" target="_blank">launching into a 10-minute uninterrupted tirade</a> laced with profanity. The topics discussed by the rapper included his mental health issues, the prison system and his past call for the abolishment of the 13th Amendment.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Clinton Fires Back at Trump: 'You Asked Russia to Hack Me on National Television'</em></strong></p>
<p>Hillary Clinton offered one of her most <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/411049-clinton-fires-back-at-trump-you-asked-russia-to-hack-me-on">direct rebukes of President Trump</a> in months on Thursday after Trump accused her of colluding with Russia during the 2016 presidential election at his campaign rally in Pennsylvania Wednesday night. At the rally Wednesday night, Trump told an arena of supporters that there was "collusion between Hillary, the Democrats, and Russia" during the 2016 election. An intelligence community assessment in 2017 concluded that Russia's efforts were aimed at undermining the Clinton campaign. "There was a lot of collusion with them and Russia and lots of other people," Trump added during the rally. "Seriously, you asked Russia to hack me on national television," Clinton responded in a tweet Thursday afternoon.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Washington State Court Throws Out Death Penalty</em></strong></p>
<p>Washington's Supreme Court unanimously <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/washington-state-court-throws-out-death-penalty-calling-it-racially-biased">struck down the state's death penalty</a> Thursday, ruling that it had been used in an arbitrary and racially discriminatory manner. Washington has had a moratorium on executions since 2014, but the ruling makes it the 20th state to do away with capital punishment by legislative act or court decree. The court converted the sentences of the eight people on Washington's death row to life in prison. "The death penalty is unequally applied -- sometimes by where the crime took place, or the county of residence, or the available budgetary resources at any given point in time, or the race of the defendant," Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst wrote in the lead opinion.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Pope Francis Accepts Resignation of Cardinal Wuerl, DC Archbishop Linked to Sex-Abuse Cover-Up</em></strong></p>
<p>Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Donald Wuerl, who has been implicated in the Roman Catholic church's sex-abuse cover-up scandal, according to reports. The Vatican didn’t immediately name a new archbishop, the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/pope-francis-accepts-d-c-archbishop-wuerls-resignation-1539338834">Wall Street Journal</a> reported. A source familiar with the matter told the paper that Wuerl would serve on an interim basis until a replacement was chosen. The cardinal, 77, was <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/angry-catholic-parishioner-yells-shame-on-you-to-embattled-washington-archbishop-during-mass">under fire for his mixed record</a> of dealing with abusive priests while he was a bishop in Pennsylvania for 18 years. A Pennsylvania grand jury report accused Wuerl of allowing priests accused of sexually abusing children to be reassigned or reinstated. The report released last month documented abuse by 300 priests over the course of 70 years.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column "Your Truth is a Myth"<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">- Purchase <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-10-12T12:47:00ZGOP Fractured Over Filling Supreme Court Vacancies in 2020, Hurricane Michael Left Path of Destruction, and it isn't Done YetBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/GOP-Fractured-Over-Filling-Supreme-Court-Vacancies-in-2020-Hurricane-Michael-Left-Path-of-Destruction-and-it-isnt-Done-Yet/-528864795877831037.html2018-10-11T13:32:00Z2018-10-11T13:32:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, October 11, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump: Nunes Should Receive Medal of Honor</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Thursday heaped praise on House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), saying he deserves the nation's highest military honors for his efforts to push back on the Russia investigation. "If this turns out as everyone thinks it will, Devin Nunes should get the Medal of Honor," Trump said during an interview on <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/410915-trump-nunes-should-receive-medal-of-honor">"Fox & Friends."</a> The president later suggested Nunes should receive the highest civilian honor, the Medal of Freedom. The California lawmaker has made numerous document requests to the Justice Department regarding the Russia investigation. Republicans say the efforts are meant to make the probe more transparent, but critics say the moves are designed to slow down or halt the probe. <br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>GOP Fractured Over Filling Supreme Court Vacancies in 2020</em></strong></p>
<p>Early lines of division are opening up among top Senate Republicans over a potential 2020 Supreme Court fight. Days after the Senate confirmed <a href="https://thehill.com/people/brett-kavanaugh">Brett Kavanaugh</a> to the court, key GOP lawmakers are giving different answers over whether they’d fill a Supreme Court seat if there is an opening in 2020, the next presidential election year. Senate Majority Leader <a href="https://thehill.com/people/mitch-mcconnell">Mitch McConnell</a> (R-Ky.) refused to rule out taking up a nomination in 2020, even though Republicans blocked <a href="https://thehill.com/people/merrick-garland">Merrick Garland</a>, President Obama’s nominee, from getting a hearing or a vote in the presidential election year of 2016. McConnell, suggesting 2020 could be different, pointed out that at the time the Senate and White House were controlled by different parties. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://thehill.com/people/chuck-grassley">Chuck Grassley</a></span> (R-Iowa), fresh off the brutal Kavanaugh fight, told Fox News that if he is still committee chairman and there is a Supreme Court opening in 2020, the panel “won’t take it up.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump on Hillary Clinton's Rejection of Civility: 'That's Why She Lost'</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>It is the election that won’t end and, at least according to President Trump, a prelude to the current national hostility. Before going onstage in Erie, Penn., Trump responded to his former rival, <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/interview-president-trump-another-republican-president-would-have-taken-the-easier-path-by-dropping-kavanaugh" target="_blank">telling</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span>the <em>Washington Examiner</em>’s Salena Zito that Hillary Clinton’s rejection of civility was just another reason why she failed and he succeeded. "I saw the statement by Hillary and that's why she lost - because she never got it. From day one, she never got it,” Trump told Zito. Civility wasn’t on display during the campaign, according to Trump, and it is easy to see why he makes that connection. A little more than two years ago, Clinton panned her opposition as nothing more than “a basket of deplorables.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Dr. Christine Blasey Ford Nominated for UNC’s Distinguished Alumna Award</em></strong></p>
<p>Dr. Christine Blasey Ford has been nominated for University of North Carolina’s distinguished alumna award after publicly coming forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Jennifer Ho, a professor in the Department of English and Comparative Literature, nominated Ford. <a href="https://www.wnct.com/news/north-carolina/unc-professor-nominates-christine-blasey-ford-for-distinguished-alumna-award/1509895333" target="_blank">CBS 17</a>, the local affiliate, published the letter in its entirety on Tuesday. The letter read in part, “What Dr. Blasey Ford did on September 27, 2018 was something that was extraordinary in how ordinary it was: she told the truth about a sexual assault she experienced when she was fifteen years old at the hands of Judge Brett Kavanaugh. She made a statement and then answered questions for over three hours in front of a Senate Judiciary Committee with the cameras of the world trained on her.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Hurricane Michael Left Path of Destruction, and it isn’t Done Yet</em></strong></p>
<p>The third-most powerful hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland in recorded history left a wide path of destruction across Florida and Georgia, destroying homes and shopping centers and felling trees that killed at least two people. And it’s not done yet. <a href="https://www.apnews.com/3cdbb4c6702f49eeae0d5fae6b917592">Hurricane Michael</a> finally weakened to a tropical storm on Thursday, no longer a Category 4 monster packing 155 mph winds. But it was still menacing the Southeast with heavy rains, blustery winds and possible spinoff tornadoes, soaking areas swamped by epic flooding last month from Hurricane Florence. By 5 a.m., Michael’s eye was about 45 miles west of Augusta, Georgia, packing top winds of 50 mph and moving at 21 mph into South Carolina, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said. Thousands of law enforcement officers and search and rescue teams rolled out in its wake to find survivors amid the wreckage of homes where people defied evacuation orders. Michael washed away white sand beaches, hammered military bases and destroyed coastal communities, stripping trees to stalks, shredding roofs, toppling trucks and pushing boats into buildings.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>FBI Raid Thwarts Election Day Bomb Plan</em></strong></p>
<p>A New York man faces charges Wednesday over building a 200-pound bomb, which authorities said he planned to use to blow himself up in Washington on Election Day, according to the Associated Press. The FBI allegedly found a functional bomb in Paul Rosenfeld's basement in a Tuesday raid, according to court documents. The AP reported prosecutors say he planned to detonate the bomb on the National Mall to draw attention to a political system in which officials are chosen at random, called sortation. Rosenfeld concocted a twisted plan to draw attention to his political ideology by killing himself on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. — risking harm to many others in the process," U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said in a statement, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/rockland/orangetown/2018/10/10/orangetown-cops-fbi-serve-arrest-warrant-following-threats/1589824002/" target="_blank">reported by LoHud.com</a></span>. "Rosenfeld’s alleged plan for an Election Day detonation cut against our democratic principles."</p>
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<p><strong><em>President Trump, Kanye West to Have White House Lunch</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump is <a href="https://www.apnews.com/bd17e63a655b4f73946dd95d83bb4dbe">having lunch</a> Thursday with rapper Kanye West, who he calls a longtime friend. Trump told “Fox and Friends” Thursday: “He’s a different kind of guy and that’s OK with me.” The White House has said they will talk about manufacturing, prison reform, preventing gang violence and reducing violence in Chicago, where West grew up. Also attending is former NFL great Jim Brown, a civil rights leader who has met with Trump previously. Trump recently tweeted praise for West, who closed a “Saturday Night Live” show wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat and delivering an unscripted pro-Trump message after the credits rolled.<br /><br /></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column "Your Truth is a Myth"<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> is available today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-10-11T13:32:00ZTrump Says He Wants to Hold Next Kim Summit After Midterms; Nikki Haley Resigns as UN Ambassador, Stays Mum on Next MoveBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Says-He-Wants-to-Hold-Next-Kim-Summit-After-Midterms;-Nikki-Haley-Resigns-as-UN-Ambassador-Stays-Mum-on-Next-Move/477643201896005477.html2018-10-10T12:29:00Z2018-10-10T12:29:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, October 10, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Says He Wants to Hold Next Kim Summit After Midterms</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump told reporters Tuesday that he aims to hold his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un after the November midterms. "I just can't leave now," said Trump, who has stepped up his campaigning for Republicans as election day approaches. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Kim earlier Sunday and had a conversation that Pompeo described as "good, productive" toward Pyongyang giving up its nuclear capabilities. "As President Trump said, there are many steps along the way and we took one of them today," Pompeo said of the meeting. "It was another step forward." After he left the meeting, Pompeo told South Korean President Moon Jae-in that Kim is ready to meet with Trump "as soon as possible," <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/410329-south-korea-kim-has-agreed-to-meet-with-trump-again-as-soon-as">according to Moon's office</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span></p>
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<p><strong><em>Nikki Haley Resigns as UN Ambassador, Stays Mum on Next Move</em></strong></p>
<p>Nikki Haley abruptly <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/nikki-haley-resigns-as-un-ambassador-stays-mum-on-next-move">announced her resignation</a> Tuesday as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, catching staff and lawmakers by surprise and leaving Washington guessing about the next move for one of the administration's most prominent figures. Speaking in the Oval Office alongside President Trump, who accepted the resignation, Haley said she would serve through the end of 2018. She preemptively sought to mute speculation she might run against her old boss, stressing that she will support Trump and will not campaign for the White House in 2020. Haley called her time at the U.N. a "blessing," but offered no reason for leaving other than a belief that government officials must know "when it’s time to step aside." Trump told reporters that Haley did "an incredible job" and is a "fantastic person." He said she had told him six months ago that she wanted to take a break "maybe at the end of the year. Hopefully, you'll be coming back at some point, maybe in another capacity," he told her. "You can have your pick."</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump: Five People on Short List to Replace Haley as UN Ambassador</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump said Tuesday he has five people on his short list to replace Nikki Haley as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Trump told reporters in his office aboard the presidential aircraft that Dina Powell, his former deputy national security adviser, is on the shortlist. "Dina would love it," he said. Powell <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/363970-wapo-dina-powell-leaving-white-house" target="_blank">left the Trump administration</a> at the beginning of the year after serving as a deputy national security adviser, where she focused on Middle East policy. Trump said Richard Grenell, the U.S. ambassador to Germany, is not on the short list but he is willing to consider him for the post. Grenell is well-liked among Trump allies and White House staffers. As he departed for Iowa, Trump told reporters at the White House that his daughter, Ivanka Trump, would make an "incredible" ambassador to the United Nations, but conceded that appointing her would lead to accusations of nepotism. "I think Ivanka would be incredible," he continued. "You’d be accused of nepotism, even though I’m not sure there’s anybody more competent in the world."</p>
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<p><strong><em>McCarthy Introducing Bill to Fully Fund Trump Border Wall</em></strong></p>
<p>House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., has <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mccarthy-to-introduce-bill-to-fully-fund-trumps-border-wall">signaled his intent</a> to introduce legislation this week that would fully fund President Trump’s wall on along the nation's southern border. The legislation by McCarthy, who is looking to drum up support among the GOP's rank and file as he eyes House Speaker Paul Ryan's speakership, is expected to call for full wall funding alongside other enforcement measures already approved in the House. “Few things are more fundamental to a nation than a protected border,” McCarthy tweeted on Tuesday. “Proud to introduce the Build the Wall, Enforce the Law Act.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>AP: Migrant Children May be Adopted After Parents are Deported</em></strong></p>
<p>Holes in immigration laws are allowing state court judges to grant custody of migrant children to American families without notifying their deported parents, <a href="https://apnews.com/97b06cede0c149c492bf25a48cb6c26f" target="_blank">the Associated Press reported</a> Tuesday. The AP scoured hundreds of court documents and immigration records to reveal several cases of children being permanently, legally taken from their families after initial separations. In a statement to The Hill, a DHS spokeswoman said that all of the cases the AP has reviewed came under the Obama administration, emphasizing that all of the adoptions so far have been done legally. "DHS takes seriously our responsibility for those in our custody without the opportunity dexto look into these claims as we were not provided a name, alien number, or identifying details we find this claim to be baseless," the spokeswoman said. State governments tend to run child-welfare systems so, inconsistencies between federal law and its application at the state level are frequent. AP's conclusions are especially important given that 300 parents were deported to Central America without their children just this summer as part of the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" policy at the border.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Hurricane Michael is 'Extremely Dangerous'</em></strong></p>
<p>A terrifyingly powerful Category 4 Hurricane Michael was poised to become <span style="text-decoration: underline;">the </span><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2018/10/09/weather/hurricane-michael-stats-superlatives-wxc-trnd/index.html">strongest hurricane to hit the Florida Panhandle in recorded history</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span>Wednesday, its rapid strengthening catching some by surprise and leaving anxious officials telling those who didn't evacuate: It's time to hunker down. "What we're trying to communicate to our folks is: You've made your decision. It's time to hunker down and ride out this storm," Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum said Wednesday morning. Michael is <a href="https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT4+shtml/100251.shtml" target="_blank">extremely dangerous</a> and could further strengthen before making landfall in the Panhandle, perhaps near Panama City Beach, in the early afternoon, CNN meteorologist Chad Myers said. Among the dangers: Flash-flooding with heavy rain; life-threatening storm surges up to 13 feet high; and devastating winds, not just in the Panhandle, but southern Alabama and Georgia. If the eyewall hits the coast at 140 mph or 145 mph, as predicted, it would deliver damage like a strong tornado. "But instead of lasting 30 seconds, it lasts for one hour," Myers said. "There will be hundreds of thousands, if not millions, without power for a very long time," Myers said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column "<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Anger-Poll/-285310037878138611.html">The Anger Poll</a>"<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> is available today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-10-10T12:29:00ZTrump on Rosenstein: 'Not Making Any Changes'; Trump Says Democrats Will Turn America Into VenezuelaBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-on-Rosenstein:-Not-Making-Any-Changes;-Trump-Says-Democrats-Will-Turn-America-Into-Venezuela/-543872790446691598.html2018-10-09T12:09:00Z2018-10-09T12:09:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, October 9, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>A Senate Democrat Reportedly Outsourced Parts of The Trump-Russia Probe to Operative Linked to Soros, Fusion GPS</em></strong></p>
<p>A Democratic senator outsourced parts of the investigation into possible Trump-Russia collusion to a former Senate staffer with links to George Soros and Fusion GPS, according to a New Yorker report. The New Yorker <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/10/15/was-there-a-connection-between-a-russian-bank-and-the-trump-campaign" target="_blank">reports</a> the unidentified senator contacted Daniel Jones, a former Senate Intelligence Committee staffer, around March 2017 to review data regarding a possible link between the computer servers of the Trump Organization and a Russian bank called Alfa Bank. Jones, who worked under California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein when she chaired the intelligence panel, had just formed a non-profit group called the Democracy Integrity Project. The organization worked closely with Fusion GPS and former British spy Christopher Steele, the tag-team duo that produced the Democrat-funded dossier accusing the Trump campaign of colluding with the Kremlin. Jones’s operation was also funded by a small group of billionaires, including left-wing philanthropist George Soros. Jones told the FBI in March 2017 that between 7 and 10 billionaires had put up $50 million to continue an investigation into Russian meddling in elections.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump on Rosenstein: 'Not Making Any Changes'</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Monday gave his clearest indication yet that deputy attorney general <a href="https://thehill.com/people/rod-rosenstein">Rod Rosenstein</a>'s job is safe, at least for now. "I’m not making any changes. You’d be the first to know," Trump told reporters at the White House when asked if he plans to fire the top Justice Department official. Trump said he had a "very nice talk" with Rosenstein aboard Air Force One, a meeting he called to discuss the deputy attorney general's future in the administration. "We actually get along," Trump said of Rosenstein. The president's comments capped off a day that began with speculation swirling about whether Rosenstein would keep his job. By all indications, Trump and Rosenstein used their <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/410437-trump-has-good-talk-with-rosenstein">45-minute discussion</a> aboard the presidential aircraft to bury the hatchet. Trump took the air out of the speculation even before he sat down with Rosenstein when he told reporters he had <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/410404-trump-says-he-has-no-plans-to-fire-rosenstein">no plans to fire</a> him.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Says Democrats Will Turn America Into Venezuela</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump lashed out at Democrats for their treatment of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation process, while speaking with reporters on the White House driveway. Trump was asked about the situation dealing with Kavanaugh, who was <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2018/10/06/brett-kavanaugh-confirmed-supreme-court/" target="_blank">confirmed</a> Saturday by the Senate, saying that Democrats overplayed their hand with the allegations. “The things they said about him, I don’t even think he ever heard of the words. It was all made up. It was fabricated. And it’s a disgrace. And I think it’s going to really show you something come November 6th,” Trump said. Trump then <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2018/08/20/venezuelas-socialists-orders-taxes/" target="_blank">claimed</a> that Democrats would turn American into the crumbling socialist country of Venezuela. “I think a lot of Democrats are going to vote Republican because I have many friends that are Democrats,” Trump said. “The main base of the Democrats have shifted so far left that we’ll end up being Venezuela. This country would end up being Venezuela. I think a lot of Democrats are going to be voting Republican on November 6th.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Poll: Trump's Approval Rating Spikes at Conclusion of Kavanaugh Confirmation Fight</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump's approval rating has bounced back as the 2018 midterm campaign season enters the final stretch, according to a new poll. More than 40 percent of respondents <span style="text-decoration: underline;">to </span><a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/08/politics/cnn-poll-kavanaugh-confirmation/index.html">a CNN poll</a>, the results of which were released Monday, approve of the job Trump is doing in the White House, up 5 percentage points from September. Meanwhile, disapproval for the president softened, decreasing 6 percentage points to 52 percentage points. CNN's survey was put in the field as it became more certain the Senate would confirm Trump's second Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Damage Estimate for Florence Puts Hurricane as One of The Costliest to Hit U.S.</em></strong></p>
<p>Hurricane Florence is expected to go down as the sixth costliest hurricane to hit in U.S. history in terms of property damage. More than a month has passed since Florence made landfall on the coast of the Carolinas on Sept. 14, resulting in widespread destruction. Researchers from Moody's Analytics believe a swath of land stretching from Virginia down to Georgia will see $44 billion in damage due mostly to the heavy rainfall up to 36 inches in some spots and resulting flooding. "Losses will no doubt be exacerbated by a lack of flood insurance," <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/07/us/florence-storm-damage-estimates/index.html" target="_blank">according to</a> the Moody's report. "Property owners also sometimes let their flood insurance lapse because they don't have a mortgage or because their lender doesn't check." This estimate would put it within the top 10 costliest when compared to National Hurricane Center <a href="https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/news/UpdatedCostliest.pdf" target="_blank">data</a>.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Likes Taylor Swift '25 Percent Less' After Tennessee Endorsement</em></strong> </p>
<p>President Trump said Monday he likes Taylor Swift's music "25 percent" less after her endorsement of the Democrat in Tennessee’s Senate race. When told of Swift's endorsement, Trump called Republican candidate Rep. Marsha Blackburn a "tremendous woman" and said the pop star "doesn't know anything about her." Trump told reporters on the South Lawn of the White House after returning from a trip to Florida, "Let's say that I like Taylor's music about 25 percent less now, OK?" Swift broke her career-long silence on politics when she endorsed former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen (D) over Blackburn for the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Bob Corker (R). She also backed a Democratic House candidate in the state. “As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn,” <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/410338-taylor-swift-breaks-silence-on-politics-supports-democrats-in" target="_blank">Swift wrote on Instagram</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span> “I will be voting for Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Dem Senator Blames Michael Avenatti for Turning Kavanaugh Fight Into ‘Circus,’ Distracting From ‘Serious Allegations’</em></strong></p>
<p>Democratic Michigan Senator Gary Peters faulted anti-Trump lawyer Michael Avenatti Sunday, saying that his forwarding of a dubious sexual assault allegation against Justice Brett Kavanaugh was ultimately not helpful. Avenatti's client Julie Swetnick initially claimed that when she attended high school parties with Brett Kavanaugh, she watched the Trump Supreme Court nominee spike punch with alcohol for the intention of partaking in gang rape. At first Senate Democrats embraced the allegation, saying the FBI should investigate "<a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/dem/releases/senate-democrats-fbi-must-investigate-all-credible-allegations-of-sexual-assault-against-judge-brett-kavanaugh">all credible allegations</a>" including "claims brought forward by Julie Swetnick." But not long afterward, Swetnick <a href="https://freebeacon.com/politics/nbc-reporter-swetnick-backtracks-earlier-kavanaugh-claims/">walked back</a> her claims, now saying she could no longer say for sure she watched Kavanaugh spike punch. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column "<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Anger-Poll/-285310037878138611.html">The Anger Poll</a>"<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">“Killing the SS”</a> is available today!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-10-09T12:09:00ZWhite House, Senate Judiciary Receive Kavanaugh FBI Report; FBI Lacks White House Approval to Talk to Kavanaugh and FordBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/White-House-Senate-Judiciary-Receive-Kavanaugh-FBI-Report;-FBI-Lacks-White-House-Approval-to-Talk-to-Kavanaugh-and-Ford/963631087435911645.html2018-10-04T12:37:00Z2018-10-04T12:37:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, October 4, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>White House, Senate Judiciary Receive Kavanaugh FBI Report</em></strong></p>
<p>The FBI's new report on Brett Kavanaugh has been delivered to the White House and the Senate Judiciary Committee. An administration source tells Axios there's nothing in it that's likely to stall confirmation. "Never will satisfy critics," the source said. "But it's not problematic." Raj Shah said in a statement emailed at 2:29 a.m.: "The White House<strong> </strong>has received the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s supplemental background investigation into Judge Kavanaugh, and it is being transmitted to the Senate. With Leader McConnell’s cloture filing, Senators have been given ample time to review this seventh background investigation. This is the last addition to the most comprehensive review of a Supreme Court nominee in history, which includes extensive hearings, multiple committee interviews, over 1,200 questions for the record and over a half million pages of documents. With this additional information, the White House is fully confident the Senate will vote to confirm Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court." The Senate plans to begin a series of votes tomorrow, with the final vote expected over the weekend. "All 100 senators and a handful of Senate staff will be able to read the FBI’s new report," <a href="https://apnews.com/d7c5b4adb5af45c98c0866e57ba3c38f/Who-sees-it?-Senators,-staff-to-have-access-to-FBI-report">per AP</a>. "They are not supposed to divulge the contents ... According to a preliminary schedule, Republicans will read the first hour, starting Thursday morning, and Democrats will read the hour after that."</p>
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<p><strong><em>GOP Senators Await FBI Report in Anxiety-Filled Capitol</em></strong></p>
<p>Senators nervously awaited the arrival of a new FBI report on sexual allegations that could make or break Brett Kavanaugh’s <a href="https://apnews.com/cb53231a099640029c2b648824dd7d1c/GOP-senators-await-FBI-report-in-anxiety-filled-Capitol">tottering Supreme Court nomination Wednesday</a> as aggressive protesters and an unusually strong security response added to a feeling of high anxiety inside the U.S. Capitol. As lawmakers anticipated the report, three key GOP senators who could decide the conservative jurist’s fate rebuked President Donald Trump for mocking one accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, by mimicking her responses to questions at last week’s dramatic Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Their reactions left Republicans concerned that Trump had complicated their effort to cement Kavanaugh’s support in a chamber where the GOP holds a razor-thin 51-49 majority. Depending on when the FBI report arrived, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was expected to trigger a process that could lead to a crucial initial vote Friday and a climactic confirmation roll call over the weekend.</p>
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<p><strong><em>FBI Lacks White House Approval to Talk to Kavanaugh and Ford, Sources Say</em></strong></p>
<p>The FBI hasn’t interviewed Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh or Christine Blasey Ford because <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-10-03/fbi-said-to-lack-white-house-approval-to-talk-to-kavanaugh-ford">it doesn’t have clear authority</a> from the White House to do so, according to two people with knowledge of the matter. Instead, the White House has indicated to the FBI that testimony from Kavanaugh and Ford, who has accused him of attempting to rape her when they were in high school, before the Senate Judiciary Committee last week is sufficient, said the people, who asked to not be identified discussing the sensitive matter. The new evidence of constraints on the FBI probe came as Republican Senator Bob Corker told reporters the FBI is likely to give senators a stack of interview reports. He said senators were told in a GOP meeting that a vote on cutting off debate is likely on Friday to move toward a confirmation vote on Kavanaugh. A tentative plan for viewing the report is that a single copy will be available in a secure room for senators to view starting Thursday morning, at one-hour intervals alternating between Republicans and Democrats, according to a person briefed on the matter.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Koppel on CNN’s Coverage of Trump: ‘CNN’s Ratings Would Be in the Toilet Without Donald Trump’</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Veteran journalist Ted Koppel said CNN's ratings "would be in the toilet" if it weren't for President Donald Trump, noting how the president has been good for ratings and made the network a lot of money. Koppel, who served as the anchor for ABC's "Nightline" for 25 years and was a broadcast journalist for ABC another 20 years before that, participated in a panel discussion at the National Press Club, where he <a href="https://freebeacon.com/politics/koppel-cnns-coverage-trump-cnns-ratings-toilet-donald-trump/?utm_source=Freedom+Mail&utm_campaign=f20de9dcd6-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_03_19_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b5e6e0e9ea-f20de9dcd6-46474477">spoke of the media's coverage of Trump</a>. "I think that we've left out a key word. Everybody here keeps talking about ideology and politics. Money, money, money. Donald Trump has been very very good for baseball," said Koppel, referring to the news industry. "He has been wonderful for the industry. Your boss acknowledged as much a number of months ago during the campaign," Koppel said in reference to CNN president Jeff Zucker.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>1-In-3 Pass ‘US Citizenship Test,’ Just 19% for Americans 45 and Younger</em></strong> </p>
<p>Just a third of Americans can pass a multiple choice "U.S. Citizenship Test," fumbling over such simple questions as the cause of the Cold War or naming just one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for. And of Americans 45 and younger, the passing rate is a tiny 19 percent, according to a survey done for the <a href="https://woodrow.org/" target="_blank">Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation.</a> Worse: The actual test only requires that 60 percent of the answers be correct. In the survey, just 36 percent passed. Among the embarrassing errors uncovered in the survey of questions taken from the U.S. Citizenship Test and conducted by Lincoln Park Strategies: 72 percent of respondents either incorrectly identified or were unsure of which states were part of the 13 original states. 24 percent could correctly identify one thing Benjamin Franklin was famous for, with 37 percent believing he invented the lightbulb. 12 percent incorrectly thought WWII General Dwight Eisenhower led troops in the Civil War. 2 percent said the Cold War was caused by climate change.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Far from United: Political Divide in America the Worst It’s Ever Been</em></strong></p>
<p>It may not be so hard to believe during this murky political landscape, but a new study finds the divide between Democrats and Republicans is the worst it’s ever been, more so than many people may even think. The research, conducted by <a href="https://www.zacharyneal.com/polarization" target="_blank">Zachary Neal</a>, an associate professor of psychology and global urban studies at Michigan State University, is among the first to measure polarization not only by examining the frequency of parties working together but also by demonstrating how they’ve grown more distant than any other time in modern history. Neal points out that neither side is to blame for the growing rift. Regardless of the party that holds the majority in Congress or controls the White House, the political divide has widened all the same. “What I’ve found is that polarization has been steadily getting worse since the early 1970s,” he explains in a university <a href="https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2018/democrat-republican-divide-is-worst-its-ever-been/" target="_blank">release</a>. “Today, we’ve hit the ceiling on polarization. At these levels, it will be difficult to make any progress on social or economic policies.” For the study, Neal examined the legislative networks of every U.S. Senator and Representative between 1973 and 2016. He also reviewed bills presented before Congress during the period, specifically looking for bipartisan legislation that was co-sponsored by members from both parties. He found that while polarization was still strong in the 1970s, it’s continued to worsen, particularly since the early 1990s. Neal defines polarization in two ways: <em>weak polarization</em>, which occurs when parties simply don’t work together; and <em>strong polarization</em>, which occurs when a party not only shuns the other side but also outwardly attacks opponents or paints them in a negative light. He showed that strong polarization actually dipped in the early and mid-1970s, only to take a steady turn for the worse by 1980. In effect, fewer lawmakers are coming together to co-sponsor attempts at bipartisan bills, and instead, more are taking time to rail against the other side of the aisle.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>U.S. Navy Veteran Arrested in Utah in Suspicious Mailings</em></strong></p>
<p>A U.S. Navy veteran in Utah was <a href="https://www.apnews.com/98287cb9efa14a76b7b8546f41d2a0b3/US-Navy-veteran-arrested-in-Utah-in-suspicious-mailings">arrested Wednesday</a> in connection with suspicious envelopes that were sent to President Donald Trump and top military chiefs. William Clyde Allen III, 39, was taken into custody in in the small northern Utah city of Logan, said Melodie Rydalch, a spokeswoman for the state’s U.S. attorney’s office. The arrest comes after authorities confirmed an investigation into two envelopes once thought to contain ricin and later found to be castor seeds, the substance from which the poison is derived. They can cause injury if swallowed. The FBI said there were potentially hazardous chemicals involved with their operation in Utah on Wednesday, but declined to give additional details. No attorney was immediately listed for Allen. The envelopes addressed to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and the Navy’s top officer, Adm. John Richardson, were isolated at a mail screening facility and sent to the FBI. No one was injured, and neither envelope entered the Pentagon. Mattis is traveling in Europe this week. An envelope also was sent to the president Monday with unknown contents. The Secret Service says it didn’t reach the White House. Allen served in the Navy from 1998 to 2002, according to Navy records. He worked as a damage control fireman apprentice.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Paris to Ban Cars in City Center One Sunday a Month</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Paris’s city center is going <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/paris-car-free-sundays-city-centre-france-pedestrian-a8566991.html">car-free</a> for the first Sunday of every month to help improve air quality and share public spaces more fairly. Starting October 7, the move is part of the French capital’s Paris Respire initiative, spearheaded by Mayor Anne Hidalgo. It’s already in place in several parts of the city, but will now be rolled out to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th arrondissements. From 10am to 6pm, pedestrians and those on bikes, scooters and rollerblades will be permitted into the city center. However, local residents, delivery vehicles, public transport, and taxis will also be allowed to enter and leave via designated access points – although vehicles must limit their speed to 20 mph. Repairmen and those attending a religious service in the city center also have the go-ahead to use their cars.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/OReilly-on-Kavanaugh-Fighting-for-His-Life/416285935079854179.html">O'Reilly on Kavanaugh “Fighting for His Life”</a></span></strong><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">Pre-Order “Killing the SS”</a> (available 10/9) on BillOReilly.com and get a <strong>FREE COPY</strong> of “Old School”!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-10-04T12:37:00ZSenate GOP Coy on When Final Vote on Kavanaugh Will Happen; Trump Mocks Ford Testimony at Mississippi RallyBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Senate-GOP-Coy-on-When-Final-Vote-on-Kavanaugh-Will-Happen;-Trump-Mocks-Ford-Testimony-at-Mississippi-Rally/443023045758884043.html2018-10-03T11:42:00Z2018-10-03T11:42:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, October 3, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></span><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>Senate GOP Coy on When Final Vote on Kavanaugh Will Happen</em></strong></p>
<p>Republicans are navigating a political minefield as they try to steer the Senate <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/409587-senate-gop-coy-on-when-final-vote-on-kavanaugh-will-happen?userid=288034">toward a vote this week</a> on Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination. GOP leadership wants to take up the nomination by the end of the week, and senators say they have been told to be “on call” to vote on Kavanaugh’s nomination during a rare weekend session. But they’ve been wary of publicly locking down a timetable for floor action beyond saying a vote will take place “this week.” Specific timing plan could spook swing votes and/or look like they are rushing the FBI to wrap up its ongoing investigation on Kavanaugh. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) dodged questions about a timeline when pressed by reporters on Tuesday. “I’m not going to answer all these hypotheticals. You all know how it works. After you file cloture you have a two-day wait, so it’s not like filing cloture produces an immediate vote,” McConnell told reporters. “What I can tell you with certainty is we’ll have an FBI report this week and we’ll have a vote this week.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Corker Predicts Kavanaugh Will Be Confirmed, Says Dems 'Overplayed Their Hand'</em></strong></p>
<p>Sen. Bob Corker, a Tennessee Republican who at times has been at odds with President Trump, told <a href="https://thehill.com/hilltv/rising/409573-corker-predicts-gop-has-votes-to-confirm-kavanaugh-slams-dems-as-having">Hill.TV</a> on Tuesday evening that he is confident Senate Republicans will have enough votes to confirm Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh by "no later than Saturday." Corker also accused Democrats of having "overplayed their hand" in leveling accusations of sexual misconduct and assault by several women and demanding an FBI investigation. The Senate had previously been scheduled to vote on Kavanaugh’s nomination but the Republican majority on Friday agreed to a demand from some members to delay the vote by one week to give the FBI more time to investigate the accusations. “Cloture may be filed tomorrow … it feels to me like the FBI reports could come in as early as tomorrow, maybe Thursday … my guess is we’re going to vote no later than Saturday,” Corker said in an interview. He said he made that assessment after some "very heartfelt conversations" with his GOP colleagues. Asked if Kavanaugh will win confirmation, Corker replied: “I do.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Mocks Ford Testimony at Mississippi Rally</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump at a rally on Tuesday night <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/409596-trump-mocks-ford-testimony-at-mississippi-rally">mocked testimony</a> from Christine Blasey Ford, one of the women accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct. "36 years ago, this happened," Trump said at the rally in Mississippi, referring to the party in 1982 where Ford alleges Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her. Trump then launched into a mocking imitation of Ford as she testified at last week's hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, prompting applause and laughter from the audience. "How did you get home?" Trump said. "I don't remember. How'd you get there? I don't remember. Where is the place? I don't remember. How many years ago was it? I don't know." "What neighborhood was it in?" he continued, as the crowd cheered and clapped. "I don't know. Where's the house?' I don't know. Upstairs, downstairs, where was it?' I don't know, but I had one beer. That's the only thing I remember."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump-Mueller Interview Negotiations Stall as 2 More Prosecutors Leave Russia Probe</em></strong></p>
<p>Discussions between Special Counsel Robert Mueller's office and President Trump's legal team over the conditions of a possible presidential interview are ongoing, but have "not terribly advanced" from where they were a couple of weeks ago, a source familiar with the talks told <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-mueller-interview-negotiations-stall-as-2-more-prosecutors-leave-russia-probe">Fox News on Tuesday</a>. Also, the Associated Press reported that two prosecutors detailed to the Russia investigation for the past year are returning to their duties in other parts of the Justice Department. They join two other attorneys who left the team, assigned to investigate potential ties between Russia and the Trump campaign, over the summer. Fox News' source said negotiations hit a snag when The New York Times reported on Sept. 21 that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein had discussed secretly recording Trump and enlisting Cabinet members to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove the president from office. Rosenstein has called the Times report "inaccurate and factually incorrect" and at least one source has told Fox News that Rosenstein intended his comment about recording Trump to be sarcastic. "This Rosenstein thing really threw them for a loop," the source said in discussing the report's effect on the talks. Trump is tentatively scheduled to meet with Rosenstein at the White House later this week to discuss the report.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Admin Seeks Investigation into New Claims of Secret Iran Nuclear Sites</em></strong></p>
<p>The Trump administration is pushing international nuclear inspectors to <a href="https://freebeacon.com/national-security/trump-admin-seeks-investigation-new-claims-secret-iran-nuclear-sites/?utm_source=Freedom+Mail&utm_campaign=75117ff6df-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_10_02_10_51_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b5e6e0e9ea-75117ff6df-46474477">launch a new investigation</a> into evidence Iran has been stockpiling nuclear weapons technology and materials at a secret undisclosed site, according to U.S. officials who spoke to the <em>Washington Free Beacon</em>. Evidence of this previously unknown nuclear site was presented last week by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an address before the United Nations General Assembly. The disclosure sent shockwaves through the international community and prompted the Trump administration to push for a renewed investigation into the claims by the IAEA, or International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. body tasked with performing oversight on the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. The United States is expected to spearhead efforts to further expose what Netanyahu described as a massive atomic warehouse in Iran, according to U.S. officials and senior congressional sources familiar with the Trump administration's strategy, which aims to further isolate Iran economically and diplomatically.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Restaurants in Austin Banned from Throwing Away Food</em></strong></p>
<p>Restaurants in Austin, Texas, will no longer be allowed to throw out food waste, the city announced this week. Under a new policy that began Monday, all food-permitted businesses in the city are required to keep organic material, such as food scraps and soiled paper products, from landfills. Businesses can dispose of their food waste by donating extra food, giving scraps to local farms for animals, or composting, the city government said in a <a href="http://www.austintexas.gov/news/all-food-permitted-businesses-now-required-divert-organics" target="_blank">press release</a> announcing the policy. The city’s Universal Recycling Ordinance also requires businesses to provide employees with training on organic waste diversion, and to post information about the plan. Official city data shows that 37 percent of material sent to landfills is organic and could have otherwise been donated or composted, the city said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Action Man Vladimir Putin Cuddles a Leopard and Poses Topless with a Fish in His Latest Calendar</em></strong></p>
<p>The strongman leader can be seen in a raft of poses, several of them in his trademark topless style. <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/7399104/gun-toting-action-man-vladimir-putin-cuddles-a-leopard-and-poses-topless-with-a-fish-in-his-latest-calendar/">Putin is shown flaunting his action man image</a>, shooting, horse riding, and fishing. Others see the president with a raft of cuddly animals including as snow leopard cub and a dog. One particularly bizarre image shows a shirtless Vlad taking a dip in Lake Seliger, just north of Moscow, as three Russian Orthodox priests look on holding religious icons. The ceremony is apparently part of the celebration of Epiphany on January 6. Putin’s yearly calendars have developed something of a cult following around the world over the last few years. The Russian leader is always pictured doing a raft of “manly” activities but also pictured with cuddly animals. It appears the former KGB agent believes that this helps him exude a strong but gentle image to the people of Russia. Emblazoned across the front of this year’s calendar is a quote from Putin saying: “I admire Russian Women!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/OReilly-on-Kavanaugh-Fighting-for-His-Life/416285935079854179.html">O'Reilly on Kavanaugh “Fighting for His Life”</a></span></strong><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">Pre-Order “Killing the SS”</a> (available 10/9) on BillOReilly.com and get a <strong>FREE COPY</strong> of “Old School”!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-10-03T11:42:00ZKavanaugh Vote Could Come This Weekend; Soros-Backed Progressive Activist Group Takes Credit for Flake ConfrontationBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Kavanaugh-Vote-Could-Come-This-Weekend;-Soros-Backed-Progressive-Activist-Group-Takes-Credit-for-Flake-Confrontation/-397695314454338005.html2018-10-02T11:03:00Z2018-10-02T11:03:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, October 2, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Kavanaugh Vote Could Come This Weekend</em></strong></p>
<p>Senate Republicans are eyeing a possible weekend vote to confirm Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, barring any unforeseen information in an FBI report that's expected by the end of the week. Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, said GOP leaders want to get it done in the coming days and will be pushing to finish the job confirmation for President Trump's embattled nominee. “The leader wants to get this wrapped up this week,” Cornyn told reporters Monday night as he walked to his office in the Capitol. When asked if the vote could come after Friday<a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/congress/kavanaugh-vote-could-come-this-weekend">, Cornyn said, "Could be."</a> Republicans are looking for the FBI to wrap up its investigation into sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh by Friday. At the urging of Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., GOP leaders agreed to delay votes on Kavanaugh until the FBI completes a report after no longer than a week, and they're eager for the report to be out so they can quickly get back to voting. If the report surfaces Friday, Republicans would likely push for a vote to end debate on the nomination on Friday as well, setting up a 30-hour waiting period that would result in a final confirmation vote on Saturday.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Soros-Backed Progressive Activist Group Takes Credit for Flake Confrontation</em></strong></p>
<p>The Center for Popular Democracy, a New York-based liberal activist group that <a href="https://freebeacon.com/issues/soros-funded-groups-behind-anti-trump-corporate-targeting-campaign/">receives the bulk</a> of its funding from liberal billionaire George Soros and leads a massive $80 million anti-Trump network, is taking credit for the elevator confrontation last Friday that pushed Sen. Jeff Flake (R., Ariz.) to call for an FBI investigation into the accusations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Ana Maria Archila, the co-executive director of the Center for Popular Democracy, was one of the two women who confronted Flake and later boasted about it in a post titled, "Ana Maria Archila Confronts Senator Jeff Flake Ahead of Supreme Court Vote."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Study Shows Consequences Cut Illegal Immigration</em></strong></p>
<p>Prosecuting illegal immigrants, or banning them from obtaining a visa, substantially reduces their likelihood of attempting to cross the border a second time, a new study concludes. Although it only discusses a policy rolled out between 2008 and 2012, <a href="http://www.nber.org/papers/w25100">the study</a> may have major implications for President Donald Trump's <a href="https://freebeacon.com/issues/sessions-announces-zero-tolerance-illegal-border-crossing/">zero tolerance</a> approach to immigration enforcement, which still requires the prosecution of most childless border crossers. The paper is a collaboration between two university professors and three researchers with the government-funded Institute for Defense Analyses. To conduct their analysis, the authors obtained detailed, person-level data on apprehensions at the southwestern border between fiscal years 2005 and 2012. They used fingerprint data to link repeated apprehensions, building a picture of who crossed the border and at what time.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>NBC Panel: Avenatti Is ‘Begging for TV Cameras’, His Client Has ‘Real Credibility Problems’</em></strong></p>
<p>NBC panelists said Monday that attorney Michael Avenatti is "begging for TV cameras" and his client Julie Swetnick, who accuses Brett Kavanaugh of participating in parties where "gang rapes" occurred, "has some real credibility problems." As "Today" host Megyn Kelly pointed out, Swetnick's problematic past has come out in recent days since she accused Kavanaugh, while he was in high school, of participating in gang rape parties, groping girls, and spiking drinks with alcohol and drugs. Kavanaugh denies these allegations, as well as allegations made against him by Christine Blasey Ford and Deborah Ramirez. "She [Swetnick] faced allegations of her own misconduct during a stint at a company 18 years ago," Kelly told her panel, referencing reports that emerged over the weekend. "[A former employer said] she engaged in unwelcome sexually offensive conduct herself … she made false and retaliatory allegations against her coworkers … she took medical leave and simultaneously received unemployment benefits," Kelly continued. According to the reports Kelly referenced, Swetnick also claimed to have attended Johns Hopkins University, but the former employer found no record of her having attended the school. Avenatti has complained his client has not been questioned by the FBI about her claims. The FBI reopened its background investigation into Kavanaugh and the accusations Ford made against him at the request of President Donald Trump, who was asked by the Senate Judiciary Committee to do so on Friday. The investigation is limited in scope and expected to wrap up within seven days from when it was ordered.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>New Poll from Bannon Group Pushes Hard-Edged Strategy for GOP</em></strong></p>
<p>Immigration, impeachment, trade and a full-bore effort to portray Democrats as hardline leftists in thrall to Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) that’s the recipe for success for the GOP in the midterm elections, <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/news/409370-exclusive-new-poll-from-bannon-group-suggests-gop-could-win-on-controversial">according to a new poll obtained exclusively by The Hill</a>. Those are the issues that can shift voters nationwide and shore up Republicans in endangered GOP districts, the poll suggests. But the survey will be controversial for two reasons. First, its findings suggest that the GOP’s best chances for keeping the House in November lie in stoking hot issues even further. Second, it was commissioned by Citizens of the American Republic, the group led by Stephen Bannon, President Trump’s former chief strategist, and a contentious figure. “I thought we needed to get into the big themes about this election,” Bannon said, asked about his reasons for commissioning the poll. “There was too much small-ball being played, people looking at this simply district by district.” </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Pelosi: I’ll be Speaker Again</em></strong></p>
<p>For all the talk that Nancy Pelosi won’t be Speaker again if Democrats win back the House majority, rest assured: She will. Pelosi said as much when she was asked about it during an appearance in Texas over the weekend. “If the Democrats take the House,” Alex Wagner asked Pelosi, “are you going to be the person with the gavel in your hand, and are you going to be the person that calls up Donald Trump to try to work with him?” Side-stepping the question about working with Trump which would surely rile up her left-wing base, Pelosi said she would be Speaker again. “Yes, I anticipate that I’ll be the person with the gavel in hand, but I haven’t asked anybody for a vote, in fact, I’ve told the candidates, ‘Do whatever you have to do, just win baby,'” she said, apparently telling her candidates to tell voters whatever they want to hear just so they’ll win. “But I do think that I’m in very good shape with my caucus,” she added.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Amazon Increases Minimum Wage for All U.S. Workers to $15</em></strong></p>
<p>Amazon is increasing its minimum wage to $15 an hour for part-time, full-time, temporary and seasonal workers in the U.S. starting November 1, the company <a href="https://blog.aboutamazon.com/working-at-amazon/amazon-raises-minimum-wage-to-15-for-all-us-employees">announced on Tuesday.</a> The raise will apply to <a href="https://www.axios.com/amazon-is-buying-whole-foods-1513303049-0144e0a6-37fd-484d-9f96-361ab57c978a.html">Whole Foods</a>. CEO Jeff Bezos said the company "decided we want to lead" the effort and encouraged "our competitors and other large employers to join us." Amazon plans to lobby Congress for a higher federal minimum wage as well.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/OReilly-on-Kavanaugh-Fighting-for-His-Life/416285935079854179.html">O'Reilly on Kavanaugh “Fighting for His Life”</a></span></strong><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">Pre-Order “Killing the SS”</a> (available 10/9) on BillOReilly.com and get a <strong>FREE COPY</strong> of “Old School”!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-10-02T11:03:00ZUS, Canada reach NAFTA deal; Comey blasts Kavanaugh probe deadline says FBI shouldn't have 'shot clock'BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/US-Canada-reach-NAFTA-deal;-Comey-blasts-Kavanaugh-probe-deadline-says-FBI-shouldnt-have-shot-clock/-544351298414813905.html2018-10-01T13:50:00Z2018-10-01T13:50:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Monday, October 1, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">US, Canada reach NAFTA deal</span></strong> </p>
<p>The U.S. and Canada have reached a deal on an updated NAFTA agreement late on Sunday evening<a href="https://thehill.com/policy/finance/409182-us-canada-reach-nafta-deal-report">. The White House announced on Sunday night</a> that Canada, Mexico and the United States have reached a deal to preserve the three-nation agreement. An official said the new agreement will be called the United States, Mexico, Canada Agreement, or USMCA.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span>Comey blasts Kavanaugh probe deadline says FBI shouldn't have 'shot clock'</span></strong></p>
<p>Former FBI Director <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/comey-blasts-kavanaugh-probe-deadline-says-fbi-shouldnt-have-shot-clock">James Comey criticized the time frame of the FBI’s investigation</a> into Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s background. On Sunday, James Comey wrote an op-ed in the New York Times, stating that “is idiotic to put a shot clock on the FBI.” James Comey continues in the opinion piece, stating, “if truth were the only goal, there would be no clock, and the investigation wouldn’t have been sought after the Senate Judiciary Committee already endorsed the nominee.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Trump defends Kavanaugh, derides Dems for shameful conduct: ‘Bad things will happen’ if voters stay home</span></strong></p>
<p>President Trump <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-defends-kavanaugh-derides-dems-for-shameful-conduct-bad-things-will-happen-if-voters-stay-home">attended a rally in West Virginia</a> on Saturday, September 29<sup>th</sup> to help raise support for GOP candidates, including U.S. Senate nominee Patrick Morrisey, West Virginia’s attorney general. During the rally, President Trump discussed his support for Judge Kavanaugh and condemned the Democrats for their resistance toward Kavanaugh. In his speech President Trump stated, “Thursday, the American people saw the brilliant and really incredible character, quality and courage of our nominee for the United States Supreme Court, Judge Brett Kavanaugh.” <br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Las Vegas Strip to Go Dark on First Anniversary of Shooting</span></strong></p>
<p>The Las Vegas strip will be dark on Monday night to honor the 58 people killed and more than 800 injured during the mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival. The <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/409179-las-vegas-strip-will-go-dark-on-first-anniversary-of-country">marquees along the strip will go dark at 10:01 p.m.</a> to mark the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. The names of the victims will be read at 10:05 p.m. at the memorial site downtown called the Community Healing Garden.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sens. Jeff Flake and Chris Coons explain why they decided to delay Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation</span></strong></p>
<p>On Sunday night, Senators Jeff Flake and Chris Coons did their first interview since the decided vote to allow a week long FBI investigation into the allegations against Judge Brett Kavanaugh. <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jeff-flake-lindsey-graham-brett-kavanaugh-supreme-court-confirmation-inside-the-decision-to-delay-confirmation-hearing/">During the interview with 60 minutes,</a> Senator Flake discussed his reasoning for forcing the Republican party to accept a one week FBI investigation into the assault allegations</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Four in 10 believe allegations against Kavanaugh, three in 10 do not: Reuters/Ipsos poll</span></strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Four in 10 Americans believe sexual misconduct allegations against U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, while three in 10 do not and the rest do not know, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll that split largely along party lines. <a href="https://ca.news.yahoo.com/four-10-believe-allegations-against-kavanaugh-three-10-214237381.html">The poll, released on Sunday</a>, found that 42 percent of adults said they believed the accusations, including about the same number of men and women. Thirty-one percent do not believe them and 27 percent said they "don't know" what to believe.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column “<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Will-Accusations-Ruin-America/-388042822695748862.html">Will Accusations Ruin America?</a>”<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">Pre-Order “Killing the SS”</a> (available 10/9) on BillOReilly.com and get a <strong>FREE COPY</strong> of “Old School”!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-10-01T13:50:00ZKanye West Goes on Pro-Trump Rant Off-Air on 'Saturday Night Live'; Trump Rips NBC Over Report on Limits to Kavanaugh InvestigationBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Kanye-West-Goes-on-Pro-Trump-Rant-Off-Air-on-Saturday-Night-Live;-Trump-Rips-NBC-Over-Report-on-Limits-to-Kavanaugh-Investigation/-894422697764269506.html2018-09-30T12:59:00Z2018-09-30T12:59:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, September 30, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Kanye West Goes on Pro-Trump Rant Off-Air on 'Saturday Night Live'</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Rapper Kanye West went on a pro-Trump rant onstage after his appearance on "Saturday Night Live" this week. West, wearing a red “Make America Great Again” hat, <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/409110-kanye-west-goes-on-pro-trump-rant-off-air-on-snl">pushed back on criticism</a> of his support for President Trump, and was booed loudly by the audience. “There’s so many times I talk to, like, a white person about this and they say, ‘How could you like Trump? He’s racist,’” West said. “Well, uh, if I was concerned about racism, I would’ve moved out of America a long time ago.” West, who performed two songs on the show, made the comments off-air during the SNL credits, with the show’s cast standing onstage behind him, many shaking their heads and appearing to roll their eyes in response. Comedian Chris Rock, who was in the audience, shared video of the rant, which criticized Democrats for their “plan” to “take the fathers out the home and put them on welfare,” on his Instagram page.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Rips NBC Over Report on Limits to Kavanaugh Investigation</em></strong> </p>
<p>President Trump in a tweet late Saturday ripped NBC News after the network reported that the White House was limiting the scope of the FBI's investigation into sexual assault allegations leveled against Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh. “NBC News incorrectly reported (as usual) that I was limiting the FBI investigation of Judge Kavanaugh, and witnesses, only to certain people,” he said. “Actually, I want them to interview whoever they deem appropriate, at their discretion. “Please correct your reporting!” Sources <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/409100-white-house-limiting-scope-of-fbi-investigation" target="_blank">told the network</a> that the FBI has not been permitted to investigate claims made by the third woman to accuse Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct, Julie Swetnick, and will instead focus on accusations made by Christine Blasey Ford and Deborah Ramirez. Those sources said that the White House counsel’s office gave the FBI a list of witnesses it is permitted to interview. The lawyer representing Swetnick, Michael Avenatti, said the development would be "outrageous" if true.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>The Mueller Investigation: Where it Stands at the Midterms</em></strong></p>
<p>Special counsel <a href="https://thehill.com/people/robert-mueller">Robert Mueller</a>’s investigation into Russian interference in the election has yielded numerous bombshell developments while enduring consistent attacks from <a href="https://thehill.com/people/donald-trump">President Trump</a> and his allies. Thirty-seven have been charged in connection with the probe; eight have pleaded guilty; and six, including four Trump associates, have agreed to cooperate. But more significant than what has been learned through Mueller’s public filings, perhaps, are the remaining unknowns. Mueller has not answered the central question of whether there was collusion between Trump’s campaign and Moscow, nor has he made a judgment on whether the president obstructed justice. It is also unclear how Mueller will wrap up his investigation, or when. Many expect the special counsel to write a report to the Justice Department laying out his findings, but it is also unknown whether that report would be made public. Mueller also has yet to secure an interview with the president, and there have been no reports of the special counsel interviewing Trump Jr., a key player in the Trump Tower meeting.<br /><br /><br /><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Matt Damon Plays Angry Kavanaugh on 'Saturday Night Live'</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/409112-matt-damon-plays-angry-kavanaugh-on-saturday-night-live">"Saturday Night Live"</a> took aim at Brett Kavanaugh in its season opener, with actor Matt Damon portraying the Supreme Court nominee in a sketch mocking his testimony on the sexual assault allegations against him. In the 13-minute cold open, Damon depicts Kavanaugh as an angry, beer-obsessed bro as he fields questions from senators and repeatedly references his 1982 calendars. “I’m going to start at an 11. I’m going to take it to about a 15 real quick,” Damon begins his opening statement as Kavanaugh. Throughout the sketch, Damon repeatedly makes references to memories from his days with friends “P.J.,” “Tobin,” and “Squi,” including lifting weights and drinking “a couple thousand beers.” “I’m here tonight because of a sham,” Damon says as Kavanaugh. “A political con job orchestrated by the Clintons, George Soros, and Kathy Griffin.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Poll: Minimum Wage is a More Important Issue than Gun Control to Gen Z</em></strong></p>
<p>Raising the minimum wage rate from $15 holds more weight than stricter gun control laws with voters from Generation Z, according to new polling data from the Morning Consult. Despite the impact of mass school shootings in America, the issue doesn't move voters from 18 to 21 years old as much as anticipated. Other issues like minimum wage, LGBT rights and taxing corporations hold more importance to them. The morning consult polled 12,771 registered voters, which included 494 voters between 18 and 21 years old, to gauge their opinion on issues such as gun control, minimum wage, and Medicare for all. Only 56% of voters surveyed said they'd be more likely to support a candidate advocating for stricter gun laws. 68% of those same voters said they'd be more likely to support a candidate who supported raising the minimum wage. 66% said they'd do the same for a candidate supporting Medicare for all. Abolishing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency was at the bottom of the list at 46%. The issue of gun control isn't as high on voter's lists as some may think, overall. Only 38% of overall voters said it would be a <a href="https://morningconsult.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/180211_crosstabs_POLITICO_v1_DK-1-1-1.pdf">top priority</a> for them in a Morning Consult poll conducted in September.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>A Majority of Voters Say They Won't Re-Elect Senators if They Confirm Kavanaugh</em></strong></p>
<p>A majority of people wouldn’t vote to re-elect their senators if they vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh, according to a new Change Research <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4951943-Change-Research-Post-Kavanaugh-Hearing-Toplines-1.html">poll</a>. After the hearings, 51% of people said they are less likely re-elect their senators. And people found Dr. Christine Blasey Ford more believable (50%) and credible (48%) than Kavanaugh (44% for both.) 50% of people said they will view the Supreme Court as less credible if the Senate confirms Kavanaugh.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Powerful Earthquake Triggers Tsunami in Indonesia, Killing 384</em></strong></p>
<p>A powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck northern Indonesia on Friday, northeast of the town of Donggala on the island of Sulawesi. The strongest quake was followed by a damaging tsunami in Palu, the provincial capital with a population of about 335,000. The earthquake has been followed by numerous strong aftershocks that are also capable of causing significant damage. Early reports from the region suggest widespread damage to homes, along with tsunami-related damage in Palu. Videos posted to Twitter showed onlookers watching as giant waves crashed ashore. According to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-indonesia-quake/strong-quake-tsunami-in-indonesias-sulawesi-island-kill-at-least-30-idUSKCN1M900U">Reuters</a>, the tsunami reached six meters, or about 18 feet, in height. At least 384 have been reported dead, with hundreds more injured or missing. "The situation is chaotic, people are running on the streets and buildings collapsed," Dwikorita Karnawati, who heads Indonesia's meteorology and geophysics agency, told Reuters. "There is a ship washed ashore." Indonesia sits along the so-called "ring of fire" in the Pacific, making it vulnerable to earthquakes and other geological hazards.</p>
<p><br /><br /></p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column “<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Will-Accusations-Ruin-America/-388042822695748862.html">Will Accusations Ruin America?</a>”<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">Pre-Order “Killing the SS”</a> (available 10/9) on BillOReilly.com and get a <strong>FREE COPY</strong> of “Old School”!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-09-30T12:59:00ZOverview of Thursday's Hearings; Sarah Sanders: Six Prior FBI Checks on Kavanaugh Uncovered NothingBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Overview-of-Thursdays-Hearings;-Sarah-Sanders:-Six-Prior-FBI-Checks-on-Kavanaugh-Uncovered-Nothing/-199436965245764729.html2018-09-28T12:34:00Z2018-09-28T12:34:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, September 28, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Overview of Thursday’s Hearings</em></strong></p>
<p>Emotional. Surprising. Upsetting. Illuminating. However, you describe it, yesterday's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing felt like history. Over more than four hours, Christine Blasey Ford <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/27/politics/christine-blasey-ford-raw-testimony/index.html" target="_blank">recounted in harrowing detail</a> the evening 36 years ago when she said Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh "got on top" of her and tried to take off her clothes. When it was Kavanaugh's turn yesterday to speak, he<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/27/politics/blasey-ford-kavanaugh-hearing-notable-moments/index.html" target="_blank"> launched into an emotional and angry defense</a>, denying the claims and calling the process "a circus" and a "national disgrace." The proceedings struck different chords with different people. Ford's allies called her testimony credible, and <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/27/politics/kavanaugh-hearing-watching-tv-trnd/index.html" target="_blank">women around the country</a> were reportedly moved by her openness. Backers of Kavanaugh <a href="https://money.cnn.com/2018/09/28/media/reliable-sources-09-27-18/" target="_blank">defended his emotional outburst</a>, characterizing it as righteous anger over erroneous claims. Either way,<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/27/politics/kavanaugh-confirmation-senate/index.html" target="_blank"> it all comes down to a vote today</a>. The Senate panel is due to meet this morning, and so far, a small group of Republicans remains publicly undecided on Kavanaugh's confirmation. If he does get enough votes, the process could roll on quickly, with a procedural vote Saturday at noon.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Sarah Sanders: Six Prior FBI Checks on Kavanaugh Uncovered Nothing</em></strong></p>
<p>White House press secretary Sarah Sanders on Friday downplayed the sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh by saying they were never an issue in the six prior FBI background checks he's been through. “Judge Kavanaugh has been through six background investigations, he’s been at the height of scrutiny for over 26 years,” Sanders told ABC, adding that the investigations took place long after the time period of the alleged incidents. “I’ve been through [a background check] before,” Sanders said. “They go to your neighbors, they talk to your classmates from high school, from college, coworkers that lead all the way up to your present day. And at no point during any one of the six separate times [Kavanaugh’s] had that done has anything come up.” Sanders said the Senate Judiciary Committee’s questioning yesterday of Ford and Kavanaugh was very similar to any sort of investigation the FBI would conduct at this point.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Caravans of Migrants Continue Pouring Over US-Mexico Border</em></strong></p>
<p>Border Patrol agents are apprehending an increasing number of migrant groups that include more than 100 people on the northern side of the U.S.-Mexico border, and recorded two more incidents this week. The total number of people found in large caravans wandering through southern Arizona in recent weeks now stands at 1,200, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Agents based at Ajo Station in south-central Arizona found a group of 164 people and another that included about 100 people in the desert just north of Mexican city Sonoyta Tuesday afternoon, a <a href="https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/trend-continues-agents-arrest-264-aliens-24-hours" target="_blank">press release</a> issued Thursday stated. Every person in the group was taken in by federal law enforcement agents and determined to be from three Central American countries: El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. The caravan members were between the ages of 11 months and 59 years. Human smugglers flooded a portion of the Texas-Mexico border with 170 Central American families and children last week in an attempt to overwhelm U.S. Border Patrol and get adults who wanted to avoid getting arrested into the country while agents were busy elsewhere, CBP said in a statement.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Hillary Clinton Makes a Cameo in 'Murphy Brown' Reboot</em></strong></p>
<p>Hillary Clinton is trying out for a new job...as a secretary, making a surprise primetime TV cameo on the <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/408888-hillary-clinton-makes-a-cameo-in-murphy-brown-reboot">premiere of "Murphy Brown."</a> The CBS comedy returned on Thursday with actress Candice Bergen reprising her role as the show’s television journalist titular character. In the premiere episode, Brown is tasked with interviewing a candidate to be her secretary as she gears up to launch a new TV news program. “Hello, I’m here to interview for the secretarial position,” Clinton said to applause as she made her surprise appearance. When Brown suggested she looked just like Clinton, the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee replied in character, “I know, Hillary Clinton. I get that a lot. But my name’s spelled with one ‘L.’” Asked if she had computer and email experience, Clinton made a tongue-in-cheek reference to the controversy in 2016 surrounding her use of a private email server as secretary of State. “Emails – I do have some experience with emails,” said Clinton.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Eric Reid Signs with Panthers After Suing NFL Over Allegedly Punishing Him for Protesting During Anthem</em></strong></p>
<p>NFL safety Eric Reid signed with the Carolina Panthers Thursday, in a move that could complicate his suit against the league over his protests during the National anthem. Reid, who was the first to join Colin Kaepernick in kneeling during the National Anthem to protest policy brutality and systemic racism, claims he lost his job with the San Francisco 49ers and was blackballed from the league over his protests. Kaepernick, who is more popularly associated with the protests, congratulated Reid on Thursday. "We made this decision based on the fact he's a good football player,'' Panthers owner Marty Hurney told <a href="http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/24812861/carolina-panthers-sign-safety-eric-reid">ESPN</a>. "He's played at a very high level the last few years. We think he can come in and help us win games.''</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Storms Headed Towards Japan and the Mediterranean</em></strong></p>
<p>Two serious storms are keeping the world on edge this weekend.<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/27/asia/typhoon-trami-japan-wxc-intl/index.html" target="_blank"> Typhoon Trami is headed toward Japan</a>, and while it has weakened a lot, meteorologists say it could pick up speed and hit the country's main islands with the force of a Category 3 hurricane. Meantime in the eastern Mediterranean,<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/27/world/medicane-mediterranean-hurricane-europe-wxc/index.html" target="_blank"> a powerful and rare storm is poised to hit</a>. It's unofficially called a "Medicane" (Mediterranean + hurricane), and it's like a hurricane and a typhoon combined. The storm triggered flash floods across Northern Africa in the past few days and is now aiming for parts of Greece and Turkey with strong winds and heavy rain. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Plane Makes Water Landing</em></strong></p>
<p>What could have been a disaster in the western Pacific instead ended as a miracle. A Boeing 737 aircraft carrying 47 people <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/28/asia/air-niugini-micronesia-intl/index.html" target="_blank">crash-landed into the sea</a> off a small island in Micronesia after the pilot missed the runway while trying to land. All aboard the Air Niugini flight, 35 passengers and 12 crew members managed to escape. Photos from the scene show the plane partially submerged, about 1,600 feet from the runway.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column “<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Will-Accusations-Ruin-America/-388042822695748862.html">Will Accusations Ruin America?</a>”<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">Pre-Order “Killing the SS”</a> (available 10/9) on BillOReilly.com and get a <strong>FREE COPY</strong> of “Old School”!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-09-28T12:34:00ZBrett Kavanaugh Will Admit to 'Juvenile Misbehavior,' and Deny Sexual Assault in Testimony; Trump Defends Kavanaugh in Press ConferenceBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Brett-Kavanaugh-Will-Admit-to-Juvenile-Misbehavior-and-Deny-Sexual-Assault-in-Testimony;-Trump-Defends-Kavanaugh-in-Press-Conference/-153071137324592619.html2018-09-27T12:15:00Z2018-09-27T12:15:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, September 27, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Brett Kavanaugh Will Admit to 'Juvenile Misbehavior,' and Deny Sexual Assault in Testimony</em></strong></p>
<p>Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh will admit to “misbehavior” and excessive drinking during his high school years, but will tell the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday that he never sexually assaulted anyone then or since. In the Supreme Court nominee’s prepared opening statement, shared by the <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/judiciary-committee/">committee</a> on Wednesday, Judge Kavanaugh calls sexual assault “morally wrong” and “contrary to my religious faith.” He said he does not question accuser Christine Blasey Ford’s claim that she was sexually assaulted at a high school party, but denied he was involved in any way. “I spent most of my time in high school focused on academics, sports, church, and service. But I was not perfect in those days, just as I am not perfect today,” the judge says. He adds: “I drank beer with my friends, usually on weekends. Sometimes I had too many. In retrospect, I said and did things in high school that make me cringe now. But that’s not why we are here today. What I’ve been accused of is far more serious than juvenile misbehavior. I never did anything remotely resembling what Dr. Ford describes.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Liberty University President Gives an Okay for 300 Students to Support Kavanaugh Amidst Yale Protesters</em></strong></p>
<p>Liberty University is allowing up to 300 students to miss classes Thursday in order to give Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh support in Washington, D.C., and counter Yale University protesters. “If you want to be excused from classes tomorrow, go to Washington and counter what the Yale students are doing, [and] support Judge Kavanaugh, we’ve got 300 spots for you,” Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. said at the school’s convocation Wednesday, according to a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LibertyUniversity/videos/397291677471269/" target="_blank">Facebook video</a> posted by Liberty. Falwell made the announcement after Liberty University alumnus and head of Concerned Women for America (CWA) Penny Nance offered to pay for 150 students to go and support Kavanaugh. “We agreed to match that,” Falwell said. “We’re going to send buses for 150 more.” CWA, a public policy women’s organization, will be holding an “I Stand With Brett” rally on Capitol Hill from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., according to a press release.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Defends Kavanaugh in Press Conference</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/408626-trump-wont-say-if-he-believes-kavanaughs-accusers-are-lying">on Wednesday </a>mounted a fierce defense of Brett Kavanaugh during a rare solo news conference where he forcefully denied the sexual misconduct accusations against his embattled Supreme Court nominee. Trump called Kavanaugh "one of the highest quality people I've ever met" and reiterated his belief the three women who have come forward against the judge are making "false accusations." But multiple times throughout the combative news conference, the president refused to state directly whether he thinks the women are lying, saying he could "always be convinced." "I can't tell you whether or not they're liars until I hear them," Trump told reporters in New York, where he was attending the United Nations General Assembly. "It's possible they could be convincing." Trump lashed out repeatedly at Democrats, calling the women's allegations part of "a big, fat con job" being played by the party to prevent him from putting a conservative judge on the Supreme Court.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Ginsburg Cheers On #Metoo Movement in Advance of Kavanaugh-Ford Hearing</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg celebrated the #MeToo movement on Wednesday, just a day before a highly-anticipated U.S. Senate panel hearing into sexual misconduct accusations against high court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. “Every woman of my vintage has not just one story but many stories, but we thought there was nothing you could do about it – boys will be boys – so just find a way to get out of it,” Ginsburg said during an event with first-year law students at Georgetown University in Washington, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-court-ginsburg/supreme-courts-ginsburg-voices-support-for-metoo-on-eve-of-kavanaugh-hearing-idUSKCN1M6369" target="_blank">Reuters</a> reported. When asked about her views on the current women’s movement, Ginsburg replied by saying she was “cheered on” by the #MeToo movement. Ginsburg said the movement shows that women are united. “So it was one complaint and then one after another the complaints mounted. So women nowadays are not silent about bad behavior,” she said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Don Lemon Defends Protesters Who Harassed Ted Cruz and Wife at Restaurant</em></strong></p>
<p>CNN host <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/don-lemon/">Don Lemon</a> said Sen. Ted Cruz, by becoming a public official, had “signed up for” harassment by Antifa activists and likened attacking lawmakers in any and every public space to the civil rights movement. In a segment with fellow CNN host Chris Cuomo, who joined Cruz’s opponent Rep. Beto O’Rourke in decrying the attack on Mr. Cruz and wife Heidi at a D.C. restaurant, Lemon said the activists from Smash Racism DC had no choice. Lemon explained that the Texas senator backs confirming Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh and supports policies that are “detrimental to people.” “As a person of color I know that especially during the civil rights movement — and now — sometimes the only agency you have is to protest and to get in someone’s face,” he said. “You don’t have any power when it comes to government and in society,” Lemon continued. “I don’t like it, but it is one reason I’m not a public official, that I’m not running for office. In a way, I think it goes with the territory. I don’t like that they were blocking his wife, but that’s what he signed up for.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Rosie O'Donnell Hurls 'F-- U ... Closeted Idiot' Insult at Sen. Graham Over Avenatti Criticism</em></strong></p>
<p>Celebrity activist Rosie O’Donnell was so incensed at Sen. Lindsey Graham’s defense of Judge Brett Kavanaugh on Wednesday that she called him a “closeted idiot” in an expletive-laced tirade. Claims forwarded by anti-Trump lawyer Michael Avenatti that his client Julie Swetnick witnessed gang-rape events attended by Judge Kavanaugh in his youth were met with disgust by the South Carolina lawmaker, but his reaction was proof to O’Donnell of “the patriarchy” at work. “F– u u closeted idiot — this is the patriarchy exposed — this is reality deal with it !!#NoKavanaughConfirmation #NotMyPresident,” Ms. O’Donnell, a longtime critic of President Trump,<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><a href="http://archive.is/B8Qmz" target="_blank">tweeted</a>. At issue was Graham’s assertion that normal people would not go to multiple parties where gang-rape was a commonplace occurrence.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Says He Would 'Prefer' to Not Fire Rod Rosenstein</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Wednesday said his preference is not to fire Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, but stopped short of saying Rosenstein will keep his job. “I would certainly prefer not doing that,” Trump said of firing Rosenstein. The president’s comments came one day before he’s scheduled to meet with Rosenstein. The two are set to discuss allegations Rosenstein talked about secretly taping Trump and recruited cabinet members to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove him from office. Trump said Rosenstein assured him the report was not true. “We’ve had a good talk,” Trump told reporters. “He said he didn’t say it. He says he doesn’t believe it. He says he has a lot of respect for me and he was very nice and we’ll see.” The president said the Rosenstein meeting may be delayed tomorrow because he wants to watch the Senate hearing for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column “<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Will-Accusations-Ruin-America/-388042822695748862.html">Will Accusations Ruin America?</a>”<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">Pre-Order “Killing the SS”</a> (available 10/9) on BillOReilly.com and get a <strong>FREE COPY</strong> of “Old School”!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-09-27T12:15:00ZArizona Sex Crimes Prosecutor Tapped to Question Kavanaugh and Ford; HBO Stars Stand Silent for Rock the Vote CampaignBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Arizona-Sex-Crimes-Prosecutor-Tapped-to-Question-Kavanaugh-and-Ford;-HBO-Stars-Stand-Silent-for-Rock-the-Vote-Campaign/-503285300167835268.html2018-09-26T11:48:00Z2018-09-26T11:48:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, September 26, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></span><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Kavanaugh Accuser Sends Senate Sworn Statements from Four People Corroborating Her Claims</em></strong></p>
<p>The woman who first accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault has provided the Senate Judiciary Committee with sworn declarations from four people who attest to her claims, <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/09/25/brett-kavanaugh-ford-has-4-people-corroborate-sexual-assault-claims/1429270002/" target="_blank">USA Today reported</a> Wednesday. The news outlet obtained documents that showed Christine Blasey Ford's husband and three friends corroborated that she disclosed to them at various points in recent years that she was allegedly assaulted. The testimonies will be used during Ford's hearing on Thursday before the committee. Ford's husband reportedly wrote that his wife first disclosed she had an experience with sexual assault around the time they got married, and she later shared full details during a 2012 therapy session, as reported by The Washington Post.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Poll: No Consensus on if Trump Should Fire Sessions</em></strong></p>
<p>There is no consensus among the respondents to a new American Barometer poll on if President Trump should fire Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Sessions should resign or if he should stay on as leader of the Department of Justice (DOJ). The survey, conducted by Hill.TV and the HarrisX polling company found that 40 percent of Americans said they were not sure what should happen with Sessions, while 21 percent said he should resign. Eleven percent of respondents said Trump should fire Sessions, while 28 percent said he should continue to serve as attorney general. Trump has frequently launched public attacks on his own DOJ chief over the past year after Sessions recused himself from special counsel <a href="https://thehill.com/people/robert-mueller">Robert Mueller</a>'s probe into Russian election meddling and any ties between the Trump campaign and Moscow. The president slammed Sessions during an <a href="https://thehill.com/hilltv/rising/407358-hilltv-interview-exclusive-trump-eviscerates-sessions-i-have-no-attorney" target="_blank">interview with Hill.TV</a> last week. “I don’t have an attorney general. It’s very sad,” Trump said. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Congress Releases its Final Opioids Bill</em></strong></p>
<p>Republican and Democratic lawmakers from the House and Senate <a href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20180924/HR6.pdf?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axiosvitals&stream=top">released their final opioids package</a> on Tuesday night, bridging the differences between bills the two chambers passed previously. This is a big bill and there are provisions in here that public health experts believe will make a difference. But those same experts say Washington still needs to make substantial investments of money as well as policymaking energy in the treatment system for mental health and substance abuse, in order to bring this crisis under control. Both chambers are expected to pass the agreement quickly, sending it to President Trump for his signature in a matter of days.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Arizona Sex Crimes Prosecutor Tapped to Question Kavanaugh and Ford</em></strong></p>
<p>The Senate Judiciary Committee has <a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/rep/releases/grassley-hires-experienced-prosecutor-to-question-witnessesduring-thursdays-session-of-kavanaugh-confirmation-hearing">selected</a> Arizona sex crimes prosecutor Rachel Mitchell to question Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford this week. Mitchell is currently on leave as Deputy County Attorney in Phoenix, and the Division Chief of the Special Victims Division, according to the committee. She is an expert on the investigation and prosecution of sex crimes. The committee has scheduled a hearing for Thursday to hear testimony from both Ford, who has accused the Supreme Court nominee of sexual assault in high school, and Kavanaugh, who has denied the allegations. A <a href="https://www.axios.com/kavanaugh-vote-reschedule-christine-blasey-ford-sexual-assault-a4e54b3b-3045-488c-9dfc-29ec280fd20f.html">vote on Kavanaugh's nomination</a> is currently scheduled for Friday.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Takes Aim at Iran in Defiant UN Speech</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Tuesday took <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/408276-trump-takes-aim-at-iran-in-defiant-un-speech">aim at Iran</a> in a defiant address to the United Nations, calling on world leaders to join the U.S. in isolating Tehran over its "aggression." Trump used a large portion of his address to tout his administration's plans to launch a "campaign of economic pressure" aimed at starving Iran of money it would use "to advance its bloody agenda" in the Middle East and beyond. The president noted his decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Obama-era nuclear agreement between Iran and other world powers and stressed that many sanctions would be reimposed on Iran in early November. "We ask all nations to isolate Iran's regime as long as its aggression continues," he told the U.N. General Assembly in New York City. Trump rattled off a laundry list of complaints against the "corrupt dictatorship" running Iran, saying it poses a threat to Israel and is helping to destabilize Syria and Yemen, which are both plagued by civil war.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>HBO Stars Stand Silent for Rock the Vote Campaign</em></strong></p>
<p>A band of HBO stars including Sarah Jessica Parker, Lena Dunham, and Maggie Gyllenhaal is speaking out ahead of the midterm elections by staying silent. "Westworld's" Ed Harris, “Veep’s” Tony Hale, Anthony Carrigan from “Barry,” “Insecure’s” Yvonne Orji and "Crashing's" Pete Holmes are among the group of celebrities from the premium cable network seen standing silently as they face the camera <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/408320-hbo-stars-release-silent-video-for-rock-the-vote-campaign">in a PSA released Tuesday</a>. A message at the end of the minute-long clip reads simply, “Right now, there’s only one voice that needs to be heard. Yours.” The video, produced by Rock the Vote and HBO, was unveiled the same day the two organizations announced the launch of a joint voter registration campaign.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Bill Cosby Sentenced to 3 to 10 Years in Prison</em></strong></p>
<p>Actor and convicted sex offender Bill Cosby has been sentenced by a Pennsylvania judge to three to 10 years in state prison. Cosby was denied bail and ordered to be jailed immediately, per the <a href="https://www.apnews.com/3da11dad1a8549be8a3e8053d98f0580/The-Latest:-Judge-rules-Cosby-a-'sexually-violent-predator'">AP</a>. In addition to the prison sentence, the judge declared Cosby "a sexually violent predator," meaning he must undergo lifetime counseling, appear on a sex offender registry and report quarterly to authorities. The 81-year-old comedian was <a href="https://www.axios.com/cosby-found-guilty-in-sexual-assault-trial-1524765155-48fb3ffc-1b25-42c7-b44e-9eadb47fccd3.html">convicted in April</a> on three counts of aggravated assault for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman in 2004. He has been accused of sexual misconduct or rape by more than 60 women, but none of the other allegations have resulted in criminal charges.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column “<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Will-Accusations-Ruin-America/-388042822695748862.html">Will Accusations Ruin America?</a>”<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">Pre-Order “Killing the SS”</a> (available 10/9) on BillOReilly.com and get a <strong>FREE COPY</strong> of “Old School”!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-09-26T11:48:00ZTrump Backs Kavanaugh After 2nd Accuser Comes Forward; Republican Party Reaches Highest Favorability Rating in Seven YearsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Backs-Kavanaugh-After-2nd-Accuser-Comes-Forward;-Republican-Party-Reaches-Highest-Favorability-Rating-in-Seven-Years/-819095940523820382.html2018-09-25T11:21:00Z2018-09-25T11:21:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, September 25, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Backs Kavanaugh After 2nd Accuser Comes Forward</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump continues to sympathize with his Supreme Court nominee and says he's hopeful Brett Kavanaugh will be confirmed quickly. The president is also questioning what's motivating women to accuse Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct. On Monday night, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1044418753671417860">Trump tweeted</a> “The Democrats are working hard to destroy a wonderful man, and a man who has the potential to be one of our greatest Supreme Court Justices ever, with an array of False Accusations the likes of which have never been seen before!”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump to Meet with Rosenstein on Thursday</em></strong></p>
<p>President <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/408109-trump-to-meet-with-rosenstein-on-thursday">Trump will meet with Rod Rosenstein on Thursday</a>, the White House said Monday, amid reports of the deputy attorney general's imminent ouster. "At the request of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, he and President Trump had an extended conversation to discuss the recent news stories," White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Monday in a statement. "Because the President is at the United Nations General Assembly and has a full schedule with leaders from around the world, they will meet on Thursday when the President returns to Washington, D.C.," she said. The statement came amid a spattering of news reports suggesting Rosenstein was expecting to be fired or would resign Monday as he visited the White House for a meeting with chief of staff John Kelly. But, as of early afternoon, Rosenstein remained in his position. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Republican Party Reaches Highest Favorability Rating in Seven Years</em></strong></p>
<p>Forty-five percent of Americans now have a favorable view of the Republican Party, this a nine-point gain from last September's 36%. It is the party's most positive image since it registered 47% in January 2011. The Republican Party's favorability rating for the last decade averaging 39%, compared with the Democratic Party's 44%. Only one other time in the last decade has the Republican Party had a significantly higher score than the Democratic Party. That one exception came in November 2014, immediately after elections that saw Republicans capture control of the Senate and expand their majority in the House, when 42% rated the GOP favorably and 36% the Democrats.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Kavanaugh Protesters Descend on Collins, Flake Offices on Capitol Hill</em></strong></p>
<p>Hundreds of protesters took to the Capitol on Monday to urge swing-vote Republicans to reject Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh amid fresh allegations of sexual misconduct. Demonstrators affiliated with the Be A Hero campaign and several other progressive organizations lined the walls outside the offices of Sens. Susan Collins (Maine) and Jeff Flake (Arizona) and filtered into the Russell Rotunda. Protesters wore shirts that read "Believe Women" and "Be A Hero" <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/408020-progressive-groups-plan-walkout-in-support-of-kavanaugh-accuser">in support</a> of the women who have accused Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct. Eva Malecki, communications director for Capitol Police, told The Hill that some protesters have been arrested. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Judge to Sentence Bill Cosby for Sexual Assault</em></strong></p>
<p>Bill Cosby will <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-cosby/judge-to-sentence-bill-cosby-for-sexual-assault-capping-his-downfall-idUSKCN1M5190">learn on Tuesday</a> whether he will go to prison for sexual assault as a sentencing hearing in a Pennsylvania courtroom concludes, capping the comedian’s downfall from “America’s Dad” to disgraced felon. Cosby, who was found guilty in April, is the first celebrity to be convicted since the start of the #MeToo movement, the national reckoning with sexual misconduct that has brought down dozens of powerful men in entertainment, politics and other fields. Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas Judge Steven O’Neill said he must first rule on whether to designate Cosby a “sexually violent predator” under state law. On Monday, he heard from a state-appointed psychologist who said the designation was necessary because there was a risk of Cosby committing another offense. Prosecutors asked for the maximum prison sentence of between five and 10 years, citing the nature of Cosby’s crime as well as his alleged history of misconduct. They also asked the judge to levy a $25,000 fine on Cosby and make him pay court costs. If ever he came up for parole, prosecutors want him to submit to a “psycho-sexual evaluation” that he had refused prior to sentencing. Cosby’s lawyers asked for house arrest rather than prison time, arguing that imprisonment was overly punitive given his age.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Pop Culture Blackout: Melania Trump Missing from Magazine Covers, TV Appearances</em></strong></p>
<p>Few first ladies have been more prepared for their close-ups than Melania Trump. Yet the former model has not graced the cover of Vogue, Glamour or Cosmopolitan during her husband’s first 20 months in office. Neither has she yukked it up with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel or other late-night TV hosts. That’s a huge missed opportunity for the Trump White House, says Lauren A. Wright, lecturer in politics and Public Affairs at Princeton University. Others insist Mrs. Trump’s low pop culture profile smacks of media bias that extends to other women in the Republican administration. “[<a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/melania-trump/">Mrs. Trump</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">] </span>has this toolkit that makes her a unique, powerful surrogate. … It’s so rare for a White House not to take advantage of that,” Ms. Wright said. The modern first lady routinely graces the media landscape in creative ways. Michelle Obama, for example, appeared on the popular “Carpool Karaoke” segment on CBS’s “The Late Late Show” with host James Corden. The Atlantic noted Mrs. Obama’s appearance and described her banter with Mr. Corden as “lively and watchable, but definitely driven by an agenda.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>‘Miracle on the Hudson’ Pilot Sounds Off on Smaller Airline Seats</em></strong></p>
<p>As fees to fly continue to rise, airplane seats continue to shrink. New <span style="text-decoration: underline;">pressure</span> is now being put on the Federal Aviation Administration to do something about it after heroic airline captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger expressed his concerns. The retired pilot famously responsible for the “Miracle on the Hudson” tweeted his thoughts about the dangers of smaller seats. “Airlines continue to make seats smaller to increase revenue despite safety concerns. <a href="https://twitter.com/FAANews">@FAAnews</a> must require more realistic demonstrations, not just simulations, to prove planes can be evacuated quickly.” Sullenberger cited a New York Times editorial board opinion, which questioned evacuation plans and whether or not passengers could move to get out fast enough with less <span style="text-decoration: underline;">space.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Emails Show Yale Professors Cancel Class for Kavanaugh Hearing</em></strong></p>
<p>Professors at Yale Law School canceled classes Monday to allow students to protest the Judge Brett Kavanaugh hearing, according to emails obtained exclusively by Campus Reform. Dana Bolger, a Yale Law School student and senior editor at Feministing, posted a series of tweets regarding the cancelations. According to screenshots of emails she posted to Twitter, Professor James Forman Jr. and at least four other Yale Law School professors canceled classes on Monday. Additional emails obtained exclusively by Campus Reform show that as many as 20 Yale Law School faculty members canceled or rescheduled up to 31 classes on Monday because of the Kavanaugh hearing. “While I respect the right of the students protesting to make their voices heard, I disagree with professors’ decisions to cancel classes at the request of those protesters,” Emily Hall, a student at Yale Law school, told Campus Reform in a statement. “It effectively encourages students to participate in the protests and penalizes those who choose not to by disrupting the class schedule," Hall added.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column “<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Will-Accusations-Ruin-America/-388042822695748862.html">Will Accusations Ruin America?</a>”<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">Pre-Order “Killing the SS”</a> (available 10/9) on BillOReilly.com and get a <strong>FREE COPY</strong> of “Old School”!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-09-25T11:21:00ZMichael Avenatti Representing New Accuser; Trump to Push 'Mutual Respect and Sovereignty' at UN General AssemblyBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Michael-Avenatti-Representing-New-Accuser;-Trump-to-Push-Mutual-Respect-and-Sovereignty-at-UN-General-Assembly/574931188431247122.html2018-09-24T10:55:00Z2018-09-24T10:55:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Monday, September 24, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Michael Avenatti Representing New Accuser with 'Credible Information' about Brett Kavanaugh</em></strong></p>
<p>Michael Avenatti, porn star Stormy Daniels' high-profile lawyer, has a new client: a woman claiming to know salient details about Supreme Court Brett Kavanaugh as he grapples with allegations of sexual misconduct. "I represent a woman with credible information regarding Judge Kavanaugh and Mark Judge," <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelAvenatti/status/1044006928416825344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1044006928416825344%7Ctwgr%5E373939313b636f6e74726f6c&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Fmichael-avenatti-representing-new-accuser-with-credible-information-about-brett-kavanaugh">Avenatti wrote Sunday on Twitter</a>. "We will be demanding the opportunity to present testimony to the committee and will likewise be demanding that Judge and others be subpoenaed to testify. The nomination must be withdrawn." </p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Bob Goodlatte Threatens Subpoena if DOJ Doesn’t Supply McCabe Memos by Tuesday</em></strong></p>
<p>House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) on Sunday <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/408000-house-judiciary-chair-threatens-subpoena-if-doj-doesnt-supply-mccabe-memos-by">vowed to subpoena</a> the Department of Justice (DOJ) this week if it does not provide Congress with documents related to the Russia investigation. Appearing on Fox News’s “Sunday Morning Futures,” Goodlatte stated: “I think a lot of light can be shed on that if the documents we have been requesting for quite some time are made public. So as a result of that, this week, if they’re not produced by tomorrow or Tuesday of this week, we are going to issue a subpoena to the Justice Department that expands upon the subpoena we issued earlier this year,” he continued. Goodlatte’s comments followed a New York Times report that said Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein suggested wearing a wire during conversations with the president last spring. He also reportedly proposed recruiting Cabinet members to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove President Trump from office.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Kavanaugh to Hand Over Calendars from 1982 That Don't Show Party of Alleged Incident</em></strong></p>
<p>Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh is planning to give the Senate Judiciary Committee calendars from his high school years his legal team argues will back up his denial of sexual misconduct allegations, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/23/us/politics/kavanaugh-senate-calendar.html">The New York Times reported on Sunday</a>. The calendars reportedly show that Kavanaugh was away for most of the summer in 1982, the year that Christine Blasey Ford claims Kavanaugh assaulted her at a party. According to the Times, the calendars include details about other gatherings that he attended, but do not include details about a party similar to the one detailed by Ford. Kavanaugh's lawyers acknowledged to the Times that Kavanaugh could have attended a party that he did not list on the calendars, but they are planning to argue that it proves there is no corroboration for her account. Ford on Sunday agreed to publicly testify about the alleged misconduct. The hearing is set for Thursday. </p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Hirono: Kavanaugh Doesn’t Get Presumption of Innocence Because of His ‘Ideological Agenda’</em></strong></p>
<p>Sen. Mazie Hirono (D., Hawaii) appeared on <a href="https://freebeacon.com/politics/hirono-kavanaugh-doesnt-get-presumption-innocence-ideological-agenda/?utm_source=Freedom+Mail&utm_campaign=c0f2dda44c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_09_23_10_01_COPY_103&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b5e6e0e9ea-c0f2dda44c-46474477">CNN's "State of the Union"</a> Sunday, where she appeared to insinuate that Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh does not get the presumption of innocence because of his "ideological agenda," citing his views on abortion. "I put his denial in the context of everything that I know about him in terms of how he approaches his cases. As I said, his credibility is already very questionable in my mind and in the minds of a lot of my fellow Judiciary Committee members, the Democrats," Hirono said. "When I say that he is very outcome driven, he has an ideological agenda, very outcome driven, and I could sit here and talk to you about some of the cases that exemplifies his ability to be fair."</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Poll: Latino Voters Less Likely to Vote for Politicians Supporting Border Wall</em></strong></p>
<p>Almost two-thirds of Latino voters say they are less likely to vote for a politician who supports the U.S.-Mexico border wall, <a href="http://media1.s-nbcnews.com/i/today/z_creative/18955NBCWSJSeptemberPollHispanicFilledIn.pdf">according to a new poll by Noticias Telemundo, NBC News and the Wall Street Journal</a>. Sixty-three percent of registered Latino voters told pollsters they would be less inclined to vote for a lawmaker who wants to increase funding for a wall along the border with Mexico. Hispanics in the new poll reported feeling the strongly about the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, "Medicare for All" and gun control. Seventy-seven percent said they were more likely to vote for politicians who support DACA, while 63 percent said they would support politicians who are in favor of single-payer healthcare. Fifty-nine percent said the same about politicians who favor "stricter regulations on assault and military-style firearms." Twelve percent of Hispanic registered voters said they feel "very positive" about Trump, the highest percentage since July 2015. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Date for Nellie Ohr Testimony Set</em></strong></p>
<p>A date for Nellie Ohr, the wife of a Justice Department official who had knowledge of the Russia investigation, to testify to congressional investigators has been set. House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., said Sunday that Ohr is "cooperating" with lawmakers. "We have a date for her appearance before the committee for an interview on Oct. 19th," he added while on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures" with Maria Bartiromo. Ohr worked for the opposition research firm that commissioned the creation of the Christopher Steele dossier, Fusion GPS, and is the wife of Bruce Ohr, who has raised red flag with GOP lawmakers after he fed the FBI information from Steele even after the ex-British spy was removed as an FBI source. Lawmakers believed Nellie Ohr might appear for an interview last week, but when that effort appeared to be going nowhere, the idea of issuing a <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/gop-not-giving-up-on-testimony-from-bruce-ohrs-wife" target="_blank">subpoena</a> was floated if she didn't agree to appear willingly.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Florence the Week After: Thousands Brace for More Flooding</em></strong> </p>
<p>Thousands of coastal residents remained on edge Sunday, told they may need to leave their homes because rivers are still rising more than a week after Hurricane Florence slammed into the Carolinas. About 6,000 to 8,000 people in Georgetown County, South Carolina, were alerted to be prepared to evacuate ahead of a “record event” of up to 10 feet of flooding expected from heavy rains dumped by Florence, county spokeswoman Jackie Broach-Akers said. She said flooding is expected to begin Tuesday near parts of the Pee Dee and Waccamaw rivers and that people in potential flood zones should plan to leave their homes Monday. The county’s emergency management director, Sam Hodge, said in a video message posted online that authorities are closely watching river gauges and law enforcement would be going door to door in any threatened areas. “From boots on the ground to technology that we have, we are trying to be able to get the message out,” Hodge said in the video feed, advising people they shouldn’t await an official order to evacuate should they begin to feel unsafe.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump to Push ‘Mutual Respect and Sovereignty’ at UN General Assembly</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump will reportedly frame his remarks at the United Nations General Assembly this week around “sovereignty.” “Mutual respect and sovereignty” will be the theme of his speech Tuesday, Axios reported Sunday. It will be Trump’s biggest speech of the week in New York. On Wednesday Trump plans to focus on the “malign activity” of Iran, specifically its ballistic missile proliferation when the Iran deal was implemented, when he chairs the U.N. Security Council. In a tweet Friday, Trump said the subject of the meeting would be Iran, though he did not give additional details. Trump is also addressing a counter-narcotics summit on Monday where he intends to speak about the global opioids crisis.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Tiger Woods Caps Off Amazing Comeback with First Tournament Win in 5 Years</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/tiger-woods-caps-off-amazing-comeback-with-first-tournament-win-in-5-years">A comeback</a> not even Tiger Woods saw coming a year ago. Woods delivered the perfect ending to his amazing return from four back surgeries on Sunday with a performance that felt like old times. He left the competition feeling hopeless as he built a five-shot lead early and hung on to win the Tour Championship. Woods raised both arms over his head after he tapped in for par and a 1-over 71 for a two-shot victory over Billy Horschel, the 80th victory of his PGA Tour career and his first in more than five years. "It was a grind out there," Woods said. "I loved every bit of it." It felt like a coronation coming down the 18th green, his second shot to the par 5 safely in a bunker in front of the green. The crowd came through the ropes and walked behind him, similar to when he won the Western Open in 1997 for the first dose of Tigermania. One year ago, Woods was still waiting for his lower back to fuse and wasn't sure he could ever play again. He told stories of being unable to get off the couch to watch his kids play soccer, much less to chip and putt.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column “<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Will-Accusations-Ruin-America/-388042822695748862.html">Will Accusations Ruin America?</a>”<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">Pre-Order “Killing the SS”</a> (available 10/9) on BillOReilly.com and get a <strong>FREE COPY</strong> of “Old School”!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-09-24T10:55:00ZDetails of Thursday Hearing for Kavanaugh & Accuser to be Set; U.S. Considers Limit on Green Cards for Immigrants on BenefitsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Details-of-Thursday-Hearing-for-Kavanaugh--Accuser-to-be-Set;-U.S.-Considers-Limit-on-Green-Cards-for-Immigrants-on-Benefits/856646689476697535.html2018-09-23T12:50:00Z2018-09-23T12:50:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, September 23, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Details of Thursday Hearing for Kavanaugh & Accuser to be Set</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.apnews.com/ca62798d66554461876a42cceb6eac19/Details-of-Thursday-hearing-for-Kavanaugh-accuser-to-be-set">Details</a> must be worked out on a tentative agreement for a Thursday hearing for Brett Kavanaugh’s accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, to tell the Senate Judiciary Committee about her allegation that the Supreme Court nominee sexually assaulted her decades ago. Talks were continuing Sunday. Lawyers for Ford and bipartisan representatives of the committee came to the tentative agreement after a short but productive phone call that Kavanaugh would also appear. Some details of the hearing, such as the order of their testimony, remained in negotiation and talks were expected to continue Sunday.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>U.S. Considers Limit on Green Cards for Immigrants on Benefits</em></strong></p>
<p>The Trump administration has <a href="https://www.apnews.com/30552d5fb82245a9b163950083c1a6ab/US-considers-limit-on-green-cards-for-immigrants-on-benefits">proposed rules</a> that could deny green cards to immigrants if they use Medicaid, food stamps, housing vouchers and other forms of public assistance. Federal law already requires those seeking green cards and to prove they will not be a burden or “public charge” but the new rules detail a broad range of programs that could disqualify them. The Department of Homeland Security said Saturday that current and past receipt of certain public benefits above thresholds would be considered “a heavily weighed negative factor” in granting green cards as well as temporary stays. The proposal “will clearly define long-standing law to ensure that those seeking to enter and remain in the United States either temporarily or permanently can support themselves financially and will not be reliant on public benefits,” the department said. The 447-page proposal published on the department’s website will appear in the Federal Register “in the coming weeks,” triggering a 60-day public comment period before it takes effect.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Spicer: Press Have 'A Personal Animus' Against Trump Administration</em></strong></p>
<p>Former White House Press Secretary <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/407946-spicer-press-have-a-personal-animus-against-trump-and-rest-of">Sean Spicer said the "elite media" </a>with whom he interacted while President Trump's press secretary has "a personal animus" towards the president and those affiliated with him. Spicer told host John Catsimatidis in an interview on Sunday AM 970 that the press' distaste for conservatives is easy to see. "I really don’t think they like this president. And it shows every single day.” Spicer explained while "there are a lot of really good reporters out there," the White House press corps, in particular, are the problem. Spicer also dished the "personal animus" claim to Saturday Night Live, saying that their skits are no longer funny, but more focused on attacking people.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Kavanaugh’s Accuser Just Hired McCabe’s Lawyer</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Dr. Christine Blasey Ford added Michael Bromwich, a former federal prosecutor and Department of Justice inspector general, to her legal team Saturday, as she prepares to give information to the Senate Judiciary Committee about her alleged hostile encounter with Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. The addition of Bromwich further burnishes the progressive credentials of the Blasey Ford roster. Bromwich brings serious weight to a legal team with deep expertise in legal issues arising from sexual misconduct. <a href="https://www.law.com/nationallawjournal/2018/09/22/veteran-prosecutor-michael-bromwich-joins-kavanagh-accusers-legal-team/" target="_blank">Bromwich, who resigned his position in private practice Saturday</a>, was a prosecutor in the Iran Contra affair and became the Justice Department’s inspector general during the Clinton administration. He represents former deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe, a James Comey confidant and frequent target of President Donald Trump’s ire.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Faces Pivotal Moment on North Korea at UN</em></strong> </p>
<p>President Trump will face mounting pressure from South Korea’s president to sign a peace declaration with North Korea following an inter-Korea summit that saw Pyongyang make new pledges on denuclearization. <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/defense/407858-trump-faces-pivotal-moment-on-north-korea-at-un">Trump is scheduled to meet</a> with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in the coming week at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. There, Moon is expected to relay verbal commitments North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made on top of their joint declaration. On the basis of Kim’s latest pledges, Moon is expected to push Trump hard for something North Korea has been demanding a peace declaration to end the Korean War. This past week, Moon and Kim held their third summit, this time meeting in Pyongyang for the first visit there by a South Korean president in more than a decade. At the second day of the summit, Moon and Kim announced a joint declaration in which Kim agreed to allow international inspectors to observe the dismantlement of a missile engine test site and launch pad.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>George Soros’s Son Pours Nearly $3 Million Into Democratic Coffers for Midterms</em></strong></p>
<p>Alexander Soros, the son of liberal billionaire George Soros, has given nearly $3 million to Democratic committees this election cycle for the midterm elections, Federal Election Commission filings show. Alex acts as the deputy chair of the Open Society Foundations, his father's nonprofit that disburses large sums of cash to liberal organizations and causes and has followed in his father's footsteps in recent years by becoming a major liberal donor. Alex's largest donation this cycle was for <a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?two_year_transaction_period=2018&contributor_name=alex+soros&min_date=01%2F01%2F2017&max_date=09%2F21%2F2018" target="_blank">$2 million</a> to the Senate Majority PAC (SMP), a committee launched by former staffers of retired Nevada Senator Harry Reid that is dedicated to electing and keeping Democrats in the Senate. Soros put a total of $2,775,364.27 into backing Democrats this cycle.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Iran ‘Ready to Confront America’ After Attack on Military Parade</em></strong></p>
<p>Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Sunday that Tehran is prepared to "confront America" after an attack at a military parade killed at least 25 people. “America is acting like a bully toward the rest of the world...and thinks it can act based on brute force,” Rouhani said before he left for the U.N. General Assembly in New York, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-military-attack-rouhani/rouhani-says-iran-ready-to-confront-u-s-after-military-parade-attack-idUSKCN1M304Q">according to Reuters. </a>“But our people will resist and the government is ready to confront America. We will overcome this situation and America will regret choosing the wrong path," he added, referencing sanctions that President Trump imposed on the nation this year that had been previously on hold as part of a nuclear pact between the countries. Reuters noted that Rouhani placed blame on both the U.S. and American-supported Gulf states for the attack. He accused the U.S. and its Arab allies of giving both financial and military support to anti-government ethnic groups that reside in Iran. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Michael Moore’s ‘Fahrenheit 11/9’ Underwhelms at Box Office</em></strong></p>
<p>Liberal activist Michael Moore’s latest film, “Fahrenheit 11/9,” underperformed in the box office after its release Friday night. According to <a href="https://variety.com/2018/film/news/house-with-a-clock-in-its-walls-box-office-fahrenheit-11-9-opening-1202952234/amp/" target="_blank">Variety</a>, the documentary made $3 million on 1,700 screens nationwide, below the anticipated $5 million and nowhere near the $8 million Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11” pulled. The film earned just north of $1 million on Friday. <em>‘Fahrenheit 11/9,’</em> which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) this month, is an attack on President Donald Trump that equates the American leader to Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler. In one sequence, Moore <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/4468773/michael-moore-move-canada-fahrenheit-119/amp/" target="_blank">dubs audio</a> of Trump over film of Hitler at a Nuremberg Rally. Moore announced during the festival that he had a plan to move to Canada if public reaction to the film is so hostile it makes living in the U.S. impossible. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column “<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Will-Accusations-Ruin-America/-388042822695748862.html">Will Accusations Ruin America?</a>”<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">Pre-Order “Killing the SS”</a> (available 10/9) on BillOReilly.com and get a <strong>FREE COPY</strong> of “Old School”!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-09-23T12:50:00ZKavanaugh's Accuser Says She Would Testify Under Right Terms; Trump Rallies in Nevada Amid Supreme Court Flurry: 'We're Gonna Get Brett'BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Kavanaughs-Accuser-Says-She-Would-Testify-Under-Right-Terms;-Trump-Rallies-in-Nevada-Amid-Supreme-Court-Flurry:-Were-Gonna-Get-Brett/153625123959605761.html2018-09-21T12:27:00Z2018-09-21T12:27:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, September 21, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Kavanaugh’s Accuser Says She Would Testify Under Right Terms</em></strong></p>
<p>Christine Blasey Ford may testify against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh after all, her attorney said. The preference would be for Ford to testify next Thursday, and she doesn’t want Kavanaugh in the same room, her attorney told Judiciary Committee staff in a 30-minute call that also touched on security concerns and others issues, according to a Senate aide who wasn’t authorized to discuss the matter and spoke on the condition of anonymity. Ford is willing to tell her story to the Judiciary Committee, whose senators will vote on Kavanaugh’s confirmation, but only if an agreement can be reached on “terms that are fair and which ensure her safety,” the attorney said in an email earlier Thursday. In the call, she said Ford needs time to secure her family, prepare her testimony and travel to Washington. No decisions were reached, the aide said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>4 Dead, Including Suspect, After Maryland Warehouse Shooting</em></strong></p>
<p>Workers say they endured horrifying moments of wild gunfire and terror as a woman working a temporary job at a drugstore warehouse in Maryland <a href="https://www.apnews.com/fa7f736ad2e84851bc948c95817f1efd/4-dead,-including-suspect,-after-Maryland-warehouse-shooting">fired on colleagues with a handgun</a>, killing three people before fatally shooting herself. The shooting, which authorities said was touched off when the worker got into an argument Thursday morning, sent survivors screaming and running in all directions from the Rite Aid distribution center in northeastern Maryland. Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler told a news conference hours later that the woman had been identified as a temporary employee, Snochia Moseley of Baltimore County. It appears only one weapon was used, a 9 mm Glock handgun that was registered in Moseley’s name, and no shots were fired by responding law enforcement officers, he added.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Rallies in Nevada Amid Supreme Court Flurry: 'We're Gonna Get Brett'</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/407722-trump-rallies-in-nevada-amid-supreme-court-flurry-were-gonna-get">Thursday night</a> expressed optimism that his nominee Brett Kavanaugh would get confirmed to the Supreme Court despite a flurry of action over a sexual assault allegation. “I want to tell you that Brett Kavanaugh is one of the finest human beings you will ever have the privilege of knowing or meeting," Trump said during a rally in Las Vegas to boost Republican candidates running in the November midterm elections. "A great intellect, a great gentleman, an impeccable reputation,” Trump continued. “So we’ll let it play out and I think everything will be just fine. This is a high-quality person.” Trump late Thursday expressed frustration with the delayed process, telling Fox News host Sean Hannity in Las Vegas, "I don't think you can delay it any longer. They have to get on with it,” Trump said of the Judiciary Committee. Trump has said that Ford should tell her story, reiterating to Fox: "Let her say what she has to say and let’s see how it all comes out."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Call for Men to ‘Step Up’ Puts Sen. Hirono in the Spotlight</em></strong></p>
<p>Ford’s accusation has upended his previously smooth confirmation process for Kavanaugh, and thrust the often low-key Hirono, 70, into the spotlight as one of the most outspoken senators in Ford’s defense. “I just want to say to the men in this country: Just shut up and step up. Do the right thing, for a change,” Hirono said Tuesday, stealing the show at a press conference that featured several high-profile Democrats. Hirono told The Associated Press Thursday in an interview that her “shut up and step up” comment hasn’t just resonated with women. “I have talked to a lot of men who are really happy I said that, because they want to be part of the movement,” Hirono said. At a news conference, Thursday, Hirono and New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand defended Ford and said the Judiciary panel is being unfair to her. President Donald Trump and Senate Republicans have rejected Ford’s request for an FBI investigation of her accusation, which she says should take place before she testifies. Gillibrand accused Republicans of “bullying” Dr. Ford. As Hirono arrived at the press conference, people cheered her arrival, with several yelling her name. Her newfound political celebrity was also apparent earlier in the day when protesters against Kavanaugh’s nomination greeted her with cheers and applause at a Senate office building. Some of the protesters snapped selfies with her.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>No Veto Threat as Trump Vents About Lack of Funding for Border Wall in Defense Appropriations</em></strong></p>
<p>At his “Make America Great Again” rally in Las Vegas last night, President Trump<strong> </strong>was still fuming about the failure of Congress to provide billions more to fund his signature campaign promise, a border wall he repeatedly guaranteed would be paid for by Mexico. To the chants of “Build that wall! Build that wall!” Trump lamented that a military construction bill on his desk doesn’t include additional funding for the wall, above the $1.6 billion his administration initially requested. “Only $1.6 billion. Sounds like a lot, but it's not when you're talking about what we're talking about,” Trump said, but then seemed to put to rest he might veto what he called a “ridiculous spending bill,” in a <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1042740913968164864" target="_top">tweet</a> yesterday, or the much bigger $674 billion defense appropriations, which is expected pass the House next week. “I'm not thrilled, but after the election, they're all telling me we’re getting our wall the way we want it, so let's see what happens. Let's see what happens. Let's see if they produce,” he told the crowd. Today’s White House schedule says Trump will sign the bill that provides money for energy and water, military construction and veterans as well as funding the legislative branch at a ceremony in Las Vegas. That appears to signal that Trump will also sign the defense bill before the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30, thus averting another stopgap continuing resolution or government shutdown.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>It’s High Times for Soaring Marijuana Stocks on Wall Street</em></strong></p>
<p>Reefer Madness has gripped Wall Street. Investors are craving <a href="https://www.apnews.com/032c53df79c64b9185c63a4f74a6c18d/It's-high-times-for-soaring-marijuana-stocks-on-Wall-Street">marijuana stocks</a> as Canada prepares to legalize pot next month, leading to giant gains for Canada-based companies listed on U.S. exchanges. Billions of dollars have poured into the stocks in the last few months, and investors smell green (money, not leaves) in the air as they consider the opportunities these companies might have as the marijuana market in Canada grows, along with the possibility that the U.S. and other countries could follow suit.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Google’s Partisan Push</em></strong></p>
<p>Google employees debated ways to <a href="https://www.krem.com/article/news/nation-now/google-employees-discussed-changing-search-results-after-trump-travel-ban/465-46c768cb-1a45-4f04-b675-41de00e9b8a6">alter search results</a> to direct users to pro-immigration organizations and to contact lawmakers and government agencies after President Donald Trump's immigration travel ban against predominantly Muslim countries. That's according to internal company emails obtained by the Wall Street Journal. The newspaper reported that employees in January 2017 wanted to counter what they saw as “islamophobic, algorithmically biased results from search terms ‘Islam’, ‘Muslim’, ’Iran’, etc.” and “prejudiced, algorithmically biased search results from search terms `Mexico’, `Hispanic’, `Latino’, etc." Google says none of the ideas were implemented. “Google has never manipulated its search results or modified any of its products to promote a particular political ideology -- not in the current campaign season, not during the 2016 election, and not in the aftermath of President Trump’s executive order on immigration," the company said in a statement to USA TODAY.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column “<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Will-Accusations-Ruin-America/-388042822695748862.html">Will Accusations Ruin America?</a>”<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">Pre-Order “Killing the SS”</a> (available 10/9) on BillOReilly.com and get a <strong>FREE COPY</strong> of “Old School”!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-09-21T12:27:00ZGrassley Sets Friday Deadline to Hear Back from Kavanaugh Accuser; 67 Million People in the U.S. Do Not Speak English at HomeBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Grassley-Sets-Friday-Deadline-to-Hear-Back-from-Kavanaugh-Accuser;-67-Million-People-in-the-U.S.-Do-Not-Speak-English-at-Home/-742591641001955271.html2018-09-20T12:02:00Z2018-09-20T12:02:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, September 20, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Grassley Sets Friday Deadline to Hear Back from Kavanaugh Accuser</em></strong></p>
<p>Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley has set 10 a.m. Friday as the <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/19/politics/kavanaugh-ford-grassley-judiciary-committee-supreme-court/index.html">deadline</a> for Christine Blasey Ford's legal team to respond to his request for her to speak to the committee regarding her sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. In a letter to the committee's ranking Democrat, Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, Grassley also asked for an unredacted version of the original letter Ford sent to Feinstein about the alleged incident. If Ford chooses not to speak to the committee, the hearing Grassley had scheduled for Monday would likely be canceled and the panel could move to vote by midweek, sources say.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>67 Million People in the U.S. Do Not Speak English at Home</em></strong></p>
<p>A record 67 million people living in the United States do not speak English at home, a new study has revealed, accounting for just over a fifth of the population. The study was carried out by <a href="https://cis.org/Report/Almost-Half-Speak-Foreign-Language-Americas-Largest-Cities?utm_source=E-mail+Updates&utm_campaign=652d8656ce-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_09_19_11_51&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_7dc4c5d977-652d8656ce-44168217" target="_blank">The Center of Immigration Studies </a>and was released on Wednesday. It is based on the newly released Census Bureau Data for 2017. California has by far the highest number of non-English speakers per state, with 16.5 million people (44 percent of its population) favoring other languages. Texas, where the number of 36 percent, has the second highest percentage, followed by New Mexico, New Jersey, and Nevada. In the country's five major cities, the numbers are especially high. In New York City and Houston, the figure is 49 percent. In Los Angeles, it is 59 percent, it is 36 percent in Chicago and 38 percent in Phoenix. The highest percentage per city of anywhere in the country is in Hialeah, Florida, where 95 percent of the population do not speak English. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Senate Bails on Border Wall Funding</em></strong></p>
<p>The Senate <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2018/09/19/senate-republicans-border-wall-funding-midterms/">overwhelmingly passed a spending package</a> on Tuesday that keeps the government running until after the November midterm elections and avoids, for now, a showdown over funding for President Donald Trump’s border wall. In a 93-7 vote, senators moved to fund the Pentagon to the tune of $607 billion for fiscal year 2019, plus full-year funding for the Departments of Labor, Education and Health and Human Services. But the Department of Homeland Security, which pays for border wall construction, will be funded at current levels via a continuing resolution that runs through December 7. Funding DHS on a continuing resolution allows Senate Republicans to avoid what promises to be a contentious fight over Trump’s signature border security initiative. Senate Democrats have agreed to include $1.6 billion for the border wall in the fiscal year 2019 spending bill, but that figure is far short of the $5 billion sought by the White House.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Pelosi Bid to Regain House Speaker Role Facing New Threat from Rebel Democrats</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>A rebel group of Democrats in the U.S. House is pushing a petition to change party rules for electing their speaker in what is viewed as a bid to stop current House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi from regaining her former role. At least 10 anti-Pelosi Democrats have signed a letter addressed to Caucus Chair Joe Crowley that seeks to change the rules on how the Democratic candidate for the speaker of the House is elected, the <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/09/nancy-pelosi-house-democrats/570781/" target="_blank">Atlantic</a> magazine reported. Currently, a nominee needs to receive just the majority of the votes from the Democratic caucus to be put forward as a candidate to the whole U.S. House for a vote. This gives leeway for Democrats running in red states as they can distance themselves from the California Democrat and even vote against her without actually stopping her bid. But the rebel Democrats are seeking to change the process. The letter asks to change the caucus’ rules so that the next nominee would have to get at least 218 votes in the caucus, a majority of the full House if Democrats have the majority of the seats. The letter was reportedly delivered by U.S. Reps. Ed Perlmutter of Colorado and Kathleen Rice of New York, the magazine reported.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Montana Restaurant Nixes Republican Event Headlined by Trump Jr.</em></strong></p>
<p>A restaurant in Bozeman, Montana is taking heat from conservatives on social media for canceling a <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/donald-trump-jr-and-kimberly-guilfoyle-campaign-rally-in-bozeman-tickets-50397298677">campaign event</a> headlined by Donald Trump Jr. The president’s son and his girlfriend, former Fox News talking head Kimberly Guilfoyle, were <a href="http://kmmsam.com/bozeman-restaurant-says-it-isnt-hosting-rosendale-trump-jr-event/">scheduled to take part in a rally</a> stumping for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Matt Rosedale on Tuesday, September 25. The event was announced in a release on Tuesday morning, but campaign organizers were forced to scramble to find a new location after restaurant manager Jeff Wilcox at Midtown Tavern canceled their reservation. Wilcox reached out to several media outlets following the campaign’s announcement to set the record straight, stating that he was unaware that the event had been booked at Midtown Tavern until after the press release was sent out. “We definitely don’t want to take political sides. That’s never our intention,” Wilcox <a href="https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/politics/donald-trump-jr-to-stump-for-rosendale-in-bozeman-but/article_d12dab19-8a02-57f9-a44c-7201ad38c1fb.html">tells the <em>Bozeman Daily Chronicle</em></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span> “That’s just not who we are. We just try to stay politically neutral,” he says. “We’re a restaurant.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Cannabis Industry Aims to End ‘Stoner’ Stigma</em></strong> </p>
<p>According to the <a href="http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/marijuana/sd-me-stoner-story-20180914-story.html">San Diego Union Tribune</a>, a recent billboard campaign from the cannabis company MedMen has spent $2 million to remind the public that pot smokers come from all walks of life and have feelings, too. Are they "stoners"? "No," says the ad, which has the words crossed out, replaced by more dignified titles — cop, nurse, teacher, scientist, are just a few examples. Daniel Yi, senior vice president of communications at MedMen, which operates 14 retail pot stores, said the word "stoner" carries negative connotations and is used to stereotype marijuana users. "That word can be used to negatively stereotype people,” said Daniel Yi. "We want to take that stigma away. We want to make marijuana mainstream."</p>
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<p><strong><em>‘High’ End Lobsters at Maine Restaurant</em></strong></p>
<p>A restaurant in Seawall, Maine, is known for cooking up "legendary" lobsters, but doesn't want the crustaceans to leave this world in pain. So, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SawyersLobsterPound/" target="_blank">Charlotte's Legendary Lobster Pound</a> says it's getting some lobsters high before they meet their maker. The restaurant's owner, Charlotte Gill, <a href="https://www.mdislander.com/maine-news/hot-box-lobsters-touted" target="_blank">spoke to The Mount Desert Islander</a> about why she chose to "hot box" lobsters. "I feel bad that when lobsters come here there is no exit strategy," Gill said. She first tried <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coca-cola-cbd-taking-a-look-at-cannabis-drinks-business-with-cannabidiol-ingredient/" target="_blank">the technique</a> on a lobster named Roscoe. Roscoe was placed in a box with about two inches of water. Marijuana smoke was blown into the water through a hole in the bottom, and Roscoe got "baked." <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/17-stoner-states-wheres-marijuana-use-highest/" target="_blank">Marijuana is legal in Maine</a> and Roscoe seemed to enjoy his first time getting high, he was much calmer when he was put back in the tank with other lobsters. As a reward for his participation in the experiment, the lobster was returned back into the ocean, Gill told the Mount Desert Islander. Gill argues that the kinder killing method will make the animal happier and happier lobsters mean better tasting meat. "The difference it makes within the meat itself is unbelievable," she said. "Everything you put into your body is energy."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s column “<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Evil/374163090655407601.html">Evil</a>”<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">Pre-Order “Killing the SS”</a> (available 10/9) on BillOReilly.com and get a <strong>FREE COPY</strong> of “Old School”!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-09-20T12:02:00ZTrump Heading to Carolinas Today; Mueller Asks Court to Schedule Flynn SentencingBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Heading-to-Carolinas-Today;-Mueller-Asks-Court-to-Schedule-Flynn-Sentencing/-183742143480194276.html2018-09-19T11:50:00Z2018-09-19T11:50:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, September 19, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Heading to Carolinas Today</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. President <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/donald-trump/">Donald Trump</a> is expected on Wednesday to visit <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/north-carolina/">North Carolina</a>, which is bearing the brunt of Florence's deadly deluge and where rivers are still rising while thousands of homes and roadways remain submerged. Trump plans to arrive at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in Havelock, North Carolina, at about 10:30 a.m. local time and return to Washington D.C., at 6:15 p.m., according to the White House. More than 15,000 people remain in shelters and more than 200,000 customers are without power across North Carolina, six days after Florence made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane, according to state officials. So far, Florence has already killed at least 35 people, including 26 in North Carolina, eight in South Carolina and 1 in Virginia.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Mueller Asks Court to Schedule Flynn Sentencing</em></strong></p>
<p>Special counsel <a href="https://thehill.com/people/robert-mueller">Robert Mueller</a> is asking a federal judge in Washington, D.C., to move forward with the sentencing of former national security adviser Michael Flynn, nearly 10 months after he pleaded guilty to lying to FBI agents about his Russia contacts. The development comes after repeated delays in Flynn's sentencing. “The matter is now ready to be scheduled for sentencing,” Mueller’s prosecutors wrote in a joint filing with Flynn’s defense attorneys on Monday. They requested that Judge Emmet D. Sullivan set a date for sentencing, suggesting Nov. 28 or seven business days after that. Mueller’s team had previously sought to delay Flynn’s sentencing four times, signaling that his cooperation was still needed in the ongoing investigation into Russian interference.<strong> </strong>In the Monday filing, Mueller's and Flynn’s attorneys also asked that any sentencing memoranda required from them be filed no more than two weeks before the date the judge schedules Flynn’s sentencing hearing. According to sentencing guidelines, Flynn likely faces a sentence of between zero and six months in prison and a fine between $500 and $9,500 for his crime.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Census Bureau: Hispanic Household Income Hits Record High</em></strong></p>
<p>The median household income for U.S. households in which the householder is Hispanic hit a record high of $50,486 in 2017, <a href="https://www.census.gov/content/census/en/library/publications/2018/demo/p60-263.html">according to the Census Bureau’s annual income report</a>, which was released last week. “[W]e can confirm that real median household income was higher in 2017 than in any prior year for which we have data,” the Census Bureau told CNSNews.com in specific reference to Hispanic household income. The $50,486 Hispanic median household income in 2017 was an increase of $1,786, or 3.7 percent from the Hispanic median household income in 2016, which was $48,700 in constant 2017 dollars.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Kavanaugh Accuser Wants FBI Investigation Before She Will Testify</em></strong></p>
<p>A woman who has accused President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, of sexual assault decades ago wants her allegations to be investigated by the FBI before she appears at a U.S. Senate hearing, her lawyers said on Tuesday. The Senate Judiciary Committee, which is overseeing the nomination, had called a hearing for Monday to examine the matter, and the White House had said Kavanaugh was ready to testify. In a letter to the committee’s chairman, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, Ford’s attorneys said an FBI investigation needed to come first. "A full investigation by law enforcement officials will ensure that the crucial facts and witnesses in this matter are assessed in a non-partisan manner and that the committee is fully informed before conducting any hearing or making any decisions," the <a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/2018-09-18%20Blasey%20Ford%20to%20Grassley%20(Kavanaugh%20Allegations).pdf">lawyers wrote</a>. A copy of the letter was posted on the committee's website. Grassley said there is no reason to delay Ford’s testimony and an invitation for her to appear before the committee on Monday stands.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Hillary Clinton Says Trump Will 'Wholesale Fire People' After Midterm Elections</em></strong></p>
<p>Hillary Clinton on Tuesday predicted that President Trump will <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8zvwn6PRiw">"wholesale fire people"</a> following November's midterm elections. "After this election, this president is going to wholesale fire people," Clinton said during an interview on MSNBC's "The Rachel Maddow Show." Predicting that Trump will "be even more uncontrollable and unaccountable" following the results, Clinton argued that the president will fire people who he believes are "undermining him" and "questioning him." "The president is close to being uncontrollable," she continued. In the wide-ranging interview, Clinton also discussed the recent controversy surrounding Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Clinton claimed it was "a reasonable request" to have the FBI reopen an investigation into the nominee amid accusations of sexual assault against him.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Tesla Facing Criminal Probe Over Musk Statements</em></strong></p>
<p>Tesla is facing a criminal probe from the Justice Department over public statements made by Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk, according to <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-09-18/tesla-faces-u-s-criminal-probe-over-musk-statements">Bloomberg News</a>. The investigation stems from an August tweet from Musk that said he had secured funding to take the company private. The criminal probe is running alongside a civil inquiry by securities regulators related to the same tweet. In a <a href="https://www.tesla.com/blog/update-taking-tesla-private?redirect=no">company statement</a> last month, Musk defended his tweet, saying Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund had approached him several times over the past two years about taking Tesla private. In the week following Musk's tweet, Tesla's shares jumped 10 percent, prompting a series of lawsuits over stock manipulation. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Musk's tweets continue to cause problems for him. On Monday, a British cave diver involved with the recent Thai cave rescue <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/technology/overnights/407099-hillicon-valley-elon-musk-sued-by-diver-in-thai-cave-rescue">sued Musk</a> for calling him a "pedo guy."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Stormy Daniels' Tell-All Book on Trump: Salacious Detail and Claims of Cheating</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/sep/18/stormy-daniels-tell-all-book-on-trump-salacious-detail-and-claims-of-cheating">In a tell-all memoir</a>, the pornographic actor Stormy Daniels details salacious descriptions of her time with Donald Trump, wonders if he is fit to be president and claims he offered to cheat for her in his reality TV show. A copy of the book, Full Disclosure, was obtained by the Guardian. In it, Daniels describes her mounting disbelief as Trump began to win primary contests in 2016 for the Republican presidential nomination. Former castmates whom she had not heard from in years, but who had heard her story about sleeping with Trump in 2006, would call her up to marvel at the news. “It will never happen, I would say,” Daniels writes. “He doesn’t even want to be president.” But as Trump kept winning, Daniels writes, she began to think she might be in danger. The story she had to tell about Trump seemed more sensitive the more he won. And she had already been threatened once, years earlier, and warned never to tell the story about Trump, she has claimed. Those moments of fear and doubt and Daniels’ decision on the eve of the election to sign a $130,000 hush agreement hang around a detailed description of Daniels’ alleged tryst with Trump at a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe, California. In the book, Daniels writes in sometimes excruciating detail about the president’s genitals and describes her disgust with herself for letting the scene play out. She continued to answer Trump’s many phone calls over the next year in hopes that he would make good on his promise to put her on his reality television show, The Apprentice, Daniels writes. Trump even suggested that a cheat could be arranged to allow her to survive through more episodes of the show, she writes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s new column “<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Hating-the-Press/206910918717137454.html">Hating the Press</a>”<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">Pre-Order “Killing the SS”</a> (available 10/9) on BillOReilly.com and get a <strong>FREE COPY</strong> of “Old School”!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-09-19T11:50:00ZTrump Orders Carter Page, Bruce Ohr Documents Declassified; Ready Ohr Not: Nellie Ohr to Testify over Fusion GPSBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Orders-Carter-Page-Bruce-Ohr-Documents-Declassified;-Ready-Ohr-Not:-Nellie-Ohr-to-Testify-over-Fusion-GPS/449589899300073937.html2018-09-18T11:39:00Z2018-09-18T11:39:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, September 18, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Orders Carter Page, Bruce Ohr Documents Declassified<br /></em></strong></p>
<p>On Monday, President Trump ordered the declassification of FBI documents related to the Russia investigation which include the missing 21 pages of the FISA application surveillance warrant against Carter Page and all text messages between FBI officials Lisa Page and Peter Strzok. President Trump ordered the release of the documents through the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Justice Department at “the request of a number of committees of Congress, and for reasons of transparency,” according to White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Ready Ohr Not: Nellie Ohr to Testify over Fusion GPS</em></strong></p>
<p>Nellie Ohr -wife of embattled DOJ official Bruce Ohr- will testify before Congress over her role behind the debunked ‘Trump Dossier’ and her relationship with shady opposition research firm Fusion GPS. According to the <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/09/16/nellie-ohr-congress/">Daily Caller</a>, Ohr will speak with Congressional leaders in the coming days over potential political bias ahead of the 2016 election cycle, when she reportedly worked for Fusion GPS. “Republican lawmakers have questioned the Ohrs’ relationship to Fusion GPS and Steele. The husband-and-wife duo met with Steele on July 30, 2016, a day before the FBI opened its counterintelligence investigation into the Trump campaign’s possible ties to Russia. Nellie Ohr began working for Fusion GPS in December 2015. Congressional sources have told The Daily Caller News Foundation that Fusion approached Ohr for the job,” writes the <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/09/16/nellie-ohr-congress/">DC</a>. Bruce Ohr appeared before Congress in August, answering multiple questions surrounding his relationship with former British Spy Christopher Steele and the ‘dossier.’</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>China to Cancel Talks if Trump Moves Ahead with Tariffs</em></strong></p>
<p>China will reject new trade talks if President Donald Trump moves ahead with the next round of U.S. tariffs on Chinese products, throwing into doubt the prospect of a diplomatic breakthrough, according to two people familiar with the matter. The administration earlier this month floated the idea of talks led by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He expected to lead the Beijing delegation. But President Donald Trump last week ordered aides to move forward with tariffs on as much as $200 billion in Chinese goods, and a 10 percent duty could be imposed as soon as Monday or Tuesday, according to five people familiar with the matter. Beijing has already said it will retaliate for the new round of tariffs. Chinese officials have also signaled to U.S. counterparts that Mnuchin’s talks won’t happen.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Record-Low 12% Cite Economic Issues as Top U.S. Problem</em></strong></p>
<p>A record-low of 12% of Americans currently cite some aspect of the economy as the most important problem facing the U.S., down from 17% last month and one percentage point below the previous low of 13% recorded in May 1999. Mentions of the economy as the top problem reached 86% in February 2009, the highest in recent decades. As the economy has been receding in Americans' minds as the top problem facing the nation, issues relating to the way the country is being governed have become more prevalent. This month, 29% of Americans cite concerns about government, approaching the all-time high of 33% in October 2013 -- when the U.S. government shut down after Congress failed to agree on a spending bill. Other specific issues rounding out the top five "most important problem" categories this month include immigration, race issues, the need to unify the country and healthcare.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Bloomberg May Run for President as a Democrat</em></strong></p>
<p>Michael Bloomberg is actively considering a campaign for president as a Democrat in 2020, concluding that it would be his only path to the White House even as he voices stark disagreements with progressives on defining issues including bank regulation, stop-and-frisk police tactics, and the #MeToo movement. Bloomberg, 76, a billionaire media executive and former New York City mayor, has already aligned himself with Democrats in the midterm elections, approving a plan <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/20/us/politics/mike-bloomberg-democrats-election.html">to spend $80 million</a> to flip control of the House of Representatives. A political group he controls will soon begin spending heavily in three Republican-held districts in Southern California, attacking conservative candidates for their stances on abortion, guns and the environment. At events across the West Coast and Nevada in recent days, Bloomberg, who was elected mayor as a Republican and an independent, denounced his former party in sharp terms. He urged audiences in Seattle and San Francisco to punish Republicans who oppose gun control or reject climate science. And in Las Vegas on Sunday he called on Democrats to seize command of the political center and win over Americans “who voted Republican in 2016.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Governments Boycotting Nike or Considering it are Mounting</em></strong></p>
<p>A Rhode Island town is considering asking its departments to refrain from purchasing Nike products, and the American Civil Liberties Union is objecting. Council President John Beauregard is a former state trooper who is upset with Nike’s decision to use former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in ads. North Smithfield hasn’t said what it buys from Nike if anything. The ACLU of Rhode Island says it could be held liable for violating the First Amendment. The mayor of a New Orleans suburb recently rescinded a similar directive based on an attorney’s advice. Mississippi’s public safety chief <a href="https://apnews.com/c8b745da619c4dd88b136e4da6655530">said over the weekend</a> that state police would no longer buy Nike products. Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem in 2016 to protest police brutality and social injustice.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Coca-Cola is Eyeing the Cannabis Market</em></strong></p>
<p>Aurora Cannabis Inc. led pot stocks higher after Coca-Cola Co. said it’s eyeing the cannabis drinks market, becoming the latest beverage company to tap into surging demand for marijuana products as traditional sales slow. <a title="Coca-Cola" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/KO:US" target="_blank">Coca-Cola</a> says it’s monitoring the nascent industry and is interested in drinks infused with CBD, the non-psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that treats pain but doesn’t get you high. The Atlanta-based soft drinks maker is in talks with Canadian marijuana producer <a title="Aurora Cannabis" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/ACB:CN" target="_blank">Aurora Cannabis </a>to develop the beverages, according to a <a title="BNN" href="https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/coca-cola-in-talks-with-aurora-to-develop-cannabis-drinks-sources-1.1138528" target="_blank">report</a> from BNN Bloomberg Television. “We are closely watching the growth of non-psychoactive CBD as an ingredient in functional wellness beverages around the world,” Coca-Cola spokesman Kent Landers said in an emailed statement to Bloomberg News. “The space is evolving quickly. No decisions have been made at this time.” Landers declined to comment on Aurora.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>2 Million U.S. Teens are Vaping Marijuana</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.apnews.com/4674bd0e5f0a4a0795dcd58febf20a5a/2-million-US-teens-are-vaping-marijuana">A school-based survey</a> shows nearly 1 in 11 U.S. students have used marijuana in electronic cigarettes, heightening health concerns about the new popularity of vaping among teens. E-cigarettes typically contain nicotine, but many of the battery-powered devices can vaporize other substances, including marijuana. Results published Monday mean 2.1 million middle and high school students have used them to get high. Vaping is generally considered less dangerous than smoking because burning tobacco or marijuana generates chemicals that are harmful to lungs. But there is little research on e-cigarettes’ long-term effects, including whether they help smokers quit. The rise in teenagers using e-cigarettes has alarmed health officials who worry kids will get addicted to nicotine, a stimulant, and be more likely to try cigarettes. Last week, the Food and Drug Administration gave the five largest e-cigarette makers 60 days to produce plans to stop underage use of their products. Nearly 9 percent of students surveyed in 2016 said they used an e-cigarette device with marijuana, according to Monday’s <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2702200">report</a> in the journal JAMA Pediatrics. That included one-third of those who ever used e-cigarettes. The number is worrying “because cannabis use among youth can adversely affect learning and memory and may impair later academic achievement and education,” said lead researcher Katrina Trivers of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Students who said they lived with a tobacco user were more likely than others to report vaping marijuana.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s new column “<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Hating-the-Press/206910918717137454.html">Hating the Press</a>”<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">Pre-Order “Killing the SS”</a> (available 10/9) on BillOReilly.com and get a <strong>FREE COPY</strong> of “Old School”!<br /><br /><br /></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-09-18T11:39:00ZAllegations Throw Kavanaugh Confirmation into Turmoil; Biden Demands Stepped Up Pressure on Trump: 'We're Fighting for America's Soul'BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Allegations-Throw-Kavanaugh-Confirmation-into-Turmoil;-Biden-Demands-Stepped-Up-Pressure-on-Trump:-Were-Fighting-for-Americas-Soul/-949188482371594194.html2018-09-17T11:58:00Z2018-09-17T11:58:00Z<p><span>Here is the Daily Briefing for Monday, September 17, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Allegations Throw Kavanaugh Confirmation into Turmoil<br /></em></strong></p>
<p>Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination was plunged into chaos after <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/406938-allegations-throw-kavanaugh-confirmation-into-turmoil">a woman accusing him of sexual assault</a> spoke publicly for the first time about the allegation on Sunday. The fallout from the decades-old allegation is putting a spotlight on Senate Republicans, who must decide if they want to rush forward with Kavanaugh’s nomination with questions lingering over the Senate’s debate and vote. Republicans have been confident for months that Kavanaugh would be confirmed by October when the court starts its next term, but they are under intense pressure to delay a vote after Kavanaugh’s accuser, Christine Blasey Ford came forward.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Wilmington Cut Off by Florence as Catastrophic Flooding Spreads Across North Carolina</em></strong></p>
<p>The city of Wilmington, North Carolina, has been entirely cut off by floodwaters from Tropical Depression Florence, <a href="https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/2018-09-16-wilmington-north-carolina-closed-flooding-florence">forcing North Carolina officials to call for additional help</a> from state law enforcement and the National Guard. Roads leading in and out of the city were under water Sunday night, forcing residents to wait for hours outside the few stores that were open for basic necessities. Police were allowing only 10 people at a time inside the door of one store. During a news conference Sunday, Woody White, chairman of the board of commissioners of New Hanover County, said additional rainfall Saturday night made roads into the city impassable. "Our roads are flooded," he said. "There is no access to Wilmington." He said water and food would be flown into the city that is home to about 120,000 people. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Biden Demands Stepped Up Pressure on Trump: 'We're Fighting for America's Soul'</em></strong></p>
<p>Joe Biden used the pro-LGBT <a href="https://news.grabien.com/story-biden-demands-stepped-pressure-trump-were-fighting-americas">Human Rights Campaign's annual dinner Saturday</a> to deliver a blistering attack on President Trump. Trump, who notably used the RNC convention in 2016 to say he would "do everything in my power to protect our LGBTQ citizens" is an enemy to the LGBT community, Biden said. "Forces of intolerance" and the "dregs of society," Biden said, "remain determined to undermine and roll back the progress you have all made. This time, they, not you, have an ally in the White House." Trump "uses the White House as a literal bully pulpit," Biden said. "Callously exerting his power over those who have little or none." Biden said he and "Barack" vowed upon leaving office to not attack the Trump Administration in its first year, but admitted they both opted to instead speak out.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Strzok-Page Texts Calling to 'Open' Case in 'Chargeable Way' Under Fresh Scrutiny</em></strong></p>
<p>Text messages from disgraced FBI figures Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, discussing whether to open a "case" in a <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/09/17/strzok-page-texts-calling-to-open-case-in-chargeable-way-under-fresh-scrutiny.html">"formal chargeable way"</a> after Director James Comey was fired, are under fresh scrutiny after Page told congressional investigators there was no evidence of Russian collusion at the time, according to three congressional sources. Two hours after Comey's termination became public on May 9, 2017, Strzok, a now-former FBI agent, texted Page, his then-colleague and lover: "We need to open the case we've been waiting on now while Andy is acting." "Andy" is a reference to then-Deputy Director Andrew McCabe who temporarily took over the bureau until Christopher Wray was confirmed as director in August 2017. Page, a former FBI attorney, replied to Strzok: "We need to lock in (redacted). In a formal chargeable way. Soon." Strzok concurred. "I agree. I've been pushing and I'll reemphasize with Bill," believed to be Bill Priestap, the head of the FBI's counterintelligence division. The text messages were provided to Congress earlier this year, and among the six months of missing messages blamed on software and technical issues with the FBI issued Samsung phones. The recovered texts cover December 2016 to May 2017, including Comey's firing, and the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Week Two: NFL Stadiums Plagued by Thousands of Empty Seats</em></strong></p>
<p>We don’t yet know what the TV ratings for Week 2 of the NFL season will be. However, ratings aside, the league is still suffering from very low attendance numbers. Last week’s games for <em>Sunday Night Football</em> <a href="https://www.breitbart.com/sports/2018/09/10/sunday-night-football-ratings-take-another-nosedive/" target="_blank">fell</a> once again over the previous season with the September 9 slate of games down 9 percent over the 2017 season’s openers. By Monday the numbers <a href="https://www.breitbart.com/sports/2018/09/10/nfl-ratings-up-overall-for-week-1-but-theres-a-catch/" target="_blank">looked</a> better for the league. Meanwhile, Week Two also saw some empty stadiums across the league. According to a post by the Twitter account, Empty Seats Galore, Los Angeles Rams fans “are already fed up” with the league and many empty seats were seen at Sunday afternoon’s game.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Elon Musk's SpaceX to Name First Passenger for Round-The-Moon Flight Monday</em></strong></p>
<p>SpaceX is expected to name the first private passenger to fly around the moon at an event Monday evening. CEO Elon Musk will likely name the individual that SpaceX says will be the 25th person to swing around the backside of the moon and the first since America's Apollo missions ended in 1972. The announcement is scheduled for 6 p.m. EST at the headquarters of Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX for short, in the Los Angeles suburb of Hawthorne. The mission will be "an important step toward enabling access for everyday people who dream of traveling to space, SpaceX said in a tweet.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Paul McCartney Talks Trump: 'We've Got a Mad Captain Sailing This Boat We're All On'</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/406884-paul-mccartney-slammed-trump-in-a-song-weve-got-a-mad-captain">A new song by Paul McCartney</a>, “Despite Repeated Warnings,” ventures into political territory and directs a chastening comment in the direction of climate change deniers with the lyric: “Those who shout the loudest/May not always be the smartest. People who deny climate change… I just think it’s the most stupid thing ever,” McCartney, reveals to the BBC. “So, I just wanted to make a song that would talk about that and basically say, ‘Occasionally, we’ve got a mad captain sailing this boat we’re all on and he is just going to take us to the iceberg [despite] being warned it’s not a cool idea.' And just who could the “Mad Captain” be? “Obviously it’s Trump,” McCartney says before adding, “but there’s plenty of them about. He’s not the only one.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>A Couple of Other Housekeeping Notes:</strong></em></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s new column “<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Hating-the-Press/206910918717137454.html">Hating the Press</a>”<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">Pre-Order “Killing the SS”</a> (available 10/9) on BillOReilly.com and get a <strong>FREE COPY</strong> of “Old School”!</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-09-17T11:58:00ZU.S. has spent over $1.5 trillion on wars since 9/11; Over a Million Told to Flee as Hurricane Florence Stalks US East CoastBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/U.S.-has-spent-over-$1.5-trillion-on-wars-since-9/11;-Over-a-Million-Told-to-Flee-as-Hurricane-Florence-Stalks-US-East-Coast/-366738204950861604.html2018-09-11T17:33:00Z2018-09-11T17:33:00Z<p>Here is today's Daily Briefing, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br />U.S. has spent over $1.5 trillion on wars since 9/11</span></strong></p>
<p>Citing a Defense Department report, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/10/the-us-has-spent-1point5-trillion-on-war-since-september-11-attacks.html">CNBC is reporting</a> that U.S. military operations following the September 11 attacks have cost taxpayers more than $1.5 trillion.</p>
<p>This includes operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.</p>
<p>The war in Afghanistan – America’s longest war – has cost taxpayers the most at $134 billion. The money is used to cover expenses such as troops’ salary, training and military equipment.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, t<a href="http://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-al-qaeda-survive-20180910-story.html">he LA Times reports that Al Qaeda is gaining ground in the Middle East and North Africa</a>, a move that would force the U.S. to stay longer and continue military operations in the region. </p>
<p>Seventeen years ago, Americans came together after the brutal, unprovoked attack on innocent civilians. Now, the nation is divided. Why? We’ll deal with that tonight on The No Spin News.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">GOP Congressman: Strzok-Page texts reveal 'coordinated' FBI leak strategy to harm Trump</span></strong></p>
<p>“Our task forces continues to receive troubling evidence that the practice of coordinated media interactions continues to exist within the DOJ and FBI,” says Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) in a letter to Deputy A.G. Rod Rosenstien.</p>
<p> "I had literally just gone to find this phone to tell you I want to talk to you about media leak strategy with DOJ before you go,"</p>
<p>Peter Strzok texted that to Lisa Page on April 10, 2017, according to Meadows, who cited newly produced documents from the Justice Department.</p>
<p>This is a huge story and we will be all over it on tonight’s No Spin News.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Over a Million Told to Flee as Hurricane Florence Stalks US East Coast</span></strong></p>
<p>South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster told up to 1 million residents to <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/us-weather-environment-hurricane/2018/09/10/id/881084/">leave their homes ahead of Hurricane Florence</a>.</p>
<p>Florence is a Category 4 storm, with wind speeds up to 130 miles per hour. It may become the strongest storm to hit the country in decades.</p>
<p>This is a very dangerous hurricane," McMaster said, adding that the evacuation order for coastal counties was "mandatory, not voluntary."</p>
<p>President Donald Trump tweeted out a message to residents in the storm's path, urging them to heed the warnings of state and local officials.</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">My people just informed me that this is one of the worst storms to hit the East Coast in many years. Also, looking like a direct hit on North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Please be prepared, be careful and be SAFE!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1039291783031734273?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ken Starr: I considered perjury charges against Hillary Clinton in 1995</span></strong></p>
<p>In his new memoir, Ken Starr reveals that he considered bringing perjury charges against then-First Lady Mrs. Clinton during a 1995 deposition about Vince Foster.</p>
<p>“I was upset over Mrs. Clinton’s performance, and was even considering bringing the matter before the Washington grand jury for possible indictment on perjury,” Starr wrote in “Contempt: A Memoir of the Clinton Investigation.”</p>
<p>“In the space of three hours, she claimed, by our count, over a hundred times that she ‘did not recall’ or ‘did not remember,’” Starr wrote. He ultimately decided against bringing charges because he knew they would be hard to prove.</p>
<p>Ken Starr will join us on Wednesday’s No Spin News – don’t miss that.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Publisher prints 1M copies of Woodward book ahead of Tuesday release</span></strong></p>
<p>Simon & Schuster has printed a million copies of journalist Bob Woodward's book on the Trump White in the face of growing demand, <a href="https://money.cnn.com/2018/09/10/media/bob-woodward-fear-book-copies/index.html">CNN reported on Monday.</a> </p>
<p>Even before its official release, “Fear" is the sixth biggest seller of 2018 on Amazon, thanks to pre-orders.</p>
<p>This book will dominate the press cycle for at least 2 weeks. We think most Americans are already tired of hearing about it! President Trump should not engage on this issue and instead focus on messaging for the midterms. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Intelligence Reports: North Korea Still Building Nukes</span></strong></p>
<p>President Trump's administration is <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/north-korea-trump-nuclear-weapons-production/2018/09/10/id/880943/">taking a more aggressive position on North Korea</a> as evidence grows that the country is still producing nuclear weapons despite promises they made to denuke at the Singapore summit. </p>
<p>Intelligence officials have said North Korea could make between five and eight nuclear weapons in 2018, keeping the country in line with its usual production of around six weapons a year before the Singapore summit.</p>
<p>Trump has been publicly friendly with Kim, including tweeting his thanks last week for declaring his "unwavering faith" and saying that the U.S. and North Korea will "get it done together."</p>
<p>However, a National Security Council spokesman told NBC that Trump is personally directing a high-pressure campaign against North Korea, which includes stepping up maritime efforts against ships and nations violating trade sanctions.</p>
<p>We’ll see how this unfolds.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Donald Trump, Jr. hammers Google, Claims NYT Op-Ed Writer Committed Crime By ‘Subverting the Will of the People’</span></strong></p>
<p> Don, Jr. <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/online/don-jr-claims-ny-times-op-ed-writer-committed-crime-by-subverting-the-will-of-the-people/">appeared on Good Morning America this morning</a> with some harsh words for media giants Google & NYT.</p>
<p>“You have Google which controls 91% of the searches in the world. We don’t know who controls the algorithm. We don’t know who is doing what but they’re using it to influence the decision making progress. They’re only filtering content on one side and they’re not doing on the other and it’s happening again and again.”</p>
<p>He also weighed in on the NYT op-ed. Check the clip above. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Most Teens Prefer to Chat Online, Rather Than in Person</span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></strong><a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/most-teens-prefer-to-chat-online-than-in-person-survey-finds-1536597971">A new study</a> from the nonprofit Common Sense Media finds that more than two-thirds of teens say they would rather communicate with their friends online than in person.</p>
<p>“You can’t help but say, ‘Is there something big going on here?’ Some fundamental shift in the way people will be communicating with each other in the future,” said Vicky Rideout, principal at VJR Consulting, the co-author and lead researcher on the project.</p>
<p>Ms. Rideout also noted an increase of teens who say their devices distract them when “I should be paying attention to the people I’m with;” and a sizable percentage of teens, who say they are frustrated with friends for being on their phones so much when they are hanging out together.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Monday Night Football Going Downhill – Check Bill’s Message of the Day</span></strong></p>
<p>O'REILLY: For Americans who fear the country is in decline on a social level, a sports analogy might demonstrate that very well. The passage of time has not been kind to Monday Night Football. Once the biggest cultural event on TV, it is now a telecast that is actually hard to watch because of awful production values and lack of star power.</p>
<p>When Roone Arledge put together the broadcast for ABC in the early 1970’s, he eventually selected three major stars to call the game: Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, and the uber-controversial Howard Cosell. Ratings were enormous as politicians and celebrities swarmed into stadiums hoping for a few minutes of recognition. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Monday-Night-Football/32584432346192870.html">Read Bill’s Message of the Day.</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span></strong></p>
<p><strong>A couple of other housekeeping notes:</strong></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s new column “<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Hating-the-Press/206910918717137454.html">Hating the Press</a>”<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">Pre-Order “Killing the SS”</a> (available 10/9) on BillOReilly.com and get a <strong>FREE COPY</strong> of “Old School”!</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-09-11T17:33:00ZSenate Democrats Interrupt Kavanaugh Hearing 76 Times; Tip of the Day for President TrumpBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Senate-Democrats-Interrupt-Kavanaugh-Hearing-76-Times;-Tip-of-the-Day-for-President-Trump/703815138699618874.html2018-09-05T15:57:00Z2018-09-05T15:57:00Z<p>Here is today's Daily Briefing, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://freebeacon.com/politics/senate-democrats-interrupt-kavanaugh-hearing-76-times/?utm_source=Press+List&utm_campaign=55e3957b5d-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_09_04_10_36&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5b0ef94baa-55e3957b5d-21315889"><br />Free Beacon</a>: Senate Democrats Interrupt Kavanaugh Hearing 76 Times<br /></strong></p>
<p>Surprised? The Free Beacon is reporting that Senate Democrats interrupted the rollicking Kavanaugh hearing 76 times. Felt like a lot more than that. Here is a big compilation of the continued interruptions:</p>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WU8Gggw6tDM" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<p><strong><br /><br />White House Fires Back at Woodward Book: “Nothing more than fabricated stories”</strong></p>
<p>With all the free media attention, Bob Woodward’s forthcoming book is sure to be another #1 bestseller for the author. But for all the hubbub, where are the facts?</p>
<p>It is not Bob Woodward’s style to completely fabricate stories, but many in the White House are already calling his bluff.</p>
<p>James Mattis has called the reporting on him “<a href="http://thehill.com/policy/defense/405056-mattis-calls-woodwards-reporting-on-him-fiction">total fiction”</a> and General Kelly has also rebuffed the claims made about him in the book.</p>
<p>Check <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Bob-Woodwards-Anonymous-Sources/-95857776756170008.html">Bill’s Message of the Day for more on how the anonymous source ruse develops and devolves</a>.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/09/04/transcript-phone-call-between-president-trump-journalist-bob-woodward/?utm_term=.f9abf227751d">the Washington Post has published an interesting back and forth</a> - a phone conversation between Trump and Woodward about meeting to talk for the book. Here is a partial transcript:</p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong><em>President Trump</em></strong><em>: I just spoke with Kellyanne [Conway], and she asked me if I got a call. I never got a call. I never got a message. Who did you ask about speaking to me?<br /><br /></em></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong><em>Bob Woodward:</em></strong><em> Well, about six people.<br /><br /></em></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;" data-elm-loc="13"><strong><em>Trump:</em></strong><em> They don’t tell me.<br /><br /></em></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;" data-elm-loc="14"><strong><em>Woodward:</em></strong><em> A senator. I talked to Kellyanne about it two and a half months ago. She came for lunch.</em></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><em> </em></div>
<p>Read More of the phone conversation <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/09/04/transcript-phone-call-between-president-trump-journalist-bob-woodward/?utm_term=.f9abf227751d">here</a>.</p>
<p>Bill opined this morning on Twitter:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Everything we predicted about the Bob Woodward book is coming true.<br /> <br />It is aggressively anti-Trump so the media is giving Woodward a collective big hug. Hours of cable news time will be spent discussing the “facts” in the book even though there are no facts.</p>
— Bill O'Reilly (@BillOReilly) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly/status/1037339574337527810?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p> <br /><br /><br /><strong>Mueller Will Accept Some Written Answers From Trump</strong></p>
<p>The New York Times is <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/04/us/politics/mueller-trump-russia-investigation.html">reporting</a> that Mueller’s team will accept written answers from Trump about whether his campaign conspired with Russia’s election interference.Mr. Muller informed Trump in a letter sent to his lawyers last week. Mr. Trump has insisted to his lawyers and aides that he wants to be questioned by Mr. Mueller.</p>
<p>Let’s get this wrapped up for the good of the country. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Chuck Schumer on Impeaching Trump: ‘The Sooner the Better’</strong></p>
<p>Sen. Chuck Schumer told a Brooklyn crowd he wanted to impeach President Donald Trump, and "the sooner, the better."</p>
<p> <a href="https://freebeacon.com/politics/chuck-schumer-on-impeaching-trump-the-sooner-the-better/">In a video interaction released Monday</a>, Schumer was asked about impeachment and expressed support for the idea:</p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong><em>MAN (off camera):</em></strong><em> "When y'all gonna impeach Trump?"<br /><br /></em></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong><em>SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER:</em></strong><em> "Sooner the better."<br /><br /></em></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong><em>MAN:</em></strong><em> "‘Sooner the better?' That's not answering the question."<br /><br /></em></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong><em>SCHUMER:</em></strong><em> "Gotta get a few Republicans [inaudible].”<br /><br /></em></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong><em>WOMAN (off camera):</em></strong><em> "We’re trying. We’re voting."<br /><br /></em></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong><em>SCHUMER:</em></strong><em> "We’re Democrats. We’re on your side."</em></div>
<p>House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) had previously resisted calls from the party base to seek impeachment, claiming it was "not a priority." Who's in charge over there?</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Conservatives ditching Facebook over trust issues and fears of political bias, study shows</strong></p>
<p>Conservatives are ditching Facebook in droves, and many don’t trust the social media juggernaut, according to a new MRC study. Among the most significant findings:</p>
<p>32% of conservatives have either left Facebook or considered getting off the platform.</p>
<p>66% said they do not trust Facebook to treat its users equally regardless of political beliefs.</p>
<p> Nearly 70 percent of participants said they have lost trust in Facebook over the past year alone.</p>
<p> <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/techwatch/nb-staff/2018/09/04/bozell-congress-american-people-deserve-answers-social-media">MRC President Brent Bozell issued a statement after the watchdog group published its findings</a>. <br /><br />“These numbers are devastating to any CEO responsible for addressing the concerns of his customer base,” Bozell said.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Facebook has a trust problem. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/techhearings?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#techhearings</a> <a href="https://t.co/vDE84olDPR">pic.twitter.com/vDE84olDPR</a></p>
— MediaResearchCenter (@theMRC) <a href="https://twitter.com/theMRC/status/1037354843487260673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>San Francisco Bans Plastic Straws; Streets Littered with Free Hypodermic Needle Caps</strong></p>
<p>As <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/09/04/san-francisco-bans-plastic-straws-but-streets-are-littered-with-free-hypodermic-needle-caps.html">San Francisco bans plastic straws in an effort to clean up the city,</a> the streets are reportedly littered with plastic caps from free syringes.</p>
<p>City officials hand out the free hypodermic needles to prevent diseases spreading among drug users. The city hands out a roughly 400,000 syringes each month, but has little control on how these needles are disposed of.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/Those-needles-littering-the-streets-The-city-12898656.php">SF Chronicle previously reported that more than 154,000 needles end up in the streets, sidewalks, parks and playgrounds</a>.</p>
<p>Meanwhile in July, the city unanimously approved a plan to ban plastic straws and stirrers, as well as food containers made with environmentally harmful chemicals.</p>
<p>“I want people to walk around this city and think, ‘Wow, it’s so clean here,’” San Francisco Mayor London Breed said. “I want people just hanging out in front of where they live and enjoying the weather, people of all races, able to live in dignity because they have a home and are able to make ends meet.”</p>
<p>Valiant effort?</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>And Finally – </strong></p>
<p><strong>Today’s TIP OF THE DAY: A Special Message from Bill O’Reilly to President Trump:</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump would be wise to put emotion aside for the next two months and concentrate on accomplishments rather than feuds. He should have a new Supreme Court Justice, and a booming economy to bolster him.</p>
— Bill O'Reilly (@BillOReilly) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly/status/1036985987597885440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
<p>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong>A couple of other housekeeping notes:</strong></p>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly">follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a> if you’re not already! Bill is also on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/billoreillyofficial" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/billoreilly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OvD2yIbofl9l4dIlqSNMw" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-Be sure to check out Bill’s new column “<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Hating-the-Press/206910918717137454.html">Hating the Press</a>”<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">-<a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/p/The-Killing-Series/Killing-the-SS/50466.html?dispid=174">Pre-Order “Killing the SS”</a> (available 10/9) on BillOReilly.com and get a <strong>FREE COPY</strong> of “Old School”!</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-09-05T15:57:00ZNike Shares Fall After Colin Kaepernick Joins Ad Campaign; Brett Kavanaugh Hearing Marked by Dem ProtestBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Nike-Shares-Fall-After-Colin-Kaepernick-Joins-Ad-Campaign;-Brett-Kavanaugh-Hearing-Marked-by-Dem-Protest/-844349937667474943.html2018-09-04T19:44:00Z2018-09-04T19:44:00Z<p>Here is today's Daily Briefing, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Brett Kavanaugh Hearing Currently Underway</strong></p>
<p>The hearing to fill the currently vacant Supreme Court seat has thus far been marked with protests and objections from various Democrats who have created chaos throughout. Chuck Schumer helped coordinate the Democrats’ strategy to adjourn the meeting but Chuck Grassley refused to hold a vote on adjournment. <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/live-news/brett-kavanaugh-confirmation-hearing-supreme-court-today-2018-09-04-live-updates/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">CBS News is doing a good job of providing live highlights from the hearing.</span></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Former Senator Jon Kyl to Fill John McCain’s Senate Seat in AZ </strong></p>
<p>Kyl has committed to serve Arizona once again on a temporary basis until the end of this session of Congress, and <a href="https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2018/09/04/jon-kyl-named-john-mccain-replacement-senate-appointment-ducey/1148030002/" target="_blank">agreed to do so out of a “sense of duty.”</a> A close friend of the McCain family, Kyl says he previously had no intention of returning to the Senate. Cindy McCain announced on Twitter Tuesday morning:</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jon Kyl is a dear friend of mine and John’s. It’s a great tribute to John that he is prepared to go back into public service to help the state of Arizona.</p>
— Cindy McCain (@cindymccain) <a href="https://twitter.com/cindymccain/status/1037016096136683526?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2018<br /><span style="color: #000000;"><br /></span></a></blockquote>
<p><strong>Publicity for Bob Woodward’s Anti-Trump Book “FEAR” is Underway…</strong></p>
<p>Advanced copies of journalist Bob Woodward’s have hit and some attention grabbing excerpts are making the rounds. Among the mostly anonymously-sourced allegations are the assertion that President Trump referred to AG Jeff Sessions as “mentally retarded” and that aids simply remove documents from the preisdent’s desk that they do not want him to sign. The book “<a href="https://abc7.com/new-bob-woodward-book-paints-portrait-of-a-chaotic-and-paranoid-white-house/4144966/%20%20%20" target="_blank">paints a portrait of a chaotic and paranoid White House</a>," according to ABC News. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Nike Shares Fall After Colin Kaepernick Named as New Face of “Just Do it” Campaign</strong></p>
<p>Nike announced Colin Kapernick as the new face of their ad campaign…and <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/04/nike-shares-tumble-after-company-reveals-new-ad-campaign-featuring-colin-kaepernick.html" target="_blank">hours later the company’s shares were already down nearly 3%</a>. Nike has sponsored Kapernick since 2011, before his public interest in political activism. Kaepernick found an interesting ally in former CIA Director John Brennan…</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Colin Kaepernick drew our collective attention to the problem of continued racial injustice in America. He did so not to disrespect our flag but to give meaning to the words of the preamble of our Constitution—“in order to form a more perfect union.” Well done, Colin, well done. <a href="https://t.co/4ALyUxLjM5">https://t.co/4ALyUxLjM5</a></p>
— John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnBrennan/status/1036793382327250945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>After a Violent Labor Day Weekend in Chicago, Mayor Rahm Emanuel Announces he will not seek Re-Election </strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong>Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced today he will not run for re-election of what would be his third term as mayor. </p>
<p>“As much as I love this job and will always love this city and its residents, I’ve decided not to seek re-election,” Emanuel said at a press conference Tuesday. “This has been the job of a lifetime, but it is not a job for a lifetime."</p>
<p>Former President Barack Obama released a statement calling Emanuel “a tireless and brilliant public servant” and a friend.</p>
<p>“With record job growth and record employment over his terms in office, Chicago is better and stronger for his leadership, and I was a better President for his wise counsel at a particularly perilous time for our country,” Obama said. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Trump slams Jeff Sessions on Twitter, says AG is hurting GOP in midterms</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong>President Trump hit AG Jeff Sessions with a string of Tweets on Monday,<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45405757" target="_blank"> accusing him of hurting the GOP’s chances in the upcoming midterm </a><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="caret-color: #0000ee;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">elections</span></span></span>. The President has said Sessions’ job is safe for now, but Bill remains unconvinced. </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Two long running, Obama era, investigations of two very popular Republican Congressmen were brought to a well publicized charge, just ahead of the Mid-Terms, by the Jeff Sessions Justice Department. Two easy wins now in doubt because there is not enough time. Good job Jeff......</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1036681588573130752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I still expect him out by the end of the year. <a href="https://t.co/U00vjKwipn">https://t.co/U00vjKwipn</a></p>
— Bill O'Reilly (@BillOReilly) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillOReilly/status/1035871013995773952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Make sure to <a href="https://twitter.com/billoreilly">Follow Bill O’Reilly on Twitter</a>, if you aren’t already. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Dems retake wide lead over Republicans ahead of midterm elections: poll</strong></p>
<p>A Washington Post/ABC News poll released Tuesday shows Democrats regaining ground ahead of the 2018 midterm elections. Polling is not the most reliable these days, but <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/404867-dems-retake-wide-lead-over-republicans-ahead-of-midterm-elections-poll">The Hill has a good summary of the findings</a> from this one. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Mainstream Media crop Louis Farrakhan from images of Aretha Franklin’s Funeral</strong></p>
<p>What was Louis Farrakhan doing at Aretha Franklin’s funeral in the first place? And sharing the stage with a former president no less? The controversial, anti-Semitic fringe leader was cropped out of much of the left wing media’s coverage…see below. </p>
<p><img src="/images/aandb/Farrakhan_NoFarrakhan.png" alt="" width="600" height="400" /></p>
<p> We will cover this on tonight’s No Spin News.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-09-04T19:44:00ZTrump Visits Golf Course While Washington Mourns McCain; Obama Readies Fall Campaign Push, but Some Dems Say No ThanksBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Visits-Golf-Course-While-Washington-Mourns-McCain;-Obama-Readies-Fall-Campaign-Push-but-Some-Dems-Say-No-Thanks/-378070418748232513.html2018-09-02T13:00:00Z2018-09-02T13:00:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, September 2, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Visits Golf Course While Washington Mourns McCain<br /></em></strong><br />As political dignitaries gathered in Washington to memorialize Sen. John McCain, <a href="https://www.apnews.com/0639f9f00c0c4830a8937a3ea9924637/Trump-visits-golf-course-while-Washington-mourns-McCain">the president tweeted familiar grievances</a> and headed to the golf course. McCain’s family had made clear the president was not welcome at the funeral for the six-term senator and decorated war veteran at the Washington National Cathedral. Seated in the pews were three former presidents, a host of lawmakers, and top officials from around the world. Speakers at the service did not mention Trump by name but repeatedly drew contrasts between McCain’s record of service and the divisive politics of the day. The White House did not answer questions about whether Trump played golf or if he watched the service from afar. Dressed in a white polo shirt and baseball hat, Trump left the White House in the morning as the late senator’s daughter, Meghan McCain, delivered an emotional address that served as a direct rebuke of Trump and his policies. The tributes still underway, the presidential motorcade whisked him to Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Immigrant Advocate Pleads Guilty for Falsely Adding Mexican Children as Dependents on Client’s Tax Return<br /></em></strong></p>
<p>An advocate for immigrants pleaded guilty on Friday for falsely adding three Mexican children as dependents on a client’s tax return. Elias Bermudez, 67, helped immigrants preparing immigration and tax documents, <a href="https://www.apnews.com/7ee975b275204b7180181e91744354e0/Immigration-advocate-in-Arizona-pleads-guilty-to-tax-charge" target="_blank">The Associated Press</a> reported. Officials said that Bermudez allegedly told undercover International Revenue Services (IRS) agents, who acted as clients, that they should include false dependents on their tax returns to reduce their liabilities. Officials also added that Bermudez allegedly encouraged clients to list family members living in Mexico, including children that did not belong to the clients, as dependents, The AP reported. Bermudez allegedly prepared 27 false income tax returns from 2010 to 2012.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Kavanaugh’s Most Sensitive WH Records Won’t Be Released and Democrats Aren’t Happy</em></strong></p>
<p>Democratic congressional leaders cried foul Friday night when the Trump administration revealed it would withhold some 27,000 records relating to Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s work as a White House lawyer. According to the letter, which was <a href="https://apnews.com/70b1f649aad7404baa11949b50d715c6" target="_blank">first obtained by The Associated Press</a>, the Trump administration directed the Bush Library to withhold certain documents Kavanaugh produced in the White House counsel’s office because they implicate core presidential activities that the Constitution protects from public disclosure. The announcement, which came by way of a letter President George W. Bush’s records representative sent to GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, prompted Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to draw comparisons to the Nixon administration. “We’re witnessing a Friday night document massacre. President Trump’s decision to step in at the last moment and hide 100k pages of Judge Kavanaugh’s records from the American public is not only unprecedented in the history of SCOTUS noms, it has all the makings of a cover up.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Meghan McCain Blasts Trump at John McCain’s Funeral Service: ‘America Was Always Great’</em></strong></p>
<p>Meghan McCain, daughter of former Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain, criticized President Donald Trump during McCain’s funeral service Saturday, saying “America was always great.” McCain went on to say, “The America of John McCain has no need to be made great again because America was always great,” appearing to reference Trump’s presidential campaign slogan: “Make America Great Again,” Fox News <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/09/01/meghan-mccain-knocks-trump-at-john-mccains-funeral-service-america-was-always-great.html" target="_blank">reported</a>. Meghan took another veiled swipe at the president when talking about “American greatness. The real thing, not cheap rhetoric from men who will never come near the sacrifice he gave so willingly, nor the opportunistic appropriation of those who lived lives of comfort and privilege while he suffered and served.” The comments come as McCain requested that Trump not attend his funeral as the two disagreed over personal issues. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Obama Readies Fall Campaign Push, but Some Dems Say No Thanks</em></strong></p>
<p>Former President Obama is set to dive into the midterm elections next week with a speech in Illinois where he is expected to urge Democrats across the country to vote, addressing a problem that plagued the party in 2016. The former president will kick off his push by delivering a speech at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on Friday. In the weeks ahead, Obama will also campaign in California, Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, a person familiar with his schedule said. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/404703-obama-readies-fall-campaign-push-but-some-dems-say-no-thanks">Not all Democrats want Obama’s help</a>. Democratic candidates running in states that President Trump won by double digits in 2016 would prefer that the former president stay far away. Others, such as Sens. Jon Tester (Mont.) and Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.), want to keep the race locked on the battle between themselves and their state rivals, fearing a high-profile surrogate like Obama could distract from the strategy.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Parkland Survivor Raises Thousands to Place Billboard of Trump's Anti-Cruz Tweet in Texas</em></strong></p>
<p>Parkland survivor and gun control activist David Hogg has teamed up with the liberal Mad Dog PAC to raise thousands of dollars for an anti-Sen. <a href="http://thehill.com/people/ted-cruz">Ted Cruz</a> (R-Texas) billboard in Texas. A <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/texas-against-ted-cruz">GoFundMe</a> page organized by Hogg and Claude Taylor, the chairman of Mad Dog, topped its $6,000 fundraising goal, raising nearly $10,000 in less than 24 hours. “President <a href="http://thehill.com/people/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a> will be campaigning to help Sen. Ted Cruz win his re-election,” the page reads. “A rally is being planned, according to Trump ‘at the biggest stadium in Texas.’ We are planning to display the president’s own words about Cruz from 2016 on a mobile billboard, to remind Texans of the truth.” The proposed sign will feature a February 2016 tweet from Trump criticizing Cruz by saying, “Why would the people of Texas support Ted Cruz when he has accomplished absolutely nothing for them,” Trump's tweet reads. “He is another all talk, no action pol!” Mad Dog PAC primarily raises money to fund political billboards and has been behind a number of <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/377010-impeach-trump-billboard-to-go-up-near-mar-a-lago">anti-Trump signs</a> all over the country in recent months.</p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You Might Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@CindyMcCain, Sept. 1: Today we lost our hero, our friend, our mentor, our father, our grandfather and our husband. Together we mourn and together we go on.</p>
<p>@realDonaldTrump, Sept. 1: I love Canada, but they’ve taken advantage of our Country for many years! </p>
<p>@realDonaldTrump, Sept. 1: There is no political necessity to keep Canada in the new NAFTA deal. If we don’t make a fair deal for the U.S. after decades of abuse, Canada will be out. Congress should not interfere w/ these negotiations or I will simply terminate NAFTA entirely & we will be far better off...</p>
<p>@realDonaldTrump, Sept. 1:....Remember, NAFTA was one of the WORST Trade Deals ever made. The U.S. lost thousands of businesses and millions of jobs. We were far better off before NAFTA - should never have been signed. Even the Vat Tax was not accounted for. We make new deal or go back to pre-NAFTA!</p>
<p>@realDonaldTrump, Aug. 31: Wow, I made OFF THE RECORD COMMENTS to Bloomberg concerning Canada, and this powerful understanding was BLATANTLY VIOLATED. Oh well, just more dishonest reporting. I am used to it. At least Canada knows where I stand!</p>
<p>@realDonaldTrump, Aug. 31: I will be doing a major rally for Senator Ted Cruz in October. I’m picking the biggest stadium in Texas we can find. As you know, Ted has my complete and total Endorsement. His opponent is a disaster for Texas - weak on Second Amendment, Crime, Borders, Military, and Vets!</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-09-02T13:00:00ZTrump Legal Team Composing 'Counter-Report' to Undermine Mueller Investigation; President Trump Says AG Jeff Sessions' Job Safe for NowBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Legal-Team-Composing-Counter-Report-to-Undermine-Mueller-Investigation;-President-Trump-Says-AG-Jeff-Sessions-Job-Safe-for-Now/-632440999399029833.html2018-08-31T12:18:00Z2018-08-31T12:18:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Friday, August 31, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.
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<p><strong><em>Trump Legal Team Composing ‘Counter-Report’ to Undermine Mueller Investigation</em></strong></p>
<p>Rudy Giuliani, a lawyer for President Trump, said that Trump’s legal team is composing a "counter-report" in an effort to undermine the credibility of special counsel Robert Mueller’s ongoing Russia probe, a new report says. Giuliani told <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/rudy-giuliani-is-putting-together-a-counter-report-to-question-robert-muellers-legitimacy" target="_blank">the Daily Beast</a> the report will evaluate whether the “initiation of the investigation was ... legitimate or not.” The report will be broken into two categories: one that will cast doubt on the legitimacy of Mueller’s investigation by raising "possible conflicts" of interest from federal law enforcement, and another that will address accusations of collusion with the Kremlin from the Trump campaign and obstruction of justice from Trump. Giuliani confessed that since it’s unclear what Mueller has unearthed so far, the counter-report has become quite lengthy. “Since we have to guess what it is, [our report so far] is quite voluminous,” Giuliani said. “The first half of it is 58 pages, and second half isn't done yet … It needs an executive summary if it goes over a hundred.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>President Trump Says AG Jeff Sessions' Job Safe for Now</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Attorney General Jeff Sessions' job is safe until the midterm elections, President Donald Trump indicated Thursday. "I just would love to have him do a great job," <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-30/trump-says-sessions-is-safe-at-least-until-the-november-election">Trump said in a Thursday interview with Bloomberg</a>. The president declined to say how long he'd keep Sessions, a former Alabama Senator and early Trump supporter, after the key November elections, however. Sessions has been a frequent target of Trump's ire after the AG recused himself from the Russia investigation. During the Bloomberg interview, Trump called the investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller "illegal." The president added he'd "love to have (Sessions) look at the other side," referring to his calls for the Justice Department to investigate 2016 presidential challenger Hillary Clinton and Russian interference in the elections. "I do question what is Jeff doing," Trump said.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Senate Democrats Call Nixon Lawyer John Dean to Testify at Kavanaugh Hearing</em></strong></p>
<p>Senate Democrats plan to call John Dean, the former White House attorney under President Richard Nixon and a strong opponent of President Trump, <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/senate-democrats-call-nixon-lawyer-john-dean-to-testify-at-kavanaugh-hearing">to testify</a> at the upcoming Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, according to a witness list released Thursday evening. Dean also announced the news on his Twitter, where he has recently shared complaints about Trump. "Looking forward to testifying! And probably being trolled by one or more GOP senators!" Dean wrote. The confirmation hearings will start next Tuesday and Dean is not scheduled to appear until later in the week, but Democrats may focus their time with him on his thoughts on presidential overreach in light of his connection to Nixon.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Illegal Immigrant, Previously Deported 10 Times, Only Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison</em></strong></p>
<p>An illegal immigrant from El Salvador who was previously deported from the United States on 10 separate occasions and convicted of more than a dozen serious crimes was sentenced Thursday to only 10 years in prison for his latest offenses. U.S. District Court Senior Judge W. Earl Britt sentenced 54-year-old Jose Alfonso Rodriguez-Garcia to nine years and seven months in prison for illegal re-entry of an aggravated felon, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announced Thursday evening. “For years, Jose Alfonso Rodriguez-Garcia disregarded the laws of the United States having been previously deported ten times and racking up conviction after conviction including assault and narcotics offenses," said prosecutor, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., in a <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/ten-time-previously-deported-alien-sentenced-illegal-reentry-aggravated-felon" target="_blank">statement</a>. "With this 115-month sentence, the American citizens, and in particular those of the Eastern District, are safer today because it has put a stop to Rodriguez-Garcia’s treating our borders as a revolving door.” Rodriguez-Garcia was arrested in North Carolina's Wake County on a charge of second-degree forcible rape in 2017. Once in federal custody, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents learned he had previously been removed from the country 10 times. In addition, Rodriguez-Garcia's record contained a long list of convictions, including felonies.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Florida State Implementing Mandatory Stress Reduction Training</em></strong></p>
<p>Florida State University is launching a mandatory program to teach incoming students about “resilience” and “coping skills,” but will allow students to opt out if they have "experienced significant trauma." The new <a href="https://strong.fsu.edu/">Student Resilience Project</a> (SRP) is designed to help “strengthen student emotional and academic coping skills,” according to the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">“</span><a href="https://strong.fsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/About-project.pdf">Frequently Asked Questions</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">”</span> on the program website. The “evidence-informed universal public-health style prevention program,” the website explains, is “intended to destigmatize mental health issues and encourage help-seeking” among students dealing with trauma or stress. While it is unclear how the program in funded, the SRP will reportedly cost over $300,000, including a $50,000 budget for “advertising costs,” according to <em>Inside Higher Education</em>. The program was developed by the Institute for Family Violence Studies (IFVS) at the FSU College of Social Work and features “highly engaging animation, videos, and numerous TED-talk style educational audio sessions from faculty and mental health providers.”</p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You Might Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 30: CNN is working frantically to find their “source.” Look hard because it doesn’t exist. Whatever was left of CNN’s credibility is now gone!</p>
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<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 30: I am very excited about the person who will be taking the place of Don McGahn as White House Counsel! I liked Don, but he was NOT responsible for me not firing Bob Mueller or Jeff Sessions. So much Fake Reporting and Fake News!</p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-08-31T12:18:00ZWhite House Counsel McGahn Leaving; Trump Presses Supreme Court Chief Justice for Action on Russia DossierBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/White-House-Counsel-McGahn-Leaving;-Trump-Presses-Supreme-Court-Chief-Justice-for-Action-on-Russia-Dossier/-71269608794883289.html2018-08-30T12:42:00Z2018-08-30T12:42:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, August 30, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>White House Counsel McGahn Leaving</em></strong></p>
<p>White House Counsel Don McGahn, a consequential insider in President Donald Trump’s legal storms and successes and a key figure in the administration’s handling of the Russia investigation, will be leaving in the fall, the president announced Wednesday. Unlike some less-amiable separations, however, Trump praised McGahn as “a really good guy” who has done “an excellent job.” The departure of Trump’s top lawyer, which has been expected, will create a vacancy in one of the most critical and yet least visible positions within the West Wing. Besides dealing with special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, McGahn has had important input on a range of issues from policy to personnel to national security. He will remain at the White House until after the expected Senate confirmation vote for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, Trump said in a tweet. McGahn, a top election lawyer who served as general counsel on Trump’s campaign, has played a pivotal role in the president’s remaking of the federal judiciary with young, conservative judges. He also helped guide Trump’s selection of Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch and the president’s nomination of Kavanaugh and helped oversee a dramatic rollback of Obama era regulations. But McGahn’s time has also been marked by tumult as he has been the main point of contact inside the White House for Mueller’s investigation. He has met with investigators on at least three occasions for many hours at a time and threatened to resign last year if Trump continued to press for Mueller’s removal.</p>
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<p><strong><em>CNN: 'Make No Mistake' Trump, 'CNN Does Not Lie'</em></strong></p>
<p>CNN sprang to the defense of Carl Bernstein Wednesday after President Trump savaged him on Twitter, escalating a row over the veteran journalist's role in a disputed report alleging the president had prior knowledge of the controversial Trump Tower meeting. "Make no mistake, Mr. President, CNN does not lie. We report the news. And we report when people in power tell lies," communications staff for the cable news network tweeted. "CNN stands by our reporting and our reporters. There may be many fools in this story but @carlbernstein is not one of them." CNN's sharp rebuke follows Trump earlier lambasting of Bernstein for being “sloppy” and thinking like a “degenerate fool.” Bernstein helped uncover the Watergate scandal, which precipitated the resignation of former President Richard Nixon. "CNN is being torn apart from within based on their being caught in a major lie and refusing to admit the mistake," the president wrote online. "Sloppy @carlbernstein, a man who lives in the past and thinks like a degenerate fool, making up story after story, is being laughed at all over the country! Fake News."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Cuomo, Nixon Argue Over Who is Bigger Trump Critic at NY Gubernatorial Debate</em></strong></p>
<p>New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and challenger Cynthia Nixon argued over who was the stauncher opponent of U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday in their only debate as they battle for the state’s Democratic gubernatorial nomination next month. Cuomo, who is seeking a third term as governor, promised he would not run for the U.S. presidency in 2020, despite expectations to the contrary. Cuomo described Trump, a Republican, as “the largest threat” faced by New Yorkers, a greater danger than climate change, extreme weather or terrorism. He pointedly criticized Trump for his anti-immigration rhetoric and desire to limit access to abortion. “Nobody has stood up to Donald Trump like I have,” he said at the debate at Hofstra University on Long Island. Nixon scoffed at Cuomo’s depiction of himself as a fierce opponent of the president, who like the two candidates is a New York City native. “You stood up to him about as well as he stands up to Putin,” she said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. “We need to oppose Donald Trump not just with rhetoric but with policy.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Presses Supreme Court Chief Justice for Action on Russia Dossier</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-dossier/trump-presses-supreme-court-chief-justice-for-action-on-russia-dossier-idUSKCN1LF06A">President Donald Trump said on Wednesday</a> the U.S. Supreme Court chief justice should tell the head of a national security court to question FBI and Justice Department officials about their use of a so-called Russia dossier as part of a collusion probe. Trump singled out Justice Department official Bruce Ohr in a message on Twitter apparently quoting a Fox News analyst. Ohr is linked to the dossier of allegations of possible collusion between Trump’s campaign and Russia.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Devos Prepping New Rules on Sexual Misconduct Standards for Campuses</em></strong></p>
<p>Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is formulating new policies regarding how universities handle sexual assault and harassment cases. The new rules would increase protections for students accused of sexual misconduct, reduce liability for colleges and universities and encourage schools to broaden their support networks for victims, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/29/us/politics/devos-campus-sexual-assault.html">The New York Times</a>. The rules would reportedly limit accountability for schools to complaints that happened on campus and were filed through proper authorities. They would also raise the bar legally for proving a school mishandled a complaint, according to the Times.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Puts U.S.-South Korea War Games on Hold</em></strong></p>
<p>Just hours after Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said no decision had been made on the future of U.S. military exercises with South Korea amid faltering nuclear talks with North Korea, the White House released a statement yesterday that seemed to say the <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-puts-south-korea-war-games-on-hold-but-warns-they-could-come-back-far-bigger-than-ever-before">"war games" would be on hold indefinitely</a>. Trump “believes that his relationship with Kim Jong Un is a very good and warm one, and there is no reason at this time to be spending large amounts of money on joint U.S.-South Korea war games,” the statement said. “Besides, the President can instantly start the joint exercises again with South Korea, and Japan, if he so chooses,” the statement said. “If he does, they will be far bigger than ever before.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>U.S. Troops Will Remain in Syria Until Peace is at Hand</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Any doubts that Syria would join Afghanistan and Iraq as another Forever War were laid to rest on Tuesday when Defense Secretary James Mattis said U.S. troops would stay in that country until the chances for peace improve. <a href="https://taskandpurpose.com/us-troops-remain-in-syria/">The U.S. military must complete three objectives in Syria</a> before the 2,000 U.S. troops in the country can come home, Mattis told reporters on Tuesday. “We have to destroy ISIS,” Mattis said. “We also have to have trained local troops who can take over. We’re doing that training as we speak. Third: We need the Geneva process – the U.N.-recognized process – to start making traction toward solving this war.” The United States will take part in talks scheduled for Sept. 14 in Geneva that are meant to help broker a political settlement to the Syrian civil war.</p>
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<p><strong><em>PETA Wants to Build Large Gravestone in Memory of Dead Lobsters in Maine</em></strong></p>
<p>People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) asked Maine officials on Wednesday for permission to build a large grave to mark the site of an August truck crash that caused thousands of lobsters to spill out onto a highway. PETA hopes to memorialize the “countless sensitive crustaceans” who were killed during the Aug. 22 crash in Brunswick, the animal rights group said. Police said 7,000 pounds of live lobsters were destroyed and it’s suspected it was more than 4,500 lobsters that died, according to the <a href="https://www.pressherald.com/2018/08/29/after-decimation-of-the-crustaceans-lobster-tombstone-sought/" target="_blank">Portland Press Herald</a>. The grave would “remind everyone that the best way to prevent such tragedies is to go vegan,” the animal rights group said.</p>
<p class="speakable"> <br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You Might Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 30: The hatred and extreme bias of me by <a href="https://twitter.com/CNN">@CNN</a> has clouded their thinking and made them unable to function. But actually, as I have always said, this has been going on for a long time. Little Jeff Z has done a terrible job, his ratings suck, & AT&T should fire him to save credibility!</p>
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<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 30: I just cannot state strongly enough how totally dishonest much of the Media is. Truth doesn’t matter to them, they only have their hatred & agenda. This includes fake books, which come out about me all the time, always anonymous sources, and are pure fiction. Enemy of the People!</p>
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<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 30: Ivanka Trump & Jared Kushner had NOTHING to do with the so called “pushing out” of Don McGahn.The Fake News Media has it, purposely,so wrong! They love to portray chaos in the White House when they know that chaos doesn’t exist-just a “smooth running machine” with changing parts!</p>
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<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 30: The only thing James Comey ever got right was when he said that President Trump was not under investigation!</p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-08-30T12:42:00ZBruce Ohr: FBI Knew About Bias Before Getting a FISA On Carter Page; New Law to Make California First State to End BailBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Bruce-Ohr:-FBI-Knew-About-Bias-Before-Getting-a-FISA-On-Carter-Page;-New-Law-to-Make-California-First-State-to-End-Bail/723872712138465180.html2018-08-29T12:43:00Z2018-08-29T12:43:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, August 29, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Bruce Ohr: FBI Knew About Bias Before Getting a FISA On Carter Page</em></strong></p>
<p>Senior Justice Department official, Bruce Ohr testified Tuesday that prior to obtaining the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant on short-term Trump campaign volunteer, Carter Page, the FBI was aware that former British spy and anti-Trump dossier author, Christopher Steele was biased against then-candidate Trump. He also stated that the FBI knew that his wife, Nellie Ohr was working for Fusion GPS, the now-embattled research firm which was hired by the Hillary Clinton campaign and the DNC to compile the dossier with Steele. This, according to Congressional sources with direct knowledge of Ohr’s closed-door deposition. Ohr stated during his hours-long testimony that the FBI failed to disclose this pertinent information to the nation’s secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) when it sought an application to spy on Page. The FBI also failed to disclose that when it sought the application, it was using senior Justice Department official, Bruce Ohr as a cut-out for a source the bureau had terminated. Ohr had also communicated with senior members of the FBI, including former Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, FBI attorney Lisa Page, and former FBI Special Agent Peter Strzok, at the bureau but stated that his superiors at the Justice Department were not aware that he was being used as a source for the FBI’s investigation into the Trump campaign.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Report: Don McGahn to Leave White House Counsel This Fall</em></strong></p>
<p>White House counsel Don McGahn will be stepping down this fall, top White House officials close to McGahn <a href="https://www.axios.com/don-mcgahn-white-house-counsel-departure-emmet-flood-b4aeedcd-ac15-4502-995a-1e972ffa530e.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axiosam&stream=top-stories" target="_blank">told Axios</a>. McGahn plans to step down from his position either after Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh is confirmed or after the 2018 midterm elections in November. Although President Trump has not formally named a successor, according to the report, McGahn hopes that his position will be given to Emmet Flood. Flood worked in both the Bill Clinton and George W. Bush administrations and joined the Trump White House in May to assist in the Russia probe. Sources say Flood has figured out a way to work with Trump, which would make him a good fit for White House counsel. On Monday, <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/trump-at-odds-with-don-mcgahn-over-paul-manafort-pardon-report" target="_blank">reports emerged</a> that Trump was butting heads with McGahn over potentially granting his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort a pardon.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Canada, U.S. Set for Second Day of NAFTA Talks Amid Growing Optimism</em></strong> </p>
<p>Canada and United States are set to tackle their contentious issues in <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-trade-nafta/canada-u-s-set-for-second-day-of-nafta-talks-amid-growing-optimism-idUSKCN1LE179">bilateral talks on Wednesday</a>, as the two nations work to salvage the North American Free Trade Agreement amid signs Ottawa was open to taking a more conciliatory approach. After more than a year of talks, Mexico and the United States announced a bilateral deal on Monday, setting the stage for Canada to rejoin negotiations to modernize 24-year-old NAFTA which accounts for over $1 trillion in annual trade between the three nations. Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland told reporters on Tuesday that Mexico’s concessions on auto rules of origin and labor rights was a crucial breakthrough, clearing the way for Ottawa to resume talks with the United States this week. Freeland dodged questions on what points Canada would be willing to concede on, noting that Ottawa’s key issues are well known. “We will, as we have done throughout this negotiation, stand up for the Canadian national interest and for Canadian values while looking for areas where we can find a compromise that everyone can live with,” she said.</p>
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<p><strong><em>New Law to Make California First State to End Bail</em></strong></p>
<p>California will become the first state to <a href="https://www.apnews.com/02cd9e0b507244d6bb773e285057a7fb/New-law-to-make-California-first-state-to-end-bail">eliminate bail</a> for suspects awaiting trial and replace it with a still murky risk-assessment system under a bill signed Tuesday by Gov. Jerry Brown. Brown’s signature gives the state’s judicial council broad authority to reshape pretrial detention policies ahead of the new law’s October 2019 start date. Based on the council’s framework, each county’s superior court will set its own procedures for deciding who to release before trial, potentially creating a patchwork system based on where a suspect lives. Most suspects accused of nonviolent felonies will be released within 12 hours of booking, while those charged with serious, violent felonies will stay in jail before trial. The new law gives judges wide latitude to decide what to do with other suspects based on their likelihood of returning to court and the danger they pose to the public. It’s still unclear which suspects would fall into each category or how long they might spend in jail.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Slight Majority of Millennials Say They Will Vote in 2018 Midterm Elections</em></strong></p>
<p>Slightly more than half of millennials say they will most likely vote in the 2018 midterm elections in November, <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/slight-majority-of-millennials-say-they-will-vote-in-2018-midterm-elections">according to a poll conducted July 28 through Aug. 13</a>. While 55 percent of millennials, those born between 1981 and 1996, say they definitely or probably will vote in the midterm elections, 25 percent are unsure, and 19 percent say they definitely or probably will not vote, according to an NBC News poll released Wednesday. Of those millennials surveyed, 59 percent say they hope the midterm elections will lead to the Democrats taking control of Congress, and only 17 percent approve of Trump’s job as president. The majority of the generation, 57 percent, disapprove of the way Congress is operating. However, the results of the poll show that millennials do not have a strong tendency to get involved in politics. Only 14 percent say they have written or called their representative in the past year.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Hurricane’s Death Toll in Puerto Rico Put at Nearly 3,000</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Puerto Rico’s governor raised the U.S. territory’s official death toll from Hurricane Maria from <a href="https://www.apnews.com/a705e74a39494a089955ffdea6237fae/Hurricane's-death-toll-in-Puerto-Rico-put-at-nearly-3,000">64 to 2,975</a> on Tuesday after an independent study found that the number of people who succumbed in the desperate, sweltering aftermath had been severely undercounted. The new estimate of nearly 3,000 dead in the six months after Maria devastated the island in September 2017 and knocked out the entire electrical grid. Gov. Ricardo Rossello said he is creating a commission to study the hurricane response, and a registry of people vulnerable to the next hurricane, such as the elderly, the bedridden and kidney dialysis patients. Rossello acknowledged Puerto Rico remains vulnerable to another major storm. He said the government has improved its communication systems and established a network to distribute food and medicine, but he noted that there are still 60,000 homes without a proper roof and that the power grid is still unstable.</p>
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<p><strong><em>U.S. Consumer Confidence Rises to 18-Year High</em></strong></p>
<p>Americans’ consumer confidence rose in August to the highest level in nearly 18 years as their assessment of current conditions improved further and their expectations about the future rebounded. The Conference Board reported Tuesday that its consumer confidence index rose to 133.4 in August, up from a reading 127.9 in July. It was the highest reading since confidence stood at 135.8 in October 2000. Consumers’ confidence in their ability to get a job and the overall economy are seen as important indicators of how freely they will spend, especially on big-ticket items such as cars, in coming months. Consumer spending accounts for 70 percent of economic activity. The overall economy, as measured by the gross domestic product, grew at a 4.1 percent rate in the April-June quarter, the best performance since 2014. That estimate will be revised Wednesday. Many economists believe growth has slowed a bit in the current quarter to around 3 percent but will remain far ahead of the weak 2.2 percent GDP growth rate in the first quarter.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Brazil Sends Army to Border as Venezuelans Flee Crisis at Home</em></strong></p>
<p>Brazil said it was sending armed forces to keep order near the Venezuelan border area, while Peru declared a health emergency, as a regional crisis sparked by thousands of Venezuelans fleeing economic collapse escalated on Tuesday. In Brazil, where residents rioted and attacked Venezuelan immigrants in a border town earlier this month, President Michel Temer signed a decree to deploy the armed forces to the border state of Roraima. He said the move was aimed at keeping order and ensuring the safety of immigrants. Peru, meanwhile, declared a 60-day health emergency in two provinces on its northern border, citing “imminent danger” to health and sanitation. The decree, published in the government’s official gazette, did not give more details on the risks, but health authorities have previously expressed concerns about the spread of diseases such as measles and malaria from migrants.</p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You Might Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 28: Hillary Clinton’s Emails, many of which are Classified Information, got hacked by China. Next move better be by the FBI & DOJ or, after all of their other missteps (Comey, McCabe, Strzok, Page, Ohr, FISA, Dirty Dossier etc.), their credibility will be forever gone!</p>
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<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 28: New Poll - A majority of Americans think that John Brennan and James Comey should have their Security Clearances Revoked. Not surprised! <a href="https://twitter.com/FoxNews">@FoxNews</a></p>
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<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 28: Our new Trade Deal with Mexico focuses on FARMERS, GROWTH for our country, tearing down TRADE BARRIERS, JOBS and having companies continue to POUR BACK INTO OUR COUNTRY. It will be a big hit!</p>
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<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 28: Add the 2026 World Cup to our long list of accomplishments!</p>
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<p>@NancyPelosi, August 28: American workers don’t need NAFTA with a new name. The devil is always in the details. Every trade agreement we enter into must be judged by its impact on the wages, the working conditions and the well-being of hard-working Americans.</p>
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<p>@SenSchumer, August 28: Nearly 3000 people have died in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria – largest natural disaster death toll in US in a century. The loss of so many lives is heartbreaking & reprehensible. We must do all we can to help our fellow citizens recover & rebuild.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-08-29T12:43:00ZDemoted DOJ Official to Testify on Anti-Trump Dossier; Poll Shows that People Believe Michael Cohen, but Don't Want Trump ImpeachedBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Demoted-DOJ-Official-to-Testify-on-Anti-Trump-Dossier;-Poll-Shows-that-People-Believe-Michael-Cohen-but-Dont-Want-Trump-Impeached/1687661260439005.html2018-08-28T12:55:00Z2018-08-28T12:55:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, August 28, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Poll Shows that People Believe Michael Cohen, but Don’t Want Trump Impeached</em></strong></p>
<p>Almost two-thirds of people polled believe President Trump’s longtime lawyer Michael Cohen, who says his former client ordered him to make illegal payments to two women claiming they had affairs with Trump, but less than half think Congress should begin the process of impeaching the president, according to a new poll. <a href="https://www.axios.com/exclusive-poll-americans-believe-cohen-dont-want-impeachment-e5ac7439-3a30-471a-bdb5-8a225ce80e12.html" target="_blank">A poll</a> released Tuesday by Axios/Survey Monkey found 64 percent believe Cohen, but only 44 percent think Congress should start impeachment proceedings. The poll — taken after Cohen pleaded guilty last week to charges of campaign finance violations related to his work for Trump, tax fraud and false statements to a bank — also found that white suburban women, “Never Hillary” independents and rural voters strongly oppose impeachment. Millennials and black women strongly support it.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Demoted DOJ Official to Testify on Anti-Trump Dossier</em></strong></p>
<p>Justice Department official Bruce Ohr is set to testify Tuesday during a closed-door session of the House Oversight Committee, where he will face a grilling about his involvement with ex-British spy Christopher Steele, the author of the <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/08/09/doj-official-bruce-ohr-communicated-with-trump-dossier-author-steele-after-fbi-cut-ties-report.html">salacious Trump dossier.</a> Republicans will likely allege that Ohr played a pivotal role in selling the <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/transcript/2018/07/27/judge-orders-fusion-gps-to-give-deposition-over-dossier.html">unverified dossier</a>, created by Fusion GPS, where his wife Nellie Ohr worked and paid for by Hillary Clinton's campaign and the Democratic National Committee. California Republican Rep. Darrell Issa told Fox News on Monday that Ohr’s testimony could be a “strong opportunity” to reveal information about his conversations with Steele. He added that Ohr should be suspended at least until the end of the investigation.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Threatens Action Against Google for 'Rigged' Search Results</em></strong> </p>
<p>President Trump on Tuesday accused Google of suppressing positive stories about him, and threatened to take some kind of action against the company by warning this problem "will be addressed!" Trump tweeted, "Google search results for 'Trump News' shows only the viewing/reporting of Fake New Media. In other words, they have it RIGGED, for me & others, so that almost all stories & news is BAD. Fake CNN is prominent. Republican/Conservative & Fair Media is shut out. Illegal?” Trump’s tweets preface testimony next week from representatives from Google, Facebook, and Twitter, who will answer lawmakers' questions about election interference and censorship. Twitter has faced allegations from conservatives, including the president, in recent weeks that it has been purposely hiding tweets and accounts of prominent Republicans. Twitter has denied it “shadow bans” any user.</p>
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<p><strong><em>‘Belligerent’ Letter from North Korea Reportedly Prompted Trump to Cancel Pompeo Trip to Pyongyang</em></strong></p>
<p>It was clear Friday, when President Trump abruptly canceled Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s planned trip to Pyongyang, that something had undercut the denuclearization talks with North Korea. Last night the Washington Post’s Josh Rogin <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/josh-rogin/wp/2018/08/27/why-trump-cancelled-pompeos-trip-to-north-korea/?utm_term=.c38896393301" target="_top">reported</a> the surprise move came after a top North Korean official allegedly sent a “secret letter” that convinced Pompeo and Trump the visit would be a waste of time. “Pompeo received the letter from Kim Yong Chol, vice chairman of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party Central Committee, on Friday morning, and showed it to Trump in the White House, two senior administration officials confirmed,” Rogin wrote. “The exact contents of the message are unclear, but it was sufficiently belligerent that Trump and Pompeo decided to call off Pompeo’s journey, where he was set to introduce his newly announced special envoy, Stephen Biegun, to his North Korean counterparts.” In a <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1033045273361178624" target="_top">series of tweets</a>, Trump admitted the U.S. is “not making sufficient progress with respect to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.” He didn’t blame North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, instead faulting China, who he said was reacting to his “much tougher trading stance.” “I do not believe they are helping with the process of denuclearization as they once were,” Trump tweeted.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Joint Chiefs of Staff Will Conduct a Rare Briefing Today</em></strong></p>
<p>James Mattis, along with Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford, are scheduled to make an extremely rare joint appearance in the Pentagon Briefing Room this morning to take questions from reporters. Such briefings with the two top Pentagon officials were commonplace in past administrations, but the notoriously camera-shy Mattis has eschewed the custom since he took over in January 2017, with the exception of appearances after major events such as last April’s Syria strikes. Pentagon officials say Mattis will have a “topper,” opening remarks, but there are no major policy pronouncements planned. <a href="https://dod.defense.gov/live">The news conference will take place at 10 a.m</a>. Afterward, Mattis will scoot across the Potomac River for his lunch with the president, and then rush back to the Pentagon in time to welcome Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu at 2:30 p.m.</p>
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<p><strong><em>After Criticism, Trump Honors McCain</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump relented under pressure by tersely recognizing Sen. John McCain’s “service to our country” and re-lowering the White House flag. While much of the nation remembered McCain’s record as a war hero, longtime senator and presidential nominee over the weekend, Trump had nursed his grievances. McCain had been an infuriating foil in a long-running feud over style and policy that did not end with the senator’s illness and death. Before Trump’s Monday afternoon statement, his only commentary on McCain’s death had been a tweet on Saturday. The lack of a formal statement combined with the fact that White House flags were flown at half-staff only briefly drew strong criticism from Republicans and veterans’ groups as well as Democrats. When he finally did comment, in a printed statement, Trump was sparing with his praise for the six-term senator: “Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain’s service to our country.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Video Game Maker Cancels Three Tournaments After Shooting</em></strong></p>
<p>Video game maker Electronic Arts canceled three tournaments of its Madden NFL 19 football game to review safety protocols after a competitor who lost a tournament attacked with a gun, killing two gamers and wounding 11 others. Andrew Wilson, CEO of Electronic Arts <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-florida-shooting/video-game-maker-cancels-three-tournaments-after-shooting-idUSKCN1LD0TL">said in the aftermath</a> of the shooting the company had canceled the three remaining qualifying events for the Madden NFL 19 Classic. The cancellations are in order to “run a comprehensive review of safety protocols for competitors and spectators,” he said. The killings rocked the world of professional video game tournaments, also known as esports, which boasts an estimated 250 million players worldwide in a growing market worth about a billion dollars a year. The EA Sports division of Electronic Arts makes Madden NFL 19, a video game that depicts National Football League competition. Gamers compete against one another by controlling all facets of a team during a contest.</p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You Might Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 28: Google search results for “Trump News” shows only the viewing/reporting of Fake New Media. In other words, they have it RIGGED, for me & others, so that almost all stories & news is BAD. Fake CNN is prominent. Republican/Conservative & Fair Media is shut out. Illegal? 96% of...</p>
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<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 28: ....results on “Trump News” are from National Left-Wing Media, very dangerous. Google & others are suppressing voices of Conservatives and hiding information and news that is good. They are controlling what we can & cannot see. This is a very serious situation-will be addressed!</p>
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<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 28: NASDAQ has just gone above 8000 for the first time in history!</p>
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<p>@MeghanMcCain, August 27: Please read my father's farewell letter to the country he loved so much - “Do not despair of our present difficulties but believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here. Americans never quit. We never surrender.”</p>
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<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-08-28T12:55:00ZPoll: Few Democrats Favor Liberal Cry to Abolish ICE; Three Dead, Including Gunman, In Mass Shooting at Jacksonville Video Game TournamentBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Poll:-Few-Democrats-Favor-Liberal-Cry-to-Abolish-ICE;-Three-Dead-Including-Gunman-In-Mass-Shooting-at-Jacksonville-Video-Game-Tournament/-238427565739679150.html2018-08-27T12:49:00Z2018-08-27T12:49:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Monday, August 27, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Services Set This Week to Remember John McCain</em></strong></p>
<p>Sen. John McCain will be buried on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis in a private service on Sunday, after a week in which he will be honored in his home state of Arizona and in a memorial service at the National Cathedral in Washington. Former Presidents, George W. Bush and Barack Obama will be among those delivering the eulogies. Here are the plans for the week…On Wednesday, McCain’s body will lie in state in Phoenix, on what would have been his 82nd birthday, according to a <a href="https://twitter.com/dougducey/status/1033762587781951490" target="_top">tweet</a> from the governor yesterday. “Senator #JohnMcCain will lie in state here at the Arizona Capitol this Wednesday -- his birthday. This is a rare and distinct occurrence for a truly special man. John McCain is Arizona, and we will honor his life every way we can,” said Gov. Doug Ducey. Then, on Thursday, a memorial service will be held at North Phoenix Baptist Church at 10 a.m. before McCain’s body is flown to Washington. Former Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled to speak. Friday, McCain will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda with a formal ceremony and time for the public to pay respects beginning at 11 a.m. On Saturday, a procession will pass the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and arrive for a funeral at Washington National Cathedral at 10 a.m.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Three Dead, Including Gunman, In Mass Shooting at Jacksonville Video Game Tournament</em></strong></p>
<p>Three people are dead, including the suspect, following a mass shooting Sunday during a video game tournament in a shopping and dining precinct in Jacksonville, Florida. "There were three deceased individuals at the scene, one of those being the suspect, who took his own life," Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams told reporters Sunday evening, describing what had taken place at the riverside entertainment complex in downtown Jacksonville. Williams said 11 people injured in the attack were either taken to the hospital or reported to emergency rooms on their own; nine of those victims had gunshot wounds. While patients were in a stable condition, those numbers could climb as more injured contact police, he warned.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Kathy Griffin to Trump: Take John McCain's Name 'Out of Your Mouth You Piece of S--t'</em></strong></p>
<p>Controversial comedian Kathy Griffin lashed out at President Trump late Saturday for <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/congress/trump-deepest-sympathies-and-respect-for-mccain-family" target="_blank">his statement on Sen. John McCain's death</a>, calling attention to Trump's antagonistic relationship with the Arizona Republican. "Take his name out of your mouth you piece of s--t," Griffin, a staunch Trump critic, wrote on Twitter. "You maligned his military service while you did everything to avoid serving. You attacked him repeatedly while you knew he was dying. And you cozied up to Putin while he did everything he could to oppose him. F--k You." Trump conveyed his "deepest sympathies and respect" to the McCain’s in a tweet Saturday after his passing. "My deepest sympathies and respect go out to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with you!" Trump wrote. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Jr.: CNN Covering for 'Leftist Hack' Carl Bernstein</em></strong></p>
<p>Donald Trump Jr. called veteran journalist Carl Bernstein, famous for his reporting on the Watergate scandal, a "leftist hack" on Sunday. The president's eldest son tweeted the jab at Bernstein and CNN’s chief national security correspondent Jim Sciutto for their <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/26/politics/michael-cohen-donald-trump-june-2016-meeting-knowledge/index.html" target="_blank">report</a> in July that said Trump's longtime personal lawyer Michael Cohen was ready to tell special counsel Robert Mueller that President Trump signed off on Trump Jr. and campaign officials' meeting with Russians in hopes of obtaining dirt on Hillary Clinton. That report was cast in doubt last week when Cohen's attorney, Lanny Davis, said on CNN that "the reporting of this story got mixed up" and definitively said "No, he does not" when asked if his client had knowledge beforehand or immediately after the Trump meeting took place. Trump Jr. tweeted Sunday, "Comical to watch @CNN covering for leftist hack @carlbernstein. He & Obama staffer @jimsciutto obviously got story wrong. CNN "stands by" it anyway, defending literal fake news. 3 'reporters' were fired for false CNN hit on [former White House communications director Anthony] Scaramucci & this is FAR worse!"<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>The U.S. And Mexico Close to Deal Updating NAFTA</em></strong></p>
<p>The U.S. and Mexico are reportedly close to reaching a tentative agreement to revamp a key trade agreement between the two countries and Canada. Negotiations on an update to the North American Free Trade Agreement have stalled in recent months amid disagreements over, among other things, provisions related to the automotive and energy industries. U.S. and Mexican negotiators, however, have made breakthroughs on those issues and an agreement could be reached as soon as Monday, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-26/u-s-mexico-said-poised-to-reach-nafta-deal-as-soon-as-monday" target="_blank">according</a> to Bloomberg. Any deal between the two countries would require approval from Canada, which has stayed out of negotiations over the past few weeks. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/economy/canada-watches-nervously-as-us-mexico-work-out-nafta-deal" target="_blank">recently said</a> Canada was “encouraged by the optimism expressed by the U.S. and Mexico.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Study: Marijuana Use Can Affect Newborns</em></strong></p>
<p>In a new report, the American Academy of Pediatrics says pot should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Marijuana’s main mind-altering ingredient was detected in nursing mothers’ breast milk in a study that comes amid evidence that more U.S. women are using pot during pregnancy and afterward. Experts say the ingredient, THC, has chemical properties that could allow it to disrupt brain development and potentially cause harm, although solid evidence of that is lacking. The new study involved 50 nursing mothers who were using pot and provided breast milk samples to researchers at the University of California, San Diego. Lab testing found small amounts of THC, the psychoactive chemical that causes marijuana’s “high,” in 34 of 54 samples up to six days after they were provided. Another form of THC and cannabidiol, a pot chemical touted by some as a health aid, were detected in five samples. The study authors said, “it is reasonable to speculate” that exposing infants to THC or cannabidiol “could influence normal brain development,” depending on dose and timing.</p>
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<p><strong><em>AP-NORC Poll: Few Democrats Favor Liberal Cry to Abolish ICE</em></strong></p>
<p>The rallying cry from some liberals to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement isn’t a likely winner this election year, as a new poll finds only a quarter of Democrats support eliminating the agency that carried out the Trump administration’s policy of separating immigrant children from their parents. But even as they don’t want to fully dismantle ICE, 57 percent of Democrats view the agency negatively, including nearly three-fourths of those who describe themselves as liberal, according to a poll released Monday by <a href="http://www.apnorc.org/">The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research</a>. The findings demonstrate tension among Democrats about how to address the crisis at the border that intensified in June when the Trump administration instituted a family separation policy to deter illegal immigration.</p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You Might Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 26: Over 90% approval rating for your all time favorite (I hope) President within the Republican Party and 52% overall. This despite all of the made up stories by the Fake News Media trying endlessly to make me look as bad and evil as possible. Look at the real villains please!</p>
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<p>@HillaryClinton, August 26: The next Supreme Court justice could shift the court to the right for decades, with devastating consequences for reproductive rights, health care, workers' rights, and voting rights.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@DonaldTrumpJr, August 26: Comical to watch <a href="https://twitter.com/CNN">@CNN</a> covering for leftist hack <a href="https://twitter.com/carlbernstein">@carlbernstein</a>. He & Obama staffer <a href="https://twitter.com/jimsciutto">@jimsciutto</a> obviously got story wrong. CNN "stands by" it anyway, defending literal fake news. 3 "reporters" were fired for false CNN hit on <a href="https://twitter.com/Scaramucci">@Scaramucci</a> & this is FAR worse!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@DonaldTrumpJr, August 26: Strange that there haven’t been any bombshells that benefited <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump">@realDonaldTrump</a>. It’s almost like it’s all a setup to make his day job a bit tougher. That’s been their plan. With all his incredible successes imagine that it could possibly be even better without the BS noise? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/maga?src=hash">#maga</a></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-08-27T12:49:00ZFarewell to John McCain; Seven Arrests as Protesters Clash at UNC Over Toppled Silent Sam StatueBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Farewell-to-John-McCain;-Seven-Arrests-as-Protesters-Clash-at-UNC-Over-Toppled-Silent-Sam-Statue/260262611306435534.html2018-08-26T13:42:00Z2018-08-26T13:42:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, August 26, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Farewell to John McCain</em></strong></p>
<p>From his days as a young and heroic Navy fighter pilot to more than five years as a brutally tortured prisoner of war, and through 36 years as a member of the U.S. House and Senate, Sen. John McCain devoted his life to protecting the safety and security of America. McCain was an independent voice in the Republican Party and its 2008 presidential nominee, he died on Saturday, little more than a year after he was told he had brain cancer. He was 81. McCain’s office said in a statement "Senator John Sidney McCain III died at 4:28 p.m. on August 25, 2018." He announced on July 19, 2017, that he had been diagnosed with a<a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/sen-john-mccain-diagnosed-brain-tumor-n784661"> glioblastoma</a>, an aggressive type of brain tumor. On Friday his family announced he was <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/john-mccain-discontinue-brain-cancer-treatment-family-says-n903571">discontinuing treatment</a>. "With the Senator when he passed were his wife Cindy and their family. At his death, he had served the United States of America faithfully for sixty years," McCain's office said in the statement. His daughter, Meghan McCain, said in a statement that "I was with my father at his end, as he was with me at my beginning."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Seven Arrests as Protesters Clash at UNC Over Toppled 'Silent Sam' Statue</em></strong></p>
<p>At least seven people have been arrested as opposing groups clashed at the University of North Carolina Saturday over a century-old Confederate statue that was torn down earlier this week. Three arrests were for assault, the fourth for the destruction of property and the fifth for resisting an officer, <a href="https://myfox8.com/2018/08/25/unc-braces-for-rally-saturday-over-toppled-silent-sam-statue-on-campus/" target="_blank">Fox 8 North Carolina</a> reported. The sixth arrest was for assault, destruction of property and inciting a riot. There is no current information on the seventh arrest. One person was recorded by the station stomping on a Confederate flag and then being led away by police. Protesters gathered at the spot where the statue was torn down and held signs and chanted "racists go home," according to the station. Several other people in support of the statue were seen holding Confederate flags.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Pope Denounces Irish Forced Adoptions After Victims’ Appeal</em></strong></p>
<p>Pope Francis on Sunday denounced how Irish children were “robbed of their innocence and taken from their mothers” by Catholic-run institutions that put them up for adoption to erase the shame of having been born to unwed mothers. Francis spoke out about Ireland’s haunted history of forced adoptions during a prayer Sunday in Knock, the country’s main shrine dedicated to Christ’s mother, Mary. His comments, on the second and final day of his visit to Ireland, came after an emotional meeting with abuse victims on Saturday, including some forced adoptees. “None of us can fail to be moved by the stories of young people who suffered abuse, were robbed of their innocence or taken away from their mothers, abandoned and left scarred by painful memories,” he said. “This open wound challenges us to be firm and decisive in the pursuit of truth and justice.” Ireland has thousands of now-adult adoptees who were wrench at birth from their unwed mothers, who had been forced to go live and work in laundries and other workhouses for “fallen women.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Steyer Continues Attacks on Democrats for Not Pursuing Impeachment</em></strong></p>
<p>Left-wing billionaire Tom Steyer continued to attack establishment Democrats on Friday for not engaging the issue of impeaching President Donald Trump. Steyer has poured millions of dollars into a national campaign since last year to encourage Democrats to impeach Trump, although they are in the minority in the House of Representatives and lack the votes. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) and other party leaders have <a href="https://freebeacon.com/politics/pelosi-slams-steyer-impeachment-efforts-gift-republicans/" target="_blank">cautioned against</a> impeachment talk for fear of animating the Republican base. Steyer said on MSNBC there was now certified evidence of Trump's impeachable conduct after his former lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to multiple felonies this week. Cohen implicated Trump in a potential campaign finance violation by saying he authorized Cohen to make hush payments to women who claimed they had affairs with Trump, in order to influence the election.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Ex-Trump World Tower Doorman Released From ‘Catch-And-Kill’ Contract for Story on Alleged Trump Love Child</em></strong></p>
<p>A former Trump World Tower doorman who claims to have knowledge of an alleged love child of President Trump’s was reportedly released from his contract with American Media Inc. that prohibited him from discussing the story. Marc Held, an attorney for Dino Sajudin, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/24/politics/trump-tower-doorman-contract-ami/index.html?utm_term=image&utm_source=twCNNi&utm_medium=social&utm_content=2018-08-25T02%3A54%3A47" target="_blank">told CNN</a> the former doorman had been released from the “catch-and-kill” deal made with the parent company of the National Enquirer. The contract does not provide details about <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/former-trump-doorman-confirms-30-000-payment-by-national-enquirer-for-story-on-trump-love-child-rumor" target="_blank">the former </a><a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/former-trump-doorman-confirms-30-000-payment-by-national-enquirer-for-story-on-trump-love-child-rumor" target="_blank">doorman’s allegations</a> that Trump had an affair with an ex-housekeeper, resulting in a child, beyond, "Source shall provide AMI with information regarding Donald Trump's illegitimate child..." Sajudin appears to have been paid $30,000 for the story and would have owed $1 million if he breached the contract by discussing the story.</p>
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<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You Might Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 25: My deepest sympathies and respect go out to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with you!</p>
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<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 25: Our relationship with Mexico is getting closer by the hour. Some really good people within both the new and old government, and all working closely together....A big Trade Agreement with Mexico could be happening soon!</p>
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<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 24: “Department of Justice will not be improperly influenced by political considerations.” Jeff, this is GREAT, what everyone wants, so look into all of the corruption on the “other side” including deleted Emails, Comey lies & leaks, Mueller conflicts, McCabe, Strzok, Page, Ohr......</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 24:....FISA abuse, Christopher Steele & his phony and corrupt Dossier, the Clinton Foundation, illegal surveillance of Trump Campaign, Russian collusion by Dems - and so much more. Open up the papers & documents without redaction? Come on Jeff, you can do it, the country is waiting!</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-08-26T13:42:00ZPoll: Trump Gets Low Marks, Except on the Economy; Senate Rejects Sen. Paul's Effort to Strip Planned Parenthood of Federal FundingBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Poll:-Trump-Gets-Low-Marks-Except-on-the-Economy;-Senate-Rejects-Sen.-Pauls-Effort-to-Strip-Planned-Parenthood-of-Federal-Funding/-507322059955777248.html2018-08-24T13:10:00Z2018-08-24T13:10:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Friday, August 24, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Poll: Trump Gets Low Marks, Except on the Economy</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump continues to receive poor marks from a majority of Americans on his overall job performance, even as he enjoys relatively good assessments of his handling of the economy. <a href="https://www.apnews.com/39be00057d6443b1925015e89027e7ca/AP-NORC-Poll:-Trump-gets-low-marks,-except-on-the-economy">A new poll</a> released Friday by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds 60 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump’s work as president, compared with 38 percent who approve. Trump’s approval rating has been largely stable over the course of his presidency. Ratings of Trump among all Americans are equally dim on a host of issues, including immigration and health care, even as the president continues to receive high marks from his base of Republican supporters. Trump receives his best marks from the public on the economy: 51 percent say they approve of his handling of the economy, more than the share who approve of his performance on any other issue. Nearly 9 in 10 Republicans approve of the president on economic policy.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Senate Rejects Sen. Paul's Effort to Strip Planned Parenthood of Federal Funding</em></strong></p>
<p>The Senate rejected an effort by GOP Sen. Rand Paul (Kentucky) to attach a provision blocking federal funding for Planned Parenthood to a massive government spending bill. Senators voted 45-48 on Paul’s amendment, with 60 votes needed to add the provision into the spending bill. GOP Sens. Susan Collins (Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) voted with Democrats to oppose the amendment. Paul’s amendment would prevent federal funding from going to the organization and others that provide abortions. "I will never apologize for standing up for life. If it took exposing the preference of so many in my own party to continue reckless spending over protecting the innocent, it was a fight worth having,” Paul said in a statement after the vote. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Sessions Fires Back at Trump for Saying He ‘Never Took Control of the Justice Department’</em></strong></p>
<p>Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Thursday fired back at President Donald Trump following an interview in which the president said Sessions "never took control of the Justice Department." Sessions released a <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/23/politics/jeff-sessions-donald-trump/index.html" target="_blank">statement</a> hours after Trump, in a "Fox & Friends" interview that aired earlier in the morning, castigated the attorney general. Sessions said the Department of Justice "will not be improperly influenced by political considerations.” Sessions said in the statement, "I took control of the Department of Justice the day I was sworn in, which is why we have had unprecedented success at effectuating the President's agenda — one that protects the safety and security and rights of the American people, reduces violent crime, enforces our immigration laws, promotes economic growth, and advances religious liberty."</p>
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<p><strong><em>Manhattan DA Considering Criminal Charges Against Trump Organization</em></strong></p>
<p>The Manhattan district attorney's office is mulling whether to pursue criminal charges against the Trump Organization and two of its top officials for how they accounted for money Michael Cohen paid one woman who said she had sexual relations with Trump, according to a report published late Thursday. Officials are still in the early stages of deciding whether to go after Trump's billion-dollar company for how it reimbursed Cohen for paying off porn star Stormy Daniels. Investigators are also examining how the Trump Organization reported to the government its reimbursement of Cohen, the New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/23/nyregion/trump-organization-criminal-charges-vance.html" target="_blank">reported</a>. The New York office is interested in learning if Trump officials purposely lied on business records with the intent to defraud or did so to commit or conceal another crime. Each of those crimes ranges between misdemeanors and low-level felonies.</p>
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<p><strong><em>MSNBC Contributor: Teachers Might Shoot Minority Students if They’re Allowed to Carry Guns</em></strong></p>
<p>MSNBC contributor Yamiche Alcindor said Thursday that allowing school teachers to be armed could lead to teachers shooting innocent minority students. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RZUKhCFHXg">Alcindor joined an MSNC panel</a> where she discussed a policy the Education Department is considering, one that would–according to a <em>New York Times </em><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/22/us/politics/betsy-devos-guns.html" target="_blank">report</a><em>, </em>allow states to use federal funding on guns or gun safety programs. Alcindor said advocacy groups oppose the idea of teachers being armed not just because they don’t support guns in general but because it could harm students. "Advocates are very worried about the racial impacts this will have," she said. "If you start arming teachers, there are black and brown students being—who are being disciplined more than their white counterparts, you could then start seeing statistics where potentially black students are getting shot or in accidents when their teachers are trying to shoot or do gun safety measures."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Says that Even CNN Shouldn’t be Censored on Social Media</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump argued Friday that social media giants like Twitter and Facebook shouldn't censor anyone, not even "fake news" CNN. “Social Media Giants are silencing millions of people. Can’t do this even if it means we must continue to hear Fake News like CNN, whose ratings have suffered gravely,” Trump posted to Twitter Friday. “People have to figure out what is real, and what is not, without censorship!” During a rally in West Virginia on Tuesday, <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/trump-takes-on-social-media-censorship-fake-news-is-far-the-better-alternative" target="_blank">Trump said</a> that he would rather continue to put up with “fake news” than have any content censored on social media.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Amazon Bans Gun Book</em></strong></p>
<p>Amazon banned the sale of a gun book for an unexplained violation of the company's rules. The listing for<em> The Liberator Code Book: An Exercise in Freedom of Speech, </em>which had been available on Amazon since Aug. 1, was removed from Amazon's website. The <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Liberator-Code-Book-Exercise-Freedom/dp/1724740733/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1534957764&sr=1-1" target="_blank">web address where the book had previously been listed</a> now redirects to an error page. "This book was removed for violating our content guidelines," Jack Evans, an Amazon spokesperson, told the<em> Free Beacon</em>. A copy of <em>The Liberator Code Book: An Exercise in Freedom of Speech</em> reveals that the bulk of its 425 pages are dedicated to <a href="https://freebeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Liberator-Code-Book-Example.jpg">reprinting the raw code</a> of a computer file containing the specifications of Cody Wilson's single-shot 3D-printed gun design known as the Liberator. Along with a two-page instruction guide on how to assemble a Liberator.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Tech Companies to Meet Today to Talk 2018 Elections</em></strong></p>
<p>A dozen tech companies, including Google, Facebook, and Snapchat, are reportedly meeting at Twitter headquarters today to discuss strategies and challenges ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, according to a new report. An email from Facebook cybersecurity policy chief Nathaniel Gleicher inviting the companies to the secret meeting <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/kevincollier/tech-companies-are-gathering-for-a-secret-meeting-to" target="_blank">obtained by Buzzfeed News</a> asked each company to present the work they've been doing to counter information operations, according to the report. The meeting comes the same week Facebook, Google, Twitter, and Microsoft announced <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/business/facebook-takes-down-652-accounts-spreading-russian-iranian-propaganda" target="_blank">actions to combat phishing and misinformation</a>. Facebook and Twitter <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/facebook-removes-pages-linked-to-iran-russia-influence-campaigns" target="_blank">suspended hundreds of users and accounts</a> engaging in coordinated manipulation, many linked to Iran and Russia.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Extreme Flooding Reported as Hurricane Lane Nears Hawaii</em></strong></p>
<p>Parts of Hawaii's Big Island have already reported receiving more than 2 feet of rain as Hurricane Lane lurches north. The biggest threat from the Category 3 hurricane remains life-threatening flash flooding that could lead to landslides or mudslides. The storm's wind speeds were last clocked at approximately 120 mph. Lane is expected to remain a hurricane for the next 12 to 24 hours, with increasing wind over the next two to three days. The storm is forecast to pull away from Hawaii by late Saturday. Rainfall rates in the outer bands of the hurricane may reach 1 to 3 inches per hour, meaning flash flood watches will remain in effect through late tonight. Additional rainfall of 10 to 20 inches is possible in some areas. Isolated areas could see 40 inches.</p>
<p> <br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You Might Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 24: Social Media Giants are silencing millions of people. Can’t do this even if it means we must continue to hear Fake News like CNN, whose ratings have suffered gravely. People have to figure out what is real, and what is not, without censorship!</p>
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<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 24: Ex-NSA contractor to spend 63 months in jail over “classified” information. Gee, this is “small potatoes” compared to what Hillary Clinton did! So unfair Jeff, Double Standard.</p>
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<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 24: Our Economy is setting records on virtually every front - Probably the best our country has ever done. Tremendous value created since the Election. The World is respecting us again! Companies are moving back to the U.S.A.</p>
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<p>@VP, August 24: It is now the official policy of the United States of America that we will return to the moon, put Americans on Mars, and once again explore the farthest depths of outer space.</p>
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<p>@DiamondandSilk, August 24: Since the FED's are investigating Hush money, will they also be investigating the Congressional Hush Fund for members of Congress and staff? Will the FED's let us know which members were involved in the Hush-up settlements since payments were paid with taxpayer dollars?</p>
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<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-08-24T13:10:00ZPresident Trump Celebrates First Airman Since Vietnam to Earn Medal of Honor; Trump Demands ESPN Air National Anthem During Monday Night FootballBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/President-Trump-Celebrates-First-Airman-Since-Vietnam-to-Earn-Medal-of-Honor;-Trump-Demands-ESPN-Air-National-Anthem-During-Monday-Night-Football/-50631491290474694.html2018-08-23T12:50:00Z2018-08-23T12:50:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, August 23, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Donald Trump Obsesses Over Press “Lunatics” in ‘Fox & Friends’ Interview</em></strong></p>
<p>President <a href="https://deadline.com/tag/donald-trump/">Donald Trump</a>’s latest Fox & Friends interview gave POTUS yet another chance to declare press the <a href="https://deadline.com/tag/enemy-of-the-people/">Enemy of the People</a>. These days he thinks that’s about 80% of media. “The New York Times cannot write a good story about me. They’re crazed. They’re like lunatics,” he said to Ainsley Earhardt. The only thing on which he is doing badly, Trump said, is “the press doesn’t cover me fairly. I thought after I won, you know, they killed me during the campaign, just killed me. I said, ‘Well one good thing about winning, I’ve showed them, so now I’m going to get fair press.’ Trump went on to say, “Guess what, it got worse. It’s worse.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Doesn't Rule Out Pardoning Manafort</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump on Wednesday refused to rule out pardoning his former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, who was found guilty this week on eight counts of tax and bank fraud. The president, who sat for an interview Wednesday praised Manafort for going through with a trial rather than taking a plea deal that could potentially have involved him turning against Trump. "One of the reasons I respect Paul Manafort so much is he went through that trial. You know, they make up stories. People make up stories," Trump said. Manafort faces an estimated seven to nine years in prison. Prosecutors have until Aug. 29 to decide what they will do about the 10 mistrial charges. Trump, after arriving in West Virginia for a rally, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/trump-says-he-feels-very-badly-about-manafort-convictions-attacks-n902696">called the outcome a "sad thing that happened" </a>and said the verdict had nothing to do with him and "nothing to do with Russian collusion."</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump, White House Deny Wrongdoing After Cohen Plea Deal</em></strong></p>
<p>The White House pushed back forcefully against suggestions that a plea deal struck by President Donald Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen implicated Trump in a crime. “As the president has said, we’ve stated many times, he did nothing wrong. There are no charges against him,” press secretary Sarah Sanders said at a White House briefing. “Just because Michael Cohen made a plea deal doesn’t mean that that implicates the president on anything.” Cohen on Tuesday pleaded guilty to eight criminal charges of tax evasion, bank fraud, and campaign finance violations. He told a federal court in New York that Trump had directed him to arrange payments ahead of the 2016 presidential election to silence two women who said they had had affairs with Trump. Trump tweeted, “If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you don’t retain the services of Michael Cohen.” At the same time, Trump used the social media site to praise his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who was convicted on Tuesday of multiple counts of fraud, as a “brave man” for not cooperating with federal authorities.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Accused Killer of Iowa College Student Appears in Court</em></strong></p>
<p>A 24-year-old farm worker accused of killing an Iowa college student who vanished while jogging made a first court appearance on Wednesday as the case reignited a national debate over illegal immigration and crime. Cristhian Rivera, who was led into Poweshiek County Court handcuffed and dressed in black-and-white striped prison garb, was ordered by a judge held on $5 million bail on charges of murdering 20-year-old Mollie Tibbetts. The judge rejected a request by Rivera’s attorneys to bar reporters and the public from court proceedings. The lawyers cited exhaustive media coverage centering in part on whether the suspect was an illegal immigrant, as prosecutors have said. President Donald Trump, whose pledge to build a wall on the border of Mexico was central to his successful run for office, has mentioned the case at least twice since Rivera’s arrest, most recently <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1032393212126613504">in a videotaped speech posted to Twitter</a> on Wednesday. “Mollie Tibbetts, an incredible young woman, is now permanently separated from her family. A person came in from Mexico, illegally, and killed her. We need the wall. We need our immigration laws changed,” Trump said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Democrat Congressional Candidate Calls Trump’s Immigration Policy ‘Literally Kidnapping’</em></strong> </p>
<p>Democratic Congressional candidate Sean Casten called President Trump’s immigration policy “literally kidnapping” <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4gnZWuYi74">during a debate</a> with the incumbent, Congressman Roskam, on Wednesday. “What we have right now, under Trump’s actions, which — let’s call it what they are. It’s a kidnapping, right? We first kidnapped the executive order of DACA to go and get a wall we didn’t need, and now we are literally kidnapping babies at the border,” Casten stated. The president’s “zero-tolerance” immigration policy received a lot of backlash earlier this year. The policy, which was then revoked by an executive order, separated families that were apprehended attempting to illegally enter the country. The debate was in front of the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board.</p>
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<p><strong><em>First Lady Joins President Trump in Celebrating First Airman Since Vietnam to Earn Medal of Honor</em></strong></p>
<p>First lady Melania Trump joined President Donald Trump on Wednesday in celebrating the life and tremendous sacrifice of Air Force Tech Sergeant John Chapman, the <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/08/22/trump-to-posthumously-award-medal-honor-to-sgt-john-chapman-for-heroism-in-al-qaeda-firefight.html" target="_blank">first airman</a> to be awarded the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/08/10/air-force-releases-video-sgt-john-chapmans-final-moments.html" target="_blank">Chapman</a>, who received the medal posthumously, was killed in Afghanistan in 2002 — and recently released video shows that in the last 14 hours of his life, the 36-year-old airman saved the lives of as many as 20 other service members. Joining with Navy SEALs to aid in a rescue mission, Chapman “charged into enemy fire through harrowing conditions” and was instrumental in destroying an enemy bunker. President Trump presented the Medal of Honor to Chapman’s family.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Demands ESPN Air National Anthem During 'Monday Night Football'</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump's campaign is demanding ESPN show the national anthem during <em>Monday Night Football</em> games. On Wednesday, an email signed by the president was sent to supporters asking them to sign a petition. "I’m calling on you to join me in denouncing this SPINELESS surrender to the politically correct liberal mob," read the email, signed by Trump. ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/espn-will-not-air-national-anthem-monday-night-football-1135666" target="_blank">announced</a> last week that the network will not air the anthem during <em>MNF</em> games this season, which has been the standard in the past. There may be exceptions as the season rolls along, but otherwise, the network will not show that portion of the game. CBS Sports will also <a href="https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/media/2018/08/22/nfl-national-anthem-cbs-fox-nbc-broadcasts/1051492002/" target="_blank">reportedly</a> not show the anthem portion of pregames. ESPN declined to comment on Trump's demand and petition. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Cardinal Wuerl's Name Taken Off Pittsburgh School Due to Scandal</em></strong></p>
<p>The Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh said on Wednesday it had <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pennsylvania-religion-sexcrimes/cardinal-wuerls-name-taken-off-pittsburgh-school-due-to-scandal-idUSKCN1L71PB">removed Cardinal Donald Wuerl’s name from a high school</a> after a grand jury report on sex abuse in the Church found he had reassigned priests who had been accused of abusing children, rather than taking stronger action. Prior to his current role as archbishop of Washington, Wuerl was bishop of Pittsburgh from 1988 to 2006. The grand jury report did not accuse him of personally sexually abusing children. The Pittsburgh diocese said in a statement that following the release of the report, Wuerl asked last week for his name to be removed from Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School, saying he did not want to be a distraction. The school has been renamed North Catholic High School.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You Might Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@FLOTUS, August 22: Honored to have the family of Technical Sergeant John A. Chapman at the <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse">@WhiteHouse</a> today to receive the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MedalofHonor?src=hash">#MedalofHonor</a> in memory & gratitude of TSgt. Chapman. We will always remember his heroic actions under enemy fire. God bless all who serve.</p>
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<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 22: The only thing that I have done wrong is to win an election that was expected to be won by Crooked Hillary Clinton and the Democrats. The problem is, they forgot to campaign in numerous states!</p>
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<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 22: NO COLLUSION - RIGGED WITCH HUNT!</p>
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<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 22: A large number of counts, ten, could not even be decided in the Paul Manafort case. Witch Hunt!<br /><br /></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-08-23T12:50:00ZUNC Students Tear Down Confederate Statue Overnight; Nazi Labor Camp Guard Caught by ICE, Deported to GermanyBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/UNC-Students-Tear-Down-Confederate-Statue-Overnight;-Nazi-Labor-Camp-Guard-Caught-by-ICE-Deported-to-Germany/-377141028035265631.html2018-08-21T12:50:00Z2018-08-21T12:50:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, August 21, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>UNC Students Tear Down Confederate Statue Overnight</em></strong></p>
<p>Students at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill took down a Confederate statue on campus late Monday. The statue of "Silent Sam" was put in place to remember the "sons of the University who died for their beloved Southland," <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/20/us/unc-silent-sam-confederate-statue/index.html?utm_content=2018-08-21T10%3A04%3A56&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twCNNi&utm_term=video" target="_blank">CNN reported</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span> Students involved in the incident posted pictures and video of the fallen statue. North Carolina's Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper tweeted that his office was in touch with police and school officials about the incident, and condemned it. Other videos of the incident showed students gathering around the "Silent Sam" statue Monday afternoon and evening. After the statue fell, students continued attacking it by shoveling dirt onto it and stomping on it.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Nazi Labor Camp Guard Caught by ICE, Deported to Germany</em></strong></p>
<p>The last known Nazi collaborator living in the United States, a 95-year-old former camp guard who played an "indispensable role" in the murders of thousands of Jews, was deported to Germany from his New York City home early Tuesday morning, <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidWMTW/status/1031800363505135616/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1031800363505135616&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fpolitics%2F2018%2F08%2F21%2Fnazi-labor-camp-guard-caught-by-ice-deported-to-germany-white-house-says.html">the White House announced</a>. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents implemented a 2004 deportation order against Jakiw Palij, who immigrated to the United States in 1949 and became a citizen in 1957 after concealing his Nazi background, the statement read. “Through extensive negotiations, President Trump and his team secured Palij’s deportation to Germany and advanced the United States’ collaborative efforts with a key European ally,” the statement read. The State Department later issued a statement saying Germany has re-admitted Palij. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Dem Rep. Alcee Hastings Jokes About President Trump Drowning in The Potomac River</em></strong></p>
<p>Florida Democratic Rep. Alcee Hastings made a disturbing joke about no one trying to save a drowning President Donald Trump. Hastings was speaking at a rally in Sunshine, Florida. when <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rps7CcxrCGo">he repeated a joke</a> he heard from Ari Silver, the son of former Florida state legislator Barry Silver. “I will tell you one joke,” Hastings said. “Do you know the difference between a crisis and a catastrophe? ‘A crisis is if Donald Trump falls into the Potomac River and can’t swim,'” Hastings said, retelling the joke. “‘And a catastrophe is anybody saves his a**.'” The crowd cheered and whooped in delight at the joke.</p>
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<p><strong><em>'Manhattan Madam' Kristin Davis Reveals What Mueller Grand Jury Asked Her in Russia Probe</em></strong></p>
<p>Kristin Davis, the former "Manhattan Madam" who's friends with Trump ally Roger Stone, detailed her experience of being questioned in front of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's grand jury in the Russia investigation. Davis, a friend and business partner of Stone, told Martha MacCallum on Fox News' <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/shows/the-story.html">"The Story"</a> Monday night she didn't know of "any wrongdoing" between the Trump campaign and Russia. Davis added that she thought Mueller's grand jury was "legitimately investigating whether collusion happened," and that the jurors questioned her about Stone's August 21, 2016 tweet, in which he foreshadowed possibly forthcoming information on Hillary Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta. Of the grand jury, Davis noted she felt that the jury and prosecutors, who now have known each other for months, "seem to be joking and [having] a fun sort of camaraderie" when they're in a room together, which she described as "concerning."</p>
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<p><strong><em>China Spy Ship Monitored U.S. Missile Defense Test</em></strong></p>
<p>China is stepping up the use of intelligence-gathering ships to spy on the U.S. and allied targets and last year secretly monitored an American missile defense test near Alaska, <a href="https://freebeacon.com/national-security/china-spy-ship-monitored-us-missile-defense-test/">according to the Pentagon</a>. The Pentagon's latest annual report on the Chinese military for the first time outlined China's increased use of intelligence ships, known as AGIs, for spying. The AGI deployments indicate the ships are operating further from Chinese shores and also violating other nations' exclusive economic zones, a designation under the U.N. Law of the Sea Convention that China signed.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Kevin Hart Goes After the President During the Video Music Awards</em></strong></p>
<p>Comedian Kevin Hart insulted President Trump during his opening remarks at the MTV Video Music Awards on Monday night. “Beefs pop off, bad language, people run to the bathroom and send out crazy tweets,” Hart said. “It’s basically like a typical day in the White House,” Hart screamed. He then concluded with, “In your face, Trump! Suck it!” He was on stage with fellow comedian Tiffany Haddish. Hart’s words contradict a statement a spokesperson for him made back in June. “Everyone has something to say about Donald Trump, and that’s the reason Kevin isn’t speaking on him. Kevin honestly feels the Trump bits are overused and knows that people are tired of the political banter from comedians.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>CNN Skips White House Event Honoring ICE, CBP</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/bill-dagostino/2018/08/20/cnn-skips-white-house-event-honoring-ice-cbp-complain-about">CNN ignored President Trump’s speech</a> at an event honoring ICE and Customs and Border Patrol on Monday, having calculated that their time was better spent complaining about a day-old tweet. As the President addressed a room full of law enforcement and administration officials at the White House, CNN’s Brooke Baldwin spoke at length with author Arthur Herman about a weekend tweet in which Trump had compared Special Counsel Robert Mueller to Senator Joseph McCarthy. The segment during the 2:00 p.m. Eastern hour of CNN Newsroom began shortly before the President’s speech was underway. Approximately two minutes into the speech, the network briefly showed a silent feed of the event on a portion of the screen even as the chyron continued to read, “Trump Compares Mueller Probe To ‘McCarthyism.’” Baldwin made no mention of the event, and no context was given for the live feed. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Picture of Snoozing Chicago Cops Goes Viral After Violent Weekend</em></strong></p>
<p>Two Chicago police officers are in hot water after a picture of them sleeping on the job went viral. The photo showed two cops in a Chicago Police 6111 vehicle slumped over and snoozing. Both were wearing black bullet-proof vests. The picture was posted over the weekend and has been shared <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Jaymalgreen/photos/a.1295313767178949/1940409522669367/?type=3">more than 20,000 times on Facebook</a>. Mayoral candidate Ja’Mal Green was one of the people to share the image. Green, who has been active in the Black Lives Matter movement, blamed the sleeping situation on mandatory overtime ordered by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “In light of all of the violence that happened last week, Rahm decided to deploy 600 MORE officers & make officers work overtime! This picture proves WHY this was a bad idea. Officers get fatigued which will prevent them from reacting to crime,” Green wrote on his Facebook page. Former Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy, who is also running for mayor, called sleeping on the job “just inexcusable.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>California Kids Can Kiss Their Soda Good-Bye</em></strong></p>
<p>California Governor Jerry Brown is likely to sign a bill that prohibits restaurants from offering anything other than milk or water with their kids’ meals, under the pretense of preventing obesity. Effectively they’re telling parents they’re not capable of being trusted with their children’s health. It’s Big Brother Knows Best vs. mom and dad. If restaurants don’t play along they <a href="https://ijr.com/2018/08/1117304-california-water-milk/" target="_blank">could be fined</a> up to $500. So now California isn’t just the nanny state, it’s also the bully state. Parents are apparently still permitted to order a separate drink but the restaurant can’t market the drink on the kids’ meal.</p>
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<p><strong><em>PETA Gets Nabisco to 'Free' Animals on Boxes of Barnum's Animals Crackers</em></strong></p>
<p>People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has gotten Nabisco to change the picture on its animal cracker boxes so the animals appear in an uncaged state. For years the company's "Barnum's Animals" snacks came in a box that showed lions, polar bears, gorillas and elephants behind the bars of a circus boxcar. PETA, which has spent decades protesting the use of animals in circuses, wrote a letter to Nabisco's parent, Mondelez International, asking for the box that contains "Barnum's Animals" to get a new look. The company agreed and now the animals appear roaming or at least posing freely.</p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You May Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 21: Even James Clapper has admonished John Brennan for having gone totally off the rails. Maybe Clapper is being nice to me so he doesn’t lose his Security Clearance for lying to Congress!</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 21: Fake News, of which there is soooo much (this time the very tired New Yorker) falsely reported that I was going to take the extraordinary step of denying Intelligence Briefings to President Obama. Never discussed or thought of!</p>
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<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 21: I am sorry to have to reiterate that there are serious and unpleasant consequences to crossing the Border into the United States ILLEGALLY! If there were no serious consequences, our country would be overrun with people trying to get in, and our system could not handle it!</p>
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<p>@RichardGrenell: President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump">@realDonaldTrump</a>'s instructions were clear and his leadership crucial to getting a former Nazi guard deported from the U.S. Our President is focused on protecting the promise of freedom and the rule of law.<br /><br /></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-08-21T12:50:00ZTrump Will Celebrate Immigration & Border Heroes; Brennan Considers Legal Action Against TrumpBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Will-Celebrate-Immigration--Border-Heroes;-Brennan-Considers-Legal-Action-Against-Trump/-746284207923308747.html2018-08-20T12:52:00Z2018-08-20T12:52:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Monday, August 20, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Will Celebrate Immigration & Border Heroes</em></strong></p>
<p>President <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/08/16/white-house-ice-event-immigration-agents-781748" target="_blank">Donald Trump has planned to honor federal immigration agents in</a> a White House ceremony Monday. According to <em>Politico</em>, the White House will hold an event entitled "Salute to the Heroes of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs [and] Border Protection" in the White House's East Room. "Without the brave heroes of ICE, we would have no enforcement, no borders, no laws, we wouldn't even have a country," Trump said in <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1023246073060634626" target="_blank">a video posted to Twitter</a>. Trump's plan to honor ICE agents at the White House comes as both the agency and the Trump administration weather a storm of criticism for Trump's "zero-tolerance" immigration policy. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Brennan Considers Legal Action Against Trump</em></strong></p>
<p>John Brennan, the former CIA director and outspoken critic of President Trump, said in an interview Sunday that he is willing to do whatever he can to prevent others from having their security clearances revoked, including taking the president to court. Brennan, who was on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” said lawyers have approached him on the issue and spoke about obtaining an injunction to prevent more security clearances being revoked. "If my clearances and my reputation as I'm being pulled through the mud now if that's the price we're going to pay to prevent Donald Trump from doing this against other people to me it's a small price to pay," Brennan said. "So I am going to do whatever I can personally to try to prevent these abuses in the future. And if it means going to court, I will do that." An executive order signed in 1995 by President Bill Clinton lays out the process for approving security clearances and describes a detailed revocation and appeal procedure. The Washington Post <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-is-creating-a-list-of-political-enemies-former-joint-chiefs-chairman-mike-mullen-says/2018/08/19/36df9b64-a3b6-11e8-97ce-cc9042272f07_story.html?utm_term=.933e2571f32d" target="_blank">reported</a> that four million Americans have some form of security clearances.</p>
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<p><strong><em>57 Shot across Chicago in Weekend Gun Violence</em></strong></p>
<p>Five people were killed, and 52 others wounded in weekend shootings throughout Chicago. Since 5 p.m. Friday, <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/chicago-gun-violence-friday-summary-23-shot/">18 people were shot that evening</a>, <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/saturday-shootings-1-killed-17-wounded-across-chicago/">23 were shot Saturday</a>, and <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/gun-violence-shootings-chicago-sunday-august-20-2018/">21 were shot Sunday</a>. A single shooting Friday <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/3-year-old-boy-among-several-wounded-in-englewood-shooting/">wounded seven people</a>, including a 3-year-old boy in the Englewood neighborhood on the South Side.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Michael Cohen Reportedly Under Investigation for $20M in Bank Fraud</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump’s former personal lawyer is being investigated over more than $20 million in loans to taxi companies owned by him and his family and could face charges within the next two weeks, according to a new report. Michael Cohen is also being probed over deals to buy the silence of women who claimed they had affairs with Trump, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/19/nyregion/michael-cohen-loans-donald-trump.html?action=Click&contentCollection=BreakingNews&contentID=67527690&pgtype=Homepage">The New York Times reported</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span></p>
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<p><strong><em>Prisoners Striking in 17 States over Prison Conditions</em></strong></p>
<p>Prisoners across 17 states are planning to strike for nearly three weeks starting Tuesday to protest prison conditions, <a href="https://www.vox.com/2018/8/17/17664048/national-prison-strike-2018">Vox</a> reports. The demonstrations are planned to take place from August 21 to September 9, marking the anniversary of a bloody prison uprising in upstate New York in 1971. Protesters are “demanding humane living conditions, access to rehabilitation, sentencing reform and the end of modern day slavery,” according to the <a href="https://incarceratedworkers.org/campaigns/prison-strike-2018" target="_blank">website</a> for the Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee (IWOC). Protesters will refuse to report to assigned jobs, engage in sit-ins and begin hunger strikes, according to a press release tweeted out by a group supporting the strike.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Pope Vows No More Cover-Ups in Letter to All Catholics on Sexual Abuse</em></strong></p>
<p>Pope Francis, facing simultaneous clergy sexual abuse crises in several countries, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-abuse-letter/pope-vows-no-more-cover-ups-in-letter-to-all-catholics-on-sexual-abuse-idUSKCN1L510L">on Monday</a> wrote an unprecedented letter to all the world’s Catholics asking each of them to help uproot “this culture of death”. In the letter, addressed to “the people of God,” he also promised that no effort will be spared to prevent abuse and its cover-up. “We have realized that these wounds never disappear and that they require us forcefully to condemn these atrocities and join forces in uprooting this culture of death,” he said. The letter also responded to a recent grand jury report in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. He said that while most cases in the report “belong to the past,” it was clear that abuse “was long ignored, kept quiet or silenced”.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Jury to Weigh Ex-Trump Aide Manafort's Fate for Third Day</em></strong></p>
<p>The jury in the trial of Paul Manafort will <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-manafort/jury-to-weigh-ex-trump-aide-manaforts-fate-for-third-day-idUSKCN1L50V2">deliberate for a third day</a> on Monday about whether to convict the former Trump campaign chairman of up to 18 criminal charges related to bank and tax fraud and his failure to disclose overseas bank accounts. The 12 jurors concluded their discussions on Friday without sending any notes to the judge other than saying when they would go home, one day after they asked for a definition of “reasonable doubt” and clarification on the law governing the reporting of foreign bank accounts. The jury is scheduled to resume deliberations at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the federal court in Alexandria, Virginia. The trial is the first stemming from Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of Russia’s meddling in the 2016 U.S. election. Before dismissing them on Friday, Judge T.S. Ellis reminded the jurors, who are not sequestered, to refrain from discussing the case or investigating it on their own over the weekend. “Put it out of your mind until Monday,” Ellis told them.</p>
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<p><strong><em>President Trump Claims Social Media Companies Censor Conservatives</em></strong></p>
<p>In a series of tweets, President Trump claimed conservatives are being censored by social media companies. He also took the opportunity to slam CNN and MSNBC, which he said he watches “with a grain of salt” or “[doesn’t] watch at all.” Trump wrote, “Social Media is totally discriminating against Republican/Conservative voices. Speaking loudly and clearly for the Trump Administration, we won’t let that happen. They are closing down the opinions of many people on the RIGHT, while at the same time doing nothing to others…” Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey claimed Sunday on CNN’s Reliable Sources that the company does not ban people for political viewpoints, even while admitting Twitter has a “left-leaning” bias. Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/online/facebook-apologizes-for-removing-conservative-sites-posts/?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=ABN_MorningMediaNewsfeed&utm_campaign=MorningMediaNewsfeed_Newsletter_2018082008&s_id=57e9a04f2ddf9c7ef3828467">Facebook has issued an apology</a> after it removed content from Prager University’s Facebook page, prompting the organization to claim “we’re being heavily censored.” The posts removed talked about Israel’s right to exist and posited that the Paris Climate Accord doesn’t help the earth.</p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You May Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, August 20: Disgraced and discredited Bob Mueller and his whole group of Angry Democrat Thugs spent over 30 hours with the White House Councel, only with my approval, for purposes of transparency. Anybody needing that much time when they know there is no Russian Collusion is just someone....</p>
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<p>@RealDonaldTrump, August 20: ....looking for trouble. They are enjoying ruining people’s lives and REFUSE to look at the real corruption on the Democrat side - the lies, the firings, the deleted Emails and soooo much more! Mueller’s Angry Dems are looking to impact the election. They are a National Disgrace!</p>
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<p>@RealDonaldTrump, August 20: Where’s the Collusion? They made up a phony crime called Collusion, and when there was no Collusion they say there was Obstruction (of a phony crime that never existed). If you FIGHT BACK or say anything bad about the Rigged Witch Hunt, they scream Obstruction!</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-08-20T12:52:00ZMore Shootings in Chicago Over the Weekend; Trump Renews Calls for Mueller to Investigate ClintonBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/More-Shootings-in-Chicago-Over-the-Weekend;-Trump-Renews-Calls-for-Mueller-to-Investigate-Clinton/-59419025159841657.html2018-08-19T13:26:00Z2018-08-19T13:26:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, August 19, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>White House Counsel Has Spent 30 Hours Sharing Details for Mueller Probe</em></strong></p>
<p>White House counsel <a href="http://thehill.com/people/donald-don-mcgahn">Donald McGahn</a> has been cooperating with special counsel <a href="http://thehill.com/people/robert-mueller">Robert Mueller</a> in his probe into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, according to an explosive <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/18/us/politics/don-mcgahn-mueller-investigation.html" target="_blank">New York Times</a> report published Saturday. McGahn has reportedly discussed accounts of multiple episodes at the center of Mueller's probe into whether President Trump obstructed justice. The Times is reporting that McGahn has had three voluntary interviews with Mueller's team totaling 30 hours.</p>
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<p><strong><em>23 Shot, 2 Fatally on Friday in Chicago</em></strong></p>
<p>At least 23 people were shot two of them fatally Friday in a series of shootings across Chicago over 24 hours. A single shooting in the South Side Englewood neighborhood <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/3-year-old-boy-among-several-wounded-in-englewood-shooting/">wounded seven people</a>, including a 3-year-old boy. Most of the group was on a sidewalk about 8 p.m. when shots rang out in the 1600 block of West 65th Street, according to Chicago police. The boy was shot in the left shin and taken to Comer Children’s Hospital, where his condition stabilized. The last shooting Friday wounded a 15-year-old boy in the West Englewood neighborhood. About 11:50 p.m., <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/teen-struck-bullet-through-window-west-englewood/">the teen was sitting inside a home</a> in the 2000 block of West 68th Street when a bullet went through a window and struck the boy in his chest. He was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital in fair condition.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Renews Calls for Mueller to Investigate Clinton</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Sunday renewed his calls for special counsel <a href="http://thehill.com/people/robert-mueller">Robert Mueller</a> to investigate former Democratic presidential nominee <a href="http://thehill.com/people/hillary-clinton">Hillary Clinton</a>. “No Collusion and No Obstruction, except by Crooked Hillary and the Democrats,” the president tweeted. “All of the resignations and corruption, yet heavily conflicted Bob Mueller refuses to even look in that direction. What about the Brennan, Comey, McCabe, Strzok lies to Congress or Crooked’s Emails!” The tweet followed earlier posts on Sunday in which Trump <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/402506-trump-hits-new-york-times-for-report-implying-white-house-counsel-is?rnd=1534678725" target="_blank">attacked</a> the “failing” New York Times for a report that he said implied White House counsel Don McGahn must be a “John Dean type RAT.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Planned Parenthood Investigator Launches Bid to Lift Gag Order</em></strong></p>
<p>David Daleiden is fighting to release the most <a href="https://freebeacon.com/issues/daleiden-says-damning-tapes-still-come/">"damning and incriminating footage"</a> documenting the organ harvesting trade in the abortion industry, as his attorneys filed motions to lift a gag order. Daleiden, the founder of the Center for Medical Progress, said he has 12 more undercover videos showing senior Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers candidly discussing how they make money from harvesting organs of aborted babies. He began releasing a series of videos showing similar conversations with senior Planned Parenthood officials in 2015, sparking outrage and several state and federal investigations into the trade, but he also faced fierce backlash from the abortion industry. The National Abortion Federation (NAF), which hosted a pair of conferences that Daleiden attended while posing as an organ procurer, filed a federal lawsuit and was granted a court order blocking the release of additional footage. Daleiden is moving to have the suit tossed so the nonprofit watchdog group can publish its remaining material, which "includes some of the most damning and incriminating footage we ever recorded."</p>
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<p><strong><em>Gun-Rights Rally Draws Counter-Protesters, Forcing Police to Keep the Peace</em></strong></p>
<p>A demonstration in support of Second Amendment gun rights drew left-wing counter-protesters Saturday in Seattle, forcing dozens of police to keep the two sides separated. Conservative groups Washington 3 Percenters and Patriot Prayer held their “Liberty or Death” rally outside Seattle City Hall, to oppose a city gun-control initiative, while a group of left-wing organizations rallied nearby. The left-wingers including members of Organized Workers for Labor Solidarity, Radical Women and the Freedom Socialist Party yelled and used cowbells and sirens in an attempt to drown out speeches from the other side. A police spokesman told the <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/largely-peaceful-dueling-rallies-at-seattle-city-hall-marked-by-lots-of-yelling-3-arrests/" target="_blank">Seattle Times</a> that a total of three men were arrested for misdemeanor assault. As tensions mounted, additional police arrived, including some in riot gear. Bicycle officers lined up their bikes as a type of moving barrier to keep protesters from entering the street. The gun-control initiative would expand background checks, raise the age for people buying semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21, and create standards for safely storing firearms. On Friday a judge threw out 300,000 signatures necessary to put the initiative on the November ballot on the grounds that it did not meet election-law requirements. The Alliance for Gun Responsibility, the group behind the proposal, has appealed the motion.</p>
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<p><strong><em>North and South Korean Families to Reunite After Decades Apart</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>On Monday, the first reunion in three years will take place between North and South Korean families, at North Korea's Mount Kumgang. The reunion is <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/22/asia/koreas-family-reunions-intl/index.html">included in the historic accord</a> that was signed by the leaders of the two Koreas in April. Around 57,000 people were eligible to take part. Of those, 0.16%, just 93 people, have been selected. Since the end of the war, both Koreas have banned ordinary citizens from visiting relatives on the other side of the border or contacting them without permission. Nearly 20,000 people have participated in 20 rounds of face-to-face reunions since 2000. No one has had a second chance to see their relatives.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Michelle Wolf’s Netflix Show Canceled After Only Three Months</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Liberal comedian Michelle Wolf's television show on Netflix has been canceled after only three months. Netflix decided that they did not want to renew her show, <em>The Break</em>, due to a lack of viewership, <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/michelle-wolf-joel-mchales-talk-shows-canceled-at-netflix-1128862?utm_source=twitter&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral" target="_blank">according to</a> the <em>Hollywood Reporter</em>. Wolf became well known after her appearance at the White House Correspondents Dinner drew criticism for her personal attacks on White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders. Wolf raised further controversy after a segment of hers compared Immigration and Customs Enforcement to the terrorist group Islamic State and another segment where she and others praised abortion.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Gulp! Georgian Boy Solves Six Rubik's Cubes Under Water in One Breath</em></strong> </p>
<p>An 18-year-old student from Georgia solved six Rubik's Cubes underwater in one breath on Friday, in a bid to set a new Guinness World Record. Vako Marchelashvili was submerged in a glass tank for just over one minute and 44 seconds as he flipped, turned and solved the cubes in front of a crowd at the Gino Paradise aqua park Tbilisi. He said he had been preparing for the underwater challenge for six months, training several hours a day. After observing Marchelashvili's attempt, the Georgian Records Federation issued a diploma confirming his result. They will send their evidence to the Guinness World Records headquarters for verification.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You Might Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, August 19: The failing <a href="https://twitter.com/nytimes">@nytimes</a> wrote a Fake piece today implying that because White House Councel Don McGahn was giving hours of testimony to the Special Councel, he must be a John Dean type “RAT.” But I allowed him and all others to testify - I didn’t have to. I have nothing to hide......</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, August 19:....and have demanded transparency so that this Rigged and Disgusting Witch Hunt can come to a close. So many lives have been ruined over nothing - McCarthyism at its WORST! Yet Mueller & his gang of Dems refuse to look at the real crimes on the other side - Media is even worse!</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, August 19: No Collusion and No Obstruction, except by Crooked Hillary and the Democrats. All of the resignations and corruption, yet heavily conflicted Bob Mueller refuses to even look in that direction. What about the Brennan, Comey, McCabe, Strzok lies to Congress, or Crooked’s Emails!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, August 19: The Failing New York Times wrote a story that made it seem like the White House Councel had TURNED on the President, when in fact it is just the opposite - & the two Fake reporters knew this. This is why the Fake News Media has become the Enemy of the People. So bad for America!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, August 19: Some members of the media are very Angry at the Fake Story in the New York Times. They actually called to complain and apologize - a big step forward. From the day I announced, the Times has been Fake News, and with their disgusting new Board Member, it will only get worse!</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-08-19T13:26:00Z'Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin Dies at Age 76; Trump's Military Parade Has Been PostponedBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Queen-of-Soul-Aretha-Franklin-Dies-at-Age-76;-Trumps-Military-Parade-Has-Been-Postponed/-462947654422007035.html2018-08-17T13:05:00Z2018-08-17T13:05:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Friday, August 17, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>‘Queen of Soul’ Aretha Franklin Dies at Age 76</em></strong></p>
<p>Aretha Franklin, the preacher's daughter whose powerful voice made her the long-reigning "Queen of Soul" with such hit songs as "Respect" and "Chain of Fools," died on Thursday at the age of 76, <a href="https://freebeacon.com/culture/queen-soul-aretha-franklin-dies-age-76/">the Associated Press reported</a>. Franklin, was presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005, she won 18 Grammys and had 25 gold records. On Thursday, she died at her home in Detroit, the AP said, citing a publicist for the singer. <a href="https://www.spin.com/tag/aretha-franklin/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Aretha Franklin</a><span>’s family issued a statement following her </span><a href="https://www.spin.com/2018/08/aretha-franklin-dead-queen-of-soul/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">death Thursday morning</a><span>. The legendary singer died at her Detroit home while </span><a href="https://www.spin.com/2018/08/aretha-franklin-gravely-ill/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">under hospice care</a><span> for complications from advanced pancreatic cancer. </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Lara Trump Blasts Omarosa ‘Betrayal,’ Calls Latest Tape a ‘Fraud’</em></strong></p>
<p>Lara Trump tore into her old friend Omarosa Manigault Newman on Thursday after she released a tape of the president's daughter-in-law offering her a job on the 2020 campaign shortly after being fired from the White House. “I hope it’s all worth it for you, Omarosa, because some things you just can’t put a price on,” Trump, a senior campaign adviser, said in a statement. She fired back after Manigault Newman <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/omarosa-releases-secret-tape-lara-trump-offering-her-15k-month-n901306" target="_blank">appeared on MSNBC</a> and aired excerpts from a tape that appeared to show Lara Trump offering her a job at $180,000 a year to join President Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign, after she was fired in December 2017. On the tape, Lara Trump appears to make reference to a New York Times story that reported Manigault Newman was preparing to tell her story and tells her that could not happen if she joined the campaign.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump’s Military Parade Has Been Postponed</em></strong></p>
<p>The Department of Defense says the military parade originally scheduled for Veterans Day will be postponed. "The Department of Defense and White House have been planning a parade to honor America's military veterans and commemorate the centennial of World War I," Defense Department spokesman Col. Rob Manning said in a statement Thursday. "We originally targeted November 10, 2018, for this event but have now agreed to explore opportunities in 2019." Reports indicated that President Trump’s military parade this fall would cost an estimated $92 million, which is about $80 million more than previous projections. The figure allegedly included $50 million from the Pentagon and $42 million from agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security. An administration official told CNN the $92 million figure for the US military parade, which was <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/16/trump-military-parade-expected-to-cost-80-million-more-than-estimated.html" target="_blank">first reported by CNBC</a>, was a planning estimate for an event that would meet President Donald Trump's intent. About half that amount would have been for non-military costs like security. Defense Secretary James Mattis said the reports of a $92 million tab for the parade were not accurate while speaking to reporters Thursday while traveling in South America. "I have not seen an estimate of $92 million, the estimates are coming to me. I've given the initial guidance, but I have received no such estimate ... I haven't received an estimate of 10 million or 92 million," Mattis told reporters, according to a pool report.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Manafort Jury Has Questions, but No Verdict, on Day 1 of Deliberations</em></strong></p>
<p>The jury in the federal trial of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort ended <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/08/16/manafort-jury-has-questions-but-no-verdict-on-day-1-deliberations.html">the first day of deliberations</a> Thursday without a verdict but did ask the judge a series of questions before breaking -- a development the defense took as good news. Before court was adjourned in the afternoon, U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III announced that jurors would continue their work on Friday morning. Ellis read aloud a note detailing four questions from the jury, which covered foreign financial accounts, shell companies, the definition of reasonable doubt and other evidence in the case. Outside court on Thursday, Manafort’s defense attorney, Kevin Downing, called the questions from the jury -- especially the one about reasonable doubt -- a “good sign. So, overall a very good day for Mr. Manafort,” Downing told reporters.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Declares Opioids from Mexico, China 'Almost a Form of Warfare'</em></strong></p>
<p>Calling opioids coming into the U.S. from China and Mexico "almost a form of warfare," President Trump on Thursday urged Attorney General Jeff Sessions to investigate foreign sources of fentanyl that he said are "killing our people." Speaking during a Cabinet meeting Thursday, Trump also took the unusual step of <a href="http://video.foxnews.com/v/5823075312001/">urging Sessions to file a "major" new lawsuit against opioid suppliers and manufacturers</a>, rather than join existing lawsuits filed by states affected by the spread of the highly addictive, deadly drugs. “It’s almost a form of warfare,” Trump said, referring to the drugs he called "garbage" that are flowing into the country. "I’d be very firm on that. It’s a disgrace and we can stop it.” Trump added: "I'd also like to ask you to bring a major lawsuit against the drug companies on opioids. Some states have done it, but I'd like a lawsuit to be brought against these companies that are really sending opioids at a level that -- it really shouldn't be happening. ... People go into a hospital with a broken arm, they come out, they're a drug addict."<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>After Days of Silence, Vatican Condemns Priest Sex Abuse as 'Morally Reprehensible'</em></strong></p>
<p>After two days of deafening silence, the Vatican on Thursday condemned newly revealed sex abuses that raged for decades in six dioceses in Pennsylvania as "criminal and morally reprehensible.” Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said in a statement, adding that the victims should know Pope Francis is on their side. “Those acts were betrayals of trust that robbed survivors of their dignity and faith.” Until Thursday, the Vatican had declined to address the allegations from a scathing 884-page grand jury report about the abuse.</p>
<div> </div>
<p><strong><em>CNN Commentator Agrees with Andrew Cuomo: ‘America Has Never Been Great’</em></strong></p>
<p>CNN political commentator Angela Rye on Wednesday declared her agreement with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s (D.) now-retracted <a href="https://freebeacon.com/politics/cuomo-slams-maga-slogan-america-never-great/" target="_blank">claim</a> that America hasn't ever been great. Rye, the former executive director of the Congressional Black Caucus, debated Donald Trump campaign adviser Gina Loudon about diversity in the White House, which she said was lacking. Loudon said she wanted a "constructive conversation" and to acknowledge the positives of Trump’s administration, and she said Rye’s position was similar to Cuomo’s statement that America was never great. Rye embraced that charge and excoriated Loudon for mentioning her son. "America has never been great, and it’s not great because people like you come on and lie for the president of the United States and then tout, bring out your son as an example, you’ve got to be completely ashamed of yourself," Rye said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You May Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 17: The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it. When asked to give us a price for holding a great celebratory military parade, they wanted a number so ridiculously high that I cancelled it. Never let someone hold you up! I will instead...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@realDonaldTrump, August 17: ....attend the big parade already scheduled at Andrews Air Force Base on a different date, & go to the Paris parade, celebrating the end of the War, on November 11th. Maybe we will do something next year in D.C. when the cost comes WAY DOWN. Now we can buy some more jet fighters!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@SenSchumer, August 16: Since Republicans have chosen secrecy over transparency, Democrats issued a FOIA request to the National Archives, seeking the full gamut of Kavanaugh’s records, including from his time as Staff Secretary. We stand ready to sue the Archives for his full records, if necessary.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@HillaryClinton, August 16: It's been three weeks since the deadline for the administration to reunify families it separated at the border. Today, 565 children are still reportedly separated from their parents. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FamiliesBelongTogether?src=hash">#FamiliesBelongTogether</a></p>
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<p>@EricTrump, August 17: For anyone who questions the hatefulness and disgusting antics of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MSM?src=hash">#MSM</a> just view the accompanying picture from this <a href="https://twitter.com/Reuters">@Reuters</a> headline. Once again their propaganda is in full display. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JournalismIsDead?src=hash">#JournalismIsDead</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Disgusting?src=hash">#Disgusting</a></p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-08-17T13:05:00ZJohn Brennan: Trump Colluded with Russia; Senate to Consider Massive Spending BillBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/John-Brennan:-Trump-Colluded-with-Russia;-Senate-to-Consider-Massive-Spending-Bill/-220794616673965826.html2018-08-16T12:29:00Z2018-08-16T12:29:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, August 16, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>John Brennan: Trump Colluded with Russia</em></strong></p>
<p>Former CIA Director John Brennan, who had his security clearance revoked by President Trump on Wednesday, said there is no doubt Trump colluded with Russia during the 2016 presidential election. “Mr. Trump’s claims of no collusion are, in a word, hogwash,” Brennan <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/16/opinion/john-brennan-trump-russia-collusion-security-clearance.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axiosam&stream=top-stories" target="_blank">wrote in an opinion piece</a> published Thursday for the New York Times. “The only questions that remain are whether the collusion that took place constituted criminally liable conspiracy, whether obstruction of justice occurred to cover up any collusion or conspiracy, and how many members of ‘Trump Incorporated’ attempted to defraud the government by laundering and concealing the movement of money into their pockets,” the piece continued.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Bleak New Estimates in Drug Epidemic: A Record 72,000 Overdose Deaths in 2017</em></strong></p>
<p>Drug overdoses killed about 72,000 Americans last year, a record number that reflects a rise of around 10 percent, according to new preliminary <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/drug-overdose-data.htm" target="_blank">estimates</a> from the Centers for Disease Control. The death toll is higher than the peak yearly death totals from <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/06/05/upshot/opioid-epidemic-drug-overdose-deaths-are-rising-faster-than-ever.html">H.I.V., car crashes or gun deaths</a>. Analysts pointed to two major reasons for the increase: A growing number of Americans are using opioids, and drugs are becoming more deadly. It is the second factor that most likely explains the bulk of the increased number of overdoses last year.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Senate to Consider Massive Spending Bill</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. senators agreed on Wednesday to debate and vote in the next few days on more than $850 billion in spending on defense, labor and healthcare programs, as the Trump administration announced its objections to some parts of the bill. The so-called “minibus” appropriations bill includes nearly $675 billion in spending for the Department of Defense, as well as about $182 billion for an array of domestic programs under the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and related agencies. Trump has threatened to shut down the government if Congress, which is controlled by his fellow Republicans, does not adhere to his spending priorities, especially his desire to spend billions of dollars to build a wall on the border with Mexico. The Trump Administration announced its position on the bill on Wednesday. While not threatening a veto, the “Statement of Administration Policy” noted that the bill does not include administration proposals to reduce spending in areas such as education and healthcare research.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>U.S. Newsrooms to Trump: We’re Not Enemies of the People</em></strong> </p>
<p>The nation’s newsrooms are pushing back against President Donald Trump with a coordinated series of newspaper editorials condemning his attacks on “fake news” and suggestion that journalists are the enemy. The Boston Globe invited newspapers across the country to stand up for the press with editorials on Thursday, and several began appearing online a day earlier. Nearly 350 news organizations have pledged to participate, according to Marjorie Pritchard, an op-ed editor at the Globe. In St. Louis, the Post-Dispatch called journalists “<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-stand-in-defense-of-the-truth-don-t-let/article_c00c0d05-9080-56ef-8a58-a7ea5467c92d.html">the truest of patriots</a> .” The <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/freedom-press-newspaper-friend-trump-enemy-people/">Chicago Sun-Times said</a> it believed most Americans know that Trump is talking nonsense. The Fayetteville, N.C. Observer said it hoped Trump would stop, “but we’re not holding our breath. Rather, we hope all the president’s supporters will recognize what he’s doing — manipulating reality to get what he wants,” the North Carolina newspaper said. “While we agree that labeling journalists the ‘enemy of the American people’ and journalism ‘fake news’ is not only damaging to our industry but destructive to our democracy, a coordinated response from independent —dare we say ‘mainstream’— news organizations feeds a narrative that we’re somehow aligned against this Republican president,” the <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/editorial/bs-ed-0816-free-press-20180815-story.html">Baltimore Sun wrote</a> .</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Sacramento Bee Urges Nancy Pelosi to Abandon Speakership Ambitions</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>A prominent newspaper in House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's, D-Calif., home state of California demanded she publicly declares she will not seek to become House speaker should Democrats sweep to power in November's midterm elections. "The Republican Party is now clearly the party of Donald Trump," the Sacramento Bee's editorial <span style="text-decoration: underline;">board </span><a href="https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/editorials/article216743495.html" target="_blank">wrote Wednesday</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span> "The Democratic Party cannot be seen as the party of Nancy Pelosi and win in November." The editorial continued, "To retake control of the House, Democrats need to gain at least 23 seats in November. That’s no easy task. And it’s even more difficult now that Pelosi’s future has become a distracting campaign issue for Democrats in key swing districts, where they need moderate and even Republican votes to win."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Colorado Baker in Case of Supreme Court Sues State Over 'Persecution'</em></strong></p>
<p>A Colorado baker who won a narrow Supreme Court victory over his refusal to make a wedding cake for a gay couple is suing the state after it launched another case against him for declining to create a cake for a transgender woman. Jack Phillips, the owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop in the city of Lakewood, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-colorado-baker/colorado-baker-in-case-of-supreme-court-sues-state-over-persecution-idUSKBN1L1036">accuses Colorado’s Civil Rights Commission</a> of violating his constitutional rights to free speech, freedom of religion, equal protection and due process, according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Denver on Tuesday. “This lawsuit is necessary to stop Colorado’s continuing persecution of Phillips,” the written complaint alleges. Also named in the lawsuit are Governor John Hickenlooper and Cynthia Coffman, the state attorney general. Phillips seeks permanent injunctions against the state from taking any enforcement action against Phillips, who the lawsuit says was “vindicated” by the Supreme Court ruling.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Air Force Two's $16 Million Upgrade Seeks a More 'Presidential' Look</em></strong></p>
<p>One of the four Boeing jetliners frequently used by the vice president and the secretary of state and sometimes for President Trump's weekend trips is getting a $16 million overhaul that will make its interior more like that of the larger aircraft popularly known as Air Force One. Chicago-based Boeing Co. was awarded a contract this month that covers upgrading and refurbishing interior elements of one of the twin-engine Boeing 757s as well as painting and cleaning to create an "appearance more commensurate with [the] presidential section of the VC-25A," the military designation for the Boeing 747 jumbo jet flown by the president, the Defense Department said in a <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1602348/" target="_blank">statement Tuesday</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You May Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, August 15: “John Brennan is a stain on the Country, we deserve better than this.” Former Secret Service Agent and author of new book, “Spygate, the Attempted Sabotage of Donald J. Trump,” Dan Bongino. Thank you Dan, and good luck with the book!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, August 15: “WE’RE NOT GOING TO MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, IT WAS NEVER THAT GREAT.” Can you believe this is the Governor of the Highest Taxed State in the U.S., Andrew Cuomo, having a total meltdown!</p>
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<p>@DiamondandSilk, August 15: After the Firing of Peter Strzok, More Questions Raised About the Flynn Case and Mueller Investigation.......</p>
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<p>@JohnBrennan, August 15: This action is part of a broader effort by Mr. Trump to suppress freedom of speech & punish critics. It should gravely worry all Americans, including intelligence professionals, about the cost of speaking out. My principles are worth far more than clearances. I will not relent.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@BostonGlobe, August 16: The Globe editorial board called for an end to President Trump’s sustained assault on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreePress?src=hash">#FreePress</a>. Hundreds of publishers around the US answered that call</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-08-16T12:29:00ZManafort Jury to Hear Closing Arguments in His Fraud Trial; U.S., Mexico to Announce New Plans on CartelsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Manafort-Jury-to-Hear-Closing-Arguments-in-His-Fraud-Trial;-U.S.-Mexico-to-Announce-New-Plans-on-Cartels/64699567070114503.html2018-08-15T12:41:00Z2018-08-15T12:41:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, August 15, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Manafort Jury to Hear Closing Arguments in His Fraud Trial</em></strong></p>
<p>Lawyers will begin closing arguments Wednesday in the explosive trial of former Donald Trump campaign chief Paul Manafort, after which the veteran political operative's fate will rest with the jury. After hearing some 20 witnesses for prosecutors describe how Manafort allegedly evaded taxes on millions of dollars and repeatedly lied to banks as he borrowed millions more, a jury of 12 could begin deliberating on the case as early as late Wednesday. Lawyers for Manafort, 69, who faces 18 counts related to tax and bank fraud, had tried to get federal Judge T.S. Ellis to throw out some or all of the charges against him, but Ellis rejected the motion.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>U.S., Mexico to Announce New Plans on Cartels</em></strong></p>
<p>Top U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration officials will unveil new plans to combat Mexican drug cartels Wednesday in Chicago alongside members of the Mexican government and federal police, DEA officials <a href="https://apnews.com/20bd3b8d42074540a31c9c26f09b508c/APNewsBreak:-US,-Mexico-to-announce-new-plans-on-cartels">told The Associated Press</a>. The announcement at a joint news conference will be a public display of bilateral cooperation amid ongoing tensions over President Donald Trump’s trade and immigration policies, including over his vow to build a wall along the nearly 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexican border. The new plans include putting greater emphasis on attacking cartels’ financial infrastructure. Plans also call for a new enforcement group based in Chicago that will concentrate on international investigations of cartels.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Omarosa Says She Won’t Be Silenced</em></strong></p>
<p>Former White House aide Omarosa Manigault Newman declared that she “will not be silenced” by President Donald Trump, remaining defiant as her public feud with her former boss appeared to shift to a possible legal battle. In an interview on Tuesday Manigault Newman, who is promoting her new book about her time in Trump’s orbit, said she believes the president’s campaign is trying to keep her from telling her story. She commented just hours after Trump’s campaign announced it was filing an arbitration action against her, alleging violations of a secrecy agreement she signed. “I will not be intimidated,” <a href="https://apnews.com/af5ca3de127544ea8dd16519f8953641/Defiant-as-Trump-rages,-Omarosa-says-she-won%27t-be-silenced">she told the AP</a>. “I’m not going to be bullied by Donald Trump.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Maxine's Birthday Wish: Waters Says She Wants Trump 'Removed from Office'</em></strong></p>
<p>California Rep. Maxine Waters turns 80 years old on Wednesday and told a cable news host she wants President Trump removed from office for her birthday. An MSNBC host wished Waters a "happy birthday" and <a href="http://insider.foxnews.com/2018/08/14/maxine-waters-wants-donald-trump-impeached-her-birthday">the Democrat responded</a> by saying that she wanted Trump to go. "My biggest birthday wish would be that we're able to get a leader of this country who represents us -- who has the respect of all of our allies," Waters said. "Someone who has appreciation for the Constitution. Someone that doesn't lie... with these tweets," she said. "He doesn't even know the words to the Star-Spangled Banner."<br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>Poll: U.S. Voters Dislike Trump Almost 2-1</em></strong></p>
<p>Only 31 percent of American voters like President Donald Trump as a person, while 59 percent dislike him, according to a <a href="http://www.norwalkplus.com/nwk/information/nwsnwk/publish/News_1/QU-Poll-U-S-voters-dislike-Trump-almost-2-1-media-is-important-to-democracy-65-of-voters-say_np_24767.shtml">Quinnipiac University National Poll</a> released on Tuesday. Republicans like Trump 66 – 24 percent, the only listed party, gender, education, age or racial group which likes him, the independent Quinnipiac University National Poll finds. By a smaller 54 – 43 percent margin, American voters dislike President Trump’s policies. Voters disapprove 54 – 41 percent of the job Trump is doing as president, including 48 percent who disapprove strongly. Another 30 percent approve strongly. The news media is an important part of democracy, 65 percent of American voters say, while 26 percent of voters say the media is the enemy of the people. Republicans say 51 – 36 percent that the media is the enemy of the people rather than an important part of democracy, the only listed group to feel that way.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Sanders Apologizes Over Inaccurate Information About African-American Job Numbers Under Obama</em></strong></p>
<p>White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders apologized on Tuesday for <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/401852-sanders-cites-inaccurate-numbers-to-claim-trump-has-created-more-jobs" target="_blank">providing inaccurate statistics</a> about the number of jobs added for African-Americans during President Obama's time in office. Sanders claimed during Tuesday's press briefing that Obama only oversaw the creation of 195,000 jobs for African-Americans during his eight years in office. The actual number is close to 3 million. "Correction from today’s briefing: Jobs numbers for Pres Trump and Pres Obama were correct, but the time frame for Pres Obama wasn’t," Sanders tweeted Tuesday night in a rare walk back from a Trump administration official.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You May Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, Aug 15: Great Republican election results last night. So far we have the team we want. 8 for 9 in Special Elections. Red Wave!<br /><br /></p>
<p>@RepMaxineWaters, Aug 14: Don't believe for a second that Giuliani & Trump are honestly negotiating an interview w/ Mueller. Trump's lawyers never intended him to interview w/ Mueller b/c they know he would get caught in his lies and lying to the FBI is a crime. The president will never meet w/ Mueller.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@PressSec, Aug 14: Correction from today’s briefing: Jobs numbers for Pres Trump and Pres Obama were correct, but the time frame for Pres Obama wasn’t. I’m sorry for the mistake, but no apologies for the 700,000 jobs for African Americans created under President Trump</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-08-15T12:41:00ZSecret Service Launching Investigation into Antifa Threats to Murder Trump; FBI Fires Peter StrzokBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Secret-Service-Launching-Investigation-into-Antifa-Threats-to-Murder-Trump;-FBI-Fires-Peter-Strzok/559025623785714648.html2018-08-14T12:41:00Z2018-08-14T12:41:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, August 14, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Secret Service Launching Investigation into Antifa Threats to Murder Trump</em></strong></p>
<p>Multiple members of the progressive protest group who gathered outside the White House Sunday threatened president Trump with physical violence and murder. “The Secret Service is aware of the incident,” a Secret Service spokesperson told <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/08/13/secret-service-aware-of-antifa-threats/?utm_medium=push&utm_source=daily_caller&utm_campaign=push">The Daily Caller</a>, clarifying that they cannot further comment on “protective intelligence investigations” as a matter of policy. While the majority of those involved in the Sunday protest marched under banners of “Peace” while chanting “Love, not hate. That’s what makes America Great,” the protest was peppered with anarchists, thugs and armed, masked Antifa members. When asked, “If Donald Trump showed up here, what would you say or do?” the answers regularly and voluntarily veered to violence. Protesters looked into the camera and threatened to physically harm or “murder the president.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>FBI Fires Peter Strzok, Months After Anti-Trump Texts Revealed</em></strong></p>
<p>FBI official Peter Strzok, who played a lead role in both the Russian meddling and Hillary Clinton email probes but became a political lightning rod after the revelation of anti-Trump text messages, has been fired. Strzok attorney Aitan Goelman said in a statement Monday that his client, a 21-year FBI veteran, was fired Friday afternoon, claiming this was a departure from standard practice and politically motivated. Goelman said bureau Deputy Director David Bowdich “overruled” the FBI's Office of Professional Responsibility to remove him. Reacting to the firing, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1029036065158557701?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1029036065158557701&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fpolitics%2F2018%2F08%2F13%2Ffbi-fires-peter-strzok-months-after-anti-trump-texts-revealed.html">the president tweeted</a>, "finally," while asking whether the Russia case will now be dropped: "Agent Peter Strzok was just fired from the FBI - finally. The list of bad players in the FBI & DOJ gets longer & longer. Based on the fact that Strzok was in charge of the Witch Hunt, will it be dropped? It is a total Hoax. No Collusion, No Obstruction - I just fight back!"</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Crash Outside Parliament in London Treated as Terrorism</em></strong></p>
<p>A car crashed into pedestrians and cyclists near the Houses of Parliament in London Tuesday and police arrested a man on suspicion of terrorism, heightening tensions in a city that has seen a string-of vehicle-based terror attacks. Two people were taken to local hospitals, but authorities said the injuries aren’t believed to be life-threatening. Armed police swooped into the area after the incident was reported at 7:37 a.m., arresting the car driver and cordoning off streets surrounding the heart of Britain’s government. The nearby Westminster subway station was closed, and police asked people to stay away from the area. A man in his late 20s was arrested at the scene on suspicion of terrorist offenses, police said. Images from Sky News and social media showed a man in a puffy black jacket who was surrounded by officers before being handcuffed and led away from a silver car. Eyewitnesses said the car was traveling at high speed when it hit several pedestrians and cyclists, then crashed into barriers outside the Houses of Parliament. Several suggested the incident was deliberate.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Warns Cuomo: Anybody Who Runs Against Me ‘Suffers’</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump on Monday dared New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to challenge him in 2020 and warned the Democrat, “Anybody that runs against Trump suffers.” Trump also said that Cuomo once called him and promised that he wouldn’t run against him a claim that Cuomo’s office did not immediately dispute. The challenge came as Trump delivered remarks at a fundraising event for Republican Rep. Claudia Tenney, who is running for re-election. The Utica visit marked Trump’s first as president to an area he won in 2016. Trump, a New York native, spent much of the event attacking his home-state governor as well as Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who is also thought to have White House ambitions. Trump said that Cuomo, who is running for re-election against “Sex and the City” star Cynthia Nixon, called him and told him, “I’ll never run for president against you.” “But maybe he wants to,” Trump went on, adding: “Oh, please do it. Please. Please. He did say that. Maybe he meant it. The one thing we know and they do say anybody that runs against Trump suffers. That’s the way it should be.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>‘In God We Trust’ Motto May Return to Alabama Schools</em></strong></p>
<p>Public school officials in Alabama are looking to put God back into their schools through displays of the U.S. motto “In God We Trust” — but critics are speaking out against the move, calling it “a constant push for theocracy.” State lawmakers in February approved legislation allowing such displays on public property. The motto soon could become more common in Alabama schools, <a href="https://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2018/08/alabama_pushes_to_bring_god_ba.html" target="_blank">AL.com reported</a>, with legal challenges expected to follow. Blount County’s school board is poised to become one of the first systems to take action. A policy on the issue could be drafted within the next month, Superintendent Rodney Green said. Observers view Blount County as a testing ground for the upcoming legal battles with organizations that advocate for the separation of church and state.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Tex-Mex Restaurant Under Fire After Serving Attorney General</em></strong></p>
<p>A popular Tex-Mex restaurant in Houston is <a href="http://www.startribune.com/tex-mex-restaurant-under-fire-after-serving-attorney-general/490746791/">facing backlash</a> after it posted a photo of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who has pushed for a wide crackdown on immigration. El Tiempo Cantina was targeted by hundreds of tweets and Facebook posts after Roland Laurenzo, president of the company that operates the chain, posted a photo Friday with Sessions. The photo caption said it was an "honor" to serve Sessions, who delivered a speech in Houston that day. The post drew the ire of people who oppose President Donald Trump's immigration policies and Sessions, a key official administering the zero-tolerance policy that led to family separations. The chain later deleted the photo.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>E-Cigarettes are More Harmful than First Feared</em></strong></p>
<p>Vaping is more harmful than previously thought, <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/7005984/e-cigarettes-vaping-harmful-health-experts-warn/">a study suggests</a>. Some of the effects are similar to those seen in smokers and people with chronic lung disease. Researchers found e-cigs boosts the production of inflammatory chemicals in the body and the vapor kills protective cells in the lung that keep the air spaces clear of harmful bugs. These cells should engulf and remove dust particles, bacteria, and allergens. The scientists extracted cells from lung samples provided by eight healthy non-smokers. The effects were worse when it contained nicotine, the University of Birmingham study reveals. Most previous research has focused on the liquid’s content, rather than the effect of the vapor. Study leader Prof David Thickett said “I don't believe e-cigarettes are more harmful than ordinary cigarettes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> Tweets You Might Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, August 14: Bruce Ohr of the “Justice” Department (can you believe he is still there) is accused of helping disgraced Christopher Steele “find dirt on Trump.” Ohr’s wife, Nelly, was in on the act big time - worked for Fusion GPS on Fake Dossier.<br /><br /></p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, August 14: Another terrorist attack in London...These animals are crazy and must be dealt with through toughness and strength!</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-08-14T12:41:00ZAt Least 100 Newspapers Sign Up to Publish Editorials Targeting Trump; 33 Wounded in Weekend Shootings Across ChicagoBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/At-Least-100-Newspapers-Sign-Up-to-Publish-Editorials-Targeting-Trump;-33-Wounded-in-Weekend-Shootings-Across-Chicago/253443315116745865.html2018-08-13T13:10:00Z2018-08-13T13:10:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Monday, August 13, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>At Least 100 Newspapers Sign Up to Publish Editorials Targeting Trump</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>The Boston Globe has enlisted more than 100 newspapers from across the country to publish editorials fighting back against <a href="http://thehill.com/people/donald-trump">President Trump</a>’s repeated attacks on the media. The Globe has been contacting editorial boards and asking them to publish an editorial on Thursday, CNN <a href="https://money.cnn.com/2018/08/11/media/boston-globe-free-press-editorial/index.html">reported</a> Saturday. "We propose to publish an editorial on August 16 on the dangers of the administration's assault on the press and ask others to commit to publishing their own editorials on the same date," The Globe said in its pitch. Marjorie Pritchard, the Globe’s deputy editorial page editor, told CNN that more than 100 publications have signed up to participate.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>33 Wounded in Weekend Shootings Across Chicago</em></strong></p>
<p>At least 33 people were wounded this weekend in gun violence throughout Chicago. Nine people were shot <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/19-shot-2-fatally-friday-in-city-gun-violence/">Friday</a> evening after 5 p.m., 10 were shot <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/chicago-gun-violence-leaves-10-wounded-saturday/">Saturday</a>, 12 suffered gunshot wounds <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/sunday-gun-violence-12-wounded-chicago/">Sunday</a> and two people were wounded before 5 a.m. Monday. The previous weekend, <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/weekend-toll-70-shot-11-fatally-in-chicago-gun-violence/">71 people were shot</a> and 12 died from their wounds.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Poll: Almost Two-Thirds Say Racial Tensions Are Worse One Year After Charlottesville</em></strong></p>
<p>Nearly two-thirds of Americans said in a new poll that racial tensions have increased in the year since a deadly white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va., while respondents were heavily divided along political lines over <a href="http://thehill.com/people/donald-trump">President Trump</a>'s handling of racial issues. Sixty-one percent of Americans said in the CBS News/YouGov <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/poll-one-year-after-charlottesville-americans-see-racial-tensions-on-increase/" target="_blank">poll</a> that they think that racial tensions have increased, while 29 percent said they thought that they were the same and 10 percent believed they have decreased. While majorities of white and Hispanic Americans agreed that tensions have increased, African Americans were especially likely to think tensions have risen. More than three-quarters, 78 percent, of black respondents, told pollsters that tensions had grown. Fifty-eight percent of Americans also disapprove of “Trump’s handling of racial issues,” according to the poll.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Meet The Press Plays Tape of John Kelly Firing Omarosa Manigault Newman</em></strong></p>
<p>NBC’s “Meet The Press” on Sunday aired Omarosa Manigault Newman’s recording of her firing by White House chief of staff John Kelly in December, and she said she considers what Kelly said a “threat.” Manigault Newman appeared on the program in advance of the Tuesday publication of her new memoir <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Unhinged: An Insider’s Account of The Trump White House</span>. Host Chuck Todd prefaced it by asking with some bewilderment how she was able to record the White House chief of staff in the Situation Room, as she claims. She defended herself and said she felt threatened, <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/tv/omarosa-shares-recording-of-john-kelly-firing-her-it-sounded-like-a-threat/?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=ABN_MorningMediaNewsfeed&utm_campaign=MorningMediaNewsfeed_Newsletter_2018081308&s_id=57e9a04f2ddf9c7ef3828467">telling Todd</a> if she didn’t have the recording people would have continued to believe the false stories about her firing. Manigault Newman on Monday provided an audio recording she says is from 2017 and on which President Trump expresses surprise that she’d been fired from his administration. The tape, which was played exclusively on Today, appears to show Trump having no idea Newman had been dismissed by Kelly. Trump called Manigault Newman a “lowlife” Saturday. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Rudy Giuliani Expects Mueller to Decide This Week on Trump Sit-Down Interview</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani appeared on Fox & Friends Monday morning where he discussed the investigations of the alleged conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russian interference in the election. But Mayor Giuliani hit something of a newsworthy buzzer shot when he revealed as an aside that he expected this to be a “big week” in the Mueller investigation. While wrapping the segment, Giuliani claimed that he expected Special Counsel Robert Mueller to decide on the counter-proposal on how President Trump should avail himself to be interviewed by the investigation. Trump’s legal team has very publicly decried the problems of putting Trump in a “perjury trap,” demanding a narrower set of questions than a broader investigation might require.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>De Blasio Lets Security Haul Away Post Reporter for Asking Question</em></strong></p>
<p>Mayor Bill de Blasio is a such a big believer in the free press that he let two bodyguards physically remove a credentialed Post reporter who had the temerity to ask him a question in public on Sunday. This unfolded at the start of the annual Dominican Day Parade in Manhattan, where the reporter sought de Blasio’s reaction to <a href="https://nypost.com/2018/08/11/city-halls-top-brass-took-136-lobbyist-meetings-in-3-months/">The Post’s front page story</a> about his administration’s many meetings with lobbyists. Just two hours after de Blasio cut a ribbon to kick off the parade and was posing for photos near West 37th Street and Sixth Avenue, the reporter asked him to comment on the Page One “CITY FOR SALE” story. Instead of answering or even declining to answer the question, the mayor watched as two members of his NYPD security detail approached the reporter who was wearing a police-issued press pass around his neck with one grabbing his shoulder and leading him away from the mayor. Both bodyguards then escorted the reporter about a half-block away, where a member of the NYPD’s public information office, Officer Brian Magoolaghan, told him, “Come on…No stunts today.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Billionaire Drops Quest to Split California into 3 Parts</em></strong></p>
<p>The billionaire behind a measure to split California in three said he's giving up on the effort to reimagine the nation's most populous state after the state Supreme Court knocked it off the November ballot. "The political environment for radical change is right now," venture capitalist Tim Draper wrote in a letter to the court. "The removal of Proposition 9 from the November ballot has effectively put an end to this movement." The court struck Draper's measure in July in response to a lawsuit but didn't rule on the merits of the case, allowing Draper the opportunity to fight to put it on future ballots. He's not moving forward with the case. Draper spent more than $1.7 million to qualify his initiative for the ballot, which requires gathering hundreds of thousands of signatures.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You Might Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, August 12: “Seems like the Department of Justice (and FBI) had a program to keep Donald Trump from becoming President”. <a href="https://twitter.com/DarrellIssa">@DarrellIssa</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/foxandfriends">@foxandfriends</a> If this had happened to the other side, everybody involved would be in jail. This is a Media coverup of the biggest story of our time.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p>@NYCMayor, August 12: One year after the terrible attack in Charlottesville, we recommit to stand against racism and white supremacy everywhere it exists. Hate is ingrained in our nation’s history, but it shouldn’t define our future. NYC proves embracing our diversity is the best way forward.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p>@RudyGiuliani, August 13: Even Times today sees that Trump Russia policy of speak softly but impose crushing sanctions is actually making Putin unpopular at home as the ruble is devaluing and the economy declining. Even more stringent sanctions on the way. Most effective policy toward Russia since Reagan.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@RudyGiuliani, August 13: To my friend Jeff Sessions: Appoint an Independent Counsel like Louis Freeh or Judge Mukasey to investigate the “investigation and investigators..” Also unlike the illegal Mueller appointment you will be able to cite, as law requires, alleged crimes.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-08-13T13:10:00ZIvanka Trump Ahead of 'Unite the Right' Rally; President Trump Calls Dossier Author Christopher Steele A 'Lowlife'BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Ivanka-Trump-Ahead-of-Unite-the-Right-Rally;-President-Trump-Calls-Dossier-Author-Christopher-Steele-A-Lowlife/-991496869793218027.html2018-08-12T13:27:00Z2018-08-12T13:27:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, August 12, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Calls Dossier Author Christopher Steele A ‘Lowlife’ </em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump leveled a multi-front attack Saturday against dossier author Christopher Steele, the media, Justice Department official Bruce Ohr and Attorney General Jeff Sessions. “The big story that the Fake News Media refuses to report is lowlife Christopher Steele’s many meetings with Deputy A.G. Bruce Ohr and his beautiful wife, Nelly [sic],” Trump tweeted. Trump followed that tweet up with one accusing Sessions of being “scared stiff” and “Missing in Action” because Ohr remains employed at the Justice Department. A series of reports published in The Hill and The Washington Examiner in August revealed Ohr and Steele exchanged emails and text messages before and after the 2016 presidential election. Ohr also briefed the FBI on 12 separate occasions about his interactions with Steele, a former MI6 official. Ohr provided the interviews after the FBI had cut ties with Steele because of unauthorized disclosures he gave to the media prior to the election. Ohr’s wife, a Russia expert named Nellie, worked for Fusion GPS, the opposition research firm that hired Steele to investigate Trump’s ties to Russia.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Ivanka Trump Ahead of 'Unite the Right' Rally: 'No Place for White Supremacy, Racism, and Neo-Nazism'</em></strong></p>
<p>Ivanka Trump marked the one-year anniversary of the deadly violence in Charlottesville, Va., by condemning racism late Saturday. Hours ahead of the "Unite the Right 2" rally, the first daughter and White House adviser once again went further singling out white supremacy than her father, President Trump, who earlier in the day denounced "all types of racism." Permits for Sunday’s “Unite the Right 2” rally indicated that about 400 demonstrators are expected in Lafayette Square, a park adjacent to the White House. More than 1,500 counter-protesters plan to gather at various downtown locations, including in the same park. "One year ago in Charlottesville, we witnessed an ugly display of hatred, racism, bigotry & violence," <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/ivanka-trump-ahead-of-unite-the-right-rally-no-place-for-white-supremacy-racism-and-neo-nazism">Ivanka Trump said in a trio of tweets</a>. "While Americans are blessed to live in a nation that protects liberty, freedom of speech and diversity of opinion, there is no place for white supremacy, racism, and neo-nazism in our great country," she continued. "Rather than tearing each other down with hatred, racism & violence, we can lift one another up, strengthen our communities and strive to help every American achieve his or her full potential!" </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>In Iowa, Stormy Daniels' Lawyer Says Democrats Must Fight</em></strong></p>
<p>Michael Avenatti, the self-styled provocateur who is taking on the president for porn actress Stormy Daniels, told Iowa Democrats on Friday that the party needs a bare-knuckle fighter to take back the White House. It's a role he is considering filling himself. In a political scene unthinkable just months ago, Avenatti was the closing speaker at the Democratic Wing Ding in Clear Lake, Iowa, a traditional stop for presidential hopefuls. His remarks came after a tour through the early-voting state that included a visit to the state fair and meetings with key Democratic officials. "What I fear for this Democratic Party that I love is that we have a tendency to bring nail clippers to gunfights," Avenatti told an enthusiastic crowd in the Surf Ballroom and Museum. "Tonight I want to suggest a different course. I believe that the Democratic Party must be a party that fights fire with fire." He added, "When they go low, I say, we hit harder." It was a reversal of former First Lady Michelle Obama's declaration at the 2016 Democratic Convention, "When they go low, we go high."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>NASA Launches Historic Mission to 'Touch The Sun'</em></strong></p>
<p>A space probe that aims to be the first to “<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2018/nasa-prepares-to-launch-parker-solar-probe-a-mission-to-touch-the-sun">touch the sun</a>” launched early Sunday morning, marking the next step in an effort that scientists say has been 60 years in the making. NASA’s Parker Solar Probe blasted off from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Sunday, Aug. 12 at 3:31 a.m. EDT. A last-minute technical glitch led NASA to <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/last-minute-technical-problem-delays-launch-nasa-s-parker-solar-n899871">delay the launch</a>, which was initially planned for early on Saturday morning. The $1.5-billion, car-sized spacecraft is designed to <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/video/reaching-for-the-the-sun-nasa-solar-probe-to-go-where-no-spacecraft-has-gone-before-1293276739874">provide a close look at the sun’s atmosphere</a>. Over the course of its seven-year mission, the probe will orbit the sun 24 times, each time sweeping through the corona, where the temperature is a blistering 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Goes After James Comey For Hurting the FBI’s ‘Once Stellar Reputation’</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump criticized former FBI Director James Comey and several other federal investigators involved in the Russian investigation Saturday for damaging the agency’s reputation. Trump thrashed Comey and FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1028269087133257728">on Twitter</a> for using the nearly two-year-long probe to tarnish the agency’s image. He also warned the agency not to slow walk public requests for text messages between former investigators Peter Strzok and Lisa Page. “Why isn’t the FBI giving Andrew McCabe text messages to Judicial Watch or appropriate governmental authorities. FBI said they won’t give up even one (I may have to get involved, DO NOT DESTROY).” Trump tweeted before mentioning McCabe’s wife’s involvement in Democratic politics. He added in an <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1028269328246947840">additional tweet</a>: “Will the FBI ever recover it’s once stellar reputation, so badly damaged by Comey, McCabe, Peter S and his lover, the lovely Lisa Page, and other top officials now dismissed or fired? So many of the great men and women of the FBI have been hurt by these clowns and losers!”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Poll: 39% Back Succession</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>With growing liberal opposition to President Trump around the country, a new poll finds strong support for succession among Democrats and blacks. According to the<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><a href="https://johnzogbystrategies.com/secessionist-sentiment-remains-a-plurality-among-likely-voters/" target="_blank">Zogby Analytics</a> survey, 39 percent of the country support states breaking away from the national government and country. Racially-charged protests at the gate of the White House, those most supportive of succession are Democrats and blacks, according to the survey analysis. “Overall support for secession remains only 12 points from a majority,” said the poll. Among Democrats, 42 percent support succession, a slight increase since <a href="https://johnzogbystrategies.com/secessionist-sentiment-remains-a-plurality-among-likely-voters/" target="_blank">Zogby Analytics</a> asked the question a year ago. GOP support dropped from 38 percent to 35 percent. Among African-Americans, support rose from 43 percent to 47 percent.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>NPR Host Calls Out Omarosa Over Discrepancy in Trump Racism Allegation</em></strong></p>
<p>In an interview, former White House aide Omarosa Manigault Newman contradicted a claim in her forthcoming book that she heard a tape of President Trump using the “n-word.” Manigault Newman insisted in <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/08/10/636955054/omarosa-tells-npr-she-heard-trump-n-word-tape-contradicting-her-own-tell-all-boo" target="_blank">an NPR interview</a> that she heard Trump utter the pejorative in an audio file recorded on the set of <em>The Apprentice</em>. “Hearing it changed everything for me,” Manigault Newman told NPR host Rachel Martin. “I heard the President of the United States use, not only the ‘n-word,’ but as Bill Pruitt described during that interview, other horrible things during the production of ‘The Apprentice,'” she continued. Pruitt is a former “Apprentice” producer who claimed before the 2016 election that tapes existed of Trump making racial comments about black people. But as Martin noted in the interview, Manigault Newman wrote in her book, “<a href="http://redirect.viglink.com/?format=go&jsonp=vglnk_153400047493115&key=e7609c039c08d3ae00aebd97e6f0bffd&libId=jkpjma70010110e3000DA175y3gd6vnw7o&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fdailycaller.com%2F2018%2F08%2F10%2Ffrank-luntz-omarosa-trump%2F&v=1&loAsUuid=jkpjmcye-750367e1-b7a0-4281-b92c-b1f5baa5c8f1&out=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FUnhinged-Insiders-Account-Trump-White%2Fdp%2F198210970X%2Fdaical-20&title=Omarosa%E2%80%99s%20Book%20Hasn%E2%80%99t%20Been%20Published%20Yet%2C%20And%20It%E2%80%99s%20Already%20Being%20Torn%20To%20Shreds%20%7C%20The%20Daily%20Caller&txt=Unhinged%3A%20An%20Insider%E2%80%99s%20Account%20of%20the%20Trump%20White%20House" target="_blank">Unhinged</a>,” that she was merely told of the tape. She does not suggest in the tell-all that she has actually heard Trump’s voice.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Dodgeball: No Longer Just a Game for School Gyms</em></strong></p>
<p>At the Dodgeball World Cup on the weekend, players were dipping, diving, ducking and, well, dodging all over the two-court theater at Madison Square Garden. "It's not the same game that most people remember from school," Team Canada's Katie Morrison said. "It's exciting to tell people that and to see their reactions that it's actually a competitive sport. It demands a level of athleticism when you're performing on the court - power, speed, and agility." All of this was on display at the World Dodgeball Association's second biennial tournament, where 13 different countries competed for the ultimate title in men's, women's and mixed competition, with 10 teams each. The WDA was founded as dodgeball's world governing body in 2013, bringing together 35 countries from different continental federations. Since then, it has grown to 62 countries and WDA president Tom Hickson said there are more than 67.5 million participants worldwide.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You Might Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, August 11: “The big story that the Fake News Media refuses to report is lowlife Christopher Steele’s many meetings with Deputy A.G. Bruce Ohr and his beautiful wife, Nelly. It was Fusion GPS that hired Steele to write the phony & discredited Dossier, paid for by Crooked Hillary & the DNC....”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, August 11: “....Do you believe Nelly worked for Fusion and her husband STILL WORKS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF “JUSTICE.” I have never seen anything so Rigged in my life. Our A.G. is scared stiff and Missing in Action. It is all starting to be revealed - not pretty. IG Report soon? Witch Hunt!”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, August 11: “I am proud to have fought for and secured the LOWEST African American and Hispanic unemployment rates in history. Now I’m pushing for prison reform to give people who have paid their debt to society a second chance. I will never stop fighting for ALL Americans!”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-08-12T13:27:00ZTrump Comments on NFL Players and the Anthem Protests; Puerto Rico Concedes Hurricane Maria Deaths More Than 1,400BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Comments-on-NFL-Players-and-the-Anthem-Protests;-Puerto-Rico-Concedes-Hurricane-Maria-Deaths-More-Than-1400/411545032709125546.html2018-08-10T13:01:00Z2018-08-10T13:01:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Friday, August 10, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Comments on NFL Players and the Anthem Protests: Most Are ‘Unable to Define’ What They Are Protesting</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump weighed in on NFL protests as a number of players knelt, raised their fists or stayed in the dressing room during the national anthem as the league’s pre-season got underway. “The NFL players are at it again,” Trump tweeted, “taking a knee when they should be standing proudly for the National Anthem. Numerous players, from different teams, wanted to show their ‘outrage’ at something that most of them are unable to define,” he continued. “They make a fortune doing what they love……” The president finished his thought a few minutes later <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1027895506809364480">on Twitter</a>, telling players “.....Be happy, be cool! A football game, that fans are paying soooo much money to watch and enjoy, is no place to protest. Most of that money goes to the players anyway. Find another way to protest. Stand proudly for your National Anthem or be Suspended Without Pay!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Puerto Rico Concedes Hurricane Maria Deaths More Than 1,400</em></strong></p>
<p>Puerto Rico has conceded that Hurricane Maria killed more than 1,400 people on the island last year and not just the 64 in the official death toll. The government acknowledged the higher death toll with no fanfare in a report submitted to Congress this week in which it detailed a $139 billion reconstruction plan for the island. Puerto Rican officials have admitted that more than 64 people likely died from the powerful storm that knocked out the power grid and caused widespread flooding that made many roads impassable. But a more exact number has been a matter of debate that the government has sought to end by commissioning an academic study due out in coming weeks.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Kremlin: New U.S. Sanctions Are 'Absolutely Illegal'</em></strong></p>
<p>New U.S. sanctions against Russia are "absolutely illegal" under international law, a spokesman for the Kremlin said Thursday after news of the penalties sent the Russian currency plummeting. The fresh set of sanctions are the result of a just-concluded investigation into Russia's alleged use of the illegal nerve agent Novichok in an assassination attempt against ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia Skripal in the United Kingdom. The sanctions are set to take effect at the end of August and come on the heels of President Donald Trump's much-criticized meeting last month with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The first round of sanctions will target items related to national security, and hit many items previously banned by other restrictions. A second round of tougher sanctions could be imposed later if Russia fails to meet certain conditions.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Ben Shapiro Offers $10,000 to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez if She Agrees to Debate</em></strong></p>
<p>Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro is <a href="https://twitter.com/benshapiro/status/1027287768437641216">challenging Democratic congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to a debate</a>. “I would love to have a real conversation with you about the issues,” Shapiro said in a message directed at Ocasio-Cortez on the Daily Wire's "Ben Shapiro Show" on Wednesday. Shapiro said he would contribute $10,000 to Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign if she accepted his invitation for an hour-long debate during an upcoming Sunday special of his show. He also said he would be willing to put the money towards charity. “You noted that you think Republicans are afraid to debate you, or talk to you, or discuss the issues with you,” Shapiro continued. “Not only am I eager to discuss the issues with you, I’m willing to offer $10,000 to your campaign today for you to come on our Sunday special.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>VP Pence Previews ‘American Dominance in Space’ With New Force</em></strong></p>
<p>Vice President Mike Pence described President Donald Trump’s vision Thursday for achieving “American dominance” beyond the Earth’s atmosphere by establishing the U.S. Space Force by 2020 to combat “the growing security threats emerging” there. “But as commander-in-chief, President Trump’s highest priority is the safety and security of the American people,” <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xEkyT7XrxQ">Pence said during a speech at the Pentagon</a>. The Space Force would be the sixth branch of the military and the first new one since the Air Force was created in 1947. Pence, who is chairman of Trump’s revived National Space Council, said the “time has come to write the next great chapter in the history of our Armed Forces” and face “a new generation of threats” head-on. Trump signed an executive order in June 2017 reviving the National Space Council, which began under former President George H. W. Bush and disbanded in 1993. The president directed the Department of Defense (DOD) to begin establishing the Space Force in mid-June and aim for completion in 2020.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>California is Using Prisoners to Help Fight Fires</em></strong></p>
<p>There are more than 2,000 prisoners doing the grueling work of fighting California wildfires, including the <a href="https://www.axios.com/the-scale-of-the-mendocino-complex-fire-436eb003-9a4e-4da2-b5e5-1b7fd49756de.html">record-breaking</a> Mendocino Complex Fire, <a href="https://twitter.com/cacorrections/status/1024439641221419008?s=21">according to the California Department of Corrections</a>. This is a long-standing program in which inmates earn up to $3 a day for their volunteer work. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) recently boasted about the use of prison labor for firefighting <a href="https://twitter.com/cacorrections/status/1024439641221419008?s=21">on Twitter</a>: “Today, more than 2,000 volunteer inmate firefighters, including 58 youth offenders, are battling wildfire flames throughout CA. Inmate firefighters serve a vital role, clearing thick brush down to bare soil to stop the fire’s spread.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Melania Trump’s Parents Become U.S. Citizens</em></strong></p>
<p>First lady Melania Trump's Slovenian-born parents were <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/08/10/637371714/first-ladys-parents-become-u-s-citizens-thanks-to-chain-migration">sworn-in as U.S. citizens</a> Thursday, benefiting from a path to citizenship known as family-based immigration that the president and others have derisively dubbed "chain migration." Viktor and Amalija Knavs, both in their 70s, attended a private swearing-in ceremony in Manhattan, according to their lawyer, Michael Wildes, who said the couple had "travailed a wonderful journey" to become Americans. On Thursday, the president and first lady were vacationing at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, and she did not accompany her parents to the ceremony. Her spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, declined to comment, according to AP, saying the first lady's parents "are not part of the administration and deserve privacy."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Kanye West Defends His Support for Trump in Jimmy Kimmel Interview</em></strong></p>
<p>During an interview on <em>Jimmy Kimmel Live </em>on Thursday night, Kanye West was talking about the concept of love, particularly pushing the idea of promoting a "dialogue about the president, not a diatribe." West has <a href="https://mashable.com/2018/04/27/kanye-west-donald-trump-tweets-chance-the-rapper/">long expressed</a> personal support for Trump. "When I see people just even, like, go at the president, it's like, why not try love?" West said. "We can diffuse this nuclear bomb of hate that we're in as a society by thinking of everyone as our family." Previously during the interview, West had talked about his decision to support Trump, when Kimmel asked whether he thought he was a good president. "As a musician, African American, guy out in Hollywood, all these different things, you know, everyone around me tried to pick my candidate for me, and then told me every time I said I liked Trump that I couldn't say it out loud or my career would be over, or I'd get kicked out of the black community — because blacks, we're supposed to have a monolithic thought, we can only be Democrats," said West.</p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You Might Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, August 10: “I have just authorized a doubling of Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum with respect to Turkey as their currency, the Turkish Lira, slides rapidly downward against our very strong Dollar! Aluminum will now be 20% and Steel 50%. Our relations with Turkey are not good at this time!”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@RudyGiuliani, August 10: “Maybe it’s time for Attorney General Sessions to appoint a Special Counsel to investigate the conspiracy to defeat Donald Trump by buying and disseminating false dossiers, obtaining illegal wires and commencing baseless FBI investigations.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, August 10: “The NFL players are at it again - taking a knee when they should be standing proudly for the National Anthem. Numerous players, from different teams, wanted to show their “outrage” at something that most of them are unable to define. They make a fortune doing what they love......”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@MalcomJenkins, August 9: “Before we enjoy this game lets take some time to ponder that more than 60% of the prison population are people of color. The NFL is made up of 70% African Americans. What you witness on the field does not represent the reality of everyday America. We are the anomalies...”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-08-10T13:01:00ZTrump Honors Melania and Sends Audience to Their Feet; RNC Releases New Video Celebrating WinningBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Honors-Melania-and-Sends-Audience-to-Their-Feet;-RNC-Releases-New-Video-Celebrating-Winning/352510060259924868.html2018-08-09T12:25:00Z2018-08-09T12:25:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, August 9, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>RNC Releases New Video Celebrating Winning</em></strong></p>
<p>The Republican National Committee has a message in the wake of Tuesday's election: Winning is winning. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIKdIvWZqMI">A new, nearly minute long commercial</a> released by the organization starts with footage of cable news coverage of the special election in Ohio's 12th Congressional District. Republican Troy Balderson was expected to defeat Democrat Danny O’Connor by a narrow margin, though the race had still not been called Wednesday. The footage shows repeated uses of the phrase "moral victory" to describe the contest for former Rep. Pat Tiberi's term. But then the commercial switches to footage from the movie "The Fast and the Furious" to make its ultimate point: that, as Vin Diesel's character Dominic Toretto says in the clip, "Winning is winning." The commercial was released on YouTube on Wednesday night.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Honors Melania and Sends Audience to Their Feet</em></strong> </p>
<p>President Trump gathered some of America’s most successful and influential business leaders for dinner at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, Tuesday night to hear directly from American industry leaders about how to keep the American economy booming. Trump went around the room asking executives and CEOs how the American economy is working (or not working) for them. He received a number of colorful responses. To kick off the round of comments, Trump recognized the business leaders sitting at his own table. When he got to Melania, Trump had a compliment ready. <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/08/08/trump-honors-melania-business-dinner/">Trump said of the first lady</a>, “The great first lady she has been so caring, so loving, so good to people. And they, you know, I was in Ohio the other night, and there were so many signs: ‘We love our first lady. We love our first lady.'” Trump then said, “Melania, please, stand.” The room burst into applause.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Manafort Trial Focus Shifts to Bank Fraud as Prosecutors Near End of Case</em></strong></p>
<p>The trial of Paul Manafort, U.S. President Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman, is expected to shift focus on Thursday from his alleged tax evasion to bank fraud as the prosecution’s case heads into its final two days. Prosecutors are expected to call a series of bankers to the stand to question them about Manafort’s alleged efforts to mislead them with doctored financial statements in a scramble in 2015 and 2016 to borrow against real estate. Of the 18 felony charges Manafort faces, nine relate to bank fraud and involve mortgages from Citizens Bank, Banc of California, Genesis Capital, and the Federal Savings Bank, a small Chicago lender whose chief executive was named to an economic advisory panel to the Trump campaign.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Muslim Democrat Will 'Probably Not' Support Pelosi as Leader</em></strong></p>
<p>Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat running for a House seat in Michigan, said Thursday she probably won't vote for Nancy Pelosi to lead the Democrats if she wins in November. "Probably not," Tlaib <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/muslim-democrat-will-probably-not-support-pelosi-as-leader">told CNN Thursday morning</a> when asked if she would vote to keep Pelosi in her leadership position in the next Congress. "The fact that there are structures and barriers for working families in my district that need to be dismantled," she added. "And supporting big banks and supporting efforts that I don't think put the people first is troubling, and I need somebody that fully understands why I'm so passionate about those issues." Pelosi has been on shaky ground for the last few years as Democrats have failed to win back the House. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, challenged her and lost in 2016, but her age and growing support for socialist policies in the Democratic Party could make her vulnerable to a new challenge after the midterm elections.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Man at Compound Accused of Training Kids for School Attacks</em></strong></p>
<p>A father arrested at a ramshackle New Mexico compound where 11 hungry children were found living in filth was training young children to commit school shootings, prosecutors said in court documents obtained Wednesday. The allegations against Siraj Ibn Wahhaj came to light as authorities awaited word on whether human remains discovered at the site were those of his missing son, who is severely disabled and went missing in December in Jonesboro, Georgia, near Atlanta. The documents say Wahhaj was conducting weapons training with assault rifles at the compound on the outskirts of Amalia, a tiny town near the Colorado border. “He poses a great danger to the children found on the property as well as a threat to the community as a whole due to the presence of firearms and his intent to use these firearms in a violent and illegal manner,” Prosecutor Timothy Hasson wrote in the court documents Wednesday.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Immigration Raids in Nebraska, Minnesota Target Businesses</em></strong></p>
<p>A large federal law enforcement operation conducted Wednesday targeted businesses in Nebraska and Minnesota that officials say knowingly hired and mistreated immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally. The investigative arm of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations led the operation that saw about a dozen businesses and plants raided and 17 business owners and managers indicted for fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. Of those, 14 were taken into custody Wednesday and three were still being sought. Authorities also arrested more than 130 workers at various businesses, busing them to Grand Island, Nebraska, to be questioned and processed.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You Might Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, August 8: “The Republicans have now won 8 out of 9 House Seats, yet if you listen to the Fake News Media you would think we are being clobbered. Why can’t they play it straight, so unfair to the Republican Party and in particular, your favorite President!”</p>
<p><br />@RealDonaldTrump, August 8: “As long as I campaign and/or support Senate and House candidates (within reason), they will win! I LOVE the people, & they certainly seem to like the job I’m doing. If I find the time, in between China, Iran, the Economy and much more, which I must, we will have a giant Red Wave!”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@RudyGiuliani, August 9: “Look at what a PRahm Emmanuel continues to fiddle while Chicago burns. 72 shootings over last weekend. NO ARRESTS! What a disgrace! Great choice in police professional Garry McCarthy.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-08-09T12:25:00ZHeat's on Rahm in Re-Election Race After Bloody Chicago Weekend; Ohio Republican Troy Balderson Declares VictoryBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Heats-on-Rahm-in-Re-Election-Race-After-Bloody-Chicago-Weekend;-Ohio-Republican-Troy-Balderson-Declares-Victory/429083910122313737.html2018-08-08T12:55:00Z2018-08-08T12:55:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, August 8, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Heat’s on Rahm in Re-Election Race After Bloody Chicago Weekend</em></strong></p>
<p>After a bloody weekend in Chicago that left a dozen dead and another 62 wounded, Mayor Rahm Emanuel is facing a mounting political crisis with his rivals emboldened as they aim to unseat him in the looming mayoral election. Several of Emanuel’s 10 challengers slammed the prominent Democrat for the city’s soaring crime and blamed him for everything from an understaffed police force to a lack of investment in Chicago’s economically downtrodden neighborhoods. Emanuel has tried to fend off the attacks while calming an alarmed electorate, but the latest violence has only fueled the calls for political change in the February election. "Our souls are burdened," <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/08/07/tipping-point-heat-s-on-rahm-in-re-election-race-after-bloody-chicago-weekend.html">Emanuel said.</a> "It is unacceptable to happen in any neighborhood of Chicago. We are a better city." Emanuel was also besieged on the national level with Trump’s lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, blaming Emanuel and decades of "one party Democratic rule" for the violence in a series of tweets.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Ohio Republican Troy Balderson Declares Victory</em></strong></p>
<p>Republican Troy Balderson has declared victory in the special election for Ohio’s 12th congressional district, with unofficial results showing a thin margin of victory in the normally solid-red territory. Balderson held onto a narrow lead of 1,754 votes, a margin of less than 1 percent over Democratic candidate Danny O'Connor. President Trump declared a "great victory" for Balderson, though as of early Wednesday, the Associated Press had <a href="http://radio.wosu.org/post/ohio-12th-congressional-district-special-election-results#stream/0">yet to officially call the race</a>. "I am honored for the opportunity to represent Ohio's 12th Congressional District," Balderson said in a statement just after midnight on Wednesday. "I will work relentlessly for everyone in this district." Unofficial totals from the Ohio Secretary of State's Office show Balderson with 101,574 votes, compared to 99,820 votes for O'Connor. Green Party candidate Joe Manchik garnered 1,127 votes. At his election night party late Tuesday, O'Connor refused to concede the race, calling it a "tie ballgame." He says his campaign will request a recount.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Immigrants Flowing Through Arizona Border</em></strong></p>
<p>The Border Patrol’s Yuma, Arizona Sector has seen a more than 120 percent spike in the number of families and unaccompanied children caught at the border over the last year, surprising many in an area that had been largely quiet and calm for the past decade. So far, <a href="https://www.apnews.com/47e431291a9a46829a9b7e695ced44f2/Despite-crackdown,-immigrants-flowing-through-Arizona-border">this fiscal year</a>, agents in the Yuma sector have apprehended nearly 10,000 families and 4,500 unaccompanied children, a giant increase from just seven years ago when they arrested only 98 families and 222 unaccompanied children. The Trump administration’s policy of separating families did not seem to be slowing the flow. The Border Patrol here apprehended an average of 30 families per day in June, when the uproar over the policy was at its peak, an increase from May. Yuma is now the second-busiest sector for family border crossings next to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>BLM Protesters Crash Wedding of Sacramento Policeman</em></strong></p>
<p>Black Lives Matter activists filmed themselves crashing the wedding of one of the Sacramento police officers accused of fatally shooting Stephon Clark in March and then confronting him about how he sleeps at night. The activists filmed themselves walking into a room, where a group of men were sitting at a table eating. One member of the group was heard asking the black man, presumed to be the officer, at the end of the table when he started planning his wedding. The officer was reportedly with his groomsmen at the time of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackLivesMatterSac/videos/2134446603498848/" target="_blank">video</a>. The protester said, “I was just wondering if you started planning your wedding before you killed Stephon Clark or after and how you’ve been sleeping since March 18. And I know this is supposed to be the happiest day of your life, but he will not have that opportunity ever. So, we came here to drink wine and also just ask how you’ve been sleeping,” the person said before he was whisked away by someone at the table.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Call to Tax Mexico $2,000 Per Illegal Immigrant to Pay for Trump’s Wall</em></strong></p>
<p>A border lawmaker had drawn up a plan to pay for the wall in part by fining Mexico and other countries $2,000 for every illegal immigrant caught crossing into the United States. Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs, who has made his mark on Washington in just his first term, is now pushing a plan that includes the tax on illegals and other ways to pay for the border wall demanded by President Trump. With up some 400,000 illegal immigrants being apprehended at the border yearly, his tax could raise $800 million a year. The legislative proposal by Biggs, titled the Fund and Complete the Border Wall Act, also calls for full construction to begin next year and for some money to go to the U.S. Border Patrol.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Blacks' Approval of Trump Reaches a High of 21% and NAACP Charges 'Racism'</em></strong></p>
<p>In a <a href="https://americasvoice.org/press_releases/new-poll-nations-most-competitive-races-may-hinge-on-trumps-racism/" target="_blank">new poll</a> released by the NAACP on Tuesday, Trump’s approval rating among blacks has reached 21 percent, more than double what it was in an April Reuters poll. But in its analysis, the NAACP slammed Trump and even went as far as claiming that Trump is setting race relations back, a charge that echoes recent media criticism of the president for slamming hoops star LeBron James. The NAACP said in its poll analysis, “Voters across all racial and ethnic groups believe Trump is setting race relations back. Three quarters of African-Americans, Latinos and Asian-Americans believe Trump is setting race relations back while a small majority of white voters believe so. Black women (89 percent), in particular, feel disrespected by President Trump.” In the NAACP poll, 21 percent of blacks approve of the president, up 3.5 percent over the Reuters poll, and his disapproval is 79 percent. That is higher than the 14 percent approval among blacks that the latest Pew Research Center poll found. And that 21 percent is far higher than the 8 percent of the vote <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/2016-election-day/trump-did-better-blacks-hispanics-romney-12-exit-polls-n681386" target="_blank">Trump received in 2016,</a> or the 6 percent Republican Mitt Romney received in 2012.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>HGTV Snatched the Brady Bunch House Off the Market to Restore It to ‘Its 1970s Glory’</em></strong></p>
<p>Discovery, Inc. shared that HGTV has won the bid for the Studio City, Calif. house that served as the exterior for the original Brady Bunch home from 1969 to 1974. The network reportedly intends to restore the residence to its original television appearance. Discovery CEO David Zaslav made the announcement on the company’s second-quarter earnings conference call Tuesday. The CEO didn’t specify a price tag for the house. Zaslav did not give a sense of what sort of program HGTV might build around the structure or whether Brady Bunch actors might take part. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You Might Have Missed</span></strong></p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, August 7: “.....Congratulations to Troy Balderson on a great win in Ohio. A very special and important race!”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@RudyGiuliani, August 6: “63 murders this weekend in Rahm Emmanuel’s Chicago. His legacy more murders in his city than ever before. It’s only because of Democrat brain washing that he has even a chance of remaining. Support police professional Garry McCarthy.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@RudyGiuliani, August 7: “Bernie Kerik: Trump Must Intervene to Stop Chicago Gun Violence”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@RudyGiuliani, August 7: “Bernie is right. Emmanuel should ask President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump">@realDonaldTrump</a> for help... too many lost lives. No politics just save lives. It doesn’t matter what neighborhoods it’s happening, all loss of life is tragic and we must all work together to stop it now.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@RahmEmanuel, August 8: “There is nothing on the streets of Chicago that is stronger than what is in the faith community and what’s in family. Our kids need that structure.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-08-08T12:55:00ZStar Witness Gates Testifies He Committed Crimes with Manafort; Rosie O'Donnell and Hamilton Stars Sing Show Tunes Outside WHBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Star-Witness-Gates-Testifies-He-Committed-Crimes-with-Manafort;-Rosie-ODonnell-and-Hamilton-Stars-Sing-Show-Tunes-Outside-WH/-591217638095057526.html2018-08-07T12:19:00Z2018-08-07T12:19:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, August 7, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Reimposes Sanctions on Iran</em></strong></p>
<p>The U.S. is reimposing a raft of sanctions on Iran after midnight Monday, as the Trump administration seeks to ratchet up pressure on Tehran. The U.S. had agreed to relax sanctions on Iran under the 2015 nuclear agreement, but President Donald Trump abandoned the deal back in May. The administration is now pursuing a two-pronged sanctions strategy, with the first round of sanctions snapping back at a minute after midnight. Sanctions on Iran’s oil exports and energy industry will go back into effect after November 4, according to a senior administration official. Among the first tranche of sanctions are bans on the sale or transfer to or from Iran of graphite and metals such as aluminum; bans on the export of Iranian carpets and food such as pistachios to the U.S.; and a prohibition on trading of Iranian gold. The U.S. accuses Iran of sponsoring terrorism and destabilizing the Middle East.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Star Witness Gates Testifies He Committed Crimes with Manafort</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Rick Gates, a former campaign aide to President Donald Trump, testified on Monday at his former business partner Paul Manafort’s tax and bank fraud trial that he assisted Manafort in <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-manafort-foreign/gates-tells-manafort-trial-he-assisted-in-filing-false-tax-returns-idUSKBN1KR28F">filing false tax returns</a>. Gates, who is cooperating with prosecutors in the trial of Trump’s former campaign chairman, testified that Manafort directed him to report overseas income as loans in order to lower his taxable income.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>California's Mendocino Complex Wildfire Becomes Largest in State History</em></strong></p>
<p>Officials said late Monday that two fires spreading in Northern California have merged to become the state's largest wildfire in history. The fires that had been burning only a few miles apart known as the Mendocino Complex Fire that ignited July 27 encompasses an area the size of Los Angeles. Officials say flames about 100 miles north of San Francisco have grown to nearly 284,000 acres (443.4 square miles). Reinforcements have been called in to fight 16 large wildfires in California, with the Army sending 200 soldiers to battle the blazes from the air. The fires are being fed by strong winds and high temperatures, and parts of the <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-wildfires-trump-approves-disaster-declaration-as-pg-e-employee-killed-near-carr-fire-2018-08-05/" target="_blank">Mendocino Complex Fire</a> are proving to be unstoppable. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Rosie O'Donnell and <em>Hamilton</em> Stars Sing Show Tunes Outside White House to Protest Donald Trump</em></strong></p>
<p>With Pennsylvania Avenue as their stage and lit-up “TREASON” signs as props, <a href="https://people.com/tag/rosie-odonnell/" target="_blank">Rosie O’Donnell</a> and more than 55 Broadway stars from <a href="https://people.com/tag/hamilton/" target="_blank">Hamilton</a><em>, Wicked</em> and<em> Les Miserables</em> led anti-<a href="https://people.com/tag/donald-trump/" target="_blank">Trump</a> protestors in song in front of the White House on Monday night — firing up the crowd as the demonstrations reached their 22nd day. The renowned musicians and singers arrived in Washington, D.C., from New York at around 7:30 p.m., wearing matching shirts that read: “Now showing TRUTH.” O’Donnell kicked off the evening with a fiery speech. “Let your voice be heard. Let the president know in no uncertain terms that we are alive, awake and we are woke. We are not going away,” she told protestors.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Charlie Kirk, Candace Owens Harassed by Leftist Mob</em></strong></p>
<p>Conservative activists Charlie Kirk and Candace Owens were <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/08/06/charlie-kirk-candace-owens-attacked-by-leftist-mob/?utm_medium=push&utm_source=daily_caller&utm_campaign=push">harassed by protesters</a> at a Philadelphia coffee shop Monday morning. Kirk and Owens are best known for organizing thousands of conservative student activists with the group Turning Point USA, which Kirk founded. Footage shared by Owens Monday morning shows a man pouring a drink on Kirk. Kirk said he was given the opportunity to press charges for the incident but tells the Daily Caller that he has declined.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Antonio Sabato Jr. Supports Trump’s Border Wall </em></strong></p>
<p>Actor, immigrant, and California congressional candidate Antonio Sabato Jr. says he fully supports President Donald Trump’s promised wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. President Trump <span style="text-decoration: underline;">is </span><a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/07/29/trump-border-wall-shut-down/" target="_blank">threatening to shut down the government</a> if lawmakers don’t fully fund his proposed border wall and enact his immigration priorities. “We need to put America and Americans First,” said Sabato. “It’s time to build a nice wall to prevent human trafficking, drug trafficking and so much more coming into the country,” he said. Sabato says he’s been viciously attacked in Hollywood and attributes the loss of work in his industry over his conservative views and his support for President Trump. Sabato, a Republican, <a href="http://voteantonio.com/">is running against</a> incumbent Democrat Julia Brownley to represent California’s 26th Congressional District. He says he’s running because he wants to give back to the country that gave him his freedom and opportunities.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Senator Rand Paul Invites Russian Lawmakers to Washington</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. Senator Rand Paul on Monday invited Russian lawmakers to visit Washington after holding talks in Moscow with parliamentarians and pledging to obstruct new sanctions against Russia. “I am pleased to announce that we will be continuing this conversation,” Paul said after meeting Konstantin Kosachyov, chairman of the upper house of parliament’s foreign affairs committee, and former Russian ambassador to the United States Sergei Kislyak. “We have agreed and we have invited members of the foreign relations committee of Russia to come to the United States to meet with us in Washington. I think this is incredibly important. And those who believe in either country that we should not have diplomacy are greatly mistaken.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump's Star on the Walk of Fame Will Be Permanently Removed</em></strong></p>
<p>West Hollywood councilors have voted “unanimously” to remove Donald Trump’s star from the city’s <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/hollywood-walk-of-fame" target="_blank">Walk of Fame</a>. The marker, which was unveiled in 2007, has been vandalized several times since the US president took office and was <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-star-hollywood-walk-of-fame-destroyed-pick-axe-vandalized-la-a8463291.html">almost completely destroyed</a> in July in a pickaxe attack. At a meeting on Monday evening, West <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/Hollywood" target="_blank">Hollywood</a> City Council opted to recommend to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce that the star should be removed. However, the chamber has previously said it would never remove a star from the famous walk, arguing they represent the history of the entertainment industry in America.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Protesters Target Second Nail Salon After Racially Charged Brawl</em></strong></p>
<p>Protesters in Brooklyn chanting “where is ICE” besieged a second nail salon Monday that they believe is connected to the shop where <a href="https://nypost.com/2018/08/06/botched-eyebrow-job-leads-to-wild-nail-salon-brawl/">customers brawled on video with employees last week</a> — forcing cops to escort the workers out for their own safety. About 150 predominantly African-American demonstrators marched from New Red Apple Nails at 1426 Nostrand Avenue to the scene of the melee caught on tape Friday to the Beautiful Red Apple Nails at 1224 Nostrand Ave. and trapped employees inside. Demonstrators angrily chanted, “shut them down,” “f–k the police,” “no nails, no toes, these racist shops have got to go” and “where is ICE,” implying that the salon’s Asian employees might be undocumented immigrants. Cops formed a line to hurry the employees, three women and one man, into a police van.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You Might Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@JohnDuran, August 6: “West Hollywood City council unanimously passes resolution asking the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to remove the Donald Trump star on Hollywood Walk of Fame. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/horcruxdestroyed?src=hash">#horcruxdestroyed</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bellicose?src=hash">#bellicose</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/belligerent?src=hash">#belligerent</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/unAmericanvalues?src=hash">#unAmericanvalues</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MakeAmericaintoAmericaAgain?src=hash">#MakeAmericaintoAmericaAgain</a>”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, August 7: “The Iran sanctions have officially been cast. These are the most biting sanctions ever imposed, and in November they ratchet up to yet another level. Anyone doing business with Iran will NOT be doing business with the United States. I am asking for WORLD PEACE, nothing less!”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, August 6: “California wildfires are being magnified & made so much worse by the bad environmental laws which aren’t allowing massive amounts of readily available water to be properly utilized. It is being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. Must also tree clear to stop fire from spreading!”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@Rosie, August 6: “on our way 2 the white house ... <a href="https://twitter.com/KremlinAnnex">@KremlinAnnex</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/broadway?src=hash">#broadway</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PROTESTtrump?src=hash">#PROTESTtrump</a>”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-08-07T12:19:00ZTrump Admits Son Met Russian For Information on Opponent; 10 Killed, 53 Wounded in Chicago Weekend ShootingsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Admits-Son-Met-Russian-For-Information-on-Opponent;-10-Killed-53-Wounded-in-Chicago-Weekend-Shootings/561251498395174692.html2018-08-06T12:32:00Z2018-08-06T12:32:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Monday, August 6, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Admits Son Met Russian For Information on Opponent</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump has admitted his son met a Russian lawyer in June 2016 "to get information on an opponent", but argues it was legal. Donald Trump Jr's meeting with Kremlin-linked lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya at Trump Tower could constitute a breach of US campaign rules, experts say. On Sunday, US media including the Washington Post, CNN and AP reported that Trump was worried Donald Trump Jr could be in legal trouble because of the 9 June 2016 meeting with Veselnitskaya in New York. They cited several unnamed sources. Trump tweeted: "Fake News reporting, a complete fabrication, that I am concerned about the meeting my wonderful son, Donald, had in Trump Tower. "This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics - and it went nowhere. I did not know about it!"</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>10 Killed, 53 Wounded in Chicago Weekend Shootings</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://abc7chicago.com/10-killed-53-wounded-in-chicago-weekend-shootings/3892234/">A violent weekend in Chicago</a> left 10 people dead and dozens more wounded, police said. Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson plans to hold a news conference at 11 a.m. Monday. However, CPD says it has seen a citywide reduction in shootings by 30 percent this year. Police say they know some of the shootings have been random and some targeted and related to gang conflicts.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump May Fight Subpoena to Testify in Russian Collusion Investigation to Supreme Court</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump could mount a legal fight against any potential subpoena to testify in the ongoing investigation into his campaign’s alleged collusion with the Russian government, one of his lawyers said Sunday. <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/week-transcript-18-jay-sekulow-gov-john-kasich/story?id=57041025" target="_blank">Speaking on ABC’s “This Week”</a>, the President's lawyer Jay Sekulow said any potential legal battle could go all the way to the Supreme Court if Special Counsel Robert Mueller attempted to compel the president to testify. Thus far, Mueller has not asked Trump to testify, so the scenario is theoretical. But if the president refused to testify voluntarily, he could legally be subpoenaed to do so. Sekulow also argued that Trump has the power to stop any investigation conducted by the Department of Justice, citing Article II of the U.S. Constitution.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>First Marijuana Breathalyzer Test Created by California Company</em></strong></p>
<p>A California company said it has created the first marijuana breathalyzer test, which has the potential to be used by police to detect whether drivers have used the drug. As more states <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/will-marijuana-be-legal-us-anytime-soon-987278">legalize marijuana</a> for recreational and medical use, law enforcement officials have grown increasingly concerned about individuals driving while high. Until now, police officers in the U.S. did not have any roadside means to determine whether a driver had consumed cannabis. They have depended mostly on field sobriety tests developed to catch alcohol use, or on personal observation, which is subject to deception. But Oakland-based Hound Labs wants to make testing for marijuana as easy as testing for alcohol.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>A Harvard Sorority Says it Will Disband Rather than Go Co-Ed</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Harvard University has issued an ultimatum to single-gender student groups. Go co-ed or forfeit members’ opportunities to hold leadership positions on campus and to win the university’s endorsement for prestigious postgraduate fellowships. Last week, a Harvard sorority became the first student organization to choose a third option: <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/08/06/a-harvard-sorority-says-it-will-disband-rather-than-go-co-ed-in-response-to-university-sanctions/?utm_term=.ddf17485c912">shutting down</a>. The national Delta Gamma organization announced that its Zeta Phi-Cambridge Area chapter would close. The dissolution of Harvard’s chapter of Delta Gamma, established in 1994, highlights the ongoing debate — which has roiled the Ivy League campus — over gender discrimination, sexual harassment and freedom of association.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>People Seeking Plastic Surgery to Look Like Snapchat Filters</em></strong></p>
<p>Snapchat offers several features that can animate your face with special effects. However, doctors believe people are seeking plastic surgery to permanently look like the filtered versions of themselves. Researchers from the Boston University School of Medicine are calling the condition <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamafacialplasticsurgery/fullarticle/2688763">Snapchat dysmorphia</a>, a form of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) in which people have “an excessive preoccupation with a perceived flaw in appearance.” “‘Snapchat dysmorphia’ has patients seeking out cosmetic surgery to look like filtered versions of themselves instead, with fuller lips, bigger eyes, or a thinner nose,” the analysts explained. “This is an alarming trend because those filtered selfies often present an unattainable look and are blurring the line of reality and fantasy for these patients.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You May Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, August 5: “Too bad a large portion of the Media refuses to report the lies and corruption having to do with the Rigged Witch Hunt - but that is why we call them FAKE NEWS!”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, August 5: “Fake News reporting, a complete fabrication, that I am concerned about the meeting my wonderful son, Donald, had in Trump Tower. This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics - and it went nowhere. I did not know about it!”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-08-06T12:32:00ZManafort Painted as Person Who Lied to Support Life of Luxury; Kelly Intends to Remain as Trump's Chief of Staff Through 2020BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Manafort-Painted-as-Person-Who-Lied-to-Support-Life-of-Luxury;-Kelly-Intends-to-Remain-as-Trumps-Chief-of-Staff-Through-2020/932124286567531509.html2018-08-01T13:12:00Z2018-08-01T13:12:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, August 1, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Manafort Painted as Person Who Lied to Support Life of Luxury</em></strong></p>
<p>Federal prosecutors on Tuesday described former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort as a man who lied in an effort to fund a lavish lifestyle replete with luxury cars and multiple houses. <a href="https://www.courthousenews.com/prosecutors-accuse-manafort-of-violating-tax-bank-laws/">In his opening statement</a> in Manafort’s trial, Uzo Asonye, a prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, told the 12-member jury that Manafort was someone who “believed the law did not apply to him, not the tax laws, not the banking laws.” Asonye said “All of the charges boil down” to one issue, “that Paul Manafort lied.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Kelly Intends to Remain as Trump’s Chief of Staff Through 2020</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/john-kelly-intends-to-remain-as-trumps-chief-of-staff-through-2020-reelection/2018/07/31/832bbf1c-94dd-11e8-810c-5fa705927d54_story.html?utm_term=.807bb5129fce">John Kelly plans to remain as White House chief of staff</a> through President Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign, two White House officials confirmed Tuesday, quieting speculation that Kelly was nearing the exits because of tensions with the president over his strict management style. Kelly, who on Monday celebrated his first anniversary as chief of staff, told West Wing staff that day that he will be staying in his post at Trump’s request through the remainder of the president’s first term. When Trump was asked about Kelly he said, “we’ve had a very good relationship, and we’ve achieved a lot. I like him, and I respect him.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Michigan Supreme Court Rules to Allow Redistricting Plan on November Ballot</em></strong></p>
<p>The Michigan Supreme Court ruled Tuesday night in a 4-3 decision that a proposal to create an independent commission on redistricting will appear on the November ballot. In the split decision, the court ruled that voter-initiated proposals were to be permitted as long as they do not “significantly alter or abolish the form or structure of our government, making it tantamount to creating a new constitution.” Republicans have maintained or increased congressional and legislative influence since the last drawing of political boundaries in 2011, <a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2018/07/31/michigan-supreme-court-gerrymandering-initiative/871624002/" target="_blank">according to the Detroit News</a>. An anti-gerrymandering petition effort had attained almost 400,000 valid signatures for the plan through efforts of volunteers with the Voters Not Politicians committee.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Migrant Detention Centers Are ‘Like a Summer Camp'</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.c-span.org/organization/?12011/Senate-Judiciary">Senate Judiciary Committee</a> members heard from government officials on border security and immigration policy for migrant families seeking asylum in the United States and the separation of some of those families as a result of the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” policy. Among the officials were leaders of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Health and Human Services, and Customs and Border Patrol agencies, one of whom told lawmakers he had warned the Trump administration of potential emotional and psychological effects for children affected by the policy. Matthew Albence, the acting No. 2 official at Immigration and Customs Enforcement, described family detention centers set up to shelter migrants as “more like a summer camp.” Albence went on to say, “These individuals have access to 24/7 food and water. They have educational opportunities. They have recreational opportunities, both structured as well as unstructured.” The officials maintained that past administrations had also cracked down on illegal immigration, similarly resulting in family separations.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Reporters Chase Kellyanne Down to Ask About Collusion</em></strong></p>
<p>Counselor to the president, Kellyanne Conway, was chased down by reporters on the White House driveway. Reporters asked a series of questions about Russian collusion and the Paul Manafort trial which began on Tuesday. Conway broke from the gaggle of reporters and spun around to answer the collusion question. Conway then admitted to collusion, saying, “As you know, I did not collude with Russia,” Conway said, “I was colluding with voters in Michigan and Wisconsin.” Michigan and Wisconsin are two states which Trump won, and Hillary Clinton famously refused to campaign in near the end of the election.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Courts in Three States Bar Release of 3D-Printable Gun Blueprints</em></strong></p>
<p>Three courts on Tuesday barred the chief promoter of 3D-printable guns from posting his designs online, just hours before a midnight deadline that would have made such information widely accessible. Courts in New York, New Jersey, and Washington State issued rulings barring Cody Wilson and his company, Defense Distribution, from uploading instructions for making 3D-printable guns at midnight Wednesday as he had planned to do under a settlement reached in June with the Trump administration. "Today Cody Wilson committed to not publish any new printable gun codes nationwide until a court hearing in September," New Jersey's attorney general, Gurbir S. Grewal, announced, calling it a "big victory for public safety and law enforcement safety.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Acosta Complains That Trump Rally Crowd Hates Him</em></strong></p>
<p>CNN chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta was reporting from President Donald Trump’s upcoming rally in Tampa, Florida, when the crowd broke into anti-CNN chants. CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer checked in on Acosta on Tuesday afternoon only to find him in a less-than-ideal situation. Acosta was practically being drowned out by a raucous “CNN Sucks!” chant by the crowd behind him. <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/07/31/acosta-trump-rally-cnn-sucks/?utm_medium=push&utm_source=daily_caller&utm_campaign=push">Acosta told Blitzer</a>, “Wolf, just to give you a sense of what’s happening right now, you can hear there is a chorus of boos and other chants from this Trump crowd here in Tampa, Florida there, saying things like, ‘CNN sucks,’ ‘go home,’ and ‘fake news,'” Acosta complained. “Wolf, obviously all of those things are false.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You May Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@NewYorkStateAG, July 31: “<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash">#BREAKING</a>: We just secured an order blocking Trump admin from allowing the distribution of plans to print 3-D guns. As we argued in our suit, it is crazy to give criminals the tools to build untraceable, undetectable 3-D printed guns at the touch of a button.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@Acosta, July 31: “One of the surprising things I heard tonight in Tampa is Trump supporters saying I should be on their team. Anybody remember when we were all on the same team? I do.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@KellyannePolls, July 31: “Hail to the Chief. Fail to those who started writing about his exit in October! (and never stopped).”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-08-01T13:12:00ZEx-Trump Aide Manafort Faces Charges in First Trial of Russia Probe; Is the World Laughing at Our Immigration Laws?BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Ex-Trump-Aide-Manafort-Faces-Charges-in-First-Trial-of-Russia-Probe;-Is-the-World-Laughing-at-Our-Immigration-Laws/-148793948385537755.html2018-07-31T11:58:00Z2018-07-31T11:58:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, July 31, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Ex-Trump Aide Manafort Faces Charges in First Trial of Russia Probe</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-paul-manafort-trial/">The first trial</a> of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe begins on Tuesday with Paul Manafort, a former chairman of U.S. President Donald Trump’s campaign. Manafort is facing charges that he hid tens of millions of dollars earned in Ukraine in offshore accounts and defrauded banks for loans. Prosecutors also accuse him of lying to U.S. banks to obtain real estate loans in a bid to maintain a lavish lifestyle after his client, former pro-Russia Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, fell from power in 2014 and the money stopped. Manafort has pleaded not guilty to all the charges. T.S. Ellis, the judge overseeing the case, has called a hearing for Tuesday at 9 a.m. on whether that Ukraine-related evidence can be included. That will be followed by voir dire, the process of vetting jurors for bias at 10 a.m.<br /><br /><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Is the World Laughing at Our Immigration Laws?</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump said that the rest of the world is “laughing at the stupidity of our immigration laws,” a reprimand that came after threatening a government shutdown in September if Congress doesn’t include substantial border security funding in an upcoming spending package. “Illegal immigration is a top National Security problem. After decades of playing games, with the whole World laughing at the stupidity of our immigration laws, and with Democrats thinking......that Open Borders, large scale Crime, and abolishing ICE is good for them, we must get smart and finally do what must be done for the Safety and Security of our Country!” Trump wrote in a series of tweets Monday evening. Trump echoed similar sentiments earlier in the day after he met with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. "As far as the border is concerned, and personally, if we don’t get border security, after many, many years of talk within the United States, I would have no problem doing a shutdown. It’s time we had proper border security. We’re the laughing stock ... we have the worst immigration laws anywhere in the world," he said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Bob Woodward is Writing an Inside Account of the Trump White House</em></strong></p>
<p>The next writer to take a close look at the Trump presidency, Bob Woodward. The celebrated journalist of Watergate fame has written "Fear: Trump in the White House," Simon & Schuster announced Monday. The book is coming out Sept. 11. According to the publisher, Woodward is drawing on "hundreds of hours" of interviews, along with notes, files and diaries to evoke the "harrowing life" within the White House. "Fear" also renews a Woodward tradition that had been on hold for several years: a book about the sitting president, released during an election year.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Says He Would 'Certainly Meet' with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump said he would <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/30/trump-i-am-ready-to-meet-with-iran-anytime-they-want-to.html">"certainly meet" with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani</a> if the Iranian leader was willing, adding he would do it with "no preconditions." During a joint news conference with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, Trump said that he believes in meetings and pointed to the benefits of recent meetings with North Korea's Kim Jong Un and Russia's Vladimir Putin. The Trump administration withdrew from the landmark nuclear accord with Iran in May, saying it was too generous to Iran. The United States has vowed to boost sanctions until Iran changes its regional policies, including its support for regional militant groups.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Chicagoans Want Mayor Rahm Emanuel to Resign</em></strong></p>
<p>Activists are calling on Chicago’s Democratic Mayor Rahm Emanuel to resign ahead of a massive protest scheduled for this week. Protesters are planning to walk along Lake Shore Drive during Thursday’s rush hour, on the first day of the Lollapalooza music festival, and end up at Wrigley Field during a Chicago Cubs game. Rev. Gregory Livingston and other organizers for the march against violence reportedly went to City Hill on Monday to tell Emanuel not to vocalize his support because they’re asking for him to resign. “The call of the people is ‘Resign Rahm,’” Livingston <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-rahm-emanuel-lake-shore-drive-march-20180730-story.html" target="_blank">told The Chicago Tribune</a>. “So how, then, can you back your own regime change? How do you sanction your own termination? How dumb, naive and self-hating do you think we are?” The Tribune reported that the group is calling for Emanuel and Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson to step down in the face of the city's failure to stem its gang- and police-related bloodshed.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Lebron James Blasts Donald Trump for 'Using Sport to Divide' the Country</em></strong></p>
<p>On Monday, the three-time NBA champion, Lebron James, opened his I Promise School in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, before then discussing sports and politics in a wide-ranging interview with <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/videos/us/2018/07/30/lebron-james-school-ohio-trump-dividing-us-sot-vpx.cnn" target="_blank">CNN</a> anchor Don Lemon. “We are in a position right now in America […] where this race thing has taken over,” James said. “Because I believe our president is kind of trying to divide us. What I've noticed over the past few months [is] he's kinda used sports to kinda divide us, and that's something that I can't relate to." The interview was not the first time LeBron has made his feelings known about President Trump. Ahead of the NBA Finals, the James claimed that regardless of who won the NBA title, neither the Cleveland Cavaliers nor the Golden State Warriors would’ve accepted an invitation to visit the White House.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump 2020 Banner Displayed by Fans at Yankee Stadium</em></strong></p>
<p>Several fans at a New York Yankees baseball game held up a giant “Re-elect Trump 2020” banner. While the scene was met with some “boos” from the crowd, it also elicited cheers and whistles. The banner also had Trump’s re-election slogan “Keep America Great” printed on it. Politics and sports have intersected in recent months, especially since the NFL and President Trump <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/trump-nfl-should-adopt-dallas-cowboys-policy-stand-for-national-anthem" target="_blank">have been at odds regarding national anthem protests</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You Might Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, July 31: “One of the reasons we need Great Border Security is that Mexico’s murder rate in 2017 increased by 27% to 31,174 people killed, a record! The Democrats want Open Borders. I want Maximum Border Security and respect for ICE and our great Law Enforcement Professionals!”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, July 30: “A highly respected Federal judge today stated that the “Trump Administration gets great credit” for reuniting illegal families. Thank you, and please look at the previous administrations record - not good!”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@IvankaTrump, July 30, “Tomorrow I will join <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS">@POTUS</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/FLGovScott">@FLGovScott</a> in Florida as we affirm our support of America’s workers through GREATER access to training + apprenticeships. Excited to announce the job creators + employers who answered <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS">@POTUS</a> call to action & are signing our <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PledgetoAmericasWorkers?src=hash">#PledgetoAmericasWorkers</a>!”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@KingJames, July 29, “big dreams for the kids in Akron to give them everything they could need to find their passion, give back to our community and change the world!! This school is that. The people are that. Akron is that. <a href="https://twitter.com/LJFamFoundation">@LJFamFoundation</a> we've always done it big”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-07-31T11:58:00ZTrump Demands Congress' Bill Includes Wall Funds; Mike Pence Comments on CNN ReporterBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Demands-Congress-Bill-Includes-Wall-Funds;-Mike-Pence-Comments-on-CNN-Reporter/-63638240631924150.html2018-07-30T11:37:00Z2018-07-30T11:37:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Monday, July 30, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Demands Congress’ Bill Includes Wall Funds</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump said on Sunday he would allow the federal government to shut down if Democrats do not fund his border wall and back immigration law changes, betting that maintaining a hard line will work in Republicans’ favor in November congressional elections. “I would be willing to ‘shut down’ government if the Democrats do not give us the votes for Border Security, which includes the Wall! Must get rid of Lottery, Catch & Release etc. and finally go to system of Immigration based on MERIT! We need great people coming into our Country!” <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1023557246628900864">Trump said on Twitter</a>. Congress must agree on a spending measure to fund the government by a Sept. 30 deadline.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Mike Pence Comments on CNN Reporter</em></strong></p>
<p>Vice President Mike Pence on Sunday defended the White House’s decision to <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house-bans-cnn-reporter-from-open-press-event" target="_blank">ban CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins from an event</a> last week. Pence told Fox Business’s Maria Bartiromo on Sunday that “maintaining the decorum that is due at the White House I think is an issue that we’ll continue to work forward.” When pressed about the rocky relationship between the White House and the press, Pence said he is “confident that they’ll be able to work out this relationship in a positive way.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Manafort is First to go on Trial in Russia Probe</em></strong></p>
<p>Paul Manafort on Tuesday will become the first of President Donald Trump’s former aides to go on trial, accused of bank and tax fraud by federal investigators probing Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Despite a focus on financial crimes, the trial could yield politically damaging headlines about a man who ran Trump’s campaign for three months and attended a June 2016 meeting with Russians offering damaging information about Trump’s Democratic rival Hillary Clinton that is now a focal point of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s 14-month-old probe. Prosecutors are expected to argue that Manafort’s lavish spending on suits, homes and luxury items did not match the income declared on his tax returns and that he misled lenders when he borrowed tens of millions of dollars against New York real estate.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump's Fight Against 'Unpatriotic' Media Intensifies</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump's relationship with the press hit a new low after the president unleashed a multi-tweet frenzy Sunday accusing the "unpatriotic" mainstream media of endangering American lives by generating negative coverage on the mechanics of the Trump administration. "When the media-driven insane by their Trump Derangement Syndrome -- reveals internal deliberations of our government, it truly puts the lives of many, not just journalists, at risk! Very unpatriotic!" Trump <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/medias-trump-derangement-syndrome-endangering-lives-president-says" target="_blank">wrote on Twitter</a>. "Freedom of the press also comes with a responsibility to report the news... accurately." Trump's Sunday tweet storm comes after statements he made Tuesday during a speech to the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Convention in Kansas City, Mo., about alleged disinformation disseminated by news outlets. "Stick with us. Don't believe the cr*p you see from these people, the fake news," he told the crowd. "What you're seeing and what you're reading is not what's happening."</p>
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<p><strong><em>TSA Collecting Info on Regular Travelers </em></strong></p>
<p>The Transportation Security Administration has been conducting surveillance on thousands of unknowingly American fliers through a program dubbed “Quiet Skies.” <a href="http://apps.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/graphics/2018/07/tsa-quiet-skies/" target="_blank">According to the Boston Globe</a>, the program specifically targets travelers who “are not under investigation by any agency and are not in the Terrorist Screening Data Base.” All American citizens who enter the U.S. are automatically screened for inclusion, the report says. A TSA bulletin from March says the goal of the program is to deter potential terrorist attacks from persons “unknown or partially known terrorists.” Thousands of Americans have been added to the “Quiet Skies” watch list unknowingly, where they can stay for up to 90 days or three encounters. They are never notified they’re on the list. Undercover air marshals reportedly document passengers’ behavior, which includes watching if they reverse or change directions while in transit through the airport, whether they change clothes at the airport or on the plane, and how closely they stand to the boarding areas.</p>
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<p><strong><em>United Airlines Gives Free Flights to Illegal Immigrants</em></strong></p>
<p>United Airlines revealed the company will provide complimentary flights to families who were separated as they illegally crossed over the United States border. United is partnering with FWD.us, an advocacy group known for defending illegal immigrant rights. In a statement on Facebook, FWD.us welcomed United to the partnership and thanked the airline for joining the ‘Flights For Families’ campaign. The effort is working to reunite parents that have been separated from their children when they were detained illegally hopping the border. United will be donating flights to rejoin the families. This is not the first time the airline has taken political action. United told federal officials in June it wants “<a href="http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/393279-united-airlines-asks-feds-not-to-use-their-aircraft-to-transfer-migrant" target="_blank">no part</a>” in President Donald Trump’s zero-tolerance immigration policy and therefore will not transport illegal immigrant children whose parents are detained.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Sharks are Becoming the Popular New Pet!</em></strong></p>
<p>For some reason, sharks have become a new must-have accessory for luxury homes. Real-estate developers and high-end buyers—including celebrities like Lil’ Wayne and Tracy Morgan—are installing elaborate aquariums so they can keep the ocean’s most feared predators as pets. They are also finding that keeping predators with multiple rows of knife-sharp teeth is often, well, complicated. Sharks are expensive to maintain and surprisingly finicky about water conditions. The tank alone can cost from $15,000 up to $1 million, said Brett Raymer, co-founder of Acrylic Tank Manufacturing, based in Las Vegas. The company builds about 20 shark tanks a year in private homes, some of which hold up to 16,000 gallons of water. It is legal to own sharks, which can cost anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of dollars, according to Mr. Raymer. Some species, like great whites, are protected, and cannot be kept in homes.</p>
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<p><strong><em>A ‘Reel’ Drag</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Over the weekend protesters gathered to raise awareness about ecology and animal rights during a popular fishing tournament, the Wrightsville Beach Inshore Challenge In North Carolina. The protest, called Vigil for Fish, was organized by the groups Wilmington Fish Save and North Carolina Farmed Animal Save. “We’re vegan activists, and we want to bring awareness to what fish go through,” said protester Daniel Veber. “Look at it from this fish’s point of view. If you were in your home, you would not want a hook to be hooked in the mouth, you would not want to be pulled up, you wouldn’t have to fight hours for your life to be pulled up. it’s scary.” Protesters held signs reading “Fish feel pain,” “Sea life not seafood,” and “Fish want to live” in front of the tournament’s weigh-in.</p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You Might Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, July 29: “There is No Collusion! The Robert Mueller Rigged Witch Hunt, headed now by 17 (increased from 13, including an Obama White House lawyer) Angry Democrats, was started by a fraudulent Dossier, paid for by Crooked Hillary and the DNC. Therefore, the Witch Hunt is an illegal Scam!”</p>
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<p>@RealDonaldTrump, July 29: “Is Robert Mueller ever going to release his conflicts of interest with respect to President Trump, including the fact that we had a very nasty & contentious business relationship, I turned him down to head the FBI (one day before appointment as S.C.) & Comey is his close friend..”</p>
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<p>@RealDonaldTrump, July 29: “....Also, why is Mueller only appointing Angry Dems, some of whom have worked for Crooked Hillary, others, including himself, have worked for Obama....And why isn’t Mueller looking at all of the criminal activity & real Russian Collusion on the Democrats side-Podesta, Dossier?”<br /><br /></p>
<p>@RudyGiuliani, July 29: “I know what’s in the remaining tapes a lot of them. More disgusting deception about not recording. A lot more support for what should be obvious the President did nothing wrong.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-07-30T11:37:00ZJudge Urges U.S. to Focus on Reuniting Deported Parents with Children; Police Say 3 killed, 7 Injured in New Orleans ShootingBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Judge-Urges-U.S.-to-Focus-on-Reuniting-Deported-Parents-with-Children;-Police-Say-3-killed-7-Injured-in-New-Orleans-Shooting/-397724245222700170.html2018-07-29T12:51:00Z2018-07-29T12:51:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, July 29, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Police Say 3 killed, 7 Injured in New Orleans Shooting</em></strong></p>
<p>Three people have been killed and seven others injured <a href="https://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2018/07/shooting_claiborne_new_orleans.html">following a shooting</a> in New Orleans. City police spokesman Aaron Looney says in a statement the shooting happened Saturday night about 3 miles from the French Quarter. The injured victims have been taken to a hospital, though their conditions were not immediately known. No suspect was in custody. Mayor LaToya Cantrell said in a statement: “There is no place in New Orleans for this kind of violence. I speak for everyone in our City when I say we are disgusted, we are infuriated, & we have had more than enough. Three more lives — gone. It has to end. It’s unacceptable anywhere.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Tells ICE Agents: ‘We Always Will Stand with You’</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump defended the men and women who work for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement amid recent calls from Democrats to abolish the agency. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-aqhI5YuBE">In his weekly address</a>, Trump said the agency, which was created after the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, prevents other innocent lives from being lost. ICE agents arrested almost 130,000 illegal immigrants in fiscal year 2017, Trump said. “Without the brave heroes of ICE, we would have no enforcement, no laws, no borders and therefore — we wouldn’t even have a country. So to the courageous public servants at ICE — men and women, great ones: we want you to know that the American people are with you and my Administration has your back 100 percent,” Trump said.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Spicer Threatens Legal Action Over AP Report</em></strong></p>
<p>Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer is threatening to take legal action against the Associated Press over a report from the wire service about <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/399343-man-yells-at-spicer-during-book-signing-im-not-scared-to-fight-you" target="_blank">an incident on his book tour</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span> Spicer’s attorney Michael J. Bowe said in a statement Saturday night that the AP “recklessly republished a categorically false accusation about Sean Spicer.” Bowe went on to say, “The claim is a lie. Absent an immediate retraction, Mr. Spicer will take legal action Monday,” Bowe said. <a href="https://apnews.com/3ac9f138b0ea47d8a1552bdd7d12bf7e" target="_blank">The AP report</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">,</span> published Saturday, documented an incident at Spicer’s book signing in Middletown, R.I., on Friday during which a black man claiming to be a former classmate of Spicer’s at Portsmouth Abbey School accused Spicer of using a racial slur. A publicist for Spicer told the AP that the former press secretary was "taken aback" by the "outrageous" claim. Regnery Publishing publicist Lauren McCue said Spicer "can’t recall any incident” like the one Lombard described.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Lewandowski: If Dems Win Control of the House the Country Will ‘Go Backwards’</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump’s former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski warned on Sunday that the country will “go backwards” if Democrats win back the House during the 2018 midterm elections. “What is at stake in that midterm is the direction of the country,” Lewandowski told radio host John Catsimatidis on New York’s AM 970 <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/cats-interviews/corey-lewandowski-7-29-18" target="_blank">during an interview that aired Sunday</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span> “The question is, do we continue to have a strong vibrant economy that is pro-business, pro-job growth,” he said, “Or do we go backwards and elect a Speaker Pelosi again, who wants to not only bring back the tax cuts and implement more taxes.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Judge Urges U.S. to Focus on Reuniting Deported Parents with Children</em></strong></p>
<p>A judge has urged the U.S. government to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration/judge-urges-u-s-to-focus-on-reuniting-deported-parents-with-children-idUSKBN1KH18F">focus on finding deported immigrant parents</a>, so it could reunite them with their children who remain in the U.S. following separation by officials at the U.S.-Mexico border in recent months. The government had declared it had met a court-ordered deadline to reunite families separated during the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance policy” aimed at discouraging illegal immigration. U.S. Judge Dana Sabraw said at a court hearing in San Diego the government deserved credit for the 1,820 children released from custody to a parent or sponsor. However, he urged officials to focus on the 711 children who remain separated after the government deemed their parent’s ineligible because they were deported, the government was unable to find them in the United States or the parent failed a background check. Sabraw said, “The focus has to be on the parents removed without their children and the up to 52 parents released to the interior without their children.” Sabraw seemed most concerned during Friday’s hearing with allegations that 120 parents who the government said had waived their right to reunification might have misunderstood what they were signing or felt coerced. The government has said it has given every detained parent notice of their legal rights and contact information for an attorney.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Eric Holder Weighs the Options of Running for President</em></strong></p>
<p>Eric Holder knows what he wants. Whether he'll go after it is still undecided. In a meeting with Cincinnati Democrats, the former U.S. attorney general confirmed he wants to be president, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/28/politics/eric-holder-interested-in-being-president/index.html" target="_blank">according to a CNN report:</a> "Am I interested?" he asked. "Yeah, I'm interested!" However, Holder said he won’t be pursuing a 2020 run until next year after discussing with his family. Holder's response supports his earlier comments about challenging President Trump. He told Stephen Colbert “I’m thinking about it” in an appearance on Colbert's late night show, responding to a question regarding a tweet last week from White House reporter April Ryan saying he was "seriously considering throwing his hat into the ring for a 2020 presidential bid!"</p>
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<p><strong><em>TV Ads Pass the Billion Dollar Mark as Midterms Approach</em></strong></p>
<p>Campaigns, political parties, and outside groups have booked or aired more than <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/399221-midterms-likely-to-be-most-expensive-ever-as-tv-ads-surpass-billion-dollar">$1 billion in television advertising</a>, months before voters head to the polls in November in what is likely to become the most expensive midterm election campaign in U.S. history. In the fight for control of the U.S. Senate, where Republicans hold a narrow two-seat majority, the two sides have already spent a combined $170 million on television spots, according to an observer keeping close tabs on the advertising market. The parties have another $230 million in airtime booked in key Senate races. Democrats hoping to win back control of the House have aired or booked more than $135 million in television airtime, while Republicans playing defense have spent or reserved $146 million, numbers that will almost certainly increase as prominent outside groups raise and spend more money. And the two sides have reserved a whopping $340 million in airtime in gubernatorial races across the country. The majority of that money, $250 million, has already been spent on advertisements ahead of key primary elections, hinting at an ad onslaught set to heat up in the weeks after Labor Day.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Gov. Brown Declares State of Emergency as Cranston Fire Grows</em></strong></p>
<p>Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in Riverside County as the destructive Cranston Fire continued to spread and prompt new evacuations Thursday, one day after it was allegedly sparked by an arsonist in the Idyllwild area. The blaze grew by roughly 4 square miles as it burned through rough terrain and dry brush, but U.S. Forest Service spokesman Lee Beyer said it appeared to be moving into less populated areas in its second day. The previous day, at least <a href="https://ktla.com/2018/07/25/mandatory-evacuations-ordered-in-idyllwild-as-rapidly-spreading-brush-fire-burns-200-acres/" target="_blank">five residences were destroyed</a>, and roughly 5,000 structures remained threatened Thursday. By late afternoon, it covered 7,500 acres — or just over 11 square miles — and was 5 percent contained, according to the San Bernardino National Forest. The Cranston Fire was one of three major infernos in California that prompted an emergency proclamation Thursday. States of emergency were also declared surrounding the Carr Fire, which killed a bulldozer operator as it exploded in Shasta County late Thursday night, and the deadly Ferguson Fire threatening Yosemite National Park in Mariposa County.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>NBA Player Carmelo Anthony Says U.S. Government ‘Turned Their Back’ on Puerto Rico </em></strong></p>
<p>NBA star Carmelo Anthony says the United States government “completely turned their back” on Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria hammered the island last year, leaving <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/29/us/puerto-rico-hurricane-maria-death-toll/index.html">thousands dead</a> and millions without power. “It hurt … they’re American citizens,” Anthony told CNN’s Van Jones. The devastation feels personal, Anthony told Jones. “It was … a low blow, to me and to all of the Puerto Ricans down there, because we can’t control Hurricane Maria,” he said. “The least you can do is send the resources down there,” Anthony said. The NBA player took it upon himself to personally contribute to the relief effort, but, told Jones that he was met with some challenges. “We sent, you know, airplanes down there with supplies,” he said. “We had the supply stuff at the … you know, at the port; we couldn’t get in. We had to make calls and — it was just a lot. It was just sad that we had to go through (that) … in order to help people,” he told Jones. “Puerto Rico is part of this country and I just felt like the government completely turned their back, you know, to their island,” Anthony added.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You Might Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, July 29: “Had a very good and interesting meeting at the White House with A.G. Sulzberger, Publisher of the New York Times. Spent much time talking about the vast amounts of Fake News being put out by the media & how that Fake News has morphed into phrase, ‘Enemy of the People.’ Sad!”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, July 29: “Please understand, there are consequences when people cross our Border illegally, whether they have children or not - and many are just using children for their own sinister purposes. Congress must act on fixing the DUMBEST & WORST immigration laws anywhere in the world! Vote ‘R’”</p>
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<p>@RealDonaldTrump, July 29: “Tom Homan, fmr ICE Director: ‘There is nobody that has done more for border security & public safety than President Trump. I’ve worked for six presidents, and I respect them all, but nobody has done more than this Administration & President Trump, that’s just a stone cold fact!’”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-07-29T12:51:00ZTrump Teases GDP Numbers at Illinois Event; Roseanne Barr Disputes Racist ClaimsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Teases-GDP-Numbers-at-Illinois-Event;-Roseanne-Barr-Disputes-Racist-Claims/536562309866761977.html2018-07-27T10:50:00Z2018-07-27T10:50:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Friday, July 27, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Teases GDP Numbers at Illinois Event</em></strong></p>
<p>Making his <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/business/donald-trump-trade-policy-steel-granite-city-illinois/">first visit to Illinois</a> since winning the White House, President Donald Trump on Thursday trumpeted the renewed success of a Downstate steel mill, pushing back against criticism that his escalating trade disputes are hurting American workers and farmers. The president pointed to the U.S. Steel plant’s reopening as a success story after he slapped tariffs on imported steel and aluminum last spring. On Wednesday, he and European leaders agreed to open talks on trade, a decision he called a breakthrough. Trump appeared eager to keep promoting more good economic news. The Commerce Department delivers its first estimate of second-quarter gross domestic product on Friday, and the president signaled the numbers would be in line with what economists have forecast: a sizzling growth rate of 4 percent or more. “You’re going to see on Friday what happens with GDP. Lot of predictions. Lot of predictions,” Trump said in Iowa. “I told you before, some with a 5 in front of it … we’ll take anything with a 4 in front.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Roseanne Barr Disputes Racist Claims</em></strong></p>
<p>Roseanne Barr, the television star whose namesake show was canceled after she tweeted racist sentiments about a former Obama administration official, said Thursday night that she's not a racist. Speaking in her first national television interview since the scandal, <a href="http://video.foxnews.com/v/5814516441001/?#sp=show-clips">Barr told Fox News' Sean Hannity</a> that she was "so sad that people thought" her tweets about Valerie Jarrett were "racist." Barr made headlines after she tweeted in May that Jarrett, who is African-American and was born in Iran, was as though the "Muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby." Barr on Thursday night said that she "made a mistake. It cost me my life's work." She went on to say, "I was so sad, and I'm so sad that anyone thinks that of me," Barr told Hannity. "I never meant to hurt anybody, or say anything negative about an entire race of people."</p>
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<p><strong><em>Migrant Children Reunited Before Deadline</em></strong></p>
<p>The Trump administration said Thursday that more than 1,800 children 5 years and older had been reunited with parents or sponsors following their separations at the U.S. Mexico border. That included 1,442 children who were returned to parents who were in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody and another 378 who were released under a variety of other circumstances. But about 700 more remain separated, including 431 whose parents were deported, officials say. Those reunions take more time, effort and paperwork as authorities fly children back to Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. The court-ordered deadline has passed and now Judge Dana Sabraw from San Diego who originally ordered the reunifications must decide how to address the hundreds of still-separated children whose parents have been deported, as well as how much time, if any, reunified parents should be allowed to file asylum claims.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>ACLU Files Lawsuit Against NJ Schools</em></strong></p>
<p>The ACLU of New Jersey filed lawsuits against a dozen school districts across the state on Thursday, alleging that their enrollment policies are illegal and discriminate against immigrants. The schools, located in 10 counties, ask students for forms of state-issued identification that require Social Security numbers or valid immigration status as a condition to enroll, the ACLU-NJ said in the lawsuit. New Jersey law forbids schools districts from denying education to public school students based on their immigration status or that of their parents. “New Jersey’s state Constitution calls for free public education, and that applies to every single child — no exceptions,” said Elyla Huertas, staff attorney at the ACLU-NJ, <a href="https://www.aclu-nj.org/?cID=1328">which filed the lawsuits in state Superior Court.</a> “In a state where one in five residents is foreign-born, at a time when our president has made the exclusion of immigrants a key part of his policy agenda, it’s more important than ever for every school district in New Jersey to meet its obligations, both to New Jersey’s families and to the Constitution.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Meadows Backs Off Impeaching Rosenstein After Leadership Talks</em></strong></p>
<p>Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) says he is tabling his efforts to impeach Deputy Attorney General <a href="http://origin-nyi.thehill.com/people/rod-rosenstein">Rod Rosenstein</a> after having several meetings with Republican leadership, stating that he would instead pursue contempt if the Justice Department (DOJ) does not turn over documents Congress is seeking. While the impeachment option remains on the table, Meadows told reporters he now hopes it will be a contempt process rather than impeachment. When asked what will happen if he does not receive the documents that the two House committees are seeking by the time the House returns from August recess, Meadows said, "I think the very first order of business would be moving the House to a contempt vote."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Jim Jordan Officially Announcing Bid for Speaker</em></strong></p>
<p>House Freedom Caucus co-founder Jim Jordan formally announced his <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/07/26/rep-jim-jordan-announces-run-for-house-speaker.html">campaign for speaker of the House</a> on Thursday. Jordan has received an onslaught of support from conservative groups and his colleagues in the House Freedom Caucus to run for speaker. “Should the American people entrust us with the majority again in the 116th Congress, I plan to run for Speaker of the House to bring real change to the House of Representatives,” Jordan said in a statement Thursday. “President Trump has taken bold action on behalf of the American people. Congress has not held up its end of the deal, but we can change that. It’s time to do what we said.” Thursday’s announcement would be the first time Jordan directly said whether or not he is running. The congressman had repeatedly said leading up to the announcement that there was no speaker’s race, but he was entertaining the idea of throwing his name in the hat.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Is Twitter Shadow Banning Prominent Republicans?</em></strong></p>
<p>A <a href="https://news.vice.com/en_us/article/43paqq/twitter-is-shadow-banning-prominent-republicans-like-the-rnc-chair-and-trump-jrs-spokesman">report from Vice claimed</a> Twitter was limiting the visibility of prominent Republicans in search results. When a user starts typing in a word or name in Twitter's search box, it will start automatically populating results, similar to how search works on Google. The report said accounts for key figures including Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel, and Republican representatives Jim Jordan and Mark Meadows were not appearing in auto-completed search results on Twitter. However, other users could still view their tweets and interact through features such as replies. "It seems Twitter is doing everything in its power to obstruct access to these prominent conservatives and limit the influence of their voices," said Brent Bozell, president of the Media Research Center, a conservative-leaning media watchdog group.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Walt Disney Company to Eliminate Plastic Straws and More by 2019</em></strong></p>
<p>The <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/alerts/Disney" target="_blank">Walt Disney Company</a> is set to eliminate single-use plastic straws and plastic stirrers at all its owned and operated locations across the globe by mid-2019, the company announced Thursday. This includes all parks with the exception of Disney Tokyo. That elimination amounts to a reduction of more than 175 million straws and 13 million stirrers annually, the company said. For patrons of Disney hotels and Disney cruise ships, there are additional changes coming. “Today’s announcement is more than about reducing single-use plastic waste, it’s also about showing millions of kids and adults from around the world the many ways we can change our daily habits to care for the oceans and protect nature that sustains us all," said Dr. M. Sanjayan, CEO of Conservation International, a non-profit with which Disney has collaborated on environmental and sustainability initiatives. </p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Texas Inmate Being Transferred Gets Atop Moving Patrol Car</em></strong></p>
<p>A Texas inmate took a wild ride after breaking the window of a patrol car and climbing onto its roof as it sped down a highway. <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCDFW/status/1022659625135624192">Video of the incident</a> was recorded by people driving behind the patrol car that was transporting 31-year-old Martin Gregory Estrada. Taylor County sheriff's officials say at some point during the drive, Estrada slipped out of his handcuffs, shattered the passenger-side window and climbed atop the patrol car. The deputy who was driving summoned help and didn't stop until other officers arrived. The office says Estrada was being taken to Abilene from a hospital facility in Wichita Falls where he'd allegedly assaulted someone. County jail records show Estrada was being held Thursday on various charges, including escape and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Bond was set at $680,000.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Several Passengers Aboard Diverted Flight from NYC to Florida Sickened by 'Dirty Socks' Odor</em></strong></p>
<p>A flight from NYC to Florida had to be diverted to South Carolina because some passengers aboard complained of burning throats and chest pains after a potential hazmat situation from an unknown substance that <a href="https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Spirit-Airlines-Flight-Diverted-LaGuardia-Florida-Myrtle-Beach-Hazmat-Odor-489318601.html">passengers say smelled like "dirty socks."</a> Two-hundred-twenty passengers were on board Spirit Airlines Flight 779 from LaGuardia to Fort Lauderdale when it was diverted to Myrtle Beach after the airline said an "odor developed in a section of the aircraft." Officials were linking the medical complaints to that unknown substance that some passengers say smelled like “dirty socks.” There were concerns of a possible chemical on the aircraft that was making people sick, but nothing out of the ordinary was found. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You May Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@DiamondandSilk, July 26: “Just heard that House Speaker Paul Ryan doesn't think Rod Rosenstein should face impeachment. We don't think he should face impeachment as well, he should be jailed! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClinkClink?src=hash">#ClinkClink</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LockHimUp?src=hash">#LockHimUp</a>”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, July 26: “The Remains of American Servicemen will soon be leaving North Korea and heading to the United States! After so many years, this will be a great moment for so many families. Thank you to Kim Jong Un.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, July 26: “Twitter “SHADOW BANNING” prominent Republicans. Not good. We will look into this discriminatory and illegal practice at once! Many complaints.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-07-27T10:50:00ZGOP Lawmakers Move to Impeach Rosenstein; CNN Correspondent Blocked from WH Press EventBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/GOP-Lawmakers-Move-to-Impeach-Rosenstein;-CNN-Correspondent-Blocked-from-WH-Press-Event/590298642124980130.html2018-07-26T11:40:00Z2018-07-26T11:40:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, July 26, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>WH Meets on Iran After Trump’s Threat</em></strong></p>
<p>Four days after President <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-threatens-iran-in-late-night-tweet-1532321498?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=7&mod=article_inline">Trump’s stern warning via Twitter</a> to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, national security adviser John Bolton is scheduled to hold a meeting Thursday of Pentagon and other top officials on the administration’s emerging strategy on Iran. The meeting follows Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear accord and reimpose tough economic sanctions on Tehran. The discussions are to take place among members of the administration’s Principals Committee, a Cabinet-level panel on national security issues that Bolton chairs and whose members include Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, among other senior officials.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>GOP Lawmakers Move to Impeach Rosenstein</em></strong></p>
<p>A group of 11 House Republicans introduced five articles of impeachment against Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein Wednesday evening. The impeachment articles accuse Rosenstein of intentionally withholding documents and information from Congress, failure to comply with congressional subpoenas and abuse of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). It was not immediately clear whether the House of Representatives would consider the resolution before lawmakers begin the August recess Thursday afternoon. The House will reconvene Sept. 4. The resolution states it will be "referred to the Committee," meaning the Judiciary Committee, for further review. The articles were introduced by Reps. Mark Meadows of North Carolina and Jim Jordan of Ohio, the chairman and a prominent member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>CNN Correspondent Blocked from WH Press Event</em></strong></p>
<p>A CNN correspondent said she was barred from an open White House press event on Wednesday following questions she asked President Trump earlier in the day. The correspondent, Kaitlan Collins, says the White House denied her access to Trump's Rose Garden statement on trade with the European Union Commission president because officials found her earlier questions "inappropriate." Collins' questions had focused on Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, and the recent revelations of audio recordings of talk between the two men. "Did Michael Cohen betray you, Mr. President," Collins could be heard asking Trump in a <a href="https://money.cnn.com/2018/07/25/media/white-house-kaitlan-collins-press-pool/index.html" target="_blank">clip provided by CNN</a>. "Mr. President, did Michael Cohen betray you? Mr. President, are you worried about what Michael Cohen is going to say to prosecutors?" The president did not address Collins' questions. CNN backed their correspondent and dismissed the appropriateness issue. Fox News President Jay Wallace said the network stood with CNN. “We stand in strong solidarity with CNN for the right to full access for our journalists as part of a free and unfettered press," Wallace said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Mike Pompeo’s Heated Senate Hearing</em></strong></p>
<p>Things got heated and tempers flared at times as senators grilled Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday on topics that included U.S. policy on Russia and North Korea. For three hours, the nation’s<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/07/25/pompeo-u-s-rejects-russias-attempted-annexation-crimea/833131002/"> top diplomat faced a barrage of questions</a> from members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Going into the hearing, senators from both parties made it clear they wanted Pompeo to provide some insight into what happened during Trump’s private, one-on-one meeting with Putin at the Helsinki summit. But no matter how often they asked and they asked again and again Pompeo dodged. “Presidents are entitled to have private meetings,” he said. Another explosive moment was when the committee’s Republican chairman, Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee, who in the past has expressed dissatisfaction with Trump in the bluntest of terms, wasted no time in venting to Pompeo. In his opening remarks, Corker declared that senators have “serious doubts” about how the administration carries out foreign policy and suggested the White House “is making it up as they go.” Later, he and Pompeo had an intense exchange when Corker suggested that Trump intentionally creates distrust in institutions like NATO. Pompeo took issue with Corker's characterization and argued that Trump has been tougher on Russia than the previous administration.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Delays Proposed Putin Meeting Until 2019</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump's proposed Washington meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin has been <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/trumps-next-meeting-with-putin-wont-take-place-until-next-year-white-house-says-1532544012">delayed until 2019</a>. National security adviser John Bolton, in a statement, cites special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election as the reason for the delay. The White House said last week that Trump had directed Bolton to invite Putin to Washington for a meeting in the fall. This came amid the backlash over Trump's performance at a news conference with Putin following their Helsinki summit, and many members of Congress had objected to them meeting again in the fall.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>NoKo to Return Remains of U.S. Soldiers</em></strong></p>
<p>North Korea is about to <a href="https://nypost.com/2018/07/18/north-korea-lagging-behind-on-return-of-korean-war-remains/">return some remains of US service members</a> killed in the Korean War, a ­report said Wednesday. South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency said the remains could be returned on Friday, the 65th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement that resulted in a cease-fire to the 1950-1953 war. “North Korea recently took two truckloads of wooden boxes to be used for the remains repatriation. It’s expected to hand over the remains on July 27 as agreed upon,” <a href="http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/search1/2603000000.html?cid=AEN20180726001500315">a source told Yonhap</a>. The remains will be airlifted to a forensic lab in Hawaii. Returning the remains was one of the agreements struck between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during their June summit in Singapore.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Toronto City Council Pushes Handgun Ban</em></strong></p>
<p>Officials in Toronto are pushing for a ban on the sale of handguns and handgun ammunition, as Canada’s biggest city continues to reel from a shooting that left three people dead, including the gunman, and injured 13 others. “Why does anyone in this city need to have a gun at all?” John Tory, Toronto’s mayor, said on Tuesday as the city council passed a motion to urge the federal and provincial government to enact the ban. Before Sunday’s shooting, councilors had already set aside the day to debate a range of initiatives aimed at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/24/toronto-attacks-greektown-shooting-is-city-unraveling">tackling rising gun violence</a> in the city a discussion that took on new urgency after the attack. The ban would only apply within Toronto city limits, meaning that such purchases could still potentially be made in nearby cities. The ban would also probably do little to stem the flow of illegal guns into Canada from the US.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Was Stormy Daniels’ Arrest Pre-Planned?</em></strong></p>
<p>Leaked emails from the Columbus Police Department show the arrest of porn star Stormy Daniels may have been planned ahead of her performance at an Ohio strip club earlier this month. Police arrested Daniels on July 12, accusing her of illegally touching patrons. The charges were dropped hours later. Michael Avenatti, the attorney representing Daniels in her lawsuit against President Trump, called the arrest politically motivated. <a href="http://thefayetteadvocate.com/2018/07/25/whistleblower-provides-emails-that-show-stormy-daniels-arrest-was-pre-planned/" target="_blank">The Fayette Advocate, a local news organization, said</a> Wednesday it was leaked emails between several top detectives and officers relating to Daniels. The emails contained news stories about Daniels’ upcoming strip club appearance, pictures of the porn star with Trump, videos of her dancing, and a map to the club where she was set to appear. The emails were sent days before Daniels arrived in Ohio, the Advocate reported. “The emails definitely show that the police lied about it being a prostitution and human trafficking mission,” the unnamed person who leaked the emails told the Advocate.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Oregon Woman Finds Mountain Lion Napping in Her Home</em></strong></p>
<p>An Oregon woman recently came home to an unusual surprise: a mountain lion, which continued taking a nap for six more hours behind her sofa. The odd encounter took place in the Ashland, Oregon. After drinking from a pond in the woman’s backyard, the cat likely entered her home through an open back door. The Facebook post had garnered more than 17,000 reactions and shares as of Tuesday morning. “This is wild,” she wrote. “The door was open and the room has huge plants and stairs built around real tree branches, so she likely didn't even realize she was walking indoors until she was inside.” The Oregon woman then used a drum to encourage the lion to exit the home.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You May Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@SecPompeo, July 26: “<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Iran?src=hash">#Iran</a> has a repugnant record of religious intolerance. Last month, a Gonabadi Sufi dervish Mohammad Salas was hanged after reported torture. Christians, Jews, Sunnis, Baha’is & Zoroastrians live in fear their next prayer may be their last.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, July 25: “Great to be back on track with the European Union. This was a big day for free and fair trade!”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@RepMarkMeadows, July 25: “I just filed a resolution with <a href="https://twitter.com/Jim_Jordan">@Jim_Jordan</a> and several colleagues to impeach Rod Rosenstein. The DOJ has continued to hide information from Congress and repeatedly obstructed oversight--even defying multiple Congressional subpoenas. We have had enough.”<br /><br /></p>
<p>@Jim_Jordan, July 25: “We can't get answers for the American people if we can't get information from the DOJ. It’s time to impeach Rod Rosenstein.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-07-26T11:40:00ZCNN Obtains Secret Trump-Cohen Tape; Ivanka Trump is Shutting Down Her Fashion BrandBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/CNN-Obtains-Secret-Trump-Cohen-Tape;-Ivanka-Trump-is-Shutting-Down-Her-Fashion-Brand/321353328786768434.html2018-07-25T12:50:00Z2018-07-25T12:50:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, July 25, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong> </p>
<p><strong><em>Attorney: Cohen Not Seeking Pardon from Trump</em></strong></p>
<p>Lanny Davis, the attorney representing Michael Cohen, said early Wednesday that his client is not seeking a pardon from President Trump amid the release of a tape Cohen recorded of Trump. Davis appeared on ABC's “Good Morning America,” where he spoke about the <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/398711-cnn-airs-recording-of-trump-cohen-discussing-payment-tied-to-former" target="_blank">tape</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">,</span> in which Cohen talks to Trump about paying for the rights to a story of a former Playboy model who alleged she had an affair with Trump. “Michael Cohen has turned a corner in his life, and he’s now dedicated to telling the truth to everyone, and we’ll see what happens,” Davis said. Davis acknowledged the tape, which Cohen secretly recorded, does not prove Trump committed a crime of any kind, but said the issue is about the president’s tendency to lie. Davis denied that Cohen is looking for a pardon. Cohen is reportedly under investigation for bank fraud and campaign finance law violations in the Southern District of New York. He has raised speculation he might cooperate with investigators in recent weeks after saying his "first loyalty" is to the country, not Trump. The White House previously <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/384439-white-house-wont-rule-out-pardon-for-trumps-lawyer">refused to rule out</a> a pardon for Cohen.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>CNN Obtains Secret Trump-Cohen Tape</em></strong></p>
<p>Donald Trump is heard on tape discussing with his attorney Michael Cohen how they would buy the rights to a Playboy model's story about an alleged affair Trump had with her years earlier, according to the audio recording of the conversation aired exclusively on <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/24/politics/michael-cohen-donald-trump-tape/index.html">CNN's "Cuomo Prime Time."</a> The recording offers the public a glimpse at the confidential discussions between Trump and Cohen, and it confirms that the president had knowledge of a proposal to buy the rights to the story of Karen McDougal, a woman who has alleged she had an extramarital affair with Trump about a decade ago. Cohen told Trump about his plans to set up a company and finance the purchase of the rights from American Media, which publishes the National Enquirer. The recording captures what appears to be a routine business conversation of several matters on their agenda. The audio is muddled and the meaning of Trump's use of the word "cash" is disputed by the two sides.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>22% Of U.S. Population Does Not Speak English At Home</em></strong></p>
<p>Some 13.5 percent of the U.S. population -- 44 million -- is foreign-born, the highest level ever, and many are not proficient in English, choosing to speak Spanish at home instead. A report from the <a href="https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/immigrants-us-states-fastest-growing-foreign-born-populations#Languages" target="_blank">Migration Policy Institute</a> found that 22 percent of the U.S. population does not speak English at home. The share was highest in Nevada at 31 percent and Florida at 29 percent. while the number of immigrants in the last eight years increased 9 percent, the foreign-born population surged 15 percent or more in 15 states.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>The Defeat of ISIS Still Months Away, but 'They Are Trapped'</em></strong></p>
<p>The final defeat of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria is still months of “hard fighting” away, but the outcome is inevitable, a senior commander with the U.S.-led counter-ISIS coalition said Tuesday. “We are still in the fight for at least two or three months,” <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/general-defeat-of-isis-still-months-away-but-they-are-trapped">said French Brig. Gen. Frederic Parisot</a>, in a video briefing for Pentagon reporters from Baghdad. As of Tuesday, Operation Roundup is in its 84th day of what is intended to be the final offensive to wipe out ISIS remnants in the Middle Euphrates River Valley. The coalition estimates at least several hundred ISIS fighters are between the towns of Hajin and Abu Kamal near the Iraqi border.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Ivanka Trump is Shutting Down Her Fashion Brand</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/ivanka-trump/">Ivanka Trump</a>, President Donald Trump's daughter, is calling it quits on her fashion brand. The brand's 18 employees were informed Tuesday that the business would be ending for good. Ivanka Trump said she was hoping to avoid any potential conflicts of interest in the future and focus on her role in Washington. "When we first started this brand, no one could have predicted the success that we would achieve," Ivanka Trump said in an emailed statement to CNBC. The Ivanka Trump brand, which sells accessories like handbags, perfume and high heels, saw strong sales growth after its inception in 2014, current President Abigail Klem said. But with President Trump in the White House, critics of her father's politics have put Ivanka's brand at the center of boycotts and other protests. The brand was notably pulled from Nordstrom and Hudson's Bay in recent months, citing poor performance in stores.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Criticizes Media During Kansas City Rally</em></strong></p>
<p>The Veterans of Foreign Wars on Tuesday said the organization is "disappointed" with members who heckled the press during a speech by President Donald Trump at the 2018 VFW convention and were "happy" to have members of the media at the event. <a href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2018/07/24/watch_live_president_trump_speaks_at_vfw_national_convention_in_kansas_city.html">Trump during his speech</a> in Kansas City, Missouri, criticized the press, which led to boos and heckling of reporters covering the event. During Tuesday's speech, he called CNN "the worst" and criticized NBC News saying that a story they did was by "the lobbyists," but did not clarify what he meant. He went on to criticize the media as a whole and stayed in line with his "fake news" trope. "Just remember: what you’re seeing and what you're reading is not what’s happening," Trump said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Democrats Refuse to Meet with Kavanaugh</em></strong></p>
<p>Many Senate Democrats have refused to hold the traditional meet and greet events with Supreme Court nominee Judge Kavanaugh, arguing they have not received all of the millions of pages of documentation related to Kavanaugh’s time working in the Bush White House. Their shutout could ultimately delay the confirmation process and has prompted a threat from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to keep the Senate in session until Election Day if that time is needed to confirm Kavanaugh. Republicans want to confirm Kavanaugh by Oct. 1, which is the start of the next Supreme Court term. To show they mean business, Republican leaders have said they won’t adjourn for all-important campaigning this fall if Kavanaugh isn’t on track to make that deadline. Kavanaugh has been making the rounds in the Senate nearly every day since Trump nominated him on July 9. He’s sat down with nearly two dozen senators, but all were Republicans.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>White House Stops Announcing Calls with Foreign Leaders</em></strong></p>
<p>The White House has suspended the practice of publishing public summaries of President Trump’s phone calls with world leaders, two sources with knowledge of the situation tell CNN, bringing an end to a common exercise from Republican and Democratic administrations. The White House has not published any readouts of Trump calls with world leaders since his call with the prime minister of Hungary last month. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>2 Men on Motorcycle with Stolen Fish Tank Arrested</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Police in Ohio say two men on a motorcycle, with the passenger holding a large, boxed fish tank, have been arrested after an officer passed them while responding to a pet store's report of a stolen aquarium. The Niles, Ohio, police Facebook page says the passenger jumped off, breaking the aquarium when the officer turned to follow the motorcycle. Another officer found the bike at another location and a "nervous-looking" man pruning a tree with his bare hands behind a home. He was identified as the bike's operator. Niles Municipal Court officials say 52-year-old Mitchell Adkins and 46-year-old Christopher Binion have pleaded not guilty to theft charges. Binion also pleaded not guilty to traffic charges.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You Might Have Missed</span></strong></p>
<p>@MichaelAvenatti, July 24: “Mr. Davis is a good lawyer but his client Mr. Cohen is not innocent nor is he a victim. He is a co-conspirator dishonest thug who continues to refuse to come clean & do the right thing. They are playing you & aiming for a pardon. Where is the rest of the evidence & tapes? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Basta?src=hash">#Basta</a>”<br /><br /></p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, July 25: “What kind of a lawyer would tape a client? So sad! Is this a first, never heard of it before? Why was the tape so abruptly terminated (cut) while I was presumably saying positive things? I hear there are other clients and many reporters that are taped - can this be so? Too bad!”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-07-25T12:50:00ZWhite House Considers Revoking Security Clearances; Tsarnaev Lawyers Want Death Penalty TossedBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/White-House-Considers-Revoking-Security-Clearances;-Tsarnaev-Lawyers-Want-Death-Penalty-Tossed/-880110336580234930.html2018-07-24T11:48:00Z2018-07-24T11:48:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, July 24, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>White House Considers Revoking Security Clearances</em></strong></p>
<p>White House press secretary Sarah Sanders doubled down on congressional calls for former CIA Director John Brennan to lose his security. Sanders was asked Monday <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hl3BYDAiiNg">during the press briefing</a> if the president will “call for the removal of former director Brennan’s security clearance.” Sanders said not only is the White House looking at stripping Brennan’s security clearance, they are looking at stripping the clearances of a wide range of officials. “Not only is the president looking to take away Brennan’s security clearance, he is also looking into the clearances of Comey, Clapper, Hayden, Rice, and McCabe,” Sanders said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Tsarnaev Lawyers Want Death Penalty Tossed</em></strong></p>
<p>Lawyers for Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev have flagged roughly 30 issues they plan to raise when he appeals his death sentence, according to a recent legal filing. Tsarnaev’s lawyers requested that the Aug. 20 deadline for filing their highly anticipated brief be pushed back to Nov. 18, citing their ongoing analysis of some 10,000 pages of transcripts in the case. Tsarnaev, 25, was <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/04/08/tsarnaev-jury-begins-second-day-deliberations/t7KplwR18hH1RSuX1BQohM/story.html" target="_blank">convicted</a> in 2015 for his role in the April 2013 Marathon bombings, which killed three people including an 8-year-old boy and wounded more than 260 others. He was sentenced to death and is currently incarcerated at a federal supermax prison in Colorado.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Cuomo Pardons Ex-Felons to Avoid Deportation</em></strong></p>
<p>New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has <a href="https://www.nationalreview.com/news/andrew-cuomo-pardons-seven-illegal-immigrants-facing-deportation/">pardoned seven people</a> who had faced deportation because of crimes committed years ago. The Democrat announced the pardons on Monday, saying the state must protect its residents as the federal government wages what he calls an un-American assault on immigrants. The pardons are intended to prevent deportation or at least make it harder for federal immigration officials to proceed with the process. The governor's office says the seven people pardoned all turned their lives around following minor criminal convictions years ago. The list includes a 57-year-old man who was convicted of drug possession and intoxicated driving nearly 20 years ago and a 53-year-old man battling cancer who now faces deportation because of a 7-year-old conviction for attempted drug sales.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Poll: 56% Call Democrats Out of Step with Americans</em></strong></p>
<p>A majority of respondents in a new NBC/<em>Wall Street Journal</em> poll of registered voters said Democratic congressional candidates are out of step with most Americans. Asked whether Democratic candidates' approaches to the issues "are generally in the mainstream of most Americans' thinking, or are generally out of step with most Americans' thinking," 56 percent <a href="http://media1.s-nbcnews.com/i/today/z_creative/18570NBCWSJJulyPoll7-22-18Release.pdf" target="_blank">said</a> they are "out of step" and just one-third said they are "in the mainstream." These figures are a marked swing from July 2016, when only 42 percent of respondents said Democratic congressional candidates were out of step and 48 percent said they were in the mainstream.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Feds Have 12 Audio Tapes Seized in Cohen Raid</em></strong></p>
<p>Manhattan federal prosecutors now have 12 audio files seized in a raid on President Trump’s former personal attorney Michael Cohen, including a <a href="https://nypost.com/2018/07/20/michael-cohen-secretly-taped-trump-discussing-playmate-hush-money/">2016 chat between Cohen and Trump about hush money payments to an ex-Playboy model</a>, according to the Post. Manhattan federal prosecutors on Monday received a dozen taped conversations involving Cohen on Monday, according to a court filing. Among the tapes turned over is a secretly recorded chat Cohen made between him and Trump two months before the presidential election, discussing payments to ex-Playboy model Karen McDougal, according to a person with knowledge of the tapes. The 1998 “Playmate of the Year” claims she had a 10-month affair with Trump more than a decade ago.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>NFL, Players Association Freeze Anthem Rules Amid Talks</em></strong></p>
<p>The NFL's two-month-old national anthem policy is on hold. After it was reported that Miami Dolphins players who protest on the field during the anthem could be suspended for up to four games under a team policy, the league and the players union <a href="https://www.nflpa.com/news/joint-statement-on-anthem-policy">issued a joint statement</a> saying the two sides are talking things out. "The NFL and NFLPA, through recent discussions, have been working on a resolution to the anthem issue. In order to allow this constructive dialogue to continue, we have come to a standstill agreement on the NFLPA's grievance and on the NFL's anthem policy. No new rules relating to the anthem will be issued or enforced for the next several weeks while these confidential discussions are ongoing," the statement read. "The NFL and NFLPA reflect the great values of America, which are repeatedly demonstrated by the many players doing extraordinary work in communities across our country to promote equality, fairness, and justice. Our shared focus will remain on finding a solution to the anthem issue through mutual, good faith commitments, outside of litigation."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>First Lady Going on Road for ‘Be Best’ Children’s Campaign</em></strong></p>
<p>First Lady Melania Trump is going on the road to promote her “Be Best” campaign to help children. The first lady planned to advocate for her campaign Tuesday in Tennessee during a visit to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville on what will be her first domestic trip to highlight the initiative. Mrs. Trump was to participate in a discussion about babies born addicted to drugs, tour a neonatal intensive care unit and visit with patients. A week after the first lady announced the initiative she was hospitalized for kidney surgery. The first lady did promote “Be Best,” which focuses on children’s well-being, social media use, and opioid abuse when she accompanied the president to London this month. She has also discussed it during surprise visits in the Washington area, including an unannounced visit to Microsoft’s Innovation and Policy Center in Washington last week.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Senator Orrin Hatch Tells Google: I'm Not Dead and Here's the Proof</em></strong></p>
<p>Senator Orrin Hatch’s office had a surprising moment on Monday when they discovered the 84-year-old was listed by Google as having died in September 2017. Luckily, the senator and his team appeared to take the news of his untimely death well posting several messages to Google including one of the politician alive and well, reading the daily newspaper. “Hi @Google We might need to talk,” read <a href="https://twitter.com/senorrinhatch/status/1021592558756134912">a tweet from the senator’s office</a> sharing a screenshot of the Google information, before throwing out a number of tweets offering proof of life for the Republican politician.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Wildfire in Greece Kills at Least 50 People</em></strong></p>
<p>Wildfires raged through seaside resorts near the Greek capital, torching homes, cars and forests and killing at least 50 people, authorities said, raising the death toll Tuesday after finding 26 bodies believed to be family members huddled together, some of them hugging. Many tourists and residents fled toward the coastline to escape the ferocious flames and choking smoke. Authorities evacuated more than 700 people by sea overnight, said Merchant Marine deputy minister Nektarios Santorinios, whose ministry is in charge of the coast guard. But some didn’t make it to the beach. The head of Greece’s Red Cross, Nikos Oikonomopoulos, told Skai television that a Red Cross rescue team reported finding the 26 bodies in a compound northeast of Athens. In all, the death toll stood at 50 by Tuesday morning, government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Red Wine Could Have Radioactive Particles</em></strong></p>
<p>If your favorite California red wine was made any time after 2011, it may contain trace amounts of radioactive particles — from a nuclear disaster in Japan. In a <a href="https://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1807/1807.04340.pdf" target="_blank">recent study</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">,</span> French nuclear physicists reported that they tested <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/20/science/fukushima-radiation-levels-california-wine-nyt.html" target="_blank">18 bottles of rosé and cabernet sauvignon</a> from the years 2009 to 2012 and found radioactive traces from the disaster, according to the study and The New York Times. The levels of contamination in bottles of rosé were lower than in red wines. However, the contamination level was still “extremely low.” The California Department of Public Health said in a statement to The New York Times that “there were no health and safety concerns to California residents.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You Might Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@LannyDavis, July 23: “Latest news <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelCohen212">@MichaelCohen212</a> tapes of conversations are being released by <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump">@realDonaldTrump</a> & his legal team who own and waived the privilege. Will <a href="https://twitter.com/RudyGiuliani">@RudyGiuliani</a> call these tapes “exculpatory” again? As I noted before, the tapes will speak for themselves – spin can’t change facts.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, July 24: “Countries that have treated us unfairly on trade for years are all coming to Washington to negotiate. This should have taken place many years ago but, as the saying goes, better late than never!”<br /><br /></p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, July 24: “Tariffs are the greatest! Either a country which has treated the United States unfairly on Trade negotiates a fair deal, or it gets hit with Tariffs. It’s as simple as that - and everybody’s talking! Remember, we are the ‘piggy bank’ that’s being robbed. All will be Great!”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-07-24T11:48:00ZDiscussions are Underway to Bring Putin to Washington This Fall; Thirteen Dead as Missouri Storm Sinks Duck BoatBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Discussions-are-Underway-to-Bring-Putin-to-Washington-This-Fall;-Thirteen-Dead-as-Missouri-Storm-Sinks-Duck-Boat/-532481079963382776.html2018-07-20T12:30:00Z2018-07-20T12:30:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Friday, July 20, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Discussions are Underway to Bring Putin to Washington This Fall</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin could next meet in Washington as early as this fall, after White House press secretary Sarah Sanders confirmed on Thursday that plans are already in motion to extend an invitation. "In Helsinki, @POTUS agreed to ongoing working-level dialogue between the two security council staffs," Sanders wrote on Twitter. "President Trump asked @Ambjohnbolton to invite President Putin to Washington in the fall and those discussions are already underway," she continued, referring to national security adviser John Bolton. Sanders' confirmation follows <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/trump-says-hes-looking-forward-to-second-putin-meeting" target="_blank">a tweet from Trump on Thursday morning.</a> saying he was looking forward to the leaders' next series of discussions after their controversial meetings in Helsinki.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Oregon Voters to Decide ‘Sanctuary State’ Status in November</em></strong></p>
<p>Voters in Oregon will have the opportunity this November to decide the future of a decades-old sanctuary state law. The Oregon secretary of state's office on Tuesday <a href="https://twitter.com/oregonelections/status/1019333592948838400" target="_blank">qualified</a> for an initiative for the 2018 election ballot that would repeal a 1987 law that limits the "use of state [and] local law enforcement resources to enforce federal immigration laws," <a href="https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/07/sanctuary_state_repeal_initiat.html" target="_blank">according</a> to <em>The Oregonian</em>. The initiative which qualified to appear on the November ballot with <a href="http://egov.sos.state.or.us/elec/web_irr_search.record_detail?p_reference=20180022..LSCYYY." target="_blank">97,762 signatures</a>, well above the 88,184-signature threshold required was the culmination of a year-long signature-gathering petition by Oregonians for Immigration Reform (OFIR), an advocacy group seeking to curb immigration to levels that are "environmentally sustainable."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Thirteen Dead, Five Missing, as Missouri Storm Sinks 'Duck Boat'</em></strong></p>
<p>At least 13 people including children drowned after <a href="https://news.google.com/articles/CAIiEKxJeGazxYeiMepRDiT5tBcqGQgEKhAIACoHCAow0Yj_CjDpgvgCMOO15AU?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen">a tourist “duck boat” sank</a> in a storm on a lake in Missouri and authorities were set to resume a search on Friday for five missing. Divers will resume searching Table Rock Lake outside the town of Branson after the “Ride the Ducks” amphibious vehicle sank, Stone County Sheriff Doug Rader told reporters at a news conference late on Thursday. Video footage shot by a witness on shore showed strong waves tossing two duck boats side to side.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>MSNBC and CNN Employees Dominate White House Press Briefings</em></strong></p>
<p>The daily White House press briefing is meant to give a chance for reporters, from a variety of publications with their own perspectives and agendas, to ask the Trump administration various questions in the hopes of soliciting information for their respective outlets. In reality, a disturbing amount of these White House correspondents are also <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/07/19/msnbc-cnn-white-house-press-briefings/?utm_medium=push&utm_source=daily_caller&utm_campaign=push">employees of just two networks: CNN and MSNBC</a>. Research by The Daily Caller News Foundation found a total of at least nine members of the WH press corps who currently receive compensation for their commentary on CNN and MSNBC. Additionally, both MSNBC (as well as its parent network NBC) and CNN employ their own White House correspondents, meaning that these networks could have anywhere from eight to potentially a dozen employees at each daily briefing well over 10 percent of the total attendees.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Drop to More Than 48-and-a-Half-Year Low</em></strong></p>
<p>The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, hitting its lowest level in more than 48-1/2 years, as the labor market continues to strengthen. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 8,000 to a seasonally adjusted 207,000 for the week ended July 14, the lowest reading since early December 1969, the Labor Department said on Thursday. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Whoopi Goldberg and Jeanine Pirro Have ‘Explosive Argument’ Following On-Air Feud</em></strong></p>
<p>Whoopi Goldberg and Judge Jeanine Pirro got into a heated debate on ABC’s “The View” that became an “explosive argument” backstage, several <a href="https://pagesix.com/2018/07/19/whoopi-goldberg-and-jeanine-pirro-get-into-explosive-argument-at-the-view/">reports say</a>. The exchange began when guest co-host Ana Navarro asked Pirro, a Fox News Channel host, if she believed Trump embodied conservative ideals. “I’m not here to talk about what Donald Trump is or isn’t,” Pirro replied. She was scheduled to talk about her new book <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Liars, Leakers and Liberals: The Case Against the Anti-Trump Conspiracy</span>. “You gotta answer the question,” Goldberg insisted. “You want to talk about Donald Trump, you tell me what metric in this country is worse off? Unemployment is lower than it’s been in 50 years. Minorities, Hispanics, African-Americans have jobs when they haven’t…, ” Pirro said. Goldberg put her hands on her head during Pirro’s defense of President Trump. Sources said Goldberg and Pirro encountered each other backstage after the show and got into an “explosive argument” and Goldberg reportedly told Pirro to “Get the f–k out of this building.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Miami Dolphins Anthem Punishment Includes Suspensions</em></strong></p>
<p>Miami Dolphins players who protest on the field during the national anthem could be suspended for up to four games under <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/apnewsbreak-dolphins-anthem-punishment-includes-204904448.html?soc_trk=gcm&soc_src=5c839b50-00d3-37e8-a68f-7c03c48d7104&.tsrc=notification-brknews">a team policy</a> issued this week. The "Proper Anthem Conduct" section is just one sentence in a nine-page discipline document, which has not been made public. It classifies anthem protests under a large list of "conduct detrimental to the club," all of which could lead to a paid or unpaid suspension, a fine or both. Miami's anthem policy comes after the NFL decided in May that teams would be fined if players didn't stand during "The Star-Spangled Banner" while on the field. The league left it up to teams on how to punish players. None of the team policies have been made public. The NFL rule forbids players from sitting or taking a knee if they are on the field or sidelines during the national anthem but allows them to stay in the locker room if they wish.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Roseanne Continues to Talk About Valerie Jarrett Tweet</em></strong></p>
<p>Roseanne Barr spoke out relatively unapologetically about the vile Valerie Jarrett tweet that got her “<a href="https://pagesix.com/tag/roseanne" target="_blank">Roseanne</a>” <a href="https://pagesix.com/2018/05/30/roseanne-canceled-because-barrs-racist-tweets-were-unsurvivable/" target="_blank">reboot canceled</a>: “I thought the b—h was white!” After a loud groan, an agitated Barr lashes out at her interviewer when asked about her now-notorious tweet in which she claimed the former Barack Obama adviser was a creation of the Muslim Brotherhood and “Planet of the Apes.” Barr says in the clip, “I’m trying to talk about Iran! I’m trying to talk about Valerie Jarrett about the Iran deal. That’s what my tweet was about. I thought the b—h was white, goddammit. I thought the b—h was white. F–k!” The tweet got the “Roseanne” reboot canceled on May 29, after which Barr was initially extremely contrite and <a href="https://pagesix.com/2018/05/30/roseanne-barr-mocked-for-ambien-defense-in-racist-tweet-storm/" target="_blank">blamed Ambien for her scathing commentary</a>.</p>
<p> <br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You Might Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@RealDonald Trump, July 19: “Will the Dems and Fake News ever learn? This is classic!” <em>(referencing a clip from Hillary Clinton).</em></p>
<p>@JudgeJeanine, July 19: “After being invited on <a href="https://twitter.com/TheView">@TheView</a> this is what happened. This is an example of how the left is intolerant and this is why I wrote my book. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LiarsLeakersLiberals?src=hash">#LiarsLeakersLiberals</a>”</p>
<p>@KathyGriffin, July 19: “I love you <a href="https://twitter.com/WhoopiGoldberg">@WhoopiGoldberg</a>” <em>(responding to the feud between Whoopi and Judge Pirro)</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-07-20T12:30:00ZTrump: I Dream of Biden in 2020; New DHS Spending Bill Funds Border WallBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump:-I-Dream-of-Biden-in-2020;-New-DHS-Spending-Bill-Funds-Border-Wall/-415563759771948213.html2018-07-19T13:20:00Z2018-07-19T13:20:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, July 19, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump: I Dream of Biden in 2020</em></strong></p>
<p>President <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/donald-trump/">Trump</a> said Thursday that he relishes the prospect of running against former Vice President Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. “I dream about Joe Biden,” Trump told CBS Evening News. “Joe Biden ran three times. He never got more than 1 percent, and President Obama took him out of the garbage heap, and everybody was shocked that he did.” Biden has remained active on the political front, stumping with congressional candidates across the country and keeping open the possibility of running for the Democratic presidential nomination. The 75-year-old recently set a timetable for making a decision. “I know I have to make up my mind, and I have to do it by January,” Biden said. Polls have shown Biden as an early front-runner in what is expected to be a big field of 2020 Democratic presidential contenders and likely to include Sens. Bernard Sanders of Vermont, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, as well as Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kamala Harris of California.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>New DHS Spending Bill Funds Border Wall</em></strong></p>
<p>A House spending bill would provide $5 billion next year for building President Donald Trump's proposed border wall with Mexico. That's well above the $1.6 billion the Senate version of the measure provides, suggesting that a budget battle lies ahead. Trump's budget requested $1.6 billion for 2019 for the wall. Democrats have enough votes in the GOP-run Senate to block any spending they oppose. Without naming a figure, Trump said in April that he would "have no choice" but to force a government shutdown this fall if he doesn't get the border security money he wants.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>House Democrats Vote on Resolution Supporting ICE</em></strong></p>
<p>Most House Democrats voted “present” Tuesday on a resolution aimed at forcing them to clarify whether they support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after some Democrats have <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/these-democrats-want-to-abolish-ice" target="_blank">criticized the agency's role</a> in enforcing U.S. immigration laws. The House passed a nonbinding resolution saying lawmakers support the "officers and personnel who carry out the important mission of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement." A two-thirds majority was needed to pass it, and because Democrats voted "present" instead of "no," it passed easily in a 244-35 vote. The final vote saw just 18 Democrats vote for the resolution, and 34 Democrats vote against it. But the vast majority of Democrats, 133, voted "present."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>California Supreme Court Won’t Allow Vote on Splitting Up State</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://nypost.com/2018/06/13/californians-will-vote-on-breaking-state-into-three-parts/">A measure that would divide California into three parts</a> won’t appear on the November ballot, the state Supreme Court decided Wednesday, marking the latest defeat for a long-shot push to reimagine the nation’s most populous state. The justices ordered the secretary of state not to put the ballot initiative before voters, saying significant questions have been raised about its validity. “We conclude that the potential harm in permitting the measure to remain on the ballot outweighs the potential harm in delaying the proposition to a future election,” the justices wrote in a unanimous ruling.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>NFL Player Jurrell Casey: I’m Going to Take My Fine</em></strong></p>
<p>Despite a recently-imposed NFL rule regarding players and personnel behavior during the national anthem, one Tennessee Titans player reportedly says he’ll “take a fine this year” and continue to “protest during the flag.” NFL defensive end Jurrell Casey intends to keep holding up his fist in protest following the conclusion of the Star Spangled Banner, like he did during the 2017 season, regardless of the fines that may come his way, he told <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/18/sport/nfl-player-jurrell-casey-says-he-will-protest-on-field/index.html" target="_blank">CNN Sport</a> while attending an event in London on Wednesday. “I'm going to take my fine,” Casey told the outlet. “It is what it is, I ain't going to let them stop me from doing what I want to do. If they want to have these battles between players and organizations, this is the way it's going to be.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Calls for Turkey to Release U.S. Pastor</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump said Turkey’s failure to release an American pastor from prison was a “total disgrace” and called on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to intervene. A Turkish court on Wednesday refused to release the evangelical pastor, Andrew Brunson, with prosecutors claiming that he had had ties with separatist Kurdish militants. Brunson, who has been imprisoned since the failed coup attempt in July 2016, has denied charges of espionage and aiding Kurdish and Islamic terror groups. “He has been held hostage far too long,” Trump <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1019757603570806785">wrote in a tweet</a> on Wednesday night. Erdogan “should do something to free this wonderful Christian husband & father,” Trump continued. “He has done nothing wrong, and his family needs him!”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Dennis Rodman Wants to Bring Kanye West With Him to North Korea</em></strong></p>
<p>Dennis Rodman is inviting Kanye West with him on his next trip to North Korea and it turns out, the NBA legend has big plans to bring his fans with him too. Rodman said, “my agent called me and said, ‘Dennis, Kanye West gave you a good shoutout’ I said, ‘OK, great. I think he’s a big Chicago Bulls fan. I think that he respects me as far as understanding my views. And Kanye, he’s doing amazing work around the world so I respect him too. So hopefully one day we’ll get together and collaborate on certain things. Guess what, I’ll take Kanye West to North Korea with me.” Rodman continued: “Matter of fact, I’m going to invite him next time I go to North Korea. If the door’s open in September, I will invite Kanye West with me to go to North Korea with me.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Michelle Obama Launches Voter Registration Initiative</em></strong></p>
<p>Michelle Obama is jumping into the 2018 campaigns with a <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/07/18/michelle-obama-democrats-midterms-registration-drive-731621">voter registration initiative</a> that will be strictly nonpartisan — exciting and frustrating top Democrats who’d like the popular former first lady to actively campaign for candidates. The initiative, scheduled to be launched Thursday, is the result of months of quiet conversations and planning full of false starts and uncertainty about whether to go forward. It will have the former first lady appear in public service announcements and at live events throughout the country into the fall, according to multiple people informed of the plans. She’ll be joined by several A-list celebrities, including actor Tom Hanks, country stars Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Houston Rockets star Chris Paul, singer Janelle Monae and “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Alec Baldwin Chased by Waitress with Check After Dining at Hollywood Restaurant</em></strong></p>
<p>Actor Alec Baldwin was seen exiting Hollywood hotspot Craig’s alone in a casual black shirt and pants before being followed out by a waitress who appeared to be carrying his receipt and credit card. As seen in photos, the 60-year-old actor had already gotten into his car when the waitress confronted him with his card and unsigned bill. Baldwin hurriedly signed the receipt before being whisked off by his driver, and also before anyone pressed him to answer questions.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Chance the Rapper Purchases Local News Site</em></strong></p>
<p>Chance the Rapper has purchased the local news, food and culture website <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://chicagoist.com/" target="_blank">Chicagoist</a>,</span></em> announcing the news in his new song "I Might Need Security." Hip-hop stars boasting idly about buying things in their songs is as old as the genre itself, but the rapper really did buy the <em>Chicagoist</em> according to a report in sister site the <em>Gothamist</em>. Chance's Social Media LLC purchased the site from WYNC, the public radio station that was part of the consortium that purchased the -ist network of sites following bankruptcy in February. As well as the <em>Chicagoist</em> and<em> Gothamist</em>, the network includes <em>LAist </em>and <em>DCist</em>. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Dog with Terminal Cancer Gets Free Cheeseburgers for Life to Help Take Medication</em></strong></p>
<p>A dog and his family will get to spend the rest of his life with a little extra dose of kindness, thanks to a Toledo, Ohio, Burger King. The restaurant offered to give him free cheeseburgers for life to help with his medication after hearing his story. Cody, a beloved 10-year-old dog, was diagnosed with terminal cancer about two months ago, according to his owner. Since then, Alex Karcher says every day the family has gone by a Burger King to buy Cody a plain cheeseburger to make taking all of his medication a little easier and more enjoyable. In a message posted to Twitter, Karcher says when they stopped by the Burger King on Sunday, an employee asked them about buying a plain cheeseburger. When she heard the story, she asked them to wait, and then went to talk to a manager. Then she told the family that the rest of the cheeseburgers they buy for Cody would be free at that restaurant.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Tweets You Might Have Missed!</strong></span></p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, July 19: “The Democrats have a death wish, in more ways than one - they actually want to abolish ICE. This should cost them heavily in the Midterms. Yesterday, the Republicans overwhelmingly passed a bill supporting ICE!”</p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, July 19: “The Fake News Media wants so badly to see a major confrontation with Russia, even a confrontation that could lead to war. They are pushing so recklessly hard and hate the fact that I’ll probably have a good relationship with Putin. We are doing MUCH better than any other country!” </p>
<p>@DrudgeReport, July 19: “Releases list of more than 500 pieces of evidence against Manafort...”</p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-07-19T13:20:00ZMueller Plans to Grant Immunity to Witnesses Before Manafort Trial; Second Night of Protests Erupt Outside of White HouseBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Mueller-Plans-to-Grant-Immunity-to-Witnesses-Before-Manafort-Trial;-Second-Night-of-Protests-Erupt-Outside-of-White-House/-656668372380904154.html2018-07-18T12:22:00Z2018-07-18T12:22:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, July 18, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Mueller Plans to Grant Immunity to Witnesses Before Manafort Trial</em></strong></p>
<p>Special Counsel Robert Mueller plans to <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/07/17/mueller-immunity-manafort-witness/?utm_medium=push&utm_source=daily_caller&utm_campaign=push">grant immunity</a> to five witnesses who could testify at the upcoming trial for former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Mueller and his team of prosecutors revealed the use of the “limited immunity” offers in papers filed in federal court on Tuesday. Mueller is asking a federal judge to file the immunity records under seal in order to prevent the identities of the five witnesses from being made public. The court filing says that the five witnesses, who have not been publicly identified, have so far invoked their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Second Night of Protests Erupt Outside of White House After Trump-Putin Summit</em></strong></p>
<p>For the second night in a row, protesters gathered in front of the White House on Tuesday, this time joined by Stormy Daniels' lawyer Michael Avenatti and actress Alyssa Milano, who delivered speeches regarding President Donald Trump’s relationship with Russia and more. The #OccupyLafayettePark protest comes as a response to Trump’s apparent defense of Vladimir Putin at the Trump-Putin summit. On Monday, after the impromptu protest, videos and photos show protesters chanting "Putin's puppet" and "traitor" and carrying signs that read "liar." It is unclear how many people joined the protest, though people in attendance said there were "hundreds" who came on last-minute notice for the rally. Some <a href="https://twitter.com/BethesdaJuanita/status/1019032382584836096" target="_blank">protesters say</a> they plan to continue protesting outside the White House until Trump resigns. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>U.S. to Make More Drugs Easily Available Without the Help of Doctors</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Americans may soon be able to get cholesterol-lowering medications and other widely used prescription drugs without seeing a doctor, a first step in what could amount to sweeping changes to how patients access treatments for chronic conditions. The Food and Drug Administration in a draft guideline outlined how such a status, which the agency said could help lower health-care costs, would work. Patients could answer questions on a mobile-phone app to help determine whether they should be able to access a medication without a prescription. The proposal is meant to help companies start thinking about how they might seek approval for such drug sales. A new FDA <a href="https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=201804&RIN=0910-AH62" target="_blank">regulation</a> that would make the pathway official is expected next year. The move isn’t expected to lower the bar for shifting prescription drugs to over-the-counter status, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Japan, EU Sign Free Trade Pact Amid Worries About Trump</em></strong></p>
<p>Japan and the European Union <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=timNYkJD_Sk">signed a wide-ranging free trade deal</a> that both sides hope will act as a counterweight to the protectionist forces unleashed by U.S. President Donald Trump. The ambitious trade pact, which creates the world’s largest open economic area, comes amid fears that a trade war between the United States and China will diminish the role of free trade in the global economic order. “There are rising concerns about protectionism, but I want Japan and the EU to lead the world by bearing the flag of free trade,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said at a news conference after the signing ceremony.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Sacha Baron Cohen’s ‘Who Is America?’ Fails Among Viewers</em></strong></p>
<p>Having generated a lot of chatter recently, Sacha Baron Cohen and Showtime have caused a lot of hoopla around the debut of Cohen’s <a href="http://www.sho.com/video/62882/who-is-america-101-preview">Who Is America? </a>series, the 10 PM satire offering attracted a pretty meager viewership on July 15, at least on the small screen. Just 327,000 sets of eyes tuned in to the premium cable network on Sunday night to see the <em>Borat</em> star spoof Senator Bernie Sanders, gun activists, Trent Lott, supporters of Donald Trump and more. Among the key demographic of adults 18-49, <em>Who Is America?</em> pulled in a low 0.1 rating. That put the secretive and controversial <em>Who Is America?</em> in the hinterland of the 70th highest-rated original show on cable on July 15.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>73% of Democrats Want ‘A Fresh Face’ As 2020 Nominee</em></strong></p>
<p>Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden are among those touted as serious Democratic presidential contenders in 2020, but three-out-of-four Democrats think their party needs to turn to someone new. <a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/july_2018/73_of_democrats_want_a_fresh_face_as_2020_nominee">A new Rasmussen Reports</a> national telephone and online survey finds that 73% of Likely Democratic Voters believe their party should look for a fresh face to run for president in 2020. Just 16% disagree and think the party should promote a candidate who has already run in the past. Eleven percent (11%) are undecided. Among all likely voters, 65% say Democrats should find a new face for 2020, while only 19% think it should go with someone who has run for the White House before. Sixteen percent (16%) are not sure.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Lawsuits Claim MGM Has No Liability to Las Vegas Shooting Victims</em></strong></p>
<p>MGM Resorts International has filed federal lawsuits against more than 1,000 Las Vegas mass shooting victims in an effort to avoid liability. The company, which owns Mandalay Bay and the Route 91 Harvest festival venue, argues that it cannot be held liable for Oct. 1 deaths, injuries or other damages, adding that any <a href="https://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/homicides/lawsuit-filed-on-behalf-of-450-las-vegas-shooting-victims/" target="_blank">claims against MGM parties</a> “must be dismissed,” according to complaints filed Friday in Nevada and California. “Plaintiffs have no liability of any kind to defendants,” the complaints argue. The company cites a 2002 federal act that extends liability protection to any company that uses “anti-terrorism” technology or services that can “help prevent and respond to mass violence.” In this case, the company argues, the security vendor MGM hired for Route 91, Contemporary Services Corp., was protected from liability because its services had been certified by the Department of Homeland Security for “protecting against and responding to acts of mass injury and destruction.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Middle-Income Students ‘Less Represented’ at America’s Top Colleges</em></strong></p>
<p>Middle-income student enrollment rates are falling at top colleges, while low-income student enrollment rates have increased. A <a href="http://www.aei.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Low-Income-Students-at-Selective-Colleges.pdf" target="_blank">study</a> released last week by the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) found that middle-income student enrollment at America’s top 200 colleges fell between 2000 and 2016. The study says, “it is middle-income students, not low-income students, who are becoming less represented on these campuses.” Jason Delisle, co-author of the study said, “In terms of middle-class students, it looks like that is the one group we can pretty clearly say from our data is shrinking at these schools.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Chicago Could Soon Test Universal Income Program</em></strong></p>
<p>Chicago may soon become the largest municipality in the U.S. to test a universal basic income program. Chicago Alderman Ameya Pawar recently proposed legislation that would provide 1,000 families with a $500 monthly stipend -- no questions asked. The bill already has the backing of the majority of city lawmakers, and Pawar hopes to soon work with Mayor Rahm Emanuel to implement the pilot program, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/07/16/chicago-universal-basic-income-ubi/" target="_blank">The Intercept</a> reported. “<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2016/09/23/survey-69-of-americans-have-less-than-1000-in-savings-infographic/#751319021ae6" target="_blank">Nearly 70 percent</a> of Americans don’t have $1,000 in the bank for an emergency,” Pawar told the outlet. “UBI could be an incredible benefit for people who are working and are having a tough time making ends meet or putting food on the table at the end of the month.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Employee Gifted Car After Walking to Work</em></strong></p>
<p>A U.S. company owner gave an employee a new car after he went the extra mile, 20 miles in fact, walking all night to make his first day at work. After his own car broke down, Walter Carr made the long commute by foot through the suburbs of Birmingham, Alabama, to his new job in removals. A police officer spoke to Carr en route to work and impressed by his grit, took him to get some breakfast. Luke Marklin, the chief executive of the moving company, Bellhops, drove from Tennessee over the weekend to meet his new employee. After chatting over a cup of coffee, Marklin handed Carr the keys to his own 2014 Ford Escape.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Southwest Airlines Debuts Special Paint Jobs for Shark Week</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://investors.southwest.com/news-and-events/news-releases/2018/07-09-2018-150757726">Southwest Airlines</a> passengers may notice a special paint job on some jets in honor of the 30th anniversary of Shark Week on the Discovery Channel. Five planes are now sporting a variety of unique liveries, with each dedicated to a specific kind of shark. The types of shark include: the great white, hammerhead, mako, tiger and bull. Southwest passengers also got a chance to watch the premiere of a Shark Week episode. Shark Week content will remain available via the airline’s onboard entertainment portal. Shark Week airs on the Discovery Channel between July 22 and 29. Southwest is encouraging people who spot the planes to share their photos with the hashtag “#SharksTakeFlight.”<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>ADHD Study Links Teens’ Symptoms with Digital Media Use</em></strong></p>
<p>The more teens check social media and stream video, the more likely they might develop symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a study suggests. The study, <a href="http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/10.1001/jama.2018.8931" target="_blank">published in the medical journal JAMA</a> on Tuesday, sheds light on how more research is needed to determine whether symptoms of the disorder, commonly called ADHD, are possibly caused by digital media use. The researchers found that, on average, 10.5 percent of the students who reported engaging in digital media activities reported ADHD symptoms. By comparison, only 4.6 percent of the students who reported not engaging in any of the digital media activities also reported ADHD symptoms throughout the study.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You Might Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p>@realdonaldtrump, July 18, 2018: “3.4 million jobs created since our great Election Victory - far greater than ever anticipated, and only getting better as new and greatly improved Trade Deals start coming to fruition!”</p>
<p>@realdonaldtrump, July 18, 2018: “Some people HATE the fact that I got along well with President Putin of Russia. They would rather go to war than see this. It’s called Trump Derangement Syndrome!”</p>
<p>@Comey, July 17: “This Republican Congress has proven incapable of fulfilling the Founders’ design that “Ambition must ... counteract ambition.” All who believe in this country’s values must vote for Democrats this fall. Policy differences don’t matter right now. History has its eyes on us.”</p>
<p>@NancyPelosi, July 17: “President Trump’s attempt to walk back the dangerous, disgraceful & damaging show of his Blame America First policy embarrasses our nation even further. After watching the President cower in front of Putin, the American people now deserve to know what Trump will do now.”</p>
<p>@MichaelAvenatti, July 18: “We had a tremendous crowd last night. Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/PhilippeReines">@PhilippeReines</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamParkhomenko">@AdamParkhomenko</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Alyssa_Milano">@Alyssa_Milano</a> and so many others for making it a reality. We must all demand answers as to why Mr. Trump continues to choose Putin and Russia over us! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Basta?src=hash">#Basta</a>”</p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-07-18T12:22:00ZOcasio-Cortez Says that Israel is Occupying Palestine; The U.S. Is Open to Meeting with the TalibanBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Ocasio-Cortez-Says-that-Israel-is-Occupying-Palestine;-The-U.S.-Is-Open-to-Meeting-with-the-Taliban/229498226755423312.html2018-07-17T11:17:00Z2018-07-17T11:17:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, July 17, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>The U.S. Is Open to Meeting with the Taliban</em></strong></p>
<p>The United States is open to holding direct talks with the Taliban to encourage negotiations between the militant group and the Afghan government to end 17 years of war, U.S. officials said. A Taliban official in the small Gulf Arab nation of Qatar told The Associated Press on Monday that no American official or intermediary has been in touch with them to start direct talks, and it had only heard of it in the media. The administration’s willingness to hold direct talks with the Taliban was first reported by <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/15/world/asia/afghanistan-taliban-direct-negotiations.html">The New York Times on Sunday</a>. The Taliban official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity because he was authorized to speak to journalists, said, “We wait for them to officially inform us.” But he added that if the U.S. is interested in talks, it should take steps to get Taliban leaders off a sanctions blacklist and support the formal opening of the Taliban office in Qatar where its political representatives reside.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>GOP Leaders Considering “Support ICE” Bill</em></strong></p>
<p>House Republicans have abandoned a plan to vote on a Democrat-sponsored bill to terminate the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency after <a href="http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/gop-messaging-vote-on-democrat-bill-to-abolish-ice-to-backfire">the bill’s authors said they and their colleagues would vote against it</a>. GOP leaders are still planning to hold a vote on a resolution on Wednesday with Louisiana GOP Rep. Clay Higgins expressing the House’s support for all ICE officers and personnel and denouncing calls to completely abolish the agency.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Ocasio-Cortez Says that Israel is Occupying Palestine</em></strong></p>
<p>In an <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/07/16/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-israel-palestine/" target="_blank">appearance</a> on PBS’s <em>Firing Line </em>Friday, New York Democratic congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez characterized the ongoing Israeli–Palestinian conflict as an “occupation” before ultimately conceding that she was not entirely familiar with the geopolitical particulars. Asked to further explain her use of the word “occupation,” the 28-year-old socialist hesitated before she said, “I am not the expert on geopolitics on this issue.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>“Lava Bomb” Injures 23 People on Hawaii Tour Boat</em></strong></p>
<p>At least 23 people were injured Monday morning after a lava explosion sent rocks and other debris flying into the air onto a tour boat in waters off the coast of Kapoho, which is located on the Big Island according to Hawaii County officials. A 'basketball-sized' lava bomb punctured the roof of the tour boat, which was carrying about 49 passengers while observing Kilauea's Kapoho ocean entry point, leaving a large hole and seriously injuring at least one woman. The lava explosion stems from <a href="http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/38627191/10-weeks-after-eruptions-started-lava-covers-more-homes-school">ongoing eruptions</a> from Kilauea that began May 3. Since then, more than 700 homes have been claimed and many communities rendered unrecognizable. And just a few days ago, lava from one of the most active fissures began forming <a href="http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/38644251/ongoing-eruptions-on-the-big-island-create-a-tiny-new-island">a tiny island of lava</a> off of Kapoho.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Who’s to Blame for Russia Election Meddling?</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump said after meeting Vladimir Putin on Monday he saw no reason to believe his own intelligence agencies rather than trust the Kremlin leader on the question of whether <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-russia-summit/trump-backs-putin-on-election-meddling-at-summit-stirs-fierce-criticism-idUSKBN1K601D">Russia interfered to help him win the 2016 election</a>. Instead, he denounced the “stupidity” of his own country’s policy, especially the decision to investigate election interference. Trump’s performance was denounced as “treasonous” by a former CIA chief and condemned as “shameful” by a Republican senator, although other Republicans were more cautious.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Rasmussen's Presidential Tracking Poll</em></strong></p>
<p>The Rasmussen Reports Daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Monday shows that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters approve of President Trump’s job performance. Fifty-four percent (54%) disapprove. The latest figures include 33% who Strongly Approve of the way Trump is performing and 46% who Strongly Disapprove. When the Trump-Putin summit was first announced in June, <a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/russia/38_of_voters_optimistic_about_proposed_trump_putin_summit" target="_self">38% of voters thought a meeting between the two world leaders would be good for the United States</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>McCain Blasts Trump-Putin Press Conference</em></strong></p>
<p>Sen. John McCain called President Trump’s press conference “one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory.” The Arizona Republican says the summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki was “a tragic mistake.” The senator says Trump proved not only unable, “but unwilling to stand up to Putin.” And he said Trump and Putin “seemed to be speaking from the same script” as Trump made a “conscious choice to defend a tyrant.” McCain, who has been away from the Senate as he battles brain cancer, said the damage inflicted by Trump’s “naiveté, egotism, false equivalence, and sympathy for autocrats is difficult to calculate.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Deputy Held up by “Grandpa” Tortoise</em></strong></p>
<p>A deputy in Florida was held up in traffic Sunday thanks to one incredibly slow “pedestrian” walking in the middle of the road. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mcsoflorida/videos/1908473992506533/">A video shared on Facebook</a> by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office shows Deputy Bryan Bowman ranting about the guy in front of him, who is going “one mile per hour in a thirty mile per hour zone.” Bowman says that the offender is “easily a hundred” and shouldn’t even be on the road in the first place. He then turns the camera to show the culprit which turns out to be a tortoise strolling in the middle of the road. “C’mon grandpa, I got places to be,” Bowman jokes as he drives along slowly behind the animal.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Investigation into Weeping Virgin Mary Statue</em></strong></p>
<p>The Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces continues to investigate a Virgin Mary sculpture in a Hobbs church that appears to be weeping. The sculpture, which stands in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, has been attracting attention worldwide since visitors first reported the fluid in May. Bishop Oscar Cantu of the diocese said on Friday that a sample of the fluid collected from the sculpture was sent for chemical analysis, and it was determined that it was olive oil, the <a href="https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/local/2018/07/15/investigative-team-examines-tears-weeping-hobbs-statue/785843002/">Las Cruces Sun-News reported</a>. "Some of the witnesses claimed it smelled of roses, so something similar to the oil I bless and consecrate each year that we use for baptism, for confirmations and for ordination of the priests," Cantu said. That fact doesn't preclude the occurrence from being deemed a church miracle. But an investigation is underway to determine whether there was a natural cause behind the liquid found on the hollow bronze sculpture, Cantu said. The diocese also examined the interior of the statue and determined nothing irregular, Cantu said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Town Tosses 'Footloose' Anti-Dancing Law</em></strong></p>
<p>Officials in a western Arkansas city say residents can finally kick off their Sunday shoes. Fort Smith city directors recently repealed a 1953 ordinance that essentially <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/lose-blues-town-tosses-footloose-anti-dancing-law-163615286.html">outlawed public dancing on Sundays</a>. Locals who knew about the law called it the "Footloose" ordinance, nicknamed for the 1984 movie starring Kevin Bacon about a town that banned dancing and rock music. City Director Andre Good introduced the repeal after a resident told him about the antiquated law, which barred the operation of public dance halls or any place with dancing on Sundays. The ordinance came amid a series of blue laws established in Arkansas that banned all sales and most labor on Sundays, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tweets You Might Have Missed!</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/APEntertainment" target="_blank">@APEntertainment</a>, July 17: “PROUD OF PROTESTS: Talking at the #MammaMiaHereWeGoAgain world premiere in <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23London" target="_blank">#London</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Cher" target="_blank">#Cher</a> says she was “proud” of the U.K. protests at <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23PresidentTrump" target="_blank">#PresidentTrump</a>’s recent visit.”</p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, July 16: “A productive dialogue is not only good for the United States and good for Russia, but it is good for the world. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HELSINKI2018?src=hash">#HELSINKI2018</a>”</p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, July 16 “I would rather take a political risk in pursuit of peace, than to risk peace in pursuit of politics. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HELSINKI2018?src=hash">#HELSINKI2018</a>”</p>
<p>@RealDonaldTrump, July 16: “As I said today and many times before, “I have GREAT confidence in MY intelligence people.” However, I also recognize that in order to build a brighter future, we cannot exclusively focus on the past – as the world’s two largest nuclear powers, we must get along! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HELSINKI2018?src=hash">#HELSINKI2018</a>”</p>
<p>@SenJohnMcCain, July 16: “Today’s press conference in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Helsinki?src=hash">#Helsinki</a> was one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory.”</p>
<p>@HillaryClinton July 15: “Great World Cup. Question for President Trump as he meets Putin: Do you know which team you play for?”</p>
<p>@HillaryClinton, July 16 (responding to her previous tweet): “Well, now we know.”<br /><br />@JohnBrennan, July 16: "<span>Donald Trump’s press conference performance in Helsinki rises to & exceeds the threshold of “high crimes & misdemeanors.” It was nothing short of treasonous. Not only were Trump’s comments imbecilic, he is wholly in the pocket of Putin. Republican Patriots: Where are you???"</span></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-07-17T11:17:00ZPutin and Trump Arrive late for Helsinki Summit; GOP Volunteers Kicked Out of UberBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Putin-and-Trump-Arrive-late-for-Helsinki-Summit;-GOP-Volunteers-Kicked-Out-of-Uber/-687545052324133570.html2018-07-16T11:36:00Z2018-07-16T11:36:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Monday, July 16, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Putin and Trump Arrive late for Helsinki Summit</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-russia-summit/trump-blames-u-s-foolishness-and-stupidity-for-poor-russia-ties-ahead-of-putin-summit-idUSKBN1K601D">blamed “U.S. foolishness”</a> for souring relations between Washington and Moscow on Monday, shortly before he is expected to sit down with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump said previous U.S. administrations — and not Moscow — were to blame for a steep decline in U.S.-Russia relations in recent years. The official Twitter account of the Russian foreign ministry liked the tweet, shortly before posting a response saying: "We agree." The U.S. president’s comments appeared to show just how much domestic political pressure he is under ahead of a much-anticipated meeting with his Russian counterpart in Helsinki.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Claims Credit for Boosting NATO Defense</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump is <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/07/16/latest-trump-claims-credit-for-boosting-nato-defense.html">claiming credit</a> for bolstering NATO as he heads into a day of meetings with Russia's Vladimir Putin. Trump rocked a NATO summit last week when he lambasted members for failing to meet defense spending pledges and questioned the value of the alliance before doing a 180 and embracing it. But Trump says in a tweet that he's received "many calls from leaders of NATO countries" thanking him for helping "to get them focused on financial obligations, both present & future." Trump says, "We had a truly great Summit" and claims it was "inaccurately covered by much of the media."</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>GOP Volunteers Kicked Out of Uber</em></strong></p>
<p>Six Republican campaign volunteers say they were kicked out of an Uber on Saturday as their driver told them “welcome to the resistance.” The six volunteers were told halfway to their destination in Raleigh, North Carolina, to exit the vehicle at a gas station because the driver “had the right to deny us service,” Mary Russell, one of the riders in the Uber told <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/07/15/uber-driver-republican-volunteers-resistance/">The Daily Caller News Foundation</a>. The six riders exited the car and were told “welcome to the resistance” as the driver drove away. “I reviewed the relevant <a href="https://www.uber.com/legal/community-guidelines/us-en/" target="_blank">policy</a> of Uber and we did not use ‘inappropriate and abusive language or gestures’ that would result in the early termination of a ride,” Russell said. “This type of discrimination against politically oriented conservatives should be against the policy of Uber.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Conservative Group Launches Project to Oppose Sexist Attacks in Women in Politics</em></strong></p>
<p>White House press secretary Sarah Sanders and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., aren't exactly friends, but you'll find them in close quarters on a new website. Independent Women's Voice, the 501(c)(4) nonprofit affiliate of the conservative Independent Women's Forum, recently launched Champion Women, a project described on its <a href="http://www.championwomen.com/" target="_blank">site</a> as "a movement committed to championing the ideas and amplifying the voices of all women." Alongside Sanders and Gillibrand, you'll find HLN host Ashleigh Banfield, Carly Fiorina, and other women from across the political spectrum. "We've all noticed how degraded the public conversation has become, and especially it became clear when it came to how women were being discussed in the political arena. The responses to women were obviously coarse, sexualized, personal, ad hominem, and to some degree, we were becoming used to it," IWV President Tammy Bruce told me by phone on Thursday, explaining what motivated her group to launch the project.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Internal FBI Employee Survey Shows Plummeting Faith in Bureau Leadership</em></strong></p>
<p>An annual survey of FBI employees found a sharp decline in confidence in bureau leadership amid a series of scandals, results published Sunday indicate. Although pride in working at the FBI remained about the same, faith in the "honesty and integrity" of senior executives plummeted -- going from an average employee rating of more than four out of five in 2017 to 3.5 out of five this year at the FBI's 56 field offices. The survey data was collected in February and March amid significant internal uncertainty about the fate of top leaders including then-Deputy Director Andrew McCabe and FBI agent Peter Strzok.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Dennis Rodman Booed for North Korea Joke</em></strong></p>
<p>Dennis Rodman was reportedly booed at a comedy roast, when he made a joke about North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. At a taping Saturday for the "The Comedy Central Roast of Bruce Willis," the NBA star knocked the actor's Hollywood career. "You keep making these bomb movies like Kim, but at least he is smart enough not to release his," Rodman said. That joke was met by boos, <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/dennis-rodman-booed-at-bruce-willis-roast-1127188?utm_source=Direct" target="_blank">according to the Hollywood Reporter.</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/dennis-rodman-booed-at-bruce-willis-roast-1127188?utm_source=Direct" target="_blank"><br /><br /></a></p>
<p><strong><em>P---y Riot Charged After On-Field Protest Delays World Cup</em></strong></p>
<p>Protest group P---y Riot, long a thorn in Vladimir Putin's side, claimed responsibility Sunday for four people who brought the <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/2018-world-cup-final-france-defeats-croatia-4-2-to-capture-title-today-2018-07-15/" target="_blank">World Cup</a> final to a brief halt by running onto the field dressed in police uniforms as the Russian president and a global audience watched. Stewards tackled the three women and one man who charged onto the field simultaneously in the 52nd minute of one of the world's most viewed sporting events. Croatia defender Dejan Lovren pushed the man, helping a steward to detain him, and suggested the incident put Croatia off its game. Croatia was 2-1 down when the protest happened and eventually lost 4-2 to France. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Tweet Inspires "National Blue Cheese Dressing Day"</em></strong></p>
<p>The founder of Buffalo's annual chicken wing festival is offering foodies another reason to indulge — with the creation of National Blue Cheese Dressing Day. The inaugural celebration is Monday. Founder Drew Cerza, known as Buffalo's "wing king," says the idea for a national holiday grew from a tweet sent out on National Ranch Dressing Day in March. The post from Frank's RedHot sauce paired buffalo wings and ranch dressing. In Buffalo, where the appetizer was created, blue cheese is the preferred dip for wings. In honor of Blue Cheese Dressing Day, fans at the evening's Buffalo Bisons' baseball game will have a chance to bob for wings in pools of blue cheese dressing. The team's blue cheese character mascot will be ceremonially inducted into the Buffalo Wing Hall of Fame.<br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>Rapper Buys Every Seat in House, Takes Strangers to Movies</em></strong></p>
<p>A Maine rapper surprised moviegoers with free tickets to a sci-fi satire movie. Rory Ferreira, who goes by the stage name Milo, bought all 129 seats to the 4:20 p.m. showing of the movie "Sorry to Bother You" at a theater in Portland, Maine, on Saturday. The Portland Press Herald reports employees told patrons they could see a movie for free as they arrived at the theater. Ferreira says he was inspired by the movie's director, Boots Riley, to do something good for society. Ferreira, of Biddeford, also attended the movie, and tweeted an invite for anyone interested to "catch a flick wit me."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Finnish Brewery Creates Quirky Beer for Trump-Putin Summit</em></strong></p>
<p>A small Finnish craft brewery is paying a humorous tribute to the Helsinki summit. RPS Brewing has issued a limited-edition lager depicting cartoon U.S. and Russian presidents on its label, with text for Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin saying "Let's Settle This Like Adults" and "Making Lager Great Again." The beer has been in high demand since it hit the shelves nationwide a few days ago and the whole 10,000-bottle lot had been sold out ahead of Monday's summit. Samples have also been delivered to the U.S. and Russian embassies in Helsinki. CEO Samuli Huuhtanen told The Associated Press on Saturday that "a couple of good beers can help any negotiations."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Rhode Island Governor to Hold Office Hours at the Beach</em></strong></p>
<p>Rhode Island's governor says she's holding summer office hours at the beach. Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo will hold the first event Monday at Scarborough State Beach in Narragansett, RI. She'll be joined by members of her Office of Constituent Services to help connect residents with various services. Raimondo says she looks forward to hosting office hours and hearing directly from residents at some of the state's most popular destinations. She plans to go to East Matunuck State Beach on July 23 and Lincoln Woods State Park on Aug. 3.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">NOTABLE TWEETS:</span></strong></p>
<p>@THEWHITEHOUSE, JULY 15: “President Trump is in Helsinki, Finland. This morning he will meet with the President of the Republic of Finland. Then later today he will have a bilateral meeting with the President of the Russian Federation.”</p>
<p>@REALDONALDTRUMP, JULY 16: “Our relationship with Russia has NEVER been worse thanks to many years of U.S. foolishness and stupidity and now, the Rigged Witch Hunt!”</p>
<p>@TPKANSLIA, JULY 16: “President <a href="https://twitter.com/niinisto">@Niinisto</a> and Mrs <a href="https://twitter.com/JenniHaukio">@JenniHaukio</a> welcomed <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS">@POTUS</a> Donald Trump and Mrs Melania Trump to the Mäntyniemi Residence. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HELSINKI2018?src=hash">#HELSINKI2018</a>”</p>
<p>(Respnding to @TPKANSLIA) @REALDONALDTRUMP, JULY 16: “It was an honor to join you this morning. Thank you!”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-07-16T11:36:00ZTrump on Putin Meeting: "I Go in with Low Expectations"; Protesters Attack Trump at His Golf Course in ScotlandBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-on-Putin-Meeting:-I-Go-in-with-Low-Expectations;-Protesters-Attack-Trump-at-His-Golf-Course-in-Scotland/-358607025950898900.html2018-07-15T14:45:00Z2018-07-15T14:45:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, July 15, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump on Putin Meeting: "I Go in with Low Expectations"</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump is keeping expectations in check in advance of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to <a href="https://secure-fly.cbsnews.com/news/cbs-news-jeff-glor-interviews-president-trump-scotland-ahead-of-putin-meeting/">an interview with "CBS Evening News"</a> anchor Jeff Glor. "I go in with low expectations," Trump said. "I'm not going with high expectations." Asked about his goals for the meeting, Trump said only, "I'll let you know after the meeting," promising "nothing bad" is going to come out of the world leaders' discussion. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Theresa May: Trump Told Me to "Sue the EU" over Brexit</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump advised British Prime Minister Theresa May to "sue" the European Union in the tense negotiations over Britain's exit from the bloc, May said on Sunday. Trump told reporters Friday at a joint press conference with May that he had given the British leader a suggestion that she found too "brutal." Asked Sunday on <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-44838028" target="_blank">the BBC's Andrew Marr Show</a> what that suggestion was, May said with an amused expression: "He told me I should sue the EU. Not go into negotiation, sue them." She added: "What the president also said at that press conference was, 'Don't walk away. Don't walk away from the negotiations. Then you're stuck.'" </p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Protesters Attack Trump at His Golf Course in Scotland</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump was confronted by mass protests in the UK, as some 10,000 people gathered in the streets of the Scottish capital Edinburgh. <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-44829539">The BBC wrote</a> that protesters assembled on the perimeter of Trump’s Turnberry golf course and booed and chanted “No Trump, no KKK, no racist USA” as he played a round of golf. The visit to his golf property kicked off late Friday when a paragliding Greenpeace protester soared in the restricted airspace above the resort, prompting Trump to briefly run for cover. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2018/jul/14/well-below-par-protesting-paraglider-flies-over-trumps-scotland-resort-video">The Guardian reported</a> that a banner wielded by the protester read: “Trump: Well Below Par. #RESIST.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>HHS is Expediting Their Plan to Reunite Migrant Children</em></strong></p>
<p>The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is defending its expedited plan to reunite separated migrant children with their parents, claiming that its truncated vetting procedures are necessary to comply with court orders. A spokeswoman for the agency said Saturday that HHS is not undertaking "fuller" vetting procedures because of a court decision <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/396990-more-than-2500-migrant-children-waiting-to-be-reunited-with-parents">requiring the agency</a> to reunite roughly 2,500 migrant children with their parents by July 26.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Violent Protests in Chicago after Man Shot Dead by Police</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>A violent clash broke out late Saturday in Chicago’s predominately black South Side neighborhood after police shot and killed a man whom they suspected was carrying a firearm. A crowd of about 150 residents shouted “murderers” and obscenities, local media reports said. They tossed rocks, bottles and jumped on police cars as the protest escalated near the crime scene in the 2000 block of 71st Street. Officers armed with batons squared off with the protestors with punches thrown on both sides. Officials said three or four officers suffered minor injuries and one patrol car was damaged, and four protesters were arrested.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Poll Shows that Kavanaugh Draws Cooler Reviews Than Trump’s Last SCOTUS Pick</em></strong></p>
<p>Judge Brett Kavanaugh, Trump’s choice for the Supreme Court, is drawing mixed initial reviews, starting out with less support than Neil Gorsuch did in 2017, <a href="https://big.assets.huffingtonpost.com/athena/files/2018/07/13/5b48eea7e4b0e7c958fb19a2.pdf">a new HuffPost/YouGov poll finds</a>. Americans are split roughly in thirds on Trump’s decision to nominate Kavanaugh: about a third approving, a third disapproving, and another third saying they’re not sure. They’re similarly divided on what action they’d like their senators to take, with 33 percent saying they want them to vote in favor, 31 percent against him, and 36 percent unsure.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Disabled Community Criticizes Starbucks for Ditching Plastic Straws</em></strong></p>
<p>The disabled community is pushing back on Starbucks’ decision to ditch plastic straws and replace them with sippy cup-like plastic tops, claiming that straws are the only way for some disabled individuals to consume food and drink. "Plastic straws are an accessible way for people with certain disabilities to consume food and drinks, and it seems the blanket bans are not taking into account that they need straws and also that plastic straw replacements are not accessible to people,” Katherine Carroll, a policy analyst at the Center for Disability Rights, <a href="http://time.com/5335955/plastic-straws-disabled/" target="_blank">told Time magazine</a>.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-07-15T14:45:00ZBill de Blasio in Trouble with Border Patrol; Stormy Daniels Arrested at Ohio Strip ClubBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Bill-de-Blasio-in-Trouble-with-Border-Patrol;-Stormy-Daniels-Arrested-at-Ohio-Strip-Club/594420854281646845.html2018-07-12T13:50:00Z2018-07-12T13:50:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, July 12, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Bill de Blasio in Trouble with Border Patrol</em></strong></p>
<p>New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio was accused of violating federal immigration law for both the U.S. and Mexico for illegally crossing the border on foot near El Paso, Texas, in June. U.S. Customs and Border Protection levied the allegations against the Democrat in a letter obtained by the <a href="https://apnews.com/f65ed6b3027046dd8e7068b76d56e778" target="_blank">Associated Press</a>. De Blasio’s office continues to deny the allegations, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/07/11/border-protection-says-nyc-mayor-deblasio-crossed-border-illegally.html" target="_blank">according</a> to Fox News. De Blasio was visiting the border on June 21 to oppose the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance policy and the policy of family separations. De Blasio was originally denied entrance into an immigrant detention facility and ended up crossing the border into Mexico and then crossing back into the U.S., Fox News reported. The mayor was accompanied by his NYPD security detail at the time.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Stormy Daniels Arrested at Ohio Strip Club</em></strong></p>
<p>Adult film star Stormy Daniels was arrested on Wednesday while performing at a strip club in Ohio, according to her lawyer, who called the arrest a “politically motivated” setup. Daniels was arrested while performing at the Sirens Gentlemen’s Club in Columbus, Ohio, after she allegedly allowed “a customer to touch her while on stage,” her attorney, Michael Avenatti, said in a tweet Thursday. “Just rcvd word that my client @StormyDaniels was arrested in Columbus Ohio [while] performing the same act she has performed across the nation at nearly a hundred strip clubs,” Avenatti tweeted early Thursday. “This was a setup & politically motivated. It reeks of desperation. We will fight all bogus charges. #Basta.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Border Patrol Agents Attacked with Rocks While Rescuing Pregnant Woman</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Border Patrol agents who were rescuing a distressed pregnant woman in Texas on Saturday were attacked by rocks thrown by an illegal immigrant, officials said. Agents with the Weslaco Station saw a group of people who had previously been unable to enter the U.S. climbing a tree to enter the country through Custom and Border Protection's (CBP) Port of Entry in Progreso, Mexico, the agency said in a Wednesday <a href="https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/rio-grande-valley-agents-rocked-during-rescue-pregnant-woman" target="_blank">news release</a>. The agents reportedly approached the area, where they saw two people on top of a bridge and a 25-year-old female Mexican national at the bottom of the tree. The woman claimed she was pregnant and that her back hurt. The Rio Grande Valley border agents began to assist the woman, and, according to CBP, one of the people on top of the bridge started throwing rocks at them. The responding agents relocated the woman to a safe location and she was transported to a hospital. Those who allegedly threw the rocks "fled back to Mexico," the press release stated.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Admitted Killers, Gang Members Resettled During Obama-Era Child Migrant Surge</em></strong></p>
<p>Admitted killers, human smugglers, and gang members were among thousands of unaccompanied minors that the Obama administration processed during a surge of migrant children across the southwest border in 2014. Judicial Watch, a Washington, D.C.-based investigative organization, <a href="https://www.judicialwatch.org/document-archive/hhs-records-unaccompanied-alien-children-fy-2014/" target="_blank">published</a> nearly 1,000 Significant Incident Reports (SIR) on Monday, after a three-year delay in an open record request to the Department of Health and Human Services. The SIR summaries cover a six-month period from May to November 2014. They show widespread criminality in the UAC resettlement program, with migrant children admitting to serious crimes and also to being victims of sexual abuse at the hands of U.S. government contractors and employees.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Tells NATO Allies to Spend 4% of GDP on Defense</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump left the opening day of the NATO summit in Brussels in disarray on Wednesday after making a surprise demand for members to raise their defense spending to 4% of GDP and clashing with German Chancellor Angela Merkel over a proposed pipeline deal with Russia. Trump left the assembled presidents and prime ministers floundering, unsure whether he was serious about the 4% target, double the existing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/nato" data-link-name="auto-linked-tag" data-component="auto-linked-tag">NATO</a> target of 2%, which many do not meet, or whether it was just a ploy. After making the announcement, Trump walked out. The White House press secretary, Sarah Sanders, confirmed the 4% figure. “During the president’s remarks today at the NATO summit he suggested that countries not only meet their commitment of 2% of their GDP on defense spending but that they increase it to 4%,” she said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Update: Lisa Page's Lawyer Says She's Willing to Testify 'Later This Month'</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Lisa Page, the former FBI lawyer whose anti-Trump text messages raised suspicions of bias in the agency, claimed through her lawyer Wednesday that there is "no basis for claims" that she is hiding information from Congress and is still willing to <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/former-fbi-lawyer-lisa-page-subpoenaed-to-appear-before-house-committees" target="_blank">testify</a>, less than a day <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/lisa-page-defies-house-subpoena" target="_blank">after she refused to testify</a> in a House hearing. Page, the ex-FBI lawyer whose extramarital affair with fellow FBI employee Peter Strzok was examined in a Justice Department watchdog report, was subpoenaed by the House Judiciary Committee but said Tuesday night she would not testify. But Page’s attorney, Amy Jeffress, said Page is still willing to talk later this month and said she didn't appear Wednesday because the committee had not provided enough detail on the scope of lawmakers’ questions, and the FBI had not provided documents for her to review ahead of the testimony.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Sarah Palin Slams Sacha Baron Cohen for Duping Her in 'Truly Sick' Prank</em></strong></p>
<p>Sarah Palin slammed Sacha Baron Cohen and Showtime Tuesday on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sarahpalin" target="_blank">Facebook</a> for <a href="http://ew.com/tv/2018/07/09/sacha-baron-cohen-showtime/">their new prank series</a>, claiming the comedian duped her and her daughter with a humiliating interview by posing as a disabled veteran. The former vice presidential candidate unloaded on Baron Cohen, saying she was contacted via a speakers bureau to participate in a “legit Showtime historical documentary.” But in reality, she says the interview was for a segment on Baron Cohen’s upcoming <em>Who Is America?</em> which debuts Sunday, July 15 at midnight on Showtime. Palin says she and one of her daughters were met by a man she assumes was Baron Cohen, who was heavily disguised as a bogus U.S. military veteran and in a wheelchair. “I sat through a long ‘interview’ full of Hollywoodism’s [sic] disrespect and sarcasm — but finally had enough and literally, physically removed my mic and walked out,” Palin wrote.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-07-12T13:50:00ZGOP Rep. Introduces a Bill Making First-Time Illegal Border Crossing a Felony; NFL Players Union Challenges Policy to Stop Anthem ProtestsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/GOP-Rep.-Introduces-a-Bill-Making-First-Time-Illegal-Border-Crossing-a-Felony;-NFL-Players-Union-Challenges-Policy-to-Stop-Anthem-Protests/-245788619977263521.html2018-07-11T14:50:00Z2018-07-11T14:50:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, July 11, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Rep. Diane Black Introduces a Bill Making First-Time Illegal Border Crossing a Felony</em></strong></p>
<p>Rep. Diane Black (R-TN) introduced a bill Tuesday which would make a first-time illegal border crossing a felony rather than a misdemeanor. Speaking with Townhall, Rep. Black explained how this change, along with others, creates simple disincentives against coming to the United States illegally. Black explained the two, main features of her <a href="https://black.house.gov/sites/black.house.gov/files/documents/BLACK_044_xml_Final.pdf">Zero Tolerance for Illegal Entry Act</a>. First, the bill would make first-time illegal border crossings a felony with a prison sentence of one year and one day. Additionally, Black’s bill would redirect funding from sanctuary cities to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Judge Says the U.S. Must Reunite Migrant Families or Face Penalties</em></strong></p>
<p>The U.S. government must reunite 63 children under the age of five who were separated by immigration officials after crossing into the United States from Mexico as soon as Tuesday or face penalties, a federal judge said. U.S. Judge Dana Sabraw in San Diego told government attorneys he was sticking with deadlines he set last month when he ordered children under five to be reunited Tuesday and another 2,000 to be back with their parents by July 26. “These are firm deadlines. They are not aspirational goals,” said the judge. Sabraw also asked the American Civil Liberties Union, which brought the lawsuit that led to Sabraw’s June order, to file papers on Thursday suggesting remedies if the government had not reunified the 63 children by Tuesday.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>NFL Players Union Challenges Policy to Stop Anthem Protests</em></strong></p>
<p>The NFL players union filed a grievance on Tuesday over the league’s new requirement that players stand for the national anthem or wait in their dressing rooms, a policy that followed President Donald Trump’s denunciation of pregame protests. The National Football League said in May it would require any player who did not wish to stand during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” before games to stay off the field until the ceremony ended. “The union’s claim is that this new policy, imposed by the NFL’s governing body without consultation with the NFLPA, is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement and infringes on player rights,” the NFLPA said on Twitter.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Lisa Page Defies House Subpoena</em></strong></p>
<p>Lisa Page, a former FBI attorney known for her anti-Trump bias and who the president said recently was getting “cold feet” about testifying on Capitol Hill, will not comply with a subpoena from the House Judiciary and Oversight Committees. Page, who was having an extramarital affair with FBI agent Peter Strzok, announced via her attorney Tuesday evening that she will not appear before the joint committees Wednesday morning — 24 hours before Strzok is slated to testify publicly before the same two panels. Strzok sat for closed-door interviews — lasting nearly 11 hours — with the committees last month. Page’s lawyer, Amy Jeffress said they asked the committees to schedule another date that would allow “sufficient time” for Page to prepare, but the request was not granted. “As a result, Lisa is not going to appear for an interview at this time,” said Jeffress.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Says He Can't Say if Putin is Friend or Foe</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. President Donald Trump said he could not say if Vladimir Putin is a friend or foe, and that a meeting with the Russian president could be the easiest part of a tour of Europe that includes a NATO meeting and a visit to Britain. Speaking to reporters at the White House before leaving on the week-long trip, Trump repeated his criticism of NATO allies for not spending enough on their defense and pointed to the political tensions in Britain over the government’s Brexit plans. “So I have NATO, I have the UK which is in somewhat turmoil, and I have Putin. Frankly, Putin may be the easiest of them all. Who would think?” Trump said. Asked if Putin is a friend or foe, Trump said: “I really can’t say right now. As far as I’m concerned, a competitor.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Pardons Oregon Ranchers Who Inspired Refuge Standoff</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. President Donald Trump pardoned two imprisoned Oregon ranchers whose sentencing on arson convictions sparked the 2016 occupation of a wildlife refuge, part of a long-simmering dispute over federal land policies in the U.S. West. The armed standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in remote southeast Oregon followed a judge’s ruling sending Dwight Hammond and his son Steven back to prison to serve longer terms after their initial release from shorter sentences. Dwight Hammond, 76, and Steven, 49, were convicted in 2012 for setting a fire that spread onto public land after years of disputes with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The two were initially sentenced to less than the legal minimum five-year prison sentence by a judge who thought the minimum too harsh and later released. After the government’s appeal in 2016, a different federal judge ordered the pair back to prison to serve the full five years, sparking protests and the refuge occupation. In a statement on Tuesday, the White House said the decision was “unjust” and that the fire had burned only “a small portion” of public land.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Two-Thirds of People Don't Want Hillary Clinton to Run for President 'One Last Time'</em></strong></p>
<p>Almost two-thirds of people who have responded to a poll by Drudge Report believe Hillary Clinton shouldn't run for president ever again. Sixty-five percent of poll participants said they do not want the former secretary of state and failed 2016 Democratic presidential nominee to launch "one last" campaign for the White House, while 34 percent were in favor of a third bid. Former Clinton campaign strategist Adrienne Elrod said <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/ex-clinton-adviser-doubts-hillary-could-win-the-democratic-nomination-in-2020" target="_blank">on Monday</a> she was uncertain whether Clinton would come in first or even second if she tried to secure the Democratic nomination in 2020. Elrod's comments follow an opinion piece by the New York Post on Saturday that suggested Clinton was "secretly planning" a return to presidential politics.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-07-11T14:50:00ZTrump Nominates Kavanaugh as SCOTUS Justice; YouTube Pledges $25 Million in News Grants to Fight False InformationBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Nominates-Kavanaugh-as-SCOTUS-Justice;-YouTube-Pledges-$25-Million-in-News-Grants-to-Fight-False-Information/612187194459998195.html2018-07-10T13:55:00Z2018-07-10T13:55:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, July 10, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Nominates Kavanaugh as SCOTUS Justice</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump announced his selection of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to be his second Supreme Court justice on Monday night. Speaking in the East Room of the White House, the president said that what mattered to him was "not a judge's political views, but whether they can set aside those views to do what the law and the Constitution require." Kavanaugh thanked the president for the nomination, and in anticipating his coming meetings with senators on Capitol Hill, said, "I believe that an independent judiciary is the crown jewel of our constitutional republic." He promised, "If confirmed by the Senate, I will keep an open mind in every case and I will always strive to preserve the Constitution of the United States and the American rule of law."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump’s Plan to Tackle Spending Issue at NATO Summit</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump will arrive in Brussels Tuesday afternoon for another noteworthy moment in his presidency: a crucial two-day summit with longstanding NATO allies who are hoping to ease tensions and steer the U.S. leader toward a display of unity. Just prior to leaving for Brussels, the president restated his frustration with NATO allies that have failed to meet his demand for more equitable defense spending. “The United States is spending far more on NATO than any other Country. This is not fair, nor is it acceptable,” he wrote. “While these countries have been increasing their contributions since I took office, they must do much more. Germany is at 1%, the U.S. is at 4%, and NATO benefits Europe far more than it does the U.S.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>All 12 Boys and Soccer Coach Rescued from Flooded Thailand Cave</em></strong></p>
<p>All 12 boys and their soccer coach have been rescued from a flooded cave in northern Thailand, the Thai Navy SEALs said Tuesday, ending an 18-day ordeal. The SEALs said on their Facebook page that the remaining four boys and their 25-year-old coach were all brought out safely Tuesday. They said they were waiting for a medic and three SEALs who stayed with the boys in their dark refuge deep inside the cave complex to come out. Eight of the trapped boys had been brought out of the cave by divers on Sunday and Monday. The eight boys brought out by divers over the previous two days were doing well and were in good spirits, a senior health official said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump's Answer to Family Separation</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump said Tuesday that families should not be coming into the country illegally if they don’t want to face the consequences, such as being separated from each other. “Tell people not to come to our country illegally. That's the solution. Don't come to our country illegally. Come like other people do, come legally,” Trump told reporters while departing for Europe to engage in North Atlantic Treaty Organization negotiations. Trump told reporters on the White House lawn that he wants to urge people to stop attacking U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and workers because “there is nobody under great danger.” ICE has been criticized for separating families at the border, but ICE has said U.S. Border Patrol officials have that task, and the administration has said the current law requires families to be separated as adult illegal immigrants are prosecuted.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Man Harasses Kellyanne Conway at Grocery Store</em></strong></p>
<p>Trump administration officials have increasingly become subjects of public harassment after Maxine Waters called for Trump critics to “create a crowd” whenever they see a Trump official in public. Presidential Counsel Kellyanne Conway recalled how a man harassed her while she was shopping in a supermarket for her family. Kellyanne, a mother of four, was shopping when an angry man sneered, “You ought to be ashamed of yourself! Go look in the mirror!” Without missing a beat, Kellyanne replied, “Mirrors are in aisle nine — I’ll go get one now.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>YouTube Pledges $25 Million in News Grants to Fight False Information</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>After months of drawing criticism over its promotion of conspiracy videos and misinformation, YouTube has unveiled a slate of new features to improve the news experience on its platform. On Monday, <a href="https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/youtube-fake-news-investment-journalism-1202868956/?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=ABN_MorningMediaNewsfeed&utm_campaign=MorningMediaNewsfeed_Newsletter_2018071008&s_id=57e9a04f2ddf9c7ef3828467">YouTube announced it is committing $25 million</a> to help support legitimate news organizations, and also detailed new features intended to flag misinformation and highlight authoritative news sources. The company said it will make these news sources more prominent, especially in the wake of breaking news events when misinformation can spread quickly. At such times, YouTube will begin showing users short text previews of news stories in video search results, as well as warnings that the stories can change. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Sen. Flake Says He’s Concerned about Trump-Putin Meeting</em></strong></p>
<p>Republican Sen. Jeff Flake, a frequent critic of President Donald Trump, said he is concerned about what Trump might promise Russian President Vladimir Putin when the two meet this month. "It does concern me," the Arizona senator told CNN's Dana Bash on "State of the Union" Sunday. "I'm glad that the President is talking to Vladimir Putin. I'm glad that he's talking to North Korea as well. But I am concerned, and I know there is concern across Europe, about what might be promised." The two leaders are due to meet on July 16 in Finland, and Trump plans to meet Putin one-on-one before bringing in others to join their discussions.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-07-10T13:55:00ZSupreme Court Decision Tonight; President Trump Has Been Advised Not to Pardon Michael CohenBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Supreme-Court-Decision-Tonight;-President-Trump-Has-Been-Advised-Not-to-Pardon-Michael-Cohen/-4874467887378988.html2018-07-09T14:03:00Z2018-07-09T14:03:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Monday, July 9, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Supreme Court Decision Tonight</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump, after less than two weeks of deliberations, is set to announce tonight his nominee to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, a choice that could well affect the court, and American jurisprudence, for a generation. The president is expected to unveil his choice from the White House at 9 p.m. ET. Ahead of the decision, Trump has built suspense about whom his pick will be. Departing his New Jersey golf club on Sunday afternoon, Trump told reporters he was still making up his mind. "It's — well, let's just say it's the four people. Everyone, you can't go wrong." The alleged four choices are, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett, Raymond Kethledge and Thomas Hardiman. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>President Trump Vocalizes Concerns About NATO</em></strong></p>
<p>On Monday, President Donald Trump renewed his long-standing concerns with NATO, complaining that member states do not spend enough on their own defense as he prepares to attend the mutual-defense organization’s summit later this week in Brussels. Trump’s complaints about NATO date back to the 2016 campaign, when he suggested that the U.S. might not meet its mutual-defense commitment because other member states had not spent the agreed-upon 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense. Trump also brought up his broader concerns about America’s trade relationship with Europe, which he says unfairly favors the European Union. In an effort to correct what he has identified as an imbalance, Trump has imposed tariffs on the EU, as well as on Canada and Mexico, straining relationships with longtime allies.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>University of Minnesota Sued Over Ben Shapiro Event</em></strong></p>
<p>Young America’s Foundation announced a lawsuit against the University of Minnesota for violating the First Amendment rights of students on campus, by attempting to suppress attendance at a speech given by conservative commentator Ben Shapiro. According to a <a href="https://www.yaf.org/news/young-americas-foundation-sues-university-of-minnesota-for-suppressing-student-speech/" target="_blank">press release</a> issued by the organization, “Young America’s Foundation filed a First Amendment lawsuit against the University of Minnesota, in federal court, after University officials engaged in viewpoint-based censorship of conservative students and their YAF-sponsored lecture featuring New York Times bestselling author Ben Shapiro.” YAF spokesman Spencer Brown says that the University of Minnesota is “depriving its student body of an intellectually diverse learning environment.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>President Trump Has Been Advised Not to Pardon Michael Cohen</em></strong></p>
<p>On Sunday, Rudy Giuliani urged President Trump not to discuss the possibility of a pardon for his longtime attorney, Michael Cohen. On ABC's "This Week," Giuliani said that no one on Trump's team has reached out to Cohen or his attorneys about a pardon. Cohen is currently under investigation in New York's Southern District, reportedly for bank fraud and campaign finance law violations.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Sen. Graham Says That China’s Behind North Korea’s Latest Behavior</em></strong></p>
<p>The Chinese government is behind North Korea’s condemnation of the U.S. after the latest round of denuclearization talks, Sen. Lindsey Graham said Sunday, mixing the Washington-Beijing trade dispute with news of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s talks in Pyongyang. North Korea, in a statement released Saturday hours after talks with Pompeo wrapped, called the negotiations “regrettable” and accused the U.S. of making “gangster-like” demands, according to The Associated Press. Earlier, Pompeo had told reporters that the talks had been “productive” and had progressed. “I see China's hands all over this. We’re in a fight with China,” Graham (R-S.C.), a Senate Armed Services Committee member, told “Fox News Sunday.” “If I were President Trump, I would not let China use North Korea to back me off of the trade dispute. We've got more bullets than they do when it comes to trade.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Protesters Confront Mitch McConnell Over Immigration</em></strong></p>
<p>A group of protesters confronted Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Bardstown Road in Louisville, over the weekend, calling out "Abolish ICE," before adding they know where he lives. McConnell was out to lunch with Kentucky's outgoing House Majority Floor Leader Jonathan Shell. Shell confirmed the two had lunch, calling the protesters "a small group of extremists." The interaction was captured on video and shared with Courier Journal. In it, someone asks McConnell, "Where are the children? Where are the babies, Mitch?" an apparent reference to the separation of children from families at the southern U.S. border.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Illinois Governor Profits Off ICE Detention Center Contracts</em></strong></p>
<p>Gov. Bruce Rauner this year reported turning a profit from a healthcare group that services U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers, including facilities that hold immigrant families with children. In his <a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/377938956/Gov-Bruce-Rauner-s-2018-statement-of-economic-interest" target="_blank">most recent statement of economic interests</a>, the multi-millionaire Republican governor disclosed earnings from a private equity fund that owns Correct Care Solutions, a for-profit health care provider that has millions of dollars in government contracts with jails and prisons across the country, including immigrant detention centers. Rauner’s disclosures reveal he’s earning income from the group, which reports making $1 billion in revenue annually.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-07-09T14:03:00ZPompeo Comments on Talks with North Korea; Elon Musk Has Plans to Rescue Thai Soccer TeamBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Pompeo-Comments-on-Talks-with-North-Korea;-Elon-Musk-Has-Plans-to-Rescue-Thai-Soccer-Team/-465102558784179795.html2018-07-08T12:55:00Z2018-07-08T12:55:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, July 8, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Obama DHS Sec Says Abolishing Ice ‘Would Compromise Public Safety’</em></strong></p>
<p>Former Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson pushed back against Democrats calling for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to be abolished in a Friday op-ed <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ice-needs-reform-not-abolition/2018/07/06/5d2cec0e-8133-11e8-b658-4f4d2a1aeef1_story.html?utm_term=.96ef1f691bd3" target="_blank">published in the Washington Post</a>. The op-ed, titled, “Abolishing ICE is not a serious policy proposal,” likened demands to abolish ICE to a hypothetical demand from those who wanted to end the Vietnam war by abolishing “the entire Defense Department.” Johnson went on to say, “Obviously, that would have completely compromised national security,” Johnson wrote, adding that ending the agency “would compromise public safety” as well.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Pompeo Comments on Talks with North Korea</em></strong></p>
<p>Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrapped up his two-day visit to North Korea Saturday, insisting that the two sides made “a great deal of progress.” In the highest-level talks since the June 12 summit in Singapore, Pompeo met with Kim Yong Chol, the North Korean leader’s right-hand man, for negotiations intended to clarify plans for the implementation of the agreement signed in Singapore. Pompeo, who insists that the talks went well while noting that “there’s still more work to be done,” departed Pyongyang Saturday with only a commitment from the North Koreans to continue talks. Beyond this offer, it appears the secretary left North Korea without any real concrete achievements. “We will produce an outcome, results,” Kim Yong Chol told Pompeo as he boarded the aircraft to leave, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-07-07/pompeo-says-u-s-north-korea-weighed-denuclearization-timeline">according</a> to Bloomberg.</p>
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<p><strong><em>North Korea Has Different Thoughts on Meeting with Pompeo</em></strong></p>
<p>High-level talks between the United States and North Korea appeared to hit a snag on Saturday as Pyongyang said a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had been “regrettable” and accused Washington of making “gangster-like” demands to pressure the country into abandoning its nuclear weapons. North Korea’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the U.S. betrayed the spirit of last month’s summit between President Donald Trump and Kim by making “unilateral and gangster-like” demands on “CVID,” or the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of North Korea. North Korea’s Foreign Ministry went on to say the outcome of the follow-up talks was “very concerning” because it has led to a “dangerous phase that might rattle our willingness for denuclearization that had been firm.”<br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>Elon Musk Has Plans to Rescue Thai Soccer Team</em></strong></p>
<p>Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said on Saturday that he is building “a tiny, kid-size submarine” to rescue the 12 Thai boys and their soccer coach infamously trapped within the submerged Tham Luang cave. According to the <a href="https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1499330/musk-team-heads-to-chiang-rai" target="_blank">Bangkok Post</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">,</span> a nine-person engineering team assembled by Musk has already begun to arrive in the area. Musk <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1015657378140704768">tweeted on Saturday</a> that while he had several alternative plans, his team of experts had agreed that the best idea was building a small submarine—really more of an air-filled pod—“using the liquid oxygen transfer tube of [a SpaceX] Falcon rocket as hull.” He added that it would be designed to be manageable with the efforts of two divers.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Navy SEAL Tears into Chelsea Handler After She Says Donald Trump is the 'Domestic Enemy' of America</em></strong></p>
<p>In response to comedian Chelsea Handler calling President Donald Trump a “domestic enemy” leading America, Eli Crane, a Navy SEAL veteran, pointed to how Trump's actions prove that's not true. <a href="https://twitter.com/chelseahandler/status/1006136554836852736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1006136554836852736&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fijr.com%2F2018%2F06%2F1106834-navy-seal-tears-chelsea-handler%2F">Handler tweeted</a>, “Putin is giving trump talking points and actions to take to help undermine the very country he is from. We have a domestic enemy running our country pissing on about allies who shows fealty only to Putin. This is not America. This is Russia.” Crane, who was deployed to Iraq three times, said that Handler saying that the president is a “domestic enemy” is foolish, “your comments are not hurting the president or going to achieve your ultimate goal of getting him impeached. It just reminds the rest of us in the ‘silent majority’ how far removed and triggered you and your buddies on the left really are.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Judge Does Not Give Trump Admin More Time to Reunite All Separated Families</em></strong></p>
<p>A federal judge on Friday appeared to reject the Trump administration’s request to extend the deadline to reunite families separated at the border under the “zero tolerance” policy. U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw said that the department must comply with the July 10 deadline to reunite children under 5 years old with their parents, and July 26 for other children, "unless there is an articulable reason." The Justice Department had <a href="http://thehill.com/latino/395803-trump-requests-more-time-to-reunite-families-separated-at-the-border">requested an extension</a> on the court-ordered deadlines, saying that it needed more time to match 101 children under 5 with their parents using DNA testing.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Anti-Violence Protesters Shut Down Chicago Highway</em></strong></p>
<p>The showdown between police and the organizers of a march against gun violence culminated Saturday on Chicago’s Dan Ryan Expressway. For weeks, the Rev. Michael Pfleger said his intention was to shut down the busy South Side expressway for a demonstration designed to focus a spotlight on crime, joblessness, and poverty plaguing city neighborhoods. Chicago police urged him to use a neighborhood street instead of the interstate. Illinois State Police threatened arrests. The Saturday morning march kicked off with a compromise: demonstrators in half the northbound lanes, traffic in the others, separated by a barrier of highway trucks, emergency vehicles, and uniformed officers. After about an hour, with protesters pressing toward the police line and traffic squeezing by in single file, officers agreed to close off the remainder of the lanes.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-07-08T12:55:00ZPaul Ryan-Backed Group Highlights Opioid Legislation; Trump Beats Promise to Cut New RefugeesBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Paul-Ryan-Backed-Group-Highlights-Opioid-Legislation;-Trump-Beats-Promise-to-Cut-New-Refugees/638823295358431867.html2018-07-06T15:21:00Z2018-07-06T15:21:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Friday, July 6, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em><br />Paul Ryan-Backed Group Highlights Opioid Legislation</em></strong></p>
<p>A group backed by House Speaker Paul Ryan is launching a new ad campaign highlighting congressional work against the opioid epidemic four months out from the midterm elections. The American Action Network is pouring $2.5 million into ads in <a href="https://americanactionnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/AAN-Launches-2.5-Million-TV-Campaign-Urging-Congress-to-Keep-Fighting-Back-Against-Opioid-Epidemic-.pdf">10 House districts</a>, including several top-tier races after the House passed a series of bills aimed at curbing the epidemic over the past month. “We thank the House for working in a bipartisan fashion to curb opioid addiction and provide resources for treatment and recovery,” said Corry Bliss, the head of AAN. “However, there is still more to be done, and AAN’s latest campaign urges both Republicans and Democrats to continue fighting on behalf of families across the country who are suffering because of this crisis every day.” The ads, which are member-specific, feature a mother who talks about the epidemic's impact on her family and thanks members, including some Democrats for working on a bipartisan basis to pass legislation.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Beats Promise to Cut New Refugees</em></strong></p>
<p>The Trump administration beat the president’s goal of trimming new refugee admissions from the 100,000 brought in by former President Obama, slashing the population by 66 percent. For the first time, the U.S. resettled fewer refugees than the rest of the world, but still more than any other country. New data from the <a href="http://popstats.unhcr.org/en/overview" target="_blank">United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees</a> showed that the U.S. took in 33,000 refugees last year, down from 97,000 under Obama, who had pushed to raise the ceiling to 110,000. President Trump vowed to reverse that flow, raising concerns that refugees were not being vetted well by the United Nations. He pushed to cut refugees to 45,000 a year.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>The U.S. Added 213,000 Jobs in June, Beating Expectations</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump may have been "looking forward" to Friday morning's jobs report, but this time he didn't seem to tweet out any hints about its performance as the U.S. economy continued to tick upward with growth in jobs and wages in June. Total nonfarm payroll employment increased to 213,000 jobs in June, the 93rd straight month the number has gone up, the longest recorded streak. It was also higher than the expected gain of 195,000 jobs. The unemployment rate rose slightly to 4 percent, above the expected 3.8 percent, mainly due to 600,000 Americans entering the workforce.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Launches $34 Billion Trade War and China 'Immediately' Fires Back</em></strong></p>
<p>The Chinese government said Friday that it "immediately" retaliated against increased U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports as President Donald Trump's administration effectively launched a trade war with its most important trading partner. China’s foreign ministry in Beijing said that tit-for-tat duties on U.S. goods took effect straight away after Washington’s 25% tariff on $34 billion worth of Chinese goods kicked in at 12:01 a.m. ET on Friday. Beijing had previously flagged that China would make a "necessary counterattack" if needed on a similar amount of U.S. exports including soybeans and cars. The U.S. levies mostly target China's industrial goods and some electronic components. A long list of targeted Chinese products directly purchased by Americans such as TVs, printers and washing machines was sharply revised in June following a trade hearing. Trump is not happy with the U.S.'s large trade deficit with China and insists that Beijing has used unfair and predatory tactics such as requiring U.S. companies to hand over technology in exchange for access to China’s market. China rejects the allegation.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump: I Would Offer Warren $1M to Prove Her Native American Heritage</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://thehill.com/people/donald-trump">President Trump</a> said Thursday that if he were facing Sen. <a href="http://thehill.com/people/elizabeth-warren">Elizabeth Warren</a> (D-Mass.) during a debate, he would offer her $1 million to take a test to prove her Native American heritage. “But let’s say I’m debating Pocahontas, I’ll do this,” Trump said during a campaign rally in Great Falls, Montana, referring to Warren by the racially charged nickname he gave her during the 2016 presidential campaign. “I’m going to get one of those little kits and in the middle of the debate, when she proclaims she’s of Indian heritage — because her mother said she has high cheekbones, that’s her only evidence," Trump continued. “And we will say, ‘I will give you a million dollars, paid for by Trump, to your favorite charity if you take the test and it shows you’re an Indian,” Trump said. “And we’ll see what she does. I have a feeling she will say no but we will hold it for the debates.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Manafort Judge Emerges as Skeptic of Long Mandatory Minimum Sentences</em></strong></p>
<p>The judge overseeing former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort's looming trial on tax and bank fraud charges is known as a tough jurist, often snapping at attorneys for ignoring his directions and rebuking defendants he views as insufficiently contrite. But, in recent years, U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis has begun to direct his public ire at an unusual target for a Reagan-appointed judge: laws that impose lengthy mandatory minimum sentences judges have no authority to waive or reduce. Ellis has complained directly to Congress about what he's called the "excessive" sentences required for some offenders. He's also publicly lamented the situation, as he did recently during a drug dealer's sentencing that took place in an Alexandria, Virginia courtroom packed with national media, high-powered prosecutors and others awaiting a key hearing in the case against Manafort.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Postal Service Misidentifies Statue of Liberty in Stamp Causing a $3.5 Million Mistake</em></strong></p>
<p>It's a mistake that's costing the U.S. Postal Service $3.5 million – the Statue of Liberty Forever stamps released in 2010 didn't actually show New York's Lady Liberty. The photograph featured in the stamp design actually shows a Statue of Liberty replica outside the New York-New York casino hotel in Las Vegas. Stamps with the Las Vegas image were in circulation for at least three months before the Postal Service realized the mistake, 3 billion were printed. The Postal Service found the photograph on a stock image site and defended its decision to use it. "We really like the image and are thrilled that people have noticed in a sense," a USPS spokesman told <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/04/15/stamp.mixup/index.html">CNN in 2011</a>.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-07-06T15:21:00ZPompeo Travels Back to North Korea; Activists Arrested Protesting Trump's Immigration Policies at Statue of LibertyBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Pompeo-Travels-Back-to-North-Korea;-Activists-Arrested-Protesting-Trumps-Immigration-Policies-at-Statue-of-Liberty/-684221990595749335.html2018-07-05T13:48:00Z2018-07-05T13:48:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, July 5, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Pompeo Travels Back to North Korea</em></strong></p>
<p>Secretary of State Mike Pompeo departed Joint Base Andrews early this morning for his third trip to North Korea, his first since last month’s summit in Singapore between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Pompeo has insisted that despite the paucity of details in the joint statement signed by Trump and Kim, the U.S. has made very clear precisely what it expects North Korea to do in the coming weeks and months to meet its obligation to dismantle its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Activists Arrested Protesting Trump's Immigration Policies at Statue of Liberty</em></strong></p>
<p>Activists in two separate protests against the Trump administration's immigration policies were arrested at the Statue of Liberty on Wednesday — one group unfurling a banner calling for the abolition of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, while in another act of defiance, a woman climbed the statue's base to protest immigrant family separations. Authorities evacuated thousands of visitors from Liberty Island, where the statue stands after a woman climbed to the statue's base around 3 p.m. and remained for several hours before police took her into custody. About 4,500 tourists were forced off the island when officials closed it, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/04/nyregion/statue-of-liberty-protester-july-4.html">according to The New York Times,</a> which said more than 20,000 tourists visit the Statue of Liberty every Fourth of July.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Completes Interviews of Supreme Court Candidates</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump has completed the interview process for Supreme Court candidates after speaking with six judges, a source with knowledge of the selection process tells Fox News. The president and his vetting team have moved quickly ahead of an expected announcement on Monday. While liberal advocacy groups and others are gearing up for a major confirmation fight, Trump is charging ahead with an imminent decision to fill the seat of retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy, and potentially move the court more solidly to the right. Trump has interviewed six candidates: Appeals court judges Brett Kavanaugh, Raymond Kethledge, Amy Coney Barrett, Amul Thapar, Joan Larsen and Thomas Hardiman. The interviews comprised seven conversations – Trump talked to one candidate twice. Trump will announce his pick on July 9.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Thanks Military Families at White House Picnic</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK-s5RWb874">President Trump thanked</a> the hundreds of people who turned out to the White House's annual picnic for military families on the Fourth of July for the sacrifices they and those before them have made to maintain America's freedom. "To every service member here today and watching around the world — they're all watching — and to your incredible families, these are truly unbelievable people, thank you for keeping America safe, strong, proud, mighty, and free," Trump told spectators on the South Lawn of the White House during remarks that lasted seven minutes. "Our freedom only exists because there are brave Americans willing to give their lives to defend it and defend our great country," he continued. "American liberty has been earned through the blood, sweat, and sacrifice of American patriots. The immortal story of the American warrior is written in the fields of Gettysburg, the sands of Iwo Jima, the mountains of Afghanistan, and the snow of Valley Forge. It is the story of honor, duty, loyalty, and love."</p>
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<p><strong><em>GOP Delegation Visits Moscow Ahead of Summit</em></strong></p>
<p>Senator Richard Shelby, a Republican from Alabama and a member of the U.S. congressional delegation visiting Russia said that he hopes for "a new day" in repairing relations between Russia and the U.S. Sen. Shelby was meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow two weeks before the <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-putin-summit-helsinki-finland-july-16/" target="_blank">countries' presidents are to meet in Helsinki</a>. "We come here realizing that we have a strained relationship, but we could have a better relationship between the U.S. and Russia, because we have some common interests around the world that we could hopefully work together on," Shelby told Lavrov at the start of their meeting. "We could be competitors, we are competitors, but we don't necessarily need to be adversaries."</p>
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<p><strong><em>FBI's Peter Strzok May Ignore House Subpoena</em></strong></p>
<p>Peter Strzok, the former FBI agent who vowed to "stop" President Trump from winning the 2016 election despite being part of a federal investigation into his campaign, may not show up to testify next week despite being subpoenaed. "My client will testify soon, somewhere, sometime. We just got this subpoena today, so I don't know whether or not we are going to be testifying next Tuesday in front of these two particular House subcommittees," Aitan Goelman, Strzok's attorney, told CNN's, Chris Cuomo. The House Judiciary and Oversight committees sent Strzok the request earlier Tuesday. Goelman initially <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/peter-strzok-slapped-with-subpoena-to-testify-in-open-setting-before-congress" target="_blank">said</a> his client preferred a public hearing after portions of his first testimony, an 11-hour event held behind closed doors were leaked.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Rescuers Race to Drain Water from Thailand Caverns in Hopes of Rescuing Soccer Team</em></strong></p>
<p>Rescue teams in Thailand raced against the looming threat of more rain to pump out water from a flooded cave complex where 12 boys and their soccer coach have been stranded for almost two weeks. The boys and their coach were found late Monday in weak but otherwise stable and good health in the Tham Luang Nang Non cave in northern Thailand. But rescuers are having trouble deciding what is the best way to safely extract them, officials said Thursday. "What we worry about most is the weather," Chiang Rai provincial Gov. Narongsak Osatanakorn told reporters. "We can’t risk having the flood back into the cave." Poonsak Woongsatngiem, an official from Thailand’s interior ministry, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2018/jul/05/thailand-cave-rescue-thai-free-boys-football-soccer-team-monsoon-rain-live">told the Guardian</a> that the water had been reduced by 40% in the last few days, clearing a 5,000-foot stretch of cave that the boys would need to cross.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-07-05T13:48:00ZTrump: MS-13 'infestation' demands tough ICE response; 4th of July Terror Plot FoiledBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump:-MS-13-infestation-demands-tough-ICE-response;-4th-of-July-Terror-Plot-Foiled/-821605868553469190.html2018-07-03T12:49:00Z2018-07-03T12:49:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, July 3, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Trump: MS-13 'infestation' demands tough ICE response</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Tuesday defended U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from Democratic attacks and said ICE is needed to wipe out the "infestation" of MS-13 gang members who have entered the country. “When we have an 'infestation' of MS-13 GANGS in certain parts of our country, who do we send to get them out? ICE!” <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1014098721460686849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1014098721460686849&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fpolicy%2Fdefense-national-security%2Ftrump-ms-13-infestation-demands-tough-ice-response">Trump tweeted</a> Tuesday morning. “They are tougher and smarter than these rough criminal elelments (sic) that bad immigration laws allow into our country. Dems do not appreciate the great job they do! Nov.” Trump has been criticized for saying illegal immigrants want to "infest" the U.S., which some say shows Trump views immigrants as pests that need to be exterminated. In June, Trump said Democrats want illegal immigrants to "infest" the U.S., even MS-13 gang members.</p>
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<p><strong><em>4<sup>th</sup> of July Terror Plot Foiled</em></strong></p>
<p>A man who pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda sought to kill members of the military and bystanders in downtown Cleveland for a planned attack on July 4, but the Independence Day plot was foiled after a months-long investigation, federal officials said on Monday. U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said the suspect planned to use a van packed with explosives to take places such as St. John’s Cathedral “off the map.” Herdman went on to say, "He wanted to target people watching fireworks and watching the Fourth of July parade downtown," he told reporters. Besides the alleged plan to attack on July 4, officials said the suspect wanted to also harm families of service members. Herdman said the suspect discussed giving remote control cars packed with shrapnel to children of military members. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Voters split on whether to confirm next SCOTUS justice before the mid-term elections</em></strong></p>
<p>According to a new <a href="https://morningconsult.com/2018/07/03/most-voters-hope-next-scotus-justice-backs-abortion-rights/" target="_blank">Morning Consult poll</a> conducted June 28-29 and released Tuesday, 39 percent of voters agree Republicans that the Supreme Court confirmation vote should happen before the elections, and 38 percent agree with Democrats that it should happen after. 61 percent of voters who participated in the poll said the next Justice to follow Kennedy should be chosen because of his or her qualifications, and 24 percent said the pick should be based on their political views.</p>
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<p><strong><em>WaPo Columnist Says Sarah Huckabee Sanders Deserves 'Life Sentence' of Harassment</em></strong></p>
<p>Washington Post columnist and MSBNC contributor Jennifer Rubin believes that White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders had it coming when she walked into Red Hen restaurant last month. Sanders, Rubin added, "has no right to live a life of no fuss, no muss" because she and the entire Trump administration have waged a war on the press. Trump has repeatedly incited violence against the press at his campaign rallies and Sanders has done the same in the press room, Rubin argued. Echoing Rep. Maxine Waters’ (D-CA) controversial sentiments, Rubin <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/brad-wilmouth/2018/07/01/rubin-sarah-huckabee-sanders-should-be-harassed-publicly-life" target="_blank">urged</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span>protesters to gang up on Sanders when possible.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Poll: Record low say they are 'extremely proud' to be Americans</em></strong></p>
<p>A record-low number of people in the U.S. consider themselves either extremely proud or very proud to be Americans, a poll released Monday found. <a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/236420/record-low-extremely-proud-americans.aspx">Gallup found</a> that 47 percent of citizens are “extremely proud” to be Americans, while 25 percent are “very proud.” Both numbers mark new low points since Gallup started polling on the question in 2001. The number of people who are “extremely proud” has slowly been declining in recent years, according to Gallup. The number peaked at 70 percent in 2003 but was down to 52 percent in 2016 and 51 percent in 2017. Democrats, in particular, are less proud to be American, the poll found. 32 percent of Democrats are “extremely proud,” down 11 percentage points from last year. Among Republicans, 74 percent say they are “extremely proud,” according to the poll.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump's White House has unprecedented staff turnover</em></strong></p>
<p>Every president loses top staff during their first year in office, but <a href="https://apnews.com/9188152a050f4d57ad543954d011a668">an AP analysis</a> of the latest White House filings has found that 37% of President Trump's staffers who worked in the 12-month period ending June 30 are now gone. The massive staff exodus is "the biggest threat to the Trump presidency." 141 staffers who worked in the White House as of June 30 of last year have left. 138 employees have been hired since then. 61% of Trump’s senior-most aides have departed. At 42%, Bill Clinton is the only president in the last five administrations to have similar senior-staff turnover rate, reports the AP. The analysis didn't take into account staffers who arrived and exited during that yearlong period, such as former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci, who lasted less than two weeks.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Roseanne Barr Teases TV Return</em></strong></p>
<p>Roseanne Barr told Rabbi Shmuley Boteach on his podcast over the weekend that she is considering a return to television and has already received several offers. “Inside every bad thing is a good thing waiting to happen and I feel very excited because I’ve already been offered so many things and I almost already accepted one really good offer to go back on TV and I might do it. But we’ll see,” Barr said. After a successful season leading broadcast television’s number 1 show, Barr was fired from the reboot of her popular sitcom after an Ambien-fueled attack on Twitter against former Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-07-03T12:49:00ZThousands protest Trump immigration policies across U.S.; Gallup Poll: Nancy Pelosi's favorability rating falls to 9 year lowBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Thousands-protest-Trump-immigration-policies-across-U.S.;-Gallup-Poll:-Nancy-Pelosis-favorability-rating-falls-to-9-year-low/243836308272922941.html2018-07-02T19:46:00Z2018-07-02T19:46:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Monday, July 2, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Thousands protest Trump immigration policies across U.S.</em></strong></p>
<p>Over the weekend marches took place across various U.S. cities to protest the Trump administration’s immigration policy. There were more than <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/live-news/trump-ice-immigration-protests-today-2018-06-30-us-cities-live-updates/">700 marches</a> in cities from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. and New York City. The planned event was called “Families Belong Together”, and was planned by dozens of progressive groups. The groups included, ACLU, Planned Parenthood, Move On and the Women’s March. The protests were called to demand that the Trump administration end family separations, end family detentions and reverse its “zero tolerance” policy. Various Hollywood stars, spoke, performed and participated in these protests, including John Legend, Diane Guerrero, Chrissy Teigen, America Ferrera and Alicia Keys.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Border arrests between ports of entry dropped by 6,000 in June</em></strong></p>
<p>The number of illegal immigrants arrested for attempting to cross the United States border illegally between ports of entry dropped in the month of June after months of record- high levels since President Trump took office. More than <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/border-arrests-between-ports-of-entry-dropped-by-6-000-in-june-report">34,000 individuals</a> were arrested at the border by agents during the month of June, down about 6,000 arrests from 40,000 in May. This decline in arrests comes just months after the Trump administration’s implementation of the “zero tolerance” policy.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Devin Nunes refers 17 DOJ, FBI officials to Trey Gowdy and Bob Goodlatte</em></strong></p>
<p>House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes referred the names of 17 current and former Justice Department and FBI officials to be interviewed for information related to potential surveillance abuse during the 2016 election. Nunes sent a letter to House Oversight Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte. In the letter, Nunes urged his colleagues to reach out to the 17 individuals mentioned because they are said to <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/devin-nunes-refers-17-doj-fbi-officials-to-trey-gowdy-bob-goodlatte-to-grill-on-surveillance-abuse">“have relevant information”</a> in regards to the investigation.</p>
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<p><strong><em>President Trump Gives Insight Into July 9<span style="font-size: 10px;">th</span> Supreme Court Selection</em></strong></p>
<p>On Saturday President Trump gave deep insight into the backgrounds of the top perspective candidates to fill an opening on the Supreme Court. President Trump recently had extensive conversations with White House Counsel Don McGahn seeking additional insights on some of the likely finalist. President Trump discussed on Friday that he had narrowed the search down to five finalist, included in the finalist are two women. President Trump will announce his selection on <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-06-29/trump-has-narrowed-supreme-court-list-will-reveal-pick-july-9">July 9<sup>th</sup></a>. In addition the revealing that he is interviewing two women for the position, the president also said that he has no plan to ask the candidates whether they would vote to overturn Roe v. Wade abortion-rights ruling.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Gallup Poll: Nancy Pelosi’s favorability rating falls to 9 year low</em></strong></p>
<p>Nancy Pelosi’s approval rating sunk to a 9-year low according to a new Gallup poll that was published on Friday, June 29<sup>th</sup>. The poll was conducted from June 1<sup>st</sup> to June 13<sup>th</sup> and has revealed that Nancy Pelosi has an approval rating of 29 percent. The 29 percent approval rating shows a five point drop since the last poll conducted in 2016. According to the poll, 53 percent of participants say they do not support her. Among Democrats, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/26/gallup-poll-top-four-congressional-leaders-viewed-negatively.html">55 percent</a> saw her favorably, which is the lowest ranking recorded since 2009. With the midterm elections approaching, Nancy Pelosi is campaigning for Democrats in order to take control of the House of Representatives during the midterm elections.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Global Displacement Crisis Worsens with 68.5 million people displaced in 2017</em></strong></p>
<p>According to a report by the United Nations Refugee Agency, a record 68.5 million people were forcibly displaced at the end of 2017. The total displacement numbers have been continuously rising for nearly 20 years now, now official numbers have doubled since that time. The number is very likely to continue rising. At this time the problem remains localized, about two thirds of the world refugee situation remains focused in 5 countries. This implies that a viable solution in any of those countries would dramatically change the global displacement situation. The responsibility of hosting refugees has been disproportionately borne by developing countries, with <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/26/refugee-crisis-a-record-number-of-those-forcibly-displaced-in-2017.html">85% of all refugees hosted in developing countries.<br /><br /></a> </p>
<p><strong><em>Veterans Horrified at Plans for D-Day Concert</em></strong></p>
<p>Many veterans have condemned plans for <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/veterans-horrified-at-plan-for-d-day-concert-on-sword-beach-for-75th-anniversary-11421362">D-Day pop concert on Sword beach</a> to commemorate the 75<sup>th</sup> anniversary. There are two Dutch men organizing the concert, are expecting an attendance of 75,000. The organizers have said that the concert is to educated millennials about D-Day and World War II. Many Veterans are upset about the concert due to the fact that the concert will be on Sword beach where thousands of Allied troops died defending their respective countries.</p>
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<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-07-02T19:46:00ZShooting at Capital Gazette Newspaper Leaves 5 Dead; Catholic church: Mary, Joseph, Jesus were like illegal immigrantsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Shooting-at-Capital-Gazette-Newspaper-Leaves-5-Dead;-Catholic-church:-Mary-Joseph-Jesus-were-like-illegal-immigrants/906459559578306437.html2018-06-29T14:16:00Z2018-06-29T14:16:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Friday, June 29, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Shooting at Capital Gazette Newspaper Leaves 5 Dead</em></strong></p>
<p>Five people are dead, and several others gravely injured after a gunman opened fire inside the newsroom of a newspaper in Annapolis, Md. The tragedy took place inside the building of the Capital Gazette, a newspaper owned by The Baltimore Sun at around 3 p.m. ET Thursday. The suspect in what police called a “targeted attack” on the newspaper, has been charged with five counts of first-degree murder, according to court records. “As abundance of caution, we are having patrol officer check bases with local media offices in their area,” LAPD officer Norma Eisen said after the shooting Thursday. The NYPD also moved into position around a number of media offices and outlets in the Big Apple.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>ICE director: Democrats should 'get their facts straight' before protesting family separation</em></strong></p>
<p>Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Tom Homan said Friday that Democrats who protest his agency for separating illegal immigrant families are barking up the wrong tree since his agency has nothing to do with it. "They need to educate themselves," Homan said on Fox News. "I mean, this protest yesterday to protest about family separations on the border, ICE doesn't separate families on the border. That's the Border Patrol. We're a different agency." Some Democratic lawmakers joined protesters this week who said ICE should be abolished for enforcing U.S. border laws. Homan said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., was one of the lawmakers who is directing her anger at the wrong agency. Homan stressed that he wasn't blaming the Border Patrol for family separation either and said Congress should be blamed for failing to tweak federal law in a way that would allow families to be detained together.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Poll: Nearly a third of Americans think a second civil war is imminent</em></strong></p>
<p>A new poll finds many voters seem to think it’s possible as the political tug of war between Democrats and Republicans grows ever nastier, and images continue to pour in of a crisis at the border that the U.S. is headed for a civil war. <a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/june_2018/31_think_u_s_civil_war_likely_soon">31% of respondents</a> tell Rasmussen Reports they think "it's likely that the United States will experience a second civil war sometime in the next five years." 37% of Democrats are fearful that a second civil war is at hand and Republicans less so, at 32%.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Catholic church: Mary, Joseph, Jesus were like illegal immigrants</em></strong></p>
<p>A prominent Catholic church in Washington is rallying its community to support immigrants seeking to cross the U.S.-Mexico border by comparing the Holy Family to those caught by the U.S. Border Patrol. “Rally Against Family Separation at the Border,” reads an email from the Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle, located five blocks from the White House. The rally against the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance policy at the border is scheduled across the street from the White House for Saturday morning. The church’s email includes an image of three immigrants with halos like the Holy Family of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. “Just as the Holy Family, filled with fear and anxiety, were rejected and shunned as they sought a safe place for their family, so too are thousands of immigrants on the southern border. Please consider joining St. Matthews as we add our voices demanding justice for separated families,” said the email notice from the St. Matthews’ Social Justice Committee.</p>
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<p><strong><em>NSA deletes years of call records, says it exceeded legal limit</em></strong></p>
<p>The National Security Agency said Thursday it collected more domestic call records than allowed, and as a result has been mass-deleting call records across a three-year period. The NSA said in a statement that on May 23 it "began deleting all call detail records (CDRs) acquired since 2015 under Title V of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act." Weeks before the deletions began, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence <a href="https://www.dni.gov/files/documents/icotr/2018-ASTR----CY2017----FINAL-for-Release-5.4.18.pdf">reported</a> that the NSA acquired more than 534 million domestic call records in 2017, triple the amount collected in 2016. It's not immediately clear if any group will argue the deletion violates active preservation of evidence orders. The Electronic Frontier Foundation has court orders preventing the NSA from deleting vast swaths of data, including five years’ worth of call record data spanning from 2010 to 2015. </p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Crackdown on Health Care</em></strong></p>
<p>The DOJ just announced its largest crackdown on healthcare fraud. About 600 people are being charged with trying to fraud the healthcare system. And the DOJ is saying 'you're done here.' Docs, nurses, and other medical professionals are being called out for things like submitting insurance claims for meds patients didn't need (like opioids). And sometimes never got. This led to $2 billion in false bills to places like Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance companies. AG Jeff Sessions says some of these people helped fuel the ongoing opioid epidemic. Which kills about 115 Americans every day. This isn't just about defrauding insurance companies. This crackdown alone allegedly took advantage of vulnerable patients and helped give out more than 13 million illegal doses of opioids.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Michael Moore Reveals Release Date for His Anti-Trump Doc</em></strong></p>
<p>Michael Moore announced the release date of and showed off footage from his upcoming documentary focused on President Donald Trump <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJS6zDqsgEo">during his appearance on <em>The Late Show with Stephen Colbert</em></a> Thursday night. The <em>Fahrenheit 9/11</em> filmmaker revealed that the documentary will be released Sept. 21 and confirmed that its title will be <em>Fahrenheit 11/9</em>, echoing that of his earlier 2004 film that took aim at President George W. Bush. Though the director said that he "can't reveal too much right now" about the documentary, he showed footage in which he attempts to gain entry into Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, or as he told someone as he attempted to enter, the "Southern White House." He is shown being kept out by an iron gate at a door as the camera zooms in to see who is inside. "Just tell him it's me," Moore is heard saying to a doorman. According to an official synopsis of the new film, "Michael Moore's <em>Fahrenheit 11/9</em> is a provocative and comedic look at the times in which we live. It will explore the two most important questions of the Trump Era: How the f**k did we get here, and how the f**k do we get out? It's the film to see before it's too late."</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-06-29T14:16:00ZJustice Kennedy Will Retire at the End of July; U.S.-Russia Summit Date and Location ReleasedBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Justice-Kennedy-Will-Retire-at-the-End-of-July;-U.S.-Russia-Summit-Date-and-Location-Released/822603435879374940.html2018-06-28T12:44:00Z2018-06-28T12:44:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, June 28, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Justice Kennedy Will Retire at the End of July</em></strong></p>
<p>Justice Anthony Kennedy, a conservative who provided key votes for same-sex marriage, abortion access, and affirmative action, will retire from the Supreme Court. The retirement is effective July 31, Kennedy said in a <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2018/06/27/politics/read-justice-anthony-kennedy-retirement-letter/index.html">letter to President Donald Trump on Wednesday.</a> Kennedy's decision to step down could transform the Supreme Court for generations. Trump will have his second opportunity to nominate a justice and will likely replace Kennedy with a young, conservative jurist. That would create a bloc of five staunch conservative justices who could move the court further to the right and cement a conservative majority for the foreseeable future.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Schumer Demands GOP Use ‘Biden Rule’ When Choosing SCOTUS Justice</em></strong></p>
<p>Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) warned President Trump and Republicans against nominating a Supreme Court justice to replace Anthony Kennedy prior to the 2018 election, and demanded they reject any nominee who would seek to overturn Roe v. Wade. "[R]eproductive rights for women and countless other protections for middle-class Americans are at stake," Schumer said. <a href="https://twitter.com/FoxNews/status/1012055217377030144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Finsider.foxnews.com%2F2018%2F06%2F27%2Fanthony-kennedy-retires-schumer-rips-trump-republicans-not-choose-pick-biden-rule">He demanded that</a> “Our Republican colleagues in the Senate should follow the rule they set in 2016: not to consider a Supreme Court justice in an election year.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>McConnell Aims to Vote on New Justice by Fall</em></strong></p>
<p>Justice Anthony Kennedy's retirement is setting off a momentous confirmation battle for President Donald Trump's next Supreme Court nominee that is certain to consume the Senate, inflame partisan tensions and shape the outcome of the midterm elections. Trump said he would start the effort to replace Kennedy "immediately" and would pick from a list of 25 names that he updated last year. Senate Majority Leader Mitch <a href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2018/06/27/mcconnell_will_vote_to_confirm_justice_kennedys_successor_this_fall.html">McConnell declared</a> that the Senate “will vote to confirm Justice Kennedy's successor this fall.” Republicans also have a chance to make judicial nominees a top campaign issue, which could help motivate conservatives and evangelicals to vote in November. The playbook worked in 2016 when Republicans rallied around McConnell's successful block of then-President Barack Obama's nominee to the court, Merrick Garland.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Tweets about Strzok’s Closed Door Hearing</em></strong></p>
<p>FBI agent Peter Strzok earned “poor marks” for his Congressional interview, President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter Thursday, suggesting Strzok was evasive in during his closed-door hearing and declaring, once again, that the investigation into his 2016 campaign is “rigged.”</p>
<p>“Lover FBI Agent Peter Strzok was given poor marks on yesterday’s closed door testimony and, according to most reports, refused to answer many questions,” <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1012290012279435265">the president wrote on Twitter</a>. “There was no Collusion and the Witch Hunt, headed by 13 Angry Democrats and others who are totally conflicted, is Rigged!” Strzok spoke Wednesday before the House Oversight and Judiciary committees, which are jointly probing the Justice Department and FBI’s conduct in 2016. His day-long interviews earned mixed reviews from lawmakers, with Republicans left fuming while Democrats mostly shrugged.</p>
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<p><strong><em>U.S.-Russia Summit Date and Location Released</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.axios.com/trump-to-meet-putin-in-finland-next-month-1530187745-640c9bc5-5a9e-4455-82ac-c78ea5736de9.html?stream=politics&utm_source=alert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=alerts_politics">The White House has announced</a> the Trump/Putin summit: “President Donald J. Trump and President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation will meet on July 16, 2018, in Helsinki, Finland. The two leaders will discuss relations between the United States and Russia and a range of national security issues.” On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with President Trump's national security adviser John Bolton for talks to set the stage for a U.S.-Russian summit.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Rallies Support in Fargo</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump held a rally in Fargo, North Dakota, Wednesday evening, hoping to help Republicans gain a seat in the U.S. Senate. North Dakota Democrat Heidi Heitkamp is in a tough race to hold her U.S. Senate seat against Republican U.S. Rep. Kevin Cramer. About 6,000 people filled Scheels Arena to roar their support of the President's policies. Trump praised the work ethic and patriotism of North Dakotans. "You are the people who farm the prairie, tame the badlands, and squeeze oil out of rocks," he told the crowd.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Pentagon Asked to House Up to 32,000 Illegal Immigrants on Military Bases</em></strong></p>
<p>The Pentagon has been asked to find or make room on U.S. military bases for up to 12,000 additional people who are members of migrant families, bringing the total number of beds requested for immigrants who crossed the southern border illegally to 32,000. The latest request from the Department of Homeland Security asks the Pentagon to first look around to see if it has existing facilities that could house “an alien family population of up to 12,000 people.” If there are no existing facilities available, then DHS is requesting the military begin to construct tent cities, to house up to 4,000 people at three separate locations. The camps need to be located in border states Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, or California in order to comply with a court ruling known as the Flores Settlement that requires “reasonable efforts be made to place minors in the geographic area where the majority are apprehended.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-06-28T12:44:00ZStrzok to Appear for Closed-Door Interview; CA Judge Says Separated families must be reunited within 30 daysBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Strzok-to-Appear-for-Closed-Door-Interview;-CA-Judge-Says-Separated-families-must-be-reunited-within-30-days/-608362521297719645.html2018-06-27T14:35:00Z2018-06-27T14:35:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, June 27, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br />
<p><strong><em>FBI Agent Peter Strzok to Appear for Closed-Door Interview</em></strong></p>
<p>The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to interview Peter Strzok behind closed doors today. Sen. Lindsey Graham <a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/382665068/Graham-s-Letter-to-Rosenstein#from_embed">sent a letter</a> on Tuesday to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein asking the Justice Department to answer questions regarding the role of embattled FBI agent Peter Strzok and attorney Lisa Page in the launch of the investigation into Russian ties to the Trump campaign. Strzok is appearing voluntarily as he has for weeks offered to do after House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) tabled a subpoena he issued last week to compel a deposition. Through a lawyer, Strzok has fiercely defended himself, denying that his views of Trump tainted his investigative objectivity. </p>
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<p><strong><em>CA Judge Says Separated families must be reunited within 30 days</em></strong></p>
<p>A judge in California on Tuesday ordered U.S. border authorities to reunite separated families within 30 days, setting a hard deadline in a process that has so far yielded uncertainty about when children might again see their parents. If children are younger than 5, they must be reunified within 14 days of the order issued Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw in San Diego. Sabraw, an appointee of President George W. Bush, also issued a nationwide injunction on future family separations, unless the parent is deemed unfit or doesn’t want to be with the child. He also requires the government to provide phone contact between parents and their children within 10 days.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>72% of American’s Think Media Intentionally Reports Fake News</em></strong></p>
<p>Across the board, trust in traditional news outlets continues to sink, with the overwhelming majority of Americans, 72%, saying that "traditional major news sources report news they know to be fake, false, or purposely misleading." When asked, “How often do you think news sources report news they know to be fake, false or purposely misleading?” 53% of Democrats, 79% of Independents and 92% of Republicans said a lot or sometimes. Most people say they can spot a fake piece of news. And while Republicans are much less likely to trust that traditional news sources publish real news, they and Democrats are both mostly confident, 78% and 73% respectively, in their ability to identify whether a piece of news as fake.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Allies Fear Trump Putin Summit</em></strong></p>
<p>America’s allies in Europe are worried about President Trump’s expected meeting next month with Vladimir Putin. Senior officials from four NATO member nations say that their worst fear is that Trump will clash with America’s allies at the NATO summit in Brussels on July 11-12. Then, shortly afterward lavish praise on Putin. These officials say that would leave Europeans feeling abandoned and would advance Russia’s goal of dividing European and transatlantic alliances.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Sarah Sanders Reportedly to Get Temporary Secret Service Protection</em></strong></p>
<p>White House press secretary Sarah Sanders will reportedly receive temporary Secret Service protection days after she was asked to leave a Virginia restaurant which lead to detailed threats against her family. <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterAlexander/status/1011738541464965120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.npr.org%2F2018%2F06%2F26%2F623565247%2Fprimaries-to-watch-will-trump-endorsements-be-enough-to-protect-gop-incumbents">NBC first reported</a> that Sanders would receive the high-level protection, which is normally reserved for the president, vice president, and their families. In a press briefing on Monday, Sanders said she was asked to leave the Red Hen restaurant in Lexington, Va., "Because I work for President Trump." She said that "A Hollywood actor publicly encouraged people to kidnap my children", a reference to actor Peter Fonda. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Tuesday’s Primary Results</em></strong></p>
<p>Yesterday, seven states <a href="http://click.morning7.theskimm.com/?qs=2ed072dd518c3043aa674216d3662c5902d18ccc6122429acfd97eeaace0df96ea310c55b4c741fb62a70a3eb56684ea91c05226454fdb44" target="_blank">went to the polls</a> to choose who'll face off in November. Mitt Romney (R) got his mittens on Utah's Senate race nomination. In Colorado, Rep. Jared Polis (D) won his party's nomination for governor. If he wins in November, he'll be the first openly gay governor elected in the U.S. A few pro-Trump Republican candidates survived GOP primary challengers. In South Carolina, that meant Gov. Henry McMaster got the nod to keep going. And in New York, Representative Dan Donovan, a New York Republican, successfully fended off a fierce challenge from his predecessor, Michael Grimm. 10-term incumbent Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY) also had a rough night. He lost the Democratic nomination to progressive newbie Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D). Meanwhile, Maryland's primaries had a few hiccups. As many as 80,000 voters had to fill out provisional ballots because of a tech glitch. Which may or may not impact anything.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Marijuana Addiction is Real</em></strong></p>
<p>Many people are unaware of marijuana addiction. But in the public health and medical communities, it is a well-defined disorder that includes physical withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and psychological dependence. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/marijuana-addiction-is-real-but-many-users-dont-realize-that/2018/06/22/4c2f557c-6e5f-11e8-bd50-b80389a4e569_story.html">According to Nora Volkow</a>, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, an estimated 2.7 million Americans meet the diagnostic criteria for marijuana dependence, second only to alcohol dependence. Unlike with opioids and stimulants, marijuana dependence tends to develop slowly. Months or years may pass before symptoms begin to affect a dependent user's life.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-06-27T14:35:00ZUK's Brexit Bill Becomes Law Allowing the UK to Leave the EU; Push to Abolish ICE Moves to Major CitiesBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/UKs-Brexit-Bill-Becomes-Law-Allowing-the-UK-to-Leave-the-EU;-Push-to-Abolish-ICE-Moves-to-Major-Cities/-30772293249971963.html2018-06-26T13:24:00Z2018-06-26T13:24:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, June 26, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em><br />UK’s Brexit Bill Becomes Law Allowing the UK to Leave the EU</em></strong></p>
<p>The British government’s so-called Brexit legislation that would <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/06/26/brexit-bill-becomes-law-allowing-uk-to-leave-european-union.html">allow the country to leave European Union</a> became law Tuesday after Queen Elizabeth II gave her approval. House Commons Speaker John Bercow announced that the European Union Withdrawal Bill received royal assent and passed into law. The announcement was cheered by pro-Brexit officials. “I have to notify the House in accordance with the Royal Assent Act 1967 that her Majesty has signified her royal assent to the following acts ... European Union Withdrawal Act 2018,” Bercow said. The bill was finally approved after months of debate. The legislation will translate thousands of pieces of EU law into British statute. Pro-EU lawmakers and members of the House of Lords tried to amend it to soften the terms of Britain's departure from the bloc.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Prince William Makes Historic Visit to Israel</em></strong></p>
<p>Prince William started his Israel tour on Tuesday with a visit to Jerusalem's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial. William <a href="https://people.com/royals/prince-william-just-became-the-first-royal-to-touch-down-in-israel-for-official-visit/">arrived Monday night</a> in the first-ever official visit by a member of the British royal family to the tumultuous region London once ruled. The memorial has recognized Prince William's great-grandmother, Princess Alice, as part of the Righteous Among the Nations for her role in rescuing Jews during the Holocaust. Later today, Prince William is supposed to visit coastal Tel Aviv to attend a soccer game of young Jewish and Arab players. He is also scheduled to meet the mayor of Tel Aviv, attending a reception the British ambassador is holding in his honor and meeting Israeli high-tech entrepreneurs.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Judd Apatow Calls Trump a Nazi</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Hollywood director and producer Judd Apatow took to Twitter on Monday and declared that America will soon be presented with “proof” that President Donald Trump is “a Nazi supported by the Russians.” <a href="https://twitter.com/JuddApatow/status/1011311626388230144">Apatow tweeted</a>, “He’s a Nazi. He wants no judicial process. He kidnapped children and commits acts of violence for political gain and to support his racist views. He admires violent dictators. Trump is a Nazi. The debate is over. Soon we will have proof he is a Nazi supported by the Russians.” Apatow’s comment accusing president Trump of “kidnapping children” is, in fact, the administration enacting a measure that flowed from the infamous Clinton-era <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-06-18/all-about-the-u-s-separating-families-at-its-border-quicktake" target="_blank"><em>Flores vs. Reno</em></a> Supreme Court decision allowing unaccompanied minors be held “in the least restrictive setting appropriate to the minor’s age and special needs.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Gallup Poll: Trump Has 45% Approval Rating</em></strong></p>
<p>A review of Americans’ <a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/235907/americans-evaluate-trump-character-across-dimensions.aspx">ratings of President Donald Trump</a> across a series of personal dimensions shows that at least half consider him intelligent, strong and decisive, and able to bring about change. However, much smaller proportions deem him honest, likable or admirable or say he has appointed good advisers or works well with both parties. The biggest change in Trump's image has been with the view that Trump keeps his promises. 62% of Americans said this applied to Trump just after he took office, in February 2017. But in April of that year, his rating on keeping his promises fell into the mid-40% range, most likely reflecting his failure to immediately follow through on campaign pledges such as repealing the Affordable Care Act.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Push to Abolish ICE Moves to Major Cities</em></strong></p>
<p>Protesters are occupying Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities across the country, inspired by a Portland protest that resulted in the indefinite shutdown of an ICE detention center on Wednesday. “Occupy ICE” protesters are blocking the loading dock of ICE headquarters in <a href="https://twitter.com/macc_nyc/status/1010221274688311297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Fbusiness-a-lobbying%2F393790-occupy-ice-protests-emerge-across-the-country">New York</a>, have set up tents in front of an ICE facility in Los Angeles and are gathered outside of a detention center in Washington state. Though the protests are not led by any one group, the Democratic Socialists of America are involved in most states, alongside groups associated with prison abolition, immigration rights, and anarchist collectives. The protests are calling for an abolition of ICE and an end to what they call human rights abuses by the criminal justice system, alongside other reforms.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Russell Crowe Will Portray Roger Ailes in Upcoming Showtime Series</em></strong></p>
<p>Showtime <a href="https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/russell-crowe-will-portray-roger-ailes-in-upcoming-showtime-limited-series/368077?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=ABN_MorningMediaNewsfeed&utm_campaign=MorningMediaNewsfeed_Newsletter_2018062608&s_id=57e9a04f2ddf9c7ef3828467">announced Monday </a>that Russell Crowe will portray the late Fox News chairman Roger Ailes in the forthcoming Showtime limited series “The Loudest Voice In The Room,” which is an adaptation of Gabe Sherman‘s bestselling book with the same title. The miniseries is set to explore the rise of Fox News. Ailes died in May 2017, just under a year after he resigned amid allegations of sexual harassment and abuse. Sherman co-wrote the initial episode with Spotlight writer Tom McCarthy, who will executive produce with Jason Blum. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Sean Spicer Is Testing Out a New Job: TV Talk Show Host</em></strong></p>
<p>Sean Spicer, arguably the world’s most famous White House press secretary, is developing a talk show with the tentative title of Sean Spicer’s Common Ground, in which the former spokesman for President Trump interviews notable people in an informal setting. Debmar-Mercury, whose roster includes Family Feud and The Wendy Williams Show, and the Pilgrim Media Group have greenlit the pilot. Spicer confirmed the news <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/25/business/media/sean-spicer-talk-show.html?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=ABN_MorningMediaNewsfeed&utm_campaign=MorningMediaNewsfeed_Newsletter_2018062608&s_id=57e9a04f2ddf9c7ef3828467">to the Times</a>. “In this current environment, I think it’s important to have a platform where we can have civil, respectful, and informative discussions on the issues of the day,” Spicer said.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-06-26T13:24:00ZSarah Sanders Kicked Out of VA Restaurant; The Battle Over Immigration ContinuesBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Sarah-Sanders-Kicked-Out-of-VA-Restaurant;-The-Battle-Over-Immigration-Continues/-923014608209198922.html2018-06-25T13:40:00Z2018-06-25T13:40:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Monday, June 25, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Sarah Sanders Kicked Out of VA Restaurant</em></strong></p>
<p>A server at the small farm-to-table restaurant in the Shenandoah Valley sent out a Facebook message saying, "I just served Sarah Huckabee Sanders for a total of 2 minutes before my owner asked her to leave." The post has since been deleted. Within hours, <a href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-red-hen-lexington-3?start=160&sort_by=date_desc">The Red Hen's Yelp</a> page was inundated with both positive and negative reviews, reacting to the treatment of White House press secretary Sarah Sanders. A one-star review: "Horrible food paired with an unamerican owner. 1/10 don't recommend. Don't come here at all."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>The Battle Over Immigration Continues</em></strong></p>
<p>House Republican leaders will start the week the same way they started last week, by facing party wide insurrection over an immigration bill that has been repeatedly sabotaged by President Trump. They've promised a vote on compromise legislation that was brokered among moderates, conservatives, GOP leaders and the White House in the hopes of crafting an immigration bill that can win the votes of 218 of the 235 House Republicans. At the end of last week, multiple GOP sources said that leaders were still far short of that threshold. Leaders have so far been unable to bridge the divide.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Ex-NATO Chief Blocked from Entering U.S.</em></strong></p>
<p>A former secretary general of NATO said Monday that he has been blocked from entering the U.S. over a visit to Iran in 2013. Javier Solana <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/25/world/europe/javier-solana-us-visa.html?smid=tw-nytimesworld&smtyp=cur" target="_blank">told The New York Times</a> that his renewal application on the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) was rejected for the first time. The system allows individuals from some countries to travel to the U.S. without having to apply for a visa. Solana, a Spanish citizen, told The Times that he believed the rejection “to be more bureaucratic than political.” Solana said he traveled to Iran in 2013 to attend the inauguration of President Hassan Rouhani. He said that he will apply for a U.S. visa.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Kamala Harris Isn’t Ruling Out a 2020 White House Run</em></strong></p>
<p>Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., said over the weekend that she’s not ruling out the possibility of a White House run in 2020. "I don't know, I don't know," <a href="https://twitter.com/KasieDC/status/1011051155953274880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fpolitics%2Fkamala-harris-on-2020-white-house-run-im-not-ruling-it-out">she told MSNBC</a>. "I'm not ruling it out." Harris said that right now she’s focused on the 2018 midterm elections and immigration policy, but don’t be surprised to see her on the 2020 presidential election ballot.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Democrats Push to Abolish ICE</em></strong></p>
<p>Democrats have said the agency should be abolished because of the role it plays in apprehending illegal immigrants. Candidates like former "Sex and the City" star Cynthia Nixon, who is running to replace New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and recently called ICE a "terrorist organization," say the agency should be abolished after implementing the Trump administration's policy to separate undocumented migrant children from their families. Over the weekend Sen. Bernie Sanders said he disagrees with the idea of abolishing ICE. Sanders told CNN’s “State of the Union” that, “What we need is Trump to sit down with members of Congress and work on a national program which deals with a serious issue.”<br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>DOJ Delivers Russia Probe Documents to Congress</em></strong></p>
<p>The Department of Justice has given additional classified documents related to the Russia investigation to House Republicans, some of whom said the materials are insufficient. A spokeswoman for Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) <a href="https://www.apnews.com/c833af9e743142f59df4d91354c69a41/DOJ-gives-Congress-new-classified-documents-on-Russia-probe" target="_blank">told The Associated Press</a> that officials provided more than 1,000 documents related to the origin of the FBI’s investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. AshLee Strong told the AP that the DOJ will receive additional time to provide other outstanding documents requested by House Republicans.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Maxine Waters: God Is on the Side of People Driving Trump Officials from Restaurants</em></strong></p>
<p>Congresswoman Maxine Waters claimed that God was on the side of people who drove Trump officials out of restaurants during a speech at a “Keep Families Together” rally on Saturday. She explained, “Already you have members of your cabinet that are being booed out of restaurants. We have protesters taking up at their house who are saying, ‘No peace, no sleep. No peace, no sleep.’” Waters began her speech with a call for President Donald Trump’s impeachment, saying that he’s lied. She said that the recent pushback against Trump was the result of Americans fed up with his policies.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-06-25T13:40:00ZConservative Commentator and Pulitzer Prize Winner Charles Krauthammer Has Died; Peter Strzok Has Lost His Security ClearanceBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Conservative-Commentator-and-Pulitzer-Prize-Winner-Charles-Krauthammer-Has-Died;-Peter-Strzok-Has-Lost-His-Security-Clearance/438248389242246846.html2018-06-22T12:34:00Z2018-06-22T12:34:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Friday, June 22, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Conservative Commentator and Pulitzer Prize Winner Charles Krauthammer Has Died</em></strong> </p>
<p>Conservative commentator Charles Krauthammer died Thursday evening after fighting a losing battle with cancer. He was 68 years old. The cause of death was cancer of the small intestine, according to the conservative icon’s son, Daniel Krauthammer. He did not provide further information. Charles Krauthammer wrote a touching <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/a-note-to-readers/2018/06/08/3512010c-6b24-11e8-bea7-c8eb28bc52b1_story.html?utm_term=.9c7756136450&tid=a_mcntx">farewell note</a> in The Washington Post notifying readers of his column about the serious nature of his condition. “I have been uncharacteristically silent these past ten months,” he wrote in the June 8 post. “I had thought that silence would soon be coming to an end, but I’m afraid I must tell you now that fate has decided on a different course for me.” Krauthammer went on to say, “Recent tests have revealed that the cancer has returned. There was no sign of it as recently as a month ago, which means it is aggressive and spreading rapidly. My doctors tell me their best estimate is that I have only a few weeks left to live. This is the final verdict. My fight is over.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>First Lady Calls for 'Common Sense Immigration Reform' After Visit to Texas Border</em></strong></p>
<p>First lady <a href="http://thehill.com/people/melania-trump">Melania Trump</a> called on Congress to pass "common sense immigration reform" after a <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/393472-melania-trump-to-visit-with-immigrant-children-at-texas-border" target="_blank">surprise visit</a> to the Texas border on Thursday. In a statement released by the White House after the trip, the first lady said her visit to a shelter housing migrant children impacted her “greatly.” Melania said, “I was very impressed with the center and the hardworking staff and leadership there – and thank them for all of their hard work. It is my hope that Members of Congress will finally reach across the aisle and work together to solve this problem with common sense immigration reform that secures our borders and keeps families together,” she added.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Jeff Sessions: Peter Strzok Has Lost His Security Clearance</em></strong></p>
<p>Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Thursday that former FBI official Peter Strzok has lost his security clearance amid an internal disciplinary review. “Mr. Strzok, as I understand, has lost his security clearance,” <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INn2jYtqNJM">Sessions told radio host Howie Carr</a>. Strzok was escorted out of FBI headquarters on Friday, the day after the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released its long-awaited report about the FBI’s handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>House GOP Leaders Push Immigration Vote to Next Week</em></strong></p>
<p>In a surprise move Thursday night, House GOP leaders pushed back a vote on a compromise immigration bill until next week, underscoring the difficulty they're facing of winning votes. The decision to delay the vote, which had already been postponed from Thursday to Friday, followed a two-hour conference meeting designed to brief members on the measure’s contents. Lawmakers leaving the meeting said the bill will need to be changed even more if it is to have any hope of winning passage. “We're going to keep working — there are good ideas being discussed. We're trying to see if we can come to a consensus,” Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) told reporters. “So there are still complicated issues we're working through, but we're going to keep trying.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Tom Arnold Says He's Teaming Up with Michael Cohen and 'Taking Trump Down'</em></strong></p>
<p>Comedian Tom Arnold said Friday that he and President Trump’s former, longtime personal lawyer are teaming up to “take down” the president. <a href="https://twitter.com/TomArnold/status/1009953706748665858/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Fblogs%2Fin-the-know%2F393598-tom-arnold-cohen-and-i-are-teaming-up-to-take-trump-down">Arnold tweeted a photo </a>with Michael Cohen on Thursday with the caption, "I Love New York," which Cohen retweeted without comment. Arnold then told NBC News that he met with Cohen as part of a show he is working on for Vice, in which he searches for incriminating videos of the president. "This dude has all the tapes–this dude has everything,” Arnold told NBC News. "I say to Michael, 'Guess what? We’re taking Trump down together,’ and he’s so tired he’s like, 'OK,' and his wife is like, 'OK, f--- Trump.’” The show will feature Arnold’s hunt for other unflattering videos and footage of the president.<br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>DNA Kits are Being Donated to Help Reunite Migrant Families</em></strong></p>
<p>The CEO of the popular DNA-testing company 23andMe has agreed to provide DNA kits to help reunite the hundreds of migrant families separated at the border over the past couple of weeks after Congresswoman Jackie Speier approached the company with the idea. “They have committed to providing all the tests necessary to test the parents and the children,” Speier told Mercury News. Speier then got in touch with CEO Anne Wojcicki, who agreed to take on the task. Wojcicki tweeted, “We've heard from many of our customers that they would like to see 23andMe help reunite family members that were tragically separated from each other. Connecting and uniting families is core to the mission of 23andMe. We would welcome any opportunity to help.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Student Group Tells ‘White Folks’ to ‘Stop Calling the Cops’</em></strong></p>
<p>A Marquette University student group is imploring “white folks” to “stop calling the cops,” suggesting instead that students take matters into their own hands when they feel threatened. In <a href="https://www.facebook.com/muempowerment/photos/a.1476356425963717.1073741828.1462138237385536/2134552210144132/?type=3&theater">a post</a> on its Facebook page addressed specifically to “white folks,” <a href="https://marquette.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/empowerment">Marquette Empowerment</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> offers</span> “some handy steps to follow if you feel the urge” to call the police, attaching a poster listing five “alternatives to calling the police.” Only after all of those options have been exhausted, the guide says, should one contact the police and even then it exhorts students to make sure they “understand how involving the police could impact me and the other person.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-06-22T12:34:00ZTrump Attends Rally in Minnesota; 'Superman' Hangs Up His Cape for Police BadgeBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Attends-Rally-in-Minnesota;-Superman-Hangs-Up-His-Cape-for-Police-Badge/-236931398440964522.html2018-06-21T13:29:00Z2018-06-21T13:29:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, June 21, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Trump Signs Order Ending Family Separation</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump signed an <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/affording-congress-opportunity-address-family-separation/">executive</a> order Wednesday that would house parents and children caught crossing the U.S. border together, possibly on military bases, instead of separating them. Trump’s executive order continues the “zero tolerance” approach of referring all people apprehended for criminal prosecution. But it says that instead of separating children and sending them to the care of the Department of Health and Human Services, the families would be kept together under the Department of Homeland Security. The executive order says, “It is also the policy of this Administration to maintain family unity, including by detaining alien families together where appropriate and consistent with law and available resources.”<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>‘Superman’ Hangs Up His Cape for Police Badge</em></strong></p>
<p>Former ‘Superman’ actor Dean Cain joined the St. Anthony Police Department in Idaho on Tuesday. In 2016, "CHiPs" actor Erik Estrada became a St. Anthony police reserve officer. Cain and Estrada have been friends for years. Cain joined the police department to work on Estrada's "All About Kids" task force, which aims to teach kids how to be safe online. "Real heroes don't wear capes," Cain <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/06/16/exclusive-superman-puts-on-badge/" target="_blank">told The Daily Caller</a>. "Real superheroes wear uniforms and badges and stethoscopes. Real superheroes are members of our military, law enforcement, and first responders."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Attends Rally in Minnesota</em></strong></p>
<p>On Wednesday, President Trump attended a rally in Duluth, Minnesota, where supporters cheered him where he blasted illegal immigration and praised his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUkDWalgVJs">In the roughly one-hour rally</a>, the president jumped from topic to topic, as he often does, lightly touching on his decision earlier in the day to temporarily end family separation at the border. Trump said the U.S. will still be "tough" at the border despite the policy change that Trump signed earlier in the day. The energetic crowd loved Mr. Trump's monologue. "By the way, is there anything more fun than a Trump rally?" the president said at one point.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Restaurant Manager Where Sec Nielsen Was Mobbed ‘Happy’ About It</em></strong></p>
<p>The Mexican restaurant where Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen was swarmed by protesters Tuesday in Washington, D.C., took no action to quell the protesters or ensure Nielsen’s safety, a manager told The Daily Caller. “We are not upset the protesters came here and we are not upset even if it was any of our staffers [who tipped off] the protesters,” said the MXDC Cocina Mexicana manager who refused to give his name. “We are happy about what happened.” Nielsen was bombarded by socialist protesters who were <a href="https://www.refinery29.com/2018/06/202335/kirstjen-nielsen-mexican-restaurant-family-separation" target="_blank">tipped</a> off that she was eating at MXDC, which was created by chef Todd English, on Tuesday night, according to Refinery29. Protesters yelled “Shame, shame” and “How do you sleep at night?” at Nielsen, who left the restaurant shortly after the protesters arrived.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Laura Ingraham Is Facing a Boycott for Comparing Immigrant Detention Centers to Summer Camps</em></strong></p>
<p>Parkland school shooting survivor David Hogg is calling for brands to boycott Fox News host Laura Ingraham after she compared immigrant detention facilities to “summer camps” and “boarding schools.” <a href="https://twitter.com/FoxNews/status/1008898448098316293?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.refinery29.com%2F2018%2F06%2F202335%2Fkirstjen-nielsen-mexican-restaurant-family-separation">Ingraham said</a>, “More kids are being separated from their parents and temporarily housed in what are essentially summer camps, or as <em>The San Diego Union-Tribune</em> described them, as basically looking like boarding schools. The American people are footing a really big bill for what is tantamount to a slow-rolling invasion of the United States.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Publisher of National Enquirer Subpoenaed in Michael Cohen Probe</em></strong></p>
<p>Federal authorities have subpoenaed the publisher of the National Enquirer for records related to its $150,000 payment to a former Playboy model for the rights to her story alleging an affair with Donald Trump, according to people familiar with the matter. American Media has said it will comply in the probe, telling the Wall Street Journal, “American Media Inc., has, and will continue to, comply with any and all requests that do not jeopardize or violate its protected sources or materials pursuant to our first amendment rights.” The report goes on to say, “The subpoena from Manhattan federal prosecutors requesting information from the publisher, American Media Inc., about its August 2016 payment to Karen McDougal is part of a broader criminal investigation of Mr. Trump’s former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, they said.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Michael Bloomberg Will Spend $80 Million on Midterms</em></strong></p>
<p>Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire former mayor of New York City, has decided to throw his political clout and personal fortune behind the Democratic campaign to take control of the House of Representatives this year, directing aides to spend tens of millions of dollars in an effort to expel Republicans from power. Bloomberg has supported both Republicans and Democrats in the past, however, now his overall goal is to return the House to Democratic hands and promote an air of bipartisanship that he believes has gone missing in Washington. Bloomberg has entrusted <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-elections-bloomberg/michael-bloomberg-to-spend-80-million-to-help-elect-democrats-nyt-idUSKBN1JG2Z8?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=ABN_MorningMediaNewsfeed&utm_campaign=MorningMediaNewsfeed_Newsletter_2018062108&s_id=57e9a04f2ddf9c7ef3828467">a former executive director</a> of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which is dedicated to electing Democrats to the House, with overseeing the money flow.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-06-21T13:29:00ZTrump Not Backing Down on Family Separation at the Border; FBI agent Peter Strzok 'escorted' from FBI building, lawyer confirmsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Not-Backing-Down-on-Family-Separation-at-the-Border;-FBI-agent-Peter-Strzok-escorted-from-FBI-building-lawyer-confirms/-621956913516002332.html2018-06-20T15:18:00Z2018-06-20T15:18:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, June 20, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong>Trump Not Backing Down on Family Separation at the Border</strong></p>
<p>Despite growing concern from both sides of the aisle, the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance policy – which has resulted in more than 2,000 children being separated from their families since May – is not going anywhere just yet.</p>
<p>Despite <a href="https://www.axios.com/donald-trump-child-border-family-separation-boxed-in-1dc47dc3-a7ae-4847-a0ec-ef52ea4806f9.html">reports that say Ivanka Trump talked to the president</a> about the problematic images coming out of the border, Trump “doesn’t want to look weak” by backing down.</p>
<p>NBC News is reporting that "the cost of holding migrant children who have been separated from their parents in newly created 'tent cities' is <strong>$775 per person per night…. </strong>far higher than the cost of keeping children with their parents in detention centers or holding them in more permanent buildings."</p>
<p>This story has not been advanced but the media hysteria continues... along with <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/congress/house-dems-heckle-trump-over-family-separation-after-house-gop-meeting">heckling from some Democrats</a>.</p>
<p>Meanwhile….<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><br />FBI agent Peter Strzok ‘escorted’ from FBI building, lawyer confirms</strong></p>
<p>This story is largely being ignored by the media in favor of the situation at the border. FBI agent Peter Strzok, who sent out a series of anti-Trump messages, has been escorted from the FBI building, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/06/19/fbi-official-peter-strzok-escorted-from-fbi-building-lawyer-confirms.html">his lawyer confirmed Tuesday</a>.</p>
<p>Bill predicted he would be fired in all of this – but his lawyer maintains he was not fired.</p>
<p>Of course he was!</p>
<p>But why, if there was no “bias” in the FBI-Hillary Clinton investigation?</p>
<p>On Wednesday’s No Spin News we will discuss that and the largely ignored Congressional testimony given by Inspector General Michael Horowitz.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>A “Cesspool of Political Bias:” The United States withdraws from UN Human Rights Council, Says it is Anti-Israel</strong></p>
<p>U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Tuesday in Geneva that <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-06-19/trump-is-said-ready-to-pull-u-s-from-un-s-human-rights-council">the United States will withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council</a>.</p>
<p>Per Pompeo: <em>“The Human Rights Council has become an exercise in shameless hypocrisy, with many of the world’s worst human rights abuses going ignored, and some of the world’s most serious offenders sitting on the Council itself.”</em></p>
<p><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-un-human-rights-council-whitewashes-brutality/2017/06/02/c3757c2a-46e6-11e7-a196-a1bb629f64cb_story.html?utm_term=.2968be38cb06">In a 2017 op-ed for the Washington Post</a>, Haley announced that a U.S. Senate subcommittee met to consider whether the U.S. should remain a part of the council, and has called for an end to the organization’s “chronic anti-Israel bias.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Media Research Center: Networks Dedicate 4+ Hours to Separated Kids coverage</strong></p>
<p>The Media Research Center has put together a comprehensive analysis of media coverage of the families being separated at the border. Among their findings: over the last week, networks have covered the story for more than 4 hours – and it is picking up.</p>
<p><img src="/images/aandb/immchartjune19.jpg" alt="" width="410" height="224" /><br /><br /><a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2018/06/19/update-networks-dedicate-258-minutes-separated-kids-coverage">Check out the full report here</a>. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Comey in Germany: Hillary “doesn’t understand” what her FBI Investigation was about</strong></p>
<p>Still on his book tour, and conveniently outside of the United States, former FBI director James Comey <a href="http://freebeacon.com/politics/comey-hillary-clinton-still-doesnt-understand-fbi-investigation/">said the following Tuesday in Germany</a>:</p>
<p><em>“Again, I don’t want to criticize her, but it shows me that even at this late date she doesn’t understand what the investigation in her case was about… It was not about her use of a personal email system, and she didn’t get that during the investigation… It was about communicating about classified topics on that system when those topics have to be done on a classified system."</em></p>
<p>Comey asserted that he used his personal email system to email his speeches to his government account after he wrote them at home – he says he was "not talking about anything remotely classified and the inspector general didn't say that as well."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>US expecting North Korea to return troop remains in coming days</strong></p>
<p>200 sets of remains believed to be US service members who died during the Korean War <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/19/politics/north-korea-kia-remains-return/index.html">will soon be returned home</a>. While the transfer date and location have yet to be determined ,talks are underway, according to four administration officials. It could be as early as next week. </p>
<p>The Defense Department estimates there are up to 5,300 sets US remains still somewhere in North Korea. Almost 8,000 US personnel remain unaccounted for from the Korean War.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>NYC to issue Summonses instead of arresting pot smokers</strong></p>
<p>Intrepid NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday that <a href="https://www.amny.com/news/nyc-pot-policy-1.19299698">most New Yorkers caught smoking pot will not face arrest</a>. The change, he says, is meant to address the discrepancy between the number of blacks vs. whites that are arrested for the offense.</p>
<p>It will go into effect on September 1 2018 with several exceptions. Police will be able to use discretion.</p>
<p>Folks could still be arrested for smoking pot if:</p>
<ul>
<li>they are smoking around kids</li>
<li>they are on parole or probation</li>
<li>they have existing criminal warrants</li>
<li>they don’t have identification</li>
<li>they have a recent documented history of violence</li>
<li>their smoking poses a public safety risk, such as while driving a car.</li>
</ul>
<p>About 19,000 people were arrested for possession in 2017, compared to 53,000 in 2010.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Texas billboard tells liberals to keep driving until they leave the state</strong></p>
<p>This Texas billboard is gaining attention for urging liberals to keep driving until they leave the state!</p>
<p><img src="/images/aandb/1529461138093.jpg" alt="" width="465" height="212" /><br /><br />"Liberals please continue on I-40 until you have left our GREAT STATE OF TEXAS," <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/06/20/texas-billboard-tells-liberals-keep-driving/716756002/">the sign reads</a>, according to a photo taken by Kyle Mccallie.</p>
<p>Bill will address on Wednesday’s No Spin News.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Rachel Maddow ends her show in tears delivering news on migrant babies being detained</strong></p>
<p>Maddow broke down in tears at the end of her show reading an AP wire on the separation of children. <br /><br />Check out the clip below and the AP wire below that.</p>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qf_BTbPQARw" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<p> </p>
<p><em>AP: Trump administration officials have been sending babies and other young children forcibly separated from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border to at least three “tender age” shelters in South Texas, The Associated Press has learned.</em></p>
<p><em>Lawyers and medical providers who have visited the Rio Grande Valley shelters described play rooms of crying preschool-age children in crisis. The government also plans to open a fourth shelter to house hundreds of young migrant children in Houston, where city leaders denounced the move Tuesday.</em></p>
<p><em>Since the White House announced its zero tolerance policy in early May, more than 2,300 children have been taken from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border, resulting in a new influx of young children requiring government care. The government has faced withering critiques over images of some of the children in cages inside U.S. Border Patrol processing stations.</em></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-06-20T15:18:00ZMA Governor Cancels National Guard Deployment to Border; Republicans Demand the Anti-Trump FBI Employees Names Be ReleasedBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/MA-Governor-Cancels-National-Guard-Deployment-to-Border;-Republicans-Demand-the-Anti-Trump-FBI-Employees-Names-Be-Released/355041898643681816.html2018-06-19T13:15:00Z2018-06-19T13:15:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, June 19, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Republicans Demand the Anti-Trump FBI Employees Names Be Released</em></strong></p>
<p>In the IG report that was released last week, there were multiple FBI agents mentioned who were portrayed as “anti-Trump.” Now, a group of 8 House Republicans has asked Inspector General, Michael Horowitz to release those names. <a href="https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/biggs-brat-desjarlais-gaetz-gosar-hice-jordan-and-norman-ask-names-unidentified">The letter</a> to Horowitz said the lawmakers were "grateful" for Horowitz's work in compiling the report but added that they were requesting the names "in the interest of justice and transparency." The letter went on to say, "As representatives of the American people, Congress deserves to know exactly who contributed to the abuse of power at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI. These individuals need to be held accountable and only transparency will ensure that action."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Massachusetts Governor Cancels National Guard Deployment to Border</em></strong></p>
<p>Governor Charlie Baker of Massachusetts has decided to cancel the deployment of Massachusetts National Guard troops to the border in light of recent reports about the Trump Administration’s practice of separating immigrant children from families. State officials announced earlier this month that Massachusetts National Guard troops would be deployed to the border to support in security operations. One helicopter, aircrew, and military analysts from Massachusetts were set to head to the border at the end of June, now, Governor Baker is backing away from that. Lizzy Guyton, Baker’s communications director told <a href="https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2018/06/18/baker-cancels-national-guard-deployment-to-border-citing-inhumane-treatment-of-children-and-families">WGBH news</a> that “Governor Baker directed the National Guard not to send any assets or personnel to the Southwest border today because the federal government’s current actions are resulting in the inhumane treatment of children.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump to Welcome Spain’s King and Queen on Today</em></strong></p>
<p>Arriving from San Antonio, King Felipe VI, and Queen Letizia will meet President Trump and the First Lady at the White House on Tuesday. This marks the end of the King and Queen’s trip to the U.S. A statement confirmed the foreign minister of Spain's new Socialist government, Josep Borrell, would also be on the trip which commenced on June 14. The King and Queen’s visit with the President and First Lady will be to discuss issues pertaining to US-Spanish relations.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Poll: Majority of Republicans Back Family Separation Policy</em></strong></p>
<p>A new <a href="https://poll.qu.edu/national/release-detail?ReleaseID=2550">Quinnipiac poll</a> shows that a majority of Republicans support the Trump administration’s policy of separating migrant children from their parents when they are caught illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. Republican voters support the “zero-tolerance” policy 55% to 35%. While overall 66% of American voters oppose the policy and 27% approve of the policy.</p>
<p><strong><em><br /><br />Kim Jong Un Meets with Chinese President Xi</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.apnews.com/494804b466ee4a6d9ef6da20a0e5903b/North-Korea's-Kim-meets-with-Chinese-President-Xi-in-Beijing" target="_blank">The Associated Press</a> reported that President Xi Jinping of China and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met on Tuesday during Kim’s third trip to China in recent months. China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Geng Shuang, reportedly said the meeting will “strengthen our strategic communication on major issues to promote regional peace and stability.” Geng also said China believes sanctions placed on North Korea outside of the United Nations must be lifted. Xi went on to tell reporters that he thought the Trump-Kim summit was an “important step toward the political solution of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Approval Rating Ties Highest Point of His Presidency</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/203207/trump-job-approval-weekly.aspx">A Gallup poll</a> released Monday showed President Trump earning his highest approval rating since shortly after he took office, even as his administration faces growing criticism over its immigration policies. The poll found that 45% of Americans approve of Trump’s job performance as of Sunday, while 50% disapprove. The approval number matches Trump’s highest to date from Gallup. He previously received the same rating for the week ending on Jan. 29, 2017.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Poll: Kim Jong Un More Popular Than Nancy Pelosi</em></strong></p>
<p><em>A</em>ccording to a new <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/kim-jong-un-more-popular-than-pelosi-among-republicans-exclusive-poll-results">Ipsos poll</a> done exclusively for The Daily Beast, they found that self-identified Republicans now have a marginally more favorable view of Kim Jong Un than they do for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).The results show that 19% of Republicans indicated they had a favorable view of Kim Jong Un with 68% saying they had an unfavorable view. That compared slightly better than the perception of Pelosi, who had a 17% favorable rating, while 72% consider Pelosi to be unfavorable.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-06-19T13:15:00ZIG Horowitz, FBI Director Wray to Testify Before Senate Committee; Trump Refers to Peter Strzok as a "Sick Loser"BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/IG-Horowitz-FBI-Director-Wray-to-Testify-Before-Senate-Committee;-Trump-Refers-to-Peter-Strzok-as-a-Sick-Loser/668350590602764592.html2018-06-18T13:36:00Z2018-06-18T13:36:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Monday, June 18, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>IG Horowitz, FBI Director Wray to Testify Before Senate Committee Today</em></strong></p>
<p>FBI Director Christopher Wray and Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz will <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/06/18/620835080/doj-inspector-general-fbi-director-to-testify-monday-about-ig-report">testify on Monday</a> before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Horowitz's bombshell report on the FBI's investigation of Hillary Clinton's personal email server. Horowitz's report, released Thursday, singled out then-FBI Director James Comey for harsh criticism, but most notably, Horowitz found that anti-Trump text messages between FBI agent Peter Strzok and FBI attorney Lisa Page "potentially indicated or created the appearance that investigative decisions were impacted by bias or improper considerations."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Former CIA Director Likens WH Policy to Nazi Germany</em></strong></p>
<p>On Saturday, Former CIA Director Michael Hayden <a href="https://twitter.com/GenMhayden/status/1008095711764860928/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Flatino%2F392727-hayden-sees-commonality-between-zero-tolerance-border-policy-and-nazi-germany">posted a photo to Twitter</a> of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp used by Nazi Germany during World War II which he was comparing to the separation of children at the U.S.-Mexico border. Hayden was interviewed on CNN’s “New Day” on Monday where he said that he sees a "commonality” between Nazi Germany’s separation of children at concentration camps and the Trump administration policy that is forcing children to be separated from their parents at the Southern border. "I know we’re not Nazi Germany, alright. But there is a commonality there and a fear on my part, that we have standards we have to live up to,” Hayden told CNN.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Strzok Open to Testifying Before Congress</em></strong></p>
<p>FBI Agent Peter Strzok told <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/fbi-agent-removed-from-russia-probe-for-anti-trump-texts-says-hes-willing-to-testify-before-congress/2018/06/17/8d144160-7256-11e8-805c-4b67019fcfe4_story.html?utm_term=.3c29b9a588b0">the Washington Post</a> that he’s open to testifying before Congress about what was found in the inspector general’s report. Strzok "wants the chance to clear his name and tell his story," attorney Aitan Goelman said in an interview with the Post. "He thinks that his position, character, and actions have all been misrepresented and caricatured, and he wants an opportunity to remedy that," Goelman added. This is not the first time that Strzok has been asked to testify. It was requested that he appear before the House Judiciary Committee for "quite some time now," Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., the chairman of the committee, told Fox News' "Fox & Friends" Sunday. "If an agreement is not reached in the next day or so to produce him voluntarily, we will issue [a] subpoena early this week," Goodlatte said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Nunes Says Impeachment Is On The Table for Rod Rosenstein</em></strong></p>
<p>House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes said Sunday that “there will be hell to pay” including impeachment for top Justice Department officials if the agency fails this week to give Congress documents about an FBI informant used to spy on the Trump campaign. “We can’t force the resignation, but we can hold in contempt, we can pass resolutions, we can impeach. I think we’re getting close to there,” Nunes said of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein in an interview with Maria Bartiromo on Fox News’ <a href="http://video.foxnews.com/v/5798520622001/?#sp=show-clips">“Sunday Morning Futures.”</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Refers to Peter Strzok as a “Sick Loser”</em></strong></p>
<p>In a Sunday night <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1008510118395293699">tweet</a> Trump had a couple of choice words to say about FBI Agent Peter Strzok, “Why was the FBI’s sick loser, Peter Strzok, working on the totally discredited Mueller team of 13 Angry & Conflicted Democrats, when Strzok was giving Crooked Hillary a free pass yet telling his lover, lawyer Lisa Page, that “we’ll stop” Trump from becoming President? Witch Hunt!” More incriminating text messages between Strzok, Lisa Page, were released in the inspector general’s report last week.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Merkel Faces Political Crisis for Open Door Policy</em></strong></p>
<p>German Chancellor Angela Merkel is in the fight of her political life and could lose her job within days. The crisis stems from a revolt over Merkel’s “open-door” migration policy, which she declared in 2015 to aid Syrian refugees. Instead, it launched a surge of almost 2 million migrants from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East into Germany and its European Union neighbors setting off a cascade of housing, employment, crime and other problems. “We are in a serious situation because the question of the migration crisis evolved into a power question,” German lawmaker Kai Whittaker told the BBC on Saturday. The looming political showdown pits Merkel against Interior Minister Horst Seehofer, the leader of the conservative Christian Social Union (CSU) party.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>NY Candidate Wants “Game of Thrones” Punishments</em></strong></p>
<p>A New York State assembly hopeful from Brooklyn wants to take a page from HBO’s “Game of Thrones” and force disgraced lawmakers convicted of corruption to be paraded in handcuffs through their home districts. Convicted statewide politicians would be subject to the same walk of shame near the Capitol in Albany, according to Steve Saperstein, who is proposing the move as he attempts to fill the seat of <a href="https://nypost.com/2018/06/12/ex-assemblywoman-pleads-guilty-to-fema-fraud-cover-up/">ex-Assemblywoman Pamela Harris</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">. </span>The Republican contender’s proposal also calls for ex-politician cons to do 500 hours of community service in addition to whatever punishment is handed down by a judge or jury.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-06-18T13:36:00ZDHS Denies Rumor of Separating Mother and Baby; A Roseanne Spinoff Could Be Finalized This WeekBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/DHS-Denies-Rumor-of-Separating-Mother-and-Baby;-A-Roseanne-Spinoff-Could-Be-Finalized-This-Week/-312751615796915705.html2018-06-17T13:48:00Z2018-06-17T13:48:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, June 17, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>DHS Denies Rumor of Separating Mother and Baby</em></strong></p>
<p>The Department of Homeland Security officials is denying an allegation that border authorities forcibly separated a breastfeeding baby from her mother while she was awaiting prosecution for entering the country illegally. “We do not separate babies from adults,” a DHS official told reporters during a background briefing. “It’s a bright line.” <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/12/us/immigration-separated-children-southern-border/index.html">CNN first reported</a> the story; however, they did not speak to the mother herself, they spoke to an attorney with the Texas Civil Rights Project who had reportedly interviewed the woman. “Nothing could be further from the truth and these allegations are unsubstantiated,” the spokesman, Carlos Diaz, said to CNN.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>President Trump Says Democrats are Only Good at Three Things</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump cited his reasoning behind keeping Democrats out of office. <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1007972046666690561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fdailycaller.com%2F2018%2F06%2F16%2Ftrump-democrats-border%2F">Trump tweeted</a>, “Democrats can fix their forced family breakup at the Border by working with Republicans on new legislation, for a change! This is why we need more Republicans elected in November. Democrats are good at only three things, High Taxes, High Crime and Obstruction. Sad!” On the North Lawn on Friday, the Trump explained several times that he did not like the policy that forced parents and children to be separated and that if the Democrats would only come to the negotiating table, that policy could be ended “tonight.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Poll: Most Americans Say It’s Too Early to Judge Singapore Summit’s Success</em></strong></p>
<p>A recent <a href="http://apps.washingtonpost.com/g/page/politics/washington-post-abc-news-poll-june-13-15-2018-us-north-korea-summit-reactions/2311/">Washington Post-ABC News poll</a> asked adults “Do you think the summit between Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un was a success for the United States or for North Korea?” 21% of those polled said it was a success for the United States, while 29% said it was a success for North Korea.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>South Korea, U.S. To Announce Suspension of Military Drills This Week</em></strong></p>
<p>South Korea and the United States are expected to announce the suspension of “large-scale” military drills this week, with the provision that they would restart if North Korea failed to keep its promise to denuclearize. Citing an unnamed government source, the South Korean news agency said the suspension was likely to affect only major joint exercises, not more routine military training. U.S. President Donald Trump surprised officials in Seoul and Washington when he pledged to end “war games” after his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore last week.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Nearly Half of All Immigrants Are on Welfare</em></strong></p>
<p>A newly released study of welfare use by U.S. born Americans naturalized citizens and non-citizen immigration, the <a href="https://www.migrationpolicy.org/research/chilling-effects-expected-public-charge-rule-impact-legal-immigrant-families" target="_blank">Migration Policy Institute</a> found that of the 22 million non-citizens in the country, 10.3 million are on at least one welfare program. The report said that 54.2 percent of children and teens up to age 17 receive at least one of four major public welfare benefits while its 46.3 percent for those aged 18-54 and 47.8 for older immigrants. By comparison, 32 percent of the U.S. born population of 270 million receive some welfare. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Illinois Taxpayers Pay Nearly $200 Million For Obama Presidential Center</em></strong></p>
<p>The state of Illinois has approved $224 million to pay for street and transportation projects in Chicago's South Side neighborhood around the Obama Presidential Center site, $199 million of which will fall directly on the shoulders of Illinois taxpayers. Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law the <a href="https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/budget/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">legislature's budget</a> on June 4, which included $174 million for road work in and around Jackson Park where the 235-foot-tall building would be located and another $50 million to renovate an above-ground rail stop two miles away. Federal agencies have also not approved the proposal nor issued permits allowing its construction on free parkland. Some local and national conservation and historical groups <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/the-battle-to-shut-down-obamas-presidential-center" target="_blank">oppose the project</a> because it is being proposed at Jackson Park, a park that's almost as old as New York City's Central Park.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>A Roseanne Spinoff Could Be Finalized This Week</em></strong></p>
<p>The future of a proposed <em>Roseanne</em> spinoff appears to be firmly in the hands of co-creator and former star Roseanne Barr. The <em>Roseanne</em> spinoff, rumors of which began circulating shortly after the original series’ abrupt cancellation in May has revealed that Barr would likely have to relinquish any potential profits from the spinoff in order for ABC to move forward with its plans. <em>Deadline</em> reported on Friday, that <a href="https://deadline.com/2018/06/roseanne-spinoff-update-optimism-deal-abc-title-roseanne-barr-agreement-1202411838/">Barr has tentatively agreed</a> to such a deal, possibly in exchange for a one-time payout from production company Carsey-Werner.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-06-17T13:48:00ZTrump Reacts to IG Report; Trump's Tariff ThreatBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Reacts-to-IG-Report;-Trumps-Tariff-Threat/-61705716611254785.html2018-06-15T14:52:00Z2018-06-15T14:52:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Friday, June 15, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Reacts to IG Report</em></strong></p>
<p>On Friday, Trump spoke about the IG’s report. He <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1007577375905861637">tweeted</a>, “The IG Report is a total disaster for Comey, his minions and sadly, the FBI. Comey will now officially go down as the worst leader, by far, in the history of the FBI. I did a great service to the people in firing him. Good Instincts. Christopher Wray will bring it proudly back!” <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1007572229935202304">Trump also took aim</a> at politically charged text messages exchanged between agent Peter Strzok and FBI attorney Lisa Page, “FBI Agent Peter Strzok, who headed the Clinton & Russia investigations, texted to his lover Lisa Page, in the IG Report, that “we’ll stop” candidate Trump from becoming President. Doesn’t get any lower than that!”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>IG Report Calls Comey “Insubordinate”</em></strong></p>
<p>In Inspector General Michael Horowitz’s report that was released on Thursday, he calls James Comey “Insubordinate” in handling the probe into Hillary Clinton. Comey responded to the report saying, "The conclusions are reasonable, even though I disagree with some," the former FBI director <a href="https://twitter.com/Comey/status/1007328935842123777">wrote on Twitter</a>. "People of good faith can see an unprecedented situation differently." </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump’s Tariff Threat</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Today, Trump "will announce a 25 percent tariff on $50 billion of Chinese products," the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://link.axios.com/click/13575318.19/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL2J1c2luZXNzL2Vjb25vbXkvdHJ1bXAtdG8taW1wb3NlLW9uLTUwLWJpbGxpb24taW4tY2hpbmVzZS1wcm9kdWN0cy1icm9hZGVuaW5nLXRoZS10cmFkZS13YXIvMjAxOC8wNi8xNC9lODdmNDU1Yy03MDFlLTExZTgtYmQ1MC1iODAzODlhNGU1Njlfc3RvcnkuaHRtbD91dG1fdGVybT0uODhkZWI4NjIyZjM4JnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/58bd655299964a886b8b4b2cB385bea2b">WashPost reports</a>.</span> "The tariffs, which Trump set in motion in March, are a response to China’s practice of compulsory technology licensing for foreign companies and its efforts to steal U.S. trade secrets via cybertheft." China's Commerce Ministry said Friday that it will respond immediately on the same scale to the Trump administration's new tariffs on Chinese goods worth up to $50 billion.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Won’t Sign Compromise Immigration Bill</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump on Friday said he would not sign the compromise immigration bill House Republicans unveiled on Thursday. The House is set to vote on two immigration bills next week, a conservative proposal and a compromise proposal GOP leaders negotiated with moderates and conservatives. “I’m looking at both of them,” <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCVSx_4V0wo">Trump told “Fox & Friends”</a> in an interview Friday morning from the White House lawn. “I certainly wouldn’t sign the more moderate one.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Manafort in Court on New Charges</em></strong></p>
<p>Former Trump Campaign Manager, Paul Manafort, heads to federal court on Friday. Manafort will learn whether he must await trial in prison or can remain on house arrest following <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/06/08/manafort-ukrainian-business-partner-hit-obstruction-charges-mueller/685576002/">allegations</a> that he tried to obstruct the Russia inquiry. The new obstruction charges allege that Manafort and another individual attempted to coach the testimony of the two unnamed witnesses.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>New York Attorney General Files Suit Against Trump Foundation</em></strong></p>
<p>Democratic Attorney General Barbara Underwood is suing to dissolve The Donald J. Trump Foundation and is seeking $2.8 million in restitution. The lawsuit was filed against President Donald Trump and three of his adult children, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and Ivanka Trump. Underwood says that the Foundation "was little more than a checkbook for payments from Mr. Trump or his businesses to nonprofits, regardless of their purpose or legality." </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>North Korea Has Begun Handing Over Troop Remains</em></strong></p>
<p>North Korea has begun to return the remains of thousands of U.S. troops that have been missing in the country. The repatriation of those missing in action was part of an initial agreement struck by Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un during their meeting in Singapore this week. “I said, ‘the remains I would like to get them.’ He said, ‘yes, we will do that.’ They are already starting to produce remains of these great, young soldiers who were left in North Korea,” Trump said during an impromptu interview on Fox News outside the White House. “We're getting the remains. Nobody thought that was possible.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-06-15T14:52:00ZRumors Swirl Around Sarah Sanders Leaving the WH; FBI Faces More FiringsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Rumors-Swirl-Around-Sarah-Sanders-Leaving-the-WH;-FBI-Faces-More-Firings/-342320961946512692.html2018-06-14T13:26:00Z2018-06-14T13:26:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, June 14, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Rumors Swirl Around Sarah Sanders Leaving the White House</em></strong></p>
<p>Late Wednesday, rumors began to circulate on CBS that Sarah Sanders would be leaving her post as White House press secretary. Sanders responded on twitter saying, “Does @CBSNews know something I don’t about my plans and my future? I was at my daughter’s year-end Kindergarten event and they ran a story about my “plans to leave the WH” without even talking to me. I love my job and am honored to work for @POTUS”. CBS also reported that Raj Shah is planning to leave the White House at some future date.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>FBI Faces More Firings</em></strong></p>
<p>Depending on what comes out of the 500 page IG report, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said that there is a possibility that more firings are possible. “If anyone else shows up in this report to have done something that requires termination we will do so,” Sessions <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/392189-sessions-defends-firing-comey-warns-doj-report-could-prompt-more-terminations?rnd=1528937163">told</a> The Hill. It’s just a matter of hours now until we find out what is in the Inspector General’s report.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Want to Work at The White House? Attend Tomorrow’s Job Fair</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/13/white-house-hill-job-fair-645592">Politico reported</a> that White House aides will be attending a conservative job fair on Friday in search of applicants of varying positions. An email was sent to White House aides saying, “Interested in a job at the White House? Representatives from across the Trump administration will be there to meet job seekers of every experience level. “There are positions currently open and we are looking for the most competent conservatives to recommend,” adds a flyer obtained by Politico. The fair is being hosted by the Conservative Partnership Institute in Washington, D.C.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Congress Takes the Field One Year After Shooting</em></strong></p>
<p>It has been one year since House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and others were shot at during a congressional baseball practice. Tonight, lawmakers will remember the event by playing the annual congressional baseball game at Nationals Park. Last year, <a title="http://wjla.com/news/local/hospital-says-majority-whip-steve-scalise-is-in-fair-condition-one-week-after-shooting" href="http://wjla.com/news/local/hospital-says-majority-whip-steve-scalise-is-in-fair-condition-one-week-after-shooting" target="_blank">Scalise and four others were shot during a GOP practice</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span> Ohio Rep. Brad Wenstrup, a doctor who helped save Scalise's life said, "If not for a gun - two guns really - being used on our side'' by two Capitol Police officers at the GOP practice, "you might have seen 20 dead people.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Rudy Giuliani Says that Cohen Won’t Betray Trump</em></strong></p>
<p>Giuliani was interviewed by Fox’s Laura Ingraham Wednesday night and <a href="http://video.foxnews.com/v/5797365227001/?#sp=show-clips">told the host</a> that Michael Cohen, President Trump’s former personal lawyer, would not flip on his ex-boss by cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe. “He's not cooperating, nor do we care because the president did nothing wrong,” Giuliani said of Cohen. “We’re very comfortable if he cooperates that there’s nothing he can cooperate about with regard to President Trump. I am absolutely certain about that form everything I know about that investigation.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Unemployment Benefits Drops to Lowest Level in 44 Years</em></strong></p>
<p>The Department of Labor reported today that fewer people were receiving <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/14/us-weekly-jobless-claims-june-9-2018.html">unemployment benefits</a> in the beginning of June than at any time in the past 44 years. 1.7 million people received benefits during the week, the fewest since December of 1973 when Richard Nixon was president. Low claims are a sign that there are few layoffs, and accordingly, that job creation is going to remain strong.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Kathy Griffin Is at It Again</em></strong></p>
<p>Vile comedian, Kathy Griffin, lashed out at fellow actor and comedian, Kevin Hart, for not criticizing Trump in one of his sets. Griffin told <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/columnist/2018/06/13/kathy-griffin-talks-laugh-your-head-off-tour-harmless-trump-photo/686101002/" target="_blank">USA Today</a> that Hart is a "p---y," given that "he's a black man" but won't attack Trump onstage. "I do feel like this is such an anxiety-ridden time for everyone that there is a thirst for all kinds of comedy," Griffin said. "And look, if you want to not hear about Trump at all, go see Kevin Hart. He doesn't even mention Trump." Hart is known for keeping politics out of his comedy specials.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-06-14T13:26:00ZIG Report Expected to be Released Tomorrow; Mark Sanford Loses Congressional SeatBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/IG-Report-Expected-to-be-Released-Tomorrow;-Mark-Sanford-Loses-Congressional-Seat/907158578381352479.html2018-06-13T14:52:00Z2018-06-13T14:52:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, June 13, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>IG Report Expected to be Released Tomorrow</em></strong></p>
<p>Inspector General Michael Horowitz sent a letter to Republican and Democratic leaders on the Senate Judiciary Committee saying that he had completed “much of” the review and classification of the Clinton e-mail report. Horowitz expects to make it public on June 14. The inspector general also agreed to testify before the committee on June 18.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>President Trump Will Receive Briefing on IG Report</em></strong></p>
<p>After a successful meeting in Singapore, Trump has returned to the U.S. where he is expected to receive a briefing on the inspector general’s report in regards to how law enforcement handled the Hillary Clinton email probe. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein is expected to brief President Trump on June 14.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Mark Sanford Loses Congressional Seat</em></strong></p>
<p>Rep. Mark Sanford lost his South Carolina congressional seat to state Rep. Katie Arrington on Tuesday. Just hours before the polls closed President Trump posted a personal attack against Sanford, who is a vocal critic of Trump, saying, “Mark Sanford has been very unhelpful to me in my campaign to MAGA. He is MIA and nothing but trouble. He is better off in Argentina. I fully endorse Katie Arrington for Congress in SC, a state I love. She is tough on crime and will continue our fight to lower taxes. VOTE Katie!” Trump’s tweet was in reference to Sanford’s public extramarital affair several years ago.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong><em>George H.W. Bush Becomes the Longest Living President</em></strong></p>
<p>On June 12, George H.W. Bush turned 94 years old making him the longest living president. Bush 41 spent the day relaxing at home. Bush’s office shared a letter from the president in which he said, “As many of you know, for years I have said the three most important things in life are faith, family, and friends. My faith has never been stronger.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>USCIS Office Investigating Thousands Who Got U.S. Citizenship Through Identity Fraud</em></strong></p>
<p>A new government office created to investigate fraudulent naturalization applications estimates there are at least 3,000 cases of illegal immigrants who used false identities to obtain U.S. citizenship, according to federal officials. The office, housed inside U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), has identified the potential fraud cases as a part of its ongoing review of more than 300,000 fingerprint records uploaded to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) database beginning in 2014.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>New Crime Commission Book Looks at Chicago's Gang Problem</em></strong></p>
<p>Chicago street gangs are put under a magnifying glass in a new book revealed by the Chicago Crime Commission this week. The updated "Gang Book", a who's who of Chicago gang members, lists more than 2,400 gang factions that have splintered from some the 50 active gangs in Chicago. The Chicago Crime Commission says it's the most comprehensive study of Chicago street gangs ever.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Alec Baldwin Says If He Ran for President in 2020 He Would Win</em></strong></p>
<p>Alec Baldwin appeared on Howard Stern’s show on Tuesday where he suggested that Baldwin run in the 2020 presidential election. Baldwin replied, "If I ran, I would win, one thousand percent." When Stern pressed Baldwin why he would win he said, "It would be the funniest, most exciting, most crazy campaign." Baldwin continued, "There's [sic] so many things this country needs to do that are so obvious!" He then told Stern, without elaborating on what those easy, obvious things he could definitely fix were.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-06-13T14:52:00ZTrump and Kim Jong Un Make Progress on North Korea; Poll Shows that America's Closest Allies are in TattersBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-and-Kim-Jong-Un-Make-Progress-on-North-Korea;-Poll-Shows-that-Americas-Closest-Allies-are-in-Tatters/-380429748273647511.html2018-06-12T17:37:00Z2018-06-12T17:37:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, June 12, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump and Kim Jong Un Make Progress on North Korea</em></strong></p>
<p>At the historic meeting between President Trump and Kim Jong Un in Singapore on Tuesday, the leaders signed an agreement committing the United States to unspecified “security guarantees” for Pyongyang in exchange for a denuclearized Korean peninsula. After the meeting, Kim thanked President Trump “for taking the first bold step toward a bright new future for his people.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Holds Press Conference After Long-Awaited Summit in Singapore</em></strong></p>
<p>After Trump’s meeting with Kim Jong Un on June 12, Trump conducted a post-summit news conference. During the conference, Trump told reporters that, “We’ve [Trump and Kim Jong Un] spent very intensive hours together, and I think most of you have gotten the signed document or you will very shortly. It’s very comprehensive, it’s going to happen. I stand before you as an emissary of the American people to deliver a message of hope and vision and a message of peace…Our unprecedented meeting, the first between an American president and a leader of North Korea, proves that real change is indeed possible.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Poll Shows that America’s Closest Allies are in Tatters</em></strong></p>
<p>A recent Pew Research poll shows the relationships between the U.S. and our allies are not doing well. After 9/11, during G.W. Bush’s presidency, there was a considerable amount of goodwill aimed at the U.S. During Obama’s presidency things stayed pretty stable, but once Trump was elected the polling drastically decreased, the only exception was Russia. Will Trump be able to achieve higher polling numbers among foreign leaders?</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>White House Adviser Apologizes to Canadian PM Trudeau</em></strong></p>
<p>On Tuesday, Peter Navarro, a White House trade adviser, apologized to Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau. Navarro said on Sunday that "there's a special place in hell" for Trudeau, who is in a trade dispute with President Donald Trump. In Navarro's apology, he said, <span>“My job was to send a signal of strength. In conveying that message I used language that was inappropriate and basically lost the power of that message."<br /><br /><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><em>Robert De Niro Refuses to Leave Trump Alone</em></strong></p>
<p>Actor, Robert De Niro, traveled to Toronto, Canada, for a hotel groundbreaking ceremony. During De Niro’s speech, he apologized for President Trump’s behavior towards Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau. De Niro said, “I just want to make a note of apology for the idiotic behavior of my president,” which was in response to Trump’s comments over the weekend calling the Canadian Prime Minister “dishonest” and “weak.” The actor added, “It’s a disgrace. And I apologize to Justin Trudeau and other people of the G7 [Summit]. It’s disgusting.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Would Support Bill on Ending Ban on Marijuana</em></strong></p>
<p>Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) released a proposal to amend the Controlled Substances Act. This bill would prioritize the right of each state, removing the threat of federal law enforcement. As Trump was heading to the G-7 summit in Canada he said that he would be willing to support a bill that would end a federal ban on pot.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Joe Scarborough Feels Relief After Trump-Kim Summit</em></strong></p>
<p>Rare praise was offered by MSNBC anchor Joe Scarborough on Tuesday following Trump's summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Scarborough said, “I've got to admit: When I see these two people shaking hands, I feel a sense of relief, as do a lot of people in Washington, knowing how bleak the situation was six months ago," Scarborough, co-host of the cable news network's "Morning Joe" program, said of Trump and Kim.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-06-12T17:37:00ZStephen Colbert Presses President Clinton on His "Today" Show Interview; Dennis Rodman Will Be in Singapore During U.S.-North Korea SummitBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Stephen-Colbert-Presses-President-Clinton-on-His-Today-Show-Interview;-Dennis-Rodman-Will-Be-in-Singapore-During-U.S.-North-Korea-Summit/293919635166571331.html2018-06-06T14:41:00Z2018-06-06T14:41:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, June 6, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Stephen Colbert Presses President Clinton on His “Today” Show Interview</em></strong></p>
<p>On Tuesday’s episode of “The Late Show,” Host Stephen Colbert asked Bill Clinton about the comments he made about Monica Lewinsky. Clinton walked back his original comments from “Today” by saying it "wasn't my finest hour." Clinton went on to say "that was a very painful thing, that happened 20 years ago, and I apologize to my family, to Monica Lewinsky and her family, and to the American people — I meant it then, I meant it now."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Dennis Rodman Will Be in Singapore During U.S.-North Korea Summit</em></strong></p>
<p>Former NBA player, Dennis Rodman, will be in Singapore during Trump’s summit with North Korea. The New York Post reported yesterday that Rodman will be flying to Singapore on June 11. The Post also said that there’s a possibility that Rodman will be a part of the summit. Kim is supposedly a "friend for life" to Rodman. The NBA Hall of Famer has been to North Korea multiple times, and in the last year, gave Kim "The Art of the Deal" in order to help better understand Trump.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Pew Research Poll: Almost Seven-In-Ten Americans Have News Fatigue</em></strong></p>
<p>A Pew Research Poll conducted from Feb. 22 to March 4, 2018, shows that 68% of Americans polled feel worn out by the amount of news there is these days, 30% say they like the amount of news they get. The 68% who are “worn out by the amount of news” expressed feelings of information overload is in line with how Americans felt during the 2016 presidential election when a majority expressed feelings of exhaustion from election coverage.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Is Mueller’s Team is Trying to Frame Trump?</em></strong></p>
<p>Rudy Giuliani who is serving as Trump’s lawyer said on Wednesday that Mueller’s team includes “13 highly partisan Democrats ... (who) are trying very very hard to frame him to get him in trouble when he hasn’t done anything wrong.” Giuliani is at a conference in Tel Aviv and said if necessary the president has the right to pardon himself, but there won’t be any need to because he’s innocent.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Job Openings Outnumber Jobless Numbers for the First Time</em></strong></p>
<p>The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Tuesday, that American job openings hit a record high of 6.7 million in April 2018. The agency started keeping track of job openings in 2000. Comparatively, there were more than six jobless workers per one open job during the worst of the recession.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Kelly Sadler, Aide who Mocked McCain has been Ousted by the WH</em></strong></p>
<p>White House deputy press secretary Raj Shah commented that "Kelly Sadler is no longer employed within the Executive Office of the President.” Sadler, made the insensitive comment last month saying that McCain's vote on CIA nominee Gina Haspel didn’t matter because "he's dying anyway". The White House didn't deny she had made the remark and issued a statement at the time praising McCain, who is suffering from an aggressive form of brain cancer.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Left-Wing CNN Pundit Says the National Anthem is Problematic</em></strong></p>
<p>While responding to a report President Trump plans to continue complaining about national anthem protests during the lead-up to the 2018 midterm elections, CNN pundit Angela Rye, said that "The national anthem is problematic in and of itself." Rye also said that player demonstrations during the anthem would not dissipate until the matter of police brutality was addressed by the White House. "The bottom line is we have an opportunity to say, 'This is something that's bothering me and until this country serves me the same way that it serves so many other people, I have a right to protest.' And you should pay attention to what those issues are if you're a real leader," Rye stated.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-06-06T14:41:00ZNo Eagles at the White House; Mueller Told FBI Agents to Oppose Pardons of Imprisoned MenBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/No-Eagles-at-the-White-House;-Mueller-Told-FBI-Agents-to-Oppose-Pardons-of-Imprisoned-Men/-700645814152377726.html2018-06-05T16:17:00Z2018-06-05T16:17:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, June 5, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>No Eagles at the White House</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump has released a statement saying that the Philadelphia Eagles will not be attending a celebratory ceremony at the White House in honor of their Super Bowl victory. The statement says that the defending Super Bowl champions disagree "with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country." Trump tweeted, “The Philadelphia Eagles Football Team was invited to the White House. Unfortunately, only a small number of players decided to come, and we canceled the event. Staying in the Locker Room for the playing of our National Anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling. Sorry!”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Mueller Told FBI Agents to Oppose Pardons of Imprisoned Men</em></strong></p>
<p>In 2002, when Special Counsel Robert Mueller was the director of the FBI he directed his agents to oppose the pardons of four wrongfully imprisoned men because exculpatory evidence was mere “fodder for cross-examination.” In 2006, the four men were awarded $102 million by a federal judge in Boston for their wrongful decades-long imprisonment due to FBI misconduct. For 35 years, the FBI refused to release the evidence exonerating the wrongfully imprisoned men on the grounds of “national security.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Space is Running Out for Immigrant Children Separated from Parents</em></strong></p>
<p>The space to hold migrant children who have been separated from their families is becoming very limited. Border agents have been placing children who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally in holding stations. Roughly 550 children are in custody, and of those, nearly 300 have spent more than 72 hours there. Chief of Staff John Kelly said, “The children will be taken care of — put into foster care or whatever. But the big point is they elected to come illegally into the United States and this is a technique that no one hopes will be used extensively or for very long.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>PA Eighth Graders Gifted Bulletproof Backplates as Graduation Gift</em></strong></p>
<p>The graduating class at St. Cornelius middle school in Pennsylvania were gifted bulletproof backpack plates as they prepare to head to high school next year. The students were given "ballistic shields" thanks to a donation from a local company. The report notes that Unequal Technologies developed the ultra-thin shield and designed a 10-by-12-inch plate that can slip into a backpack. The bulletproof backpack plates were also handed out to 25 faculty members at the school. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Mueller Claims Manafort Tampered with Potential Witnesses</em></strong></p>
<p>Mueller has indicted Manafort in federal courts in Virginia and Washington, D.C., with an array of allegations from money-laundering and failing to register as a foreign agent, to bank and tax fraud. Manafort has pleaded not guilty. In a declaration filed by FBI Special Agent Brock Domin he said, Manafort had attempted to call, text and send encrypted messages in February to two people from "The Hapsburg Group," a firm he worked with to promote the interests of Ukraine. The FBI has documents and statements from the two people, as well as telephone records and documents recovered through a search of Manafort's iCloud account showing that Trump's former campaign manager attempted communication while he was out on bail. Domin said, that the communications were "in an effort to influence their testimony and to otherwise conceal evidence. The investigation into this matter is ongoing."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Melania Makes First Appearance Since Surgery</em></strong></p>
<p>In a video posted on Twitter, First Lady, Melania Trump is seen attending a reception for Gold Star military families. The media has been speculating that she has not been recovering well since her kidney surgery last month. The first lady released a statement after the event saying, “It was a privilege to welcome Gold Star Families to the White House today to recognize our Nation’s fallen heroes and their families. To all those who have lost loved ones in service to our country, our nation grieves with you.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Poll Shows U.S. Moral Values Are Poor</em></strong></p>
<p>According to a recent Gallup poll, almost half (49 percent) of Americans responded that the United States’ moral values are poor, and just 14 percent called them excellent or good. And things aren’t looking brighter for the future. When asked if U.S. moral values are getting better or worse, 77% feel that American morals are on the decline, while just 18 percent say they’re getting better.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-06-05T16:17:00ZDoes Trump Have the Right to Pardon Himself?; North Korea Replaces Top 3 Military LeadersBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Does-Trump-Have-the-Right-to-Pardon-Himself;-North-Korea-Replaces-Top-3-Military-Leaders/-746955519739980544.html2018-06-04T17:18:00Z2018-06-04T17:18:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Monday, June 4, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Does Trump Have the Right to Pardon Himself?</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump is vehemently insisting that he has the right to pardon himself if need be. But he insists that he hasn’t committed any crime, so there is no need to do so. The debate stems from The New York Times which published a January letter over the weekend from the president’s legal team that opened the door to Trump shutting down the obstruction investigation into him or even pardoning himself. In an interview on ABC’s “This Week,” <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/390443-giuliani-trump-probably-has-power-to-pardon-himself">Giuliani said</a> he probably does have the power to issue himself a pardon.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Says He’s Accomplished More in His First 500 Days in Office Than Any of His Predecessors</em></strong></p>
<p>On Monday, President Trump tweeted “This is my 500<sup>th</sup>. Day in Office and we have accomplished a lot — many believe more than any President in his first 500 days.” Recently, the president has hit a record low for jobs unemployment, he passed a tax bill and is currently attempting to repeal and replace ObamaCare.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Senate Judiciary Committee Postpones Horowitz Hearing</em></strong></p>
<p>The Senate Judiciary Committee which is led by Sen. Chuck Grassley has rescheduled their hearing with Inspector General Michael Horowitz from June 5 to June 11. Could this mean that the IG’s report won’t be released this week, as expected? The committee is expected to ask Horowitz about how the FBI handled the criminal investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>North Korea Replaces Top 3 Military Leaders</em></strong></p>
<p>On Sunday, it was reported that North Korea replaced their top 3 military leaders. President Trump and Kim Jong Un have agreed that their meeting is back on and scheduled for June 12 in Singapore. The exact cause of the leaders’ replacement is unknown, but it is thought that they may have objected to a denuclearization deal that Kim Jong Un could make in the summit talks with U.S.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Melania Trump Plans to Skip G7 and the North Korea Summit</em></strong></p>
<p>First Lady Melania Trump hasn't made a public appearance since her five-day hospital stay in May for the treatment of a kidney condition. Now, it’s being reported that she will not be attending the G7 summit with her husband in Quebec this week and there are no plans for her to attend the summit in Singapore. The first lady tweeted “Rest assured, I'm here at the @WhiteHouse w my family, feeling great, & working hard on behalf of children & the American people!”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Portland’s Patriot Prayer Rally Turns Bloody</em></strong></p>
<p>Patriot Prayer, which describes itself as a peaceful First Amendment advocacy group had planned for Sunday to be filled with peaceful rallies in Oregon. Patriot Prayer is a right-wing group that describes themselves as advocating in favor of free speech and opposing big government. However, on Sunday, violent Antifa protestors disrupted that idea by causing violent fights. Some protesters threw bottles and fireworks at police officers while others were caught with knives and other weapons, Portland Police tweeted. The result? Only 4 people were arrested.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Who Would You Rather Date? A Trump Supporter or an MS-13 Gang Member?</em></strong></p>
<p>Millennials in Washington, D.C. were asked by the Daily Caller if they would rather date a Trump supporter or an MS-13 gang member. Astoundingly, the majority of those who responded said that they would prefer to date an MS-13 member. When asked why they would choose a gang member over a Trump supporter, some people said Trump supporters “weren’t for them” and they would “never” even consider dating a Trump supporter.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-06-04T17:18:00ZGiuliani Threatens Legal Battle with Mueller Over Subpoena; LaVar Ball to NFL Players: Stand for The National Anthem Or 'Get Out'BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Giuliani-Threatens-Legal-Battle-with-Mueller-Over-Subpoena;-LaVar-Ball-to-NFL-Players:-Stand-for-The-National-Anthem-Or-Get-Out/346605910977964491.html2018-06-03T14:48:00Z2018-06-03T14:48:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, June 3, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Giuliani Threatens Legal Battle with Mueller Over Subpoena</em></strong></p>
<p>The president's lawyer Rudy Giuliani threatened a legal battle with special counsel Robert Mueller if he attempts to subpoena Donald Trump. "If Mueller tries to subpoena us, we're going to court," Giuliani told <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/giuliani-threatens-legal-battle-mueller-subpoena/story?id=55610183">ABC News</a>. His latest comments come on the heels of the publication of a 20-page confidential letter sent by Trump's lawyers to Mueller arguing that the president cannot legally obstruct justice in the Russia investigation due to his position as "chief law enforcement officer." Mueller has requested an interview with Trump, but while the president has said he would be willing to sit down with the special counsel, his legal team has advised against it. Trump tweeted 40 minutes before the New York Times broke the news, questioning whether Mueller's team or the Department of Justice was responsible for leaking the letter.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Kevin McCarthy: GOP Has 'Changed for The Better' Under Trump</em></strong></p>
<p>House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy argued on Sunday that the Republican Party has "changed for the better" since President Trump took office. The California Republican was reacting to<a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/john-boehner-there-is-no-republican-party-theres-a-trump-party" target="_blank"> former House Speaker John Boehner</a> saying last week that the Republican Party has given way to the "Trump party" and that the GOP is taking "taking a nap somewhere." Asked on CNN's "State of the Union" if he thought the Republican Party has improved over the years, McCarthy replied, "I would think it changed for the better." To make his case, he cited "facts, including low unemployment numbers under the Trump administration, efforts to rebuild the military, and plans for a historic summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to discuss denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. "So You know what? I'm proud of this Republican party. I'm proud of what we have been able to achieve," McCarthy, who is a lead contender to replace Paul Ryan as House speaker, added.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>LaVar Ball to NFL Players: Stand for The National Anthem Or 'Get Out'</em></strong></p>
<p>LaVar Ball has a simple message for NFL players heading into the 2018 season: Stand for the national anthem or leave. The American media and sports personality told <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2018/06/02/lavar-ball-nfl-stand-anthem-new-league/" target="_blank">TMZ Sports</a> that he believes the football league has gone too far in creating the new policy requiring players to stand for the national anthem, however, they have the right to do so and enforce it. Therefore, he thinks players should respect that. "It's their league,” he said Saturday. “If you don't want to do it, get out their league.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Japan Will Contribute to Success of Trump-Kim Summit</em></strong></p>
<p>Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Saturday, June 2, that Japan wants to contribute to the success of the <a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/trump-says-june-12-summit-with-north-koreas-kim-is-back-on" target="_blank">US-North Korea summit in Singapore</a>, which President Donald Trump said would go ahead as planned. Japan "is determined to make utmost efforts so that it will be a historic summit that will move forward the nuclear, missile and abduction issues," Abe was quoted as saying by Kyodo News. Abe has said the North's abduction of Japanese nationals in the 1970s and 1980s is one of the most important political agendas for his administration. Abe will hold talks with Trump at the White House on June 7 before travelling to Canada for the Group of Seven summit on June 8 and 9, hoping to coordinate their policies ahead of the U.S. president's meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Thousands March Across the Country Against Gun Violence</em></strong></p>
<p>Protests took place around the country Saturday with thousands marching across New York’s Brooklyn Bridge in a movement against gun violence. The march in New York City was led by the student group, Youth Over Guns, which was formed after the Parkland school massacre in February to call on lawmakers to pass gun control measures.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>May Jobs Report is Great News for Everyone Except Democrats Running for Office</em></strong></p>
<p>Friday's monthly employment report was great news for anyone looking for a job in America – unless you happen to be a Democrat running for Congress. Among the many contentious topics swirling around this year's campaign, none is more important than the perennial issue of employment. Voters who are employed are historically more likely to favor incumbents than those who are out of work. That poses a major challenge for Democrats in 435 House districts and 35 Senate races who are looking to unseat Republican majorities in both chambers. The economy added roughly 223,000 net new jobs in May, pushing the jobless rate a tick lower to 3.8 percent, an 18-year low.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Town Tells Business to Remove ‘Excessive’ American Flags</em></strong></p>
<p>The town of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, says a flag display has gone too far. “On Saturday we came out and we lined this with 200 <span style="text-decoration: underline;">flags</span> in support of our deceased veterans and all the people who have served,” says Jon Crandall who works at Laer Realty in Chelmsford. What they did was plant small American flags in front of that business for Memorial Day. When Crandall went to work Friday, there was a surprise. “There was a note in the door from the building department stating we had a violation, a flag violation, excessive flags,” he says. The problem? There’s a town bylaw that says you can’t use flags for “commercial promotion.” “This is a commercial establishment located at a busy intersection. It was in the front lawn of that particular property, and in the opinion of our code enforcement officer, the building commissioner, it was a violation,” says Michael McCall Chelmsford’s Assistant Town Manager. The town wants the real estate company to take down some of the flags and leave up only what they call “a reasonable amount,” but hasn’t said how many that is.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Bernie Sanders rallies with Black Lives Matter leaders in California to put a spotlight on mass incarceration</em></strong></p>
<p>More than two years since Black Lives Matter protesters <a href="http://https/www.vox.com/2015/8/11/9127653/bernie-sanders-black-lives-matter" target="_blank">confronted</a> Sen. Bernie Sanders at a campaign rally in Seattle, Sanders joined leaders of the movement in California to call for changes to the “dysfunctional, destructive” criminal justice system. The former Democratic presidential hopeful received a warm reception from supporters and activists at the packed Million Dollar Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday evening as he heartily criticized a “broken system” that disproportionately jails African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans. Activist Shaun King didn’t mince words when introducing Sanders, alluding to the senator's political ambitions and touting Sanders’ history of support for the civil rights movement. Sanders led the first-known sit-ins in Chicago, King said, fighting segregated housing and oppressive education practices.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>More College Students Claim They Are Mentally ‘Disabled’</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/colleges-bend-the-rules-for-more-students-give-them-extra-help-1527154200" target="_blank">A recent Wall Street Journal report</a> highlighted a pressing issue: at both public and private universities, the number of students classified as mentally “disabled” under federal law has drastically increased. Accordingly, the number of students taking advantage of special privileges allowed to the mentally disabled – such as time extensions and special rooms for test taking – has also grown. University administrators and testing organizations such as College Board, which administer the SAT, seem happy to grant these privileges in an attempt to address this concern. But exemptions and extensions are merely administrative band-aids that don’t solve the underlying issue.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-06-03T14:48:00ZTrump Questions Why TBS Hasn't Fired Samantha Bee?; Oakland Church Urges Congregation Never to Call the CopsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Questions-Why-TBS-Hasnt-Fired-Samantha-Bee;-Oakland-Church-Urges-Congregation-Never-to-Call-the-Cops/280647000297367134.html2018-06-01T17:27:00Z2018-06-01T17:27:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Friday, June 1, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em><br /><br />Trump Questions Why TBS Hasn’t Fired Samantha Bee?</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Friday blasted TBS over comedian Samantha Bee’s recent use of a vulgar slur to describe first daughter <a href="http://thehill.com/people/ivana-ivanka-trump">Ivanka Trump</a>. In a Friday morning tweet, Trump questioned why Bee hasn’t been fired for calling his daughter a “feckless c—.” Trump said, “Why aren’t they firing no talent Samantha Bee for the horrible language used on her low ratings show?” he tweeted. “A total double standard but that’s O.K., we are Winning, and will be doing so for a long time to come!”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Oakland Church Urges Congregation Never to Call the Cops</em></strong></p>
<p>A church in Oakland, California, is urging its members never to call the police again. Church leader Nichola Torbett said the First Congregational Church of Oakland, which is part of the United Church of Christ denomination, will never call the cops again in nearly every circumstance, and dozens of members of the congregation agreed to do the same. “We can no longer tolerate the trauma inflicted on our communities by policing,” Torbett said last month in front of churchgoers holding photos of African-Americans killed by law enforcement. “How do police help? They often don’t,” Torbett later said in an interview. “So, especially as white people, why call them?”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Considering Clemency for Blagojevich, Stewart</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Thursday said he is considering commuting the sentence of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) and pardoning TV personality, Martha Stewart. Trump’s comments come after <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/390029-trump-to-pardon-dinesh-dsouza">he pardoned conservative commentator Dinesh D’Souza</a>, who pleaded guilty to a felony campaign finance violation. Trump told reporters in his private cabin aboard Air Force One he believes Blagojevich was “being stupid” but added that “every other politician” has done it and that his sentence is excessive. Stewart was convicted in 2004 for lying to federal investigators about suspected securities fraud and served time in federal prison. She also has ties to Trump through “The Apprentice,” having hosted a spinoff in 2005. “Martha Stewart was harshly and unfairly treated,” the president said. “And she used to be my biggest fan in the world … before I became a politician.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump’s Trade Deal with Canada</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump claimed the U.S. would “agree to a fair deal,” or else there would be no deal with Canada as the two countries discuss renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement. "The United States has been taken advantage of for many decades on trade," Trump said in a statement. "Those days are over. Earlier today, this message was conveyed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada: The United States will agree to a fair deal, or there will be no deal at all." The statement comes after Trudeau said Thursday afternoon that a meeting with Trump didn’t occur earlier this week because Vice President Mike Pence told the Prime Minister he must allow a five-year sunset clause to be included in the trade agreement in order for the meeting to even happen. Trudeau called the condition “completely unacceptable.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Media Restricted from Television Academy Event Honoring Samantha Bee</em></strong></p>
<p>Reporters were barred from entering a Television Academy reception for an event honoring TBS late night host Samantha Bee on Thursday, the same day she faced a firestorm in the media for using a slur to refer to first daughter <a href="http://thehill.com/people/ivana-ivanka-trump">Ivanka Trump</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span> A spokesperson for the organization told <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/press-barred-samantha-bee-event-controversy-1116284" target="_blank">The Hollywood Reporter</a> and other media outlets that press would not be allowed to enter the reception ahead of the awards ceremony "as a result of today's events involving Samantha B," according to the Reporter. Bee's show "Full Frontal" and its cast members were recognized at the Thursday night event just hours after the host and network apologized for her crude Wednesday night monologue.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Prosecutors Question Comey for Probe into McCabe</em></strong></p>
<p>Prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia recently interviewed former FBI Director <a href="http://thehill.com/people/james-comey">James Comey</a> as part of a criminal investigation into his former deputy, <a href="http://origin-nyi.thehill.com/people/andrew-mccabe">Andrew McCabe</a>. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/prosecutors-interview-comey-in-probe-of-his-former-deputy-andrew-mccabe/2018/05/31/1ede31f6-64e1-11e8-99d2-0d678ec08c2f_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.8d47507a4f13">The Washington Post reported the interview</a> on Thursday night. McCabe was accused by the Justice Department's inspector general in April of having lied to federal investigators and Comey on four occasions about improperly authorizing the disclosure of sensitive information to the media. The inspector general, Michael Horowitz, referred the matter to the D.C. U.S. attorney's office to determine whether McCabe should face criminal charges. Lying to federal investigators can carry a prison sentence of up to five years.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Mueller Team Spent $4.5 Million in Six Months</em></strong></p>
<p>Special counsel Robert Mueller has cost American taxpayers another $4.5 million. <a href="https://www.justice.gov/file/1067341/download?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank">According to a new statement of expenditures released on Thursday</a> showing expenses between Oct. 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018, most of the money, $2.78 million, was spent on personnel compensation and benefits. Mueller also announced an additional $5.4 million had been spent separately on the investigation by Justice Department officials not on Mueller's team. A statement of expenditures <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/special-counsel-robert-mueller-has-spent-32-million-on-russia-investigation" target="_blank">released in December</a> showed the investigation had cost roughly $6.7 million through that point, dating back to Mueller's appointment in mid-May 2017. This means nearly $17 million has been spent on roughly one year of work for Mueller, which has resulted in dozens of criminal charges and five guilty pleas.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Roseanne Begged for Her Job Back</em></strong></p>
<p>Following days of heavy backlash for <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/05/29/abc-cancels-roseanne-after-barrs-racist-tweet.html" target="_blank">a string of controversial tweets</a>, Roseanne Barr on Thursday said she “begged” ABC to give her a chance to “apologize & make amends.” “I begged Ben Sherwood at ABC 2 let me apologize & make amends,” the embattled TV star <a href="https://twitter.com/therealroseanne/status/1002327016174022656" target="_blank">tweeted</a> about the ABC president. “I begged them not to cancel the show. I told them I was willing to do anything & asked 4 help in making things right. I'd worked doing publicity4 them 4free for weeks, traveling, thru bronchitis. I begged4 ppls jobs.” In the same string of tweets, Barr wrote, “He said: what were you thinking when you did this? I said: I thought she was white, she looks like my family! He scoffed & said: "what u have done is egregious, and unforgivable.' I begged 4 my crews jobs. Will I ever recover from this pain? Omg”. The tweets followed a series of others, in which Barr spoke of God and religion, and appeared to specifically want to make amends to a few individuals, such as Valerie Jarrett and Michelle Obama who were the focus of her provocative tweets.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>New Tapes Released of Michael Cohen Threatening Reporter With 'F-----G Disgusting' Legal Action</em></strong></p>
<p>NPR released audio of Michael Cohen, President Trump's personal lawyer, threatening a reporter in an expletive-laden rant back in 2015. In the recording, Cohen warned Tim Mak, who at the time was a reporter for the Daily Beast, to "tread very f---ing lightly" with an <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/ex-wife-donald-trump-made-me-feel-violated-during-sex?ref=scroll" target="_blank">article he was writing</a> in about claims made by President Trump's ex-wife, Ivana Trump, about when he allegedly assaulted her in 1989. "I'm warning you tread very f-----g lightly because what I'm going to do to you is going to be f-----g disgusting. Do you understand me? Don't think you can hide behind your pen, because it's not going to happen," Cohen said in 2015.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Race Studies Conference Discusses 'White Rage,' 'Becky'</em></strong></p>
<p>The University of New Mexico is hosting a social justice conference this week with speakers discussing racism, colonization, and white “anti-racism” in education. The Critical Race Studies in Education Association Conference is a three-day event sponsored by the <a href="https://crsea.memberclicks.net/">Critical Race Studies in Education Association</a>, several UNM departments, and social justice organizations. The conference <a href="http://race.unm.edu/assets/documents/crsea_agenda.pdf">agenda</a> lists social justice lectures primarily focused on race and education, such as “Antiblackness, White Rage, and the Threat to White School Space,” “Confronting white supremacist ideology in everyday campus life,” and “Undoing Colonization America’s Greatest Mind F**k.” Other panels focus specifically on white women, such as "Examining Becky and the White Hegemonic Alliance" and "How college creates Becky: White women’s racism in higher education."</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-06-01T17:27:00ZTrump to Meet with Families of Victims of Texas Shooting; Harvard Student Paper Calls Out School's Liberal BiasBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-to-Meet-with-Families-of-Victims-of-Texas-Shooting;-Harvard-Student-Paper-Calls-Out-Schools-Liberal-Bias/985978799535864355.html2018-05-31T13:27:00Z2018-05-31T13:27:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, May 31, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Trump to meet with families of victims of Texas shooting</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump will be meeting with the families of the victims of the Santa Fe school shooting during a visit to Texas today. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders made the announcement at the White House briefing Wednesday. "He will meet with the families of the victims from the tragic school shooting at Santa Fe high school to personally offer his condolences and support," she said.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump will pardon Dinesh D'Souza</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump announced in a Thursday morning tweet that he would issue a full pardon to controversial conservative filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza, who pled guilty in 2014 to a felony charge of illegally making contributions to a California Senate campaign. Trump tweeted, “Will be giving a Full Pardon to Dinesh D’Souza today. He was treated very unfairly by our government!”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump announces that he did not fire Comey over Russia</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump claimed Thursday he did not fire <a href="http://thehill.com/people/james-comey">James Comey</a> as FBI director over the Russia investigation. "Not that it matters but I never fired James Comey because of Russia! The Corrupt Mainstream Media loves to keep pushing that narrative, but they know it is not true!" he tweeted. However, last year, Trump <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/fbi/333056-trump-made-up-russia-story-part-of-comey-firing" target="_blank">cited</a> investigations into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election in explaining his decision to fire Comey. “Regardless of recommendation, I was going to fire Comey,” Trump said during an interview on "NBC Nightly News," insisting "there was no good time to do it."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Twitter erupts after Trump tweets Kim Kardashian photo</em></strong></p>
<p>Twitter users lost their cool after President Trump tweeted a photo from his Oval Office prison reform meeting with reality TV star Kim Kardashian West on Wednesday. “Great meeting with @KimKardashian today, talked about prison reform and sentencing,” Trump tweeted along with a picture of the reality star. Users responded to the picture of the unlikely pair with comedic commentary and references to Trump’s highly anticipated meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Kardashian West <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/kim-kardashian-to-meet-with-trump-at-white-house-to-discuss-prison-reform" target="_blank">met with Trump</a> on Wednesday to discuss prison reform. She specifically advocated for Alice Marie Johnson, a 62-year-old woman who was convicted of a nonviolent drug offense and is now serving a life sentence without parole.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Pompeo meets with N. Korea's Kim Yong Chol to talk summit plans</em></strong></p>
<p>Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is meeting with North Korean Vice Chairman of the Central Committee Kim Yong Chol today to discuss the prospect of reviving next month's summit between the U.S. and North Korea. Pompeo and Kim arrived in New York on Wednesday in an attempt to salvage the highly-anticipated talks. The <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kim-yong-chol-top-north-korean-official-arrives-in-new-york-for-pre-summit-talks-today-2018-05-30/" target="_blank">two enjoyed dinner Wednesday night</a> and are expected to have a day full of meetings on today, according to the White House. The secretary tweeted photos of the evening, calling it a "good working dinner" where they enjoyed steak, corn, and cheese. <br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>Harvard Student Paper Calls Out School's Liberal Bias</em></strong></p>
<p>Harvard University's student newspaper is calling on the school to hire more conservative faculty to bridge a "stark divide" that is not reflective of society and might be contributing to "declining trust" in higher education. <a href="https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2018/5/24/editorial-expanding-diversity-conversation/">In an editorial, The Crimson</a> cited its finding the political makeup on the prestigious Ivy league faculty was out of touch with America. "Startlingly, just around 1.5 percent of respondents to The Crimson news staff's survey of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences identify as conservative or very conservative, compared to 83.2 percent who identify as liberal or very liberal," the editorial board wrote. "These statistics do not reflect America: 35 percent of Americans identify as conservative, 23 times the fraction of the faculty survey's respondents, and 26 percent identify as liberal." The board then declared a hiring push is in order.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>First lady Melania Trump attempts to put speculation on whereabouts to rest</em></strong></p>
<p>After nearly three weeks out of sight, Melania Trump tried to put to rest speculation about her health and even her whereabouts as she continues to recover from <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/first-lady-melania-trump-hospitalized-for-embolization-procedure-to-treat-kidney-condition-today-2018-05-14/" target="_blank">medical treatment for a kidney condition</a>. It didn't completely work. Mrs. Trump tweeted Wednesday that she's "feeling great" and is at the White House working hard for children and American families. But she still didn't make a public appearance, leaving some skeptics still wondering about her condition and plenty more. First ladies are under no obligation to make their medical histories public, and the White House has said nothing more about Mrs. Trump's condition.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Diamond and Silk: Trump supporters aren't racists just because Roseanne tweeted</em></strong></p>
<p>Internet stars Diamond and Silk on Thursday rejected claims from the Left that Roseanne Barr's racist tweet represented the views of many of President Trump's supporters. "That's not the representation of the Trump base," Lynnette 'Diamond' Hardaway said on Fox News. "We're loving, caring people. We're not racists. We love God, we love this country, so how dare they say that." Rochelle 'Silk' Richardson added, “One tweet don't make you a racist.” Diamond and Silk also agreed there's a double standard in effect that protects those on the Left from being punished when they make questionable comments on race. "Look at all the other shows that's on ABC that make these derogatory racist remarks toward the president of the United States, toward his supporters," Diamond said. "They're still on air every single day."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Jim Acosta: </em></strong><strong><em>We in the Media Deserve an Apology!<br /></em></strong><br />If one person on CNN personifies the idea that the cable network has become an opinion network and not a news outlet, it’s Jim Acosta, CNN’s Chief White House correspondent. On Wednesday, he whined about Donald Trump calling out some of the nasty comments from ABC: “Sometimes there are not more important things than the President's grudges that he feels he has to nurse on a daily basis.” Acosta ignored the fact that <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/curtis-houck/2018/05/30/whs-huckabee-sanders-condemns-roseanne-wonders-why-abc-didnt-remove" target="_blank">Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Wednesday</a> did condemn Roseanne Barr’s disgusting comments, Acosta moaned about “having the White House press secretary coming out here and shaming the media and blaming us for making all sorts of comments that need apologies when they themselves owe the American people plenty of apologies.” </p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-05-31T13:27:00ZRoseanne Blames Ambien for Tweet; President of Mexico: We will never pay for your wallBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Roseanne-Blames-Ambien-for-Tweet;-President-of-Mexico:-We-will-never-pay-for-your-wall/171782537323656400.html2018-05-30T15:55:00Z2018-05-30T15:55:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, May 30, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Roseanne Blames Ambien for Tweet</em></strong></p>
<p>After ABC canceled her hit show <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2018/05/29/media/abc-cancels-roseanne-analysis/index.html?iid=EL">"Roseanne" </a>over her foul Twitter behavior, she went on another tweetstorm early Wednesday, retweeting fans who portrayed her as the victim of a liberal media double standard. She zig-zagged between apologizing for her remarks and retweeting memes that made her apology sound insincere. All told, she posted more than 100 times. Among her retweets: Photos of former Obama aide Valerie Jarrett side by side with an ape. It was Barr's earlier tweet about Jarrett that caused outrage and ultimately led to the <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2018/05/29/media/abc-cancels-roseanne-analysis/index.html?iid=EL">show's cancellation</a>. Barr still claims she was just joking when she compared Jarrett to "Planet of the Apes" and the Muslim Brotherhood in a tweet on Tuesday morning. In a reply to one of her fans, she said, "I honestly thought she was Jewish and Persian-ignorant of me for sure, but...i did." She also said she had been on Ambien, a medication used to treat insomnia, at the time.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>President of Mexico: We will never pay for your wall</em></strong></p>
<p>Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto on Tuesday fired back at <a href="http://thehill.com/people/donald-trump">President Trump</a> for renewing his claim that Mexico would pay for Trump's proposed border wall in the end. “NO. Mexico will NEVER pay for a wall. Not now, not ever,” Peña Nieto wrote on Twitter. “Sincerely, Mexico (all of us).” At a campaign rally in Tennessee earlier on Tuesday, Trump said that “in the end, Mexico is going to pay for the wall. They make all of this money, and they do absolutely nothing to stop people from going through Mexico, from Honduras and all these other countries, the caravan, all of this stuff,” the president said. “They do nothing to help us, nothing.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Wishes that he picked someone other than Sessions to head DOJ</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Wednesday said he wishes he had picked someone other than Attorney General <a href="http://thehill.com/people/jeff-sessions">Jeff Sessions</a> to oversee the Justice Department. "I wish I did!" the president exclaimed in a tweet after quoting House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman <a href="http://thehill.com/people/trey-gowdy">Trey Gowdy</a> (R-S.C.) saying the president "could have picked somebody else" to be the nation's top cop. The tweets from Trump come one day after <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/29/us/politics/trump-sessions-obstruction.html">The New York Times</a> published a <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/389806-trump-told-sessions-to-reverse-decision-to-recuse-himself-in-russia">report</a> that said the president requested Sessions rescind his recusal from the investigation into Russia's election interference.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>CIA finds North Korea won't give up nuclear weapons</em></strong></p>
<p>A CIA report found that North Korea does not plan to give up its nuclear weapons in the near future, contradicting <a href="http://thehill.com/people/donald-trump">President Trump</a>’s statements that the country would do so, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/north-korea/cia-report-says-north-korea-won-t-denuclearize-might-open-n878201?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma" target="_blank">NBC News reported Tuesday</a>. U.S. officials told the network that the report was circulated earlier this month, ahead of Trump’s decision last week to cancel his upcoming summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. However, Trump has said that the summit could still happen. The CIA analysis reportedly suggests that the U.S. might be more successful in getting Kim to reverse the country’s recent progress on its nuclear program than getting the nation to denuclearize altogether. A top North Korean official headed to New York on Wednesday for talks aimed at salvaging a summit between Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Kim Kardashian to meet with Trump at White House</em></strong></p>
<p>Reality TV queen Kim Kardashian West is expected to meet with President Trump at the White House on Wednesday as she seeks the pardon of a 62-year-old woman who is serving a life sentence without parole for a nonviolent drug offense. Kardashian West spoke with Trump’s son-in-law and White House adviser Jared Kushner over the past several months about a potential presidential pardon for Alice Marie Johnson, as Kushner pushes for prison reform. Johnson has been in a federal prison since October 1996 for her role in a drug trafficking case. <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/05/keeping-up-with-the-kushners-kim-kardashian-white-house-visit-prison-reform?mbid=social_twitter" target="_blank">Vanity Fair reported</a> Wednesday that Kardashian West and her attorney will meet with Kushner at the White House at 4 p.m. before her meeting with Trump, which could take place in the Oval Office.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump slams Democrats, 'MS-13-lover' Nancy Pelosi in Nashville campaign rally</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump slammed Democratic leaders at a <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/05/29/trump-slams-democrats-ms-13-lover-nancy-pelosi-in-nashville-campaign-rally.html">Tennessee rally Tuesday night</a>, labeling former Gov. Phil Bredesen, a Democrat in the running to replace retiring Sen. Bob Corker, as an “absolute total tool of Chuck Schumer and, of course, the MS-13 lover Nancy Pelosi.” Trump, who defended labeling members of the MS-13 gang as “animals,” hit the House minority leader for taking exception with the classification. “We are all God’s children,” Pelosi argued in response last week. The president’s fiery comments, in front of a large crowd Tuesday at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, were made to boost GOP Senate hopeful Marsha Blackburn. “They’re more interested in taking care of criminals than they are in taking care of you,” Trump said of Democrats as the crowd booed. The president said Bredesen, whom he claimed he had never even heard of, “donated a lot of money to the campaigns of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.” Trump went on to say, "Democrats have opposed every common sense measure to stop this horrendous scurge of crime, to dismantle MS-13 and to end illegal immigration," he continued. “You have to get out,” to vote, Trump said. “We need Marsha Blackburn to win.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Report: 83 Percent of Palestinians Killed in Gaza Border Riots Were Terrorists</em></strong></p>
<p>About 83 percent of the Palestinians killed by Israeli forces during the recent violent demonstrations at the Israel-Gaza Strip border were terrorist operatives or affiliated with terrorist organizations, according to a new report. The Israel-based Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center (ITIC) <a href="http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/en/findings-itics-examination-identity-palestinians-killed-events-great-return-march-march-30-2018-may-15-2018/" target="_blank">found</a> that at least 112 Palestinians were killed during the Hamas-led riots from March 30 through May 15, and that at least 93 of them were identified as terrorists or associated with a terrorist group.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Yale grad credits success to conservative values</em></strong></p>
<p>A recent graduate of Yale University says his conservative values helped him to succeed in college, despite a childhood spent in broken homes and foster care. In a <em>New York Times</em> op-ed titled <span style="text-decoration: underline;">“</span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/21/opinion/foster-child-conservative.html">Why Being a Foster Care Child Made Me Conservative</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">,” </span>Yale graduate <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/robhenderson2">Rob Henderson</a> argues that time in foster care made him appreciate conservative values, such as two-parent families and personal responsibility. Those values, Henderson says, enabled him to avoid adopting a “victim” mentality that he believes would have caused him to give up on himself. A classmate suggested that Henderson was a victim, to which he recounts retorting that “if someone had told me I was a victim when I was a kid, I would never have made it to the Air Force, where I served for eight years, or to Yale. I would have given up.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-05-30T15:55:00ZTrump Attends the Naval Graduation Ceremony; Armed Man Saves the Day, Killing Mass Shooter in OklahomaBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Attends-the-Naval-Graduation-Ceremony;-Armed-Man-Saves-the-Day-Killing-Mass-Shooter-in-Oklahoma/164620553540699477.html2018-05-25T15:32:00Z2018-05-25T15:32:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Friday, May 25, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Suspect in Custody After Shooting at Indiana Middle School</em></strong></p>
<p>Police have one suspect in custody following a shooting that injured at least one person at Noblesville West Middle School in central Indiana Friday morning. The middle school, located 20 miles north of downtown Indianapolis, was placed on lockdown shortly before 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time, the Noblesville Fire Department reported. Police have not identified the suspect or possible additional injured. Noblesville is a town of 52,000 people, according to a 2010 Census count.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Says June 12 Summit with Kim Jong Un Could Still Happen</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump suggested Friday that his June 12 summit with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, which he postponed Thursday, might still occur on the aforementioned date. “We’ll see what happens. It could even be the 12th. We're talking to them now,” the president told reporters before departing the White House for Annapolis, Md. “They very much want to do it. We'd like to do it. We’re going to see what happens.” In a statement following Trump’s withdrawal from the meeting, Kim Kye Gwan, a top official at North Korea’s Foreign Ministry, said the regime is still interested in meeting with Trump “at any time.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Armed Man Saves the Day, Killing Mass Shooter in Oklahoma</em></strong> </p>
<p>Oklahoma almost had to deal with a massacre involving a gun on Thursday night after an armed citizen took down a gunman who entered a restaurant and began shooting. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/24/us/oklahoma-city-shooting/index.html?utm_term=image&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twCNN&utm_content=2018-05-25T02%3A10%3A34" target="_blank">According to Oklahoma City Police Captain Bo Mathews</a>, a man walked into Louie's Grill & Bar in northwest Oklahoma City, Okla., and opened fire, striking two people. As the gunman was fleeing the scene, an armed bystander pursued the suspect, confronting the shooter outside the restaurant, and fatally shot the suspect with his pistol. Four people were injured in the shooting. The only death was the gunman himself, who has yet to be identified.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Rachel Dolezal, Woman Who Pretended to be Black, Charged with Welfare Fraud</em></strong></p>
<p>Rachel Dolezal, the former NAACP chapter leader who resigned from her position in 2015 after it was revealed that she was a white woman posing as African-American, is now facing felony theft charges for welfare fraud dating back to August 2015. An investigation into Dolezal was opened in March 2017 when officials learned that she wrote a book and deposited nearly $84,000 into her bank account without reporting it. After a yearlong inquiry, investigators found that she illegally collected nearly $9,000 in food and childcare welfare assistance from August 2015 to November 2017. During this time Dolezal, who changed her name to Nkechi Diallo in 2016, had claimed that she was making less than $500 a month through child support payments and help from friends. Now she’s been charged with theft by welfare fraud, perjury, and false verification for public assistance.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Dem Lawmaker: Classified DOJ Meetings Were ‘Improper’</em></strong></p>
<p>Rep. Jerry <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/389341-dem-rep-classified-doj-meetings-were-improper">Nadler</a> (D-N.Y.) on Friday criticized the White House for setting up the two classified Justice Department briefings about the FBI's Russia investigation. Nadler told CNN, "The entire meeting was improper. The president demanded information he had no right to demand from [the] special counsel." The two briefings were called to address Trump's claims that the FBI "planted a spy" in his 2016 campaign.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Weinstein Formally Charged, Posts $1 Million Bail</em></strong></p>
<p>Former Hollywood movie producer Harvey Weinstein on Friday was barred from travel after posting a $1 million bail following his formal arrest on multiple sex crimes charges. After <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/389332-weinstein-surrenders-to-police-to-face-sex-charges">surrendering to New York police</a> Friday morning, a handcuffed Weinstein entered a Manhattan courthouse where he gave up his passport and agreed to wear an ankle monitor, <a href="http://variety.com/2018/film/news/harvey-weinstein-arrest-sexual-assault-1202722844/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=exacttarget&utm_campaign=newsalert&utm_content=98449&utm_term=3239034">Variety magazine reports</a>. Weinstein, 66, was formally charged with rape, criminal sex acts, sex abuse and sexual misconduct. He also agreed to stay within New York state or Connecticut. Facing a jail bond of $10 million, Weinstein reportedly paid $1 million in the form of a cashier's check to post bail.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Attends the Naval Graduation Ceremony</em></strong></p>
<p>The stage is set for more than 1,000 midshipmen inside Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium to graduate and become officers in the Navy, Marine Corps, and other services. Under cloudless skies, the ceremony began around 10 a.m. President <a title="Donald Trump" href="http://www.capitalgazette.com/topic/politics-government/donald-trump-PEBSL000163-topic.html">Donald Trump</a> took the stage around 10:30 a.m. to address the 1,042 midshipmen, family members, and guests. Trump recognized the Brigade, who had a "tremendous year." The president also acknowledged the plebes, who on Monday completed the Herndon Monument climb to shed their freshmen moniker. "You are plebes no more,” Trump said. As his presidential motorcade arrived earlier, there were no signs of protest and no back turning when he took the stage. Cmdr. David McKinney, the academy spokesman, said there have been no explicit orders for midshipmen to avoid talking about Trump, but adds “everyone will be respectful” and that “he is the commander-in-chief.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-05-25T15:32:00ZTrump Scraps Summit with North Korea; NFL Players Reportedly Already Discussing New Forms of ProtestBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Scraps-Summit-with-North-Korea;-NFL-Players-Reportedly-Already-Discussing-New-Forms-of-Protest/-972439871293774607.html2018-05-24T16:26:00Z2018-05-24T16:26:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, May 24, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Trump Scraps Summit with North Korea</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Thursday canceled his nuclear summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, citing Kim’s “tremendous anger and open hostility” toward the United States. “I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting,” Trump wrote in a letter to Kim, which was released by the White House. Trump said the decision was made “for the good of both parties, but to the detriment of the world.” The two were scheduled to meet June 12 in Singapore in what would have been the first meeting between a sitting U.S. president and a North Korean leader. The cancellation is a major setback for Trump, who made nuclear diplomacy with Pyongyang his top foreign policy goal.</p>
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<p><strong><em>NFL Players Reportedly Already Discussing New Forms of Protest</em></strong></p>
<p>Various NFL players are reportedly discussing different forms of protesting in response to a new policy requiring players to stand for the national anthem. “I talked to a former NFL player yesterday who has said that players are already talking about other ways in which they can protest," <a href="https://twitter.com/TODAYshow/status/999608625344770048">NBC's Craig Melvin said on "Today"</a> on Thursday. Melvin did not specify which players he spoke to, or what other forms of protesting they were considering. Other journalists, including NFL Media reporter Jim Trotter, said they are also hearing of some players considering other forms of protest, including staying in their locker room for the national anthem. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Pompeo: North Korea Wasn't Replying to Summit Preparation Efforts</em></strong></p>
<p>Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday said President Trump canceled<a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/389158-trump-says-summit-with-north-korea-will-not-happen"> his planned summit</a> with North Korea in part because the United States did not receive replies from Pyongyang on preparations for the meeting. “I don’t believe in that sense that we’re in a position to believe that there could be a successful outcome,” Pompeo said. “I think that’s what the president communicated pretty clearly in his letter. “I can add to that. Over the past many days, we have endeavored to do what Chairman Kim and I had agreed, which was to put teams, preparation teams together to begin to work to prepare for the summit and we have received no response to our inquiries from them.” Pompeo was testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee moments after the White House released a letter from President Trump to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un canceling the summit that was planned for June 12 in Singapore.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Two More Republicans Sign Petition to Force Immigration Vote</em></strong></p>
<p>Two more Republicans signed a petition on Thursday to force a House vote on a series of immigration bills, leaving petitioners just a few votes shy of a majority needed to trigger a debate and vote. Supporters of the petition now number 212, after Reps. Tom Reed, R-N.Y., and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., signed it Thursday. Several Democrats also signed it Thursday, including Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Steny Hoyer, D-M.D. There's no threat that a majority forces a vote in the coming days. House lawmakers left town Thursday for the Memorial Day recess and won’t be back until the week of June 5. If they reach a majority then, it could trigger debate and vote on four bills, an outcome Republican leaders are looking to avoid. A GOP meeting is planned for June 7 to try to come up with a bill that can be debated and voted on during the third week of June, and that also might get moderate Republicans to drop their demand for a vote on several options.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Dem, GOP Leaders to Get Classified Briefings on Russia Probe</em></strong></p>
<p>House and Senate lawmakers from both parties are set to meet with top intelligence officials Thursday for classified briefings as President Donald Trump raises new suspicions about the federal investigation into his 2016 campaign. Trump is calling his newest attempt at discrediting special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation "spygate." In recent days, he has been zeroing in reports that a longtime U.S. government informant approached members of his campaign during the 2016 presidential election in a possible bid to glean intelligence on Russian efforts to sway the election. The White House arranged a briefing about classified documents that will be attended by three Republican House members, including House Speaker Paul Ryan. After Democratic complaints and negotiations that went into the evening Wednesday, the Justice Department said it would hold a second classified briefing the same day and invite the Gang of Eight - a group that consists of the top Republicans and Democrats in each chamber and the top Republicans and Democrats on the House and Senate intelligence committees.</p>
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<p><strong><em>'Blue Wednesday' in Chicago as Union Takes Stand Against Mayor Emanuel</em></strong> </p>
<p>It’s being called “Blue Wednesday” in Chicago as the city’s Fraternal Order of Police organized a unified public demonstration against Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who the FOP calls “anti-police.” During the city’s regularly scheduled city council meeting Wednesday morning, ranking members of the police union read aloud a strongly worded statement against Emanuel in which the FOP alleges the mayor has “turned his back” on his police department by being more concerned with “pandering to police-hating media” and by allowing the American Civil Liberties Union to have a seat at the negotiating table. The move comes in response to the Chicago Police Board’s recent decision to put Officer Robert Rialmo on a no-pay status for a 2015 fatal shooting that was deemed unjustified by the board—but was ruled justified by Chicago Police Department Superintendent Eddie Johnson.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Security Troops on U.S. Nuclear Missile Base Took LSD</em></strong></p>
<p>One airman said he felt paranoia. Another marveled at the vibrant colors. A third admitted, “I absolutely just loved altering my mind.” Meet service members entrusted with guarding nuclear missiles that are among the most powerful in America’s arsenal. Air Force records obtained by The Associated Press show they bought, distributed and used the hallucinogen LSD and other mind-altering illegal drugs as part of a ring that operated undetected for months on a highly secure military base in Wyoming. None of the airmen was accused of using drugs on duty. Yet it’s another blow to the reputation of the Air Force’s nuclear missile corps, which is capable of unleashing hell in the form of Minuteman 3 intercontinental ballistic missiles, or ICBMs. The corps has struggled at times with misbehavior, mismanagement and low morale.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-05-24T16:26:00ZRussia Focus Shifts to Major Spy Scandal; Stormy Daniels to Receive Key to City in West HollywoodBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Russia-Focus-Shifts-to-Major-Spy-Scandal;-Stormy-Daniels-to-Receive-Key-to-City-in-West-Hollywood/900965974214472480.html2018-05-23T13:22:00Z2018-05-23T13:22:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, May 23, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br />
<p><strong><em>President Trump & John Kelly Moving to Cut Communications Staff Amid Fallout from Leaks</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump is seeking to reduce the number of leaks from the White House by removing some midlevel and junior staffers on the communications team, according to a new report. White House chief of staff John Kelly has approved a plan that would clear out some officials in the communications department, but top aides, including White House press secretary Sarah Sanders, are expected to keep their posts, per <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/05/22/trump-communications-team-changes-603417" target="_blank">Politico</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span> Some staffers are expected to be fired, while others will be reassigned to different positions. Ultimately, the staff changes are designed to remove leakers and establish a more direct chain of command, sources told Politico.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Russia Focus Shifts to 'Major Spy Scandal'</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump said Wednesday that people pushing the "phony collusion" story on Russia are finally having to answer questions about how the FBI was being fed information from a confidential informant from within his campaign. “Look how things have turned around on the Criminal Deep State,” <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/999242039723163648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fpolitics%2Ftrump-cheers-as-russia-focus-shifts-to-major-spy-scandal&tfw_site=DCExaminer">Trump said on Twitter</a> Wednesday morning. “They go after Phony Collusion with Russia, a made up Scam, and end up getting caught in a major SPY scandal the likes of which this country may never have seen before! What goes around, comes around!” It was revealed over the weekend that one, in particular, Stefan Halper, was getting information to U.S. officials about Trump's campaign. Trump called that revelation “Spygate."</p>
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<p><strong><em>President Trump’s Approval Rating is Gaining Momentum</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/trump_administration/prez_track_may22">The Rasmussen Reports Daily Presidential Tracking Poll</a> for Tuesday shows that 50% of Likely U.S. Voters approve of President Trump’s job performance. Forty-nine percent (49%) disapprove. The latest figures include 35% who Strongly Approve of the way Trump is performing and 42% who Strongly Disapprove.</p>
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<p><strong><em>More than 450 Caravan Migrants Made it into the U.S.</em></strong></p>
<p>More than 450 people from the illegal-immigrant caravan managed to make it into the U.S., officials told Congress on Tuesday. Of those just 122 were arrested for jumping the border, while more than 330 others showed up at official ports of entry and demanded asylum, the officials told the House Homeland Security Committee, giving the first complete look at the effects of the caravan. Despite the Trump administration announcing very publicly a zero-tolerance policy for the caravan, authorities have announced charges against only a small fraction of the 122 people who jumped the border.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Stormy Daniels to Receive Key to City in West Hollywood</em></strong></p>
<p>Adult-film star Stormy Daniels will receive a <a href="http://abc7.com/politics/stormy-daniels-to-receive-key-to-west-hollywood/3510124/">key to the city of West Hollywood</a> to honor her legal battle against President Donald Trump. The city plans to proclaim "Stormy Daniels Day" on May 23. "In these politically tumultuous times, Daniels has proven herself to be a profile in courage by speaking truth to power even under threats to her safety and extreme intimidation," the city said in a statement announcing the event. "Trump administration has been a direct threat to the people of the city of West Hollywood - our LGBTQ community, our immigrant community, women here in this community - so Stormy Daniels has really showed up as the woman to save the Republic," Mayor John Duran said.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Mike Pompeo to Testify on Wednesday</em></strong></p>
<p>Four lawmakers have asked for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's "urgent assistance" in securing the release of all American hostages in Iran after the Trump administration's success in persuading North Korea to free three American hostages before official talks began on limiting Pyongyang's nuclear program. Pompeo will appear before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday to discuss the Trump administration's foreign affairs priorities. Ahead of his testimony, Reps. Ileana Ros Lehtinen (R., Fla.), Michael McCaul (R., Texas), Ted Deutch (D, Fla.) and Nita Lowey (D., N.Y.), the ranking member of the powerful Appropriations Committee, sent Pompeo a <a href="http://freebeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/05.17.18-Letter-to-Sec-Pompeo-re-Hostages-in-Iran-1.pdf">letter</a> on May 17 highlighting the plight of five American hostages being held in Iran.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Iran: Pompeo, U.S. are ‘Prisoners of the Past’</em></strong></p>
<p>Iranian officials on Wednesday pushed back on Secretary of State <a href="http://thehill.com/people/mike-pompeo">Mike Pompeo</a>’s pledge to implement harsh sanctions on Tehran. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear/iran-slams-u-s-sanctions-push-syria-rejects-idea-of-iranian-withdrawal-idUSKCN1IO17Q?il=0" target="_blank">Reuters reported</a> that Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Pompeo and other officials are “prisoners of their wrong illusions, prisoners of their past and have been taken hostage by corrupt pressure groups.” A senior Iranian military official reportedly argued that the U.S. “does not have the courage for military confrontation with Iran.” Instead, the official said, the U.S. is attempting to put “economic and mental pressures” on Tehran. Pompeo on Monday <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/defense/388597-pompeo-vows-strongest-sanctions-in-history-on-iran" target="_blank">outlined the Trump administration’s approach</a> to Iran in the wake of the president’s decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. Pompeo vowed to levy the “strongest sanctions in history” on Tehran unless it abandons its nuclear program and halts what the U.S. has criticized as destabilizing activity in the Middle East.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Marquette Begs Students Not to Use 'The I-Word' for Illegals</em></strong></p>
<p>Marquette University’s department of “Diversity and Inclusion” is encouraging undergraduates to “drop the ‘i-word’” when referring to illegal immigrants. According to the “Undocumented Student Terminology” published on the <a href="http://www.marquette.edu/diversity/undocumented-student-terminology.php">school’s website</a>, “not only is the term ‘illegal’ inaccurate, it is dehumanizing.” The school explains that the acceptable way to refer to immigrants with no domestic legal status is by using words such as “undocumented” or “unauthorized.” The College of Education also provides an extensive summary of immigration-related research and statistics, including what it calls “Stress Related to Immigration Status in Students: A Brief Guide for Schools.” The website explains, “This brief guide is designed to provide an overview of detention, deportation, and other immigration status-related stress and its effect on children and families, as well as suggestions for how school personnel can support families in the context of this unique stressor.” </p>
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<p><strong><em>Robert De Niro Says He is Banning Trump from His Restaurants</em></strong></p>
<p>Robert De Niro, a frequent critic of <a href="http://thehill.com/people/donald-trump">President Trump</a> who has been playing special counsel <a href="http://thehill.com/people/robert-mueller">Robert Mueller</a> on "Saturday Night Live," talked Tuesday about how he'd like to bar the president from eating at his Nobu restaurant chain. The Daily Mail reported that De Niro, a co-founder of the Nobu restaurant and hotel chain, insisted that he would not let Trump eat in his restaurants and that he would leave any other eatery where the president entered. “If he walked into a restaurant I was in, I’d walk out,” De Niro said.</p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-05-23T13:22:00ZSecond Special Counsel Needed Because DOJ Can't Investigate Themselves; WNBA Will Donate Portion of Ticket Sales to Planned ParenthoodBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Second-Special-Counsel-Needed-Because-DOJ-Cant-Investigate-Themselves;-WNBA-Will-Donate-Portion-of-Ticket-Sales-to-Planned-Parenthood/-829781719543491579.html2018-05-22T14:05:00Z2018-05-22T14:05:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, May 22, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Second Special Counsel Needed Because DOJ Can't 'Investigate Themselves'</em></strong></p>
<p>Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., argued Monday that a second special counsel will ultimately be needed to examine why the Justice Department launched its investigation into President Trump, because the department has shown it can't investigate itself. "I don't think that the Justice Department's going to be able to investigate themselves," DeSantis said on Fox News. "I think that they've resisted our inquiries here in Congress for long enough, and so it's time that we did have a special counsel." DeSantis and other Republicans have been pressing for information about the origins of the Trump investigation for months, and only this week finally won an <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/trump-charges-john-kelly-with-getting-russia-probe-documents-to-congress" target="_blank">assurance that White House chief of staff John Kelly</a> would get lawmakers the information they've been seeking.<br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>Reported CIA Trump Campaign Mole Also Spied in '80 Election</em></strong></p>
<p>Stefan Halper, the CIA operative and FBI informant that was allegedly used to gather information on the Trump campaign in 2016 was responsible for a spying operation in the 1980 presidential election, <a href="https://theintercept.com/2018/05/19/the-fbi-informant-who-monitored-the-trump-campaign-stefan-halper-oversaw-a-cia-spying-operation-in-the-1980-presidential-election/">The Intercept has reported.</a> According to the outlet, Stefan Halper managed CIA officials — reportedly under the direction of former CIA Director George H.W. Bush — from inside the Carter administration. The plot involved CIA operatives passing classified information about then-President Jimmy Carter's foreign policy to officials for the Ronald Reagan campaign to ensure it knew of any foreign policy decisions Carter was considering.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Giuliani Says Mueller Can’t Talk to Trump Until Trump Hears More About FBI Source</em></strong></p>
<p>One of <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/topic/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>’s lawyers said Monday that the president can’t agree to an interview with special counsel <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/topic/robert-mueller">Robert Mueller</a>’s team without first learning more about the secret FBI informant who spoke with members of the Trump campaign during the 2016 race. “We can’t let our guy go in and be questioned without knowing this,” <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/topic/rudy-giuliani">Rudy Giuliani</a> said in an interview with HuffPost. Giuliani, who is on Trump’s private legal team, spoke with HuffPost after Trump met with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, FBI Director Christopher Wray and Dan Coats, the director of national intelligence, about congressional requests for information on the secret FBI source. The decision to set up the meeting, Giuliani said, was made by Trump and his White House lawyers without Giuliani’s involvement, although he said he supported it. “I didn’t advise against it,” Giuliani said. “He has a right as president to say to the Justice Department you have to comply with a congressional subpoena or request.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Guns Found, Violent Threats Made at Schools Near Texas High School Shooting</em></strong></p>
<p>Threats of more gun violence were made this week at schools in Texas, just as students from the high school in Santa Fe, Texas, returned for the first time since last week's school shooting that left nine students and one adult dead. Officials said two students at nearby schools were caught bringing guns to school, and gun threats were made at three other schools near Santa Fe. A gun was found in the backpack of a student at Hargrave High School, which is about an hour away from Santa Fe High School. At the same time, 14 miles away from Santa Fe High School, a student at League City Intermediate School was found with an unloaded gun and was taken into custody at the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, <a href="http://abc13.com/parents-pick-up-students-after-gun-found-at-league-city-int/3502836/" target="_blank">authorities told ABC</a> affiliate station in Houston Monday. One student at a school nine miles away was arrested for making a threat and texting someone to bring him a gun. Another at a prep school phoned in a threat to shoot up the school. At a third school, a threat was written on the bathroom wall alleging that a shooting would take place on May 30.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Starbucks Says Drug Use, Sleeping Unacceptable as It Clarifies Guest Policy</em></strong></p>
<p>Starbucks tried to dig itself out of controversy Monday by attempting to clarify a policy toward nonpaying guests that generated an onslaught of weekend criticism. The Seattle-based retailer on Saturday had said it would allow all guests in its U.S. company-owned stores to use its cafes, including its restrooms, whether or not they make a purchase. That announcement, which attracted some support, also drew complaints that cafes wouldn’t have enough seats for paying customers and would turn into homeless shelters and drug havens. On Monday, Starbucks revealed more about the policy, telling The Wall Street Journal that employees now have detailed instructions on what to do if someone is behaving in a disruptive manner, such as smoking, using drugs or alcohol, using restrooms improperly or sleeping.</p>
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<p><strong><em>WNBA Will Donate Portion of Ticket Sales to Planned Parenthood in Defiance of Trump</em></strong></p>
<p>After the Trump administration made the move to defund a portion of <a href="https://www.theblaze.com/video/trump-to-cut-a-portion-federal-funding-to-planned-parenthood" target="_blank">federal funding to Planned Parenthood</a>, the Women’s National Basketball League announced its support for Planned Parenthood “against the Trump administration’s most recent attack on a woman’s right to affordable, safe and comprehensive health care.” This is another campaign <a href="https://www.theblaze.com/video/glenn-beck-lists-the-10-biggest-campaign-promises-trump-has-kept" target="_blank">promise made and kept</a> by President Trump to end the flow of federal tax dollars to the largest abortion provider in the nation. The WNBA announced last Thursday the “<a href="http://www.wnba.com/tickets/" target="_blank">Take A Seat, Take A Stand</a>” program which will ensure $5 of every ticket sold goes to one of six organizations focused on women’s health, including Planned Parenthood.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Administration Condemns ‘Sham’ Election in Venezuela, Imposes New Sanctions</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. government officials on Monday denounced Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's declaration of victory in Sunday's election as a fraud and issued new sanctions designed to prevent Maduro from selling off the country's debt to U.S. entities and individuals. President <a href="http://freebeacon.com/national-security/trump-administration-condemns-sham-election-venezuela-imposes-new-sanctions/">Donald Trump's new executive order</a> bars U.S. citizens from being involved in sales of the country's accounts receivable when it comes to oil and other assets. However, the Trump administration stopped short of slapping tougher direct oil sanctions against the Maduro regime, a step that opposition leaders have pressed for and was widely anticipated to take place in the wake of Maduro's orchestrated victory at the polls. Targeted crude oil sanctions against Venezuela would cripple Maduro's leftist administration, which is entirely dependent on crude sales to prop up its increasingly isolated and insolvent government. President Trump and top administration officials are wary of taking any action that would further hurt the Venezuelan people, who are already suffering from widespread food shortages brought on by the economic crisis. They also don't want to do anything that could increase domestic gasoline prices, which are already experiencing their annual spike ahead of the summer months of heavy vacation driving.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Another California City Rebels Against State's Pro-Illegal Immigration 'Sanctuary City' Policies</em></strong></p>
<p>Another California city has joined the fight against the state's sanctuary city laws, which limit local authorities' ability to investigate illegal immigrants' status and communicate with federal immigration officials. Carlsbad’s City Council voted 4-1 Monday to support the Trump administration's lawsuit against the state's pro-illegal immigrant sanctuary city policies, <a href="http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/communities/north-county/sd-no-sanctuary-options-20180521-story.html" target="_blank">The San Diego Union-Tribune reported</a>. Carlsbad is located near San Diego, where the all-Republican Board of Supervisors <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/04/17/san-diego-votes-to-join-trump-administrations-lawsuit-against-californias-sanctuary-city-law.html">also voted in April</a> to support the federal government's legal action. The U.S. Justice Department <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/03/06/trump-doj-sues-california-over-interference-with-immigration-enforcement.html">sued California</a> in March over its interference with federal immigration policies, which Carlsbad officials said is endangering the public. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/05/09/trump-administrations-lawsuit-against-california-sanctuary-laws-backed-by-these-cities-counties.html">Multiple other local city or county councils</a> have voted to join the Trump administration’s lawsuit or fight the state's policies in other ways.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Charlize Theron to Play Megyn Kelly in Upcoming Movie About Roger Ailes</em></strong></p>
<p>Charlize Theron will star in the role of Megyn Kelly in an <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/388738-charlize-theron-to-play-megyn-kelly-in-upcoming-movie-about-roger-ailes">upcoming movie</a> about former Fox News chairman and CEO Roger Ailes, according to a Monday night report. The Hollywood Reporter says Annapurna Pictures has already started casting for the film that will be directed by Jay Roach, who was behind the camera for the 2012 political picture "Game Change" which focuses on Sarah Palin's bid for vice president in 2008. Theron, 42, has been a major name in Hollywood for more than two decades and won an Oscar for Best Actress in 2003 for her portrayal of a serial killer in "Monster." Roach is also set to direct the movie adaptation of Michael Wolff's book "Fire & Fury: Inside the Trump White House" that became an instant bestseller earlier this year.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-05-22T14:05:00ZTrump Swears in Gina Haspel; Bernie Sanders Vows to be Trump's 'Fiercest Opponent in the Senate'BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Swears-in-Gina-Haspel;-Bernie-Sanders-Vows-to-be-Trumps-Fiercest-Opponent-in-the-Senate/-763060732141406727.html2018-05-21T16:41:00Z2018-05-21T16:41:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Monday, May 21, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Trump Swears in Gina Haspel</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump swore in Gina Haspel as the first woman to lead the Central Intelligence Agency on Monday, hours after he criticized her predecessor, John Brennan, for carrying out a "political hit job" against him. "There is no one in this country better qualified for this extraordinary office than you," Trump said to Haspel during a ceremony at the agency's headquarters in Langley, Va. "It took courage for her to say yes in the face of a lot of negative politics, but I'll tell you: when you testified before the [Senate Intelligence] Committee, it was over. There was nothing else they could say. There was nobody more qualified than you." The ceremony took place just hours after the president, <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/trump-quotes-lengthy-attack-on-former-cia-director-john-brennan" target="_blank">quoting conservative radio host Dan Bongino</a>, said Brennan had "disgraced himself" and "the entire Intelligence Community." Trump accused the former CIA director, who served during the Obama administration, of destroying Americans' faith in the top intelligence agency. He had described Brennan as one of "the biggest liars and leakers" in government.</p>
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<p><strong><em>In Re-Election Announcement, Bernie Sanders Vows to be Trump's 'Fiercest Opponent in the Senate'</em></strong></p>
<p>Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., announced his bid Monday for a third term and aimed to earn more support in the November 2018 election by promising to be President Trump's worst enemy in the Senate. “Today, I am announcing my intention to run for re-election to the United States Senate in 2018,” <a href="https://twitter.com/BernieSanders/status/998573050210766848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Fin-re-election-announcement-bernie-sanders-vows-to-be-trumps-fiercest-opponent-in-the-senate&tfw_creator=anna_giaritelli&tfw_site=DCExaminer">Sanders wrote on Twitter</a>. "These are frightening and unprecedented times. We have a president who is not only a pathological liar, but someone who is trying to win votes by dividing our nation up based on the color of our skin, our country of origin, our religion, our gender or our sexual orientation," he continued. "If reelected, you can be sure that I will continue to be the fiercest opponent in the Senate to the rightwing extremism of Trump and the Republican leadership."</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Demands Review of Russia Investigation Surveillance Tactics</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump says that, on Monday, he will order an investigation into whether the FBI and the Department of Justice "infiltrated or surveilled" his campaign "for political purposes," potentially setting up a showdown between the president and his intelligence and law enforcement agencies. "I hereby demand, and will do so officially tomorrow, that the Department of Justice look into whether or not the FBI/DOJ infiltrated or surveilled the Trump Campaign for Political Purposes - and if any such demands or requests were made by people within the Obama Administration!" Trump tweeted, after a string of other tweets denigrating the special counsel's investigation into Russian election interference. The White House did not immediately provide guidance on what exactly Trump meant in terms of actions to be taken on Monday.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Thousands Attend Service for Exchange Student Killed in Santa Fe High School Shooting</em></strong></p>
<p>Thousands attended a funeral service Sunday to remember the Pakistani exchange student killed in the <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/santa-fe-high-school-shooting-texas-victims-today-2018-05-18/" target="_blank">Santa Fe High School shooting</a>. Sabika Sheikh was one of the 10 people killed in the shooting Friday morning. The attack left 10 others injured in what Texas Gov. Greg Abbott described as "one of the most heinous attacks that we've ever seen in the history of Texas schools." The funeral service was held at a Houston-area mosque Sunday. Sheikh's host family spoke during the service, saying that Sabika wanted to be a businesswoman. She had been attending the school since last August.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Barack, Michelle Obama to Produce Films, TV Shows for Netflix</em></strong></p>
<p>Netflix announced Monday that former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama have signed an agreement to produce films and series for the entertainment streaming service. The couple could potentially be producing anything from a scripted series to reality shows, to documentaries. “President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have entered into a multi-year agreement to produce films and series for Netflix, potentially including scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries, and features," the company said. In March, Netflix named former Obama national security adviser and former ambassador to the United Nations <a href="http://variety.com/2018/digital/news/netflix-ambassador-susan-rice-board-1202738289/" target="_blank">Susan Rice</a> to its board of directors.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Mike Pompeo Outlines New Sanctions on Iran</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump plans to implement “unprecedented” sanctions pressure on Iran in order to force the regime to negotiate an end to its regional aggression, Secretary of State <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/mike-pompeo-promises-unprecedented-sanctions-on-iran-as-he-outlines-new-maximum-pressure-campaign">Mike Pompeo said Monday</a>. “These will indeed end up being the strongest sanctions in history when we are complete,” Pompeo said Monday at the Heritage Foundation. That would outstrip even the “maximum pressure” brought to bear on North Korea in a last-ditch effort to stop the communist regime from acquiring the ability to deliver nuclear weapons to the United States. Pompeo, who denounced the 2015 nuclear deal for enabling Iran’s regional aggression, called for a new deal every bit as ambitious as the effort to convince North Korea to surrender its nuclear weapons.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Sign on Professor’s Door Calls Republicans 'Heartless A**Holes'</em></strong></p>
<p>A professor at California State University-East Bay displays signs on her office window declaring that “Republicans are heartless a**holes” and “F**k the A**hole in Chief.” The signs were spotted at the office of Assistant Professor Monique Manopoulos by members of the CSU East Bay Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) chapter, which <a href="https://twitter.com/eastbayyaf/status/997225306481016834">posted</a> an image of the signs to Twitter Thursday afternoon. The YAF chapter president, Bruce Rodriguez, told Campus Reform that the signs were discovered in Manopoulos’s office, which is located within the Student Faculty Support Building. Campus Reform reached out to the French professor, who responded that she is “just exercising my First Amendment right.” She did not care to elaborate.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-05-21T16:41:00ZGiuliani: Trump Could be 'Walking into a Trap' with Mueller Interview; Ex-Girlfriend of 49ers Reuben Foster Now Claims He Never Hit HerBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Giuliani:-Trump-Could-be-Walking-into-a-Trap-with-Mueller-Interview;-Ex-Girlfriend-of-49ers-Reuben-Foster-Now-Claims-He-Never-Hit-Her/-678057030161713992.html2018-05-20T16:02:00Z2018-05-20T16:02:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, May 20, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
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<p><strong><em>Trump Urges Allies to Get ‘Tough’ on Robert Mueller ‘Scam’</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump attacked special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation as biased and unfounded Sunday, urging Republicans to get “tough” with the probe as the 2018 midterms fast approach. Trump wrote on Twitter that Mueller’s probe looking into possible campaign collusion with Russia is evidence of a double standard compared with Hillary Clinton and that “Republicans and real Americans should start getting tough on this Scam." Trump went on to say, “Things are really getting ridiculous. The Failing and Crooked (but not as Crooked as Hillary Clinton) @nytimes has done a long & boring story indicating that the World’s most expensive Witch Hunt has found nothing on Russia & me so now they are looking at the rest of the World!” Trump tweeted. “At what point does this soon to be $20,000,000 Witch Hunt, composed of 13 Angry and Heavily Conflicted Democrats and two people who have worked for Obama for 8 years, STOP!” <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/998189366844559360">he continued</a>.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Mark Warner: Trump Allies Who Leak Classified Information Should Be Prosecuted</em></strong></p>
<p>Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., on Sunday condemned any ally of President Trump who knowingly leaks classified information, including the identity of FBI informants. Individuals behind such disclosures should be prosecuted for breaking the law. "The first thing you learn when you get involved with the intelligence community is you have to protect sources and methods. People's lives depend upon it," Warner said during an interview on CNN's "State of the Union." "President Trump's own FBI director this week, Christopher Wray, said when officials or elected officials go out and start exposing classified information, exposing informants that work with our government, America is less safe. That is illegal if you reveal this kind of information," the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee continued.<br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>Giuliani: Trump Could be ‘Walking into a Trap’ with Mueller Interview</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump’s attorney Rudy Giuliani said on Sunday that Trump could be “walking into a trap” by interviewing with special counsel <a href="http://thehill.com/people/robert-mueller">Robert Mueller</a> if he’s not given more details about a <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/388412-talk-of-unproven-fbi-plant-in-trump-campaign-circulates-among">FBI informant</a> who reportedly met with Trump campaign aides. Giuliani <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-should-get-details-on-informant-before-mueller-interview-giuliani-says-1526814000" target="_blank">told The Wall Street Journal</a> in an interview published Sunday that Trump’s team would need more information about the informant and whether the individual had any “incriminating information” on Trump associates. “What we intend to do is premise it on, ‘If you want an interview, we need an answer to this,’” Giuliani told the newspaper. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/secret-fbi-source-for-russia-investigation-met-with-three-trump-advisers-during-campaign/2018/05/18/9778d9f0-5aea-11e8-b656-a5f8c2a9295d_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.22af03d2172b">The Washington Post reported</a> Friday that a <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/388429-fbi-informant-met-with-three-trump-campaign-advisers-report">FBI informant had met with Trump</a> campaign co-chair Sam Clovis, in addition to advisers <a href="http://thehill.com/people/george-papadopoulos">George Papadopoulos</a> and Carter Page. The informant is said to be a retired professor and longtime U.S. intelligence source who met with Clovis in 2016 and reportedly offered to provide foreign policy advice to the campaign. Some GOP lawmakers have claimed that the Obama administration planted a “mole” in the Trump campaign to find incriminating evidence against Trump and his aides.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Ex-Girlfriend of 49ers Reuben Foster Now Claims He Never Hit Her</em></strong></p>
<p>The former girlfriend of San Francisco 49er Reuben Foster <a href="http://abc13.com/ex-girlfriend-of-49ers-reuben-foster-now-claims-he-never-hit-her-/3494772/">recanted her accusations</a> of domestic violence against the linebacker. In testimony on Thursday, Elissa Ennis said she called 911 three times on Feb. 11 because Foster broke up with her. When a prosecutor asked why she called a third time, Ennis said: "I wanted to be extra. I wanted him to go down. I was pissed." Ennis was asked by a prosecutor if she took money from Foster. Ennis also testified that she tried to bring false domestic violence charges against another ex-boyfriend in 2011, when that man tried to break up with her. “I took more than money. I took all his jewelry and designer stuff," said Ennis. She also stole his routing and account numbers when he went to jail. "I wanted to sue Reuben. It was all a money scheme," said Ennis. Her injuries were the result of a fight with two women after a traffic incident in San Francisco. She says a friend sent her a link to a video of the fight posted on Instagram.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Royal Wedding Ratings: 18M Watch Prince Harry & Meghan Markle’s Big Day in the UK</em></strong></p>
<p>Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s wedding received blanket positive coverage across media in the UK and around the world. Around 18M people in the UK watched the big day yesterday across a number of channels. <a href="http://deadline.com/tag/bbc-one/">BBC One</a>, which covered the Windsor wedding between 9am and 2pm, averaged 8.7m viewers over the five hours, hitting a peak audience of 13.1m around 12:30pm during the middle of the ceremony. On commercial rival <a href="http://deadline.com/tag/itv/">ITV</a>, which ran coverage between 9:25am and 3pm, an average of 2.5m viewers watched with a peak of 3.6m watching just after 1pm when the happy couple departed St George’s Chapel. Elsewhere, Sky News, Sky One and BBC News averaged around half a million viewers and took the total peak audience to just below 18m. Harry and Meghan’s big day was watched less than when his brother, Prince William walked down the aisle with Catherine Middleton. The 2011 wedding peaked with more than 19m viewers on BBC One and 6m viewers on ITV.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Incoming NRA President Says Ritalin And TV May Cause Shootings</em></strong></p>
<p>Oliver North, the incoming president of the National Rifle Association, said Sunday that school shootings are only "a symptom" of broader problems including violence in media and prescription drugs. "The disease in this case isn't the Second Amendment," North said on "Fox News Sunday." "The disease is youngsters who are steeped in a culture of violence. They have been drugged in many cases. Nearly all of these perpetrators are male, and they are young teenagers in most cases," he continued. "And they have come through a culture where violence is commonplace. All you need to do is turn on the TV, go to the movies. If you look at what has happened to the young people, many of these young boys have been on Ritalin since they were in kindergarten." North, a former Fox News commentator known for his role in the Iran-Contra scandal, said under his leadership of the NRA, "My goal is a million more members," up from 6 million now.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Obama Education Secretary: Pull Children Out of Schools Until Gun Laws Change</em></strong></p>
<p>Former Education Secretary <a href="http://thehill.com/people/arne-duncan">Arne Duncan</a> said Friday that it was "tragically necessary" for parents to pull their children out of school en masse until U.S. gun laws are changed. In a tweet, the former Obama administration official asked what would happen if no children went to school until "gun laws changed to keep them safe. My family is all in if we can do this at scale. Parents, will you please join us?" he asked. Duncan's plea comes one day after two shootings at two different schools on Friday, one of which killed 10 people at a Texas high school. Another shooting, later in the day, occurred outside of a <a href="http://myfox8.com/2018/05/18/3-shot-1-killed-during-graduation-ceremony-at-georgia-high-school/amp/">graduation ceremony</a> at a Georgia high school, where one person was killed and another was injured.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Oil Industry Stands Up Against Trump's Tariffs</em></strong></p>
<p>Energy groups are pressing the Trump administration to weigh the economic harm of imposing tariffs on Chinese goods, while groups focused on transportation say China's aggressive trade tactics must be a top concern. “We’re trying to take a long-term view of this, versus the short-term, and it’s hard to get other industries and groups aligned with ignoring the short-term gain for the long-term protection of a U.S. industry,” said Erik Olson, vice president of the Rail Security Alliance, a relatively new trade group focused on the national security implications of federal policies on the rail-freight industry. Olson said his group's biggest concern is the encroachment of Chinese companies on the U.S. freight market.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-05-20T16:02:00ZMan Arrested After Shooting at Trump Golf Club; Liberal Media Doubles Down on Support for Brutal MS-13 GangBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Man-Arrested-After-Shooting-at-Trump-Golf-Club;-Liberal-Media-Doubles-Down-on-Support-for-Brutal-MS-13-Gang/403140264692582468.html2018-05-18T14:17:00Z2018-05-18T14:17:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Friday, May 18, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Man Arrested After Shooting at Trump Golf Club</em></strong></p>
<p>A man has been arrested after opening fire in the lobby of the Trump National Doral Golf Club early Friday morning, authorities say. Chief Hernan Organvidez of the Doral Police Department said the police received word of an active shooter around 1:30 a.m. When the police arrived on the scene, they <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/18/politics/trump-golf-course-shots-fired/index.html" target="_blank">found the man</a> armed with a handgun. He had draped an American flag over the lobby counter and was “yelling and spewing some information” about Trump, but Organvidez did not provide more details on what exactly the man was saying. They exchanged fire with the shooter and shot him multiple times in the lower extremities. The shooter is in custody and is currently being treated at the hospital for multiple gunshot wounds. One officer received a non-fireram related injury and is in “good condition.” There were no other injuries sustained during the incident, which Organvidez said lasted no more than a couple of minutes. Eric Trump thanked the Doral Police Department and the Miami Dade Police Department on Twitter for their work in stopping the shooting.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump: Kim Jong Un Is Going to Be ‘Very Happy’ If We Make a Deal</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump said the "best thing" North Korea dictator Kim Jong Un could do was make a deal with the United States over its nuclear program, predicting Thursday he would be "very happy" if he did. North Korea has threatened to pull out of a planned June 12 summit between Kim Jong Un and Trump, saying it has no interest in a "one-sided" agreement in which it abandons its nuclear weapons program. The rogue regime <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/north-korea-reportedly-threatens-to-pull-out-us-summit-over-military-exercises-today-2018-05-15/" target="_blank">reportedly took issue</a> with National Security Adviser John Bolton's remarks about following the "Libyan model" of disarmament during the George W. Bush administration. Trump said that type of model wasn't being considered during remarks in the Oval Office, saying the U.S. "decimated" Libya at the time and didn't offer protection or military strength to Muammar Gaddafi. "If we make a deal, I think Kim Jong Un is going to be very, very happy," Trump said. "I really believe he's going to be very happy."</p>
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<p><strong><em>Police Responding to Reports of Shooting at High School in Southeast Texas</em></strong></p>
<p>Police confirmed to multiple media outlets that they were responding to reports of a shooting at a high school in Texas on Friday morning. Around 8 a.m. CT, reports began to surface on social media that someone had opened fire at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, which is about 35 miles south of Houston. A gunman walked into an art class at Santa Fe High School and began firing what looked like a shotgun, a witness told <a href="http://wtvr.com/2018/05/18/texas-high-school-shooting/">KTRK</a>. The witness said she saw a girl shot in the leg. Details about whether anyone was in custody or what led to the shooting weren’t immediately available. The school district is on lockdown, district officials said. More than 20 police cars arrived at the scene Friday morning, witnesses told KRTK. Santa Fe is a city of about 13,000 people roughly 30 miles southeast of Houston and 20 miles northwest of Galveston. The high school has about 1,400 students.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Liberal Media Doubles Down on Support for Brutal MS-13 Gang</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump didn’t call all immigrants “animals” like the media wants you to believe. The president was specifically referring to members of the brutal MS-13 gang who are operating in and out of the U.S. Journalists have been <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkGVMI7ABpk">sharing a selectively edited clip</a> posted by C-SPAN that only shows a short portion of the meeting about sanctuary cities that took place at the White House on Wednesday. “You wouldn’t believe how bad these people are. These aren’t people, these are animals, and we’re taking them out of the country at a level and at a rate that’s never happened before,” Trump said. These comments were in response to the discussion about MS-13 gang members trying to enter the U.S. illegally. “The press really would like to see President Trump be a big fat racist. But it doesn’t work here, the fact is he was asked about MS-13, he referred to them as ‘animals.’ Open and shut, there’s nothing more to this,” the Daily Caller’s Vince Coglianese said.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Michael Avenatti’s Company Fired Woman for Being Pregnant</em></strong></p>
<p>Michael Avenatti’s coffee chain fired a top-performing store manager in July 2016 because she became pregnant, a court found according to documents obtained by The Daily Caller News Foundation. A Washington state court on Oct. 13, 2017, ordered the parent companies for Tully’s Coffee chain to repay the woman $80,000 in lost wages and $40,000 in damages for the “pain and suffering” after her unlawful termination, court documents show. Both parent companies, Global Baristas, LLC and Global Baristas US, LLC, are either directly or indirectly controlled by Avenatti, according to government records. The woman, Elizabeth Eno, worked for the chain from 2012 until she was fired in July 2016, shortly after she informed her supervisor that she became pregnant, according to court documents. On July 5, the expectant mother “was evaluated by a secret shopper” and scored an 89 percent, court documents show. But two days later, the woman’s supervisor told her that she had, in fact, fared poorly in the evaluation and informed her that she had been fired, the court found. This was roughly a week after she had revealed her pregnancy to her supervisor.</p>
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<p><strong><em>UCSC Students Say Historical Mission Bell 'Represents Genocide'</em></strong></p>
<p>Students at the University of California, Santa Cruz are calling for the removal of a traditional California “mission bell” from campus because it “represents genocide.” California mission bells mark the path of the historic El Camino Real, the 700-mile trail that connected the 21 California missions. The bells are a common way of recognizing state history and have marked the route of the El Camino Real since 1906, with hundreds of them currently dotting the landscape. In conjunction with the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, which represents the local Uypi tribe, students are now requesting that the school remove the bell. While the petition acknowledges that the bell is “intended to symbolize and honor the history associated with the California Missions and El Camino Real,” it insists that the marker is a “painful and oppressive symbol for the Amah Mutsun and other indigenous peoples of California,” and therefore “does not represent the values embraced by the campus community.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Texas Tech Offers Counseling Due to ‘Current Political Climate’</em></strong></p>
<p>The Student Counseling Center (SCC) at Texas Tech University is giving out tips on “living in a traumatic world” that can “feel complex, overwhelming, and even scary. The world today can feel complex, overwhelming, and even scary,” the front page of the <a href="http://www.depts.ttu.edu/scc/">center’s website</a> states. “The current political climate has recently been characterized by anger, divisiveness, and a lack of mutual understanding and many of our students have been directly impacted by recent political decisions in ways that have left them questioning the safety of themselves and those that they love.” The center further claims that “discrimination and prejudice do not always take the forms of overt violence,” and that having to deal with “more subtle microaggressions” is also a “painful reality” for many students. Additionally, the SCC encourages any student who has been “impacted by oppression” to think about speaking with one of its counselors and offers a list of “resources” that the center says, “can be helpful in creating understanding, promoting healing, and fostering inclusivity.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-05-18T14:17:00ZTrump Thinks Obama's FBI Spied on His Campaign; Stormy Daniels' Lawyer Threatens Another JournalistBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Thinks-Obamas-FBI-Spied-on-His-Campaign;-Stormy-Daniels-Lawyer-Threatens-Another-Journalist/305376410843043463.html2018-05-17T14:42:00Z2018-05-17T14:42:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, May 17, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>‘Bigger Than Watergate’ – Trump Thinks Obama’s FBI Spied on His Campaign</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump questioned whether the Obama administration’s department of justice and FBI spied on his presidential campaign with a confidential informant Thursday morning. Trump sent out a tweet saying, “Wow, word seems to be coming out that the Obama FBI ‘SPIED ON THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN WITH AN IMBEDDED INFORMANT.’ Andrew McCarthy says, ‘There’s probably no doubt that they had at least one confidential informant in the campaign.’ If so, this is bigger than Watergate!” On Fox & Friends Thursday morning, former prosecutor and columnist, Andrew McCarthy said, “What happened here is they did not have a criminal predicate to open an investigation on Trump as they had an immense predicate to conduct on president Clinton.” McCarthy went on to say, “They used powers covertly to investigate the Trump campaign during the stretch run of the campaign under circumstances where they did not have evidence that anyone had actually committed a crime.” McCarthy referred to a recent New York Times story which noted that “at least one government informant met several times with Mr. Page and Mr. Papadopoulos,” who were both advisory members of the Trump campaign.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Stormy Daniels’ Lawyer Threatens Another Journalist</em></strong></p>
<p>Stormy Daniels’ infamous attorney Michael Avenatti apparently threatened another reporter and publication with a lawsuit, this time targeting Law and Crime for running a piece analyzing his appearance at a court hearing in April. The news was disclosed Wednesday evening in a piece by Rachel Stockman describing Avenatti’s pattern of aggressively attacking reporters and outlets who scrutinize his professional conduct. Stockman <a href="https://lawandcrime.com/opinion/michael-avenatti-threatened-to-sue-our-reporter-after-unfavorable-coverage-then-trolled-him-on-twitter/" target="_blank">alleges</a> that “after the publication of <a href="https://lawandcrime.com/legal-analysis/one-thing-is-clear-from-michael-cohens-hearing-nobody-likes-michael-avenatti/">our April 26 article</a> that Avenatti deemed ‘unfair’ and ‘complete bullshit,’ Avenatti threatened to sue our reporter, Colin Kalmbacher, personally and then our publication — and then whoever ‘edited’ the article as well.” Beyond his legal threat, Stockman said that Avenatti also threatened to badmouth the reporter responsible for the piece during his upcoming appearance on “The View.” According to Stockman, Avenatti has “threatened to ‘cut off’ certain networks and print publications for coverage that was unfavorable to him personally.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump’s Surgeon General Jumps into Action in Medical Emergency on Delta Flight</em></strong></p>
<p>United States Surgeon General Jerome Adams reportedly assisted flight attendants in a medical emergency on board a Delta flight Tuesday. Adams, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/16/politics/surgeon-general-delta-flight-patient-on-plane/index.html" target="_blank">reportedly</a> was on a flight to Jackson, Mississippi, when flight attendants began asking passengers if there was a doctor on board. Adams <a href="https://twitter.com/Surgeon_General/status/996853840061370373" target="_blank">said</a> he alerted the attendants that he was indeed a doctor and assisted in the medical emergency. It is not clear at this time what the medical emergency was, but Delta released a statement which said Adams helped when hearing a passenger needed medical attention. “Prior to takeoff, Delta flight 1827 from Fort Lauderdale to Atlanta returned to the gate following a customer illness. Medical assistance was provided by the U.S. Surgeon General who worked with our flight crew to aid the customer,” Delta said in a statement. “Delta thanks the Surgeon General for volunteering his services in assisting this customer.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Divisions Deepen as Mueller Probe Hits One Year</em></strong></p>
<p>Partisan divisions over the federal investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election deepened Wednesday as new developments rippled across Capitol Hill. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman <a href="http://thehill.com/people/chuck-grassley">Chuck Grassley</a> (R-Iowa) started the day with the release of more than 2,000 pages of transcripts of interviews with <a href="http://thehill.com/people/donald-don-trump">Donald Trump Jr.</a> and other participants in a controversial 2016 Trump Tower meeting with a Russian lawyer, a move that Democrats said signals an effort to prematurely end the committee’s investigation. The Senate Intelligence Committee said it agrees with the intelligence community’s assessment (ICA) in 2016 that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an interference campaign in the U.S. election to help <a href="http://thehill.com/people/donald-trump">President Trump</a> breaking from its counterpart in the House. And in the House, three members of the Freedom Caucus sent a letter to Trump asking him to intervene in their increasingly acrimonious battle with the Department of Justice over access to documents related to Mueller’s investigation. The three disputes came on the eve of the anniversary of the launch of special counsel <a href="http://thehill.com/people/robert-mueller">Robert Mueller</a>’s investigation into Russian interference.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Kellyanne Conway: We Know Who Some of the Leakers Are</em></strong></p>
<p>White House adviser Kellyanne Conway said Thursday that she knows who some of the officials are who have been leaking information about internal White House procedures. "Somewhat, yes," Conway said when asked on Fox News if any of the identities of the leakers are known. "But they're not all in the press and comms shop either, and they're not all junior folks." Conway didn't name anyone and didn't say if steps were being taken to discipline leakers. Conway said that many of the leaks have not been leaks of damaging policy information, and instead have been leaks that are aimed at making White House officials look bad. "I think that people who were leaking last week clearly were doing that to hurt the people that were the target of the leaks," she said. She added that in most cases, the leak is about the process, and not about policy information.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Dixon H.S. Students Not in Attendance Today After School Shooting</em></strong></p>
<p>Students at Dixon High School will not be in attendance today after a school shooting Wednesday morning. Charges were filed against Matthew A. Milby, 19, of Dixon, who was wounded by a police officer after firing shots in the high school hallway while staff and seniors were meeting for a graduation rehearsal, Illinois State Police announced late Wednesday. Milby is charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, aggravated discharge at a school employee and aggravated discharge at a school building. Milby, who was wounded in an exchange of gunfire with a school resource officer, remains hospitalized with what authorities describe as non-life-threatening injuries and is under surveillance. A Lee County judge set bond at $2 million. Officer Mark Dallas, who has worked at Dixon High School for five years, was hailed as a hero for shooting and arresting Milby.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Surge in Armed Police at Schools</em></strong></p>
<p>Five years after NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre urged schools to increase security there has been a surge in those with armed police to nearly 50 percent of all primary and secondary schools in the nation. According to the report from the National Center for Education Statistics and the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 65 percent of secondary schools and 36 percent of primary schools have a “sworn law enforcement officer,” and most are armed. A new <a href="http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/05/15/rising-share-of-u-s-primary-schools-have-sworn-officers-on-the-premises/" target="_blank">Pew Research Center analysis</a> of the data shows that despite some public outcry about stationing cops in schools, communities around the nation have been doing that for 10 years. The analysis was released just before reports of a new school shooting Wednesday in Dixon, Ill. In that case, an armed officer stationed in the high school shot back and prevented a potential disaster.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Jobless Claims are Running at the Lowest Level in Nearly a Half Century</em></strong></p>
<p>New applications for unemployment benefits rose by 11,000 to 222,000 in mid-May, the Department of Labor reported Thursday. Forecasters had expected a slight uptick in new jobless claims, after the numbers scraped the lowest levels in nearly half a century in recent weeks. Even with the weekly increase, however, average weekly claims for the past month are the lowest in over 48 years. Low claims are a good sign for the economy. They suggest layoffs are rare and Thursday's report suggests that prospects are getting better and better for workers, even though the jobs recovery is aging toward a ninth year. The total number of people receiving benefits also hit a generational low in May. Benefits are available to laid-off workers for up to 26 weeks in most states. Altogether, there were 1.7 million people receiving benefits in early May, the lowest such number since December of 1973. In comparison, there were over <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/economy/jobless-claims-are-running-at-the-lowest-level-in-nearly-a-half-century">6.5 million people receiving benefits in 2009</a>, during the worst of the recession.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-05-17T14:42:00ZGOP-Led Senate Committee Releases 2,556-Page Report on Trump Tower Meeting; Sarah Sanders: White House Leakers Should Be FiredBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/GOP-Led-Senate-Committee-Releases-2556-Page-Report-on-Trump-Tower-Meeting;-Sarah-Sanders:-White-House-Leakers-Should-Be-Fired/557317378606933611.html2018-05-16T13:27:00Z2018-05-16T13:27:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, May 16, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em><br />GOP-Led Senate Committee Releases 2,556-Page Report on Trump Tower Meeting</em></strong></p>
<p>The Senate Judiciary Committee's Republican chairman on Wednesday released thousands of pages of documents about a June 2016 Trump Tower meeting between high-level Trump campaign staff and Russians. In his testimony to the committee, the president's son who attended the meeting, Donald Trump Jr., said he couldn't remember whether or not he had discussed the Russia investigation with his father. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who leads the Senate committee, released a heaving 2,556-page report comprising interview transcripts, evidence, and notes from nine witnesses at the center of the meeting. The meeting, which was first reported after the 2016 presidential election, was scheduled under the pretext that a Russian lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya, would share incriminating information about Hillary Clinton with the Trump campaign.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Sarah Sanders: White House Leakers Should Be Fired</em></strong></p>
<p>White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Wednesday that leakers in the White House should be fired. “I can’t answer why people do it because I don’t engage in [leaking],” Sanders told Fox News Wednesday morning. “I find it to be some of the most disgusting behavior that you could ever participate in, and one of the most disloyal things that you could do as an entrusted member of the president's team.” Sanders and others in the White House have indicated there will be no public apology for that comment, and instead, have focused on the leak instead of the substance of the remark. Sanders told Fox she doesn't want to "validate" the comment and again argued that the press needs to spend more time on the progress President Trump is making on the economy and foreign affairs.</p>
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<p><strong><em>North Korea Has No Interest in a Summit With 'One-Sided' Demands from the U.S.</em></strong></p>
<p>North Korea will not agree to “unilateral nuclear abandonment,” a regime official declared in a statement Tuesday night, insulting national security adviser John Bolton and raising doubts about whether President Trump’s summit with dictator Kim Jong Un will take place. “It is a ridiculous comedy to see that the Trump administration, claiming to take a different road from the previous administrations, still clings to the outdated policy on the DPRK — a policy pursued by previous administrations at the same time when the DPRK was at the stage of nuclear development,” senior diplomat Kim Kye Gwan said in a Wednesday statement released by state-run media. Kim Kye Gwan went on to say, “[I]f the U.S. is trying to drive us into a corner to force our unilateral nuclear abandonment, we will no longer be interested in such dialogue and cannot but reconsider our proceeding to the DPRK-U.S. summit,” Kim added.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Judge Denies Manafort's Motion to Dismiss Charges Against Him</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson has denied former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort's motion to dismiss criminal charges against him brought by special counsel Robert Mueller in Washington. “[T]he indictment falls squarely within that portion of the authority granted to the Special Counsel that Manafort finds unobjectionable: the order to investigate 'any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign,'" Jackson wrote Tuesday. She added that it is “logical and appropriate” for investigators looking at coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign to probe him. Manafort was the first person indicted by Mueller, in October, on charges of engaging in a conspiracy against the United States, engaging in a conspiracy to launder money, failing to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts, acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign principal, making false and misleading statements in documents filed and submitted under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, and making false statements to FBI investigators. In addition, Manafort is facing charges brought against him by Mueller that include bank and tax fraud in Alexandria, Va. Judge T. S. Ellis III of the Eastern District of Virginia set that trial to start on July 10, though he is also weighing Manafort’s motion to dismiss.</p>
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<p><strong><em>President Trump’s Polls Improve Despite 90% Negative News Coverage</em></strong></p>
<p>The liberal media’s war against President Trump was as fierce as ever during the first four months of 2018, but the onslaught appears to be helping Trump. In the face of massive and hostile coverage from ABC, CBS and NBC, Trump’s overall <a href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/president_trump_job_approval-6179.html" target="_blank">job approval rating actually rose</a><strong>,</strong> from 37 percent in mid-December to roughly 43 percent at the end of April. The Media Research Center studied all broadcast evening news coverage of the President from January 1 through April 30, and found 90 percent of the evaluative comments about Trump were negative, precisely <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/rich-noyes/2018/01/16/2017-year-news-media-went-war-against-president" target="_blank">the same hostile tone that was documented in 2017</a>.</p>
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<p><strong><em>California’s Sanctuary Critics are Meeting with Trump</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Almost two months ago, a small Orange County city launched what's become the most talked-about effort to thwart California's new law that limits local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration efforts. Today, that city's mayor and a handful of other California Republicans will talk strategy on opposing the state law with President Trump. The meeting at the White House comes after the Trump administration sued California in March over a trio of immigration laws, none more notable than the state's "sanctuary" effort. Led by House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, the California delegation includes 16 local elected officials including the sheriffs of Fresno and Stanislaus counties. The first city to act, Los Alamitos, represented by Mayor Troy Edgar and Mayor Pro Tem Warren Kusumoto <a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-oc-anti-sanctuary-leaders-to-meet-trump-20180514-story.html">will be among the local and state leaders in the group</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span></p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump's Nominee for CIA Director Wins Key Democratic Support</em></strong></p>
<p>Gina Haspel, President Trump's nominee to run the CIA, is on track to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate after key Democrats announced their support on Tuesday. Her nomination has been deeply controversial because she once ran a secret prison in Thailand where detainees were waterboarded after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. That chapter in her 33-year career remains shrouded in mystery because officials have refused to declassify more information about it. But Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) and Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) said Tuesday that they would vote for her. However, two Republicans, Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and John McCain of Arizona, have said they oppose Haspel’s confirmation. Republicans only have a 51-49 majority in the Senate. With Paul and McCain opposing Haspel, Democratic support became crucial to her confirmation. It's unclear when the Senate will hold the vote.</p>
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<p><strong><em>DOJ Responds to Request for Info on Comey's Law Professor Friend</em></strong></p>
<p>The Justice Department said Tuesday it responded to demands from Capitol Hill Republicans to turn over documents about former FBI Director James Comey's law professor friend who released contents of Comey’s memos to the media last year. DOJ officials told Fox News the response was transmitted to Capitol Hill, but it was not immediately clear what the response was. The House Oversight Committee told Fox News it did not receive any documents from the DOJ, but did receive a verbal response and expects to get the documents by Thursday. Earlier this month, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., and House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., made the request for records on Daniel Richman in a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Richman, who works at Columbia University, previously worked as a <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/04/24/comeys-memo-leak-contact-had-special-government-employee-status-at-fbi.html">“special government employee”</a> for Comey’s FBI on an unpaid basis. The lawmakers said they wanted more information on that arrangement.</p>
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<p><strong><em>ABC Set to Dial Back Political Humor from Pro-Trump 'Roseanne' Next Season</em></strong></p>
<p>ABC’s “Roseanne” is one of the few popular television programs to feature a pro-Trump character, but conservatives shouldn’t get used to seeing similar ideology on the sitcom for much longer. ABC entertainment president Channing Dungey put the kibosh on “Roseanne” remaining political in the second season apparently <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/29/business/media/roseanne-ratings-trump.html?rref=collection%2Fbyline%2Fjohn-koblin" target="_blank">ditching the strategy</a> the network touted only two months ago. Dungey said that the show will lean away from politics next season during a conference call with reporters as part of the network’s upfront presentation. Upon learning the news, conservative media icon Matt Drudge <a href="https://twitter.com/DRUDGE/status/996459489187446785" target="_blank">tweeted</a>, “Corporate cannibals stripping Roseanne of her fun.” The return of “Roseanne” featured a debut episode in which characters argued about the 2016 election, with the show’s namesake representing the conservative viewpoint. As the season concluded, politics appeared less frequently on the sitcom. “I think that they’re going to stay on the path that they were on toward the end of last season, which is away from politics and toward family,” Dungey said during the network’s upfront presentation after the call, according to <a href="https://www.thewrap.com/abc-boss-talks-losing-last-man-standing-to-fox-roseanne-moving-away-from-politics-in-season-2/" target="_blank">TheWrap</a>. The site added that Dungey said ABC’s goal is to be “as diverse and as inclusive as possible … across all metrics.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Administration Preparing to Hold Migrant Children on Military Bases</em></strong></p>
<p>The Trump administration is making preparations to warehouse migrant children on military bases, according to <a title="U.S. Department of Defense" href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/unrest-conflicts-war/defense/u.s.-department-of-defense-ORGOV000094164-topic.html">Defense Department</a> communications. According to an email notification sent to Pentagon staffers, the Department of Health and Human Services will make site visits at four military installations in Texas and Arkansas during the next two weeks to evaluate their suitability for child shelters. The bases would be used to hold minors under age 18 who arrive at the border without an adult relative. HHS is the government agency responsible for providing minors with foster care until another adult relative can assume custody. The email characterized the site visits as a preliminary assessment. "No decisions have been made at this time," it states.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-05-16T13:27:00ZMueller Team Urges Federal Judge to Reject Request for Hearing on Leaks; New York Daily News Goes After Ivanka TrumpBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Mueller-Team-Urges-Federal-Judge-to-Reject-Request-for-Hearing-on-Leaks;-New-York-Daily-News-Goes-After-Ivanka-Trump/-158542422526584526.html2018-05-15T16:49:00Z2018-05-15T16:49:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, May 15, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Mueller Team Urges Federal Judge to Reject Request for Hearing on Leaks</em></strong></p>
<p>Special counsel Robert Mueller is reportedly pressing a federal judge to turn down a request from former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort to hold a hearing about leaks surrounding the investigation into Russia's 2016 election meddling. Manafort has asked a federal judge in Virginia for a hearing where witnesses could be summoned to testify about leaks to the media, <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/05/14/mueller-leaks-hearing-trump-586555">Politico reported Monday</a>. He argued that the leaking of sensitive details about the investigation into him prevented him from getting a fair trial. Prosecutors responded to Manafort in a court filing on Monday by arguing that the anonymously sourced news accounts Manafort's defense cited do not “mention the role or activities of a grand jury” and thus doesn’t merit a hearing.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Melania Trump's Office Requests 'Personal Privacy' as She Recovers from Surgery</em></strong></p>
<p>Melania Trump “deserves personal privacy” following her kidney surgery and hospitalization, a spokeswoman for the first lady says. Stephanie Grisham, Trump’s communications director said, “The First Lady is in good spirits and she is resting. There are HIPAA laws to consider, but she also deserves personal privacy.” Trump “underwent an embolization procedure to treat a benign kidney condition” on Monday, a <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/387626-melania-trump-undergoes-kidney-surgery" target="_blank">statement from her office revealed.</a> "The procedure was successful and there were no complications," the White House said. A statement also said the former model would likely remain hospitalized for the rest of the week. President Trump, who visited his wife at the Bethesda, Md., military hospital on Monday, tweeted Tuesday morning saying “Our great First Lady is doing really well. Will be leaving hospital in 2 or 3 days. Thank you for so much love and support!”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Calls for Death Penalty for Cop Killers</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump suggested Tuesday a mandatory death penalty for criminals who kill police officers. Trump, speaking at the 37th Annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service, called for an immediate end to “the attacks on our police…Criminals who kill our police should get the death penalty,” POTUS stated. “Bring it forth.” Trump went on to say, “I have directed the Justice Department to do anything within their power to defend the lives of American law enforcement.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Tuesday’s Pennsylvania Primaries</em></strong></p>
<p>Pennsylvania candidates will face off for the first time under the state’s new congressional map in primaries on Tuesday, as Democrats eye several seats they believe can deliver them the House majority in November. Pennsylvania’s state Supreme Court struck down the old map in January, just months ahead of the May primaries, ruling that the districts were gerrymandered by Republicans. The new lines imposed by the court present several opportunities for Democratic pickups, especially around Philadelphia’s suburbs. Tuesday also offers an opportunity for female candidates to make inroads and potentially get one step closer to breaking into Pennsylvania’s all-male congressional delegation. Nineteen women are running, across 13 of the state’s 18 districts.</p>
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<p><strong><em>New York Daily News Goes After Ivanka Trump</em></strong></p>
<p>The New York Daily News called Ivanka Trump “Daddy’s Little Ghoul” on their Tuesday cover, seemingly blaming her for the deaths of Palestinians in Gaza. Israeli Defense Forces shot down dozens of violent Palestinians trying to cross the border into Israel on Monday as the new U.S. embassy opened in Jerusalem. The New York Daily News, apparently hoping to pin the clash on the Trump family, put a photo of Ivanka on the Tuesday cover. Under the caption, the text read, “55 slaughtered in Gaza, but Ivanka all smiles at Jerusalem embassy unveil.” The caption continued, “A seemingly oblivious First Daughter Ivanka Trump puts on glamorous face for U.S. Embassy opening in Jerusalem on Monday while 50 miles away in Gaza, protesters remove one of injured in bloody clashes with Israelis.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Satellite Images Show that North Korea is Tearing Apart its Nuclear Test Site</em></strong></p>
<p>Satellite images show that North Korea has already started dismantling the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, potentially a big win for the international community, which has been trying to get this rogue nation to stop testing nukes for years. Pyongyang revealed detailed plans over the weekend to completely dismantle and demolish its nuclear test site next week (May 23-25). “Commercial satellite imagery from May 7 provided the first definitive evidence that dismantlement of the test site was already well underway,” U.S. researchers affiliated with the North Korea-monitoring site 38 North <a href="https://www.38north.org/2018/05/punggye051418/">reported</a> Monday evening. “Several key operational support buildings, located just outside the North, West and South Portals, have been razed,” the report noted, adding that the North appears to have removed some of the rails for mining carts, many of which have been disassembled. A number of small sheds and outbuildings have also been demolished.</p>
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<p><strong><em>SNL’s Trump Attacks Are Turning Away Viewers</em></strong></p>
<p>Saturday Night Live’s anti-Trump jokes are so predictable that even leftists have had enough. The comedians bashed President Trump for bringing home American hostages from North Korea, they went after his personal attorney Michael Cohen, they criticized the president for pulling out of the dangerous Iran Nuke Deal, they compared first lady Melania Trump to “a sexy-ass Michael Jackson” and encouraged her to get a divorce. Vice News reporter Harry Cheadle blasted his fellow ‘hate-Trump’ liberals in a recent <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/9kgexy/snl-cold-opens-are-unfunny-elitist-pieces-of-liberal-propaganda" target="_blank">article</a>. Cheadle said, “SNL I come as a friend, your cold opens are terrible, cringeworthy pieces of self-satisfied liberal propaganda that are sometimes so bad they seem like parodies themselves.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Meghan Markle’s Dad Now Wants to Walk Her Down the Aisle</em></strong></p>
<p>Meghan Markle's dad has had a change of heart this after his daughter contacted him and he now wants to go to England and walk her down the aisle. However, Thomas Markle just told TMZ that he's <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2018/05/14/meghan-markle-dad-thomas-hospital-heart-attack-wedding/" target="_blank">back in the hospital</a> after experiencing serious chest pains and doctors are performing a battery of tests on him. He says the doctors told him his heart was "seriously damaged" after his heart attack a week ago. Thomas tells TMZ Meghan tried calling him Monday but he was not near his phone. She followed up with a text telling him she loved him and was concerned about his health. Thomas says Meghan harbors no ill feelings toward him for making a deal with a paparazzi agency to stage photos of him getting ready for the wedding. Thomas says <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2018/05/14/meghan-markle-father-thomas-royal-wedding-prince-harry-photos-paparazzi/" target="_blank">he's thought about it</a> and now believes what he did with the photos was not a serious transgression, although he calls it "stupid." He says he now wants to make the trek to England, saying, "I hate the idea of missing one of the greatest moments in history and walking my daughter down the aisle."</p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-05-15T16:49:00ZTrump Welcomes Home 3 American Detainees Released from North Korea; Israel Strikes Iranian Targets in Syria in Response to Rocket FireBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Welcomes-Home-3-American-Detainees-Released-from-North-Korea;-Israel-Strikes-Iranian-Targets-in-Syria-in-Response-to-Rocket-Fire/583024786672884663.html2018-05-10T12:43:00Z2018-05-10T12:43:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, May 10, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Signs Executive Order Boosting Military Spouse Employment</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday that will boost employment opportunities for military spouses. “We are leading by example and encouraging American businesses across the country to expand job opportunities for our incredible, talented, and highly educated military spouses,” POTUS said at the signing ceremony. “America owes a debt of gratitude to our military spouses.” Military spouses currently are given <a href="https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2018/05/09/trump-to-sign-executive-order-on-military-spouse-employment/" target="_blank">preferential treatment</a> in hiring for government jobs, and the new executive order hopes to find new and better ways to incorporate them into the workforce. One method Trump mentioned during Wednesday’s event is allowing spouses to work remotely.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Israel Strikes Iranian Targets in Syria in Response to Rocket Fire</em></strong></p>
<p>Israel says it has struck almost all of Iran's military infrastructure in Syria following an Iranian rocket attack. The Israeli military said 20 rockets were fired at its positions in the occupied Golan Heights overnight. It responded by launching what a spokesman called "one of the broadest aerial operations in recent years". There was no immediate comment from Iran, whose deployment of troops to Syria to back the government in the country's civil war has alarmed Israel. Iran has repeatedly called for an end to the existence of the Jewish state.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Welcomes Home 3 American Detainees Released from North Korea: 'This is a Special Night'</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump congratulated the three Americans who were released from captivity in North Korea upon their arrival at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington early Thursday morning. The three men, Kim Dong-chul, Tony Kim and Kim Hak-song, were brought back to the U.S. by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo following a whirlwind trip to Pyongyang, his second in the last month, to set the table for Trump’s much-anticipated summit with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. “This is a special night for these three really great people,” Trump told reporters while standing next to the three former detainees at around 3 a.m. “And congratulations on being in this country.” The three men are being taken to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., to evaluate their health and medical treatment. Trump is expected to meet with Kim Jong-Un in June. He has said a time and a place have been selected. Reports have indicated that the summit will take place in Singapore, but the White House has yet to make any formal announcements about logistics.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Pence on Mueller Investigation: ‘It’s Time to Wrap It Up’</em></strong></p>
<p>Vice President Pence expressed hope on Thursday that special counsel <a href="http://thehill.com/people/robert-mueller">Robert Mueller</a> would soon wrap up his investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 presidential election, saying that doing so would be in the "interest of the country. What I think is that it’s been about a year since this investigation began," Pence said in an interview on NBC's "Today" show. "Our administration has provided over a million documents, we’ve fully cooperated in it and in the interest of the country, I think it’s time to wrap it up." Pence went on to say, “And I would very respectfully encourage the special counsel and his team to bring their work to completion.” Mueller's probe does not appear close to ending, however. The special counsel is still reportedly aiming to interview Trump himself, though the president's lawyers appear reluctant to allow such a discussion. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Pompeo to Press U.S. Allies on Iran Nuclear Limitations</em></strong></p>
<p>Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will press U.S. allies to pressure Iran to rein in its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-diplomacy/pompeo-to-immediately-pursue-talks-with-allies-on-iran-u-s-officials-idUSKBN1IB0EP">according to a Reuters report</a>. The top U.S. diplomat, just back from North Korea, is set to embark on talks with allies from Europe, Asia and the Middle East in hopes of reentering into negotiations with Iran over its weapons programs. The renewed push to curb Iran's nuclear program comes days after <a href="http://origin-nyi.thehill.com/people/donald-trump">President Trump</a> declared that the U.S. would withdraw from the 2015 deal, which put strict limits on Tehran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. According to Reuters, U.S. officials have already spoken with representatives from Germany, France and the U.K., as well as Israel, Japan, and Iraq, on how to move forward after Trump's withdrawal from the Iran deal. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Border Deployment Leads to Arrest Of 1,600 More Illegal Immigrants</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers have apprehended an additional 1,600 people attempting to illegally enter the country from Mexico since April 15 as a result of the deployment of National Guard troops to the southwest border, CBP and defense officials said Wednesday. National Guard officials overseeing the border state deployments said troops helping monitor the international boundary have freed up more border agents to physically guard the border. The result has led to a surge in the amount of criminal activity agents have stopped. The increased surveillance and communication between guardsmen and border officers also led to CBP intercepting an additional 451 people who were turned back before illegally entering the U.S.</p>
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<p><strong><em>John McCain Calls on Senate to Reject CIA Nominee Gina Haspel</em></strong></p>
<p>Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., called on the Senate to reject Gina Haspel's nomination to become CIA director Wednesday, charging that she was unable to address concerns with her role in the use of enhanced interrogation techniques during the Bush administration. "I believe Gina Haspel is a patriot who loves our country and has devoted her professional life to its service and defense," <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/congress/john-mccain-calls-on-senate-to-reject-cia-nominee-gina-haspel">McCain said</a>. "However, Ms. Haspel’s role in overseeing the use of torture by Americans is disturbing." "Her refusal to acknowledge torture’s immorality is disqualifying," he added. "I believe the Senate should exercise its duty of advice and consent and reject this nomination." McCain, who is chairman of the Armed Services Committee, is unlikely to vote on the nomination as he continues to battle brain cancer and remains home in Arizona. </p>
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<p><strong><em>CNN Poll: Three-Quarters Approve of Trump's Plans to Meet with Kim Jong Un</em></strong></p>
<p>About three-quarters of Americans (77%) approve of President Donald Trump's decision to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, according to <a href="http://cdn.cnn.com/cnn/2018/images/05/09/pollnk.pdf">a new CNN poll</a> conducted by <a href="http://www.ssrs.com/" target="_blank">SSRS</a>. Trump's approval rating for handling the situation with North Korea has jumped 10 points since late March. Overall, 53% approve of Trump's handling of North Korea, and 35% disapprove. That represents the first time a majority has approved of his handling of the issue and is a near reversal from his low point on the topic in November, when just 35% approved not long after Kim accused Trump of "mentally deranged behavior" and Trump responded by tweeting that Kim was "obviously a madman."<br /><br /><br /></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-05-10T12:43:00ZPompeo Returning from North Korea With Three U.S. Detainees; Iran Lawmakers Shout 'Death To America', After Trump Nixes Nuclear DealBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Pompeo-Returning-from-North-Korea-With-Three-U.S.-Detainees;-Iran-Lawmakers-Shout-Death-To-America-After-Trump-Nixes-Nuclear-Deal/827616964740119726.html2018-05-09T15:28:00Z2018-05-09T15:28:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, May 9, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Pompeo Returning from North Korea With Three U.S. Detainees</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that three Americans detained by North Korea have been released and are on their way home with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. "I am pleased to inform you that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in the air and on his way back from North Korea with the 3 wonderful gentlemen that everyone is looking so forward to meeting. They seem to be in good health," Trump wrote in a post on Twitter. Trump said he will greet Pompeo and the Americans when they land at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington at 2 a.m. EDT Thursday morning. "Very exciting!" he wrote on Twitter.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Iran Lawmakers Shout 'Death To America', After Trump Nixes Nuclear Deal</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/05/09/trump-iran-nuclear-deal-withdrawal-fallout/593490002/">Iranian lawmakers shouted "death to America"</a> and set fire to a paper U.S. flag during angry scenes at the country's parliament in Tehran, a day after President Trump pulled out of the nuclear deal. The protest came as Iranian officials, including parliament speaker Ali Larijani and President Hassan Rouhani, said Wednesday they hoped European leaders will work with them to preserve the deal between Tehran and world powers without the U.S., but stressed that the nation could now decide to resume its nuclear program. Iran’s supreme leader, who has the final say on all state matters, struck a more defiant tone. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei directly challenged Trump, saying "you cannot do a damn thing" after Trump announced he was renewing sanctions on Iran.<br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>Mueller Reportedly Grilled Russian Oligarch Who Paid Cohen $500K</em></strong></p>
<p>Stormy Daniels’ lawyer claims to have stumbled upon hundreds of thousands of dollars in shady payments to President Trump’s longtime personal attorney — and special counsel Robert Mueller has already grilled a Russian oligarch about the alleged dealings, a report says. Viktor Vekselberg, billionaire and chairman of asset manager Renova Group, apparently chatted with the feds about supposed payments his US affiliate made to lawyer Michael Cohen following the 2016 election. Sources <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/08/politics/robert-mueller-russian-oligarch-payments-michael-cohen/index.html">told CNN</a> that he was also questioned about donations that the head of his American company, Columbus Nova, gave to Trump’s inaugural fund and campaign funds.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Cheers GOP Winners in Tuesday Night's Primary Contests</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Wednesday praised Republicans for their performance in Tuesday’s primary elections in three states. “The Republican Party had a great night. Tremendous voter energy and excitement, and all candidates are those who have a great chance of winning in November. The Economy is sooo strong, and with Nancy Pelosi wanting to end the big Tax Cuts and Raise Taxes, why wouldn’t we win?” The first round of primaries for the 2018 midterm elects kicked off Tuesday night in Ohio, West Virginia, and Indiana. One of the biggest victories of the night was in West Virginia, where controversial GOP candidate <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/tuesdays-republican-primary-winners-just-trumpy-enough" target="_blank">Don Blankenship didn't win</a>, which allowed Republicans to feel better about winning in the general election.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Rudy Giuliani: Mueller's Team is 'Scrambling' After Court Setbacks</em></strong></p>
<p>Rudy Giuliani says recent court setbacks faced by Robert Mueller's team of prosecutors has thrown them for a loop, and says it's only a matter of time before they wrap up without any case against President Trump. “I think it got delayed by the judge's rather fierce criticism of their lack of authorization and their inability to produce any,” he told the <em>Washington Examiner</em> on Tuesday. “They’re scrambling around right now.” U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III accused Mueller's team on Friday of trying to squeeze former Trump campaign aide Paul Manafort with charges of bank and tax fraud to get to Trump, and wondered if the special counsel is seeking <span style="text-decoration: underline;">“</span><a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/judge-in-paul-manafort-case-presses-doj-to-explain-charges-that-have-nothing-to-do-with-russia" target="_blank">unfettered power</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">”</span> in the investigation. Giuliani said Trump's lawyers have not yet decided if Trump will speak with Mueller’s team. He said his team’s “next steps” are to “master all the facts” and “see what happens” in Manafort’s case in Virginia.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Senators to Press Gina Haspel About Her Role in CIA Torture</em></strong></p>
<p>Gina Haspel, President Trump's nominee to head the CIA, will face tough questions from senators Wednesday about her role in an agency interrogation program that was outlawed as torture. The focus of the Senate Intelligence Committee's confirmation hearing will be on Haspel's oversight in 2002 of a secret "black site" in Thailand where suspected terrorists were subjected to waterboarding and other harsh interrogation techniques. <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/03/13/gina-haspel-trump-nominee-first-woman-leader-cia/419547002/">Haspel</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">,</span> a career CIA agent with more than 30 years at the agency, will have to answer questions about her involvement in the destruction of 92 CIA videotapes that showed prisoners being waterboarded.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump's Job Approval Best in a Year</em></strong></p>
<p>Donald Trump's job approval rating has been 42% in each of <a href="http://news.gallup.com/poll/234020/trump-job-approval-best-year.aspx">Gallup's two most recent updates</a>. While still on the low side compared with presidential ratings historically, it is an improvement from his 39% average thus far in 2018 and is his best weekly average since May 2017. Between May 2017 and late April 2018, Trump's job approval rating had been 40% or below in nearly every Gallup weekly measurement. The exceptions were 41% readings from April 2-8 of this year and from May 22-28, 2017. He has exceeded that in each of the past two weeks and registered two of the higher approval ratings in his tenure to date. His best was 45% during the first 10 days of his presidency.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Border Agents Catch Illegal Immigrants Trafficking $1.7 Million In Cocaine</em></strong></p>
<p>Agents with U.S. Customs and Border Protection <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/05/08/texas-border-agents-illegal-immigrants-1-7-million-dollars-cocaine/">recently busted two Mexican Nationals</a> attempting to traffic millions in cocaine into the U.S. Authorities stopped a white Honda Odyssey at Interstate 35’s checkpoint near Laredo, Texas, Sunday and flagged the vehicle for further inspection after a K-9 indicated there was a drug odor coming from inside. During a subsequent search of the minivan, border agents discovered 22 bundles of cocaine weighing roughly 53 pounds, News 4 San Antonio reported. The drug haul carries a street value of more than $1.7 million, officials estimated. The suspects, both in the U.S. illegally from Mexico, were placed in the custody of the Drug Enforcement Administration.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-05-09T15:28:00ZTrump Expected to Quit Iran Deal, Europeans Say; Primaries to Watch on TuesdayBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Expected-to-Quit-Iran-Deal-Europeans-Say;-Primaries-to-Watch-on-Tuesday/40030117005667202.html2018-05-08T15:27:00Z2018-05-08T15:27:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, May 8, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Trump Expected to Quit Iran Deal, Europeans Say</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to announce on Tuesday that he is pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal, European officials said, after they struggled to persuade him that the accord has halted Iran’s nuclear ambitions. One senior European official closely involved in Iran diplomacy said U.S. officials had indicated late on Monday that Trump would withdraw from the deal but it remained unclear on what terms, and whether sanctions would be reimposed. A senior Western diplomat said France, Britain and Germany - which were also party to the agreement - were working on the assumption of a hard U.S. exit after a call last week between U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and European officials at which he made clear talks on rescuing the deal would not go further. European officials understood this to mean that Trump would not renew sanctions waivers, a move which would in effect kill the deal.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Kremlin Warns U.S. Withdrawal from Iran Deal Would Create a 'Very Serious Situation'</em></strong></p>
<p>The Kremlin warned Tuesday a "very serious situation" would emerge if the United States pulls out of the Iran nuclear deal. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also told reporters a decision from the U.S. to leave the deal would carry “unavoidable drastic consequences. Peskov said Russia’s position on the deal “absolutely coincides with the position taken by the leaders of European capitals, who are also not proponents of ripping up the foundational document,” <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/backers-of-iran-nuclear-deal-wage-last-ditch-blitz-seeking-to-sway-trump/2018/05/08/9b15e3f0-523e-11e8-a6d4-ca1d035642ce_story.html?utm_term=.65822bef64fc" target="_blank">according to the Washington Post</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span> Peskov’s remark comes hours before President Trump is set to announce whether the U.S. will remain in the deal or withdraw. Trump has criticized the nuclear deal, calling it the “worst deal ever negotiated” and promising to change it once in office. The accord was negotiated under former President Barack Obama and signed in 2015.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Primaries to Watch on Tuesday</em></strong></p>
<p>Republicans hope to jump-start their drive to expand the Senate majority Tuesday night by nominating challengers against Democratic senators in three states that President Donald Trump carried. But one of those primaries could instead take a deep-red state off the table for the GOP. The marquee race is in West Virginia, where Washington Republicans are hoping to deny once-imprisoned coal baron Don Blankenship the GOP nomination to face Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin. President Donald Trump on Monday <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/05/07/trump-don-blankenship-571564" target="_blank">called</a> on GOP primary voters to reject Blankenship and choose another candidate because Blankenship “can’t win” a general election against Manchin in November. There are also primaries Tuesday in Indiana, North Carolina and Ohio — all of which are certain to define the political landscape, with incumbents facing primary challenges and another House special election brewing in Ohio, where both parties are also choosing candidates for governor. Polls close at 7 p.m. in Indiana and at 7:30 p.m. in North Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Nunes Sticks to Contempt Threat Against Sessions</em></strong></p>
<p>The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), said on Monday that he planned to press ahead with holding Attorney General Jeff Sessions in contempt of Congress unless the Justice Department relented on a decision to deny sharing certain classified documents with lawmakers. “It wasn’t a threat. It’s what’s going to happen,” Nunes declared on Monday night. He first raised the issue of a potential contempt charge during a weekend appearance on Fox News. Nunes said that a deal was still possible with Sessions for the material in question but that he’d been consulting with the House general counsel and was prepared to initiate contempt proceedings should the Justice Department continue to refuse. He added that he believed that Sessions was unaware of his demands, in part because the attorney general has recused himself from matters connected to the 2016 presidential election. So his contempt threat, Nunes said, was in part a message to Sessions.</p>
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<p><strong><em>As Chicago weather warms, 81 people shot last week</em></strong></p>
<p>At least 81 people have been shot in the nation’s third-largest city since Monday, a troubling uptick of violence for a metropolis that has seen some recent success in reducing shooting incidents. The surge in violence, which includes six people who have been fatally shot, comes as Chicago Police Department officials have expressed optimism in recent months that gun violence was on the downward trend in a city that tallied more than 1,400 homicides in 2016 and 2017 combined. Chicago recorded a 22.3% reduction in murders and a 26.5% decline in shooting incidents for the first four months of 2018 compared with the same period in 2017, according to police department data. April also marked the 14th consecutive month in which Chicago recorded a decline in gun violence, according to police department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi. At least 39 people were shot between Friday and early Sunday, according to police. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump considering pulling Rudy Giuliani from television interviews: Sources</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump is considering sidelining Rudy Giuliani, the newest addition to his legal team, from doing any more television interviews. Trump is reportedly annoyed that Giuliani’s interviews last week breathed new life into the story of allegations that he had an extramarital affair with adult film star Stormy Daniels, anonymous sources <a href="https://apnews.com/ee2452ce9b2d4c1e829455d0e8ee2f96/Trump-considers-benching-Giuliani-from-doing-TV-interviews" target="_blank">told the Associated Press</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span> Although Trump has not yet asked Giuliani to stop appearing on television on his behalf, the president has told a confidant that maybe Giuliani should “be benched,” at least temporarily. “They’re admitting to enough that warrants scrutiny. It shouldn’t be put on television shows off the cuff,” said Alan Dershowitz, who is informally advising Trump on the Russia investigation. “This is not the way to handle a complicated case.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump to Discuss Trade, North Korea with Xi</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump will speak Tuesday with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump announced on Twitter, a conversation that will follow a meeting earlier Tuesday between Xi and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. “I will be speaking to my friend, President Xi of China, this morning at 8:30,” Trump wrote online. “The primary topics will be Trade, where good things will happen, and North Korea, where relationships and trust are building.” Trump’s call with Xi comes on the heels of a visit by Kim to China, his second in recent weeks. The New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/08/world/asia/kim-jong-un-xi-jinping-china-north-korea.html" target="_blank">reported</a> Tuesday that China’s state-run broadcaster had announced a meeting between Kim and Xi in Dailan, China, a city near the North Korean border. The Chinese broadcaster reported that Kim arrived in China Monday and departed Tuesday.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Attempted Border Entries Stay High for April</em></strong></p>
<p>Apprehensions and attempted entry by inadmissible persons at America's southwestern border rose slightly in April of 2018, but was more than three times higher than the same month in 2017, <a href="https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/sw-border-migration" target="_blank">new data</a> from the Customs and Border Protection Agency show. More than 50,000 individuals tried to cross the southwestern border in April, the second month in a row that that many people have attempted the crossing. Some 12,000 individuals attempted to cross but were found inadmissible, bringing the FY 2018 total to 63,000. And 38,000 were apprehended attempting to cross between ports of entry, bringing the FY 2018 total to more than 200,000. Among the group apprehended, there were some 4,000 unaccompanied minors, and just under 10,000 family units. Both unaccompanied minors and family units are, as a matter of policy, only detained briefly before being released into the interior pending further deportation proceedings.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-05-08T15:27:00ZJustify Shakes Off Muddy Track, Wins 144th Kentucky Derby; Iran Deal on the Line as Trump Nears DeadlineBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Justify-Shakes-Off-Muddy-Track-Wins-144th-Kentucky-Derby;-Iran-Deal-on-the-Line-as-Trump-Nears-Deadline/10878258341712780.html2018-05-06T15:29:00Z2018-05-06T15:29:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, May 6, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Iran Deal on the Line as Trump Nears Deadline</em></strong> </p>
<p>Iran deal supporters and opponents are digging in for a fight over the nuclear agreement as <a href="http://thehill.com/people/donald-trump">President Trump</a>’s decision on whether to withdraw nears. Few observers expect that Trump will stay in the deal after next week’s deadline on May 12. But Trump has teased a possible twist, saying “nobody knows what I’m going to do on the 12th.” Trump appears intent on withdrawing, barring a last-minute follow-up deal with the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. The nuclear accord, which was negotiated by the Obama administration, gives Tehran billions of dollars of sanctions relief in exchange for curbing its nuclear program. The United States, Iran, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia and China signed the agreement.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Giuliani: AG Sessions 'Should Step Up and Dismiss' Russia Probe</em></strong></p>
<p>Trump’s personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, said Saturday that Attorney General Jeff Sessions "should step up and dismiss" the Russia investigation because special counsel Robert Mueller has overstepped his mandate. "This plays into what my client, the president of the United States, has been saying for quite some time," Giuliani, the former New York City mayor, <a href="http://video.foxnews.com/v/5780897391001/?playlist_id=937116552001#sp=show-clips">told Jeanine Pirro on Fox News</a>. "The judge said this is a witch hunt in sum and substance." Giuliani was referring to the U.S. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis III in Virginia <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/judge-virginia-manafort-mueller/2018/05/04/id/858371/">who scolded Mueller's investigators</a> Friday for prosecuting former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort to get him "to sing" about Trump.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Schiff: Trump Would Need to Comply with Mueller Subpoena</em></strong></p>
<p>Rep. <a href="http://thehill.com/people/adam-schiff">Adam Schiff</a> (D-Calif.) said Sunday that <a href="http://thehill.com/people/donald-trump">President Trump</a> would need to comply with a subpoena from special counsel Robert Muller even though the president's lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, said that Trump would not need to do so. “No, he’s going to need to comply with a subpoena. If they take that case to court, they’re going to lose,” Schiff told CNN’s “State of the Union.” “Well, we don't have to. He's the president of the United States. We can assert the same privilege as other presidents have,” Giuliani said early Sunday. “President Clinton negotiated a deal in which he didn't admit the effectiveness of the subpoena,” Giuliani added. Schiff on CNN added that he is “taken aback” by Giuliani’s legal strategy, which he said has been “deeply hurtful” to Trump’s case.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Stormy Daniels Attorney Blasts Giuliani's Defense of $130,000 Payment</em></strong></p>
<p>Stormy Daniels’s attorney, Michael Avenatti, on Sunday tore into Rudy Giuliani for his representation of <a href="http://thehill.com/people/donald-trump">President Trump</a> thus far. Avenatti said on ABC’s “This Week” that Giuliani has exposed inconsistencies in his explanation of a $130,000 payment to Daniels as part of a non-disclosure agreement between the adult film star and the president. “(Giuliani) now expects the American people to believe he doesn’t know the facts,” Avenatti said on ABC’s “This Week." Giuliani <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/386407-giuliani-cohen-would-have-paid-other-women-if-it-was-necessary" target="_blank">was interviewed on ABC</a> on Sunday morning and reiterated that the payment did not violate campaign finance laws. Avenatti appeared on ABC minutes after Giuliani’s interview aired. Avenatti wasted no time in savaging the former New York City mayor’s performance, calling it an “unmitigated disaster.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>WSJ: Mueller May 'Go Dark' During Midterms</em></strong></p>
<p>Although the investigation into the 2016 presidential election is technically boundless, FBI special counsel Robert Mueller's probe will have to conclude soon or go dark to avoid an appearance of trying to sway elections in the 2018 midterms, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/mueller-probe-might-have-go-dark-for-midterm-election-1525604400">The Wall Street Journal reported.</a> "I think it is the obligation of every reasonable prosecutor to minimize the duration of that cloud or cause lightning to strike as quickly as possible," former federal prosecutor out of New York Preet Bharara, who was fired by President Donald Trump for refusing to resign, told the Journal. There are some written Justice Department memos aligned to that effect, written by former President Barack Obama's Attorney General Eric Holder, but nothing that would concretely force Mueller to resolve his investigation on the last presidential election or keep him from speaking out on the status of it, as James Comey infamously did twice in 2016.</p>
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<p><strong><em>North Korea Says U.S. Ruining Mood of Detente Ahead of Summit</em></strong><br /> <br />With just weeks to go before President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are expected to hold their first-ever summit, Pyongyang on Sunday criticized what it called "misleading" claims that Trump's policy of maximum political pressure and sanctions are what drove the North to the negotiating table. The North's official news agency quoted a Foreign Ministry spokesman warning the claims are a "dangerous attempt" to ruin a budding detente on the Korean Peninsula after Kim's summit late last month with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. At the summit, Kim agreed to a number of measures aimed at improving North-South ties and indicated he is willing to discuss the denuclearization of the peninsula, though exactly what that would entail and what conditions the North might require have not yet been explained.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Vocal Group Reported to PC Police for Mariachi-Themed Flyer</em></strong></p>
<p>The University of Vermont’s Bias Response Team sent out a campus-wide alert after a student group featured mariachi musicians in a promotional flyer. In an email sent to the student body Friday, the Bias Response Team (BRT) formally condemned the “Top Cats” a capella group for posting an event flyer highlighting their Senior Show that “had the faces of three senior members superimposed on the bodies of what appears to be Mexican mariachi band members.” The BRT argued that while “the image on the flyer may seem benign to some,” the officials “recognize the impact this incident may have had on some of our campus community, and in particular our Latinx members.” On April 27, the group published a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/UVMTopCats/posts/10156192006624336">formal statement</a> on Facebook apologizing for posting the flyer and stressing that the organization never intended to appropriate Mexican culture.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Justify Shakes Off Muddy Track, Wins 144th Kentucky Derby</em></strong></p>
<p>With a run of exquisite command and mastery given a capable and chaotic field of 20 colts, Justify won the 144th Kentucky Derby on Saturday evening on a track officially marked sloppy but closer to deluged. He granted a sight that looked very much like greatness and cemented himself as a star after snaring the lead with a half-mile left and keeping it from there. Justify used his nimble hoofs and considerable strides to rewrite a couple of rigid sentences and charts in the Derby’s monumental record book. Justify became the first horse in 136 years to win the Derby after not having raced as a 2-year-old.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-05-06T15:29:00ZTrump and Giuliani Planned Stormy Daniels Revelation Without Consulting WH Staff; Trump: Southern Border Is Under SiegeBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-and-Giuliani-Planned-Stormy-Daniels-Revelation-Without-Consulting-WH-Staff;-Trump:-Southern-Border-Is-Under-Siege/592086838431510485.html2018-05-04T14:14:00Z2018-05-04T14:14:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Friday, May 4, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Trump and Giuliani Planned Stormy Daniels Revelation Without Consulting WH Staff</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump and his newest lawyer, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani disclosed that Trump had repaid his personal attorney Michael Cohen for a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels without informing White House staff first, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-acknowledges-payment-to-porn-star-stormy-daniels-1525347160">The Wall Street Journal</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> reported</span>. Giuliani's admission, that Trump reimbursed Cohen for the payment after weeks of White House statements claiming the president knew nothing about the arrangement, caught many in the White House off-guard but was planned in advance by Giuliani and the president, according to the Journal. That interview shocked the White House and left the West Wing "completely frozen," one aide told the Journal. Others, including former Trump aide David Bossie, chalked up Giuliani's admission to "media savvy" in an interview with the Journal. “You get a lot of different value added with Rudy Giuliani. You get his legal and intellectual abilities, but you also get his media savvy," Bossie says.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump: 'Southern Border Is Under Siege'</em></strong></p>
<p> President Donald Trump early Friday tweeted a call for a wall at the nation's southern border and a complaint that Mexico is "doing little to help." <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/992348740529815552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsmax.com%2Fpolitics%2Ftrump-border-mexico-siege%2F2018%2F05%2F04%2Fid%2F858293%2F&tfw_creator=newsmax&tfw_site=newsmax">Trump’s tweet said</a>, “Our Southern Border is under siege. Congress must act now to change our weak and ineffective immigration laws. Must build a Wall. Mexico, which has a massive crime problem, is doing little to help!” According to the administration's report, illegal border crossings in April 2017 were at a low of 15,766, compared to 48,502 in April 2016 and 50,902 this year. Trump's tweet also comes while processing continues for migrants who arrived at the nation's border after weeks of traveling through Mexico. Thursday night, organizers said that more than 150 of the nearly 230 people in the group who reached the California border have been processed to determine if they had an asylum claim that would allow them to remain in the United States to pursue further court cases.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Economy Adds 164,000 Jobs in April, Unemployment Drops to 3.9 Percent</em></strong></p>
<p>The economy gained 164,000 new payroll jobs in April, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday morning, and the unemployment rate dropped to 3.9 percent, the lowest rate since 2000. Friday's report indicates that the labor market recovery has underlying momentum even as it ages into its eighth year. Only around a little more than 90,000 jobs are needed each month to keep unemployment trending down, according to the Federal Reserve. Employers have been adding more than twice that many jobs over the past three months -- 208,000, when upward revisions are taken into account.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Mueller Seeks 70 Blank Subpoenas</em></strong></p>
<p>FBI special counsel Robert Mueller on Thursday filed a request for 70 blank subpoenas in the Virginia court presiding over one of two criminal proceedings involving former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. <a href="https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/MANAFORT-Subpoenas.pdf">The two-page filing</a> does not reveal any details. However, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Courthouse News Service noted</span> each subpoena orders the recipient to appear at the federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, on July 10 at 10 a.m. ET to testify at Manafort's trial on charges stemming from Mueller's probe of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/robert-mueller-files-request-for-70-blank-subpoenas-in-paul-manaforts-virginia-case">The Washington Examiner noted</a> the 70 blank subpoenas amount to 35 total possible subpoenas. In each case, a subpoena is needed for the witness and another is needed for the defense. Court documents filed last month show Mueller's team was pushing to subpoena 35 witnesses in the trial, the Examiner reported. Manafort faces no charges related to the Trump campaign, but he is accused in cases filed both in Alexandria and Washington, D.C. In Virginia, he is also accused of concealing foreign bank accounts, falsifying his income taxes and failing to report foreign bank accounts. In Washington, Manafort faces counts of conspiracy to launder more than $30 million, making false statements, failing to follow lobbying disclosure laws and working as an unregistered foreign agent.</p>
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<p><strong><em>John Bolton Blasts 'Nonsense' New York Times Story on South Korea Troop Reduction</em></strong></p>
<p>National security adviser John Bolton said Friday that a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/03/world/asia/trump-troops-south-korea.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news" target="_blank">New York Times article</a> claiming President Trump asked the Pentagon to look into reducing U.S. forces in South Korea is "nonsense." Bolton went on to say, "The New York Times story is utter nonsense. The President has not asked the Pentagon to provide options for reducing American forces stationed in South Korea." The story from late Thursday said that according to officials briefed on deliberations, Trump ordered the Pentagon to draw up options to scale back the amount of U.S. troops in South Korea, in preparation for his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The U.S. has stationed 28,500 troops in South Korea, and the article reported that Trump believes the treaty between the North and South reduces the need for the current scale of military presence in the region.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Kellyanne Conway: April Ryan Fight Shows the Press Wants Confrontation, Not Information</em></strong></p>
<p>White House adviser <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/kellyanne-conway-april-ryan-fight-shows-the-press-wants-confrontation-not-information">Kellyanne Conway charged Friday</a> that members of the White House press corps are still worried more about "going viral" by battling the White House instead of seeking information. She was referring to a dust-up with White House reporter April Ryan, who insisted that press secretary Sarah Sanders was "blindsided" by Rudy Giuliani's comments. Sanders disagreed and said "you don't know much about me," which Ryan interpreted as fighting words. But Conway said these sorts of incidents show the press is looking for a fight against the Trump administration. Ryan said after the White House briefing that it was Sanders who was looking to do battle. "She went straight to me," Ryan said. "To say something like, you know, you don't know me, in certain sectors of this nation, people understand what 'you don't know me' means. It's very street. And it leads to a fight, a physical fight." Outside of the Ryan fight, Conway said many people who are getting into scrapes with the White House don't always seem ready to hear any criticism back. "A lot of the folks who dish it out really can't take it," she said. "Let's dial down the temperature a little bit in the furtherance of information."</p>
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<p><strong><em>Gonzaga Warns Against Partying by 'Non-Mexican Individuals'</em></strong></p>
<p>Worried that “non-Mexican individuals” might partake of Cinco de Mayo festivities, Gonzaga University is telling students, “Don’t you dare put on that ‘sombrero.’” In an email to the student body Wednesday, VP of Student Development Judi Biggs Garbuio notes that Cinco de Mayo is “a relatively minor holiday” in Mexico, but “has evolved into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage” in the United States. “Unfortunately, the celebrations have become less about the appreciation of Mexican heritage, and instead has become more about drinking and partying especially by non-Mexican individuals.” Biggs Garbuio concluded by suggesting that students go to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GUUMEC/photos/a.260052817382820.70479.258214777566624/1692150384173049/?type=3">the Facebook page</a> of the Unity Multicultural Education Center (UMEC), which includes a link to a <a href="https://www.romper.com/p/6-ways-to-celebrate-cinco-de-mayo-without-appropriating-the-mexican-culture-55691">website</a> listing “6 Ways To Celebrate Cinco de Mayo Without Appropriating The Mexican Culture.” It then recommends that students “support AUTHENTIC Mexican businesses,” but immediately clarifies that “CHIPOTLE DOESN’T COUNT,” apparently because it does not employ “actual Mexican people.” It then goes on to list various other forms of cultural appropriation that students should avoid along with sombreros. “No serapes. No fake mustache. Avoid every party store. No ‘Cinco de Drinko.’ No disrespectful use of Spanish. No homogenizing Latinx communities,” it dictates. Interestingly, the flyer concludes by urging students to “donate to organizations working for immigrant rights.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Students Petition to Eliminate ‘Offensive’ Colonial Mascot</em></strong></p>
<p>Students at George Washington University (GWU) have launched a petition demanding that the school change its “offensive” mascot, the Colonial. <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/2/d/1UmHmLJjRht0U3U9SbnLt1uTYCDMJWWAFKJsYjSy93nQ/edit#gid=0">According to the petition</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">,</span> “the use of ‘Colonials,’ no matter how innocent the intention, is received as extremely offensive by not only students of the University, but the nation and world at large.” Supporters of the motion argue that changing the mascot, which has portrayed the school’s namesake, George Washington, since 1926 is necessary to make GW inclusive. Andrew Hesbacher, one of the petition’s organizers, told <a href="https://www.gwhatchet.com/2018/05/03/students-launch-petition-to-abandon-offensive-colonial-mascot/"><em>The Hatchet</em></a> that in many places, colonials are equivalent to terrorists and murderers. The op-ed goes on to contend that it is hypocritical for the George Washington Colonial mascot to attend university events like the Chinese New Year Parade of the South Asian Heritage Celebration, since many cultures “survived oppression or were drastically changed due to colonialism.” The petitioners argue, suggesting that “alternative nickname recommendations [include] ‘Hippos,’ ‘Revolutionaries,’ or ‘Riverhorses.’”</p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-05-04T14:14:00ZGiuliani Says Trump Paid $130G To Cohen for 'Expenses' Over Several Months; Call Between Michael Cohen and White House Intercepted by Federal WiretapBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Giuliani-Says-Trump-Paid-$130G-To-Cohen-for-Expenses-Over-Several-Months;-Call-Between-Michael-Cohen-and-White-House-Intercepted-by-Federal-Wiretap/959847060556543614.html2018-05-03T17:50:00Z2018-05-03T17:50:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, May 3, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Giuliani Says Trump Paid $130G To Cohen for 'Expenses' Over Several Months</em></strong></p>
<p>In a wide-ranging interview on <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/05/03/giuliani-says-trump-paid-130g-to-cohen-for-expenses-over-several-months.html">Fox News' "Hannity"</a> on Wednesday night, Rudy Giuliani told host Sean Hannity that President Donald Trump reimbursed his personal attorney, Michael Cohen, $130,000 that Cohen paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels days before the 2016 election in exchange for her silence about a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006. "That money was not campaign money," said Giuliani, a recent addition to Trump's legal team who is also a former mayor of New York City and Republican presidential candidate. "It's not campaign money. No campaign finance violation." Giuliani said Trump repaid Cohen "over several months" by putting him on a "retainer of $35,000 when he was doing no work for the president."</p>
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<p><strong><em>More Than 50 in Migrant ‘Caravan’ Processed for Asylum in the United States</em></strong></p>
<p>More than 50 members of the so-called migrant caravan are now being evaluated for asylum by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in San Ysidro, according to media reports from Tijuana. <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/">NBC News</a> said Pueblo Sin Fronteras, the aid group organizing the annual event, is reporting that 53 migrants had been processed as of Wednesday. Reuters put the number at over 60. However, there was no confirmation from federal officials. The caravan has been criticized by President Trump and on Wednesday Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions said that to prevent authorities from being “overwhelmed” he was sending 35 additional assistant U.S. attorneys and 18 immigration judges to the border. “We are sending a message worldwide: Don’t come illegally. Make your claim to enter America in the lawful way and wait your turn,” Sessions said.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Call Between Michael Cohen and White House Intercepted by Federal Wiretap</em></strong></p>
<p>Phone lines belonging to Michael Cohen, President Trump’s longtime personal lawyer, were tapped by federal investigators, and at least one call between the White House and Cohen was caught up in the investigation, according to a report. Two sources <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/feds-tapped-trump-lawyer-michael-cohen-s-phones-n871011">told NBC News</a> the wiretap was in place before the FBI raided Cohen’s office, home, and hotel room. During the raid, which occurred in early April, agents seized documents related to a number of topics, including a $130,000 payment Cohen facilitated to former adult film star Stormy Daniels just before the election.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Reporter Screams at Trump About Stormy Daniels at National Day of Prayer Ceremony</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump welcomed a diverse range of religious leaders to the White House for the National Day of Prayer Thursday. The event was uplifting – but the behavior of a reporter at the end of the ceremony disgusted the guests. Trump spoke about religious persecution and the importance of faith in his remarks. Trump welcomed a one-time inmate turned Christian convert and the man who arrested him, onstage to share a story of faith and forgiveness. The president, surrounded by religious leaders of all faith backgrounds, then signed an official White House Faith Initiative. As the president was leaving the event, an unidentified reporter screamed: “What about Story Daniels?” The question, yelled at the religious event, disgusted some in the audience. Daily Caller White House correspondent Saagar Enjeti says the question prompted an angry “shame on you” from one of the attendees, directed at the press pen.</p>
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<p><strong><em>The Escalating Clash with the Justice Department</em></strong></p>
<p>A standoff between <a title="U.S. Department of Justice" href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/crime-law-justice/u.s.-department-of-justice-ORGOV0000160-topic.html">Justice Department</a> officials and GOP lawmakers escalated Wednesday as President Donald Trump waded into a controversy over demands to release a highly sensitive document outlining who and what is being investigated by special counsel Robert Mueller III. The Justice Department has refused to turn over the document, known as a "scope memo," citing its own independence and longtime precedent that it doesn't disclose the details of ongoing investigations. "A Rigged System - They don't want to turn over Documents to Congress. What are they afraid of? Why so much redacting? Why such unequal "justice?" At some point I will have no choice but to use the powers granted to the Presidency and get involved!" the president tweeted Wednesday morning. At the same time, a bloc of Trump-allied House Republicans have been discussing a parliamentary maneuver to initiate impeachment proceedings against Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who wrote the scope memo and oversees the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and related matters.</p>
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<p><strong><em>NBC San Francisco: Trump Is ‘Far More Liked Than Nancy Pelosi’</em></strong></p>
<p>Scott McGrew, an anchor, and reporter for NBC's San Francisco affiliate, on Wednesday, said President Donald Trump is "far more liked" by Americans than House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.). McGrew reported on Pelosi's <a href="http://freebeacon.com/politics/pelosi-guarantees-victory-midterms-we-will-win-run-speaker/" target="_blank">announcement</a> Tuesday about her plans to run for House Speaker if the Democrats regain the majority in the House of Representatives after the midterm elections this fall. "This may not be good news for Democrats. Republicans use Pelosi as a cudgel in their ads to convince people not to vote for Democrats, and they're not wrong [to do so]," McGrew said. "We might like Nancy Pelosi in the Bay Area, but America doesn't." He then cited a NBC News/<em>Wall Street Journal</em> poll to list organizations and people who are more popular than Pelosi. "Things that are more popular than Nancy Pelosi … include the NRA, current Speaker Paul Ryan [R., Wis.], even Donald Trump. Among all Americans, Donald Trump is far more liked than Nancy Pelosi," McGrew said.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Daniels Lawyer Offers to Send Gift Basket to Fox News After Giuliani Interview</em></strong></p>
<p>Michael Avenatti, the attorney for adult-film star Stormy Daniels, on Thursday, suggested that he may send a gift basket to the hosts of "Fox & Friends" after a pair of recent interviews with <a href="http://thehill.com/people/donald-trump">President Trump</a> and one of his lawyers, Rudy Giuliani. "Whatever happens @foxandfriends, please do not stop helping our case week in and week out by having Mr. Trump and Mr. Giuliani appear and make damaging stmts," Michael Avenatti tweeted. "You are truly THE BEST; where can we send the gift basket?" Both Trump and Giuliani have appeared on Fox News in recent days for interviews that Avenatti has claimed bolster Daniels's case in a lawsuit seeking to void a nondisclosure agreement with Trump and his personal attorney, Michael Cohen.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Camille Cosby, Wife of Bill Cosby, Asks for a Criminal Investigation of Montgomery County DA and ‘His Cohorts’</em></strong></p>
<p>One week after Bill Cosby was found guilty on all counts in his sexual assault retrial, his wife, Camille, is calling for a criminal investigation into Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele, and his cohorts. She claims that “In the case of Bill Cosby, unproven accusations evolved into lynch mobs, who publicly and privately coerced cancellations of Bill Cosby’s scheduled performances; syndications of “The Cosby Show”; rescissions of honorary degrees and a vindictive attempt to close an exhibition of our collection of African American art in the Smithsonian Museum of African Art.” In a <a href="https://cbsphilly.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/mrs-c-statement-latest-converted.pdf">statement released this morning</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">,</span> Mrs. Cosby claims that the media and his accusers labeled her husband as guilty and questions whether the media are now the peoples’ judges and juries.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-05-03T17:50:00ZTrump's Lawyer Wrote Questions Leaked to the NYT; Conservatives Draft Articles of Impeachment Against RosensteinBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trumps-Lawyer-Wrote-Questions-Leaked-to-the-NYT;-Conservatives-Draft-Articles-of-Impeachment-Against-Rosenstein/679053388702065767.html2018-05-02T14:45:00Z2018-05-02T14:45:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, May 2, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Trump’s Lawyer Wrote Questions Leaked to the NYT</em></strong></p>
<p>On Tuesday, the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mueller-raised-possibility-of-presidential-subpoena-in-meeting-with-trumps-legal-team/2018/05/01/2bdec08e-4d51-11e8-af46-b1d6dc0d9bfe_story.html?utm_term=.271ed57102c9">Washington Post</a> reported that one of President Trump’s lawyers, Jay Sekulow, wrote the dozens of questions that were leaked to the New York Times. The list of questions had been drawn up by Trump attorney Jay Sekulow after talks with Mueller's team, though it did not speculate as to how the information came to be released. The Post sourced its report on "three of the four people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk publicly." Sekulow's questions were based on "more specific information" provided by Mueller's team "about the subjects that prosecutors wished to discuss with the president."</p>
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<p><strong><em>Poll: Republicans Who Think Trump Doesn’t Tell the Truth Still Back Him</em></strong></p>
<p>Republicans who believe President Trump does not always tell the truth still support him, according to a new <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/poll-republicans-who-think-trump-untruthful-still-approve-him-n870521?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma">NBC News/Survey Monkey poll</a>. The survey found that 76 percent of Republicans said they think Trump is truthful the majority of the time, while 22 percent of Republicans polled said he is truthful some of time or less. Of those who said he is truthful some of the time or less, 56 percent said they still approve of Trump's work in the White House.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Leak Fuels New Mueller Intrigue</em></strong></p>
<p>Speculation that President Trump is preparing to refuse an interview with special counsel Robert Mueller’s team is on the rise after the publication of sensitive material related to the investigation. The New York Times early Tuesday published a list of the questions that Mueller’s team wants to ask Trump during an interview — a leak that Trump slammed as “disgraceful.” The president has in the past suggested he would give an interview to Mueller’s team. "I'm looking forward to it, actually," he told reporters at the White House in January. But he was outraged by the recent raids on the home, office and hotel room of his long-time personal attorney, Michael Cohen, reportedly to the point of being reluctant to follow through on the promise to conduct an interview. The recent addition of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani to his outside legal team also sparked some speculation about a change in tactics.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Conservatives Draft Articles of Impeachment Against Rosenstein</em></strong></p>
<p>Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein vowed Tuesday that the Justice Department is "not going to be extorted" after members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus drafted articles of impeachment against him. "They can't even resist leaking their own drafts," joked <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/05/01/rosenstein-fights-house-gop-impeachment-push-says-doj-is-not-going-to-be-extorted.html">Rosenstein during remarks</a> at the Newseum in Washington D.C. before adding: "I just don’t have anything to say about documents like that that nobody has the courage to put their name on and that they leak in that way." Rosenstein went on, "But I can tell you there are people who have been making threats privately and publicly against me for quite some time and I think they should understand by now: The Department of Justice is not going to be extorted.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Kanye West Calls Slavery A ‘Choice’</em></strong></p>
<p>Kanye West <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2018/05/01/kanye-west-tmz-live-slavery-trump/" target="_blank">dropped by TMZ on Tuesday</a> to tell the newsroom staff that he loves President Donald Trump and that he believes slavery “sounds like a choice,” only to get completely shut down by TMZ writer Van Lathan. Kanye said, “When you hear about slavery for 400 years ... for 400 years? That sounds like a choice.” That’s when Lathan hopped up and said he didn’t think West was thinking anything. “I think what you’re doing right now is actually the absence of thought and the reason why I feel like that is because, Kanye, you’re entitled to your opinion,” said Lathan. The writer went on to say that he was not only “disappointed” and “appalled,” but also hurt: “I am unbelievably hurt by the fact that you have morphed into something, to me, that is not real.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>More Members of Immigrant Caravan Processed for Asylum</em></strong></p>
<p>At least 28 members of the controversial immigrant "caravan" which traveled to the U.S. from Central America have been processed to apply for asylum, officials said. Six members from two different families were processed Tuesday at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego, California, a spokesperson for Pueblo Sin Fronteras said. Eight members of the caravan were previously allowed to apply for asylum. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials told Fox News Tuesday evening that 28 asylum-seekers have now been processed. Border patrol initially said the registration site was “at capacity,” but a few members of the group were admitted Monday night into the port of entry.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Pocahontas Descendent Wants Elizabeth Warren to Take DNA Test</em></strong></p>
<p>A descendant of Pocahontas wants Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren to take a DNA test to verify her claims of Native American ancestry. “I respect Sen. Warren as a U.S. senator … but I just wish she’d take the DNA test,” Debbie White Dove Porreco <a href="http://insider.foxnews.com/2018/05/01/pocahontas-descendant-asks-elizabeth-warren-take-dna-test">told</a> Fox News’ Tucker Carlson. Porreco said the DNA test would “end a lot of this controversy” about Warren’s Cherokee heritage. “If she was American Indian, I would be the first one to welcome her into our heritage,” she said. Warren has said her mother’s family is Cherokee, but she has little hard evidence to back her claims up.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Kim Kardashian in Talks with White House to Pardon Nonviolent Drug Offender</em></strong></p>
<p>Reality TV star and businesswoman Kim Kardashian West has had several phone conversations with President Trump’s son-in-law and White House adviser Jared Kushner about a potential presidential pardon for Alice Marie Johnson, who is serving a life sentence for a nonviolent drug offense. Mic <a href="https://mic.com/articles/189162/exclusive-kardashian-west-in-talks-with-white-house-about-pardoning-nonviolent-drug-offender#.DwjM9Cigv">reported</a> Wednesday that the phone calls between the two have happened in the last several months, but have increased in the last several days. Johnson, 62, has been in federal prison since October 1996 for her role in a drug trafficking case. She was sentenced to life in prison with no opportunity for parole. Kardashian West first learned about Johnson’s case from a<em> </em><a href="https://mic.com/articles/185472/this-grandmother-is-serving-a-life-sentence-for-a-nonviolent-offense#.HGP6vmrU0">video</a> published in October. Kardashian West shared it on Twitter, and the video has since been viewed more than 8 million times. In November, Kardashian West enlisted a team of lawyers, including her Los Angeles-based attorney Shawn Holley, to advocate for Johnson’s release.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-05-02T14:45:00ZDonald Trump: Release of Robert Mueller Questions is 'Disgraceful'; DOJ Files Criminal Illegal Entry Charges Against 11 PeopleBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Donald-Trump:-Release-of-Robert-Mueller-Questions-is-Disgraceful;-DOJ-Files-Criminal-Illegal-Entry-Charges-Against-11-People/758971496200536452.html2018-05-01T14:10:00Z2018-05-01T14:10:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, May 1, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Donald Trump: Release of Robert Mueller Questions is 'Disgraceful'</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump protested a news report Tuesday about questions that Special Counsel Robert Mueller would like to ask him concerning Russian interference in the 2016 election. While calling it "disgraceful that the questions concerning the Russian Witch Hunt were 'leaked' to the media," Trump also alluded to the fact that most of the potential queries deal with possible obstruction of justice rather than Russian hacking of Democrats during the campaign. "No questions on Collusion. Oh, I see...you have a made up, phony crime, Collusion, that never existed, and an investigation begun with illegally leaked classified information. Nice!" Trump said in an early morning tweet. Mueller "has at least four dozen questions on an exhaustive array of subjects he wants to ask President Trump to learn more about his ties to Russia and determine whether he obstructed the inquiry itself, " <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/30/us/politics/robert-mueller-questions-trump.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=span-ab-top-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news">the Times reported</a>. The story broke as the Trump and Mueller teams are negotiating possible testimony from the president. It is still unknown whether or not Trump plans to testify before Mueller.</p>
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<p><strong><em>DOJ Files 'Criminal Illegal Entry' Charges Against 11 People</em></strong></p>
<p>The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed criminal charges against 11 people believed to be part of the "caravan" of Central American migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. The DOJ said in a press release <a href="https://twitter.com/ABCPolitics/status/991139261712814080/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Flatino%2F385594-doj-files-charges-against-11-caravan-members-for-illegal-border-crossing">shared by ABC News</a> that the 11 people would face charges for criminal illegal entry after border patrol agents found them in locations 2 to 4 miles west of the designated border crossing in San Ysidro, California. "The United States will not stand by as our immigration laws are ignored and our nation's safety is jeopardized," Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement. </p>
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<p><strong><em>U.S. Delays Decision on Tariffs for EU</em></strong></p>
<p>The U.S. government will take another 30 days to decide whether to impose tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum from the European Union, Canada, and Mexico, extending a period of uncertainty for businesses in those regions. The delay helps the U.S. avoid a potential trade war with allies as it prepares for tense trade talks in China this week. But the EU slammed the decision as bad for business that "prolongs market uncertainty, which is already affecting business decisions." On Tuesday, the EU said in a statement, “As a longstanding partner and friend of the U.S., we will not negotiate under threat.” The Trump administration said Monday it had reached an agreement with South Korea on steel imports following discussions on a revised trade agreement. And the administration said it had also reached agreements in principle with Argentina, Australia, and Brazil on steel and aluminum that will be finalized shortly.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Poll: Democrats Have Lost Support of Millennial Voters by Nearly 10 Percent</em></strong></p>
<p>Democrats have lost the support of millennial voters by a nearly 10 percent margin as midterm elections loom, a <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-millennials/exclusive-democrats-lose-ground-with-millennials-reuters-ipsos-poll-idUSKBN1I10YH" target="_blank">Reuters/Ipsos national opinion poll said</a>. The poll surveyed 16,000 registered voters ages 18 to 34 and found that participants’ support for Democrats over Republicans in congressional races dipped to 46 percent overall. That’s a loss of about 9 percentage points over the last two years. In addition, those polled said that the GOP is better with the economy, Reuters reported.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Some Migrants from Caravan Allowed into U.S.</em></strong></p>
<p>Approximately eight migrants from Central America who crossed Mexico in a caravan were granted access to the U.S. on Monday for processing of their asylum claims, <a href="https://www.apnews.com/8781bdda03be4986921535a3d7fa6e77/Feds-process-asylum-seekers-from-caravan-criticized-by-Trump" target="_blank">according to multiple reports</a>. The caravan is currently camped out while awaiting room at the San Ysidro crossing for more asylum applicants, according to officials. The crossing can withstand about 300 asylum-seekers at its temporary holding facility, which was already at capacity when the caravan arrived.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Considers John Kelly to Head the VA</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump is weighing nominating his chief of staff John Kelly to take over the Department of Veterans Affairs after Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson withdrew his name from consideration. “There have been discussions among the senior staff and the president directly about the possibility of Gen. Kelly going there [to the VA],” according to <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-considering-kelly-as-possible-candidate-to-lead-va-1525134722">the Wall Street Journal</a>. Prior to serving as chief of staff, Kelly was the secretary of Homeland Security and, before that, a Marine general. Other possible candidates to take over the VA include former Rep. Jeff Miller of Florida and hospital executive, Anthony Tersigni.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Israel's Iran Documents Show Nuclear Deal 'Was Built on Lies'</em></strong></p>
<p>On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spent several minutes outlining more than <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/netanyahu-iran-lied-hid-evidence-of-secret-nuclear-weapons-program">100,000 files</a> that Israeli spies took from Iran that show Iran lied years ago when it said it was not pursuing a nuclear weapons program. Supporters of the agreement from the Obama administration said his speech revealed nothing the world didn't know about Iran's intentions. But Netanyahu said the documents show the Iran deal was <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/obama-team-nothing-new-in-netanyahu-speech">built on lies</a> and said Trump will have to decide by May 12 whether to stay in the deal. Netanyahu said later that “The whole premise that this deal somehow guarantees a safer, more moderate Iran is wrong.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>White House Correspondents Think About Changing Dinner for Trump Era</em></strong></p>
<p>There is a lively conversation among the White House Correspondents’ Association's members about possibly changing the format and the tone of future dinners. The dinner is a key date on Washington's social calendar, but its organizers admit that it needs to be rethought in an age of increasing political polarization and constant attacks on the media. The main reason for the change is due to Michelle Wolf’s performance this past weekend. Wolf's speech has become an object of partisan warfare, with conservatives claiming it proves the press corps' hatred of Trump. The president himself tweeted on Monday that the dinner was "embarrassing”, and the event is "dead" indicating he won't be attending next year either.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Actor Robert De Niro Calls Republicans ‘Pretty F***ing Stupid’</em></strong></p>
<p>On Saturday, Robert De Niro took the stage on the closing night of the Tribeca Film Festival and blasted Trump, yet again. While that might not come as a surprise, De Niro also ripped Republicans. “I’m not so much concerned about Republicans believing Trump’s bellowing bulls**t about fake news,” De Niro said, according to <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/robert-de-niro-trump-truth-fake-news-at-ny-times-doc-fourth-estate-world-premiere-tribeca-film-festi-1106814" target="_blank">The Hollywood Reporter</a>. “They’re not that stupid, most of them, but they’re pretty f***ing stupid.” De Niro added, “I’m very concerned about Republicans’ gutless acquiescence to Trump dismissing facts and creating his own alternate reality. This will never, never be right.”</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-05-01T14:10:00ZMigrant Caravan to Wait at Border Until Granted Asylum; Ronny Jackson Will Not Be Returning as WH DoctorBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Migrant-Caravan-to-Wait-at-Border-Until-Granted-Asylum;-Ronny-Jackson-Will-Not-Be-Returning-as-WH-Doctor/-726657244653388478.html2018-04-30T18:48:00Z2018-04-30T18:48:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Monday, April 30, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong>Michelle Wolf Receives Backlash for Jokes at WH Correspondents' Dinner</strong></p>
<p>Michelle Wolf served as the keynote speaker at the annual White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday night. During her remarks, she made crude jokes targeted at President Trump and other White House staff members, such as Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who was at the dinner. After a couple of days letting all the jokes resonate, other members of the White House and media have something to say about Wolf’s comments. In addition to receiving criticism through social media, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/white-house-correspondents-dinner-michelle-wolf/2018/04/28/id/857237/">various attendees of the dinner walked out</a> during Wolf’s speech while she was directly attacking White House staffers.</p>
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<p><strong>Ronny Jackson Will Not Be Returning as WH Doctor </strong></p>
<p>In addition to withdrawing his name from consideration as a VA secretary, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/ronny-jackson-white-house-physician/2018/04/29/id/857303/">Ronny Jackson will not be returning as the White House physician</a>. Last week, Admiral Ronny Jackson, withdrew his nomination for VA secretary after various allegations came to light about Jackson’s drinking on the job, improperly handing out prescription drugs and other work-related incidents. Jackson, the White House, and Secret Service have all denied the allegations. Navy officer, Sean Conley took over as the White House physician back in March, and he will continue in that role.</p>
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<p><strong>Migrant Caravan to Wait at Border Until Granted Asylum</strong></p>
<p>The group of Central Americans traveling to the U.S. was blocked at an inspection facility and prevented from crossing the border into the U.S. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/29/americas/migrant-caravan-us-border-crossing/index.html">The dozens of migrants are vowing to remain outside the immigration processing center until “every last one” is given asylum.</a> There are approximately 200 members of the caravan waiting at the border ready to cross into the U.S. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Kevin McAleenan said Sunday that the crossing was at capacity, according to The Hill. “As sufficient space and resources become available, CBP officers will be able to take additional individuals to the port for processing.” Commissioner McAleenan said in a statement.</p>
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<p><strong>American Held in Custody of ICE for 1,273 days</strong></p>
<p>Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents sometimes wrongfully target U.S. citizens for deportation, which leads to wrongful arrests based on incomplete government records and bad data. A Times review of Department of Justice records and interviews found various instances that individuals were forced to prove their American citizenship and in some instances, were held in custody for months or even years. One extreme example of these mistakes includes, a <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/ice-held-an-american-man-in-custody-for-1273-days-hes-not-the-only-one-who-had-to-prove-his-citizenship/ar-AAwqdl4?li=BBnbcA1&srcref=rss">New York resident</a> who was locked up for more than three years fighting deportation efforts after a federal agent mistook him as an illegal alien.</p>
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<p><strong>President Trump Expected to Speak at NRA Meeting</strong></p>
<p>President Trump is expected to <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/385433-trump-expected-to-speak-at-nra-meeting-in-dallas-report">speak at the National Rifle Association’s</a> (NRA) annual meeting this week, a White House official confirmed Sunday. The meeting is set to take place from May 3<sup>rd</sup> to May 6<sup>th</sup>. This will be the third consecutive NRA meeting that President Trump has spoken at. President Trump’s remarks come two months after the Trump administration unveiled a series of proposals on gun control and school safety.</p>
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<p><strong>North Korea to Dismantle Nuclear Test Site Next Month</strong></p>
<p>North Korea is planning to <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/international/385374-north-korea-says-it-will-dismantle-nuclear-test-site-next-month-report">dismantle a nuclear test site</a> in the coming month, just before the scheduled meeting with President Trump and North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un. This decision was made during Kim Jong Un’s meeting with South Korean leader, Moon Jae-in, where the two committed to working toward the removal of nuclear weapons from the Korean Peninsula. In addition, Kim Jong Un has announced that North Korea will end all nuclear tests in preparation for his upcoming meeting with President Trump.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-04-30T18:48:00ZWhite House Correspondents' Dinner Goes Awry; North Korea Nuclear Test Site to Close in MayBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/White-House-Correspondents-Dinner-Goes-Awry;-North-Korea-Nuclear-Test-Site-to-Close-in-May/-706376251279804705.html2018-04-29T13:29:00Z2018-04-29T13:29:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, April 29, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>North Korea Will Abandon Nuclear Program if U.S. Pledges Not to Invade</em></strong></p>
<p>North Korean leader Kim Jong-un told his South Korean counterpart President Moon Jae-in that North Korea would be willing to denuclearize in return for a commitment that the U.S. will not invade the country. The New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/29/world/asia/north-korea-trump-nuclear.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region%C2%AEion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news">reported</a> Kim’s offer, made Friday during the historic summit between the two countries and other details of the meeting Sunday via a South Korean government spokesman. The conciliatory meeting at Panmunjom, on the border of the two Koreas, was a dramatic turn for the two countries, which have formally been at war since the outbreak of the Korean war, and was aimed at paving the way for Kim’s <a href="https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/04/u-s-north-korea-summit-will-reportedly-be-held-in-mongolia-or-singapore.html">upcoming summit</a> with President Trump. </p>
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<p><strong><em>White House Correspondents’ Dinner Goes Awry</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump's absence for the second year in a row from the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner may end up being the least controversial thing about Saturday night's gathering of the White House press corps. Chatter among journalists after the event was full of criticism for comedian Michelle Wolf, who was the evening's headliner. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDbx1uArVOM">The comedian spoke for roughly 20 minutes</a> to a ballroom full of Washington's top journalists and political operatives. The comedic routine was laced with sexual innuendos and, at times, dominated by outright vulgarities that were directed primarily at Republicans and conservatives, a fact not lost on those in the room who expressed their displeasure on Twitter afterward. The Washington Post's Paul Farhi wrote Wolf's remarks "swerved from raunchy to downright nasty." Kelly O’Donnell of NBC News said, “The spirit of the event had always been jokes that singe but don't burn.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Threatens to 'Close Down the Country' Over Funding for Border Wall</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump threatened on Saturday to <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/385364-trump-threatens-to-close-down-the-country-over-funding-for-border">"shut down the country"</a> – an apparent reference to a government shutdown unless Congress approves funding for his long-promised wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. In a fiery campaign-style speech, Trump lashed out at Democratic lawmakers for opposing his pledge to build the border wall and said that once government funding runs out at the end of September he would call for a so-called shutdown. "We have to have borders and we have to have them fast and we need security, we need the wall," Trump said at the rally in Washington, Michigan.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Caravan's Asylum-Seekers Snub U.S. Warnings as They Head Toward Border</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. immigration lawyers are telling Central Americans in a caravan of asylum-seekers that traveled through Mexico to the U.S. border in California that they face possible separation from their children and detention for many months. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/04/29/caravans-asylum-seekers-snub-us-warnings-as-head-toward-border.html">The migrant caravan</a> on Sunday will test the Trump administration's tough rhetoric criticizing the caravan when the migrants begin seeking asylum by turning themselves in to border inspectors at San Diego's San Ysidro border crossing. The San Ysidro crossing, which admits about 75,000 people a day into the U.S., may be unable to take asylum-seekers if it faces too many at once, forcing people to wait in Mexico until it has more room, according to San Diego’s field office director for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Pompeo Talks Tough on Iran and Gulf Dispute</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is using the <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/pompeo-saudi-arabia-talks-tough-iran-gulf-dispute-n869881">Middle East leg of his first trip abroad</a> to call for concerted international action to punish Iran for its missile programs. On Sunday, Pompeo met with Saudi King Salman in hopes to urge Saudi Arabia and its neighbors to resolve a long-festering dispute with Qatar that U.S. officials say Iran is exploiting to boost its influence in the region, including in Yemen and Syria. “I think they would all agree that it’s in everyone’s best interests that the Gulf states all figure out how to be together,” Pompeo told reporters as he traveled to Israel. “We’ve got a common challenge in Iran I think they all recognize that. We’re hopeful that they will in their own way figure out their dispute between them.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>North Korea Nuclear Test Site to Close in May</em></strong></p>
<p>North Korea's nuclear test site will <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/n-korea-close-nuke-test-may-unify-time-023215198.html?soc_trk=gcm&amp;soc_src=ecd5e8af-dc90-3332-9efb-d522bf6b8dfa&amp;.tsrc=notification-brknews">close in May</a>, the South Korean president's office has said. A spokesman said the closure of the Punggye-ri site would be done in public and foreign experts from South Korea and the US would be invited to watch. Scientists have said the site may have partially collapsed in September. Six nuclear tests have been carried out there since 2006. The office also said North Korea would change its time zone, currently half an hour different, to match that of the South.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump: ‘Kanye West Gets It’</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump celebrated the support he's received from Kanye West at a rally in Michigan Saturday evening. Trump said, “In all fairness, Kanye West gets it. He gets it. And he saw that. When he sees that African-American unemployment is the lowest in history, you know, people are watching. That is a very important thing he has done for his legacy.” On Friday night, Kanye West released <span style="text-decoration: underline;">“</span><a href="https://dbr.ee/A7r6">Ye vs. the People</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">,” </span>his second song to be released since he began tweeting enthusiastically in support of President Trump last week, sending his longtime fans and detractors into a frenzy.</p>
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<p><strong><em>University of Texas to Treat Masculinity as a 'Mental Health' Issue</em></strong></p>
<p>The Counseling and Mental Health Center at the University of Texas at Austin recently launched a new program to help male students “take control over their gender identity and develop a healthy sense of masculinity.” Treating masculinity as if it were a mental health crisis, “<a href="https://cmhc.utexas.edu/vav/vav_masculinut.html" target="_blank">MasculinUT”</a> is organized by the school’s counseling staff and most recently organized a poster series encouraging students to develop a “healthy model of masculinity.” The program is predicated on a critique of so-called “restrictive masculinity.” Men, the program argues, suffer when they are told to “act like a man” or when they are encouraged to fulfill traditional gender roles, such as being “successful” or “the breadwinner.” Though you might enjoy “taking care of people” or being “active,” MasculinUT warns that many of these attributes are actually dangerous, <a href="https://cmhc.utexas.edu/vav/vav_masculinut_restrictive.html" target="_blank">claiming</a> that “traditional ideas of masculinity place men into rigid (or restrictive) boxes [which]... prevent them from developing their emotional maturity.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-04-29T13:29:00ZCommittee Releases Report on 2016 Election; North and South Korea Agree to 'Complete Denuclearization'BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Committee-Releases-Report-on-2016-Election;-North-and-South-Korea-Agree-to-Complete-Denuclearization/204049272321736798.html2018-04-27T14:53:00Z2018-04-27T14:53:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Friday, April 27, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Committee Releases Report on 2016 Election</em></strong></p>
<p>The House Intelligence Committee on Friday released its final <a href="https://docs.house.gov/meetings/IG/IG00/20180322/108023/HRPT-115-1.pdf">report</a> on the 2016 election, which found "no evidence" of ties between <a href="http://thehill.com/people/donald-trump" data-nid="261287">President Trump</a>'s campaign and Russia. The report, written by Republicans on the committee, did criticize "poor judgment and ill-considered actions" by Trump's campaign as well as the campaign run by Democrat <a href="http://thehill.com/people/hillary-clinton" data-nid="188224">Hillary Clinton</a>. “While the Committee found no evidence that the Trump campaign colluded, coordinated, or conspired with the Russian government, the investigation did find poor judgment and ill-considered actions by the Trump and Clinton campaigns,” the report said. Rep. Mike Conway (R-Texas), the top Republican on the committee leading the investigation, announced the report’s release while expressing profound disappointment at how much of the report was redacted by the intelligence community. "When we started this investigation, we set out to give the American people the answers to the questions they've been asking and we promised to be as transparent as possible in our final report," he said. "I don't believe the information we're releasing today meets that standard, which is why my team and I will continue to challenge the IC's many unnecessary redactions with the hopes of releasing more of the report in the coming months."</p>
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<p><strong><em>North and South Korea Agree to 'Complete Denuclearization'</em></strong></p>
<p>North and South Korea signed a declaration on Friday committing to work toward the "complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula." South Korean president Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made the announcement during a high-stakes summit in South Korea on Friday. They also agreed to formally end the Korean War of the 1950s. A joint statement between Moon and Kim says, “a new era of peace has begun.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Angela Merkel to Meet with President Trump</em></strong></p>
<p>Later today, German Chancellor Angela Merkel will sit down with President Trump at the White House. Unlike French President Emmanuel Macron, Merkel will not be rubbing elbows with Trump. There will be no white hats. Berlin has stressed that the three-hour meeting will be a “working session.” Their previous encounters would suggest Trump and Merkel are more than happy to keep it that way. The pair went<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-germany/after-months-without-contact-merkel-eyes-reset-with-trump-idUSKCN1GE2PR" target="_blank"> five months</a> without even speaking to one another on the phone, a dry spell that only ended in March. Whether the issue is climate, trade, NATO, or the Iran nuclear deal there’s not much the pair can agree on. Nonetheless, Merkel has no choice but to try and make the relationship work.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Bill Cosby Found Guilty</em></strong></p>
<p>A jury found Bill Cosby guilty of three counts of aggravated indecent assault on Thursday, for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand at his home in a Philadelphia suburb in 2004. The 80-year-old comedian faces up to 10 years in prison on each count, but Cosby is likely to serve them concurrently. A sentencing hearing with Judge Steven O'Neill has not yet been scheduled, and Cosby was released on a $1 million bail. Cosby did not audibly react to his conviction but erupted shortly afterward. Minutes after the verdict, prosecutors asked the judge to revoke Cosby's bail. They said he is a flight risk and has a private plane. Cosby, who did not testify in the trial and has sat quietly through the proceedings, stood up and yelled in a booming voice: <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/26/us/bill-cosby-outburst/index.html">"He doesn't have a plane, you a**hole."</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Senate Panel Approves Bill to Protect Special Counsel</em></strong></p>
<p>The Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation on Thursday to protect special counsel Robert Mueller. In a 14-7 vote, the panel approved the bipartisan proposal that deeply divided Republicans on the committee. With every committee Democrat backing the legislation, only one Republican was needed to secure passage. In the end, four Republicans voted for the bill. The vote marks the first time Congress has advanced legislation to formally protect Mueller from being fired by <span style="text-decoration: underline;">President Trump</span>, who has railed against him in public and reportedly talked in private of dismissing him.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Poll: Half of Republicans Say That News Media Should be Described as Enemy of People</em></strong></p>
<p>A Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday showed that the news media is an important part of democracy, 66 percent of American voters say, while 22 percent say the media is the enemy of the people. Republicans say 51 - 37 percent that the media is the enemy of the people, rather than an important part of democracy. Voters trust the media more than President Trump 53 - 37 percent to tell the truth about important issues. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Federal Officials Lose Track of Nearly 1500 Migrant Children in the U.S.</em></strong></p>
<p>Federal officials lost track of nearly 1,500 unaccompanied migrant children last year after they were placed in the homes of adult sponsors, officials told the Senate on Thursday. Limited budgets for tracking migrant children after they are placed in foster homes led to the Department of Health and Human Services losing track of as many as 1,475 children, according to the <a href="https://www.apnews.com/a92409ad458742ad952fede5596c36a3" target="_blank">Associated Press</a>. Between October and December of last year, HHS officials completed welfare checks on 7,635 migrant children the agency says are living with adult sponsors in the U.S. Of those 7,635 children, 6,075 were still living with their sponsors, 28 had run away, five had been deported and 52 were living with someone else. The rest were completely unaccounted for, the agency admits.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Temple University Reconsidering Cosby’s Honorary Degree</em></strong></p>
<p>Temple University is reconsidering the honorary degree it awarded Bill Cosby more than two decades ago following the actor's conviction on Thursday on three counts of sexually assaulting a former university employee. A spokesman for the school told <a href="https://www.apnews.com/4e339b8402784d9fa0d156c30c4a1dda/Temple-University-reconsidering-Bill-Cosby's-honorary-degree" target="_blank">The Associated Press</a> that Thursday's verdict “provides additional facts for the university to consider” surrounding Cosby's degree. A number of schools including Notre Dame, Johns Hopkins, and Carnegie Mellon University announced on Thursday they would rescind Cosby's honorary degrees following the guilty verdict.</p>
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<p><strong><em>U.S. GDP Grew 2.3% in First Quarter, Beating Expectations</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. GDP growth slowed to 2.3% in the first quarter of 2018, down from <a href="https://www.axios.com/us-gdp-growth-bigger-than-expected-78fdfd8d-efdc-4b2b-9808-ad5c62753d0b.html">2.9% in the last quarter of 2017</a> but beating analysts' expectations of 2% growth. First-quarter growth tends to come in under other quarters given seasonal adjustment issues made on the basis that people tend to spend more around the holidays. However, the Trump administration's hefty goal of sustaining a 3% GDP growth rate is still far away.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-04-27T14:53:00ZRonny Jackson Withdraws VA Secretary Nomination; Trump's Travel Ban Will Likely Survive the Supreme CourtBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Ronny-Jackson-Withdraws-VA-Secretary-Nomination;-Trumps-Travel-Ban-Will-Likely-Survive-the-Supreme-Court/-973476766211787654.html2018-04-26T14:03:00Z2018-04-26T14:03:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, April 26, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Ronny Jackson Withdraws VA Secretary Nomination</em></strong></p>
<p>Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson announced that he is “regretfully” withdrawing his nomination to be secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs amid allegations of misconduct. “While I will forever be grateful for the trust and confidence President Trump has placed in me by giving me this opportunity,” Jackson, the White House physician <a href="https://twitter.com/finnygo/status/989472395084877824">said</a> in a statement Thursday, “I am regretfully withdrawing my nomination.” Jackson went on to say, “I am proud of my service to the country and will always be committed to the brave veterans who volunteer to defend our freedoms.” Responding to Jackson’s decision, the president, speaking on Fox News, called Democratic obstructionism a “disgrace.” He referred to “Doc Ronny” as an “incredible man,” “a real leader.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Poll: 56% of Voters Think Mueller Will Find Trump Committed Offenses</em></strong></p>
<p>56% of respondents in a <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/04/25/fox-news-poll-mueller-likely-to-find-trump-offenses-trump-likely-to-fire-him.html">Fox News Poll</a> which was released on Wednesday said that they believed Mueller’s probe will find that Trump committed criminal or impeachable offenses. Democrats that were polled were far more likely than Republicans to predict Mueller would find Trump committed such offenses, at 85 to 22 percent. The poll also found that 71% said they think that Trump will fire Mueller before the probe is over.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump’s Travel Ban Will Likely Survive the Supreme Court</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump's probably feeling good this morning about the chances of his travel ban surviving at <span style="text-decoration: underline;">the Supreme Court</span>. The court's <span style="text-decoration: underline;">conservative justices </span>and swing voter Justice Anthony Kennedy <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/25/politics/supreme-court-travel-ban/index.html" target="_blank">appeared to back the President</a> on the ban yesterday during oral arguments. That would give Trump the five votes needed to uphold <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/25/politics/supreme-court-nationwide-injunctions-travel-ban/index.html" target="_blank">the controversial ban</a>, which restricts travel to the US from seven countries, many of them majority-Muslim. A decision is expected before the court<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> ends this term in June</span>.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Cuomo Slams ICE’s ‘Un-American’ Tactics, Issues ‘Cease-and-Desist’ Letter</em></strong></p>
<p>Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo (N.Y.) on Wednesday accused the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement of making illegal arrests in recent immigration raids across the state, describing its "aggressive tactics" as unconstitutional and "un-American." Cuomo issued a "cease-and-desist" letter to ICE days after they concluded an immigration raid in New York City and its surrounding counties, picking up 225 suspected undocumented immigrants, 180 of whom had criminal convictions or pending charges, <a href="https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ice-arrests-225-during-operation-keep-safe-new-york" target="_blank">according</a> to the agency. Cuomo castigated the raids during a news conference and in writing, accusing the immigration agency of raiding private property without warning and without identifying themselves. He also warned ICE agents of future lawsuits if they continue to use the same tactics. ICE Director Thomas D. Homan fired back at Cuomo late Wednesday, saying ICE will refuse to "cease and desist from fulfilling our agency’s congressionally mandated mission of enforcing federal law." He added that the Democratic governor was "grandstanding" and that Cuomo's characterization of his agents was wrong.</p>
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<p><strong><em>James Comey On Trump's Assertion That Releasing Memos Was Illegal</em></strong></p>
<p>James Comey defended releasing his memos detailing his conversations with President Donald Trump Wednesday in a CNN town hall, adding that he doesn't believe he broke the law. "I don't, but that won't surprise you," he said when asked whether there's any credence to Trump's claim that Comey releasing the memos broke the law. "I don't," Comey added. "In fact, I think he's just making stuff up." The live town hall hosted by CNN's Anderson Cooper on Wednesday comes amid the former FBI director's media blitz to promote his new book and a series of high-profile clashes with Trump. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/20/politics/james-comey-memos-inspector-general/index.html">Comey confirmed CNN's reporting last week</a> that he had shared the memos with additional close associates, outside of the FBI -- telling Cooper that he had shared the memos with his legal team after he was fired.</p>
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<p><strong><em>CNN’s Acosta Gets in Heated Debate with Sarah Huckabee Sanders</em></strong></p>
<p>CNN’s Jim Acosta sparred with White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders for a comment she made in Wednesday’s briefing about the Trump administration’s commitment to a free press. Acosta asked, “Are you trying to say that this administration is a champion of a free press?” Huckabee Sanders said, “we support a free press,” but added they also want a “fair press.” She argued the press has a duty to present accurate information, and Acosta shot back by saying the same applies to the President. Huckabee Sanders even brought up “taking your questions in a tone that’s completely unnecessary, unneeded, and frankly doesn’t help further the conversation.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Michael Cohen Will Invoke Fifth Amendment in Stormy Daniels Case</em></strong></p>
<p>Michael Cohen's going to keep silent in the Stormy Daniels case. Cohen, President Trump's personal attorney, said<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> he'll invoke the Fifth Amendment</span>, the right against self-incrimination regarding the lawsuit brought by the porn star. The move comes after the FBI raided Cohen's home, office, and hotel room as part of <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/13/politics/michael-cohen-hearing-fbi-raid/index.html" target="_blank">a criminal investigation by the feds</a>. Taking of the Fifth is part of Cohen's plan to <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/20/politics/stormy-daniels-donald-trump-michael-cohen-court/index.html" target="_blank">have Daniels' suit put on hold</a>. She has sued to void the $130,000 agreement in which she agreed to not talk about an alleged sexual encounter with the President, which the White House says Trump denies happened.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Caravan of Migrants Reaches the U.S. Border</em></strong></p>
<p>Homeland Security Secretary <a href="http://thehill.com/people/kirstjen-nielsen">Kirstjen Nielsen</a> on Wednesday warned that the federal government is prepared to prosecute Central American migrants from a caravan planning to cross the U.S. border this weekend. Nielsen said in a statement that the Homeland Security Department is monitoring the caravan's movements, and "is doing everything within our authorities to secure our borders and enforce the law." Nielsen went on to say, "If you enter our country illegally, you have broken the law and will be referred for prosecution. If you make a false immigration claim, you have broken the law and will be referred for prosecution. If you assist or coach an individual in making a false immigration claim, you have broken the law and will be referred for prosecution." The first batch of asylum seekers are expected to try to enter the U.S. at a border crossing near San Diego on Sunday, The Associated Press reported. The group is mostly women and children. </p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-04-26T14:03:00ZEx-U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald on Comey's Legal Team; ICE Arrests 225 Illegals in NYC During a 6-Day RaidBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Ex-U.S.-Attorney-Patrick-Fitzgerald-on-Comeys-Legal-Team;-ICE-Arrests-225-Illegals-in-NYC-During-a-6-Day-Raid/-840068743297455646.html2018-04-25T15:45:00Z2018-04-25T15:45:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, April 25, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em><br />Sessions Won't Recuse Himself from Investigation of Trump Lawyer Michael Cohen</em></strong></p>
<p>Attorney General Jeff Sessions will not recuse himself from the investigation into President Trump’s personal attorney Michael Cohen, according to a media report Tuesday. However, Sessions may step back from specific questions tied to the probe, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-24/sessions-declines-to-recuse-himself-from-probe-into-trump-lawyer">Bloomberg reported</a>. Sessions will access briefings on the status of the Cohen investigation and voice his opinion on decisions made by prosecutors, including whether to issue subpoenas or indictments, according to the report. That could put Sessions in a position where he might be asked about the Cohen probe by Trump, Bloomberg reported. “The attorney general considers his potential recusal on a matter-by-matter basis as may be needed,” the Justice Department said in a statement released to Bloomberg.</p>
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<p><strong><em>James Comey's Book Sells 600,000 Copies</em></strong></p>
<p>Former FBI Director James Comey’s memoir sold more than 600,000 copies its first week, publisher Flatiron announced Tuesday. <em>A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership</em>, released on April 17, will land at No. 1 on <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/life/books/best-selling/">USA TODAY’s Best-Selling Books </a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">list</span> this week. Flatiron said the book (available in print and digitally) has gone back to press several times, with more than 1 million copies in print. Comey, fired by President Trump in May 2017, has been on an extensive media tour. In an interview with USA TODAY, he said Trump is "morally unfit to be president" and said he believed it was possible the Russians had compromising personal information about the president.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Ex-U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald on Comey's Legal Team</em></strong></p>
<p>Ousted FBI Director James Comey told the Chicago Sun-Times on Tuesday that his longtime friend and former U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has been on his legal team for nearly a year. “He’s been representing me since I was fired,” Comey said at a Washington, D.C., reception Tuesday evening, signing copies of his book “A Higher Loyalty.” The political news website Talking Points Memo <a href="https://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/comey-has-brought-on-former-u-s-attorney-pat-fitzgerald-as-one-of-his-lawyers" target="_blank">first reported</a> Tuesday afternoon that Fitzgerald — who was the top federal prosecutor based in Chicago for more than a decade — was representing Comey to help him “navigate his dramatic role as a potential witness in the investigation of President Trump’s campaign and potential obstruction of justice.” Comey told the Sun-Times that Fitzgerald is part of his three-member legal team that also includes David Kelley, a former deputy U.S. attorney under Comey in New York, and Dan Richman of Columbia Law School, another former federal prosecutor. Asked what kinds of issues the team helps him with, Comey said: “All the things you might need to talk to counsel about once you’re fired.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Schumer Opposing Pompeo Over Special Counsel Russia Investigation</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer said Tuesday that he’s going to <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/384725-schumer-to-oppose-pompeo-to-lead-state-department">vote against </a>Mike Pompeo to be secretary of state in part because he wouldn’t promise to publicly oppose the firing of those leading the special counsel’s Russia investigation. Schumer said he met with Pompeo and asked him to make a public statement defying Trump, but the nominee “demurred.” Schumer said he also wanted Pompeo to issue public retractions of some past statements that the Democratic leader said could tarnish a new State Department secretary’s standing. When Pompeo wouldn’t commit to either of those steps, he lost the New York Democrat’s vote. “I’m going to oppose the nomination,” Schumer said. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) filed cloture on Pompeo's nomination Tuesday, setting up an initial vote for Thursday.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Judge Orders Reopening Of DACA, After 90-Day Delay</em></strong></p>
<p>Another federal judge has overruled the Trump administration's efforts to end a popular immigration program this time saying the government has to accept new applications. The <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/apr/24/daca-restart-ordered-federal-judge/">ruling on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program</a>, however, won't take immediate effect, with the judge delaying the ruling for 90 days to allow the administration to make its case in a new memo justifying the end of the program. Similar to the other rulings, Judge John Bates concluded that the wind-down of DACA was "arbitrary and capricious" because the Department of Homeland Security failed to "adequately explain its conclusion that the program was unlawful." The judge also accused the government of providing "meager legal reasoning" to support its decision.</p>
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<p><strong><em>ICE Arrests 225 Illegals in NYC During a 6-Day Raid</em></strong></p>
<p>Federal immigration officials arrested 225 people in a <a href="http://beta.nydailynews.com/new-york/ice-busts-225-people-sweeping-six-day-raid-new-york-article-1.3950760">six-day raid</a> in New York City’s five boroughs and surrounding counties. ICE officials said that 180 of those arrested were convicted criminals or had criminal charges pending against them, but refused to release their names. Those people now face deportation. ICE said that the people without criminal problems who were nabbed, which they call "collateral arrests," were a byproduct of the city's noncooperation. Mayor de Blasio has declared New York to be a sanctuary city, which will not hold nonviolent inmates with detention orders or request immigration status before offering social services.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Attacks Press for Being ‘Silent’ on GOP Win in Arizona</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Wednesday congratulated Debbie Lesko (R) for <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/384654-republicans-hold-on-to-arizona-house-seat">winning a special election</a> in Arizona on Tuesday, accusing the national media of being "silent" on the race. In an early-morning tweet, the president congratulated Lesko on her "big win" over Hiral Tipirneni (D), who had not yet conceded the race as of Wednesday morning. Lesko held a 5.2 percent lead at the time of Trump's tweet, winning the district <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/363851-trent-franks-to-resign-from-congres">vacated when Trent Franks</a> (R) resigned in December. Lesko was largely expected to win in the district that Trump won by 21 points over <a href="http://thehill.com/people/hillary-clinton">Hillary Clinton</a> in the 2016 presidential election. Despite the loss, Democrats and political observers were quick to suggest the close margin should be a warning for Republicans in November as they navigate much tougher House races.</p>
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<p><strong><em>California Professor Who Called Barbara Bush a Racist Won’t Be Punished</em></strong></p>
<p>The California State University, Fresno professor who referred to former first lady Barbara Bush as a racist following her death last week will not be punished. Fresno State President Joseph Castro said that Randa Jarrar was not in violation of the university's policies because she made the comments on her personal Twitter account. “Her comments, although disgraceful, are protected free speech under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution,” Castro said, according to <a href="https://www.apnews.com/df308388033447fc9dba1d34483c406d/California-university-won't-punish-professor-who-jeered-Bush">The Associated Press</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span> Jarrar, who is on leave this semester, faced backlash last week after she tweeted Bush was a "generous and smart and amazing racist who, along with her husband, raised a war criminal." A Change.org petition calling for the “immediate termination” of Jarrar <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/384736-petition-to-oust-professor-who-attacked-barbara-bush-after-her-death">gathered </a>more than 45,000 signatures as of Tuesday.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-04-25T15:45:00ZPresident Trump Welcomes President Macron at the White House; Deadly Toronto Van AttackBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/President-Trump-Welcomes-President-Macron-at-the-White-House;-Deadly-Toronto-Van-Attack/569929265387572148.html2018-04-24T14:17:00Z2018-04-24T14:17:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, April 24, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em><br />Rand Paul's Last-Minute Switch Gives Pompeo Favorable Committee Vote</em></strong></p>
<p>A last-minute switch to "yes" by Kentucky Republican Rand Paul gave <a href="http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/384483-pompeo-headed-toward-confirmation-after-surprise-panel-vote">CIA Director Mike Pompeo enough votes</a> to get a favorable recommendation from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Monday, letting him avoid becoming the first secretary of state nominee in the nation's history to be rejected in committee. The committee split along party lines 11-9, with Democrat Chris Coons switching his "no" vote to "present." Pompeo will get a vote before the full Senate as soon as this week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Monday.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Deadly Toronto Van Attack</em></strong></p>
<p>The driver suspected of killing 10 and injuring 15 others when he plowed a rental van into pedestrians in Toronto will make his first court appearance on Tuesday when details of a motive for the attack were expected to emerge. While the worst mass killing in Canada in decades has the hallmarks of other deadly vehicle assaults by Islamic State supporters in the United States and Europe, officials said it did not represent a threat to national security. Alex Minassian, 25, identified by police as the suspect, will appear in a Toronto court at 10 a.m. ET, Toronto police said. Charges will be made public at that time.</p>
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<p><strong><em>President Trump Welcomes President Macron at the White House</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron to the White House in a formal arrival ceremony this morning. The president and first lady greeted Macron and his wife, Brigitte, on a red carpet on the South Lawn. The arrival is heavy on pomp, with nearly 500 U.S. service-members from all five military branches participating in the ceremonial welcome. Vice President Mike Pence and several members of Trump’s Cabinet, lawmakers, and military families are in attendance. The audience includes students from the Maya Angelou French Immersion School in Temple Hills, Maryland. The two leaders are spending the morning in meetings and then will hold a joint news conference. On Tuesday night, Macron will be recognized at Trump’s first state dinner.</p>
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<p><strong><em>George H.W. Bush Admitted to the Hospital</em></strong></p>
<p>Former President George H.W. Bush was <a href="https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Elder-George-Bush-hospitalized-for-blood-12858446.php?ipid=bncollection">admitted to a Houston hospital</a> on Sunday for treatment of an infection that had spread to his bloodstream, his spokesman, Jim McGrath said. By Monday evening, McGrath said the condition of the 93-year-old Bush was apparently improving. McGrath revealed the 41st president's hospitalization on Twitter just before 6 p.m. Monday. "President Bush was admitted to the Houston Methodist Hospital yesterday morning after contracting an infection that spread to his blood," McGrath wrote. "He is responding to treatments and appears to be recovering.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Senate Postpones Confirmation Hearing for Trump’s VA Secretary Pick</em></strong></p>
<p>The Senate is postponing the confirmation hearing for White House physician Ronny Jackson, Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Democrats and Republicans alike had raised concerns about Jackson’s qualifications to oversee the second-largest federal agency, given his lack of management experience. But it now appears other issues have arisen in connection with his management of the White House medical office, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/senate-postpones-confirmation-hearing-for-ronny-jackson-to-head-veterans-affairs/2018/04/23/8d2bfd14-471d-11e8-ad53-d5751c8f243f_story.html?utm_term=.2c072b64b656">according to the Washington Post</a>. What those issues are remain a mystery — but they’ve apparently generated enough bipartisan concern to prompt a last-minute delay of the hearing, which had been scheduled for Wednesday.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>San Francisco Mayor Taking Hard Line Approach to City's Homeless</em></strong></p>
<p>San Francisco Mayor Mark Farrell is promising an aggressive crackdown on homeless encampments in the city's Mission District -- he says those camps will be cleared out this week. He is going to be taking a hardline approach to the problem -- promising to clear out tents set up along sidewalks in the Mission. There have been sweeps before but campers returned days later or simply moved a few blocks away. The mayor says this time will be different. This week, city crisis teams will be reaching out to homeless people in this neighborhood trying to get them into a shelter program. Those who refuse help -- will have their tents cleared out this week. The mayor told the <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/SF-mayor-vows-to-clear-out-homeless-tent-camps-12852701.php">San Francisco Chronicle</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span>that the city has gone from being compassionate toward homeless people to enabling them. </p>
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<p><strong><em>NY Students Decline to Meet Over Jefferson Statue, Monument Vandalized Instead</em></strong></p>
<p>Students at Hofstra University declined to meet with their school president over a Thomas Jefferson statue a day before the statue was vandalized, Campus Reform reported Monday. Unidentified vandals have defaced the Jefferson statue at the New York university with white spray paint, Black Lives Matter paraphernalia, and a sticker reading “DECOLONIZE,” <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10809">according to Campus Reform</a>. Hofstra University President Stuart Rabinowitz offered to meet with anti-Jefferson students Wednesday, but the students <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2096399220606964/permalink/2110882552491964/">declined</a>, objecting to the president’s stipulation that students attending the event each received three minutes to speak and that no decision regarding the statue will be made at the meeting.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Homeland Security Chief Issues Warning to Migrant ‘Caravan’</em></strong></p>
<p>Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said Monday her agency and the Justice Department will prosecute any members of the Central American “caravan” headed to the United States who cross the border illegally. “The Trump administration is committed to enforcing our immigration laws – whether persons are part of this ‘caravan’ or not,” said Nielsen <a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHS/bulletins/1eb9d53">in a statement</a>. “If members of the ‘caravan’ enter the country illegally, they will be referred for prosecution for illegal entry in accordance with existing law,” she added. The caravan started in late March in Mexico’s southernmost city, Tapachula, as roughly 1,100 Central American migrants banded together for safety and to make a political statement about migration and borders. </p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-04-24T14:17:00ZWH Officials Urge Democrats to Reconsider Opposition to Pompeo; Duchess of Cambridge Gives Birth to Baby BoyBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/WH-Officials-Urge-Democrats-to-Reconsider-Opposition-to-Pompeo;-Duchess-of-Cambridge-Gives-Birth-to-Baby-Boy/-957032497147896346.html2018-04-23T15:52:00Z2018-04-23T15:52:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Monday, April 23, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br />
<p><strong><em>White House Officials Urge Democrats to Reconsider Opposition to Pompeo Ahead of Monday Committee Vote</em></strong></p>
<p>Senior White House officials on Monday urged Democrats and a key Republican to reconsider their positions on Mike Pompeo’s nomination as secretary of state ahead of what could be an unfavorable committee vote later in the day. Trump took to Twitter, saying it was hard to believe that “Obstructionists” might vote against his pick. Trump also said that Democrats would not help in approving “hundreds of good people” and were slowing down the confirmation process of his nominees. “Need more Republicans!” the president wrote. All Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as well as Republican Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.), have signaled their opposition to Pompeo’s nomination. If they maintain their positions during a committee vote scheduled late Monday afternoon, Pompeo’s nomination will not have enough votes to be reported favorably to the full Senate.</p>
<p><strong><em><br /><br />Duchess of Cambridge Gives Birth to Baby Boy</em></strong></p>
<p class="canvas-atom">The Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to a son. Kensington Palace <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/988387844111716353" target="_blank">tweeted the news shortly after 1pm,</a> stating that the child was delivered safely at 1101hrs, weighing 8lbs 7oz. The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth. The Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry have been notified and are said to be “delighted.” There’s no news on the baby’s name yet, however, Prince Arthur is the bookies favorite.</p>
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<p><strong><em>President Trump Says North Korea Agreed to Denuclearize, but They Haven’t</em></strong></p>
<p>During the same week that CIA Director Mike Pompeo <a title="www.washingtonpost.com" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/us-china-trade-dispute-looms-over-trump-summit-with-japans-abe/2018/04/17/2c94cb02-424f-11e8-bba2-0976a82b05a2_story.html?utm_term=.81662d8081e1">flew to Pyongyang</a> for secret talks on ending North Korea’s nuclear program, U.S. weapons experts were studying a construction site near the Chinese border for clues that North Korean officials might be moving in the opposite direction. Analysts pored over satellite images of the northern city of Chongsu, keying in on a large, red-roofed building that some experts suspect is a factory for making an ultrapure form of graphite. The material is essential for making nuclear reactors of the kind North Korea uses domestically, and, according to <a title="isis-online.org" href="http://isis-online.org/uploads/isis-reports/documents/Chongsu_April_20_2018_Final.pdf">a new report</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">,</span> Pyongyang has recently attempted to sell the same nuclear-grade graphite to customers overseas. The CIA has declined to comment about the mysterious building, the true purpose of which remains uncertain. But the questions over the construction project underscore a key difficulty in evaluating North Korea’s proposals to freeze or give up portions of its nuclear program: North Korea has a long history of concealing illicit weapons activity from foreign eyes.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Sarah Sanders: Democrats Playing 'Games' With National Security by Opposing Mike Pompeo</em></strong></p>
<p>White House press secretary Sarah Sanders on Monday accused Democrats of putting U.S. national security at risk by <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/sarah-sanders-dems-playing-games-with-national-security-by-opposing-mike-pompeo">opposing Mike Pompeo's nomination</a> to be the next secretary of state. “They have to decide that they want to put the safety and the security and the diplomacy of our country ahead of their own political games, and we're very hopeful that they will,” she said of Senate Democrats who will almost unanimously oppose Pompeo. She noted that past secretaries of state have been approved unanimously with support from both sides. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Monday will vote on Pompeo's nomination, and he is expected to fail in a 10-11 vote there, as Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., will join Democrats to oppose him. Democrats have been much less willing to support Trump's secretary of state nominees. Rex Tillerson was approved by the committee in an 11-10 vote after all Democrats opposed him.<br /><br /><strong><em><br /><br />'The Time Is Now'…New Coalition of Celebrities and Activists Just Pledged to Take on the NRA</em></strong></p>
<p>A new coalition of celebrities and activists, including actor Alyssa Milano and <a href="http://time.com/collection/most-influential-people-2018/5217568/parkland-students/">Parkland student</a> David Hogg, announced plans Friday to take on the National Rifle Association and elected officials who accept money from the powerful gun advocacy group. In an open letter to NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre more than 100 members of the newly formed NoRA Initiative, short for No Rifle Association, pledge to reduce the NRA’s influence in American politics through a series of voter registration drives, nationwide art campaigns, demonstrations, and boycotts. “Your time signing checks in our blood is up,” the letter says. “We’re coming for your money. We’re coming for your puppets. And we’re going to win.” NoRA launched its initiative Friday, on the 19th anniversary of the mass shooting at Columbine High School, as students across the country participated in a national school walkout in part to commemorate the 1999 massacre. NoRA’s members include Jimmy Kimmel, Amy Schumer, Alec Baldwin, Ashley Judd, Julianne Moore, Patton Oswalt, Constance Wu, W. Kamau Bell, Amber Tamblyn, Debra Messing, Minnie Driver, Tarana Burke, as well as several artists, policy experts, and survivors of gun violence. They say their goal is to expose public servants who have been stymying gun control legislation after taking money from the NRA. NoRA believes it can use grassroots and digital awareness campaigns to help vote those legislators out of office.</p>
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<p><strong><em>France's Macron Visits Trump as Iran Nuclear Deal Hangs in Balance</em></strong></p>
<p>French President Emmanuel Macron arrives in Washington on Monday for a state visit likely to be dominated by differences over trade and the nuclear accord with Iran. As Macron headed west, the Iranian government urged European leaders to convince U.S. President Donald Trump not to tear up the 2015 deal between Tehran and six world powers. Allies also spoke out in support of it. Macron said on Sunday there was no “Plan B” for keeping a lid on Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. He is on something of a rescue mission for what is formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which Trump has said he will scrap unless European allies fix what he called “terrible flaws” by mid-May.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Shania Twain: I Apologize for Saying I Would Have Voted for Trump</em></strong></p>
<p>Country superstar Shania Twain issued an apology Sunday for saying she would have voted for President Trump in the 2016 election if she were an American citizen. “I would like to apologize to anybody I have offended in a recent interview with the Guardian relating to the American President, Twain wrote on Twitter. Twain tweeted that Trump was able to connect to "a portion of America" by speaking in an authentic way they could relate to as opposed to traditional, stilted politicians. Her comments shouldn't be taken as an endorsement, the Grammy Award-winner added. “I am passionately against discrimination of any kind and hope it’s clear from the choices I have made, and the people I stand with, that I do not hold any common moral beliefs with the current President,” Twain wrote. In the interview released <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/apr/22/shania-twain-unexpected-return-freak-illness-country-pop-star">Sunday</a>, Twain said she would have cast a ballot for Trump, even though he was offensive, because “he seemed honest.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>South Korea Stops Blasting K-Pop at North Korea Across the DMZ Ahead of Nuclear Talks</em></strong></p>
<p>South Korea <a href="http://www.khou.com/article/news/nation-now/south-korea-stops-blasting-k-pop-at-north-korea-across-the-dmz-ahead-of-nuclear-talks/465-46a727a6-0a79-4048-8c20-607d2585c70f">stopped blasting</a> the country's distinctive "K-pop" music and anti-communist rhetoric across the North Korean border on Monday, a move aimed at "reducing military tensions between the South and North and creating a mood for peaceful talks" later this week. “The Ministry of National Defense halted the loudspeaker broadcasts against North Korea in the vicinity of the military demarcation line,” the ministry said in a statement. A summit between the divided nations is scheduled for Friday at the border village of Panmunjom. South Korea has been pumping propaganda and pop music across the border for more than two years. K-pop music generally features teen "girl bands" or "boy bands" that sing, dance and include other audio-visual elements. The genre, which originated in South Korea, is extremely popular across much of Asia and beyond.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-04-23T15:52:00ZSupreme Court to Consider Trump's Travel Ban; Collins: Comey Should Have Waited to Release His MemoirBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Supreme-Court-to-Consider-Trumps-Travel-Ban;-Collins:-Comey-Should-Have-Waited-to-Release-His-Memoir/209779949457469259.html2018-04-22T14:38:00Z2018-04-22T14:38:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, April 22, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Supreme Court to Consider Trump’s Travel Ban</em></strong></p>
<p>The Supreme Court will close out arguments for the term on Wednesday by weighing the constitutionality of <a href="http://thehill.com/people/donald-trump">President Trump</a>’s third attempt to block nationals from majority-Muslim countries from entering the United States. Hawaii’s state government, the Muslim Association of Hawaii and three individuals have been battling for the last 15 months different iterations of the ban Trump contends is needed for national security, arguing it’s tainted with animus toward Muslims. The Supreme Court initially agreed to consider Trump’s second order, which banned people from Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, and Sudan. It then dismissed that case as moot when the ban expired before the scheduled arguments. Trump’s latest ban, issued by a presidential proclamation, swaps Sudan for Chad, and made the restrictions on travelers from the affected countries indefinite. Chad has since been dropped from the list. The proclamation also included new restrictions on nationals from North Korea and government officials from Venezuela, but those provisions are not being challenged in this case.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump on North Korea: ‘Maybe Things Will Work Out, and Maybe They Won’t’</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Sunday said there is a chance that nuclear negotiations with North Korea will be unsuccessful while criticizing past administrations on the issue. Trump in the first of two tweets initially mocked "Meet the Press'" host Chuck Todd, whom the president has labeled "sleepy eyes." <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/988037292932653056">Trump’s tweet said</a>, "Sleepy Eyes Chuck Todd of Fake News NBC just stated that we have given up so much in our negotiations with North Korea, and they have given up nothing," Trump tweeted. "Wow, we haven’t given up anything & they have agreed to denuclearization (so great for World), site closure, & no more testing!" <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/988040227167064064">He went on to say</a>, "We are a long way from conclusion on North Korea, maybe things will work out, and maybe they won’t - only time will tell," he added in a second tweet. "But the work I am doing now should have been done a long time ago!"</p>
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<p><strong><em>Collins: Comey Should Have Waited to Release His Memoir</em></strong></p>
<p>Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said on Sunday that former FBI Director James Comey should have waited to release his highly anticipated memoir due to the ongoing Russia probe. “Don't write a book in the middle of an investigation that is ongoing,” <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/full-collins-interview-we-still-have-a-lot-of-questions-for-cia-nominee-haspell-1216577091572">Collins told NBC's Chuck Todd</a> on “Meet the Press.” Collins went on to express concerns that the book could potentially interfere with special counsel Robert Mueller's probe into alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russian election meddling. “I cannot imagine why an FBI director would seek to essentially cash in on a book when the investigation is very much alive. He should have waited to do his memoir,” she said. The senator also hit the former intelligence officer on his handling of past investigations and leaking of classified documents. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Team Trump Eager to Upend DNC Lawsuit</em></strong></p>
<p>The Democratic National Committee's multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the Trump campaign, the Russian government, and WikiLeaks on Friday were met with fanfare not only from the Democratic front but also from one of the main defendants. The legal offensive alleges a conspiracy between the trio to disrupt the 2016 presidential campaign in order to get Donald Trump elected. The DNC's complaint was filed in a federal district court in Manhattan, N.Y. When Trump got wind of the lawsuit, he embraced it as good news. “Just heard the Campaign was sued by the Obstructionist Democrats. This can be good news in that we will now counter for the DNC Server that they refused to give to the FBI, the Debbie Wasserman Schultz Servers and Documents held by the Pakistani mystery man and Clinton Emails,” Trump tweeted late Friday. Trump's tweet redirected attention to a scandal that involved Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., who resigned as chair of the DNC following the leak of thousands of controversial DNC emails, some of which showed her efforts to help Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary process.</p>
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<p><strong><em>U.S. Wrestling with Decision to Sanction China Under Law Targeting Russia</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>The Trump administration is wrestling with the question of whether a recent congressional crackdown on the Russian defense industry requires the Trump administration to impose new sanctions on China, according to the State Department. The issue has arisen because China recently received the first batch of an order of Russian S-400 air defense systems, pursuant to an agreement struck in 2014. That presents a complicated legal and diplomatic issue for the Trump administration, because Congress, in response to Russian aggression and interference in the 2016 elections, <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/state-department-new-sanctions-are-deterring-russian-defense-sales" target="_blank">voted to sanction customers</a> who make major arms deals with Russia. But there’s uncertainty in the administration and on Capitol Hill as to whether the law should be interpreted to apply to China’s purchase.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Denies Report That He Privately Calls Rod Rosenstein "Mr. Peepers"</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump tweeted Saturday to defend himself from a Washington Post report claiming, among other things, that he privately calls Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein "Mr. Peepers," an old television character. Mr. Trump also denied that he calls Attorney General Jeff Sessions "Mr. Magoo," another old television character. Trump did not respond to the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/sessions-told-white-house-that-rosensteins-firing-could-prompt-his-departure-too/2018/04/20/911ca994-44c7-11e8-bba2-0976a82b05a2_story.html?utm_term=.94f25ef91eaa" target="_blank">more substantive focus of the article</a>, which claims Sessions told White House counsel Don McGahn last week he might have to leave his job if the president were to fire Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. “The Washington Post said I refer to Jeff Sessions as 'Mr. Magoo' and Rod Rosenstein as 'Mr. Peepers.' This is 'according to people with whom the president has spoken.' There are no such people and don't know these characters...just more Fake & Disgusting News to create ill will!” Mr. Trump tweeted Saturday afternoon. </p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>4 Dead, 4 Wounded in Shooting at Waffle House in Tennessee</em></strong></p>
<p>Four people were killed and four others were injured in a shooting at a Waffle House in Tennessee early Sunday, Don Aaron of the Metro Nashville Police Department said in an interview with <a href="https://www.newschannel5.com/news/3-dead-4-injured-in-waffle-house-shooting" target="_blank">CBS affiliate WTVF</a>. The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department identified a "person of interest" in the shooting as Travis Reinking, 29, of Morton, Illinois. "We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident," Waffle House said in a statement. Waffle House said there is an active investigation and deferred all questions to police. “This is a very sad day for the Waffle House family, and we ask for everyone to keep the victims and their families in their thoughts and prayers,” the statement said.</p>
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<p><strong><em>UMN Tells Students that ‘Privilege’ Helps Them ‘Level Up’</em></strong></p>
<p>The University of Minnesota Foundation for Success has created a “Leveling Up” guide that uses video game terminology to help students understand the concept of “privilege.” This month, the foundation posted fliers in all residence hall bathrooms encouraging students to consider themselves players in a role-playing video game and examine how their privilege has helped them “level up” their lives. <a href="https://housing.umn.edu/foundation" target="_blank">The Foundation for Success</a> said, “Unfortunately, how society interacts with your identities also impact [sic] the opportunities you’ll have to ‘level up’” in life, the guide states, adding that “if you have a lot of privileged identities (white, straight, able bodied, cis-gender, wealthy, etc.) you'll be given the ability to 'level up' quicker than those who do not." </p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-04-22T14:38:00ZFormer NY Mayor Giuliani to Join Trump Legal Team; James Comey's Memos LeakBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Former-NY-Mayor-Giuliani-to-Join-Trump-Legal-Team;-James-Comeys-Memos-Leak/-903997793119734784.html2018-04-20T14:17:00Z2018-04-20T14:17:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Friday, April 20, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Police Respond to Apparent High School Shooting in Ocala, Florida</em></strong></p>
<p>Police responded to an apparent shooting Friday morning at Forest High School in Ocala, Florida. According to <a href="https://www.wftv.com/news/local/1-person-injured-in-shooting-at-high-school-in-ocala/735155751" target="_blank">WFTV</a>, Marion County Sheriff’s Office wrote on Facebook, “Suspect is in custody, at this time we have one person injured and they are being treated by medics.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Former NY Mayor Giuliani to Join Trump Legal Team</em></strong></p>
<p>Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a one-time federal prosecutor, is joining U.S. President Donald Trump's personal legal team, Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow said in a statement on Thursday. Giuliani was one of three attorneys Sekulow said were being added to the president's legal team dealing with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Sekulow also announced south Florida husband-and-wife white-collar defense lawyers Martin and Jane Raskin were joining the president's legal team.</p>
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<p><strong><em>James Comey's Memos Leak</em></strong></p>
<p>Memos drafted by former FBI Director James Comey, recounting several conversations he had with President Trump before getting fired last spring, tell of a man obsessed with an intelligence dossier containing salacious allegations about his ties to Russia and securing loyalty from those who worked in his administration. The memos were sent to Congress Thursday evening after top Republican committee chairmen demanded the Justice Department hand them over, and in short order they were shared with the media, intensifying a heated debate on the special counsel investigation and leaks. The <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/james-comeys-memos-leaked-read-them-here" target="_blank"><em>Washington Examiner</em> obtained</a> the 15 pages of redacted memos which document the seven conversations Comey had with Trump from Jan. 7, 2017, through April 11, 2017. Comey's leaking has become the center of a debate in Washington about whether he acted improperly and created an unsound footing for the special counsel probe.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Central American Migrants Have Reached the U.S. Border</em></strong></p>
<p>A group of 50 Central American migrants who set out from southern Mexico in late March have <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/m/fa37a612-583d-3485-a414-1ab6a0bc5161/ss_a-group-of-50-central.html">reached the U.S. border</a>, having endured the long journey despite threats by President Donald Trump to secure the border with National Guard personnel. Since peaking at around 1,500 people, the so-called migrant "caravan" has dwindled under pressure from Trump and Mexican migration authorities, who vowed to separate those migrants with a right to stay in Mexico from those who did not. "Since yesterday, some began to cross into the United States to turn themselves in from Tijuana and request asylum. We understand more of (the migrants) will do the same," said Jose Maria Garcia, director of Juventud 2000, an organization dedicated to assisting migrants. He said more migrants, many of whom are stranded in Mexico's central states, are expected to arrive in the coming days.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Court Deals Blow to Trump’s Efforts to Deny Grants to ‘Sanctuary’ Localities</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump's efforts to punish so-called sanctuary cities around the country, as well as the state of California, <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/04/19/appeals-court-ruling-trump-sanctuary-cities-537823">suffered a serious legal blow</a> Thursday when a federal appeals court in Chicago upheld a nationwide injunction against administration rules requiring localities to cooperate with federal immigration authorities in order to win public safety grants. The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday upheld a nationwide injunction preventing Attorney General Jeff Sessions from imposing the new conditions on grant money as a way to penalize municipalities around the country who are refusing to work with federal immigration agents before releasing illegal immigrants charged or convicted of crimes. The judges said in the ruling that their role was not to "assess the optimal immigration policies for our country."</p>
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<p><strong><em>Marijuana Activists Behind Major White House Smoke-In</em></strong></p>
<p>This year, local activists are hosting a National Cannabis Policy Summit at the Newseum on Friday, the annual 4/20 pot holiday. Members of Congress, journalists, and nonprofit leaders are expected to join the event. There’s no plan to march on the White House. “We talked about it,” said D.C. Cannabis Campaign co-founder Adam Eidinger, who organized the 2016 White House <a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-04-02/hundreds-inhale-pot-at-surreal-white-house-protest">smoke-in</a> and a <a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2017-04-20/federal-charges-for-7-pot-activists-who-offered-4-20-joints-to-congressional-staff">joint giveaway</a> for Capitol Hill staff last April that resulted in eight arrests, though most charges were dropped. "We’ve done our civil disobedience," Eidinger said. "This year we’re going to do the exact opposite. Laws didn’t change, so we’ll do something different." The cannabis holiday comes exactly a week after <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/trump-tells-senator-there-will-be-no-marijuana-crackdown">the White House confirmed</a> that President Trump told a Colorado senator he won't allow a federal crackdown on state-legal cannabis and that he supports new legislation to make marijuana federalism permanent.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Fewer Maryland Students Expected to Participate in Second School Walkout</em></strong></p>
<p>Fewer Maryland students are expected to leave their classrooms Friday morning for the second national school walkout against gun violence. There are still more than 2,000 individual school walkouts planned across the country including at least one in every state. But students and administrators in the Baltimore region say they don’t expect participation will be as widespread as it was during the last month’s protest. Friday’s planned walkout comes on the 19th anniversary of the 1999 Columbine High School shooting in Colorado when two students shot and killed 12 of their classmates and a teacher. Across the Baltimore region, superintendents have said they expect April 20 to go on like any other school day. Some district leaders have expressed concern that these protests have grown increasingly political. Carroll County has taken a <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/education/bs-md-april-walkout-20180412-story.html" target="_blank">hard line against student participation</a>. Superintendent Stephen Guthrie said recently that students who choose to participate could face a range of consequences, from a parent-teacher conference to suspension.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Poll Shows White Evangelical Support for Trump at Record High</em></strong></p>
<p>White evangelical support for <a href="http://thehill.com/people/donald-trump">President Trump</a> has reached a record high, according to a <a href="https://www.prri.org/spotlight/white-evangelical-support-for-donald-trump-at-all-time-high/" target="_blank">new poll by the Public Religion Research Institute</a>. Seventy-five percent of white evangelical respondents in the poll said they view Trump favorably, while just 22 percent said they view him unfavorably. Evangelical leaders have served as advisers and surrogates for Trump throughout his presidency. However, a group of evangelical Christian leaders <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/381922-evangelical-leaders-planning-sit-down-with-trump-over-stormy-daniels" target="_blank">plans to sit down</a> with the president to discuss the $130,000 payment that Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, made to adult-film star Stormy Daniels. The Christian leaders say they're "very concerned" about the claims.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Lindsey Graham and Henry McMaster Promise to Back Trump in 2020 Bid</em></strong></p>
<p>Out of the blocks early, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham on Thursday vowed to support President Donald Trump's 2020 re-election bid. The show of solidarity from the South Carolina Republican comes as many other members of the GOP are waiting to weigh in on their party leader. Graham, who has butted heads with the president in the past and also faced him as a 2016 GOP presidential primary challenger, fired off two tweets <a href="https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/status/986987577550000134">stating his support</a> for the sitting president. About an hour after Graham tweeted his support for Trump, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster chimed in with his support of the 45th president. McMaster in 2016 officially nominated Trump for president at the Republican National Convention.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-04-20T14:17:00ZDid Trump Overrule Jim Mattis on Syria?; Michael Cohen Drops Libel LawsuitsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Did-Trump-Overrule-Jim-Mattis-on-Syria;-Michael-Cohen-Drops-Libel-Lawsuits/-153751926799515969.html2018-04-19T14:42:00Z2018-04-19T14:42:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, April 19, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Did Trump Overrule Jim Mattis on Syria?</em></strong></p>
<p>The Pentagon Wednesday strongly denied a New York Times story that said Defense Secretary Jim Mattis urged President Trump to get congressional approval before launching cruise missiles toward Syria last week but was overruled by the president. The story is "blatantly false,” said Dana White, the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, in an email to the <em>Washington </em><em>Examiner</em>. The <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/17/us/politics/jim-mattis-trump-syria-attack.html?emc=edit_th_180418&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=144837130418">Times account</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">,</span> which was attributed to military and administration officials, said Trump ignored the advice from Mattis because he wanted a “rapid and dramatic response.” Mattis said, “As our commander in chief, the president has the authority under Article II of the Constitution to use military force overseas to defend important United States national interests.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Michael Cohen Drops Libel Lawsuits Against Buzzfeed, Fusion GPS</em></strong></p>
<p>On Wednesday, President Trump's private lawyer, Michael Cohen, dropped a pair of lawsuits against media outlet Buzzfeed and private investigation firm Fusion GPS that claimed libel after Buzzfeed published the Trump dossier, which detailed possible ties between President Trump and Russia. Cohen's attorney David Schwartz said, <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/04/19/michael-cohen-drops-buzzfeed-fusion-lawsuit-537327" target="_blank">according to Politico</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">,</span> “We believe the defendants defamed my client, and vindicating Mr. Cohen’s rights was, and still remains, important. But given the events that have unfolded, and the time, attention, and resources needed to prosecute these matters, we have dismissed the matters, despite their merits." By dropping the lawsuits, Cohen could avoid being questioned by lawyers from Fusion GPS or being required to turn over evidence related to the case, which could weaken his defense in the criminal investigation.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump 'Will Walk Out' if North Korea Talks are not Fruitful</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump said Wednesday that although he's looking ahead optimistically to a historic summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un he could still pull out if he feels it's <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/19/trump-says-unless-north-korea-summit-fruitful-hell-pull-out.html">"not going to be fruitful."</a> At a joint news conference, he and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe said maximum pressure must be maintained on North Korea over nuclear disarmament. Trump is expected to hold a summit with Kim by June. Details, including a location, are still being worked out. Speaking on Thursday, Moon said North Korea had said it was ready for "complete denuclearization” and called for "bold imagination and creative solutions" to ensure the Koreas summit and the Trump-Kim summit would succeed. President Trump said at the joint news conference that if he did not think the meeting would be successful he would not go, and if the meeting went ahead but was not productive, he would walk out. "Our campaign of maximum pressure will continue until North Korea denuclearizes," he added.</p>
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<p><strong><em>'Growing Body of Evidence' James Comey Lied to Congress</em></strong></p>
<p>Rep. Mark Meadows said Thursday there's a growing body of evidence to suggest that former FBI Director James Comey lied when he told Congress that the FBI and the Justice Department were not coordinating on the investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/04/17/rep-meadows-documents-show-concerning-level-coordination-between-fbi-doj-in-clinton-email-probe.html">Meadows, R-N.C., said on Fox News</a> that his staff has more texts between FBI agents Peter Strzok and Lisa Page that show signs of coordination. Comey said in July 2016 that there was no coordination between the FBI and the Justice Department. Meadows said that certain emails suggest that the Department of Justice suggested edits to some of the FBI's work.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump will put Sanctions on Russia</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Wednesday said his administration would <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/383851-trump-well-put-sanctions-on-russia-as-soon-as-they-very-much-deserve">levy additional sanctions</a> on Russia “as soon as they very much deserve it.” After a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Trump began to walk away from the microphone, but returned to answer a shouted question about the sanctions. Trump then went on to tout his record on confronting Russia. “There has been nobody tougher on Russia than Donald Trump,” the president said, restating one of his common talking points. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said on Sunday that additional sanctions against Russia would be announced as soon as Monday in response to its alleged role in a recent chemical attack in Syria.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Jobless Claims Drop to Very Low 232,000</em></strong></p>
<p>New claims for unemployment benefits dropped 1,000 to 232,000 in mid-April, the Department of Labor reported Thursday, after plummeting to the lowest levels in decades in recent weeks. Low claims are a good sign. They suggest that few workers are getting laid off, and consequently that net job creation is strong. Despite a tiny pickup in recent weeks, this number of claims has not been seen in about 45 years. Meanwhile, 1.86 million people were receiving unemployment benefits altogether in early April, according to Thursday's release. That's also nearly as small a number as any time since early 1974.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>59% of Californians Want to Increase Deportations</em></strong></p>
<p>Released Wednesday, <a href="https://haasinstitute.berkeley.edu/survey-majority-californians-oppose-border-wall-support-racial-inclusion">a survey</a> conducted by the UC Berkeley Hass Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society shows that “59% find it important to increase deportations of those here without documentation.” The majority of Californians in the sanctuary state actually believe it’s important to increase U.S. deportations of illegal aliens. A quarter (24%) of Californians surveyed call it “very important” for the U.S. to increase deportations of illegal aliens, while another 35% deem it “somewhat important.” The findings reflect Californians’ increasing opposition to the state’s sanctuary policies shielding illegal aliens from arrest.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Remnants of Migrant Caravan Resume Trek to U.S. Border</em></strong></p>
<p>The remnants of a <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-to-know-about-the-migrant-caravans/" target="_blank">migrant caravan</a> of Central Americans that angered President Donald Trump continued their journey north through Mexico toward the U.S. border on Wednesday. One of the caravan’s organizer’s, Irineo Mujica, said about 500 migrants had been riding trains north since departing Mexico City last weekend. The caravan that left the Guatemala-Mexico border in late March grew to more than 1,000 migrants who found safety traveling in numbers. Mujica said the new group was headed for Tijuana, where about half planned to go to the border to request asylum in the U.S.</p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-04-19T14:42:00ZPompeo's Meeting with Kim Jong Un; Barbara Bush Dies at Age 92BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Pompeos-Meeting-with-Kim-Jong-Un;-Barbara-Bush-Dies-at-Age-92/863252296960181058.html2018-04-18T18:53:00Z2018-04-18T18:53:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, April 18, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Pompeo’s Meeting with Kim Jong Un<br /><br /></em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday morning that CIA Director Mike Pompeo visited North Korea and met with leader Kim Jong Un. “Meeting went very smoothly and a good relationship was formed," the President tweeted. "Details of Summit are being worked out now. Denuclearization will be a great thing for World, but also for North Korea!" Trump and Kim are set to meet in late May or early June in what would be the first face-to-face encounter between a sitting US President and a North Korean leader.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Report Says Attorney for CNN and New York Times Convinced Judge to Publicly Name Sean Hannity</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>According to reports from inside the courtroom, Judge Kimba Wood was ready to allow Michael Cohen to submit the name of his 3rd client — who we now know is Sean Hannity — under seal, but an attorney for CNN and the New York Times convinced her otherwise. Natasha Bertrand, who works for The Atlantic tweeted, “A note about this: Judge Wood was prepared to let Ryan give her the name of Cohen’s third client under seal. At that point, an attorney for the NYT and CNN approached the podium and convinced her that the press (&public) should know. She agreed. He played pivotal role here.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Starbucks' Racial-Bias Training</em></strong></p>
<p>The decision by Starbucks to close more than 8,000 of the company's U.S. stores for an afternoon of racial-bias education for its staff is a good first step, but only if the effort continues afterward. Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson announced Tuesday that the coffee chain would close all of its retail stores and corporate offices on the afternoon of May 29 to train 175,000 employees in a program "designed to address implicit bias, promote conscious inclusion, prevent discrimination and ensure everyone inside a Starbucks store feels safe and welcome," according to the company.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Barbara Bush Dies at Age 92</em></strong></p>
<p>Former First Lady Barbara Bush died at her home in Houston, Texas, at the age of 92 Tuesday night. “A former first lady of the United States of America and relentless proponent of family literacy, Barbara Pierce Bush passed away Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at the age of 92,” a statement from the office of former President George H.W. Bush read after the news broke. “It will not surprise those who know her that Barbara Bush has been a rock in the face of her failing health, worrying not for herself — thanks to her abiding faith — but for others,” the statement continued. “She is surrounded by a family she adores and appreciates the many kind messages and especially the prayers she is receiving.”<br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>James Comey Blasts Trump on Late Night TV</em></strong></p>
<p>Former FBI Director James Comey, made an appearance on CBS' The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Tuesday night, the same day his new book was released. Colbert began the show by jokingly asking Comey for his loyalty, and by pouring red wine into a paper cup — which is what Comey said he did on a flight home from Los Angeles after he found out he was fired from television. On Comey's recent book tour he appeared to have irritated President Trump, who called the former FBI leader a "slime ball," among other things. "He's tweeted at me probably 50 times," Comey told Colbert. "I've been gone for a year, I'm like the breakup he can't get over. He wakes up in the morning ... I'm out there living my best life, he wakes up in the morning and tweets at me."</p>
<p><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>San Diego County Joins California’s ‘Sanctuary-State’ Revolt</em></strong></p>
<p>San Diego County, California's second-most populous county, on Tuesday <a href="http://washingtonexaminer.com/">joined at least a dozen other municipalities</a> in supporting the Trump administration's lawsuit against the state over its so-called "sanctuary" law. The county's all-Republican Board of Supervisors discussed the issue in a closed session Tuesday and afterward announced that it had voted in favor of supporting the Justice Department's lawsuit against the state law. The law in question, SB54, officially titled the California Values Act, limits cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. The vote was 3-1, with one supervisor absent.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>The Queen’s Corgi Dies</em></strong></p>
<p>Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has lost the last descendant of her original corgi after 14-year-old Willow was put down at Windsor Castle on Sunday following a battle with cancer, according to UK media reports. Willow was the last in a long line of royal corgis owned by Britain's longest-serving monarch, reported British newspaper <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-5628777/Queen-saddened-death-Willow-corgi.html">the Daily Mail</a>. Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the dog's death, saying it was a private matter. The Queen's fondness for corgis is well known, with Willow and the monarch even appearing beside James Bond actor Daniel Craig for a sketch shown during the 2012 London Olympic opening ceremony.</p>
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<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-04-18T18:53:00ZTrump to Meet with Japan PM Abe in Florida; Fox News' Sean Hannity Denies Michael Cohen Represented HimBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-to-Meet-with-Japan-PM-Abe-in-Florida;-Fox-News-Sean-Hannity-Denies-Michael-Cohen-Represented-Him/-394268569225638993.html2018-04-17T15:04:00Z2018-04-17T15:04:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, April 17, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump to Meet with Japan PM Abe in Florida</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump will meet with the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, at Mar-a-Lago today. Trump is hoping to mend the growing strain between the U.S. and Japan over Trump’s planned meeting with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un and the failure to exempt Japan from new steel and aluminum tariffs. The official visit will begin Tuesday afternoon with a one-on-one meeting followed by a small group discussion with top national security officials focused on the Kim summit. On Wednesday, the topic will broaden to other issues affecting the Indo-Pacific region, including trade and energy. Trump and Abe will also hold a joint press conference in the evening. Abe will return to Japan on Thursday morning.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Fox News’ Sean Hannity Denies Michael Cohen Represented Him</em></strong></p>
<p>On Monday, during a hearing about the FBI raid on Trump’s personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, it was revealed that Sean Hannity was also a client of Cohen’s. During Hannity’s show, he assured his viewers there was no cause for alarm. "Let me set the record straight, here's the truth: <a href="http://insider.foxnews.com/2018/04/16/hannity-named-michael-cohen-court-case-donald-trump-responds-media">Michael Cohen never represented me</a> in any legal matter," Hannity said at the close of the show. "I never retained his services. I never received an invoice. I never paid Michael Cohen for legal fees. I did have occasional, brief conversations with Michael Cohen, this great attorney, about legal questions I had.”<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>California City Votes Again to Defy State’s Pro-Illegal Immigrant Sanctuary Law</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>The Southern California city of Los Alamitos held <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/04/17/orange-county-city-votes-again-to-opt-out-californias-sanctuary-state-law.html">a second city council vote</a> on Monday for the second time to cement its opposition to the state’s sanctuary law. The debate between supporters and protesters lasted 5 hours. It is the second time the council voted in favor of the ordinance as the city’s laws required the council to have a second reading of the measure before officially approving it. Los Alamitos Council members voted 4-1 to opt out of a state law that prohibited state and local police agencies from informing federal authorities in cases when illegal immigrants facing deportation are released from detention.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Stormy Daniels Sits in Courtroom During Cohen Hearing</em></strong></p>
<p>Pornstar Stormy Daniels tore into President Donald Trump's lawyer, Michael Cohen, after a federal court hearing on Monday. Daniels said that Cohen has long played by a <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/16/stormy-daniels-rips-trumps-lawyer-michael-cohen-after-court-hearing-deals-blow-to-president-and-his-fixer.html">"different set of rules</a>, or should we say no rules at all." Daniels' lawyer, Michael Avenatti, said he and his client attended the hearing out of concern that none of the documents seized in raids on Cohen's property last week be tampered with or destroyed. Cohen is "radioactive," and "anybody associated with him in the last 20 to 30 years should be very, very concerned," Avenatti said.</p>
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<p><strong><em>CA Governor Refuses to Send National Guard to the Border</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/986218870506754048">fired off a tweet </a>on Tuesday criticizing California Governor Jerry Brown's decision to limit the National Guard troops' mission along the border with Mexico. Brown said he would not permit soldiers to fully engage in immigration enforcement on the border, which is a big snag in Trump's plan to bolster military presence at the boundary as he awaits construction of his long-promised wall. The Republican governors of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas are already on board with Trump's National Guard demand and have moved quickly to draw up deployment action plans.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>New Poll Shows U.S. Majority Supports Tougher Sanctions on Russia</em></strong></p>
<p>Nearly 7 in 10 Americans support tougher U.S. sanctions against Russia, according to a new <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/page/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2018/04/17/National-Politics/Polling/release_521.xml">Washington Post-ABC News poll</a> that also finds roughly half the public saying President Trump has done “too little” to criticize Russia for alleged violations of international law. Despite support for penalizing Russia, 52 percent of adults say Trump should invite Vladimir Putin to the White House in an effort to improve U.S.-Russia relations, while 42 percent say Trump should not do so, because it would grant Putin legitimacy. The Post-ABC poll finds uncommonly broad support for tougher sanctions on Russia, with 74 percent of Democrats along with 68 percent of Republicans and independents favoring tougher penalties.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>David Hogg Warns of Another Boycott, While His Previous Boycott Backfired</em></strong></p>
<p>After asking advertisers to boycott Laura Ingraham’s Fox News show, Parkland student David Hogg is teasing another boycott. “Going to announce another boycott this week,” tweeted Hogg on Monday morning. “Stay tuned,” he added with a smiley face, accompanied by a gif of Kermit the Frog nervously biting his fingers. While Ingraham’s show lost nearly 30 advertisers since the boycott began, those who held firm are benefiting from <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/apr/16/david-hoggs-boycott-of-fox-news-star-backfires-lau/">a ratings windfall</a>. Data compiled by the media watchdog News Busters shows a jump from 2.23 million viewers prior to Mr. Hogg’s campaign to 2.7 million since her return from a vacation.</p>
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<p><strong><em>North and South Korea Plan to Announce Official End of War</em></strong></p>
<p>North and South Korea are in talks to announce a <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/17/north-and-south-korea-reportedly-set-to-announce-official-end-to-war.html">permanent end</a> to their officially declared conflict. The development comes ahead of a summit next week between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Already, lawmakers from each side were reported to be negotiating the details of a joint statement that could outline an end to the confrontation. Kim and Moon could also discuss returning the heavily-fortified demilitarized zone dividing the two to its original state. Pyongyang and Seoul have technically been at war since the 1950-1953 Korean conflict ended with a truce and not a peace treaty.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-04-17T15:04:00ZComey Makes Waves Calling Trump 'Mentally Unfit'; Haley Vows More Sanctions are Headed Towards RussiaBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Comey-Makes-Waves-Calling-Trump-Mentally-Unfit;-Haley-Vows-More-Sanctions-are-Headed-Towards-Russia/388867167762190128.html2018-04-16T16:11:00Z2018-04-16T16:11:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Monday, April 16, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em><br /><br />Comey Makes Waves Calling Trump ‘Mentally Unfit’</em></strong></p>
<p>According to former FBI Director James Comey, he claims that Donald Trump is <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/04/16/comey-calls-trump-morally-unfit-to-be-president-says-wouldnt-have-changed-handling-clinton-probe.html">not morally fit</a> to be President of the United States. Comey was interviewed by ABC News chief anchor George Stephanopoulos which aired on Sunday night. Comey said about Trump, “I don’t think he is medically unfit to be president – I think he’s morally unfit to be president.” This was Comey’s first interview since he was fired by Trump and also the launch of his tour in service of plugging his new book <em>A Higher Loyalty</em>, which comes out on Tuesday.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Haley Vows More Sanctions are Headed Towards Russia</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>United States' Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said Sunday the Trump administration will announce <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/un-ambassador-nikki-haley-russia-sanctions-syria/2018/04/15/id/854612/">more sanctions</a> against Russia as soon as Monday. On Sunday’s CBS's "Face the Nation," Haley said the Treasury Department will announce the new sanctions and insisted the US has sent "a strong message" about the use of chemical weapons. While insisting the action taken early Saturday morning in Syria was "a very strong attack on the chemical weapons program," Haley hit back on more hawkish critics who argue the US didn't go far enough because it did not change the balance of power in the long-running Syrian civil war. "Our job was never to take Assad out," Haley said, referring to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. She added that the conflict must ultimately be resolved through a UN-led political process. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>New Survey Shows Trump Approval Tops 40 Percent</em></strong></p>
<p>According to a new Washington Post/ABC News survey, President Donald Trump’s approval rating has climbed back to near the levels of his first 100 days in office, according to a new poll. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/poll-trump-approval-rising/2018/04/15/id/854567/">The survey</a> finds his approval at 40 percent, up from a 36 percent job approval rating in a January poll, however, 56 percent of the people surveyed disapprove of his job performance.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Sanders ‘Not Aware’ of Any Plans to Fire Mueller, Rosenstein</em></strong></p>
<p>On ABC’s “This Week,” White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that she is not aware of any plans to fire or remove Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein or special counsel Robert Mueller. Sanders said while there are no plans to fire Mueller or Rosenstein, Sanders said, “<a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/383226-trump-administration-not-aware-of-any-plans-to-investigate-james">we do have some real concerns</a> with some of the activities and some of the scope that the investigation has gone.”</p>
<p> <br /><br /><strong><em>Trump Claims Lawyers are Afraid of Being Raided</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump said Sunday that Trump's lawyers are now ‘‘deflated and concerned’’ by the FBI raid on his personal attorney Michael Cohen, who is under criminal investigation for personal business dealings. ‘‘Attorney Client privilege is now a thing of the past,’’ he tweeted. ‘‘I have many (too many!) lawyers and they are probably wondering when their offices, and even homes, are going to be raided with everything, including their phones and computers, taken. All lawyers are deflated and concerned!’’ the raid, which Cohen’s lawyer said came following a referral from <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/mueller-has-gone-rogue-and-declared-war-trump-sean-hannity-claims-880309">Special Counsel Robert Mueller</a>, appears to have further soured the president’s view of Mueller.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Stormy Daniels Will Be in Court for Hearing on President Trump's Lawyer Michael Cohen</em></strong></p>
<p>A lawyer for Stormy Daniels said on Sunday the adult film actress <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/stormy-daniels-expected-michael-cohen-hearing-article-1.3934349">will be in court</a> Monday for the resumption of a hearing sought by President Donald Trump's attorney Michael Cohen. Documents about Cohen’s alleged payoff to Daniels, which Daniels has said was in exchange for her silence about an affair she had with Trump in 2006, were among the items seized from Cohen by the FBI, last week. Cohen is expected to make his first appearance at the hearing in U.S. District Court in New York, where his presence has been ordered by a judge considering his request on how to handle materials seized in the FBI raid. During an appearance on CNN's "State of the Union," Daniels' lawyer Michael Avenatti, revealed she would be there to watch Cohen. "I think Monday afternoon could prove to be very interesting," Avenatti said.</p>
<p><strong><em><br /><br />Paul Ryan and James Comey</em></strong><em><strong><span style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><br /></span></strong></em></p>
<p>House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, speaking in an interview broadcast Sunday, declined to wade into the nasty feud between President Trump and James B. Comey, the FBI director whom Trump fired last year and who is now promoting a book describing the experience. Ryan (R-WI.), who announced his retirement on Wednesday, has previously defended Comey from Trump’s attacks. “James Comey, a man of integrity?” Chuck Todd, host of NBC’s “Meet the Press,” asked Ryan <a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__nbcnews.to_2JM1071&d=DwMFAg&c=RAhzPLrCAq19eJdrcQiUVEwFYoMRqGDAXQ_puw5tYjg&r=5MGfUFkZT98qZDEYAIaxW5Y1b2xnvb_yGmPMuuc3epE&m=ZBekfNOYVSmWxo9sNaBdjLe42C5l9WxcjAQlRrux3zw&s=nYSHbGuuGJTuF2mUa3jZtaetQhjj4j2Ai87BvbWd0pc&e=">during the interview</a>, which was taped Friday. “As far as I know,” Ryan replied. “I don’t know him very well.”</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-04-16T16:11:00ZU.S. Strikes Syria; Trump Says Attorney-Client Privilege is a Thing of the PastBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/U.S.-Strikes-Syria;-Trump-Says-Attorney-Client-Privilege-is-a-Thing-of-the-Past/-83448248945529075.html2018-04-15T13:56:00Z2018-04-15T13:56:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, April 15, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>U.S. Strikes Syria</em></strong></p>
<p>The Defense Department said Friday night that U.S., British and French forces struck three Syrian facilities that officials believe play a key role in Syria's ability to research, produce and store chemical weapons. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis called it a "heavy strike" that was broader than the attack President Trump ordered one year ago that targeted an airfield. Friday night's strike aimed at the "long-term degradation" of Syria's chemical weapons capabilities. The allied strike, with included manned U.S. aircraft, last about an hour and prompted the Syrian regime to retaliate by shooting surface-to-air missiles, said Gen. Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Syrian state TV claimed the regime had shot down 13 U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles. But Dunford said the U.S. was still reviewing the results.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Says Attorney-Client Privilege is a Thing of the Past</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump tweeted Sunday morning that attorney-client privilege is “a thing of the past” this comes after the FBI raided Trump’s personal lawyer Michael Cohen’s office and hotel room. “Attorney Client privilege is now a thing of the past. I have many (too many!) lawyers and they are probably wondering when their offices, and even homes, are going to be raided with everything, including their phones and computers, taken. All lawyers are deflated and concerned!” Trump’s tweet suggests other lawyers are now worried that their homes and offices could be raided at any time, just like Cohen’s. A day after the raid, <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/trump-after-fbi-raid-on-his-lawyers-office-attorney-client-privilege-is-dead" target="_blank">Trump said, </a>“attorney-client privilege is dead.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Ryan Endorses McCarthy as Next Speaker</em></strong></p>
<p>Speaker Paul Ryan <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/04/13/paul-ryan-endorses-kevin-mccarthy-speaker-522954">endorsed</a> House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy to succeed him as speaker in an interview set to run Sunday on “Meet the Press.” The Wisconsin Republican told NBC’s Chuck Todd that “we all think that Kevin is the right person” and predicted a “seamless transition.” He said McCarthy, who failed to garner the votes in his 2015 speaker bid, would be able to muster the needed support this time because he’s been instrumental in passing GOP priorities over the past year. Ryan’s endorsement may not matter much in the long run; McCarthy’s bigger problem is at the far-right end of the conference. Conservatives blocked McCarthy from the post last time around and are already signaling that they’ll be willing to do the same unless he cuts a deal and empowers the group.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Explosive Details Leaked from James Comey’s Book</em></strong></p>
<p class="storybodyparagraph--2-doz">Explosive details from James Comey’s new book, “A Higher Loyalty” are spilling out into the media. Major media outlets have published reports on the book’s scathing and unsparingly critical depictions of President Trump. According to those reports, Comey <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/12/books/review/james-comey-a-higher-loyalty.html" target="_blank">writes</a> that Trump is "unethical and untethered to the truth" and <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/12/politics/james-comey-book-donald-trump/index.html">compares</a> his presidency to a "forest fire." President Trump tweeted that former FBI director James Comey reopened the bureau's investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails because she led polling in October 2016, reiterating prior statements from the White House and the RNC. Early this morning, Trump tweeted, “Unbelievably, James Comey states that Polls, where Crooked Hillary was leading, were a factor in the handling (stupidly) of the Clinton Email probe. In other words, he was making decisions based on the fact that he thought she was going to win, and he wanted a job. Slimeball!”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Boston Marking 5 Years Since Marathon Attack with Tributes</em></strong></p>
<p>Boston is marking the fifth anniversary of the deadly Boston Marathon bombings with solemn remembrances and charitable acts. Democratic Mayor Marty Walsh and Republican Gov. Charlie Baker are scheduled to lay wreaths early Sunday at the spots along downtown Boylston Street where two bombs killed three spectators and maimed more than 260 others on April 15, 2013. Both officials are expected to address families and survivors at a private ceremony inside the Boston Public Library. At 2:49 p.m., a citywide moment of silence will be observed, and the bells of Old South Church will be rung to mark the moment five years ago when the first bomb exploded. Sunday is "One Boston Day," devoted to blood drives and acts of kindness. Security is tight for Monday's 122nd running of the iconic marathon.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>NRA Tries to Sign Up 100,000 New Members in 100 Days</em></strong></p>
<p>The National Rifle Association announced a membership drive on Thursday with the goal of signing up 100,000 new members in the next 100 days. Jason J. Brown, NRA media relations manager said, "The threat to our Second Amendment has never been greater." The NRA's <a href="https://membership.nra.org/100KChallenge/Join" target="_blank">membership drive</a> comes shortly after gun-control activists held nationwide rallies last month demanding new gun bans and age restrictions on purchasing firearms.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Charlie Kirk Uninvited to Speak at Marjory Stoneman Douglas</em></strong></p>
<p>Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA founder, and a young conservative activist has been <a href="http://www.stltoday.com/news/gun-rights-advocate-not-allowed-to-speak-at-stoneman-douglas/article_a913975d-99d6-5288-8770-6f6fdf944cdc.html">told he's not allowed to give a speech</a> at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Several students from Douglas invited Kirk to speak, but the Broward School District says students can't offer up the auditorium to whoever they want. Kirk is outspoken about protecting the right to bear arms. In a recent tweet, Kirk talks about being "excited" to get an invitation from Kyle Kushev, a student from Stoneman Douglas to speak to students. The school district says the administration met with the student organizers and advised them that non-school sponsored, student-initiated guest speaker assemblies and meetings are not permitted to take place on campus. Kushev and Kirk are tweeting if the invited guest was someone calling for gun control, the rules wouldn't be so strictly enforced. The school district says this applies to everyone. Kirk is now reportedly looking at other places in the area where an event could be held so he could speak to the students, per their request.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Gun Rights Supporters Hold Rallies at State Capitols Across U.S.</em></strong></p>
<p>Gun rights advocates rallied at state capitols across the country on Saturday to make their voices heard amid recent efforts to impose stricter gun-control laws that they fear undermine their Second Amendment rights. Peaceful protesters numbering in the hundreds gathered outside statehouses from Maine to Wyoming to hear speakers warn that any restrictions on gun ownership or use could eventually lead to bans for law-abiding gun owners. “Gun owners have been portrayed in a negative way and it is our hope that this peaceable rally will show that we are safe, law-abiding individuals that happen to take our constitutional rights very seriously,” Dave Gulya, an organizer for the Maine event that attracted about 800 people, told the <a href="http://bangordailynews.com/2018/04/14/politics/its-our-turn-maine-gun-owners-say-at-rally-in-response-to-parkland-fallout/" target="_blank">Bangor Daily News</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">. </span>The National Constitutional Coalition of Patriotic Americans sponsored the 45 planned rallies across the U.S. in support of the right to bear arms, according to the paper.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-04-15T13:56:00ZDonald Trump Fires Back at James Comey; U.S. Warships Set Sail for Syria and the Middle EastBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Donald-Trump-Fires-Back-at-James-Comey;-U.S.-Warships-Set-Sail-for-Syria-and-the-Middle-East/832730205074203856.html2018-04-13T14:28:00Z2018-04-13T14:28:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Friday, April 13, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Donald Trump Fires Back at James Comey</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump fired back at James Comey on Friday, calling him "<a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/984763579210633216">a proven LEAKER & LIAR"</a> and an "untruthful slime ball" in the wake of the former FBI director's book that likens the president to a dishonest mob boss. "Virtually everyone in Washington thought he should be fired for the terrible job he did-until he was, in fact, fired," Trump tweeted of Comey. Comey is currently on a book tour for “A Higher Loyalty” which is set to be released on Tuesday.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>U.S. Warships Set Sail for Syria and the Middle East</em></strong></p>
<p>In one of the biggest concentrations of U.S. naval power since the 2003 Iraq invasion, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5611419/Trumps-armada-Huge-task-force-12-warships-sets-sail-Syria.html">12 warships</a> are heading towards Syria and the Middle East. Among the warships that have been deployed is the USS Harry Truman which is carrying 90 aircrafts and is being escorted by a group of five destroyers and cruisers. Another four destroyers are believed to be in or near the Mediterranean already and are accompanied by two nuclear-powered submarines. The deployment of these warships comes amid heightened tensions as Donald Trump continues to consider launching airstrikes on Syria in retaliation for a chemical gas attack last Saturday.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Hearing Scheduled for Michael Cohen after FBI Raid</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump’s personal attorney, Michael Cohen, is trying to prevent the government from using materials that the FBI seized in a search of his office and residence this week. A federal prosecutor’s office said a hearing has been scheduled for Friday morning to address a temporary restraining order related to the judicial warrant that authorized the search. Federal agents raided Cohen’s Manhattan office, home and hotel room Monday, seizing records on a variety of subjects, including payments that were made in 2016 to women who might have damaging information about Trump. FBI and Justice Department officials have refused to discuss the case publicly or say what crimes they are investigating, but the search warrant used in the raids sought bank records, business records on Cohen’s dealing in the taxi industry, Cohen’s communications with the Trump campaign and information on payments made to a former Playboy model and a porn actress who say they had affairs with Trump.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Paul Ryan Won’t Give Up Speaker Post Until January</em></strong></p>
<p>Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan went on the defensive Thursday, rejecting any suggestion that he should step down as speaker before his stated intention to do so in January. One day after announcing his decision <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/house-speaker-paul-ryan-plans-to-retire-1523451274?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=6">not to run for re-election</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">,</span> Ryan pushed back against some skepticism among GOP lawmakers and aides that he would be able to remain in his post until early next year. Some worry that would prevent House Republicans from unifying around their next leader heading into a difficult midterm election in November. “I’ve talked to a lot of members, a lot of members who think it’s in all of our interests for this leadership team to stay in place and to run through the tape,” Ryan told reporters Thursday.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Poll: America’s 10 Most Popular Governors Are Republicans</em></strong> </p>
<p>The 10 most popular governors across the U.S. are all members of the Republican Party, according to a new Morning Consult survey. On Thursday a survey was <a href="https://morningconsult.com/2018/04/12/americas-most-and-least-popular-governors/" target="_blank">released</a> which ranked the approval of the nation’s governors in the first quarter of 2018. The survey asked registered voters in all 50 states to evaluate the job performance of their state's chief executive from January to March of this year. For the fifth quarter in a row, Republicans overwhelmingly dominated the rankings, taking the top 15 spots and scoring impressive popularity numbers in states like Vermont, Nevada, Massachusetts, Maryland, and New Hampshire, all of which Hillary Clinton carried in 2016. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R.) once again retained his spot atop the list, garnering an approval rating of 71 percent and a disapproval rating of 16 percent among Bay State residents. The highest ranked Democrat on the list was Gov. Steve Bullock, a moderate from Montana, who came in at number 16 behind Gov. Rick Scott (R.) of Florida. Bullock had an approval rating of 55 percent and a disapproval rating of 32 percent.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Law Enforcement Backs Stronger Fentanyl Penalties</em></strong></p>
<p>Several law enforcement groups are backing legislation introduced by a group of Republican senators that would increase penalties for individuals who traffic and distribute the synthetic opioid fentanyl. The National Sheriffs' Association and the National Association of Assistant U.S. Attorneys are among the organizations that endorsed S. 2635, also known as the <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/2635?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22kennedy%22%5D%7D" target="_blank">Ending the Fentanyl Crisis Act of 2018</a>, in preparation for a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism next Wednesday. The endorsements come as the number of fentanyl-related fatalities has skyrocketed, with some organizations estimating that around <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db294_table.pdf#4" target="_blank">20,000</a> Americans perished from the drug in 2016, and as Congress debates how to respond. Fentanyl is 30 to 50 times more powerful than heroin and 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, <a href="https://www.dea.gov/druginfo/fentanyl-faq.shtml" target="_blank">according</a> to the Drug Enforcement Administration. Medical professionals have said that only two milligrams of fentanyl is sufficient to kill an adult.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Gayle King Confronts Paul Ryan Over Lack of Diversity in GOP Ranks: ‘I Feel Very Excluded’</em></strong></p>
<p>CBS host Gayle King told outgoing Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) she felt "very excluded" when looking at a photo of Ryan, President Donald Trump, and other top Republicans because they were all white men. Ryan, who announced Wednesday he would retire from Congress at the end of his current term, met Trump at the White House and posed for a "thumbs-up" photo with him, Vice President Mike Pence, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-TX), House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA). Ryan said they were celebrating the accomplishments they'd had and the agenda they're working on, such as healthcare and infrastructure bills. "When I look at that picture, Mr. Speaker, I have to say, I don't see anybody who looks like me, in terms of color or gender," King said. "And you were one of the main people that said you wanted to do more for the Republican Party—you wanted to expand the base … When I look at that picture, I have to say, I don't feel very celebratory. I feel very excluded."</p>
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<p><strong><em>Parkland Shooter Wants Inheritance to go to Victims of the Massacre</em></strong></p>
<p>Nikolas Cruz, the 19-year-old charged with killing 17 people at his former Florida high school on Valentine’s Day, has told a court he wants to donate any money from his late mother's estate to victims of the massacre. During an appearance in Broward Circuit Court on Wednesday, defense lawyer Melisa McNeill said Cruz doesn't want money from his mother's life insurance policy or any other source of income. “He would like that money donated to an organization that the victims’ family believes would be able to facilitate healing in our community or an opportunity to educate our community about the issues that have ripened over the last four or five months,” McNeill said, according to the <a href="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-reg-florida-school-shooting-indigency-hearing-20180410-story.html"><em>South Florida Sun Sentinel</em></a><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span></em></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-04-13T14:28:00ZTrump Reconfirmed His Intent to Bomb Syria; Bannon Suggests Firing Rod RosensteinBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Reconfirmed-His-Intent-to-Bomb-Syria;-Bannon-Suggests-Firing-Rod-Rosenstein/-579455483304877138.html2018-04-12T15:57:00Z2018-04-12T15:57:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, April 12, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Reconfirmed His Intent to Bomb Syria</em></strong><em> </em></p>
<p>President Trump on Thursday appeared to frame a U.S. military strike on Syria as a matter of when, not if, undercutting his spokeswoman's effort one day earlier to temper a declaration that missiles “will be coming.” In a tweet, Trump said that he “never said when an attack on Syria would take place. Could be very soon or not so soon at all!” The message left no room for the possibility that an attack will not happen, at all. Thursday's tweet was consistent with one the president composed on Wednesday. In the earlier tweet, Trump warned Russia, an ally of Syria, to “get ready” for “nice and new and 'smart!'” missiles.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Bannon Suggests Firing Rod Rosenstein</em></strong></p>
<p>Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon is calling for President Trump to hamstring special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe by firing the man overseeing it. Bannon has called on White House aides and Trump’s allies in Congress to carry out a plan that would see Trump fire Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein as its first step. Four sources familiar with the discussions told <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/bannon-pitches-white-house-on-plan-to-cripple-mueller-probe-and-protect-trump/2018/04/11/1ec5b1b2-3d9f-11e8-a7d1-e4efec6389f0_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.72b099e670d6" target="_blank"><em>The Washington Post</em></a> about the plan on Wednesday.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump’s Secretary of State Pick, Faces Confirmation Hearing</em></strong></p>
<p>CIA Director Mike Pompeo's hearing to be the United States' top diplomat is underway today. Pompeo, a former Republican Congressman from Kansas with a reputation for a hawkish approach to American security, has been a lightning rod for criticism from rights advocates and some Democrats who worry he'll lead the president into war. Pompeo gained President Trump’s trust while advising the president on a number of confrontations, including Syria and Russia, that will be decided in the coming days and months. </p>
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<p><strong><em>President of France Has Proof of Syrian Chemical Attack</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>France's President Emmanuel Macron says he has <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/frances-macron-we-proved-syria-gas-attack-soon-to-decide-on-strike-2018-4">"proof"</a> that the Syrian government attacked the town of Douma with chemical weapons last weekend. He said he would decide "in due course" whether to respond with air strikes. The U.S. is thought to be preparing for missile strikes in response to the alleged attack. In Russia, Syria's main military ally, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov urged against "any steps which could lead to an escalation of tensions". Trump said on Wednesday that missiles were "coming” but has since tweeted that he "never said when".</p>
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<p><strong><em>Jerry Brown Sends National Guard to the Southern Border</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump thanked California's Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown on Thursday for agreeing to send more National Guard troops to help secure its border with Mexico. “California Governor Jerry Brown is doing the right thing and sending the National Guard to the Border. Thank you Jerry, good move for the safety of our Country!” <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/california-gov-jerry-brown-just-agreed-to-send-national-guard-troops-to-the-border" target="_blank">Brown agreed</a> to join Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico in sending troops to the border and said some would be sent to the coast and others would work in the interior of the state to support the border mission. However, Brown said that even though he was deploying the National Guard, they would not be on a mission to build Trump’s border wall nor would they be “enforcing federal laws.”<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Famed Lawyer Argues 'Hollywood Access' Tape Was Recorded Illegally<br /></em></strong></p>
<p>Alan Dershowitz discussed a theory on Wednesday about how Trump’s "Hollywood Access" tape was illegally recorded. In that tape from 2005, which surfaced during the 2016 election, Trump could be heard talking with former “Today” show host Billy Bush on a bus, via hot mic, about groping women without their consent. Dershowitz said that because California, where the exchange took place, is two-party consent state, the taping was illegal. Host <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/alan-dershowitz-argues-hollywood-access-tape-was-recorded-illegally">Anderson Cooper noted</a> that they were wearing microphones, but Dershowitz dismissed that as being a disqualifier. "But they didn't know it was on. That was the question," Dershowitz said.</p>
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<p><strong><em>James Comey Compares Trump to a 'Mob Boss' In His First Major Interview </em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/category/james-comey?r=US&IR=T">James Comey</a> likened President Donald Trump to a "mob boss" in an interview with ABC News. Comey, whom Trump fired as FBI director in May, apparently described the president that way in an exchange with the ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos, a teaser clip of which emerged on Twitter early Thursday morning. In one of the first clips, George Stephanopoulos asks is "How strange is it for you to sit here and compare the president to a mob boss?" The interview then cut to a different question before Comey responded. It isn't clear whether Comey used the term "mob boss" in his description or whether that language belonged only to Stephanopoulos. The interview, set to air in full this weekend, is part of a public-relations tour to promote Comey's book, "A Higher Loyalty," which is due to be published Tuesday.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Chinese Spies Engaged in Massive Theft of U.S. Technology</em></strong></p>
<p>China is engaged in large-scale theft of American research and technology from universities, using spies, students, and researchers as collectors, experts told Congress on Wednesday. Compounding the technology theft, the administration of President Barack Obama weakened U.S. counterintelligence efforts against foreign spies by curbing national-level counterspy efforts, a former counterintelligence official disclosed during a House hearing. Several intelligence and security experts testified during the hearing that China poses the most significant threat of technology theft from an estimated $510 billion spent annually on U.S. research and development.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-04-12T15:57:00ZPaul Ryan Announces He Will Not Seek Re-Election; Senators to Introduce New Bipartisan Bill to Protect MuellerBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Paul-Ryan-Announces-He-Will-Not-Seek-Re-Election;-Senators-to-Introduce-New-Bipartisan-Bill-to-Protect-Mueller/-214076381451428491.html2018-04-11T14:14:00Z2018-04-11T14:14:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, April 11, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Paul Ryan Announces He Will Not Seek Re-Election</em></strong></p>
<p>Speaker of the House Paul Ryan told confidants he will not seek re-election. The news comes as <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/26/politics/paul-ryan-steve-scalise-mark-amodei/index.html" target="_blank">rumors</a> that Ryan would retire in the coming months have continued to surface. Ryan, who has been speaker since 2015, told members close to him as well as his staffers that he would not seek re-election Wednesday morning. The question now is who will replace Ryan as speaker. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise announced his interest in Ryan’s job publicly in an interview in late March. Ryan has yet to publicly announce if he will seek re-election but has <a href="http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/article_842943e6-3149-11e8-b2c2-9b72e7e4e878.html" target="_blank">called</a> reports of his potential retirement “rank speculation.” The Wisconsin Republican will reportedly hold a press conference Wednesday morning.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Warns Russia On Syria: ‘Smart’ Missiles Are ‘Coming’</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump pledged to strike Syrian president Bashar al-Assad with missiles and warned Russia not to retaliate, in a shock Wednesday tweet. “Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and “smart!” You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!” Trump’s tweet came in reaction to a declaration from Russia’s envoy to Beirut saying “if there is an American strike, then we … will shoot down the missiles and target the positions from where they were launched,” who added “In the past few days, we have seen an escalation towards a significant crisis.” The strikes are in <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/04/10/trump-skip-south-america-trip-syria-response/" target="_blank">response</a> to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad is suspected of using chlorine-based chemical weapons against civilians Saturday. The attack killed dozens of women and children. The president previously struck Assad for using Sarin gas against civilians in April 2017 and publicly is incensed at the regime’s repeated action.</p>
<p class="tweet-text"><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Senators to Introduce New Bipartisan Bill to Protect Mueller</em></strong></p>
<p>A group of bipartisan senators is introducing new legislation to limit President Trump's ability to fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.). Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) will introduce the legislation, the Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act, on Wednesday. The legislation would let Mueller, or any other special counsel, receive an "expedited judicial review" within 10 days of being fired to determine if it was for a "good cause." If it was determined it wasn't, he would be reinstated. It would also codify regulations that only a senior Justice Department official can fire a special counsel and that they must provide the reason in writing. "We need to ensure not only that special counsel Mueller can complete his work without interference, but that special counsels in future investigations can, too," Coons said.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Blames Mueller Probe for Tensions with Russia</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Wednesday <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/382619-trump-blames-mueller-probe-for-tensions-with-russia">blamed tensions</a> between the U.S. and Russia on special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election. In a tweet, Trump ripped into Mueller and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, the official at the Department of Justice with the authority to dismiss Mueller, saying both are conflicted over the Russian investigation. “Much of the bad blood with Russia is caused by the Fake & Corrupt Russia Investigation, headed up by the all-Democrat loyalists, or people that worked for Obama,” Trump tweeted. “Mueller is most conflicted of all (except Rosenstein who signed FISA & Comey letter). No Collusion, so they go crazy!” he added. The comments come amid signals from Trump and the White House that Trump may decide to fire Rosenstein or Mueller. The president was angered on Monday by an FBI raid on his personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, which came after a referral from the special counsel. He called the raid "a disgrace" and an "attack on the country." The tweet also comes amid speculation that Trump is getting ready for a military strike against Syria over a chemical weapons attack.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Most Voters Don’t Think the Alleged Stormy Daniels Affair is Important</em></strong></p>
<p>In a Recent <a href="https://poll.qu.edu/national/release-detail?ReleaseID=2534">Quinnipiac Poll</a>, voters believe 58 - 14 percent that President Trump had an extramarital affair in 2006 with an actress known as Stormy Daniels. Republicans are divided 32 - 32 percent, with 36 percent undecided. Every other group believes there was an affair. But voters say 73 - 23 percent that this alleged affair is not an important issue. Voters also believe 59 - 24 percent that Trump knew his lawyer paid $130,000 right before the 2016 presidential election to secure Daniels' silence about this alleged affair. Again, voters say 59 - 38 percent that Trump's possible knowledge of the payoff is not an important issue. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Gun-Rights Group Calls on AG Sessions to Withhold Federal Funds from Local or State Governments Infringing on the Second Amendment</em></strong></p>
<p>A gun-rights group is calling on the attorney general to cut federal funding from state and local governments that adopt policies that infringe on the Second Amendment. "The liberal municipal governments of such cities as New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Seattle, and states including New Jersey, Connecticut, California, and Massachusetts should not be receiving taxpayer funds while violating the constitutional rights of those taxpayers," Alan Gottlieb, chairman of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, said in a statement. "It is ironic that all of those places are willing to spend millions of dollars to attack the rights of gun owners, when they should be protecting civil and constitutional rights, including the Second Amendment." Gottlieb sent a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions which argued that state and local gun-control efforts have failed to reduce violent crime. Instead, he said, they have reduced the ability of the law-abiding to defend themselves. "Why should American taxpayers see their hard-earned money used to erode their fundamental rights?" he said. "Those of us on the front lines of this civil rights battle see this as the ultimate abandonment of common sense. When government becomes the enemy of its constituents, it should be penalized, not rewarded."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Former Speaker John Boehner Joins the Board at Marijuana Corporation</em></strong></p>
<p>Former Speaker of the House John Boehner and former Governor of Massachusetts Bill Weld will both be joining the Board of Advisors at one of the nation’s largest cannabis corporations. “I’m joining the board of #AcreageHoldings because my thinking on cannabis has evolved,” Boehner announced on Twitter Wednesday. “I’m convinced de-scheduling the drug is needed so we can do research, help our veterans, and reverse the opioid epidemic ravaging our communities.” Boehner and Weld released a <a href="https://www.acreageholdings.com/news-release-board-of-advisors-appointment" target="_blank">joint statement </a>as they join Acreage Holdings, expressing that while they come from different perspectives on the matter, they both believe it’s time for a shift in federal marijuana policy. Acreage Holdings is based in New York City and operates in 11 states were either “medical and/or adult use cannabis is legal.” </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>James Comey's First Interview After Being Fired Will 'Shock the President and His Team'</em></strong></p>
<p>Former FBI Director James Comey’s first media interview after being fired by President Trump last May will “shock the president and his team,” according to a source present at taping. Comey revealed things in the interview that he had never said before, <a href="https://www.axios.com/preview-of-exclusive-abc-interview-with-james-comey-1523413777-c6002b59-9545-4329-9734-92ffcc70cfef.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axiosam&stream=top-stories" target="_blank">the source told Axios</a>. The source also said the interview would "certainly add more meat to the charges swirling around Trump." In the promo for the interview, which is set to air Sunday, Comey doesn’t say a word, but several questions asked of Comey were revealed, including whether he believes Trump should be impeached and if there was obstruction of justice. The source who was at the taping of the interview said that Comey answered every question that he was asked. Comey’s interview on ABC will air just before his new book, “A Higher Loyalty,” is released Tuesday.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-04-11T14:14:00ZDonald Trump Cancels South America Trip Because of Syria Crisis; Facebook's Zuckerberg Faces Senate Hearing but Little Hope for ActionBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Donald-Trump-Cancels-South-America-Trip-Because-of-Syria-Crisis;-Facebooks-Zuckerberg-Faces-Senate-Hearing-but-Little-Hope-for-Action/927804909165206137.html2018-04-10T13:56:00Z2018-04-10T13:56:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, April 10, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Donald Trump Cancels South America Trip Because of Syria Crisis</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump is canceling this weekend's South American trip to Peru and Colombia because of the crisis over Syria, the White House said Tuesday. Vice President Pence will take Trump's place on the trip, which includes the Summit of Americas meeting in Lima, Peru. "The President will remain in the United States to oversee the American response to Syria and to monitor developments around the world," said White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders. Trump is considering a military response at Syria over a recent chemical weapons attack on anti-government rebels. After Lima, Pence will visit Bogota, Colombia, to meet with government officials there.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Brands Raid on Lawyer Michael Cohen's Office 'Disgraceful'</em></strong></p>
<p>US President Donald Trump says the FBI's raid on the offices of his personal lawyer was a "disgrace" and an "attack on our country". Trump told White House reporters, "I have this witch hunt constantly going on.” Officials in New York seized "privileged communications" between Michael Cohen and his clients, his lawyer said after the raid on Monday. Documents regarding a payment to Stormy Daniels were also seized. Law enforcement acted on a "referral" from Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating suspected Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Trump criticized the investigation and described Mueller's team as "the most biased group of people". On Tuesday morning he repeated his criticism of the raid, tweeting it marked the end of attorney-client privilege or confidential communications between lawyers and their clients.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Facebook's Zuckerberg Faces Senate Hearing but Little Hope for Action</em></strong></p>
<p>Zuckerberg is scheduled to testify before a joint hearing of the Senate Commerce and Judiciary Committees Tuesday at 2:15 p.m. On Wednesday, Zuckerberg will testify at the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The hearings will focus on the use of and protection of Facebook user data. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg met with some lawmakers Monday, including Florida Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson, on Capitol Hill. The meeting came ahead of his testimony in the Senate and House on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. The social media giant has been trying to contain the damage from a privacy scandal over its data collection following allegations that the political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica obtained data on about 87 million Facebook users to try to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential elections. Facebook has since outlined a plan to restrict user data access. On Friday, Facebook announced that political and issue advertisers would have to be verified, a process that will mean they'll have to confirm their identity and location before running political or issue ads.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>De Blasio Aide Found with Illegal Weapons</em></strong></p>
<p>Reagan Stevens, a deputy director in the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, and two young men were arrested for illegal weapons possession while sitting in a double-parked car near the scene of a Saturday night shooting in Queens, cops said. A loaded, 9mm semi-automatic pistol with its serial number defaced was hidden in the car’s glovebox, and there was a spent shell casing on the floor near Stevens’ feet in the rear of the 2002 dark red Infiniti SUV, law enforcement sources said. The trio’s arrest followed a burst of five gunshots that activated an NYPD “ShotSpotter” device in Jamaica at 9:42 p.m. Saturday, sources said. The listening device pinpointed the shooting at 174th Street and 109th Avenue, and private surveillance video captured the muzzle flashes of five shots fired from the Infiniti, sources said. The handgun seized by cops has an eight-round magazine and held three cartridges — two in the magazine and one in the chamber, sources said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>California Silent on Sending National Guard Troops to Border</em></strong></p>
<p>As Texas and Arizona follow President Donald Trump's vision to step up security at the U.S.-Mexico border, California has yet to indicate its plans on mobilizing National Guard troops. Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas all made new pledges that add up to almost half of the up to 4,000 troops Trump requested. Some Guard members started arriving at the border as states and the federal government officials continued to discuss what they will do. The only holdout border state was California, led by Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown, who has not announced whether troops from his state's National Guard will participate. Brown has repeatedly fought with Trump over immigration policy. Under the federal law, Trump invoked in his proclamation calling for National Guard troops, governors who send troops to retain command and control over their state's Guard members and the U.S. government picks up the cost. Trump said last week he wants to send 2,000 to 4,000 National Guard members to the border, issuing a proclamation citing "the lawlessness that continues at our southern border. My administration has no choice but to act," he wrote. Administration officials have said that rising numbers of people being caught at the southern border, while in line with seasonal trends in recent years, require an immediate response.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Says the U.S. 'Cannot Allow' Syrian Chemical Weapons Attacks</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump said Monday he will make a decision in the next 48 hours on the US response to what he called an "atrocious" chemical weapons attack on civilians in Syria and warned that he will hold the responsible parties accountable. "We cannot allow atrocities like that. Cannot allow it," Trump told reporters on Monday during a Cabinet meeting as he warned that "nothing's off the table." "If it's Russia, if it's Syria, if it's Iran, if it's all of them together, we'll figure it out and we'll know the answers quite soon." Pressed on Russia's role in the suspected chemical weapons attack, Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin -- who backs the Syrian regime -- "may" bear responsibility. "He may. And if he does, it's gonna be very tough. Very tough," Trump said of the US response. "Everybody's gonna pay a price. He will and everybody will." The Syrian government and Russia have<a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2018/04/09/middleeast/syria-missile-strike-intl/index.html"> vehemently denied</a> involvement in the attack and accused rebels in Douma of fabricating the chemical attack claims in order to hinder the army's advances and provoke international military intervention. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday that his country had sent experts to Douma and that there was "no trace" of the use of chemical weapons there.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Sean Hannity Accepts Jimmy Kimmel's 'Forced' Apology, Invites Him on Fox News</em></strong></p>
<p>Sean Hannity says he’s ready to move on from his feud with Jimmy Kimmel, accepting what he characterized a “forced Disney corporate apology” from the late-night host. After Kimmel <a href="http://ew.com/tv/2018/04/08/jimmy-kimmel-cease-fire-sean-hannity-feud/" target="_blank">called for a cease-fire</a> in the war of words Sunday on Twitter, Hannity responded Monday night on his Fox News program. “On the surface, to be honest, it feels more like a forced Disney corporate apology directed more towards the LBGTQ community rather than about Kimmel’s comments about the first lady,” said Hannity, who <a href="http://ew.com/tv/2018/04/06/jimmy-kimmel-responds-sean-hannity-fox-news/">previously objected</a> to Kimmel poking fun at Melania Trump’s accent. Kimmel’s subsequent jokes about Hannity’s unwavering support for President Trump were <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/jimmy-kimmels-homophobic-attacks-on-sean-hannity-expose-a-liberal-blind-spot" target="_blank">criticized as homophobic</a>, prompting Kimmel to apologize to “members of the gay community.” Disney is the parent company of Kimmel’s home network, ABC. “I believe everyone should accept apologies, that’s how I was raised, that’s what my religion teaches me, and I’m going to assume he’s sincere,” Hannity continued. “But, from my perspective, I do really kind of enjoy a good fight, and I do agree with Jimmy in the sense that it’s time to move on. For me, it was never about Hannity vs. Jimmy Kimmel. It’s a lot bigger than that for me.” Hannity invited his counterpart to come on his show, promising no “name-calling” or “anger,” and adding, “My bet is that you’ll agree with me on a lot more issues than you think.” Despite his acceptance of the apology and the invitation, Hannity ended with a warning. “From my point of view, it’s over with Jimmy Kimmel,” he declared. “By the way, Jimmy, if you do want to start up again, I promise I’ll punch back even harder. And my producers spent all weekend compiling a lot of your highlights — or lowlights — in your career; they don’t make you look too good. So instead of airing them, we’ll put them in storage.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Stormy Daniels Shows All, Tells All in Penthouse Interview</em></strong></p>
<p>Stormy Daniels reportedly gave another <a href="http://popculture.com/category/interview">interview</a> on her alleged affair with President Donald Trump, and this time the filters were off since the outlet was <em>Penthouse</em> magazine. Daniels has spoken on numerous occasions about having slept with the president in 2006. Most recently, she sat down for an interview with Anderson Cooper on <em>60 Minutes</em>, recounting her allegations in their entirety. Another interview is reportedly coming soon, and this one will spare no details. According to<em> </em><a href="https://pagesix.com/2018/04/09/stormy-daniels-poses-nude-for-penthouse/?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=P6Twitter&utm_medium=SocialFlow"><em>Page Six</em></a>, Daniels gave a graphic account of her liaison with President Trump in the upcoming issue of Penthouse magazine. “She answers a lot of questions about Trump that Anderson Cooper didn’t ask,” an insider told <em>Page Six</em>. In addition to the interview, Daniels reportedly posed for nude photos for the magazine, though that is hardly surprising considering her long career as an adult film star. She will appear on the cover of the issue, which is set to hit newsstands at the end of this month.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-04-10T13:56:00ZNorth Korea Ready to Talk about Denuclearization; Trump's Collision Course with PutinBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/North-Korea-Ready-to-Talk-about-Denuclearization;-Trumps-Collision-Course-with-Putin/-526112998073294645.html2018-04-09T16:55:00Z2018-04-09T16:55:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Monday, April 9, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>North Korea Ready to Talk about Denuclearization</em></strong></p>
<p>Pyongyang has told Washington that it is ready to discuss the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula when North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and President Trump meet, a U.S. official has confirmed to NPR. In direct contacts between U.S. and North Korean officials, the latter relayed to the Trump administration that Kim is willing to talk about the key sticking point in relations between the two countries, NPR's Michele Kelemen reported late Sunday. As the Associated Press writes: "The confirmation from Pyongyang directly, rather than from third countries like South Korea, has created more confidence within Trump's administration about the wisdom of holding such a meeting, as U.S. officials make secretive preparations." However, it is not clear what Pyongyang means by denuclearization, whether it is simply halting its weapons program or eliminating it altogether.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump's Collision Course with Putin</em></strong></p>
<p>Days after musing openly about removing U.S. troops from Syria, President Donald Trump is now watching and tweeting as the <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/topics/news/iran.htm" target="_blank">Syrian</a> regime and its Russian backers stand in open defiance of international norms. Another humanitarian disaster in Syria was quickly met with <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/white-house-adviser-wouldnt-off-table-us-response/story?id=54319726">tough talk</a> from the American president. Trump is promising a “big price” for the Assad regime and its backers, including Russian president Vladimir Putin. The next move – perhaps even the kind of move President Barack Obama famously didn’t take – looks like it belongs to Trump. It puts him on a collision course, yet again, with Putin.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Florida Gov. Rick Scott Says He’s Running For Senate</em></strong></p>
<p>Florida Republican Gov. Rick Scott is running for the US Senate, he told Politico in an <a href="https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2018/04/09/scott-running-for-senate-in-epic-showdown-with-nelson-test-of-trumps-popularity-354385" target="_blank">interview</a> published Monday, setting up a serious challenge to the state's incumbent Democrat, Bill Nelson. "You're probably surprised, but I'm going to announce I'm running for senator," Scott told Politico, joking that it's one of the worst-kept secrets in the state's political scene. "You're shocked, right?" Scott has served in the governor's mansion since 2011 and has long been courted to join the Senate race. Asked if he considers himself a "Donald Trump Republican," Scott told Politico: "I consider myself Rick Scott. I don't consider myself any type of anything." The governor would not tell the publication whether the President would campaign for him. Scott's campaign is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/scottforflorida/videos/1898733283484450/" target="_blank">teasing</a> a "big announcement" on social media. A Facebook live video published Sunday says: "TOMORROW 10 AM." Further fueling the speculation: Scott's chief of staff, Jackie Schutz Zeckman, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/26/politics/rick-scott-florida-senate/index.html">announced</a> her resignation last month, potentially positioning her for a role in a Senate campaign.</p>
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<p><strong><em>London Mayor Sadiq Khan Targets Knives as Murder Rate Spikes</em></strong></p>
<p>London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced a tough crackdown on knives Sunday as the city reels from a spike in stabbings that have led its number of homicides to top New York City's for two straight months. He tweeted: “No excuses: there is never a reason to carry a knife. Anyone who does will be caught, and they will feel the full force of the law.” The tweet also included an action plan to boost police power and prevent future violence. London has seen more than 50 homicides already in 2018. Most of the city’s murder victims have been stabbed to death, as guns are tightly restricted in Britain and shootings are relatively rare. If the trend continues, London will far surpass the 130 murders in 2017 and reach a number not seen since the early 2000s.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Expected to Keep Distance from Castro at Summit</em></strong></p>
<p>If President Trump and Cuban leader Raul Castro get close to each other at this week’s Latin America summit, White House aides know what to do: Stop him from having a handshake. Trump and Castro will attend the gathering in Lima, Peru, but administration staffers do not want Trump to make news, as his predecessor did three years ago. “There are always bumps between all the leaders at the summit, but my expectation is that we will try to keep President Trump as far away as from leaders that don’t share United States values and like-minded perspectives,” a senior administration official said. This will be Trump’s first visit to Latin America as president; he will attend the Summit of the Americas on Friday and Saturday. Trump will then travel to Bogota, Colombia, to meet President Juan Manuel Santos. Cuba hasn’t confirmed Castro’s attendance but there is already anticipation over whether a meeting will take place with Castro since Trump has sought to reverse the pro-engagement policies of President Barack Obama.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Mark Zuckerberg on Capitol Hill Monday to Meet with Lawmakers</em></strong></p>
<p>Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg will meet Monday with lawmakers, including members of committees holding hearings this week on the Cambridge Analytica scandal. The company has faced a fierce backlash since news broke last month that Cambridge Analytica, a London-based data analytics group that worked for the 2016 Trump campaign, was able to obtain information about tens of millions of users. The news of Monday's meetings was <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-facebook-privacy-congress/zuckerberg-to-meet-with-u-s-lawmakers-monday-sources-idUSKBN1HG00H" target="_blank">reported earlier by Reuters</a>. Zuckerberg is scheduled to go before a joint hearing of the Senate Judiciary and Commerce committees on Tuesday, and then the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday. Facebook on Monday will begin <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2018/04/08/technology/facebook-user-data-notify/index.html?iid=EL">alerting the 87 million users</a> whose data may have been harvested by Cambridge Analytica. The company plans to post a link at the top of users' news feeds that will allow them to see which apps are connected to their Facebook accounts and what information those apps are permitted to see.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Diamond and Silk: 'Offensive, Appalling' That Facebook Found our Content to be 'Unsafe to the Community'</em></strong></p>
<p>Conservative Internet pundits Diamond and Silk lashed out at Facebook on Monday and said the social media giant's finding that the sister duo's "content and brand" were "unsafe to the community" amounted to character assassination. "I find it offensive, appalling, that they will deem us, two black women, two black chicks down with politics, as being unsafe. We aren't a menace to society, we aren't hoodlums, we don't sell drugs, we don't lay out in the streets," Lynnette "Diamond" Hardaway told Fox News. "So I don't know where Facebook is coming from. I think this is a depravation of our character, this is clearly discrimination, this is also a violation of our civil rights," Hardaway continued. Rochelle Richardson, also known as "Silk," said she suspected the crackdown was motivated by the upcoming 2018 midterm elections.</p>
<p>"President Trump won this election by the people, we the people, through social media. And whenever they found out that's how he won it, that's why they're shutting down conservative voices, people that is pro-Trump," she said. The North Carolina pair claimed to have first noticed about seven months ago that the 1.2 million followers of their Facebook page were not being alerted to new posts. When asked why, a Facebook representative told Fox News that the public company's policy team had determined the Diamond and Silk online rhetoric was "unsafe to the community." When pressed for further comment Monday, a Facebook spokesperson said they were "reaching out to the creators of Diamond and Silk to try to resolve this matter."</p>
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<p><strong><em>Bill Cosby Faces First Day of Sexual Assault Retrial</em></strong></p>
<p>Bill Cosby faced a second jury of his peers in 10 months on Monday, as his retrial for alleged sexual assault got under way in a Pennsylvania court. The comic also faced a topless protester, who jumped a barricade with “Women’s Lives Matter” and other phrases written in red and black on her body. The woman was intercepted by sheriff’s deputies, handcuffed and led away. Cosby seemed startled by the commotion, as other protesters chanted. He was then led into the Montgomery county court of common pleas in Norristown, Pennsylvania for what is likely to be remembered as the first major celebrity trial of the #MeToo era. Cosby faces three charges of aggravated indecent assault dating back to 2004. His first trial <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/17/bill-cosby-sexual-assault-case-ends-mistrial-hung-jury">collapsed</a> last June after the jury was unable to reach a verdict. Much has happened in the intervening months, not least the explosion on social media of the #MeToo movement prompted by revelations of sexual harassment and assault involving prominent men in Hollywood, the media, politics and many other walks of life. How that new public climate affects the retrial may have a large bearing on Cosby’s fate. He faces up to 10 years in prison on each count, having pleaded not guilty to all charges. Cosby, 80, was once lauded as “America’s Dad” for his role in the popular TV sitcom The Cosby Show. He has been <a href="https://www.thecut.com/2015/07/bill-cosbys-accusers-speak-out.html">accused</a> by more than 50 women of sexual assault, though he denies the claims.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-04-09T16:55:00ZTrump Signs Memo Ending 'Catch and Release' Immigration Policy; Local Youth Baseball Raffle Features AR-15 RifleBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Signs-Memo-Ending-Catch-and-Release-Immigration-Policy;-Local-Youth-Baseball-Raffle-Features-AR-15-Rifle/617535440676955774.html2018-04-08T14:04:00Z2018-04-08T14:04:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, April 8, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Signs Memo Ending ‘Catch and Release’ Immigration Policy</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump signed a memorandum on Friday ordering the end of a policy, known as "catch and release," in which illegal immigrants are released from detention while awaiting a court hearing on their status. As part of the memo, Trump asked Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to produce a list of military facilities that could be used to detain illegal immigrants.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump: ‘China Will Take Down its Trade Barriers’</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Sunday touted his friendship with Chinese President Xi Jinping but vowed that Beijing will remove its “trade barriers” amid increased tensions between the two countries. “President Xi and I will always be friends, no matter what happens with our dispute on trade,” the president wrote on Twitter. “China will take down its Trade Barriers because it is the right thing to do. Taxes will become Reciprocal & a deal will be made on Intellectual Property. Great future for both countries!” The tweet comes after the United States and China have each made threats to impose tariffs on each other’s goods. The Trump administration <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/finance/381527-business-groups-worried-about-trumps-tariffs-plan" target="_blank">said it plans to enact</a> tariffs on about $50 billion worth of Chinese imports, causing <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/international/381551-china-strikes-back-with-tariffs-targeting-50b-in-us-goods" target="_blank">China to respond</a> with its own $50 billion tariff package aimed at U.S. goods including automobiles. China one week ago announced another tariff package targeting U.S. pork and fruit in response to Trump's decision to raise duties on imported steel and aluminum.</p>
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<p><strong><em>U.S. Calls on Russia to End Support for Syria After Alleged Chemical Attack</em></strong></p>
<p>The U.S. is calling on Russia to end its support for Syrian President Bashar Assad after dozens of people were killed in an alleged chemical attack on Saturday. State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a statement that U.S. officials are closely following the “disturbing reports … regarding another alleged chemical weapons attack, this time targeting a hospital in Douma, Syria. These reports, if confirmed, are horrifying and demand an immediate response by the international community.” Nauert also said that Russia “ultimately bears responsibility for these brutal attacks. The United States calls on Russia to end this unmitigated support immediately and work with the international community to prevent further barbaric chemical weapons attacks.”. Damascus has denied responsibility for the attack, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-attack/dozens-reported-killed-in-suspected-syria-gas-attack-damascus-denies-idUSKBN1HE0RR" target="_blank">Reuters reported</a>. Trump administration officials <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/defense/371845-us-officials-say-syrias-assad-is-producing-new-chemical-weapons" target="_blank">told The Associated Press</a> in February that they believed forces loyal to Assad might have been in the process of working on new, or more refined chemical weapons.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Local Youth Baseball Raffle Features AR-15 Rifle, Other Guns</em></strong></p>
<p>Leaders of a local youth baseball league in East Canton, Ohio, are hosting a fundraising raffle where the <a href="http://fox8.com/2018/04/06/youth-baseball-league-raffling-off-rifle-as-part-of-fundraiser/">top prizes are an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle</a> and other guns. The East Canton Youth Baseball Association, which oversees baseball for kids from age 5 through their early teens, has held a gun raffle for the past 5 years. The raffle has been, in the view of association President David Spencer, an effective method of generating revenue for the organization. This year’s featured prizes are an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, a 7mm bolt-action hunting rifle, a 12-gauge Remington shotgun, and a Taurus handgun. The market value of the four firearms ranges from $280 to about $600, according to the league’s organizer. The raffle will take place on April 29, the same day as youth picture day.</p>
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<p><strong><em>ICE Raids Tennessee Slaughterhouse for Hiring Illegal Immigrants in Tax Evasion Scheme</em></strong></p>
<p>Federal agents raided an eastern Tennessee meatpacking facility on Thursday following a months-long investigation into allegations the owners were employing illegal immigrants to avoid paying millions of dollars in taxes, according to court records. Agents with the IRS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) served a search warrant at cattle slaughterhouse Southeastern Provisions, which has allegedly been hiring immigrants without work authorization since 2008 and hiding it from tax collectors. The illegal hiring practices allowed owners James and Pamela Brantley to avoid paying $2.5 million in payroll taxes, <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/crime/2018/04/05/ice-raids-meatpacking-plant-grainger-county/490673002/" target="_blank">reported</a> the Knoxville News Sentinel, citing an IRS search warrant affidavit. Agents encountered 97 people working at the plant during the raid, ICE spokeswoman Tammy Spicer said in a statement Friday. Of those, 11 were arrested on criminal charges, while the remaining 86 were held pending immigration status checks. Ultimately, 54 workers were detained for further immigration proceedings, according to Spicer. The raid comes as President Donald Trump’s administration has sought to more closely scrutinize companies that hire illegal immigrants or foreign nationals without proper work authorization. </p>
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<p><strong><em>2 Dead in Germany, After Truck Driver Crashes into Crowd</em></strong></p>
<p>Two people were killed and about 20 injured on Saturday in Münster, Germany, after the driver of a small truck crashed into a group of people in the heart of the old city, the police said. The driver killed himself in the cab of the truck immediately after the crash, Andreas Bode, a spokesman for the Münster police said. “What led to the act is still fully unclear and we are investigating in all directions,” he said. Police also said they were investigating what they identified as a “suspicious item” found in the cab of the truck, but declined to give any further details. They ordered all residents of the inner city and reporters at the scene to clear out while they were investigating the item. Herbert Reul, the interior minister of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where Münster is, said the driver was a German citizen. Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed her shock at the crash and pledged to do “everything possible to investigate the act and to support the families of the victims,” she <a href="https://twitter.com/UlrikeDemmer">wrote on Twitter</a>. While the authorities refused to say anything about the motive of the driver or the reason for the crash, it evoked comparisons to the December 2016 <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/19/world/europe/berlin-christmas-market-truck-crash.html">truck attack on a Berlin Christmas market</a> that killed 12 people.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>One Killed in Apartment Fire at Trump Tower in New York</em></strong></p>
<p>One person was killed and four firefighters received minor injuries in an apartment fire on the 50<sup>th</sup> floor of Trump Tower in New York on Saturday, in a blaze that was quickly extinguished, fire officials said. The victim, a male resident, died at the hospital and has not yet been identified, they said. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has an office and a private residence in the midtown Manhattan structure, was not in the building at the time. Trump tweeted, "Fire at Trump Tower is out. Very confined (well built building). Firemen (and women) did a great job. THANK YOU!" Fire officials have not yet released a suspected cause of the blaze, adding no member of the Trump family was in the building at the time. "This was a very difficult fire. As you can imagine, the apartment is quite large, we are 50 stories up. The rest of the building had a considerable amount of smoke," Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said on Twitter. About 200 fire personnel responded to the incident that the department said was a four-alarm fire. Video on social media showed flames outside of a few windows and black smoke billowing up from the high-rise.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Bill Cosby Faces Second Trial</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/metoo-wasnt-around-for-bill-cosbys-first-trial-will-it-decide-his-second-one">Bill Cosby’s second trial</a> on drugging and sexual assault charges begins Monday, but don’t expect it to be a simple repeat of the first one that ended with a mistrial last June. Cosby has a new, more aggressive, seven-member legal team, led by Los Angeles-based Tom Mesereau. A key part of their overall strategy is to paint Andrea Constand, as a lying, scheming woman out for cash. This time Cosby will face <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/revealed-the-six-women-who-will-testify-against-cosby">six accusers in court</a>, instead of two. There are different witnesses; some evidence that was allowed in at the first trial either won’t be at this one or the opposite is true; and any mention of the decision not to prosecute Cosby in 2005, or of how it became an issue in the Montgomery County district attorney’s race in 2016, is a no-no. Last time the defense put up no witnesses. This time they successfully fought to include one that was barred from the last trial.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Bill Maher Defends Ingraham: Parkland Student Calling for a Boycott is Wrong</em></strong></p>
<p>Comedian and progressive talk show host Bill Maher defended Fox News anchor Laura Ingraham on Friday, arguing with guests on his HBO show that a boycott led by Parkland, Fla., school shooting survivor David Hogg was un-American. Maher sparred with “Real Time” panel guests including author Max Boot over whether Hogg's boycott of Ingraham should be celebrated. “I want to defend Laura Ingraham,” Maher told the audience. “I know it sounds ridiculous, but it has to do with the Parkland kids and guns and free speech. Again, he is in the arena, and then he calls for a boycott of her sponsors,” Maher continued, referring to Hogg, a student survivor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in February. “Really? Is that American?” Maher asked the crowd, “He complains about bullying? That’s bullying!” the host continued. “I have been the victim of a boycott ... I've lost a job as a result. It is wrong. You shouldn’t do this by team, you should do it by principle.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-04-08T14:04:00ZTrump Breaks His Silence on Stormy Daniels Saga; Trump Hits 38 Russian 'Entities and Companies' with SanctionsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Breaks-His-Silence-on-Stormy-Daniels-Saga;-Trump-Hits-38-Russian-Entities-and-Companies-with-Sanctions/-484206532410880456.html2018-04-06T14:01:00Z2018-04-06T14:01:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Friday, April 6, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Breaks His Silence on Stormy Daniels Saga<br /><br /></em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Thursday denied knowing about a six-figure payment his lawyer offered to adult film actress, known as Stormy Daniels, just before the 2016 election in exchange for her silence about an alleged affair she had with Trump years earlier. Trump pinned the blame for the $130,000 payment on his lawyer, Michael Cohen, who paid Stormy Daniels days before the 2016 election as part of a nondisclosure agreement Daniels and Cohen signed. "You’ll have to ask Michael Cohen. Michael is my attorney. You’ll have to ask Michael," Trump told reporters traveling aboard Air Force One after denying knowledge of the NDA. His comments marked the first time he had spoken publicly about Daniels, whose allegations have attracted significant media attention in recent weeks.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Amy Schumer Cancels Interview with Sinclair-owned Station in Washington, D.C.</em></strong></p>
<p>Actress Amy Schumer canceled an interview with a Sinclair-owned TV station in Washington, D.C., amid controversy over the company’s requirement that stations broadcast an anti-fake news message. Schumer, a Democrat, was scheduled to sit down with WJLA, an ABC affiliate, as part of her press tour for her new movie “I Feel Pretty.” A spokesperson <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/stevenperlberg/amy-schumer-cancels-interview-with-sinclair-owned-tv-station?utm_term=.cqVMXxZxly#.xpm5JNqNp3">confirmed to BuzzFeed News</a> that Schumer canceled the interview this week. A person familiar with the matter told the news outlet that Schumer doesn’t want to work with any Sinclair-owned TV station going forward. Critics of the anti-fake news message claimed the right-leaning media company that owns or operates 193 TV stations panders to Trump’s attacks on the “fake news” media.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Hits 38 Russian ‘Entities and Companies’ with Sanctions</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump approved sanctions on 38 different Russian companies and entities in response to Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, its presence in Ukraine, and support for the Assad regime in Syria. These entities include 7 Russian oligarchs, 12 companies they own and control, 17 Russian senior government officials, and a state-owned Russian weapons trading company, a senior administration official told reporters. “Russian oligarchs will no longer be insulated from the consequences of their government,” a senior administration official ominously declared. Another administration official told reporters that “the Russian government chose to repeatedly interfere in the democratic process of the United States and our allies” stressing repeatedly that it is the Russian government’s fault that this action is being taken.<br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Orders Officials to Look at $100 Billion in New Chinese Tariffs</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://thehill.com/people/donald-trump">President Trump</a> on Thursday ordered the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to consider slapping $100 billion in additional tariffs on China, escalating a heated trade dispute between Washington and Beijing. The move comes one day after China proposed $50 billion in tariffs on a variety of U.S. goods in response to Trump’s own tariff threat. "In light of China’s unfair retaliation, I have instructed the USTR to consider whether $100 billion of additional tariffs would be appropriate," Trump said in a statement issued by the White House. Trump also ordered Agriculture Secretary <a href="http://thehill.com/people/george-sonny-perdue">Sonny Perdue</a> to ready a plan to protect farming interests from possible Chinese trade actions.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Senate GOP Skeptical of Trump Idea to Cancel Spending</em></strong></p>
<p>Senate Republicans are reacting tepidly to proposals from <span style="text-decoration: underline;">President Trump</span> and House Majority Leader <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Kevin McCarthy</span> (R-CA) that Congress use an arcane budget maneuver to claw back spending from the $1.3 trillion omnibus package passed just last month with bipartisan support. The spending claw-back has been floated in response to dismay from the GOP base over the size of the omnibus, which passed the House less than 24 hours after it was unveiled to the public. Trump and McCarthy first discussed the idea during a phone call this week, according to a senior House GOP source. And the Speaker's Office and White House also have discussed the concept. The source explained that the White House would need to draft the plan and send it to Congress. </p>
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<p><strong><em>‘Tired of Being Told No,’ Trump Freezes Out Chief Of Staff</em></strong></p>
<p>When President Donald Trump made a congratulatory phone call to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, White House chief of staff John Kelly wasn’t on the line. When Trump tapped John Bolton to be his next national security adviser, Kelly wasn’t in the room, and when Trump was in Florida, thinking about immigration and trade, Kelly wasn’t in sight. Trump has rebelled against Kelly’s restrictions and mused about doing away with the chief of staff post entirely. It’s all leading White House staffers and Trump allies to believe that Kelly is working on borrowed time. In recent weeks, Trump has governed at breakneck pace, ousting aides and issuing surprise policy announcements on Twitter, recreating the chaotic feel of his first months in office. Kelly’s allies maintain that his retreat is strategic. They suggest that the belief that Kelly was Trump’s savior was an overstated idea all along and that the chief of staff is now content to loosen the reins and allow an increasingly comfortable president to govern from his gut.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Sheryl Sandberg: Facebook Will Likely Find More Data Breaches</em></strong></p>
<p>Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg told NBC's Savannah Guthrie that she expects Facebook will discover additional breaches in personal information when conducting audits of other third-party data providers, prompted by Cambridge Analytica's misuse. “We cared about privacy all along but I think we got the balance wrong,” Sandberg told Guthrie, noting that there are good cases of data sharing for social experiences, like connecting virtually with friends or seeing their music playlists. <em>“I think we were very idealistic and not rigorous enough and then there’s the possible misuse. What we are focused on is making sure those possible use cases get shut down."</em></p>
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<p><strong><em>Santa Clara Dorm Urges Students To 'S-Know Your Whiteness'</em></strong></p>
<p>A display at Santa Clara University is warning white students to “understand your privilege” and use their “power to advocate” by calling out racial microaggressions. The “S-know your Whiteness” display, decorated with an apple and a print-out of Disney Princess Snow White, tells students that “whiteness” is an “ideology” that is “socially constructed,” noting that it has been selectively applied even to white people. “Race has no scientific basis,” the display reads, asserting that “we learn and conform to the ideology [of race] as we are socialized into the world.” Whiteness “is about power,” according to the display, which adds that “whiteness is often invisible to ‘white’ people, perpetrating inequalities.” However, the display also indicates that whiteness is fluid, citing anti-Irish sentiments in the United States during the early 20th Century as evidence that white skin does not necessarily confer the privileges of whiteness.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-04-06T14:01:00ZPresident Trump Orders National Guard to the Mexican Border; Brennan Calls Trump DisgracefulBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/President-Trump-Orders-National-Guard-to-the-Mexican-Border;-Brennan-Calls-Trump-Disgraceful/-912144821503995923.html2018-04-05T14:07:00Z2018-04-05T14:07:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, April 5, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>President Trump Orders National Guard to the Mexican Border</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Wednesday formally ordered the Pentagon and Homeland Security to deploy National Guard troops to the Mexican border to stem illegal crossings and drug trafficking. As critics accused Trump of playing politics with border security, the White House did not provide specifics in terms of number of National Guard troops, length of service on the border, or financial costs. “A key and undeniable attribute of a sovereign nation is the ability to control who and what enters its territory,” the president’s memo said. “The situation at the border has now reached a point of crisis. The lawlessness that continues at our southern border is fundamentally incompatible with the safety, security, and sovereignty of the American people. My administration has no choice but to act."</p>
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<p><strong><em>Russian Oligarchs Stopped in US Airports</em></strong></p>
<p>Special counsel Robert Mueller’s team has reportedly questioned whether Russian oligarchs illegally sent cash donations to President Trump’s campaign or inauguration. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/04/politics/mueller-special-counsel-investigation-russian-oligarchs/index.html?sr=twCNN040418mueller-special-counsel-investigation-russian-oligarchs0502PMStory" target="_blank">CNN reported Wednesday</a> that Mueller’s team stopped two oligarchs during recent trips to the U.S. and made a voluntary document and interview request to a third Russian oligarch. In one case, Mueller’s team stopped an individual after his jet landed at a New York airport to search his electronic devices. It is not clear if the second oligarch was searched. The network said the special counsel has intensified its focus on whether money flowed into the U.S. presidential race from Russia.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Brennan Calls Trump Disgraceful After Trump Reports High Polling Numbers</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump’s second boast in as many days about numbers in a single poll showing him with at least 50 percent approval drew a sharp rebuke from long-serving former CIA chief John Brennan. “Still Rising: Rasmussen Poll Shows Donald Trump Approval Ratings Now at 51 Percent,” Trump quoted from a headline on the hard-right website Breitbart in a late-night tweet Wednesday. On Tuesday, Trump thanked “Rasmussen for the honest polling” on Twitter. “Just hit 50%, which is higher than Cheatin’ Obama at the same time in his Administration,” the president wrote. Brennan, who has become increasingly critical of the president in recent months, spoke out early Thursday, stating Trump puts himself before his country. “I served 6 Presidents, 3 Rs & 3Ds. I directly supported Clinton, Bush 43, and Obama,” Brennan wrote on Twitter. “While I didn't agree with all their policy choices, I admired and respected all of them, as they put country above their personal interests. Not so with you, as your self adoration is disgraceful,” the former intelligence chief continued.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Chicago Suburb Bans ‘Assault Weapons’ and Begins Confiscation, Fines for Gun Owners</em></strong></p>
<p>A city in Illinois is making a gun control activists’ dreams come true. The Village Board of Trustees in Deerfield, Ill., a suburb of Chicago, approved an ordinance to ban “assault weapons” and large capacity magazines, <a href="http://www.kfvs12.com/story/37878072/illinois-town-votes-to-ban-assault-rifles-fine-violators-1000-per-day" target="_blank">Cleveland 19 News reports</a>. Violators will face a hefty fine. If the owner of an assault weapon lives in the town does not voluntarily turn over their banned weapon, he will be fined $1,000 a day until the weapon is confiscated. The term “assault rifle” applies to “Semiautomatic rifles with a fixed magazine and a capacity to hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition are banned. Shotguns that have revolving chambers are also outlawed.”<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Undocumented Immigrants in California Receive Driver’s Licenses</em></strong></p>
<p>The California Department of Motor Vehicles announced Wednesday that <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article207939584.html">more than a million undocumented immigrants</a> have received driver’s licenses since Assembly Bill 60, “The Safe and Responsible Drivers Act,” was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2015. “Immigrants are getting tested, licensed and insured and this is making our roads safer for everyone,” said Luis Alejo, author of the bill in 2013 as a then-Democratic assemblyman, said in a statement. “Today, we see the law working the way it was intended to and has dramatically improved the lives of a million immigrants and their families.” Twelve states plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Credits Mexico for Reportedly Breaking Up Migrant Caravan</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump on Thursday celebrated the move by Mexican authorities this week to <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/04/05/trump-mexico-migrant-caravan-503665">break up</a> a large group of migrants making their way north towards the U.S., claiming credit for a reduction in illegal border crossings while insisting that such crossings remain too frequent. “The Caravan is largely broken up thanks to the strong immigration laws of Mexico and their willingness to use them so as not to cause a giant scene at our Border,” the president wrote online. “Because of the Trump Administrations actions, Border crossings are at a still UNACCEPTABLE 46 year low. Stop drugs!” Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, in an interview Thursday with Fox News' "Fox & Friends," said she had been in contact with the governors of border states to discuss the prospect of deploying national guard units along the border and would speak to the governors again Thursday. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Iowa Law Punish Sanctuary Cities in Iowa</em></strong></p>
<p>A bill that would strip so-called “sanctuary cities” of state funds <a href="https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2018/04/03/iowa-immigration-house-approves-sanctuary-city-punishment/481819002/" target="_blank">was approved</a> by the Iowa House of Representatives on Tuesday, even though several Democrats speaking in opposition to the bill pointed out that no city in Iowa meets the U.S. Justice Department’s definition of a sanctuary city. On Wednesday evening, the state Senate approved the bill, by a vote of 28 to 18. All the votes in favor came from Republicans. All the Democrats in the chamber voted against the bill, as did the Senate’s one independent. Republican leaders in both chambers have made it clear that this bill is aimed at Iowa City, which in January 2017 passed a resolution directing the city’s police department not to assist federal immigration officers in the performance of their duties, except in cases involving public safety. </p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-04-05T14:07:00Z50 Years Since Martin Luther King Jr.'s Death; POTUS Not Currently Criminal TargetBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/50-Years-Since-Martin-Luther-King-Jr.s-Death;-POTUS-Not-Currently-Criminal-Target/-108554336675067184.html2018-04-04T14:14:00Z2018-04-04T14:14:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, April 4, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><em><strong><br /></strong></em>
<p><strong><em><br />POTUS Not Currently Criminal Target</em></strong></p>
<p>Despite a Tuesday <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/04/03/mueller-claims-trump-is-not-criminal-target-in-his-investigation-report-says.html">report</a> that Special Counsel Robert Mueller does not consider President Trump a "criminal target" in the ongoing Russia probe, Trump still faces significant legal risks. Trump "privately expressed relief" at Mueller's description of his legal status last month, which instead pegged Trump as a "subject" of his investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential elections, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mueller-told-trumps-attorneys-the-president-remains-under-investigation-but-is-not-currently-a-criminal-target/2018/04/03/d7832cf0-36c1-11e8-acd5-35eac230e514_story.html?utm_term=.6683d8ffd413" target="_blank">The Washington Post reported</a>. Advisers have cautioned the president that Mueller may be attempting to bait him into agreeing to a potentially risky in-person interview, according to The Washington Post. </p>
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<p><strong><em>50 Years Since Martin Luther King Jr.’s Death</em></strong></p>
<p>Admirers have gathered in Memphis today to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s final speech in Memphis 50 years ago. The commemoration mirrors events half a century ago, when an enthusiastic crowd roused Dr. King from his bed at the Lorraine Motel for an unplanned appearance, when he delivered his famous “Mountaintop” speech. Fifty years after the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, the civil rights leader's family and admirers will mark the anniversary of his death with marches, speeches and quiet reflection.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Migrant Caravan Sidelined in Mexico</em></strong></p>
<p>After days of walking from Mexico’s southern border, the caravan of hundreds of migrants that has drawn President Trump’s attention has now halted on a brown-grass soccer field, its participants unsure and anxious about the way forward. The men and women, most from Central America, were squatting Tuesday in a walled public park while Mexico’s government officials decided their fate. On Tuesday, several Mexican immigration officials began taking a census at the migrant encampment in the town of Matias Romero, in the southern state of Oaxaca. The migrants crowded around the officials and thrust out their IDs and documents. Several hours later, the officials returned and started calling people’s names over megaphones. The authorities handed those individuals temporary legal permits, giving them 20 days to leave Mexico. Several migrants said they would use that time to travel toward the United States. Others could receive 30-day permits to apply for asylum in Mexico. It is unclear how many people would receive the documents.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Donald Trump Claims 'Strong Action Today' On Border</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump tweeted Wednesday that "we will be taking strong action today" on <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/white-house-border-security-national-guard-mexican-border/2018/04/03/id/852410/">Mexico border security</a>, a day after he and aides talked about sending U.S. troops, including the National Guard. "Our Border Laws are very weak while those of Mexico & Canada are very strong. Congress must change these Obama era, and other, laws NOW!" Trump said. "The Democrats stand in our way - they want people to pour into our country unchecked....CRIME!" Trump did not specify what he has in mind, though he told reporters Tuesday that "we're going to be doing things militarily" on the U.S.-Mexico border until his proposed anti-migration wall is built.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Poll: Border Agents Support Building a Wall</em></strong></p>
<p>Border Patrol agents say they can’t be much clearer, they want more walls along the U.S.-Mexico border. In a survey conducted by the National Border Patrol Council, the agents’ union, they overwhelmingly supported adding a “wall system” in strategic locations, embracing President Trump’s argument that it will boost their ability to nab or deter would-be illegal immigrants. A stunning 89 percent of line agents say a “wall system in strategic locations is necessary to securing the border.” Just 7 percent disagreed.</p>
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<p><strong><em>YouTube Shooter Had a Problem with the Company</em></strong></p>
<p>The woman who <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/apfn-us-youtube-shooting/2018/04/04/id/852434/">opened fire at YouTube headquarters</a> in Northern California may have been a disgruntled user of the video-sharing site. Police identified the woman in Tuesday's shooting as San Diego resident Nasim Najafi Aghdam, who was in her late 30’s. The woman's grievances against YouTube appear to be centered around censorship and revenue. "There is no equal growth opportunity on YOUTUBE or any other video sharing site, your channel will grow if they want to!!!!!" one post reads. "Youtube filtered my channels to keep them from getting views!" Another post accuses "close-minded" YouTube employees of putting an age restriction on videos, saying it's aimed at reducing views and discouraging the woman from making new videos.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Beijing Responds with Tariffs of its Own</em></strong></p>
<p>Trade tensions between China and the US have been ramped up after Beijing responded to US plans for putting new taxes on hundreds of Chinese imports. China said it would place 25% trade tariffs on 106 US goods, including soybeans, cars and orange juice. The tit-for-tat action comes hours after Washington detailed about 1,300 Chinese products it intended to hit with tariffs, also set at 25%. But President Trump tweeted the US was not in a trade war with China, “We are not in a trade war with China, that war was lost many years ago by the foolish, or incompetent, people who represented the U.S. Now we have a Trade Deficit of $500 Billion a year, with Intellectual Property Theft of another $300 Billion. We cannot let this continue!” This is the second wave of tariffs imposed by the US. Earlier this year, Trump announced import taxes on aluminum and steel.</p>
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<p><strong><em>The Date is Set for Zuckerberg’s Testimony Before Congress</em></strong></p>
<p>Leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee announced Wednesday morning that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is scheduled to testify before them on April 11 at 10:00 a.m. There were several reports at the end of March that said Zuckerberg <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/03/27/mark-zuckerberg-testify-congress-data/" target="_blank">agreed to testify</a>, but the exact dates were not released. Following a slate of recent events and revelations, Zuckerberg will be pressed by U.S. officials on the company’s handling of user data, and how it ensures that the platform isn’t exploited for nefarious purposes.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-04-04T14:14:00ZMonmouth Poll: About 3 in 4 Say Major Outlets Report 'Fake News'; 'Roseanne' Ratings Continue to SkyrocketBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Monmouth-Poll:-About-3-in-4-Say-Major-Outlets-Report-Fake-News;-Roseanne-Ratings-Continue-to-Skyrocket/-237117501774177077.html2018-04-03T16:20:00Z2018-04-03T16:20:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, April 3, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><em><strong><br /></strong></em>
<p><strong><em>Justice Department Rolls Out Case Quotas for Immigration Judges</em></strong></p>
<p>The Department of Justice has announced it will evaluate immigration judges on how many cases they close and how fast they hear cases, a move that judges and advocates criticize as potentially jeopardizing the courts' fairness and perhaps leading to far more deportations. The policy has been in the works for months, as Attorney General Jeff Sessions and the Trump administration have been working to assert more influence over the immigration courts, or the separate court system built just for hearing cases about whether noncitizens have a claim to stay in the US. US law gives the attorney general broad and substantial power to oversee and overrule these courts, as opposed to the civil and criminal US justice system, which is an independent branch of government. In the immigration courts, judges are employees of the Department of Justice.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Threatens Foreign Aid to Honduras as He Continues Focus on ‘Caravan’ of Migrants</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump used his Twitter account Tuesday to threaten foreign aid to Honduras as he continued to focus on a “caravan” of over 1,000 migrants, primarily coming from the Central American nation. For the third straight day, Trump used the migrants’ journey north to call for tougher immigration policies and warn of what he called “weak” border security. But the prospect of cutting off foreign aid added a new dimension to threats from the president that had centered largely on potentially walking away from the North American Free Trade Agreement, which his administration is renegotiating. Honduras received about $127.5 million in aid from the United States in fiscal 2016, according to data from the U.S. Agency for International Development. “The big Caravan of People from Honduras, now coming across Mexico and heading to our “Weak Laws” Border, had better be stopped before it gets there,” Trump tweeted shortly before 7 a.m. Tuesday. <br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>Monmouth Poll: </em></strong><strong><em>About 3 in 4 Say Major Outlets Report 'Fake News'</em></strong></p>
<p>A new Monmouth University poll, shows that seventy-seven percent of Americans believe television networks and newspapers report fake news, compared to 21 percent who do not. 42 percent of people say the news sources report fake news stories intentionally to push an agenda, while 26 percent say it is by accident or because of poor fact checking. And 21 percent do not believe the media reports fake news. The poll also found that 48 percent of people say they trust CNN more than Trump, compared to 35 percent who trust the president more. 13 percent trust both equally.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Fox News Defends Laura Ingraham Despite the Boycott Against Her</em></strong></p>
<p>Dozens of advertisers may have dropped Fox News’ Laura Ingraham over her mockery of Parkland school shooting survivor David Hogg, but the network is standing by her side. In a statement released Monday, Fox News co-president Jack Abernethy said, “We cannot and will not allow voices to be censored by agenda-driven intimidation efforts. We look forward to having Laura Ingraham back hosting her program next Monday when she returns from spring vacation with her children.” Ingraham and Fox News had previously noted that the <a href="http://fortune.com/2018/03/31/laura-ingraham-vacation-fox-news-david-hogg/">vacation was preplanned</a>, seeking to quell rumors that Ingraham’s absence was in response to last week’s earlier controversy with Hogg.</p>
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<p><strong><em>‘Roseanne’ Ratings Continue to Skyrocket</em></strong></p>
<p>According to Nielsen data, 6.6 million viewers tuned in to watch <em>Roseanne </em>in the three days following its season premiere on Tuesday, March 27, bringing its total to <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/roseanne-ratings-climb-hit-25-million-viewers-time-shifting-record-1098904">25 million viewers</a>. That’s the biggest delayed viewing boost for any show on any network, edging out the series premiere of fellow ABC show <em>How to Get Away with Murder, </em>which added 5.9 million viewers in the three days following its debut in September 2014. <em>Roseanne </em>also added 2.1 ratings points among adults 18-49, bringing that total to a whopping 7.3 rating.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Kathy Griffin Calls Trump Family ‘Psychos’</em></strong></p>
<p>Disgraced comedian Kathy Griffin has again attacked President Donald Trump and his family, describing them as <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/04/02/kathy-griffin-trump-psychos/">“psychos”</a> who attempted to ruin her career. Griffin, 58, told Confidential how she is still the victim of “credible death threats” nearly a year after she <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/big-hollywood/2017/05/30/kathy-griffin-beheads-donald-trump-shock-bloody-photo/">posed</a> with the fake severed head of President Donald Trump in a shocking and heavily criticized photoshoot. “I sent out a tweet the other day that was real honest, saying I didn’t know what my future was with this f*cking son of a b*tch coming after me and the clown car of a**holes,” Griffin told the outlet. “Not to mention the family with the grown sons, Eric and Don Jr… They’re all psychos.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Alumni, Students Take Sides as Howard University Protest Draws on</em></strong></p>
<p>More people are weighing in on the <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/04/02/washington-dc-howard-university-black-students-protest/">Howard University student protest</a> that has garnered national attention. Alumni – and even students themselves – are split in their support. Monday marked Day 5 of the takeover of the administration building. Although some students hope the occupation might end Tuesday, Maya McCollum with HU Resist tells The Washington Post they’re willing to wait. The protesters’ earlier demands included the resignation of the university’s president, Wayne A.I. Frederick, transparency on university spending, improvements to university housing and facilities, and an overhaul of the school’s response to sexual assault. The student takeover followed the disclosure by the university last week that it had fired six employees in the wake of an alleged financial aid scam.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Attorney Seeks to Force Stormy Daniels Lawsuit into Arbitration</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump's personal lawyer asked a federal judge on Monday to force adult film star Stormy Daniels to use <a href="provision%20that%20any%20disputes%20about%20it%20be%20settled%20through%20arbitration,%20as%20opposed%20to%20open%20court.%20%20http:/thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/381362-trump-asks-judge-for-private-arbitration-in-stormy-daniels-lawsuit">arbitration</a> to settle a dispute over an agreement to keep quiet about an alleged sexual encounter she says she had with Trump. In Monday's court filing in Los Angeles, Brent Blakely, Michael Cohen's attorney, argued the agreement included a provision that any disputes over it be settled through arbitration, as opposed to open court. Federal law "dictates that this motion be granted, and that Clifford be compelled to arbitration, as she knowingly and voluntarily agreed to do," Blakely wrote. Daniels' attorney, Michael Avenatti, said the matter should be settled in open court.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-04-03T16:20:00ZTrump Throws DACA Deal Off Table; David Hogg Calls Laura Ingraham a BullyBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Throws-DACA-Deal-Off-Table;-David-Hogg-Calls-Laura-Ingraham-a-Bully/-486198998586205061.html2018-04-02T13:54:00Z2018-04-02T13:54:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Monday, April 2, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><em><strong><br /></strong></em><br />
<p><strong><em>Trump Throws DACA Deal Off Table</em></strong></p>
<p>On Sunday, President Trump declared there would be "NO MORE DACA DEAL," and called on congressional Republicans to pass tougher immigration policies because the U.S. border with Mexico is "Getting more dangerous." In the tweets, Trump wrote that "Mexico is doing very little" to keep migrants from crossing into their country from the south or from then crossing into America. "They laugh at our dumb immigration laws," he said. The president went on to threaten the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and call for a border wall. "They must stop the big drug and people flows, or I will stop their cash cow, NAFTA. NEED WALL!" he tweeted. Trump reiterated his views as he stopped to speak to reporters before entering church for Easter services.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Calls on Mexico to Stop Immigrant Caravan from Entering U.S.</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump said Mexico has "absolute power" to stop a caravan of Central American refugees from entering their country. "Mexico has the absolute power not to let these large ‘Caravans’ of people enter their country," Trump said in a Twitter <a title="Donald J. Trump: Mexico has the absolute power not to let these large " href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/terminal/P6K1C7AIBMDC" target="_blank">posting</a> on Monday. "They must stop them at their Northern Border, which they can do because their border laws work, not allow them to pass through into our country, which has no effective border laws." BuzzFeed has <a title="article" href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/adolfoflores/a-huge-caravan-of-central-americans-is-headed-for-the-us?utm_term=.mhwmv8v5m#.ypXNd9dVN" target="_blank">reported</a> that a "caravan" of Central American immigrants led by Pueblos Sin Fronteras, or People Without Borders, has been making its way north in a march toward the U.S. border to seek asylum.</p>
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<p><strong><em>London Murder Rate Rises Above New York</em></strong></p>
<p>Statistics from the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the Metropolitan Police, <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/london-murder-rate-beats-new-york-as-stabbings-surge-f59w0xqs0">reported in the Sunday Times</a>, highlighted narrowing murder rates between London and New York City, which have similar population sizes. In January, the Met investigated eight murders whereas the NYPD looked into 18 killings. By February, the NYPD's figures had dropped to 11, while London's rose to 15. In March, 22 murders were investigated in London while 21 inquiries were launched in New York. The Met said it was "concerned at the increase in murders in London".</p>
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<p><strong><em>New York Magazine Takes Aim at Trump</em></strong></p>
<p>The April 2 issue of <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/381205-ny-magazine-cover-depicts-trump-as-a-pig">New York Magazine</a> is taking a harsh swipe at President Trump. The cover features a close-up photo of Trump with a pig's snout replacing his nose while he is smiling. The cover story, "Corruption, Not Russia, Is Trump's Greatest Political Liability," hits Trump for what it claims is "corruption" and "greed" in nearly all aspects of his presidency, from his political appointees to his decision to let his sons take over his business after he took office.</p>
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<p><strong><em>David Hogg Calls Laura Ingraham a Bully</em></strong></p>
<p>Gun control activist David Hogg doubled down on his refusal to accept an apology from Fox News host Laura Ingraham in an interview with CNN on Saturday, as advertisers of her show announced they were ending their relationships with her after she mocked the teenager on Twitter for not getting into his top colleges. The senior student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas described Ingraham’s <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/tv/parkland-student-david-hogg-talks-laura-ingraham-on-cnn-she-needs-to-stand-down/">apology</a> as disgusting, saying “she basically tried promoting her show after apologizing to me.” Hogg went on to say, “A bully is a bully and it’s important to stand up to them.” Hogg also called on the Fox News host to also apologize to the countless men and women she publicly derided over the years. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Wants Congress to Go ‘Nuclear’ to Pass Border Wall Funding</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump urged the U.S. Senate to change its rules Monday in order to pass funding for his proposed wall along the US-Mexico border. This morning <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/980764358530789380">Trump tweeted</a>, “...Congress must immediately pass Border Legislation, use Nuclear Option if necessary, to stop the massive inflow of Drugs and People. Border Patrol Agents (and ICE) are GREAT, but the weak Dem laws don’t allow them to do their job. Act now Congress, our country is being stolen!” White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders echoed Trump’s call in a Monday morning interview on Fox and Friends saying, “I hope Republicans do, and follow the president’s lead.” “We have influx of drugs and gang members coming across from Mexico but through Mexico,” Sanders continued. “They need to step up and do more.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>New Book Blames Kellyanne Conway for White House Leaks</em></strong></p>
<p>Kellyanne Conway appeared on <em>Fox & Friends</em> this morning from the scene of the White House Easter Egg roll, and host Abby Hunstman asked her about an upcoming book on the Trump administration that casts Conway as the “number one leaker.” Huntsman noted that the book’s author, Ronald Kessler <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/tv/new-book-alleges-kellyanne-conway-number-one-leaker-in-trump-white-house/">said that Conway was responsible for a number of leaks from the White House</a>, and that she also trashed colleagues Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump in conversations with him. “I have a great working relationship, and a great relationship with Jared and Ivanka, had dinner with them recently at their house” Conway said, before adding that she spoke with President Donald Trump “at length” Sunday night. “He knows and has said publicly and privately who the leakers and the liars are and have been,” Conway said.</p>
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<p><strong><em>California Town </em></strong><strong><em>Poised to Become First U.S. City to Remove the Statue of a President</em></strong></p>
<p>No other city has taken down a presidential monument for his misdeeds, but Arcata, California, is toying with the idea. The target is an 8½-foot bronze likeness of William McKinley, who was president at the turn of the last century and stands accused of directing the slaughter of Native peoples in the U.S. and abroad. “Put a rope around its neck and pull it down,” Chris Peters shouted at a recent rally held at the statue, which has adorned the central square for more than a century. The push follows the rapid fall of Confederate memorials across the South in a victory for activists who view them as celebrating slavery. This time, it's tribal activists taking charge, and it's the West and California in particular leading the way.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Amazon is Under Pressure Again After Trump Tweets It's a 'Scam'</em></strong></p>
<p>Amazon shares fell nearly 2 in the premarket Monday after President Donald Trump attacked the company from his Twitter account. Trump said via the social media platform on Saturday that <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/02/amazon-is-under-pressure-again-after-trump-tweets-its-a-scam-costing-the-post-office-billions.html">Amazon was scamming the U.S. Postal Service</a>, adding the agency loses "billions of dollars" delivering packages for the e-commerce giant. This marks Trump's second direct attack on Amazon in less than a week. The president tweeted last week that Amazon was using the post office as its "delivery boy." Some might argue that Amazon has been good for the Postal Service. In fiscal 2017, the agency's revenue rose 12 percent after a poor financial performance for more than a decade.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-04-02T13:54:00ZSessions Declines to Appoint Second Special Counsel; Advertisers Drop Laura Ingraham's Fox News ShowBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Sessions-Declines-to-Appoint-Second-Special-Counsel;-Advertisers-Drop-Laura-Ingrahams-Fox-News-Show/432055082830391487.html2018-03-30T14:02:00Z2018-03-30T14:02:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Friday, March 30, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><em><strong><br /></strong></em><br />
<p><strong><em>Check Out Five Free Specials from O'Reilly's “No Spin News”<br /> </em></strong><br /> If you have some downtime this weekend between observing Easter and Passover check out the free "No Spin News" specials, which are open to everyone. So, make sure to share them with your family and friends. It won't take up a lot of your time, but you'll come away with extensive knowledge and O'Reilly's analysis of some of the biggest stories of the month! The specials include topics like <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Degradation-of-Journalism-in-America/764157956891681799.html">The Degradation of Journalism in America</a>, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-Ugly-Truth-of-the-Womens-March/354664253037985323.html">The Ugly Truth of the Women's March</a>, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-War-On-Guns/350430233047743290.html">The War on Guns</a>, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Campus-Craziness/-6091479201378980.html">Campus Craziness</a> and <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Border-Wars/-130504811799718219.html">Border Wars</a>. These in-depth analysis’ will give you reports that you won’t find on the cable news networks. </p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Sessions Declines to Appoint Second Special Counsel</em></strong></p>
<p>Attorney General <a href="http://thehill.com/people/jeff-sessions">Jeff Sessions</a> revealed in a letter to lawmakers Thursday that he had declined to name a second special counsel to investigate allegations of surveillance abuse within the Department of Justice (DOJ), despite pressure from the Republican Party for him to do so. In <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4426668-AG-Letter-Re-IG-and-Huber-Reviews.html">his letter</a> to GOP committee chairmen <a href="http://thehill.com/people/chuck-grassley">Chuck Grassley</a> (Iowa), <a href="http://thehill.com/people/bob-goodlatte">Bob Goodlatte</a> (Va.) and <a href="http://thehill.com/people/trey-gowdy">Trey Gowdy</a> (S.C.), Sessions said the appointment of a special counsel only occurs under "the most 'extraordinary circumstances.' " He said he had named a federal prosecutor in Utah, John Huber, to lead the investigation into Republicans' allegations that the FBI and DOJ abused a surveillance program against a former Trump campaign aide. Sessions said that upon completion of the investigation he would receive a recommendation from Huber about whether the allegations merit the need for another special counsel.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Russia Expels 60 US Diplomats</em></strong></p>
<p>The White House vowed Thursday to "deal with" Russia's decision this week to <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/international/380850-russia-to-expel-same-number-of-diplomats-as-us-other-countries">expel dozens of American diplomats</a>, declaring the move a "further deterioration" in relations between the two countries. President Trump's top spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders defended the United States' move to join more than two dozen other nations and NATO allies in expelling scores of "undeclared Russian intelligence officers" over a spy attack linked to Russia. The comments were the latest from the Trump administration warning of a response to Russia's expulsion of 60 U.S. diplomats. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said earlier Thursday that Washington would "reserve the right to respond" to the move.</p>
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<p><strong><em>San Diego County to Consider Joining Federal 'Sanctuary State' Lawsuit</em></strong></p>
<p>San Diego County officials are weighing whether to join forces with Orange County in a revolt against the state's so-called sanctuary law. The County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday announced it would consider a proposal to join the lawsuit involving federal government policies at its next closed-door session on April 17. The proposal would commit the board to joining the Trump administration's lawsuit against the state's sanctuary law, officially known as the California Values act, or SB54. The law restricts local law enforcement's ability to communicate with federal immigration authorities.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Advertisers Drop Laura Ingraham's Fox News Show</em></strong></p>
<p>Fox News host, Laura Ingraham, apologized Thursday for a tweet she sent about Parkland shooting survivor David Hogg. After reading Ingraham’s tweet, the 17-year-old high school senior called for a boycott of her advertisers. <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/laura-ingraham-loses-advertisers-after-criticizing-parkland-student-david-hogg-n861371">Hogg's boycott had an effect</a>. Those companies pulling their ads include TripAdvisor, Expedia, Hulu, Johnson & Johnson, Wayfair, Nestlé and Nutrish. A spokesman for TripAdvisor said the company doesn't "condone the inappropriate comments made by this broadcaster. In our view, these statements focused on a high school student, cross the line of decency." Ingraham's initial tweet from Wednesday appeared to mock Hogg for his GPA after four campuses in the University of California school system rejected his application. After thanking TripAdvisor on Twitter, Hogg rejected Ingraham's apology and said she only wanted to retain advertisers. "She only apologized after we went after her advertisers," he said. "It kind of speaks for itself."</p>
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<p><strong><em>Stormy Daniels Lawyer Rejects Settling with Trump</em></strong></p>
<p>Stormy Daniels’ lawyer walked back his earlier statement that the adult film star would consider a settlement against <a href="http://thehill.com/people/donald-trump">President Trump</a>, saying that no amount of money could cover up the truth of their alleged affair. Daniels’ attorney, Michael Avenatti, appeared on CNN’s “New Day” on Friday and shot down any potential settlement. “If President Trump today called you and said ‘You’ve been a thorn in my side, this is annoying to me, I have bigger business that I’d like to move on to, how much do you want? I’ll write you a check,’” CNN host Alisyn Camerota asked. “I don’t think there’s a number,” Avenatti responded. “That’s not what this is about.” There’s no number that would make Avenatti and his client “go away,” he said. When Camerota asked if an apology from Trump would change his mind, Avenatti said it wouldn't so long as Trump continued to hide the truth. Avenatti said on Wednesday that Daniels, who real name s Stephanie Clifford, would <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/380622-stormy-daniels-attorney-we-would-consider-a-settlement" target="_blank">consider a settlement</a>.</p>
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<p><strong><em>ABC to Renew ‘Roseanne’ for Second Season</em></strong></p>
<p>A pro-Trump reboot of “Roseanne” has already been picked up for a second season, just days after millions watched its triumphant television return. The announcement of a Season 2 was “imminent,” a source told <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2018/03/30/media/roseanne-abc-renewal-season-two/index.html" target="_blank">CNN</a> on Thursday. The politically-charged ABC sitcom averaged 18.1 million viewers during its two-episode premiere on Tuesday. Roseanne Barr plays a supporter of President Trump who clashes politically with her sister. Trump personally<a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/380753-trump-congratulates-roseanne-on-her-tv-ratings" target="_blank"> called</a> Barr, a longtime friend, on Wednesday to congratulate her on the successful launch.</p>
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<p><strong><em>American Prof in Paris Blasts Trump For 'Rambling Incoherence'</em></strong></p>
<p>A professor at the American University of Paris claims President Trump is “inaudible” and “impossible to understand,” and argues that people should not bother to listen. “<a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17409292.2017.1436512">Listening to Donald Trump</a>” was written by <a href="https://www.aup.edu/profile/sekovich">Steven Ekovich</a> and published in the March issue of the journal of <em>Contemporary French and Francophone Studies</em><em>,</em> an academic journal headquartered at the University of Connecticut. Ekovich alleges that Trump is “inaudible” except when reading prepared remarks, declaring that “when he is not reading from a teleprompter his frequent rambling incoherence and lexical miasma, built on a limited and predictable repertoire of beginner’s English, renders comprehension difficult, even impossible.” Ekovich does not offer any strategies for better comprehending the president’s elocution, instead encouraging his readers to ignore Trump completely, saying “it is now generally recognized [as] necessary to wait for truly official restatements in order to divine actual policy,” rather than trying to interpret Trump’s pronouncements.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Kathy Griffin to Play Kellyanne Conway in Comedy Central Special</em></strong></p>
<p>Comedian Kathy Griffin will play White House counselor Kellyanne Conway on Comedy Central's "Make America Great-A-Thon: A President Show Special," which airs next Tuesday at 11 p.m. The special will be Griffin's first television role since she sparked controversy by posing in a photo shoot holding a fake severed head of President Donald Trump, the <em>Daily Beast </em><a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/kathy-griffin-to-play-kellyanne-conway-on-the-president-show" target="_blank">reported</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span> Griffin apologized after the shoot, which led CNN to terminate their agreement for her to appear on the network's New Year's Eve program, but thinks that the reaction was overblown.</p>
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<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-03-30T14:02:00ZDOJ Opens Investigation into FISA Abuse; FBI Agent Charged with Leaking Info to News OutletBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/DOJ-Opens-Investigation-into-FISA-Abuse;-FBI-Agent-Charged-with-Leaking-Info-to-News-Outlet/-873670943166735095.html2018-03-29T14:07:00Z2018-03-29T14:07:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, March 29, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>DOJ Opens Investigation into FISA Abuse</em></strong></p>
<p>Department of Justice inspector general Michael Horowitz opened an investigation Wednesday into possible FISA abuses by the Justice Department and FBI officials during the 2016 Trump campaign and the nature of contacts between the FBI and dossier author Christopher Steele. “The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) will initiate a review that will examine the Justice Department’s and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) compliance with legal requirements, and with applicable DOJ and FBI policies and procedures, in applications filed with the U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) relating to a certain U.S. person,” DOJ spokesman John Lavinsky said in a statement accompanying the announcement. Lavinsky noted that the investigation was prompted by requests from several members of Congress and Attorney General Jeff Sessions. House Republicans recently released a memo claiming widespread abuse of the FISA process on the part of the DOJ and FBI in order to obtain a surveillance warrant on former Trump campaign associate Carter Page.</p>
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<p><strong><em>FBI Agent Charged with Leaking Info to News Outlet</em></strong></p>
<p>The Department of Justice (DOJ) has <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/fbi-agent-leaks-classified-information/2018/03/28/id/851384/">filed charges</a> against an FBI agent for allegedly leaking secret documents to a reporter, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune <a href="http://www.startribune.com/justice-dept-charges-minnesota-fbi-agent-for-leaking-secret-document-to-news-outlet/478203203/" target="_blank">reported Wednesday</a>. The DOJ alleges that Terry Albury, a Minneapolis-based agent, shared a document on FBI informants with an unnamed reporter for a national media organization. In addition, Albury allegedly leaked a document “relating to threats posed by certain individuals from a particular Middle Eastern country.” The Star-Tribune reported that the charges don’t name the reporter or news outlet involved. However, Albury allegedly shared the information between February 2016 and Jan. 31, 2017. The news outlet The Intercept published a piece on Jan. 31, 2017, titled “The FBI’s Secret Rules,” based on a trove of secret FBI documents. The Trump administration has taken a harsh stance toward leakers. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced in August a government wide crackdown on leakers, which included a review of the DOJ's policies on subpoenas for media outlets that publish sensitive information.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump May Deny Legal Status to Immigrants Who Accept Public Benefits</em></strong></p>
<p>The Trump administration is mulling a proposal that would penalize immigrants who accept public benefits, including tax credits, and could be used to deny them legal residency, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-proposal-would-penalize-immigrants-who-use-tax-credits-and-other-benefits/2018/03/28/4c6392e0-2924-11e8-bc72-077aa4dab9ef_story.html">The Washington Post reports.</a> The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposal would expand the parameters used to grant citizenship, such as Earned Income Tax Credit, health insurance subsidies and other benefits. If approved, the policy would be a major barrier to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients who apply for full legal residency, the Post reports. "The administration is committed to enforcing existing immigration law, which is clearly intended to protect the American taxpayer by ensuring that foreign nationals seeking to enter or remain in the U.S. are self-sufficient," DHS spokeswoman Katie Waldman told the Post in a statement.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>CNN to Host Town Hall with James Comey</em></strong></p>
<p>During his media blitz for his upcoming book, ex-FBI director James Comey will answer questions at a town hall hosted by CNN on April 25. The town hall will be moderated by Anderson Cooper and follows the release of Comey's book, <em>A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership, </em>on April 17. The conversation will be held between Comey and a live audience and will be broadcast from Comey’s alma mater, William & Mary College in Williamsburg, Va. According to <a href="http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2018/03/28/cnn-to-host-a-town-hall-with-former-fbi-director-james-comey-on-april-25/">CNN</a>, Comey will discuss "his FBI career, his public firing and the high profile cases he oversaw including the bureau’s handling of the Hillary Clinton e-mail investigation and potential ties between the Trump campaign and Russia." Comey, who was fired by Trump last May, will also be interviewed by CNN's Jake Tapper on April 19.</p>
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<p><strong><em>The Doctor Is In: White House Physician Nominated to Lead VA</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump fired Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin and <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/380296-trump-ousts-shulkin-as-head-of-veterans-affairs">nominated White House doctor Ronny Jackson</a> to replace him in the wake of a bruising ethics scandal and a mounting rebellion within the agency. A Navy rear admiral, Jackson is a surprise choice to succeed Shulkin, a former Obama administration official and the first nonveteran to head the VA. Trump had been considering replacements for Shulkin for weeks but had not been known to be considering Jackson for the role. In a statement, Trump praised Jackson as "highly trained and qualified." It was a decision that signaled Trump chose to go with someone he knows and trusts, rather than the candidate with the longest resume, to run a massive agency facing huge bureaucratic challenges. Jackson has served since 2013 as the physician to the president, one of the people in closest proximity to Trump day in and day out.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Called to Congratulate Roseanne on TV Success</em></strong></p>
<p>The revival of “Roseanne” debuted to the <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/380753-trump-congratulates-roseanne-on-her-tv-ratings">second-best ratings of any scripted TV episode</a> all year and it looks like President Donald Trump took notice. According to the New York Times, President Trump called Roseanne Barr, the creator and star of “Roseanne” and an avid supporter of the President, to congratulate her on the revival’s success. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed the call. The New York Times cited a source who said Trump was “enthralled” with “Roseanne’s” “huge” ratings, and the President also thanked Barr for her support. The show earned 18.2 million viewers, second only to the post-Super Bowl episode of “This Is Us,” which earned 26.97 million viewers.</p>
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<p><strong><em>SICK: Jim Carrey Draws Trump Sons Dying</em></strong></p>
<p>Actor Jim Carrey <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/culture/corinne-weaver/2018/03/28/jim-carrey-draws-trumps-sons-bleeding-death-gored-elephant">tweeted a drawing</a> Wednesday he made depicting the two Trump sons getting gored to death by an elephant. Carrey tweeted his cartoon on March 27, with the caption “#teamelephant.” Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump were depicted as bleeding with an elephant tusk protruding from each of their stomachs. This isn’t the first time Carrey has used his drawings to attack people associated with the president. Earlier this month, Carrey tweeted a bad drawing of Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and wrote, “This is the portrait of a so-called Christian whose only purpose in life is to lie for the wicked … Monstrous!”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Supporters Banned from Buying Home in Sacramento</em></strong></p>
<p>A Sacramento area home is up for sale, but it comes with a <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/california/2018/03/29/sacramento-home-seller-refuses-sell-trump-supporters/">catch</a>. The homeowner has a political preference in mind for the next owner of her house, which has been in her family for decades. The homeowner remains anonymous because she’s afraid of retaliation, but the seller told her relator that “I didn’t want her [the realtor] to sell it to a Trump supporter.” The homeowner wants a sale contingent upon how someone votes, but some are raising the question if that is legal? A seller is actually allowed to ask this kind of request during a sale. “We can ask somebody how they voted, but they don’t have to tell us,” said realtor Elizabeth Weintraub. This may limit the seller’s market seeing as how 39 percent of Sacramento citizens voted for Donald Trump. But, to this homeowner, that may not matter. She says the point is more important than the money.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Netflix Names Ambassador Susan Rice to Board of Directors</em></strong></p>
<p>Netflix has added Obama administration official <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/03/28/susan-rice-ex-obama-official-appointed-to-netflix-board-directors.html">Susan Rice to its board of directors</a>. Rice, 53, was U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and served for four years as President Barack Obama's national security advisor. She was thrust into the limelight due to the 2012 attack on the U.S. embassy in Benghazi, Libya. “We are delighted to welcome Ambassador Rice to the Netflix board,” said Netflix co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings. “For decades, she has tackled difficult, complex global issues with intelligence, integrity and insight and we look forward to benefiting from her experience and wisdom.” Twitter users threatened to cancel their Netflix subscriptions, pointing out that that Obama himself is reportedly in talks with the streaming service for a production deal. </p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-03-29T14:07:00ZKim Jong Un Travels to China for First Foreign Trip Since Taking Power; Blue States Sue Trump Over Census QuestionBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Kim-Jong-Un-Travels-to-China-for-First-Foreign-Trip-Since-Taking-Power;-Blue-States-Sue-Trump-Over-Census-Question/-97823681130474167.html2018-03-28T13:47:00Z2018-03-28T13:47:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, March 28, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em><br />Kim Jong Un Travels to China for First Foreign Trip Since Taking Power</em></strong></p>
<p>North Korean leader <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/china-north-korea-kim-jong-un-xi/2018/03/27/id/851136/">Kim Jong Un was confirmed Wednesday to be in China</a> for a historic visit, traveling via a mysterious armored train for a rendezvous that so far has been cloaked in secrecy. After days of international speculation, Beijing officials said the reclusive leader had journeyed into China, crossing the border by rail. It is Kim's first-ever trip outside of his own country since taking power in late 2011. China’s official Xinhua News Agency said Kim met with President Xi Jinping in Beijing at the Chinese leader’s request. The visit is a precursor to another much-anticipated meeting later this year between Kim and President Trump.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Blue States Sue Trump Over Census Question</em></strong></p>
<p>New York will lead a coalition of blue states in a lawsuit against the Trump administration over a decision to include a citizenship question on the 2020 U.S. Census. State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, a Democrat, announced the lawsuit Tuesday. He said the question asking residents about their citizenship status will create fear and mistrust in immigrant communities and could skew census results if some immigrants choose not to participate. Officials in other heavily Democratic states including New Jersey, Massachusetts and California have said they will sue over the census question.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Ex-Trump Campaign Manager Manafort Seeks to Dismiss Virginia Charges</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. President Donald Trump’s former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, on Tuesday asked a federal judge in Virginia to <a href="lawyers-say-mueller-isnt-investigating-him-for-collusion.html">dismiss an indictment</a> brought by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, saying the case falls outside the scope of Mueller’s authority and is unrelated to Trump’s 2016 election campaign. In the Virginia case, which is scheduled to go to trial on July 10, Manafort is facing charges including bank fraud and filing false tax returns. None of the charges against him pertain to the 2016 presidential election or Russian interference.</p>
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<p><strong><em>FBI Director Doubles Staff to Respond to House Subpoena Over Agency's Work</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/03/27/christopher-wray-fbi-clinton-emails-russia/">FBI Director Christopher Wray</a> said Tuesday he is doubling the number of FBI personnel tasked with reviewing a large set of documents demanded by Republican House members related to documents on the Clinton email probe, potential FISA abuses and the firing of Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. According to a statement released by Wray, he believes the documents requested by committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., are “likely in the thousands” but that he agrees the “current pace of production is too slow.” The move comes amid increasing pressure from not only lawmakers on Capitol Hill but also Attorney General Jeff Sessions.</p>
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<p><strong><em>California County Joins Trump 'Sanctuary City' Lawsuit</em></strong></p>
<p>Leaders of Orange County, California on Tuesday <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/380555-california-county-votes-to-join-trump-lawsuit-against-states-sanctuary">voted to join a federal lawsuit</a> against the state’s sanctuary law as part of a growing backlash in some conservative parts of California to state laws that protect illegal immigrants from deportation. The board of supervisors of the Republican-controlled county voted unanimously to condemn a California law that limits police cooperation with federal immigration authorities, according to county records. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made combating illegal immigration a top priority and is trying to crack down on primarily Democrat-governed cities and states that he claims are “sanctuaries” for illegal immigrants.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Mark Zuckerberg Has Decided to Testify Before Congress</em></strong></p>
<p>After repeated calls for him to do so, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/facebook-mark-zuckerberg-testify-congress/2018/03/27/id/851028/">Mark Zuckerberg has decided he will testify</a> before Congress. The 33-year-old CEO has come to terms with the fact that he will have to testify before Congress within a matter of weeks, and Facebook is currently planning the strategy for his testimony. The pressure from lawmakers, the media and the public has become too intense to justify anything less. Facebook sources believe Zuckerberg's willingness to testify will also put pressure on Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey to do the same. Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley has officially invited all three CEOs to a hearing on data privacy on April 10.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Man Twice Deported Accused of Raping Girl in Oregon</em></strong></p>
<p>Immigration officials say an Oregon man charged with rape had twice been deported. The Daily Astorian <a href="http://www.dailyastorian.com/Local_News/20180326/suspect-deported-twice-before-alleged-rape-of-underage-seaside-girl">reports</a> Seaside police arrested 24-year-old Anastacio Eugenio Lopez-Fabian in February after investigators determined he had sex several times with a girl younger than 14. In addition to rape, he's charged with assault and harassment. Lopez-Fabian posted bail and was released. But U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement later detained him in a courthouse parking lot as he arrived for a hearing. He is now at a detention center in Tacoma, Washington. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Carissa Cutrell says Lopez-Fabian was deported to Guatemala in 2013 and 2014.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Deportee Escapes ICE Custody at JFK Airport</em></strong></p>
<p>A prisoner of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/03/28/violent-deportee-reportedly-escapes-ice-custody-at-jfk-airport.html">escaped custody at John F. Kennedy Airport</a> Tuesday night. The man, described as a “violent deportee” who was previously arrested on a weapons charge, slipped away from ICE agents at Gate B23 in Terminal 4 around 8:30 p.m., law enforcement sources said. The agents took him through X-ray screening, removed his handcuffs and were about to escort him onto a plane, when he bolted, sources said. Video shows the man leaving the airport in a taxi, a law enforcement source said.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Stephon Clark's Brother Storms Sacramento Council Meeting</em></strong></p>
<p>The brother of US shooting victim Stephon Clark has <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/380588-hundreds-of-stephon-clark-protesters-attend-sacramento-city-hall">stormed a public meeting</a> of the Sacramento city council, amid continuing anger over his killing by police earlier this month. Leading protesters into the chamber on Tuesday, Stevonte Clarke sat on a table and said the mayor and the city had "failed all of you". The incident happened as the council was debating the death. Hundreds of people attended Tuesday's meeting, which was called after California's attorney general joined the investigation into the killing. Sacramento police chief Daniel Hahn asked for the attorney general's involvement, citing the "extremely high emotions, anger and hurt in our city".<br /><br /></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-03-28T13:47:00ZMore Legal Troubles for Trump; Poll: 42 Percent Approve of Trump, Highest in 11 MonthsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/More-Legal-Troubles-for-Trump;-Poll:-42-Percent-Approve-of-Trump-Highest-in-11-Months/-124750293225633222.html2018-03-27T14:17:00Z2018-03-27T14:17:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, March 27, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Porn Star Stormy Daniels Sues Trump's Lawyer for Defamation</em></strong></p>
<p>Stormy Daniels sued Donald Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/380349-stormy-daniels-sues-trump-lawyer-for-defamation">on Monday for defamation</a>, according to court documents, escalating a legal battle between the American president and the porn star. Monday's legal maneuver is an additional move in an ongoing suit by Daniels against Cohen, Trump and the limited liability company Cohen has said he established to facilitate a payment to Daniels ahead of the presidential election. Cohen has denied Daniels' claims but admitted to making the payment. The additional claim that Daniels filed Monday states that Cohen's denial is a defamatory statement. "It was reasonably understood Mr. Cohen meant to convey that Ms. (Stephanie) Clifford is a liar," the complaint reads, referencing Daniels' real name. Avenatti added, "Mr. Cohen made the statement knowing it was false or had serious doubts about the truth of the statements."</p>
<p><strong><em><br /><br />More Legal Troubles for Trump</em></strong></p>
<p>With his <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/380382-two-more-attorneys-turn-down-offer-to-represent-trump">legal team in upheaval</a>, President Donald Trump has called on famed Chicago trial attorney Dan Webb to help defend him. Webb’s response? Sorry, can’t help you. A spokeswoman for Winston & Strawn, the Chicago-based law firm co-chaired by Webb, said Webb and Tom Buchanan, a managing partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C., office, declined Trump’s invitation, citing “business conflicts.” “President Trump reached out to Dan Webb and Tom Buchanan to provide legal representation,” firm spokeswoman Jill Delaney-Shea said in an emailed statement. “They were unable to take on the representation due to business conflicts. However, they consider the opportunity to represent the President to be the highest honor and they sincerely regret that they cannot do so. They wish the president the best and believe he has excellent representation in Ty Cobb and Jay Sekulow.” Former U.S. Solicitor General Theodore Olson and Washington, D.C.-based lawyer Joseph diGenova both rejected reported job offers to join Trump's legal team. Another of Trump's attorneys, John Dowd, abruptly resigned last week.</p>
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<p><strong><em>CNN Poll: 42% Approve of Trump, Highest in 11 Months</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump's approval rating has rebounded to its highest level since the 100-day mark of his presidency, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/presidential-approval-rating-cnn/2018/03/26/id/850881/">according to a new CNN poll </a>conducted by SSRS. Overall, 42% approve of the way Trump is handling the presidency. Approval is up 7 points overall since February, including 6-point increases among Republicans (from 80% to 86% now) and independents (from 35% to 41% now). The President's strongest approval ratings came from the issues come on the economy, the only issue tested where his reviews tilt more positive than negative: 48% approve and 45% disapprove. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Speaker Paul Ryan, Headed for the Hills?</em></strong></p>
<p>Nevada's 2nd U.S. House District Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, said on Nevada Newsmakers Monday that <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/380365-nevada-lawmaker-rumor-mill-says-ryan-headed-for-exit">Rep. Paul Ryan may soon resign</a> as Speaker of the U.S. House. Amodei said he was repeating a rumor that's around Capitol Hill. "The rumor mill is that Paul Ryan is getting ready to resign in the next 30 to 60 days and that Steve Scalise will be the new Speaker," Amodei said. Scalise, from Louisiana's 1st U.S. House District, is currently the House majority whip, responsible for rounding up votes on various bills and issues. In June of 2017, he was shot during practice for the congressional baseball team in Virginia. He survived after being in critical condition and returned to Congress in late September of 2017. This is not the first-time resignation rumors about Ryan, of Wisconsin, have surfaced. Last December, he said he was "soul searching" about his leadership role in the U.S. House. At the time, he denied the rumors of resignation, saying they were "irresponsible."</p>
<p><strong><em><br /><br />American who escaped Al Qaeda captivity says FBI, under Mueller and Comey, betrayed him</em></strong></p>
<p>American photojournalist <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/03/26/american-who-escaped-al-qaeda-captivity-says-fbi-under-mueller-and-comey-betrayed-him.html">Matt Schrier has some harsh words</a> for former FBI Director Robert Mueller, who now leads the special counsel Russia collusion probe, and former FBI Director James Comey after his harrowing escape from being held captive by Al Qaeda. The Jewish American photographer was taken hostage in Syria in 2012 and escaped on his own in 2013. After investigating his own kidnapping, Schrier spoke about a pattern of “betrayal” by FBI agents handling his case in an exclusive interview aired Monday on Fox News’ “The Story with Martha MacCallum.” “Not every FBI agent is bad. Some are very good people,” Schrier said. “But the ones that are bad need to be weeded out. And the ones who let them be bad, and who turn their head, need to be exposed.” The photojournalist said the bureau sacrificed his safety to track Al Qaeda, which was making purchases using Schier’s identity, bank account and credit cards, and he has been demanding answers from first Mueller, who led the FBI when he was taken captive, and then from Comey when he took over — only to be met with stonewalling. Schrier said he has been unable to obtain credit cards or open new bank accounts because Al Qaeda stole his identity and passwords. Unable to get a lease for an apartment, Schrier said his FBI case manager suggested he temporarily live in a New York City homeless shelter.</p>
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<p><strong><em>California Sues Trump Administration for Census Citizenship Question</em></strong></p>
<p>The state of California is suing the Trump administration for allegedly violating the Constitution by adding a question inquiring about citizenship to the 2020 census questionnaire, The Washington Post reported Tuesday. The Department of Commerce, carrying out a request from the Department of Justice, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/03/27/california-sues-trump-administration-over-decision-to-add-citizenship-question-to-census/?utm_term=.34a909d4d584" target="_blank">announced Monday that a citizenship question</a> will be included in the census to better enforce the Voting Rights Act, CNN reported. The relevant Commerce Department statement said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross “has determined that reinstatement of a citizenship question on the 2020 decennial census questionnaire is necessary to provide complete and accurate census block level data,” Fox News reported. Ross explained that the question helps provide a more accurate understanding of what proportion of a congressional district is actually eligible to vote. California, however, is concerned that the citizenship question may discourage illegal immigrants from participating in the census, resulting in an undercount and the possible redrawing of political districts, a loss of political representation on the national level, and increased benefits for the Republican Party as power shifts from the cities to rural America.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Did Kim Jong Un Take a Surprise Trip to China?</em></strong></p>
<p>A visit to the Chinese capital by mysterious train has fueled speculation that North Korean leader <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-26/north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-is-said-to-be-visiting-china">Kim Jong Un carried out secret talks with China's government</a>. The train, possibly carrying Kim or another high--level North Korean official, left Beijing early Tuesday morning. China shares a border with North Korea and is the isolated totalitarian state's traditional ally. China's Foreign Ministry insisted Tuesday morning it had "no information" to share on whether Kim was in China, and China's censors have been furiously scrubbing speculation on social media about a visit -- which, in China, tells you something. If the North Korean leader was in Beijing, it would be the first time he's left his country since taking over in 2011. A visit by Kim Jong Un would be significant; he and Chinese president Xi Jinping have never met. China has grown impatient with Kim's relentless nuclear ambitions and enforced tough international sanctions on the regime, straining the once close relationship. But now with Kim planning to meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in and President Trump at summits this spring, he may have decided it was wise to first pay a visit to an old ally.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Americans Open to Trump’s Planned North Korea Talks</em></strong></p>
<p>A recent poll conducted by the <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/poll-americans-donald-trump-north-korea-talks/2018/03/26/id/850836/">Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research</a>, shows that Americans are open to Trump’s meeting with North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un. While North Korea has yet to publicly confirm plans for the summit, which is expected to occur in May, the poll results suggest the potential meeting has eased fears of war that intensified last year as the North made rapid strides in its nuclear and missile capabilities. 48 percent of Americans are in favor of the meeting while 29 percent oppose Trump’s plan to talk with Kim, and 21 percent say they’re neither in favor nor opposed.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Campus Craziness: Student Wants to Remove Statue of Thomas Jefferson</em></strong></p>
<p>Students at Hofstra University are <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10689">demanding the removal of a Thomas Jefferson statue</a> from campus because Jefferson owned slaves and has been "embraced as an icon" by white supremacists. The student who has spearheaded the campaign claims it is about "preserving history" by forcing students to "look at their privilege and understand what their race means." JaLoni Amor, a Hofstra student and Black Lives Matter activist, released a petition calling for the statue’s removal on March 17, proclaiming that Jefferson has been embraced as an “icon” by “white supremacist and neo-nazi organizations” like the Ku Klux Klan. Amor also created a Facebook event for an upcoming protest titled, “Jefferson Has Gotta Go!” slated for March 30. More than ten organizations are listed on the event’s flyer, including the Democrats of Hofstra University, Queer and Trans People of Color Coalition, The Gender Identity Federation, and Young Democratic Socialists of Hofstra.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Less Smartphone Time Equals Happier Teenagers</em></strong></p>
<p>In a <a href="https://www.studyfinds.org/study-happiest-teens-use-smartphones-less-than-hour-day/">study</a> published in the journal Emotion, psychologists from San Diego State University and the University of Georgia used data on mood and media culled from roughly 1.1 million U.S. teens to figure out why a decades-long rise in happiness and satisfaction among U.S. teens suddenly shifted course in 2012 and declined sharply over the next four years. Was this sudden reversal a response to an economy that tanked in 2007 and stayed bad well into 2012? Or did it have its roots in a very different watershed event: the 2007 introduction of the smartphone, which put the entire online world at a user's fingertips? The authors found that teens who spent more time hanging out with friends in person and less time texting or video chatting were happier than those who spent more time in front of a screen. There was a notable increase in overall life satisfaction for students who participated in more extracurricular activities or sports, as well as those who read actual print publications more frequently. The research team believes that habitual use of smartphones or computers to socialize was a key factor in how unhappy a participant felt.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-03-27T14:17:00ZTrump Says 'Goodbye' to diGenova; March for Our Lives crowd count well below expected and initial reportsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Says-Goodbye-to-diGenova;-March-for-Our-Lives-crowd-count-well-below-expected-and-initial-reports/287593118092461249.html2018-03-26T14:15:00Z2018-03-26T14:15:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Monday, March 26, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Trump Says ‘Goodbye’ to diGenova</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump decided to not hire Joe diGenova and Victoria Toensing to represent him in special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into Russian interference in the 2016 president election, The New York Times reported. “The president is disappointed that conflicts prevent Joe diGenova and Victoria Toensing from joining the president’s special counsel legal team,” Jay Sekulow, the president’s personal lawyer, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/25/us/politics/trump-digenova-toensing.html?mtrref=t.co" target="_blank">told</a> The New York Times in a statement Sunday. “However, those conflicts do not prevent them from assisting the president in other legal matters. The president looks forward to working with them.” John Dowd, the president’s lead lawyer in the Mueller probe — resigned Thursday. Dowd reportedly disagreed with the president as to whether or not Trump should sit down with Mueller for an interview. Dowd thought it would be best for the president to avoid such a meeting, but the president is increasingly interested in engaging with Mueller.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump's Lawyer Sends Stormy Daniels Cease-and-Desist Letter</em></strong></p>
<p>Donald Trump’s lawyer Michael Cohen has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Stormy Daniels, the adult film star who spoke out on “60 Minutes” on Sunday night about her alleged affair with the future president and threats she said she had received. Cohen’s lawyer, Brent Blakely, wrote to Daniels’ attorney to say she had made false and defamatory comments, “namely that he [Cohen] was responsible for an alleged thug who supposedly visited” and threatened her. Daniels, whose real name Stephanie Clifford, claimed in the CBS 60 Minutes interview on Sunday that she was threatened with physical violence after she first attempted to go public with the story by a man who told her: “Leave Trump alone.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump signs $1.3 trillion spending bill into law despite being 'unhappy' about it</em></strong></p>
<p>An "unhappy" President Donald Trump signed the $1.3 trillion spending bill into law Friday, his second about-face in 24 hours on the measure to keep the government open. The president said he approved the legislation to fund the government through September for national security reasons, as it authorizes a major increase in military spending that he supports. But he stressed that he did so reluctantly. Trump slammed the rushed process to pass the more than 2,200-page bill released only Wednesday. Standing near the pile of documents, the president said he was "disappointed" in the legislation and would "never sign another bill like this again." Trump went on to say, "We're very proud of many of the items that we've been able to get. We're very disappointed that in order to fund the military, we had to give up things where we consider in many cases them to be bad or them to be a waste of money. But that's the way unfortunately right now the system works.” He added that he "looked very seriously" at a veto, but his support for the military spending levels "overrode" his concerns about the bill.<br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>March for Our Lives crowd count well below expected and initial reports</em></strong></p>
<p>Organizers for the <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/03/25/report-march-for-our-lives-crowd-count-low/">March for Our Lives protest</a> in Washington, D.C., was expecting almost a million people to attend, but attendance was far less. CBS reported the march having approximately 200,000 people at the rally. The march took place between noon and 3 p.m. on Pennsylvania Avenue between 3rd Street NW and 12th Street NW. USA Today said Saturday the initially reported number of 800,000 marchers could “be the biggest single-day protest in D.C.’s history,” becoming a number that is larger than the 2017 Women’s March that brought 500,000 to the capitol.</p>
<p><br /><br /> <strong><em>U.S. Expels 60 Russian Diplomats, Shudders Seattle Consulate</em></strong></p>
<p>The Trump administration <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/poland-summons-russias-ambassador-over-spy-case-123355904.html?soc_trk=gcm&soc_src=bad81b5f-db87-38f1-ad4e-b7e8e737f190&.tsrc=notification-brknews">expelled 60 Russian diplomats</a> on Monday and ordered Russia's consulate in Seattle to close, as the United States and European nations sought to jointly punish Moscow for its alleged role in poisoning an ex-spy in Britain. Senior Trump administration officials said all 60 Russians were spies working in the U.S. under diplomatic cover, including a dozen at Russia's mission to the United Nations. The officials said the administration was taking the action to send a message to Russia's leaders about the "unacceptably high" number of Russian intelligence operatives in the U.S. The expelled Russians will have seven days to leave the U.S, said the officials. They weren't authorized to be identified by name and requested anonymity. They added that the Seattle consulate is a counter-intelligence concern because of its proximity to a U.S. Navy base.</p>
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<p><strong><em>‘Trust the Government Even More?’ Parkland Survivor Kyle Kashuv Asks</em></strong></p>
<p>Parkland shooting survivor <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/03/25/pro-second-amendment-student-kashuv-calls-for-debate-with-march-for-our-lives-organizer-kasky.html">Kyle Kashuv said Sunday on CBS News’</a> “Face the Nation” that “we have to hold our government accountable” for its multiple failures that led to the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida on February 14, 2018, which claimed 17 lives.</p>
<p>“We need to see that we have to hold our government accountable we have to, because this can happen again if our government does not do what it’s supposed to do,” Kashuv said. “And I find it ironic that after all this and we’ve seen so many different government failures — we want to trust the government even more?” Instead of calling for new gun control measures, Kashuv has met with President Donald Trump and Democratic and Republican senators pushing proposals that focus on school safety measures, enforcing pre-existing regulations, and training qualified armed individuals to protect schools. Kashuv said that he speaks for the “silent minority” agreeing with him that law-abiding Americans and their Second Amendment rights should not be punished because gunman Nikolas Cruz benefited from systemic failures at state and federal levels. He also argued that “a ban on assault weapons will not solve this issue.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Boston Celtics team with Sacramento Kings for gun violence PSA</em></strong></p>
<p class="p-text">The Boston Celtics are teaming up with the Sacramento Kings<em> for a </em><a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/380220-nba-teams-release-video-calling-for-accountability-after-shooting-of">PSA and shirts protesting gun violence</a><em> i</em>n the wake of the Stephon Clark shooting. The Boston Celtics played the Sacramento Kings Sunday afternoon at the Golden 1 Center, and had basketball had to share the spotlight with the March for Our Lives protest that is sweeping the nation. Brad Stevens heard this call to action and worked with the Kings to mobilize his team to create a PSA Saturday against gun violence. The Kings made pregame warmup shirts that read “Accountability. We Are One.” on the front and “#StephonClark” on the back, which both teams wore for warm ups. The Kings then aired a PSA during the first quarter, which features a slew of players from both the Kings and the Celtics. “These tragedies have to stop,” Kings rookie De’Aaron Fox says at the start per <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2018/03/25/kings-celtics-psa-accountability-shirts-stephon-clark-shooting/456948002/">USA Today’s Sam Amick</a>. “There must be accountability,” Celtics star Al Horford says in the video. Per Amick, 17 players will speak in the video, including most of the Celtics roster who used their time in Sacramento Saturday to go film the PSA.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-03-26T14:15:00ZMarch for Our Lives Rallies Sweep Across the Nation; House Probe Accuses Clapper of Misleading CongressBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/March-for-Our-Lives-Rallies-Sweep-Across-the-Nation;-House-Probe-Accuses-Clapper-of-Misleading-Congress/-661911643642556862.html2018-03-25T14:30:00Z2018-03-25T14:30:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, March 25, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>March for Our Lives Rallies Sweep Across the Nation</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43526413">Hundreds of thousands of energized protesters</a> descended on Washington, D.C., on Saturday afternoon in a bid to end gun violence more than a month after the Valentine's Day school rampage in Parkland, Florida, where 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz allegedly slaughtered 17 students and teachers. In Washington, D.C., protestors gathered along Pennsylvania Avenue, with placards reading "Protect kids not guns" and "Am I next?". Singers Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus and Lin-Manuel Miranda, the man behind hit musical Hamilton, performed on a stage erected in front of the US Capitol building. The music was interspersed with speeches from impassioned youth leaders. But beyond the nation's capital, solidarity was shown in more than 800 sister protests across the World, where toddlers to grannies to nuns joined Parkland students to echo their call of "enough is enough." As events began to draw to a close on the US east coast, they continued on the west, including a major demonstration in Los Angeles. On Saturday afternoon, the White House released a statement praising the "many courageous young Americans exercising their First Amendment rights today". It outlined steps the government is taking to tackle gun violence.</p>
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<p><strong><em>House Probe Accuses Clapper of Misleading Congress</em></strong></p>
<p>A House Intelligence Committee investigation of Russian election meddling has concluded that former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper <a href="http://freebeacon.com/national-security/house-probe-accuses-clapper-misleading-congress/?utm_source=Freedom+Mail&utm_campaign=170a2778c5-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_03_23&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b5e6e0e9ea-170a2778c5-46474477">misled Congress</a> about disclosing information to CNN. The committee's final report on the investigation was approved on Thursday and now awaits an intelligence agency review. Despite 472 days of investigation and thousands of witnesses, the committee stated in its list of final conclusions and recommendations that it found no evidence of collusion between President Donald Trump, his campaign aides, and Russia. "The committee found no evidence that meetings between Trump associates—including Jeff Sessions—and official representatives of the Russian government—including Ambassador Kislyak—reflected collusion, coordination, or conspiracy with the Russian government," the list states. The report also states that leaks of classified information about Russian intentions to sow discord in the U.S. presidential election began prior to Election Day. The disclosures of U.S. secrets alleging Russia was working to help elect Trump "increased dramatically" after the Nov. 8, 2016 election. The finding suggests that leaks of classified information were politically motivated to undermine Trump after he won the election.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Gun-Rights Groups Slam New YouTube Anti-Gun Policy</em></strong></p>
<p>Gun-rights groups on Friday criticized the video sharing website YouTube for its new policy banning videos showcasing legal gun activity. YouTube decided this week it would censor all videos that depict the legal assembling or modifying of firearms or which link to websites that sell firearms. The site had already banned the channel of firearms manufacturer Spike's Tactical before later reinstating it. The site described the new bans as a routine change of guidelines. Gun-rights groups described the move as politically-motivated censorship. The National Shooting Sports Foundation said YouTube’s actions amount to an attack on the Second Amendment.</p>
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<p><strong><em>MSNBC Panelist to Biden: ‘Dude, It’s Over’</em></strong></p>
<p>A couple of MSNBC panelists on Thursday had a strong message regarding former Vice President Joe Biden's presidential aspirations, with one saying, "Dude, it's over." The topic of Biden's plans for 2020 arose after MSNBC host Craig Melvin spoke to contributors Jason Johnson and Yamiche Alcindor about the former vice president's recent headline-grabbing comments. On Tuesday, Biden <a href="http://freebeacon.com/politics/biden-rips-trump-wish-could-take-behind-gym/" target="_blank">said</a> he would have liked to beat up President Donald Trump for his comments regarding women. Melvin suggested Biden's recent actions, which also include working with many notable Democrats at the Biden Institute, appear to indicate his intention is, as speculated, to run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. Johnson and Alcindor agreed, however, that Biden is the "last thing" the Democratic Party needs. "I think most people that are Democratic strategists realize that the last thing Democrats need is someone who ran before," Alcindor said. "They probably really need a fresh face." Johnson agreed that Biden's time to run for president was over. "That time has passed Joe Biden by, and he knows it. And he's still bitter about it," Johnson said.</p>
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<p><strong><em>“60 Minutes” Will Air Interview with Stormy Daniels</em></strong></p>
<p>The “60 Minutes” <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/24/style/stormy-daniels.html">interview with Stormy Daniels</a><strong>, </strong>the adult-film star and director who says she had an affair with Donald Trump, will be broadcast on tonight on CBS.<strong> </strong>Daniels talks to Anderson Cooper about the relationship she says she had with Mr. Trump in 2006 and 2007, revealing details that bring her story up to the present. It is the first and only television interview in which she speaks about the alleged relationship.The 60 Minutes segment will include an examination of the potential legal and political ramifications of the $130,000 payment that Mr. Trump's attorney Michael Cohen says he made to Daniels using his own funds. Daniels accepted the money in return for signing a confidentiality agreement.Cooper conducted the interview earlier this month after Cohen obtained a temporary restraining order against Daniels and she sued the president in state court in California. Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, is seeking a ruling that the confidentiality agreement between her and the president is invalid, in part because Mr. Trump never signed it. The president's attorneys are seeking to move the case to federal court and claim Daniels is liable for more than $20 million in damages for violations of the agreement.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Tweets about Representation in the Russia Probe</em></strong></p>
<p>In <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/977872899792089088">a Sunday morning tweet</a>, President Trump denied that it's "hard to find a lawyer" that wants to take on his case in the Russia probe, implying instead that his recent difficulty finding representation stems from conflicts of interest. Trump's personal attorney, John Dowd, resigned last week, after news that he'd added Joe diGenova to his legal team. However, CNN has reported that diGenova's role on Trump's legal team remains in flux and Trump couldn't lock down renowned GOP lawyer Theodore Olson amid the upheaval. Trump tweeted, “Many lawyers and top law firms want to represent me in the Russia case...don’t believe the Fake News narrative that it is hard to find a lawyer who wants to take this on. Fame & fortune will NEVER be turned down by a lawyer, though some are conflicted. Problem is that a new......lawyer or law firm will take months to get up to speed (if for no other reason than they can bill more), which is unfair to our great country - and I am very happy with my existing team. Besides, there was NO COLLUSION with Russia, except by Crooked Hillary and the Dems!”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Lights Around the World Go Dark for Earth Hour</em></strong></p>
<p>In Paris, the Eiffel Tower went dark. In London, a kaleidoscope of famous sites switched off their lights, Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Piccadilly Circus, the London Eye. That scene was repeated over and over across the world on Saturday night, at Sydney’s Opera House; at New Delhi’s great arch; at Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Towers; at Edinburgh Castle in Scotland; at Brandenburg Gate in Berlin; at St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow. It lasted for just an hour and its power is purely symbolic. But in countries around the world, at 8:30 p.m., people were switching off their lights for <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/lights-go-dark-for-earth-hour-to-focus-on-climate-change/2018/03/24/8add6e8e-2f9a-11e8-8dc9-3b51e028b845_story.html">Earth Hour</a>, a global call for international unity on the importance of addressing climate change. Since beginning in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour has spread to more than 180 countries, with tens of millions of people joining in, from turning off their own porch lights to letting the grand sites like the Opera House go dark.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Clinton on Notion of Ivanka Being First Female President: ‘We Don’t Want Any More Inexperienced Trumps in the White House’</em></strong></p>
<p>During an <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/hillary-clinton-ivanka-trump-presidency-we-dont-want-any-more-inexperienced-848773" target="_blank">interview</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span>flagged by <em>Newsweek</em><em>,</em> Clinton sat down with Dutch public broadcasting company KRO-NCRV where she was told daughter of the president Ivanka Trump wants to be the first female President of the United States, "That’s not going to happen," Clinton said. "No?" the interviewer responded. "No," Clinton said, shaking her head. "No, we don’t want any more inexperienced Trumps in the White House." Clinton's comments came on the heels of widely criticized remarks she made in India where she labeled states that voted against her in 2016 as "backwards."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Don Imus to Sign Off for the Last Time</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/retiring-broadcaster-don-imus-on-50-years-of-radio/">Don Imus, is retiring after 50 years in radio</a> including nearly 18 years simulcast on cable TV. In an interview on CBS “Sunday Morning” Imus says he ranks himself and Howard Stern among the best five ever on the radio even though they have been rivals for decades. Outrageous and influential, Imus has been fired several times in that long career. He lost a CBS syndicated radio show and an MSNBC show in 2007 after he called the Rutgers women’s basketball team a racist slur. Imus says he regrets the comments. “It did change my feeling about making fun of some people who didn’t deserve to be made fun of and didn’t have a mechanism to defend themselves,” Imus says. Imus brought his show to WABC radio, which was simulcast on Fox Business from 2008-2015. Imus’ final broadcast is March 29.</p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-03-25T14:30:00ZSenate Approves Colossal $1.3T Spending Bill; McMaster Out, Bolton In!BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Senate-Approves-Colossal-$1.3T-Spending-Bill;-McMaster-Out-Bolton-In!/-489898747766487340.html2018-03-23T13:04:00Z2018-03-23T13:04:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Friday, March 23, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Dowd Resigns as Trump’s Lead Lawyer</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump’s lead personal attorney handling the investigation into Russian meddling <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/22/politics/john-dowd-white-house/index.html">abruptly resigned</a> on Thursday. John Dowd, a prominent white-collar attorney joined Trump’s legal team last summer, stepped down after breaking with the president on key elements surrounding the probe, including whether Trump should sit for an interview with Robert Mueller. “I love the President and I wish him well,” Dowd said in a written statement to The Hill. Dowd’s exit comes as the president seeks to shake up his legal team amid frustrations within the White House over Mueller’s probe, which has cast a cloud over the administration for more than a year now.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Senate Approves Colossal $1.3T Spending Bill</em></strong></p>
<p>The Senate approved a <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/379658-read-the-13-trillion-omnibus-spending-bill">$1.3 trillion government funding bill </a>in the early hours of Friday morning, less than 24 hours before a deadline to avert another government shutdown. Senators voted 65-32 on the measure. The House earlier approved the measure, 256-167. It now goes to the White House where Trump is expected to sign it. The colossal funding package, which funds the government through Sept. 30, includes $695 billion in defense funding and $591 billion in nondefense funding. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>McMaster Out, Bolton In!</em></strong></p>
<p>National security adviser H.R. McMaster is being replaced by former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton, President Trump announced via Twitter Thursday night. "I am pleased to announce that, effective 4/9/18, @AmbJohnBolton will be my new National Security Advisor," the president wrote. In an interview with FOX News on Thursday, Bolton said he wasn’t expecting the announcement to come that day. Bolton added, “But it’s obviously a great honor. It’s always an honor to serve our country and I think particularly in these times, internationally, it’s a particular honor,” he added. In a <a href="https://twitter.com/AmbJohnBolton/status/977009884595093504" target="_blank">statement</a> later Thursday night, Bolton said he would “humbly accept” Trump’s job offer. He added that he hopes to make the U.S. “safer at home and stronger abroad.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Sacramento Protestors Shut Down Highway & Blocked Entrance to Golden 1 Center</em></strong></p>
<p>Hundreds of outraged demonstrators rallied Thursday in Sacramento, California, to protest the police shooting of an unarmed black man, 22-year-old Stephon Clark, who was killed in his grandmother's backyard. The crowd first went into Sacramento's City Hall, chanting "Stand up, fight back" and "No justice, no peace." The march then moved to Interstate 5 which was shut down as a result and then formed a human chain to block the entrance to Golden 1 Center, delaying a Sacramento Kings game. Black Lives Matter Sacramento hosted the demonstration, according to the Facebook event titled "Turn Up - for [Stephon] Clark!" The incident began Sunday night when police officers were responding to reports of a black male breaking into a car and hiding in a backyard, officials said. When the responding officers arrived at the scene, they said Clark advanced toward them with an object in his hand. Initial reports said Clark was armed with a gun and then later a "toolbar." But the only object found on Clark was a cellphone, police later said. Police released body camera footage from the shooting as well as thermal-imaging video from a Sacramento Sheriff's Department helicopter, which shows Clark running from a neighbor's yard and onto his grandmother's property. After police are seen running down a driveway after Clark and taking cover at the edge of the building, they yell several times for Clark to stop and show them his hands before several shots are fired.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Ex-Playboy model, Karen McDougal, Talks about her Alleged Affair with Trump</em></strong></p>
<p>Karen McDougal appeared on CNN to tell her story of an alleged affair she had with now-President Donald Trump over a decade ago. As for Trump's wife, Melania, who Trump was married to during the alleged affair, McDougal expressed remorse and apologized. "What can you say except I'm sorry?" she said. "I'm sorry. I wouldn't want it done to me." Thursday's sit down is McDougal's first televised interview since she <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/20/politics/karen-mcdougal-donald-trump/index.html" target="_blank">filed a lawsuit earlier this week</a> against American Media Inc., the company that owns The National Enquirer, to be released from an agreement with the company. When McDougal was asked about Trump's offer of money after the first time she said they had sex, McDougal said she told Trump, "That's not me. I'm not that kind of girl." McDougal also described herself in the interview as a Trump-voting Republican. "I voted for Donald," McDougal said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>China Responds to Trump’s Tariffs</em></strong></p>
<p>China's commerce ministry proposed a list of 128 U.S. products as potential retaliation targets, according to <a title="http://www.mofcom.gov.cn/article/ae/ag/201803/20180302722664.shtml" href="http://www.mofcom.gov.cn/article/ae/ag/201803/20180302722664.shtml">a statement on its website</a> posted Friday morning. The U.S. goods, which had an import value of $3 billion in 2017, include wine, fresh fruit, dried fruit and nuts, steel pipes, modified ethanol, and ginseng, the ministry said. Those products could see a 15 percent duty, while a 25 percent tariff could be imposed on U.S. pork and recycled aluminum goods, according to the statement. The retaliation from China comes as a response to Trump’s executive memorandum that will impose tariffs on up to $60 billion in Chinese imports. "This is the first of many" trade actions, the president said. The new measures will primarily target certain products in the technology sector where Beijing holds an advantage over Washington.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>March for Our Lives Will Affect 89% of the Country on Saturday</em></strong></p>
<p>Officials tell Axios the latest <a href="http://link.axios.com/click/12641966.99456/aHR0cHM6Ly9ldmVudC5tYXJjaGZvcm91cmxpdmVzLmNvbS9ldmVudC9tYXJjaC1vdXItbGl2ZXMtZXZlbnRzL3NlYXJjaC8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJfYXhpb3NhbSZzdHJlYW09dG9wLXN0b3JpZXM/583ee2d50aea11da218b513aB4075cd8e">tally</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span>stands at 832 marches planned worldwide tomorrow as part of "March for Our Lives." According to Everytown for Gun Safety, that includes marches in 387 congressional districts, covering 89% of the country. According to AP, “The students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School have spearheaded what could become one of the largest marches in history with nearly 1 million people expected in Washington and more than 800 sister marches from California to Japan.” In the wake of a Valentine's Day shooting that killed 17, the teens have pulled all-nighters, scheduling speakers, petitioning city councils, renting stages and walking march routes with police in a grass-roots movement that has raised more than $4 million. Students will walk down Pennsylvania Avenue during March for Our Lives on Saturday alongside pop stars Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato. The AP is reporting that "They have requested 14 Jumbotrons, 2,000 chairs and 2,000 public restrooms." Oprah Winfrey and George and Amal Clooney have each donated $500,000. The cast of 'Modern Family' did a public service announcement, and Broadway stars Lin-Manuel Miranda and Ben Platt recorded a song for the march.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Dow closes more than 700 points lower as trade fears spark plunge</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.investors.com/market-trend/stock-market-today/stock-market-dives-trade-war-fears-china-chip-stocks/">U.S. stocks fell sharply on Thursday</a>, with major indexes suffering their worst day in weeks as the treat of a trade war with China sparked a widespread selloff. The Dow dropped 723.42 points, closing at 23,957.89. The decline was its lowest close since Feb. 8 and marked its second-lowest close of the year. The main reason for the decrease was because the Trump administration instructed the office of the U.S. Trade Representative to draw up a list of tariffs on Chinese products totaling up to $60 billion. The tariffs are expected to target sensitive technologies that the U.S. considers vital to the U.S. economy in the years ahead. Will the market bounce back up today?</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Senators Announce Legislation to Charge Fentanyl Pushers More Harshly</em></strong></p>
<p>A group of five Republican lawmakers announced new legislation Thursday to increase the charges faced by individuals who traffic in fentanyl, the synthetic opioid responsible for nearly 20,000 deaths in 2016. Senators Tom Cotton (R., Ark.), Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.), and John N. Kennedy (R., La.) are the lead sponsors of the Ending the Fentanyl Crisis Act of 2018. A person trafficking two grams of fentanyl, enough to kill over 600 people, currently faces only five years under existing sentencing guidelines, Cotton said. The group's new bill would substantially reduce the mass of fentanyl being trafficked that would result in more serious penalties. Those trafficking half a gram to two grams could face five or more years in prison; trafficking five to twenty grams of fentanyl would earn a penalty of ten or more years.<br /> <br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Toys R Us Founder Dies Days After the Chain Shuttered its Doors</em></strong></p>
<p>Charles P. Lazarus, the World War II veteran who founded Toys R Us six decades ago and transformed it into an iconic piece of Americana, <a href="Toys%20R%20Us%20became%20the%20first%20retailer%20to%20mass-merchandise%20toys%20at%20discount%20prices">died Thursday at age 94</a>, a week after the chain announced it was going out of business. Lazarus, who stepped down as CEO of Toys R Us in 1994, transformed the toy industry with a business model that became one of the first retail category killers, big stores that are so devoted to one thing, and have such an impressive selection, that they drive smaller competitors out of business. More recently, Toys R Us found itself unable to survive the trends of the digital age, namely competition from the likes of Amazon, and discounters like Walmart. No longer able to bear the weight of its heavy debt load, the company announced last week that it would close or sell its 735 stores across the country, including its Babies R Us stores. Lazarus, who was born on Oct. 4, 1923, was inducted into the Toy Industry Association's Hall of Fame in 1990.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-03-23T13:04:00ZTrump's Top Lawyer Resigns; The President Hits China with TariffsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trumps-Top-Lawyer-Resigns;-The-President-Hits-China-with-Tariffs/138884307527446638.html2018-03-22T17:47:00Z2018-03-22T17:47:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, March 22, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Trump’s Top Lawyer Resigns</span></strong></p>
<p>A personal attorney to President Trump, John Dowd, resigned his position amid a shake-up in the president’s legal team. Trump is seeking more firepower to deal with the special counsel’s Russia investigation.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-attorney-john-dowd-resigns-amid-shake-up-in-presidents-legal-team/2018/03/22/0472ce74-2de3-11e8-8688-e053ba58f1e4_story.html?utm_term=.771f8a1335e2">In an email to The Washington Post</a>, Dowd wrote, “I love the President and wish him well.” The Washington Post also reporting the decision was a “largely mutual decision made after the president lost confidence in his ability to handle special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation and Dowd became frustrated with Trump’s recent efforts to bring on new attorneys.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The President Hits China with Tariffs</span></strong></p>
<p>President Trump announced plans Thursday for tariffs on up to $60 billion annually in Chinese imports, designed as retaliation against the alleged theft of American intellectual property, <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-target-50-billion-chinese-imports-tariffs/story?id=53936387">White House officials said Thursday</a>. </p>
<p>“This is the first of many,” the president said.</p>
<p>Trump said he continues to have “tremendous respect” for China’s President Xi.</p>
<p>“We have a great relationship…. They're helping us a lot in North Korea. And that's China. But we have a trade deficit, depending on the way you calculate, of $504 billion. Now some people would say it's really $375 billion. Many different ways of looking at it. But any way you look at it, it is the largest deficit of any country in the history of our world. It's out of control.”</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">FBI Chief: Politics and the FBI don't mix</span></strong></p>
<p>"I am committed to doing things objectively and independently and by the book," FBI Director Christopher Wray <a href="https://www.today.com/video/fbi-director-says-politics-did-not-play-in-firing-of-andrew-mccabe-1191164483693">told NBC News in an exclusive interview Wednesday</a>.</p>
<p>He was speaking about the firing of Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, just days before McCabe was set to retire and receive a pension for his years of service. Wray asserted he is committed to “making sure that our process is followed, that it relies on objective input, and that most importantly, it is not based on political or partisan influence is something I am utterly unyielding on.”</p>
<p>This after McCabe put out the following statement: "This attack on my credibility is one part of a larger effort not just to slander me personally, but to taint the FBI, law enforcement and intelligence professionals more generally. It is part of this administration’s ongoing war on the FBI and the efforts of the special counsel investigation, which continue to this day. Their persistence in this campaign only highlights the importance of the special counsel’s work. </p>
<p>There have also been reports that <a href="https://www.axios.com/mccabe-authorized-criminal-investigation-into-sessions-fc6b3bc6-1380-4689-afd2-39312929ef52.html">McCabe investigated Jeff Sessions last year</a>, even authorizing a criminal investigation into the beleaguered Attorney General who gave him the ax, over Sessions’ Russia testimony.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Trump: ‘The Fake News Media Is Crazed’ Over His Congratulating Putin</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trumps-national-security-advisers-warned-him-not-to-congratulate-putin-he-did-it-anyway/2018/03/20/22738ebc-2c68-11e8-8ad6-fbc50284fce8_story.html">The Washington Post reported</a> that Trump's briefing materials instructed him not to congratulate Putin on his “re-election” which set off a media frenzy. Trump followed up with some Tweets of his own:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I called President Putin of Russia to congratulate him on his election victory (in past, Obama called him also). The Fake News Media is crazed because they wanted me to excoriate him. They are wrong! Getting along with Russia (and others) is a good thing, not a bad thing.......</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/976532956557737984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2018</a> </blockquote>
<p>Trump said cooperating with Russia could help U.S. interests around the world, and that past administrations failed to do enough to get along with Russia.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.....They can help solve problems with North Korea, Syria, Ukraine, ISIS, Iran and even the coming Arms Race. Bush tried to get along, but didn’t have the “smarts.” Obama and Clinton tried, but didn’t have the energy or chemistry (remember RESET). PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/976535330835836929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Anonymous Sources Alert: </span><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Mueller team has 4 main areas it wants to ask Trump about</span></strong></p>
<p>CNN relying on two anonymous sources to put forth this crucial piece of reporting: the topics Mueller’s team wants to cover with President Trump:</p>
<p>1- the President's role in crafting a statement aboard Air Force One that miscast Donald Trump Jr.'s campaign June 2016 meeting with Russians in Trump Tower</p>
<p>2- the circumstances surrounding that Trump Tower meeting as well as</p>
<p>3- the firing of FBI Director James Comey, and</p>
<p>4- the firing of national security adviser Michael Flynn</p>
<p>CNN says these are not the extent of Mueller’s interests but here they are nonetheless. The special counsel’s office, of course, declined to comment.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Trump fires back at ‘Crazy Joe Biden'</span></strong></p>
<p>Biden said Tuesday at an anti-sexual assault rally at the University of Miami that he would have <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/379504-biden-i-would-have-beat-the-hell-out-of-trump-in-high-school">"beat the hell out" of Trump</a> in high school over comments the president has made about women.</p>
<p>That speech prompted the following presidential tweet:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Crazy Joe Biden is trying to act like a tough guy. Actually, he is weak, both mentally and physically, and yet he threatens me, for the second time, with physical assault. He doesn’t know me, but he would go down fast and hard, crying all the way. Don’t threaten people Joe!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/976765417908776963?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Congress releases spending plan</span></strong></p>
<p>The House and Senate have put out <a href="https://www.axios.com/congress-releases-omnibus-spending-plan-bdeea5b5-bd21-44e1-84ee-aa611c923606.html">their $1.3 trillion spending plan to fund the federal government</a> for the rest of the year. The bill passed the House Thursday and will move on to the Senate.</p>
<p>Among the highlights:</p>
<ul>
<li>$61 billion increase for defense.</li>
<li>$5.4 billion increase for homeland security.</li>
<li>$1.6 billion for “physical barriers” and technology along the southern border.</li>
<li>$21 billion for infrastructure projects across the country, including transportation, energy, water, and cyber.</li>
<li>$3.6 billion for resources to combat the opioid crisis.</li>
<li>$2.3 billion in new funding to effective mental health, training, and school safety programs.</li>
<li>$3 billion increase for the National Institutes of Health.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Survey: Defense Secretary Mattis has the highest approval rating in Trump's Cabinet</span></strong></p>
<p>Defense Secretary Jim Mattis leads the pack with the highest approval rating of President Trump's Cabinet, according to a <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/jim-mattis-has-the-highest-approval-rating-in-trumps-cabinet-survey-finds">new survey released Wednesday and reported on in The Washington Examiner</a>.</p>
<p>Tied for second place are U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley and Ben Carson, secretary of Housing and Urban Development. But Carson's disapproval rating of 32 percent clocks in significantly higher than Haley's 20 percent disapproval. His $31k dining set probably did not help matters.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Northeast Pummeled Again: Fourth nor'easter in three weeks leaves 90,000 without power</span></strong></p>
<p>More than 90,000 folks found themselves without power overnight after another major snowstorm — the fourth in three weeks — <a href="https://www.aol.com/article/weather/2018/03/22/fourth-noreaster-in-three-weeks-leaves-90000-without-power-after-heavy-snow/23392348/">pummeled the Interstate 95 corridor with as much as 19 inches of snow</a> – and on the first full day of spring, no less.</p>
<p>The storm created whiteout conditions on Long Island and left parts of New York City under more than a foot of snow — the most the region has seen at this time of year since 1964. <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/The-Wait-Is-Over-Snow-Expected-in-DC-Area-Tuesday-477239623.html">At least 220 flights were canceled Thursday, including 137 at Newark Liberty airport and 90 at JFK.</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>MSNBC: <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Twitter Typos Show Trump’s ‘State of Mind’ Is ‘Unhinged’</span></strong></p>
<p>Wednesday on MSNBC, “Morning Joe” co-host Mika Brzezinski questioned President Donald Trump’s “state of mind” because of typos in his tweet. If you can find it in you to check out an MSNBC clip, here it is:</p>
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vY2GgH7UVhk" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-03-22T17:47:00ZMcCabe Fired for Misleading Investigators; Austin Bomber Kills Himself with ExplosiveBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/McCabe-Fired-for-Misleading-Investigators;-Austin-Bomber-Kills-Himself-with-Explosive/-528752350296230688.html2018-03-21T13:52:00Z2018-03-21T13:52:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, March 21, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Austin Bomber Kills Himself with Explosive</em></strong></p>
<p>The suspect in the <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/03/21/austin-bombing-suspect-kills-self-with-explosive-as-police-close-in-report.html">Austin bombing case</a> blew himself up early Wednesday. The 5 bombings killed two and injured four people. Authorities identified the suspect only as a 24-year-old white male, they haven’t released his name or where he was from. Authorities had zeroed in on the suspect in the last 24 to 36 hours and located his vehicle at a hotel on Interstate 35 in the suburb of Round Rock. The suspect drove out of the parking lot and pulled over allowing members of the SWAT team to approach the car. As they got closer to the car, the suspect detonated an explosive device inside the vehicle. The blast knocked one officer on his back, while a second officer fired his weapon. The bomb that was detonated killed the suspect.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>McCabe Fired for Misleading Investigators</em></strong></p>
<p>On Friday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions fired FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/andrew-mccabe-fbi-investigators-james-comey/2018/03/20/id/849737/">allegedly for misleading investigators</a> about authorizing a conversation between FBI officials and Wall Street Journal reporters in 2016. It was intended to rebut allegations that he had slowed down an investigation into the Clinton Foundation. According to the Justice Department’s inspector general, McCabe allowed two top FBI officials to speak to reporters; in an internal review afterward, the former deputy director apparently displayed a “lack of candor” about the affair, which is a fireable offense at the bureau and which was why Sessions decided to oust him.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Ryan: I've 'Received Assurances' Mueller Won't Be Fired</em></strong></p>
<p>House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) said Tuesday he received "assurances" that President Donald <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/379289-ryan-ive-received-assurances-mueller-wont-be-fired">Trump is not considering firing special counsel Robert Mueller</a>. "The special counsel should be free to follow through with his investigation to its completion without interference," the Wisconsin Republican said during a House GOP leadership news conference on Capitol Hill. "Absolutely, I am confident that he will be allowed to do that." He continued, "I have received assurances that his firing is not even under consideration. We have a system based upon the rule of law in this country. We have a justice system and no one is based on that justice system." Ryan would not say who gave him that information and he did not answer if legislation to protect Mueller was something he'd support.</p>
<p><strong><br /><br /><em>Star GOP Attorney Theodore Olson Declines Offer to Join Trump Legal Team</em></strong></p>
<p>Theodore B. Olson, one of Washington’s most seasoned attorneys, is <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-legal-team-seeks-to-add-gravitas-with-offer-to-star-gop-attorney-theodore-b-olson/2018/03/20/571f1e46-2c41-11e8-8ad6-fbc50284fce8_story.html?utm_term=.1f2168eea359">expected to decline an offer</a> to join President Donald Trump’s legal team. The development reflects Trump’s continued struggle to attract elite practitioners to his defense team. Trump’s lawyers huddled with Olson in hopes of retaining him to for the president’s defense, The Washington Post reported Tuesday. Though Olson was said to be considering the offer, a longtime colleague and confidant, Ted Boutrous, tweeted Tuesday afternoon that they would not take Trump on as a client. “I can confirm that <a href="https://twitter.com/gibsondunn">@gibsondunn</a> and Theodore B. Olson will not be representing <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump">@realDonaldTrump</a>”. Boutrous and Olson are partners in the Washington office of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, one of the capital’s finest firms.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Illegals Who Escaped After Oakland Raid Caught for Committing New Crimes</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/03/20/illegal-immigrants-who-dodged-california-ice-raid-after-dem-mayors-tip-off-re-arrested-for-new-crimes.html">Three of the 800 illegal immigrants</a> who managed to escape last month’s ICE sweep in the San Francisco area have already gone on to commit new crimes, notching charges of robbery, drunken driving and spousal abuse, according to Thomas Homan, deputy director at ICE. “Three of the people we couldn’t locate have since reoffended,” Homan announced at a White House roundtable called by President Trump Tuesday to put pressure on sanctuary cities to drop their policies. Two out of the three illegal immigrants who were caught have already been deported multiple times.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span></strong><strong><em>Gun Owners Sue Florida's Bump Stock Ban</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/us-gun-owners-sue-florida/2018/03/20/id/849796/">Gun owners have filed a second lawsuit</a> against the state over gun-related provisions in a new school-safety law, this time alleging that a ban on “bump stocks” is an unconstitutional taking of property. The case, filed last week in Leon County Circuit Court, asks a judge to order “full compensation” for what the plaintiffs’ attorneys estimate are “tens of thousands, or more” Floridians who own bump stocks or similar devices. The ban on bump stocks, which make semi-automatic weapons fire faster, was included in a law passed this month in response to the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland that left 17 people dead and 17 injured.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Was Advised Against Congratulating Putin, Before He Did</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-was-advised-against-congratulating-putin/">President Donald Trump congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin</a> on his re-election despite the warnings from multiple national security advisers and briefing materials that said "DO NOT CONGRATULATE," The Washington Post reported Tuesday evening. The Post, citing an unspecified number of officials familiar with the call, said Trump likewise did not listen to aides who gave him talking points to condemn a nerve agent poisoning in the UK, which the US has blamed on Russia. Trump told reporters on Tuesday as he met with Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman of Saudi Arabia that he had congratulated Putin in a call. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said both the nerve agent poisoning and alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election likely did not come up during the call. Trump's comments drew significant criticism among US politicians, including by Arizona GOP Sen. John McCain, a noted Russia hawk, who said "an American president does not lead the free world by congratulating dictators on winning sham elections."</p>
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<p><strong><em>Joy Behar Compares Trump to Duterte</em></strong></p>
<p>Co-Host of “The View,” Joy Behar, just cannot seem to stop herself when it comes to insulting President Trump. On Tuesday’s show, Behar <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/03/20/joy-behar-duterte-trump/">compared the US President to Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte</a> after he said he would seek the death penalty for drug traffickers. “We all know that he [Trump] loves a dictator,” Behar went on to say, “He’s such a simple thinker. It’s like his solution is build a wall, lock ’em up, kill them. He never understands what causes an opioid addiction. What makes people commit any kind of crime. He never goes beyond the superficial.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Stormy Daniels Took a Polygraph Test in 2011</em></strong></p>
<p>According to a <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/379325-wall-street-journal-publishes-polygraph-results-backing-stormy">polygraph conducted in May 2011</a>, an examiner found that Stephanie Clifford, an adult film actress known as "Stormy Daniels" was truthful when she said that she had unprotected sex with President Trump in July 2006. The test, requested by "Life and Style" Magazine, showed that Clifford responded "yes" to two separate questions about her sexual encounters with Mr. Trump in July 2006. She also said Trump told her she would get on his television show, “The Apprentice,” but the accuracy of that answer was inconclusive. While the exam supports Daniels’s version of events, polygraph results are generally not admissible in court on the grounds that they are not “generally accepted” as scientifically reliable evidence.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Ex-Playboy Model Alleges Affair with Trump</em></strong></p>
<p>A former Playboy model who allegedly had a 10-month affair with President Donald Trump is suing the company that kept her original account from publication. Karen McDougal is suing to be released from an agreement mandating her silence. McDougal is the latest woman to take legal action over an agreement restricting her from speaking out about an alleged relationship with the President prior to his time in government. Shortly before the presidential election, the Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/national-enquirer-shielded-donald-trump-from-playboy-models-affair-allegation-1478309380" target="_blank">published a story</a> saying American Media Inc., the company that owns The National Enquirer, paid $150,000 to McDougal, but did not run her story. The contract, according to the Journal, did not require the Enquirer to run the story and required McDougal's silence. The White House has said Trump denies the affair.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-03-21T13:52:00ZTexas Hit by a Fifth Bomb; Trump's Lawyers Hand Over Documents to MuellerBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Texas-Hit-by-a-Fifth-Bomb;-Trumps-Lawyers-Hand-Over-Documents-to-Mueller/-246415518653303484.html2018-03-20T14:19:00Z2018-03-20T14:19:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, March 20, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br />
<p><strong><em><br />Texas Hit by a Fifth Bomb</em></strong></p>
<p>A fifth package has exploded in Texas, this one at a FedEx facility near San Antonio, injuring one person. The package was believed to be headed toward Austin, which has seen four bombings this month. The most recent Austin bombing occurred Sunday night and appeared to have been set off by a tripwire mechanism. Two people have been killed by the March explosions and multiple others have been seriously injured. Police believe the attacks are related.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump’s Lawyers Hand Over Documents to Mueller</em></strong></p>
<p>Lawyers for President Donald Trump recently provided the Special Counsel Mueller’s office with documents in an attempt to limit the scope of an interview between Trump and Mueller, the Washington Post <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trumps-lawyers-have-turned-over-documents-to-mueller-with-hopes-of-limiting-interview-scope/2018/03/19/9174cd54-2b9f-11e8-b0b0-f706877db618_story.html" target="_blank">reported</a> Monday. The written answers “chronicle key moments under investigation” in Mr. Mueller’s probe of whether Trump campaign officials collaborated with Russia’s efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election. According to The Post, the written materials “include summaries of internal White House memos and contemporaneous correspondence about events Mueller is investigating, including the ousters of national security adviser Michael Flynn and FBI Director James B. Comey. The documents describe the White House players involved and the president’s actions.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Adds Joe diGenova to Legal Team</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/donald-trump-hire-joe-digenova-counsel/2018/03/19/id/849495/">President Trump hired the longtime Washington lawyer</a> Joseph E. diGenova on Monday, adding an aggressive voice to his legal team who has pushed the theory on television that the F.B.I. and Justice Department framed Trump. diGenova, a former United States attorney, is not expected to take a lead role, but he will serve as an outspoken player for the president as Trump has increased his attacks on the special counsel, Robert Mueller. Trump broke over the weekend from the longstanding advice of some of his lawyers that he refrain from directly criticizing Mueller, a sign of his growing unease with the investigation. diGenova has endorsed the notion that a secretive group of F.B.I. agents concocted the Russia investigation as a way to keep Mr. Trump from becoming president.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Poll: Majority of Americans Believe a “Deep State” Exists</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/379065-majority-in-new-poll-deep-state-manipulating-policy">A new poll from Monmouth University</a> shows that 74 percent of Americans believe some form of the "deep state" probably exists. And that belief is completely bipartisan, with 72 percent of Republicans and 72 percent of Democrats subscribing to it. The numbers are significantly higher than there were a year ago in a Washington Post-ABC News poll. Back then, 48 percent believed there was a "deep state," while 35 percent dismissed it as a conspiracy theory. The Monmouth poll defines “a deep state” as "a group of unelected government and military officials who secretly manipulate or direct national policy."</p>
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<p><strong><em>Canada is Overwhelmed by Influx of Immigrants</em></strong></p>
<p>Buffered by three oceans and the United States to the south, Canada has for decades had the luxury of being able to pick and choose its newcomers. However, that has changed dramatically over the past 14 months. According to reports from Reuters, U.S. President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration and his move to strip Haitians, Salvadorans and others of their temporary legal status have had a broad effect on Canada’s refugee system. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/379190-trump-immigration-policies-have-overwhelmed-canadas-refugee-system">More than 20,000 people</a>, including thousands of Haitians and Nigerians and hundreds of Turks, Syrians and Eritreans, have crossed the border into Canada illegally over the past year in search of asylum, many fleeing in fear that Trump would deport them to their home countries. The Canadian government was forced to set aside $173 million in its latest budget to pay for extra patrols at border crossings to cope with the influx, as well as security screening and processing of refugee applications.</p>
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<p><strong><em>UPDATE: Los Alamitos Votes to Opt Out of California Sanctuary Law</em></strong></p>
<p>With about 12,000 residents spread across a few miles of suburban Southern California, Los Alamitos is better known for its good schools and small-town charms than political activism. However, the city now finds itself at the center of a rebellion against California's "sanctuary" policies, which aim to protect illegal immigrants as President Trump vows to ramp up deportations. Los Alamitos leaders on Monday <a href="https://www.ocregister.com/2018/03/19/los-alamitos-immigration-debate-sparks-singing-shouting/">approved an ordinance that exempts</a> their Orange County municipality from Senate Bill 54, a law that took effect Jan. 1 and restricts local law enforcement's cooperation with federal immigration authorities. It marks a rare effort by a city to challenge the sanctuary movement, which has wide support among elected officials in left-leaning California.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Van Jones Attacks Trump’s Death Penalty Proposal</em></strong></p>
<p>Monday on CNN’s “Newsroom,” former Obama administration green jobs czar and <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/03/19/cnn-van-jones-trump/">network host Van Jones</a> said President Donald Trump’s proposal to use the death penalty for drug dealers was “a complete non-starter and it’s divisive and it’s stupid.” Jones said, “I met with sheriffs, I met with pastors, nobody is saying what we really need is the death penalty for drug dealers, what we really need is tougher sentences.” Trump earlier Monday spoke in New Hampshire about his plans to combat the opioid epidemic. “If we don’t get tough on the drug dealers, we’re wasting our time,” said Trump, who has praised other countries’ use of the death penalty for drug traffickers.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Two Religious Statues Vandalized on Long Island</em></strong></p>
<p>Hate crime investigators want to know who damaged statues at two churches on Long Island. <a href="https://www.newsday.com/news/region-state/statues-damaged-at-2-long-island-churches-1.17500646">According to Newsday</a>, Suffolk County police say a statue of the Virgin Mary was damaged sometime between Friday and Sunday at the Church of Saint Gerard Majella in Port Jefferson Station. A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest. In a second situation, on March 10, vandals smashed the face of a life-size statue of Jesus outside the Shrine of Our Lady of the Island in Manorville. It’s not clear whether the crimes were related.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Car Crashes into Broward County Sheriff’s Office</em></strong></p>
<p>An <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/03/19/car-accelerants-crashed-broward-county-sheriff-office/">unnamed woman drove her red Toyota Camry</a> through a window at the Broward Sheriff’s Office in Pembroke Park, around 11:30 a.m. on Monday. The driver was taken to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Florida, to be treated for third-degree burns. One BSO employee was reportedly injured in the wreck, but her injuries are not believed to be serious.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Cynthia Nixon Announces She Will Run for Governor of NY</em></strong></p>
<p>Actress Cynthia Nixon, officially <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/cynthia-nixon-challenge-gov-cuomo-democratic-primary-article-1.3884060">jumped into the race for governor of New York</a> on Monday, as she challenges Gov. Andrew Cuomo in this year’s Democratic primary. Nixon, 51, has never before run for elected office and has chosen a huge undertaking for her first bid, seeking to unseat a two-term incumbent. However, she does have a large fan base after playing Miranda Hobbes on “Sex and the City.” Within 18 minutes of Nixon posting her announcement video on Monday, she was the No. 1 trending topic on Twitter in New York, and then nationwide 20 minutes after that. Gov. Cuomo has downplayed the challenge saying, “I’m not nervous about whoever runs. There’ll be people who run. That’s called elections, and that’s fine.” If elected, Nixon would become the first female governor, and the first openly gay governor, in New York history.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-03-20T14:19:00ZTrump to Release Opioid Epidemic Plan in NH; McCabe Kept Notes About Conversations with TrumpBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-to-Release-Opioid-Epidemic-Plan-in-NH;-McCabe-Kept-Notes-About-Conversations-with-Trump/995640493321042583.html2018-03-19T13:58:00Z2018-03-19T13:58:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Monday, March 19, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Trump to Release Opioid Epidemic Plan in New Hampshire</em></strong></p>
<p>Later today, President Trump will be speaking in New Hampshire to address <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/379049-trump-to-release-plan-addressing-opioid-epidemic-on-monday">the opioid epidemic</a>. The announcement will be called Stop Opioid Abuse. Congress recently appropriated $6 billion to combat the opioid epidemic, and a senior administration official told CNN that Trump's plan will lay out how the administration believes that money should be spent. The plan includes three main elements: reducing the demand and over prescription of opioids, cutting off the supply of illegal drugs and increasing treatment and recovery services.</p>
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<p><strong><em>McCabe Kept Notes About Conversations with Trump</em></strong></p>
<p>Former FBI official Andrew McCabe kept personal memos similar to those compiled by James Comey on interactions with President Donald Trump. The memos were disclosed on Saturday and confirmed to Fox News by a source close to McCabe. This comes after McCabe was fired late Friday by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. McCabe gave a copy of the memos, which also included what Comey told him about his interactions with Trump, to Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is leading a federal investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia during the 2016 elections, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-lawyer-citing-mccabes-firing-calls-for-end-to-mueller-probe-1521309707?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=20">according to The Wall Street Journal</a>.</p>
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<p><strong><em>James Comey warns Trump: The American people will 'soon' be able to judge 'who is honorable and who is not'</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/james-comey-warns-trump-the-american-people-will-soon-be-able-judge-who-is-honorable-and-who-is-not">Former FBI Director James Comey is releasing a new book</a> on April 17, called "A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership,” and it’s already number 1 on Amazon’s Bestseller List. On Saturday, Trump celebrated McCabe's firing and called out Comey as "sanctimonious." Trump said Comey "made McCabe look like a choirboy." Comey responded later in the day with a tweet. "Mr. President, the American people will hear my story very soon. And they can judge for themselves who is honorable and who is not," Comey wrote.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Graham Calls for Hearing on McCabe Firing</em></strong></p>
<p>On CNN’s “State of the Union,” Sunday morning, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) suggested Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ firing of the FBI’s No. 2, Andrew McCabe, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/379000-graham-calls-for-senate-judiciary-hearing-on-mccabe-firing">should be looked at by a Senate panel</a> to ensure “it wasn’t politically motivated.” Sen. Graham went on to say, “I think we owe it to the average American to have a hearing in the Judiciary Committee, where Mr. Sessions, Attorney General Sessions, comes forward with whatever documentation he has about the firing, and give Mr. McCabe a chance to defend himself.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump's Legal Team Receives Questions from Mueller</em></strong></p>
<p>Special counsel Robert Mueller has sent list of questions to President Trump’s legal team. Sources close to the White House <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/17/us/politics/trump-mueller-dowd.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&mtrref=thehill.com" target="_blank">told the New York Times</a> the list was sent to Trump's legal team amid negotiations for Mueller to secure an interview with the president. Mueller reportedly wants to ask Trump follow-up questions and the list served as a starting point. The timing of when the questions were delivered is unclear, but one of the story's authors, Maggie Haberman, tweeted that the list was sent "recently." Mueller has already interviewed dozens of people connected to the Trump White House or campaign.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Drudge Report Survey Says Trump Should Fire Mueller</em></strong></p>
<p>More than 75 percent of people who answered a <a href="https://polldaddy.com/poll/9962275/?view=results" target="_blank">survey</a> on Drudge Report this weekend think President Trump should fire special counsel Robert Mueller. Robert Mueller was appointed by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein last year to investigate Russia's meddling in the 2016 election and their possible ties to the Trump campaign. By Sunday afternoon 450,000 individuals had surveyed with 77 percent calling for Trump to fire Mueller.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Putin Will Stay in Power</em></strong></p>
<p>Vladimir Putin is set for another six years in power <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/putin-russia-polls/2018/03/18/id/849310/">after winning a record victory in Russia’s presidential election</a>, despite opposition activists highlighting a number of cases of vote rigging. Final results released on Monday morning showed Putin had won his fourth presidential term with 76.6% of the vote, his highest score ever. The total number of ballots cast on Sunday for Putin, who has spent 18 years as Russia’s most powerful politician, exceeded 56.2m in overnight counting. The Central Election Commission said on Monday that the communist candidate, Pavel Grudinin, came second with 11.8% of the vote, and third was the ultranationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky with 5.6%. The only candidate to openly criticize Putin during the campaign, the liberal TV star Ksenia Sobchak, won 1.6%.</p>
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<p><strong><em>African-American Organizations Team Up For Pro-Farrakhan Protest</em></strong></p>
<p>Today at 11am ET, <a href="http://www.einnews.com/pr_news/437295043/condemn-donald-j-trump-not-farrakhan">over 100 organizational leaders in D.C.</a>, will go office-to-office to deal with the GOP representatives that are leading this campaign to condemn Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. The mission is being spearheaded by Black Lives Matter, the New Black Panther Party, National Action Network and others. The activists want lawmakers to pass a resolution condemning President Donald Trump.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Documents Show School Officials wanted Nikolas Cruz committed in 2016</em></strong></p>
<p>Officials were so <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/03/18/some-officials-wanted-stoneman-douglas-suspect-nikolas-cruz-committed-in-2016-documents-show.html">concerned about the mental stability of student, Nikolas Cruz</a>, who is accused of last month’s Florida school massacre that they decided he should be forcibly committed. Documents obtained by The Associated Press show school officials and a sheriff’s deputy recommended in September 2016 that Cruz be involuntarily committed for a mental evaluation. But the recommendation was never acted upon. A commitment under the law would have made it more difficult if not impossible for Nikolas Cruz to obtain a gun legally.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Los Alamitos Weighs Opting Out of So Called Sanctuary Law</em></strong></p>
<p>A Southern California city will consider an ordinance to exempt itself from a state law that limits cooperation between local police and federal immigration agents. The Orange County Register <a href="https://www.ocregister.com/2018/03/16/los-alamitos-might-challenge-state-over-sanctuary-law/" target="_blank">reports</a> Saturday that the city of Los Alamitos will discuss the proposal at a meeting on Monday. The proposed ordinance says city council members have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution and that California's so-called sanctuary law may conflict with it and federal law. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions sued California earlier this month over the law. </p>
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<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-03-19T13:58:00ZDid McCabe Document Conversations with President Trump?; San Diego Sweep Results in 115 ICE ArrestsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Did-McCabe-Document-Conversations-with-President-Trump;-San-Diego-Sweep-Results-in-115-ICE-Arrests/-35148487474417119.html2018-03-18T14:39:00Z2018-03-18T14:39:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, March 18, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>McCabe Fired Two Days Before Retirement</em></strong></p>
<p>The abrupt ouster of former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/after-mccabe-firing-trump-attacks-fbi-and-his-lawyer-says-russia-probe-must-end/2018/03/17/8250a7f6-29df-11e8-bc72-077aa4dab9ef_story.html?utm_term=.e93bf79ab48d">ignited a political firestorm in Washington on Saturday</a>. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said he fired McCabe on Friday, alleging that the FBI's former No. 2 official had misled congressional investigators and leaked information to the press. Trump touted McCabe's firing on Saturday as a "great day for democracy," and suggested that the former FBI deputy director was corrupt and dishonest. He also cast the decision as a victory for the "men and women of the FBI." McCabe’s firing comes just two days before he was set to retire.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Did McCabe Document Conversations with President Trump?</em></strong> </p>
<p>Fired Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe created memos documenting his conversations with President Trump and former FBI Director James Comey, <em>The Associated Press </em>reports. He has given the files to Special Counsel Robert Mueller, and has also granted Mueller an interview about the circumstances surrounding Comey's ouster last year. Comey also made private memos detailing his interactions with Trump and leaked them to the media via a friend. <em>Axios</em> <a href="https://www.axios.com/source-mccabe-gave-memos-interview-to-mueller-2c378d87-d76c-436c-8499-a628da414a4e.html" target="_blank">reports the</a> McCabe memos corroborate Comey's account of his own firing. “I am being singled out and treated this way because of the role I played, the actions I took, and the events I witnessed in the aftermath of the firing of James Comey,” McCabe said in his statement on his Friday firing. On Sunday morning, Trump tweeted, “Spent very little time with Andrew McCabe, but he never took notes when he was with me. I don’t believe he made memos except to help his own agenda, probably at a later date. Same with lying James Comey. Can we call them Fake Memos?”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Accuses Comey of Lying Under Oath</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Sunday accused former FBI Director <a href="http://thehill.com/people/james-comey">James Comey</a> of lying under oath during questioning about anonymous sources. “Wow, watch Comey lie under oath to Senator G when asked ‘have you ever been an anonymous source...or known someone else to be an anonymous source...?’” Trump wrote on Twitter. “He said strongly ‘never, no.’ He lied as shown clearly on <a href="https://twitter.com/foxandfriends">@foxandfriends</a>.” Comey <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/336932-comey-leaked-memo-to-prompt-special-counsel" target="_blank">told a Senate panel last year</a> that shortly after he was dismissed, he authorized "a close friend" to leak the contents of a memo to the press in order to prompt a special counsel investigation.</p>
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<p><strong><em>First Round of North Korea Talks to Take Place in Finland</em></strong></p>
<p>Representatives of North Korea, South Korea and the United States <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-north-korea-finland-talks-20180318-story.html">are set to meet in Finland</a> for talks on denuclearization, according to South Korean and Finnish officials. The North Korea talks in Finland will include American representatives who are not government officials, said Kimmo Lahdevirta, an official at the Finland foreign ministry. However, a Senior North Korean diplomat Choe Kang Il was seen at a Beijing airport on Sunday before boarding a flight to Finland. The US does not have a diplomatic presence in North Korea. Lahdevirta said no current US government officials will be participating. He could not say who was coming from North or South Korea.</p>
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<p><strong><em>San Diego Sweep Results in 115 ICE Arrests </em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested 115 people in the San Diego area this week in a three-day operation that began when President Trump visited the region. <a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-san-diego-ice-20180317-story.html">The Los Angeles Times</a> reported Saturday that most of the arrests happened in San Diego County, but there were other arrests in nearby counties. Forty-three percent of those arrested had criminal convictions, according to the Times. Most of them were from Mexico, though immigrants from Honduras, Guatemala, the Czech Republic, Kazakhstan and Peru were also arrested.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Still No Official Winner in Pennsylvania’s Special Election</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/state/conor-lamb-rick-saccone-pennsylvania-special-election-irregularities-20180317.html">Pennsylvania’s contentious House special election</a> still doesn’t have an official winner nearly a week later. Democrat Conor Lamb, who has a roughly 600 votes lead over Republican state Rep. Rick Saccone, has declared victory in the race for the Pittsburgh-area seat. While some news outlets have declared Lamb the winner, neither the state nor the Associated Press has called the race. As of Friday, officials have not yet finished counting all of the provisional and military ballots. Still, even if Saccone won every one of the remaining uncounted ballots in the district’s four counties, there do not appear to be enough outstanding votes to put him ahead. The final counting of those ballots began on Friday, and could last until Tuesday, when the military ballots are due. After all of that work is done, the counties will offer a preliminary certification of the vote count and open up a five-day window for any challenges.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Six More Years of Putin?</em></strong></p>
<p>Russia’s presidential election was tainted Sunday by unprecedented pressure on voters to turn out and incidents of suspected ballot box stuffing, a barely democratic exercise that will grant Vladimir Putin another six years of power. His opponents have called the election a farce, but his millions of fans hail the 65-year-old former KGB officer for restoring Russian greatness and defending their proud nation from a hostile outside world. Putin is facing seven challengers on the ballot but the outcome of the vote is pre-ordained, given his high popularity ratings. If Putin wins, this will be his fourth term. Casting his ballot in Moscow, Putin seemed confident of victory, saying he would consider any percentage of votes a success. Given the lack of competition, authorities are struggling against voter apathy, and have put many of Russia’s 111 million voters under intense pressure to cast ballots. In Moscow, first-time voters were being given free tickets for pop concerts, and health authorities were offering free cancer screenings at selected polling stations.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Senate Judiciary Dem Calls on Zuckerberg to Testify Before Committee</em></strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sen. </span><a href="http://thehill.com/people/amy-klobuchar">Amy Klobuchar</a> (D-Minn.) on Saturday called on Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to testify before the Senate Judiciary committee following reports that a data firm took Facebook users private information for President Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. Sen. Klobuchar tweeted, "Facebook breach: This is a major breach that must be investigated. It’s clear these platforms can’t police themselves. I've called for more transparency & accountability for online political ads. They say “trust us.” Mark Zuckerberg needs to testify before Senate Judiciary," Klobuchar, a member of the committee, wrote on Twitter. Facebook has been cooperating with investigators. The information about the ads was handed to Congress and special counsel Robert Mueller for their investigations into Russian interference in the election. </p>
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<p><strong><em>That’s the Ticket!</em></strong></p>
<p>A single ticket sold in Pennsylvania won the multimillion-dollar Powerball jackpot in Saturday’s drawing, lottery officials said. The ticket matched all five white balls and the Powerball to win an estimated $456.7 million jackpot, with $273.9 million cash value, PennLive.com reported. The winner has the choice of taking the larger pot amount over the span of 29 years or the cash amount for a one-time, lump-sum payment. After 19 straight drawings failed to produce a grand-prize winner, this pot is one of the biggest in the multi-state U.S. lottery’s history, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-lottery/winning-ticket-sold-as-u-s-powerball-jackpot-climbs-to-455-million-idUSKCN1GT0CQ" target="_blank">Reuters reported</a>. The odds of winning the St. Patrick’s Day drawing were 1 in 292 million, the report said. Information on who has the winning ticket or where in Pennsylvania was not immediately known. The winning numbers were 22, 57, 59, 60, 66 and Powerball 7.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump ‘Shocked the World,’ Boxing Promoter Don King Says</em></strong></p>
<p>Don King, the most famous and successful boxing promoter, told FOX Business that President Donald Trump “shocked the world” when he won the presidency and has exceeded expectations as the leader of the free world. King said Trump was elected to disrupt Washington and drain out the corruption that occurs in the political beltway. "Everyone agrees that the system is corrupt, the GOP, the Dems, the Independents, the atheists, all agree that the system is corrupt. But only one man had the guts, the intestinal fortitude to challenge the system," he said during an interview on FOX Business’ “Making Money with Charles Payne.”</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-03-18T14:39:00ZThe Deadly Bridge Collapse in Florida; Trump Opioid Plan Will Include Death Penalty for Some Drug DealersBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/The-Deadly-Bridge-Collapse-in-Florida;-Trump-Opioid-Plan-Will-Include-Death-Penalty-for-Some-Drug-Dealers/600681967702205121.html2018-03-16T13:10:00Z2018-03-16T13:10:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Friday, March 16, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>The Deadly Bridge Collapse in Florida</em></strong></p>
<p>The number of people who died after a newly placed pedestrian bridge collapsed at Florida International University has risen to six, as crews work to clear debris and wreckage from the scene in Miami-Dade County. In addition to the six people who were found dead at the site, 10 others were transported to area hospitals, Miami-Dade Police said in an update on the accident Friday morning. Weighing some 950 tons, the pedestrian bridge was still under construction along the edge of Florida International University's campus when it collapsed Thursday afternoon on a major roadway, trapping motorists and passengers underneath. <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/latest-news/article205442624.html">Video footage</a> showed the bridge collapsed onto a multilane highway, crushing vehicles underneath, and several people being loaded into ambulances.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Opioid Plan Will Include Death Penalty for Some Drug Dealers</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/03/15/exclusive-trump-finalizing-opioid-plan-death-penalty-418488">A White House plan</a> to combat the opioid crisis calls for the death penalty to be imposed on certain drug dealers, according to a new report. The <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/03/15/exclusive-trump-finalizing-opioid-plan-death-penalty-418488" target="_blank">report, in Politico</a>, says the Trump plan will call for the death penalty as an option when dealing and trafficking are "directly responsible for death" in cases involving opioids. The plan is still being finalized but could be released as early as Monday. Trump has reportedly been talking privately for weeks about allowing prosecutors to pursue the death penalty in drug cases. At a campaign event last week, Trump <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/377792-trump-praises-countries-that-execute-drug-lords" target="_blank">praised countries</a> that execute drug lords.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Vanessa and Donald Trump, Jr. File for Divorce</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-jr-india-family-profiting-from-presidency-is-nonsense/" target="_blank">Donald Trump Jr.</a> and his wife, Vanessa, are separating after 12 years of marriage, they announced Thursday. The New York Post's Page Six reported Thursday that Vanessa Trump had filed for divorce. "After 12 years of marriage, we have decided to go our separate ways," the two said in a joint statement provided to CBS News. "We will always have tremendous respect for each other and our families. We have five beautiful children together and they remain our top priority. We ask for your privacy during this time." The two, both 40, were married in 2005. According to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/21/arts/21iht-trump.3611735.html" target="_blank">The New York Times</a>, they were introduced by his father at a fashion show. Vanessa Trump was taken to the hospital last month after receiving a threatening message with a "suspicious substance" in the envelope. The substance was later determined to be corn starch. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump’s Plan to Oust McMaster</em></strong></p>
<p>National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster’s position appeared increasingly precarious. Trump has decided to oust Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster and has conveyed that decision to John Kelly, his chief of staff, according to administration officials. The timing of a departure was unclear, with one official saying it could happen “imminently” and another saying it could be weeks, even months. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders tweeted Thursday evening that she had spoken to the president and his national security adviser and that “contrary to reports they have a good working relationship and there are no changes at the [National Security Council].”</p>
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<p><strong><em>CBS Secures Date for Stormy Daniels Interview</em></strong></p>
<p>CBS' 60 Minutes is set to air a recently taped interview with Stormy Daniels, the adult film star who reportedly had an affair with President Donald Trump, on March 25, Earlier on Thursday, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/cbs-tentatively-sets-march-25-for-airing-60-minutes-interview-with-stormy-daniels/2018/03/15/f400a36a-27b4-11e8-bc72-077aa4dab9ef_story.html?utm_term=.6c32b7300765" target="_blank">The Washington Post reported</a> that CBS News was going ahead with the scheduled date as sources at the network had told the paper that no one from the Trump Organization nor the White House has attempted to stop the interview from airing, despite a tweet from Daniels' lawyer Michael Avenatti last weekend that Trump's lawyers were planning an injunction. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Letter from Jesus Christ to Oprah sent from Maine</em></strong></p>
<p>Shutting down the prospect of a presidential bid, Oprah Winfrey has said repeatedly she will not run for president--unless she gets a <a href="http://wgme.com/news/local/letter-from-jesus-christ-to-oprah-sent-from-maine">clear sign from God</a>. Her best friend Gayle King and anchor on "CBS This Morning" suggested on social media that perhaps that divine sign was sent from Maine. King noticed a letter written by 83-year-old Jesus Christ sent from N. Waterboro to her best friend Oprah. King posted about the letter on social media asking Oprah if it was the sign she's been looking for. After legally changing her name nearly 50 years ago, she said she started writing letters to try to spread a message of faith, peace, and priorities. "God and the Bible. I try to live every moment of my life under God's will" she said. Christ said she sent the letter to Oprah because she likes her but had no idea it would get so much attention.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Broward Sheriff’s Office Releases Video Showing Deputy Standing Outside Parkland School During Massacre</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/03/15/broward-deputy-scot-peterson-seen-standing-outside-during-florida-school-shooting-in-new-video.html">Surveillance footage released Thursday</a> shows then-school resource deputy Scot Peterson standing outside of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School building where students and faculty inside were being shot, then running out of view, not to be seen again on other school cameras. The 27-minute video was released after multiple media organizations petitioned for it to be made public. The footage shows Peterson’s movements during the Feb. 14 shooting from four camera angles. In the days following the massacre, Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel said Peterson should have gone into the building and “killed the killer.” </p>
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<p><strong><em>CA Judge Bars LA from Enforcing Gang Restrictions </em></strong></p>
<p>The city of Los Angeles has been barred from enforcing the vast majority of its gang injunctions, which applied restrictions on gang associations that authorities have long credited with reducing crime. The ruling Thursday by U.S. District Judge Virginia A. Phillips, an appointee of former President Bill Clinton, agreed with the American Civil Liberties Union that the injunctions were likely to be unconstitutionally broad, and affect people who did not have adequate opportunity to challenge them in court. The gang injunctions are civil court orders that have applied to nearly 9,000 people and 79 gang sets since 2000, <a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-gang-injunction-court-order-20180315-story.html" target="_blank">the Los Angeles Times</a> reported. The orders can effectively prevent individuals from legally associating with people in gang-ridden neighborhoods or networks.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Let the Madness Begin!</em></strong></p>
<p>There often comes a time in an NCAA tournament game when everything suddenly goes right for the underdog and wrong for the favorite. Thursday evening at Taco Bell Arena, things went right for the Buffalo Bulls, a 13-seed, who beat the Arizona Wildcats, fourth-seeded, in a <a href="http://www.espn.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/121807/tumultuous-season-for-arizona-ends-with-no-13-buffalos-blowout-in-boise">89-68 upset</a>. What’s next for today’s games?</p>
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<p><strong><em>Fordham Protesters Accuse Conservatives of 'White Supremacy'</em></strong></p>
<p>Fordham University students protested against “white supremacy” this week, specifically citing an incident in which conservative students tried to buy coffee while wearing MAGA gear. Fordham Students United (FSU), “an intersectional coalition of student leaders, activists, faculty & alumni,” staged a protest in an effort to “bring social justice on campus,” writing on the Facebook page for the demonstration that “white supremacy” is present on campus but the administration has “failed to publicly denounce it.” As evidence of the white supremacy on campus, the protesters referenced a recent incident in which the president of a student group that runs an on-campus coffee house was disciplined for demanding that members of the school’s College Republicans chapter leave because their pro-Trump apparel violated the shop’s “Safer Space Policy.” Fordham, notably, sanctioned both the president of the coffee house as well as the student who recorded the encounter, but the FSU protesters were still disappointed in the outcome, saying the College Republicans demonstrated “threatening behavior” by showing up at the coffee shop in MAGA gear and expecting to be served like normal customers.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-03-16T13:10:00Z'Angel Families' Want to See Oakland Mayor Prosecuted; Who's next to go: McMaster, Kelly, Shulkin?BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Angel-Families-Want-to-See-Oakland-Mayor-Prosecuted;-Whos-next-to-go:-McMaster-Kelly-Shulkin/-880514750897976865.html2018-03-15T14:11:00Z2018-03-15T14:11:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, March 15, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>GOP, Dems Fight Over Releasing Russia Probe Transcripts</em></strong></p>
<p>Republicans and Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee are battling over whether to <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/house-russia-transcripts/2018/03/14/id/848731/">release transcripts of their interviews</a> now that the panel’s year-long investigation into Russian interference is ending. Both sides initially agreed that transcripts of interviews with 73 witnesses would be released, but some GOP lawmakers are now saying that making some of the interviews public could make it harder to compel witnesses to appear for future investigations. This represents a shift from earlier this month, when Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX) told reporters he would “absolutely” support a transcript release. Democrats say all the transcripts should be released once the intelligence community combs through them and blacks out classified information.</p>
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<p><strong><em>McCabe Faces Possible Firing</em></strong></p>
<p>The FBI's Office of Professional Responsibility has recommended <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/378395-mccabe-could-be-fired-days-before-scheduled-retirement-report">the firing of former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe</a>, who remains on the payroll, a move that could put his pension at risk. It is now up to Attorney General Jeff Sessions whether to reverse that recommendation or to accept it. McCabe, who has been attacked by President Donald Trump and other Republicans for alleged anti-Trump bias inside the FBI, has announced his intention to retire, effective this weekend. If Sessions fires him before then, it would jeopardize McCabe's federal pension. McCabe stepped down from his position and took a leave of absence earlier this year after facing pressure from Republicans and President Trump.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span></strong><strong><em>'Angel Families' Want to See Oakland Mayor Prosecuted</em></strong></p>
<p>The parents of children killed by illegal immigrants are <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/03/14/angel-families-want-to-see-oakland-mayor-prosecuted-for-thwarting-ice-raids.html">demanding that Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf face jail time</a> after she warned illegal immigrants (many hardened criminals) in the bay area that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid would be happening in the coming days. Naturally many Democrats in California celebrated Schaaf's move, while Nancy Pelosi called the ICE raid "unjust and cruel." The Department of Justice is reviewing Schaaf’s actions. As for those who have lost children due to the actions of illegal immigrants also known as Angel Families' they say it’s vital that the Trump Administration do something.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Haley Blames Russia for Poisoning Ex-Spy</em></strong></p>
<p>On Wednesday, United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, accused Russia of flagrantly and aggressively using a nerve agent to <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/nikki-haley-us-uk-russian/2018/03/14/id/848697/">poison a former Russian spy</a> in the United Kingdom, and called on Moscow to "come clean" about its chemical weapons program. Haley's comments were the strongest to date from a Trump administration official regarding the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, with a nerve agent. U.K. officials have blamed Russia for the poisoning, which has left the former Russian spy and his daughter critically ill in the hospital. British Prime Minister Theresa May moved on Wednesday to expel 23 Russian diplomats from the U.K. after Moscow blew past a U.K.-imposed deadline to explain the poisoning of the Skripals. The Russians have denied any role in the attack, and called these latest moves “unacceptable, unjustified and shortsighted.” But don't go anywhere, Russia says it'll respond with action soon.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Poll Shows That Most Favor Trump-Kim Meeting</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/poll-trump-kim-meeting/2018/03/14/id/848544/">A new Politico/Morning Consult poll</a> reveals that 41 percent of voters favor Donald Trump meeting with Kim Jong Un without any preconditions, while 36 percent want the president to first secure concessions from North Korea's leader regarding nuclear weapons. 24 percent say they have “a lot” of trust in Trump to handle threats posed by North Korea; 21 percent have “some” confidence; 16 percent don't have much confidence and 31 percent have “no confidence at all.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Shaquille O'Neal's Solution for Safer Schools is More Cops, Not a Ban on Guns</em></strong></p>
<p>Retired NBA star Shaquille O'Neal said <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/shaquille-oneals-solution-for-safer-schools-is-more-cops-says-gun-ban-not-the-answer/">more cops is the answer to school shootings</a>, rather than a ban on guns. O’Neal doesn’t live too far from Parkland and said he is planning a run for sheriff in 2020. The NBA legend has already become a reserve police officer in Florida. In an interview on WABC Radio's “Curtis and Cosby” show, O’Neal said, "There's a lot of those weapons already on the streets. So it's not like, if you say, 'OK, these weapons are banned,' people are gonna go, 'Oh man, let me turn it in.' That's definitely not going to happen. ‘Cause once you ban 'em, now they're going to become a collector's item.” However, the retired NBA star does support the upcoming March for Our Lives that will protest gun violence in schools. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Who’s next to go: McMaster, Kelly, Shulkin?</em></strong></p>
<p>The firing of Rex Tillerson, has sparked <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/03/14/mcmaster-shulkin-and-kelly-could-be-next-to-go-in-white-house-bloodbath-sources-say.html">another round of leaks from the White House about who will be next to go</a>. The latest speculation is fueled by Trump himself who, in explaining his Tillerson decision, hinted at more staff changes to come. It’s no secret that Trump is annoyed about the pushback he’s gotten from his national security adviser Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, an active-duty general who could be easily given another assignment in the military and even a fourth star to move him out of the White House. Gen. John Kelly could be on the outs as chief of staff, according to several reports. Most of the focus now is on embattled Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, with whom Trump has grown increasingly irritated. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Robert De Niro Tears Into Trump Over Ivy League Education: He's ‘Still an Idiot’</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/378534-robert-de-niro-tears-into-trump-over-ivy-league-education-hes-still-an">Robert de Niro has launched another blistering verbal attack</a> on President Donald Trump. On Tuesday night, the Hollywood actor used his speech at the Fulfillment Fund charity dinner in Los Angeles to claim that Trump was “still an idiot” despite receiving a quality education from the University of Pennsylvania. De Niro also slammed the president for lacking “any sense of humanity or compassion,” per Variety. In the past, de Niro called Trump a “f****** idiot” and a “f****** fool” at the National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala in January. In August 2017, the actor told Deadline that Trump was “a flat-out blatant racist” who would be “even more dangerous” if he was smart.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Two Dead After Car Crash While Trying to Escape ICE Agents</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/378518-two-dead-in-car-crash-while-trying-to-escape-ice-agents-report">A couple was killed in a crash while trying to flee from federal immigration agents</a> in California, police said. Santo Hilario Garcia, 35, and Marcelina Garcia Profecto, 33, were leaving a home in Delano, CA, in their SUV on Tuesday when Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrived looking for a Mexican citizen who had been deported, according to the city's police and ICE. The agents saw that Garcia matched their target's description and stopped the couple, said Lori Haley, an ICE spokeswoman. The couple initially pulled over, but sped off when the agents exited their vehicle, police said. The couple lost control of their SUV when it veered into a dirt shoulder. The vehicle overturned and eventually hit a power pole, police said. The two occupants of the car were immediately pronounced dead. Garcia was stopped trying to cross the Mexican border into the United States three times between 2008 and 2017. He was deported under expedited removal last year, Haley said.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Hillary Clinton Criticized by Fellow Dems for Trashing Female Trump Voters</em></strong></p>
<p>Hillary Clinton's frustrated critique of her rejection by a portion of the American electorate has <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/03/14/hillary-clinton-criticized-by-fellow-dems-for-trashing-female-trump-voters.html">drawn criticism from fellow Democrats</a> who need to win those parts of the country to keep their jobs in November. Clinton was speaking in India and bemoaning a "phenomenon of disappointment," in parts of the country. She said the US is not entirely represented by President Donald Trump when she said the states she won were the future of the country. Clinton said, "I won the places that are optimistic, diverse, dynamic, moving forward. And his whole campaign, 'Make America Great Again,' was looking backwards." The comments are not sitting too well with Democratic senators running for re-election in states Trump won. Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown told Huffington Post: "I don't really care what she said. I just think that that's not helpful." Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill told reporters on Capitol Hill when asked about Clinton's comments: "Oh, come on. You're killing me here."</p>
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<p><strong><em>Nation of Islam Lashes Out at 3 Black Members of Congress</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/03/14/nation-islam-lashes-out-at-3-black-members-congress-calling-them-sellouts-for-denouncing-farrakhan.html">The Nation of Islam is lashing out at three black members of Congress</a> who have denounced its leader, Louis Farrakhan. Representatives Gregory Meeks, Barbara Lee and Danny Davis have disavowed Farrakan's anti-Semitic and racist rhetoric. These members of Congress are now being called “Satanic Jews.” Farrakhan sent out a tweet on Wednesday that said, “Why do the Jews hate me with so much passion? Because Jesus, my brother, who was their last prophet, was 2,000 years too soon. I am on time.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Stormy Daniels's Attorney Says Other Women Have Reached Out About Potential Cases Against Trump</em></strong></p>
<p>The lawyer representing Stormy Daniels says that, on the heels of her lawsuit against Donald Trump, <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/378529-stormy-daniels-attorneys-says-other-women-have-reached-out">several other women are now exploring the possibility of legal action against the President</a>. Attorney Michael Avenatti confirmed that several women recently came to him seeking to potentially build legal cases against Trump. He would not identify the women. Avenatti filed a lawsuit on Daniels' behalf last week to get her out of a nondisclosure agreement she signed with Trump's lawyer, Michael Cohen. The porn star, whose legal name is Stephanie Clifford, says the agreement was designed to keep her quiet about an alleged 2006 affair with Trump.</p>
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<p><strong><em>'A Wrinkle in Time' Director Ava DuVernay Uses Racism to Explain Bad Reviews</em></strong></p>
<p>Critics are largely panning “A Wrinkle In Time,” and <a href="https://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/a-wrinkle-in-time-director-ava-duvernay-uses-racism-to-explain-away-bad-reviews/">Director Ava DuVernay is not taking it well</a>. According to her twitter feed, white journalists of either gender simply don’t understand her vision for the movie. DuVernay is a black activist who directed a movie that argues that mass incarceration (a multi-racial problem) is a continuation of race-based slavery. Race didn't drive these negative reviews, content did. The film's focus on psychedelic themes without strong substance behind them really cut the power of the story. Many black reviewers also didn’t like the film.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Manafort Asks Judge to Dismiss Charges</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/us-trump-russia-probe-manafort/2018/03/14/id/848748/">Paul Manafort has asked a federal judge in DC to dismiss the five criminal charges against him</a>, arguing that special counsel Robert Mueller had no right to indict him for work done before he joined the Trump campaign as chairman in 2016. The arguments outlined Wednesday to throw out the entire case largely track with an earlier lawsuit Manafort filed against Mueller, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and the Justice Department, for going outside the scope of the special counsel's authority. A hearing in that case, before the same judge overseeing Manafort's criminal case, is set for April 4. Manafort's filing on Wednesday, though a common procedural step in a case like this, indicates the former Trump campaign adviser plans to remain at odds with prosecutors. He has maintained his innocence since he was first charged in late October alongside his deputy Rick Gates, who has since pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge related to his work for Manafort and to lying to investigators.</p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-03-15T14:11:00ZJudge Says There's a 'Real Chance' Manafort Dies in Prison; Obama Campaign Hired Fusion GPS to Investigate RomneyBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Judge-Says-Theres-a-Real-Chance-Manafort-Dies-in-Prison;-Obama-Campaign-Hired-Fusion-GPS-to-Investigate-Romney/544506229709178300.html2018-03-14T15:34:00Z2018-03-14T15:34:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, March 14, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Protester Shreds Mexican Flag During Trump’s Border Visit</em></strong></p>
<p>During President Trump’s trip to the US-Mexico border on Tuesday, <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/378237-protesters-shred-mexican-flag-during-trump-visit-to-border">a pro-Trump protester was caught shredding the Mexican flag</a>. While some protesters cheered him on, others tried to stop him. A woman wearing a “Make America Great Again” flag stopped the man from burning the flag.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span></strong><strong><em>Democrat Conor Lamb Declares Victory in PA Special Election</em></strong></p>
<p>A razor’s edge separated <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/378297-dem-conor-lamb-declares-victory-in-pa-special-election-upset">Democrat Conor Lamb</a> and Republican Rick Saccone early Wednesday in their closely watched special election in Pennsylvania. After midnight with all precincts reporting, unofficial results had Lamb leading Republican State Rep. Saccone by fewer than 600 votes, however, 1,000 absentee ballots are still being counted. The ultimate winner will face re-election in just eight months, and the congressional district as currently shaped will likely vanish next year thanks to a court-ordered redrawing of the state’s district maps. Lamb and Saccone were running to replace former GOP Rep. Tim Murphy, who resigned after allegedly urging a woman he was having an affair with to have an abortion.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Judge Says There’s a ‘Real Chance’ Manafort Dies in Prison</em></strong></p>
<p>Paul Manafort, the former Trump campaign chairman, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/03/13/paul-manafort-prison-sentence/">runs a significant risk of spending the rest of his life in prison</a> and the evidence against him by special counsel Robert Mueller’s office seems strong, Federal Judge, Thomas Ellis III, said on Tuesday. Last October, a grand jury in Washington, acting at the request of Mueller’s team, returned an indictment charging Manafort with money laundering and failing to register as a foreign agent in connection with his work for Ukraine. Last month, in Alexandria, Mueller’s team obtained a second indictment of Manafort on 18 tax, bank fraud and bank fraud conspiracy charges. “Given the nature of the charges against the defendant and the apparent weight of the evidence against him, defendant faces the very real possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison,” wrote Ellis.</p>
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<p><strong><em>New Book Provides Details About Steele Dossier Source</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/03/13/russian-roullette-book-steele-dossier-source/">According to the new book</a>, “Russian Roulette: The Inside Story of Putin’s War on America and the Election of Donald Trump,” Glenn Simpson, founder of Fusion GPS, tipped off ABC News about Sergei Millian. Millian has been identified as one of the sources for the salacious claims made in the infamous “dossier.” The book is co-authored by Michael Isikoff and David Corn both of whom are veteran, Washington-based investigative reporters.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Obama Campaign Hired Fusion GPS to Investigate Romney</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/03/13/fusion-gps-romney-investigation/">President Barack Obama's 2012 campaign hired Fusion GPS</a> to find negative information on Republican candidate Mitt Romney and hid the payments through its law firm, according to the new book, “Russian Roulette: The Inside Story of Putin’s War on America and the Election of Donald Trump.” Authors, Michael Isikoff and David Corn said that the Obama campaign hid its payments to Fusion GPS through its law firm, Perkins Coie. They write in the book that "As had become standard practice in the shadowy world of 'oppo' research, the Obama campaign's payments to Fusion GPS were never publicly disclosed," the book reads. The arrangement with Fusion GPS was similar to what Hillary Clinton's campaign and the Democratic National Committee used for the Trump dossier in 2016.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Pelosi calls ICE agents 'Cowardly,' ICE Acting Director Fires Back</em></strong></p>
<p>U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) <a href="http://insider.foxnews.com/2018/03/13/ice-director-tom-homan-slams-nancy-pelosi-how-dare-you-call-ice-agents-cowardly">acting Director Thomas Homan blasted Democrats</a> and their allies in California on Tuesday for trying to ignore federal immigration law and for their attacks on law enforcement. Homan was also asked for his reaction to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) who said that his department is trying to inflict terror within immigrant communities. Homan responded saying, “These are men and women that put their lives on the line for this country every day. They strap a gun to their hip and leave the safety and security of their homes to defend this nation. So how dare you call them cowardly and to say that we're terrorizing immigrant communities.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Federal Appeals Court Upholds Most of Texas Law Banning Sanctuary Cities</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/378267-federal-appeals-court-upholds-most-of-texas-law-banning-sanctuary-cities">In a new ruling, a federal appeals court has upheld most of Texas’ law targeting sanctuary cities</a> in what some are calling the toughest state-level immigration measure in the country. Tuesday’s ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans allows police officers in Texas to ask people their immigration status during routine stops. It also threatens officials with jail time for not cooperating with federal immigration authorities. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton released a statement, applauding the decision and saying “dangerous criminals shouldn't be allowed back into our communities” to potentially commit more crimes.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Student Walkouts Planned across US Today to Protest Gun Violence</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/student-walkouts-gun-violence-mass-shooting-washington/2018/03/13/id/848493/">Students across the country are planning mass walkouts</a> today to mark one month since the high school shooting in Parkland, FL, to demand an end to gun violence. The students will walk out of classrooms at 10am across time sones for 17 minutes to show solidarity for the 17 killed in the Valentine’s Day attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The coordinated walkout is being organized by Empower, the youth wing of the Women's March, which brought thousands to Washington, D.C., last year. The group offers a list of demands for lawmakers, including a ban on assault weapons and mandatory background checks for all gun sales.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Joy Behar Apologizes for Christianity Comment</em></strong></p>
<p>On Tuesday, “The View” panelist <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/mike-pence-joy-behar-christianity-us/2018/03/13/id/848375/">Joy Behar apologized to viewers</a> who might have been offended last month when she likened Christianity to mental illness. “I think Vice President Pence is right,” Behar said, uttering words few people ever expected to hear from her. “I was raised to respect everyone's religious faith and I fell short of that. I sincerely apologize for what I said.” Behar personally apologized to Vice President Mike Pence, but during an interview with Hannity on Monday night Pence said, “…of course I forgive you. That's part of my faith experience. But I did encourage her, and I'm still encouraging her, to use the forum of that program or some other public forum to apologize to tens of millions of Americans who were equally offended.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Stephen Hawking, Famed Physicist, Dead at 76</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/03/14/stephen-hawking-famed-physicist-dead-at-76.html">Scientific genius, Stephen Hawking passed away</a> Wednesday morning, he was 76 years old. The British scientist was famed for his work with black holes and relativity and wrote several popular science books including ‘A Brief History of Time.’ At the age of 22, Hawking was given only a few years to live after being diagnosed with a rare form of motor neuron disease. The illness left him in a wheelchair and largely unable to speak except through a voice synthesizer. Hawking was not modest about what he wanted to do. "My goal is simple," he once said "is a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all."</p>
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<p><strong><em>POLL: 3-In-5 Students Say Campus Climate 'Deters Speech'</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10630">A recent poll by Gallup/Knight Foundation</a> shows that a growing number of college students are concerned about being treated with hostility if they express conservative viewpoints. The poll found that 61 percent of students in 2017 said that the climate on college campuses deters free expression, while the same poll in 2016 revealed that only 54 percent of U.S. college students believed that campus climate “prevents some people from saying things they believe because others might find them offensive.” When asked to reflect on what groups are more or less deterred from speaking their mind on college campuses, 92 percent of respondents said that political liberals are “able to freely and openly express their views,” as opposed to 69 percent who said the same about political conservatives.</p>
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<p><strong><em>UMN Hosting A Lecture On ‘The Violence Of Whiteness’</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10632">The University of Minnesota has invited Lisa Anderson-Levy</a>, an Anthropology professor at Beloit College to talk about “dismantling whiteness.” Anderson-Levy plans to address why whiteness is an “existential threat” to the United States. The professor said, “This presentation explores the ubiquity and violence of whiteness and the ways in which academic institutions are poised to either reproduce or interrupt these discourses.” The lecture is geared towards college administrators, however, students are welcome to attend.<br /><br /></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-03-14T15:34:00ZStormy Situation: Trump Lawyers Want to Stop '60 Minutes' Interview; Suspect in Deadly Crash Wanted by ICEBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Stormy-Situation:-Trump-Lawyers-Want-to-Stop-60-Minutes-Interview;-Suspect-in-Deadly-Crash-Wanted-by-ICE/-756351053606553048.html2018-03-12T13:59:00Z2018-03-12T13:59:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Monday, March 12, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Stormy Situation: Trump Lawyers Want to Stop '60 Minutes' Interview</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/377838-trump-lawyers-want-to-stop-60-minutes-from-airing-stormy-daniels-interview">CBS's "60 Minutes" has secured an interview with Stormy Daniels</a>, who allegedly had an affair with President Trump in 2006 and 2007. The interview is supposed to air on March 18, however, lawyers for Trump are weighing possible legal action to prevent the segment from airing. The president’s long-time personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, obtained a temporary restraining order to bar Clifford from speaking out at least for now. It’s unclear whether Trump’s legal team would succeed in preventing CBS from airing the interview.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump to Bring in Clinton Impeachment Lawyer</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/377769-trump-looking-at-bringing-in-clinton-impeachment-lawyer-for-mueller">Veteran Washington lawyer Emmet Flood</a> is under consideration for a White House job assisting U.S. President Donald Trump with the Russia probe, according to a person familiar with the matter. Flood, who advised former President Bill Clinton in impeachment proceedings, met with Trump in the White House last week, but no decision about the job has been made. The discussions were first reported by The New York Times, and on Sunday morning Trump tweeted that the Times had written a “false story” that he was unhappy with his legal team and would add another attorney to help out.</p>
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<p><strong><em>White House Wants to Arm Teachers and Tighten Background Checks</em></strong></p>
<p>On Monday, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/03/11/white-house-backs-off-call-to-raise-minimum-age-to-buy-long-guns.html">the White House proposed a plan</a> vowing to help provide “rigorous firearms training” to some school teachers and formally endorsed a bill to tighten the federal background checks system, but it backed off President Trump’s earlier call to raise the minimum age to purchase some guns to 21 years old from 18 years old. Trump is establishing a Federal Commission on School Safety, to be chaired by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, that will explore possible solutions, such as the age requirement for purchases, officials said. On Saturday, the Justice Department took an incremental step toward banning “bump stocks,” devices that can make semiautomatic weapons fire like fully automatic firearms.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Uses Expletive to Describe NBC News Anchor</em></strong></p>
<p>President Donald Trump continued to air his grievances with the media, this time focusing on NBC News anchor Chuck Todd. During a Saturday night rally in Pennsylvania for congressional candidate Rick Saccone, Trump referred to Todd as a “sleeping son of a b---h.” <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/03/11/chuck-todd-responds-to-trumps-son-b-h-jab-it-creates-challenge-to-parents.html">Veteran broadcaster Tom Brokaw, expressed concern for parents</a> in having to explain the phrase. “Really classy,” he tweeted late Saturday. “Explain that to your children.” Trump’s controversial comments were raised during a Sunday morning interview with Treasury Secretary, Steven Mnuchin on the NBC program Sunday. Mnuchin brushed aside the comments saying that, “You know he likes to put names on people. He did that through the entire presidential election, including all the Republicans that he beat.”</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump’s Meeting with Kim Jong Un Could Be "The Greatest Deal for the World"</em></strong></p>
<p>After months of escalating tensions over North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile programs, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/headline/steve-mnuchin-trump-conditions-north-korea/2018/03/11/id/848003/">President Trump decided on Thursday</a> to become the first sitting U.S. president to meet with North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un. Trump's condition for meeting North Korean leader is that there be no nuclear or missile testing. On Friday, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said that there would be no meeting without concrete and verifiable actions by North Korea. Over the weekend, Trump said his meeting could fizzle without an agreement or it could result in "the greatest deal for the world" with a denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Suspect in Deadly Crash Wanted by ICE</em></strong></p>
<p>Ivan Zamarripa-Castaneda, 26, has been <a href="http://www.9news.com/article/news/local/suspect-in-deadly-crash-wanted-by-ice-bonds-out-of-jail/73-527595987">charged with vehicular homicide-DUI and leaving the scene of an accident involving death.</a> The suspect was involved in a deadly crash on a Colorado insterstate on March 3 and has bonded out of the Denver jail. Immigration and Customs Enforcement believe Zamarripa-Castaneda is in the country illegally. ICE placed a detainer hold on him while he was being held in the Denver jail, but per Denver's policy, since Zamarripa-Castaneda was able to bond out of jail, they would not hold him for ICE without a court order. Zamarripa-Castaneda had bond posted at $25,000, meaning he could get out of jail for $2,500 and avoid federal immigration officials until his next court date.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Pressure Grows for 'The View' Star Joy Behar to Apologize Over Anti-Christian Comments</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/03/12/pressure-grows-for-view-star-joy-behar-to-apologize-over-anti-christian-comments-but-abc-is-silent.html">Joy Behar has apologized to Vice President Mike Pence for comparing his Christian faith to a "mental illness"</a> after the ABC network and its sponsors received tens of thousands of complaints. Behar's comments occurred on the February 13 episode of the daytime talk show, ‘The View.’ Behar criticized Pence’s faith saying, "It's one thing to talk to Jesus. It's another thing when Jesus talks to you. That's called mental illness, if I'm not correct, hearing voices." The next day the vice president criticized ABC when asked about Behar's words, saying he wanted to just laugh about it but could not let it slide. When questioned by a concerned shareholder, Bob Iger, CEO of ABC parent Disney, revealed that Behar had privately called the vice president to apologize. However, Behar has yet to publicly apologize and it appears that she has no plans to do so.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Elizabeth Warren Rejects DNA Test</em></strong></p>
<p>Sen. Elizabeth Warren, (D-MA), is rejecting a Massachusetts newspaper's suggestion that she <a href="https://nypost.com/2018/03/11/elizabeth-warren-refuses-dna-test-to-prove-native-american-heritage/">take a DNA test to prove her Native American heritage</a>. On NBC’s meet the press, Sen. Warren said, “I know who I am. And never used it for anything. Never got any benefit from it anywhere.” The senator has faced public questions over her citing of family stories to claim Cherokee and Delaware Indian heritage since her first bid for office, in 2012. President Donald Trump has frequently referred to her as "Pocahontas,” including a rally in western Pennsylvania last Saturday. Last week, the Berkshire Eagle, a newspaper published in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, called the issue an "Achilles' heel" for Warren and urged her to "take the spit test" to put the issue to rest.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Baltimore Rededicated Park to Harriet Tubman</em></strong></p>
<p>More than six months after a statue of Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson was removed from a Baltimore park, about 200 residents and elected officials gathered to rededicate the space to abolitionist and Underground Railroad conductor Harriet Tubman. The Saturday ceremony in Wyman Park Dell, on the 105th anniversary of Tubman’s death, happened only a few feet from the bare pedestal where a large, bronze statue of Lee and Jackson riding horses once stood. The space will now be called <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/us/baltimore-park-wyman-park-dell-confederate-statues-harriet-tubman/2018/03/11/id/848045/">Harriet Tubman Grove</a>. The statue of Lee and Jackson had stood in the park since 1948, but was removed in August amid a national debate and protests over Confederate monuments and symbols, and how they are viewed. </p>
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<p><strong><em>Kathy Griffin Plans Comeback Tour, With Shows In 'Trump's Backyard'</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/03/11/kathy-griffin-plans-comeback-tour-with-shows-in-trumps-backyard.html">Comedian Kathy Griffin seems to be trying to make a comeback</a>. Griffin has announced her first U.S. shows since a photo was released last May, showing her holding a mask of President Trump’s head covered in fake blood. The image outraged Trump and his family, prompted widespread condemnation, led to show cancellations and pulled her from CNN’s New Year’s Eve broadcast. Griffin announced on HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher" Friday night that she has booked upcoming shows at New York City's Carnegie Hall and at Washington's Kennedy Center.</p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-03-12T13:59:00ZChina Makes Historic Move Allowing Xi to Rule Indefinitely; Trump Tweets About Republican Congressional WinsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/China-Makes-Historic-Move-Allowing-Xi-to-Rule-Indefinitely;-Trump-Tweets-About-Republican-Congressional-Wins/-768793664409843314.html2018-03-11T15:29:00Z2018-03-11T15:29:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, March 11, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>China Makes Historic Move Allowing Xi To Rule Indefinitely</em></strong></p>
<p>On Sunday, China’s lawmakers passed a Constitutional amendment <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/china-approves-plan-to-abolish-presidential-term-limits-clearing-way-for-xi-to-stay-on/2018/03/11/973c7ab2-24f0-11e8-a589-763893265565_story.html?utm_term=.b0435bdaed72">allowing Xi Jinping to rule indefinitely</a>. Before this was passed China’s president had a two-term limit. Of the 2,964 delegates that voted, 2,958 voted in favor of the amendment, with two opposed, three abstaining and one vote invalidated.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Tweets About Republican Congressional Wins</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump on Sunday promoted Republican congressional candidate Rick Saccone, touting five GOP congressional wins in the first year of his presidency. <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/972835128056664066">Trump wrote on twitter</a>, “The Republicans are 5-0 in recent Congressional races, a point which the Fake News Media continuously fails to mention. I backed and campaigned for all of the winners. They give me credit for one. Hopefully, Rick Saccone will be another big win on Tuesday.” On Tuesday, Republican Rick Saccone will face off against Democrat Conor Lamb in Pennsylvania’s 18<sup>th </sup>Congressional District. Trump won this district by 20 points in the 2016 election.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Warren Won’t Be Running for President</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/warren-defends-native-american-references-it-s-a-part-of-me-1182938691761">On NBC’s “Meet the Press,”</a> Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) said that she will not be running for president in 2020. Sen. Warren, also known as “Pocahontas” is often discussed as a potential 2020 rival to President Trump, but she denied those claims during the Sunday show interview. A Massachusetts newspaper had challenged Warren to clear up questions about her claims to Native American heritage by taking a DNA test. Warren skirted the question and instead talked about her family and Native American issues.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Veterans Home Workers Slain in Standoff Remembered as Devoted Caregivers</em></strong></p>
<p>A former Army soldier once deployed to Afghanistan <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/03/10/gunman-victims-idd-in-california-veterans-home-standoff.html">killed three people Friday</a> at a veterans facility in Napa County where he was once a resident. The Napa County Sheriff-Coroner's Office identified the shooter as 36-year-old Albert Wong of Sacramento, who formerly was housed at the Yountville Veterans Home. The victims were home's executive director, Christine Loeber, therapist Jen Golick, and psychologist Jennifer Gonzales. Authorities said they don't yet know whether Wong targeted the victims specifically or chose them at random. On Saturday, President Trump tweeted that he mourned "the loss of three incredible women who cared for our Veterans."</p>
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<p><strong><em>Prosecutors Should Be Able to Seek Death Penalty for Drug Dealers</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-to-rally-in-pennsylvania-ahead-of-special-house-election/2018/03/10/3eed9dc0-23f4-11e8-86f6-54bfff693d2b_story.html?utm_term=.13bab92e190f">During a rally in Pennsylvania</a>, President Trump called for enacting the death penalty for drug dealers. This was not the first time Trump had suggested executing drug dealers. Earlier this month, he described it as a way to fight the opioid epidemic. And on Friday, The Washington Post reported that the Trump administration was considering policy changes to allow prosecutors to seek the death penalty. Trump’s call for executing drug dealers got some of the most enthusiastic cheers of the night.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Putin Denies Russia Meddled in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/putin-u-s-election-interference-i-couldn-t-care-less-n855151">In a new interview, Russian President, Vladimir Putin</a>, denied allegations that Russia interfered with the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Last month, special counsel Robert Mueller indicted 13 Russians and three Russian-owned businesses on allegations of illegal meddling and dispensing false information. When Putin was asked about them he said, "I do not care. I do not care at all because they do not represent the government.” Putin added it was "impossible" for Russia to interfere with another country's election.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Justice Department Proposes Banning Rapid-Fire Bump Stocks</em></strong></p>
<p>The Trump administration said Saturday it has taken <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/03/10/592602846/trump-administration-moves-to-ban-bump-stocks">the first step in the regulatory process to ban bump stocks</a>. The Justice Department’s regulation would classify the hardware as a machine gun which is banned under federal law. The move was expected after President Donald Trump ordered the Justice Department to work toward a ban following the shooting deaths of 17 people at a Florida high school in February. Bump stocks, which enable guns to fire like automatic weapons, were not used in that attack, but they were used in last year’s Las Vegas massacre. The proposal still needs the approval of the Office of Management and Budget.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Mysterious Object Above Ocean Stuns Military Personnel</em></strong></p>
<p>Does the Pentagon need to take UFO’s more seriously? A newly-released video shows a mysterious object streaking over the Atlantic Ocean. The sensational two-minute clip was captured by a camera aboard a US Navy jet in 2015. To the Stars Academy, a private research firm, did not say how it obtained the declassified footage, but said others could obtain it through a Freedom of Information Act request.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Gender Neutral Mother’s Day Cards</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5487133/Waitrose-sells-gender-neutral-Mothers-Day-cards.html">Waitrose is selling gender-neutral Mother’s Day cards</a> as retailers reduce their use of the M-word to make today’s celebration more “transgender inclusive”. The supermarket chain is selling a “Happy You Day” card in its Mother’s Day range in which the word “mother” does not appear. The retailer said the move was aimed at “broadening out who the cards can go to, whether it’s grandmas or transgender mums”. </p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-03-11T15:29:00ZNo More Nukes for North Korea?; Trump Supports Jeff Sessions' war on CaliforniaBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/No-More-Nukes-for-North-Korea;-Trump-Supports-Jeff-Sessions-war-on-California/-394134312232549619.html2018-03-09T15:31:00Z2018-03-09T15:31:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Friday, March 9, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>No More Nukes for North Korea?</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/377524-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-invites-trump-to-meet">On Tuesday evening, President Trump announced</a> that he has agreed to meet with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un. The purpose of the meeting, which will take place before May, is to see if the North is committed to giving up their nuclear weapons program. This meeting makes Trump the first sitting U.S. president to meet with “Rocket Man.” The exact time and place of the meeting is yet to be determined.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Trump’s Tariff Plans Announced</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-08/canada-mexico-to-get-initial-exemption-from-steel-tariffs">In a meeting with steel industry executives</a> on Thursday, Trump announced plans for a 25 percent tariff on steel imports and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum imports. The Trump administration will initially exclude Canada and Mexico from stiff tariffs and other American allies could also be exempt if they sign a new North American Free Trade Agreement that meets the satisfaction of the U.S. The big question is how much will this raise the price of canned soda?</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Supports Jeff Sessions' war on California</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump announced that <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5479085/Trump-backs-DOJs-sanctuary-cities-lawsuit-blasts-Oakland-mayor.html">the federal government is considering if they will take action against Libby Schaaf</a>, the Mayor of Oakland. Schaaf warned her city that ICE was coming and would be conducting raids so all illegal immigrants should prepare. On Thursday during a White House meeting, Trump said “What the mayor of Oakland did the other day was a disgrace. They had close to 1,000 people ready to be gotten, ready to be taken off the streets … they say 85 percent of them are criminals and had criminal records. And the mayor of Oakland went out and warned them, scattered, so instead of taking in a thousand they took in a fraction of that.” Schaaf responded to Trump’s comments saying, “I’m proud to live in a country where everyone can criticize elected officials.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>“Pharma Bro” Found Guilty</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-crime-shkreli/pharma-bro-shkreli-to-be-sentenced-for-defrauding-investors-idUSKCN1GL1EA">Martin Shkreli, otherwise known as “Pharma Bro” has been found guilty</a> of defrauding investors and will be sentenced today. Shkreli is the founder of drug company, Turing Pharmaceuticals, who made headlines by jacking up the price of the lifesaving drug, Daraprim, and raising its price by 5,000 percent, to $750 per pill. He will appear in federal court in Brooklyn, New York. His lawyers have asked the judge to impose a sentence of 12 to 18 months, while prosecutors have sought at least 15 years.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>CNN & MSNBC Give Glowing Praise to President Trump</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/curtis-houck/2018/03/08/cnn-msnbc-journalists-give-trump-glowing-praise-north-korea-move">The media took a surprising turn this week</a> by praising President Trump. The compliments came after Trump accepted an invitation to meet with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un. CNN, MSNBC and other liberal media outlets used words like, “remarkable,” “significant,” and “stunning” to describe the president’s actions.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Evangelicals Don’t Care About the Stormy Daniels Scandal</em></strong></p>
<p>Pastor Robert Jeffress, who is <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/377559-pro-trump-pastor-stormy-daniels-allegations-totally-irrelevant-to-evangelical">a member of Trump’s evangelical advisory board told FOX News</a> that the allegations about Trump’s alleged affair with Stormy Daniels were “totally irrelevant” to evangelicals who support Trump. Jeffress said that evangelicals who voted for Trump support him for his policies and strong leadership. Earlier this week, Daniels <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/377095-stormy-daniels-files-lawsuit-against-trump-report">filed a lawsuit</a> against Trump in an effort to void a nondisclosure agreement.</p>
<p><strong> <br /><br /></strong><strong><em>Barack Obama: From President to Producer</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/08/us/politics/obama-netflix-shows.html">The New York Times</a> is reporting that Former President Barack Obama is in “advanced negotiations” to produce his own show on Netflix. The full details of the series has not been released, however, it’s reported that the content would include Obama’s wife Michelle, both of whom would be paid by Netflix, and the shows would be exclusive to the streaming platform. Apparently, Obama’s motivation is to highlight inspirational stories rather than use the opportunity to hit back at political opponents and critics.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Black Unemployment Falls to Second-Lowest Level on Record</em></strong></p>
<p>The unemployment rate for black Americans fell to an historic low in February. <a href="https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000006">According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, just 6.9 percent of black adults were unemployed</a> in February which is the second-lowest number since the agency has been keeping track. The lowest mark was set last December, at 6.8 percent. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Spring Forward, Fall Back? Not for Florida!</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/index.ssf/2018/03/daylight_saving_time_2018_when.html">Let there be light!</a> A bill to let Florida remain on daylight saving time year-round, called the Sunshine Protection Act is headed to Gov. Rick Scott’s desk after the state Senate approved the measure, 33-2. If Gov. Rick Scott signs it, the plan would still need congressional approval. That likely means it wouldn't happen until 2019 at the earliest. Florida follows Hawaii and most of Arizona who have already implemented this. For the rest of the country, don’t forget to turn your clocks ahead on Sunday morning.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Professionalism in the Workplace, Tattoos in, Ties out</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p>For entrepreneurs, startup companies, and activists <a href="https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/2018/03/08/tattoo-shops-ideas-work/401798002/">visible tattoos have become acceptable office attire</a>. Many people are getting “inked” with their company’s logo or name to promote their business. Activists are using them to advocate for their causes. A 2016 poll found that 3 out of 10 Americans have tattoos and almost half of all millennials have at least one tattoo. Hopefully, those with business tattoos don’t change jobs!</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-03-09T15:31:00ZLawmakers Take A Final Crack at Lewandowski; DHS Accepting DACA Renewals for NowBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Lawmakers-Take-A-Final-Crack-at-Lewandowski;-DHS-Accepting-DACA-Renewals-for-Now/-994697009177372367.html2018-03-08T14:21:00Z2018-03-08T14:21:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, March 8, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Secret Meeting in the Seychelles</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/377318-mueller-evidence-shows-blackwater-founder-held-meeting-to-create">Special counsel Robert Mueller has evidence</a> showing that a meeting in the Seychelles last year between the founder of a private security company and a Russian official was intended to set up a back channel between the Trump administration and the Kremlin. The Washington Post reported Wednesday that a witness cooperating with Mueller has told investigators that the meeting was set up in advance, apparently contradicting what Erik Prince, the founder of the security contractor formerly known as Blackwater, has told lawmakers about the meeting. The witness, a Lebanese-American businessman named George Nader, has testified before a grand jury that the meeting, which took place shortly before President Trump's inauguration, was, in fact, a planned effort.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span></strong><strong><em>Trump Asked Senior Aides to Describe Interviews With Mueller</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/377303-trump-asked-senior-aides-to-describe-interviews-with-mueller-report">President Trump has asked at least two witnesses</a> interviewed by special counsel Robert Mueller for information about what they discussed with Mueller’s team, according to The New York Times. Trump reportedly told White House counsel Don McGahn he should issue a statement denying a previous Times report that said McGahn told Mueller’s team that the president once asked him to fire Mueller. Trump also reportedly asked former chief of staff Reince Priebus how his interview with Mueller’s team had gone and if the investigators had been “nice.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Lawmakers Take A Final Crack at Lewandowski</em></strong></p>
<p>Former Trump campaign manager <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/377306-lawmakers-look-to-take-a-final-crack-at-lewandowski">Corey Lewandowski is scheduled to appear for his second interview</a> before the House Intelligence Committee on Thursday in what some view as perhaps the last witness testimony in the beleaguered panel’s yearlong investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Lewandowski is appearing before the panel after infuriating Democrats when he told lawmakers in January that he was not prepared to answer questions that related to any interactions he has had with President Trump after he left the campaign in June 2016. The former campaign official is one of a string of witnesses who have declined to answer some lawmaker questions.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Set to Authorize Steel, Aluminum Tariffs on Thursday</em></strong></p>
<p>On Wednesday, the White House raised the possibility that impending hefty U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports could exclude a clutch of countries other than Canada and Mexico as President Donald Trump planned to authorize the measures on Thursday. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/trump-steel-aluminum-tarrifs/2018/03/07/id/847463/">Trump is expected to sign a presidential proclamation establishing the tariffs</a> during a ceremony scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. A senior U.S. official said the measures would take effect about two weeks after Trump signs the proclamation.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Hope Hicks Told House Panel Her Email Was Hacked</em></strong></p>
<p>Former White House communications director <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/hope-hicks-house-intelligence-committee-email-hack/2018/03/07/id/847447/">Hope Hicks told the House Intelligence Committee</a> last week that two email accounts of hers was hacked. Hicks, under standard questioning by committee Democratic Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, disclosed that she could not access two email accounts. One of the accounts she used as a member of the Trump campaign team and the other was a personal account.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>DHS Accepting DACA Renewals for Now</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/dhs-daca-dreamers-court-ruling/2018/03/07/id/847448/">Dreamers are safe for now</a>. Department of Homeland Security spokesman Tyler Houlton said on Wednesday the agency is sticking by two court orders and is accepting renewal applications for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. That will not apply if the person has a criminal record, the department said. Two federal judges have ruled the Trump administration cannot begin deporting so-called Dreamers while courts weigh legal challenges over ending the program.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Building the Border Wall, Trump to Inspect Prototypes </em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump will visit California next week to<a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/377256-trump-to-inspect-border-wall-prototypes-in-california-next-week"> inspect border wall prototypes along the U.S. border with Mexico</a>, the White House said Wednesday. While there, Trump is expected to travel to San Diego to view the eight prototypes for the president's long-promised border wall. Trump is also expected to attend a Republican National Committee fundraiser in Los Angeles during his visit to the state.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Tariff Exemptions for America’s Neighbors</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/377233-wh-mexico-canada-could-receive-tariff-exemptions">The White House said Wednesday it may exempt Mexico, Canada</a> and other nations from President Trump's tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.</p>
<p>"There are potential carve-outs for Mexico and Canada based on national security, and possibly other countries as well, based on that process,” White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, adding other nations could receive exemptions as well. Sanders reiterated that Trump plans to announce the tariffs by the end of the week.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Florida Shooting Suspect Charged With 17 Counts of Murder</em></strong></p>
<p>Florida school shooting suspect <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/school-shooting-florida-charges/2018/03/07/id/847373/">Nikolas Cruz has been formally charged with 17 counts of first-degree murder</a>, which could mean a death sentence if he's convicted. A grand jury in Fort Lauderdale returned the indictment Wednesday against the 19-year-old Cruz for the Valentine's Day massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland in which 17 people died and 16 were wounded. Cruz's public defender has said he'll plead guilty if prosecutors take the death penalty off the table, which would mean a life prison sentence.</p>
<p><strong><em><br /><br />Operation Fast and Furious Documents Will Be Released</em></strong></p>
<p>The Justice Department said Wednesday it will turn over documents withheld by former Attorney General Eric Holder <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/03/07/trump-administration-to-turn-over-documents-related-to-obama-era-operation-fast-and-furious.html">related to the Operation Fast and Furious scandal</a> during the Obama administration. The Obama-era operation was a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) operation in which the federal government allowed criminals to buy guns in Phoenix-area shops with the intention of tracking them as they were transported into Mexico. But the agency lost track of more than 1,400 of the 2,000 guns they allowed smugglers to buy.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Federal Court Agrees to Hear Science Behind Climate Change</em></strong></p>
<p>A federal judge in San Francisco has ordered parties in a <a href="http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article203842084.html">landmark global warming lawsuit</a> to hold what could be the first-ever U.S. court hearing on the science of climate change. The proceeding, scheduled for March 21 by U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup, will feature lawyers for Exxon, BP, Chevron and other oil companies pitted against those for San Francisco and Oakland, California cities that have accused fossil fuel interests of covering up their role in contributing to global warming.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>College Librarians Claim “God Bless You” is Islamophobic</em></strong></p>
<p>If you happen to be in the library at Simmons College in Boston and somebody sneezes whatever you do <a href="https://www.toddstarnes.com/values/college-warns-that-god-bless-you-is-islamophobic/">don’t say “God bless you.”</a> That’s because the librarians believe that the phrase “God Bless You” can spark something worse than a microagression. They fear it could spark an Islamophobic microaggression. That’s right, folks – saying “God Bless you” is considered a form of “Islamomisia.” The librarians, a real sensitive bunch, warn that phrases like “God bless you” and “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Easter” can make Muslims feel slighted.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-03-08T14:21:00ZFBI Failed to Act on Hillary Server Hack; Watch Out California, Sanctuary Lawsuits Headed Your Way!BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/FBI-Failed-to-Act-on-Hillary-Server-Hack;-Watch-Out-California-Sanctuary-Lawsuits-Headed-Your-Way!/166878095908029286.html2018-03-07T13:49:00Z2018-03-07T13:49:00ZHere is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, March 7, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Gowdy, Goodlatte, and Gossip Girls, Oh My!</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/03/06/gowdy-goodlatte-demand-appointment-special-counsel-citing-fisa-abuses.html">House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte and Rep. Trey Gowdy</a> on Tuesday demanded the appointment of a special counsel to investigate “conflicts of interest” by current and former Justice Department officials. They pointed, specifically, toward the use of the infamous anti-Trump dossier used in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to obtain a warrant to spy on former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page. Asked why a special counsel was needed, Gowdy told Fox News, “Congress doesn’t have the tools to investigate this... We leak like the Gossip Girls.”</p>
<p> <br /><br /><strong><em>FBI Failed to Act on Hillary Server Hack</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/private-email-server-hack-peter-strzok-fbi/2018/03/06/id/847172/">According to a new report</a>, FBI agent Peter Strzok was told of a potential hack into Hillary Clinton's email server in 2016 but did not act on the tip. Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz is working on a report that is probing how the FBI and the Department of Justice conducted the investigation into Clinton's use of a private, home-based email server while she was secretary of state.</p>
<p> <br /><br /><strong><em>Watch Out California, Sanctuary Lawsuits Headed Your Way!</em></strong></p>
<p>The Trump administration is suing to block California laws that extend protections to people living in the U.S. illegally, the most aggressive move yet in its push to force so-called sanctuary cities and states to cooperate with immigration authorities. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/headline/sessions-california-trump-lawsuit/2018/03/06/id/847209/">Attorney General Jeff Sessions is expected to announce the lawsuit Wednesday</a> at an annual gathering of law enforcement officers in Sacramento. It names as defendants the state of California, Gov. Jerry Brown and Attorney General Xavier Becerra.</p>
<p> <br /><br /><strong><em>Another One Bites the Dust</em></strong></p>
<p>White House chief economic advisor <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/06/gary-cohn-plans-to-resign-as-trumps-top-economic-advisor-new-york-times.html">Gary Cohn has resigned from President Donald Trump's administration</a>. The former Goldman Sachs president and free trade advocate Cohn, whose departure date will come in a few weeks, decided to quit after Trump announced he would impose stiff tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.</p>
<p> <br /><br /><strong><em>Poll: Half of American Voters Oppose Trump Tariffs</em></strong></p>
<p>Half of American voters are against tariffs on steel and aluminum, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/us/tariffs-steel-aluminum-quinnipiac/2018/03/06/id/847145/">a Quinnipiac University poll reported Tuesday</a>. In the poll: 50 percent oppose tariffs, while 31 percent support them. 59 percent of voters oppose the tariffs if it increases the prices of goods that they buy, while 29 percent support the tariffs if they increase prices. 29 percent say the tariffs would be good for American jobs, while 36 percent said they would be bad for jobs, and 24 percent said they would have no effect.</p>
<p> <br /><br /><strong><em>Parkland Survivors File First Lawsuits Against the School and the FBI</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/377021-parkland-survivors-to-file-first-lawsuits-against-school-fbi">Two survivors of the school shooting in Parkland, Fla., have announced they will sue the school, the FBI and the local sheriff's office</a> for failing to prevent the deadly February attack. Anthony Borges and his family said on Monday that he intends to sue the Broward County Public School District and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. When the lawsuit is filed, it will allege that there should have been more done to protect students and teachers inside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14 when a former student walked into the school and killed 17 people.</p>
<p> <br /><br /><strong><em>Florida School Board Decides Not to Arm Teachers</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/377069-florida-school-board-unanimously-votes-to-oppose-arming">The Hillsborough County School Board in Florida</a> on Tuesday unanimously opposed a motion to arm school employees, according to the Tampa Bay Times. The resolution said the district won’t participate in a program allowing teachers and other school employees to carry concealed weapons if the state legislature approves it. It also calls on the state to increase funding for mental health services and to stop cutting education funding.</p>
<p> <br /><br /><strong><em>Poll: Most Oppose Arming Teachers, But Support Armed Security</em></strong></p>
<p>Most Americans are against allowing teachers and school officials to carry guns, but they overwhelmingly support armed security officers on school grounds, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/poll-schools-guns-teachers/2018/03/06/id/847134/">according to the latest Quinnipiac University poll released Tuesday</a>. The survey's results: 58 percent are against arming teachers, while 40 percent support it. 82 percent support having armed security officers in schools, while 14 percent oppose it.</p>
<p><strong><em><br /><br />Criminal Illegal Immigrants Evaded Capture After Mayor's Warning</em></strong></p>
<p>The Democratic Mayor of Oakland, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/03/06/illegal-immigrants-with-sex-robbery-convictions-among-those-who-evaded-capture-after-dem-mayors-warning.html">Libby Schaaf, warned illegal immigrants of an incoming ICE raid in northern California</a>. A tweet sent out by the Oakland mayor warned of a raid last week alerting targeted individuals to the imminent arrests, and infuriating ICE officials, who say that many more could have been caught if they hadn't been warned. The raid led to the arrest of 232 illegal immigrants in the San Francisco Bay Area, 180 of which ICE said “were either convicted criminals, had been issued a final order of removal and failed to depart the United States, or had been previously removed.” Acting ICE Director Tom Homan said that because of Schaaf’s warning there are roughly 800 illegal immigrants they were unable to locate.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Texas Dems Turnout for Midterm</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/377113-dems-double-turnout-in-texas-from-previous-midterm">Texas Democrats on Tuesday more than doubled their primary election</a> turnout from four years ago, providing the party with a modest boost as it looks to take on the GOP in the conservative state during this year's midterms. As of early Wednesday morning, more than 1 million Democrats cast ballots in the party's primary election, compared to 1.5 million who voted in the Republican primary. More than 1.3 million voters backed Sen. Ted Cruz (R) in his Republican primary on Tuesday, while about 640,000 backed Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D). The two will square off in the November general election.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Polled Mar-a-Lago Guests About Kushner’s Scandals</em></strong></p>
<p>President Trump during his visit to Mar-a-Lago last weekend <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/377044-vanity-fair-trump-polled-mar-a-lago-guests-about-kushners-scandals">reportedly polled guests on reports about his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner</a>. A person familiar with what happened told Vanity Fair that during Trump's brief 24-hour visit to the luxury resort the president asked club members how stories about Kushner were playing. Earlier in the week, Kushner had his security clearance downgraded from top-secret to secret.<br /><br /> </p>
<p><strong><em>Jewish GOP group calls on lawmakers to resign over Farrakhan remarks</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/377053-jewish-gop-group-calls-on-lawmakers-tied-to-farrakhan-to-resign">The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) on Tuesday called on seven prominent lawmakers to resign</a>, accusing them of having close ties to Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, who drew criticism recently after a speech full of anti-Semitic remarks. Farrakhan is facing criticism after he delivered a speech last week in which he referred to "powerful Jews" as his enemy, and said, “the Jews were responsible for all of this filth and degenerate behavior that Hollywood is putting out turning men into women and women into men.”<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><em><strong>Increase in ER Visits for Opioid Overdoses</strong></em></p>
<p><a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/mar/6/cdc-er-visits-opioid-overdose-30-percent-recent-ye/?utm_source=onesignal&utm_campaign=pushnotify&utm_medium=push">Emergency room visits from opioid overdoses spiked 30 percent</a> from July 2016 to September 2017, the government said Tuesday in a sobering report that underscores the need for targeted resources and expanded treatment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it reviewed ER visits in 45 states because it wants to understand the crisis upstream rather than focusing on fatalities alone and devise a “timely, strategic, and coordinated” response.</p>
<p> <br /><br /><strong><em>For All Their Risks, Opioids Have No Pain-Relieving Advantage</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong>For years, doctors turned to opioid painkillers as a first-line treatment for chronic back pain and aches in the joints. Even as the dangers of addiction and overdoses became clearer, the drugs' pain-relieving benefits were still thought to justify their risks. Now researchers have hard data that challenges this view. In the first randomized clinical trial to make a head-to-head comparison between opioids and other kinds of pain medications, <a href="http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-opioid-painkillers-no-better-20180306-story.html">patients who took opioids fared no better over the long term than patients who used safer alternatives.</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-opioid-painkillers-no-better-20180306-story.html"><br /><br /></a><strong><em>42% of Americans Are at Risk of Retiring Broke</em></strong></p>
<p>In this day and age, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/06/42-percent-of-americans-are-at-risk-of-retiring-broke.html">retirement is more of a fantasy than a reality</a> for many people in this country. About 42 percent of Americans have less than $10,000 saved for when they retire, according to a study by GoBankingRates released Tuesday. The number one reason most people cited for not stashing more away was because they didn't earn enough to save, followed by the fact that they were already struggling to pay bills.</p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-03-07T13:49:00ZPoll reveals majority of Americans don't trust Trump, Eric Holder predicts Robert Mueller charges Trump with obstruction of JusticeBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Poll-reveals-majority-of-Americans-dont-trust-Trump-Eric-Holder-predicts-Robert-Mueller-charges-Trump-with-obstruction-of-Justice/-196617304147537932.html2018-03-05T14:35:00Z2018-03-05T14:35:00Z<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Mueller team looking into possible United Arab Emirates money into Trump campaign: report</strong></span></p>
<p>Special counsel Robert Mueller’s team is allegedly looking into whether the United Arab Emirates attempted to gain political influence by giving money to Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.</p>
<p>Investigators on Mueller’s team have questioned the adviser, Lebanese-American businessman George Nader about whether the UAE tried to buy political influence, according to The New York Times.</p>
<p>Nader has reportedly been an adviser to the crown prince. Axios first reported that Mueller investigators were talking to Nader.</p>
<p>Other reports have pointed out that Nader was close to former top Trump political strategist Steve Bannon.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/03/04/mueller-team-looking-into-possible-united-arab-emirates-money-into-trump-campaign-report.html" target="_blank">http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/03/04/mueller-team-looking-into-possible-united-arab-emirates-money-into-trump-campaign-report.html</a></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Florida Senate rejects ban on assault weapons, votes to arm teachers</strong></span></p>
<p>The Florida Senate has rejected a proposal to ban assault weapons, and voted for a measure to arm some teachers over the weekend.</p>
<p>An amendment that would have banned assault weapons was attached to a wider bill and failed on Saturday. The vote was 20-17 against the assault weapon ban, the Miami Herald reported.</p>
<p>The full bill, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, is expected to pass the state Senate on Monday, then go to the Florida House.</p>
<p>Also, an amendment to remove a provision to train and arm some teachers failed.</p>
<p>The bill raises the minimum age to buy a rifle or a shotgun to 21 from 18 and bans the use, sale or possession of bump stocks.</p>
<p>The bill includes $400 million in funding for schools to address mental health issues, the Herald reported.<br /><a href="https://ca.news.yahoo.com/florida-senate-rejects-ban-assault-weapons-votes-arm-154226849.html" target="_blank">https://ca.news.yahoo.com/florida-senate-rejects-ban-assault-weapons-votes-arm-154226849.html</a></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Trump Suggests US Will Meet With North Korea</strong></span></p>
<p>President Donald Trump suggested on Saturday that the United States will be meeting with North Korea but has told Pyongyang it must first "denuke."</p>
<p>"Now we are talking and they, by the way, called up a couple of days ago. They said that 'we would like to talk.' And I said 'So would we, but you have to denuke, you have to denuke,'" Trump told attendees at the annual Gridiron Club dinner.</p>
<p>"We will be meeting and we'll see if anything positive happens," he added.</p>
<p>It was unclear if Trump was joking or if formal U.S.-North Korea talks were imminent.</p>
<p>"I won't rule out direct talks with Kim Jong Un. I just won't," Trump said on Saturday, referring to North Korea's leader.</p>
<p>Trump did, however, make a joke at his own expense.</p>
<p>"As far as the risk of dealing with a madman is concerned, that's his problem, not mine," Trump said.<br /><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/headline/trump-north-korea-talks-nuclear/2018/03/04/id/846707/" target="_blank">https://www.newsmax.com/headline/trump-north-korea-talks-nuclear/2018/03/04/id/846707/</a></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Eric Holder predicts Robert Mueller charges Trump with obstruction of justice</strong></span></p>
<p>President Trump will face an obstruction of justice charge from special counsel Robert Mueller, former Attorney General Eric Holder predicted.</p>
<p>“You technically have an obstruction of justice case that already exists,” Holder, who served under then-President Obama, said on HBO’s "Real Time with Bill Maher." "I've known Bob Mueller for 20, 30 years; my guess is he's just trying to make the case as good as he possibly can. So, I think that we have to be patient in that regard.”</p>
<p>“I have absolute right to do what I want to do with the Justice Department,” Trump told the New York Times in December 2017.</p>
<p>“I don’t want to get into loyalty, but I will tell you that, I will say this: Holder protected President Obama. Totally protected him,” Trump said in the New York Times interview. “When you look at the things that they did, and Holder protected the president. And I have great respect for that, I’ll be honest.”<br /><a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/eric-holder-predicts-robert-mueller-charges-trump-with-obstruction-of-justice/article/2650624" target="_blank">http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/eric-holder-predicts-robert-mueller-charges-trump-with-obstruction-of-justice/article/2650624</a></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Majority doesn’t trust Trump administration to stop foreign meddling in midterms: poll</strong></span></p>
<p>A majority of Americans in a new poll doesn't believe President Trump will stop foreign governments from meddling in the 2018 midterm elections.</p>
<p>Fifty-five percent of all adults in the Axios survey don't have much or any trust that the Trump administration can prevent interference.</p>
<p>Eighty-six percent of Democrats said they don’t trust Trump to stop foreign governments, while only 17 percent of Republicans who said the same thing.</p>
<p>Sixty-six percent of Americans also said that tech companies have a “major responsibility” to prevent meddling in the elections, Axios reported, but less than 50 percent said they trust the companies to do so.</p>
<p>Four-fifths blamed the tech companies for not doing enough to prevent meddling in the 2016 elections, according to the poll.</p>
<p>The online poll of 3,574 adults, which was conducted be SurveyMonkey from February 21-23, has a "modeled error estimate" of 2.5 percentage points.<br /><a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/eric-holder-predicts-robert-mueller-charges-trump-with-obstruction-of-justice/article/2650624" target="_blank">http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/376650-majority-doesnt-trust-trump-administration-to-stop-foreign</a></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Brown course claims 'whitelash' led to Trump's election</strong></span></p>
<p>Brown University is preparing to offer a course on the “whitelash” - which it claims caused President Trump’s election - as part of its pre-college program for high-schoolers.</p>
<p>The course, titled “Resistance to Racial Equality from the Civil War to Donald Trump,” will examine the racial elements of Trump’s election, which it calls a “whitelash,” meaning a “staunch white resistance to, and even revenge against, racial equity.”</p>
<p>It is one of multiple courses offered during Brown’s annual “Summer@Brown” program, which offers future students an on-campus experience.</p>
<p>“Without the pressure of formal grades and credit, students can immerse themselves in subjects they choose and experience the satisfying challenges of college-level academics,” a description for the program explains, inviting students to choose from a selection of at least 220 courses, including one on “fake news,” and another on Critical Race Theory.</p>
<p>“After the two-term presidency of Barack Obama--the first black man to hold that office--was the election of Donald Trump a surprise? To many people, it was,” the course description begins, saying that for those who “believe in this story of consistent racial progress, Trump’s successful campaign, fueled as it was by white nationalist supporters, was very surprising.”</p>
<p>The description goes on to suggest, however, that Trump’s presidency “is not an outlier, but rather emblematic of a deeply rooted tradition of American politics,” noting that “some observers have called this brand of American politics ‘whitelash.’” <br /><a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10591" target="_blank">https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10591</a></p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-03-05T14:35:00ZJustice Department reviewing Oakland mayor's tipoff of immigration raids, Nor'easter snarls travelBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Justice-Department-reviewing-Oakland-mayors-tipoff-of-immigration-raids-Noreaster-snarls-travel/915984204879371486.html2018-03-02T15:52:00Z2018-03-02T15:52:00Z<p>Here is the daily briefing for Friday, March 2, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<strong><br /><br />NRA Says Trump Opposes Gun Control<br /></strong><br />On Thursday President Trump met with the National Rifle Association, which later said the president opposed gun control.Trump tweeted Thursday night he had a "great" meeting with the NRA, a stark contrast from his remarks earlier in the week. The President seemed to be in opposition with the NRA when he told lawmakers he would ban bump stocks and supports more background checks.<br /><br />https://www.newsmax.com/politics/politics-shooting-trump-nra/2018/03/02/id/846338/<br /><br /><strong>Trump calls for 'very strong' penalties for drug dealers<br /></strong><br />President Trump on Thursday called for being "very strong on penalties" for drug dealers while speaking at a White House opioid summit. Though he did not mention the death penalty, recent reports claimed that the President supports the death penalty for drug traffickers.<br />"Some countries have a very, very tough penalty, the ultimate penalty," Trump said Thursday’s summit.<br /><br />http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/376319-trump-calls-for-being-very-strong-onpenalties-on-drug-dealers<br /><br /><strong>President Trump: 'trade wars are good'<br /></strong><br />President Trump showed no sign Friday of backing off Thursday’s announcement that he would slap tariffs on aluminum and steel imports, tweeting that “trade wars are good, and easy to win.”In a surprising announcement Thursday the President said he had decided on tariffs of 25<br />percent for steel and 10 percent on aluminum and would press ahead next week. Earlier today, Trump tweeted a defense of his stance: “When a country (USA) is losing many billions of dollars on trade with virtually every country it does business with, trade wars are good, and easy to win. Example, when we are down $100 billion with a certain country and they get cute, don’t trade anymore-we win big. It’s easy!”<br /><br />http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/03/02/trump-declares-trade-wars-are-good-digs-inamid-tariff-turmoil.html<br /><br /><strong>Sanders: Trump has no plans to fire Sessions<br /></strong><br />White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Thursday that she does not believe President Trump plans to fire Jeff Sessions as attorney general.<br /><br /> “Not that I know of,” Sanders said when asked if Trump plans to get rid of Sessions.<br /><br /> "The president has made his frustration very clear, and I don't have anything to add about that," Sanders said.<br /><br /> Trump blasted Sessions as "disgraceful" on Wednesday for opening an inspector general probe into the president's allegations that members of his campaign team were illegally surveilled by members of the Obama administration.</p>
<p>http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/376312-whs-sanders-trump-has-no-plans-tofire-sessions-that-i-know-of<br /><br /><strong>DOJ Review Expected to Criticize McCabe Over Media Disclosures<br /></strong><br />The New York Times is reporting that a Justice Department review is expected to criticize former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe for giving information to the media about the ongoing investigation into Hillary Clinton's handling of classified information. <br /><br />Michael Horowitz, the department's inspector general, is reportedly focusing in on disclosures to The Wall Street Journal as part of his investigation into how the FBI approached the 2016 Clinton investigation, the Times reported. Horowitz has said he expects to release a report this month or next.<br /><br />https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/doj-inspector-general-andrew-mccabe-mediadisclosures/2018/03/01/id/846306/<br /><br /><strong>Justice Department reviewing Oakland mayor's tipoff of immigration raids<br /></strong><br />The White House on Thursday said the Department of Justice was reviewing the actions of Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, who warned residents of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid in Northern California last weekend.<br /><br />"I think it's outrageous that a mayor would circumvent federal authorities and certainly put them in danger by making a move such as that," White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee<br /><br />Sanders told reporters.<br /><br />Sanders said Schaaf's actions were under "review" but did not give any more details.<br /><br />Schaaf has defended her statement, saying she felt it was her duty to warn residents of the ICE<br />action.<br /><br />http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-oakland-mayor-raids-20180301-story.html<br /><br /><strong>Airlines cancel 2,100+ flights as nor'easter snarls travel<br /></strong><br />Airlines have canceled more than 2,000 flights Friday as a powerful nor’easter brought<br />rain, snow and severe wind to much of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.<br /><br />Most of those cancellations were spread across airports in the Northeast, where wind gusts of<br />up to 70 mph were possible. The winds were expected to have an unusually long duration,<br />lasting into Saturday.<br /><br />A nor’easter pummeling the East Coast is expected to bring flooding, heavy rain and inland<br />snow over the next 24 hours.<br /><br />From Georgia to Maine, 17 East Coast states are on alert for damaging winds, flooding, heavy<br />snow and coastal flooding. There is also a hurricane-force wind warning for offshore waters in<br />southeastern New England.<br /><br />http://abcnews.go.com/US/northeast-slammed-heavy-rain-snow-noreaster/story?id=53459604</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-03-02T15:52:00ZAnother Day, Another Nickname; Hope Hicks Resigns as White House Comm DirectorBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Another-Day-Another-Nickname;-Hope-Hicks-Resigns-as-White-House-Comm-Director/-524211082100803760.html2018-03-01T13:26:00Z2018-03-01T13:26:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, March 1, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Deputies initially ordered to 'stage' not enter Stoneman Douglas</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/02/28/commanding-officer-initially-ordered-responding-deputies-to-stage-not-enter-stoneman-douglas-sources-say.html">Fox News is now reporting</a> that, as deputies were searching for an active shooter on the property of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, a commanding officer ordered some of them to “stage” and set up a “perimeter” outside instead of immediately entering the school and disarming the suspect. According to a law enforcement source who was on the scene after the shooting, “if deputies were staging it could have cost lives.”</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></strong><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Mueller stepping in between Trump and Sessions</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/fbi-special-counsel-robert-mueller-twitter/2018/02/28/id/846071/">Special counsel Robert Mueller is now looking into whether or not President Trump attempted to fire Attorney General Jeff Sessions last summer</a> under the claims he obstructed justice, The Washington Post is reporting.</p>
<p>Mueller’s focus is reportedly on if the President’s motivation to oust Sessions was so he could "pick a replacement who would exercise control" regarding the Russia investigation.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></strong><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Another Day, Another Nickname</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/376167-trump-refers-to-sessions-as-mr-magoo-report">According to a report yesterday in the Washington Post</a>, the President has found time to think up a new nickname for a new foe. The Post reports that President Trump refers to Attorney General Jeff Sessions as “Mr. Magoo,” comparing the AG to a cartoon character depicted by an elderly man with bad eyesight.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br />Poll: Majority believes Trump is racist</span></strong></p>
<p>A new AP/ NORC survey released yesterday found that a majority of Americans believe that President Trump is racist, and that his policies have been bad for Muslims and Hispanics. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/376153-poll-majority-believes-trump-is-racist">57 percent of all respondents said they think Trump is racist</a>. Nearly half of white adults also said they believe Trump is racist.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br />Hope Hicks Resigns as White House Communications Director</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/376175-cnn-trump-berated-hicks-after-house-intel-testimony">According to a CNN report</a>, President Trump “berated” former White House communications director Hope Hicks after she testified before the House Intelligence Committee on Tuesday. Following her testimony and alleged berating, Hick resigned her post.</p>
<p>"There are no words to adequately express my gratitude to President Trump. I wish the president and his administration the very best as he continues to lead our country,” Hicks said in a statement.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">DOJ looking into possible obstruction charge against Oakland mayor who warned of ICE raid</span></strong></p>
<p>The Department of Justice is looking into whether <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/02/28/doj-looking-into-possible-obstruction-charge-against-oakland-mayor-who-warned-ice-raid.html">Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf obstructed justice</a> by warning Oakland residents of a possible upcoming ICE raid. The DOJ’s acting director, Thomas Homan, told “Fox & Friends” that the agency is “reviewing” whether Schaaf broke the law when she told her constituents that ICE would be raiding the area.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></strong><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">SCOTUS debates laws banning "politically-charged" clothing from polling places</span></strong></p>
<p>The Supreme Court <a href="http://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/376047-supreme-court-debates-laws-banning-politically-charged-clothing-from">Wednesday</a> debated a Minnesota law that bans political hats, T-shirts, buttons or badges from being worn in polling places. Chief Justice John Roberts questioned whether the law was too broad.</p>
<p>“It does reach quite a bit beyond what I think a reasonable observer would think is necessary,” he said. The case centers on whether the restrictions violate the First Amendment.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br />Student Government Thinks ‘I Love Capitalism’ Group Is ‘Hateful’</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/02/28/turning-point-usa-cornell-college-iowa/">The student senate at Cornell College rejected the conservative group, Turning Point USA’s efforts to open a chapter at the Mt.</a> Vernon, Iowa, college, calling the group “hateful, sexist, racist.”</p>
<p>“Concerns regarding this potential student organization outweighed the group’ potential contributions to campus,” Student Senate President Ethan Berube said. “These concerns were highlighted by the conflict between the values and policies of Cornell College and the actions of Turning Point USA leaders, members, sponsored speakers or programs that included: hateful, sexist, racist or otherwise demeaning or discriminatory messages; and, slandering college employees and attempting to restrict free speech through the Professor Watchlist.”</p>
<p>Turning Point’s professor watchlist entails faculty who allegedly “discriminate against conservative students and advance leftist propaganda.”</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br />Study: California Has the Worst Quality of Life</span></strong></p>
<p>According to a new study by U.S. News and World Report, California has the worst quality of life of all 50 states, while North Dakota has the best. The news magazine looked at each state's environment, the physical and mental health of its residents, its political activism, its crime rate and its fiscal stability to come to its determination.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/study-california-quality-rankings/2018/02/28/id/846017/">study</a> found that the five states with the best quality of life are North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New Hampshire and South Dakota. The five states with the worst quality of life are: California, New Jersey, Indiana, Illinois and Texas.</p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-03-01T13:26:00ZParkland Students Resume Classes; Two Court Victories For TrumpBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Parkland-Students-Resume-Classes;-Two-Court-Victories-For-Trump/-707629156949536870.html2018-02-28T14:57:00Z2018-02-28T14:57:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, February 28, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Parkland Students Resume Classes</em></strong><br /> <br /> Stoneman Douglas High School students <a href="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-sb-parkland-school-security-shooting-20180227-story.html">are back in class today for the first time since 17 people were murdered at the school two weeks ago</a>. There will be a heavy police presence at the high school, which will be off limits to most visitors. The three-story building where most of the killing took place will remain closed and is expected to eventually be destroyed.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Florida Mulls Major School Security Plan</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/us/rick-scott-florida-governor-school-safety/2018/02/27/id/845831/">Governor Rick Scott yesterday unveiled his comprehensive plan to make Florida's schools safer</a>. The governor wants the state to increase school security and deal more effectively with mental health issues. Under the $500-million plan, Florida schools would be outfitted with metal detectors, steel doors, and other physical security measures. "Change is coming," Governor Scott pledged<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Study Claims Schools Are Safer</em></strong><br /> <br /> Criminologists at <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/feb/27/schools-safer-today-1990s-study-shootings-says/">Boston's Northeastern University have reached a surprising conclusion</a>. After exhaustive research, they report that American schools are safer now than they were a quarter century ago and that school shootings have actually declined. The bottom line: "There is not an epidemic of school shootings."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>MS-13 Killers Laugh In Court</em></strong><br /> <br /> Gang members accused of murdering two teenage girls were in a Long Island courtroom yesterday, <a href="https://nypost.com/2018/02/27/accused-ms-13-members-laugh-in-court-near-victims-family/">where they brazenly laughed and joked</a>. The MS-13 thugs allegedly bludgeoned the two girls, one of whose parents were singled out at President Trump's State of the Union address. The MS-13 gang, composed mostly of immigrants from El Salvador, has been on a killing spree on Long Island and in other cities across America.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Hammers Sessions On FISA</em></strong><br /> <br /> Attorney General Jeff Sessions <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/375863-sessions-says-justice-dept-will-investigate-alleged-fisa-abuses">has vowed that his department will investigate possible abuses in the FISA process</a>. Republicans claim that the Obama-era FBI and DOJ presented incomplete and misleading information to the court when they obtained a series of warrants that led to eavesdropping on the Trump campaign. But in a tweet this morning, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/968856971075051521">President Trump criticized the way Sessions is handling the investigation</a>, calling it "DISGRACEFUL!"<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Two Court Victories For Trump</em></strong><br /> <br /> Tuesday was a banner day for the White House and its immigration initiatives. In one case, the United States Supreme Court <a href="http://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/375791-supreme-court-rules-immigrants-can-be-detained-indefinitely">ruled that immigrants can be detained indefinitely</a> and do not have the right to bond hearings. That is considered a major blow to immigration advocates. Also on Tuesday, Federal Judge Gonzalo Curiel ruled that the administration <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/gonzalo-curiel-rules-trump-border-wall-can-be-built-after-attacks-2018-2">is free to proceed with building the border wall</a>. Curiel is the same judge who was once attacked by President Trump as biased because of his Mexican heritage.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Illegal Immigrants Rounded Up In California</em></strong><br /> <br /> Federal immigration officers <a href="http://thehill.com/latino/375950-more-than-150-arrested-in-latest-california-immigration-raids">staged a series of raids in Northern California this week</a>, detaining about 150 illegal immigrants. The raids came just days after Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf warned illegals that a raid may be imminent and urged them to take cover. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/02/28/oakland-mayor-libby-schaaf-tipped-off-immigrants-about-ice-raid-and-isnt-sorry-she-did/?utm_term=.3f1f480c2bc0">The agency says it could have arrested even more illegal immigrants were it not for Mayor Schaaf's possibly illegal actions.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dick's Ends "Assault Rifle" Sales</em></strong><br /> <br /> As a direct response to the Florida school shooting, <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/28/589436112/dicks-sporting-goods-ends-sale-of-assault-style-rifles-citing-florida-shooting">Dick's Sporting Goods is ending all sales of assault-style rifles.</a> Beyond that, Dick's will no longer sell large capacity magazines and will not sell firearms to anyone under the age of 21. Parkland killer Nikolas Cruz had purchased a weapon at Dick's, but not the AR-15 he used in the slaughter.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Kushner's Security Clearance Downgraded</em></strong><br /> <br /> Presidential adviser and Trump son-in-law <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/27/jared-kushner-security-clearance-downgrade-427178">Jared Kushner no longer has an "Interim Top Secret" security clearance</a>. Kushner and others on the White House staff who are working on an interim status have been downgraded to "Interim Secret," which precludes them from viewing certain intelligence documents. Kushner will continue to work in the White House while awaiting a decision on his permanent clearance.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>White House Aide Admits To "White Lies"</em></strong><br /> <br /> Hope Hicks, a trusted member of the Trump team from almost the beginning of the campaign, admitted to the House Intelligence Committee <a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2018-02-28/hicks-declines-to-answer-panels-questions-about-white-house">that she has lied to help her boss</a>. However, Hicks insists that she never fibbed about anything having to do with Russia or the Mueller investigation. She also refused to answer any questions about events that occurred since President Trump's inauguration.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Actress Defends Trump Voters </em></strong><br /> <br /> Jennifer Lawrence is calling out <a href="https://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/02/27/jennifer-lawrence-castigates-dems-over-their-treatment-of-trump-voters-that-was-disgusting-to-me">her fellow liberals for demeaning and diminishing Trump supporters</a> in the 2016 election. An admitted Trump-hater herself, Lawrence nevertheless contends that left-wingers harmed their own cause when they mocked Trumpsters.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>States Wooing Anti-NRA Delta</em></strong><br /> <br /> George's Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagel, who presides over the State Senate, has threatened to end tax breaks for Delta Air Lines after the carrier ended discounts for NRA members. <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2018/02/27/news/companies/delta-nra-discount-backlash/index.html">Virginia and New York, wasting no time, are already trying to entice Delta</a> to move its headquarters from Georgia to their states. Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, in a seductive tweet, told Delta that "Virginia is for lovers and airline hubs."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Shooting Survivor Unfairly Disparaged CNN</em></strong><br /> <br /> Stoneman Douglas student Colton Haab made news last week when he claimed that CNN fed him a scripted question prior to that network's "town hall" on gun violence. In fact, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/375904-shooting-survivors-father-admits-he-altered-email-exchanges-with-cnn">Colton's father now admits that he altered emails</a> that were exchanged between himself and CNN. The elder Haab's admission indicates that he and his son were wrong when they smeared CNN last week.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Americans Blame Government Failures For Shooting</em></strong><br /> <br /> According to a new poll by Rasmussen, <a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/gun_control/americans_blame_government_more_than_guns_for_florida_massacre">54% of U.S. adults primarily blame government agencies</a> for the massacre in Florida, while 33% place the onus on inadequate gun control. The vast majority of Americans have been following the story either "somewhat closely" or "very closely."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Papa John's Quits NFL, Pizza Hut Enters The Game</em></strong><br /> <br /> Papa John's pizza chain decided this week that it would no longer be the "official pizza sponsor" of the National Football League. But within 24 hours, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2018/02/27/papa-johns-nfl-end-sponsorship-agreement-after-anthem-protest-controversy/?utm_term=.69e20f2786ed">the league signed a lucrative, long-term deal with Pizza Hut</a> to take over that role. It means no more of those entertaining (or annoying?) commercials featuring Papa John himself. <br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LqthxoG3WoU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>"Cannabis Candidate" Runs For Congress</em></strong><br /> <br /> Benjamin Thomas Wolf, who hopes to represent a Chicago district in Congress, is running on a platform <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/cannabis-candidate-for-5th-congressional-district-smokes-marijuana-in-new-ad/">that includes the legalization of marijuana</a>. Wolf is a professor, former FBI official, and proud pot user, and his campaign literature includes a photo of the self-proclaimed "cannabis candidate" smoking a joint.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Fiscal Responsibility Tabled At HUD</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Department of Housing and Urban Development is in the hot seat over a very expensive table. <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/27/huds-new-table-for-secretary-carsons-dining-room-costs-31561.html">HUD spent more than $30,000 on a dining table and chairs for the secretary's office</a>, even though the spending cap for office furniture is $5,000. A former HUD worker says she was told that "5,000 will not even buy a decent chair." A department spokesperson insists that Secretary Ben Carson was unaware of the purchase, which was authorized before he took office, and that he makes every effort to be "fiscally prudent."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mueller Scrutinizing Trump's Russian Business Ties</em></strong><br /> <br /> Special counsel Robert Mueller's team of investigators is reportedly looking into <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/375944-mueller-team-asking-about-trumps-business-dealings-in-russia-report">President Trump's former business dealings in Russia</a>. Their focus is apparently on Trump's 2013 visit to Moscow and the Miss Universe pageant, as well as a scuttled deal that would have led to a Trump Tower in Moscow. The investigators are said to be exploring the possibility that Russians may have some secret and potentially damaging information about President Trump.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Planning For 2020</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump, already looking ahead to 2020, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/02/27/589210484/trump-names-2020-campaign-manager">has named digital marketing maven Brad Parscale to run his campaign</a>. Parscale was considered instrumental in the president's 2016 victory, which he confidently predicted all along. He began working for the Trump Organization on website and social media issues in 2011 and is highly trusted by the president himself. Parscale was profiled by "60 Minutes" last year. <br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z79DIgG6yuY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /><br /></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-02-28T14:57:00ZFlorida Deputy Defends His Inaction; Congress To Interview Trump Aide TodayBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Florida-Deputy-Defends-His-Inaction;-Congress-To-Interview-Trump-Aide-Today/-203595287033808533.html2018-02-27T15:12:00Z2018-02-27T15:12:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, February 27, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Vows Action On Guns</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-tp-discuss-florida-school-shooting-with-governors/4270476.html">Speaking to many of the nation's governors yesterday</a>, President Trump vowed that he will get rid of "bump stocks," whether via legislation or executive action. He also doubled down on his proposal to have some armed teachers and staff in schools, and he urged the governors to stand up to the NRA when it is necessary. Opening himself up to criticism, the president then expressed confidence that he would have rushed into the school building in Florida two weeks ago had he been on the scene. <br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TtNlpupSn70?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /><br /> <strong><em>Florida Deputy Defends His Inaction</em></strong><br /> <br /> Former Broward County Deputy Sheriff Scot Peterson became the most reviled man in America when it was revealed that he remained outside, crouched behind his police car, while children and staff were being massacred. Speaking through his lawyer, <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article202164039.html">Peterson now declares that he did exactly the right thing and did not act cowardly</a>. The disgraced former lawman claims he believed the shots he heard were coming from outside the school and he was properly assessing the chaotic situation.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sheriff Israel Hanging On … Barely</em></strong><br /> <br /> There have been growing calls for Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel to resign or at least step aside while state authorities investigate his department's many missteps. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/27/us/parkland-shooter-cruz-sheriff-calls-invs/index.html">CNN is now reporting that Israel's department received at least 45 warnings</a> about Nikolas Cruz in the years prior to the shooting, even though Sheriff Israel insists there were only 23 calls. The sheriff's office has not been willing or able to explain the discrepancy.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Americans Support AR-15 Ban</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/375622-poll-61-percent-back-ar-15-ban">According to a poll taken just days after the massacre in Parkland</a>, 61% of Americans support a ban on the sale of the AR-15 rifle, which was also used in previous mass shootings. 39% believe that adults who pass a background check should be permitted to buy the rifle, which is often categorized as an "assault weapon."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>House Dems Introduce "Assault Weapons" Ban</em></strong><br /> <br /> While it has proven difficult to define exactly what constitutes an "assault weapon," <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/democrat-congressmen-assault-weapons-ban-david-cicilline-ted-deutch/2018/02/26/id/845573/">two members of Congress have introduced a bill that would institute a total ban those ill-defined weapons</a>. "The Assault Weapons Ban of 2018," crafted by two House Democrats, would make it illegal to possess or sell a "semiautomatic assault weapon." Given that President Trump and most Republicans oppose such a blanket ban, the proposal is largely a symbolic effort.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Congress To Interview Trump Aide Today</em></strong><br /> <br /> Hope Hicks, who has been a loyal member of the Trump team since early in the campaign, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/house-russia-probe-investigators-set-to-question-hope-hicks-but-will-she-answer/2018/02/27/3b2c5dfe-1b78-11e8-9de1-147dd2df3829_story.html?utm_term=.d4908771377a">will be questioned today by members of the House Intelligence Committee</a>, which is still investigating the campaign's alleged ties with Russia. Some other Trump aides have refused to answer certain questions posed by the committee, and there is the distinct possibility that Hicks will follow their lead. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Uh Oh! CNN Analyst Questions Women</em></strong><br /> <br /> Part of the liberal playbook is insisting that there are no significant differences between men and women. But CNN's "law enforcement analyst" Tom Fuentes went off script and questioned whether women teachers, given that they wear skirts and dresses, are capable of carrying a concealed weapon. He may wish to consult with Dana Loesch. <br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g_7vhwvUwrs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Politician Backs NRA, Threatens Delta Airlines</em></strong><br /> <br /> Georgia's Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagel, who also presides over the State Senate, <a href="https://politics.myajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/georgia-senate-vows-ground-delta-tax-break-after-nra-decision/2mEb5NCgBmpblpwrFYNEGM/">is threatening to punch Delta Air Lines right in the pocketbook</a>. Just days after the carrier announced that it will no longer provide discounts to NRA members, Cagel threatened to end a major tax break that primarily benefits Atlanta-based Delta. Cagel, a lifelong member of the NRA, may well be Georgia's next governor. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Patriotic Commercial Goes Viral</em></strong><br /> <br /> The clothing company "Grunt Style," founded by a former Army drill sergeant, has created a 30-second ad that salutes men and women in uniform and their determination to protect the rights of all Americans. The company's goal is to promote patriotism, one t-shirt at a time. <br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M_wLPcH1_WA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Former MSNBC Host Runs For House Seat</em></strong><br /> <br /> Dylan Ratigan once hosted a little-watched and eponymous program on MSNBC. He is now running for Congress in New York State, hoping to unseat a Republican opponent in a conservative district. Ratigan was perhaps best known for delivering some epic on-air rants, <a href="http://www.billoreilly.com/video/video-of-the-day?vid=186429035261084122">which he addressed yesterday on MSNBC.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Parkland Survivor Nears 1,000,000 Twitter Followers</em></strong><br /> <br /> High school student Emma Gonzalez, who emerged as a leading spokesperson for survivors of the mass shooting in Florida, <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/375598-parkland-student-surpasses-nra-in-twitter-followers">now has 950,000 followers on her Twitter account</a>. She actually has more followers than the NRA and its leading spokesperson Dana Loesch. Gonzalez and her classmates will be in the spotlight again tomorrow when their classes resume for the first time since the murders.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Americans: In Mueller We Trust</em></strong><br /> <br /> Special Counsel Robert Mueller has remained very quiet during his lengthy investigation into allegations of Russian collusion. Perhaps partly as a result, <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/375734-poll-americans-trust-mueller-more-than-trump-on-russia">58% of American voters say they trust Mueller</a>, who has engendered more good will than President Trump. In a separate poll, 54% of Americans believe the media are <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/375652-poll-voters-say-trump-is-unfair-to-the-media">generally fair in their treatment of the president</a>. Not surprisingly, Republicans tend to favor Fox News, while Democrats have an affinity for CNN.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Will See Wall Prototypes</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump will soon head to California <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/border-wall-prototypes-mexico-will-pay-for-it-california/2018/02/26/id/845578/">for a first-hand look at the various design proposals for a border wall</a>. Six companies have built a total of eight prototypes, which are intended to be nearly impossible to scale or breach. This comes as the war over illegal immigration between the federal government and California grows stronger by the day.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>California's Shame, One County's Response</em></strong><br /> <br /> Homeless Californians have taken up residence in filthy encampments up and down the Pacific coast. While San Francisco and other communities turn a blind eye, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/02/26/los-angeles-burbs-crack-down-on-huge-homeless-camp-near-disneyland-fearing-new-skid-row.html">officials in Orange County are evicting the squatters from a two-mile long camp</a> not far from Disneyland. County leaders have called in garbage trucks and workers in hazmat suits to get rid of the trash, human waste, and needles. <br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cnYsM8OsahE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /><br /> <strong><em>Obama Touts Scandal-Free Administration</em></strong><br /> <br /> Last week Barack Obama gave a talk at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Eschewing transparency, the former president banned any and all recording devices <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/02/26/obama-trump-scandal-speech/">for his absolutely, totally off-the-record remarks</a>. Nevertheless, some anonymous rebel recorded audio of the event, in which Mr. Obama declared, "We didn't have a scandal that embarrassed us." He was apparently forgetting about the IRS, Benghazi, VA hospitals, Clinton emails, Fast and Furious, Solyndra, election intimidation, and the ObamaCare rollout. Other than that, there was "not a smidgen" of scandal.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dreamer Behaving Badly</em></strong><br /> <br /> Abigail Hernandez, a 21-year-old beneficiary of the DACA program, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/02/25/new-york-dreamer-arrested-threatened-school-shooting/">is under arrest after she threatened to shoot up a school in Rochester, New York</a>. Hernandez posted her threat on Facebook just two days after the mass shooting in Florida, which was especially ominous because police officers found a shotgun in her home. She has been charged with making terroristic threats.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pencils To The Dustbin Of History?</em></strong><br /> <br /> Some doctors worry that young children, with their incessant use of mobile devices, <a href="http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2018/02/26/children-tech-pencil-writing/">are physically unable to hold a pen or pencil</a>, which of course makes writing kind of difficult. It makes one wonder whether this ageless optical illusion will be totally lost on future generations. It just doesn't work quite as well with a smart phone or tablet. <br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TeYCxH8EnXs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /><br /></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-02-27T15:12:00ZHigh School Re-Opens in Parkland; State To Investigate MassacreBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/High-School-Re-Opens-in-Parkland;-State-To-Investigate-Massacre/745322397649768113.html2018-02-26T15:05:00Z2018-02-26T15:05:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Monday, February 26, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>High School Re-Opens in Parkland</em></strong><br /> <br /> Students and parents <a href="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-reg-orientation-stoneman-douglas-20180225-story.html">returned to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School yesterday</a> for the first time since the mass murder in which 17 people were killed. There were tears, embraces, and grief counselors standing by to help anyone in emotional duress. The school will officially begin classes on Wednesday, although the actual building in which the carnage took place will remain closed.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sheriff Hammered After Disastrous CNN Interview</em></strong><br /> <br /> Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/25/politics/broward-county-scott-israel-parkland-cnntv/index.html">was skewered by CNN's Jake Tapper during a lengthy interview Sunday</a>. The sheriff may have expected a cordial conversation, but he was hit hard for the multiple failures of his department before and during the massacre. Israel praised his own "amazing leadership" and scoffed at demands that he resign. The sheriff did himself no favors when he made a <a href="http://www.billoreilly.com/video/video-of-the-day?vid=690626124213597949">bizarre comment about "ifs and buts" being "fruits and nuts."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>State To Investigate Massacre</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/florida-gov-rick-scott-parkland-florida-school-shooting-broward-county-sheriffs-department/2018/02/25/id/845356/">Florida Governor Rick Scott has ordered the state's top cop to investigate</a> the local response to the high school shooting. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has already begun its investigation, which will examine the actions of Sheriff Israel and his deputies. Scott has also called for the resignation of FBI boss Christopher Wray, whose bureau mishandled numerous warnings about the shooter.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Weinstein Co. Declares Bankruptcy</em></strong><br /> <br /> Not long ago The Weinstein Company was the gold standard in independent studios, racking up profits and Academy Awards. <a href="http://variety.com/2018/biz/news/weinstein-co-bankruptcy-1202710156/">The company announced last night that it will file for bankruptcy</a> after negotiations to sell the firm failed. The Weinstein Company's swift fall from grace was set in motion, of course, when co-founder Harvey Weinstein was accused by dozens of women of sexual abuse, up to and including rape. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump, Governors To Tackle School Violence</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/trump-discuss-florida-school-shooting-governors-53353156">President Trump will meet with many of America's governors today at the White House</a>. At the top of the agenda is gun violence and how to prevent another school shooting. The president, having already heard from students, parents, and local officials, has received mixed reaction to his proposal that some teachers be trained and armed.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Congress Also Turns To Gun Control</em></strong><br /> <br /> The House and Senate are back in session this week <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/375526-gun-control-dominates-conversation-as-congress-returns">and will also debate various gun control proposals.</a> The most popular measure seems to be tougher background checks for all prospective gun purchasers, even though that would not have prevented Nikolas Cruz from legally obtaining an AR-15. President Trump, while endorsing background checks, has also expressed his willingness to raise the minimum age for owning certain guns.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dueling Presidential Polls</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/25/politics/cnn-poll-trump-approval-matches-low/index.html">In a poll conducted for CNN</a> and in which only 23% of the respondents described themselves as Republicans, President Trump registered a dismal approval rating of just 35%. But the Rasmussen Daily Presidential Tracking Poll <a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/political_updates/prez_track_feb23">has the president's approval rating at 50%</a>. While Rasmussen surveys "likely voters," SRSS polls all adults and has a larger margin of error. Pick your poison, pick your poll.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump May Testify On Russia</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump's lawyers are still trying to determine <a href="https://nypost.com/2018/02/25/trump-legal-team-considering-ways-he-could-testify-before-mueller/">whether and how their client should answer questions posed by special counsel Robert Mueller</a>. The most likely scenario has the president responding in writing but not meeting with Mueller face-to-face. The president's legal team maintains that the White House has cooperated fully with the special counsel and has turned over all materials that have been requested.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Companies Rush To Shun NRA</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2018/02/25/news/companies/companies-abandoning-nra-list/index.html">At least a dozen companies have severed their ties with the National Rifle Association</a> since the Florida slaughter. Some were rental car companies and airlines that had offered discounts to NRA members. Many NRA members, in turn, are vowing to boycott those companies and look elsewhere for their transportation needs. <a href="http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/375458-nra-rips-corporate-sponsors-who-cut-ties-shameful-display-of-cowardice">The NRA issued an official statement denouncing</a> the companies for their "shameful display of political and civic cowardice."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>More Illegals Being Arrested</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/02/24/illegal-immigrant-arrests-up-under-trump/">155,000 illegal immigrants were arrested during President Trump's first full year in office</a>, a huge increase from 2016. The president claims more than 100,000 of those hauled in by ICE were "criminal aliens who have committed tens of thousands of crimes." But even though more illegal immigrants are being arrested, the number being deported has actually declined slightly.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Oakland Mayor Defies Feds</em></strong><br /> <br /> Libby Schaaf, the appropriately-named mayor of Oakland, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2018/02/25/oaklands-mayor-just-warned-the-sanctuary-city-about-a-potential-ice-raid/?utm_term=.fa4f2f828a2a">warned illegal immigrants in her city on Saturday of an impending raid by federal immigration officials</a>. Her announcement set off panic among illegal aliens in that sanctuary city and increased the tension between Democratic-run cities and the federal government. President Trump has threatened to pull all immigration agents out of California and the acting director of ICE has actually urged the arrest of defiant local and state officials.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mexican Prez Cancels White House Visit</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto reportedly had a heated phone call last week. By the time they hung up, both men agreed that <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/after-testy-call-with-trump-over-border-wall-mexicos-president-shelves-plan-to-visit-white-house/2018/02/24/c7ffe9e8-199e-11e8-8b08-027a6ccb38eb_story.html?utm_term=.b1c13343bf3a">Nieto's scheduled White House visit will be called off</a>. The two leaders argued over the border wall and whether Mexico will pay for it.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Olympics Wipe Out On NBC</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://ijr.com/the-declaration/2018/02/1070113-the-ratings-are-in-for-nbcs-very-political-olympics-ouch/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_8dtEESGJTe9N1D9KRpHXMgGkMZuIfkdcrKD3rak3ThCoTjpQyeSB6n4rg5KiDNxaheEnAWTnm6l7Iv9s4O-XhF9NCtA&_hsmi=60933980&utm_campaign=Conservative%20Daily&utm_content=60933980&utm_medium=email&utm_source=hs_email">The 2018 Winter Olympics will go down as the lowest-rated games in modern history</a>. The exact numbers are still being tabulated, but it seems like NBC's viewership declined by at least 10% from the games in Sochi four years ago. The network has declared the ratings "a tremendous accomplishment."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump "Jokes" About Executing Drug Dealers</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.axios.com/exclusive-trump-privately-talks-up-executing-all-big-drug-dealers-1519595170-402cc386-8729-4684-a7ef-a5bf31876afa.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=twsocialshare&utm_campaign=organic">According to Axios and its sources</a>, President Trump frequently expresses admiration for Singapore, where drug dealers are routinely put to death. The president reportedly compares drug dealers with serial killers, which is a far, far cry from the view of his predecessor. Whenever President Trump leaves office, whether in three years or seven years, imprisoned drug dealers should probably not expect an Obama-like pardon.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>America's Kids, Chubby As Ever</em></strong><br /> <br /> A just-published study finds that children in America, especially the very youngest, <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/02/26/587985555/no-downturn-in-obesity-among-u-s-kids-report-finds">are more obese than ever.</a> There had been some hope that the obesity epidemic was turning around, but the new data indicate otherwise. The sad bottom line is that nearly 20% of children in the United States are officially obese. Even worse is the finding that very young children, those between two and five years old, are growing heavier.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>University Paper Solves Violence Problem!</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10560">The campus newspaper at New Jersey's Rutgers University</a> has found the real reason for mass shootings in America. It's not guns or fatherlessness or culture - the real reason is that old standby "toxic masculinity." The writer urges that "toxic masculinity" be defined as a mental illness, just like "schizophrenia and personality disorder." The Rutgers paper receives about $1-million a year from the school, which is itself funded by New Jersey's overburdened taxpayers.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Disgraced Dan Rather Mocks "Delusional" Trump</em></strong><br /> <br /> Sure, he was fired by CBS News for airing and standing by an obviously fake news story. But Dan Rather still considers himself a fount of journalistic wisdom. CNN, which frequently follows in Rather's "fake news" footsteps, invited him to pontificate yesterday, and pontificate he did. <br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" title="MRC TV video player" src="https://www.mrctv.org/embed/527729" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /><br /></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-02-26T15:05:00ZDemocrats Release Counter-Memo; Olympics Come To An EndBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Democrats-Release-Counter-Memo;-Olympics-Come-To-An-End/-291496647239674950.html2018-02-25T14:47:00Z2018-02-25T14:47:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, February 25, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Democrats Release Counter-Memo</em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/375452-house-intel-dems-release-countermemo">Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee have responded</a> to the Republican memo that accused top-ranking FBI officials of malfeasance and abuse. The Democratic version essentially defends the FBI against charges that it relied too heavily on the specious "Steele dossier" that was partly funded by the Democratic Party and the Clinton campaign. President Trump called into Fox News last night and ridiculed both the memo and Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff. <br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-uOYIBvPNKc?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /><br /> <strong><em>Stark Warning About Killer</em></strong><br /> <br /> Just last month the FBI <a href="https://ijr.com/ijr-red/2018/02/1069929-woman-warned-fbi-nikolas-cruz/">received a chilling and ominous warning about Nikolas Cruz</a>. "I know he is going to explode," the unidentified woman caller warned when she reached the bureau's tip center. She also said, presciently, that "something's going to happen." The FBI's only response has been that "protocols were not followed." <br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gl9eF_G5L08?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Who Is Scot Peterson?</em></strong><br /> <br /> If there is one villain in the Florida school massacre, it is of course Nikolas Cruz. <a href="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-bz-florida-school-shooting-scot-peterson-20180223-story.html">But running a close second in recent days is Scot Peterson</a>, the former Broward County deputy who remained outside the building during Cruz' rampage. Some students and teachers are standing up for Peterson, but most people, including President Trump, are characterizing the 54-year-old as a coward. Scot Peterson has not given any public comment regarding his apparent negligence.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Veteran Cop: Scott Israel Must Go!</em></strong><br /> <br /> Bernard Kerik, former boss of the New York City Police Department, contends that the aforementioned Scot Peterson and other cops could face criminal charges for their lack of action. He also said it is time <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/former-new-york-city-police-commissioner-bernard-kerik-broward-county-sheriff-scott-israel-school-shooting-parkland-florida/2018/02/24/id/845273/">for Sheriff Scott Israel to resign</a>, declaring that Broward County's massive sheriff's department is in dire need of new leadership.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NRA Fires Back At Critics</em></strong><br /> <br /> Some American companies <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/02/24/united-and-delta-cut-ties-to-nra-as-boycott-movement-spreads-to-global-corporations/?utm_term=.7da7693537f8">have cut their ties with the National Rifle Association</a>, usually by ending discounts for the group's 5-million members. The NRA is pushing back hard, accusing those companies of displaying "political and civil cowardice" and maintaining that it bears no responsibility for the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida. <a href="https://twitter.com/NRA/status/967556725283966977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fpolitics%2F2018%2F02%2F25%2Fnra-defends-itself-after-corporations-pull-away.html">The NRA also ridiculed the notion that</a> people sign up to get discounts on car rentals and air fare.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>"The View" Hit For Anti-Christian Bigotry</em></strong><br /> <br /> The conservative Media Research Center has created an online ad urging Christians to boycott sponsors of The View, the ABC News program that routinely bashes religious Americans. The show's latest outrage came when Joy Behar accused Vice President Mike Pence of having a "mental illness" because he says he communicates with Jesus. <br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OdAMtO4DV1M?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /><br /> <strong><em>Olympics Come To An End</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Pyeongchang Winter Olympics ended today with the traditional closing ceremonies. The games' big winner was Norway, <a href="https://www.si.com/olympics/2018/02/25/final-medal-count-2018-winter-olympics-pyeongchang">whose athletes brought home 38 medals</a>, 13 of them of the gold variety. The Norwegians finished ahead of Germany, Canada, and the USA. And the major loser may be NBC, which <a href="http://deadline.com/2018/02/curling-gold-olympics-ratings-2018-low-pyeongchang-nbc-1202302121/">endured lousy ratings and a general lack of interest in the games</a>. The 2018 Olympics will probably wind up as the lowest-rated in the television era.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>North Korea Denounces USA</em></strong><br /> <br /> Even though the Olympics seemed to ease the tension between North and South Korea, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-2018-northkorea-sanctions/north-korea-condemns-u-s-sanctions-as-officials-gather-for-olympic-ceremony-idUSKCN1G907Q">Kim Jong Un is again rattling his sabers in the direction of the United States</a>. North Korea has accused the Trump administration of risking war by imposing new sanctions. The official Pyongyang statement, using the usual ominous language, accused the USA of bringing "another dark cloud of confrontation and war over the Korean peninsula." But in what seems to be a conflicting story, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-43189691">the BBC is reporting this morning that North Korea may be willing to speak directly with the United States.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mexican Prez Cancels White House Visit</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto apparently had a heated phone call on Tuesday. By the time they hung up, both parties agreed that Nieto's <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/after-testy-call-with-trump-over-border-wall-mexicos-president-shelves-plan-to-visit-white-house/2018/02/24/c7ffe9e8-199e-11e8-8b08-027a6ccb38eb_story.html?utm_term=.3f5d1bdc3080">scheduled White House visit will be called off</a>. The two leaders argued over the border wall and whether Mexico will pay for it. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Billy Graham's Last Crusade</em></strong><br /> <br /> Rev. Billy Graham, who died last week at age 99, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/02/24/billy-grahams-final-journey-underway-in-north-carolina.html">is getting a sendoff worthy of America's most famous pastor</a>. His casket was carried through North Carolina yesterday to the Billy Graham Library, and next week his body will rest in the rotunda of the United States Capitol. Rev. Graham's funeral and burial will take place in Charlotte on Friday.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Wow! California Dems Snub Feinstein</em></strong><br /> <br /> Dianne Feinstein has represented California in the Senate for more than 25 years, but the Democratic Party machine in that state <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/25/california-democrats-feinstein-leon-423452">is refusing to endorse the 84-year-old for reelection</a>. They prefer 51-year-old Kevin de León, currently a state senator. He is not only younger, but is also the son of immigrants from Guatemala and more liberal than Feinstein. Only in California or Cuba could Dianne Feinstein be considered too moderate.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Wow, Part 2! Democrats Reject Pro-Life Incumbent</em></strong><br /> <br /> Just as Senator Dianne Feinstein is too conservative for today's Democrats, <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/25/lipinski-democrats-abortion-chicago-illinois-423431?lo=ap_a1">so is Congressman Dan Lipinski of Illinois</a>. The Democratic Party refuses to endorse Lipinski, who is running for his eighth term from Chicago. The overriding reason is that he opposes abortion and is one of the few remaining conservative "Blue Dog" Democrats in Congress. They are indeed blue.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dem Mocks Opponent As "Crusty old Marine"</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/22/politics/sara-jacobs-crusty-old-marine-cosmo/index.html">29-year-old Sara Jacobs wants to be a member of Congress</a>, but first she has to defeat her fellow Democrat Doug Applegate in the primary. Jacobs did herself no favors when she mocked Applegate as a "crusty old Marine." Col. Applegate is indeed a retired Marine, but at 64 he may not yet qualify as "crusty" and "old." Jacobs, already well-versed in one political trick, says her remarks were taken "out of context." Semper Fi.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Schiff To Trump: Pick A Nickname, Any Nickname</em></strong><br /> <br /> Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff, head of the House Intelligence Committee and a frequent Twitter target of President Trump, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5431861/Trump-blasts-total-phony-Adam-Schiff-Democrat-memo.html">is having some fun by mocking the president</a> right back. Pointing out that President Trump has at various times called him "little," a "phony," "sleazy," and a "monster," Schiff urged the big guy to be more consistent in his choice of nicknames.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-02-25T14:47:00ZFocus Turns To Negligent Armed Guard; Trump To CPAC TodayBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Focus-Turns-To-Negligent-Armed-Guard;-Trump-To-CPAC-Today/-592146657471177549.html2018-02-23T14:13:00Z2018-02-23T14:13:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, February 23, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Focus Turns To Negligent Armed Guard</em></strong><br /> <br /> Scot Peterson, who had been deployed as a uniformed armed guard at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article201636649.html">is now being protected by armed guards himself</a>. Peterson resigned from the Broward County Sheriff's Office yesterday after video showed that he never set foot in the school during last week's massacre. There are also new reports indicating that Peterson ignored warnings that mass murderer Nikolas Cruz possessed knives and a BB gun.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Guard Should Have "Killed The Killer"</em></strong><br /> <br /> Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel is obviously disgusted and appalled by the inaction of his now-resigned deputy. Mincing no words, Israel said Scot Peterson should have gone in and "addressed the killer, killed the killer." Peterson, thanks to an unfortunate rhyme coincidence, is being denounced as the "Broward coward."<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i4fB5RjN7Bg?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dana Loesch, Liberal Public Enemy # 1</em></strong><br /> <br /> National Rifle Association spokesperson Dana Loesch was pummeled at CNN's ridiculous "town hall" this week. People in the audience, acting like Romans at the Colosseum, called her a "murderer" and urged that she be burned. Loesch is fighting back, and hard. Yesterday she stoked the fire, accusing CNN and other media outlets of <a href="http://www.billoreilly.com/video/video-of-the-day?vid=917323096514000171">actually relishing mass shootings</a> because they lead to more faux outrage and higher ratings.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Companies Cut Ties With NRA</em></strong><br /> <br /> Under pressure from gun control activists, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/02/23/boycottnra-enterprise-omaha-bank-end-gun-lobby-deals-as-boycott-movement-gains-steam/?utm_term=.3561aeb1f5f7">some firms are ending their partnerships with the National Rifle Association</a>. The First National Bank of Omaha will stop issuing an NRA-branded credit card, while the car rental company Enterprise is halting its discounts to NRA members. The companies are willing to risk alienating more than 5-million NRA members.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mayor Behaving Badly</em></strong><br /> <br /> Nashville Mayor Megan Barry has redefined what it means to be accompanied by a "body-guard." The mayor has apologized for carrying on an affair with her bodyguard Rob Forrest but remains in office, at least for the time being. Investigators <a href="https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2018/02/22/nashville-tn-mayor-barrys-affair-what-we-know-two-laws-tbi-says-may-have-been-broken/364517002/">have now determined that Forrest used a government phone</a> to take nude photos of a woman. If the unclothed woman turns out to be Mayor Barry, it will put a new spin on an old adage: "The Mayor Has No Clothes."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>New Charges Lodged Against Manafort, Gates</em></strong><br /> <br /> Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort and his former deputy Rick Gates <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/special-counsel-mueller-files-new-charges-in-manafort-gates-case/2018/02/22/7db99c9c-1716-11e8-8b08-027a6ccb38eb_story.html?utm_term=.ffec858d88a7">were hit with another indictment yesterday</a>. Both men are accused of income tax fraud and lying to obtain fraudulent loans. This indictment was filed in Virginia, where the alleged crimes took place; Manafort and Gates had already been charged in the District of Columbia.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Stop Us If You've Heard This One</em></strong><br /> <br /> Not long ago the media assured us that Attorney General Jeff Sessions was nearly out the door. Then it was Secretary of State Rex Tillerson who wouldn't make it into 2018. Now we are being told that <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/22/two-top-white-house-advisors-may-leave-over-tensions-with-donald-trump.html">National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster and Chief of Staff John Kelly</a> are about to depart the Trump administration. Who knows? One of these days the predictions may come true, but not if past performance is any indication of future results.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump To CPAC Today</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/02/23/588104369/with-speech-friday-president-completes-cpacs-transformation-to-a-full-on-trump-s">is sure to get a rousing welcome today when he addresses CPAC</a>, the year's largest gathering of influential conservatives. Attendees have already enjoyed fiery speeches from some of America's most prominent Republicans and conservatives, including Vice President Mike Pence, who called 2017 "the most consequential year in the history of the conservative movement."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Ted Cruz' Cartoonish Analysis</em></strong><br /> <br /> Senator Ted Cruz has put forth a unique perspective on The Simpsons. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/democrats-the-simpsons-school-shooting-nra/2018/02/22/id/844930/">He theorizes that Lisa Simpson is a Democrat</a>, which is pretty obvious, seeing that she is a vegetarian and gun control advocate. But Cruz maintains that Homer, Bart, Maggie, and Marge are all firmly in the GOP camp. The senator, unwittingly or not, started a Twitter war over the characters and their likely political affiliations. Cruz is well known for his love of show and his Simpsons impressions.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_K0sRkvX4KE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /><br /> <strong><em>Pentagon Likely To Endorse Transgender Troops</em></strong><br /> <br /> After studying the issue and getting advice from officers in the field, Defense Secretary James Mattis is expected <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/mattis-expected-to-back-allowing-transgender-troops-to-stay-in-the-military/2018/02/22/6a584d9e-17dc-11e8-b681-2d4d462a1921_story.html?utm_term=.7759e3b53bdd">to recommend allowing transgenders to serve in the military</a>. President Trump had suggested a ban on transgender military service, but decided to wait for Mattis to weigh in. There is no guarantee that the president will follow the secretary's advice, but it is considered likely that he will.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Reiterates Need For Wall</em></strong><br /> <br /> In an early morning tweet today, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/trump-border-wall-ms13-gang-killers/2018/02/23/id/845012/">President Trump again stressed the importance of building a border wall</a>. This time his focus was on the danger posed by illegal immigrants who belong to the violent MS-13 gang. The gang is mostly populated by heavily-tattooed immigrants from El Salvador, a country with the world's highest murder rate. In another tweet this morning, the president accused <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/967023714268319744">Democrats of suddenly and totally losing interest in DACA.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Chevy Chase In Road Rage Incident</em></strong><br /> <br /> Long-ago Saturday Night Live star Chevy Chase was involved in a <a href="https://pagesix.com/2018/02/22/chevy-chase-attacker-says-the-actor-had-it-coming/">car chase and physical altercation this week in New York State</a>. According to the other driver, who didn't recognized the "old guy," Chase followed him until both men got out of their cars and engaged in some screaming and pushing. Chase reportedly asked the man, "You know who the f*** I am?" and vowed to "ruin your lives." In his defense, it is entirely possible that Chevy Chase's erratic driving was a direct result of his being distracted while he and the family were headed for a long-needed vacation:<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ST6Ky7IL8cM?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-02-23T14:13:00ZTrump Ready To Move On Guns?; Student Protests Across USABillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Ready-To-Move-On-Guns;-Student-Protests-Across-USA/-294095419475429662.html2018-02-22T15:07:00Z2018-02-22T15:07:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, February 22, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Ready To Move On Guns?</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-says-more-must-done-protect-children-061342956--politics.html">welcomed students, parents, and teachers to the White House</a> yesterday and listened to their tragic stories about losing loved ones in school shootings. Unlike a later "town hall" on CNN, the meeting generally avoided politics and recriminations. The president has recently shown a <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/374980-trump-tiptoes-toward-possible-fight-with-nra">willingness to endorse new gun legislation</a>, even at the risk of angering the NRA and some of his supporters.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Open Season On Marco Rubio On CNN</em></strong><br /> <br /> CNN held what it billed as a "town hall" on gun violence last night in Florida. The event's two villains were NRA spokeswoman Dana Loesch and Florida Senator Marco Rubio. Even though Rubio expressed his openness to new gun laws, <a href="http://www.billoreilly.com/video/video-of-the-day?vid=-688319220444117106">he was roundly heckled and booed by the audience</a>, which included many still-grieving parents and students.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Shooting Survivor Blasts CNN</em></strong><br /> <br /> Colton Haab, a junior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and a member of the school's ROTC, has been hailed for shielding other students from harm last week. He didn't show up at CNN's "town hall" <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/375008-florida-school-shooting-survivor-cnn-provided-scripted-question">because he claims he was given scripted questions to ask</a>. Haab says he wanted to ask about using military veterans as armed guards, but CNN advised him to ask something else. The network denies the allegation.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UorcfayXtDc?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Armed Deputies Deployed To Broward Co. Schools</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/02/21/broward-county-sheriff-orders-deputies-to-carry-rifles-on-school-grounds-following-parkland-shooting.html">Sheriff Scott Israel has announced a new policy in Broward County</a>, site of last week's mass killing. Deputies will be patrolling all public schools, armed with standard rifles and AR-15s. The sheriff stressed that the deputies will be "qualified and trained" and that their weapons will be securely locked up when not in use.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Student Protests Across USA</em></strong><br /> <br /> While Florida has been Ground Zero in the debate about school safety, <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/374990-students-across-us-hold-protests-in-solidarity-with-florida">many other students displayed their anger yesterday in schools across America</a>. For the most part, they called for far more stringent gun control measures and denounced the NRA.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Food Fight: Bernie Blames Hillary</em></strong><br /> <br /> Senator Bernie Sanders now says Hillary Clinton, his rival for the 2016 Democratic nomination, should have done more to stop Russian interference in that election. He also disputed the notion that Russians tried to help his candidacy in order to sow discord in the U.S. electoral process. <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/21/bernie-sanders-trump-russia-interference-420528">This Politico piece accuses Sanders of presenting a series of "self-serving statements that are not accurate."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mueller Team: Republicans Not Welcome!</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Daily Caller has done some digging and found that <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/02/21/exclusive-zero-registered-republicans-mueller-lawyer/">Robert Mueller's staff of lawyers includes 13 registered Democrats and zero Republicans.</a> Eleven of the attorneys have even donated money to Democratic groups and candidates. Apparently Mueller, despite being known as a skilled investigator, could not locate a single qualified Republican in all of Washington.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NRA Returns Fire</em></strong><br /> <br /> The National Rifle Association is not taking all the criticism laying down. One of the organization's most powerful tools is NRA TV, which features gun rights advocates expressing occasionally inflammatory opinions. In this video, NRA member and lawyer Colion Noir condemns the media for its eagerness to cover mass shooters and thus give them "the fame that they crave."<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_r-PnaKO1A4?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>One Newspaper's Slander</em></strong><br /> <br /> The New York Daily News, once the nation's highest-circulation newspaper, is desperate for attention and readers these days. The paper has become a print version of CNN, with non-stop anti-Trump vitriol every day. The paper's cover this morning <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/374998-ny-daily-news-cover-shows-trump-with-nra-duct-tape-over-his-mouth">features President Trump with NRA duct tape covering his mouth</a>. By the way, the Daily News was purchased last year for $1, a price many thought was far too expensive.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>ESPN Anti-Trumper Doubles Down</em></strong><br /> <br /> Jemele Hill, former host of a little-watched show on ESPN, is still living off her declaration that President Trump is a "white supremacist." Appearing on The View yesterday, Hill played the race card and reaffirmed her condemnation of the president. The crowd, as always, applauded like trained seals.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nWc0n0cslvE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /><br /> <strong><em>Another Cop Murdered</em></strong><br /> <br /> It has been almost a daily event over the past week – a cop is gunned down and murdered by a career thug. <a href="http://wjla.com/news/local/man-who-shot-killed-pg-co-officer-had-3-open-warrants-for-assault">The latest cop-killing took place yesterday in Maryland</a>, where 37-year-old Glenn Tyndell murdered 51-year-old Officer Mujahid Ramzziddin, a 14-year veteran of the Prince George's County force. The killer had a long rap sheet and was apparently involved in a domestic dispute. Ramzziddin was killed when he tried to intervene, even though he was off duty at the time.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>A Mixed Bag Of New Polls</em></strong><br /> <br /> One new poll shows that <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/374899-poll-trump-job-approval-gains-as-voters-warm-to-tax-bill">45% of voters approve of President Trump's job performance</a>, which is up by four points over the past two months. The improvement is probably due to the full benefits of tax reform finally kicking in. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/us/gallup-45-percent-us-happy/2018/02/21/id/844734/">In other good news for the White House</a>, an increasing number of Americans are satisfied with the USA's position in the world. On the other side of the coin, a <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/trump-approval-slips/2018/02/21/id/844636/">Quinnipiac poll has the president's approval rating sinking to 37%.</a> The RealClearPolitics average of polls, which tends to be a reliable gauge, has the president at around a 42% approval rating.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>USA Thrilled, Canada In Grief</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/2018/02/22/damato-team-usa-finally-beats-canada-womens-hockey-gold-medal/361296002/">The United States women's hockey team won the Olympic gold medal today</a>, defeating Canada in a game that was described as "the most thrilling women's hockey game ever played." The two teams had also met for the gold in Sochi four years ago, with Canada winning that time around. Second place and a silver medal was obviously a great disappointment to Canada's Jocelyne Larocque, <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCOlympics/status/966582321250996224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fsports%2F2018%2F02%2F22%2Fcanadian-womens-hockey-player-immediately-removes-silver-medal-after-loss.html">who removed her medal as soon as it was placed around her neck</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>Drink Up, Life Is Short. Longer If You Drink.</em></strong><br /> <br /> Some scientists have determined <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/drinking-alcohol-tied-long-life-new-study-813013">that one key to a longer life is to drink in moderation</a>. People who survive beyond the age of 90, in addition to having great genes, tend to imbibe once in a while. It seems that a couple of glasses of beer or wine every day do the trick. Also advised: Have some morning joe, but avoid the stress that comes with watching Morning Joe.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SOdecZA_0jY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-02-22T15:07:00ZMinimum Age For Guns?; Trump Calls For Ban On "Bump Stocks"BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Minimum-Age-For-Guns;-Trump-Calls-For-Ban-On-Bump-Stocks/345789671205692752.html2018-02-21T14:58:00Z2018-02-21T14:58:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, February 21, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em><strong><em>Minimum Age For Guns?</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="https://www.axios.com/trump-raise-age-guns-bump-stock-gun-control-9dcc2cb2-74aa-4853-8342-71188ca6a3b5.html">According to a report this morning in Axios</a>, President Trump is open to the possibility of raising the age requirement for purchasing certain firearms. The president has indicated that he could endorse a federal law that forbids the sale of AR-15s and similar weapons to anyone under the age of 21.<br /><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Calls For Ban On "Bump Stocks"</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong>President Trump is also demanding new regulations that would ban the sale and use of devices <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-moves-ban-bump-stocks-response-last-year-s-deadly-n849706">that turn semi-automatic rifles into virtual machine guns</a>. One such device, a bump stock, was used by the mass murderer who killed 58 concert-goers in Las Vegas last year. The free market and the law of supply and demand being what they are, President Trump's proposal <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-21/bump-stock-prices-soar-after-trump-proposes-ban?cmpid=socialflow-twitter-business&utm_content=business&utm_campaign=socialflow-organic&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social">sent the price of bump stocks through the proverbial roof</a>.<strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>White House "Listening Session" Today</em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><br /></em> <a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/news/us_politics/2018/02/donald_trump_listening_session_to_give_survivors_a_voice">The president will meet today with students, parents, and teachers</a> who witnessed mass school shootings in Columbine, Newtown, and Parkland. They are expected to discuss possible improvements in mental health screening, background checks, gun laws, and school security. President Trump now declares that preventing further school violence is a "top priority."<strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Americans Want Tougher Gun Laws</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong>A new Quinnipiac poll shows a <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/poll-us-support-gun-control/2018/02/20/id/844447/">large increase in the number of Americans who support tougher gun measures</a>. The most popular measures are background checks, a ban on "assault" weapons, and a longer waiting period before purchasing a gun. As with most polls, the respondents want Congress to do more to prevent future Parkland-type massacres.<strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pelosi Heckled At Town Hall</em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><br /></em> Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi denounced President Trump's tax overhaul at a town hall meeting in Arizona yesterday. As she spoke about the wealth disparity in America, a woman in the audience asked the very wealthy Pelosi, "How much are you worth, Nancy?" She didn't answer, perhaps because Pelosi and her venture capitalist husband have a net worth of about $100-million.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MC3QjHlOeQM?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><strong><em><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Billy Graham Dead At 99</em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><br /></em> The Reverend Billy Graham, pastor to presidents and the world's best-known evangelist, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/02/21/rev-billy-graham-prominent-christian-evangelist-dead-at-99-fox-news-confirms.html">has died at his home in North Carolina</a>. Graham was famous for his many global crusades, which won over millions of converts to Christianity. If you are unfamiliar with Reverend Graham's stunning oratory power, here is a brief clip from a 1969 crusade, when he mesmerized a packed stadium in Anaheim, California.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yGHCRBsX8kw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><strong><em><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Flynn Urged To Change Plea</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Former Trump national security adviser pleaded guilty last December to lying to the FBI. Now, however, some of his <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/02/21/flynn-urged-by-supporters-to-withdraw-guilty-plea-as-judges-actions-raise-eyebrows.html">friends and siblings are urging Flynn to withdraw that plea</a>. One impetus for the possible plea switch is a report that then-FBI boss James Comey told Congress that he did not believe Flynn intentionally lied to the bureau. Law professor Jonathan Turley, <a href="http://thehill.com/opinion/judiciary/374738-evidence-withheld-in-flynn-case-brady-motion-makes-one-wonder">writing in The Hill today</a>, questions whether Flynn and his attorneys were presented with all exculpatory evidence, as is required by law.<br /><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mueller Lands Another Small Fish</em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><br /></em> Special counsel Robert Mueller seems to be gradually working his way up the food chain. <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/21/mueller-ups-pressure-on-trump-campaign-aides-with-a-new-charge.html">Yesterday he obtained a guilty plea from attorney Alex van der Zwaan</a>, the son-in-law of a Russian oligarch. The 33-year-old Dutch national admits to lying to Mueller's team and is expected to cooperate with the special counsel in the case against Paul Manafort.<strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Cop Murdered</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://www.fox10tv.com/story/37553027/mobile-police-officer-shot-and-killed">Officer Justin Billa was shot to death late last night in Mobile, Alabama</a>, apparently by a man who had just killed his former wife. The suspect, 72-year-old Robert Hollie, barricaded himself in his home, where he also died. It is unclear whether Hollie committed suicide or was killed by police.<strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>North Korea Nixed Meeting With Pence</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/pence-was-set-to-meet-with-north-korean-officials-during-the-olympics-before-last-minute-cancellation/2018/02/20/89392dfe-1684-11e8-942d-16a950029788_story.html?utm_term=.ce1059a89d0a">The Washington Post reports that Vice President Mike Pence</a> had agreed to a secret meeting with North Korean officials that was to take place during his recent visit to the Olympic Games in South Korea. Pence was ready to meet with Kim Jong Un's sister and another top government official, but the North Koreans canceled at the last minute. North Korea says it withdrew because the vice president announced tough new sanctions against their rogue nation.<strong> <em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>War Reenactors Told To Use Sticks, Not Rifles</em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><br /></em> The Elk Grove Historical Society in California had planned a stirring reenactment of a Revolutionary War battle, similar to reenactments it had staged in the past. But because the mock battle would have included muskets, <a href="http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2018/02/19/gun-laws-civil-war-reenactment/">city officials stepped and laid down the law</a>. The re-enactors were told that muskets are illegal and they would have to carry wooden sticks instead. The event has been canceled, a bit of history has been lost, and George Washington is somewhere weeping.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eujGJ2BoOBs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <strong><em><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Celebrities Ante Up For Anti-Gun March</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong>George Clooney, Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, and other well-heeled Hollywood types are giving hundreds of thousands of dollars to <a href="http://deadline.com/2018/02/george-clooney-amal-clooney-donate-500000-march-for-our-lives-school-shootings-1202296098/">organizers of the upcoming March For Our Lives anti-gun protest</a> in Washington, DC. It does raise an interesting question – when and if they join the marchers next month, will the rich and famous celebrities be accompanied by their usual cadre of well-armed personal bodyguards?<strong><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong>Stressed Out? Join The Crowd!</strong><br /> <br /> </strong><a href="https://www.studyfinds.org/bad-days-americans-work-stress/">A survey of 2,000 working Americans</a> has determined that we average about 60 "bad days" a year, mostly due to work-related stress and lack of sleep. However, if you look at it another way, there is some very encouraging news. If you are able to front-load all your 60 "bad days" to the very beginning of the year, there are only eight bad days left. Beginning on March 2<sup>nd</sup>, with apologies to Lesley Gore, it will be all sunshine, lollipops, and roses for the remainder of 2018.<br /><br /></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-02-21T14:58:00ZTrump Endorses Tougher Background Checks; Trump Endorses MittBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Endorses-Tougher-Background-Checks;-Trump-Endorses-Mitt/-325255352558536089.html2018-02-20T15:39:00Z2018-02-20T15:39:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, February 20, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Endorses Tougher Background Checks</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump has conferred with Republican Senator John Cornyn about a bill that <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/19/politics/trump-background-checks-florida/index.html?adkey=bn">would strengthen background checks</a> and make it tougher for some people to purchase firearms. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders confirms that the President is "supportive" of more comprehensive checks on prospective gun buyers. In addition, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/374468-trump-to-meet-with-high-school-students-following-florida-shooting">the president will host a "listening session"</a> tomorrow with students and teachers, and then will have another meeting on Thursday with state and local officials.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Americans Blame Congress For Violence</em></strong><br /> <br /> A poll released this morning shows that <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/news/374582-poll-most-say-trump-congress-not-doing-enough-to-stop-mass-shootings">three in four Americans say Congress is not doing enough</a> to prevent gun violence, while 62% contend that President Trump should do more. Perhaps surprisingly after all the media focus on gun control, only 28% say there are not enough gun laws in place.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>More On The Florida Killer</em></strong><br /> <br /> James and Kimberly Snead, who kindly took Nikolas Cruz into their home late last year, <a href="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-school-shooting-family-helped-nikolas-cruz-20180217-story.html">spoke at length with the South Florida Sun Sentinel</a>. While they recognized that Cruz was depressed, they maintain that he followed every rule and gave no indication that he was a ticking human time bomb. They also revealed that Cruz removed a cast from his hand on the day of the massacre.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Endorses Mitt</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump has not exactly had a warm relationship with 2012 Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-endorsed-mitt-romney-tweets-criticism-2018-2">who is now running for the Senate</a> from Utah. Romney referred to candidate Trump as a "phony, a fraud," and even mocked his business acumen. Trump, who of course returned the insults, is now giving Romney his "full support and endorsement." Politics does indeed make strange bedfellows.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mueller Flips Former Trump Aide</em></strong><br /> <br /> Richard Gates, who was indicted along with Paul Manafort in October, <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/374477-gates-plans-to-testify-against-manafort-in-mueller-probe-report">will reportedly testify against Manafort</a> as part of a plea deal. Gates would agree to change his plea to guilty and would presumably receive a far lighter sentence than if he had been convicted of fraud.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Kushner In The Crosshairs?</em></strong><br /> <br /> Special counsel Robert Mueller <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/19/politics/mueller-investigation-kushner-foreign-financing-efforts/index.html?adkey=bn">is reportedly investigating Jared Kushner's foreign business dealings</a>. The questionable contacts allegedly took place after his father-in-law's election to the presidency. During the transition period, Kushner is said to have made contact with individuals in more than fifteen countries.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>President Steamed Over Russia Probe</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/374444-trumps-anger-boils-over-with-russia-probe">President Trump has been lashing out at just about everyone</a> from his predecessor to his national security adviser. He is obviously peeved at the ongoing Russia investigation, which has shown absolutely no evidence of collusion. In his latest tweet this morning, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/965943827931549696">Trump declares that he has been far tougher on Russia</a> than President Obama ever was.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Tax Law Leaps In Popularity</em></strong><br /> <br /> Before President Trump's tax reform went into effect, the media disparaged it as a giveaway to the rich and, partly as a result, most Americans opposed the law. But now, after people have seen larger paychecks, and after some received bonuses, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/us/republicans-democrats-tax-cuts-public-opinion/2018/02/19/id/844221/">support for the law has climbed above 50%</a>. Even Democratic voters, who previously abhorred the law, are now giving it tepid support.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Shocker: Profs Name Trump "Worst Ever"</em></strong><br /> <br /> To the surprise of no one, a merry band of political scientists <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/local/new-jersey/2018/02/19/obama-better-than-trump-new-york-times-op-ed-ranking-american-presidents/352107002/">has declared Donald Trump the very worst president in the history</a> of our nation. Perhaps even less surprising is Barack Obama's ranking in the top ten. The survey concluded that Lincoln, Washington, and FDR, respectively, were the three best presidents. For President Trump, there is nowhere to go but up.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Prez & Veep To CPAC This Week</em></strong><br /> <br /> Both President Trump and Vice President Pence <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/374566-trump-pence-to-address-conservative-conference-this-week">will speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference later this week</a>. CPAC is the year's largest gathering of influential conservatives and always attracts big-name guests and attendees. Other speakers include various Cabinet secretaries and even a lawman. Sheriff David Clarke, always a favorite among conservatives, will be there, no doubt wearing his famous hat.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Media To Ingraham: Shut Up And Shut Up</em></strong><br /> <br /> Fox News host Laura Ingraham has a long history of criticizing celebrities who espouse left-wing opinions, telling them to "shut up and sing" or "shut up and act." It's a favorite catch phrase of hers, but she never imagined what would happen when she advised LeBron James to "shut up and dribble" after the NBA star declared that President Trump "doesn't give a f*** about people." <a href="http://www.billoreilly.com/video/video-of-the-day?vid=848917912046602563">The media, of course, ignored James' profane comment and went full bore after Ingraham.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Feminists, Listen Up!</em></strong><br /> <br /> While self-proclaimed feminists complain about perceived slights in the USA, they usually ignore widespread misogyny in Muslim nations. <a href="http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/woman-booted-off-emirates-flight-after-crew-overheard-her-complaining-about-period-pains/news-story/9b1c2f56cc9963a9b2cd72554455954f">Let's see if this one catches their attention</a> – a young woman was booted off an Emirates Airways flight because she complained of very minor menstrual cramping. Her mistake was telling her boyfriend that she felt some pain while a flight attendant was within earshot.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Curling? What A Dope!</em></strong><br /> <br /> Did anyone really thing that performance enhancing drugs would help in the much-maligned sport of curling? <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/02/19/russian-olympic-medalist-tests-doping/">Well, one Russian curler has tested positive for doping</a>, although the banned substance he ingested is also a heart medication. Russia is officially banned from the games for prior doping incidents, but many of their athletes are competing as individuals. Perhaps when he wraps up his Trump deal, Robert Mueller can investigate just how doping can help a Russian in this sport. <br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6SM6dtDz-KE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Joy Behar Backlash At ABC</em></strong><br /> <br /> We all know that Joy Behar and her left-wing colleagues on The View would never utter a disparaging word about Islam. But Behar had no problem mocking Vice President Mike Pence's deep Christian faith, which she called a "mental illness." As of yesterday, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/02/19/view-co-hosts-mock-mike-pence-s-faith-bring-flood-complaints-to-abc-news.html">ABC has received more than 25,000 phone calls from incensed Americans</a>. The View, by the way, is under the purview of ABC's news division.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Michael Moore Duped By Russians</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/02/20/michael-moore-participated-in-anti-trump-rally-allegedly-organized-by-russians.html">Russian meddlers landed a big fat juicy target in 2016</a>. Michael Moore proudly took part in an anti-Trump rally just after the election of Donald Trump, sending out tweets and photos boasting about his participation. Unfortunately for the portly director, the rally was engineered by Russians who were trying to create chaos in the USA. Mission accomplished! <br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7WQL0dYP8S8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em><strong><em> </em></strong></em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-02-20T15:39:00ZNational Focus On School Violence; Trump vs. Oprah, Round 2BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/National-Focus-On-School-Violence;-Trump-vs.-Oprah-Round-2/497936296367829863.html2018-02-19T15:48:00Z2018-02-19T15:48:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Monday, February 19, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em><strong><em>Killer's Friends Speak Out</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong>James and Kimberly Snead were generous enough to take Nikolas Cruz into their home last year when the troubled teen had nowhere else to go. <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/News/couple-alleged-fla-school-shooter-roller-coaster-emotions/story?id=53185862">Speaking this morning on ABC</a>, the Sneads said Cruz was "polite" and "normal" and showed no warning signs. The suspect's lawyer says Cruz, accused of 17 counts of murder, may plead guilty in exchange for a life sentence.<strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>National Focus On School Violence</em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><br /></em> President Trump will take <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/374468-trump-to-meet-with-high-school-students-following-florida-shooting">part in some "listening sessions" this week</a> in a search for ways to help solve the problem of school shootings. The pressure on politicians, especially Republicans and the president, is intense <a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/student-survivors-launch-gun-control-movement-vent-rage-at-trump-nra-backed-lawmakers-2018-02-18">partly because so many surviving students are forcefully demanding action</a>. There are at least two national rallied planned, the largest of which is scheduled to take place in Washington next month.<br /><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Senator Rubio Also Feeling Pressure</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who has questioned whether new gun laws will be effective in preventing future mass shootings, <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/02/19/rubio-faces-pressure-after-parkland-its-not-our-job-to-tell-you-senator-rubio-how-to-protect-us/">is being criticized by surviving students</a>, families of the victims, and the media. Someone even flew a banner high above Miami Beach with the message, "Shame on You Marco Rubio & NRA." Rubio and his fellow Florida Senator Bill Nelson <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/02/18/nelson-rubio-to-appear-in-cnn-town-hall-on-guns-school-violence/">will appear in a CNN town hall this week</a>.<strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump vs. Oprah, Round 2</em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><br /></em> President Trump spent part of his Sunday evening watching '60 Minutes' and a segment in which Oprah Winfrey spoke with voters in Michigan. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/trump-twitter-oprah-60-minutes/2018/02/19/id/844089/">The president gave her reporting two thumbs down</a> and suggested that she seems "very insecure." He once again urged her to run for the presidency in 2020.<br /><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Horrible New Info On Texas Madman</em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><br /></em> The Texas lunatic who killed 26 people at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas last November was known to have a history of wife and child abuse. <a href="https://nypost.com/2018/02/18/texas-church-shooter-waterboarded-his-ex-wife/">It is now being revealed that he also tortured his ex-wife</a> by water boarding her and forced another woman to perform a sex act. The new information comes courtesy of a Freedom of Information Act request.<br /><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Media Clings To Collusion</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Despite the fact that there has been absolutely no evidence that that Trump campaign worked in synch with Russians during the 2016 campaign, some Democrats and media pundits are finding new ways to spin that story. Last week Democratic Congressman Jerry Nadler compared the Russian meddling to the attack on Pearl Harbor, and this past weekend <a href="http://www.billoreilly.com/video/video-of-the-day?vid=551955247821562433">veteran Washington reporter Karen Tumulty followed that exact same script</a>.<strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Oxfam Scandal Worsens</em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><br /></em> Some aid workers for Oxfam, the British charity whose goal is to fight world hunger, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-43107985">have been credibly accused of gross sexual misbehavior</a> while in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. According to the latest information, some Oxfam staff members went so far as to threaten potential witnesses with physical violence. Oxfam is largely funded by British taxpayers.<br /><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Female Pol Behaving Very Badly</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong>California Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia has been accused of fondling and sexually harassing at least two of her aides. According to a new accusation, she also encouraged members of her staff to play "spin the bottle," a game usually reserved for second-graders. Ironically, Garcia has been lauded as a leader in the movement intended to fight sexual harassment of women.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N-YpPCTxUNU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <strong><em><br /> <br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Diplomatic Ruckus Over Nuke Button</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong>The president of the United States is always accompanied by a military aide who carries the "nuclear football," which contains the codes needed to launch a strike. <a href="https://www.axios.com/scoop-skirmish-in-beijing-over-the-nuclear-football-1518992774-1e7a513d-4190-459d-ad4f-2c8746fecc6f.html">Axios is reporting that there was a tussle</a> over the device when President Trump was in China last November. Chinese officials attempted to keep the football-carrying aide from entering the Great Hall, setting off a chaotic scene that included pushing and shoving and even an open-field tackle. Apparently it is called a football for a good reason.<strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Airplane Hits Flatulence Turbulence</em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><br /></em> This story is kind of hard to believe, but it has been verified by numerous nose-holding sources. A commercial flight was forced to make an emergency landing because of <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2018/02/18/fight-over-mans-flatulence-forces-flight-to-make-emergency-landing.html">one passenger's incessant gas-passing</a>. When the man continued to break wind high in the sky, his seat mates got into a physical fight with the offender, forcing the unscheduled landing. Ironically, the flight was headed for Amsterdam, where cutting the cheese is very popular. Except, of course, the cheese being cut is usually Edam or Gouda.<strong> <em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>SOS: UK Hit By Chicken Shortage</em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><br /></em> If you can't live without KFC and it's finger-lickin' good food, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/feb/19/kfc-uk-closed-chicken-shortage-fash-food-contract-delivery-dhl">steer clear of Britain for a while</a>. Most of the chain's outlets have been closed due to a dire shortage of chickens. While KFC insists that the Colonel is working on solving the problem, perhaps those ubiquitous Chick-fil-A ads were just too darned effective.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aKKxRF0gnsA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><strong><em><br /> <br /> <strong><em>No One Kneeled, But They Laughed</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Pity poor Fergie! The Black Eyed Peas front woman <a href="http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/22498419/controversy-erupts-fergie-national-anthem-all-star-game">sang the National Anthem at yesterday's NBA All-Star Game</a> and gave it her own unique interpretation. Perhaps Fergie thought she would go down in history like Marvin Gaye did 35 years ago with his soulful rendition at the same event. But this time the fans murmured and many of the players actually chuckled. But, hey, at least she was better than Roseanne Barr and no one took a knee. The most telling reaction came from the always-transparent Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors.<br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DgPgktgHrsc?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfull="" br=""></iframe></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-02-19T15:48:00ZKiller Had Been Evaluated; Trump Hammers FBIBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Killer-Had-Been-Evaluated;-Trump-Hammers-FBI/-277377311091450692.html2018-02-18T14:43:00Z2018-02-18T14:43:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, February 18, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Killer Had Been Evaluated</em></strong><br /> <br /> A little more than a year ago <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article200692514.html">social workers received an ominous tip about Nikolas Cruz</a>, who is now suspected of mowing down 17 people in Florida on Wednesday. They were warned that Cruz was depressed, had cut himself on both arms, and talked about buying a gun. After visiting the Cruz home, the Florida Department of Children & Families determined that he was receiving adequate mental health care and was "stable enough not to be hospitalized." The facility at which Cruz was being treated added that he "was not at risk to harm himself or others."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Hammers FBI</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump, in a Saturday night tweet, implied that the <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/965075589274177536">FBI was partly to blame for the school shooting</a>. He accused the bureau of spending far too much time "trying to prove Russian collusion with the Trump campaign" and urged the FBI to return to its core mission.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Major Republican Donor Issues Gun Ultimatum</em></strong><br /> <br /> Al Hoffman has contributed millions of dollars to various Republican candidates over the years, but he now says it's "the end of the road" <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/374393-top-gop-donor-i-will-not-write-another-check-until-candidates-support">unless the GOP embraces a ban on military-style weapons</a>. The Florida real estate tycoon, who has donated to Governors Rick Scott and Jeb Bush, among others, sent his warning yesterday to a handful of Republican leaders.</p>
<p><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Agrees With Facebook On Collusion</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump has a new "friend" on Facebook. Rob Goldman, the social media giant's vice president of advertising, <a href="https://www.recode.net/2018/2/17/17023666/trump-rob-goldman-facebook-twitter-russia-election">insists that Russia's primary goal in the 2016 election was to create chaos</a>, not to influence the outcome in favor of any particular candidate. He also points out that most of the Russian ad money on Facebook was spent after Donald Trump was elected, not during the campaign. In other words, according to Goldman, the facts don't "align with the main media narrative."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dem Compares Russia Meddling To Pearl Harbor</em></strong><br /> <br /> Democratic Congressman Jerry Nadler, ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, has denounced President Trump for ignoring a "very serious attack against the United States by a hostile foreign power." Nadler proceeded to compare Russian election interference to the 1941 Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. Even MSNBC's host was obviously taken aback by the odious comparison.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1h94bBaME-w?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN Clings To Collusion</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Trump-haters at CNN are not <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2018/02/16/cant-let-it-go-cnn-hung-collusion-despite-mueller-indictments">quite ready to give up on that whole collusion deal</a>. Even though President Trump has acknowledged that Russians meddled in 2016, and even though the recent indictments seem to dismiss the notion of collusion, CNN continues to hope that eventually, finally, their hopes of Trump malfeasance will be realized.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Media Steamed At White House Aide</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/374382-journalists-slam-trump-aides-repulsive-attack-over-russia">The mainstream media is venting its collective spleen</a> at White House spokesman Hogan Gidley. When asked about Russian meddling in the 2016 election in an apparent effort to sow chaos, Gidley said "Democrats and the mainstream media" have been far more effective at fomenting disorder. Reporters quickly jumped on Twitter to jump on Gidley, a former TV reporter in Arkansas.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Minnesota Gun Ownership Up, Crime Down</em></strong><br /> <br /> Economist John Lott has famously theorized that an increase in gun ownership leads directly to lower crime rates. That certainly seems to be true in Minnesota, <a href="http://www.billoreilly.com/video/video-of-the-day?vid=-972230906317814141">as one TV station was honest enough to point out</a>. Reporter Pat Kessler probably won't be invited to many swanky Minneapolis dinner parties.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Harper's Bizarre</em></strong><br /> <br /> 150-year-old Harper's Bazaar magazine devotes most of its pages to convincing very wealthy women to purchase extremely expensive clothing, makeup, and shoes. But occasionally its ultra-fashionable editors feel the need to embrace fashionable left-wing politics. <a href="http://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/politics/a18197942/help-victims-parkland-florida-school-shooting-donate/">The magazine is now telling its well-heeled readers how they can help prevent gun violence</a>, primarily by voting Democrats into office and donating to gun control groups. When you're finished with that informative piece, there is another instructive article about how "toxic masculinity" is killing us. And then … you deserve a shopping spree at Saks.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Gun Owners Return Fire</em></strong><br /> <br /> Harper's Bazaar should consider sending one of its editors to this weekend's Miami Gun Show, which <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/after-parkland-school-shooting-hundreds-attend-nearby-gun-show-miami-n849066">opened yesterday just down the highway from Parkland, Florida</a>. Gun aficionados defended their hobby and their right to buy as many rifles and handguns as they please. The attendees almost unanimously agree that stricter gun laws will do nothing to stop a determined madman from obtaining a weapon and using it. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Top Dem Under Fire For Farrakhan Ties </em></strong><br /> <br /> Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison, who has long been associated with Jew-hating Louis Farrakhan, <a href="http://www.startribune.com/u-s-rep-keith-ellison-again-faces-questions-about-louis-farrakhan-relationship/474324603/">is now facing heat for joining Farrakhan at a 2013 dinner in New York City</a>. The meeting included Iran's president and a few dozen Muslim-Americans. Ellison, one of two Muslims in Congress, claims the dinner's purpose was to find a solution to the issue of Iran's quest for nuclear weapons. Ellison also reportedly met with Farrakhan just two years ago at a Washington hotel.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Gov't Worker Behaving Badly </em></strong><br /> <br /> Susan Peirez, who works for New York State, started <a href="http://www.ibtimes.com/susan-peirez-delta-passenger-who-screamed-baby-suspended-government-job-2654627">screaming and cursing at a mother and her crying infant as she boarded a short flight</a>. The lovely Peirez then threatened the Delta flight attendant who tried to calm her down, saying she would get her fired. Karma being what it is, the 53-year-old Peirez is the one paying a price, having been suspended from her cushy state job. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>College Students Denounce Cops</em></strong><br /> <br /> Some protesters at the University of <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10535">Tennessee yesterday lumped police officers together with fascists</a> with this chant: "Hey cops, hey fascists, get the f*** off our campus." The demonstration was a reaction to an appearance by white nationalist Matthew Heimbach, who was invited to speak on campus by a group called the Traditionalist Worker Party.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>High School Bans National Anthem</em></strong><br /> <br /> Students at San Ramon High School, located of course in the San Francisco Bay Area, have declared that the National Anthem will no longer be played at school pep rallies. Student leaders, triggered by the word "slave" in the never-sung third verse, accused the Star Spangled Banner of being racially insensitive. Looking on the positive side, at least no San Ramon High students will be kneeling during the Anthem.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Tpt7Hkdg03M?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-02-18T14:43:00ZRemembering The Victims; Jimmy Kimmel, Preacher ManBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Remembering-The-Victims;-Jimmy-Kimmel-Preacher-Man/-483009148283513045.html2018-02-16T15:12:00Z2018-02-16T15:12:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, February 16, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Natural Born Killer?</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/fla-shooting-suspect-had-a-history-of-explosive-anger-depression-killing-animals/2018/02/15/06f05710-1291-11e8-9570-29c9830535e5_story.html?utm_term=.be69531aff1b">A disturbing portrait is emerging of Nikolas Cruz</a>, accused of killing 17 people at a Florida high school two days ago. He apparently has had a lifelong fascination with guns, killing, and death. His obsessions manifested themselves first with small animals, then escalated into mass murder. Almost everyone who came in contact with Cruz was struck by his hostility, anger, and extraordinarly unusual behavior.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Killer's Lawyer Speaks Out</em></strong><br /> <br /> After a face-to-face meeting with Cruz, public defender Melissa McNeill <a href="http://www.billoreilly.com/video/video-of-the-day?vid=937818367935809001">described her 19-year-old client as a "broken" and "remorseful"</a> child who is fully aware of what he has done. Cruz is being held without bail at a Broward County prison, where he is said to be on suicide watch.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Remembering The Victims</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-florida-shooting-parkland-vigil-20180215-story.html">Thousands of people mourned in unison last night</a> at a candlelight memorial service near Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the site of the slaughter. Students and parents tried to comfort one another as they paid tribute to their dead classmates and friends. The ceremony was lit up not only by candles, but by 17 statues of angels, each one representing a victim.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Immigration Stalls In Senate</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Senate voted on four immigration proposals yesterday. The Senate rejected four immigration proposals yesterday. With DACA expiring in about three weeks, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/374143-gop-looks-for-plan-b-after-failure-of-immigration-measures">Republicans are now considering a plan that would extend DACA indefinitely</a> in exchange for $25-billion for border security. President Trump, however, is insistent that any deal include an end to chain migration and the visa lottery system. It is entirely possible that this entire issue will go unsolved through the November midterm elections.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Jimmy Kimmel, Preacher Man</em></strong><br /> <br /> Late night talk show host, former comedian, and national scold Jimmy Kimmel <a href="https://news.grabien.com/story-tearful-jimmy-kimmel-pops-trump-youre-obviously-mentally-ill">climbed back onto his soap box last night</a>. This time he railed against President Trump, calling him "mentally ill," and other Republicans for not being tougher on gun control. Kimmel makes it sound very easy to "keep assault rifles out of the hands of people who are going to shoot our kids." Perhaps not coincidentally, Kimmel consistently has fewer viewers than his rivals Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert. <br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z0vLiQLpsc8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>About Those "18 School Shootings"</em></strong><br /> <br /> Politicians and the media are repeatedly declaring that there have been "18 school shootings" in the USA thus far this year. That statistic comes from the anti-gun group Everytown for Gun Safety and is questionable at best. <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/no-there-have-not-been-18-school-shootings-so-far-in-2018/article/2649183">As reported in the Washington Examiner</a>, that number includes many incidents that no one would consider a "school shooting." Any death by gunfire is tragic, but the debate is not helped by dishonest and misleading claims.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Venezuelans Flee Socialism</em></strong><br /> <br /> Remember when left-wing celebrities like Sean Penn, Oliver Stone, Danny Glover, and Michael Moore took pilgrimages to Venezuela and paid homage to that "socialist paradise?" <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5374501/Mass-exodus-thousands-Venezuelans-flee-country.html">They should perhaps look at these photos</a> which document the mass exodus by starving and desperate Venezuelans trying to cross into Colombia. Venezuela's capital city of Caracas has been described as "Mad Max" scene of looting, violence, and utter lawlessness.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pelosi Doubles Down On "Crumbs"</em></strong><br /> <br /> Nancy Pelosi was roundly ridiculed when she dismissed tax cuts and $1,000 bonuses as "mere crumbs." Rather than backing down, <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/ill-repeat-that-nancy-pelosi-wont-back-down-from-calling-gop-tax-cuts-crumbs/article/2649212">the House Minority Leader yesterday repeated her assertion</a> that there is "a banquet for everyone up here, crumbs for people down here." Pelosi's condescension and the tangible benefits of the tax bill have enabled Republicans to catch up and even pass Democrats in the battle to control the House.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4Y5ok5ooIEc?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Court Rules Against "Travel Ban"</em></strong><br /> <br /> Another day, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/374013-appeals-court-rules-that-latest-trump-travel-ban-is-unconstitutional">another federal court ruling against President Trump</a>. This time it was the Court of Appeals in Virginia, which decided that the administration's latest travel restrictions are "unconstitutionally tainted with animus toward Islam." That's because six of the eight nations covered by the restrictions are predominantly Muslim. The Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments about the case in the spring.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Romney To Run For Senate</em></strong><br /> <br /> Mitt Romney has made it official, <a href="https://twitter.com/MittRomney/status/964489491682504704">announcing via Twitter this morning</a> that he will run to replace retiring Utah Senator Orrin Hatch. The former Governor of Massachusetts, who has been out of politics since his failed bid for the presidency in 2012, is not a fan of President Trump and would be a moderate voice in the Senate. It's tempting to say that Romney has thrown his hat into the ring, but in fact he rarely wears a hat. Neither would you if your hair was that darned perfect. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>A Most Sickening Display</em></strong><br /> <br /> Shomari Legghette was arrested this week for murdering a veteran Chicago police officer, Commander Paul Bauer. When the alleged cop-killer was escorted to his cell in Cook County Jail, some inmates actually gave him a round of applause. The grotesque video, which does not include audio, has been forwarded to prosecutors and the applauding inmates may face disciplinary action.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IbOkrHsQfzA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>America's Most Useless Professor?</em></strong><br /> <br /> If you send your little one to the University of Wisconsin, he or she may be fortunate enough to take a class taught by Damon Sajnani, who also raps under the handle "Professor D." Sajnani initially garnered attention when he introduced a course called "The Problem of Whitness." <a href="http://www.thecollegefix.com/post/42020/">He has now added another course called "Global HipHop and Social Justice to his very impressive body of work."</a> Attending UW-Madison costs about $50,000 a year, but that is marked down to $35,000 if you reside in the Badger State.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZWNujQUKPrM?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /><br /></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-02-16T15:12:00Z17 Dead, Mass Murderer In Jail; Emerging Portrait Of A KillerBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/17-Dead-Mass-Murderer-In-Jail;-Emerging-Portrait-Of-A-Killer/712238546583760051.html2018-02-15T15:36:00Z2018-02-15T15:36:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, February 15, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>17 Dead, Mass Murderer In Jail</em></strong><br /> <br /> Nikolas Cruz, who allegedly slaughtered 17 people yesterday at a Florida high school, is behind bars today in a Fort Lauderdale jail. Yesterday afternoon <a href="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-sb-active-shooter-marjory-stoneman-high-20180214-story.html">the 19-year-old roamed the halls</a>, mowing down his former classmates with a legally-purchased AR-15 assault-style weapon. According to some reports, Cruz was wearing a gas mask during his rampage and may have possessed smoke bombs.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Emerging Portrait Of A Killer</em></strong><br /> <br /> People who were familiar with Nikolas Cruz are <a href="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-school-shooting-cruz-20180214-story.html">describing him as a troubled, strange, and menacing young man</a>, just the type who might someday go on a killing spree. He had been expelled from high school and was barred from being on school grounds with a backpack. Cruz had an obsession with guns, liked killing animals, and showed signs of mental problems even as a very young boy. This is one instance where neighbors are not saying they never saw this coming.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>FBI Had Been Warned</em></strong><br /> <br /> According to a report that initially appeared on BuzzFeed News, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/373968-fbi-warned-last-year-of-threat-from-youtube-user-named-nikolas-cruz">a YouTube user named Ben Bennight warned the FBI about Nikolas Cruz last year</a>. Bennight called the bureau after Cruz left an ominous message on YouTube: "I'm going to be a professional school shooter." FBI agents interviewed Bennight and took screen shots of Cruz' posting, but it is unclear whether any other action was taken.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Rush To Politicize</em></strong><br /> <br /> Any time there is a mass shooting, some politicians race to the nearest microphone to score political points. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/14/politics/chris-murphy-florida-school-shooting/index.html">Yesterday it was Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut</a>, who lectured his colleagues even as first responders were arriving at the Florida school. Murphy blamed Congress for the "epidemic of mass slaughter."<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/--lzHcKRplg?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Media Joins The Cascade</em></strong><br /> <br /> Soon after Wednesday's massacre, <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/curtis-houck/2018/02/14/cnn-analyst-msnbc-hosts-denounce-american-exceptionalism-due-lack">talking heads on CNN and MSNBC were very eager to blame America</a> and mock the notion of "American exceptionalism." The most egregious example was CNN analyst Phillip Mudd, who hammered the USA for its shortcomings in education and health care. Later in the evening, <a href="http://www.billoreilly.com/video/video-of-the-day?vid=721192859515567821">Mudd broke down in tears and had to end his segment</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Senate Immigration Showdown Looms</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-15/senate-heads-to-immigration-showdown-votes-with-no-clear-outcome">Senators will cast preliminary votes on immigration today</a>, but it seems increasingly unlikely that both parties will find a suitable compromise. One proposal deals with only two items – a fix for DACA and funding for border security. Another plan, favored by Republicans, would add limits on chain migration and an end to the visa lottery system. Those are non-starters for many Democrats, making a bipartisan deal unlikely. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/trump-grassley-immigration-bill/2018/02/14/id/843293/">President Trump is urging Senators to support</a> the bill that includes all "four pillars" of his immigration wish list.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Elizabeth Warren Speaks To Indian Group</em></strong><br /> <br /> Senator Elizabeth Warren, who has falsely claimed to be part Cherokee, <a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/news/columnists/hillary_chabot/2018/02/chabot_elizabeth_warren_trots_out_claim_on_familiar_trail">spoke to the National Congress of American Indians yesterday</a>. She admitted that her family has never been enrolled in any tribe, but also claimed that she never used her fabricated heritage to gain employment, even though she has claimed minority status throughout her academic career. Warren also took a few shots at President Trump, who derisively refers to her as "Pocahontas."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Addresses Domestic Abuse</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump, who had been under criticism for his silence in the Rob Porter case, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/14/trump-i-am-totally-opposed-to-domestic-violence-of-any-kind.html">came out with a very clear statement yesterday</a>. "I am totally opposed to domestic violence of any kind," he told reporters. Porter and another White House aide both quit after allegations of abuse emerged last week.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>McConnell Vouches for Gen. Kelly</em></strong><br /> <br /> Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has reportedly asked President Trump <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/mitch-mcconnell-steps-in-privately-urges-trump-not-to-fire-his-chief-of-staff/article/2649143">to stick with Chief of Staff John Kelly</a>, who has been under fire for his handling of the Porter situation. Kelly has received high marks for bringing order to the previously chaotic West Wing, but there have recently been rumors that he may be jettisoned by the president.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Kelly's Predecessor On White House Chaos</em></strong><br /> <br /> Reince Priebus, who preceded General Kelly as White House Chief of Staff, now admits that the early months of the Trump administration <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/373966-priebus-on-chaos-in-trump-white-house-take-everything-youve-heard-and">were hectic and chaotic beyond belief</a>. "Take everything you've heard," he said, "and multiply it by 50!" Priebus opened up to author Chris Wipple, who has written a book about White House Chiefs of Staff. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Subterfuge At DOJ</em></strong><br /> <br /> Department of Justice senior official Bruce Ohr a<a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/02/14/exclusive-doj-official-bruce-ohr-hid-wifes-fusion-gps-payments-from-ethics-officials/">pparently hid the fact that his wife Nellie had been employed by Fusion GPS</a>, the notorious opposition research firm that commissioned the anti-Trump dossier. Bruce Ohr neglected to request or obtain a waiver that would have permitted his apparent conflict of interest. Ohr was demoted after the DOJ learned about his wife's employment and the fact that Ohr himself met with Fusion GPS founder Glenn Simpson.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Report: WikiLeaks Favored Trump</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/373870-leaked-twitter-messages-reveal-wikileaks-bias-against-clinton-report">According to newly-leaked Twitter messages</a>, WikiLeaks boss Julian Assange was certainly no fan of Hillary Clinton and her 2016 candidacy. He wrote this searing message: "She's a bright, well connected, sadistic sociopath." Assange was especially concerned that Clinton, if elected president, would be eager to start new wars.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Things Looking Up For Trump, GOP</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/373795-dem-poll-trump-favorability-improves-gop-gains-on-generic-house-ballot">A Democratic polling outfit reports that President Trump's approval rating is inching up</a> and that Republicans in general are faring much better in their quest to hold their majority in the House. Similarly, another poll by POLITICO/Morning Consult shows that <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/14/trump-polling-democrats-republicans-407315">President Trump's approval and disapproval ratings</a> are at equal levels for the first time in many months. That poll also indicates that the GOP has reached parity with Democrats in House races.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dems Kick Bill Clinton To The Curb<br /> </em></strong><br /> As Democrats gear up for those elections that could give them control of the House and Senate, most of the party's candidates <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/14/bill-clinton-metoo-backlash-campaign-407280">don't want to be seen anywhere in the vicinity of Bill Clinton</a>. The former president was a major Democratic star as recently as last year, but he has become toxic in this era of #MeToo politics. It's said that every dog has its day, and The Big Dog is apparently being confined to his well-appointed cage in Chappaqua.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Colorado's "Purple Card"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Following the trend of states creating their own immigration laws, <a href="http://www.ktvq.com/story/37500103/colorado-considers-purple-card-to-solve-immigration-woes">some Colorado legislators are pushing for a so-called "purple card"</a> that would allow illegal immigrants to work in the state. If the proposal passes, illegal immigrants who have paid state taxes and avoided felony convictions could obtain permanent legal status. This would make Colorado the first state to have its own permit allowing illegal immigrants to work.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Professor: Libertarians Are Autistic</em></strong><br /> <br /> Duke is considered one of the nation's elite universities, perhaps making it especially susceptible to loony professors spouting nonsense. <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10520">History professor Nancy MacLean has declared</a> that people who endorse individual liberty, primarily conservatives and libertarians, may well be "on the autism spectrum." The Duke chapter of the Young Americans for Liberty <a href="https://www.change.org/p/duke-university-release-a-statement-condemning-professor-nancy-maclean-s-statements?recruiter=470961242&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_for_starters_page&utm_content=ex60%3Av3">is circulating a petition demanding that school officials</a> denounce MacLean, but they probably should not be holding their collective breath.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Teacher Defends His Anti-Military Rant</em></strong><br /> <br /> Gregory Salcido is both a council member in Pico Rivera, California and a teacher at the local high school. He recently told his students that people who join the military are "the lowest of our low" and "dumb s****." Not stopping there, the esteemed councilman also compared military recruiters to pimps. At a meeting this week, the city council asked him to resign, but Salcido actually doubled down on his slander:<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/A5aJxDDib8o?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /><br /></p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-02-15T15:36:00ZSenate Democrats Block Immigration Vote; Olympics TV Ratings Hardly OlympianBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Senate-Democrats-Block-Immigration-Vote;-Olympics-TV-Ratings-Hardly-Olympian/-890587331817025499.html2018-02-14T15:23:00Z2018-02-14T15:23:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, February 14, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Federal Judge Defies Trump On DACA</em></strong><br /> <br /> Judge Nicholas Garaufis has declared that <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/feb/13/court-orders-full-restoration-daca-program/">President Trump lacked the authority to end the DACA</a> program that protects some illegal immigrants from deportation. According to the Clinton-appointed judge, the president technically has the power to revoke DACA, but must first give a sound legal reason for doing so. The administration can either appeal the decision or put forth another reason for ending the DACA program.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Senate Democrats Block Immigration Vote</em></strong><br /> <br /> Hopes for a bipartisan agreement on immigration and DACA are fading rapidly. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wanted to hold a preliminary vote dealing with sanctuary cities yesterday, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/373727-dems-block-mcconnell-from-setting-up-immigration-votes">but Democrats blocked the vote because it did not deal directly with DACA</a>. The immigration debate, which begins today in the Senate, is increasingly breaking down along party lines. So much for bipartisan comity.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dems Will Not Revise Their Memo</em></strong><br /> <br /> Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee have prepared a memo that is a direct response to the GOP memo dealing with Christopher Steele, his notorious dossier, and the FISA warrant. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/adam-schiff-fisa-memo-redacted/2018/02/13/id/843197/">The White House has asked the Democrats to edit their memo</a>, alleging that it could compromise FBI "sources and methods." But Adam Schiff, the committee's never-camera-shy ranking Democrat, says no revisions will be made, although he will agree to some redactions.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>White House Mired In Quicksand</em></strong><br /> <br /> In a week that was supposed to be dominated by infrastructure and immigration, the White House is being consumed by questions about former presidential aide and alleged wife abuser Rob Porter. The anti-Trump media are salivating at the story, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/the-memo/373729-the-memo-frustrated-republicans-urge-white-house-to-turn-the-page">but the administration has inflicted plenty of self-damage</a> with its conflicting timelines and changing stories. The situation grew worse yesterday when FBI Director Christopher Wray contradicted the administration's version of events.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Firestorm Over Food Stamp Overhaul</em></strong><br /> <br /> There have long been complaints about food stamp recipients abusing the program by selling the stamps or using them to buy junk food. <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/12/food-stamps-trump-administration-343245">The Trump administration is floating an idea</a> that would replace stamps with actual food that is both non-perishable and nutritious. The idea is that poor people would be better served at a lower cost to taxpayers, but the proposal is already running into opposition from activists who claim to represent food stamp recipients.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Cop Killed By Career Felon</em></strong><br /> <br /> Chicago police commander Paul Bauer <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-off-duty-officer-shot-downtown-20180213-story.html">was gunned down and killed yesterday</a> when he confronted a suspect in the downtown Loop area. The suspected killer, who was taken into custody, is a four-time felon who was wearing a bulletproof vest. Commander Bauer had been actively pushing for tougher sentences that would keep repeat offenders off Chicago streets. Tragically, his life was ended yesterday by one of those multiple offenders.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xrxInlVu38w?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /><br /> <strong><em>Illegal Alien Kills Toddler</em></strong><br /> <br /> 27-year-old Jose Duran Romero, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador who was "grossly impaired," smashed his car into the side of an ambulance in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, killing a 3-year-old boy. Romero was driving without a license and tried to flee the scene before being caught and tossed in jail. To get your blood boiling this morning, <a href="http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/crime/article199783414.html">read this story in the Raleigh News & Observer</a>. You will not find the words "illegal" or "undocumented," the only clue to Romero's immigration status coming when the writer states that he will be put on an "immigration detainer." The shame of "journalism" is growing.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Illegal Alien Caught Major Meth Bust</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/hialeah/article199861269.html">At least the Miami Herald displays a bit of honesty</a> in today's report about Saul Bustos Bustos (no relation to Boutros Boutros Gahli.) Mr. Bustos Bustos was busted busted after being caught scheming to sell $400,000 worth of crystal meth to an undercover agent. Bustos, who had been deported to Mexico three times last year alone, will serve a very long stretch in prison.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Stormy Situation</em></strong><br /> <br /> Stephanie Clifford, the adult film star better known as Stormy Daniels, has claimed that she had an ongoing affair with Donald Trump long before he entered politics. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2018/02/14/longtime-trump-attorney-says-he-made-130000-payment-to-stormy-daniels-with-his-money/?utm_term=.d314c244f001">President Trump's personal attorney Michael Cohen now admits that he paid Daniels $130,000</a> out of his own pocket during the presidential campaign. Cohen insists that neither the Trump campaign nor the Trump Organization were involved in the payment of what certainly appears to be hush money.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bodies Piling Up At FBI, DOJ</em></strong><br /> <br /> Investor's Business Daily and investigative reporter Sharyl Attkisson have compiled a list of <a href="https://www.investors.com/politics/editorials/the-trump-clinton-scandals-are-claiming-a-lot-of-bodies-at-fbi-and-justice/">high-ranking Justice Department and FBI officials</a> who have been reassigned or resigned in recent months. Some of the names, among them Andrew McCabe and Peter Strzok, are familiar to anyone following news about alleged bias at the agencies. The list will almost surely grow longer in the coming months, especially when DOJ inspector general Michael Horowitz releases his much-anticipated report on the FBI's handling of the Clinton email investigation.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Questions About Comey</em></strong><br /> <br /> That email that Susan Rice wrote to herself on the day of Donald Trump's inauguration has created an interesting side effect. Rice wrote about a meeting in the Oval Office that she attended two weeks previously, a meeting <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/02/13/comey-obama-secret-meeting/">that was also attended by FBI Director James Comey</a>. One problem is that Comey never informed Congress that he had met with then-President Obama to discuss possible Russian meddling in the 2016 election. In fact, Comey testified that he had only met with President Obama twice, forgetting the meeting mentioned in Rice's email.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>And Questions About Obama</em></strong><br /> <br /> If you read it closely, that Susan Rice "memo to self" also contains another interesting paragraph. She seems <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/transition-team-email-investigation-intelligence/2018/02/12/id/842982/">to imply that President Obama considered withholding information about Russia</a> from the incoming Trump administration. National security experts have expressed concern that an outgoing president would even think of not fully briefing his duly elected successor.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Federal Lockups Short On Guards</em></strong><br /> <br /> Because the Federal Bureau of Prisons has an "acute" shortage of guards, <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/02/13/ill-equipped-and-inexperienced-hundreds-civilian-staffers-assigned-guard-duties-federal-prison-secur/316616002/">other prison employees are being called on to keep watch over the inmates</a>. Secretaries, cooks, plumbers, and nurses have been recruited to pull guard duty, even though it does entail far more risk than their usual assignments. Some bad hombres have taken advantage by attacking other inmates when the regular guards are not on hand to prevent violence.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Olympics TV Ratings Hardly Olympian<br /> </em></strong><br /> Even though ratings are down about 6% from the Winter Olympics in Russia four years ago, NBC and parent company Comcast <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-13/nbc-s-olympics-audience-drops-6-and-network-declares-victory">say they are satisfied with the level of viewership</a> for the South Korea games. The network boasts that it is meeting the promises it made to advertisers and expects to turn a profit.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Berkeley Gives Sanctuary For Weed<br /> </em></strong><br /> The always-entertaining, frequently-outrageous California city of Berkeley has declared <a href="https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Berkeley-City-Council-votes-to-become-sanctuary-12612148.php#photo-15075457">itself a sanctuary city for marijuana users</a>. City workers are now banned from helping the feds enforce marijuana laws. While it's unclear whether the new law will actually change anything, it's extremely clear who is the real target. The mayor of Berkeley proudly announced that his city was once again "resisting the Trump administration."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Woman Awakens With British Accent</em></strong><br /> <br /> Michelle Meyers was born in Oklahoma, lives in Arizona, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/health/2018/02/13/arizona-woman-goes-to-bed-with-pounding-headache-wakes-up-with-british-accent.html">but speaks the Queen's English</a>. The 45-year-old mum of seven has been diagnosed with something called Foreign Accent Syndrome. Three times she has gone to sleep and awakened with different accents. Right now she is speaking formal British, as documented by this story on the telly:<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F3ykdDgzn4c?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-02-14T15:23:00ZImmigration Again Front And Center; Susan Rice's "Memo To Self"BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Immigration-Again-Front-And-Center;-Susan-Rices-Memo-To-Self/-114527649282324210.html2018-02-13T14:28:00Z2018-02-13T14:28:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, February 13, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Immigration Again Front And Center</em></strong><br /> <br /> Negotiations are under way, with a handful of Senators from both parties <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/373532-the-senates-main-players-on-immigration-legislation">struggling to find a compromise on DACA and immigration</a>. Their goal is to reach some agreement that will garner 60 votes in the Senate and a majority in the House. Republicans will push for a border wall and an end to chain migration and the visa lottery, while Democrats want a path to citizenship for DACA recipients and their families. President Trump <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/963365328716812288">is warning that this will be "our last chance"</a> to solve the DACA dilemma.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Meanwhile, Back At The House</em></strong><br /> <br /> Any immigration compromise that can pass the Senate <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/373538-burned-by-the-budget-right-warns-ryan-on-immigration">must also win approval in the House, which includes many immigration hawks.</a> Conservative Republicans are standing firm behind a bill proposed by Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte. His prescription would include a crackdown on sanctuary cities and a version of "Kate's Law," in addition to other tough measures that will surely be denounced by pro-immigration activists.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Schumer Mocks Infrastructure Plan</em></strong><br /> <br /> Chuck Schumer, the Democrats' point man in the Senate, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/chuck-schumer-trolls-donald-trump-infrastructure-plan/2018/02/12/id/842910/">is already ridiculing President Trump's proposal on infrastructure</a>, which was just introduced yesterday. Schumer claims the plan will do "very little" to actually help rebuild the nation's roads and bridges, but will force states and localities to spend billions they can't afford. Did anyone actually think passing infrastructure would be easy?<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NBC Ousts Olympics Analyst</em></strong><br /> <br /> Joshua Ramo, hired by NBC to serve as its "Asian analyst" at the Winter Olympics, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/nbc-joshua-cooper-ramo-korea-japan-2018-2">has been sent packing</a>. He offended just about everyone on the peninsula with his on-air claim that South Korea had achieved success by emulating Japan's "cultural, technological, and economic example." Many Koreans have never forgiven Japan for its brutal occupation of Korea in the first half of the 20<sup>th</sup> century, which was marked by torture, forced labor, and rape.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>No "Dutch Treat" For Katie Couric</em></strong><br /> <br /> Meanwhile, people in the Netherlands <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/katie-couric-wants-make-dutch-055650251.html">are having lots of fun at the expense of NBC's Katie Couric</a>, who claimed that "skating is an important mode of transportation in a city like Amsterdam." The erroneous analysis, of course, led to a slew of mocking tweets, <a href="https://twitter.com/moedtdj/status/962664487772975105/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fwinter-olympics-2018%2F2018%2F02%2F12%2Fwinter-olympics-dutch-mock-katie-couric-comments-speedskating-netherlands%2F328425002%2F">the best of which may be "Rush Hour in the Netherlands."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Susan Rice's "Memo To Self"</em></strong><br /> <br /> Former national security adviser Susan Rice, who lied about Benghazi and who claimed deserter Bowe Bergdahl served "with honor and distinction," is back in the spotlight. Just minutes after Donald Trump was sworn in last year, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/02/12/senators-flag-unusual-susan-rice-email-on-russia-probe-from-inauguration-day.html">she sent herself an email claiming that President Obama</a> had demanded that the Russia investigation be handled "by the book." Skeptical Republicans are suggesting that Rice wrote the email, which was certain to be uncovered in any investigation, to protect herself and to cast President Obama in a very positive light. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Ohio Town Mourns Slain Cops</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.billoreilly.com/video/video-of-the-day?vid=-572667604637439447">The Ohio town of Westerville, a suburb of Columbus</a>, remains in total shock after two veteran police officers were gunned down by a career criminal named Quentin Lamar Smith. Cops had paid many previous visits to the Smith home to investigate allegations of domestic violence, and just nine months ago Smith was accused of stabbing his mother's boyfriend.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Comey Contradicted Mueller</em></strong><br /> <br /> Last March former FBI Director James Comey told members of Congress that General Michael Flynn, who briefly served as President Trump's national security adviser, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/james-comey-michael-flynn-fbi-russia/2018/02/12/id/842983/">did not lie when he was questioned by FBI agents</a>. But Robert Mueller's team later charged Flynn with that exact crime – lying to the FBI. Comey and others in the FBI were said to be surprised when the special counsel charged Flynn.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another $10-million For Mueller Probe</em></strong><br /> <br /> The White House apparently believes Robert Mueller's investigation will extend well into next year. The president's 2019 <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/donald-trump-budget-robert-mueller-investigation/2018/02/12/id/842904/">budget includes $10-million for the probe</a>, the same allocation as this year. Mueller's investigators are set to interview former Trump aide Steve Bannon this week.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Global Charity Hit By Sex Abuse Scandal</em></strong><br /> <br /> The British organization Oxfam, whose mission is to fight global starvation, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-oxfam/uks-oxfam-faces-more-pressure-after-new-report-of-sex-abuse-by-aid-workers-idUSKBN1FX10V">is now fighting for its own life and reputation</a>. Some of its workers in far-flung countries have been accused of sexual abuse and even trading sexual favors for humanitarian aid. The British government, which gives tens of millions of dollars to Oxfam each year, is threatening to cut off the money unless the organization stops stonewalling and covering up.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>"Teen Terrorist" On Trial In West Bank</em></strong><br /> <br /> A Palestinian girl named Ahmed Tamimi was 16 years old <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43032411">when she repeatedly slapped and harassed two Israeli soldiers in the West Bank</a>. The video of the confrontation, shot by her mother, was viewed by millions around the world and led to wildly disparate reactions. To many Palestinians, the girl is a symbol of courageous resistance, while many Israelis consider her a common criminal. Tamimi, who was arrested and charged with twelve crimes, went on trial today before an Israeli military court that is off-limits to the public and the media.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eelK4q3ODfM?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>NY Times Boss Defends Coverage Of Tyrant's Sis</em></strong><br /> <br /> The CEO of the New York Times <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2018/02/12/story-about-kim-jong-uns-sister-is-good-reporting-ny-times-ceo.html">is perfectly fine with the paper's sycophantic coverage of Kim Yo Jong</a>, sister of dictator Kim Jong Un. Mark Thompson called the Times' puff piece "good reporting" and claimed that his paper is intended for "sophisticated readers of news." Kim Yo Jong heads North Korea's propaganda apparatus, a similar job to that held by Josepf Goebbels in Nazi Germany.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Vanessa Trump Okay After "White Powder" Scare</em></strong><br /> <br /> Vanessa Trump, wife of Donald Trump Jr., <a href="http://nordic.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-jr-wife-vanessa-white-powder-2018-2">was briefly hospitalized yesterday</a> after she opened a letter containing mysterious white powder. Mrs. Trump and two other individuals were decontaminated by New York City firefighters, then taken for a thorough checkup. <a href="https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/963163553074221057">Her husband described the frightening incident as "truly disgusting."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mystery Over Death And Dem Donor</em></strong><br /> <br /> Last year a 26-year-old man was found dead in the West Hollywood apartment of ultra-wealthy 63-year-old Ed Buck, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/02/13/justice-for-gemmel-moore-family-wants-answers-in-escorts-death-at-dem-donors-home.html">who has long been a very generous contributor to Democrats</a>. Buck is openly gay and the dead man was a male escort named Gemmell Moore. While the death was ruled an accidental overdose, Moore's family wants more answers from investigators. Buck's apartment was littered with syringes, pipes, powder, and other drug paraphernalia. Friends of the dead man claim that Buck frequently invited young men to his apartment and paid them to take drugs.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dept. of Education Exits Transgender Wars<br /> </em></strong><br /> The U.S. Department of Education <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/12/politics/education-department-transgender-bathroom-complaints/index.html">is getting out of the transgender business</a>. The department, led by Secretary Betsy DeVos, will no longer investigate complaints from transgender students who are not permitted to use the bathrooms of their choice. The Obama administration had advised schools to allow public school students to use whichever bathrooms match their "gender identity," not their physiological reality. The Trump DOE disagrees and, of course, transgender activists are incensed.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Schumer, McConnell In Bar Brawl<br /> </em></strong><br /> Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell both spoke at the University of Louisville yesterday. The senators, who disagree on nearly everything, finally found <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2018/02/12/sen-chuck-schumer-tells-kentuckians-new-york-makes-some-best-bourbon-world/330615002/">some common ground with their shared interest in bourbon</a>. But Schumer riled the crowd a bit when he declared that Brooklyn "produces some of the best bourbon in the world." McConnell strenuously disagreed, saying, "There is no such thing as Brooklyn bourbon." Jim Beam was unavailable for comment.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rJP2nztDmU8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em><strong><em><strong><em> </em></strong></em></strong></em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-02-13T14:28:00ZTrump Again Assails Media; More Dispatches From The Loony LeftBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Again-Assails-Media;-More-Dispatches-From-The-Loony-Left/887546617842289623.html2018-02-12T15:23:00Z2018-02-12T15:23:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Monday, February 12, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em><strong><em><strong><em><strong><em>Trump Again Assails Media</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong></em></strong>President Trump spent part of his Sunday <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/373344-trump-rips-fake-news-media-same-negative-stories-over-and-over-again">smacking the mainstream media or</a>, as he calls it, the "Fake News Media." The White House is on its heels after being widely criticized for its handling of Rob Porter, the former administration aide who resigned after being accused of abusing two former wives. The president defended Porter's work at the White House and downplayed the "mere allegation" of abuse.<strong><em><strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Porter's Ex-Wife Assails Trump</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong></em></strong>Jennifer Willoughby, one of the two women who had been married to Rob Porter, says she was "floored" by the president's response to her allegations of abuse. <a href="http://time.com/5143589/rob-porter-ex-wife-trump-domestic-violence/">She has written an op-ed for Time magazine</a> in which she accuses President Trump of dismissing claims made by her and Porter's first wife Colbie Holderness.<br /><strong><em><strong><em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Chief Of Staff Kelly's Job Safe</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong></em></strong><a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/373317-conway-trump-has-full-confidence-in-kelly">White House counselor Kellyanne Conway made the rounds of the Sunday talk shows yesterday.</a> She stressed that Chief of Staff John Kelly has the full confidence of President Trump. Kelly was criticized last week when he initially defended Rob Porter. There had been reports that Kelly was ready to resign and that President Trump was considering possible replacements.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1wP5fczG0vY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><strong><em><strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Republican Calls Dem Memo "Ridiculous"</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong></em></strong>Devin Nunes, chair of the House Intelligence Committee and a driving force behind the GOP memo released ten days ago, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/373346-nunes-we-actually-want-the-ridiculous-dem-memo-released">wants the public to see the Democratic response</a>. He contends that the Democratic rebuttal laughably describes former British spy Christopher Steele as a credible source. The second memo won't be released until it is scrubbed of information that could compromise FBI intelligence-gathering methods.<strong><em><strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Campaign Aides Caught In The FISA Web</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong></em></strong>According to a report on Fox News, it is very likely that <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/02/09/tucker-carter-page-trump-surveillance/">many Trump campaign aides were inadvertantly surveilled by the FBI</a>. That's primarily because one-time Trump advisor Carter Page, who was being monitored under a FISA warrant, had frequent contact with members of the Trump campaign, including Steve Bannon. Since the FBI was actively and legally surveilling Page and his communications, an untold number of Trump aides were also being spied on.<strong><em><strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>On Deck: Infrastructure</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong></em></strong>President Trump, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/963031666150313984">in an early morning tweet today</a>, predicts a "big week for Infrastructure." The White House will release its proposal for a public works package that is expected to cost about $1.5-trillion, much of which will be funded by state and local governments. <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/02/11/584940681/trump-to-unveil-long-awaited-1-5-trillion-infrastructure-plan">The overriding goal is to repair highways, airports, bridges, and other vital structures across the nation</a>.<strong><em><strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Shame That Is MSNBC</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong></em></strong>Yesterday MSNBC's Joy Reid, a noted homophobe and a darling of the anti-Trump left, gave <a href="https://ijr.com/the-declaration/2018/02/1064967-msnbc-commentator-accuses-donald-trump-of-being-the-commander-in-chief-of-rape-culture/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8nLLcfKAMutgOhxkJ4k6LoL4yVT4t1OEANhhokQ3rYJuDOqlQ8NG6RGDqIkXw1y8uNkbmRzNBP5YXvNhy79gwV9UlD3Q&_hsmi=60608798&utm_campaign=Conservative%20Daily&utm_content=60608798&utm_medium=email&utm_source=hs_email">a hearty welcome to a writer named Anand Giridharadas</a>. Reid's guest actually slandered President Trump as "the commander in chief of American rape culture." Reid, who once mocked Florida Governor Charlie Crist as a closeted gay man, sat by silently.<strong><em><strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN, A Close Second</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong></em></strong>Meanwhile, over the weekend CNN <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/02/11/cnn-slammed-for-glowing-puff-piece-about-kim-jong-uns-sister-at-olympics.html">proudly ran a puff piece about Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong</a>, praising her smile, saying she has "struck a chord with the public," and comparing her with Ivanka Trump. The much-ridiculed story remains on CNN's website, even though it has been pointed out that the subject of CNN's admiration helps run a nation ruled by torture and terror and murder. Donald Trump Jr., one of many critics of the piece, <a href="https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/962428291398344704">described his father's media enemies as "sick."</a><strong><em><strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Campus Follies Take An Ugly Turn</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong></em></strong>The madness infecting American universities has reached the point where a memorial to slain police officers is considered offensive. <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10490">A band of wild-eyed socialists at Cal State Fullerton</a>, who reportedly receive funding from the school's faculty association, protested the memorial and actually took umbrage at the statement "Blue Lives Matter." They may wish to consult with the friends and families of Eric Joering and Anthony Morelli, who were killed in the line of duty Saturday.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iYqWArMWsL4?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><strong><em><strong><em><strong><em><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>More Dispatches From The Loony Left</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong></em></strong>There's really not enough room to document the madness that infuses the radical left. At Northeastern University in Boston, <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10481">professor Barry Bluestone told a crowd</a>, "I wouldn't mind seeing him dead." It goes without saying that he was referring to the president of the United States. Meanwhile, a "journalist" named Jesse Farrar tweeted that <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10486">universities should hold conservative students underwater</a> "until they stop breathing." Just in case anyone doubted his sincerity, Farrar added, "I am not joking." Sounds like the perfect guest for next weekend's Joy Reid show.<strong><em><strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Liberal Knives Out for Dem Congressman</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong></em></strong>Democratic Congressman Dan Lipinski is running for his ninth term in the House of Representatives in an Illinois district that is safely Democratic. But he may be defeated <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/02/dan-lipinski-illinois-progressives-386090">in the Democratic primary by a challenger</a> who is far more "progressive." Lipinski is one of the few remaining pro-life Democrats in Congress, and it appears his days may be numbered as liberals and their "Let's Dump Dan" movement have garnered contributions from around the country. Here is a sample of what he is up against:<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uzKuEVuHUOk?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <strong><em><strong><em><strong><em><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Russian Meddlers South Of The Border</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong></em></strong>The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has released a report that predicts <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/putin-russia-meddling-mexico/2018/02/11/id/842703/">Russia will try to influence future elections in Mexico</a> and other Latin American nations. According to Senator Ben Cardin, the committee's ranking Democrat, Vladimir Putin would relish having an anti-American government running things in Mexico City.<strong><em><strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CIA Denounces "Fictional" NY Times Story</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong></em></strong>The New York Times reported Friday that the CIA had been fleeced out of $100,000 by a shady Russian operative promising to provide information that would embarrass President Trump. The CIA, which doesn't usually respond to news reports, <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/cia/373323-cia-pushes-back-on-fictional-report-that-it-was-bilked-by">dismissed the story as "fictional</a>," adding that the only people swindled were the reporters who published the story.<strong><em><strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Robert De Niro, Climate Expert</em></strong><br /> </em></strong></em></strong></em></strong><em><em><em><br /></em></em></em> It's not often that a high school dropout with no scientific background gets to lecture world leaders about the science of climate change. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5378283/Robert-De-Niro-takes-aim-Trumps-climate-change-policy.html">But if your name is Robert De Niro, the usual rules don't apply</a>. During a speech yesterday in the repressive emirate of Dubai, Bobby D assailed the United States as a "backward" country that is suffering from a case of "temporary insanity." We can only presume that De Niro traveled to Dubai on a commercial flight; to do otherwise would be, well, a tad hypocritical.<strong><em><strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bannon On The Threat Of Oprah</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong></em></strong>Steve Bannon is describing <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/12/playbook-steve-bannon-devils-bargin-404049">Oprah Winfrey as an "existential threat" to President Trump</a> and his future. The former Trump strategist theorizes that Winfrey, even if she doesn't run for president herself, could help Democrats win the House later this year, which would then lead to impeachment proceedings.<strong><em><strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>May 19<sup>th</sup> – Hold The Date!<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong></em></strong></em></strong>Okay, so you haven't yet been invited to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. You can take solace in the fact that the <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2018/02/12/royal-wedding-guess-list-who-gets-a-nod-from-harry-meghan/110335126/">invitation list is still a work in progress</a>, so don't make plans for May 19<sup>th</sup>. Celebrities, athletes, politicians, and many others are desperate to be included, and British bookies are laying odds on who will be among the 800 guests. Barack and Michelle Obama, Elton John, and Serena Williams are all listed as "likely," while President Trump and Melania are considered long shots.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bbcRNeqIhhk?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><strong><em><strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /><br /></em></strong></em></strong></em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-02-12T15:23:00ZCIA Blasts "Fictional" NY Times Report; Not In My (Wealthy Liberal) Back Yard!!BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/CIA-Blasts-Fictional-NY-Times-Report;-Not-In-My-Wealthy-Liberal-Back-Yard!!/-809732827584563100.html2018-02-11T15:33:00Z2018-02-11T15:33:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, February 11, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em><strong><em><strong><em>CIA Blasts "Fictional" NY Times Report</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong>The New York Times reported Friday that the CIA had been fooled and swindled by a mysterious Russian operative when the agency tried to purchase information that would embarrass President Trump. According to the Times, CIA agents were fleeced for $100,000 by the man who falsely claimed he had images of Trump with hookers in Moscow in 2013. The CIA, which rarely responds to news reports, <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/cia-russian-trump-info/4248600.html">called the story "fictional,"</a> adding that the only people swindled were the reporters who published the story. The original story captured the attention of President Trump, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/962345433170415616">who pithily responded: "DRAIN THE SWAMP!"</a><strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dem Congresswomen Rip Trump</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong>If Democrats in Congress needed still another reason to denounce President Trump, they now have one. <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/02/10/democratic-women-slam-trump-not-standing-up-victims/326452002/">Some female lawmakers are hitting the president hard</a> for his reaction to the case of Rob Porter, who resigned from the White House staff last week after accusations of wife abuse. Trump praised Porter's work and seemed to question the veracity of claims made against him by two ex-wives.<strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Chief Of Staff Kelly's Job Safe</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong><a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/373317-conway-trump-has-full-confidence-in-kelly">Appearing on CNN this morning</a>, White House counselor Kellyanne Conway stressed that Chief of Staff John Kelly has the full confidence of President Trump. General Kelly was criticized last week when he vigorously defended the aforementioned Rob Porter. There had been reports that Kelly was ready to resign and that President Trump was considering possible replacements.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k_CUmQdtBt0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /><br /> <strong><em>Two Cops Murdered In Ohio</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong>30-year-old Quentin Lamar Smith, who had a long history of spousal abuse, shot and killed two police officers who were responding to a frantic 911 call placed by Smith's wife. <a href="https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2018/02/11/westerville-home-where-two-officers-killed-had-history-police-calls/326814002/">Officers Eric Joering and Anthony Morelli were both veteran cops in Westerville</a>, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus. Even though he was a convicted felon, Smith was reportedly armed "all of the time."<br /><strong><em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Not In My (Wealthy Liberal) Back Yard!!</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong>Some residents of Manhattan, where liberalism reigns, are peeved at their uber-liberal Mayor Bill de Blasio. The mayor has announced plans to build a shelter for homeless men <a href="http://www.billoreilly.com/video/video-of-the-day?vid=711377229524667364">in an upscale neighborhood not far from Central Park</a>. It's part an initiative that will create dozens of new homeless shelters around the city. All that is fine with most New Yorkers, as long as the shelters and their "undesirable" residents are in someone else's neighborhood.<strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN, Network Without Shame</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong>The once-respected network is once again the butt of searing jokes. Yesterday CNN actually ran a puff piece about Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong, praising her smile, saying she has "struck a chord with the public," and comparing her with Ivanka Trump. <a href="https://ijr.com/the-declaration/2018/02/1064721-cnn-kim-jong-un-sister/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--qUWYTsAhaVkBjgCqIfI68mC9VqqSm299XN54TuGdx6_nj9q2P0yceyFpyCxAzV6J-dpzouphTQ5VGpqIHpN4RFfIbZQ&_hsmi=60595735&utm_campaign=Conservative%20Daily&utm_content=60595735&utm_medium=email&utm_source=hs_email">The ridiculous piece inspired a flurry of Twitter responses</a> that are definitely worth scrolling through. Among the tweets was one from a certain Donald Trump Jr., <a href="https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/962428291398344704">who described his father's media enemies as "sick."</a><strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NBC Apologizes To South Korea</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong>Many Koreans have never forgiven Japan for its brutal occupation of the entire Korean peninsula in the first half of the 20<sup>th</sup> century, which was marked by torture, forced labor, and widespread rape. So the <a href="https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2018/02/702_243965.html">host country of the Winter Olympics was understandably incensed</a> when NBC analyst and "Asia expert" Joshua Cooper Ramo said South Korea had achieved success by emulating Japan's "cultural, technological, and economic example." The network and its officials immediately apologized for the faux pas and Ramo has been fired.<strong><strong><br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Haiti Hooker Scandal Roils Charity</strong></em><br /> <br /> </strong></strong>The very well-funded British organization Oxfam, whose mission is to fight global hunger, <a href="https://in.reuters.com/article/britain-oxfam-haiti-minister/uk-threatens-to-cut-off-aid-cash-to-charities-after-oxfam-sex-report-idINKBN1FV0CX">is being accused of covering up sexual misconduct by aid workers in Haiti</a>. Oxfam workers allegedly hired prostitutes to take part in orgies in Haiti when they were helping the country deal with the aftermath of the massive 2010 earthquake. This seems to be another instance of that old adage: It's not the crime, it's the coverup.<strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Senator Calls For Pentagon Audit</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong>Libertarian-leaning Republican Senator Rand Paul has a rather quaint notion that government should live within its means, which is why he spoke for hours against the budget-busting spending deal last week. Senator Paul, an ophthalmologist in his previous life, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/373282-rand-paul-rails-against-wasteful-spending-after-forcing-brief">wants auditors to cast a discerning eye on the spending at the Defense Department</a>. Citing one blatant example of waste, Paul pointed out that "some idiot in the government" spent $700,000 to study exactly what Neil Armstrong said when he set foot on the moon.<strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Opioid Maker Ends Marketing To Docs</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong>OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, founded by the billionaire Sackler family, announced yesterday that it <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/health/2018/02/11/oxycontin-maker-says-it-will-no-longer-market-opioid-to-doctors.html">will no longer promote opioid painkillers to U.S. physicians</a>. The New Jersey-based company, with annual revenues of about $3-billion, says it will stop sending sales reps to doctors' offices to market opioids. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania estimate that 7-million Americans have abused OxyContin since its introduction twenty years ago.<strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>U. of Washington: Patriotism Not Allowed!</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong>College Republicans at the University of Washington <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/5-arrested-as-trump-supporters-counterprotesters-rally-at-uw-in-seattle/?utm_content=bufferb7b2c&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=owned_buffer_tw_m">staged a "freedom rally" yesterday</a>, which included a group called "Patriot Prayer." That did not sit well with about a thousand counter-protesters, who chanted and carried signs indicating their hatred for President Trump and their affection for illegal immigrants. As expected, the left wing protesters accused freedom rally organizers of "fascism." American flags were burned, there were clashes with police, and five people were arrested.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eQBI8fGkhuI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>.<strong><em><strong><em><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Triggered Princeton Students Walk Out Of Class</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong>A professor at Princeton University used the "n-word" in its unexpurgated entirety while teaching a class this week. Anthropology professor Lawrence Rosen <a href="http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/article/2018/02/students-walk-out-of-anthropology-lecture-after-professor-uses-the-word-nr">was apparently trying to challenge his students</a> about the limits of free speech. Four students walked out of the class and others demanded an apology, which was not forthcoming.<br /><strong><em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Challenging The "Tide Pod Challenge"</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong>The big-government types that run New York State have a big-government solution to a bizarre problem. You may be aware that some people have taken to ingesting Tide Pods, the laundry detergent that comes in bite-sized packages. New York politicians, rather than blaming the stupid people eating the pods, <a href="https://nypost.com/2018/02/10/ny-lawmakers-nutty-cure-for-the-tide-pod-challenge/">are blaming the detergent company and its evil quest for profits.</a> They want Tide to put a prominent warning label on each pod, apparently presuming that will stop the problem in its tracks. There have already been dozens of videos warning about the pods, which are neither tasty nor healthy.<br /><br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m0Qd2usmPWY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfulls="" strong=""></iframe></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-02-11T15:33:00ZCongress Passes Massive Spending Bill; Dem Senator's Odd Russia TiesBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Congress-Passes-Massive-Spending-Bill;-Dem-Senators-Odd-Russia-Ties/-679870139403161466.html2018-02-09T15:03:00Z2018-02-09T15:03:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, February 9, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em><strong><em>Congress Passes Massive Spending Bill</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong>You probably didn't notice it, but the federal government was shut down for a few hours while most Americans were sleeping. That ended at 5:30 A.M. when <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/congress-passes-sweeping-budget-bill-ending-brief-shutdown/2018/02/09/6021367e-0d69-11e8-8890-372e2047c935_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-banner-main_budget-10pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.e578ccb7a5d2">the House passed a budget bill that increases government spending across the board</a>. Despite the bill's passage and its outlining of broad budget priorities, actual government funding has only been extended for six weeks, meaning there could be another showdown and shutdown threat next month.<strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Anger On Both Left And Right</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong>The budget deal was supported by enough Democrats to get it through Congress, <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/08/congress-massive-budget-deal-2018-398189">but it also enraged some members of both parties</a>. On the left, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and many of her allies voted 'nay' because the bill does nothing to address the DACA issue. On the other side, Republican Senator Rand Paul, a small-government libertarian, was able to delay the vote by speaking for hours and warning of massive deficits.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mGqkctDwkMo?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><strong> <em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Tea Party Tossed Overboard</em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><br /></em> Among the biggest losers in the budget deal <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/republicans-repeal-the-tea-party/article/2648609">are small-government types who formed the Tea Party</a> early in the Obama administration. Its members helped elect dozens of candidates who vowed to rein in government spending and shrink the bureaucracy. But the inexorable growth of government, as exemplified by the new spending agreement, once again demonstrates the political impotence of deficit hawks. As every politician knows, or quickly learns, 'tis far easier to spend other people's money than to cut programs.<strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dem Senator's Odd Russia Ties</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Senator Mark Warner, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, has been leading the charge in accusing the Trump campaign of having nefarious connections with Russia. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/02/08/democratic-sen-mark-warner-texted-with-russian-oligarch-lobbyist-in-effort-to-contact-dossier-author-christopher-steele.html">Fox News is now reporting that Warner himself</a> exchanged a series of texts with a lobbyist who had been hired by a Russian billionaire and who had ties to Hillary Clinton. It appears that Warner wanted to arrange a private meeting with Christopher Steele, the former British spy who created the fake anti-Trump dossier. President Trump, of course, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/961802557646569475">responded to the news with a tweet</a> that was downright giddy.<strong><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong>Encouraging Poll For Trump</strong><br /> </strong><em><br /></em> The Rasmussen Daily Presidential Tracking Poll, which tends to be favorable to President Trump, pegs his approval rating at 48%, which is higher than most other polls indicate. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/rasmussen-reports-presidential-approval-rating-survey/2018/02/08/id/842343/">Newsmax and other conservative outlets</a> point out a very interesting fact – eight years ago, at the exact same point in President Obama's first term, his approval number was 46%. One can quibble with the poll and its findings, but it's a sure bet that the Trump/Obama comparison will be ignored by the media.<br /><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>General Kelly Feeling The Heat</em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><br /></em> White House Chief of Staff General John Kelly is <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/373050-the-memo-knives-come-out-for-kelly">under heavy incoming fire for his response after administration official Rob Porter</a> was accused of abusing both his former wives. Kelly's initial reaction was to issue a full-throated defense of Porter's "integrity and honor," but he later changed his tune after facing widespread criticism. Porter has denied the allegations but has resigned from the White House.<br /><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN's Shameful, Gleeful Response</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong>How's this for a headline on CNN's website: <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/08/opinions/men-trump-hired-john-kelly-rob-porter-dantonio-opinion/index.html">"Trump hires in his own image – bullies, posers, and bad boys."</a> The once-respected network commissioned that piece from Trump-hating author Michael D'Antonio, who used the Rob Porter incident to denounce the entire administration. D'Antonio has written one book that glorified President Obama, another that vilified Donald Trump.<strong><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong>Let The Games Begin!</strong><br /> <br /> </strong>The Winter Olympics have begun in Pyeongchang, South Korea. The opening ceremony, always a favorite for TV viewers around the world, did not disappoint. It included music, pageantry, the parade of athletes, and some truly spectacular fireworks.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aDZxfAYa30g?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><strong><em><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>VP Pence Snubs North Korean Official</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Vice President Mike Pence, who heads up the United States delegation at the Winter Olympics, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-43003564">studiously avoided a possible encounter with a North Korean official at a dinner</a>. Nevertheless, South Korea's president reiterated his hope that the Olympics will mark "the day peace began" on the peninsula. North and South Korea marched under one flag at the opening ceremony and will be skating together on a joint women's hockey team.<strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Female CA Politician Accused Of Groping</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong>California Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, a vocal foe of sexual harassment against women, is now being <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article199198249.html">accused of fondling a low-level male staffer</a>. According to Daniel Fierro, Garcia approached him at a softball game and touched him in a most inappropriate manner. A second man is also accusing Garcia of making a very graphic sexual proposal, which he rebuffed.<strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Record Salary For NFL QB</em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><br /></em> Unless you're a die-hard football fan, you may have never heard of Jimmy Garoppolo. But the San Francisco 49ers <a href="http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/22370038/san-francisco-49ers-jimmy-garoppolo-agree-5-year-1375-million-deal">have just made him the highest paid player in the entire league</a>. Garoppolo, formerly a backup to Tom Brady in New England, will make $27.5 million a year. He has started just seven games in his entire career, but the Niners obviously consider him the right guy to lead them back to glory.<strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bin Laden Killer: No Parade Necessary</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Rob O'Neill, the former Navy SEAL who killed Osama Bin Laden and usually a reliable supporter of President Trump, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/02/09/navy-seal-who-killed-bin-laden-calls-trumps-military-parade-third-world-bulls.html">says the president's idea for a grand military parade</a> is "third world bull****." Less surprisingly, CNN, never a supporter of President Trump, weighed in with a snarky report <a href="http://www.billoreilly.com/video/video-of-the-day?vid=-302522895030967470">that ridicules the parade</a> and takes a ton of cheap shots at the president.<strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Shirtless Tongan Again Steals The Show</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong>It was one thing for Tonga Olympian Pita Taufatofa to go shirtless at the opening ceremony of the summer games in Brazil. But he has just done it again in South Korea, despite temperatures that were well below freezing. He is Tonga's only representative at the games and will compete in cross-country skiing. Taufatofa is not expected to win a medal, but he could win many fans if he again doffs his shirt and oils up his well-muscled body during the competition.<br /><br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OhO4a1_wygQ?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscre="" strong=""></iframe></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-02-09T15:03:00ZMajor Vote Today In Senate; More FBI Texts, More Outrageous MessagesBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Major-Vote-Today-In-Senate;-More-FBI-Texts-More-Outrageous-Messages/423087949150155600.html2018-02-08T14:53:00Z2018-02-08T14:53:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, February 8, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Major Vote Today In Senate</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/372865-senate-to-vote-on-two-year-budget-thursday">The Senate is expected to vote today on a budget package</a> that will extend government funding for a full two years. If passed and signed into law, it will end those regular squabbles that result in continuing resolutions and shutdown threats. While passage in the Senate seems like a sure thing, fiscally conservative House Republicans object to the massive increase in spending, while many House Democrats are upset because the proposal does not deal with immigration or DACA. <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/961368036782628864">President Trump has weighed in with his unqualified support of the budget deal.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>More FBI Texts, More Outrageous Messages</em></strong><br /> <br /> The hits just keep coming. <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/02/07/fbi-agentwrap-up-clinton-probe-strozk/">More text messages between FBI lovers Peter Strzok and Lisa Page</a> were released yesterday, once again displaying their recklessness and bias. Strzok was gobsmacked when Donald Trump was the last man standing in the Republican primary and stressed that it was imperative that he finish the Hillary Clinton email investigation as quickly as possible. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>FBI Boss, Intel Chiefs To Capitol Hill Next Week</em></strong><br /> <br /> The top guardians of our nation's vast intelligence apparatus, including FBI Director Christopher Wray, will <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/372792-wray-intelligence-officials-to-testify-before-senate-intel-committee-next">appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee next week</a>. While the hearing deals with overall security and current threats, Wray will certainly be questioned about the FBI and its alleged politicization. Director Wray is without a full time deputy director since Andrew McCabe abruptly departed the bureau under fire last week.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>DHS Official: Russia Targeted 21 States</em></strong><br /> <br /> Jeanette Manfra, the top cybersecurity official at the Department of Homeland Security, has told NBC News <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/russians-penetrated-u-s-voter-systems-says-top-u-s-n845721">that Russia targeted the election process in 21 states</a> in 2016. She added that "an exceptionally small number of them were actually successfully penetrated." It remains unclear which specific states were infiltrated and whether any vote counts were actually altered.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>George W. Bush Agrees</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/08/george-w-bush-russia-election-meddling-398173">Speaking this morning at a conference in Abu Dhabi</a>, former President George W. Bush said there is "pretty clear evidence" that Russia meddled in the 2016 election, although he did not say that affected the outcome. Mr. Bush added that, in his opinion, Vladimir Putin has a "chip on his shoulder" and is still bitter about the demise of the once-powerful Soviet Union.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pelosi Speaks For Eight Straight Hours</em></strong><br /> <br /> Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi broke a 99-year-old record House record yesterday when she spoke for more than eight consecutive hours without a break. Her subject was immigration and her stated objective was to force a vote on DACA beneficiaries. For most of her soliloquy, a few dozen Democrats were in the chamber, and it's perfectly understandable <a href="http://www.billoreilly.com/video/video-of-the-day?vid=650105543413534400">that a few of them had a bit of trouble staying awake</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN Adds Another Trump-Hater To Its Stable</em></strong><br /> <br /> CNN, apparently facing a shortage of anti-Trump contributors, has brought on <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/02/07/cnn-raises-eyebrows-by-signing-james-comey-crony-after-misleading-new-york-times-op-ed.html">former FBI agent Josh Campbell</a>. He was a close aide to then-FBI boss James Comey, and his hiring was announced immediately after Campbell wrote a New York Times op-ed implying that he was quitting the bureau because of President Trump's frequent criticism. He failed to mention that he had already taken the job with CNN, raising questions about his ethical judgment.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Comey Book Coming Soon</em></strong><br /> <br /> The aforementioned Josh Campbell has joined CNN just in time to heap praise on his former boss's upcoming book. James Comey's memoir, entitled "A Higher Loyalty," <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/release-date-for-james-comeys-book-moved-up-as-he-looks-forward-to-joining-discussion-about-ethical-leadership/article/2648481">will be published on April 17<sup>th</sup></a>, two weeks earlier than originally planned. <a href="https://twitter.com/Comey/status/960911029881462784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Frelease-date-for-james-comeys-book-moved-up-as-he-looks-forward-to-joining-discussion-about-ethical-leadership%2Farticle%2F2648481">Earlier this week the</a> former FBI boss said he is "putting finishing touches" on the book, which he hopes will spur a discussion about "ethical leadership." You can expect to see a lot of Comey when he embarks on the requisite publicity tour.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Seattle Fences Out Homeless</em></strong><br /> <br /> Liberal Democrats like to say that walls and fences don't work, but that usually doesn't apply when it comes to protecting their own property or cities. <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/seattle-is-putting-fences-under-its-bridges-to-keep-campers-out-and-some-say-thats-wrong/">Officials in Seattle are erecting a 10-foot fence</a> designed to prevent homeless people from setting up tents beneath bridges. The city has established official tent camps for homeless people, but many seem to prefer finding their own places to live. In other words, they are pro-choice. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>ICE Requests, NYC Rejects</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/ice-request-1-526-new-york-city/2018/02/07/id/842104/">During President Trump's first year in office</a>, federal immigration authorities asked New York City to detain 1,526 illegal immigrants for possible deportation. The city, run by radical leftist Mayor Bill de Blasio, rejected all 1,526 requests. The feds warn that the releases, which include criminals, "pose a dangerous risk to our communities." <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/An-All-Too-American-Tragedy/108171004578833809.html">This week's BillOReilly.com staff column</a> describes what often happens when criminal illegal aliens return to the USA time and again.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mystery Surrounds Border Agent's Death</em></strong><br /> <br /> Back in November, Border Patrol Agent Rogelio Martinez was killed in Texas and initial speculation theorized that he had been targeted by illegal border-crossers. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/border-patrol-agent-death/2018/02/07/id/842084/">But after a thorough investigation</a>, the FBI now says there is no evidence that there was a "scuffle, altercation, or attack," even though Martinez apparently died of blunt force trauma. His partner that day, who was also injured, says he cannot remember what happened.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bermuda Rescinds Same-Sex Marriage Law</em></strong><br /> <br /> Just one year after legalizing same-sex marriage, the British island territory of Bermuda has become the <a href="http://time.com/5138941/bermuda-same-sex-marriage-repeal/">first place in the world to repeal that provision</a>. It has been replaced by new legislation allowing domestic partnerships. When officials held a referendum on the subject, two-thirds of Bermuda citizens opposed both same-sex marriage and civil unions. LGBT activists are calling the rollback a "shameful" act that relegates gays to second-class status.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Finally, Some Respect For Gingers</em></strong><br /> <br /> There is an organization called the Unicode Consortium, made up of a handful of very powerful people who decide which new emoji characters will be introduced each year. That group is ending one of the world's great injustices <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/8/16990018/2018-new-emoji-end-redhead-neglect">by finally including red-headed characters in its latest batch of official emojis. </a> Apparently the emoji powers-that-be caved to pressure from all those very demanding redheads and their "Ginger Pride" rallies that have been staged for years all over the world.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XZv1O04RDG0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-02-08T14:53:00ZWhat Did Obama Know, When Did He Know It?; Illegal Immigrant Killer Charged By FedsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/What-Did-Obama-Know-When-Did-He-Know-It;-Illegal-Immigrant-Killer-Charged-By-Feds/-732656520833141012.html2018-02-07T14:36:00Z2018-02-07T14:36:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, February 7, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em><strong><em><strong><em>What Did Obama Know, When Did He Know It?</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong>President Obama's name been largely absent from the competing memos and narratives surrounding the 2016 election shenanigans. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/02/07/more-texts-between-strzok-and-page-uncovered-lead-to-more-questions.html">But Fox News is reporting that newly-released text messages</a> show that FBI lovers Peter Strzok and Lisa Page believed President Obama was very eager "to know everything we're doing." The text messages show that Strzok and Page, as always, displayed their utter disdain for Donald Trump and Republican voters, some of whom they demeaned as "ignorant hillbillies."<strong><strong><br /></strong><em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Senate Eyes Long-Term Budget Deal</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong>Republican and Democratic leaders in the Senate say they may be able to reach a deal that <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/372621-senate-leaders-say-theyre-zeroing-in-on-two-year-budget-deal">would provide a two-year budget and avoid a government shutdown</a>. Both Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer expressed optimism about the prospective grand bargain, although it will hinge on approval from House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. Many far-left Democrats in the House, <a href="https://ijr.com/2018/02/1062680-daca-rep-gutierrez-pelosi/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-92euVbERuE4C0nZ3We1f2GZK0Ytcw53YgPNp8sqocoV2Mab8wZpjE4HUzeMlTP77tokROxKRS90hX1RqWE-1oCLcOg8Q&_hsmi=60511967&utm_campaign=Conservative%20Daily&utm_content=60511967&utm_medium=email&utm_source=hs_email">among them Luis Gutierrez</a>, say they will reject any budget deal that does not have an iron-clad promise of protection for DACA beneficiaries.<strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Illegal Immigrant Killer Charged By Feds</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong>Manuel Orrego-Savala, the illegal immigrant who mowed down and killed Indianapolis Colts player Edwin Jackson and Uber driver Jeffrey Monroe, <a href="https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2018/02/06/man-arrested-colts-edwin-jacksons-death-has-been-charged-federal-court/313805002/">is in the hands of federal prosecutors</a>. The twice-deported and unlicensed Guatemalan was drunk when he lost control of his pickup truck and plowed into the victims. <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/960868920428253184">President Trump has entered the fray</a>, calling the incident "disgraceful" and more proof that a wall is needed on the southern border.<em><em><br /></em></em><strong><em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Biden: Build A Wall, Save DACA</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong>Former Vice President Joe Biden, generally considered a relatively moderate voice among Democrats, is suggesting that his <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/joe-biden-democrats-border-wall-daca/2018/02/06/id/841857/">party agree to build a wall on the southern border</a> in exchange for protecting DACA recipients from deportation. During an interview last night on CNN, Biden also seemed to throw cold water on the notion that he may run for the presidency in 2020.<strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Adam Schiff Pranked By Russian Comics</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong>Always camera-ready Congressman Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5355713/Adam-Schiff-spoofed-Russian-claim-nude-Trump-pic.html">was apparently fooled by two Russian comedians</a> who called his office last year. The Russkies claimed to have naked and compromising photos of Donald Trump taken in 2013. Schiff's aides followed up and even tried to arrange a meeting to obtain the damaging material, but the Congressman now claims he was not fooled by the pranksters. The comics have released an eight-minute audio recording of the amusing exchange, during which Schiff was taking notes and obviously very serious:<em><em><br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m3Rut64GDgA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></em></em><strong><em><strong><em><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Wants Massive Military Parade</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong>President Trump has reportedly ordered his military brass to plan a huge parade in Washington that will <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trumps-marching-orders-to-the-pentagon-plan-a-grand-military-parade/2018/02/06/9e19ca88-0b55-11e8-8b0d-891602206fb7_story.html?utm_term=.20821652a753">be an impressive show of America's military might</a>. Whatever the merits of the prospective parade, Democrats and their media allies are already mocking the proposal, with one member of Congress comparing the president to Napoleon. One difference, of course, is that President Trump is much taller than the French emperor and military genius.<em><em><br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4TL8FlVzVno?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></em></em><strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /><br /> <strong><em>Poland Enacts Oppressive Speech Law</em></strong><br /> </em></strong></em></strong><em><em><br /></em></em> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-polish-holocaust-law-2018-2">It is now illegal in Poland to refer to "Polish death camps"</a> or accuse the nation of complicity in the Holocaust. The new legislation, denounced by both Israel and the United States, passed both chambers of the Polish legislature and has been signed into law by President Andrzej Duda. Accusing Poland of aiding the Nazis can result in a three-year prison sentence.<strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Most Say Trump Impeding Mueller Probe</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong>A new poll by Quinnipiac indicates that a slim majority of Americans believes that <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/poll-trump-russia-mueller/2018/02/06/id/841777/">President Trump has tried to "derail or obstruct" the Russia investigation.</a> At the same time, more than four in ten describe the Mueller probe as a "political witch hunt." 29% of the poll's respondents self-identified as Democrats, 24% said they are Republicans.<strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>War Without End</em></strong><br /> </em></strong></em></strong><em><em><br /></em></em> The war in Afghanistan, now in its 17<sup>th</sup> year, <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/defense/372641-pentagon-war-in-afghanistan-will-cost-45-billion-in-2018">is expected to cost the U.S. treasury $45-billion this year</a>. That estimate was presented to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee yesterday by Randall Schriver, the Pentagon's most senior official in Asia. Many Senators hope to end the war through peace talks with the Taliban, while President Trump has indicated that he wants to totally destroy the Taliban.<strong><strong><br /></strong><em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>North Korea's Looming Threat</em></strong><br /> </em></strong></em></strong><em><em><br /></em></em> In other ominous military news, a U.S. official says North Korea may be "only months away" from having nuclear missiles that could strike the United States. <a href="https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/world/2018-02-07-war-of-words-erupts-at-nuclear-disarmament-talks/">Robert Wood gave that frightening assessment yesterday</a> at a Conference on Disarmament sponsored by the United Nations. He also warned of growing nuclear arsenals in China and Russia, which both nations disputed.<strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Professor: No Such Thing As "Black Racism"</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong>Ted Thornhill, who teaches a course in "white racism" at Florida Gulf Coast University, <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10475">declares that there is absolutely "no such thing as black racism."</a> The nutty professor is defending his controversial course and claiming that racism itself was created by white Europeans.<em><em><br /></em></em><strong><em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Ancient Brits Had Brown Skin!</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong>New scientific analysis indicates that people living in <a href="https://mashable.com/2018/02/07/10000-year-old-cheddar-man-face-revealed/#WXKYJs1YraqQ">Britain 10,000 years ago had very dark brown skin</a>. That conclusion was revealed after a detailed 40-year study of the oldest complete skeleton ever discovered in Britain. One obvious conclusion: Based on the unassailable logic of the aforementioned Ted Thornhill, early Brits could not possibly have been racist.<em><em><br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lWDWVDu01P0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="" autoplay="autoplay" encrypted-m="" em=""></iframe></em><strong><em><strong><em><br /> <br /></em></strong></em></strong><strong><em><br /> </em></strong></em></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-02-07T14:36:00ZLawyers To Trump: Snub Mueller; War Of The MemosBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Lawyers-To-Trump:-Snub-Mueller;-War-Of-The-Memos/-973483733370629057.html2018-02-06T14:25:00Z2018-02-06T14:25:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, February 6, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em><strong><em>Lawyers To Trump: Snub Mueller</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>Special counsel Robert Mueller, as he wraps up his investigation, has indicated that he wants to talk in person with President Trump. </em><em><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/lawyers-jay-sekulow-testify-fbi/2018/02/05/id/841612/">But the president's lawyers have reportedly advised him</a></em><em> to forego that in-person interview, which they fear could open him up to a perjury charge. If President Trump refuses to testify, there will likely be a protracted fight in the courts.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>War Of The Memos</em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><br /></em><em> Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee have composed their own memo in response to the one released last Friday by committee Republicans. <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/05/house-panel-backs-release-of-democratic-memo-on-fbi-392255">The entire committee has voted unanimously</a></em><em> to release the Democratic response, which will now go to the White House for the president's approval. If all goes as expected, the second memo should be in the public arena within a week.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>FBI Under The Microscope</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em><a href="http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/372457-ig-poised-to-reignite-war-over-fbis-clinton-case">For more than a year Michael Horowitz has led a team of dogged sleuths and attorneys</a></em><em> investigating possible government malfeasance. Horowitz, the Department of Justice's inspector general, is laboriously examining how the FBI handled the Hillary Clinton email investigation. His report is expected to be released within the next two months, and it will surely ignite a new round of recriminations and lamentations in Washington, Chappaqua, and elsewhere.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Lashes Out At Pelosi</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>During a speech and rally in Ohio yesterday, President Trump referred to </em><em><a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/feb/5/donald-trump-pelosi-gops-secret-weapon-midterms/">Nancy Pelosi as the Republicans' "secret weapon"</a></em><em> that will help the GOP retain control of the House and Senate. He went after her for dismissing workers' bonuses as mere "crumbs" and raised the specter of Pelosi returning to her past glory as Speaker of the House if the Democrats regain control.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dem House Challengers Raise Big Bucks</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>We have heard that the Republican National Committee has a huge fundraising advantage over its Democratic counterpart. However, things are far different at the local level. </em><em><a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/05/2018-fundraising-democrats-republicans-389868">According to Politico</a></em><em>, dozens of sitting House Republicans are being outraised by their Democratic challengers. Given that a president's party usually loses seats in a midterm election, the fundraising numbers are especially worrisome to the GOP. Can you say "Speaker Pelosi?"</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>President Trump Calls Dems "Treasonous"</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>Accusing political opponents of "treason" is usually far out of bounds, but President Trump did just that yesterday during that speech in Ohio. He lambasted Democrats for refusing to stand during last week's State of the Union speech, calling them "un-American" and "treasonous." He added, "they certainly didn't seem to love our country very much."<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6VurYCQXidQ?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></em><strong><em><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>"Dossier" Author In The Crosshairs</em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><br /></em><em> Christopher Steele is usually described as the former British spy who was paid to put together the discredited "dossier" that was used to obtain a FISA warrant. Republican Senators Lindsey Graham and Chuck Grassley <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/05/christopher-steele-dossier-criminal-probe-request-390793">have called for a criminal investigation of Steele</a>, alleging that he received information from a confidante of Hillary Clinton. There is also new information <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/dossier-author-steele-wrote-another-anti-trump-memo-was-fed-info-by-clinton-connected-contact-obama-state-department/article/2648099">indicating that Steele wrote a second memo</a></em><em> that was also intended to damage Donald Trump. Yes, it's all very complicated and a scorecard would be helpful.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Markets Brace For Rocky Tuesday</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>The day after the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by 1,175 points, traders and investors are </em><em><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/06/us-stock-futures-dow-data-earnings-market-sell-off-and-politics-on-the-agenda.html">understandably very nervous this morning</a>. Optimists call yesterday's drop a much-needed correction after an unprecedented stock market rise; pessimists worry that rising interest rates and other factors could lead to deeper losses. Markets in Asia, <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/asian-markets-plunge-as-wall-street-panic-spreads-11238498">which are already closed for the day</a></em><em>, took a severe beating on Tuesday.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Rage Against The Machines</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>Some Silicon Valley veterans </em><em><a href="http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/business/20180205/former-google-facebook-employees-campaign-against-tech-addiction">have started a new campaign called "The Truth About Tech."</a></em><em> They contend that smart phones and social media apps are designed to be every bit as addictive as crack cocaine. The people sounding the alarm, some of whom made massive fortunes at Google and Facebook, are especially concerned about social media's deleterious effects on American children.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Illegal Immigrant Outrage</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>Indianapolis Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson is dead, largely because of our broken immigration system. Manuel Orrego-Savala, a twice-deported illegal immigrant from Guatemala, </em><em><a href="http://www.billoreilly.com/video/video-of-the-day?vid=634991658594588759">was driving drunk when he plowed his pickup truck into a parked car</a></em><em>, killing Jackson and his Uber driver Jeffrey Monroe. Orrego-Savala was driving without a license.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Americans Want DACA Fix</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>A new poll shows that </em><em><a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/372314-poll-overwhelming-majority-wants-congress-to-reach-a-deal-on">two of three Americans want Congress and President Trump</a></em><em> to finally reach a deal on DACA recipients. Democrats and Republicans alike are clamoring for some solution, but the major sticking point is whether any agreement will include other White House demands, including funding for a border wall.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Philadelphia Wants Safe Spaces For Addicts</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>The city of Philadelphia, with Super Bowl celebrations in the rear view mirror, is turning its attention to more pressing issues. Under a very liberal mayor, </em><em><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/health/2018/02/05/philadelphia-aims-to-become-first-us-city-to-legalize-safe-injection-sites.html">some city officials want to permit drug users to shoot up at supervised medical facilities</a>. The experimental safe havens would offer addicts clean needles and treatment options.</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Stanford Students Weep Over Posters</em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><br /></em><em> After a Stanford jokester put up satirical posters lauding immigration authorities, <a href="http://www.thecollegefix.com/post/41596/">some of his fellow students claimed they felt "unsafe and hurt."</a></em><em> A few of them even wept after enduring what they called "hate speech." The young man who created the posters was initially told that the hurt feelings of others take precedence over his free speech rights. However, when threatened by legal action, school officials finally conceded that it was wrong to remove the posters. The College Fix tried to reach Stanford administrators, but of course they were hiding 'neath their oak and mahogany desks.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Doritos Unveils Silent Chips For Ladies </em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>C'mon, ladies, are you really embarrassed or annoyed by the loud crunching sound that is emitted when you chomp on a Doritos chip? The chip's maker evidently believes you are and may be launching a new version that </em><em><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/food/wp/2018/02/05/doritos-is-developing-lady-friendly-chips-because-apparently-you-should-never-hear-a-woman-crunch/?utm_term=.ce53930485a9">will be less noisy and, evidently, more lady-like</a></em><em>. No word yet on whether there will be still another chip for those who are transitioning from one gender to another.</em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-02-06T14:25:00ZCapitol Hill Memo Feud Escalates; Philadelphia Celebration & MayhemBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Capitol-Hill-Memo-Feud-Escalates;-Philadelphia-Celebration--Mayhem/-27731614033230870.html2018-02-05T15:11:00Z2018-02-05T15:11:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Monday, February 5, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Capitol Hill Memo Feud Escalates</em></strong><br /> <br /> Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/372229-house-intelligence-committee-taking-up-dems-countermemo-on-monday-report">have composed their own memo</a> that refutes and rebuts much of the material in the Republican memo that was released to much fanfare on Friday. The committee may vote tonight on whether the second memo should be released. If the release is approved by the committee, it will then have to be okayed by the White House and President Trump.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Mocks "Little Adam Schiff"</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/960492998734868480">In a Monday morning tweet</a>, President Trump accused Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, of leaking and lying in pursuit of higher office. Schiff, in his ubiquitous television appearances, continues to assert that the Trump campaign colluded with Russians.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Comey's Notes To Remain Private</em></strong><br /> <br /> Near the end of his tenure as boss of the FBI, James Comey wrote some memos that detailed his meetings with President Trump. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/02/03/comey-memos-will-stay-with-mueller-not-be-released-judge-rules.html">A federal judge has ruled that those notes should remain</a> in the possession of special counsel Robert Mueller and must not be made public. Judge James Boasberg declared that releasing the notes to the public would interfere with Muller's investigation.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Shutdown Looming Again</em></strong><br /> <br /> The temporary spending bill agreed to in January is already expiring and <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/finance/372114-congress-returns-with-just-days-to-avoid-shutdown">Congress is again seeking ways to keep the government running</a>. Republicans want another temporary funding bill, while Democrats insist on first passing a bill that deals with immigration and DACA. Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi warns that there will be no continuing resolution to fund the government without first solving the DACA issue.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>New Immigration Proposal</em></strong><br /> <br /> Republican Senator John McCain and Democratic Senator Christopher Coons are about to introduce a bill that <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2018/02/04/new-bipartisan-immigration-plan-to-be-introduced-in-the-senate/?utm_term=.0de7a344cc2c">they say will help solve the immigration dilemma</a>. Their proposal would grant permanent legal status to DACA recipients, but does not fund a border wall or end the Diversity Visa Lottery or chain migration. In other words, of the four pillars demanded by President Trump, this proposal only deals with one. <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/960522569492426753">The president has already dismissed the idea as a "total waste of time."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Prez Ridicules British Health Care</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump, who apparently doesn't have enough feuds and controversies at home, is now <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-42943768">taking aim at Great Britain's National Health Service</a>. The president claims the NHS is "going broke and not working" and mocks Democrats who want a similar single-payer system in the USA. British Health Secretary <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/372297-british-health-secretary-fires-back-at-trump-over-universal-healthcare">Jeremy Hunt returned fire today</a>, saying he is proud of the NHS. He also denounced the American health care system for leaving millions of people uninsured.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Encouraging Polls For Trump, GOP</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Rasmussen poll has generally been more favorable to President Trump than some other surveys, and its most recent numbers are no exception. <a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/trump_administration/prez_track_feb05">Today's daily tracking poll shows that 49% of likely voters</a> approve of the president's job performance, while the same number disapprove. Meanwhile, other polls <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/372101-gop-growing-optimistic-about-midterm-chances">indicate that Congressional Republicans are closing ground on Democrats</a>, a good sign for the GOP with midterm elections coming up later this year. Part of the reason for the bump could be fatter paychecks now that the tax cut plan has been fully implemented.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>What Was Dodge Thinking?</em></strong><br /> <br /> Dodge Ram and its parent company Fiat Chrysler <a href="https://slate.com/business/2018/02/the-mlk-estate-approved-that-dodge-ram-super-bowl-ad.html">are dodging some serious backlash today</a>. The company ran an ad during the Super Bowl that tried to sell pickup trucks by using the voice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The King estate, which guards his likeness and speeches, approved the ad and surely was well compensated in return.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SlbY1tGARUA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Government Borrowing Explodes</em></strong><br /> <br /> Remember that quaint notion of fiscal responsibility? President Trump never even mentioned the word "debt" in last week's State of the Union address, even as the federal government is on a pace to increase the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2018/02/03/the-u-s-government-is-set-to-borrow-nearly-1-trillion-this-year/?utm_term=.691d48923430">national debt by about $1-trillion in the current fiscal year</a>. Part of the reason is an expected decrease in government revenue due to tax cuts.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>California Veering Even Farther Left?</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/think-california-politics-is-on-the-far-left-fringe-just-wait-for-the-next-elections/2018/02/04/80e679c2-05e5-11e8-8777-2a059f168dd2_story.html?utm_term=.484c0cbe8103">An article in the Washington Post contends that California</a>, already known for having the nation's most radical politicians and policies, may be moving even farther into left field. The incoming generation of Democrats, including prospective governors Gavin Newsom and Antonio Villaraigosa, is considerably more "progressive" than current leaders in Sacramento. All that is good news for advocates of single-payer health care, sanctuary cities, and unfettered illegal immigration, but it could also accelerate the ongoing exodus of California's vanishing middle class.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>California City Proves The Point</em></strong><br /> <br /> Stockton, California, by no means a wealthy city, <a href="http://www.wnd.com/2018/02/u-s-city-to-experiment-with-universal-basic-income/#1Sfv8mxgLjCJU2C6.99">will now give low-income residents $500 a month with nothing at all expected in return</a>. City leaders call it an experiment to determine whether a flat cash handout will help solve poverty and its accompanying problems. The "universal basic income" scheme is being carried out in a city that actually declared bankruptcy just five years ago.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Philadelphia Celebration & Mayhem </em></strong><br /> <br /> Following their team's Super Bowl victory yesterday, Philadelphia Eagles fans did two things for which they are known. <a href="http://www.billoreilly.com/video/video-of-the-day?vid=-624826356758127138">Most of them celebrated and enjoyed themselves for hours</a>, but some miscreants also destroyed property and created widespread chaos.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Jemele Hill, ESPN's Trump-Basher-In-Chief</em></strong><br /> <br /> She was recently removed from a little-watched show on ESPN, but <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/02/04/jemele-hill-donald-trump/">Jemele Hill continues to look for new ways to accuse President Trump of racism</a>. Back in September, Hill was briefly suspended after calling the president a "white supremacist." Nevertheless, this past weekend she joined Al Sharpton, who still has a show on MSNBC, and accused the president of spewing "racial pornography."<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qRViE7v8LHM?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /><br /> <strong><em>College Describes Trump As "White Supremacist"</em></strong><br /> <br /> A taxpayer-funded California school now includes a <a href="https://www.lifezette.com/momzette/college-syllabus-calls-trump-white-supremacist-orange-reality-star/">political science course that accuses President Trump of "appealing to hatred and bigotry."</a> The class lecturer, Brooke Mascagni, describes the president as a "white supremacist, misogynist, failed businessman, and orange reality star." Perhaps ESPN's Jemele Hill, who presumably now has more time on her hands, can be as a guest lecturer.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Madness Filters Down To Elementary School</em></strong><br /> <br /> How bad have things become in some liberal enclaves? <a href="https://nypost.com/2018/02/03/pc-culture-killed-our-schools-father-daughter-dance-parents/">An elementary school has canceled a father-daughter dance</a> because it may violate New York City Department of Education guidelines. The DOE has mandated that all public schools do away with "gender-based" practices, whatever that means. New York City has an LGBT community liaison named Jared Fox, who claims that "father-daughter dances inherently leave people out," adding that they are "really uncomfortable and triggering events." It all makes one want to cry out: "Take Your Country Back!"<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-02-05T15:11:00ZConservatives Defend Memo's Significance; Brady is NFL's Most Valuable PlayerBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Conservatives-Defend-Memos-Significance;-Brady-is-NFLs-Most-Valuable-Player/833232006908404967.html2018-02-04T17:38:00Z2018-02-04T17:38:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, February 4, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Dems Denounce "Misleading" Memo</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/02/03/top-democrat-nunes-memo-misleading/304077002/">Democrats have circled the wagons and are firing back</a> after Friday's release of that memo compiled by Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee. Democratic Congressman Jerrold Nadler has issued a document that disputes much of the incendiary information put forth in the memo. Nadler concludes that the memo's allegations are "deliberately misleading and wrong on the law."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Media Side With Dems, Of Course</em></strong><br /> <br /> The vast majority of liberal, non-Fox media outlets have joined Democrats in questioning the memo's veracity and significance. CNN is reporting that Devin Nunes, the Republican Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/03/politics/democratic-california-house-candidates-nunes-memo/index.html">has damaged his reelection chances by releasing the memo</a>. The struggling network seems to be actively promoting Democrat Andrew Janz, who hoping to unseat Nunes in his California district.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Conservatives Defend Memo's Significance</em></strong><br /> <br /> On the other side of the ideological divide, many right-leaning politicians and pundits contend <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/byron-york-answering-3-key-questions-about-the-house-memo/article/2648048">that the memo accurately describes some extremely troubling practices</a>. One of their arguments is that the discredited "dossier," compiled by a British spy and paid for by Democrats, was apparently used, at least in part, to obtain a warrant to spy on a Trump campaign aide. The memo's defenders also point out that the FBI, for reasons unknown, never informed the court about the Clinton campaign's involvement in the salacious dossier.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Complains About "Russia, Russia, Russia"</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/headline/trump-tweet-media-poll-numbers/2018/02/03/id/841293/">In a series of Saturday tweets</a>, President Trump denounced the news media for focusing on Russia and ignoring just about everything else, especially good economic news. He also claimed that high-ranking FBI officials abused the bureau to "influence the 2016 election and its aftermath." <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/959798743842349056">The president had earlier declared that the four-page memo</a> "totally vindicates" him and is proof of "an American disgrace."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>GOP's Trey Gowdy Differs With Trump</em></strong><br /> <br /> Appearing on this morning's Face the Nation on CBS, Republican Congressman Trey Gowdy said that a FISA warrant would have been obtained even without that dossier. In that regard, Gowdy is at odds with President Trump, who believes there would have been no special counsel and no Russia probe without the dossier and the ensuing FISA warrant.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R9OdAkH165w?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>FBI's Incoming Second-In-Command </em></strong><br /> <br /> Now that former deputy director Andrew McCabe has left the FBI, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/john-gizzi/david-bowdich-expected-appointed-deputy-director-fbi/2018/02/04/id/841315/">his likely replacement is 48-year-old David Bowdich,</a> who is the antithesis of a career-climbing paper-pusher. Bowdich was a police officer in New Mexico, a detective, a SWAT team member, an anti-terrorist specialist, and a sniper. This may signal a major change after most of the sniping was done by anti-Trump FBI agents on their smart phones.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Palestinian Big To Nikki Haley: "Shut Up!"</em></strong><br /> <br /> Saeb Erekat, lead negotiator for the Palestinian Authority, is none too pleased with U.S. United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley. After Haley criticized PA President Mahmoud Abbas, <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/erekat-slams-us-for-pushing-palestinian-coup-tells-nikki-haley-to-shut-up/">Erekat advised her to "shut up."</a> The diplomatic dustup began when Haley denounced Abbas at the United Nations, describing him as an Israel-hating impediment to any prospective peace process.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Far Rightist Opens Fire On Migrants In Italy</em></strong><br /> <br /> 28-year-old Luca Traini, an extremist with a Nazi tattoo on his forehead and draped in the Italian flag, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5347603/Shooting-Italy-gunman-opens-fire-car.html">went on a shooting spree yesterday in the Italian city of Macerata</a>. He shot and wounded six immigrants from Nigeria, perhaps as an act of revenge after a Nigerian immigrant was arrested for killing and dismembering an 18-year-old Italian girl. Italy is divided over what to do with hundreds of thousands of migrants who have reached its shores in recent years.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Big Company Gives Raises</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/platforms/charter-sets-15-minimum-wage/171532">Charter Communications is the latest firm to pass on benefits of the tax cut to its workers</a>. The company, which has annual revenue of about $30-billion, will institute a $15 per hour minimum wage across all its operations. Charter is the second-largest cable operator in the nation behind Comcast. CEO Tom Rutledge, who credited the new tax law, called the move an "investment in our workforce" and "the right thing to do."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Brady is NFL's Most Valuable Player</em></strong><br /> <br /> New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has received still another honor as he winds up his preparation for today's Super Bowl. <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2757538-third-mvp-cements-tom-bradys-claim-to-greatest-of-all-time-title">The 40-year-old was named the league's most valuable player</a> for the third time in his remarkable career. The only other athlete to win his sport's MVP at 40 was baseball's Barry Bonds, who had certain chemical advantages.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Christopher Columbus, Persona Non Grata</em></strong><br /> <br /> Pepperdine University in California has <a href="http://www.thecollegefix.com/post/31002/">decided to remove a statue of Christopher Columbus</a>, acceding to the demands of radical and noisy students. Just to make sure no one will ever again have to look at the offending statue, it is being moved to the school's campus in Italy, one place where Columbus is still welcome. At least for the time being.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Whoopi, Say It Ain't So!</em></strong><br /> <br /> Forget North Korea, Iran, and the Russia probe, President Trump has major new problem. Talk show host Whoopi Goldberg, ring master on the circus known as The View, says she cannot and will not use the word "president" when referring to Donald Trump. She made that momentous announcement during an interview with former Obama advisor David Axelrod.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aeOKv1zM9Ok?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /><br /> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-02-04T17:38:00ZTGI Memo-Day; Pelosi Leads Democratic AttacksBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/TGI-Memo-Day;-Pelosi-Leads-Democratic-Attacks/562977657874560519.html2018-02-02T13:59:00Z2018-02-02T13:59:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, February 2, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>TGI Memo-Day</em></strong><br /> <br /> Based on all indications, that <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/washington-braces-for-polarizing-nunes-memo/article/2647908">much-hyped, much-anticipated, and much-feared</a> memo will finally be released to the public today. Many Republicans claim it will show gross malfeasance by the Justice Department and FBI during the 2016 presidential campaign, but Democrats are downplaying its importance and its veracity.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pelosi Leads Democratic Attacks</em></strong><br /> <br /> Nancy Pelosi, knowing that the FISA memo is about to be released, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/02/02/pelosi-twitter-tear-targets-obsessed-nunes-ahead-house-intel-memos-imminent-release.html">is taking out her considerable wrath on House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes</a>, accusing him of putting politics ahead of his country's well-being. She is calling for Nunes to be removed as committee chairman, saying his "deliberately dishonest actions" prove that he is unfit.<br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WCBTSwI9EO0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /><br /> <strong><em>Trump Assails FBI, DOJ Leadership</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/959389424806191104">in an early morning tweet</a>, accused top officials in the Department of Justice and FBI of harboring a deep bias against Republicans. Even as he bashed unnamed "top Leadership and Investigators," the president made sure to laud the work of the rank and file agents and workers.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Insiders Believe Trump Indictment is Possible</em></strong><br /> <br /> Attorneys involved in the Robert Mueller investigation <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/02/trump-russia-indictment-mueller-probe-384969?cmpid=sf">believe the special counsel could actually indict President Trump for one or more crimes</a>. They told Politico that the most likely charge is obstruction of justice, although there are legal questions as to whether a federal prosecutor can actually indict a sitting president of the United States.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Fidel Castro's Son Kills Himself</em></strong><br /> <br /> Fidel Castro Diaz-Balart, the oldest son of the late Cuban dictator, <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/371943-fidel-castros-eldest-son-kills-himself-reports">took his own life yesterday.</a> The 68-year-old, known as "Fidelito," had reportedly been hospitalized for severe depression.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Senator Continues War With VP Pence</em></strong><br /> <br /> Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who will run for reelection this year in the most Trump-friendly state in America, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/joe-manchin-vice-president-mike-pence-west-virginia/2018/02/01/id/840996/">has been in a war of words and tweets with Vice President Mike Pence</a>. After the vice president criticized Manchin for voting against tax cuts and thus harming West Virginians, the senator punched back hard, saying Pence "would do everything to harm my state."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Mocks Pelosi on "Crumbs"</em></strong><br /> <br /> Speaking to his fellow Republicans at the party's retreat in West Virginia, <a href="https://ijr.com/the-declaration/2018/02/1059588-trump-slams-pelosi-for-crumbs-comment-at-gop-retreat-compares-her-to-hillary-clinton/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_nEYe74kxEMvNNckVAff0kPKEEMA1r1e2cNJonZMZbnRSbm6kqsyRPYEXIXZoZ554uSAVD1bKntzqPzY948yNMqfysjg&_hsmi=60405064&utm_campaign=Conservative%20Daily&utm_content=60405064&utm_medium=email&utm_source=hs_email">President Trump ridiculed Nancy Pelosi</a> for dismissing the tax cuts as mere "crumbs." The president compared her elitist remarks to Hillary Clinton's disastrous "deplorables" slur that badly damaged her in the 2016 campaign.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nsdfWhgWm74?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>ICE Raids Dozens of CA Businesses</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/02/02/ice-raid-hits-77-businesses-in-northern-california.html">Federal immigration agents raided 77 Northern California companies this week</a>, searching for illegal immigrants who are not permitted to work. No arrests were made, but the companies were given three working days to prove that their employees are here legally. The raids came less than a month after the feds raided nearly 100 7-Eleven outlets across the country. ICE officials say they are increasing their efforts to make sure employers follow the law.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Apple Sets Quarterly Profit Record</em></strong><br /> <br /> The world's largest company <a href="https://phys.org/news/2018-02-apple-profit-allay-iphone.html">announced fourth quarter profits of more than $20-billion</a>, the most money ever made by a single firm in a single quarter. Apple actually sold fewer phones than in the fourth quarter of 2016, but its profit margins were higher. The company now has nearly $300-billion parked overseas, much of which will be repatriated to the United States.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Migrants in Massive France Brawl</em></strong><br /> <br /> The northern French port city of Calais is crowded with migrants from Afghanistan and Eritrea who are eager to cross the channel and apply for asylum in Britain. <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/02/four-migrants-critical-shot-calais-brawl/">Gangsters from the two nations engaged in a massive brawl yesterday</a> during which five people were shot and many others stabbed. French authorities admit that the violence in Calais has become "unbearable," although no one seems to know how to curb it.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Your Daily Dose of Campus Madness</em></strong><br /> <br /> The esteemed University of Chicago has turned out hundreds of illustrious graduates, among them novelist Saul Bellow, astronomer Carl Sagan, and economist Milton Friedman. Now, if a band of radical students has its way, <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10462">all future grads will have to pass a mandatory "Diversity and Inclusion" course</a>. The class would focus on "US-centric structural oppression."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Onion on the Memo</em></strong><br /> <br /> The satirical website The Onion <a href="https://politics.theonion.com/fbi-warns-republican-memo-could-undermine-faith-in-mass-1822639681">has its hilarious take on the hubbub surrounding the FISA memo</a> that will be released shortly. "FBI Warns Republican Memo," the headline says, "Could Undermine Faith In Massive, Unaccountable Government Secret Agencies." As they say, read the whole thing, which has the twin advantages of being both funny and short.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Phil Sees Shadow, Brace For More Winter</em></strong><br /> <br /> The best-known rodent in America is predicting six more weeks of winter. <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/02/02/groundhog-day-2018/1088175001/">Punxsutawney Phil woke up very early this morning</a>, saw his shadow, and thus relegated much of America to more cold weather. The good news is that Phil, like many a weather forecaster, is wrong more often than he is right.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dUGdrt34av0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /><br /></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-02-02T13:59:00ZHigh Powered Tug-of-War Over Memo; Big Poll Bounce for PresidentBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/High-Powered-Tug-of-War-Over-Memo;-Big-Poll-Bounce-for-President/975199037478023457.html2018-02-01T14:54:00Z2018-02-01T14:54:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, February 1, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>High Powered Tug-of-War Over Memo</em></strong><br /> <br /> That much-hyped and widely anticipated FISA memo could be released as soon as today, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/headline/adam-schiff-devin-nunes-release-the-memo-white-house/2018/01/31/id/840736/">but some leading members of Congress are in open warfare over the document</a>. Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, has accused Republican Devin Nunes of secretly altering the four-page memo and making "substantive" changes. GOP members of the committee claim Schiff and other Democrats are desperately searching for ways to raise doubts about the memo and its veracity.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Leaning Toward Immediate Release</em></strong><br /> <br /> While members of Congress continue their feud, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/headline/memo-white-house-trump-republican/2018/01/31/id/840727/">the White House seems inclined to order the memo's release sometime today</a>. It is expected to show that officials in the FBI and Justice Department used the discredited anti-Trump "dossier," which was funded in part by the Clinton campaign and the Democratic Party, to obtain a warrant allowing them to spy on the Trump campaign.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Big Poll Bounce for President</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/31/politics/monmouth-poll-trump-approval/index.html">A poll released yesterday shows President Trump's job approval rating at 42%</a>, which is up a full ten points from a month earlier. Much of the bump is probably due to the tax cut, which is becoming vastly more popular as it gradually takes effect. It is worth noting that the poll was conducted prior to the State of the Union address, for which the president received high marks.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Congressional Black Caucus vs. Trump</em></strong><br /> <br /> Long before the State of the Union speech, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/371743-black-dems-take-lead-in-push-to-impeach-trump">during which many black lawmakers sat on their hands</a>, the Congressional Black Caucus was almost unanimously opposed to President Trump. Many members of the CBC have never forgiven the president for questioning President Obama's place of birth and now accuse him of outright racism. The enmity was on full display Tuesday night when many members wore African kente cloth to protest the president's alleged "s***hole" comments.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Democrats' Extremism on Immigration</em></strong><br /> <br /> Just how unhinged has the Democratic Party become when it comes to immigration? The Washington Free Beacon has assembled a brief montage showing Democrats making wild and slanderous accusations against any and all immigration restrictions:<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WjSWl7F6Vq4?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dem Senator Blasts VP Pence</em></strong><br /> <br /> Joe Manchin of West Virginia, easily the most moderate Democrat in the Senate, is lashing out at Vice President Mike Pence. <a href="https://twitter.com/VP/status/958813916926181376">In a series of Wednesday tweeets</a>, Pence criticized Manchin for damaging the "hard working families" of West Virginia with his vote against the tax bill. Senator Manchin, who is up for re-election in the most pro-Trump state in the union, responded by <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/joe-manchin-shocked-and-disappointed-by-mike-pences-attacks/article/2647748">accusing Vice President Pence of endorsing tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sen. Menendez Off The Hook</em></strong><br /> <br /> Democratic Senator Robert Menendez, who was accused of fraud and bribery, is in the clear. After his first trial ended with a hung jury, federal prosecutors had vowed to try the New Jersey senator a second time. But they have now <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/371626-doj-files-motion-to-dismiss-menendez-indictment">asked a federal judge to dismiss all of the remaining charges</a>. Menendez, who has dismal approval ratings in New Jersey, will run for reelection later this year.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Leaks Paint FBI's Strzok in Favorable Light</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/31/politics/strzok-fbi-comey-clinton-letter/index.html">CNN has obtained emails showing that FBI official Peter Strzok</a>, who loathed Donald Trump, was instrumental in re-opening an investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails after they were found on Anthony Weiner's laptop just days prior to the 2016 election. The new information was apparently leaked to anti-Trump CNN by someone friendly to Strzok, perhaps even by Strzok himself.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Report: McCabe Delayed Clinton Probe</em></strong><br /> <br /> In a related story, the Wall Street Journal reports that recently-departed FBI Deputy Director <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/371753-wsj-agents-texts-reveal-mccabe-knew-of-clinton-emails-for-at-least-a">Andrew McCabe may have taken actions designed to help Hillary Clinton</a>. Based on text messages exchanged between Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, their boss McCabe sat on thousands of emails for a month before informing Congress or FBI boss James Comey. Much of this palace intrigue may finally be sorted out when inspector general Michael Horowitz concludes his investigation and releases a final report.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mueller Wants Delay in Flynn Sentencing</em></strong><br /> <br /> Former Trump advisor Michael Flynn, who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/31/politics/robert-mueller-michael-flynn/index.html">will likely have his sentencing delayed for months</a>. Last night special counsel Robert Mueller's team told a federal court that they are not prepared to schedule a hearing to determine Flynn's punishment. It remains unclear whether the postponement has any significance.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump's Boffo Box Office</em></strong><br /> <br /> This time President Trump will not have to fib about the size of the crowd. According to Nielsen, <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2018/01/31/trump-ratings-first-state-union/1084900001/">the president's first State of the Union speech was viewed by about 45-million Americans</a>, a huge number that is only slightly smaller than President Obama's first SOTU speech in 2010. Fox News, with its predominantly Republican audience, was the network of choice for more than 11-million viewers.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mad Maxine, Madder Than Ever</em></strong><br /> <br /> Congresswoman Maxine Waters, who skipped Tuesday's speech, showed up on BET last night with her unofficial response. "Auntie Maxine," a big favorite among many on the far left, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/02/01/rep-maxine-waters-calls-for-parental-advisory-when-trump-appears-on-tv.html">wants a parental advisory message every time President Trump appears on television</a>. She called Trump a "dangerous, unprincipled, divisive, and shameful racist." Waters apparently won't be breaking bread with President Trump any time in the near future.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Former MS Governor Arrested for Packing Heat</em></strong><br /> <br /> Haley Barbour, who formerly served as Governor of Mississippi and chair of the Republican Party, was nabbed boarding a <a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2018-01-30/ex-mississippi-gov-says-he-forgot-gun-seized-at-airport">plane with a loaded handgun in his briefcase</a>. He took full responsibility and said he simply forgot about the .38 caliber revolver, which was caught by a TSA screener. The two-term governor will avoid a term in the slammer and will pay an undisclosed fine.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Poland's Outrageous Law Advances</em></strong><br /> <br /> Polish lawmakers are advancing a bill that will <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-01/poland-digs-in-over-nazi-complicity-bill-as-israel-vows-response">forbid anyone from speaking publicly about Poland's</a> war crimes against Jews in the Second World War. Under the repressive law, the very words "Polish Death Camp" will be verboten. Israel has denounced the legislation, but it has advanced through Poland's senate and will become the law of the land if it is signed by President Andrzej Duda.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL May Force Players to Stand</em></strong><br /> <br /> NFL boss Roger Goodell now says the league may institute a new rule <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/news/371664-nfl-commissioner-league-could-consider-rule-on-anthem-protests-in-offseason">requiring that players stand during the National Anthem</a>. The NFL has suffered through a season marked by declining ratings and fewer fans in stadiums, much of it attributable to player protests. President Trump, who ignited much of the anti-NFL fury in September, again alluded to the need to stand for the Anthem during his State of the Union address.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Prof: Blackness in America is a "Disability"</em></strong><br /> <br /> Fordham University law professor Kimani Paul-Emile <a href="http://www.thecollegefix.com/post/41109/">contends that simply having dark skin in the United States of America is tantamount to having a disability</a>. According to the professor, who qualifies as "disabled" under her bizarre theory, that status can be very meaningful in a court of law. But does it also mean that able-bodied black Americans will be entitled to park in handicapped parking spaces at the mall? Victim-mongers like Kimani Paul-Emile have turned the legitimate issue of racial discrimination into a joke, and in the process are harming the very people they supposedly wish to help.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>First Lady, Formerly Bride of Frankenstein</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump is very proud of his wife and her former modeling career. Yesterday he reminded an Aflac official that Melania Trump once played the Bride of Frankenstein in an Aflac commercial that was shot in 2005. That's Melania herself on the operating table undergoing an operation that turns her voice into that of the Aflac duck. Of course, many on the left believe Melania Trump is still the Bride of Frankenstein.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0iRgBhfBFUM?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>Morning Joe Kicks Anti-Trump Author Off Set</em></strong><br /> <br /> "Fire and Fury" author Michael Wolff appeared on Morning Joe this morning, but not for too long. Co-host Mika Brzezinski took great offense at Wolff's obvious implication that President Trump had an affair with UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and abruptly ended their segment. When you've lost Morning Joe, Mr. Wolff, you've lost the left.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t-WBR8J0Ok0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-02-01T14:54:00ZTrump Proposes, Democratic Party Opposes; Americans Liked It!BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Proposes-Democratic-Party-Opposes;-Americans-Liked-It!/916182340045175161.html2018-01-31T14:11:00Z2018-01-31T14:11:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, January 31, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Proposes, Democratic Party Opposes</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/371564-five-takeaways-from-trumps-state-of-the-union">President Trump's first State of the Union address</a> was of course wildly applauded by his fellow Republicans last night, while Democrats generally sat on their hands. The most contentious topic was immigration and the president's denunciation of MS-13 gang violence. Also, many Democrats were obviously and audibly disturbed when President Trump criticized chain migration.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hdMWoxD23Yg?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Democrats' Many SOTU Responses</em></strong><br /> <br /> The official Democratic response to last night's speech was delivered by Congressman Joe Kennedy III, <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/democrats-give-state-union-responses-article-1.3789851">but there were many other unofficial reactions</a>. To the left of Kennedy was Senator Bernie Sanders, who called for single-payer health insurance and more income redistribution. Even farther out in left field, Congresswoman Maxine Waters will be on BET tonight for her fiery response. Oddsmakers are almost sure that the phrase "Impeach 45" will be heard. As for Kennedy's official response, Fox News' veteran political analyst Brit Hume described it as "dark."<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xn7pevbD9jI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /><br /> <strong><em>Americans Liked It!</em></strong><br /> <br /> According to a post-speech instant poll commissioned by CNN, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/371560-cnn-poll-48-percent-had-very-positive-reaction-to-trump-speech">70% of viewers had a "very positive" or "somewhat positive" reaction to President Trump's speech</a>, while 62% agreed that the president's suggested policies would move the country in the right direction. Even more encouraging for Republicans, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/viewers-approve-of-trumps-first-state-of-the-union-address-cbs-news-poll/">CBS News found that three in four Americans approved of the speech</a> and most felt a sense of pride.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Congressman Storms Out!</em></strong><br /> <br /> Far left Congressman Luis Gutierrez, a champion of unfettered immigration, apparently couldn't take it any more when Republicans broke into a "USA" chant near the end of the State of the Union. <a href="https://twitter.com/megwagner/status/958542791390343169">45 seconds into this brief clip,</a> you'll see Gutierrez getting up from his seat and walking out of the hall.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>MSNBC Portrays Trump as Warmonger</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">Chris Matthews was absolutely, totally befuddled</a> by President Trump's decision to bring up the awful case of college student Otto Warmbier, who was brutalized by North Korea and died shortly after being released from that hellhole. His MSNBC's running mate Rachel Maddow agreed and accused the president of wishing for war with the North Korean regime.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN's Bizarre Melania Speculation</em></strong><br /> <br /> Just prior to last night's address, <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2018/01/30/facts-first-cnn-speculates-melania-wearing-white-protest-her">CNN's Kate Bennett went wild with speculation</a> when First Lady Melania Trump entered the hall. First, Bennett seemed shocked that the Trumps arrived separately, which she took as some kind of message. Then Bennett really went off the rails when she speculated that Mrs. Trump's off-white suit could have been meant to protest her husband's policies toward women. Wow!<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Prez: Release the Memo!</em></strong><br /> <br /> As he was departing the chamber last night, <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-on-hot-mic-says-he-will-100-percent-release-devin-nunes-memo/article/2647636">President Trump was overheard assuring</a> a Republican congressman that he will release that four-page memo that seems to have Democrats in full panic mode. Asked whether he will approve the memo's unveiling, the president replied, "Don't worry, 100%."<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BNes0VKu3Ho?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>New Accusations Against McCabe</em></strong><br /> <br /> Andrew McCabe, second in command at the FBI prior to his abrupt resignation Monday, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/wray-mccabe-inspector-general/2018/01/30/id/840343/">may have been guilty of intentionally mishandling the Hillary Clinton email investigation</a> for partisan political reasons. Inspector General Michael Horowitz, who is looking into bureau malfeasance, is reportedly questioning why McCabe delayed the email investigation for three weeks just prior to the 2016 election. It's worth recalling that McCabe's wife, who ran for office in Virginia, received hundreds of thousands of dollars from Clinton ally Terry McAuliffe.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary's Mea Culpa</em></strong><br /> <br /> Against the advice of her campaign manager, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/clinton-says-she-regrets-not-firing-aid-accused-of-sexual-harassment-during-2008-campaign/2018/01/30/b1be2e44-0637-11e8-b48c-b07fea957bd5_story.html?utm_term=.30a54b4a9d69">Hillary Clinton refused to fire her "faith advisor"</a> Burns Strider, who had been accused of sexually harassing a young co-worker during the 2008 campaign. In a long, long Facebook post yesterday, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hillaryclinton/posts/1811310308925490">Clinton admited that she made a mistake </a>and should have ousted Strider from her team.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>New "Person of Interest" in Vegas Massacre</em></strong><br /> <br /> Newly-unsealed documents show that a <a href="https://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/shootings/search-warrant-document-names-2nd-person-of-interest-in-las-vegas-shooting/">man named Douglas Haig has been identified as a "person of interest" in the Las Vegas investigation</a>. Haig spoke with reporters last night and confirmed that he had been interviewed by investigators. He added that he met Stephen Paddock once and sold him ammunition, but did not really know the man. Douglas Haig is a senior engineer at an aerospace company and formerly worked at a firm that sold military ammunition. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hawaii Officials Out After False Alarm</em></strong><br /> <br /> Vern Miyagi, who ran Hawaii's emergency management system, <a href="http://khon2.com/2018/01/29/state-to-release-findings-from-false-missile-alert-investigation/">has resigned after one of his employees pushed a button</a> that sent out a false missile alert. The unnamed worker who actually triggered the alarm, and who truly believed an attack was imminent, has been fired. One other official has also been fired and another has been suspended without pay.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Oklahoma! Where Speech Codes Come Sweepin' Down the Plain</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10445">Some students at Oklahoma State University want the school to punish</a> certain language on campus and to create a "diversity training" program. Using that typical academic-speak understood only on campuses, the group is demanding that the school create a "productive living and learning community that fosters the intellectual, personal, cultural, and ethical development of its students." In other words, "Shut Up!"<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>ESPN Host Demands Notre Dame Fire Leprechaun</em></strong><br /> <br /> Max Kellerman, co-host of ESPN's "First Take," wants Notre Dame to get rid of all "pernicious, marginalized stereotypes," even including Notre Dame's beloved leprechaun mascot. What's next? Perhaps Boeing will express offense at the "Jets" nickname, and maybe Huey Newton's estate will take issue with the use of "Panthers." The leprechaun was unavailable for comment.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CDHHeDrieF8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /><br /></p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-01-31T14:11:00ZDamning Memo to be Released; CNN Takes Friendly Fire from PelosiBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Damning-Memo-to-be-Released;-CNN-Takes-Friendly-Fire-from-Pelosi/703005502600448388.html2018-01-30T14:21:00Z2018-01-30T14:21:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, January 30, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Damning Memo to be Released</em></strong><br /> <br /> In a strict party-line vote, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-29/republicans-push-to-release-memo-alleging-fbi-anti-trump-abuses">the House Intelligence Committee has endorsed the release</a> of that four-page memo that has the political world in an uproar. According to Republicans in Congress who have read it, the document names individuals at the FBI and DOJ who acted recklessly and perhaps even lawlessly when they obtained a warrant to eavesdrop on the Trump campaign.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Democrats in Full Panic</em></strong><br /> <br /> Leading Democrats, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/371316-schumer-rips-gops-slanderous-memo-after-vote">including Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer</a>, are denouncing the soon-to-be-released memo as a pack of Republican lies designed to distract from Robert Mueller's investigation. Many on the left are also accusing the GOP of besmirching the entire FBI and Justice Department rather than individual bad actors in those agencies.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN Takes Friendly Fire from Pelosi</em></strong><br /> <br /> Appearing on usually-sympathetic CNN last night, Nancy Pelosi assailed the memo <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/headline/nancy-pelosi-memo-devin-nunes-chris-cuomo/2018/01/29/id/840180/">and even got into a bit of a tiff with host Chris Cuomo.</a> She called the document a "total misrepresentation" and informed Cuomo that he doesn't know what he's talking about. She is not the first person to make that observation, but perhaps the first Democrat.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump to Call for Unity in State of the Union</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/01/30/581221333/trump-to-make-bipartisan-pitch-to-a-divided-country-in-his-first-state-of-the-un">delivering his first State of the Union speech tonight</a>, is expected to call for bipartisan agreement on infrastructure, immigration, and other issues on his agenda. Of course, he will also boast about his first-year accomplishments at home and abroad, specifically the tax cut, economic growth, and the crushing of ISIS.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>What to Watch For</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/371329-five-things-to-watch-for-in-trumps-state-of-the-union">The Hill has created a handy guide</a> that lays out five things viewers should pay attention to this evening. In addition to the president's speech, there will be boycotts by some House Democrats, a sea of black dresses to symbolize opposition to sexual harassment, and then the Democratic response, which will be delivered by Joe Kennedy III. There will be other unofficial responses from "Mad Maxine" Waters and Senator Bernie Sanders. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/us/state-of-the-union-illegal-immigration-ms13-military/2018/01/29/id/840161/">The president's invited guests will include</a> life-saving heroes, ordinary Americans, and the family of a young girl who was murdered by MS-13 immigrant gangsters.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>B-Lister's Alternative State of the Union</em></strong> <br /> <br /> Some barely-known actors and celebrities got together in New York City yesterday to denounce President Trump and offer their own "state of the union." They naturally accused the president of racism, treachery, and assorted other perfidies.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yEVjgp3w2_A?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>McCabe Out as FBI's #2</em></strong> <br /> <br /> Andrew McCabe, who was roundly criticized by President Trump and who was allegedly in cahoots with anti-Trump agents Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/reports-fbi-director-stepping-down/4229723.html">abruptly left the bureau yesterday</a>. Republicans, who accused McCabe of deep bias, cheered his departure, while many Democrats defended his honor and integrity. Former FBI boss James Comey, for one, <a href="https://twitter.com/Comey/status/958145125120663553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Fhomenews%2Fadministration%2F371331-comey-praises-mccabe-he-stood-tall-while-small-people-tried-to-tear">praised McCabe and denounced</a> the "small people" who took him down.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN Analyst Likens McCabe Ouster to Holocaust</em></strong><br /> <br /> Ana Navarro, who plays a Republican on CNN, <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/we-need-to-have-a-conversation-about-ana-navarro-and-hitler/article/2647472">actually used a famous Holocaust poem to describe the firing of Andrew McCabe</a>. She channeled anti-Nazi pastor Martin Niemöller, who began his famous poem with this line: "First they came for the Socialists and I did not speak out – because I was not a Socialist." <a href="https://twitter.com/ananavarro/status/958049323140440066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fentertainment%2F2018%2F01%2F30%2Fcnn-analyst-uses-holocaust-poem-to-warn-about-fbi-s-andrew-mccabe-removal.html">Navarro altered that to read</a>, "First, he came for Comey, & they didn't speak out b/c they were Trump apologists."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>McCabe Successor a Former Sniper</em></strong><br /> <br /> Now that Andrew McCabe has left the FBI, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2018/01/29/the-rise-of-david-bowdich-the-former-sniper-in-line-to-become-the-fbis-new-deputy-director/?utm_term=.1cc9a66ad428">his possible replacement is David Bowdich</a>, who seems to be the antithesis of a career-climbing paper-pusher. Bowdich was a police officer in New Mexico, a detective, a SWAT team member, and a sniper. This could be a welcome change after most of the sniping was done by agents exchanging insulting text messages.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>More Winning! Exxon Mobil to Invest $35-billion</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/29/exxon-mobil-to-invest-50-billion-in-us-over-5-years-citing-tax-reform.html">Oil giant Exxon Mobil announced yesterday</a> that it will pour tens of billions of dollars into new investments in the United States. The company added that the decision is due at least partly to the tax bill and lower corporate rates.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>"Dreamers" Busted for Human Smuggling</em></strong><br /> <br /> Two DACA beneficiaries have been <a href="http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/public-safety/sd-me-daca-smuggling-20180129-story.html">arrested by Border Patrol agents in California for trying to smuggle illegal immigrants into the country</a>. The men were picked up in two separate incidents and both were trying to get Mexicans across the southern border.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Blasted for Rejecting Patriotic Ad</em></strong><br /> <br /> The National Football League's year to forget keeps getting worse. 78,000 Americans, more than will attend Sunday's Super Bowl in Minneapolis, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/us-petition-nfl-veteran-group-ad/2018/01/29/id/840112/">have signed a petition denouncing the league</a> and its decision to reject a print advertisement. The ad, submitted by a veterans group, urged fans to "Please Stand" during the National Anthem. That was somehow considered too controversial by the beleaguered league.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Flqyye85qYQ?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /><br /> <strong><em>Unhinged Professor and his US Flag Doormat</em></strong><br /> <br /> Professors are continually seeking new ways to get attention and display their anti-American bona fides. In Florida, Broward College assistant professor Lisa Rockford has created a "work of art" that <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10443">employs the United States flag as a doormat.</a> A disabled Marine Corps veteran took offense and objected to the school's administrators, who are hiding behind "freedom of speech." Would they do the same if an Islamic crescent flag were being trampled on?<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Cleveland Indians to Chief Wahoo: You're Fired!</em></strong><br /> <br /> Since 1947, baseball's Cleveland Indians have worn uniforms adorned with the image of "Chief Wahoo," a caricature of a smiling Indian. The team, bowing to pressure from league officials, <a href="http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2018/01/with_chief_wahoo_gone_what_cou.html">has benched the Chief and is in the market for a new logo</a>. However, the team will still be called the Cleveland Indians and affectionately known as "The Tribe."<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/W-XPv90ZwhM?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /><br /></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-01-30T14:21:00ZPrez Preps for Speech; Surprise! Grammys Mock TrumpBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Prez-Preps-for-Speech;-Surprise!-Grammys-Mock-Trump/-285571085836090190.html2018-01-29T15:14:00Z2018-01-29T15:14:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Monday, January 29, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Prez Preps for Speech</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump will deliver <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/370985-trumps-five-goals-for-state-of-the-union-address">his first State of the Union address tomorrow night</a>. In addition to taking a bow for the economy and stock market, the president is expected to promote his immigration reform plan and put forth a massive infrastructure initiative. Of course, he may also go off script, the possibility of which makes for nervous Republicans and a larger TV audience.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Justice Ginsburg to Skip President's Speech</em></strong><br /> <br /> Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who has been openly disdainful of President Trump, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/01/28/ruth-bader-ginsburg-state-of-the-union/">will not be on hand to hear his address tomorrow.</a> The 84-year-old justice will instead be attending a "fireside chat" at a law school in Rhode Island.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dems Invite "Dreamers," Sexual Assault Victims</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/house-democrats-bring-dreamers-sexual-assault-victims-president/story?id=52617230">The House gallery will be crowded with DACA beneficiaries tomorrow night</a>. About two dozen Democrats have invited so-called "dreamers" and other immigrants to attend the president's speech. Other Democratic members of Congress have invited women's rights activists and victims of sexual assault to the event.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Surprise! Grammys Mock Trump</em></strong><br /> <br /> Last night's Grammy Awards show, while mostly free of political posturing, couldn't resist taking a shot at President Trump <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/01/28/hillary-clinton-makes-grammys-cameo-to-mock-trump-by-reading-fire-and-fury.html">by having various "celebrities" read portions of the book</a> "Fire and Fury." The two minute segment ended with a cameo by Hillary Clinton, which did not amuse about half of America and especially <a href="https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/957820563141120000">Donald Trump Jr, who was quick to tweet his reaction.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DjbysQgJ64Y?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></a><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Anti-Abortion Statement at Grammys</em></strong><br /> <br /> Singer Joy Villa, a rare pro-life activist in the entertainment world, showed up at last night's Grammy Awards <a href="http://variety.com/2018/music/news/joy-villa-anti-abortion-statement-on-grammys-red-carpet-1202679602/">in a dress that featured the image of a fetus</a>. Just in case anyone didn't get the message, her purse had the words "Choose Life." Last year Villa raised some well groomed eyebrows when she wore a dress that said "Make America Great Again."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Gowdy Wants Anti-Trump FBI Lovers to Testify</em></strong><br /> <br /> Republican Trey Gowdy, who heads the House Oversight Committee, is suggesting that Trump-hating FBI agents <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/28/gowdy-fbis-strzok-page-should-testify-to-answer-allegations-questions-about-secret-society.html">Peter Strzok and Lisa Page testify before Congress</a>. Gowdy characterized the lovers as "really important people" in the bureau who unfairly protected Hillary Clinton and tried mightily to damage Donald Trump. This is part of Gowdy's interview with Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace:<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mxcB2GBb6ko?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /><br /> <strong><em>Release the Memo?</em></strong><br /> <br /> This could be the week that the <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/371117-republicans-debate-releasing-controversial-memo">public finally gets to see the four-page memo</a> that has been the subject of so many rumors and reports. Republicans who have seen the memo, which is in the possession of the House Intelligence Committee, say it is a searing indictment of the FBI and DOJ during and after the 2016 presidential campaign. President Trump reportedly wants the memo released, but the Justice Department wants to first review the document.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump's War of Tweets With Jay-Z</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://nypost.com/2018/01/28/trump-wages-twitter-war-with-jay-z/">President Trump obviously relishes a good Twitter feud.</a> After the rapper Jay-Z hit the president for allegedly insulting Haiti, El Salvador, and Africa, the president returned fire by reminding Mr. Z that black unemployment is at record lows. Jay-Z contended that money and jobs are not the point.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN Host to Trump: Be More Like Jay-Z</em></strong><br /> <br /> CNN's Van Jones, a self-avowed communist, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/van-jones-jay-z-president-donald-trump/2018/01/28/id/839931/">is actually advising President Trump to emulate Jay-Z</a> and the rapper's willingness to "grow in public." This is the same Jay-Z who recorded that lovely ballad "Ni**as in Paris," which included these unforgettable lyrics: "So I ball so hard mothaf****s wanna fine me, First Ni**as gotta find me, What's 50 grand to a mothaf***er like me?" It makes one wonder how CNN can possibly be lagging in the ratings.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump's Talk With Piers Morgan</em></strong><br /> <br /> While at Davos, President Trump sat for a <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-piers-morgan-itv-interview-brexit-uk-trade-deal-twitter-emmanuel-macron/">lengthy interview with British presenter and former CNN host Piers Morgan</a>. In that conversation, which aired in the UK last night, the president again defended his use of Twitter, saying he often tweets from the comfort of his presidential bed. He also apologized for re-tweeting anti-Muslim videos that came from a far-right British source and opined on various European leaders.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>U.S. Salaries Soar in Recent Months</em></strong><br /> <br /> The National Association for Business Economics, after surveying American companies, has concluded that more firms <a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/wage-increases-reported-by-highest-number-of-companies-in-18-years-survey-finds-2018-01-29?mod=econpol_twitter_new&link=sfmw_tw&mg=prod/accounts-mw">are giving raises than at any time in nearly two decades</a>. Nearly half of all companies have increased wages and salaries over the past three months, while none have reduced their pay levels.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hate Group Spreads to Campuses</em></strong><br /> <br /> The very wealthy Southern Poverty Law Center claims to identify and target "hate groups" in the USA. It turns out that many of those groups are simply people and organizations with which the SPLC disagrees, leading to charges that the Southern Poverty Law Center is itself a "hate group." <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10440">The SPLC has extended its tentacles</a> to more than 100 college campuses, where student volunteers frequently ask for donations from unsuspecting passersby.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>California Teacher Demeans U.S. Military</em></strong><br /> <br /> Gregory Salcido, the former mayor of Pico Rivera, is now a city councilman and high school history teacher. <a href="http://abc7.com/education/pico-rivera-councilman-under-fire-for-anti-military-rant-in-classroom/2997385/">He was caught on tape telling his students</a> that members of the U.S. Armed Forces are the "lowest of the low." He also used extremely vulgar terms to describe our men and women in uniform. School administrators say they are investigating Salcido and his inflammatory comments.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Last Straw for Some California Waiters</em></strong><br /> <br /> A member of California's State Assembly <a href="https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/california/Proposed-California-Anti-Plastic-Straw-Bill-Draws-Fire-471456584.html">wants to punish restaurants and waiters</a> who offer customers a plastic straw without being asked for one. Offending servers could be punished with a hefty fine and even jail time, although no one really expects that to happen. The rationale is that too many plastic straws wind up in the Pacific Ocean or in landfills.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary's Strange Shout Out to "Activist B*tches"</em></strong><br /> <br /> In case you missed it, and it was hard to miss over the weekend, Hillary Clinton decided to laud a group called "Activist B*tches Supporting B*tches." The bizarre video was originally posted on Twitter by a HuffPost contributor and has since been viewed by more than two-million people.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZfeHWDvjkiE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-01-29T15:14:00ZRepublicans Fret Over SOTU; Justice Ginsburg to Skip President's SpeechBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Republicans-Fret-Over-SOTU;-Justice-Ginsburg-to-Skip-Presidents-Speech/-629012510671531117.html2018-01-28T14:52:00Z2018-01-28T14:52:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, January 28, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Republicans Fret Over SOTU</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump will deliver his first State of the Union address to Congress and the American people Tuesday night. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/371000-the-memo-republicans-hope-for-calm-amid-storm-at-state-of-the-union">Some of his fellow Republicans</a>, well aware of the president's reputation for unpredictability and going off-script, are hoping for no major surprises. The president will surely tout the nation's economic boom and his other first-year successes. The theme of the speech: "Building a safe, strong and proud America."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Justice Ginsburg to Skip President's Speech</em></strong><br /> <br /> It's traditional that all nine Supreme Court justices sit in the front row during a State of the Union address, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/28/justice-ginsburg-to-skip-state-union-signals-has-no-plans-to-retire.html">but this time there will be at least one empty seat</a>. 84-year-old Ruth Bader Ginsburg will instead be giving a talk at a college in Rhode Island. Conservatives have been hoping for a Ginsburg retirement, but she maintains that she'll be on the court for many, many years to come.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dems Invite DACA "Dreamers" to SOTU</em></strong><br /> <br /> Justice Ginsburg may be MIA for the State of the Union, <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/trumps-state-union-will-be-packed-daca-recipients-791860">but the balcony will be crowded with DACA beneficiaries</a>. Nancy Pelosi and many other Democrats have invited so-called "dreamers" and other immigrants to attend the speech. Last week Pelosi slandered the president and his new immigration plan, calling it a scheme intended to "make America white again." <br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4gS7kdWA9ug?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump: Release the Memo!</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-sought-release-of-classified-russia-memo-putting-him-at-odds-with-justice-department/2018/01/27/a00f2a4c-02bb-11e8-9d31-d72cf78dbeee_story.html?utm_term=.6621c6493f50">According to the Washington Post</a>, President Trump has argued for the release of that four-page memo that documents abuses of power by FBI and DOJ officials during the Obama administration. The House Intelligence Committee is in possession of the classified memo, which has been seen by scores of Congressional Republicans. But the president is being opposed by the Department of Justice, which wants to review the memo before releasing it to the public. Most observers expect that the memo, which has been an obsession on conservative media, will be released this coming week.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Denial is a River in Poland</em></strong><br /> <br /> Some officials in Poland are <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/01/27/it-could-soon-be-a-crime-to-blame-poland-for-nazi-atrocities-and-israel-is-appalled/?utm_term=.863421699abe">endorsing a bill that will make it illegal</a> to mention World War II Polish war crimes or death camps. The law would impose stiff fines and even imprisonment for anyone mentioning any Polish complicity in the Holocaust. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/27/israel-criticises-poland-over-draft-holocaust-legislation">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a> and many other are incensed by the proposed bill, which in effect demands that Poles ignore the millions of Polish Jews killed during the war.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Casino Tycoon Wynn Exits RNC</em></strong><br /> <br /> Steve Wynn, who rivals Wayne Newton as a living symbol of Las Vegas, <a href="https://nypost.com/2018/01/27/steve-wynn-resigns-from-rnc-amid-sex-harassment-claims/">has resigned as finance chairman of the Republican National Committee</a>. He has been accused of sexual misconduct by dozens of women, many of them low-level employees at his casinos. Wynn has denied the allegations, which he says are "preposterous." <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Don-T vs. Jay-Z<br /> </em></strong><br /> The rapper Jay-Z, nee Shawn Carter, aka Mr. Beyoncé, <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/jay-z-trump-saying-shithole-countries-is-hurtful/article/2647310">has blasted President Trump</a> for allegedly insulting Haiti, El Salvador, and Africa. Appearing in the friendly confines of a CNN studio, Jay-Z denounced the remarks as "hurtful." In response (and you knew there would be a response!), <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/957603800579297280">President Trump tweeted a Sunday morning message to Jay-Z</a>, reminding him that black unemployment is at record lows.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Megyn vs. Hanoi Jane</em></strong><br /> <br /> NBC's Megyn Kelly savaged Jane Fonda last week, reminding viewers that Fonda embraced the North Vietnamese and denounced American POWs. Kelly herself is now under attack <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/01/26/megyn-kellys-shock-attack-on-jane-fonda-has-globetrotting-nbc-exec-in-hot-water.html">by Fonda-defending celebrities and her bosses at NBC</a>, who were apparently unaware of what she would say. The entire brouhaha began in September when Kelly asked Fonda about the surgical work she had undergone to retain her youthful appearance.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Reax to Secret Photo of Obama and Farrakhan</em></strong><br /> <br /> Given that Barack Obama had served on a board with terrorist Bill Ayers and had attended the church of America-hating Jeremiah Wright, it's hard to see how a photograph could have changed the 2008 presidential election. <a href="http://insider.foxnews.com/2018/01/27/obama-farrakhan-photo-dershowitz-says-he-would-not-support-him-if-he-knew-about-picture">But law professor Alan Dershowitz now says he never would have campaigned</a> for Obama if he had seen the image of a smiling Obama posing with the noted anti-Semite Louis Farrakhan. The photograph, taken in 2005, had been kept under wraps for 13 years before it was finally released last week.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>"Auntie Maxine" Will Respond to SOTU</em></strong><br /> <br /> Many Democrats probably hope that unhinged Congresswoman Maxine Waters will go into hiding from now until the November midterms. But she shows no inclination to pipe down and is preparing to <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/maxine-waters-donald-trump-sotu-response_us_5a6ca9dee4b01fbbefb22d15">give her response to President Trump's State of the Union speech</a>. Waters will appear live on BET immediately after the SOTU to denounce the president and his first year in office. She has called Trump "the most dishonorable and despicable" president in history.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hollywood Lefties, Annoying as Always</em></strong><br /> <br /> A group of C-list actors and celebrities <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/01/28/anti-trump-celebs-plan-peoples-state-union.html">will stage a "People's State of the Union" event</a> tomorrow night in New York City. Speakers include Michael Moore, Rosie Perez, Alyssa Milano, and Mark Ruffalo, who would be totally unknown were it not for his anti-Trump rants. Tickets are $47 and there are sure to be many available.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>IKEA Founder Dead at 91</em></strong><br /> <br /> After a long and hugely productive life, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42851668">Ikea's Ingvar Kamprad has died at age 91</a>. He was dyslexic as a child, yet started the revolutionary company when he was only 17. There are now 389 IKEA outlets with an annual revenue of $43-billion.<br /> <br /><br /> <strong><em>Hillary's Bizarre Shout Out to "Activist B*tches"</em></strong><br /> <br /> Hillary Clinton, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">after being prompted by someone off camera</a>, gives thanks to "activist b*tches supporting b*tches." The video was originally posted on Twitter by a HuffPost contributor and has since been viewed by nearly two-million people. How could she possibly have lost the election?</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-01-28T14:52:00ZPrez Denies He Ordered Mueller Axed; Damning New FBI Texts ReleasedBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Prez-Denies-He-Ordered-Mueller-Axed;-Damning-New-FBI-Texts-Released/-744397196145398165.html2018-01-26T14:58:00Z2018-01-26T14:58:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, January 26, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Prez Denies He Ordered Mueller Axed</em></strong><br /> <br /> The New York Times is reporting that President Trump wanted to fire special counsel Robert Mueller last June, but was talked out of it by his legal team. The president, speaking to reporters in Davos, <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/01/25/report-trump-wanted-mueller-fired/1068024001/">dismissed the report as more "fake news" from the New York Times</a>. Democrats and the mainstream media, perhaps in an effort to deflect attention from revelations about the FBI, are eagerly promoting the Times' "bombshell" report.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bx-0skOlfqE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Damning New FBI Texts Released</em></strong><br /> <br /> Many of those "missing" texts between <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jan/25/report-missing-texts-between-fbi-officials-trashin/">FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page have been recovered</a>. The messages that have been made public indicate that Strzok and Page were obsessed with politics, particularly the investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails. In one particularly intriguing text, Page tells her lover Strzok to take it easy on Clinton because she "might be our next president."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Liberals Leap to Defend FBI</em></strong><br /> <br /> The FBI has some new besties in Washington – the Democratic Party and liberal media outlets. They accuse Republicans of unfairly tarnishing the bureau's reputation by focusing on rogue employees like Peter Strzok and Lisa Page. <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2018/01/26/cnn-panel-chastises-gop-using-innuendo-tar-and-feather-fbi">CNN analyst Laura Coates, as one example</a>, accuses the GOP of "tarring and feathering" the FBI.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>White House Unveils Immigration Plan</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/01/25/580858256/white-house-releases-draft-immigration-plan">President Trump has put forth his opening gambit</a> in the coming partisan duel over DACA and U.S. immigration policy. The president is offering a path to citizenship for nearly 2-million illegal immigrants, which will certainly anger many anti-immigration hawks. In exchange, President Trump wants to fund a $25-billion border wall and curtail chain migration. In addition, the White House proposal would end the controversial Diversity Visa Lottery program. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/25/politics/daca-democrats-reaction-white-house-donald-trump/index.html">Democrats are already blasting the plan as "anti-immigrant."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Prez as USA's Salesman-in-Chief<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5316389/Trump-declares-U-S-open-business-Davos.html">President Trump addressed the business and government elites at Davos this morning</a>, using his speech to promote American business and herald his tax cuts and the US economy. The president also warned the global gathering that the USA will come down hard on unfair trade practices and intellectual property theft. The elite globalists in the crowd were polite and respectful, at least until President Trump railed against "fake news."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Apologizes for Far Right Re-Tweets</em></strong><br /> <br /> Back in November President Trump came under fire when he re-tweeted anti-Muslim videos that were originally posted by a far right British group. The president, in an interview with Piers Morgan that will air Sunday, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/26/trump-apologizes-for-britain-first-retweets-in-interview-host-says.html">apologized for seeming to endorse "horrible racist people."</a> The president reiterated that he harbors no racism.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>4Q GDP Up, But Below Expectations<br /> </em></strong><br /> The USA's Gross Domestic Product <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/26/gdp-q4-2017-first-reading.html">rose at an annualized rate of 2.6% during the fourth quarter</a> of last year. While that is below the 3% predicted by analysts and hoped for by the Trump administration, overall GDP growth for the full year of 2017 was far stronger than the prior year.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>George Soros Hammers Trump at Davos<br /> </em></strong><br /> During a speech at the World Economic Forum, radical leftist billionaire <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/george-soros-nuclear-war-usa-north-korea-davos-2018-1">George Soros denounced President Trump as a "danger to the world."</a> Soros spoke of a nuclear war and declared that "the survival of our entire civilization is at stake." The 87-year-old <a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/george-soros-says-trump-administration-is-danger-to-the-world">also ripped into Facebook and Google</a>, saying they are dangerous monopolies. He warned the tech giants, "Your days are numbered."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dems Tap a Kennedy for SOTU Response</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/370822-rep-joe-kennedy-iii-to-deliver-democrats-state-of-the-union">Democratic leaders have picked Congressman Joe Kennedy III to give the party's response</a> to President Trump's State of the Union speech. The 37-year-old representative from Massachusetts is the grandson of Robert F. Kennedy and considered a rising star in a party with an aging leadership.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Gitmo Open for Business</em></strong><br /> <br /> Nine years after then-President Obama vowed to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, President Trump is making sure Gitmo remains open. <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/25/trump-guantanamo-gitmo-leaked-document-369687">According to Politico</a>, the president is about to sign an executive order that will keep the facility running. An estimated 780 suspected terrorists have been imprisoned there since 9/11, but only 41 remain. While campaigning for president, Trump said he wanted to keep Gitmo open and "load it up with bad dudes."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Secret Photo of Obama and Farrakhan Revealed</em></strong><br /> <br /> Barack Obama was a mere state senator in 2005 when he took a photo with Nation of Islam leader and anti-Semite Louis Farrakhan. The photo, in which both men are beaming, <a href="https://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/photo-of-obama-louis-farrakhan-to-be-released">has finally been unveiled by the man who snapped it.</a> Photographer Askia Muhammad says he kept the photo under wraps for all these years in order to avoid damaging Obama's political career.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>French Go Nuts for Nutella</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/business-42828256">It is the French version of "Black Friday" chaos.</a> Parisians are mauling one another to get their hands on Nutella, which has been discounted by 70% in a supermarket promotion. The chocolate and hazelnut concoction is certainly tasty, but is it worth getting assaulted? Apparently it is!<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_kGsv3pVd_M?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sanders Contemplating Another Run</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/25/bernie-sanders-2020-team-meeting-368148">Bernie Sanders has reportedly gathered his top brain trust</a> to discuss the possibility of another run for the big prize in 2020. The socialist from Vermont remains a favorite among Democrats, many of whom believe he was unfairly denied the 2016 Democratic nomination by party power brokers and the Clinton machine.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Columnist Savages John "Liveshot" Kerry</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Boston Herald's colorful columnist Howie Carr is not a big fan of the Kennedy and Kerry aristocracies in Massachusetts. <a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/news/columnists/howie_carr/2018/01/carr_liveshot_wants_second_shot_in_2020">In today's column, he mercilessly and humorously goes after John Kerry</a>, the former presidential candidate who has hinted that he may run again in 2020.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Colonel Sanders Smashes the Glass Ceiling</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.nrn.com/marketing/reba-mcentire-be-kfc-s-next-colonel">KFC has unveiled a commercial that features its newest rendition of Colonel Sanders</a>. That honor goes to country singer Reba McEntire, who becomes the first woman to play the role. Other celebrities to play the colonel have included Norm Macdonald, George Hamilton, and Rob Lowe. There really was a Colonel Harland David Sanders, who founded the chicken chain in 1952.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FwzoDS3zL_4?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-01-26T14:58:00ZPresident Among His Foes in Davos; Trump to Mueller: Okay, Let's Talk!BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/President-Among-His-Foes-in-Davos;-Trump-to-Mueller:-Okay-Lets-Talk!/-325746876310510004.html2018-01-25T14:35:00Z2018-01-25T14:35:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, January 25, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>President Among His Foes in Davos</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/01/25/president-trump-davos/1064512001/">President Trump has landed in Davos, Switzerland</a>, where some of the world's wealthiest and most powerful people gather annually for the World Economic Forum. In his years as a business tycoon, the president was never invited to the high-falutin confab, but now he's there to push his "America First" agenda. There are reports that some world leaders may stage a walkout when the president addresses the forum tomorrow.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>UK Leader Welcomes Trump</em></strong><br /> <br /> British Prime Minister Theresa May, who has had her differences with President Trump, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-42819405">will soon be meeting with the president in Davos</a>. May stressed that her nation's relationship with the United States is "as strong as it ever has been." The president and the prime minster are expected to discuss a wide range of topics, including trade and foreign policy.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump to Mueller: Okay, Let's Talk!</em></strong><br /> <br /> Prior to departing for Davos, President Trump spoke informally with the media and said he is "looking forward" to meeting with special counsel Robert Mueller, adding that he would "do it under oath." The only caveat came when the president pointed out that any face-to-face interview would be "subject to my lawyers."<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/838QMKaesDM?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /><br /> <strong><em>FBI Phone Snafu Was Widespread<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/24/thousands-fbi-cellphones-affected-by-glitch-that-lost-strzok-page-texts-officials-say.html">Apparently the FBI is missing many other text messages</a>, not just those exchanged between anti-Trump lovers Peter Strzok and Lisa Page. Officials say some mysterious "glitch" affected thousands of bureau employees. But <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/01/25/fox-news-first-exclusive-doj-begins-recovering-missing-fbi-texts.html">Fox News is reporting this morning</a> that the Justice Department has actually begun recovering some of the 50,000 missing texts between Strzok and Page.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>White House Immigration "Framework" Coming Monday</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Trump administration will unveil <a href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2018/01/24/white_house_to_release_immigration_framework_136096.html">its immigration proposal Monday</a>. The blueprint is likely to include legal status for DACA recipients, funding for a border wall, a ban on chain migration, and an end to the visa lottery system. Without revealing details, White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders called the framework a "compromise" that includes goodies for both Republicans and Democrats.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Prez Hints at Eventual Citizenship for DACA Recipients</em></strong><br /> <br /> Democrats badly want DACA beneficiaries to have a path to citizenship and the eventual right to vote. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/370611-trump-open-to-path-to-citizenship-for-daca-recipients">President Trump said yesterday that he is not averse</a> to that possibility, as long as he gets that border wall and other conditions are met. One of the president's advisors later said that citizenship is a bargaining chip in upcoming negotiations.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Massive Infrastructure Initiative On Tap</em></strong><br /> <br /> While meeting with U.S. mayors at the White House yesterday, President Trump announced that an <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/infrastructure/370596-trump-to-announce-17-trillion-infrastructure-package-at">infrastructure initiative is imminent</a> and will be unveiled after the State of the Union address. The president was applauded by the city leaders when he revealed that the package could mean as much as $1.7-trillion will be spent on roads, bridges, tunnels, and airports.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Some Dem Mayors Skip White House Meeting</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jan/24/donald-trump-slams-democratic-mayors-boycotting-me/">A handful of liberal Democratic mayors</a>, protesting the Trump administration's crackdown on sanctuary cities, skipped yesterday's meeting at the White House. Among them was New York's Bill de Blasio, <a href="https://twitter.com/NYCMayor/status/956218481074163712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailywire.com%2Fnews%2F26312%2Fshowboats-democrat-mayors-boycott-meeting-trump-hank-berrien">who proudly announced his decision</a> and actually called the administration "racist" for attempting to enforce the law.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Report: John Kerry Briefed on Dossier</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/josh-rogin/wp/2018/01/23/trump-allies-seek-to-tie-kerrys-state-department-to-the-steele-dossier/?utm_term=.de79937998f7">According to the Washington Post</a>, then-Secretary of State John Kerry was informed about the anti-Trump dossier that may have been used to obtain a warrant to spy on the Trump campaign. Former British spy Christopher Steele, who was paid to compile the dossier, was known to have connections with the State Department. Kerry's defenders say he did nothing at all with the information.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Homeland Security Boss Responds to Senator's Attack</em></strong><br /> <br /> Kirstjen Nielsen, Secretary of Homeland Security, sat in the witness chair for ten minutes last week as grandstanding Democratic Senator Cory Booker scolded her for things she did not hear at a White House meeting. Booker was widely denounced for his condescension and rudeness, and now <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">Nielsen is explaining just how it felt</a> to be on the receiving end of the Booker bluster.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Rare Sanity Sighting on Campus!</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.thecollegefix.com/post/41222/">Some students at Stanford are demanding the resignation of Professor David Palumbo-Liu</a>, who openly supports the violent Antifa movement. Palumbo-Liu, a frequent critic of Israel, has been called Stanford's "most radical professor." The students pointed out Antifia's history of "violence and thuggery" and called for the professor, if he does not resign, to be punished by the university.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>But Then Again …</em></strong><br /> <br /> Author and columnist Ben Shapiro, who espouses conservative views, <a href="http://www.courant.com/education/hc-uconn-ben-shapiro-20180124-story.html">spoke at the University of Connecticut last night</a>. School officials, in all their wisdom, restricted access to the event and offered "counseling services" to sensitive students who might have been offended by Shapiro's words and ideas. Here is what happens when a mild-mannered conservative appears on an American campus:<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YNa3UYMfpcU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Samsung's New Galaxy</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/samsung-galaxy-s9">Samsung is preparing to release its latest phone, the Galaxy S9</a>. The company will surely boast about many features, but the true highlight of this Galaxy is that it is guaranteed to never erase text messages exchanged between love-Strzok conspiratorial FBI agents. Please pardon that little Thursday morning joke.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-01-25T14:35:00ZMueller to Trump: Can We Talk?; Most Americans Want Trump to TestifyBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Mueller-to-Trump:-Can-We-Talk;-Most-Americans-Want-Trump-to-Testify/872953058769330064.html2018-01-24T14:32:00Z2018-01-24T14:32:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, January 24, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Mueller to Trump: Can We Talk?</em></strong><br /> <br /> Special counsel Robert Mueller <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mueller-seeks-to-question-trump-about-flynn-and-comey-departures/2018/01/23/e6652db6-0068-11e8-9d31-d72cf78dbeee_story.html?hpid=hp_no-name_hp-breaking-news%3Apage%2Fbreaking-news-bar&utm_term=.b1c4973208c8">reportedly wants to interrogate President Trump</a> about the firings of FBI Director James Comey and national security adviser Michael Flynn. The president may agree to answer some questions face-to-face and others in writing. Given that Mueller's team has already interviewed Attorney General Jeff Sessions, many DC observers believe the investigation could be nearing an end.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Most Americans Want Trump to Testify<br /> </em></strong><br /> Asked in a poll whether President Trump should talk with special counsel Mueller, <a href="http://cdn.cnn.com/cnn/2018/images/01/23/rel1f.-.russia.pdf">nearly 80% of respondents said yes</a>. Even 59% of Republicans, according to the CNN poll, want the president to testify. A plurality of those polled - 47% - approve of the way Robert Mueller is handling the investigations.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Astonishing New Claim About Rogue FBI Agents</em></strong><br /> <br /> Republican Senator Ron Johnson claims that a group of FBI and DOJ officials, perhaps members of that ominous-sounding "secret society," <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/370397-gop-senator-claims-to-have-informant-on-secret-anti-trump-meetings">met clandestinely to discuss how to sabotage President-elect Trump</a>. Senator Johnson says an anonymous whistleblower told his committee about the secret meetings, which would have included Trump-loathing lovers Peter Strzok and Lisa Page.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Love-Strzok Agent Doubted Collusion</em></strong><br /> <br /> While thousands of texts between Peter Strzok and Lisa Page are missing, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/23/fbis-strzok-allegedly-dismissed-mueller-probe-no-big-there-there.html">one that has been recovered is especially revealing</a>. Almost immediately after Robert Mueller was appointed special counsel, Strzok expressed his concern that there was probably no collusion case to be made, declaring "there's no big there there." Strzok eventually decided to join Mueller's team but was booted when his trove of anti-Trump texts was uncovered.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Anti-Trump Protesters in Switzerland</em></strong><br /> <br /> Angry demonstrators, described as "anti-capitalist activists," <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/24/davos-protesters-break-through-security-to-march-against-trump-and-the-wef.html">are protesting in various Swiss cities.</a> The prime target of their ire is President Trump, who will be mingling with the world's elite at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Friday. The president is expected to lay out his "America First" policies to the wealthy and powerful attendees.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Schumer Does 180 on Border Wall</em></strong><br /> <br /> During his recent negotiation with President Trump, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he was willing to discuss funding the president's cherished border wall. But now, after taking it on the chin and caving on the shutdown, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/370327-schumer-offer-on-border-wall-is-off-the-table">Schumer says that offer is "off the table."</a> President Trump, of course, took to Twitter to mock "Cryin' Chuck Schumer" and to <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/956015565776277510">declare that if there is no wall, there is no DACA</a>. Meanwhile, during an interview on MSNBC last night, Schumer finally admitted that the shutdown was all about illegal immigration and the so-called "dreamers."<br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/biadxyyb59g?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Anti-Immigration Hawks Push For Tough New Bill</em></strong><br /> <br /> With recent polls showing that most Americans want less immigration, some House conservatives want <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/370316-emboldened-conservatives-press-ryan-to-bring-hard-right-immigration-bill-to">to introduce a very tough and restrictive new bill</a>. The legislation would offer temporary protection from deportation to DACA recipients but would deny them any path to citizenship. It would also fully fund a border wall, end chain migration, and do away with the diversity visa lottery. Beyond that, the proposal would punish sanctuary cities and enact a version of Kate's Law. Even the House hawks know their bill would never get the required 60 votes in the Senate, but they say it is a starting point for negotiations. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Again Shoots Itself in the Foot</em></strong><br /> <br /> The proposed ad seems simple enough – it shows the American flag and the words "Please Stand." <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/nfl-rejects-please-stand-super-bowl-ad/">But the National Football League has rejected the advertisement</a>, which a veterans group wanted to place in the official Super Bowl program. The embattled league claims the seemingly innocuous ad could be perceived as a "political statement" and is thus does not meet the NFL's lofty standards. The NBA, NHL, and NASCAR have all accepted the very same print ad. <br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4X4KgHt8en8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>LeBron Reaches 30,000 Points!</em></strong><br /> <br /> The great LeBron James scored his 30,000<sup>th</sup> point last night, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to reach that incredible milestone. Only six other greats have scored 30K, led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who retired with 38,387 points. The 33-year-old James is playing better than ever and actually has a chance to overtake Kareem if he stays healthy and plays four or five more seasons. All hail the King!<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/I2odZx86qJo?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Poll Shows Trump Losing to Biden</em></strong><br /> <br /> In a poll commissioned by CNN earlier this month, 33% of the respondents identified as Democrats, just 24% as Republicans. So even though the results were obviously skewed by that sample, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/23/politics/2020-trump-biden-sanders-winfrey/index.html">the findings are nevertheless interesting</a>. The respondents, by a margin of 57 – 40, said they would vote for Joe Biden over Donald Trump in 2020. They also preferred Sanders (Bernie, not Sarah) and Oprah Winfrey over the president.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>ICE Under Fire For Missing Mass Killer</em></strong><br /> <br /> Pablo Serrano-Vitorino is accused of killing five people in Kansas and Missouri in 2016. The father of one of the victims <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/01/24/father-sues-ice-for-failing-to-properly-handle-illegal-immigrant-who-allegedly-killed-his-son-and-four-others.html">is now suing U.S. immigration authorities</a>, claiming they missed multiple opportunities to deport the killer back to his native Mexico. Serrano-Vitorino was jailed in 2014 after being arrested for battery, but ICE never showed up to begin deportation proceedings.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Happy Indigenous Peoples Day</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/24/san-francisco-changes-columbus-day-to-indigenous-peoples-day.html">Columbus Day has been relegated to the dustbin of history by San Francisco politicians</a>. The city will now celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day in October because, city leaders say, Columbus was a killer and the Native Americans are actually the ones who deserve to be honored. Many San Franciscans of Italian descent have one word for their politically correct leaders: "Basta!"</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-01-24T14:32:00ZShutdown Battle Over, Immigration War Continues; Justice Dept. to Investigate "Missing" FBI TextsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Shutdown-Battle-Over-Immigration-War-Continues;-Justice-Dept.-to-Investigate-Missing-FBI-Texts/200538185117661536.html2018-01-23T14:44:00Z2018-01-23T14:44:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, January 23, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Shutdown Battle Over, Immigration War Continues</em></strong><br /> <br /> After the Senate and House agreed to a temporary three-week spending bill, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/headline/trump-signs-shutdown-immigration/2018/01/22/id/838749/">President Trump signed it into law Monday evening</a>. But the war over immigration and threats of another shutdown are certain to continue. President Trump insists that any longer-term spending bill include a ban on chain migration, an end to the visa lottery system, and funding for a border wall. Democrats, knowing those items are totally unacceptable to their left-wing base, are demanding a path to citizenship for DACA beneficiaries, not just legal status.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Americans Side With Trump on Immigration</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/01/22/poll-majority-of-americans-agree-with-trump-on-daca-immigration/">A new poll conducted by the Harvard-Harris organization</a> shows that most voters tend to side with President Trump on immigration issues. A majority wants funding for a wall, the cessation of chain migration, and an end to the diversity visa lottery. The respondents also favor a system based on merit, not merely whether an applicant has relatives in the United States. This survey, which is at odds with some other polls, will be valuable ammunition for Republicans at the negotiating table.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Tweaks "Crazy Jim Acosta"<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump, as his way of declaring victory in the shutdown duel, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/955764970590961665">quoted CNN's Jim Acosta in a Tuesday morning tweet</a>. In an earlier and more serious message, the president said he looks forward to <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/23/trump-lauds-big-win-after-dems-cave-on-shutdown-schumer-criticized.html">negotiating with the Democrats over immigration and DACA</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Justice Dept. to Investigate "Missing" FBI Texts</em></strong><br /> <br /> The FBI has reportedly lost thousands of text messages between Trump-hating FBI officials Peter Strzok and his lover Lisa Page. <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/370204-sessions-says-he-will-leave-no-stone-unturned-to-find-why-fbi-text">Attorney General Jeff Sessions now says the Department of Justice</a> will "leave no stone unturned" in its investigation into the mysteriously missing texts. One text that was recovered indicates that Strzok and Page were fully aware that Hillary Clinton would not be prosecuted even before then-FBI boss James Comey made that announcement.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The FBI's Ominous "Secret Society?"</em></strong><br /> <br /> Two Republican members of Congress, John Ratcliffe and Trey Gowdy, <a href="https://pjmedia.com/trending/page-strzok-referenced-fbi-secret-society-met-day-election/">spent part of their Monday examining thousands of recovered texts between Strzok and Page</a>. The messages reinforced the fact that some FBI officials openly loathed Donald Trump and were determined to resist his presidency. Strzok and Page even mentioned an FBI "secret society" that apparently met the day after the election.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z6gnY_XsfJE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /><br /> <strong><em>DOJ & FBI Bosses at Odds</em></strong><br /> <br /> Attorney General Jeff Sessions reportedly pressured <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/tensions-between-sessions-and-fbi-over-senior-personnel-from-comey-era/2018/01/22/c95fc2bc-ffeb-11e7-8acf-ad2991367d9d_story.html?utm_term=.bbd69775cd5c">FBI boss Christopher Wray to fire the bureau's deputy director Andrew McCabe</a>, who is often accused of being part of that anti-Trump cabal at the FBI. McCabe has already announced that he will retire in March when he is eligible for full pension benefits, but many Republicans want him ousted before then.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>"Release The Memo" Movement Gains Steam</em></strong><br /> <br /> The past week has been filled with rumors about <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/22/republicans-hope-to-release-jaw-dropping-memo-on-surveillance-abuses.html">a "bombshell" four-page memo that allegedly shows gross malfeasance by the FBI and DOJ</a>, which reportedly used underhanded tactics to obtain a warrant to spy on the Trump campaign. The memo remains classified, but Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee are trying to have it released to the public. That would require a vote by the full committee and approval from President Trump, all of which could take more than a month.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>On Deck: Infrastructure</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Trump administration has <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/infrastructure/370151-leaked-draft-outlines-trump-infrastructure-plan">leaked the contents of an infrastructure plan</a> that could be widely popular among both parties. According to the document obtained by The Hill, the proposal calls for massive spending on roads, bridges, clean water facilities, and internet access. Much of the spending would be in rural parts of the country that are often overlooked.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Paul Ryan's Anti-Semitic GOP Rival</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://ijr.com/the-declaration/2018/01/1053702-wisconsinite-who-seeks-paul-ryans-seat-goes-off-the-handle-to-justify-jewish-media-remark/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--6UKYrkpJJdGOowvC0mhwx2-keM3E0sHw8UpaMHDllmcEggRArC-SyfSxs8zy0Bm0Vsd81mMu5vo3a_T99aWftno8QAQ&_hsmi=60155304&utm_campaign=Conservative%20Daily&utm_content=60155304&utm_medium=email&utm_source=hs_email">Businessman Paul Nehlen hopes to challenge and defeat Speaker of the House Paul Ryan</a> in an upcoming Wisconsin Republican primary. But Nehlen has a history of blaming the "Jewish media" for many of America's problems. He also went out of his way to <a href="https://twitter.com/pnehlen/status/955221366835433475">recommend a BuzzFeed piece entitled "It's Time to Drop the Jew Taboo."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Allred vs. Trump</em></strong><br /> <br /> Gloria Allred, the attention-seeking attorney and mother of attention-seeking attorney Lisa Bloom, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/gloria-allred-gears-up-trump-defamation-lawsuit/2018/01/22/id/838617/">says she is preparing for a court battle</a> against President Trump. Allred represents a former contestant on Trump's "The Apprentice" who claims she was assaulted by Trump ten years ago. Allred's daughter, who briefly represented Harvey Weinstein, was badly tainted by revelations that she paid women to step forward and accuse Donald Trump of assault.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>MSNBC Investigates Tucker Carlson's Genealogy</em></strong><br /> <br /> MSNBC host Joy Reid, an ultra-liberal and noted homophobe, actually had a researcher look into Tucker Carlson's family background. It was apparently meant to show that Carlson, a foe of illegal immigration, hails from a Swiss family that searched for greater opportunities in America. Reid also slandered Carlson by saying he pushes a "blatantly white nationalist view" of immigration.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3NFinqwrfiM?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /></p>
<p><br /> <strong><em>Feds Spend on "Fat Shaming"</em></strong><br /> <br /> The National Institutes of Health <a href="http://freebeacon.com/issues/feds-spend-167045-fight-fat-shaming/">is funding a study aimed at reducing "weight stigma,"</a> otherwise known as "fat shaming." The theory is that ridicule of obese people causes them to remain obese. The project has thus far been given $167,000, certainly not a fat chunk of the federal budget.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bill Cosby Returns to Stage</em></strong><br /> <br /> 80-year-old Bill Cosby, accused of drugging and assaulting dozens of women, showed up at a Philadelphia jazz club last night, where he told a few jokes and played the drums. His first trial ended in a hung jury and a new trial is scheduled to begin in April. Cosby is charged with aggravated indecent assault, certainly no joking matter.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uh-VZDK0pVA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /><br /></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-01-23T14:44:00ZSenate Shutdown Showdown Today; Trump On The WarpathBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Senate-Shutdown-Showdown-Today;-Trump-On-The-Warpath/-712128905831984004.html2018-01-22T15:51:00Z2018-01-22T15:51:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Monday, January 22, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Senate Shutdown Showdown Today</em></strong></p>
<p><br /> <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/21/government-shutdown-2018-trump-senate-354113">The Senate will vote today at noon</a> on a bill that would fund the government for about three weeks. The temporary funding measure would not include DACA, which has become the single most important issue to many Democrats. Instead, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell would agree to deal with DACA imminently. Chuck Schumer and other Democrats are not yet sold on the agreement.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Shutdown's Effects<br /> </em></strong><br /> The federal government's myriad agencies and services <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/01/22/579552110/the-thorny-logistics-of-a-government-shutdown">are being affected in very disparate ways</a>. The military continues to protect the nation, Social Security checks are being sent, and your mail will show up as always. But some large bureaucracies such as the Education and Agriculture Departments will operate with a skeleton staff if the impasse continues.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump On The Warpath</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/955428815777533952">sent out a Monday morning tweet</a> that of course blames the Democrats for the current stalemate over government funding. He specifically accuses the party of catering to "their far left base." Meanwhile, if you call the White House this morning the recorded message is about as subtle as a Trump campaign rally.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sCqUbgvNCDU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /><br /> <strong><em>Brutal Trump Immigration Ad Riles Democrats</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump's campaign arm has created an explosive ad that accuses Democrats of being "complicit" in murders committed by illegal aliens. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">The spot includes images of monstrous illegal immigrants</a> who have perpetrated heinous crimes after being deported time and again.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Americans Extremely Optimistic</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/poll-finds-public-optimistic-about-the-economy-critical-of-trump-split-on-issues/2018/01/20/30cb803c-fd51-11e7-a46b-a3614530bd87_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-more-top-stories_poll-1205am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.453f3112093b">A new Washington Post-ABC News poll</a> finds that economic optimism is at its highest level since the turn of the century. 58% of Americans view the economy positively, an increase of seven points since President Trump was inaugurated a year ago. On the other hand, just 36% say they approve of the president's job performance, while 58% disapprove. When you dig deeper into the poll's methodology, 31% of the respondents described themselves as Democrats, while just 23% self-identified as Republicans. According to Gallup, the actual party split is 27D - 25 R, meaning the poll is somewhat skewed in favor of Democrats.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Encouraging Poll for GOP</em></strong><br /> <br /> Speaking of polls, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/21/politics/cnn-poll-midterm-elections-generic-congressional/index.html">CNN commissioned a survey by SRSS</a>, which found that the Democratic advantage in the upcoming midterm elections is narrowing. The Democrats once had a double-digit advantage, but that has narrowed to five points. Part of the reason could be the tax cut bill, which may have even more of an impact when Americans receive larger paychecks in February. In this particular SSRS poll, the respondents were 33% Democratic, 24% Republican, once again skewing the results toward the Democratic Party.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>FBI "Loses" Crucial Text Messages</em></strong><br /> <br /> The FBI, often called the world's premiere law enforcement agency, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-fbi-clinton/senator-says-fbi-lost-crucial-texts-tied-to-clinton-probe-idUSKBN1FA15O">has reportedly lost thousands of text messages</a> between Trump-loathing FBI officials Peter Strzok and his lover Lisa Page. The missing texts were revealed by Republican Senator Ron Johnson, head of the Homeland Security Committee. The FBI and Department of Justice had no comment on the mysteriously-vanished texts.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Leading Dem Objects to Release of "Bombshell" Memo</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/republican-signals-progress-in-securing-public-release-of-fisa-abuses-memo/article/2646592">Republicans are demanding the release of a 4-page memo</a> that allegedly shows gross FBI and DOJ malfeasance by the Obama administration. The classified document, which is in the possession of the House Intelligence Committee, supposedly identifies high-ranking individuals who abused the FISA procedure to spy on the Trump campaign. But Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the committee, went on CNN to dismiss the memo as the work of mysterious "Russian bots" while implying that Americans are just too stupid to understand its contents.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P34zKSW1l68?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>When Pigs Fly I: CNN Reporter Admits Russia Obsession</em></strong><br /> <br /> Maeve Reston, call your office. CNN's national political reporter made a stunning admission this past weekend, saying that Russia is "all we talk about on CNN" even though most Americans simply don't care about the issue. As of Monday morning, she is still gainfully employed at that struggling network.<br /><br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GZ0LvGMlfCs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>When Pigs Fly II: CNN's Zakaria Hits "Extreme" Dems</em></strong><br /> <br /> Fareed Zakaria, the left-leaning host of a weekly program on CNN, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/fareed-zakaria-need-middle-ground-risk-real-racists/2018/01/21/id/838446/">is excoriating Democrats for becoming ever more extreme on immigration</a>. He acknowledges that the far left has abandoned the American working class in favor of people who are here illegally, and that calling nearly everyone "racist" is extremely damaging to the Democratic Party.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>German City Bans New Refugees</em></strong><br /> <br /> The immigration debate is especially intense in Western Europe, where towns and cities have been overrun by unassimilated refugees from predominantly Muslim nations. <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/01/20/german-city-bans-new-refugees-anti-migrant-mood-increases/">The German city of Cottbus</a>, where assaults by immigrants and far-right extremists have been common, has dereed a temporary halt to accepting new refugees. The final straw came recently when teenage immigrants attacked German citizens. At least three other German cities have also banned refugees.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CA Will Register Illegal Immigrants to Vote</em></strong><br /> <br /> Just how extreme have far-left Democrats become in the immigration issue? <a href="http://www.wnd.com/2018/01/major-state-to-register-illegal-aliens-to-vote-automatically/">A new California law will automatically register illegal aliens to vote</a> when they apply for a driver's license or other state identification. The "California New Motor Voter Act" will take effect, fittingly enough, on April Fool's Day.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump to Meet the Elite in Switzerland</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/davos-founder-hopes-trump-and-his-critics-keep-open-minds/2018/01/22/e64ef542-ff6d-11e7-86b9-8908743c79dd_story.html?utm_term=.e2af7c84390b">President Trump is scheduled to head to snow-covered Davos</a>, Switzerland this week to attend the annual World Economic Forum, which attracts many of the world's wealthiest and most powerful people, including 60 heads of state and government. The president is expected to stress his "America First" theme in a much-anticipated Friday speech, which could be canceled if the government shutdown requires his presence in Washington.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Catches a Break</em></strong><br /> <br /> The National Football League has finally found a silver lining in a season clouded by protests and declining ratings. At least Tom Brady, the most celebrated quarterback in pro football history, <a href="http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/jeff-gordon/tipsheet-america-must-come-to-terms-with-the-patriots-greatness/article_d5e02e76-0dae-5dc2-a297-03ec0d2733fd.html">will be back in the Super Bowl in two weeks</a>. After defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars yesterday, Brady and the New England Patriots will defend their title against the Philadelphia Eagles. Oddsmakers have listed the Patriots as six-point favorites.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>On the Other Hand …</em></strong><br /> <br /> Some former NFL stars are urging parents <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/health/health-news/nfl-pros-tackle-football/2018/01/21/id/838482/">to keep their children from playing tackle football</a> until they are at least 14-years old. The initiative, which is promoted by former linebackers Harry Carson and Nick Buoniconti, was begun by the Concussion Legacy Foundation. Football officials, parents, and medical professionals have been increasingly concerned with the brain condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. One way to minimize CTE, brain specialists say, is to ban pee-wee tackle football.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump May Skip Super Bowl Interview</em></strong><br /> <br /> It has been a tradition that the president sit down for a live interview prior to the Super Bowl. But traditions are made to be broken, and this time around President Trump is likely to skip the interview. Part of the reason is that he would be interrogated by someone from NBC, a network with which he has a contentious relationship. You may recall that last year President Trump raised some eyebrows during his pre-game interview with a certain very, very humble correspondent.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mbYaPDMkUx8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /><br /></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-01-22T15:51:00ZShutdown Endures, Trump Blames Dems; Congress in Session TodayBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Shutdown-Endures-Trump-Blames-Dems;-Congress-in-Session-Today/115346608191113640.html2018-01-21T14:46:00Z2018-01-21T14:46:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, January 21, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Shutdown Endures, Trump Blames Dems</em></strong><br /> <br /> As the partial government shutdown continues, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/369971-trump-calls-for-republicans-to-go-nuclear-if-stalemate-continues">President Trump spent part of his Sunday morning criticizing Democrats</a> for their demand that more illegal immigrants be granted amnesty. The president also suggested that Senate Republicans should consider triggering the "nuclear option," which would enable them to pass legislation with just 50 votes instead of 60.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Congress in Session Today<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-21/key-day-could-yield-fast-deal-or-long-impasse-shutdown-update">Both chambers of Congress will convene today in an unusual Sunday session</a>. Many Democrats seem unwilling to budge on their demand that any budget deal include protection for DACA immigrants. Nevertheless, Republicans believe that some agreement may be reached today that would fund the government for three weeks. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/20/mcconnell-promises-vote-on-ending-shutdown-by-1-m-monday.html">says there will be a vote later tonight or in the wee hours of Monday morning.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Women's Marches Across America</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/01/20/female-activists-mark-annivesary-march-return-return-streets-mark-anniversary-washingotgn-march-retu/1050668001/">Protesters flooded many cities across</a> America yesterday in marches that featured pink hats and anti-Trump posters. They were billed as "women's marches," but plenty of men joined in to voice their displeasure with President Trump's first year. The president, playing the role of Troll-in-Chief, took to Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/954788467069870081">to remind his detractors of the "economic success and wealth creation" that has marked the past year.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Networks Gush over Marchers</em></strong><br /> <br /> The major networks pretty much ignored Friday's massive anti-abortion "March for Life" in Washington, but they lavished effusive praise on Saturday's anti-Trump rallies. <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/culture/katie-yoder/2018/01/20/evening-news-cover-womens-march-3-times-more-march-life">The conservative Media Research Center has released a study of the comparable coverage.</a> Beyond the quantity of stories, more revealing was the general tone. This CBS News report is <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">typical of the praise heaped upon the marchers</a> who rallied against President Trump yesterday.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary Clinton Weighs In</em></strong><br /> <br /> One year after watching her rival sworn in, <a href="http://www.yourerie.com/news/national/the-latest-long-slog-ahead-nyc-ready-for-womens-march/927770371">Hillary Clinton applauded the anti-Trump marchers</a>. She called them a "testament to the power and resilience of women everywhere," and expressed hope that the anger would lead to more Democratic victories later this year.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Publishes Op-Ed</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump and/or his writers have written an opinion piece <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/president-trump-a-year-of-real-change/article/2646561">that ran in the conservative Washington Examiner</a>. The president reiterated that he is on the side of ordinary working Americans and is always determined to put America first. He also highlighted his administration's successes in energy production, regulation cutting, and of course the economy.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dem Says Americans Won't Understand "Bombshell" Memo</em></strong><br /> <br /> As you know, <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/republican-signals-progress-in-securing-public-release-of-fisa-abuses-memo/article/2646592">Republicans and conservatives are pushing hard for the release of a 4-page memo</a> that allegedly proves gross FBI and DOJ malfeasance during the Obama administration. The classified document, which is in the hands of the House Intelligence Committee, supposedly names individuals who abused the FISA procedure to spy on the Trump campaign and could lead to the firing of some big-name officials. But Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the committee, is blaming mysterious "Russian bots" and implying that Americans are just too darned stupid to understand the explosive memo.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P34zKSW1l68?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Quack Shrink Back in the News<br /> </em></strong><br /> Professor Bandy Lee, who has been a ubiquitous presence on cable news talk shows, <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2018/01/19/trumps-mental-fitness-experts-silenced-public-dark-bandy-lee-norman-eisen-column/1043765001/">is once again questioning President Trump's mental stability.</a> Lee, who never examined the president and is violating the guidelines of the American Psychiatric Association with her long-distance diagnosis, dismisses the thorough medical report put forth by White House physician Dr. Ronny Jackson, who actually spent many hours with the president.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mexico's Year of Carnage</em></strong><br /> <br /> Things are not well south of the border. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/mexico-crime-murder-deadliest/2018/01/21/id/838412/">Last year there were more than 25,000 murders in Mexico</a>, a record high since statistics have been kept. Putting that in perspective, the murder rate in Chicago is about 18 killings per 100,000 people, while Mexico's rate is more than 20 murders per 100,000. If anyone is desperately seeking a silver lining, Mexico's homicide rate is about one-fifth that of El Salvador, the murder capital of the world.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>United Nations a Cesspool of Sexual Harassment</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jan/18/sexual-assault-and-harassment-rife-at-united-nations-staff-claim">The UK's Guardian newspaper is reporting</a> on widespread sexual harassment and assault at United Nations offices around the world. Alleged victims have little recourse, while the assailants tend to remain ensconced in their powerful positions. The UN, speaking in typical bureaucratic jargon, vows to strengthen "our capacities to investigate reports and support victims."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Nightmare Scenario</em></strong><br /> <br /> After a season of turmoil and declining ratings, it's a pretty sure bet that the <a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/patriots/2018/01/injury_could_throw_off_tom_brady_beyond_jaguars_game">NFL is secretly hoping for a victory today by Tom Brady and his New England Patriots</a>, who play the Jacksonville Jaguars for the AFC championship and a trip to the Super Bowl. The worst case scenario for the league would be a Super Bowl in which the Jaguars and the Minnesota Vikings, two unheralded teams with unknown quarterbacks, meet in the big game. Both conference championships will be decided today.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Queen of Stowaways Strikes Again</em></strong><br /> <br /> 66-year-old Marilyn Hartman, rather than knitting or golfing, <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-serial-stowaway-london-flight-court-20180120-story.html">has taken up the rather unusual habit of sneaking onto airplanes</a>. She did it again last week when she slept overnight at Chicago O'Hare's Airport, then somehow boarded a flight to London without having a ticket. She has been charged with felony theft and trespassing and is now wearing an ankle monitor to help prevent any more unlawful flights of fancy.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q-JDt6iKAfk?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-01-21T14:46:00ZShutdown Appears Imminent; Pelosi to Judge Drag Queen ShowBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Shutdown-Appears-Imminent;-Pelosi-to-Judge-Drag-Queen-Show/903433304383107050.html2018-01-19T14:16:00Z2018-01-19T14:16:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, January 19, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Shutdown Appears Imminent</em></strong><br /> <br /> The House has passed a bill to temporarily fund the federal government, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/369679-blame-game-ramps-up-as-shutdown-nears">but the Senate is at a complete impasse.</a> Many Democrats are demanding that any bill include amnesty for DACA recipients, while most Republicans say the DACA issue can be dealt with later. Some GOP Senators, among them Lindsey Graham and Rand Paul, are expected to join the Democrats in voting against the measure. President Trump, as expected, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/954323750949982208">blames the prospective shutdown on Democrats and their desire for more illegal immigration.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>DACA's Untold Millions</em></strong><br /> <br /> Most news reports estimate that the DACA program shields 800,000 illegal immigrants who came to the USA as children. But according to a group called the Migration Policy Institute, there may actually be as <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/illegal-immigrants-daca-dreamers-came-to-the-us-as-children/2018/01/18/id/838043/">many as 3.6-million illegals who were brought to the United States</a> when they were minors. Some Democrats are demanding legal status not only for the DACA beneficiaries, but for all 3.6-million immigrants who came to the USA with their parents.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Massive "March for Life" Today in DC</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/17/trump-march-for-life-2018-343842">Tens of thousands of abortion foes will be in Washington today</a> to take part in the annual March for Life. For the first time in the event's 45-year history, the pro-lifers will hear from a sitting president. President Trump will speak to the marchers via satellite, further burnishing his reputation among anti-abortion activists.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pope Defends Accused Chilean Pedophile</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-42745170">Pope Francis has shocked and disappointed many Catholics</a> by standing up for Bishop Juan Barros, who has been accused of covering up child sexual abuse by the notorious Chilean priest Fernando Karadima. As he wrapped up his visit to Chile, the pope accused abuse victims of slander and said there was no proof to back up their allegations.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump in PA, Boasts About Economy<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump made a campaign-like visit to western Pennsylvania yesterday, which was partly intended to endorse Republican Rick Saccone, who is running for the House in an upcoming special election. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">The president spent much of his time talking about the tax bill</a>, the soaring stock markets, and Apple's decision to invest billions of dollars in the USA.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>"Bombshell" Report Could Roil FBI, DOJ</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://saraacarter.com/2018/01/18/a-bombshell-house-intelligence-report-exposing-extensive-fisa-abuse-could-lead-to-the-removal-of-senior-government-officials/">According to intrepid investigative reporter Sara Carter</a>, the House Intelligence Committee may soon release a document showing widespread abuse by intelligence agencies during the Trump transition. While the report remains classified for the time being, it may indicate that the anti-Trump "dossier" was used to obtain court permission to spy on the Trump campaign. Carter claims that her sources believe this report could lead "to the end of Robert Mueller's Special Counsel investigation."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Harvard Prof: Hillary Can Still Win in '16<br /> </em></strong><br /> Once-respected law professor Lawrence Lessig still envisions a path for Hillary Clinton to become president if Donald Trump is impeached. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/19/harvard-professor-newsweek-mocked-for-claims-clinton-can-still-become-president.html">Under Lessig's fanciful scenario</a>, Trump's departure would make Mike Pence president. Pence would then quit and Speaker Paul Ryan would assume the presidency, after which he would appoint Hillary Clinton as vice president and then resign. It's a scheme that could only come straight from the fertile imagination of the great Rube Goldberg.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GEzcO3nfjZk?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /><br /> <strong><em>Pelosi to Judge Drag Queen Show</em></strong><br /> <br /> Nancy Pelosi's office has proudly announced that the former Speaker of the House <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/reliable-source/wp/2018/01/18/nancy-pelosi-is-going-to-be-a-guest-judge-on-rupauls-drag-race-all-stars/?utm_term=.f05f56085753">will be a guest judge on RuPaul's show that celebrates "drag queens."</a> Pelosi's flacks say she is judging to show her solidarity with LGBT folks who are supposedly under attack by the Trump administration. <a href="https://twitter.com/NancyPelosi/status/954086505793966080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fijr.com%2F">The Congresswoman sent out a tweet to boast about her experience with "all the queens."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Putin's Pecs Make Another Appearance</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/01/19/bare-chested-putin-takes-dip-in-icy-lake-for-epiphany.html">Vladimir Putin once again doffed his shirt</a> and jumped into a freezing lake to celebrate the Epiphany. Putin has never been shy about displaying his chest, and we will not be surprised if CNN and MSNBC gush that Putin is in far better shape than President Trump. They may even bring out Dr. Sanjay Gupta to vouch for Putin's manliness and cardiovascular health. CNN's resident physician has recently shown an uncanny knack for diagnosing politicians from afar.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dbo5_NuzmoA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>USA Today's Anti-Trump "Scoop"</em></strong><br /> <br /> Always searching for new ways to demean the president, <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2018/01/19/trumps-first-year-office-he-spent-heres-where-president-trump-spent-his-weekends-during-his-first-ye/1041087001/">USA Today's dogged investigators have uncovered evidence</a> showing that President Trump spent 38 weekends on his various properties during the first year of his presidency. The publication even included a graphic illustrating just how much time the president spent at each location.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>TV Crew "Bombs" at Newark Airport</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42743829">A television production company is in deep doggie doo</a> after it tried to smuggle a fake bomb through security at Newark Liberty Airport. Seven members of the crew were arrested and later apologized. The production team was filming an undercover segment for a show that airs on CNBC.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pelosi and "Doggie Doo"</em></strong><br /> <br /> Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, discussing a Republican proposal for a children's health care extension, described it by using a scatological metaphor. You might even say that Ms. Pelosi believes the proposal is a "s***hole." <br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oxnC-JQCyvc?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-01-19T14:16:00ZGovernment Shutdown Still Looming; Apple Bullish on AmericaBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Government-Shutdown-Still-Looming;-Apple-Bullish-on-America/-148194974231958826.html2018-01-18T14:26:00Z2018-01-18T14:26:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, January 18, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Government Shutdown Still Looming</em></strong><br /> <br /> Many federal agencies will be closing their doors unless <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/18/politics/house-votes-government-shutdown/index.html">Congress can come up with a funding deal</a> today or tomorrow. Many Democrats refuse to support any bill that does not include a fix for the DACA program, while some Republicans are also opposed to a stopgap funding bill. Nevertheless, <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/john-kelly-on-congress-averting-a-government-shutdown-as-i-understand-it-they-have-the-votes/article/2646257">White House Chief of Staff John Kelly is confident</a> that Congress will agree on a continuing resolution to keep the government going. <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/953987636057821184">President Trump, meanwhile, is blaming Democrats</a> for putting military funding in jeopardy.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Apple Bullish on America</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2018/01/17/technology/business/apple-jobs-economy/index.html">In an astonishing announcement yesterday</a>, Apple vowed to invest $30-billion in the United States in the coming years, which will create an estimated 20,000 new jobs. The company also said it is paying $38-billion in taxes to the federal government, the result of repatriating hundreds of billions of dollars that had been held overseas. <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/953771038114045954">President Trump didn't hesitate to credit the new tax bill</a> and his pro-business policies.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump, Kelly At Odds on Border Wall<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/kelly-calls-some-of-trumps-campaign-pledges-on-immigration-and-wall-uninformed-meeting-attendees-say/2018/01/17/3e2524bc-fb86-11e7-a46b-a3614530bd87_story.html?utm_term=.69e9381c2e47">White House Chief of Staff John Kelly has reportedly told</a> some Democratic members of Congress that Mexico will never actually pay for the proposed border wall. <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/953951365532876800">President Trump forcefully pushed back early this morning</a>, tweeting that Mexico has a $71-billion trade surplus with the USA and will indeed pay for the wall one way or another.</p>
<p><br /> <strong><em>And The Winners Are …</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump has announced the "winners" of his Fake News Awards, listing <a href="https://gop.com/the-highly-anticipated-2017-fake-news-awards/">ten news stories that were demonstrably false</a>. Four of the ten erroneous stories came to us courtesy of CNN, while the Washington Post, New York Times, and ABC News also received dishonorable mentions.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Big Award for a Very Small Man</em></strong><br /> <br /> New York Times columnist Paul Krugman, well known for his nastiness and spite, was cited by the president <a href="http://insider.foxnews.com/2018/01/17/donald-trump-announces-fake-news-awards">for making the most notable blunder of them all</a>. The day after President Trump's election, as stock markets were declining, Krugman predicted that the markets would "never" recover and that there would be a "global recession." Heckuva job, Paulie.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Elite Media Defends its Own<br /> </em></strong><br /> As soon as President Trump announced his fake news awards, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2018/01/17/fact-checking-president-trumps-fake-news-awards/?utm_term=.beeb85c2735d">the Washington Post's "fact checker" was on the job.</a> Glenn Kessler admitted that the named news organizations made major errors, but pointed out that the mistakes were quickly corrected. What remains unanswered, however, is why nearly every single media mistake tends to cast the Trump administration in the worst possible light. As Bernie Goldberg has pointed out, the errors are always made in one direction, which would be quite a coincidence.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Former Comey Aide on the Grill</em></strong><br /> <br /> James Rybicki, who served as James Comey's chief of staff in the FBI, <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/369467-house-panels-to-grill-comeys-former-chief-of-staff-on-fbi-probe-of">will appear before two House committees this morning.</a> Republicans are especially eager to hear Rybicki's explanation of how his former boss handled the Hillary Clinton email investigation, as well as his take on the anti-Trump hostility exhibited by some FBI officials.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Administration Moves Against Haiti </em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-haiti/trump-administration-bars-haitians-from-u-s-visas-for-low-skilled-work-idUSKBN1F702O?il=0">Haiti has been singled out by the Department of Homeland Security and the Trump administration</a>, which will no longer allow low-skilled Haitians to apply for work visas. Citizens from more than 80 countries can apply for temporary visas to labor at low-wage and unskilled jobs, but Haitians are no longer included. DHS says there was far too much fraud and abuse by Haitian workers, many of whom overstayed their visas.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Americans Question Trump's Mental Stability </em></strong><br /> <br /> The Quinnipiac polling outfit posed an interesting question to prospective voters: Do you believe the president is mentally stable? <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/poll-voters-split-trump/2018/01/17/id/837736/">The results were a nearly even split</a>, with 47% saying President Trump is not stable, compared to 45% who believe he is. One factor could be that the poll was taken very soon after the release of the much-hyped Michael Wolff book that portrayed the president as a raving lunatic. Meanwhile, another poll finds that <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/369489-poll-majority-says-trumps-first-year-in-white-house-was-a-failure">53% of Americans believe President Trump's first year in office</a> was a failure.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>MSNBC's Unhinged Mika: Trump "Evil"</em></strong><br /> <br /> Morning Joe's dramatic and hysterical running mate Mika Brzezinski, who proudly advertises her Trump loathing every day, now says that the president's excellent health is worrisome and may indicate that he is actually "evil." <br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MWb6PytgAkw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump & Obama Incommunicado<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump and his predecessor <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/18/politics/obama-donald-trump-presidents-club/index.html">have not met or spoken in the year since the Trump Inauguration</a>, a total lack of communication that is extremely rare among presidents. Of course, they have taken many shots at one another over Obama-era policies that have been dismantled by President Trump. Perhaps they should arrange a round of golf, the one thing loved by both men.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Koreas to March Under One Flag</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-2018-northkorea-flag/two-koreas-one-flag-emblematic-of-once-better-ties-idUSKBN1F70RP">North and South Korean athletes will march together under one flag</a> at next month's Winter Olympics opening ceremony. This is viewed as a great diplomatic success and a sign of possible warming between the two nations, which technically remain at war. They will enter the stadium under the "Korean Unification Flag," which is a symbol of the entire Korea peninsula.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Blacks to Georgetown: Show Us The Money!</em></strong><br /> <br /> Nearly two centuries ago, Jesuit priests at Georgetown University sold slaves to raise money for the school. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2018/01/16/__trashed-2/?utm_term=.b4f443c2f139">A group is now demanding that the elite university pay reparations</a> for the "wealth it unjustly accumulated off the back of unpaid slave labor." Descendants of the slaves are asking for a direct cash payment, but the school says it will find other ways to make amends.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Illegal Alien Horror Story</em></strong><br /> <br /> Eulalio Miniz Orozco had been deported to his native Mexico seven times, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/01/17/exclusive-california-neck-stabber-was-illegal-immigrant-deported-7-times/">but he was back in the United States last month</a>, when he stabbed another man in the neck at a local supermarket. Orozco had a long criminal record, but he still managed to get back to the USA time and again to create more mayhem. The stabbing victim, a 61-year-old man, is in stable condition.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>An Illegal Alien Monster Among Us<br /> </em></strong><br /> Another illegal immigrant named Luis Bracamontes killed two police officers in 2014. <a href="http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2018/01/16/luis-bracamontes-trial/">During a court appearance this week</a>, Bracamontes admitted that he murdered the two officers and expressed just one regret – that he didn't kill more cops. The beast laughed and smirked as he vowed to break out of jail and kill more police officers.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/10SGG2aGrHE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-01-18T14:26:00ZDACA Deal?; Immigrants and CrimeBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/DACA-Deal;-Immigrants-and-Crime/-909832876752362110.html2018-01-17T14:49:00Z2018-01-17T14:49:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, January 17, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>DACA Deal?</em></strong><br /> <br /> A handful of Democratic and Republican senators <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/01/17/here-details-latest-bipartisan-daca-deal-protect-dreamers/1039238001/">have worked out the framework of a deal</a> that would allow DACA beneficiaries to remain in the country. The so-called "dreamers" would be given permanent legal status, while Democrats will agree to fund border security and a wall. The White House has not agreed to the bargain, which would also transform the Diversity Visa Lottery into a system based more on merit. President Trump has insisted <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/953406553083777029">that any deal must also end chain migration</a>, which allows immigrants to bring family members to the United States.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Shutdown Avoidance Strategy</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/369262-house-gop-leaders-propose-funding-bill-with-money-for-childrens-health">Last night House Republicans proposed a plan</a> to avoid a partial government shutdown, which could come as early as Friday. The GOP would fund the Children's Health Insurance Program in a temporary spending bill, thus supporting a program that Democrats champion. The continuing resolution would also include some tweaks in ObamaCare, but DACA would be dealt with separately.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Senate Democrats Not On Board</em></strong><br /> <br /> While the House is working on that continuing resolution to keep the government funded, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign-polls/369264-2020-dems-pose-a-big-dilemma-for-schumer">some Democratic Senators are very resistent</a>. Democrats with presidential ambitions – Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, Kirsten Gillibrand, Elizabeth Warren, and Bernie Sanders – are all demanding that any short-term funding bill includes absolute protection for DACA beneficiaries.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Immigrants and Crime</em></strong><br /> <br /> The media tends to paint immigrants, legal or illegal, as models of hard work and family values. While that is true in most cases, some newly-released numbers show that immigrants are also responsible for a disproportionate share of crime and terror. Criminologist John Lott found that "dreamers" <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/01/16/arizona-dreamers-8-percent-of-prisoners/">make up 8% of Arizona's prison population</a>, four times their proportion of the general population. Also, the Department of Homeland Security reports that 73% of individuals arrested on international terrorism charges <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/dhs-kirstjen-nielsen-terror-related-offenders-911/2018/01/16/id/837435/">in the USA since 9/11 were born outside of the United States.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Former CIA Agent Arrested for Spying</em></strong><br /> <br /> Jerry Chun Shing Lee, who worked for the CIA for 13 years, <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/16/cia-espionage-arrest-342115">has been arrested and charged with espionage</a>. The 53-year-old was detained at New York City's JFK Airport Monday night as he was entering the country from Hong Kong. Lee is accused of providing China with highly classified information, including the names of more than a dozen CIA informants.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>About Those "Fake News Awards"<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump has promised (or threatened) to hand out his "Fake News Awards" later today. <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-teases-media-with-mystery-fake-news-awards/article/2646117">But details of the event remain very sketchy</a>. The White House has described the awards ceremony as "a potential event" that may or may not take place. Of course, it could be that the accounting firm of PriceWaterhouseCoopers, which handles the Academy Awards, is still tabulating the votes.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Report: Fox News Suppressed Trump Allegation<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/369238-fox-news-didnt-publish-its-story-on-trump-relationship-with-adult-film-star">According to its rival CNN</a>, Fox News sat on a story about an alleged ongoing affair between Donald Trump and porn star Stephanie Clifford, aka "Stormy Daniels." A Fox News reporter had the story locked down prior to the 2016 election, but it never aired. FNC claims the network was unable to "verify all the facts" and thus decided not to run the story.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump's Confounding Poll Numbers </em></strong><br /> <br /> Considering that most Americans are very bullish on the economy, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/presidential-job-approval-approval-ratings-gallup/2018/01/16/id/837540/">polling wizards surmise that President Trump's approval rating should be at around 50%.</a> But his actual rating is in the high 30s, apparently because voters are less than thrilled with the president's likeability and character.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Media's Brutal War on Trump</em></strong><br /> <br /> The conservative Media Research Center <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/rich-noyes/2018/01/16/2017-year-news-media-went-war-against-president">has analyzed media coverage of Donald Trump's first year as president</a>. To the surprise of no one, the president was hammered by the press in general and the network news programs in particular. The MRC found that about 90% of network stories about the president were negative in tone. The coverage was dominated by the Russia "collusion" story, which dwarfed all other issues. That kind of media treatment no doubt contributes to the fact that <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/369210-ap-trump-had-lowest-elected-approval-of-any-elected-president-in">President Trump had the lowest approval rating of any first-year president.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Boots CNN's Acosta from Oval Office</em></strong></p>
<p>CNN's Jim Acosta, who prides himself on being the biggest thorn in President Trump's side, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">irked the president once again yesterday.</a> During an oval office photo op, the attention-seeking Acosta actually asked the president whether he wants immigrants from "just Caucasian and white countries." The president pithily replied with one word: "Out!"<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Silent Bannon Irks House Committee</em></strong><br /> <br /> Former White House strategist Steve Bannon spoke (or didn't speak) to the House Intelligence Committee yesterday <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bannon-refused-to-answer-house-committee-questions-schiff-says/">about his role in the Trump campaign and his tenure at the White House</a>. Citing some novel interpretation of executive privilege, Bannon refused to answer many of the committee's questions. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/bannon-subpoena-mueller-russia/2018/01/16/id/837441/">Bannon has also been subpoenaed by special counsel Robert Mueller</a> and says he will answer questions put to him in front of a grand jury.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hundreds of North Koreans to Winter Games</em></strong><br /> <br /> There will be few North Korean athletes at next month's Winter Olympics in South Korea, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/korea-olympics/2018/01/17/id/837577/">but that rogue nation is sending a "cheering squad" of more than 200 women</a>. Kim Jong Un's own wife was once a member of the North Korea cheering squad. There are also negotiations that would merge the North and South Korean hockey teams into a joint squad, which would be a first for the two nations.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mass Resignation at National Park Service</em></strong><br /> <br /> The United States National Park Service has an advisory board consisting of twelve people, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/nearly-all-members-of-national-park-service-advisory-panel-resign-in-frustration/2018/01/16/b322ef5e-fae3-11e7-ad8c-ecbb62019393_story.html?utm_term=.7362379f007b">but nine of them abruptly resigned Monday night</a>. The protesting members say Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has been unwilling to meet with them. All nine were due to leave in May when their terms expire.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>"New California" Dreamin'<br /> </em></strong><br /> It's unlikely to gain much traction, <a href="http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2018/01/15/new-california-declares-independence-from-rest-of-state/">but some residents of rural California</a> want to break away from the wealthy coastal elites who dominate the state's government and culture. "New California," which would include most of the state's farm country, wants to remain part of the United States. The "New California" movement <a href="https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/720c6a07-3594-44b7-8098-94fc11bae240/downloads/1c3sut5r6_88440.pdf">has just released its own Declaration of Independence.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Coldest Place on Earth</em></strong><br /> <br /> Think it's chilly where you live? Try visiting Oymyakon, a town of about 500 frigid people in the northern reaches of Siberia. The average winter temperature is minus 58 degrees, and that went down into the minus 80s last weekend. One bit of good news for residents is that temperatures in the +60s are common in the summer.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BgzkrfksvP4?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>DHS Boss Denies Hearing "S***hole" Remark</em></strong><br /> <br /> Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, a rising star in the Trump administration, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday. Many of the Democrats chose to focus not on homeland security or terrorism, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/nielsen-trump-vulgar-remarks/2018/01/16/id/837468/">but on whether President Trump used a vulgar term</a> when referring to certain nations. Nielsen, who was at the White House meeting when that word was allegedly used, said she never heard it, although she conceded that there was a great deal of profanity in the room.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sanctuary Cities Could Face Arrest</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jan/16/dhs-asks-prosecutors-charge-sanctuary-city-leaders/">Also during her testimony yesterday</a>, when not being peppered with questions about "s***hole nations," Secretary Nielsen said her department is exploring the possibility of bringing criminal charges against cities and states that refuse to follow federal immigration law. One immigration official argues that local officials who protect illegal immigrants from arrest and deportation are complicit in human smuggling.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump's Clean Bill of Health</em></strong><br /> <br /> To the surprise (disappointment??) of many reporters at the White House yesterday, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/headline/trump-doctor-health/2018/01/16/id/837505/">Dr. Ronny Jackson said President Trump is in superb physical condition</a>, although he could certainly eat better and drop a few pounds. For a full hour, Dr. Jackson answered questions about the president's mental state, possible dementia, heart disease, dietary habits, drug use, and pretty much anything else you can think of. Political observers described it as unlike any other briefing in history.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/21OkJl0IrvA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-01-17T14:49:00ZTrump Blames One Senator for DACA Demise; CA Parents Torture Kids in House of TerrorBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Blames-One-Senator-for-DACA-Demise;-CA-Parents-Torture-Kids-in-House-of-Terror/-115824029154810363.html2018-01-16T14:44:00Z2018-01-16T14:44:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, January 16, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Blames One Senator for DACA Demise</em></strong><br /> <br /> If the controversial DACA program expires without any protection for the immigrants it protects from deportation, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/953000902331453442">President Trump is laying the blame squarely at the feet of Senator Dick Durbin</a>. The president says the Democrat from Illinois lied about what was said at last week's meeting and thus blew up a possible deal.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CA Parents Torture Kids in House of Terror</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://abc7.com/grandparents-say-god-called-on-perris-couple-to-have-so-many-children/2950254/">A Southern California couple is in prison</a>, charged with torture and child endangerment. David and Louise Turpin reportedly held their 13 children captive inside their home, with some even chained to their beds. The children, who range in age from two to 29, are being treated in hospitals while their ghoulish parents are behind bars.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qlDAPVKpxYE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Partial Shutdown Looms</em></strong><br /> <br /> Unless some deal is reached over the next two days, it is increasingly likely that <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jan/15/donald-trump-blames-democrats-for-shutdown-showdow/">parts of the federal government will shut down on Friday.</a> Many Democrats say they will not vote for a temporary spending bill unless DACA recipients are granted full legal status. The president is blaming Democrats for the impasse, while the Dems are apparently ready to go to the wall for DACA beneficiaries.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>GOP Senator's (Very) Faint Praise for Trump</em></strong><br /> <br /> Well, at least Donald Trump is not as bad as Josef Stalin. With great fanfare, Republican Senator Jeff Flake has announced <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/jeff-flake-joseph-stalin-comparison-rhetoric/2018/01/15/id/837288/">that he will give a speech tomorrow in which he will compare President Trump</a> with the Soviet mass murderer, but he insists he is merely talking about both men's suspicion of the media. "Josef Stalin was a killer," Flake said, "our president is not." Thanks for the reassurance, Senator.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump to Announce "Fake News Awards" Tomorrow<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump is expected to hand out his <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/15/trump-fake-news-awards-ethics-339183">facetious "fake news awards" Wednesday</a>. While it seems to be a laughing matter, some lawyers in Washington are taking this very seriously, saying the president may well be violating ethics rules if his White House staff is in any way involved in the process.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump's First Semester Grades </em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/369080-one-third-of-voters-give-trump-an-f-for-first-year-poll">The views of President Trump are even more wildly divergent than we knew.</a> A new poll shows that 35% of voters give the president an "F" after his first year in office, while 34% grade him with a "A" or "B." Naturally, there is a vast difference in how Republicans and Democrats view the president's performance.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>On the Other Hand …</em></strong><br /> <br /> The AP is reporting that <a href="https://www.apnews.com/4c2dce305b4a4d679785fc48bd278704/Trump-has-kept-many-promises-during-his-first-year-in-office">President Trump has actually lived up to many of the promises</a> he made while campaigning for the office. Among his successes are tax reform, withdrawal from trade agreements, judicial appointments, cutting regulations, routing ISIS, and discouraging illegal immigration.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Season Over for NFL Kneelers</em></strong><br /> <br /> Only four teams are still alive in the National Football League playoffs, <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jan/15/nfls-kneeling-protesters-miss-playoffs/">and not one of them includes a single National Anthem protester</a>. The teams with the most active kneelers have all been eliminated or didn't qualify for the playoffs to begin with. Is there any causation behind this correlation? You make the call.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>National Anthem Statue Defaced</em></strong><br /> <br /> More than a century ago a bronze statue was erected in Baltimore to honor Francis Scott Key and his Star Spangled Banner. He wrote the poem after witnessing the British bombardment of Baltimore's Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-statue-20180115-story.html">On Monday one or more vandals sprayed the statue with red paint</a> and scrawled the words "Racist Anthem" on the sidewalk.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another White House Aide to Capitol Hill</em></strong><br /> <br /> White House communications boss <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/369061-hope-hicks-to-meet-with-house-intel-in-russia-probe-report">Hope Hicks is about to meet with the House Intelligence Committee</a>, perhaps as early as this week. She has previously spoken with special counsel Robert Mueller about possible links between the Trump campaign and Russia. The House Intelligence Committee, reportedly eager to wrap up its investigation, is also about to interview former Trump aides Steve Bannon and Corey Lewandowski.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>With Pence in Front Pew, Pastor Denounces Trump</em></strong><br /> <br /> Pastor Maurice Watson, realizing that Vice President Pence was in the front row of his church Sunday, <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/maryland-pastor-attacks-trump-vp-pence-sitting-front/story?id=52371413">took the opportunity to condemn Pence's boss</a>. Watson described President Trump's reported comments about Haiti and other nations as "dehumanizing" and "vulgar." The pastor apparently missed the verse in Hebrews that advises the faithful to "show hospitality to strangers."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Team Rates GOP Rivals</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/15/trump-democrats-2020-election-340623">According to Politico</a>, President Trump and his aides have been rating their prospective Democratic rivals in 2020. The president reportedly believes Bernie Sanders is too old and lacks energy, and he also dismisses Elizabeth Warren. The candidate the Trumpers seem to fear most is none other than Oprah Winfrey, who they believe would be a formidable opponent if the race comes down to a battle of celebrity billionaires. Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/us/poll-oprah-trounce-trump/2018/01/15/id/837256/">a new poll shows that Oprah would trounce President Trump</a> by 24 points in her home state of California.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Warren Bashes Trump on MLK Day</em></strong><br /> <br /> Senator Elizabeth Warren, the prospective presidential candidate President Trump ridicules as "Pocahontas," <a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/news/columnists/joe_battenfeld/2018/01/battenfeld_elizabeth_warren_trumps_king_day_with_prez_bashing">spent part of Martin Luther King Jr. Day hammering the president</a>. She called him a "racist bully" while her campaign announced that it has already banked a very impressive $14-million for her upcoming reelection campaign.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>MLK's Niece Begs to Differ</em></strong><br /> <br /> While Elizabeth Warren was denouncing President Trump as a horrible racist, Martin Luther King Jr.'s <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/alveda-king-trump-racism-comments/2018/01/15/id/837229/">niece Alveda King defended the president and what he has done for blacks</a>. She pointed out that more black Americans are working than ever before and insisted that "African-Americans are benefiting" from the Trump presidency.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN's "S***hole" Obsession</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/tim-graham/2018/01/15/cnn-leaps-toilet-network-aired-195-uses-shole-friday">We really should feel sorry for the good folks at the Media Research Center</a>. They were chained to their desks over the weekend, counting the number of times CNN used the word "s***hole." The final tally: the anti-Trump network repeated the word 195 times during the first full day after the controversy broke. However, that profane word still has some work to do if it hopes to catch up with CNN's Malaysian Airlines obsession of 2014.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Movies Come to Saudi Arabia</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-cinema/saudi-arabia-begins-screening-films-after-decades-long-ban-lifted-idUKKBN1F40QS">Citizens of Saudi Arabia can finally catch a movie</a>. The 35-year-old film ban has been lifted and some animated children's features are now being shown in a temporary theater, complete with popcorn. More movie theaters will be opening in March, but it will be a while before Saudis can take in a double feature of "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Passion of the Christ."</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-01-16T14:44:00ZTrump: I Am Not A Racist!; House Members to Boycott SOTUBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump:-I-Am-Not-A-Racist!;-House-Members-to-Boycott-SOTU/859954756203611857.html2018-01-15T15:46:00Z2018-01-15T15:46:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Monday, January 15, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump: I Am Not A Racist!</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/369001-trump-im-the-least-racist-person-you-will-ever-interview">vigorously defending himself against accusations</a> that he referred to predominantly black nations as "s***hole countries," is now pushing back. In addition to denying that he used that term, the president told reporters, "I am the least racist person you will ever interview." He also got some <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/rand-paul-trump-isnt-prejudiced-against-haiti-because-he-helped-fund-my-medical-mission-trip-there/article/2645894">support from Republican Senator Rand Paul</a>, who revealed that Trump helped finance a medical mission to Haiti during which Paul performed hundreds of surgeries.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/96f-AXWohyg?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /><br /><br /> <strong><em>GOP Senator: Dem Senator is Lying!</em></strong><br /> <br /> Republican Senator Tom Cotton, who attended the meeting at which President Trump reportedly referred to "s***hole countries," <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/368963-cotton-attacks-durbin-for-claims-of-trumps-shithole-countries">insists that he did not hear any such thing</a>. Cotton also questioned the veracity of Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, who has repeatedly claimed that the president used those exact words. Cotton added that the camera-friendly Durbin "has a history of misrepresenting what happens in White House meetings."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>House Members to Boycott SOTU</em></strong><br /> <br /> At least four members of Congress have declared that they will not attend President Trump's State of the Union speech in two weeks. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/369000-dem-lawmaker-to-boycott-trumps-state-of-the-union-over-racist-comments-on">Hat-wearing Frederica Wilson of Florida says the president's</a> alleged comments about other nations are indicative of his "disappointing and destructive" first year in office. Never one to be overshadowed, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/01/13/maxine-waters-trump-is-the-most-despicable-human-being-that-could-possibly-ever-walk-the-earth-video/">fellow boycotter Maxine Waters described President Trump</a> as "the most despicable human being" in human history. Adolf Hitler could not be reached for comment.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Republican Senator: Trump = Stalin</em></strong><br /> <br /> Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona, who is retiring from the Senate after this term, is about to give a speech in which <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2018/01/14/in-planned-speech-jeff-flake-compares-trumps-media-attacks-to-stalin/?utm_term=.0ce6e14a4a90">he will compare President Trump to the tyrant Josef Stalin</a>. According to Flake's flack, the Senator believes the president's constant criticism of the press is reminiscent of anti-media sentiment displayed by the murderous Soviet dictator who starved an estimated 20-million of his own people.<br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Americans Laud Economy, Disapprove of Trump<br /> </em></strong><br /> By more than a 2 – 1 margin, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/poll-confidence-economic-trump/2018/01/14/id/837088/">Americans believe the economy is thriving</a>. But that same CBS News poll also found that a large plurality of citizens gives President Trump low grades for his overall performance and his manner. Perhaps most tellingly, more people believe the nation is "worse off" than "better off" after one year of the Trump presidency.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bannon, Lewandowski Set to Testify</em></strong><br /> <br /> Former Trump aides <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/bannon-lewandowski-russia-congress/2018/01/14/id/837118/">Corey Lewandowski and Steve Bannon will appear</a> before the House Intelligence Committee this week. Both men are appearing voluntarily at the request of Republicans on the committee, who are hoping to wrap up their Russia investigation after nearly a year.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Illegal Alien Threatens to Slaughter Bus Passengers</em></strong><br /> <strong><br /> </strong>Margarito Vargas-Rosas, who was deported at least five times in the past, boarded a Greyhound bus Friday <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/01/14/greyhound-bus-chased-by-police-after-illegal-immigrant-threatens-passengers.html">and then threatened to kill the other passengers</a>. Police chased the bus through two states before Vargas-Rosas was finally nabbed in Illinois. He is being held without bond.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EgiNBPI0yBk?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sean Penn Condemns President (Trump, not Chavez)</em></strong><br /> <br /> Actor Sean Penn, who never met a brutal dictator he didn't adore, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2018/01/14/who-is-sean-penn-to-lecture-trump-about-compassion.html">has been given space by Time magazine to denounce President Trump</a>. Penn was among the imbecilic Hollywood types who regularly paid tribute to Venezuela's Hugo Chavez and Nicholas Maduro, socialists who totally wrecked a once-thriving nation.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hawaii "Panic Button" Pusher Reassigned</em></strong><br /> <br /> The state worker who pushed the wrong button <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/hawaii-worker-reassigned-false-missile-alert-2018-1">and sent Hawaii into a state of panic Saturday</a> has a new job. The unnamed employee made a mistake and inadvertently warned the state that a ballistic missile was headed toward their island. The worker is said to "feel terrible" about the error, which may actually help other states improve their warning systems.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>White House Disputes Wall Street Journal</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/368987-white-houes-accuses-wsj-of-misquoting-trump-on-north-korea">Sarah Huckabee Sanders is accusing the Wall Street Journal of botching a quote</a> allegedly uttered by President Trump. The Journal quoted Trump as saying, "I probably have a very good relationship with Kim Jong Un." Sanders, however, insists the president was stating a hypothetical and said, "I'd probably have a good relationship with Kim Jong Un." Ah, the importance of a single apostrophe in world affairs!<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Lovely Antifa Strikes Again</em></strong><br /> <br /> Every year the University of Texas celebrates something called "Law Enforcement Appreciation Day." A group of <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10375">Antifa-embracing students now wants to rename it "Law Enforcement Incineration Day."</a> To clarify their odious message, the students included an image of a police officer in flames. Keep in mind that this is the same Antifa lauded by Congressman Keith Ellison, vice-chair of the Democratic Party.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Flight Attendant: Skip the Coffee!</em></strong><br /> <br /> An anonymous flight attendant is <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2018/01/14/airline-attendant-warns-passengers-to-not-drink-coffee-on-airplanes.html">warning flyers to avoid the in-flight coffee</a>, saying it is very likely to be infested with E. coli bacteria. The veteran attendant also said airplane bathrooms are "the most disgusting places on the planet." The obvious conclusion: Skip the coffee, thus making it far less likely that you'll need to visit to that disgusting bathroom.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Senator Chelsea Manning?</em></strong><br /> <br /> Chelsea Manning, the transgender traitor formerly known as Private Bradley Manning, h<a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/news/us_politics/2018/01/experts_chelsea_manning_s_senate_run_a_statement">as decided to make a run for the United States Senate</a>. She has filed her official papers and will run as a Democrat from Maryland. Manning was sentenced to 35 years in prison for leaking classified documents to WikiLeaks, but her sentence was commuted by President Obama. She has even released her first television campaign ad, which looks a bit more like a modeling audition:</p>
<iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IkDzoAN7FsE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-01-15T15:46:00ZTrump Sounds DACA Death Knell; False Alarm, Panic in HawaiiBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Sounds-DACA-Death-Knell;-False-Alarm-Panic-in-Hawaii/524624824070651928.html2018-01-14T15:22:00Z2018-01-14T15:22:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, January 14, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Sounds DACA Death Knell</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/latino/368947-trump-daca-probably-dead-because-of-democrats">Early this morning President Trump predicted the demise of DACA</a>. He is blaming Democrats who have resisted his calls for a merit-based immigration system and who refuse to include a border wall in any prospective deal that would save the program. Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/01/14/577949456/daca-recipients-can-apply-for-renewal-government-says">the federal government is once again accepting applications from immigrants</a> who are requesting protection under DACA. The feds are following the orders of a federal judge, whose decision is sure to be appealed.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Democratic Big Pulls Back the Curtain</em></strong><br /> <br /> Radical Congressman Keith Ellison, who recently praised the violent Antifa movement, has revealed his true thoughts on DACA, which seem to prove President Trump's point. Ellison is the vice-chair of the Democratic Party and he has issued a stark warning to his fellow Democrats: If you don't insist on a "clean" DACA bill that includes nothing about border security, you will be ostracized from the party.<br /> <br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em><strong><em><span><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NPhJIHB-Rbk?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /><br /><br />Hillary Joins the S***hole Fray</span></em></strong></em></strong><br /> <br /> Hillary Clinton, joining many other Democrats, is excoriating President Trump after his comments about Haiti, El Salvador, and Africa. <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hillary-clinton-calls-trumps-views-ignorant-and-racist-after-presidents-shithole-comment/">She tweeted a message declaring that the president</a> has "ignorant, racist views of anyone who doesn't look like him." President Obama has not yet weighed in on the firestorm.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Chris Matthews Sorry for Clinton Rape "Joke"</em></strong><br /> <br /> MSNBC's Chris Matthews, who has a long history of making sexist and demeaning remarks about Hillary Clinton, is apologizing for a newly-discovered gaffe. Prior to interviewing then-candidate Clinton in 2016, Matthews made a bizarre comment about slipping her a "Bill Cosby pill." Matthews found his remark exceptionally amusing at the time, but now says it was "a terrible comment I made in poor taste."<br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nwNO8IuMJYQ?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /><br />False Alarm, Panic in Hawaii</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.kitv.com/story/37259764/missile-threat-alert-for-hawaii-a-false-alarm-officials-blame-employee-who-pushed-wrong-button">A state worker in Hawaii pushed the wrong button Saturday</a> and triggered an island-wide panic. The message to residents was chilling: "BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII." Hawaiians had no reason to doubt the alarm, especially given North Korea's proximity and recent threats. President Trump's critics, while unable to blame him for the false alarm, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/14/obama-era-pentagon-official-knocks-trump-for-golfing-during-hawaii-false-alarm.html">are nevertheless searching for ways to criticize the president</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Kentucky to Enact Medicaid Work Requirement</em></strong><br /> <br /> Just days after the Trump administration allowed states to impose work requirements on Medicaid recipients, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/01/13/kentucky-to-add-medicaid-work-requirement-first-state-to-follow-trump-plan.html">Kentucky has become the first state to change its rules</a>. The state will mandate that adults receiving Medicaid work or volunteer for at least 80 hours a month in order to remain eligible. The Obama administration had argued that work requirements violate the spirit of providing poor people with health care.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Senator Chelsea Manning?</em></strong><br /> <br /> Chelsea Manning, the transgender traitor formerly known as Private Bradley Manning, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/01/13/577888963/chelsea-manning-files-for-senate-run-in-maryland">has decided to make a run for the United States Senate</a>. She has filed her official papers and will run as a Democrat from Maryland. Manning was sentenced to 35 years in prison for leaking classified documents to WikiLeaks, but her sentence was commuted by President Obama.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mad Maxine to Skip SOTU</em></strong><br /> <br /> Democrat Maxine Waters, frequently named one of the most corrupt members of Congress, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/368885-maxine-waters-to-skip-trumps-state-of-the-union">will not be attending President Trump's first State of the Union message</a>. Calling the president a "liar" and denouncing his recent comments about certain nations, Waters says President Trump does not deserve her attention. Congressman John Lewis has also announced that he will not be in the same room with President Trump.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Anti-Trump Docs Demand Mental Exam</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump is in "excellent health" according to physicians who performed a physical exam on the commander-in-chief Friday. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/13/health/trump-mental-health-exam/index.html">But a group of doctors has sent a letter</a> to the White House physician urging that the president undergo mental health testing as well. The issue came to the forefront again after the book "Fire and Fury" cast doubt on the president's stability.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Hammers Wolff in the White House</em></strong><br /> <br /> The president, accused by his enemies of being mentally unfit, is now describing "Fire and Fury" writer Michael Wolff <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/headline/donald-trump-fire-and-fury-mentally-deranged-michael-wolff/2018/01/13/id/837033/">as a "mentally deranged" author who has written a fake book</a>. Wolff, last seen laughing on his way to the bank, has not yet replied.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Man Threatens Mass Killing of Steeler Fans</em></strong><br /> <br /> A Texas man named Yuttana Choochongkol <a href="https://www.ksat.com/news/sa-man-threatened-mass-shooting-at-nfl-playoff-game-affidavit-says-1">has been arrested for threatening to carry out a mass shooting</a> at today's NFL playoff game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers. He said this would be his "last day on this pathetic planet" and vowed to take some innocent lives with him on the way out. For reasons unknown, Choochongkol reserved his greatest enmity for Steeler players and fans. He has been arrested for making a terroristic threat.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>People Fleeing Illinois, New York, New Jersey<br /> </em></strong><br /> According to data compiled by the moving company United Van Lines, <a href="http://freebeacon.com/issues/illinois-new-jersey-new-york-top-states-outbound-moves-2017/">three high-tax states are seeing a mass exodus of residents</a>. Illinois leads the way in that department, followed closely by New Jersey and New York. The recently enacted tax reform law, with its cap on the deductibility of state and local taxes, may accelerate that trend.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>SNL Skewers Morning Joe<br /> </em></strong><br /> Saturday Night Live, with SNL veteran Bill Murray making a guest appearance as Steve Bannon, <a href="http://deadline.com/2018/01/snl-bill-murray-fred-armisen-fire-fury-bannon-wolff-1202242717/">had some fun with the Morning Joe crew last night</a>. For those of you keeping score at home, that's Alex Moffat as Joe, Kate McKinnon as Mika, and Leslie Jones as Oprah.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-01-14T15:22:00ZPresident Trump Ignites S***storm; Lousy Review for Letterman & Obama; Dem Threatens to Deck PresidentBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/President-Trump-Ignites-S***storm;-Lousy-Review-for-Letterman--Obama;-Dem-Threatens-to-Deck-President/929802024602617755.html2018-01-12T13:58:00Z2018-01-12T13:58:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, January 12, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>President Trump Ignites S***storm</em></strong><br /> <br /> During a meeting yesterday on immigration, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-referred-haiti-african-countries-shithole-nations-n836946">President Trump apparently referred to some nations as "s***hole countries,"</a> setting off a wave of indignation and anger. The president was questioning why so many immigrants from Haiti, El Salvador, and Africa are allowed into the United States. He added to the fury by suggesting that we should be admitting more people from nations like Norway. President Trump has long advocated for a merit-based immigration policy that favors people with education and skills, thus giving his opponents an opportunity to smear him as a "racist."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>"S***hole" Countries React</em></strong><br /> <br /> The nations disparaged by President Trump are fighting back, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/01/11/here-is-what-my-shithole-looks-like-african-countries-and-haiti-react-to-trumps-remark/?utm_term=.e9956ec0ea57">accusing the president of ignorance and racism.</a> Among those up in arms is former Mexican President Vicente Fox, who denounced President Trump in the harshest and most profane terms. Here in the USA, many Haitian immigrants joined the anti-Trump chorus. The president, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/951790999784783872">in a tweet this morning</a>, complained that yesterday's meeting was a waste of time because it did not fund a border wall.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Nixes Planned Visit to UK</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump was expected to visit the United Kingdom next month, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-42657954">but the trip has been canceled.</a> The White House says the president objects to the new and expensive United States embassy in London. But Sadiq Khan, the Muslim Mayor of London, eagerly <a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/donald-trump-got-the-message-from-londoners-over-state-visit-sadiq-khan-says-a3738321.html">took credit for the cancellation</a>, saying that his city's residents made it very clear that President Trump would be greeted by mass protests.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Prez Accuses FBI Agent of Treason</em></strong><br /> <br /> FBI agent Peter Strzok, who was removed from special counsel Robert Mueller's team after his anti-Trump text messages were discovered, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/12/trump-says-fbis-strzoks-tweet-constitutes-treasonous-act-report.html">is being accused by the president himself of treason</a>. Strzok notoriously wrote about an ominous-sounding "insurance policy" that would be activated if Trump were elected. "That is a treasonous act," President Trump told the Wall Street Journal.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pelosi Demeans "Five White Guys"</em></strong><br /> <br /> If she weren't a Democrat, <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/11/pelosi-white-guys-daca-hamburger-stand-336541">Nancy Pelosi might well be accused of racism</a>. Yesterday the former Speaker of the House complained that immigration negotiations are being led by "five white guys." Those white guys are Democrats Dick Durbin and Steny Hoyer, and Republicans John Cornyn, Kevin McCarthy, and White House Chief of Staff John Kelly. Pelosi, who at times seems increasingly incoherent, <a href="http://freebeacon.com/issues/pelosi-tax-reform-wage-increases-bonuses-are-crumbs-pathetic/">also blasted the tax reform bill and called the wage hikes and company bonuses mere "crumbs."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Winning! Detroit Truck Plant Adds Jobs</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/chrysler/2018/01/11/fiat-chrysler-investing-billion-dollars-warren-truck/1026517001/">Fiat Chrysler has announced that it will spend more than $1-billion to modernize a truck plant</a> outside of Detroit. The company will also shift production of its Ram line of pickups from Mexico to Michigan. The company explicitly credited the federal tax law for creating about 2,500 new jobs. In addition, Fiat Chrysler will pay $2,000 bonuses to thousands of workers in the United States in the second quarter. Those are the bonuses derided as "crumbs" by ultra-wealthy Nancy Pelosi.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN Anchor Declares Trump a "Racist"</em></strong><br /> <br /> Don Lemon, host of a very lowly-rated CNN program, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/368650-cnns-don-lemon-the-president-of-the-united-states-is-a-racist">has decided that he knows exactly what is in President Trump's heart</a>. Lemon opened his show last night with a simple declaration: "The president of the United States is a racist." Despite his mighty efforts to stir outrage and get attention, Lemon's 10 PM show lags far, far behind the offerings on Fox News and MSNBC.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Time Also Hammers Trump</em></strong><br /> <br /> Once-relevant Time magazine, another struggling media outlet desperate for attention, <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2018/01/11/time-magazine-president-trump-fire/1027044001/">is marking President Trump's first-year anniversary with a cover showing his head in flames</a>. The artist says he was inspired by the president's "fire and fury" remarks about North Korea, as well as the new "Fire and Fury" book that depicts the president as unhinged and unprepared.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Lousy Review for Letterman & Obama</em></strong><br /> <br /> David Letterman has produced a six-part series for Netflix, which debuts today with a sit down interview with President Obama. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/letterman-sits-down-with-obama-but-both-men-seem-rusty-and-off-their-game/2018/01/11/2b6dc8c0-f70c-11e7-a9e3-ab18ce41436a_story.html?utm_term=.ccd05fa3204e">The Washington Post's TV critic was not exactly bowled over</a>, saying both men "seem rusty at the art of banter." Future guests include George Clooney, Jay-Z, and Howard Stern.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Americans Upbeat on Economy, Down on Presidents</em></strong><br /> <br /> A new poll indicates that Americans <a href="https://www.investors.com/politics/everything-is-looking-up-except-for-trumps-approval-rating-ibdtipp-poll/">are optimistic about the economy and the general direction</a> of the country, but remain highly skeptical of President Trump. IBD/TIPP's "optimism index" is well above 50%, while the president's approval rating hovers south of 40%.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Columnist: "Dossier" Worse That Watergate</em></strong><br /> <br /> Conservative talk show host and columnist Howie Carr <a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/news/columnists/howie_carr/2018/01/carr_clinton_s_dodgy_dossier_is_way_worse_than_watergate">has laid out his powerful case regarding the anti-Trump "dossier"</a> that was funded by the Clinton campaign and the Democratic Party. If in fact that salacious document was used to obtain a warrant to spy on the Trump campaign, it takes political dirty tricks to an entirely new level.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Oops! Anti-Trump Shrink Lacks License</em></strong><br /> <br /> Yale professor Bandy Lee, who has been telling anyone who will listen that President Trump is deeply troubled and dangerous, <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10363">apparently doesn't have a license to practice medicine</a>. Lee has deleted her Twitter account after it was determined that she is not licensed in Connecticut. She has also been roundly criticized for breaking the profession's so-called "Goldwater Rule," which discourages psychiatrists from diagnosing people they have not met in person.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>MS-13, Violent and Organized<br /> </em></strong><br /> Law enforcement officials are <a href="https://nypost.com/2018/01/11/investigation-reveals-ms-13s-sophisticated-power-structure/">painting a very ominous picture of the MS-13 gang</a>, which began in El Salvador and has spread its tentacles far and wide. The heavily-tattooed gang members belong to local cells which operate independently but adhere to rules enforced by the parent organization. MS-13 reportedly has affiliates operating in countries around the world and is known for enforcing its rules with extreme violence. <a href="https://nypost.com/2018/01/11/high-ranking-ms-13-leader-among-17-busted-in-crackdown-dea/">This week police on Long Island arrested 17 MS-13 gang-bangers for various crimes, including murder and drug trafficking.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dem Threatens to Deck President<br /> </em></strong><br /> Outgoing Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, sometimes mentioned as a 2020 presidential prospect, is boasting that <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/11/mcauliffe-if-trump-got-in-my-space-youd-have-to-pick-him-up-off-the-floor-337515">he would knock out President Trump in a debate … literally</a>. Goaded by MSNBC's Chris Matthews, McAuliffe vowed that "you'd have to pick him up off the floor" if President Trump ever got into his space during a debate. Las Vegas oddsmakers note that Trump has the advantage in height, weight, and reach, but McAuliffe is eleven years younger, making him the slight favorite.<br /><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4q6cwbTjdLY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-01-12T13:58:00ZDems in Disarray Over DACA; Trump to Undergo PhysicalBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Dems-in-Disarray-Over-DACA;-Trump-to-Undergo-Physical/714642995105605640.html2018-01-11T14:42:00Z2018-01-11T14:42:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, January 11, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Dems in Disarray Over DACA</em></strong><br /> <br /> As Democrats move toward an agreement that would allow DACA recipients to remain in the country, <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/11/democrats-daca-dreamers-immigration-mutiny-334454">some of their more liberal members are in outright revolt</a>. The party's left wing does not want anything to do with the three other pillars of a prospective deal – enhanced border security, and end to the visa lottery system, and a halt to chain migration. The rebellious Democrats want their leaders to negotiate a "clean" bill that deals with DACA and nothing else, but President Trump has said that is off the table. Despite the apparent chaos, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/368445-bipartisan-senate-group-close-on-daca-deal">Senators from both parties say they are nearing an agreement</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Democrats' Astounding About Face</em></strong><br /> <br /> An awful lot can change in eight years. Today it is absolutely taboo for any Democrat to use the word "illegal" when referring to illegal immigrants. But take a quick listen to Senator Chuck Schumer in 2009, when he was a warrior against "illegal aliens." What in the world happened, and when did Democrats decide that illegals are their most important constituency?<br /><br /><br /> <strong><em><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VdL2k8jbnAs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /><br />Major Change in Medicaid</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Trump administration announced this morning that states can force poor people <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/11/major-shift-as-trump-opens-way-for-medicaid-work-requirement.html">receiving Medicaid to work or enroll in a training program.</a> Some states have long wanted to impose work requirements, but the Obama administration fought that idea. There will surely be caterwauling and lawsuits from liberal groups that believe work requirements are somehow inhumane.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Gov Admits Affair, Denies Blackmail</em></strong><br /> <br /> Republican Governor Eric Greitens of Missouri <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/01/11/missouri-gov-eric-greitens-admits-extramarital-affair-but-denies-reports-he-blackmailed-woman/?utm_term=.46bbd9952a87">has acknowledged carrying on an extramarital affair</a>, but he is vigorously denying a report that he threatened his then-lover. According to a local news outlet, Greitens said he would reveal nude photos of the woman if she ever went public with their affair.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>New "Dossier" Allegations</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://saraacarter.com/2018/01/10/was-the-dnc-clinton-campaign-funded-dossier-used-to-obtain-trump-fisa-warrant/">Investigative reporter Sara Carter</a>, who has been doggedly pursuing the anti-Trump "dossier" story, now reports that the salacious document was used by the FBI to obtain a warrant allowing the bureau to spy on the Trump campaign. Carter claims that Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court relied at least in part on the fake dossier when it issued a warrant. President Trump, of course, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/951416674808467461">weighed in a few hours ago with one of his early morning tweets</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Voters Credit Obama With Economy</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/368347-poll-voters-still-say-obama-more-responsible-for-economy-than-trump">A new poll from Quinnipiac University</a> shows that a plurality of voters believe President Obama is mostly responsible for the current economic situation, while fewer Americans give credit to President Trump. Two-thirds of respondents say the economy is either "good" or "excellent," which is a strikingly high number in historical terms.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Americans to Dems: Don't Impeach</em></strong><br /> <br /> That same Quinnipiac poll also found that a <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/368351-poll-majority-doesnt-want-dems-to-impeach-trump-if-they-retake">slight majority of Americans do not want Democrats to begin impeachment proceedings</a> if they regain the House of Representatives later this year. Nevertheless, it's an ominous sign for the president that 45% of voters believe impeachment is a good idea.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Black Incarceration Rate on the Decline</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Department of Justice is reporting <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/01/10/report-rate-of-imprisonment-for-black-adults-falls-29-percent-over-decade/">that far fewer black Americans are behind bars than a decade ago</a>. White and Hispanic imprisonment rates have also dropped, although not as dramatically. Prison reform advocates had been arguing that the USA was jailing too many people and keeping them behind bars for too long. It will be interesting to determine whether there is any corresponding rise in crime now that fewer Americans are locked up.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump to Undergo Physical</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/donald-trump-health-checkup/2018/01/10/id/836342/">President Trump is about to undergo his first physical exam since taking office nearly a year ago</a>. He will fly to the famed Walter Reed medical facility in Maryland tomorrow for a thorough medical exam. To the chagrin of the president's enemies and rivals, the exam will not include any kind of psychiatric analysis. We will just have to take the president's word that he is a "stable genius."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>USA Ultimatum to Iran</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/world/globaltalk/iran-unrest-politics-white-house/2018/01/10/id/836366/">The Trump administration is demanding that Iran release protesters</a> who were arrested during recent uprisings in various Iranian cities. There have been widespread reports that Iranian authorities have tortured and even killed demonstrators during its brutal crackdown. It has been estimated that nearly 4,000 Iranians were arrested.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Wolff Howls Over Book Sales</em></strong><br /> <br /> Michael Wolff, who vows that his book "Fire and Fury" will bring down the Trump presidency, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/us-michael-wolff-books-sold-fire-and-fury/2018/01/10/id/836330/">claims that one-million copies of his book have been sold</a>. He also promises that many of the factual errors will be corrected for the next edition, but dismissed those mistakes as relatively inconsequential.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Americans Panic Over Retirement</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/01/10/retirement-crisis-37-gen-x-say-they-wont-able-afford-retire/1016739001/">People in their 40s and 50s are increasingly worried</a> that they have not saved enough money and will never be able to retire. The broker TD Ameritrade found that so-called "Gen-Xers" are very concerned about running out of money and have fallen way behind in their plans to stash away some dough for retirement. Many other Americans, both younger and older, are also feeling very insecure about their savings.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>But Does It Pass The Smell Test?<br /> </em></strong><br /> Americans worried about retirement or anything else may <a href="http://time.com/5095564/smell-partner-stress/">have some quick recourse right at their fingertips</a>. A new study shows that merely smelling your partner's clothing can significantly reduce stress. On the other hand, the whiff of a stranger's clothing seems to inspire the opposite response. Of course, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtG2tjSznSI">Al Pacino didn't need no stinkin' study when he said pretty much the same thing 25 years ago.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Conway vs. Cuomo, Round Seven<br /> </em></strong><br /> For whatever reason, presidential adviser Kellyanne Conway seems to relish her occasional sparring matches with CNN's Chris Cuomo. Their latest verbal duel came last night, when the rivals went toe-to-toe once again. One highlight came when Conway mocked CNN's bizarre "apple and banana" ad. We present part of the conversation for your viewing pleasure:<br /><br /></p>
<iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c-q2JYkTNy4?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-01-11T14:42:00ZA Most Unusual Negotiation; Coulter Savages TrumpBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/A-Most-Unusual-Negotiation;-Coulter-Savages-Trump/774101154877981667.html2018-01-10T14:41:00Z2018-01-10T14:41:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, January 10, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>A Most Unusual Negotiation</em></strong><br /> <br /> It seemed to catch nearly everyone by surprise, <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-donald-trump-mental-stability-20180109-story.html">but the White House let cameras roll</a> for nearly an hour yesterday as the president discussed immigration with leading members of Congress. If the intent was to show a president in charge, the meeting certainly accomplished that. But it left many unanswered questions about DACA and border security. In the end, the president wants to see a bill that deals with four items: DACA, a border wall, an end to the visa lottery system, and a total halt in chain migration. The entire meeting is here:<br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RRMTgbX-MPg?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /><br />Trump Endorses Earmarks</em></strong><br /> <br /> During that unusual televised negotiation yesterday, President Trump wondered aloud whether the parties <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/368124-trump-calls-on-congress-to-bring-back-earmarks">would get along better if earmarks were brought back into the legislative process</a>. Earmarks, which enabled individual members of Congress to fund pet projects, were widely criticized before they were finally done away with in 2010. Many conservative groups despise earmarks as symbols of runaway spending in the swamp.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Coulter Savages Trump</em></strong><br /> <br /> Conservative author and columnist Ann Coulter, who has long urged President Trump to stand firm on immigration, derided yesterday's meeting as "the lowest day in the Trump presidency." She accused the president of being far too accommodating with Democrats.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KHzUOLOC5eQ?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /><br />Federal Judge Blocks Trump on DACA</em></strong><br /> <br /> San Francisco-based Federal Judge William Alsup <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/09/trump-dreamers-daca-judge-333143">has ruled that DACA must continue</a>, temporarily overruling President Trump's attempt to shut down the program. The Department of Justice insists that DACA was put in place illegally by the Obama administration without the approval of Congress. The Trump administration will almost certainly appeal yesterday's ruling.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Files Slander Suits</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/michael-cohen-trump-lawyer-buzzfeed-russia-dossier/2018/01/09/id/836170/">acting as a citizen and not as president</a>, has sued BuzzFeed and the opposition research firm Fusion GPS. The president's private attorney, in announcing the suit last night, claims that BuzzFeed was "reckless" when it published the notorious anti-Trump "dossier" that was commissioned by Fusion GPS. BuzzFeed's editor <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/dossier-buzzfeed-op-ed-fusion-gps/2018/01/09/id/836175/">Ben Smith defended his website</a> and its decision to publish what he said is "unquestionably real news."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>South Korea Lauds Trump</em></strong><br /> <br /> South Korea President Moon Jae-in said today that <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/10/trump-deserves-big-credit-for-sparking-north-korea-talks-south-koreas-president-says.html">President Trump deserves major credit</a> for the recent thaw in the relationship between the two Koreas. North Korea has announced that it will send a small delegation of athletes and entertainers to next month's Winter Olympics in South Korea. The two nations, who are officially still at war, may also sit down to discuss other vital issues.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump's About Face on Offshore Drilling</em></strong><br /> <br /> Just days after announcing that offshore drilling will be permitted in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Trump administration now says <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-administration-says-no-drilling-off-florida-coast/2018/01/09/91981160-f5a8-11e7-a9e3-ab18ce41436a_story.html?utm_term=.19442d4ccd57">Florida is a special case and will be off-limits to drilling</a>. There is speculation that pressure from Florida Governor Rick Scott and the importance of Florida in electoral math were the deciding factors in the sudden switch.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Border Apprehensions Way Down</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Department of Homeland Security has <a href="http://thehill.com/latino/368115-dhs-border-apprehensions-down-40-percent-in-trumps-first-year">announced that border apprehensions dropped by 40%</a> in President Trump's first year. DHS, boasting that apprehensions were lower than at any time in 45 years, credited President Trump's determination to secure the border.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Google's Biased "Fact Check" Software</em></strong><br /> <br /> With great fanfare, Google announced a new tool that would allow its search engine to fact check claims and allegations. <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/01/09/googles-new-fact-check-feature-almost-exclusively-targets-conservative-sites/">It turns out that the software is far more eager to check conservative sites</a> and publications, while left-leaning outlets often get a pass. Meanwhile, former Google engineer James Damore is <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/01/09/576682765/james-damore-sues-google-alleging-discrimination-against-conservative-white-men">suing the company for allegedly discriminating against conservatives</a> and white men. Damore was ousted by the tech giant after he wrote a scathing memo criticizing Google's affirmative action policies that he says favor women and certain minorities.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NBC Will Show Any Super Bowl Kneeling</em></strong><br /> <br /> NBC, which will televise the upcoming Super Bowl, <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbc-will-show-anthem-kneeling-super-bowl-should-kneeling-happen-1073451">says it will definitely show any players</a> who decide to kneel or sit during the National Anthem. It has been a very tough year for the league in terms of ratings and attendance, so officials must be hoping that the big game features two non-kneeling teams. Pink, who will be singing the Anthem at this year's game in Minneapolis, will almost certainly stand during the entire song.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Robert De Niro, Anti-Trump Raging Bull</em></strong><br /> <br /> Actor Robert De Niro <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/368245-robert-de-niro-slams-trump-as-an-idiot-and-a-fool-in-awards">commandeered an awards show last night</a> and derided President Trump with every obscenity known to man. As an indication of his political awareness, De Niro praised the media and its "brave, exacting journalism." The actor stopped short of threatening physical violence against the commander-in-chief, which he had done previously.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Tuna Salad, Free Speech on the Side<br /> </em></strong><br /> The University of Massachusetts-Amherst, in all its collective wisdom, has decided that rallies and speeches <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/01/09/university-sued-for-limiting-free-speech-to-lunchtime/">will be permitted for one hour a day beginning at noon</a>. Some conservative students have sued the school for enacting the repressive policy. The Daily Caller tried to reach university officials for comment, but they were apparently munching on organic sprouts under their desks.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>One More Conspiracy Theory!!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Forget about government involvement in 9/11, never mind the CIA's role in the JFK assassination. The big conspiracy theory this week surrounds Monday night's national championship game between Georgia and Alabama. <a href="http://www.ajc.com/sports/college/was-fixed-conspiracies-abound-over-alabama-win-over-georgia/ZpqErf1E5xuuzoi49190II/">Many Georgia fans are convinced that the fix was in</a> and that the referees went out of their way to help the Alabama Crimson Tide. They point to various missed penalties and suspicious calls. And they may have a point – the Alabama roster includes a player named Isaiah Buggs, who may well be a surveillance expert, and another player named Dallas Warmack. Is it just a coincidence that he is named after the very city where JFK was killed? You make the call.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-01-10T14:41:00ZBorder Wall, Front and Center; North Korea to Winter GamesBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Border-Wall-Front-and-Center;-North-Korea-to-Winter-Games/-707347338445235137.html2018-01-09T14:13:00Z2018-01-09T14:13:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, January 9, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Border Wall, Front and Center</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump and congressional leaders have about two weeks to avoid a government shutdown. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/368013-trumps-border-wall-becomes-flashpoint-in-shutdown-fight">The major issue separating Democrats and Republicans is immigration</a>, with the president insisting on additional funding for the border wall and Democrats demanding protection for immigrants who came here under the provisions of DACA. President Trump is also demanding an end to the visa lottery system and chain migration.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>North Korea to Winter Games</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2018/01/08/south-korea-north-korea-winter-olympics/1015770001/">North Korea will send a handful of athletes and entertainers</a> to the upcoming Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Officials from both countries, in their first face-to-face meeting in two years, also agreed to hold military talks in the near future. President Trump has recently indicated his willingness to personally talk with North Korea's Kim Jong Un.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dems Hot for Oprah</em></strong><br /> <br /> Many Democrats are still buzzing <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/368021-prospect-of-president-winfrey-thrills-dems">about the presidential prospects of Oprah Winfrey</a>, who gave a moving speech at Sunday's Golden Globe awards. Winfrey's longtime friend Stedman Graham says she "would absolutely do it," and various liberal celebrities are essentially begging her to take a shot. The sudden talk of a White House run may be just slightly complicated by <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">Winfrey's 2013 assertion that old racists "just have to die!"</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Oprah's Strange Science</em></strong><br /> <br /> Over the years <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/455255/oprah-winfrey-pseudoscience-and-new-age">Oprah Winfrey has been seduced by some trendy but dangerous pseudo-scientific movements.</a> She tacitly endorsed a man who ran a "sweat lodge" that led to the death of three participants, and she also gave a platform to kooks who claimed childhood vaccines are responsible for autism. Oprah has been particularly susceptible to New Age "gurus" who are long on claims, short on evidence.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>What Media Bias?</em></strong><br /> <br /> April Ryan is an analyst on CNN and a White House correspondent who often gives Sarah Huckabee Sanders a very hard time. Ryan, making no attempt to conceal her obvious biases, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/01/08/april-ryan-slammed-on-twitter-for-gushing-over-oprah-winfrey-shame-on.html">tweeted out her support of and love for Oprah Winfrey</a>, claiming Winfrey "can articulate any issue." Ryan was quickly slapped down by many of her Twitter followers.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mueller Ready to Interrogate Trump</em></strong><br /> <br /> Special counsel <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mueller-indicates-he-will-likely-seek-interview-with-trump/2018/01/08/86100bb2-f473-11e7-beb6-c8d48830c54d_story.html?utm_term=.032a58e0f26e">Robert Mueller will request a face-to-face interview with President Trump</a> within a few weeks. According to Trump's legal team, the president is ready and willing to take part in an interview, which he believes will finally settle lingering questions about collusion with the Russians. His lawyers, however, are urging the president to be more cautious and provide written answers to Mueller's questions.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN Wants Trump on the Couch</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/08/health/trump-physical-mental-health/index.html">Struggling CNN is now suggesting that President Trump</a> should submit to a comprehensive mental health examination. The impetus for the demand, of course, is the book "Fire and Fury," which raises questions about the president's stability. CNN's contributors contend that anyone with the nuclear codes should be examined. Of course, it could be argued that any network that keeps doing the same thing day after day, and keeps failing miserably, might also consider a trip to the shrink.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>"Fire and Fury" Author Withholds Notes</em></strong><br /> <br /> Michael Wolff, whose book indeed set off a round of fire and fury in Washington, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/fire-and-fury-michael-wolff-fake-news-journalist/2018/01/08/id/835912/">is refusing to release his notes or audio tapes of interviews</a>. Many people in the book claim they were misquoted, but Wolff is closely guarding any tapes that could prove otherwise.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mag Compares Kaepernick With MLK</em></strong><br /> <br /> The New Yorker magazine's new issue f<a href="https://twitter.com/NewYorker/status/950351520008163329/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.com%2Fentry%2Fmartin-luther-king-jr-colin-kaepernick-new-yorker_us_5a53a1c0e4b003133ecad1c7">eatures a drawing of quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeling next to Martin Luther King Jr.</a> Also included in the image is Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett, another leader of the NFL protest movement. The artist did not include Kaepernick's socks that depict police officers as pigs.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Ratings Take Another Blow</em></strong><br /> <br /> Last weekend's wild card games in the NFL <a href="https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2018/01/08/nfl-playoff-ratings-see-big-declines">were down in the ratings by about 10% from a year ago</a>. Part of the decline can be attributed to a lack of big-market marquee teams, but the Kaepernick-inspired protests undoubtedly played some role. The league is hoping that the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Philadelphia Eagles will lure back wayward viewers this coming weekend.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Lefties Mock Trump … Again</em></strong><br /> <br /> While left wingers lionize Colin Kaepernick, many are now ridiculing the president for supposedly struggling with the National Anthem at last night's national championship football game. <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/does-donald-trump-know-national-anthem-lyrics-president-sings-college-football-774952">His enemies have decided that President Trump forgot the words</a> at a couple of points during the song. Given that the president spent a few years at a military academy, it's more than likely that he is actually familiar with the lyrics.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Golden Globes' Not-So-Golden Ratings</em></strong><br /> <br /> Sunday's Golden Globes awards <a href="http://deadline.com/2018/01/golden-globe-ratings-rise-orpah-winfrey-seth-meyers-handmaids-tale-three-billboards-nbc-1202238144/">show took a substantial hit in the ratings</a> compared to last year. There was speculation that viewers would tune in to see how the show handled the Harvey Weinstein scandal, but the Globes attracted 11% fewer eyeballs in the key demographic.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Notre Dame Leftists vs. Christopher Columbus</em></strong><br /> <br /> Some left-wing loons at Notre Dame University <a href="http://www.thecollegefix.com/post/40709/">are demanding the removal of murals that depict Christopher Columbus and his interactions with American Indians</a>. The twelve paintings have been in the school's main building for 130 years, but are suddenly deemed offensive and not worthy of viewing. The protesters claim the murals are Notre Dame's "own version of a Confederate monument."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Alabama Reigns Supreme</em></strong><br /> <br /> The University of Alabama is back in a very familiar position, <a href="http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2018/01/why_the_future_is_bright_after.html">perched atop the college football world</a>. The Crimson Tide fell behind by 13 points and seemed out of sorts before a handful of freshmen came to the rescue and helped secure an overtime victory over Georgia. It has been a remarkable run of sheer excellence for Alabama and coach Nick Saban, who has won five national championships in the past nine years.<br /><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GQHVw32oAr8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-01-09T14:13:00ZOprah Steals the Show; Mueller To Interview Trump?BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Oprah-Steals-the-Show;-Mueller-To-Interview-Trump/452725499800085573.html2018-01-08T15:23:00Z2018-01-08T15:23:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Monday, January 8, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump vs. CNN, Round 14</em></strong><br /> <br /> White House policy adviser Stephen Miller agreed to an interview yesterday with Jake Tapper on CNN's "State of the Union." The segment quickly devolved into a shout fest <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video?chartID=554">until Tapper finally pulled the plug and gave Miller the boot</a>. The feisty Miller reportedly had to be escorted from the studio. President Trump praised his man and <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/01/07/trump-goes-after-cnn-flunky-jake-tapper-after-stephen-miller-interview/">denounced Jake Tapper as a "CNN flunky."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Author Claims Book Will End Trump Presidency</em></strong><br /> <br /> Even though he admits his book "Fire and Fury" has many errors, <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/michael-wolff-says-trump-book-fire-fury-will-end-presidency-1072223">Michael Wolff is boasting that his work will finally "end this presidency."</a> Meanwhile, Steve Bannon, who provided Wolff with so much ammunition, has issued a an apology to the president and his family. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/steve-bannon-apologizes-to-trump/2018/01/07/id/835634/">He extolled Donald Trump Jr. as "a patriot and a good man" and reaffirmed his unwavering support for the president</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>British PM May Vouches for Trump Stability</em></strong><br /> <br /> Prime Minister Theresa May, asked about President Trump's mental fitness, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/07/uk-prime-minister-theresa-may-defends-trumps-mental-fitness.html">affirmed that the president is perfectly sane and sound.</a> She described the president as a man who is always "taking decisions in the best interests of the United States." President Trump is expected to visit Britain in the coming months.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mueller To Interview Trump?</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump's lawyers are preparing for the distinct possibility that <a href="https://nypost.com/2018/01/08/trump-lawyers-discuss-strategy-for-interview-with-mueller/">special counsel Robert Mueller will request an interview with the president</a>. There are questions as to whether such an interview will be done face-to-face, or whether the president will provide written answers to questions submitted by the Mueller team. Robert Mueller will almost certainly press for a formal sit-down interview.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Golden Globes Tackles Harassment</em></strong><br /> <br /> Last night's Golden Globe awards were filled with <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/367859-seth-meyers-tackles-trump-in-golden-globes-speech-focused-on-sexual">quips and barbs about sexual harassment in Hollywood and elsewhere.</a> Host Seth Meyers went after Harvey Weinstein and, of course, also got in a couple of shots at President Trump. It's worth remembering that Seth Meyers mercilessly mocked Donald Trump at the 2011 White House Correspondents Dinner, which some feel inspired Trump to run for the presidency.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iWuv2txl_5M?rel=0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />Oprah Steals the Show<br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://people.com/tv/golden-globes-2018-oprah-winfrey-cecil-b-demille-award/">One highlight of last night's show was Oprah Winfrey's speech</a> after she was presented with a lifetime achievement award. She issued a stark warning to sexual predators and spoke directly to young girls watching at home. <a href="https://twitter.com/nbc/status/950172700625915904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mediaite.com%2Fonline%2Fnbc-tweets-passionate-support-for-oprah-2020-during-globes-our-future-president%2F">NBC, rather bizarrely, lauded her as "OUR future president."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Actress Called Out for Hypocrisy</em></strong><br /> <br /> After being honored as best actress in a TV drama, Elisabeth Moss spoke about women and the need to speak out against harassment. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/01/07/scientologist-elisabeth-moss-slammed-for-hypocritical-golden-globes-speech.html">People quickly jumped on Twitter to point out that Moss is an adherent of the cult of Scientology</a>, which is not known for its enlightened treatment of women. The Church of Scientology has been accused of protecting a serial rapist and trying to silence anyone who departs the bizarre cult.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump's Monday: From Farm to Field</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://jamiedupree.blog.ajc.com/2018/01/08/trump-to-address-farm-conference-attend-college-football-championship-game/">President Trump heads to Nashville today</a>, where he will speak with a convention of farmers. It is the first time in 25 years that a sitting president has addressed the American Farm Bureau Federation. Then it's a short hop to Atlanta, where the president will watch the national championship football game between Georgia and Alabama. There is no hint as to whether President Trump is on the side of the Dawgs or the Crimson Tide.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Number of Refugees to USA Way Down</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/08/refugee-admissions-lowest-in-recent-years-thanks-to-trump-immigration-crackdown.html">The United States is admitting far fewer refugees now than a year ago</a>, probably a result of the administration's tougher vetting policies. In the last three months of 2016, during the Obama administration, more than 25,000 refugees were admitted into the country. By comparison, only about 5,000 were granted entry during the same three months of 2017.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CIA Boss: North Korea Being "Strangled"</em></strong><br /> <br /> Mike Pompeo, head of the CIA, says President Trump's <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/mike-pompeo-north-koreans-trying-to-come-up-for-air-as-theyre-being-strangled-by-trump/article/2645214">tough talk and derisive tweets are working</a> against North Korea. The North has agreed to talks with South Korean leaders for the first time in two years. Pompeo also warns that <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/cia-pompeo-russia-trying/2018/01/07/id/835649/">Russia will try its best to interfere with next year's midterm elections.</a> He added that Russian meddling has gone on for decades and will almost certainly continue. "We have many foes," Pompeo concluded," who want to undermine Western democracy."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Blaming "Masculinity" for Everything</em></strong><br /> <br /> Universities have been trying mightily to enroll more women in the so-called STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering, and math. <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10338">A couple of professors have come up with the only logical conclusion</a> – those subjects require women to conform to "masculine norms." Those norms include asking good questions and developing a capacity for abstract thought, which sounds pretty reasonable for men and women alike. Their solution is to hire more female faculty members and make the STEM fields less masculine.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>New Job for "White Genocide" Radical Professor</em></strong><br /> <br /> Being a far-left loon on a college campus means never having to say you're sorry. You remember George Ciccariello-Maher, the Drexel University professor who wished for "white genocide" and said he wanted to vomit when he saw someone give up their airline seat to a member of the military. Almost as soon as Drexel parted company with the charming Ciccariello-Maher, <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10333">he landed a new spot as "visiting scholar" at New York University.</a> The good news for parents is that he will not be paid and will not be infecting minds in the classroom.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Delays "Fake News Awards"</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump was originally planning to name what he considers the most corrupt and biased media outlets this afternoon. <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/950103659337134080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsmax.com%2Fheadline%2Fdonald-trump-fake-news-awards-cnn-msnbc%2F2018%2F01%2F07%2Fid%2F835659%2F">But he has decided to put it off until next Wednesday</a>, January 17<sup>th</sup>. No reason was given, but perhaps the president didn't want to completely overshadow tonight's national championship game between Alabama and Georgia.<br /> </p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-01-08T15:23:00ZTrump Extols His "Genius"; Analyzing Joe ScarboroughBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Extols-His-Genius;-Analyzing-Joe-Scarborough/-810377989414429334.html2018-01-07T15:13:00Z2018-01-07T15:13:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, January 7, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Media Run Wild Questioning Trump's Fitness</em></strong><br /> <br /> The book "Fire and Fury" has triggered a new round of armchair psychoanalysis from the media, politicians, and academics. Most are relying on anonymous sources and author Michael Wolff, whose history of inaccuracy and hyperbole is well-documented. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2018/01/06/here-are-the-people-closest-to-trump-who-might-doubt-his-mental-fitness/?utm_term=.9e5b2dde6f15">But it's also true that some people who have worked with the president</a> have gone on the record to express their concerns about his mental stability.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Extols His "Genius"</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/trump-wishes-libel-laws-book-slams-52189356">Fighting back against the new narrative that he is unfit and unstable</a>, President Trump is reminding everyone that he went to the best schools, then was hugely successful in the construction and media worlds. He added that winning the presidency on his first try is the mark of a "very stable genius."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Analyzing Joe Scarborough</em></strong><br /> <br /> Among those questioning President Trump's mental abilities, MSNBC's Joe Scarborough has been front and center. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/25466/bozell-graham-joe-scarborough-goes-deep-end-l-brent-bozell-iii">Brent Bozell and Tim Graham of the Media Research Center have turned the tables</a>, putting Scarborough on the proverbial couch. They portray him as an unhinged egomaniac who is "blinded by rage."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>High-Tax States vs. Tax Law</em></strong><br /> <br /> New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is none too pleased with the new tax law that caps the deduction on state and local income taxes. The wealthier people in his state, and others like New Jersey and California, may wind up paying more because they had been accustomed to deducting all of their whopping local tax payments. <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/finance/367696-blue-state-officials-plot-response-to-gop-tax-law">Cuomo and his blue-state colleagues</a> claim the law's provision is a direct attack on them and vow to wage an intense court fight.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Black Unemployment At Historic Low<br /> <br /> </em></strong>The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the black unemployment rate is now at 6.8%, the lowest it has been since records were kept in the early 1970s. <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/949608746497576960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.npr.org%2F2018%2F01%2F06%2F576216793%2Fpresident-trump-so-happy-black-unemployment-rate-at-a-historic-low">President Trump, of course</a>, is quite happy to take at least some of the credit for the recent decline in joblessness.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Pity Those Sweltering Australians</em></strong><br /> <br /> While millions of Americans are desperately hoping for some relief from the astonishingly bitter cold, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/07/asia/australia-sydney-hottest-day/index.html">Australians are having the exact opposite problem</a>. The temperature in Sydney soared to 117 degrees today, the highest temperature there since 1939. An optimist might say that, given the extreme heat in Australia and the extreme cold in the USA, the countries are, on average, quite comfortable.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The $100-Million NFL Coach</em></strong><br /> <br /> John Gruden who has spent the past few years broadcasting NFL games, has been lured back to the sidelines by an offer he couldn't refuse. <a href="http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/21970861/oakland-raiders-introduce-jon-gruden-new-coach-tuesday">The Oakland Raiders will pay Gruden $100-million over the course of a ten-year contract</a>. Contracts of that length are almost unprecedented in the NFL, but the Raiders were extremely eager to land Gruden, who also coached the team 15 years ago.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Brian Ross Demoted, Back At ABC</em></strong><br /> <br /> Investigative reporter Brian Ross, who was suspended for four weeks after his badly flawed report on Michael Flynn and President Trump, <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/tv/abc-news-brian-ross-returns-from-suspension-will-now-work-on-long-term-projects/">is back at the network</a>, but in a greatly diminished capacity. You won't see him on the air much, as Ross will be out of sight working on documentaries at ABC's production unit. President Trump <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/949610896241946626?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mediaite.com%2Fonline%2Ftrump-tweets-on-brian-ross-returning-to-abc-news-should-have-been-fired%2F">weighed in with an inflammatory tweet</a>, saying Ross "should have been fired!"<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Shrink's Fifteen Minutes Of Fame</em></strong><br /> <br /> Dr. Bandy Lee, a psychiatrist at Yale, has become the go-to shrink when reporters want to hear the most <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/trump-could-destroy-entire-human-species-says-yale-psychiatrist-who-warned-772328">ominous and outrageous diagnosis of President Trump</a>. Lee has broken all the rules of the American Psychiatric Association, which bans long-distance analysis, but it has kept her in the news. She now claims that Donald Trump actually threatens "the extinction of the human species."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Second Thoughts on Weinstein?</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Motion Picture Academy acted swiftly in October, expelling Harvey Weinstein from its ranks soon after reports surfaced of his outrageous behavior. <a href="https://pagesix.com/2018/01/06/academy-members-now-regret-banning-weinstein-so-hastily/">But now the academy faces the dilemma</a> of what to do with the rest of the miscreants who are among its members. The stories have kept on coming about Kevin Spacey, Dustin Hoffman, and many others, but they remain members in good standing. The powers that be in Hollywood are still dealing with the fallout from the scandal that tarnished an entire industry.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Jabs Hillary</em></strong><br /> <br /> Speaking with reporters at Camp David yesterday, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/headline/president-donald-trump-hillary-clinton-russia-probe-clinton-foundation/2018/01/06/id/835574/">President Trump reiterated that he is not under investigation</a> for collusion, although he really has no way of being certain. "There's been no collusion," he declared, "there's been no crime." The president slyly hinted that Hillary Clinton and the DNC may be the ones under investigation for colluding with Russia.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump to Kim Jong Un: Can We Talk?</em></strong><br /> <br /> At that same press conference, the president said he would definitely be willing to <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/trump-nkorea-kim-jong-un-phone/2018/01/06/id/835573/">speak on the phone with North Korea's Kim Jong Un</a>. The two leaders have been swapping threats and insults for the better part of a year, so it would certainly be a very interesting phone call. We are not sure whose phone is bigger.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-01-07T15:13:00Z"Fire and Fury" Available Today; Author's Sketchy RecordBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Fire-and-Fury-Available-Today;-Authors-Sketchy-Record/-706054984973617261.html2018-01-05T15:22:00Z2018-01-05T15:22:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Friday, January 5, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>"Fire and Fury" Available Today</em></strong><br /> <br /> The publisher of the salacious new book "Fire and Fury" <a href="https://www.abc15.com/news/national/-fire-and-fury-book-that-has-stirred-white-house-available-to-public-today">is striking while the iron is red hot</a>. Author Michael Wolff's book, which is his view of the early and chaotic months of the Trump administration, has been officially released earlier than planned. <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/367554-dc-bookstore-selling-new-book-on-trump-admin-at-midnight">A Washington book store was first to the starting line, selling copies of the book beginning last midnight.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Slaps Book, Author</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump, using his weapon of choice, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/05/trump-tweets-explosive-white-house-tell-all-full-lies.html">has jumped on Twitter to attack the book, its allegations, and its author Michael Wolff</a>. He says the book is "full of lies, misrepresentations, and sources that don't exist." The president stresses that he never spoke to Wolff.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Wolff Hits Back, Hard</em></strong><br /> <br /> Appearing on Today this morning, Michael Wolff showed that he's willing to <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/michael-wolff-says-donald-trump-least-credible-person-who-has-n834921">battle the president in a hyperbole vs. hyperbole, bare-knuckles brawl.</a> Wolff described the president as "a man who has less credibility than, perhaps anyone who has ever walked on earth."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Author's Sketchy Record<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Michael Wolff was not exactly a household name prior to yesterday, <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/04/michael-wolff-fire-fury-credibility-325399">but he has a long history of inflammatory</a> writing about the media, politics, and other issues. Some people who have been burned by Wolff's questionable tactics are now referring to him as "a total sleazebag," but others in the media business are defending Wolff and his reporting.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Focus on Trump's Stability<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Many in the media have long questioned his mental stability and sanity, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/367512-book-tweets-prompt-new-scrutiny-for-trumps-mental-fitness">and that issue has again been brought to the forefront</a>. Hosts and analysts feel entirely comfortable diagnosing the president, often coming to the conclusion that he is not capable of holding office. Always looming in the background is the specter of the 25<sup>th</sup> Amendment, which includes a process under which a president could be removed if deemed unfit to serve.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Justice Dept. Revisits Clinton Foundation</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/367541-fbi-launches-new-clinton-foundation-investigation">The Hill is reporting that the Department of Justice</a> has opened a new investigation into the Clinton Foundation. There have long been suspicions that the foundation, even during Hillary Clinton's tenure as secretary of state, exchanged policy favors for large donations to the foundation. The investigation is being run out of the FBI's Little Rock office.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bannon Out at Breitbart?</em></strong><br /> <br /> Steve Bannon has faced all kinds of blowback since the book "Fire and Fury" quoted his derogatory remarks about the Trump family. Many Republicans have distanced themselves from Bannon, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/headline/breitbart-mulls-removing-bannon/2018/01/05/id/835334/">and now Breitbart News is reportedly considering ousting him as chairman</a>. Breitbart's financial backers have publicly criticized Bannon, while some leading conservatives have also piled on.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Where's Brian Ross?</em></strong><br /> <br /> ABC News suspended investigative reporter Brian Ross after his erroneous report about Michael Flynn and President Trump. The suspension has ended, <a href="https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2018/01/04/wheres-brian-ross-the-reporter-who-botched-the-flynn-russia-story-and-tanked-th-n2430177">but there have been no sightings of the veteran reporter</a>, raising speculation that he may be negotiating a settlement to leave the network. Ross has a long history of erroneous and embarrassing reports.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>One Woman's Nightmare Flight</em></strong><br /> <br /> After falling asleep on a flight, <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/sexual-assault-arrest-spirit-airlines-prabhu-ramamoorthy-michigan-detroit-las-vegas-a8142971.html">a woman woke up to discover that she was being sexually assaulted by the male passenger in the next seat</a>. The alleged perpetrator, an Indian citizen named Prabhu Ramamoorthy, spoke with the FBI and admitted molesting the woman while his wife was on his other side. He is behind held without bail and has been charged with aggravated sexual abuse.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Steinle Shooter Back in Court</em></strong><br /> <br /> Jose Ines Garcia Zarate, the illegal immigrant who was found innocent of murder charges in the death of Kate Steinle, <a href="https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Garcia-Zarate-aquitted-in-Steinle-shooting-12474937.php">is back in court today in San Francisco</a>. He will be sentenced on a local gun charge, probably getting off with time served. But then Zarate will move into the federal system, where he has also faces gun charges. The worst-case scenario for Zarate is ten years in federal prison and then deportation to Mexico.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Baby, It's Cold Outside. Really Cold.</em></strong><br /> <br /> Following yesterday's storms that left much of the east coast covered with snow, <a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2018-01-05/east-coast-braces-for-a-deep-freeze-following-massive-storm">some American cities are today expected to reach all-time record lows</a>. Wind chill temperatures will be way below zero in many parts of the mid-Atlantic and New England. There is finally some good news in sight, as an unseasonably warm spell is forecast for next week.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Gore on Thin Ice</em></strong><br /> <br /> Al Gore's name inevitably comes up when there is a deep freeze that seems to contradict all the predictions and warnings of climate doomsayers. Not surprisingly, <a href="https://twitter.com/algore/status/949050335074582528">Gore is now arguing that this astoundingly</a> cold weather perfectly fits the pattern of the dastardly "climate crisis" that has lined his pockets.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Socialite Could Face "Hate Crime" Prosecution</em></strong><br /> <br /> 29-year-old Jacqueline Kent Cooke, millionaire daughter of former Washington Redskins owner Jack Kent Cooke, <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/jacqueline-kent-cooke-accused-smacking-lawyer-calling-jew-article-1.3735876">was arrested for</a> assault and now could be charged with a "hate crime." On New Year's Eve Cooke allegedly hurled an anti-Jewish slur at a woman, then bashed the woman's son in the head with her expensive glass purse. She has a history of anti-social behavior while out in public.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-01-05T15:22:00ZBannon Blizzard Blankets Washington; Trump Lawyers Warn BannonBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Bannon-Blizzard-Blankets-Washington;-Trump-Lawyers-Warn-Bannon/-546920581128061382.html2018-01-04T15:14:00Z2018-01-04T15:14:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Thursday, January 4, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em>Bannon Blizzard Blankets Washington</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/367335-the-memo-bannon-firestorm-consumes-washington">Washington is consumed with reaction to a new book</a> in which former Trump strategist Steve Bannon mercilessly attacks the president's family. In an interesting turn of events, many liberal media outlets are suddenly treating the once-loathed Bannon as a truth-teller, while his former colleagues in the White House are denouncing his treachery. The author of the book, Michael Wolff, <a href="https://www.axios.com/how-michael-wolff-did-it-2522360813.html">reportedly has audio recordings of many of the interviews</a> he conducted with White House officials.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bannon Loses Billionaire Backer</em></strong><br /> <br /> Rebekah Mercer, a billionaire Republican donor, <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/top-trump-donor-rebekah-mercer-cuts-off-steve-bannon/article/2644928">has pulled the plug on her financial support of Steve Bannon</a>. She reportedly was angered by Bannon's claim that the Mercer family would back him if he ever ran for president. (Yes, you read that correctly.) Also, Mercer was unhappy with how Bannon injected himself into the Alabama special election, which was a debacle for Republicans.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Lawyers Warn Bannon<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Because Steve Bannon had worked in the White House under a non-disclosure agreement, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42563443">President Trump's attorneys are gearing up to wage a legal war</a>. They have already sent a "cease and desist" letter threatening "imminent" legal action against Bannon. Meanwhile, Donald Trump Jr., a target of Bannon's in the new book, <a href="https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/948678893610913793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Finsider.foxnews.com%2F2018%2F01%2F03%2Fdonald-trump-jr-slams-steve-bannon-treason-remark-about-trump-tower-meeting">is firing back, describing Bannon as an "opportunist."</a><br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Dem Honcho Embraces Antifa</em></strong><br /> <br /> If the Democratic Party truly wishes to connect with middle America, this is probably not the best way. <a href="http://freebeacon.com/politics/ellison-posts-photo-of-himself-posting-with-antifa-handbook/">Congressman Keith Ellison, vice-chair of the party</a>, sent out a photo of himself posing with a book glorifying Antifa. The group and its often-masked adherents have been involved in numerous violent altercations with its political adversaries. Even Nancy Pelosi has denounced Antifa, but the radical Ellison manages to make Pelosi look like a moderate.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Kim Jong Un's Impotent Red Button</em></strong><br /> <br /> There are new reports indicating that <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/north-korean-missile-launch-reportedly-failed-and-blasted-own-city-2018-1">North Korea launched a missile in 2017</a> that crashed into one of its own cities. The test launch failed almost immediately and hit the town of Tokchon, home to 200,000 people. The North Koreans have had subsequent launches that were far more successful.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Credits Trump for Korea Talks</em></strong><br /> <br /> Officials from North Korea and South Korea may soon have a face-to-face meeting in the DMZ separating the two nations. The North has even hinted that it could be open to sending a small delegation to the upcoming Olympic Games in the South. <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/948879774277128197?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Fhomenews%2Fadministration%2F367375-trump-takes-credit-for-talks-between-two-koreas">This morning President Trump boasted</a> that the slight crack in the ice is a direct result of his tough stance against Kim Jong Un.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Manafort Sues Mueller</em></strong><br /> <br /> Former Trump campaign boss Paul Manafort, who has been indicted for financial crimes allegedly committed before he joined the campaign, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/03/trump-ex-campaign-chair-manafort-sues-mueller-rosenstein-and-department-of-justice.html">has filed suit against special counsel Robert Mueller</a> and others. His claim is that Mueller's investigation wandered far beyond the parameters of its initial mandate. Most legal analysts say Manafort's case will most likely be unsuccessful.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>FBI to Finally Turn Over Documents</em></strong><br /> <br /> After months of delays and stonewalling, the FBI and Department of Justice will provide the House <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/367368-justice-dept-to-offer-house-key-documents-in-russia-probe">with documents and access to witnesses</a>. House Intelligence Committee chair Devin Nunes and his colleagues will receive the documents, some of which deal with the anti-Trump "dossier," within a few days.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pot, Meet Kettle</em></strong><br /> <br /> The View's Joy Behar makes a nice living by saying the most outrageous things that pop into her undersized brain. <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2018/01/03/joy-behar-trump-needs-to-be-medicated-and-hospitalized-or-hes-going-to-kill-all-of-us/">Yesterday she gave her expert medical opinion</a> that President Trump needs to be "medicated and hospitalized at this point or he is just going to kill us all."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Speaking of Shrinks</em></strong><br /> <br /> Professor of Psychiatry Bandy X. Lee has become the go-to shrink that Trump-haters love to cite. It <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/367362-lawmakers-briefed-by-yale-psychiatrist-on-trumps-mental-health-report">turns out that she paid a visit to Capitol Hill last month</a>, where she warned a group of lawmakers that the president "is going to unravel." Evidently the esteemed Dr. Lee is unfamiliar with the "Goldwater Rule," which was enacted by the American Psychiatric Association after scores of shrinks questioned the sanity of Republican presidential candidate Barry Goldwater. According to that edict, it is unethical and irresponsible for a mental health professional to diagnose a person they have never met.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Washington State Sues Motel Chain</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/washington-state-ag-sues-motel-6-over-giving-ice-info-on-9000-guests/">Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson</a>, who is making a name for himself by fighting federal immigration authorities, is not going be staying at a Motel 6 in the near future. Ferguson has sued the bargain chain because it provided U.S. immigration officials with information on more than 9,000 guests. Some of the guests were determined to be illegal immigrants and were arrested.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Socialite, Heiress, Jew-Hater</em></strong><br /> <br /> 29-year-old Jacqueline Kent Cooke, millionaire daughter of former Washington Redskins owner Jack Kent Cooke, <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/jacqueline-kent-cooke-accused-smacking-lawyer-calling-jew-article-1.3735876">was arrested and charged with assault yesterday</a>. The tiff began on New Year's Eve when Cooke allegedly hurled an anti-Jewish slur at a woman, after which she bashed 52-year-old Matthew Haberkorn in the head with her pricey glass purse. Haberkorn wound up with a minor injury, while Cooke's reputation has been scarred forever.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Oh, Those Crazy College Kids</em></strong><br /> <br /> American college students, especially at elite schools, keep searching for new ways to be offended. <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10319">Campus Reform has compiled a list</a> of some of the things that deeply wounded students' delicate sensitivities over the past year. It's very likely that you'll find that the things that offend college students are the very things many of you admire and cherish.<br /> </p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-01-04T15:14:00ZTrump Tweaks "Rocket Man"; The Deep Freeze, The Worst Is Yet To ComeBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Tweaks-Rocket-Man;-The-Deep-Freeze-The-Worst-Is-Yet-To-Come/-102931066064386856.html2018-01-03T14:52:00Z2018-01-03T14:52:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Wednesday, January 3, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</p>
<p><strong><em><br />USA to Iran: Let Freedom Ring</em></strong></p>
<p><br /> The Trump administration is criticizing Iran for responding to the recent protests by shutting down Instagram and other social media platforms. <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/iran-social-media-unblock-trump-instagram-twitter-768393">The president's critics, always quick to pounce, point out that he has blocked people from accessing his own personal Twitter account</a>, somehow finding equivalence between that and a blockade put in place by an entire nation.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Leon Panetta Criticizes Former Boss Obama<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta now concedes that the Obama administration <a href="http://www.whitehousedossier.com/2018/01/03/panetta-joined-criticism-obamas-failure-irans-green-revolution/">could have and should have done much more to support the 2009 uprising in Iran</a>. "That was an appropriate time," he said, "for the United States to have sent a clearer message." Many of Obama's critics claim he abandoned the protesters so that he could eventually push through the nuclear deal that was so important to him.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Trump Tweaks "Rocket Man"</em></strong><br /> <br /> After Kim Jong Un boasted about the nuclear button on his desk, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/02/trump-tells-king-jong-un-his-nuclear-button-is-larger-more-powerful.html">President Trump reminded the North Korean leader</a> that he also has a "nuclear button," one that is "much bigger & more powerful." The tweet instantly transformed some media analysts into armchair psychiatrists who were eager to find ominous psycho-sexual meaning in the message.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/geNTdAtPce8" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Meanwhile, North-South Détente a Possibility</em></strong><br /> <br /> North and South Korea, while technically still at war, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/nkorea-skorea-hotline-trump/2018/01/03/id/834802/">have spoken for the first time in two years</a>. With the Winter Olympics coming up next month in Pyeongchang, South Korea, the North has hinted that it may actually send a delegation to the games. The next step in the process is an in-person meeting between North and South that could take place as early as next week.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Deep Freeze, The Worst Is Yet To Come</em></strong><br /> <br /> Much of the nation remains locked in the astounding cold wave that has led to widespread misery and even death. <a href="http://www.ktvz.com/weather/millions-face-monster-storm-moving-up-the-east-coast/680798341">Meteorologists are now warning of a powerful storm</a> and something called "bombogenesis," which can lead to hurricane-force winds up and down the east coast. The end is not yet in sight.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Hammers Huma</em></strong><br /> <br /> When he wasn't feuding with Kim Jong Un via Twitter yesterday, President Trump went after Hillary Clinton <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/02/jail-trump-slams-crooked-hillary-aide-huma-calls-on-deep-state-doj-to-act.html">and her long-time aide Huma Abedin</a>. He alleges that Abedin's handling of classified information was beyond reckless and implied that she should be behind bars. Also, Republicans on some Congressional committees <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/367141-congressional-investigators-find-irregularities-in-fbis-handling-of">say they have new evidence that Mrs. Clinton broke laws</a> when they funneled classified information through her private server.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Lawyers Met With Mueller Investigators</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/367170-trump-lawyers-met-with-muellers-team-in-december-report">Just before Christmas a team of Donald Trump's lawyers met with special counsel Robert Mueller's investigators. </a> The president's legal wizards were reportedly on a mission to find out more about the investigation and how long it may endure. The Mueller team has interviewed all relevant White House officials and could produce a report in a matter of months.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Ignorance of the Law is no Excuse</em></strong><br /> <br /> States across the USA have a rash of new laws that involve pot, big cats, guns, and many more issues. One interesting law is in Illinois, where pets will be treated more like children in divorce proceedings. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/367102-new-state-laws-marijuana-big-cats-and-an-obama-holiday">The Hill has a partial rundown of that laws</a> that went into effect when 2017 turned into 2018.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Southwest Airlines Joins the Bonus Parade</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/finance/367139-southwest-announces-plan-to-give-1000-bonuses-to-employees">Southwest employees will find a little something extra in their pay envelopes next week</a>. The airline's CEO Gary Kelley, praising the new tax law, says his firm will give a $1,000 bonus to all full-time and part-time workers. He also vowed to reinvest in the business and purchase more aircraft from Boeing.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mitt Drops a Big Hint</em></strong><br /> <br /> Now that Senator Orrin Hatch has announced his retirement, <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/367135-romney-changes-his-twitter-location-to-utah">the coast is clear for Mitt Romney to take his seat</a>. He would of course have to win a primary and the general election, but Romney is extremely popular in the state. For those reading the proverbial tea leaves, Romney just changed his Twitter location from Massachusetts to Holladay, Utah. The man's hat is in the ring, although anyone with his hair probably doesn't own a hat.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-01-03T14:52:00ZTrump Denounces Pakistan; California's Progressive Two-FerBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Denounces-Pakistan;-Californias-Progressive-Two-Fer/-718404457635271614.html2018-01-02T14:28:00Z2018-01-02T14:28:00Z<p>Here is the Daily Briefing for Tuesday, January 2, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</p>
<p><br /> <strong><em><strong><em>Iran Protests Escalate<br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong><em><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/01/02/iran-leader-accuses-enemies-meddling-as-unrest-death-toll-mounts.html">At least 20 people have already been killed in the ongoing Iran uprisings that began Thursday</a></em><em>. There have also been hundreds of arrests, and a leading judge is warning that some demonstrators might face the death penalty. Iran's leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei blamed the violence on unidentified "enemies" of Iran. <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/947810806430826496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.com%2Fentry%2Fdonald-trump-iran-pakistan_us_5a4a49f4e4b06d1621b9fc41">President Trump is actively supporting the protesters</a></em><em> and "the great Iranian people."</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Denounces Pakistan</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>In his first tweet of 2018, </em><em><a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42536209">President Trump let loose on Pakistan and its "lies & deceit."</a> The Pakistan government, in turn, disputed the president's claims and contended that it doesn't really need financial aid from the USA.</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dems Get 49<sup>th</sup> Senate Seat Tomorrow</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>Doug Jones, who defeated Roy Moore in that contentious Alabama special election, </em><em><a href="http://en.brinkwire.com/62885/doug-jones-to-be-sworn-into-senate-seat-wednesday-on-family-bible/">will be sworn in tomorrow by Vice President Pence</a>. Including the two independent Senators who caucus with the Democrats, the party will now be able to count on 49 votes. The Republicans' four-seat advantage has been cut in half.</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <strong><em><br /> California's Progressive Two-Fer</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/02/with-new-year-california-becomes-sanctuary-state.html">California is now a "sanctuary state" in which police will be forbidden from asking</a></em><em> about an individual's immigration status. Not everyone in the state is thrilled with the idea, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/02/prank-california-highway-signs-welcome-felons-illegal-immigrants-and-ms-13.html">and some opponents have been putting up signs mocking the policy</a>. The state has also <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Customers-line-up-for-first-legal-purchase-of-12466242.php">legalized the recreational use of marijuana</a></em><em>, which had been reserved for Californians with medical conditions.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Baltimore's Murderous 2017</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em><a href="https://nypost.com/2018/01/02/baltimore-breaks-city-record-for-homicides-per-capita/">Last year the city of Baltimore set a bloody new record with a per-capita murder rate of 56 per 100,000 people.</a></em><em> By comparison, that is more than double the murder rate in Chicago, which is frequently cited as America's most dangerous city. Many Baltimore residents complain that cops have been reluctant to police the worst neighborhoods after the Freddie Gray incident and the widespread demonization of police officers.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Rationalizes Tweets</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>President Trump is frequently criticized for his "un-presidential" use of social media outlets, especially his go-to Twitter. </em><em><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/donald-trump-social-media-twitter-unfair-press/2017/12/30/id/834423/">He now asserts that Twitter is his single most valuable weapon</a></em><em> in the fight against what he labels "a VERY dishonest and unfair 'press.'" In other words, expect the flurry of tweets to continue in the new year.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Russian Ships Accused of Fueling North Korea</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>In what would be a violation of international sanctions against North Korea, </em><em><a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/29/report-russia-sneaked-oil-to-north-korea-on-multiple-occasions-in-recent-months/">at least three Russian vessels are suspected of transferring oil to North Korean ships</a></em><em>. According to sources familiar with the illegal transfers, there is no evidence that the Russian government or President Putin were aware of the deals.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sir Ringo!</em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><br /></em><em> <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-5222629/Sir-Ringo-Starr-jets-LA-knighted.html">Richard Starkey, better known as Ringo Starr</a>, has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth, a tribute to his role in the world's most famed band. Sir Ringo, who was not even the Beatles original drummer, has also been enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>"White Genocide" Professor Praised by University<br /> <br /> </em></strong></em></strong><em>George Ciccariello-Maher, who seems determined to be America's looniest professor, has resigned from his position at Drexel University. You may remember that he wished for "white genocide" and blamed the Las Vegas killings on white supremacy. Nevertheless, </em><em><a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/29/drexel-university-lauds-professor-who-wished-for-white-genocide/">Drexel released a statement saying that it "recognizes the significant scholarly contributions</a> that Professor Ciccariello-Maher has made to the field of political thought." The school perhaps will eventually identify one or two of those significant "contributions."</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>New Year's Resolution: "Kill All Men."</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>Emily McCombs, who labors as an editor at the far-left HuffPost, </em><em><a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/29/huffington-post-editor-reveals-new-years-resolution-kill-all-men/">has revealed her very short list of resolutions for 2018.</a> She is determined to cultivate friendships with other women and to "kill all men." Those female friendships will be especially valuable when there are no more males to be found.</em></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2018-01-02T14:28:00ZProtests and Violence in Iran; The Incredible Shrinking Federal GovernmentBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Protests-and-Violence-in-Iran;-The-Incredible-Shrinking-Federal-Government/923443256583353607.html2017-12-31T13:19:00Z2017-12-31T13:19:00Z<p>Happy New Year! Here is the Daily Briefing for Sunday, December 31, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</p>
<p><br /> <strong><em>Protests, Violence in Iran<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Thousands of <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-rallies/iran-said-protesters-should-pay-a-high-price-if-they-break-the-law-idUSKBN1EP064">Iranians have taken to the streets over the past three days</a>, protesting government corruption, economic woes, and the repressive theocracy. At least two of the demonstrators have been shot dead. President Trump has warned the mullahs that "the world is watching," while Iranian officials vow that the dissenters <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42525889">will pay a steep price for their lawlessness</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>South Korea Captures Ship</em></strong><br /> <br /> The South Korean military <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-southkorea-ship/south-korea-seizes-second-ship-suspected-of-providing-oil-to-north-korea-idUSKBN1EP04P">has seized a ship that was suspected of sending oil to North Korea</a>. That would be a violation of international sanctions that were recently imposed by the United Nations Security Council. This is the second vessel impounded by South Korea in recent weeks.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mike Pence Mocked by Neighbors</em></strong><br /> <br /> Vice President Pence, spending his winter vacation in Colorado, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/366857-pences-vacation-neighbors-post-make-america-gay-again-sign">got an unwelcome surprise this week</a>. His neighbors hung a sign saying, "make America gay again." Pence is very conservative socially and an opponent of same-sex marriage.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Astounding Cold Weather Turns Deadly</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/brutally-cold-dangerous-wind-chills-tap-years-eve/story?id=52068136">The blast of Arctic air is still doing its damage across many parts of the nation</a>. In Minnesota alone, there have been at least 1,000 car crashes on icy roads. Many cities, including St. Louis, have canceled traditional holiday events. The bitter cold is expected to continue into New Year's Day and beyond.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Gives Stop Signal to Train Project</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Obama administration was helping to fund a massive train tunnel project that would connect New Jersey and New York City. Under that original plan, the feds were to pay half the cost of the $13-billion tunnel. But the Trump administration, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/31/trump-pulls-brakes-on-13b-obama-backed-rail-tunnel-plan.html">arguing that most of the riders will be local commuters</a>, has put a halt to the funding.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Hits Amazon, USPS</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-war-against-amazon-usps-postal-service-2017-12">President Trump is again criticizing Amazon</a>, which gets very favorable shipping rates from the US Postal Service. USPS lost $5.6-billion last year and reportedly loses money every time it delivers an Amazon package to the customer's doorstep. Of course, this also gives the president another opportunity to take a shot at Amazon boss Jeff Bezos, who owns the Washington Post.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Death After "Swatting" Incident</em></strong><br /> <br /> You may not have heard of something called "swatting," which involves computer hackers and false crime reports. <a href="http://www.kansas.com/news/local/crime/article192147194.html">The prank recently turned deadly when police responded to fake call in Wichita, Kansas</a>. According to the bogus call, a man had shot his father and was holding other family members hostage. When police arrived, they opened fire on 28-year-old Andrew Finch, the father of two young children.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Incredible Shrinking Federal Government</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/how-the-trump-era-is-changing-the-federal-bureaucracy/2017/12/30/8d5149c6-daa7-11e7-b859-fb0995360725_story.html?utm_term=.f3a3e076f774">President Trump promised to reduce the size of the federal government</a>, and he is following through. Most Cabinet departments have fewer employees now than they did on Inauguration Day. The administration has told federal agencies to look for new ways to make even deeper cuts soon. During the campaign, Donald Trump vowed that he would "cut so much your head will spin." And right now there are a few spinning heads in the bureaucracy.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>MSNBC, From Bad to Worst</em></strong><br /> <br /> You almost have to feel sorry for the folks at the Washington Free Beacon, <a href="http://freebeacon.com/politics/worst-msnbc-2017/">who assemble a "worst of MSNBC" at the end of each year</a>. They had so much rich material to choose from, including an analyst who challenged President Trump to a fistfight and a host who laughed at Senator Rand Paul's broken ribs.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-12-31T13:19:00ZTrump: Mueller Will Be Fair; More Christians Slaughtered in EgyptBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump:-Mueller-Will-Be-Fair;-More-Christians-Slaughtered-in-Egypt/889106812173267006.html2017-12-29T13:47:00Z2017-12-29T13:47:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, December 29, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></em></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump: Mueller Will Be Fair</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/366743-trump-i-think-mueller-will-treat-me-fairly">In an impromptu interview with the New York Times</a> in Florida, President Trump expressed confidence that he will be treated fairly by special counsel Robert Mueller. The president also reiterated that there was absolutely no collusion with Russia, and he again urged Mueller to wrap up the investigation as soon as possible.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Congressman Accuses DOJ, FBI of Stonewalling</em></strong><br /> <br /> Republican Devin Nunes, chair of the House Intelligence Committee, apparently doesn't share President Trump's confidence in the investigation. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/28/nunes-blasts-doj-fbi-for-failure-to-produce-records-relating-to-anti-trump-dossier.html">Nunes grouses that he and his committee have been victims of stonewalling</a>. Specifically, he has been demanding documents regarding that infamous and discredited "dossier," but the FBI and DOJ have been less than fully cooperative. Chairman Nunes wrote a scathing letter to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, in which he suggested that "the DOJ and FBI need to be investigating themselves."<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> More Christians Slaughtered in Egypt</em></strong><br /> <br /> Islamic terrorists in Egypt have been targeting Coptic Christians, who make up about 10% of the nation's population. <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42511813">The latest carnage took place today</a> when gunmen opened fire on a church and a shop, killing at least a dozen people. It appears that one of the attackers was wearing a suicide belt and had hoped to kill even more Copts. The government seems helpless to stop the madness.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Justice Delayed for Justine Damond</em></strong><br /> <br /> It's been nearly six months since Australian Justine Damond was shot dead by a Somali immigrant police officer in Minnesota. Prosecutors had vowed that they would make a decision as to whether to charge Mohamed Noor by the end of the year. <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-42508565">But now the country prosecutor says the investigation will stretch into the new year</a>, adding even more insult and frustration to Damond's family and fiancée.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Accuses China of Perfidy</em></strong><br /> <br /> China is strenuously denying accusations that <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/29/after-trump-criticism-china-says-no-illicit-oil-sales-to-north-korea.html">it has been violating sanctions by selling oil to North Korea</a>. President Trump, using capital letters for emphasis, tweeted that China had been "caught RED HANDED" and that he was "very disappointed." Chinese officials almost immediately disputed that claim, which was apparently based on intelligence gathered by U.S. spy satellites.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Newt Predicts GOP Landslide</em></strong><br /> <br /> While most political analysts are certain that the Democratic Party will gain seats in The House next year, former Speaker Newt Gingrich is <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/28/newt-gingrich-the-stage-is-being-set-for-gop-lands/">just as sure that 2018 will be a banner year for his GOP</a>. He theorizes that voters will rebel against "fake news" and the elite media, and that Democrats will pay a big price for unanimously voting against giving tax cuts to working Americans.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>As Country's Jimmy Rodgers Sang, "It's Over" for Roy Moore</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/366716-moore-refuses-to-concede-after-jones-declared-winner">Alabama Democrat Doug Jones will be sworn in as senator next week.</a> The Republican he vanquished, Roy Moore, was turned down yesterday when he filed a last-ditch lawsuit alleging voter fraud. With that lawsuit tossed, the coast was clear for Jones' victory to be certified. Moore has not conceded and possibly never will.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Huma's Cuz Convicted of Fraud</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/12/29/huma-abedins-cousin-convicted-in-fraud-case-involving-fake-emails.html">Huma Abedin's closest cousin has been convicted of fraud.</a> Omar Amanat and an accomplice were found guilty of cheating shareholders in a tech company. The father of six faces the possibility of perhaps ten years in prison. Abedin's former husband Anthony Weiner is also behind bars for sending explicit messages to a 15-year-old girl.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>President Mocks Vanity Fair</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2017/12/28/media/vanity-fair-hillary-clinton-donald-trump/index.html">President Trump is continuing his ongoing feud with Vanity Fair</a>, the glossy magazine of the chattering classes. Vanity Fair is falling all over itself to apologize for gently poking fun at Hillary Clinton. Apparently the readers will brook absolutely no criticism of the woman they consider the legitimate president. <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/946401576381505536">President Trump is obviously deriving great glee</a> as he observes Vanity Fair's begging for forgiveness from its left-wing audience.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Website's Condescending Advice to White People</em></strong><br /> <br /> Click-hungry BuzzFeed has published a piece that delineates <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/12/28/buzzfeed-slammed-for-bigoted-piece-filth-article-claiming-white-people-ruin-america.html">all the things white people do to ruin just about everything they touch</a>. The site came up with exactly 37 things that white folks are spoiling, although they could have gone for 50 if they really tried. Maybe some white person ruined the list as well.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Approval Rating Equals Obama's</em></strong><br /> <br /> While other polls have President Trump's approval rating in the mid-30s, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/366732-trump-touts-rasmussen-poll-showing-his-approval-rating-at-46-percent">Rasmussen has generally been far friendlier to the president</a>. Its latest poll puts the president's approval at 46%, which is up six points in just the past two weeks. Trump fans will of course note that President Obama had roughly the same approval rating at this point in his first administration.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Probation for Tim Kaine's Radical Son</em></strong><br /> <br /> Linwood "Woody" Kaine, whose father Tim Kaine was Hillary Clinton's running mate, <a href="http://www.richmond.com/news/virginia/government-politics/woody-kaine-son-of-sen-tim-kaine-gets-probation-fine/article_ddf24b77-1bdc-542a-840b-8c9721e080ba.html">has been fined and sentenced to probation for resisting arrest</a>. The younger Kaine was among a mob of protesters that interfered with a pro-Trump rally in Minnesota.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN's New Obsession<br /> </em></strong><br /> Remember when CNN spent months talking about the missing Malaysian jetliner? Well, the moribund network's <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/cnns-quest-for-truth-behind-truck-blocking-view-of-trump-golf-course-stretches-into-second-day/article/2644546">latest obsession is a white truck that blocked its view of President Trump playing golf this week</a>. CNN used the truck as another excuse to bash the president of the United States. There also seems something racist about picking on a white truck when there are so many other trucks of color.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3zwPzS2M9OA?rel=0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Unbearable Whiteness of Farmers' Markets</em></strong><br /> <br /> Two professors at San Diego State University are <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10306">denouncing the "whiteness of farmers' markets."</a> According to the esteemed duo, the markets are typically found in white neighborhoods and cater to upscale clientele. The website Campus Reform tried to reach the professors, but both were hiding under their fruit stands.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>History's Worst First Date<br /> </em></strong><br /> Think you've had a terrible first date? It probably doesn't compare with <a href="http://www.star-telegram.com/news/nation-world/national/article191888549.html">the hell endured by Texas attorney Anthony Buzbee</a>, who shared an unforgettable evening with Lindy Lou Layman. She simply refused to leave his home and demolished some of Buzbee's valuable paintings and sculptures. The damage was estimated at $300,000 and there has been absolutely no talk of a second date.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-12-29T13:47:00ZTerror Bomb Kills Dozens in Kabul; Trump Lawyers Prepare to Hammer FlynnBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Terror-Bomb-Kills-Dozens-in-Kabul;-Trump-Lawyers-Prepare-to-Hammer-Flynn/-588320734573954893.html2017-12-28T14:30:00Z2017-12-28T14:30:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Thursday, December 28, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></em></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Lawyers Prepare to Hammer Flynn</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn has pleaded guilty to lying and is apparently cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-legal-team-readies-attack-on-flynns-credibility/2017/12/27/bc601324-ea78-11e7-b698-91d4e35920a3_story.html?utm_term=.8455cbc61516">According to the Washington Post</a>, which spoke with some anonymous Trump insiders, the president's attorneys are now getting ready to cast doubts on Flynn's integrity and veracity.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Congressman Demands End to "Witch Hunt"</em></strong><br /> <br /> Republican Andy Biggs of Arizona, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2017/12/26/mueller-end-witch-hunt-andy-biggs-editorials-debates/108932714/">has penned an op-ed in which he accuses Robert Mueller</a> of overseeing a deeply flawed investigation. Biggs says Mueller is on an anti-Trump crusade and should resign, warning that "the credibility of the American justice system" is at stake.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Touts ISIS Success</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump hasn't received much credit in the mainstream media for vanquishing the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/946201376652169220">so of course he's taking to Twitter to document recent successes</a>. ISIS has lost about 98% of the territory it once controlled in those two nations and its dreams of a caliphate have been demolished. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Evil-Vanquished-Media-Yawns/-185804802562483178.html">This week's staff column compares Trump's fight against ISIS</a> with Ronald Reagan's confrontation with the Soviet Union. The media hated both presidents and were very reluctant to give them any credit for defeating evil.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Terror Bomb Kills Dozens in Kabul</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Islamic State, even as it is being routed in Syria and Iraq, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/12/28/islamic-state-claims-responsibility-for-deadly-attacks-in-kabul.html?">is still very capable of spreading death and carnage</a> around the world. The terror group says it is behind today's suicide attack in Afghanistan that killed at least 41 people. ISIS, whose fighters adhere to the Sunni branch of Islam, targeted a cultural center populated by Shiite Muslims.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Roy Moore … He's Baaaaccck</em></strong><br /> <br /> Just when you thought the Alabama senate race was finally over, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/roy-moore-alleges-voter-fraud-files-challenge-election-defeat-n833041">Republican Roy Moore is petitioning to delay the final certification</a>. The results were supposed to be certified today and winner Doug Jones was expected to be sworn in next week, but Moore is claiming "potential election fraud." Moore is relying on a questionable analysis put forth by a conspiracy-minded mathematician who has no known ties to Russia.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>So is Howard Dean!</em></strong><br /> <br /> Former Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean has made a very nice living by saying some truly outrageous things. After the first presidential debate last year, Dean theorized that Donald Trump was a cocaine user. Nevertheless, the unhinged and very bitter <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/366550-howard-dean-trump-is-running-a-criminal-enterprise-out-of-the-white">Dean is still a welcome guest on MSNBC</a>, where yesterday he accused President Trump of running a "criminal enterprise out of the White House." Dean added that the president and his staff are "shaking down foreign governments" in order to line the president's pockets.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Barack Who?</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump has overturned many executive actions put in place by his predecessor. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/27/how-trump-is-rolling-back-obamas-legacy.html">Fox News has compiled a comprehensive list of areas</a>, among them health care, trade, and immigration, in which President Obama's initiatives have been rolled back or eliminated. President Obama, who often chose executive fiat over legislation, obviously expected that a Democratic successor would keep his actions in place.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Shocker: Media Hate Trump</em></strong><br /> <br /> In today's "dog bites man" story, the Pew Research Center has determined that the <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/pew-trump-media-three-times-more-negative-than-for-obama-just-5-percent-positive/article/2644448">media are far more negative toward President Trump than his predecessors</a>. Even in the earliest days of the Trump administration, more than 60% of the coverage was deemed negative, while just 5% qualified as positive. By comparison, positive coverage of President Obama was eight times more frequent. What media bias?<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>All Hail Queen Sheila Jackson Lee</em></strong><br /> <br /> Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee has long been known to be one of the nastiest and most entitled politicians in Washington. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5216023/Rep-United-flight-fight-history-bad-behavior.html">The Daily Mail today documents a few of Queen Sheila's</a> most egregious episodes of boorish behavior. But if you read the article, you are most likely a racist.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Anti-Republican Republican</em></strong><br /> <br /> Whenever a cable network needs a Republican to denounce his own party, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/republican-lawyer-says-trump-allies-act-like-dictators-fbi-attacks-2017-12">Richard Painter is standing by and camera-ready</a>. Painter, a lawyer in the Bush administration, accuses many of his GOP colleagues of "acting like dictators." This week he took aim at Congressman Francis Rooney, who has argued that Trump-loathing agents should be "purged" from the FBI and DOJ.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Evangelist Denounces Rosie O'Donnell</em></strong><br /> <br /> One day after Rosie O'Donnell informed Speaker Paul Ryan that he was destined for eternal damnation in the fires of hell, <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/26/franklin-graham-rosie-odonnell-you-dont-have-keys-/">Rev. Franklin Graham entered the fray</a>. He reminded O'Donnell that she does not have "the keys to hell" and offered this pithy advice: "Clean up your mouth." Rosie O has been on a Twitter rampage in recent weeks and shows no signs of slowing down.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Rage Against The Machines!</em></strong><br /> <br /> The World Health Organization is apparently on the verge of <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/12/28/gaming-addiction-set-recognised-mental-health-disorder/">declaring that obsessive video gaming is a genuine mental illness</a>. WHO describes "gaming disorder" as the constant need to be immersed in games, even when it means ignoring friends and family and all other personal interactions. A health official warned that excessive reliance on the machines can lead to serious health problems.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Christmas Gift of a Lifetime</em></strong><br /> <br /> 21-year-old baseball star Pavin Smith recently received a $5-million bonus when he signed a contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. <a href="https://pilotonline.com/sports/college/university-virginia/article_aa0fea56-fa22-554f-87c8-738cfe16913e.html">The first baseman used part of his newfound wealth to pay off his parents' mortgage</a> on their Florida home. His gift and his deeply touching letter of gratitude were obviously the greatest gift Tim and Pam Smith will ever receive.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AQF5sy1zoW0?rel=0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Today's College Funnies: "The Problem of Whiteness"<br /> </em></strong><br /> The University of Wisconsin, with the generous help of state taxpayers, <a href="https://www.thecollegefix.com/post/40421/">is bringing back a course called "The Problem of Whiteness."</a> This has nothing to do with snowy Wisconsin winters, but is a thinly-veiled indictment of pale skin and "white supremacy." Some lawmakers had urged the university to cancel the racially-charged class, but school officials evidently decided it is a worthwhile addition to the curriculum. The professor, a white fella named Damon Sajnani, is also a rapper who goes by the stage name Professor D. The moniker is derived from his first name and has nothing to do with his grading tendencies.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-12-28T14:30:00ZISIS Reduced to Rubble; "Trump Station" ... in Jerusalem!BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/ISIS-Reduced-to-Rubble;-Trump-Station-...-in-Jerusalem!/563495021700006078.html2017-12-27T15:33:00Z2017-12-27T15:33:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Wednesday, December 27, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></em></p>
<p><strong><em>ISIS Reduced to Rubble</em></strong><br /> <br /> The once-fearsome Islamic State caliphate is a mere shadow of its former self, having lost nearly all its territory in Syria and Iraq. The fight against ISIS is <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/26/isis-has-lost-98-percent-its-territory-mostly-since-trump-took-office-officials-say.html">now being overtaken by a political battle over who deserves the credit</a>. Was ISIS destined to fall, as Obama administration officials insist? Or did President Trump change the rules of engagement and thus hasten ISIS' defeat. The answer probably depends on your political leanings.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>President Hammered for Anti-FBI Tweets</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump spent part of the holiday weekend criticizing FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, who may be retiring next year. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/366555-former-bush-ethics-lawyer-trumps-mccabe-tweet-a-very-stupid-thing-for">This morning former White House attorney and ethics expert Richard Painter criticized the tweets as "stupid."</a> Painter theorizes that some of the president's more reckless tweets could eventually land him in serious legal trouble.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>"Trump Station" … in Jerusalem!</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/27/future-train-station-at-western-wall-could-be-named-after-trump.html">Israel is considering naming a new train station in honor of President Trump</a>. The proposed station will be part of a train line that will carry millions of tourists to the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City. A senior Israeli official lauded the president for his "courageous and historic decision" to officially recognize Jerusalem as the nation's capital. This is welcome news for all those who long ago boarded the Trump Train.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Newsweek's Fake Slander of Melania</em></strong><br /> <br /> Newsweek magazine, the online publication which is not worth the ink on which it is no longer printed, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/us/melania-trump-fake-news-newsweek-white-house/2017/12/26/id/833830/">blamed Melania Trump for ordering the removal of the 200-year-old Jackson magnolia tree outside the White House</a>. In fact, tree surgeons determined that the historic tree was too decayed to remain where it is. Newsweek updated its original story but never apologized for falsely accusing the First Lady.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Congressman Calls for FBI "Purge"</em></strong><br /> <br /> Congressman Francis Rooney, a Republican from Florida, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/francis-rooney-calls-for-fbi-purge-2017-12">wants the FBI to oust agents and officials who obviously harbor deep political biases</a>. He was responding to emails and texts demonstrating that some FBI and DOJ officials despised Donald Trump and actively cheered for Hillary Clinton during last year's campaign. The MSNBC host's reaction to Rooney's suggestion is priceless:<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oHvuyMR_iwA?rel=0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>2018 Resolutions for Hillary Clinton</em></strong><br /> <br /> Vanity Fair, a favorite magazine of the chattering classes, has caused an uproar with a video that suggests a half-dozen New Year's resolutions for Hillary Clinton. Many left-wingers were deeply insulted by the video, with one calling it "sexist and gross." It was as if Vanity Fair had taken cheap shots at a religious figure. <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/vanity-fair-hillary-clinton-new-years-resolution_us_5a430a1fe4b06d1621b5d100">Come for the video, stay for the comments</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Huckabee: Trump = Churchill</em></strong><br /> <br /> Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, after watching the movie "Darkest Hour," has determined that <a href="https://twitter.com/GovMikeHuckabee/status/945739713138315264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fijr.com%2F">President Trump in many ways resembles the great wartime British Prime Minister Winston Churchill</a>. Huckabee can be fairly accused of bias, of course, given that his daughter's job is to defend President Trump and his policies.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>De Blasio: De Blasio = Gandhi</em></strong><br /> <br /> New York City's left-wing Mayor Bill de Blasio, never a shrinking violet, <a href="http://theweek.com/speedreads/745293/bill-de-blasio-likens-himself-thomas-edison-henry-ford-mahatma-gandhi">is now comparing himself to Gandhi, Edison, and Henry Ford</a>. The mayor' immodest comments came during an interview with Politico, which published a piece questioning why <a href="https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/12/26/off-message-bill-de-blasio-216168">so many of his fellow progressives Democrats despise de Blasio</a>. Maybe they should start with his self-aggrandizing and odious comparisons.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Gov. Brown Pardons Illegal Alien Criminals</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/california/articles/2017-12-23/california-governor-commutes-killers-sentence">California Governor Jerry Brown continues to defy the Trump administration</a> and federal immigration authorities at every turn. Brown has now granted clemency to about 150 illegal immigrants who were jailed for various crimes. Among the beneficiaries are two Cambodian men who were about to be returned to their homeland.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sheila Jackson Lee: Abusing Flight Attendants for Decades!</em></strong><br /> <br /> Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, frequently cited as one of Capitol Hill's "bosses from hell," is tough on more than just her office staff. <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/rep-sheila-jackson-lee-terror-of-the-skies-since-1995/article/2644383">The Washington Examiner has scrutinized Lee's reputation</a> for demeaning airline employees and expecting royal treatment when she travels between Washington and her district in Texas. The most recent example came when a woman was forced to give up her first class seat in order to make room for the congresswoman. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/sheila-jackson-lee-united-airlines-seating-controversy-twitter/2017/12/26/id/833806/">The notoriously nasty Lee insists, of course, that she is being criticized because of her race.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Elite College "Queers" the Bible<br /> </em></strong><br /> Swarthmore College, founded by Philadelphia Quakers during the Civil War, is offering a cutting edge new class that presents "queer and trans readings of biblical texts." <a href="https://www.thecollegefix.com/post/40306/">The invaluable College Fix</a>, which reports on campus craziness, tried to reach Swarthmore officials, but they were hiding under their oak desks. <a href="http://catalog.swarthmore.edu/preview_course_nopop.php?catoid=7&coid=44705">This is the course description</a>, which can be understood only by those who are fluent in a certain dialect that is spoken at elite universities.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Man Punches Out ATM<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/florida-man-accused-of-attacking-atm-for-dispensing-too-much-cash/">A 23-year-old Florida man delivered a beat down to a helpless Wells Fargo ATM</a> after it dispensed the wrong amount of cash. Michael Oleksik wasn't shortchanged by the automated teller, but in fact was given too much money. He responded by punching the math-challenged ATM, causing more than $5,000 worth of damage. The ATM, after it recovers, may wish to take out a restraining order on Oleksik.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-12-27T15:33:00ZUSA Cuts United Nations Funding; Trump Tweets on Health CareBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/USA-Cuts-United-Nations-Funding;-Trump-Tweets-on-Health-Care/-527836750922553122.html2017-12-26T15:07:00Z2017-12-26T15:07:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Tuesday, December 26, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></em></p>
<p><strong><em>USA Cuts United Nations Funding</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Trump administration is <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-united-nations-budget-cut-20171225-story.html">reportedly reducing the USA's contribution to the United Nations by $285-million</a>. This move comes after the UN overwhelmingly voted to denounce President Trump's decision to move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The United States is by far the UN's most generous sugar daddy, providing more than 20% of the organization's funding.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Russia Offers to Calm the Korean Waters</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/12/25/573355400/latest-u-n-sanctions-are-an-act-of-war-north-korea-says">North Korea upped the rhetorical ante over the weekend</a>, calling the latest United Nations sanctions an "act of war" that threatens the stability of the region. The North Koreans went on to accuse the United States of "nuclear threats, blackmail, and hostile moves." <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/366458-russia-willing-to-mediate-us-north-korea-talks-report">Enter Russia, which says it will gladly broker peace talks between the Trump administration and Kim Jong Un's regime</a>. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made the offer on Christmas Day.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Tweets on Health Care</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.elitedaily.com/p/trumps-tweet-about-a-new-health-care-plan-says-democrats-republicans-will-come-together-7685985">President Trump sent out a somewhat cryptic message this morning</a>, predicting that both parties will "eventually come together" to create a new health care bill. While the president was short on health care specifics, he lauded the fact that the just-passed tax cut bill eliminates the individual mandate that forced millions of Americans to purchase health insurance.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Chain Migration & Terror</em></strong><br /> <br /> An immigrant named Ahmed El-Mofty was <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">killed in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Friday</a> after he opened fire on uniformed police officers. The Egyptian native shot and injured a state trooper and then took aim at several other cops before he was shot dead. <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/366350-dhs-labels-pennsylvania-shooting-a-terror-attack">The deceased terrorist was admitted into the United States via the very controversial "chain migration" policy</a> that President Trump has vowed to eliminate.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Utah Paper to Sen. Hatch: Time to Go!</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Salt Lake Tribune, the largest and most influential newspaper in Utah, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/366449-utah-paper-tells-hatch-to-call-it-a-career-in-blistering-editorial">has absolutely hammered Orrin Hatch, the state's senior senator.</a> The Tribune concludes that the mild-mannered Hatch has an "utter lack of integrity" and an "unquenchable thirst for power." There has been speculation that Mitt Romney could replace the 83-year-old Hatch, who is up for reelection next year.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Left-Wingers Man the Ramparts</em></strong><br /> <br /> There are absolutely no indications that President Trump is about to fire special counsel Robert Mueller. In fact, the president himself has denied that he will do so. Nevertheless, <a href="http://www.courier-tribune.com/news/20171225/protesters-ready-if-trump-fires-mueller">dozens of progressive groups are on standby and prepared to protest</a> the very moment that happens. The signs have been printed, the tee shirts have been handed out, the bullhorns are fully charged, and the protesters are ready and eager to hit the streets.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>More Employers Spread the Wealth</em></strong><br /> <br /> It's been less than a week since President Trump signed the tax reform bill into law, but many American workers are already reaping the benefits. <a href="http://www.wnd.com/2017/12/the-big-list-of-tax-cut-payoffs/">At least 18 companies, including some of the country's largest</a>, have handed out bonuses or raised wages. For those recipients, tax reform has not quite been the 'Armageddon' Nancy Pelosi predicted.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zt0yPKVQ0po?rel=0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Left-Wing MSNBC Analyst Moves to CNN</em></strong><br /> <br /> CNN has apparently finally found the answer to its ratings woes – all it needs is one more Trump-hating, far-left contributor. <a href="http://deadline.com/2017/12/joan-walsh-msnbc-contract-not-renewed-reaction-1202232249/">The moribund network hired Joan Walsh</a> almost immediately after she was let go by MSNBC. Walsh, in addition to regularly slandering Republicans and President Trump, is also the proud author of the book "What's the Matter with White People?" And who among us can ever forget her incisive analysis of Ivanka Trump's attire?<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CBEM50-a-yc?rel=0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Oh, Those Nutty Professors</em></strong><br /> <br /> Newsweek magazine celebrated Christmas by posting an article in which some professors claim that <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/24/university-professors-trump-uses-christmas-to-promote-white-nationalism/">President Trump is using the holiday to promote white supremacy</a>. You know, kind of like Hitler did. One of the eminent professors actually opined that President Trump's pro-Christmas messages are tailored to appeal to "committed white nationalists." It's hard to believe that Newsweek has been such an abject failure.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>"Merry Christmas" Defeats "Happy Holidays"<br /> </em></strong><br /> According to a new poll, <a href="https://www.axios.com/the-votes-are-in-merry-christmas-wins-2519396832.html">two-thirds of Americans prefer the greeting "Merry Christmas" over "Happy Holidays."</a> To the surprise of no one, people who support President Trump overwhelmingly want to use the "Merry Christmas" greeting. There were also a few votes for "Bah Humbug," the greeting preferred by Ebenezer Scrooge and other misanthropes.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Rosie O'Donnell on a Rampage<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former comedian Rosie O'Donnell, fresh off a profane Twitter war with conservative columnist Ben Shapiro, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/12/26/rosie-odonnell-tells-paul-ryan-hes-going-straight-to-hell.html">has officially condemned Paul Ryan to eternal damnation in a pit of fire</a>. After the Speaker of the House posted a video message celebrating Christmas, O'Donnell delivered the sad news that he is going "straight to hell" because of his efforts to pass those nasty tax cuts.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Topless Woman Invades Vatican<br /> </em></strong><br /> A self-proclaimed "sextremist" named Alisa Vinogradova tried to steal a statue of baby Jesus from the nativity scene at the Vatican on Christmas Day. <a href="https://nypost.com/2017/12/25/topless-activist-tries-to-steal-nativity-baby-jesus-in-rome/">The bare-breasted woman jumped over some barriers</a> and ran for the Nativity scene while shouting "God is woman." Fortunately, she was stopped before grabbing the baby Jesus statue. Even more fortunately, it was not Rosie O'Donnell.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-12-26T15:07:00ZNorth Korea: New Sanctions an "Act of War"; Trump Salutes Troops on Christmas EveBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/North-Korea:-New-Sanctions-an-Act-of-War;-Trump-Salutes-Troops-on-Christmas-Eve/-959040321099346239.html2017-12-24T16:02:00Z2017-12-24T16:02:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Sunday, December 24, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></em></p>
<p><strong><em>North Korea: New Sanctions an "Act of War"</em></strong><br /> <br /> Two days after the United Nations Security Council approved new economic sanctions<a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42470390">, North Korea is describing that as an "act of war" that threatens the stability of the entire region</a>. Kim Jong Un's government reserved its harshest criticism for the United States, which it accused of "nuclear threats, blackmail, and hostile moves." The UN sanctions will greatly diminish North Korea's ability to import oil, further damaging that already decaying economy.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Accused of Slandering Immigrants</em></strong><br /> <br /> The New York times has published an anonymously-sourced report claiming that President Trump made <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/12/23/despite-white-house-denial-some-find-trumps-comments-about-black-immigrants-believable/?utm_term=.ba755721c74a">derogatory comments about black immigrants during a June meeting</a>. According to the Times and its two sources, the president suggested that Haitian immigrants in the USA "all have AIDS" and Nigerian immigrants will never "go back to their huts." The White House has issued a forceful denial of what it calls "outrageous claims."<br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t0k19RPTYYE?rel=0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /><br />Chain Migration & Terrorism in Pennsylvania</em></strong><br /> <br /> An Egyptian immigrant named Ahmed Amin El-Mofty was killed in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/24/us/pennsylvania-police-shootings/index.html">Friday after he opened fire on uniformed police officers</a>. El-Mofty shot and injured a state trooper and then took aim at several other cops before he was shot dead. The deceased terrorist was admitted into the United States via the very controversial "chain migration" policy that President Trump has vowed to eliminate.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Judge vs. Trump on Immigration Ban</em></strong><br /> <br /> Federal Judge James Robart <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-refugees-court/federal-judge-partially-lifts-trumps-latest-refugee-restrictions-idUSKBN1EI00T">has partially blocked the Trump administration's ban on immigration from a handful of nations</a>. The judge declared that the federal government cannot stop admitting refugees who have a strong family connection in the United States. Robart sided with the American Civil Liberties Union and other pro-immigration organizations.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>FBI's McCabe Will Retire</em></strong><br /> <br /> Andrew McCabe, the embattled deputy director of the FBI, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/facing-republican-attacks-fbis-deputy-director-plans-to-retire-early-next-year/2017/12/23/b4802b8c-e67a-11e7-a65d-1ac0fd7f097e_story.html?utm_term=.1815384f5e0c">will reportedly retire early next year</a> when he is entitled to a generous pension. Republicans have regularly accused McCabe of displaying partisan political favoritism in various cases, including the Hillary Clinton email investigation. <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/944665687292817415?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vox.com%2Fworld%2F2017%2F12%2F21%2F16801054%2Fandrew-mccabe-trump-fbi-mueller-republicans">President Trump hammered McCabe via Twitter this weekend</a>, pointing out that McCabe's wife ran as a Democrat in Virginia and accepted very large campaign contributions that were controlled by Clinton confidante Terry McAuliffe.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Salutes Troops on Christmas Eve</em></strong><br /> <br /> The president and his family have begun their Christmas vacation at the "Winter White House" in Florida. <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/12/24/trump-sends-christmas-greetings-u-s-troops-abroad/979815001/">President Trump spoke via video and delivered a personal message</a> to military personnel stationed at various bases around the world. He expressed the gratitude of the American people and complimented the troops as "the greatest people on earth."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>More Christmas Cheer from Tax Cuts</em></strong><br /> <br /> Phoenix billionaire Bob Parsons, owner of YAM Worldwide, <a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2017/12/22/bob-parsons-joins-companies-giving-1-3m-inbonuses.html">is playing Santa this year by doling out $2,000 cash bonuses to his employees</a>. He says the gifts are a direct result of the corporate tax rate cut just signed into law. Many larger companies, among them AT&T, Wells Fargo, and Boeing, had already stuffed their workers' stockings with bonus money.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Axed by MSNBC, Left-Wing Analyst Moves to CNN</em></strong><br /> <br /> Joan Walsh, long a member of MSNBC's stable of far-left contributors, was let go by that network this weekend <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/366339-joan-walsh-announces-move-to-cnn">and promptly signed by CNN</a>. Third-place CNN lags miserably in the prime time cable news ratings behind Fox and MSNBC, but apparently believes that adding another Trump hater will give the network a much-needed boost. Walsh joins other CNN luminaries such as Van Jones, Paul Begala, April Ryan, and Brian Stelter.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>New Ad: "Thank You, President Trump"</em></strong><br /> <br /> A pro-Trump group called America First Policies <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/pro-trump-ad-thank-you-christmas/2017/12/23/id/833461/">has created an ad that will begin running tomorrow</a>. The one-minute spot includes people expressing their gratitude to President Trump for various policies enacted in his first year. CNN, even before Joan Walsh's arrival, wasted no time in mocking the ad and the president's supporters.<br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JVex_oNy0LA?rel=0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /><br /><br />Apple Plays Grinch on Christmas</em></strong><br /> <br /> Now that it has finally admitted that it slows down its older iPhones, <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/apple-lawsuit-slow-iphones_us_5a3edcd6e4b0b0e5a7a293fc">Apple is being sued by users of those devices</a>. They claim Apple has engaged in "deceptive, immoral, and unethical" practices, but the company insists that the slowdowns are actually intended to benefit iPhone users by improving performance on those outdated machines.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pity Poor Harvard University<br /> </em></strong><br /> The newly-enacted tax package includes a provision that will tax universities that sit on massive, multi-billion dollar endowments. <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/22/harvard-tax-college-endowments-252892">Harvard University's endowment, essentially its bank account</a>, is stuffed with about $37-billion, the most in the nation. Any earnings from that endowment will now be taxed at a relatively paltry 1.4%. Harvard's complaints about the new tax didn't engender much sympathy, but certainly <a href="https://legalinsurrection.com/2017/12/harvard-gets-no-sympathy-for-complaining-about-new-tax-on-its-endowment/">inspired some very sarcastic tweets</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Your Tax Dollars, Hard at Work<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://freebeacon.com/issues/neh-gives-50400-to-guy-who-thinks-fox-news-can-brainwash-liberals/">A self-proclaimed "philosopher" has been presented with a $50,400 grant</a> from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Eric Mandelbaum, the recipient of the dough, has argued that dastardly, evil Fox News has the potential to brainwash even liberal viewers. The NEH defended itself by pointing out that this is just one grant out of hundreds that it doles out annually to researchers and scholars.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>It's All Hands on Deck at UPS</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/12/24/in-final-holiday-push-ups-grabs-its-accountants-to-deliver-packages.html">The United Parcel Service is going all-out</a> to make sure those Christmas gifts get delivered at the busiest time of the year. UPS is calling on office workers and desk jockeys, including accountants and public relations executives, to sort and deliver packages around the country. Here's hoping that all those office workers look good in brown.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Treasury Secretary's Crappy, Smelly Christmas Gift</em></strong><br /> <br /> Secretary of the Treasury Steve Mnuchin had a most unwelcome package left on the doorstep of his California home Saturday. The box, wrapped in festive Christmas paper, <a href="https://nypost.com/2017/12/24/horse-poop-from-the-american-people-sent-to-mnuchins-residence/">was actually filled with horse manure</a>. Neither the sender of the package nor the horse who filled it has been identified. Seinfeld fans may be reminded of the episode in which George Costanza put his very unique spin on the word "manure."<br /><br /></p>
<iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XJAkJn3rHRY?rel=0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-12-24T16:02:00ZGOP Warns Trump on '18 Midterms; To Impeach? Or Not To Impeach?BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/GOP-Warns-Trump-on-18-Midterms;--To-Impeach--Or-Not-To-Impeach/742721113259991231.html2017-12-22T14:36:00Z2017-12-22T14:36:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, December 22, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></em><strong><em><br /></em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>GOP Warns Trump on '18 Midterms</em></strong><br /> <br /> Some prominent Republicans met with President Trump at the White House this week and <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-advisers-vent-frustrations-about-2018-strategy-as-president-listens/2017/12/21/a7555788-e6a8-11e7-ab50-621fe0588340_story.html?utm_term=.f8d564f0dd5f">expressed their deep fears about next year's House and Senate elections</a>. The meeting, which included White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and the president's top political strategists, was said to be extremely contentious. Most irate was former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, who warned that the GOP is in danger of taking a drubbing next year.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>To Impeach? Or Not To Impeach?</em></strong><br /> <br /> On the other side of the aisle, Democrats are dealing with their own dilemma. <a href="http://thehill.com/news/administration/366111-the-memo-impeachment-fervor-fuels-dem-tensions">Some Dems want to push hard for President Trump's impeachment</a>, while others insist that it is still too early for such a drastic move. Pro-impeachment forces are commanded and funded by hedge fund billionaire Tom Steyer, who is spending millions on the effort and comparing the Trump team to "cockroaches."<br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lR3udHw4xKM?rel=0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /><br />World vs. USA at United Nations</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/366137-haley-sends-friendship-invites-to-countries-that-didnt-vote-against">The United Nations has endorsed a resolution</a> that denounces the United States and President Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the legitimate capital of Israel. Only seven countries sided with the USA and Israel, while 56 others took the easy way out and abstained or failed to vote. Ambassador Nikki Haley expressed her gratitude to those countries that refused to follow the crowd in the reliably anti-Israel General Assembly.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN Rejoices in Trump's UN Defeat<br /> </em></strong><br /> Admiral John Kirby, who served as a mouthpiece in the Obama administration, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/21/opinions/haley-un-vote-what-trump-deserves-john-kirby-opinion/index.html">gleefully points out that the United States "took a shellacking" at the United Nations</a>. He declares that the administration's decision on Jerusalem will harm the so-called "peace process," which hasn't done much to bring peace over the past few decades.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>And Now, For an Opposing View …<br /> </em></strong><br /> While CNN sides with the world against the United States, the <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/time-for-trump-to-slow-cook-the-turkeys-of-turtle-bay/article/2644199">conservative Washington Examiner takes the opposite route</a>. The paper and its editors are urging President Trump to be far more parsimonious when it comes to funding the United Nations and its maze of overlapping bureaucracies. The UN has more than 41,000 employees, many of them making lavish, tax-free salaries.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Senator Now Understands 'Fake News'</em></strong><br /> <br /> Republican Senator Bob Corker, a frequent critic of President Trump and a last-minute holdout on the tax bill, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/366035-corker-on-media-i-have-empathy-for-trump-now">says he has "newfound empathy" for the president when it comes to the media.</a> Corker was hammered in some outlets for allegedly demanding was referred to as the "Corker Kickback," a provision that helped him personally. But Corker insists that the story was totally bogus, a figment of the imagination of one reporter that spread like wildfire.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Federal Judge Sides With Trump</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump was sued by some of his foes for allegedly violating the "emoluments clause" of the Constitution, which prevents a president from profiting from foreign governments. The complainants argued that the president is breaking the law whenever his hotels and restaurants host foreign officials. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/judge-dismisses-lawsuit-alleging-trump-violated-constitution/2017/12/21/31011510-e697-11e7-ab50-621fe0588340_story.html?utm_term=.407f57cd1f1f">But a federal judge has ruled in President Trump's favor</a>, declaring that only Congress has the power to determine whether the president is out of line. That ruling is certain to be appealed.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Former CIA Boss Slanders Trump</em></strong><br /> <br /> John Brennan, who ran the CIA during the Obama administration, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/john-brennan-deep-state-unga-vote/2017/12/21/id/833248/">had some unusually harsh words for President Trump yesterday</a>. Referring to the Trump team's threat to punish nations that vote against it at the United Nations, Brennan compared the president of the United States to "narcissistic, vengeful autocrats."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Coroner Rules on Las Vegas Deaths</em></strong><br /> <br /> Every single one of the 58 victims <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coroner-says-las-vegas-gunman-stephen-paddock-killed-himself/">in the Las Vegas mass murder died due to gunshot wounds</a>. In his official findings, Clark County John Fudenberg concluded that no one died from being trampled during the mass exodus. Killer Stephen Paddock died from a self-inflicted gunshot to his mouth and is officially listed as a suicide.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Motives of the Aussie Terrorist </em></strong><br /> <br /> Saeed Noori, a refugee from Afghanistan taken in by Australia, plowed his SUV into a crowd of Christmas shoppers yesterday, injuring 19 people. The media were eager to dismiss the incident as unrelated to Islamic terrorism, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/melbourne-driver-relates-attack-to-mistreatment-of-muslims-say-australia-police/2017/12/22/5a64eac2-e6f5-11e7-ab50-621fe0588340_story.html?utm_term=.e4b131e43c13">but Noori now admits that he was avenging what he perceives as the mistreatment of Muslims in Australia and elsewhere.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mad Dog Visits Gitmo<br /> </em></strong><br /> Secretary of Defense James Mattis i<a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/21/mattis-christmas-destination-will-infuriate-obama/">s spending part of his Christmas break with U.S. troops stationed at Guantanamo Bay</a>. It's been nine years since then-newly-inaugurated President Obama vowed to close the prison at Gitmo, but it is still housing about 40 suspected terrorists. "Mad Dog" is the first Pentagon boss to visit Guantanamo Bay in fifteen years.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pence Visits Afghanistan</em></strong><br /> <br /> While Jim Mattis is at Guantanamo Bay, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/pence-visits-troops-in-afghanistan-in-first-trip-to-a-war-zone/2017/12/21/eb14316a-e662-11e7-ab50-621fe0588340_story.html?utm_term=.99a88357d449">Vice President Mike Pence is visiting United States troops in Afghanistan</a>. He will also use the trip to speak with Afghan officials about the enduring war and its goals. The vice president secretly departed Washington Wednesday afternoon after the tax reform bill was passed and his potential vote was no longer needed.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hollywood Takes on Teddy Kennedy</em></strong><br /> <br /> A new movie called "Chappaquiddick" will be released in a few months. <a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/news/columnists/howie_carr/2017/12/carr_ted_s_untold_story">According to a sneak preview from Boston radio host Howie Carr</a>, no fan of the Kennedy clan, the film will be a searing indictment of Ted Kennedy's behavior before, during, and after the drowning death of Mary Jo Kopechne in 1969. It's a movie sure to be popular among Ted Kennedy's legion of detractors.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Papa John's Now Fatherless</em></strong><br /> <br /> John Schnatter, aka "Papa John," <a href="https://www.eater.com/2017/12/21/16808028/papa-johns-founder-stepping-down-john-schnatter-ceo">will no longer be CEO of his eponymous pizza chain</a>, although he will stay on as chairman of the board. Schnatter was criticized a few months ago when he blamed NFL protests and declining ratings for poor pizza sales. There is no word yet on whether "Papa" will continue to star in the company's TV ads.<br /><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hjl3rIlo1II?rel=0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-12-22T14:36:00ZTrump Smacks Media Yet Again; Schumer Loses His CoolBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Smacks-Media-Yet-Again;-Schumer-Loses-His-Cool/827768146807749460.html2017-12-21T14:53:00Z2017-12-21T14:53:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Thursday, December 21, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></em><strong><em><br /></em></strong><strong><em>Trump Smacks Media Yet Again</em></strong><br /> <br /> It's hard to argue with President Trump when he points out, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/365944-trump-goes-after-media-over-negative-tax-bill-coverage-theyre">as he did this morning</a>, that the mainstream media have generally portrayed the tax bill in the most negative light possible. The president accused the "Fake News Media" of repeating Democratic talking points and of being grossly biased. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Taxes-Reformed-Media-Deformed/328628664053792885.html">This week's BillOReilly.com staff column provides some egregious examples of media malfeasance and outright treachery.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Schumer Loses His Cool</em></strong><br /> <br /> "You're messing up America." That was <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer's pithy message to Republicans</a> who were talking on the Senate floor while he was trying to speak yesterday. The Senate Minority Leader, like many of his colleagues, is portraying the the tax bill as a gift to the wealthy and a "disgrace" to America.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Tax Reform Inspires Company Bonuses</em></strong><br /> <br /> Some major U.S. companies are making sure <a href="http://time.com/5074911/tax-reform-bill-company-investments-bonuses/">their employees share in the benefits they are receiving from the lower corporate tax rate</a>. Bonuses are being handed out at some firms, while others are raising their hourly wages and giving more to charitable causes. This is obviously not good news for opponents of the bill who insist that it is "messing up America."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Man Mows Down Shoppers in Australia</em></strong><br /> <br /> A 32-year-old man, described as "an Australian citizen of Afghan descent," <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/serious-situation-unfolding-at-flinders-and-elizabeth-streets-20171220-h089ce.html">plowed his SUV into a crowd of Christmas shoppers in Melbourne today</a>. At least 19 people were injured and the attacker was arrested. Police and media outlets went out of their way to insist that, even though this attack was obviously deliberate, there is no evidence that it was related to Islamic terrorism.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Senator Hammers Huffington Post Contributor</em></strong><br /> <br /> Republican Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina got into a very revealing war of words yesterday with a Huffington Post writer. Andy Ostroy characterized the black lawmaker as a "manipulated prop" because he was front and center during the GOP's tax reform press conference. <a href="http://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article190947639.html">Scott immediately fired back, pointing out that he actually helped write the bill and has been working on tax reform for his entire career.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary May Campaign With Dems in '18<br /> </em></strong><br /> Hillary Clinton's national approval ratings are at an all-time low, but she remains extremely popular in some Democratic states and congressional districts. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/365839-clinton-mulls-role-in-2018-midterms">There are now hints that she may appear with some Democratic candidates</a> during next year's midterm campaigns. Democrats appear split as to whether her presence will help the party regain the House or simply reopen old wounds.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>FBI Official Has Sudden Memory Lapse</em></strong><br /> <br /> Andrew McCabe, the Deputy Director of the FBI, appeared before the House Intelligence Committee yesterday <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/20/mccabe-draws-blank-on-democrats-funding-trump-dossier-new-subpoenas-planned.html">but apparently his seven-hour testimony left many Republicans unsatisfied</a>. McCabe was unable to explain the bureau's role in obtaining and possibly funding that bogus 'dossier' that was intended to damage Donald Trump. Other government honchos are also expected to testify, among them Department of Justice official Bruce Ohr, who held secret meetings with the very people who created that dossier.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Obama's Tacit Support for Hezollah</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/lawmakers-to-investigate-obama-efforts-to-derail-campaign-targeting-hezbollah-to-secure-iran-nuclear-deal/article/2644074">President Obama is being accused of going easy on Hezbollah</a>, even as that terrorist group helped funnel opioids and weapons into the United States. Some Republicans in Congress are calling for an investigation into the Obama team's willingness to overlook Hezbollah's crimes in order to help push through the nuke deal with Iran, which is Hezbollah's prime sponsor. In a related story, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/21/health/drug-overdoses-2016-final-numbers/index.html">government health agencies say that opioid abuse now kills more Americans than breast cancer.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Rooting Out Racist Trees!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Palm Springs is moving ahead with plans <a href="http://www.golf.com/tour-news/2017/12/20/city-officials-commit-removing-racist-trees-golf-course-palm-springs">to remove a row of stately trees that separate a golf course from an historically black neighborhood.</a> The trees, planted in the 1960s, formed a barrier between the lush fairways and local homes. Many residents have complained that the trees block their views and thus depress property values.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Court Slaps Down Church over Christmas Ads</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Archdiocese of Washington merely wanted to put up some Christmas posters in that city's subways and buses. The ads make no mention of Jesus, do not show the Nativity scene, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2017/12/20/u-s-appeals-court-upholds-metros-ban-on-christmas-themed-ads-at-least-for-now/?utm_term=.3010ebe97899">but simply carry the message: "Find the Perfect Gift."</a> A federal appeals court ruled yesterday that District of Columbia officials are well within their rights to ban the ad because it can be construed as promoting a religion.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Outrageous Bias at a California University</em></strong><br /> <br /> A student at the University of California at San Diego had the temerity to put up posters honoring the memory of the late Kate Steinle, who was killed by an illegal immigrant. Gregory Lu, who hung the posters, <a href="https://www.thecollegefix.com/post/40192/">has now been summoned to appear before school officials</a> and is being investigated for possible harassment or bias. While it is unclear who could have possibly been offended, this is another egregious example of what passes for "free speech" at today's universities.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Anti-White Professor @ Unholy Trinity </em></strong><br /> <br /> Trinity College in Connecticut briefly suspended professor Johnny Eric Williams, who was put on paid leave after endorsing an article that called for the death of white folks. The charming Williams also posted that he is "fed the f*** up" with whites. As his suspension nears an end and Williams prepares to return to the classroom, <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10293">some irate alumni are circulating a petition</a> demanding that Trinity fire the racist professor.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Stuart Smalley Sets the Date </em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/franken-senate-leaving/2017/12/20/id/832945/">Al Franken will have the honor of being adressed as "Senator" for less than two weeks</a>. The alleged former "comedian," disgraced by an infantile photo and multiple allegations of harassment, will officially depart the Senate on January 2<sup>nd</sup>. His replacement is Tina Smith, a former top official at Planned Parenthood, who will be sworn in the very next day.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Rolling Stone Sold</em></strong><br /> <br /> Rolling Stone magazine, once the bible of rock music, has been sold to <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/21/penske-media-buys-majority-stake-in-rolling-stone-magazine.html">for about $100-million.</a> The 50-year-old publication, which unabashedly worshiped Barack Obama, was eternally disgraced when it published the bogus story about a gang rape at the University of Virginia. Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show could not be reached for comment.<br /><br /><br /></p>
<iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7X-6G4dX0iA?rel=0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-12-21T14:53:00ZThe Tax Bill Cometh; NBC Joins the Anti-Reform ParadeBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/The-Tax-Bill-Cometh;-NBC-Joins-the-Anti-Reform-Parade/-508760243779567969.html2017-12-20T14:40:00Z2017-12-20T14:40:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Wednesday, December 20, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</em><strong><em><br /></em></strong><strong><em><br /><br /></em></strong><strong><em><strong><em>The Tax Bill Cometh</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em><a href="http://thehill.com/policy/finance/365722-senate-passes-final-tax-bill-despite-last-minute-snag">Early this morning the Republican tax reform cleared its final real obstacle</a></em><em> when it passed the Senate. The bill will breeze through the House today and then head to President Trump's desk for his signature. The Senate, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">after being interrupted by some protesters chanting</a></em><em>, 'Kill the bill, don't kill us,' passed the bill by a margin of three votes.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN Finds Cloud in Silver Lining</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>While Republicans were celebrating their historic passage of tax reform, </em><em><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/20/politics/republicans-tax-plan-bad-faith-compared-to-obamacare/index.html">CNN and some other Trump-hating networks were still explaining why the bill is so darned awful.</a> CNN cited a poll of its own making, in which Democrats were oversampled, to conclude that most Americans just don't like the bill. President Trump, meanwhile, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/943362605258813441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcnews.com%2Fpolitics%2Fcongress%2Frepublican-tax-bill-house-senate-trump-n831161">sent out his near-mandatory early-morning tweet</a> after victory in the Senate.</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NBC Joins the Anti-Reform Parade</em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><br /></em><em> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/365745-savannah-guthrie-to-paul-ryan-are-you-living-in-a-fantasy-world">How's this for a fair and unbiased question to House Speaker Paul Ryan</a>: "Are you living in a fantasy world?" That was NBC's Savannah Guthrie's query to the Speaker about the tax reform legislation that will be finalized today. She obtained her "fantasy" talking point from liberal former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, an opponent of the tax bill.</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>FBI's McCabe Questioned for Eight Hours</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>The House Intelligence Committee finally had its chance to interrogate FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe yesterday, </em><em><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/20/fbis-mccabe-grilled-nearly-8-hours-amid-anti-trump-bias-allegations.html">and they made the most of it</a>. The committee peppered McCabe with questions for nearly eight hours behind closed doors on Capitol Hill. His testimony is under wraps, but no doubt McCabe was asked about Trump-loathing FBI officials such as Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, as well as his own ties to Hillary Clinton.</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Disgraced Cardinal Law Dead at 86<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>Bernard Law earned eternal infamy when he ignored widespread sex abuse by pedophile priests in the archdiocese of Boston. Cardinal Law, who was assigned to the Vatican after the scandals, </em><em><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/cardinal-bernard-law-key-figure-catholic-clergy-sex-abuse-scandal-n831356">died in Rome this morning at age 86.</a></em><em> His willingness to look the other way and reassign abusive priests cost the Catholic Church tens of millions of dollars in lawsuit settlements. More important, he was instrumental in ruining many lives and tainting the church he professed to love.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Secret Mettings on DACA</em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><br /></em><em> White House Chief of Staff John Kelly has <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/365724-kelly-meets-with-senators-on-daca-fix-report">been speaking in private with various Senators</a></em><em> about the DACA act and how to deal with immigrants who have benefitted. Kelly is said to be arguing for increased border security, including a wall, in exchange for allowing DACA beneficiaries to remain in the country. The issue will be dealt with in greater detail early next year.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CT Parents Act Like Spoiled Brats</em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><br /></em><em> President Trump's daughter Ivanka paid a surprise visit to a school in Connecticut yesterday, where she mingled with teachers and children who are studying software engineering. <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/365630-angry-parents-pull-kids-from-class-over-ivanka-trump-visit">A few parents, apparently horrified that their little ones might get cooties</a>, objected to the visit and took their children home.</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary Approval Sinks to New Low</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>The more American people are exposed to Hillary Clinton, the less they seem to like her. According to a new Gallup poll, </em><em><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/hillary-clinton-poll-rating-low/2017/12/19/id/832688/">Clinton's favorable rating has plummeted to 36%,</a></em><em> putting her right on par with President Trump. This is in spite of, or more likely a result of, her constant presence on television shows to promote her book.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>'Diddy' Combs Wants the Panthers</em></strong> <br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>Music tycoon Sean Combs, aka 'Diddy' and 'Puff Daddy,' and 'Puffy' and 'Brother Love,' </em><em><a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/sean-diddy-combs-serious-buying-carolina-panthers-colin-kaepernick-playing-big-role-plans-193513977.html">seems to be very serious about purchasing the NFL's Carolina Panthers</a></em><em>, which will be up for sale at the end of this season. Combs says one of his first actions as owner would be to sign quarterback Colin Kaepernick. The team's current owner Jerry Richardson decided to put the Panthers on the market after being widely accused of sexual harassment.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>US Threatens Anti-Israeli Forces at UN</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>Ambassador Nikki Haley is warning other nations that the United States </em><em><a href="https://www.salon.com/2017/12/20/nikki-haley-threatens-to-take-names-at-the-u-n-ahead-of-jerusalem-vote/">will not forget those who vote against a resolution tomorrow</a></em><em>. The General Assembly, in an emergency special session, will voice its opinion on President Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the legitimate capital of Israel. The meeting was called by Arab and Muslim nations who are virulently opposed to that move. "The president will be watching this vote carefully," Haley wrote in what seemed to be an ominous warning.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Second Thoughts on Stuart Smalley?</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>Some Senate Democrats are now worried that they were in too much of a hurry when they pushed Senator Al Franken out the door. Joe Manchin, Patrick Leahy, and </em><em><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/19/al-franken-unresigning-could-kill-democrats-2018-chances-commentary.html">others want Franken to ask for a re-do and "unresign."</a> However, that seems highly unlikely because it would paint Democrats as flip-floppers who care more about their own job protection than victims of harassment.</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Fighting Racism, Root and Branch!<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>The California city of Palm Springs is about to remove a row of large trees </em><em><a href="http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/local/palm-springs/2017/12/18/palm-springs-remove-trees-blocking-historically-black-area-city-golf-course/961478001/">that separate a golf course from an historically black neighborhood</a>. The trees were planted in the 1960s, allegedly to create a barrier between the lush fairways and local homes, and are seen by many as an uncomfortable reminder of segregation.</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Tax-Supported Lefties at NPR & PBS</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>At least seven well-paid men, all of them feeding at the public trough, have been accused of sexual harassment at NPR and PBS. </em><em><a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/454793/pbs-nprs-media-bias-trump-should-rein-it">Conservative columnist Michelle Malkin argues that this may be the ideal time</a></em><em> for President Trump to rein in those publicly-supported networks, which invariably lean far to the left. She also ridicules PBS for replacing disgraced Charlie rose with haughty British presenters Katty Kay and Christiane Amanpour.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Congressman KOed in Feud with Sarah Sanders</em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><br /></em><em> Ultra-liberal, always-showboating Congressman Ted Lieu <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/sarah-sanders-to-dem-rep-ted-lieu-spend-less-time-tweeting-more-time-doing-your-job/article/2643958">picked a fight with the wrong person this week</a></em><em>. Relying on an inaccurate tweet as his source, Lieu accused Sarah Sanders of lying about the tax bill. The White House spokesperson pointed out that Lieu was using incorrect information and offered this pithy advice: "You should spend less time tweeting, more time doing your job." Congressman Lieu was last seen with his tail tucked between his legs.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>U.S. Colleges, Free Speech Not Welcome</em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><br /></em><em> <a href="http://freebeacon.com/culture/90-americas-top-colleges-regulate-campus-free-speech/">The invaluable Foundation for Individual Rights in Education has determined</a> that more than 90% of American universities maintain some mechanism to regulate and repress free speech. Many colleges still have so-called "free speech zones," which are tiny spaces where unpopular speech is reluctantly permitted. About one-third of schools receive a "red light rating" from FIRE, meaning they are blatantly restricting freedom of speech. If you wish to talk about this report on an elite college campus, you would be well advised to do so from one of those Orwellian "free speech zones."</em></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-12-20T14:40:00ZThe Trump Economic Boom; Did Obama Team Help Hezbollah?BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/The-Trump-Economic-Boom;-Did-Obama-Team-Help-Hezbollah/-198012118264842497.html2017-12-19T15:48:00Z2017-12-19T15:48:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Tuesday, December 19, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</em><strong><em><br /></em></strong><strong><em><br /><br /></em></strong><strong><em>Pence Available to Break a Tie</em></strong></p>
<p><br /> Vice President Mike Pence was supposed to be in the Middle East this week, but he is remaining in Washington <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/mike-pence-delays-middle-east-trip-until-after-senate-tax-reform-vote/article/2643883">just in case the tax reform bill requires his vote in the Senate</a>. Even with John McCain back home in Arizona receiving cancer treatment, the bill is still expected to garner the support of the other 51 Senate Republicans. But if there is one unexpected defection or absence and the vote is 50 – 49, Pence will cast the deciding vote and put the bill over the finish line.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Trump Economic Boom</em></strong><br /> <br /> Stock markets continue to reach new highs, unemployment is at historic lows, trade deficits are shrinking, and consumer confidence is soaring. That's usually a recipe for presidential success, but President Trump's approval ratings continue to hover at around 40%. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/the-memo/365535-the-memo-gop-seeks-lift-from-trump-economy">According to an analysis in The Hill</a>, the Trump administration expects that tax reform will finally convince voters that the president and Republicans are doing a good job and deserve to hold on to the House and Senate next year.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Derailed Train Was Speeding </em></strong><br /> <br /> The Amtrak passenger train that went off the rails yesterday in <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/12/19/571865743/ntsb-amtrak-washington-train-doing-80-mph-in-30-mph-zone">Washington State was reportedly rocketing along at 80 mph on a stretch of track that has a speed limit of 30 mph</a>. At least three people were killed and 100 injured when some train cars landed on a busy highway.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>FBI's McCabe to Testify Today</em></strong><br /> <br /> Andrew McCabe, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2017/12/19/571726696/senior-fbi-official-mccabe-to-face-closed-door-grilling-from-house-lawmakers">Deputy Director of the FBI, will be interrogated by the House Intelligence Committee today.</a> He will certainly face hostile questions about his ties to Hillary Clinton and the FBI's role in obtaining that anti-Trump dossier. Meanwhile, Senator Chuck Grassley, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-19/grassley-wants-fbi-director-wray-to-replace-mccabe-as-deputy">is calling for McCabe to be fired</a>. Other Republicans had predicted that McCabe would be gone by now, but he is still standing, getting ready to answer questions today on Capitol Hill.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump's Emerging Mueller Strategy</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump and his allies have been a lot tougher <a href="https://www.axios.com/trumpworlds-inside-outside-strategy-to-fend-off-mueller-2518363764.html">on special counsel Robert Mueller in recent weeks.</a> They are eagerly exposing Trump-loathing officials such as FBI agent Peter Strzok, who exchanged anti-Trump texts with his lover, and DOJ official Bruce Ohr, who had close ties to 'dossier' procurer Fusion GPS. Fox News has reported extensively on the biased officials, while most other news outlets have downplayed their significance.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Morning Joe Slanders Fox News<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">MSNBC's Joe Scarborough and his panel of sycophants</a> are openly worrying that Fox News is encouraging mayhem and "fomenting a constitutional crisis." Scarborough is apparently upset at FNC's ongoing reports about rogue FBI and DOJ officials who were deep in the tank for Hillary Clinton. MSNBC and CNN have singled out Jesse Watters, who warned on his show about the possibility of "a coup" in America.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Did Obama Team Help Hezbollah?</em></strong><br /> <br /> A long and extensively-reported story in Politico claims that President Obama and his top aides went very easy on alleged drug trafficking and money laundering by the terrorist organization Hezbollah. It was supposedly done in order to help secure the much-maligned nuclear deal with Iran, the nation that supports Hezbollah. Obama officials are dismissing the report as fictitious, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/18/lawmaker-demands-investigation-into-report-obama-wh-undermined-anti-hezbollah-task-force.html">but some Republicans in Congress want a full-fledged investigation into the explosive allegations.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mon Dieu! Tillerson Verbally Slaps French Reporter</em></strong><br /> <br /> When a French reporter asked Secretary of State Rex Tillerson whether he had already submitted his resignation, <a href="https://www.vox.com/2017/12/18/16792140/trump-rex-tillerson-secretary-of-state-resign-fire">the man known as T-Rex roared back</a>. "That's ridiculous," he declared, adding, "It's a ridiculous question." Tillerson seems very eager to quash all those media rumors about his imminent departure from State.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Prominent Judge Quits After Harassment Accusations</em></strong> <br /> <br /> Federal Court of Appeals Judge Alex Kozinski, known as a renegade on the ultra-liberal 9<sup>th</sup> Circuit, is leaving the bench. <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/us-judge-alex-kozinski-accusations-sexual-misconduct/4169156.html">The 67-year-old has been accused of various sexual improprieties</a> and has decided to quit rather than endure a lengthy investigation. President Trump will eventually fill a handful of vacant seats on the 9<sup>th</sup> Circuit, but it will remain the most liberal in the nation.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Tavis Smiley Not Going Quietly</em></strong><br /> <br /> He has been suspended by PBS for unspecified sexual misbehavior, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/365541-tavis-smiley-on-dating-employees-where-else-are-you-going-to-meet-people">but Tavis Smiley is fighting back hard</a>, actively and aggressively defending himself to anyone who will listen. Last night Smiley warned PBS that he will sue the network if he isn't given specific and valid reasons for his suspension. He admits that he engaged in consensual relationships with colleagues, but insists that nothing was illegal or improper.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>No Tweets for You, White Supremacists!<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-19/twitter-bans-some-white-supremacists-and-other-extremists">Twitter has pulled the plug on users it deems to be white supremacists.</a> Among the banned accounts is Britain First, the anti-Muslim group whose tweets were recently promoted by President Trump. Others denied tweeting privileges are American Renaissance and League of the South, both of whom are considered white supremacist outfits. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Team Blames North Korea for Cyber Attack</em></strong><br /> <br /> This past spring a major cyber-attack affected more than 200,000 computers in countries around the world. The 'WannaCry' virus even brought down portions of the UK's National Health Service. The Trump administration, relying on evidence obtained by governments and private companies, is <a href="https://nypost.com/2017/12/19/trump-administration-blames-north-korea-for-wannacry-cyber-attack/">now laying the blame for that nefarious act squarely on North Korea</a>. The USA has not yet specified what retaliatory actions it may take.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>$4-Billion Aircraft Carrier Springs a Leak</em></strong><br /> <br /> The HMS Queen Elizabeth, which cost $4.2-billion and is the largest warship in British history, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-aircraftcarrier-leak/britains-new-3-billion-pound-warship-has-a-leak-idUSKBN1ED0OZ">has a leak and is taking on about 50 gallons of water every hour</a>. The problem is actually a relatively minor one and should be repaired in a few weeks, <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/5168494/hms-elizabeth-leak-navy-repairs-millions/">but British tabloids are of course having a field day with the news about 'Big Lizzie.'</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Roy Moore's Denial: Day Seven!</em></strong><br /> <br /> It's been exactly one week since Republican Roy Moore was defeated by Democrat Doug Jones in that Alabama special election. <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/roy-moore-still-wont-concede-alabama_us_5a38a472e4b0860bf4aa9f13">Moore has still not conceded defeat and</a> is in fact begging supporters for donations to challenge the result. It poses an interesting scenario: What if Moore shows up at the Senate on his beloved horse Sassy, waves his pistol, and demands a seat in the Senate? He might even use those inspirational words made famous by another esteemed United States Senator: "I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, And Doggone It, People Like Me!"<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZVA-Bx4rNc0?rel=0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-12-19T15:48:00ZTax Reform, Here We Come!; McCain Will Miss VoteBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Tax-Reform-Here-We-Come!;-McCain-Will-Miss-Vote/719125268444480456.html2017-12-18T14:29:00Z2017-12-18T14:29:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Monday, December 18, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</em><strong><em><br /></em></strong><strong><em><br /><br />Tax Reform, Here We Come!</em></strong></p>
<p><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/365356-gop-on-precipice-of-major-end-of-year-tax-victory">President Trump is about to finally get a major legislative victory</a>. After winning over a few last-minute holdouts in the Senate, the officially-named 'Tax Cuts and Jobs Act' will almost surely pass both the House and the Senate by Wednesday. Republicans apparently have the necessary 50 votes in the Senate even without John McCain and Thad Cochran, both of whom are recovering from medical procedures.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>McCain Will Miss Vote</em></strong><br /> <br /> Senator John McCain, suffering from brain cancer and complications from the difficult treatment, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mccain-battling-brain-cancer-leaves-washington-for-christmas-break-before-contentious-vote-on-tax-bill/2017/12/17/5dd61326-e37a-11e7-833f-155031558ff4_story.html?utm_term=.c87275a01fba">will not be on hand to cast his vote on tax reform.</a> McCain is back home in Arizona, where he intends to spend the Christmas holiday with his family. If everything goes as expected, the loss of his 'yea' vote on the tax bill will not affect its passage.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mueller Accused of Privacy Violation</em></strong><br /> <br /> An organization called 'Trump for America,' which helped the president-elect during the transition period after last year's election, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/18/mueller-s-office-defends-investigation-after-trump-team-slams-email-access.html">says special counsel Robert Mueller illegally obtained thousands of its emails</a>. The group was given space to work at the General Services Administration, whose full-time employees turned TFA emails over to investigators. The Mueller team insists it obtained the emails legally and properly.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Denies Mueller Ouster</em></strong><br /> <br /> There were rumors circulating on Capitol Hill Friday that President Trump was about to fire special counsel Robert Mueller. <a href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2017/12/17/rep_jackie_speier_rumor_on_the_hill_is_trump_plans_to_fire_mueller_on_december_22.html">Democratic Congresswoman Jackie Speier, without citing sources</a>, claimed the president would throw Mueller overboard as soon as Congress leaves for its Christmas recess. But on Sunday night President Trump forcefully and unequivocally denied that he will fire the special counsel.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5Okb8CbjTic?rel=0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Former AG Holder Enters the Fray</em></strong><br /> <br /> Eric Holder, the only cabinet member in U.S. history to be held in contempt of Congress, <a href="http://time.com/5068199/eric-holder-robert-mueller/">is now demanding that Americans protest if President Trump fires Robert Mueller</a>. Holder says that Mueller's ouster would be an "absolute red line," much as his former boss threatened Syria with that "red line" that turned out to be written in invisible ink.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mesmerizing Testimony on Tap</em></strong><br /> <br /> Bruce Ohr is the Department of Justice official who secretly met with Fusion GPS, the firm that paid for the bogus anti-Trump 'dossier.' In addition, Ohr's wife was actually on the Fusion GPS payroll. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/15/politics/senate-intel-bruce-ohr/index.html">The Senate Intelligence Committee will finally have the opportunity to question Ohr about his bizarre connections today</a>. The intrigue then continues tomorrow when the House Intelligence Committee grills FBI honcho Andrew McCabe, who will be questioned about Peter Strzok and other <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/15/fbis-mccabe-to-face-house-panel-next-week-where-hell-be-grilled-over-strzoks-cryptic-texts/">anti-Trump officials who found a home at the upper echelons</a> of the bureau.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>This Weekend's 'Word Ban' Kerfuffle</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Trump administration <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/365292-words-banned-at-cdc-were-also-banned-at-other-hhs-agencies-report">has reportedly banned some words and phrases</a> from official government documents at some agencies. The forbidden language includes "diversity," "transgender," and "science-based." This controversy began when officials at the Centers for Disease Control complained that they were given a list of words to be avoided. The far left, which has recently warned that tax reform and the repeal of net neutrality will pretty much destroy the world, <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/trumps-censorship-science-will-kill-people-750637">now declares that this word ban "will kill people."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Christians Slaughtered in Pakistan<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/17/pakistani-christians-suicide-bomb-attack-quetta-church">Two suicide bombers attacked a church in Pakistan Sunday</a>, killing at least nine people and injuring dozens more. The carnage could have been much worse, but the terrorists were unable to get inside the church during the actual worship service. Christians in Pakistan and elsewhere are especially vulnerable to Islamic terrorism during the Christmas season.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Two More Black Eyes for NFL<br /> </em></strong><br /> The NFL's season from hell continues. Jerry Richardson, owner of the Carolina Panthers, has announced that he will sell the team after being accused of repeated and boorish behavior. <a href="https://www.si.com/jerry-richardson-carolina-panthers-settlements-workplace-misconduct-sexual-harassment-racial-slur?utm_campaign=themmqb&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social">The allegations against Richardson include repeated sexual harassment and using a racial slur</a>. Meanwhile, Seattle Seahawks 300-pound rookie Malik McDowell was recently arrested in Atlanta after a nightclub dispute turned ugly. <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/video-surfaces-of-arrest-of-seahawk-malik-mcdowell-and-its-not-real-pretty/">As he was being cuffed, the big fella verbally abused a female cop</a>, calling her names and asking whether she was scared of him. McDowell charmingly added, "Bitch, I got money."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Chris Matthews Caught in the Maelstrom</em></strong><br /> <br /> MSNBC host Chris Matthews is the latest media male accused of sexual harassment. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/12/17/nbc-silent-on-whether-msnbcs-chris-matthews-could-have-faced-other-sexual-harassment-accusations.html">The network has acknowledged that it gave a generous severance payment to a young woman</a> who accused Matthews of unspecified wrongdoing back in 1999. He was given a formal reprimand at the time, but it didn't stop Matthews from doing some on-air leering in this bizarre 2007 exchange with Erin Burnett.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/85Ohbh6DabM?rel=0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sarah Palin's Son Arrested</em></strong><br /> <br /> Track Palin, the oldest son of Sarah and Todd Palin <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2017/12/18/track-palin-son-former-alaska-governor-sarah-palin-arrested-domestic-violence-other-charges/960281001/">has been charged with domestic violence and other crimes in Wasilla, Alaska</a>. It is not Track's first run-in with the law; he was also arrested two years ago on similar charges. His parents have had no comment on their son's latest troubles.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Wealthy Tesla Buyers Protected</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/14/gop-tax-plan-keeps-green-energy-electric-car-subsidies/">The tax reform bill that is set to become law will retain the $7,500 tax credit</a> for individuals buying electric cars. The credit is essentially a gift from low income Americans to wealthy people who are able to afford a $100,000 Tesla. <a href="https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/tesla-disqualified-from-german-ev-subsidy-program/">Germany recently stopped providing taxpayer subsidies for some Tesla models</a> that are above a specified price cap.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Very Expensive 'Dreamers'<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Congressional Budget Office has estimated how much it will cost U.S. taxpayers <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/12/17/keeping-dreamers-would-cost-taxpayers-26b-over-next-10-years-feds-say.html">if DACA beneficiaries are allowed to remain in the United States</a>. The CBO says the total bill will come to about $26-billion over the next decade if 2-million of the DACA immigrants are given permanent residency in the USA.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Roy Moore Implies Election Fraud</em></strong><br /> <br /> Nearly a week after losing to Doug Jones in the Alabama special election, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/roy-moore-asks-for-donations-refuses-to-concede-alabama-senate-race-2017-12">Roy Moore is still refusing to concede defeat.</a> The always-unconventional Moore is now asking donors to contribute to an "election integrity fund" that will be used to investigate allegations of voter fraud. Moore, using those always-fearsome capital letters, is assuring his followers that "this battle is NOT OVER!"<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Roy Moore's Vanquisher Bucks Democratic Party</em></strong><br /> <br /> Newly-elected Democratic Senator Doug Jones, breaking with many in his party, <a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2017-12-18/jones-trump-shouldnt-resign-over-misconduct-allegations">contends that there is no reason for President Trump to resign.</a> While some Democrats claim past allegations of sexual harassment make the president unsuitable to stay in office, Jones points out that those allegations were well known to voters prior to last year's election.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>California vs. The Machines!</em></strong><br /> <br /> California health officials are <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/cell-phone-radiation-california-2517691536.html">urging citizens to avoid sleeping alongside their beloved cell phones</a>. Warning of possible radiation dangers, scientists say cell phones should be kept away from the body and head whenever possible, especially when reception is weak. This advice is especially applicable to teens, so go ahead and tell the urchins to put down the darned machines. Or just send them a text.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-12-18T14:29:00ZGOP Senators Still on the Fence; White House Blasts FBIBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/GOP-Senators-Still-on-the-Fence;-White-House-Blasts-FBI/-482190418499199422.html2017-12-15T15:32:00Z2017-12-15T15:32:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, December 15, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</em><strong><em><br /><br /></em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>GOP Senators Still on the Fence</em></strong><br /> <br /> Despite all the confidence exuded by President Trump and other Republicans, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tax/as-republican-tax-vote-nears-more-senators-waver-idUSKBN1E82VH">the tax reform bill could still be derailed in the Senate</a>. Florida's Marco Rubio says he cannot vote for the bill unless the child tax credit is increased. Utah's Mike Lee is also a "maybe" because of that same issue, while other senators are also wavering. <a href="https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2017/12/14/sen-john-mccain-trying-get-rested-up-after-cancer-treatment-friends-say/953222001/">Meanwhile, Senator John McCain is "increasingly frail" after cancer treatment</a> and may not be on hand for next week's vote.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>White House Blasts FBI</em></strong><br /> <br /> During an interview on Fox News this morning, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/365071-wh-spokesman-fbi-has-extreme-bias-against-trump">White House spokesman J. Hogan Gidley accused the FBI of harboring "extreme bias" against President Trump</a>. He certainly has the ammunition to back up that claim, given the fact that FBI officials were exchanging messages that described then-candidate Trump as an "idiot" who should not have received a single vote.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>FBI's Strzok's Hatred Ran Deep</em></strong><br /> <br /> Peter Strzok, a former top official in Robert Mueller's investigation who now works somewhere deep in the bowels of the FBI's Human Resources department, was demoted because he exchanged virulently anti-Trump texts with his lover. <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/364946-fbi-agents-removed-from-russia-probe-lambasted-sanders-holder-in">It now turns out that Strzok also had some very harsh words</a> for Bernie Sanders, whose supporters he disparaged as "idiots," as well as former Attorney General Eric Holder.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dems Unhappy Over Release of Strzok Texts <br /> </em></strong><br /> Congressional Democrats don't seem to be very bothered by the content of Peter Strzok's anti-Trump texts. Rather, <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/14/fbi-agents-text-message-justice-department-congress-democrats-297737">they are unhappy because those text messages were made public.</a> Strzok's unbridled enmity towards Donald Trump and his championing of Hillary Clinton have led to widespread skepticism about Robert Mueller's investigation, upon which many Democrats had pinned their hopes of impeachment.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump to FBI Academy Today</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump is <a href="https://www.npr.org/2017/12/15/570868360/after-months-of-withering-criticism-trump-prepares-to-visit-fbi">taking his motorcade to Quantico, Virginia today</a>, where he will greet newly-minted graduates of the FBI academy. The president, of course, recently declared that the bureau's reputation is at its "worst in history." It would be extremely interesting if, after stopping at Quantico, he would also visit FBI headquarters in Washington to exchange pleasantries with Peter Strzok, Lisa Page, and other Trump-haters at the bureau.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Washington Post's Stunning Hypocrisy<br /> </em></strong><br /> The racial bean-counters at the Washington Post <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/12/15/with-omarosas-exit-trump-now-appears-to-have-no-black-senior-advisers/?utm_term=.00e7c9730536">are lamenting the fact that President Trump's White House is now bereft of black senior officials</a>. They noticed that after Omarosa Manigault resigned from the administration this week. Interestingly enough, some perfunctory research shows that Amazon, founded by Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos, has precisely zero blacks or Asians on its board of directors. Perhaps Bezos could hire Omarosa, who would make his lily-white board more colorful, in every sense of that word. <a href="https://www.recode.net/2017/10/21/16512448/amazon-gender-diversity-leadership-executives-jeff-bezos">It's also worth noting that 17 of Amazon's top 18 executives are cis males.</a> C'mon, Jeff, you can do better!<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Cuts Red Tape … Literally!</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-stood-next-to-a-huge-pile-of-paper-showing-big-government-2017-12/#trump-with-scissors-in-hand-prepared-to-cut-the-red-tape-1">The president used a couple of props yesterday</a> to demonstrate his commitment to slashing bureaucracy. As he boasted that his administration has eliminated 22 regulations for every new one put in place, Mr. Trump cut a ribbon of red tape with a pair of golden scissors. Of course, there is no telling how many levels of approval were required to procure those scissors.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Late Night Hosts Irate … Again<br /> </em></strong><br /> Whatever you know or don't know about "net neutrality," <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2017/12/15/late-night-stephen-colbert-jimmy-kimmel-trevor-noah-seth-meyers-net-neutrality/954771001/">the late night political experts are enraged because the FCC has rescinded that Obama-era rule</a>. As a rule of thumb, if ultra-liberal Stephen Colbert, and Seth Meyers are all against something, it's probably a good idea to come down on the other side.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sen. Graham Warns of War With North Korea<br /> </em></strong><br /> Senator Lindsey Graham <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/lindsey-graham-donald-trump-attacks-north-korea/2017/12/14/id/831860/">believes there is a 70% chance that President Trump will use military force</a> and initiate a full-scale attack if North Korea tests another nuclear bomb. Graham also urged China to do everything in its power, even if that means murdering Kim Jong Un, to diminish the looming threat of all-out war.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>US - Russia Warplanes in Showdown Over Syria<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Pentagon has revealed that <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/us-warplanes-chase-russian-jets-dangerous-syria-standoff-748998">American F-22 fighter planes warned off a couple of Russian warplanes</a> in the skies over eastern Syria. U.S. planes are supposed to stay to the east of the Euphrates River, while Russians are free to patrol west of the river. The American pilots fired warning flares, but the incident didn't escalate beyond that.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Terrorist Among Us<br /> </em></strong><br /> Zoobia Shahnaz, a resident of Long Island in New York, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/zoobiah-shahnaz-charged-after-sending-bitcoin-to-isis-from-long-island-2017-12">has been arrested for sending financial aid to ISIS</a>. She allegedly used her credit cards to borrow tens of thousands of dollars, which she then converted to bitcoin before sending it to the Islamic State. Shahnaz was nabbed before she could depart the USA, then indicted on five counts that could result in a long prison stretch.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>White House Urges Roy Moore to Give Up<br /> </em></strong><br /> Judge Roy Moore has still not owned up to the fact that he lost Tuesday's special election in Alabama. The White House, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/12/14/roy-moore-refuses-to-concede-as-some-supporters-push-stories-of-voter-fraud/?utm_term=.8c29bafa2126">through spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders</a>, is hinting that the time has come for Moore to concede defeat and ride off into the sunset on his horse Sassy.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>May 19<sup>th</sup>, Windsor Castle. Save the Date!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will have a spring wedding at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. Just in case you don't receive an official invitation to the May 19<sup>th</sup> event, <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/941654708661444608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vanityfair.com%2Fstyle%2F2017%2F12%2Fmeghan-markle-and-prince-harry-have-a-wedding-date">at least you can save and cherish this tweet from Kensington Palace</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>A Surgeon to Avoid<br /> </em></strong><br /> British surgeon Simon Bramhall has <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-42344180">confessed to burning his initials into the transplanted livers</a> of two patients. Prosecutors say it is a "highly unusual and complex case," which may be the understatement of the year. Bramhall has been banned from practicing medicine and will be sentenced next month. On the bright side, at least he didn't write out his full name.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Great Pecan Pie Mystery Solved<br /> </em></strong><br /> A few White House correspondents, among them Trump-hating April Ryan, were skeptical when Sarah Huckabee Sanders claimed she had baked a chocolate pecan pie for Thanksgiving. Sanders tried to defuse the great pie controversy yesterday when she <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">hand-delivered a couple of her confectionary treats to reporters at the press corps' potluck dinner.</a> Ryan, apparently not a pie aficionado, expressed her gratitude and suggested that she and Sanders push the "reset" button on their often acrid relationship.<br /> <br /> </p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-12-15T15:32:00ZTax Reform Under the Tree!; Deputy AG Dodges on "Dossier"BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Tax-Reform-Under-the-Tree!;-Deputy-AG-Dodges-on-Dossier/30843449397242561.html2017-12-14T14:39:00Z2017-12-14T14:39:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Thursday, December 14, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</em><strong><em><br /><br /></em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Tax Reform Under the Tree!</em></strong><br /> <br /> It is increasingly possible that Congress will pass tax reform legislation just in time for Christmas. <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/finance/364826-gop-strikes-deal-on-trump-tax-cuts">House and Senate Republicans have agreed on the details</a> of a final bill that will now have to pass both chambers. The GOP hails the legislation, which cuts the top corporate rate from 35% to 21%, as a Christmas gift to all Americans. Every single one of the 240 or so Democrats in Congress are expected to vote "nay."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Deputy AG Dodges on "Dossier"</em></strong><br /> <br /> Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, under intense questioning by House Republicans yesterday, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/13/deputy-ag-wont-say-whether-the-fbi-paid-for-dossier/">refused to say whether the FBI paid for that anti-Trump "dossier."</a> Some Republicans believe that the fake dossier was actually used as evidence to obtain a warrant that led to eavesdropping on Trump campaign officials.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IN5Sofw_b9A?rel=0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /><br /> <strong><em>FBI's Tainted, Trump-Hating Agents</em></strong><br /> <br /> Deputy AG Rosenstein also came under fire from bulldog-like Trey Gowdy, a former prosecutor who chairs the House Oversight Committee. Gowdy reminded everyone about some FBI officials, among them the notorious Peter Strzok, <a href="http://insider.foxnews.com/2017/12/13/trey-gowdy-reacts-rod-rosenstein-hearing-mueller-probe-conflict-interest">expressed their utter contempt for Donald Trump</a> and his voters. Strzok, who was deeply involved in both the Hillary Clinton inquiry and the Russia probe, declared in a text that Hillary Clinton should win the election 100,000,000 to zero. Congressman Gowdy is always worth a watch:<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pGscoMWgeAI?rel=0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /> <br /><strong><em>Roy Moore Refuses to Concede <br /> </em></strong><br /> While it's obvious to pretty much everyone that Democrat Doug Jones won Tuesday's special election in Alabama, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/14/politics/roy-moore-video-ballots/index.html">the vanquished Roy Moore insists the race is not over.</a> Moore says the election won't actually be decided until all military and provisional ballots are counted. In a most unusual move, Judge Moore has released a video in which he denounces "abortion, sodomy, and materialism."<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X2cck_Eup00?rel=0&controls=0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>"<br /><br /><br /><strong><em>Mouse Devours Fox</em></strong><br /> <br /> In one of the largest entertainment deals ever, <a href="http://variety.com/2017/biz/news/disney-fox-merger-deal-52-4-billion-merger-1202631242/">Disney will purchase a large part of 21<sup>st</sup> Century Fox for more than $50-billion</a>. This is largely a transaction involving film and television studios and does not include Fox News Channel, Fox Business, and some other assets that will remain part of a new, slimmed-down company.<br /><br /><br /> <strong><em>Biden: Not a "Hint of Scandal" in Obama Years<br /> </em></strong><br /> Remember when President Obama told Bill that there was not even a "smidgen" of corruption at the IRS, even though that agency was giving preferential treatment to liberal organizations. Well, <a href="http://ijr.com/the-declaration/2017/12/1034487-joe-biden-claims-obama-didnt-hint-scandal-list-shows-otherwise/?utm_campaign=Conservative%20Daily&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=59370127&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Jz1eZbVEkp-zcXRHrUefcqT0By9H1fg1f_HWv5vKRuMqaIMUSWH3lBuyGy4QoYTNGkCAJshcln5_iCYp3n7HLS3-7xw&_hsmi=59370127">Joe Biden has gone even further than his former boss</a> by claiming the entire eight years of the Obama administration didn't have "a hint of scandal." Denial, like ignorance, can be pure bliss.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Omarosa Out at White House<br /> </em></strong><br /> Omarosa Manigault, the former 'Apprentice' contestant who became an aide to President Trump, is <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2017/12/omarosa-manigault-resigned">leaving her job at the White House</a>. She says her resignation is completely voluntarily and denies reports that she was uncermonously fired and dragged out of the building. <a href="https://twitter.com/AprilDRyan/status/940967236675817473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Fhomenews%2Fadministration%2F364729-april-ryan-omarosa-fired-by-kelly-escorted-out-of-white-house">Those rumors were put forth by April Ryan</a>, who is vying with Jim Acosta to be the most obnoxious Trump-hater in the White House press corps. It's a close race.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Tavis Smiley Faces Allegations<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/tavis-smiley-pbs-1202639424/">PBS has suspended Tavis Smiley</a>, whose eponymous talk show runs on public television stations across the country. The network says it has uncovered "multiple, credible allegations" of sexual misconduct. But Smiley insists that he has never "groped, coerced, or exposed myself inappropriately" in the workplace. Meanwhile, <a href="https://hotair.com/archives/2017/12/13/nyts-russell-simmons-rape-expose-nightmare/">three women have accused rap music mogul Russell Simmons of forcibly raping them</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Accused Legislator Dead of Probable Suicide<br /> </em></strong><br /> Kentucky Representative Dan Johnson, a Republican, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/14/us/kentucky-state-lawmaker-death/index.html">has died of a single, apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound</a>. Johnson had been accused of molesting a teenage girl, which he forcefully denied during a press conference and on social media.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Actress Denounces "Monster" Weinstein<br /> </em></strong><br /> Salma Hayek has joined the chorus of actors who claim to have been terrorized by Harvey Weinstein. <a href="http://people.com/movies/salma-hayek-harvey-weinstein-once-told-her-i-will-kill-you-dont-think-i-cant/">She claims the massive mogul actually threatened to kill her</a> when she rebuffed his request for sexual favors. Ironically, Hayek's interactions with Weinstein came because she badly wanted to portray the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, <a href="http://www.fridakahlofans.com/c0670.html">a woman who deeply admired another monster named Josef Stalin</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Gov. Cuomo Bristles When Asked About Abuse<br /> </em></strong><br /> New York Governor Andrew Cuomo took umbrage yesterday when a reporter asked him about <a href="https://hotair.com/archives/2017/12/14/watch-ny-governor-mansplains-sexual-harassment-female-reporter/">allegations of sexual harassment in his state government</a>. Cuomo, older brother of CNN's much-ridiculed Chris Cuomo, implied that the female reporter had absolutely no business asking such a question, which he characterized as "a disservice to women."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>512-Year-Old Shark!!<br /> </em></strong><br /> If marine biologists are correct, they have <a href="http://www.ibtimes.com/512-year-old-shark-believed-be-oldest-living-vertebrate-found-north-atlantic-2628368">discovered a living shark that could have been born in or around 1505</a>. That is the same year, you undoubtely recall, in which Martin Luther decided to become a monk. The unnamed shark, like many of his or her long-lived colleagues, swims and hunts in the frigid deep water of the North Atlantic. <a href="https://twitter.com/Daily_Star/status/940678716807680003/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ibtimes.com%2F512-year-old-shark-believed-be-oldest-living-vertebrate-found-north-atlantic-2628368">The elderly shark actually doesn't look a day over 450.</a></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-12-14T14:39:00ZAnalyzing the Alabama Vote; Moore Demands RecountBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Analyzing-the-Alabama-Vote;-Moore-Demands-Recount/-507116407279983857.html2017-12-13T14:43:00Z2017-12-13T14:43:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Wednesday, December 13, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</em><strong><em><br /><br /></em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Analyzing the Alabama Vote</em></strong><br /> <br /> Voters in Alabama are sending a Democrat to the United States Senate, cutting the GOP's advantage in that chamber to 51 – 49. The significance of Tuesday's <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/the-memo/364635-winners-and-losers-in-the-alabama-special-election">election depends on who is doing the analysis</a>. Democrats see it as a repudiation of President Trump and a sign that they can be competitive everywhere in the country; Republicans blame their party's leaders in Congress and the fact that Moore was buried under an avalanche of allegations.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Moore Demands Recount</em></strong><br /> <br /> Despite losing by about two percentage points, a considerable margin, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/headline/roy-moore-alabama-senate/2017/12/12/id/831425/">Roy Moore has thus far refused to concede defeat and is telling his voters to maintain hope</a>. Moore is calling for a recount while affirming that "God is always in control." But by all indications, even the deity will be unable to alter the fact that Judge Roy Moore will not be Senator Roy Moore.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Reacts to Alabama Loss</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump jumped into the Alabama special election and wholeheartedly supported Republican Roy Moore. Following Moore's loss, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/940795587733151744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2017%2F12%2F13%2Fpolitics%2Fdonald-trump-senate-race%2Findex.html">the president tweeted his congratulations to winner Doug Jones</a> and reiterated his affection for Alabama.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Republicans Paint Loss as a Victory</em></strong><br /> <br /> Cory Gardner, a Republican Senator from Colorado, chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee and wants to elect more Republicans to the Senate. <a href="http://www.9news.com/news/local/next/senator-cory-gardner-who-opposed-roy-moore-hopes-doug-jones-aligns-with-gop/499060626">But he was delighted by Roy Moore's loss</a>, saying Moore was "unfit to serve in the U.S. Senate." Gardner is expressing hope that Doug Jones will keep an open mind and will not follow in lockstep behind Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sen. Gillibrand: Trump Should Quit</em></strong><br /> <br /> Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who was besties with Bill and Hillary Clinton for a decade until it was no longer politically valuable, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/11/politics/trump-resign-gillibrand-sexual-assault/index.html">is among those demanding President Trump's resignation</a>. She alleges that the president "has committed assault" and needs to either quit or face a Congressional investigation.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Gillibrand and "Mattress Girl"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Senator Gillibrand is certainly no newcomer to the politics of feigned outrage. <a href="https://nypost.com/2017/07/14/columbia-settles-with-student-accused-of-raping-mattress-girl/">She championed the cause of "Mattress Girl" Emma Sulkowicz</a>, the Columbia University student who claimed she was raped by a classmate. Gillibrand actually invited Sulkowicz to be her guest at the State of the Union message, while the accused man eventually received an undisclosed settlement from Columbia.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Maxine Waters' Latest Slander<br /> </em></strong><br /> No one can accuse Democratic Congresswoman Maxine Waters of being gracious in victory. Last night, as it became apparent that Doug Jones would defeat Roy Moore, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/364619-waters-how-many-diet-cokes-did-trump-drink-while-waiting-for-his-pedophile">the often-unhinged Waters tweeted a question</a>: "How many diet cokes did Trump consume while he gulped and waited for the defeat of his pedophile candidate??" You keep it classy, Maxine.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>FBI Agents Called Trump "Idiot"</em></strong><br /> <br /> You've been hearing about FBI agent Peter Strzok, who was removed from Robert Mueller's team because of his anti-Trump bias. Some text messages between Strzok and his lover, FBI official Lisa Page, <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/12/fbi-agents-trump-mueller-texts-294156">have now been turned over to Congress</a>. They casually referred to then-candidate Donald Trump as "an idiot" and a "loathsome human." Stozok wrote that Hillary Clinton, in a sane world, would win by 100,000,000 to zero.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Media's Enduring War on Trump</em></strong><br /> <br /> The folks at the Media Research Center are wizards at documenting media attitudes. In its most recent analysis, <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/rich-noyes/2017/12/12/even-media-whine-about-trump-their-hostile-coverage-shows-no-let">the MRC reveals that the three nightly network newscasts</a> are still overwhelmingly negative in their coverage of President Trump. On average, they spew about ten negative statements for every one that might be construed as positive.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Wins Award for "Lie of the Year"</em></strong><br /> <br /> So many lies, so little time! Each year the website Politifact announces the year's greatest whopper, and this time that <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/364524-politifact-names-trump-claim-that-russian-election-interference-is">dubious honor goes to President Donald Trump</a>. Politifact bestowed the award on the president for his claim that Russia election hacking is a "made-up story." The strange thing about all this is that Russian hacking has thus far not been proven.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Immigration Boss Defends "Chain Migration"<br /> </em></strong><br /> L. Francis Cissna, the top bureaucrat at the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services, has declared that <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/international/364513-immigration-services-director-no-data-to-support-connection-between">there is no evidence of a connection between chain migration and terrorism</a>, although he did concede that the entire system is vulnerable to bad hombres. The subject of chain migration came up again after Monday's botched terror attack in New York City, carried out by a Bangladeshi man who came to the USA because of family connections.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump's Tweets Protected<br /> </em></strong><br /> If and when President Trump insults you on Twitter, and that time may well come, you cannot collect damages for defamation. <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/12/trump-wins-defamation-court-case-over-his-twitter-account/">That decision was handed down</a> after a Republican strategist accused the president of maligning her character. The president, in his understated way, described the woman as a "real dummy" and "major loser," but even those tweets are protected by the First Amendment.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>About that First Amendment!<br /> </em></strong><br /> While President Trump's inflammatory tweets are protected, Buena Vista University in Iowa doesn't much care for that pesky First Amendment. <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/12/university-insists-hate-speech-is-potentially-punishable-under-the-law/">The school has declared that "hate speech," however that may be defined, is "potentially punishable under the law."</a> Administrators were reacting to a recent incident in which racial slurs were found at a student dorm. Many of these alleged "hate crimes" turn out to be bogus, but that is not to say this heinous accusation is not genuine.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Kaepernick in Jail … Just Visiting<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former quarterback Colin Kaepernick dropped in on <a href="https://nypost.com/2017/12/12/kaepernicks-visit-to-meet-rikers-inmates-irks-correction-officers/">inmates at New York City's Rikers Island lockup yesterday</a>. He lectured them about "social justice" and his decision to take a stand by taking a knee. Corrections officers were incensed by the city's decision to welcome an avowed cop-hater who actually wore socks depicting police officers as pigs.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Once Burned, Charlottesville Denies Permit<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Virginia city of Charlottesville, which was beset by violence at an August rally, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/charlottesville-denies-white-nationalists-permit/2017/12/12/id/831317/">will not allow a second "Unite the Right" rally next year.</a> The city has denied numerous applications from right-wingers, saying another rally "presents a danger to public safety." The prospective protesters are vowing to sue the city for violating their rights.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Former Facebook Exec Warns About Social Media<br /> </em></strong><br /> Chamath Palihapitiaya, who was instrumental in building Facebook's popularity, now warns that <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chamath-palihapitiya-former-facebook-executive-social-media-ripping-apart-society/">social media is "ripping apart the social fabric."</a> He admits that early Facebook executives were fully aware that "something bad could happen" and urged people to take a break from the "short term dopamine-driven feedback loops." Another former Facebook executive, Sean Parker, has also admitted that the original goal was to exploit "vulnerability in human psychology." Said in a pithier way, put down those machines for a while.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>New World Record for Dumb Tweets in a Single Hour<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former baseball star Jose Canseco should have heeded that advice about the machines. He has been angling for a job in the broadcast booth, <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/12/12/ex-mlb-star-jose-canseco-tweets-sexual-molestation-gets-angry-responses/946502001/">but the tweets he sent out yesterday pretty much end his chances</a>. The former steroid-abuser issued a burst of messages in which he boasted that he had been sexually molested by several women and "it was kind of a turn-on." Canseco then swung for the fences, adding that women complaining about sexual misconduct are "just racist against ugly men." If you can figure out how racism works into this equation, please let us know.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-12-13T14:43:00ZNew Focus on Bangladesh and "Chain Migration"; D-Day in AlabamaBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/New-Focus-on-Bangladesh-and-Chain-Migration;-D-Day-in-Alabama/-601381155972987378.html2017-12-12T14:56:00Z2017-12-12T14:56:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Tuesday, December 12, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</em><strong><em><br /><br /></em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Anti-Trump Forces Switch Gears</em></strong><br /> <br /> With accusations of Russia "collusion" bearing little fruit, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/364397-trump-dems-moving-on-from-russia-to-false-accusations-of-sexual">President Trump's legion of enemies appears to be moving in another direction</a>. Democrats and their media allies have suddenly developed a newfound interest in allegations of sexual harassment by Donald Trump before he was president. Three of his accusers were on hand at a press conference yesterday arranged by far-left filmmaker Robert Greenwald. <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/940554567414091776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Fhomenews%2Fadministration%2F364397-trump-dems-moving-on-from-russia-to-false-accusations-of-sexual">Early this morning the president lashed out</a> against what he calls "false accusations and fabricated stories" put forth by women he claims to have never met.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Democratic Women Join the Parade</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/364387-nearly-60-female-lawmakers-call-for-probe-into-sexual-allegations-against">56 female Democrats in Congress</a>, noticing that the anti-Trump winds have shifted in a different direction, are now asking the House Oversight Committee to investigate those allegations of past sexual harassment. The lawmakers will hold a press conference today on Capitol Hill that is sure to garner lots of media attention.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>New Focus on Bangladesh and "Chain Migration"</em></strong><br /> <br /> Yesterday's botched terror attack in New York City is shining a spotlight on "chain migration," <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/11/white-house-142000-bangladeshis-in-us-under-family-visa-laws/">which enables legal immigrants to bring relatives to the USA</a>. Would-be terrorist Akayed Ullah, who came to the United States with his family seven years ago, is among an estimated 142,000 Bangladeshis who have been admitted because of family ties. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/11/chain-migration-allowed-port-authority-terror-suspect-to-enter-us-authorities-say.html">Fox News has published a detailed explanation</a> of chain migration and other programs that will undoubtedly be reevaluated by the Trump administration.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>D-Day in Alabama<br /> </em></strong><br /> After months of mud-slinging and wildly swinging polls, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/364383-ala-drama-nears-an-explosive-end">Alabamans are finally casting their ballots in that special election</a>. Polls will close at 7 PM in Alabama, after which either Democrat Doug Moore or Republican Roy Moore will be the state's junior senator. Moore is still considered the favorite to win, but a recent Fox News poll had Jones up by ten points. Just to make sure there was controversy right to the bitter end, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/12/12/one-of-our-attorneys-is-a-jew-kayla-moore-makes-the-headlines-at-roy-moores-big-rally/?utm_term=.141563f33e6e">Roy Moore's wife Kayla boasted last night, "One of our attorneys is a Jew."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Moore Interviewed by 12-Year-Old Girl</em></strong><br /> <br /> Roy Moore, under fire for allegedly pursuing underage girls 40 years ago, <a href="http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/12/roy_moore_sits_down_for_interv.html#incart_m-rpt-2">recently sat down for an interview conducted by 12-year-old Millie March</a>. She's the youngster who became well known last year for her support of Donald Trump. The interview was arranged by an organization called the America First Project, which was formed by conservative former employees of Breitbart.<br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bdQh1oM9WFM?rel=0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /><br />Moore and the GOP's Quandary<br /> </em></strong><br /> Many Republicans outside of Alabama are openly hoping that Democrat Doug Jones wins, knowing that a Roy Moore victory would be used as a cudgel against the GOP. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/poll-gop-moore-senate/2017/12/11/id/831076/">According to a new Rasmussen poll</a>, 36% of Republicans contend that Moore should not even be seated in the United States Senate if he is elected. The entire race has put many conservatives in the uncomfortable position of rooting against an arch-conservative who would certainly vote their way for years to come.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>More Intrigue Surrounding Fake "Dossier"</em></strong><br /> <br /> The opposition research firm Fusion GPS was responsible for that phony anti-Trump dossier that was filled with untrue and salacious allegations. Fox News has discovered that <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/11/wife-demoted-doj-official-worked-for-firm-behind-anti-trump-dossier.html">Fusion GPS employed Nellie Ohr, whose husband Bruce Ohr was a top official in the Justice Department</a>. Mr. Ohr was demoted last week after it was revealed that he had previously undisclosed meetings with Fusion GPS's founder. Coincidentally or not, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/12/fbis-mccabe-has-ohr-problem-will-not-testify-on-tuesday-source-says.html">FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe has backed out of his scheduled testimony</a> today before the House Intelligence Committee. McCabe cites a "scheduling error," but skeptics believe he wants to avoid questions about Bruce Ohr and other anti-Trump government officials.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Inside Fusion GPS</em></strong><br /> <br /> As noted above, the wife of a top DOJ official was employed by the mysterious dirt-digging firm Fusion GPS. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/journalism-for-rent-inside-the-secretive-firm-behind-the-trump-dossier/2017/12/11/8d5428d4-bd89-11e7-af84-d3e2ee4b2af1_story.html?utm_term=.d11a6828ff84">The Washington Post has published an extensive piece about Fusion GPS</a>, its founders, and its questionable techniques for uncovering potentially damaging information that could help its wealthy and powerful clients.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Black Eye for the NFL</em></strong><br /> <br /> The NFL Network, owned and operated by the beleaguered National Football League, <a href="http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/nfl-network-eric-weinberger-sexual-harassment-suit-1202637213/">has suspended three on-air analysts</a>. Marshall Faulk, Heath Evans, and Ike Taylor have all been accused by a former employee of various sexual misdeeds. The accuser, Jami Cantor, says her complaints about the ongoing harassment were ignored by the network.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>SF Mayor Ed Lee Dead After Heart Attack</em></strong><br /> <br /> 65-year-old Ed Lee, the Mayor of San Francisco, <a href="http://www.sfexaminer.com/san-francisco-mayor-ed-lee-dies-age-65/">died suddenly this morning after suffering a heart attack</a> while shopping for groceries. Lee, elected in 2011, grew up in a Seattle housing project as the son of a cook and a garment worker. Board of Supervisors President London Breed, who boasts that she comes from 'the hood,' takes over as acting mayor. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>SF Illegal Alien Guilty of Murdering Five</em></strong><br /> <br /> Even a San Francisco jury couldn't avoid the obvious. Binh Thai Luc, an illegal immigrant from Vietnam, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/12/12/illegal-immigrant-found-guilty-in-murder-family-five-in-san-francisco.html">was convicted yesterday of beating five people to death with a hammer</a>. Luc murdered an entire family of Chinese immigrants after stealing their money to pay off his gambling debts. The killer had a history of violence and was supposed to be deported back to Vietnam, but a paperwork snafu allowed him to remain in the USA. Want to know the difference between San Francisco and the normal world? <a href="https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Plumber-found-guilty-in-slaughter-of-San-12422237.php">This account of yesterday's conviction</a>, published by a local paper, describes the killer as a "plumber" and studiously avoids the word "illegal."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Kate Steinle Memorial Trashed<br /> </em></strong><br /> Some students at the University of California at Berkeley created a tribute to the late Kate Steinle, whose illegal alien killer was recently acquitted of murder. <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/kate-steinle-vigil-trashed-at-uc-berkeley/article/2643157">But others at the notoriously far-left school, apparently offended by the flowers and candlelight vigil</a>, ripped up a poster of Steinle and shouted down those who wished to honor her memory.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sarah Huckabee Sanders Unleashed<br /> </em></strong><br /> White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">engaged in a heated exchange yesterday with CNN's Jim Acosta</a>. She was obviously incensed by the recent rash of news reports that turned to be absolutely false. CNN, ABC News, and other outlets have been putting forth erroneous stories in what seems like a focused effort to damage or destroy President Trump.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Judge to Manafort: Shut Up!<br /> </em></strong><br /> A federal judge has ordered former Trump campaign manager <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/364274-judge-warns-manafort-not-to-try-to-try-case-in-press">Paul Manafort to keep mum about his case</a>. Manafort, who has been charged with money laundering and tax fraud, may have violated a gag order if he was involved in writing an editorial last week.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pentagon Defies Trump on Transgender Troops<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump has called for a ban on transgendered people in the military, but the Department of Defense is not going along. Starting on January 1<sup>st</sup>, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/headline/transgender-military-enlist-january/2017/12/11/id/831072/">transgender individuals will be able to enlist in the armed forces</a> if they pass some rigorous psychological and physical tests. The Pentagon claims that a total ban on transgender troops would face insurmountable barriers in court.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>A Hero Emerges to Bring Peace to Korea<br /> </em></strong><br /> Dennis Rodman to the rescue! The multi-pierced, heavily-inked former <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2017/12/12/dennis-rodman-north-korea/943443001/">NBA star wants President Trump to send him to North Korea</a>. Right now Americans are banned from visiting that nation, but Rodman believes an exception should be made for a proven peacemaker like himself. Hey, if a guy is willing to head-butt an NBA referee, there is no telling what he might do to Kim Jong Un.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/niSd-GtPCGk?rel=0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-12-12T14:56:00ZTerror Attack in NYC; Pro-Trump Students Booted from University Coffee ShopBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Terror-Attack-in-NYC;-Pro-Trump-Students-Booted-from-University-Coffee-Shop/142949544060581231.html2017-12-11T16:01:00Z2017-12-11T16:01:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Monday, December 11, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /></em><strong><em><br /><br />Terror Attack in NYC</em></strong></p>
<p><br /> <a href="https://nypost.com/2017/12/11/explosion-reported-at-port-authority-bus-terminal/">Panic prevailed for a few hours in New York City this morning in a bomb attack</a>. An ISIS-inspired man who apparently wanted to explode a suicide bomb was nabbed in the crowded Port Authority bus terminal after his device only partially detonated. The 27-year-old suspect, a Bangladeshi man named Akayed Ullah, had been living in Brooklyn for seven years.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Alabama Senate Race Finally at Finish Line</em></strong><br /> <br /> After an election campaign filled with sordid allegations that made Alabama the center of national attention, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2017/12/11/569668106/the-crazy-unbelievable-alabama-senate-race-careens-to-an-end">voters will decide tomorrow who will represent them in the United States Senate</a>. Recent polls give the edge to Republican Roy Moore, despite claims that he long ago pursued very young girls, but Doug Jones still insists that he can become the state's first Democratic senator in two decades.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Alabama's Other Senator Blasts Moore</em></strong><br /> <br /> Richard Shelby, Alabama's senior senator, <a href="http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/12/richard_shelby_on_roy_moore_th.html#incart_river_home">says he did not vote for Roy Moore because the GOP "can do better."</a> Shelby also didn't vote for Democrat Doug Jones, but instead wrote in the name of a Republican he did not identify.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Trumpets Tax Bill, Economy</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump spent part of his weekend boasting about the rising stock market and declining unemployment. He also claims that Congress is "getting closer and closer" to passing the tax reform legislation. One potential fly in that ointment is Republican Senator Susan Collins, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/10/politics/susan-collins-tax-reform-vote/index.html">who says she is still unsure whether she will vote for the bill</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Most Americans Skeptical of Tax Bill</em></strong><br /> <br /> While the president and Republicans assure people that most will get a substantial tax cut under the new bill, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/tax-reform-bill-tax-cuts-poll/2017/12/10/id/830930/">most Americans aren't buying what the GOP is selling</a>. A slight majority of taxpayers believes they will not see their tax bill decline and also questions whether the bill will in fact help the U.S. economy. As expected, most Republicans support the legislation, while the majority of Democrats are staunchly opposed.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Again Blasts "Fake News Media"<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/10/stain-on-america-trump-denounces-fake-news-media-after-string-major-reporting-errors-exposed.html">President Trump took to Twitter yesterday</a> and again hammered the "major lies" put forth by what he describes as the "Fake News Media." He was obviously referring to the many errors committed last week by CNN, ABC, and other outlets. Not coincidentally, the errors always seem to be made in one direction – they are potentially damaging to the president and his administration.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN's Bad, Very Bad Friday</em></strong><br /> <br /> Much-maligned and low-rated CNN was not saying TGIF last week. First, the network issued a totally <a href="https://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/time-get-cnn-airports-etc/">false "exclusive" implying that Donald Trump Jr. was in cahoots with WikiLeaks</a> during the presidential campaign. Later that evening, a CNN reporter tweeted a misleading photo from President Trump's rally in Florida. Undeterred and unembarrassed, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">CNN invited a guest who actually declared that media mistakes</a> are the direct result of their "overzealous efforts to be fair to the president." Yes, he really said that.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump's Accusers Unite</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump has been accused by various women of past sexual improprieties. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/364217-trump-accusers-to-unite-for-first-time-demand-congressional">Some of those women will be together today at a press conference</a> arranged by a left-wing organization called Brave New Films. The alleged victims want Congress to investigate the president, who has denied all their accusations.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pro-Trump Students Booted from University Coffee Shop<br /> </em></strong><br /> If you need a caffeine fix at Fordam University in New York City, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/12/10/pro-trump-students-in-maga-hats-booted-from-safe-space-campus-coffee-shop.html">don't show up in a pro-Trump cap</a>. Some students wearing "Make America Great Again" caps were ousted from that school's coffee shop, which is considered a "safe space," in the parlance of modern education. Fordham is said to be investigating the incident, much as O.J. is searching for the real killers.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>And In Other College Craziness …<br /> </em></strong><br /> Evergreen State College in Washington State has notoriously been roiled by student protests and ultra-radicalism in recent months. <a href="https://www.thecollegefix.com/post/39514/">Now the student paper has a portion of its opinion pages that is totally off-limit to whites</a>. The section is charmingly described as being "for people of color by people of color." White people are advised to "take a step back," which essentially means "shut up!"<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dems Accused of "Peddling" Dossier<br /> </em></strong><br /> According to an NBC News reporter, people with close ties to the <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/09/reporter-democrats-were-peddling-salacious-trump-dossier-allegation-to-journalists/">Democratic Party were urging media outlets to run with the fake anti-Trump "dossier."</a> The false documents, put together by a former British spy, were paid for by the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Movies Come to Saudi Arabia<br /> </em></strong><br /> Changes are certainly afoot in the repressive kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Not only will women soon be allowed to drive, <a href="https://nypost.com/2017/12/11/saudi-arabia-to-allow-movie-theaters-for-first-time-in-decades/">they'll actually be able to catch a movie</a>. Saudi officials announced today that movie theaters will be allowed for the first time in 35 years. The first multiplex is expected to open in March, with hundreds more to follow. Of course, tolerance has its limits, and one suspects that neither "Lawrence of Arabia" nor "Exodus" will be on the marquees any time soon.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Newsweek's Pet-ulance</em></strong><br /> <br /> Once-respected Newsweek magazine, which no longer exists in print, <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/mike-pences-pets-wont-stop-dying-741494">is running a story entitled "Mike Pence's Pets Won't Stop Dying."</a> The exclusive notes that the Pence family has recently mourned the deaths of two kitties named Oreo and Pickles, one of which had been with the family for 16 years. Fortunately, Newsweek stops short of accusing the Pence family of kittycide by pointing out that the cats lived relatively long lives. The mag also failed to mention the fact that both Pickles and Oreo have eight lives remaining.</p>
<p><strong><em><strong><em> </em></strong></em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-12-11T16:01:00ZTrump Visits Civil Rights Museum; GOP Senator Denounced "Unhinged" PelosiBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Visits-Civil-Rights-Museum;--GOP-Senator-Denounced-Unhinged-Pelosi/-759266532349626244.html2017-12-10T14:59:00Z2017-12-10T14:59:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Sunday, December 10, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></em></p>
<p><strong><em><strong><em>Trump Visits Civil Rights Museum</em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><br /></em><em> President Trump addressed a group of veterans yesterday at the newly-opened Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson. <a href="http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2017/12/09/donald-trump-mississippi-civil-rights-museum-visit-protests/932518001/">Some prominent black Americans protested the president's visit</a> and refused to attend any ceremony at which he was included. They cited his public denunciation of Black Lives Matter, his immigration policies, and his opposition to ObamaCare. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">A small crowd of protesters gathered in Jackson to protest the president's presence</a></em><em>.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Moore Atop Latest 'Bama Poll</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>A new survey by a reputable and nonpartisan polling company has </em><em><a href="http://orlando-politics.com/2017/12/09/alabama-poll-moore-surges-ahead-jones-49-45-special-senate-election-race/">Republican Roy Jones leading by four points over Democrat Doug Jones</a>. The pollsters have determined that Moore's backers tend to be more passionate and more likely to vote Tuesday. If he does win, Moore will immediately be embroiled in ethics investigations and will be a <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/10/democrats-alabama-roy-moore-doug-jones-288631">very inviting target for Democrats in next year's midterm elections</a></em><em>.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Feasts on More "Fake News" </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><br /></em><em> The Washington Post made a major blunder Friday, on which President Trump quickly and gleefully pounced. Post reporter Dave Weigel <a href="https://nypost.com/2017/12/09/wapo-reporter-apologizes-for-trump-calls-out-wrong-rally-photo/">tweeted a photo of a near-empty arena in Pensacola, Florida</a>, citing it as evidence that the president didn't attract a large crowd to his rally. The problem is that the photo was taken well before the event, which was indeed packed with Trump supporters by the time the president spoke. </em><em><a href="https://twitter.com/daveweigel/status/939616810684514304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fnypost.com%2F2017%2F12%2F09%2Fwapo-reporter-apologizes-for-trump-calls-out-wrong-rally-photo%2F">Weigel graciously apologized for his "bad tweet."</a></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>"Fake News," The Prelude</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>Prior to that misleading photo from Pensacola, </em><em><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/fake-news-cnn-mistake-donald-trump-jr/2017/12/08/id/830776/">CNN was again forced to retract an embarrassing error</a>. The anti-Trump network was certain that it finally had a smoking gun, evidence that Donald Trump Jr. was in cahoots with WikiLeaks during last year's election. Unfortunately for the network, it dropped a digit and turned September 14<sup>th</sup> into September 4<sup>th</sup></em><em>, thus changing the entire relevance of the story. Of course, the error could be understandable because CNN has not been number 1 for so many years that it may have totally forgotten the existence of that particular digit.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>GOP Senator Denounced "Unhinged" Pelosi</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>After Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi declared the tax bill to be "Armageddon," </em><em><a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/364117-gop-sen-slams-pelosi-as-unhinged">Republican Senator John Barrasso is returning with some verbal fire of his own</a>. Barrasso, a physician in his previous life, denounced Pelosi and other Democrats as power-hungry politicians who benefit from an ever-larger government. "For her it may sound like Armageddon," he said of the tax plan, "but to me it sounds like freedom."</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Iraq Declares Mission Accomplished</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em><a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42291985">The leader of Iraq says his nation's war against the Islamic State has been won</a></em><em>. Haider al-Abadi boasted that his forces now control the border with Syria, while the United States agreed that ISIS' "vile occupation" is finally over. ISIS, also known as the Islamic State, once controlled huge parts of Syria and Iraq and declared its intention to build a new "caliphate" that would dominate the Middle East for centuries.</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Synagogue Attacked in Sweden</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>The once-idyllic country of Sweden, which flung open its doors to refugees from Islamic nations, has been beset by growing violence. </em><em><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/3-people-arrested-in-fire-bomb-attack-on-swedish-synagogue/2017/12/10/15d4b466-dd8e-11e7-b2e9-8c636f076c76_story.html?utm_term=.b668c31eaf87">The latest attack came in Gothenborg</a></em><em>, where three people were arrested after firebombing a synagogue. Meanwhile, in the heavily Muslim city of Malmo, hundreds of people shouted anti-Jewish slogans and waved Palestinian flags. They claimed to be protesting President Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, but Malmo has long been a center of Islamic-inspired violence in Sweden.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>All Hail the New "Dean of the House"</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>It is only a symbolic title, but the House of Representatives always has a "Dean," </em><em><a href="http://mustreadalaska.com/breaking-don-young-now-dean-house/">the individual who has served the longest</a></em><em>. Now that Michigan Democrat John Conyers is gone, the new Dean of the House is Republican Don Young of Alaska, who was first elected in 1973. The not-so-young Young is the first Republican Dean since 1933.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>FBI Agents Weary of Trump's Criticism?<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>President Trump has been unsparing in his criticism of the FBI and its leadership. According to former agent Frank Montoya Jr., </em><em><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/headline/fbi-agent-donald-trump-special-counsel-robert-mueller/2017/12/09/id/830853/">the president's remarks have generated "a lot of anger" among rank-and-file agents</a></em><em> and others in the intelligence community. President Trump recently tweeted that the FBI's reputation "is in Tatters," an accusation that was refuted by former FBI boss James Comey and others.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>California, Paradise Lost?<br /> </em></strong></em></strong><em><br /></em><em> <a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-wildfires-overview-20171210-story.html">The Los Angeles Times has published an analysis</a></em><em> of how the recent wildfires have punctured Southern California's longstanding image as a "sun-drenched paradise." Even before this recent spate of disastrous fires, California had devolved into a state divided between the ultra-rich coastal elites and desperately poor people in many other areas. But now even the richest enclaves have been exposed as being vulnerable to the destructive whims of nature.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Kim Jong Un's Photo Gallery<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>No one ever said North Korea's hereditary boss Kim Jong Un is a photogenic kind of guy. Fox News has put together a compilation of photos showing the dear leader visiting factories, hospitals, and other sites in North Korea. </em><em><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/12/10/kim-jong-uns-bizarre-north-korea-propaganda-photos.html">If you want a Sunday grin that might even match Kim's beaming smile, it's worth a look.</a></em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Scoop: Trump Likes TV!<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>According to a piece in the New York Times, President Trump's typical day </em><em><a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/364094-trump-watches-at-least-four-hours-of-tv-per-day-report">includes at least four hours of channel surfing</a>. His favorite morning program, to no one's surprise, is Fox & Friends, which he frequently uses as a source for his tweets. The president is also said to occasionally "hate-watch" Don Lemon on CNN, which would make him one of that host's few viewers. One word of advice: If and when you visit the White House, don't you dare touch that remote!!</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Skier Lindsey Vonn Injured<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>Lindsey Vonn was all over the news last week when she disparaged President Trump and said she would never visit the White House if invited. </em><em><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2017/12/10/lindsey-vonn-suffers-back-injury-in-world-cup-race-after-trump-comments.html">Vonn was forced to withdraw from races in Switzerland today because of a back injury.</a></em><em> She is still expected to compete in South Korea in the upcoming Winter Olympics.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Sooner the Better<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><a href="http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/21722616/baker-mayfield-oklahoma-wins-heisman-trophy-bryce-love-lamar-jackson">Quarterback Baker Mayfield of the Oklahoma Sooners is this year's Heisman Trophy winner</a></em><em>. Mayfield started his college career as an unheralded non-scholarship player at Texas Tech before transferring to Oklahoma. Off the field, he was arrested earlier this year on various charges, including resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. Mayfield overcame all that and reached the pinnacle of college football individual achievement last night.</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mike Huckabee Defends His Daughter</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>D-list celebrity Chelsea Handler, whose little-watched talk show was axed by Netflix, is finding new ways to gain desperately-needed attention. </em><em><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/12/10/chelsea-handler-retweet-sarah-sanders-parody-sparks-outrage.html">She has recently been viciously mocking White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders</a></em><em>, usually focusing on Sanders' physical appearance. Proud papa Governor Mike Huckabee denounced Handler's "vile and vulgar" comments and also managed to get in a subtle shot at her advancing age:</em><strong><em><br /></em></strong></p>
<iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TsV2-lO_WCc" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-12-10T14:59:00ZAnother Clintonite on Mueller's Team; Republican Congressman QuitsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Another-Clintonite-on-Muellers-Team;--Republican-Congressman-Quits/-128071403891816144.html2017-12-08T14:53:00Z2017-12-08T14:53:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, December 8, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></em></p>
<p><strong><em>Another Clintonite on Mueller's Team<br /> </em></strong><br /> Special Counsel Robert Mueller apparently staffed his team with many lawyers and investigators who harbor a deep anti-Trump bias. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/07/another-mueller-investigators-democratic-ties-raise-new-bias-questions.html">The most recent revelation involves attorney Jeannie Rhee</a>, who previously worked with Mueller at a private DC law firm. It turns out that Rhee formerly represented both the Clinton Foundation and President Obama's national security aide Ben Rhodes. She is also married to a prominent Democratic lawyer who worked for Eric Holder in the Justice Department. As Alice said, things are just getting curiouser and curiouser.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Healthy Jobs Report</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Labor Department announced <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/us-jobs-report-november-2017-12">this morning that about 228,000 jobs were added in November</a>, which is higher than analysts had predicted. The official unemployment rate is still 4.1%, but millions of Americans remain out of the work force.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>"Day of Rage" for Muslims</em></strong><br /> <br /> Throngs of angry Muslims, declaring this a "day of rage," <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42278644">poured into the streets after Friday prayers in the Middle East and around the world</a>. They are incensed because President Trump did what so many other presidents had previously vowed to do when he recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The terror organization Hamas has called for more violence in West Bank and Gaza.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Jerusalem Center Stage at Trump Hanukkah Bash</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/07/trump-white-house-hanukkah-jerusalem-287131">held his first White House Hanukkah party last night</a>, just one day after his announcement. The president said this year's party was very special because it was "all about Jerusalem." Jewish Democrats in Congress were <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/363898-trump-holds-first-white-house-hanukkah-party">conspicuously left off the invitation list</a>, as were Jewish leaders who have been critical of the president.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Republican Congressman Quits</em></strong><br /> <br /> Conservative Republican Trent Franks of Arizona <a href="https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/arizonas-trent-franks-expected-resign">will exit the House at the end of next month</a>. Franks is not accused of touching anyone or making sexual advances, but he admits to initiating "uncomfortable" discussions about surrogacy with two women on his staff. Franks says he is voluntarily resigning to avoid an investigation and media circus.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pope: Lead Us Into Translation</em></strong><br /> <br /> Pope Francis, who has raised the ire of many conservative Catholics around the world, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42279427">now wants to change the wording of the Lord's Prayer</a>. He is concerned that the current translation "lead us not into temptation" implies that God is capable of leading humans to sin.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Planned Parenthood Under Federal Microscope</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Department of Justice is investigating Planned Parenthood <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/07/planned-parenthood-under-investigation-by-justice-department-over-sale-fetal-tissue.html">and its possibly illegal sale of fetal tissue</a>. The practice came to light two years ago when Planned Parenthood officials were caught on hidden camera negotiating prices for various fetal body parts. The organization claims the tapes were misleading, but the DOJ is apparently eager to resume the investigation into America's leading abortion provider.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Feds Still Investigating Bernie Sanders' Wife<br /> </em></strong><br /> Jane Sanders, wife of the prospective presidential candidate, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/08/bernie-sanders-wifes-land-deal-still-under-fbi-probe-witness-recently-questioned.html">is reportedly still in deep trouble with the FBI</a>. When she was president of now-defunct Burlington College in 2010, Sanders engaged in a shady land deal that required millions of dollars in loans. FBI agents have been investigating the possibility that Jane Sanders lied in order to obtain the loans, which could lead to charges of bank fraud. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Southern California in Flames</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/08/us/california-wildfires/index.html">There are now six large wildfires burning out of control in four Southern California counties</a>. About 200,000 people have been evacuated from their homes, more schools are being closed, and Governor Jerry Brown has extended his state of emergency declarations. Firefighters are desperately trying to cope with smoke inhalation and other fire-related issues.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>LaVar Ball "Dunks" on Trump<br /> </em></strong><br /> Bizarre basketball dad LaVar Ball, who engaged in a Twitter feud with President Trump last month, has added some creativity to their war of words. The elder Ball has tweeted a short animated video showing him dunking over the leader of the free world.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IGBnt2A_Fnc?rel=0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />CNN Diagnoses Trump</em></strong><br /> <br /> Three "medical experts" on CNN, none of whom actually has a medical degree, <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/curtis-houck/2017/12/07/cnn-tonight-beclowns-itself-again-questions-trumps-health-argues">have decided that President Trump is a very unhealthy man</a>. They made their diagnosis based on a few words spoken by the president. While this may be impolitic to mention, President Trump's weight was brought up by a woman who is, shall we say, less than svelte.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Snow in Strange Places<br /> </em></strong><br /> Many residents of San Antonio, especially those who didn't have to drive, <a href="http://www.kens5.com/weather/snow-falls-in-sa-power-out-on-citys-north-side/497685358">were thrilled to see snow falling last night</a>. The relatively minor dusting led to power outages, car accidents, and delayed openings for many schools. There is also <a href="http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/weather_traffic/article_3494d900-dc10-11e7-b767-7b4329cbffc6.html">precipitation anticipation in Louisiana</a>, where people in Baton Rouge and New Orleans are seeing some Friday morning snow. Doomsayers worry that this could mark the beginning of the "Armageddon" that Nancy Pelosi warned about.<br /><br /></p>
<iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zt0yPKVQ0po?rel=0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-12-08T14:53:00ZDemocrats Cleaning House ... and Senate; Trump Approval Rating JumpsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Democrats-Cleaning-House-...-and-Senate;-Trump-Approval-Rating-Jumps/-256929288168938791.html2017-12-07T14:41:00Z2017-12-07T14:41:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Thursday, December 7, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></em></p>
<p><strong><em><strong><em>Trump-Hating FBI Agent Texted, Texted, and Texted<br /> </em></strong></em></strong><em><br /></em><em> You've heard a lot recently about FBI agent Peter Strzok, who was removed from Robert Mueller's team after it was learned that he had sent text messages mocking Donald Trump and praising Hillary Clinton. It now turns out that Strzok and his lover, FBI official Lisa Page, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/06/over-10000-texts-between-ex-mueller-team-officials-found-after-discovery-anti-trump-messages.html">exchanged more than 10,000 messages</a></em><em>, making one wonder how they had time for romance or anything else. Department of Justice officials are now examining the texts and will turn over the relevant ones to the House Intelligence Committee.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>D-Day for Stuart Smalley</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/07/politics/al-franken-resignation-decision/index.html">Al Franken will make a statement today on the floor of the Senate</a></em><em> and speculation is that he will resign immediately. Many Democrats have joined a growing chorus of demands for him to step down after numerous allegations of sexual harassment. His office has not confirmed that Franken, who is rumored to be a former "comedian," has decided to fall on his sword, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/headline/al-franken-expected-to-resign/2017/12/06/id/830333/">only that he is "talking with his family" about what to do next</a>.</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Democrats Cleaning House … and Senate</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>John Conyers is gone and Al Franken is probably next. </em><em><a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/363667-dems-seek-moral-high-ground-in-fight-over-sexual-harassment">The Democratic Party seems to be purging its ranks of men accused of sexual improprieties</a></em><em>. This may not be a sudden onset of morality, but a calculated political strategy that will enable the Dems to go after Roy Moore if he wins in Alabama next week. Beyond that, their ultimate target is President Trump, who will be much easier to denounce if the Democrats first display their own purity.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>GOP Back in Roy Moore's Corner</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>The Republican National Committee, which briefly stopped supporting Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, has returned to the fray. </em><em><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/rnc-gop-republican-moore/2017/12/06/id/830226/">This week the RNC transferred a total of $170,000</a></em><em> to the Moore campaign, enough to buy a fair amount of advertising time in Alabama. The much-watched election between Moore and Democrat Doug Jones is coming up on Tuesday.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Jr. Mum on Talks With His Dad<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>Donald Trump Jr. appeared before the House Intelligence Committee yesterday </em><em><a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-jr-refuses-to-tell-investigators-if-he-discussed-june-2016-meeting-with-trump/">in a closed door meeting</a>. Invoking lawyer-client privilege, he refused to reveal what was said in conversations with his father regarding that Trump Tower meeting that included a Russian lawyer. Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the committee, argues that lawyer-client privilege is not a valid excuse for Trump Jr.'s refusal to talk. On the other side of the political divide, Republican Devin Nunes, who chairs that committee, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/house-intel-chair-fbi/2017/12/06/id/830220/">is still threatening to hold FBI and Justice Department officials in contempt</a></em><em> for their continued reluctance to turn over documents.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Approval Rating Jumps</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>According to at least one respected poll, </em><em><a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trumps-approval-rating-jumps-to-45-percent-highest-since-september/article/2642685">45% of Americans now approve of President Trump's job performance</a>, which is the highest rating in several months. But all is not good news for the president – a majority of voters still consider him to be "reckless."</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Praise From the Right on Israel</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>Conservatives, evangelical Christians, and many Jews are applauding President Trump for </em><em><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/jerusalem-capital-embassy-conservatives/2017/12/06/id/830324/">his decision to recognize Jerusalem as the official capital of Israel</a></em><em>. Even some lawmakers who rarely find common ground with the president, Democrats and Republicans alike, are hailing the move, which was promised and reneged on by many previous presidents.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Violence Breaks Out in West Bank City<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>Palestinian protesters, always eager for a reason to start fires and throw rocks, </em><em><a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinians-riot-in-west-bank-gaza-as-tempers-flare-over-jerusalem/">ran wild in some West Bank cities this morning</a></em><em>. The obvious spark was President Trump's announcement that the United States will recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel will eventually move the American embassy to that city. The leader of the terrorist group Hamas is demanding a new uprising against Israel.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Terror Reigns in the UK</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>The United Kingdom has broken a dubious national record </em><em><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5155109/Record-400-terror-arrests-UK-year.html">with more than 400 terror-related arrests logged so far this year</a></em><em>. That's more than 50% higher than last year and also includes the highest number of females ever arrested. Counter-terrorism officials are now engaged in about 500 investigations involving some 3,000 prospective terrorists.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Obama Gives Credit for the Economy … to Obama!<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>Never shy about taking credit, former </em><em><a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/6/thanks-obama-former-president-credits-himself-stro/">President Obama reached around and patted himself</a></em><em> on the back this week for low unemployment and strong economic performance. Obama presided over relatively sluggish growth, but he apparently believes he set the stage for what is happening now.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Warns of Government Shutdown</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>President Trump is saying that a shutdown of the federal government, or at least parts of it, </em><em><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/us-congress-budget-battle/2017/12/06/id/830240/">could begin as early as Saturday</a>. Congress is trying to pass legislation that will continue to fund the government, but the president is castigating Democrats for insisting that immigration issues be included in the bill. "They want to have illegal immigrants pouring into our country," he declared.</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Let the Border Wall Testing Begin!<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-administration-begins-testing-border-wall-prototypes-prevent/story?id=51607378">Immigration officials are busy testing prototypes</a></em><em>, trying to find the most effective border wall that will separate Mexico and the United States. The goal is to build a wall that will be nearly impossible to scale or smash. In a related story, the <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/obama-blocked-deportation-of-550000-illegals-more-than-atlantas-population/article/2642694">Obama administration reportedly refused to deport more than 500,000 illegal immigrants</a></em><em>, thus creating a huge backlog that is overwhelming ICE. One official complained that over the past few years "we've been unable to take enforcement actions."</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Fires Worsen in Southern California<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>About 200,000 residents have being evacuated from their homes as fires continue to burn out of control in Southern California. </em><em><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/southern-california-wildfires-burn-containment-conditions-worsen/story?id=51638141">There was more bad news this morning</a></em><em> as strong Santa Ana winds returned, making life even tougher for firefighters and local citizens. Local officials are faced with four major fires, the largest being in Ventura County.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Chris Christie: I Warned About Flynn<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, formerly a close aide to President Trump, now says he was fired from the transition team </em><em><a href="https://www.politico.com/states/new-jersey/story/2017/12/06/christie-warning-about-flynn-among-reasons-i-was-fired-from-trump-transition-136432">partly because he warned the campaign about Michael Flynn</a>. Christie says his misgivings have been confirmed by the fact that Flynn has pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI.</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Boss Goodell Reaps the Rewards<br /> </em></strong></em></strong><em><br /></em><em> <a href="http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/21691975/nfl-commissioner-roger-goodell-signs-contract-extension">The National Football League has agreed to a new five-year contract</a> extension with commissioner Roger Goodell. The commish could receive about $40-million per year when bonuses and performance incentives are included. During Goodell's watch, TV ratings and attendance have declined, the league has been embroiled in one controversy after another, and player protests continue to alienate fans. Heckuva job, Roger.</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pot Smokers and "Scromiting"</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>Emergency rooms across America are reporting a frightening new condition that is affecting heavy marijuana users, who frequently suffer from vomiting, abdominal pain, and loud screaming. The official name of the disorder is "Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome," </em><em><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5150081/Heavy-marijuana-users-showing-ER-scromiting.html#ixzz50VYh4UQe">but it is better known as "scromiting."</a> Fortunately, the symptoms usually vanish after users stop ingesting weed.</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>City of Brotherly Insanity</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>Some Philadelphia officials actually </em><em><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/on-small-business/wp/2017/12/04/philadelphia-is-considering-whether-to-ban-barrier-windows-inside-shops/?utm_term=.e0d6e45cb579">want to ban bullet-proof Plexiglas partitions</a> that protect shop owners in high-crime areas. The dispute puts city leaders at odds with many Korean merchants, who are frequently willing to take a risk and open stores in dangerous spots. One member of the city council says the partitions are "symbols of distrust" and an "indignity" to local residents. Of course, it is even more of an indignity to be dead.</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Skier Vonn Blasts Trump<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>Lindsey Vonn, who won a gold medal in downhill skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympics, </em><em><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/06/sport/lindsey-vonn-donald-trump-white-house/index.html">is the latest athlete to voice her disdain for President Trump</a>. She says she will be representing the American people at the upcoming Olympics in South Korea, but not the president. President Trump, who has already engaged in very public feuds with NBA and NFL players, may be warming up his Twitter fingers, meaning it could be all downhill from here.</em></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-12-07T14:41:00ZWhite House Denies Flynn Pardon Plans; Roy Moore Apparently Widens LeadBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/White-House-Denies-Flynn-Pardon-Plans;-Roy-Moore-Apparently-Widens-Lead/328798871487376357.html2017-12-06T14:42:00Z2017-12-06T14:42:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Wednesday, December 6, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></em></p>
<p><strong><em>Committee to See FBI Agent's Anti-Trump Texts<br /> </em></strong><br /> The House Intelligence Committee, after weeks of subpoenas and requests, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/05/doj-to-hand-over-officials-anti-trump-texts-amid-contempt-threat.html">will finally obtain those inflammatory texts written by FBI agent Peter Strzok</a>. He's the guy who was fired from special counsel Robert Mueller's team after it was learned that he had sent Trump-loathing, Hillary-loving texts to another FBI lawyer who was also his girlfriend. Strzok was deeply involved in the bureau's interrogation of Hillary Clinton and reportedly helped her greatly by softening the language used by then-FBI boss James Comey at his famous news conference. <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/05/fbi-blocked-information-about-peter-strzok-from-its-website/">The bureau has scrubbed all information about Strzok from its website.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Tainted Muller Man</em></strong><br /> <br /> On the subject of biased investigators, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/05/muellers-lieutenant-applauded-official-for-defying-trump/">Robert Mueller's top aide Andrew Weissmann</a>, known to be a pit bull of a prosecutor, effusively praised former acting Attorney General Sally Yates when she defied President Trump in January. You may recall that Yates refused to enforce the first "travel ban," after which Weissmann sent her an obsequious note saying he was "so proud" of her actions.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>White House Denies Flynn Pardon Plans<br /> </em></strong><br /> Using bureaucratic language that could easily be walked back at some future date, White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/white-house-not-aware-donald-trump-plans/2017/12/05/id/830102/">said yesterday she is "not aware" of any plans to pardon Michael Flynn</a>, who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. Flynn was President Trump's national security adviser for less than a month and the president has expressed empathy with his current situation.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Roy Moore Apparently Widens Lead</em></strong><br /> <br /> Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore has seemingly recovered from those allegations of long-ago dalliances with very young girls. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/alabama-senate-gop-doug-jones/2017/12/05/id/830121/">According to a poll taken by an Alabama firm</a>, the Republican now has a seven-point advantage over his Democratic opponent Doug Jones. Jones, meanwhile, has gone on the attack, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/doug-jones-attacks-moore-belongs-prison-not-u-s-senate-n826756">saying Judge Moore belongs in prison, not the Senate</a>. The special election is coming up six days from now.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Tax Reform Losing PR Battle</em></strong><br /> <br /> All those Democratic messages about tax reform "benefitting the rich" may be working. <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/finance/363361-poll-majority-disapproves-of-gop-tax-bill">According to a Quinnipiac poll</a>, more than half of American voters disapprove of the Republican plan, while only one in three supports the proposal. Most Americans believe the tax reform legislation unfairly benefits the wealthiest Americans.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Impeachment Vote Today!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Democratic Congressman Al Green is <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/house-democrat-will-force-vote-to-impeach-trump-on-wednesday/article/2642582">expected to force a vote on impeaching President Trump today</a>. His own party's leadership knows it is a futile move, but Green seems determined to push ahead. A handful of other Democrats have endorsed the articles of impeachment, but Nancy Pelosi and other Democratic bigs worry that talk of impeachment will cost them votes in next year's midterms.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Major U.S. Move on Jerusalem<br /> </em></strong><br /> Other presidents have vowed to recognize Jerusalem as the legitimate capital of Israel, <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/12/06/568748383/u-s-decision-on-jerusalem-sparks-anger-and-concern">but President Trump is actually prepared to do it.</a> The administration says it will soon begin moving the United States embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a decision that has been met with fury and warnings from around the world. Even Saudi Arabia, which has been in America's corner on most issues and seems to be liberalizing its repressive culture, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/06/trump-naming-jerusalem-as-israels-capital-upsetting-middle-east.html">denounced the move as a "flagrant provocation."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Drug Tests for Wisconsin Food Stamp Recipients<br /> </em></strong><br /> Republican Governor Scott Walker wants Wisconsin to be the <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2017/12/04/wisconsin-gov-scott-walker-moving-forward-drug-testing-some-food-stamp-recipients/919635001/">first state to drug test people who apply for food stamps</a>. The idea has been endorsed by state lawmakers but still faces legislative and legal hurdles before it can be implemented. The Walker administration predicts that very few food stamp users will actually test positive, but nevertheless considers it a valuable way to get people off substances and back to work.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>More Charges for Steinle Killer</em></strong><br /> <br /> Jose Ines Garcia Zarate was acquitted of murder by a jury in San Francisco, <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-san-francisco-pier-shooting-20171205-story.html">but he will eventually face federal charges</a>. The oft-deported illegal alien who snuffed out Kate Steinle's life has been indicted on two counts by a federal grand jury. For the moment, he is in jail and will remain there after being convicted on a state weapons charge.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Honor For Kaepernick<br /> </em></strong><br /> Sports Illustrated magazine presented Colin Kaepernick with its annual 'Muhammad Ali Legacy Award' <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/colin-kapernick-sports-illustrated-muhammed-ali-legacy-award-kneeling-protest-nfl-beyonce-trevor-a8094301.html">last night at a ceremony in Brooklyn</a>. After receiving the award from Beyoncé, the unemployed Kaepernick vowed to "continue to work for the people." He was not wearing those socks depicting cops as pigs and he did not take a knee while addressing the crowd.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>More Weinstein Revelations<br /> </em></strong><br /> Disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein reportedly <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/harvey-weinstein-had-complicit-network-helping-him-report/">had lots of high-powered help as he ran roughshod over Hollywood for so many years</a>. The New York Times reports that agents, aides, and even journalists knew about Weinstein's behavior and helped cover it up. On the same subject, actress Lena Dunham, a staunch Hillary Clinton supporter, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/12/05/lena-dunham-says-warned-clinton-campaign-about-harvey-weinstein.html">says she warned the Clinton campaign to keep its distance from Weinstein</a>. She claims to have told Clinton aides that Weinstein was a rapist and would do severe damage to the campaign.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Sad State of California<br /> </em></strong><br /> In the day's most distressing and depressing story, <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/article188153344.html">some lawyers have filed suit against California because so many of its students are unable to read</a>. The state is becoming increasingly divided between ultra-wealthy coastal cities and impoverished rural areas, and that applies to educational achievement as well. Nearly half of the very lowest achieving school districts in America are in California, and those districts are certainly not in Santa Monica, Brentwood, or San Francisco.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Russia-Free Olympics</em></strong><br /> <br /> If you're tired of hearing about Russia, the upcoming Winter Olympics in South Korea will be a Russia-free zone. <a href="https://www.si.com/olympics/2017/12/05/russia-olympic-committee-banned-2018-winter-olympics-doping-ioc-decision">The country and its flag have been officially banned from the games</a> because of widespread doping and cheating at the last Winter Games. However, some Russian athletes who test clean will be allowed to compete independently. This follows the banning of many Russian competitors from the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil for the same reasons.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Lawmaker: Don't Touch Me, "I Don't Like Men"</em></strong><br /> <br /> "Stop touching me all the time! Keep your hands to yourself!" That was the astounding response by Pennsylvania Republican Daryl Metcalf when a Democratic lawmaker touched him on the arm. It was certainly more compelling than the debate they were having about land use issues, but unamused Democrats are now calling for Metcalfe's resignation.<strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x-HG6bju1E8?rel=0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-12-06T14:42:00ZFocus on Trump-Hating FBI Agent; Supremes Okay Travel Ban ... for nowBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Focus-on-Trump-Hating-FBI-Agent;-Supremes-Okay-Travel-Ban-...-for-now/930104144061246633.html2017-12-05T14:40:00Z2017-12-05T14:40:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Tuesday, December 5, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></em></p>
<p><strong><em>Democrats Open New Front in their War on Trump<br /> </em></strong><br /> Those accusations of "collusion" have apparently come up empty, so President Trump's legion of enemies are pinning their hopes on other ways to cripple his administration or get him out of office. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/04/politics/richard-blumenthal-donald-trump-obstruction-of-justice-erin-burnett-outfront-cnntv/index.html">Senator Richard Blumenthal and others now contend</a> that the president may be guilty of "obstruction of justice" because of his tweets and actions in the Michael Flynn situation. But the president's lawyers <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/363220-trumps-lawyer-sparks-intense-debate-on-obstruction-of-justice">argue that their client cannot be found guilty of obstruction</a> "because he is the chief law enforcement officer" in the nation.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Anti-Trump Forces Question His Sanity</em></strong><br /> <br /> And just in case the Mueller probe or charges of obstruction don't stick, President Trump's most virulent enemies are now going on television to declare him mentally incompetent. MSNBC, which is leading the charge, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">reached a new low when it welcomed with a Yale psychologist</a> who ominously warned that "we must act soon" to stop the president from growing more unhinged and violent.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Conyers to Retire<br /> </em></strong><br /> Democratic Congressman John Conyers, who has been in the House for more than half a century, will announce today that this will be his final term. The 88-year-old has been hit with a slew of allegations, most recently from a former aide who <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-john-conyers-sexual-misconduct-20171204-story.html">says Conyers slid his hand up her skirt while they were attending church.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Republican Party Back in Moore's Corner</em></strong><br /> <br /> Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore is <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/politics/republican-national-committee-alabama-senate-gop/2017/12/04/id/829835/">again being backed by the Republican National Committee</a>, which had withdrawn its support after Moore was accused of inappropriate contact with minors 40 years ago. President Trump has also given his full-throated support to Moore, who seems to have a slight lead in the polls.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>ABC's Brian Ross's Long History of Errors</em></strong><br /> <br /> Investigative reporter Brian Ross sent stock markets into panic mode last Friday when he reported that then-candidate Donald Trump ordered his aides to make contact with Russia. That was simply not true and the network has suspended Ross for four weeks without pay. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/brian-ross-is-an-investigative-reporting-star-but-hes-made-some-staggering-blunders/2017/12/04/f25dbd80-d913-11e7-b1a8-62589434a581_story.html?utm_term=.a5cae6713286">The Washington Post has now published a long piece delineating Ross's many errors</a> during his tenure at ABC. The most notorious blunder came when Ross "reported" that the mass murderer in Aurora, Colorado was likely a member of the Tea Party. He determined that by scouring a phone book and finding a man with the same name as the killer.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>MSNBC Mum on Homophobic Host<br /> </em></strong><br /> In various writings between 2007 and 2009, Joy Reid repeatedly implied that Florida Governor Charlie Crist was secretly gay and mocked him as "Miss Charlie." She also suggested that Crist's two marriages were shams designed to mask his homosexuality. Reid, who hosts a weekend talk show on MSNBC, has apologized, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/12/04/will-msnbc-punish-joy-reid-after-homophobic-past-was-revealed.html">but the network has not announced whether she will face any disciplinary action.</a> <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trust in Media a Mixed Bag<br /> </em></strong><br /> Like the country itself, trust in the nation's media is increasingly bifurcated along political lines. <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/trust-media-grows-under-trump-amid-partisan-split-151935463.html">According to a new survey,</a> half of Americans have either a "great deal" or a "fair amount" of trust and confidence in the media, while the other half have "not very much" or "none at all." Not surprisingly, most Democrats place faith in the news media, while only about one in five Republicans expresses confidence.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Focus on Trump-Hating FBI Agent<br /> </em></strong><br /> Peter Strzok, the FBI agent who was deeply involved in the Hillary Clinton investigation and interrogation, actually softened the language in then-FBI Director Jame's Comey's famous statement last July. Instead of accusing Mrs. Clinton of "gross negligence," which can be considered criminal, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/363194-former-fbi-agent-changed-comeys-language-of-clinton-email-use-to">Strzok altered the statement to read "extremely careless."</a> It is now well known that Strzok, who has since been demoted to the FBI's version of Siberia, was a bona-fide Trump-hater who wrote anti-Trump screeds to his lover. The FBI has been extremely reluctant to release Strzok's damning texts and has kept him under lock and key.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Manafort Again Under Fire<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former Trump campaign boss Paul Manafort, who has been charged with money laundering and fraud, is under a court order that bars him from discussing his case in public. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/363202-mueller-urges-judge-to-deny-manaforts-request-to-lift-house-arrest">But he is now accused of working with a Russian colleague</a> to write an opinion piece about his work for Ukraine. Robert Mueller's investigators say the article, had it been published, would have violated the court order. Manafort is under house arrest and is not allowed to leave his Virginia home except under special circumstances.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Supremes Okay Travel Ban … for now<br /> </em></strong><br /> In a victory for the Trump administration, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2017/12/04/supreme-court-lifts-temporary-injunction-blocking-trumps-travel-ban-3-0/?utm_term=.7bb703c9932c">the Supreme Court has overruled two lower courts</a> that had blocked President Trump's "travel ban." The ban, which applies mostly to citizens of six predominantly Muslim nations, can now be put into effect immediately. However, the issue is not completely settled because other cases are still working their way through the legal system.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Demands for "Kate's Wall"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Millions of Americans are still reeling after Kate Steinle's illegal alien killer was found not guilty of murder. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/thewire/kates-wall-calls-acquittal/2017/12/04/id/829673/">There are increasing calls for a physical wall along the border</a> with Mexico, the border that Jose Ines Garcia Zarate crossed time and again before he killed Steinle. Advocates for the barrier are referring to it as "Kate's Wall" and have initiated a flurry of activity on social media sites.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Good News on the Border<br /> </em></strong><br /> According to federal immigration stats, <a href="http://m.startribune.com/apnewsbreak-border-arrests-plunge-deportation-arrests-soar/462029263/?section=politics">illegal entry into the USA is at a 45-year low</a> and deportations of illegal immigrants are soaring. ICE agents have suggested that President Trump's election may have dissuaded many illegals from even attempting to cross the border. Those who are here illegally have been tracked down and deported in far greater numbers than during the Obama years.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Shrinks Federal Footprint, Ignites Fury<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Trump administration and the Department of the Interior <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-announces-reductions-bears-ears-grand-staircase-monuments-n826326">will scale back the size of two national lands in Utah</a>, arguing that the state should have more control over the land and its natural resources. Protesters, on cue, accused the president of executing a "land grab" in order to benefit his wealthy cronies. President Trump made the announcement yesterday in Salt Lake City.<br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/278Imw2Xuts?rel=0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />More Plaudits for Kaepernick<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/news/363155-aclu-honors-kaepernick-with-courageous-advocate-award">The American Civil Liberties Union has honored quarterback Colin Kaepernick</a> for his "courage" and for his willingness to protest perceived injustice. This follows the decision by GQ magazine to name Kaepernick its "Citizen of the Year." <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/thewire/time-person-of-year-shortlist/2017/12/04/id/829744/">He is also on the "short list" for Time magazine's</a> "Person of the Year" award. Amid all this effusive praise, it should not be forgotten that Kaepernick thought it was perfectly appropriate to wear socks that depicted cops as pigs, which bears consideration the next time a police officer is killed while protecting the rest of us. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Campus Struck by Burst of Sanity<br /> </em></strong><br /> As you may have heard, a student columnist at Texas State University recently wrote an opinion piece in which he denounced "whiteness" and made this declaration: "White death will mean liberation for all." In a rare display of common sense, <a href="https://www.thecollegefix.com/post/39613/">the student newspaper has ousted Rudy Martinez</a> from its staff and admitted, "We screwed up." The newspaper that printed the offensive piece, the University Star, is funded by mandatory student fees. Even fees from white kids.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>There is no Joy in View-Ville - Mighty Brian Has Struck Out</em></strong><br /> <br /> Okay, we apologize for mangling the last verse of Ernest Lawrence Thayer's epic "Casey at the Bat." But it does seem relevant because The View co-host Joy Behar was absolutely, positively giddy last Friday when ABC's Brian Ross issued his damning report about President Trump. "He goes to jail, he goes to jail," she screeched, as the crowd applauded like trained seals. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/12/04/joy-behar-forced-to-walk-back-her-excitement-over-false-brian-ross-report-on-view.html">Unfortunately for the joy-less Joy, the report was false</a> and Ms. Behar had some very tasty crow for lunch yesterday.</p>
<iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/43tQLHhwQrA?rel=0" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-12-05T14:40:00ZFallout from Steinle Verdict; Dem Senator Suggests Trump Obstructed JusticeBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Fallout-from-Steinle-Verdict;-Dem-Senator-Suggests-Trump-Obstructed-Justice/-969840180468236015.html2017-12-04T15:16:00Z2017-12-04T15:16:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Monday, December 4, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></em></p>
<p><strong><em>Dem Senator Suggests Trump Obstructed Justice<br /> </em></strong><br /> Dianne Feinstein, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, implied yesterday that President Trump could be charged with obstruction of justice. She surmised that the case against the president was made possible when he fired former FBI boss James Comey.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mM42n0mAFns?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />GOP Senator Warns Trump on Tweets</em></strong><br /> <br /> With an ongoing investigation in which a single word can make a difference, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/04/graham-warns-trump-about-tweeting-during-russia-probe.html">Republican Senator Lindsey Graham is urging President Trump to tweet with far more judiciousness and restraint</a>. Some of the president's recent messages on social media have muddied the waters and possibly made the president more vulnerable to investigators who are combing through every iota of information.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Tweets on Roy Moore</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump, as is his wont, woke up early this morning to jump on Twitter. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/moore-alabama-trump-twitter/2017/12/04/id/829622/">He urged Alabama voters to elect Republican Roy Moore in next week's special election</a> and he derided Moore's opponent Doug Jones as a "Pelosi/Schumer Liberal Puppet." The latest polls indicate that Moore, despite those allegations involving young girls four decades ago, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/roy-moore-doug-jones-alabama-senate-race-special-election/2017/12/03/id/829578/">is maintaining a lead among likely voters</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Nightmare For NBC News<br /> </em></strong><br /> Joy Reid, perhaps the most vicious Trump-hater of them all on MSNBC, <a href="http://freebeacon.com/culture/msnbcs-joy-reid-wrote-multiple-anti-gay-articles-and-conspiracies-on-her-old-blog/">is also a closeted homophobe</a>. In various blog posts between 2007 and 2009, Reid implied that Florida Governor Charlie Crist was secretly gay and frequently mocked him as "Miss Charlie." She also suggested that Crist's two marriages were shams designed to mask his homosexuality. Reid, who hosts a weekend political talk show on MSNBC, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/msnbc-s-joy-reid-apologizes-insensitive-lgbt-blog-posts-n826091">has apologized profusely for her "choice of words."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>ABC's Brian Ross Pilloried<br /> </em></strong><br /> Investigative reporter Brian Ross has been placed on a four-week unpaid suspension by ABC News after he botched a report last week involving General Michael Flynn and President Trump. Ross's initial story, which indicated that the president may have colluded with Russians in last year's campaign, sent the stock market plunging. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5141625/Brian-Ross-history-getting-facts-wrong.html">The veteran reporter is now taking incoming fire from all sides</a>, even from others at ABC, for his long history of getting things wrong.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>House Republicans vs. FBI<br /> </em></strong><br /> Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/house-republicans-contempt-action/2017/12/03/id/829539/">claim the FBI's top two officials are intentionally withholding evidence</a>. Much of the dispute revolves around former FBI official Peter Strzok, a certified Trump-hater who served on special counsel Robert Mueller's team. Some GOP Intelligence Committee members are reportedly drafting a resolution that would charge FBI boss Christopher Wray and his top aide Rod Rosenstein with contempt of Congress.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>President Trump vs. FBI<br /> </em></strong><br /> Meanwhile, the President of the United States <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/937305615218696193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Fhomenews%2Fadministration%2F363048-fbi-agents-fire-back-at-trump-saying-fbi-isnt-dedicated-is-simply">has leveled unprecedented criticism of the country's top law enforcement agency</a>. In a Sunday tweet, President Trump hammered former FBI Director James Comey for leaving the bureau's reputation "in Tatters." The organization that represents FBI agents immediately defended the bureau and <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/363048-fbi-agents-fire-back-at-trump-saying-fbi-isnt-dedicated-is-simply">lauded the FBI as world's finest law enforcement agency.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Protests Continue<br /> </em></strong><br /> If the National Football League thought its $90-million contribution to "social justice" causes <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/363020-nfl-anthem-protests-continue-after-league-agrees-to-fund-player">would placate protesting players, it was dead wrong</a>. During Sunday's games more than 20 players again took a knee, raised a fist, sat down, or remained in the locker room during the National Anthem.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Obama Hammers Trump in Paris<br /> </em></strong><br /> The old adage about politics ending at the water's edge is obviously no longer operative. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-obama/obama-laments-lack-of-u-s-climate-leadership-in-paris-idUSKBN1DW0ON">Speaking at a conference in Paris</a>, former President Obama said there is a "temporary absence of American leadership" in the area of climate change. President Trump, of course, has announced that the United States will not be part of the Paris climate agreement.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Fallout from Steinle Verdict<br /> </em></strong><br /> After an oft-deported illegal immigrant was found not guilty of murdering Kate Steinle in San Francisco, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/04/after-steinle-verdict-rep-unveils-bill-to-imprison-officials-who-shelter-illegal-immigrants.html">a Republican congressman is throwing down the gauntlet</a>. Todd Rokita will introduce a bill today that would punish elected officials who give sanctuary to illegal aliens and refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The legislation threatens local lawmakers with fines and even jail time if they defy ICE.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Report: Trump Making End Runs Around Kelly</em></strong><br /> <br /> According to a report first published in the Wall Street Journal, President Trump has given some aides direct <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/362990-trump-has-given-staffers-assignments-and-told-them-not-to-tell-kelly">assignments without the knowledge or approval of White House Chief of Staff John Kelly</a>. There are also allegations that friends of the president are sometimes able to reach him by going through Melania Trump. The First Lady's spokeswoman called that report "more fake news."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>USA, South Korea in Display of Air Power</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/north-korea/u-s-drills-south-korea-trigger-nuclear-war-warning-north-n826176">More than 200 military aircraft are taking part in war games this week</a> in South Korea, strutting their stuff in an operation called Vigilant Ace. The exercises, an annual event, are being staged just days after Kim Jong Un's latest ICBM test launch. North Korea claims the display of air power in South Korea will escalate tension on the peninsula and declared that "insane President Trump is running wild."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Germany Pays Migrants to Leave<br /> </em></strong><br /> Overrun by migrants from North Africa and the Middle East, Germany is now offering families seeking asylum <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-offers-refugees-benefits-in-kind-to-return-home/">about $4,000 if they return to their home countries</a>. The offer is in effect through the end of February. The program even has a name: "Your Country, Your Future, Now." Kind of catchy.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>VA Horror Story<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/12/03/usa-today-investigation-va-knowingly-hires-doctors-past-malpractice-claims-discipline-poor-care/909170001/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter">An investigation by USA Today has found that Veterans Affairs</a> hospitals have hired physicians who have checkered pasts, to put it mildly. Some have settled many malpractice claims, one shrink was punished for sleeping with a patient, and a psychologist had felony convictions. The VA has vowed to conduct an independent review and examine whether it hired incompetent doctors.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bitcoin Bubble?<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/bitcoin-price-november-4-winklevoss-twins-first-bitcoin-billionaires-2017-12">The digital currency bitcoin has reached a new high</a> – a single bitcoin is now worth nearly $12,000. Some skeptics believe this is a bubble that rivals the tulip mania in 17<sup>th</sup> century Holland, but other financial observers are certain that bitcoin is the ideal currency for digital transactions. If you had purchased $100 worth of bitcoin six years ago, it would now be worth nearly $4,000,000. Then again, as you may have heard on those commercials, past performance is no guarantee of future results.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>New Crime: Attending College While White!<br /> </em></strong><br /> A student columnist at Texas State University wrote an opinion piece in which he denounced "whiteness." In case he wasn't being clear enough, <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10219">Rudy Martinez wrote this directly to his white classmates:</a> "I hate you because you shouldn't exist." Did that get him in trouble? Of course not. However, the student body president is being asked to resign because he had the temerity to criticize the hateful column. You just can't make this stuff up, folks!</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-12-04T15:16:00ZTrump's Sunday Morning Tweet; ABC News Suspends Brian RossBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trumps-Sunday-Morning-Tweet;-ABC-News-Suspends-Brian-Ross/123707188881036197.html2017-12-03T15:45:00Z2017-12-03T15:45:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, December 1, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></em></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump's Sunday Morning Tweet</em></strong><br /> <br /> In an early morning tweet today, two days after Gen. Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, President Trump insists that he never <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/12/03/in-pre-dawn-twitter-message-trump-issues-a-fresh-denial-about-intervening-in-flynn-investigation/?utm_term=.9c8cae6d15aa">asked then-FBI Director James Comey to stop investigating Flynn</a>. The president, who fired Flynn as his national security adviser, is also reiterating that there was "absolutely no collusion" with Russia and is again describing the media reporting as a "Russia Witch Hunt."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>ABC News Suspends Brian Ross<br /> </em></strong><br /> ABC's Brian Ross put forth an explosive report Friday, claiming that Donald Trump was still a candidate when he ordered Michael Flynn to make contact with Russia. Ross' report and its implication of collusion sent shock waves through Washington and Wall Street, where stock markets plunged. But, as Emily Litella used to say … never mind! It turns out that Trump had already won the election when he made that request, which is not at all unusual for a president-elect. <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42214214">ABC News has admitted it badly botched the report and has suspended Ross for four weeks.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mueller Team Had Trump-Hating FBI Official<br /> </em></strong><br /> Robert Mueller's investigative staff included Peter Strzok, who exchanged anti-Trump texts with a colleague. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/03/ex-mueller-team-members-role-in-clinton-probe-under-review.html">Fox News is now reporting that Strzok also took part</a> in the FBI's bizarre and unrecorded interview with Hillary Clinton during last year's campaign. The FBI has stubbornly refused to make Strzok available to investigators for the House Intelligence Committee.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Conductor Accused of Child Sexual Abuse <br /> </em></strong><br /> 74-year-old James Levine, longtime music director of New York City's Metropolitan Opera, reportedly <a href="https://nypost.com/2017/12/02/legendary-opera-conductor-molested-teen-for-years-police-report/">molested a boy who was just 15 at the time</a>. The unnamed victim, who is now 48, explained to police what Levine did in lewd and graphic detail. The Met says it is "deeply disturbed" and has opened an investigation into the charges.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Illegal Savage Sentenced in Portland<br /> </em></strong><br /> Illegal alien Sergio Jose Martinez was deported 20 times to his native Mexico and arrested at least 13 times in and around the sanctuary city of Portland, but he kept returning to the USA. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">He has finally been sentenced to 35 years for sexually assaulting two women</a> on the same day last year. Literally adding insult to injury, the thug actually smirked at his victims during Friday's proceedings. The Oregonian newspaper has <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2017/09/sergio_martinez_arrests_in_ore.html">published a sickening rundown of Martinez' recent arrests and mug shots.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Again Tweets on Steinle Outrage<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump, after dealing with Michael Flynn and James Comey early this morning, also found time to weigh in once again on the Kate Steinle killing. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/us/trump-tweet-kate-steinle-verdict/2017/12/03/id/829532/">He described the verdict as a "total miscarriage of Justice."</a> Right now Jose Ines Garcia Zarate remains in custody, awaiting sentencing on the weapons charge of which he was found guilty.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Heather Mac Donald on Steinle Killer<br /> </em></strong><br /> The invaluable writer and social observer Heather Mac Donald, writing in the City Journal, <a href="https://www.city-journal.org/html/san-francisco%E2%80%99s-shame-15590.html">dissects the Kate Steinle killing and the policies that enabled it to happen</a>. She reminds everyone how a thug like Jose Ines Garcia Zarate was able to return to the country time after time, and how he was indirectly protected by liberal madness that prevails in San Francisco.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>USA Charts Own Course on Migration<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Trump administration will no longer be part of the United Nations' Declaration on Migration, which was agreed upon last year during the Obama administration. UN Ambassador Nikki Haley announced <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/03/politics/us-global-compact-migration/index.html">that the global approach interferes with American sovereignty</a>, which she and the president say is paramount. Haley declared that all U.S. decisions on immigration will "be made by Americans and Americans alone."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>National Security Adviser Warns on North Korea</em></strong><br /> <br /> H.R. McMaster, President Trump's national security adviser, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/02/politics/mcmaster-potential-war-north-korea/index.html">worries that the threat of war with North Korea is "increasing every day."</a> During the same talk, however, McMaster also expressed his belief that the tense situation can be defused with economic sanctions and diplomacy.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>US Sends Stealth Fighter Jets to Korea</em></strong><br /> <br /> Meanwhile, the Pentagon has dispatched <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/362944-us-sends-f-22s-to-join-for-south-korea-air-drills">six F-22 stealth fighter jets to the Korean Peninsula</a>, where they will participate in joint drills with the South Korea Air Force. The United States will also be sending other advanced fighters and bombers in an impressive display of air power.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Alabama Race Down to the Wire<br /> </em></strong><br /> In a little more than a week, Alabama voters will decide whether their next Senator will be Republican Roy Jones or Democrat Doug Jones. Even with the serious allegations against Moore, Jones is slightly behind in most polls and is counting on a heavy black turnout to put him over the top in the heavily Republican state. <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/02/alabama-black-voters-doug-jones-276119">He is spending much of this weekend</a> touting his record on civil rights and visiting predominantly black neighborhoods.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Drill, Baby, Drill!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge has been in the middle of a political tug-of-war for decades. Many Republicans believe ANWR can be tapped as a significant source of oil, while most Democrats claim that would permanently damage a pristine environmental treasure. The new Senate tax bill includes provisions that will <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/362881-gop-on-verge-of-opening-arctic-refuge-to-drilling">open up at least a part of ANWR for oil exploration</a>, although environmental groups will certainly erect many legal barriers before that actually happens.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump's Tribute to Rosa Parks<br /> </em></strong><br /> It will probably garner little attention in the mainstream media, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/362963-trump-marks-anniversary-of-rosa-parks-refusing-to-give-up-her-seat">but President Trump has delivered a stirring video message</a> honoring Rosa Parks, who defied Jim Crow laws in Alabama exactly 62 years ago. The president declared that our nation is a better and more united place "because of the bravery of Rosa Parks." Right on cue, and never allowing a good deed to go unpunished, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/12/02/trump-honors-rosa-parkss-protest-against-racism-but-continues-to-criticize-nfl-players/?utm_term=.dff09099a40d">the Washington Post denounced the president</a> for praising Parks while criticizing NFL players who are protesting the National Anthem.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>British Pastor Prays for Prince George to be Gay<br /> </em></strong><br /> Prince George, son of William and Kate, is a mere four years old. But he is already being used as a political soccer ball by an Anglican pastor, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-42192706">who has urged his flock to pray for George's eventual homosexuality</a>. The "Reverend" – make that the "Very Reverend" - Kelvin Holdsworth apparently believes that a gay prince will make both church and state more tolerant and inclusive.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump & Those Golden Arches<br /> </em></strong><br /> Ever wonder why President Trump seemed to grow in stature during last year's campaign? We may have the answer in a <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/12/02/trump_s_love_of_fast_food_and_four_other_key_revelations_from_lewandowski.html">new book written by former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski</a>. Candidate Trump's go-to dinner consisted of "two Big Macs, two Fillet-O-Fish, and a chocolate malted." But while the president claims to weigh 236 pounds and is probably well above that, he has a long way to go to reach William Howard Taft, who tipped (broke?) the scales at about 340. According to legend, the massive 27<sup>th</sup> president once got stuck in a bath tub. That is unlikely to happen to our current president, who likes showers as much as he enjoys those Big Macs.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-12-03T15:45:00ZSteinle Family Reacts to Outrageous Verdict; Trump Tweets on "Disgraceful Verdict"BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Steinle-Family-Reacts-to-Outrageous-Verdict;-Trump-Tweets-on-Disgraceful-Verdict/61069302409030243.html2017-12-01T14:41:00Z2017-12-01T14:41:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, December 1, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></em></p>
<p><strong><em>Steinle Family Reacts to Outrageous Verdict</em></strong><br /> <br /> Kate Steinle's mother, father, and brother decided to avoid the courtroom yesterday as their daughter's killer was found not guilty on all murder charges. <a href="http://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/Exclusive-Kate-Steinle-s-family-speaks-12396710.php">But they did speak to the San Francisco Chronicle</a> soon after, and described the entire episode as an "epic failure." Kate's father Jim put it succinctly: "Justice was rendered, but it was not served."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Tweets on "Disgraceful Verdict"<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump, who frequently brought up Kate Steinle's murder while campaigning, quickly responded after the San Francisco jury found her killer not guilty of the most serious charges. <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/936551346299338752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2017%2F11%2F30%2Fpolitics%2Fkate-steinle-verdict-reactions%2Findex.html">He described the trial and verdict as a "complete travesty of justice"</a> and again declared, "BUILD THE WALL!"<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sessions Blames San Francisco, Sanctuary Cities<br /> </em></strong><br /> The United States Attorney General is implying that San Francisco officials have Kate Steinle's blood on their hands. Like many others, <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/nov/30/jeff-sessions-rethink-sanctuary-city-after-Steinle/">Jeff Sessions is enraged because San Francisco</a> failed to cooperate with federal authorities and released Steinle's killer Jose Ines Garcia Zarate. Sessions urged other sanctuary localities to reconsider their policies, and his department is raising <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/01/doj-weighing-federal-charges-in-kate-steinle-murder-case-after-not-guilty-verdict.html">the possibility of filing federal charges against Zarate</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Black Friday for Tax Reform<br /> </em></strong><br /> One week ago shoppers were running wild, and today it's the Senate's turn. Some Republican Senators are trying to fill their proverbial shopping carts with <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/01/us/politics/senate-tax-bill-debate-vote.html">last-minute adjustments to the tax reform bill</a> that will be debated and possibly voted on today. A few GOP Senators, among them Bob Corker, are still expressing grave concerns about the bill's impact on the deficit. On the positive side of the ledger, <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/finance/362734-daines-to-vote-for-tax-bill-after-deal-for-small-biz">Senators Steve Daines and Ron Johnson have just announced their support for the bill</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>T-Rex Faces Extinction<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-01/tillerson-faces-death-blow-after-repeated-clashes-with-trump">Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is apparently on his way out</a> and will likely be replaced by Mike Pompeo, the current boss of the CIA. There has been growing tension between Tillerson and President Trump, and even White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders is no longer denying that the secretary seems to be doomed. His fate may have been sealed when, according to various reports, he referred to the president as "a moron."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Conyers' Wife Plays the Race Card<br /> </em></strong><br /> Monica Conyers, a convicted felon who spent more than two years in federal prison for accepting bribes, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">is accusing reporters of "stalking" her husband because he is black</a>. Congressman John Conyers, who has been accused of aberrant behavior and repeated sexual harassment, has reportedly been hospitalized for an unidentified stress-related condition.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Democrats Want Conyers Out<br /> </em></strong><br /> While his wife accuses the media of racism, more Democrats are urging John Conyers to resign from the House. Part of the turnabout is the result of very graphic and disturbing revelations from <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/01/democrats-turning-on-john-conyers-as-his-accuser-details-harassment-on-nbc.html">former Conyers aide Marion Brown</a>. Ironically, Brown went public with her sordid allegations on NBC's Today, formerly hosted by Matt Lauer.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Jimmy Kimmel to Roy Moore: Let's Rumble!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore and late-night comic Jimmy Kimmel have been exchanging insults this week. And now it's come to this: <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/jimmy-kimmel-challenges-roy-moore-meeting-twitter-spat/story?id=51505212">Kimmel says he's ready to go toe-to-toe with Judge Moore</a> in a fistfight. It has not been determined when or where the fight could take place, or whether Moore will be permitted to bring along his trusty pistol. The feud escalated when Kimmel dispatched a comic to interrupt a Roy Moore rally:<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9Qqb_KZRJcE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />Roy Moore Ascendent?</em></strong><br /> <br /> Unless he gets knocked out by a Jimmy Kimmel right cross, <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/why-the-alabama-senate-race-is-shifting-in-roy-moores-favor/article/2642236">Roy Moore seems increasingly likely to win that Alabama special election</a>. Recent polls show that Judge Moore, after losing ground a few weeks ago, has recovered and is now leading in that deep red state. Many Alabamans dislike and distrust the media, which have generally done everything possible to damage the Republican.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NPR, PBS Lead the Harassment Sweepstakes<br /> </em></strong><br /> National Public Radio, home to some of the most sanctimonious liberals in all of American media, has been hit hard by accusations of male misbehavior. NPR's news boss Michael Oreskes, a former New York Times reporter, was ousted last month. That was followed by a string of other accusations and firings at the taxpayer-supported, left-leaning network. <a href="https://townhall.com/columnists/brentbozell/2017/12/01/npr-and-pbs-the-biggest-harassment-hypocrites-n2416586">Brent Bozell of the Media Research Center has compiled a handy guide</a> to the rank hypocrisy at NPR and PBS.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Japan's Emperor to Abdicate Throne<br /> </em></strong><br /> 83-year-old Emperor Akihito <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/30/asia/japan-emperor-akihito-abdication-intl/index.html">will voluntarily step down in 2019</a>, becoming the first Japanese emperor to abdicate the Chrysanthemum Throne in 200 years. The emperor, who ascended to the throne when his father died in 1989, has recently undergone heart surgery and cancer treatment. His son Naruhito will become Japan's 126<sup>th</sup> emperor, continuing a tradition that began in 550 BC.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Unspeakable Murder in Philadelphia<br /> </em></strong><br /> A 23-year-old Philadelphia man named Cole Herring lured a 15-year-old girl to his home, <a href="http://www.pennlive.com/daily-buzz/2017/12/pa_man_accused_of_stabbing_bur.html">then proceeded to stab her more than 80 times</a> and set her dead body on fire. The girl reportedly "met" the monster on Facebook and then traveled to Philadelphia from her home in Delaware. Herring is charged with numerous crimes, including murder and abuse of a corpse.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>New Theory in Border Agent Death<br /> </em></strong><br /> One Border Patrol agent was killed last month in Texas and his partner was severely injured. It was initially thought that they had been ambushed and brutally beaten by illegal aliens, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/12/01/border-patrol-agents-may-have-been-struck-by-truck-texas-sheriff-says.html">but now there is another theory.</a> The local sheriff believes that a truck may have accidentally hit the agents, who were about 30 miles from the Mexican border.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Walmart Halts Sale of Anti-Journalist Shirt<br /> </em></strong><br /> Prior to yesterday, a media-hater could go to Walmart's website and purchase a shirt with this nasty message: "Rope. Tree. Journalist. Some Assembly Required." <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/2017/12/01/journalists-group-grateful-after-walmart-pulls-offensive-t-shirt.html">After a news organization brought the offensive shirt to Walmart's attention</a>, the store quickly removed the product from its online catalogue. The retailer declared that the shirt, which was sold by a third-party vendor, "clearly violates our policy."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bad News for Climate Alarmists<br /> </em></strong><br /> If you believed the scare stories of 20 years ago, we should all be either dead or underwater by now. But studies continue to show that <a href="https://www.investors.com/politics/editorials/another-global-warming-study-casts-doubt-on-medias-climate-change-fairy-tale/">the planet is warming far more slowly than expected</a> in those apocalyptic scenarios. The main issue seems to be that our atmosphere is far less sensitive to CO2 than many climate doomsayers had thought. One eminent Princeton scientist actually contends that more CO2 can be extremely beneficial to humanity and the planet.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HCDOf8Khiko?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />For the Person Who Has Everything, Continued</em></strong><br /> <br /> You know that man or woman on your Christmas list who is just so tough to buy for? Well, consider <a href="https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-daily-post/t-boone-house/">putting up $250-million for a 65,000 acre Texas ranch called Mesa Vista</a>. 89-year-old oil magnate T. Boone Pickens, who is not in good health these days, has decided to put his beloved ranch on the market just in time for the season of giving. The property includes a golf course, pub, gun room, and a kennel. For an extra million or so, you can probably convince Pickens to throw in his dogs and horses.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-12-01T14:41:00ZTax Reform, Full Steam Ahead; John Conyers to Retire?BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Tax-Reform-Full-Steam-Ahead;-John-Conyers-to-Retire/-843306641912753727.html2017-11-30T15:10:00Z2017-11-30T15:10:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Thursday, November 30, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></em></p>
<p><strong><em>Tax Reform, Full Steam Ahead</em></strong><br /> <br /> There is an unmistakable sense of optimism among Republicans in Congress and in the Trump administration. The Senate, will all 52 Republicans voting "yea," <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/362447-senate-gop-votes-to-begin-debate-on-tax-bill">has agreed to debate the tax bill that previously passed the House</a>. Even Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, who had been squarely on the fence, now indicates that she will likely vote for the final tax bill. In another good sign for the legislation, <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/finance/362485-60-percent-of-households-would-see-tax-cut-under-senate-gop-tax-bill-jct">a study says most Americans will get at least some tax relief if the bill is enacted.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Stark Warning to North Korea<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Trump administration and <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/north-korea-nikki-haley-war-nuclear/2017/11/29/id/828889/">United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley are as clear as can be:</a> "If war comes," Haley said yesterday at the UN, "the North Korean regime will be utterly destroyed." She also reiterated that war is not the first option and will only occur if the North Koreans continue their "acts of aggression."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Winter Olympics in Jeopardy?<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Winter Olympic Games will begin in Pyeonchang, South Korea in just over two months. Unless, that is, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5131619/North-Korean-missile-test-deal-fatal-blow-Olympics.html">North Korean threats and belligerence interfere</a>. A South Korean official now says that any missile launches prior to the Olympics could "deal a fatal blow" to the games.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mueller Probe Focused on Flynn<br /> </em></strong><br /> Earlier this month special counsel Robert Mueller and his team <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/30/jared-kushner-questioned-about-michael-flynn-in-muellers-russia-probe-reports-say.html">questioned Jared Kushner</a>, President Trump's son-in-law. The interrogation reportedly focused on former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who resigned from the Trump administration and who has had questionable dealings in Russia and Turkey. There are also new reports that <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/29/politics/special-counsel-michael-flynn/index.html">General Flynn is trying to work out some type of plea deal</a> with the investigators.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sessions Testimony Today<br /> </em></strong><br /> In a related development, the <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/362456-ag-sessions-to-face-house-panel-in-closed-door-hearing">House Intelligence Committee will interview Attorney General Jeff Sessions</a> today about possible Russian interference in last year's election. The questioning will take place behind closed doors, although leaks are as predictable as the morning sun. Republicans and Democrats on the committee are deeply split and will likely issue two separate reports when their investigation is complete.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Will Give $89-Million to "Social Justice"<br /> </em></strong><br /> In an effort to make peace with disgruntled players, the National Football League has agreed to <a href="https://nypost.com/2017/11/30/nfl-agrees-to-give-100m-over-7-years-to-social-justice-causes/">pony up tens of millions of dollars to various causes and charities that have not been identified</a>. The money will likely go to groups that believe police brutality is rampant and must be addressed. However, this deal does not mandate that players stop kneeling or otherwise protesting during the National Anthem.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Nasty Mag Trashes Melania's Christmas Diaplay<br /> </em></strong><br /> Vogue magazine, which once lavished praise on Syria's murderous Bashar al-Assad, is <a href="http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2017/11/how-hateful-are-the-democrats-this-hateful.php">very, very offended at the White House Christmas display</a>. According to the unhinged article, the decorations are "an apocalyptic, barren landscape similar to what some of us imagine lies in America's future." Wow!<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Kellyanne Conway, Opioid Czarina<br /> </em></strong><br /> White House adviser Kellyanne Conway's portfolio has been expanded. She will lead the administration's <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/362477-conway-to-lead-white-house-opioid-effort">efforts to combat the massive problem of opioid abuse and addiction in America</a>. President Trump had previously declared the crisis a national public health emergency.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Stuart Smalley's Big Trouble in Minnesota<br /> </em></strong><br /> Senator Al Franken, who has unctuously vowed to regain the trust of Minnesota voters, seems to be drowning in The Land of 10,000 Lakes. The odious Senator, known to be one of the nastiest men in Congress, is up for re-election in 2020 and apparently faces an uphill battle.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2xzKM-NcXYU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>John Conyers to Retire?</em></strong><br /> <br /> 88-year-old John Conyers, who has been in the House for more than a half-century, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/29/report-conyers-wont-run-for-re-election-in-2018/">may finally give up his seat after numerous allegations of sexual misbehavior</a>. He does not want to resign immediately, but prefers to exit gracefully by not running for reelection next year.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Congressman's Sick Comparison<br /> </em></strong><br /> In an attempt to defend his colleague John Conyers, Democratic Congressman James Clyburn is dealing the race card from the very bottom of the deck. <a href="http://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/national-politics/article187248028.html">He reportedly compared Conyers' accusers to Susan Smith</a>, the white woman who killed her children and falsely claimed they had been abducted by a black man. Clyburn, the third-ranking Democrat in the House, felt it necessary to point out that Conyers' alleged victims are all white women.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Frightening Trends in Obesity <br /> </em></strong><br /> The New England Journal of Medicine <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/health-us-people-research/2017/11/29/id/828894/">has released a new study that portends bad news for America's future</a>. The report finds that 57% of children are on track to be obese by the age of 35. The culprits, as usual, are bad eating habits, cheap calories, a lack of exercise, and those dastardly "machines." The researchers also reiterated what most of us have long known, namely that obese toddlers almost always grow into obese adults.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Brown, Where White is Black<br /> </em></strong><br /> Brown University in Rhode Island, a member of the elite Ivy League, is very highly-ranked when it comes to college craziness. Brown is now permitting any student applying to graduate school to "self-identify" as a "person of color." The invaluable <a href="https://www.thecollegefix.com/post/39422/">College Fix tried mightily to get clarification on the new policy</a>, but was met with either silence or typical academic gibberish.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>American Asses on Display</em></strong><br /> <br /> Joseph and Travis DaSilva, a married gay couple from San Diego, thought it was a wise idea to drop their pants at various religious sites in Thailand. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">They have been arrested and now face the possibility</a> of jail time. Perhaps they will turn to President Trump, who has previously helped American asses arrested in Asia.</p>
<p><strong><em><strong><em> </em></strong></em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-11-30T15:10:00ZTrump's Full Court Press on Taxes; North Korea's Ominous Missile LaunchBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trumps-Full-Court-Press-on-Taxes;-North-Koreas-Ominous-Missile-Launch/-377811497883536648.html2017-11-29T15:09:00Z2017-11-29T15:09:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Wednesday, November 29, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></em></p>
<p><strong><em><strong><em>Trump's Full Court Press on Taxes</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>President Trump is </em><em><a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/362249-trump-opens-gop-eyes-on-tax-reform">receiving high praise for his efforts to push through tax reform</a>, which cleared a major hurdle yesterday in the Senate Budget Committee. The Senate version of the bill will now go to the entire chamber, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/28/senate-budget-committee-advances-gop-tax-bill-moving-closer-to-floor-vote.html">perhaps as early as this week</a></em><em>, where it is deemed to have an excellent chance of passing. Meanwhile, hoping to get at least one Democrat on board, the president is traveling today to Missouri, home to vulnerable Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pelosi Hits Trump's "Verbal Abuse"<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>Democratic House leader Nancy Pelosi, who turned down an invitation to join President Trump at the White House yesterday, </em><em><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/Politics/nancy-pelosi-twitter-white-house-democrats/2017/11/28/id/828612/">is now accusing the president of verbal abuse that</a> "will no longer be tolerated." The president hopes to work with Democrats to avoid a government shutdown, but complains that Pelosi and Senator Chuck Schumer are being unreasonable in their demands.</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Matt Lauer Out at NBC News!<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>NBC News announced this morning </em><em><a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">that it has fired longtime Today host Matt Lauer</a></em><em>. The termination came after another employee gave a detailed and credible account of "inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace." The network also hinted that this may not be an isolated incident.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dems to Conyers: Time to Go!<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>After still more accusations of sexual misbehavior by 88-year-old Congressman John Conyers, </em><em><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/democratic-pressure-mounts-rep-john-conyers-resign-n824731">some of his fellow Democrats want him to resign from the House</a></em><em>. Even Nancy Pelosi, who praised Conyers as an "icon" Sunday, is now urging the House Ethics Committee to begin an investigation into his behavior. The "Dean of the House" admits that he paid $27,000 in taxpayer money to settle at least one sexual harassment claim.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>North Korea's Ominous Missile Launch<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/north-korea/north-korea-missile-went-10-times-higher-space-station-n824821">The latest provocation by North Korea came yesterday</a></em><em>, when that rogue nation launched a ballistic missile that soared higher than any of its previous tests. Kim Jong Un's regime now boasts it has the capability of reaching any city in the United States, although many experts are skeptical about that claim. </em><em><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/28/trump-on-north-korea-missile-launch-will-take-care-it.html">President Trump's pithy response: "We will take care of it!"</a></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hawaii To Test Anti-Nuke Sirens<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>As a sign of the times, </em><em><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/thewire/hawaii-nuclear-warning-sirens/2017/11/28/id/828597/">Hawaii will soon begin testing its nuclear warning sirens</a>, which have been in mothballs since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the demise of communism. Hawaiians, who are well within range of North Korean missiles, will hear the sirens once a month for the foreseeable future.</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>President Re-Tweets Anti-Muslim Videos<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>President Trump sent out three </em><em><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/29/trump-retweets-videos-alleged-attacks-by-muslims.html">videos on his Twitter feed this morning</a>, each of them alleging to show abhorrent behavior by Muslims. The videos were posted by a far-right British politician, then re-tweeted by Trump. President Trump is being denounced for his early morning tweets. </em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Benghazi Suspect Gets Off Easy<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>Relatives of the men killed in Benghazi are fuming today after a </em><em><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/28/benghazi-suspect-convicted-on-three-lesser-counts-does-not-face-death-penalty.html">federal jury found Ahmed Abu Khattala guilty on only four counts</a>. The 46-year-old, who was tried in a civilian court and not before a military tribunal, faces a minimum sentence of ten years for his role in the murders. Charles Woods, whose son Tyrone was killed in the terrorist attack, described the verdict as an outrageous "miscarriage of justice."</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>McCain Hits Trump on "Pocahontas" Quip<br /> </em></strong></em></strong><em><br /></em><em> Senator John McCain, no friend of President Trump, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/28/mccain-complains-about-trump-politicizing-navajo-code-talkers/">is criticizing the president for his off-the-cuff swipe at Senator Elizabeth Warren</a></em><em> during a White House ceremony yesterday. McCain accused the president of politicizing a solemn event and taking the focus off the bravery of the Navajo code talkers who were being honored.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Donald Trump Still a "Birther?"</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>According to a report in the New York Times, one anonymous senator claims that </em><em><a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/362264-trump-still-privately-questions-obamas-birth-certificate-report">President Trump still harbors suspicions that Barack Obama was born outside of the United States</a></em><em>. That issue seemed to have been settled long ago when President Obama produced his birth certificate, and P</em><em>resident Trump has even admitted that Barack Obama was born in Hawaii, but some conspiracy theories die hard.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Suspected Serial Killer Nabbed in Tampa<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>24-year-old Howell Donaldson has been </em><em><a href="http://wfla.com/2017/11/28/who-is-seminole-heights-murder-suspect-howell-donaldson-tampa-police-make-arrest/">arrested and is charged with killing four people in</a> Tampa in recent weeks. All the murders were committed in the same neighborhood, where residents are today breathing a great sigh of relief.</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Millennials Want Another (Political) Party<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>A poll of so-called millennials finds </em><em><a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/news/362281-poll-millennials-want-third-political-party">that a large majority of those 20-somethings want a third major political party</a></em><em>. Only about a quarter believe that neither Democrats nor Republicans are doing a good job of representing their interests. 63% of millennials disapprove of President Trump's job performance, and about the same percentage believes the USA is on the wrong track.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>DC Metro System Bans Religious Ad<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>The Archdiocese of Washington wanted to put up a rather innocuous poster on the city's subway system. But because the image included the three Magi, c</em><em><a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/dc-metro-bans-religion-from-christmas-ads-catholics-sue/article/2641860">ity officials decided the message was inappropriate for its riders to see</a></em><em>. It's worth noting that there is no depiction of Jesus, a cross, or even a manger. The Archdiocese has filed suit, claiming its First Amendment right to free expression is being violated.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN to Boycott White House Christmas Party<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>The feud between President Trump and CNN has reached new heights. The network and its esteemed correspondents </em><em><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/28/cnn-boycotting-white-house-christmas-party-for-media.html">will skip this year's Christmas party at the White House</a>, although it will have a crew on hand to cover any breaking news. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders had some fun with the announcement, saying it there was finally some "good news" from CNN. It is not yet clear whether CNN will hold a fake Christmas party on the same day.</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Newsweek Channels Jesus<br /> </em></strong><br /> Newsweek magazine, which once existed in print form, is accusing President Trump of <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/trump-selling-christmas-maga-hats-and-theyre-double-price-717444">selling Make America Great Again hats at too steep a markup</a>. The magazine, calling on all its religious wisdom, has determined that Jesus himself would object to the $45 caps and even cited the First Book of Timothy as proof. There is absolutely no truth to the rumor that most Newsweek editors believe that particular book in the New Testament was actually written by Timothy Leary.</em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-11-29T15:09:00ZEight Crucial On-The-Fence Senators; Donald Trump vs. Elizabeth Warren, Round 8BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Eight-Crucial-On-The-Fence-Senators;-Donald-Trump-vs.-Elizabeth-Warren-Round-8/-215856277001176063.html2017-11-28T13:53:00Z2017-11-28T13:53:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Tuesday, November 28, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></em></p>
<p><strong><em>Eight Crucial On-The-Fence Senators</em></strong><br /> <br /> The president and his Republican Party really, really need to pass tax reform. But potentially standing in their way are <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-28/these-eight-senators-can-make-or-break-trump-s-tax-cut-this-week">eight Republican senators who have varying concerns with the legislation</a>. Some are concerned about the effect on the deficit, others worry about the treatment of small businesses, while a couple just plain don't like President Trump. Despite those undecideds, some leading GOP senators sounded very <a href="https://nypost.com/2017/11/27/senate-republicans-on-track-for-tax-reform-vote/">optimistic after meeting yesterday with the president</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Two Potential Roadblocks<br /> </em></strong><br /> Of those eight Republicans, two are especially important because they sit on the Senate Budget Committee. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/Headline/bob-corker-tax-reform-bill/2017/11/27/id/828360/">If Ron Johnson and Bob Corker vote "nay" in the committee today</a>, they could actually prevent the bill from reaching the full Senate. Corker's focus is on the deficit ramifications of the bill, while Johnson wants more breaks for small business.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Democrats Playing Defense<br /> </em></strong><br /> Allegations against Senator Al Franken and Congressman John Conyers have <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/362059-harassment-allegations-knock-dems-off-message">knocked Democrats back on their heels</a>. Instead of engaging in a last-ditch push to derail tax reform, Nancy Pelosi and other Dems find themselves fielding questions about sexual harassment by their colleagues. The former speaker has come under withering criticism from many on the left after she seemed to excuse Conyers because he is an "icon."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Roy Moore Ready to Rumble<br /> </em></strong><br /> With two weeks to go before the Alabama special election, Republican <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/roy-moore-vows-to-take-off-the-golves-in-the-final-weeks-of-campaign/2017/11/27/9dbbe2ea-d3df-11e7-9461-ba77d604373d_story.html?utm_term=.44b31cf3c339">Roy Moore is vowing to pull out all the stops in his race against Democrat Doug Moore</a>. Moore continues to deny all allegations of sexual impropriety four decades ago and is portraying the election as an epic Biblical struggle between good and evil. President Trump has urged Alabamans to avoid sending a liberal Democrat to the Senate, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/donald-trump-roy-moore-campaign-alabama/2017/11/27/id/828261/">but he will not travel to Alabama to campaign with Judge Moore.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Donald Trump vs. Elizabeth Warren, Round 8<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump can never resist an opportunity to mock Senator Elizabeth Warren, who falsely claimed to be of Native American descent during her ascent in academia. Yesterday <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">the president was honoring heroic Navajo code talkers</a> when he again gave into temptation, setting off the predicted reaction from the senator from Massachusetts. Meanwhile, columnist Howie Carr, a constant thorn in Warren's side, is <a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/news/columnists/howie_carr/2017/11/carr_ok_fake_indian_time_to_either_give_up_the_claim_or_prove_it">again demanding that the faux Indian senator submit to a simple DNA test.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Donald Trump vs. Media, Round 117</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump apparently made another unforced error during that ceremony at the White House yesterday. Anti-Trump media outlets, of which there are too many to count, eagerly pointed out that the president <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2017/11/28/andrew-jackson-was-called-indian-killer-trump-honored-navajos-in-front-of-his-portrait/?utm_term=.c4b617a0bd1f">honored the Navajo code talkers near a portrait of President Andrew Jackson</a>, who signed the notorious Indian Removal Act in 1830. The president is now joking (we think!) that he will hand out a <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/28/more-media-bashing-trump-hits-fake-networks-cnn-morning-joe.html">"Fake News Trophy" to the most dishonest and corrupt media outlet.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Obama's Rogue EPA Broke the Law<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/27/watchdogs-turned-up-more-evidence-obamas-epa-broke-federal-law/">According to the invaluable Judicial Watch</a>, the Environmental Protection Agency flouted the law during the Obama years. EPA mandarins illegally used social media to promote the agency's priorities and policies. It is against federal law for federal agencies to engage in propaganda or encourage groups to support particular legislation.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Conservative Group Targets Mueller<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/27/conservative-group-wants-to-oust-robert-mueller-via-lawsuit-is-just-another-pol.html">Another right-leaning watchdog organization, FreedomWatch,</a> has filed a lawsuit alleging that Robert Mueller is not fit to perform his job as special counsel investigating alleged Russian interference in last year's election. FreedomWatch and its founder Larry Klayman allege that Mueller, despite his reputation, is "just another pol" who wants to see "the presidency of Donald Trump destroyed."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Far-Left Congressman to Step Down<br /> </em></strong><br /> Illinois Democrat Luis Gutierrez, a radical on immigration and a consistent bomb-thrower, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/28/rep-gutierrez-longtime-advocate-for-immigration-reform-to-retire-fox-news-confirms.html">will not run for re-election</a>. Earlier this year Gutierrez denounced White House Chief of Staff Gen. John Kelly as a "disgrace to the uniform he used to wear." He was also arrested outside Trump Tower in New York City for protesting President Trump's stance on DACA.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Who's The Boss?<br /> </em></strong><br /> Even by Washington standards, it was a bizarre situation yesterday. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/two-dueling-officials-spend-chaotic-day-vying-to-lead-federal-consumer-watchdog/2017/11/27/381eada2-d39c-11e7-b62d-d9345ced896d_story.html?utm_term=.59d19cd3bb4f">Two individuals firmly believe they are the legal and rightful acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau</a>. One is Mick Mulvaney, appointed to the job by President Trump; the other is Leandra English, who was handed the reins by her predecessor before he departed. Mulvaney was in the office and seemingly in charge yesterday, but what happens today is anyone's guess.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Fed Nominee Faces Grilling Today<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump has nominated Jerome Powell to replace Janet Yellen as boss of the Federal Reserve Bank. The prospective Fed boss <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/fed-chair-nominee-jerome-powell-testimony-senate-banking-committee-preview-2017-11">will be interrogated today by the Senate Banking Committee</a>, whose members will surely ask about his views on interest rates and financial regulation. Barring any startling revelations, Powell is almost certain to be confirmed by the full Senate.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Black Africans Sold as Slaves in Libya<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2017/11/27/clinton-ponders-2020-run-lets-not-forget-her-real-libya-scandal-glenn-reynolds-column/895853001/">Law professor and blogger Glenn Reynolds, writing in USA Today</a>, squarely blames Hillary Clinton for the human enslavement taking place in Libya right now. Recent footage and photos show black Africans being sold in open-air slave markets. This is all the direct result, Reynolds posits, of the Clinton-endorsed overthrow of Moammar Gadhafi six years ago. Heckuva job, Hill!<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>For The Person Who Has Absolutely Everything<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://acculturated.com/tiffany-co-shows-happens-luxury-brand-gets-desperate/">According to one observer</a>, Tiffany & Co. is "beginning to look desperate." The company's Christmas catalogue includes a $300 yo-yo, a $350 straw, and a $9,000 ball of yarn. Tiffany, a fixture in Manhattan since 1837, has endured years of stagnant sales and a declining stock price. So maybe, just maybe, you can do some bargaining and get that <a href="http://www.tiffany.com/accessories/everyday-objects/everyday-objects-yo-yo-60561893?fromGrid=1&origin=browse&trackpdp=bg&trackgridpos=3&tracktile=new&fromcid=3779727">silver and walnut yo-yo at a discount</a>.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-11-28T13:53:00ZBack to Work in DC; NFL Protests: They're baaaaack!BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Back-to-Work-in-DC;-NFL-Protests:-Theyre-baaaaack!/264721747708125613.html2017-11-27T14:40:00Z2017-11-27T14:40:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Monday, November 27, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></em></p>
<p><strong><em>Back to Work in DC</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congress-confronts-jam-packed-december-with-shutdown-deadline-looming/2017/11/26/2828d8ec-d2b0-11e7-95bf-df7c19270879_story.html?utm_term=.79ce46b7066f">President Trump and members of Congress are back in Washington</a>, faced with some daunting challenges. Tax reform will of course will be on the docket, as will the effort to avoid a government shutdown. Congressional leaders, Democrats and Republicans alike, are scheduled to meet with the president at the White House tomorrow to set the table for the coming month.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump in Moore's Corner<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump has been lukewarm in his support for Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore, <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-renews-support-embattled-senate-candidate-145459639.html">but he is forcefully urging Alabama voters</a> to avoid electing Moore's Democratic rival Doug Jones. The president is assailing Jones as weak on crime, weak on the boarder, and eager to raise taxes. President Trump is also said to be <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/361801-trump-frustrated-with-ivankas-condemnation-of-roy-moore-report">at odds with his daughter Ivanka</a>, who took a not-so-thinly veiled jab at Judge Moore last week.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Agency With Two Heads<br /> </em></strong><br /> There is an escalating battle in Washington, <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-lawsuit-20171126-story.html">where two people each believe they are the legitimate acting boss of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau</a>. Outgoing director Richard Cordray named Leandra English as his successor and claims the job is hers. But President Trump, saying he has the legal authority to do so, has picked White House budget director Mick Mulvaney for the position. This has set up a showdown that will eventually be decided in court.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Stuart Smalley's Apology Tour<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/11/27/al-franken-on-whether-he-will-face-more-groping-allegations-i-dont-know-i-cant-say/?utm_term=.495745a6bfc2">Senator Al Franken made the rounds of Minnesota media outlets on Sunday</a>, saying he is "embarrassed and ashamed." Franken, who is accused of groping and fondling various women, told Minnesotans that he will try to regain their trust. The former 'comic' doesn't face re-election until 2020.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pelosi Defends John Conyers<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, putting partisanship above all else, went on Meet the Press Sunday and put forth a vigorous defense of 88-year-old Congressman John Conyers, the accused abuser she is now praising as an "icon in our country."<br /> <br /><br /> <strong><em> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HgwkYn0AUMw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />Democrats Lead in 'Generic' Ballot<br /> </em></strong><br /> Based on the latest RealClearPolitics average of polls, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/361571-dem-lead-in-generic-ballot-polls-worries-gop">Republicans face an uphill challenge in next year's mid-term elections</a>. Right now Democrats have a double-digit lead when voters are asked which party they prefer. That number is ominous because Republicans had a similar advantage eight years ago when they trounced Democrats in the middle of President Obama's first term.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Koch Brothers: Their "Time" Has Come!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch, the left's much-feared bogeymen, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/26/meredith-backed-by-koch-brothers-nears-deal-to-acquire-publisher-of-time.html">will soon be owners of Time Inc. and all its publications.</a> The brothers, who are more libertarian than doctrinaire conservative, are the financial power behind the multi-billion-dollar deal. Let the squealing begin!<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>President Trump vs Time<br /> </em></strong><br /> Even as Time Magazine ponders life under new ownership, <a href="https://apnews.com/00f90ae061aa4dc9b0ec0e0a729e594c/Trump-and-Time-magazine-dispute-Person-of-the-Year-plans">it is engaged in a trifling feud with President Trump</a>. The president claims the magazine will 'probably' name him Person of the Year, but he won't take part in the requisite interview and photo shoot. The struggling magazine, however, disputes that claim and says it always leaves the selection a total surprise.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>State Dept. to Ivanka: You're On Your Own<br /> </em></strong><br /> Ivanka Trump is about to attend a summit on entrepreneurship in India, but <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/24/politics/rex-tillerson-ivanka-trump-india-trip/index.html">Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is not sending a support team</a> on the mission. The budget-conscious State Department has been cutting back on all sorts of travel, but the Washington gossip mill is portraying this as more evidence of tension between Tillerson and the First Family.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>FBI Negligent in Russian Hacks<br /> </em></strong><br /> The FBI, even though it was aware that dozens of American officials were targeted by Russian hackers in 2015 and 2016, failed to notify most of those individuals. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/fbi-comey-russian-hackers/2017/11/26/id/828075/">The Associated Press interviewed about 80 Americans who were among the targets of the hacking</a> and found that only two of them were given a heads-up by the FBI. A former intelligence official was dumbfounded by the revelation, saying, "You've got to tell your people, you've got to protect your people."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pentagon Overlooked Afghan Child Sex Abuse<br /> </em></strong><br /> There have long been suspicions that Afghanistan troops sexually abuse children. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2017/11/26/pentagon-tried-to-block-independent-report-on-child-sex-among-afghan-forces-senate-office-says/?utm_term=.98d42e1199f6">It has now been revealed that the Pentagon</a> tried to block a damning report about the sordid practice and instead created its own report that went far easier on the Afghanistan military. The United States is required by law to stop providing aid to foreign military forces that violate human rights. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>One Billionaire's Push for Impeachment<br /> </em></strong><br /> Hedge fund manager Tom Steyer, a self-proclaimed 'environmentalist' who made much of his fortune investing in coal, is continuing his <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">expensive and obsessive crusade for the impeachment of President Trump</a>. Steyer may run for the Senate from California and claims he is speaking for the American people.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Protests: They're baaaaack!<br /> </em></strong><br /> There is once again a bull market in National Anthem protests around the NFL. <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/nov/26/nfl-take-knee-protests-make-comeback/">19 players sat out or kneeled out the Anthem yesterday</a>, which was way up from recent weeks. The Seattle Seahawks led the league yesterday with 11 protesters, while the San Francisco 49ers had three players take a knee. By the way, that is two more than the team's total number of victories.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Racist Nurse Ousted<br /> </em></strong><br /> Taiyesha Baker, a nurse at an Indiana hospital, sent out a vile and hateful tweet in which she declared that <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/11/27/nurse-not-employee-after-controversial-tweet/896932001/">white women are raising rapists, racists, and killers</a>. She charmingly advised those moms that their sons should be "sacrificed to the wolves." The hospital, after describing that message as "troubling," has reportedly fired Baker.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Massage Chain Faces Accusations<br /> </em></strong><br /> Massage Envy, the franchise chain that provides millions of massages at more than 1,000 locations across America, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/massage-envy-sexual-assault-allegations/">is accused of botching claims of sexual assault</a> by some of its therapists. Nearly 200 women say they were groped, fondled, and worse by men who were supposed to be giving them therapeutic massages.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Saudi Arabia: New Sheriff in Town!<br /> </em></strong><br /> 32-year-old Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, has vowed to make the Saudi brand of Islam more aligned with modernity. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/26/middleeast/saudi-arabia-crown-prince-terrorism-fight/index.html">He is also pledging a massive crackdown on worldwide terrorism</a> carried out in the name of Islam, which he affirms is a "peaceful religion." The Saudis have assembled an anti-terror coalition of 40 predominantly Muslim nations, but Iran is conspicuously absent from that group.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Gotta Love Those Limousine Liberals!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Residents of Malibu, California, which may have the nation's highest per-capita rate of smug self-righteousness, <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/malibu-church-homeless-free-meals-stopped-too-many-needy-people-order-latest-a8075891.html">don't want those pesky homeless people hanging around their fabulous neighborhoods and beaches</a>. A local church says it has been told by officials that its free meals were attracting far too many of, you know, the wrong kind of people. Malibu is home to preachy liberals such as Robert Redford and Barbra Streisand.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Great Pecan Pie Mystery<br /> </em></strong><br /> CNN analyst April Ryan, a fully-credentialed Trump-hater, <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/tom-blumer/2017/11/26/april-ryan-leftists-beclown-themselves-over-sarah-sanders">has actually accused White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders of lyin' about a pie.</a> After Sanders claimed that she had baked a yummy chocolate pecan pie for Thanksgiving, Ryan demanded photographic proof. Then, when Sanders offered to bake another one just for Ryan, the reporter implied that it might be poisoned. It's hard to discern how much of this pie-in-tummy back-and-forth was tongue-in-cheek.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-11-27T14:40:00ZTrump Endorses Roy Moore ... Kind Of; Trump Escalates Feud With Hoops DadBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Endorses-Roy-Moore-...-Kind-Of;-Trump-Escalates-Feud-With-Hoops-Dad/-245946681136754861.html2017-11-22T14:31:00Z2017-11-22T14:31:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Wednesday, November 22, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></em></p>
<p><strong><em>Trump Endorses Roy Moore … Kind Of</em></strong></p>
<p><br /> <a href="http://www.wral.com/trump-speaks-up-for-moore-warns-against-his-liberal-rival/17133603/">President Trump didn't exactly give Judge Roy Moore a ringing endorsement yesterday</a>, but he did urge Alabama voters to avoid sending Moore's opponent, Democrat Doug Jones, to the Senate. The president repeatedly affirmed that Moore has denied all the accusations lodged against him. Regarding those accusations, President Trump added, "Forty years is a long time."<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yEk2ijlVYyg?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Moore Leads in Alabama Polls<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/11/new_senate_polls_have_roy_moor.html#incart_maj-story-1">Two new polls were released yesterday</a>, both of them showing that Judge Roy Moore remains the favorite to win that Senate election. However, the race is certainly close and polling in local races, particularly a special election, can be unreliable. One of the polls also showed that 66% of Alabama voters believe "all or some" of the allegations made against Moore. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/Politics/moore-campaign-touts-trump/2017/11/22/id/827594/">Judge Moore is already sending out campaign literature</a> heralding his support from President Trump.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hometown Paper to Conyers: Resign! <br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.freep.com/story/opinion/editorials/2017/11/21/editorial-u-s-rep-john-conyers-must-resign/885207001/">The Detroit Free Press</a>, citing Congressman John Conyers' dishonesty and allegations of sexual harassment, wants the 88-year-old Democrat to step aside. Conyers has spent more than a half-century in Congress and now faces various charges of boorish behavior and misuse of public funds. The Free Press concludes, "It's a tragic end to his public career."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Minnesotans to Stuart Smalley: Resign!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Losing the support of a newspaper is one thing, but <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/361490-poll-22-percent-of-minnesotans-say-franken-should-remain-in-office#.WhVx80pERvM.twitter">it's far worse to be hammered by your own constituents.</a> A survey shows that only 22% of Minnesotans believe Senator Al Franken should remain in the Senate, while 33% want him to quit right now. The others are willing to wait until an investigation is conducted.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Escalates Feud With Hoops Dad<br /> </em></strong><br /> This morning President Trump <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/22/it-was-me-trump-shoots-back-at-lavar-ball-over-release-ucla-players.html">took another shot at LaVar Ball</a>, whose son LiAngelo and two of his UCLA basketball teammates were nabbed for shoplifting in China. The president reminded the flamboyant and controversial dad that he worked with the Chinese to procure LiAngelo's freedom. He called Ball an "ungrateful fool" and compared him <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/933280234220134401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fpolitics%2F2017%2F11%2F22%2Fit-was-me-trump-shoots-back-at-lavar-ball-over-release-ucla-players.html">with an infamous boxing promoter</a>: "LaVar is just a poor man's version of Don King, but without the hair."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Prez Also Tackles NFL<br /> </em></strong><br /> The president had an active morning in Florida and was obviously eager to get a few things off his chest. In addition to his tweet about LaVar Ball, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/933285973277868032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsmax.com%2FPolitics%2Ftrump-rips-nfl-anthem%2F2017%2F11%2F22%2Fid%2F827591%2F">President Trump ridiculed the National Football League</a> and the possibility that teams will remain in the locker room during the National Anthem. He urged the NFL's "highly paid Commissioner" Roger Goodell to wise up, saying, "This issue is killing your league!"<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Fusion GPS' Shady Bank Dealings<br /> </em></strong><br /> Newly-released documents indicate that <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/21/unsealed-fusion-gps-bank-records-show-russia-related-payments/">the opposition research firm Fusion GPS had many financial transactions involving Russia and that notorious anti-Trump "dossier."</a> The dirt-digging company was paid more than $1-million by the law firm that represented the Clinton campaign and the Democratic Party, then funneled some of that cash to former British spy Christopher Steele, who compiled the discredited dossier.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mysterious Death of Border Patrol Agent<br /> </em></strong><br /> Questions continue to surround the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/fbi-examining-border-patrol-agents-death-as-a-potential-assault/2017/11/21/36d81fb4-cf00-11e7-a1a3-0d1e45a6de3d_story.html?utm_term=.24b1bdd40a6f">death and possible murder of 36-year-old Border Patrol officer Rogelio Martinez.</a> Initial reports indicated that Martinez and his badly injured partner were beaten with rocks and stones, presumably by illegal immigrants, but the FBI is being far more cautious in its assessment. The case is muddied by the fact that the injured agent, who is in critical condition, has no memory of what happened that day in an isolated area of Texas.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>DOJ Takes on Immigrant Child Molesters<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Justice Department wants to strip <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/21/doj-moves-to-strip-citizenship-for-immigrant-child-sex-abusers.html">U.S. citizenship from five immigrants who sexually abused children</a> before they became citizens. The DOJ contends that the predators lied when they applied for citizenship and therefore should have it revoked. One of the men pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a six-year-old child in his native Mexico, while a Nigerian man had abused a seven-year-old.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump and Putin Burn the Phone Lines<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump and Vladimir Putin <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/Headline/trump-putin-syria-north-korea/2017/11/21/id/827525/">spoke for more than an hour yesterday</a>, discussing many of the world's trouble zones. The president described it as a "great call" during which the two men focused on efforts to stabilize Syria, North Korea, and Ukraine.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>John Kerry's Astounding Anti-Israel Animus<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former Secretary of State John Kerry went to Dubai last year and delivered a <a href="https://nypost.com/2017/11/21/john-kerrys-mideast-idiocy/">speech that displayed his remarkable antipathy towards Israel</a>. In tapes that have just surfaced, Kerry is heard praising the Palestinians for being "committed to nonviolence" and totally blaming Israel for the ongoing tension and violence.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Life Sentence for a War Criminal<br /> </em></strong><br /> Ratko Mladic, reviled as the "Butcher of Bosnia," <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42080090">has been sentenced to life in prison</a> for his murderous role in the 1990s Bosnian war. An International Criminal Tribunal found that Mladic was complicit in genocide in Srebrenicia and other war crimes. The 74-year-old was not in the courtroom when the sentence was handed down, having been expelled for shouting at the judges.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Prof Warns Males: Curb Your Microaggressions</em></strong><br /> <br /> Wake Forest professor Susan Harlan is <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/21/prof-makes-list-of-microaggressions-from-male-faculty/">providing a valuable service for her male colleagues</a>. She has compiled a list of comments that could be considered offensive to an ultra-sensitive female such as herself. We would tell Harlan that she always comes across as "so cheery" or is "energetic," but those are among the forbidden expressions on her list.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>GQ Goes Even Lower<br /> </em></strong><br /> The struggling magazine formerly known as Gentleman's Quarterly is apparently starved for attention. Just after naming Colin Kaepernick its "Citizen of the Year," the rag is <a href="https://www.gq.com/story/the-case-for-ruining-thanksgiving">now urging its few remaining readers to make Thanksgiving miserable for their relatives</a>. How? By ridiculing President Trump and anyone at the table who may have voted for him.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>"Feminist" Okay With False Accusations <br /> </em></strong><br /> A writer named Emily Lindin, who founded something called "The UnSlut Project" and has written for the odious Teen Vogue, <a href="https://twitter.com/EmilyLindin/status/933074592083591168">says it's perfectly fine if some totally innocent men</a> are brought down by false accusations of sexual harassment. After that bizarre comment ignited a firestorm on Twitter, she doubled down by alleging that false allegations "very rarely happen." So, following GQ's lead, we have come up with another way to really, really ruin your Thanksgiving dinner with relatives: Bring Emily Lindin as your guest.</p>
<p><strong><em><br /> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-11-22T14:31:00ZJudge Overrules Trump on Sanctuary Cities; Trump to Haitians: Time to Return Home!BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Judge-Overrules-Trump-on-Sanctuary-Cities;-Trump-to-Haitians:-Time-to-Return-Home!/-995002437761261016.html2017-11-21T14:15:00Z2017-11-21T14:15:00Z<p>Check<em> out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Tuesday, November 21, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</em></p>
<p><br /><strong>Judge Overrules Trump on Sanctuary Cities</strong><br /> <br /> Federal Judge William Orrick, one of the more liberal judges in the very liberal Ninth Circuit, has ruled that the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2017/11/21/federal-judge-blocks-trumps-executive-order-on-denying-funding-to-sanctuary-cities/?utm_term=.062a8b384b9c">Trump administration cannot penalize sanctuary cities</a> that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Orrick's ruling came after lawsuits were filed by two counties in northern California. The Justice Department is expected to appeal.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong>Trump to Haitians: Time to Return Home!</strong><br /> <br /> Tens of thousands of Haitians were allowed temporary residency in the USA following the devastating 2010 earthquake. The federal government now contends that "extraordinary conditions" are no longer in effect and <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-administration-to-end-provisional-residency-protection-for-50000-haitians/2017/11/20/fa3fdd86-ce4a-11e7-9d3a-bcbe2af58c3a_story.html?utm_term=.9d6d88170252">the Haitians have 18 months to leave the United States.</a> Homeland Security officials say that is enough time for the visitors to make an orderly transition and return to their native land.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong>Lois Lerner Wants IRS Tea Party Documents Sealed</strong><br /> <br /> Former IRS supervisor Lois Lerner, who was deeply involved in the agency's efforts to punish conservative groups, <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/nov/19/lois-lerner-holly-paz-want-testimony-sealed-perman/">has been back in court in recent days.</a> She wants all her depositions related to the case to remain under lock and key, arguing that she and her family face physical harm if facts about the IRS' Tea Party targeting go public. It brings to mind the pledge President Obama gave to Bill in 2014 about the IRS: There was "not even a smidgen of corruption!"<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong>Prosecutors: Kate Steinle's Killer Was Playing a Game</strong><br /> <br /> Prosecutors in the Kate Steinle case <a href="http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2017/11/20/kate-steinle-murder-trial-closing-arguments-set-to-begin/">have a theory of how the 32-year-old woman was shot and killed</a> in San Francisco in 2015. They say Jose Ines Garcia Zarate, the illegal alien who had been deported many times, was playing a version of Russian Roulette when he murdered Steinle. But Zarate and his defense team insist that he found the gun on the pier and it went off purely by accident.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong>Podesta Group Under Fire</strong><br /> <br /> The invaluable Judicial Watch is requesting that the State Department release documents relating to <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/20/judicial-watch-sues-state-department-for-podesta-group-records/">the once-powerful Podesta Group lobbying firm</a>. The company, founded by Democratic operatives John and Tony Podesta, is accused of working for foreign governments without obtaining the proper clearances. Tony Podesta has left the troubled firm, which is said to be near its demise.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong>College Demeans, Disparages Cops</strong><br /> <br /> What's a day without another ridiculous story out of some so-called institution of higher learning. This time the culprit is Brooklyn College, <a href="https://nypost.com/2017/11/19/brooklyn-college-wants-police-to-use-run-down-bathroom/">which has issued special instructions to New York City police officers who feel the heed of nature's call</a>. The school wants the cops to use dirty and broken-down bathrooms far removed from the main part of campus. Brooklyn College and its courageous administrators worry that the mere sight of men and women in blue will be offensive to some students at the college. New York's Finest? Not at Brooklyn College.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong>Cue the Conspiracy Theorists: Trump and Putin to Talk!</strong><br /> <br /> President Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-21/putin-to-speak-with-trump-on-syria-after-meeting-assad-in-sochi">are scheduled to talk on the phone today</a>. They are expected to discuss the ongoing chaos in Syria, where the Islamic State is on the verge of total collapse. The US says it will leave behind a residual force to maintain some semblance of peace, but Russia and other nations are opposed to that idea.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong>Border Patrol Agents Ambushed</strong><br /> <br /> Authorities have now determined that two Border Patrol agents were lured into an isolated area <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/11/21/border-patrol-agent-appeared-to-be-ambushed-by-illegal-immigrants-bashed-with-rocks-before-death.html">by illegal immigrants and then ambushed.</a> 36-year-old officer Rogelio Martinez was murdered in the attack, while his unnamed partner remains in the hospital with serious injuries. Their colleagues say the officers were apparently savagely beaten with rocks and stones. The FBI and other agencies are hunting for the killers, who remain at large.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong>The World's Most Ungrateful Dad </strong><br /> <br /> LaVar Ball, the always-outspoken patriarch of a budding basketball dynasty, continues to bash President Trump, even though the president helped get Ball's son LiAngelo out of a Chinese prison. The younger Ball and two of his UCLA teammates had been detained after they were caught shoplifting from a luxury store in China. They three players are now back in the USA, thanks to President Trump, but have been suspended from the UCLA team.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lToMkGmXutY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong>The Sexual Assault Web Widens </strong><br /> <br /> Every day brings new allegations and confessions. The latest sexual assault miscreants are an octogenarian liberal Congressman and a septuagenarian liberal TV host. 88-year-old Democrat John Conyers, who has been in Congress for more than 50 years, <a href="http://time.com/5032921/john-conyers-sexual-misconduct-settlement/">is accused of touching and groping</a> numerous female staffers. Meanwhile, 75-year-old Charlie Rose has been suspended by CBS News and PBS after <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/11/21/i-am-by-nature-civil-the-rise-of-charlie-rose/?utm_term=.88d6a31cd8ec">eight women stepped forward with sordid stories</a> about his behavior.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong>Terrorist Carnage in Nigeria</strong><br /> <br /> More than 50 worshipers were murdered in Nigeria this morning <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-42065509">when a terrorist used powerful explosives to blow up a mosque</a>. Local police believe the savagery was the work of Boko Haram, the militant Islamic terror organization that has killed tens of thousands of Africans in recent years.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong>Did Trump Aide Ridicule the President?</strong><br /> <br /> There is a new report alleging that <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/20/report-mcmaster-made-fun-of-trump-at-private-dinner/">National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster mocked President Trump</a> while attending a private dinner. A few of McMaster's dinner partners claim he referred to the president as an "idiot" and a "dope." The National Security Council firmly denies that report, which was based on anonymous sources, and insist that their boss is still McMaster Of His Domain.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong>MSNBC Anchor Delights in Rand Paul Assault</strong><br /> <br /> Yes, Kasie Hunt is having quite a week. She first made news by defending Senator Al Franken, saying that infamous photo indicated that he was only "mock-groping" Leeann Tweeden. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">Then she went on the air yesterday</a> and described the vicious attack on Senator Rand Paul as "one of my favorite stories." While <a href="https://twitter.com/kasie/status/932757177693024256?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet">Hunt later issued a Twitter apology to Senator Paul</a>, only she knows whether it is a real apology or a "mock-apology." To borrow from the poet Ernest Thayer: There is no joy in MSNBC-ville. Not-So-Mighty Kasie has struck out … twice.<strong><em><br /> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-11-21T14:15:00ZThe Monster Who Lived Too Long; Border Officer Dead in TexasBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/The-Monster-Who-Lived-Too-Long;-Border-Officer-Dead-in-Texas/638930908117703086.html2017-11-20T15:50:00Z2017-11-20T15:50:00Z<p><em>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Monday, November 20, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</em></p>
<p><br /> <em><strong><em>The Monster Who Lived Too Long</em></strong><br /> <br /> Charles Manson, who became a living symbol of the human capacity for evil, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42051402">has finally died at the age of 83</a>. The founder and leader of the murderous Manson Family, whose life of crime began when he was just a teen, was convicted of murder in 1971 and lived behind bars ever since. Here is a small excerpt from Geraldo Rivera's famous 1988 interview with the late killer:<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wON86JTQBlw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />Mueller Pursues Trump Tower Meeting</strong><br /> </em><br /> A flamboyant British publicist named Rob Goldstone was instrumental in arranging that meeting last year that included Donald Trump Jr. and some Russians, among them lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya. Even though he now lives in Thailand, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/rob-goldstone-ready-come-u-s-talk-mueller-n821826">Goldstone says he will travel to Washington "in the near future"</a> to speak about that meeting with special counsel Robert Mueller. <br /><br /><br /><em><em><strong><em>Franken On Cutting Room Floor</em></strong></em><br /><br />Senator Al Franken took part in a tribute to David Letterman that will air tonight on PBS, <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/al-franken-cut-pbs-david-letterman-mark-twain-prize-sexual-harassment-claim-1059971">but his segment has been deleted from the show</a>. The producers say Franken's presence would distract from the show's "celebration of American humor." Meanwhile, the liberal senator who has made Minnesota so very proud <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/19/franken-reportedly-wont-resign-amid-more-congressional-calls-to-deal-with-allegations-against-him-and-roy-moore.html">is digging in his heels, scoffing at calls for his resignation.</a> In case you missed it, Franken's former show Saturday Night Live heaped some additional ridicule on the already-ridiculous senator.<br /></em><br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/koCjyqN8cbw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /><br /> <br /> <em><strong>Roy Moore Defiant as Ever</strong><br /> </em><br /> Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore, who has very few supporters these days outside of Alabama, continues to forcefully deny all the allegations that have been leveled against him. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/361031-roy-moore-claims-accuser-wont-hand-over-yearbook-evidence-because-its-fake">He is now challenging publicity-hound attorney Gloria Allred</a>, who claims one of her clients has a high school yearbook that proves Moore had an unusual attraction to very young girls.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Who is Doug Jones?</strong><br /> </em><br /> Actually, <a href="http://www.alreporter.com/2017/09/28/doug-jones-tackles-gun-rights-abortion-health-care-national-interview/">Doug Jones could be the next Senator from Alabama</a> and the first Democrat elected to that office in more than 20 years. As a pro-choice candidate, Jones is swimming against the tide in his home state, but he is presenting himself as a moderate on most other issues. He is going out of his way to distance himself from the far-left wing of the Democratic Party and has avoided speaking out about the controversies swirling around his opponent Roy Moore.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Border Officer Dead in Texas</strong><br /> </em><br /> 36-year-old Border Patrol Agent Rogelio Martinez <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/border-patrol-agent-dies-after-being-injured-texas-n822306">has died under circumstances that remain unclear</a>. His colleagues and the FBI are scouring the Big Bend area in Texas, searching for clues that may provide more information about Martinez' death and the serious injury sustained by his partner. <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/932420488642617344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcnews.com%2Fnews%2Fus-news%2Fborder-patrol-agent-dies-after-being-injured-texas-n822306">President Trump is using the incident as more evidence that a border wall is a necessity.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>FBI Reports on "Black Extremists"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Some black leaders are incensed <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/fbi-black-extremists-jeff-sessions-donald-trump/2017/11/18/id/826978/">after learning about a report produced by the FBI</a>. The document expresses concerns about "black identity extremists" who are out to kill law enforcement officers across the United States. The bureau implies that racially-motivated violence against cops accelerated after the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Trump Gets High Grades on Economy</strong><br /> </em><br /> Democratic pollster Peter Hart recently ran a focus group and determined that, while President Trump may be deeply unpopular for various reasons, <a href="http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-trump-economy-20171119-story.html">he is being widely praised for improvements in the economy and the bull market in stocks</a>. Many participants in the focus group were willing to overlook the president's perceived shortcomings as long as the economy doesn't slump.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>CNN, Media Matters Double-Team Hannity</strong><br /> </em><br /> The odious smear merchants at Media Matters have found a very willing partner in crime at CNN. Brian Stelter, who hosts a struggling media show on that network, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video?chartID=554">has joined Media Matters in its attack on Fox News' Sean Hannity</a>, whose eponymous show sits atop the cable news ratings.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>More Shame for the Shameful NFL</strong><br /> </em><br /> During a National Football League game played in Mexico City yesterday, Oakland Raiders aging running back Marshawn Lynch took a seat during the Star Spangled Banner, <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/raiders/article/Raiders-Marshawn-Lynch-sits-for-U-S-anthem-12369965.php">but then got on his feet for the Mexican anthem</a>. President Trump, who was once commander-in-chief of a pro football team called the New Jersey Generals, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/932570628451954688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.espn.com%2Fnfl%2Fstory%2F_%2Fid%2F21485160%2Fpresident-donald-trump-criticizes-oakland-raiders-rb-marshawn-lynch-sitting-us-national-anthem-standing-mexican-anthem">is sure to be bashed relentlessly for recommending Lynch's suspension.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Former Football Legend Assails League</strong><br /> </em><br /> The great Herschel Walker, who won the Heisman Trophy and then played for Donald Trump on the aforementioned New Jersey Generals, i<a href="https://nypost.com/2017/11/19/ex-nfl-star-takes-stand-against-national-anthem-protests/">s running roughshod over the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell.</a> Walker praised the American flag as "very special" and says the commissioner should have done more to stop the protests "at the very beginning."<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>New York Subways Go Gender-Neutral</strong><br /> </em><br /></em><em> Forget all that "ladies and gentleman" stuff! The New York City subway system has commanded its conductors <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/us-subway-announcements/2017/11/18/id/826981/">to avoid terms that imply there are just two genders</a>. From now on, expect to hear terms such as "passengers" and "riders." As in: "Attention, passengers, expect delays on the L, G, B, Q, and T lines."</em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-11-20T15:50:00ZAnother Milestone for The Queen; Saturday Night Live Hammers FrankenBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Another-Milestone-for-The-Queen;-Saturday-Night-Live-Hammers-Franken/-715027139903699214.html2017-11-19T15:32:00Z2017-11-19T15:32:00Z<p><em>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Sunday, November 19, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</em></p>
<p><br /> <strong><em>Republicans Searching for Ways to Oust Roy Moore</em></strong><br /> <br /> GOP leaders in the United States Senate have tried mightily to get Roy Moore off the ballot in the upcoming Alabama special election. They've asked him to drop out, they've pressured state Republicans to schedule a new election, and they have tried other tactics. Nothing has worked thus far, and it seems <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/360970-senate-gop-running-out-of-options-to-stop-moore">increasingly likely that Judge Moore will square off against Democrat Doug Jones</a> on December 12<sup>th</sup>. It will be one of the most-watched and most-covered special elections in modern American history.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Democrats' Dirtiest of Dirty Tricks<br /> </em></strong><br /> Senate Democrats, eager to re-capture a majority next year, are trying to raise money by inspiring fear. <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/18/schumer-fundraising-letter-tied-tax-cuts-to-neo-nazis/">One leading political action committee mailed a fund-raising pitch</a> that linked Republicans to "Corporate Tax Cuts," "Repealing Health Care," and even "Neo-Nazis." The mailing included a letter from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who accused President Trump of helping Russia and billionaires. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary Clinton Just Won't Give Up!<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2017/11/18/hillary_clinton_we_have_a_man_accused_of_sexual_assault_sitting_in_the_oval_office_accusations_not_taken_seriously.html">In an astounding radio interview this weekend</a>, Hillary Clinton declared, "We have a man who is accused of sexual assault sitting in the Oval Office." But when the conversation turned to Bill Clinton's many well-documented infidelities and assaults, Mrs. Clinton dismissed that as "a distraction." She also defended her decision to go after the many women who accused her husband.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Leon Panetta Defends Bill Clinton<br /> </em></strong><br /> Just days after Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said Bill Clinton should have resigned from the presidency, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/18/politics/leon-panetta-hillary-clinton-kirsten-gillibrand/index.html">Clinton's chief of staff at the time is pushing back hard</a>. Leon Panetta told CNN that President Clinton "more than paid the price" when he faced impeachment. Panetta, however, didn't address the many other credible charges leveled against the former president.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Saturday Night Live Hammers Franken<br /> </em></strong><br /> Senator Al Franken made his name on Saturday Night Live, but last night that program's 'Weekend Update' gently mocked Franken for his infantile behavior that came to light last week. Franken was a writer and performer on the show when SNL debuted in 1975. <br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/koCjyqN8cbw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /><br /> <strong><em>Goldman Sachs Predicts '18 Boom<br /> </em></strong><br /> Economists and analysts at Goldman Sachs, after crunching their numbers, have determined that 2018 <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/17/goldman-sachs-says-2017-was-surprisingly-good.html">will be a banner year for economic growth</a>, both in the USA and globally. The firm actually predicts a worldwide growth rate of 4%, which would be unusually high.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Administration Warns 'Sanctuary Cities'<br /> </em></strong><br /> Dozens of so-called sanctuary cities, which avoid cooperating with federal immigration authorities, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/donald-trump-trump-administration-white-house-sanctuary-cities/2017/11/18/id/826982/">have been put on notice</a>. The Justice Department and Attorney General Jeff Sessions are warning the cities that their federal aid will be cut off unless they get with the program within the next two weeks.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>A Despot is Ousted<br /> </em></strong><br /> 93-year-old Robert Mugabe, who has tyrannized Zimbabwe for more than 30 years, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-42043370">has finally been stripped of his power</a>. Reports of his ouster sparked dancing in the streets and celebrations throughout the nation formerly known as Southern Rhodesia.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>ESPN Anchor Insults Vanishing Viewers<br /> </em></strong><br /> Scott Van Pelt, a mainstay at ESPN, is vigorously defending his network, which has lost many millions of subscribers in recent years. <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/tom-blumer/2017/11/19/espns-scott-van-pelt-insults-millions-who-no-longer-watch-it">In a stinging insult aimed at those who have abandoned ESPN</a> because they find the network too political and too far left, Van Pelt said this: "You're so dumb that I can't even pray for you because you're beyond hope."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Milestone for The Queen<br /> </em></strong><br /> Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, who were married just as Britain and the rest of Europe were recovering from World War II, <a href="http://people.com/royals/queen-elizabeth-prince-philip-70th-anniversary-photo/">will celebrate their 70<sup>th</sup> wedding anniversary tomorrow.</a> The 91-year-old queen and her 96-year-old husband posed for an official photograph at Windsor Castle to mark the historic occasion.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Argentine Sub and 44 Sailors Missing<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/11/19/missing-argentine-navy-sub-may-have-sent-distress-signals-us-navy-sends-help.html">A massive search is underway for an Argentinian submarine that suddenly vanished</a> and lost communication last week. The United States Navy and Air Force have joined the hunt for the ARA San Juan, which vanished while on a routine mission in the Atlantic Ocean off the east coast of South America.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>African Elephants Get Presidential Reprieve<br /> </em></strong><br /> After lifting a ban on bringing elephant trophies back to the USA, the Trump administration and the president himself are reconsidering that decision. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/donald-trump-elephant-trophy-ban-tweet/2017/11/17/id/826911/">President Trump now says he has put the "big game trophy decision on hold."</a> Some experts claim elephant hunting actually helps the overall pachyderm population; others say just the opposite. Perhaps the president is sympathetic to his party's mascot and will declare open season on donkeys.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>New Course: Black Friday 101<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2017/11/19/crash-course-first-time-black-friday-shoppers/858822001/">USA Today has put together a primer</a> for shoppers who are ready to brave their first Black Friday adventure. The piece reminds Americans that bargains actually begin on Thanksgiving and that they can avoid the mad rush by shopping online. But if too many people shop via the Internet, the rest of us will be deprived of all those videos showing Black Friday at its absolute worst.</p>
<iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vjTGmirfaR8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-11-19T15:32:00ZTax Reform Clears One Hurdle; Democrats Distance Themselves From FrankenBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Tax-Reform-Clears-One-Hurdle;-Democrats-Distance-Themselves-From-Franken/-675346535347275547.html2017-11-17T14:53:00Z2017-11-17T14:53:00Z<p><em>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, November 17, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</em><strong><em><br /><br />Tax Reform Clears One Hurdle</em></strong><br /> <br /> The House version of the Republican tax plan passed easily yesterday, but now comes the tough part. The Senate, where the GOP has a slim 52-48 majority, <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tax-bill-heads-to-senate-floor-with-gop-needing-to-shore-up-support/article/2641006">is now writing up its own version of reform.</a> One major sticking point will be a repeal of the ObamaCare individual mandate, which could cost at least one Republican vote in the Senate. Republicans hope to bring their version up for a vote following the Thanksgiving break, after which it would have to be reconciled with the House legislation. It's a bumpy road forward and every single Democrat in both chambers will oppose tax reform at every step.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Democrats Distance Themselves From Franken<br /> </em></strong><br /> Just like they did with Harvey Weinstein, many Democrats are relinquishing <a href="http://fortune.com/2017/11/16/democratic-senators-al-franken-donations/">campaign contributions they received from Senator Al Franken</a>. Eleven sitting senators told Fortune magazine that they are donating the money, which came from Franken's political action committee, to various non-profit organizations. President Trump, naturally, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/931357870024687616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fpolitics%2F2017%2F11%2F16%2Ftrump-slams-senator-frankenstien-in-tweets.html">weighed in with a tweet in which he mocked "Al Frankenstien."</a> Even though he misspelled the name of Mary Shelley's Dr. Frankenstein, you get the point.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>More Dems Denounce Bill Clinton<br /> </em></strong><br /> Liberal Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the White House, <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/kirsten-gillibrand-bill-clinton-lewinsky_us_5a0e52ede4b0dd63b1a97e4a">has proclaimed that Bill Clinton should have resigned the presidency</a> after lying about the Monica Lewinsky affair. Gillibrand was a strong supporter of Hillary Clinton's candidacy and once said she was "truly honored" to have Bill Clinton's support. Meanwhile, former Bill Clinton toady Paul Begala <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">says his former boss "didn't get away with anything."</a> Tell that to Juanita Broaddrick, Paul.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Roy Moore Trails Dem in Alabama<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/16/fox-news-poll-jones-leads-moore-by-8-points-in-alabama-senate-race.html">A Fox News poll shows Judge Roy Moore trailing Democrat Doug Jones</a> in their U.S. Senate special election. Women are especially likely to support Jones, while Moore leads among men. That poll is in stark contrast to another survey that shows Moore with a six-point lead. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/Headline/roy-moore-mitch-mcconnell-trying-steal/2017/11/16/id/826656/">Moore is making Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who is as unpopular in Alabama as Ole Miss, a focal point of his campaign.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>U.S. Military to Remain in Syria<br /> </em></strong><br /> Secretary of Defense James Mattis says <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2017/11/17/564620907/pentagon-says-its-staying-in-syria-even-though-isis-appears-defeated">United States troops will remain in Syria</a> even though that country's cities have been liberated from ISIS. General Mattis wants to ensure that ISIS doesn't return in another shape or form. Russia, however, says the U.S. plan to remain is "illegitimate" and antithetical to international agreements. Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, Iran, and Russia all want the United States to leave Syria.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Japan Warns on North Korea<br /> </em></strong><br /> Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is again warning that <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/17/japan-bolstering-defenses-against-north-korea-threat-abe-says.html">North Korea poses the most dangerous threat to Japan since the Second World War.</a> Speaking to parliament this morning, Abe said Japan should purchase more missile defense systems from the United States and otherwise "strengthen Japanese defense power." Abe is also asking other nations to help in the struggle against North Korea and Kim Jong Un.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Anti-Trump Pickup Gal Picked Up<br /> </em></strong><br /> Karen Fonseca made news this week by driving around Houston in a pickup truck adorned with profane anti-Trump stickers. Perhaps she should have remained under the radar, because Fonseca was <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/17/owner-pickup-truck-with-vulgar-anti-trump-sticker-arrested-for-outstanding-warrant.html">arrested yesterday for a previous fraud charge</a>. She is now free on bail, back in her pickup, and determined to keep annoying her neighbors.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Boy Wears "Fake News Network" Shirt … at CNN <br /> </em></strong><br /> Seventh grader Jaxon Jester, with the support of his parents, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/11/16/school-nixes-boys-fake-news-t-shirt-on-field-trip-to-cnn.html">recently donned a shirt mocking CNN as the "Fake News Network."</a> One obvious problem was that he planned to wear the shirt during a field trip to CNN headquarters in Atlanta. A teacher asked young Jaxon to remove the shirt, inspiring a minor debate about the First Amendment. Perhaps Brian Stelter will cover the incident in his little-watched show on CNN this weekend.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Speaking of the Fake News Network<br /> </em></strong><br /> CNN aired story this week that was astounding, even by that network's "standards." Erin Burnett devoted two minutes of her extraordinarily low-rated 7PM program to a <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/cnn-airs-segment-on-dog-whose-ear-looks-like-trump/article/2640721">British pooch whose inner ear supposedly resembles President Trump</a>. Seriously. The dog's name happens to be Chief, as in Commander-in-Chief.<br /><br /><br /><strong><em><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MOFV7PCP0B8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> </em></strong><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Good News for Dog Owners<br /></em></strong><br /><a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/health-42009932">A new study finds that dog owners</a>, even those whose pups don't have unique inner ear markings, live longer than their peers. That may result from the fact that having a pooch requires regular walking and is thus beneficial to the heart and lungs. Whatever the medical cause, dog owners have fewer heart attacks and a lower mortality rate.<br /><br /><br /><strong><em>Controversial Ruling on Elephant Heads<br /> </em></strong><br /> Three years ago the Obama administration instituted a ban that prohibited big game hunters from bringing back elephant "trophies" from Africa. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-trump-elephant-trophy-hunting-move-sparks-stampede-of-outrage-2017-11?r=UK&IR=T">President Trump's Fish and Wildlife Service has overturned that ban</a>, claiming that "well-regulated sport hunting" is actually beneficial to elephants and other species. The Humane Society and other animal rights groups are forcefully denouncing the new policy, <a href="https://blog.humanesociety.org/wayne/2017/11/interior-department-allow-imports-elephant-lion-trophies-africa-reversing-obama-policies.html?credit=blog_post_111517_id9388">saying it will inevitably lead to the slaughter of more elephants.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Infant Dies From Marijuana Overdose<br /> </em></strong><br /> Doctors in Colorado, where recreational use of marijuana is legal, <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article184929293.html">are reporting that an 11-month-old boy has died from a pot overdose.</a> He had been living in a motel with his pot-smoking parents and was found to have extremely high levels of THC in his bloodstream. Investigators theorize that the boy ate food that was laced with marijuana.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Report: Fox News Bans Gene Simmons for Life!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Rocker Gene Simmons, the front man for the band Kiss, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/kiss-gene-simmons-sexual-misconduct-allegations/2017/11/16/id/826699/">has reportedly been banned from ever again showing is face - or tongue - on Fox News</a>. Simmons burst into a staff meeting at Fox, insulted women, and told jokes about Michael Jackson and pedophilia. Sounds like he could be Senate material.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-11-17T14:53:00ZGOP Defection on Tax Plan; Republicans Abandon Moore's Sinking ShipBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/GOP-Defection-on-Tax-Plan;-Republicans-Abandon-Moores-Sinking-Ship/-321710628305377163.html2017-11-16T15:20:00Z2017-11-16T15:20:00ZCheck out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Thursday, November 16, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>GOP Defection on Tax Plan</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Republican tax plan should sail through the House today, but the Senate version faces much tougher sledding, especially now that <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/democrats-furious-over-new-gop-attempt-to-gut-obamacare/2017/11/15/fdc382f8-ca23-11e7-8321-481fd63f174d_story.html?utm_term=.a6bef79ae7f2">Senator Ron Johnson has announced his opposition</a>. The Wisconsin senator said he will vote "nay" because the legislation favors large corporations over smaller businesses. Just two more Republican defections, and Maine's Susan Collins could easily be one of them, would sink the bill in the Senate.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Republicans Abandon Moore's Sinking Ship<br /> </em></strong><br /> With some polls showing that Judge Roy Moore could easily lose Alabama's special Senate election, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/360610-republicans-see-rising-dem-odds-in-alabama">even more Republicans are urging him to get out of the race.</a> The GOP badly needs a victory in order to maintain its slim 52 – 48 advantage in the Senate. President Trump has thus far steered clear of the controversy, but his daughter Ivanka declared, "There's a special place in hell for people who prey on children." Meanwhile, two more women have come forward with allegations and Alabama Republicans are considering their options. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/Politics/alabama-senate-special-election-sexual-misconduct/2017/11/15/id/826398/">Republican steering committee members have the authority to remove Judge Moore from the ballot</a>, although doing so would surely earn them the eternal enmity of many Alabamans.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Liberals Abandon Bill Clinton<br /> </em></strong><br /> After decades of protecting and defending former President Bill Clinton, even when he was credibly accused of rape, <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/nov/15/bill-clintons-sexual-misconduct-under-democrat-scr/?utm_source=onesignal&utm_campaign=pushnotify&utm_medium=push">some left-leaning outlets are having second thoughts</a>. The most stunning turnabout came when the New York Times, reliable Clinton apologists, published a damning op-ed that essentially agreed with the woman who says Clinton raped her. Is this a sudden burst of conscience? Or merely the fact that Democrats want the Clintons and their trail of scandals totally off the stage before 2020?<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary Ridicules Uranium One Story<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/11/hillary-clinton-trump-special-counsel-threat-this-is-such-an-abuse-of-power/">During an interview with a very, very friendly questioner from Mother Jones magazine</a>, Hillary Clinton said the Uranium One story is a "false charge" that has been debunked many times. She added that there is no need for a special counsel and accused the Trump administration of overseeing an "abuse of power." Mrs. Clinton implied that the USA under President Trump is in danger of becoming a "dictatorship or authoritarian regime."<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GP7J_EsXZ3k?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>More Questions About Fusion GPS<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former journalist Glenn Simpson, who co-founded the opposition research firm Fusion GPS, spent seven hours yesterday answering questions <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/15/fusion-gps-briefed-media-on-trump-russia-claims-in-summer-2016-but-did-not-verify-dossier-source.html">posed the House Intelligence Committee</a>. The session was conducted behind closed doors, but Simpson supposedly refused to answer questions about his ties to the Democratic Party or the Hillary Clinton campaign. Fusion GPS is under heavy fire because it hired a former British spy to dig dirt on Donald Trump, which resulted in the infamous "dossier" that has been widely discredited.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Brit Spy Doubles Down on "Dossier"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Christopher Steele, the former British intelligence officer who was paid by Fusion GPS, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/christopher-steele-believes-most-dossier/2017/11/15/id/826417/">is insisting that the vast majority of his "dossier" is true.</a> Steele has told friends that he will eventually be vindicated and that most of his allegations will be verified.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hannity Weighs in on Moore <br /> </em></strong><br /> Sean Hannity has been near the center of the controversy involving Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore. After the Fox News host grilled Moore on his radio program, he was abandoned by some advertisers who caved to pressure from Media Matters. Earlier this week Hannity gave Moore an ultimatum: Provide reasonable and clear answers or drop out of the race. In response, Moore wrote a letter in which he defended himself and claimed he is being smeared for political reasons. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/360619-hannity-moore-answered-my-questions">Hannity seems to be satisfied, at least for the moment,</a> saying that Judge Moore answered all the questions he had been asked.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Cop Mowed Down in Baltimore<br /> </em></strong><br /> A Baltimore homicide officer is on "full life support" <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-ci-officer-shot-20171115-story.html">after being brutally shot in the head by a gunman</a>. The unnamed officer was investigating a murder in West Baltimore when he was gunned down at point-blank range. The detective, an 18-year-veteran of the force, has a wife and two children. Earlier this month an off-duty police officer was shot and killed in Baltimore.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Illegal Immigrant Outrage<br /> </em></strong><br /> 32-year-old Esdras Gomez, an illegal immigrant who snuck into the USA from Guatemala, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/11/15/illegal-immigrant-charged-in-2015-murder-new-york-socialite.html">has been arrested and charged with the savage 2015 murder of a wealthy New York women</a>. Gomez allegedly beat 83-year-old Lois Colley to death with a fire extinguisher. He was picked up in Cancun, Mexico after an international manhunt.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Breaking News: Trump Drinks Water!<br /> </em></strong><br /> CBS Evening News, which badly trails its two rivals in the ratings and just switched anchors, decided that <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">President Trump's dry mouth was major news yesterday.</a> Of course, the president did open himself up to that one by mocking "Little Marco's" water habit during the Republican primaries.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dems: Impeach the Water Drinker!<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/15/politics/cohen-articles-of-impeachment/index.html">A handful of House Democrats officially introduced articles of impeachment</a> against President Trump yesterday. Congressman Steve Cohen of Tennessee, an especially nasty piece of work who recently slandered a pro-life witness as "ignorant," did most of the talking. But even Cohen admitted that the impeachment resolution won't get very far in the Republican-dominated House.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Wants Divorce from Jerry Jones<br /> </em></strong><br /> The National Football League and commissioner Roger Goodell are at war with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/11/15/jerry-jones-accused-conduct-detrimental-leagues-best-interest">The league has sent a formal letter accusing Jones of "conduct detrimental to the league's best interests,"</a> which could be a first step in an effort to strip him ownership. Jones has been publicly opposed to a new contract that would pay Goodell as much as $50-million a year and also demanded that his players stand for the National Anthem. If the NFL is truly worried about its "best interests," it should stop the player protests and try to win back some of the fan support that has been lost this season.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Legislators to Army: No Back Pay for Bergdahl<br /> </em></strong><br /> 100 Representatives and Senators <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/15/100-lawmakers-urge-us-army-not-to-award-bergdahl-possible-300g-in-back-pay.html">are urging the Army to make sure that admitted deserter Bowe Bergdahl does not get a huge financial windfall</a>. There have been some reports that Private Bergdahl, who has been demoted from sergeant, stands to receive as much as $300,000 for the time he spent in Taliban captivity.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>UCLA Shoplifters Thank President Trump<br /> </em></strong><br /> During a visit to China, three UCLA basketball players were nailed and jailed for shoplifting some luxury items. They could have spent many years in prison, <a href="https://nypost.com/2017/11/15/ucla-players-thank-trump-get-suspended-indefinitely/">but President Trump intervened</a> and helped get the stick-fingered trio freed. They thanked the president and apologized to their families and their team, which has suspended the players indefinitely.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mascot Madness at Marist<br /> </em></strong><br /> Marist College, alma mater of a certain very humble correspondent, i<a href="http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/sports/college/marist/2017/11/14/whats-name-amid-violence-marist-sheds-shooter-mascot-moniker/855944001/">s changing the name of its lovable furry mascot.</a> "Shooter the Fox," who playfully romps the sidelines at sporting events, will henceforth be known as "Frankie." The school says that America's rash of gun violence mandated the name change. The mascot formerly known as "Shooter" is said to be despondent, and at least one <a href="https://twitter.com/billoreilly/status/897904139249823744">very famous Marist grad is reportedly urging to school to consider a new mascot: "Holly the Corgi."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Free Speech & A Profane Anti-Trump Bumper Sticker<br /> </em></strong><br /> The driver of a pickup truck in Texas is <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/16/texas-sheriff-reportedly-threatened-disorderly-conduct-charge-over-trucks-anti-trump-sticker.html">making no secret of her disdain for President Trump and his supporters</a>. Her rear window is plastered with a large sticker that reads: "F*** TRUMP AND F*** YOU FOR VOTING FOR HIM." The local sheriff is unsure what to do about the pickup and its owner Karen Fonseca, who says she is merely exercising her freedom of speech. Of course, Fonseca could take her truck and its profane message to California, where those stickers come as standard equipment.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WjgS_KABQBI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-11-16T15:20:00ZTrump's Wednesday Morning Agenda: Hammer CNN; Hannity to Moore: Speak Up or Drop Out!BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trumps-Wednesday-Morning-Agenda:-Hammer-CNN;-Hannity-to-Moore:-Speak-Up-or-Drop-Out!/-282073593775440265.html2017-11-15T15:12:00Z2017-11-15T15:12:00ZCheck out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Wednesday, November 15, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Sessions Grilled by House Committee</em></strong><br /> <br /> Attorney General Jeff Sessions <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/360369-sessions-resists-gop-pressure-on-clinton-probe">endured a five-hour interrogation by the House Judiciary Committee</a> Tuesday. Democrats were generally hostile, even accusing Sessions of previously lying to them. Some Republicans, meanwhile, demanded that the AG appoint a new special counsel to investigate Hillary Clinton and the Uranium One deal. Sessions also made news by saying he has no reason to doubt the women who are accusing Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore of sexual harassment and assault.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Fusion GPS Co-Founder in the Hot Seat<br /> </em></strong><br /> While Jeff Sessions was being questioned by the Judiciary Committee, <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/360385-house-intel-panel-interviews-fusion-gps-co-founder-glenn-simpson">the House Intelligence Committee was busy interrogating Glenn Simpson</a>, who helped found the opposition research firm Fusion GPS. That firm came up with the specious anti-Trump "dossier" after being paid by the Clinton campaign and the Democratic Party. Simpson was reportedly questioned for seven hours behind closed doors on Capitol Hill.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump's Wednesday Morning Agenda: Hammer CNN<br /> </em></strong><br /> Back home in Washington after his long Asia trip, President Trump is also back to some of his favorite early morning activities. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/Politics/trump-blasts-cnn-touts/2017/11/15/id/826223/">He spent a chunk of Wednesday morning smacking CNN</a>, once again calling the network "fake." He also went out of his way to praise Fox & Friends, which provides his minimum daily requirement of affirmation and praise.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Maniac Kills Four in CA<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/11/15/california-gunmans-mother-says-was-frustrated-by-ongoing-feud-with-neighbors.html">A crazed man in Northern California</a>, apparently upset because of a dispute with his neighbors, went on a killing rampage yesterday. He murdered four people, wounded more than a dozen others, then called his mother to say, "It's all over now." The same man had been arrested earlier this year when he allegedly stabbed one of his neighbors with a steak knife. Yesterday's shooting spree ended with police shot and killed the villain.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Screws Turn on Roy Moore<br /> </em></strong><br /> Democrats are having <a href="http://www.sfchronicle.com/news/politics/article/Democrat-gets-out-of-the-way-as-Roy-Moore-scandal-12358533.php">great fun watching the circus surrounding Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore</a>, who has almost no support among Republicans outside of his own state. Many in the GOP are actively hoping that Moore either drops out or loses next month's special election, and the <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/14/rnc-cuts-off-moore-244904">Republican National Committee has withdrawn all its financial support for his candidacy</a>. Moore's only remaining stronghold <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-15/roy-moore-seeks-out-core-supporters-as-allegations-roil-campaign">seems to be among evangelical Christians</a>, many of whom insist that he is being unfairly maligned by liberal elites in Washington and elsewhere.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hannity to Moore: Speak Up or Drop Out!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Sean Hannity, who grilled Roy Moore on his radio show last week, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/Politics/sexual-misconduct-hannity-alabama-senate/2017/11/14/id/826170/">has issued an ultimatum</a>: If Moore can't clearly explain what happened forty years ago and why so many women are now coming forward, he should exit the race in Alabama. Hannity, despite his tough interview with Judge Moore, has lost some advertisers who apparently caved to unrelenting pressure from the radical leftists at Media Matters.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Terrorists & the Diversity Visa Lottery<br /> </em></strong><br /> It had already been known that at least two terrorists gained entry to the USA through the Diversity Visa Lottery program, which grants residence to lucky immigrants from certain nations. One of the lottery winners mowed down pedestrians and killed eight people in New York City on Halloween. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/14/six-terror-linked-foreigners-entered-us-via-diversity-lottery-says-trump-administration.html">The Trump administration now says that at least five other men</a> with terror links have taken advantage of the controversial lottery system, which President Trump wants to axe.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Republicans Tackle Taxes & ObamaCare<br /> </em></strong><br /> Senate Republicans are hoping to add a new element to their tax reform plan, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/15/politics/individual-mandate-tax-reform/index.html">a repeal of the ObamaCare individual mandate</a> that forces many Americans to purchase health insurance or pay a penalty. Repealing the mandate would save hundreds of billions of dollars, but it would also leave many more Americans without health insurance. The current tax plan in the House, which does not address the individual mandate, <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/360419-house-panel-sets-up-floor-debate-on-gop-tax-reform-bill">will be debated today and voted on tomorrow.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>ICE Agents Up in Arms<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/nov/14/ice-agents-rebel-say-trump-betrayed-them/">Some angry U.S. immigration officials say the Trump administration</a> has not done enough to clean up the mess created in the Obama years. The ICE officers complain that they are still hamstrung by inefficient policies that are far too friendly to illegal immigrants. As one example, immigration agents in Philadelphia are not permitted to wear bulletproof vests because doing so could offend immigrants. The irate ICE officials have established a website, <a href="http://www.jicreport.com">www.jicreport.com</a>, which delineates their complaints.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Most Americans Unhappy With Trump Coverage<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.newsmax.com/Politics/fake-news-quinnipiac-voters-presidential-approval-ratings/2017/11/14/id/826123/">A new Quinnipiac poll indicates that 58% of Americans do not approve</a> of how the media treats President Trump. Most people believe that the press focuses too much on the negative, while four in ten respondents actually believe that the media make up fake stories. Polls continue to show that these are not the best of times for the media and its ability to engender trust among readers and viewers.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Liberal Media Abandoning Bill Clinton?<br /> </em></strong><br /> Many mainstream outlets, which consistently dismissed very credible rape charges lodged against Bill Clinton, <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/liberals-finally-face-facts-bill-hillary-clinton-article-1.3632624">seem to be having second thoughts</a>. MSNBC, the New York Times, and others are finally giving credence to very serious charges of rape and assault. It could be the new atmosphere in Washington and Hollywood, or it may be that the Clintons are no longer useful to the far left that shielded them for decades.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>"The Mooch" and his New Book<br /> </em></strong><br /> Remember Anthony Scaramucci, the slick Wall Streeter who was President Trump's communications boss for about ten minutes last summer? <a href="https://pagesix.com/2017/11/14/the-mooch-shops-new-book-on-his-10-days-in-the-white-house/?_ga=2.58770029.1161071038.1510640904-1769171384.1494292493">He has reportedly written a book</a>, presumably a short story, about his brief tenure in the White House. The man known as "The Mooch" is trying to interest publishers in his tale.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>A Dictator's Deserved Downfall<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-41997982">Zimbabwe's murderous tyrant Robert Mugabe is said to be under house arrest</a> in the capital city of Harare. The military has taken control of city, which is filled with tanks, artillery, and gunfire. The 93-year-old Mugabe has run roughshod over Zimbabwe, formerly known as Rhodesia, for nearly four decades.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Military Provides Gender Reassignment Surgery<br /> </em></strong><br /> Without giving specifics, the Pentagon <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/transgender-member-gets-gender-reassignment-surgery-021659799--politics.html">says that an active-duty member of the military has undergone gender-reassignment surgery</a>. The operation, which was performed yesterday at an unidentified private hospital, was paid for by the military because it was considered "medically necessary." It is unknown whether "sir" became "ma'am" or vice versa.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hotel for Trump-Haters<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/hotels-resorts/anti-trump-eaton-hotel-washington-dc">A new hotel in Washington may be the ideal place for CNN to hold its Christmas party next year.</a> The world's "first politically motivated hotel," with more than 200 rooms, will feature regular lectures on climate change, diversity, and liberal political activism. The overriding theme will be a deep loathing of President Trump. It is anticipated that the price of a room will be about $300 a night, probably more if you demand a suite that has absolutely no view of the White House.</p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-11-15T15:12:00ZPossible New Clinton Investigation; GOP Lines Up Against Roy MooreBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Possible-New-Clinton-Investigation;-GOP-Lines-Up-Against-Roy-Moore/771488356803121445.html2017-11-14T14:12:00Z2017-11-14T14:12:00ZCheck out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Tuesday, November 14, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Possible New Clinton Investigation<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Justice Department may look into allegations of nefarious dealings involving Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, their foundation, and the sale of American uranium. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/13/justice-dept-won-t-rule-out-another-special-counsel-to-investigate-uranium-one-and-clinton.html">Some House Republicans are demanding that another special counsel be appointed to investigate</a>, and Attorney General Jeff Sessions has hinted that he is open to that possibility.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>GOP Lines Up Against Roy Moore<br /> </em></strong><br /> While Democrats have remained relatively quiet, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/Headline/US-Alabama-Senate-Moore-The-Latest/2017/11/13/id/825832/">many Republican leaders are urging Judge Roy Moore to drop out of the special election in Alabama</a>. Moore is accused of attempting to seduce teenage girls when he was a 30-something district attorney in the 1970s. Even if Moore wins the race against his Democratic opponent Doug Jones, Republicans are plotting ways to expel him from the Senate before he takes office. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/360217-trump-faces-big-choice-on-moores-fate">One looming question now is what President Trump will do and whose side he will take</a>. The president endorsed Moore's Republican opponent Luther Strange in the primary, but many in the Trump base are sticking with Judge Moore through thick and thin. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/360226-poll-national-majority-thinks-moore-should-drop-out">The majority of Americans want Moore to exit the race</a>, but Alabamans are the ones who really count.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Roy Moore's Defiant Denial<br /> </em></strong><br /> Judge Moore, who seems to face new allegations every day, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">appeared with his wife Kayla yesterday to issue a forceful denial</a>. Judge Moore called the accusations the handiwork of his political enemies, while Mrs. Moore defended her husband as "the most gentle and most kind man I have ever known" and denounced the charges as "ugly and false." However, Moore's former neighbors in Alabama <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/360210-local-residents-moore-was-known-for-flirting-with-and-dating-teenage-girls">say it was well known that he had a particular fondness for teenage girls.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Volvo Exits Hannity, Keurig Apologizes<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/media/360220-volvo-pulls-its-ads-from-hannity-after-moore-coverage">Auto-maker Volvo has decided to pull its ads from Sean Hannity's Fox News program</a>, apparently caving to pressure from left-wing trolls like Media Matters. Hannity conducted a tough interview with Roy Moore on his radio show, but the left's sharks smell blood in the water. Meanwhile, the coffee-maker Keurig, which stopped advertising on Hannity, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/13/keurig-apologizes-for-taking-sides-in-hannity-boycott/">has apparently changed its mind</a>. Facing a possible boycott, the company's CEO apologized for "taking sides."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Putin Accused of Meddling … by the UK<br /> </em></strong><br /> This time it's British Prime Minister Theresa May <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-41973043">who is pointing an accusatory finger at Russia</a> and Vladimir Putin. She contends that Russia has tried to interfere in British elections via cyber-attacks and by planting fake stories. The prime minister blamed Putin for other nefarious actions and urged him to "play by the rules."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Tweets Triumphant Trade Talk <br /> </em></strong><br /> As he ends his Asia trip and heads home to Washington, President <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/14/trump-says-asia-tour-has-sent-message-about-trade-policy-244871">Trump hopped on Twitter and proclaimed the visit a great success</a>, especially regarding trade. He declared that he has forged better relations that will lead to more advantageous deals and an eventual reduction in U.S. trade deficit. The president couldn't resist taking a shot at "the horror shows from past Administrations."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The President is in the House … Thursday</em></strong><br /> <br /> After recovering from his journey, President Trump <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2017/11/13/trump-makes-late-push-to-include-partial-obamacare-repeal-in-tax-bills/?utm_term=.42c27a939461">will take a short trip to the House of Representatives this week.</a> He wants to convince legislators to keep moving ahead on the tax proposal that is so key to his presidency. The president is scheduled to meet with House Republicans Thursday morning, after which the entire House will vote on its version of the bill.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Rand Paul Back in Action<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/11/14/564005008/rand-paul-returns-to-senate-after-being-injured-in-attack-by-kentucky-neighbor">Senator Rand Paul has returned to Washington after being viciously attacked</a> by his next door neighbor in Kentucky. The unprovoked assault by anesthesiologist Rene Boucher left Paul with broken ribs and a bruised lung. While the senator has hired an attorney and may file suit, Boucher is out on bail after being charged with misdemeanor assault<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Jr. Releases WikiLeaks Correspondence<br /> </em></strong><br /> After it was revealed that Donald Trump Jr. communicated with WikiLeaks prior to last year's election, the <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41980359">president's son took the unusual step of releasing the totality of his correspondence</a> with the website. His attorneys gave all his Twitter messages to Congressional investigators. Trump Jr. ridiculed any notion of impropriety, saying he had sent a "whopping 3 responses" to WikiLeaks questions.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Columnist: Let's Take All the Guns!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Most sane Americans know that a mass gun confiscation is not going to happen in the United States. But that hasn't prevented Boston Globe editorial writer <a href="https://hotair.com/archives/2017/11/13/one-starry-eyed-editorialist-still-dreams-mass-gun-confiscations/">David Scharfenberg from engaging in some very wishful thinking.</a> He wants Democrats, when they take power, to engineer a massive guy buyback, offering as much as $500 per weapon. Scharfenberg concedes that there's a minor fly in the ointment known as the Second Amendment, but many left wingers dream of its eventual repeal.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Ending the President's Nuclear Authority?<br /> </em></strong><br /> Presidents traditionally have the power to unilaterally launch a nuclear strike at any target in the world. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/senate-foreign-relations-committee-trump-nuclear-weapons-approval-2017-11">But a change to that policy could begin today in a hearing</a> of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The committee is chaired by one of the president's most ardent Republican opponents, Bob Corker, who has described the Trump White House as an "adult day care center." Corker says a discussion on the president's nuclear authority "is long overdue."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>College Football Player Punches, KOs Coach<br /> </em></strong><br /> A football player for Tennessee State University was caught on <a href="http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2017/11/watch_tennessee_states_latrell.html">video viciously punching and flooring one of his assistant coaches</a>. Latrelle Lee, a 240-pound defensive end, has been booted from the team and thrown out of school after hitting assistant coach T.J. Greenstone with two right crosses to the head.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sickening Pick of the Year<br /> </em></strong><br /> GQ, the magazine formerly known as Gentleman's Quarterly, i<a href="https://www.newsmax.com/thewire/colin-kaepernick-gq-citizen-of-the-year/2017/11/13/id/825807/">s saluting Colin Kaepernick as its "Citizen of the Year."</a> Perhaps the fashion magazine was impressed by Kapernick's Che Guevara tee shirts, or his socks depicting police officers as pigs. GQ might consider reserving next year's cover for the aforementioned Latrelle Lee.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>California's Latest Stunner<br /> </em></strong><br /> The State of California, which increasingly seems like a nation unto itself, has determined that more <a href="https://pjmedia.com/trending/shock-more-than-half-of-california-pregnancies-unintended/">than half the state's pregnancies are unintended</a>. Birth control is readily available, or so it seems, but 350,000 babies are conceived by accident. This disturbing statistic is being used by pro-choice advocates to push for more abortions.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>White Guy Turns Filipino<br /> </em></strong><br /> He was born as Adam, a standard-issue white male. <a href="http://www.wtsp.com/news/transracial-man-born-white-feels-like-he-is-filipino/491290902">But he now goes by the far more exotic name Ja Du</a> and considers himself a full-blooded Filipino. Ja Du, you see, is "transracial," and long ago immersed himself in everything he could find about the Philippines, which he considers his true ancestral home. You might say Ja Du decided that Manila is preferable to Vanilla.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Black Friday! So Soon?<br /> </em></strong><br /> Yes, that much-anticipated and much-dreaded shopping day is only ten days from now. If you're looking for a television, always popular on BF, <a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/black-friday/best-black-friday-tv-deals/">Consumer Reports has already come out with a guide to the top models and best bargains</a>. By the way, there is absolutely no truth to the rumor that far left loons are demanding that "Black Friday" be henceforth known as "Friday of Color."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Shop Hard, Party Hard, the End is Nigh!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Thousands of scientists from around the world, following in the discredited footsteps of Thomas Malthus and Paul Ehrlich, <a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/news/nation_world/thousands-of-scientists-issue-bleak-second-notice-to-humanity-20171114.html">have issued a stark warning that they call a "second notice."</a> The planet, they say, is in in great peril from climate change, mass starvation, and other unsavory threats. So you might as well buy that big-screen TV and remember the immortal words of Chicken Little.<br /><br /></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aUyh2yaZPno?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-11-14T14:12:00ZTrump As Peacemaker in Asia; Roy Moore Fights BackBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-As-Peacemaker-in-Asia;-Roy-Moore-Fights-Back/-597159249332598090.html2017-11-13T15:40:00Z2017-11-13T15:40:00ZCheck out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Monday, November 13, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Trump As Peacemaker in Asia<br /> </em></strong><br /> As his lengthy Asia trip nears an end, President Trump <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/Headline/trump-peace-broker-south-china-sea/2017/11/12/id/825656/">is offering to put his negotiating skills to good use</a>. The president wants to help broker a peace deal in the South China Sea, where disputes abound over shipping lanes, oil exploration, and land. "I am a very good mediator and a very good arbitrator," the president said with his customary humility.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Roy Moore Fights Back<br /> </em></strong><br /> Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, the conservative Republican hoping to replace Jeff Sessions in next month's special election, is fighting claims that he pursued teenage girls when he was in his 30s. The most serious allegation involves a woman who says Moore tried to seduce her when she was only 14. Despite calls for him to step down from Republicans and Democrats alike, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/11/12/senior-white-house-aide-give-roy-moore-more-time-to-defend-himself/?utm_term=.1ef811a492aa">Moore is pushing back hard by touting his conservative Christian values</a>. He also says he is investigating his accusers and is threatening to sue the Washington Post, which published the salacious allegations last week.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Far Left Targets Hannity<br /> </em></strong><br /> Two companies, apparently caving to pressure from the left wing group Media Matters, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/359956-advertisers-distance-themselves-from-hannity-after-moore-interview">have stopped advertising on Sean Hannity's Fox News program</a>. Media Matters has had Hannity lined up in its crosshairs for years and now claims he is siding with the aforementioned Roy Moore and against Moore's accusers. One of those advertisers, the coffee maker Keurig, <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/11/12/hannity-fans-boycott-keurig-for-pulling-ads-over-moore-coverage/">is in turn being boycotted by Hannity's fans</a>, some of whom are actually smashing the company's product.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>House, Senate at Odds Over Tax Plan<br /> </em></strong><br /> House Republicans and their Senate counterparts have come up with separate tax reform plans. Among the significant differences between the proposals <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/11/12/house-wont-accept-tax-plans-elimination-of-state-local-deductions-brady/">is the ability to deduct state and local taxes</a>, including property taxes, on your federal return. The Senate wants to completely eliminate those deductions, but House tax-writing honcho Kevin Brady says that is a non-starter. Brady and his House colleagues want the final bill to include at least some property tax deductions.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Three NFL Players Take a Knee<br /> </em></strong><br /> Veterans Day weekend or not, a<a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/vernon-2-49ers-kneel-anthem-veteran-day-weekend-article-1.3628247">t least three National Football League players refused to stand during the National Anthem Sunday</a>. In general, however, the protests seem to be waning and fewer players are sitting out the Anthem. They are no doubt aware that the movement begun by Colin Kaepernick has resulted in disenchantment among longtime fans and half-empty stadiums<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The $50-Million Commissioner?<br /> </em></strong><br /> It's contract renewal time for National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell, who is reportedly demanding a king's ransom from team owners. <a href="http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/21386260/nfl-compensation-committee-hold-call-monday-advance-proposed-extension-commissioner-roger-goodell">According to ESPN</a>, Goodell's most recent request was for an annual salary of $49.5-million a year and lifetime use of a private jet. It is worth noting that the commissioner's compensation suggestion was presented to the owners prior to the start of this season, which has been marred by protests, declining ticket sales, and falling ratings.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Emotions Overflow at TX Church Service<br /> </em></strong><br /> Mourners came from far away Sunday to pray for the 26 people shot and killed a week earlier in Sutherland Springs, Texas. While the sermon was delivered outside in a huge tent, the church itself had 26 empty white chairs, each bearing the name of a victim.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nMqWAjZ54P8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>YouTube Removes Terrorist's Videos <br /> </em></strong><br /> Even though he has been dead for six years, the radical American-born preacher Anwar al-Awlaki has continued to inspire would-be jihadists with his fiery Internet videos. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/nov/13/youtube-islamist-anwar-al-awlaki-videos-removed-google-extremism-clampdown">YouTube has finally decided to remove his sermons</a>, some of which urge violence against the United States and the West. Terror experts have been urging YouTube and Google to deny a platform to radicals who are trying to foment violence.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Top Democrats Duck Questions on Menendez<br /> </em></strong><br /> Democratic Senator Robert Menendez will soon learn his fate, which is in the hands of a federal jury in New Jersey. He is accused of bribery and fraud and essentially using his office to benefit himself and his best friend. When leading Democrats were asked yesterday whether Menendez should step down if he is convicted, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/12/dems-mum-on-whether-menendez-should-step-down-if-convicted.html">they simply refused to answer the question</a>. If Menendez does resign, his successor will be appointed by Republican Governor Chris Christie.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mueller Digs Into Trump Campaign on Russia<br /> </em></strong><br /> Special Counsel Robert Mueller and his team of lawyers <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-investigation/investigators-probe-trump-knowledge-of-campaigns-russia-dealings-sources-idUSKBN1DB04J">have interrogated the former co-chair of Donald Trump's campaign.</a> Sam Clovis was reportedly asked whether Trump and his associates were aware of contacts made with Russia. According to one unnamed source, the overriding question is whether Donald Trump "knew of the discussions going on with Russia."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Flynn Caught Up In Turkish Kidnap Probe</em></strong><br /> <br /> Gen. Michael Flynn, who served briefly as President Trump's national security adviser, is under <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/12/flynn-reportedly-being-investigated-in-cleric-kidnap-plot.html">investigation for his alleged role in a plot to kidnap a Muslim preacher living Pennsylvania</a>. Sources told The Wall Street Journal that Flynn and his son were to be paid millions if they could nab Fethulla Gulen and deliver him to the Turkish government. Gulen is thought to be the man who engineered the unsuccessful 2016 coup against Turkish President Edrogan. <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41961091">The Turkish government say the allegations are "utterly false, ludicrous, and groundless."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Joe Biden Leaves the Door Ajar<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former VP Joe Biden, who recently said he regrets not being president right now, has hinted that <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/TheWire/joe-biden-2020-ready/2017/11/13/id/825672/">he may run for the White House in 2020 if "no one steps up."</a> Biden, who has a long history of gaffes and foreign policy missteps, will be 79 years old on Inauguration Day of 2021.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The New Civil War<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/news/360031-poll-nearly-half-of-white-southerners-feel-like-theyre-under-attack">A poll conducted by Winthrop University in South Carolina has some unsettling findings</a>. Nearly half of white Southerners say they believe white people are under attack in the United States, and three-quarters of black Southerners contend that minorities are under seige. The poll also found wide racial disparities over statues, racism, and other issues. <a href="https://www.winthrop.edu/winthroppoll/default.aspx?id=9804">The original poll and its methodology can be found here.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Racial Arsonist on Campus<br /> </em></strong><br /> Always eager to add fuel to the racial fire, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/12/professors-its-not-okay-to-be-white/">the New York Times has published an editorial by black law professor Ekow Yankah</a>. The professor says he will teach his son that actual friendship with white people is pretty much impossible and that whites are filled with "contempt" for others. However, echoing white bigots of yore, Yankah assures everyone that some of his best friends are white.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Voters: Libs Really, Really Hate You!<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.jewishworldreview.com/1117/colon111317.php3">Columnist Alicia Colon has written a piece</a> in which she documents the sheer, unadulterated loathing on the left. Colon's "Exhibit One" is far-left writer Katha Pollitt, who freely admits that she hates "people who voted for Trump." Pollitt, by the way, previously called the U.S. flag a symbol of "jingoism and vengeance and war."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Gossip Queen Liz Smith Deat at 94<br /> </em></strong><br /> For many years Liz Smith reigned as the "Doyenne of Dish," the best-known gossip columnist in America. Smith broke many stories involving some of the country's most famous celebrities and, in the process, became a celebrity herself. <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/longtime-new-york-gossip-columnist-liz-smith-dies-at-94/">Liz Smith was 94 when she died yesterday in New York City</a>. Below is a brief profile of Smith that was produced in 2001.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k1r_1OUbQBA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-11-13T15:40:00ZPrez Agrees on Russian Meddling; Trump Maligns Kim Jong Un as "Short and Fat"BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Prez-Agrees-on-Russian-Meddling;-Trump-Maligns-Kim-Jong-Un-as-Short-and-Fat/18800112564876564.html2017-11-12T16:28:00Z2017-11-12T16:28:00ZCheck out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, November 10, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br />
<p><strong><em>Prez Agrees on Russian Meddling<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump, shortly after saying he believes President Putin's denial of any Russian meddling in last year's election, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/359972-trump-clarifies-putin-comments-im-with-our-agencies-on-election">now says he concurs with "our intel agencies."</a> President Trump was roundly criticized for his initial comments about Putin, but took time this morning to walk that back during a press conference in Vietnam.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Maligns Kim Jong Un as "Short and Fat"<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41958553">As the president likes to say, he always fights back.</a> So when North Korea dictator Kim Jong Un called President Trump a "dotard," apparently referring to his age, the president took to Twitter and mocked his adversary as "short and fat."</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me "old," when I would NEVER call him "short and fat?" Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend - and maybe someday that will happen!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/929511061954297857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
<p>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br /> <br /> <strong><em>Texas Monster's Former Wife Speaks Out<br /> </em></strong><br /> Tessa Brenneman, once married to the man who killed 26 people in Texas last week, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">is now speaking about her ex-husband's "demons" and her constant fear</a>. After the madman viciously assaulted Brennaman and her son in 2013, he was thrown in jail and booted from the Air force. She now recalls how he threatened to kill her when she got a speeding ticket. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mourners Gather in Texas for Service<br /> </em></strong><br /> For the first time since last Sunday's massacre at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-sutherland-springs-texas-sunday-church-20171112-story.html">hundreds of its members will hold a service at a local baseball field</a>. The church itself will eventually serve as a memorial with 26 empty chairs, one for each of the innocent worshippers mowed down a week ago.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump's Final Asia Stop<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/the-latest-in-tweets-trump-criticizes-haters-and-fools/2017/11/11/a73ec9d6-c746-11e7-9922-4151f5ca6168_story.html?utm_term=.f5f58df9608f">President Trump is in the Philippines today</a>, where he met with President Rodrigo Duterte. He will attend two international summits in that country before ending his trip on Tuesday. President Duterte has been widely denounced for trying to solve his nation's drug problems by having dealers murdered. The Filipino leader has also boasted that he stabbed a man to death during a fight when he was 16 years old. <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/Headline/trump-philippines-visit-veterans/2017/11/11/id/825537/">U.S. military personnel stationed in the Philippines are generally welcoming President Trump like a conquering hero.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Boycott Set for Today<br /> </em></strong><br /> Thousands of Americans have <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/12/veterans-not-nfl-to-be-focus-for-many-fans-this-sunday.html">vowed to skip watching NFL games today</a>, which is their way of honoring the flag and the military on Veterans Day. One bar owner in New Jersey, whose 20 TVs are usually tuned to games on Sunday, will instead hold a fundraiser for vets and their families. Meanwhile, in Colorado, <a href="http://kdvr.com/2017/11/10/decorated-colorado-veteran-turns-down-broncos-invitation-to-honor-him-before-sundays-game/">at least two vets have rejected an invitation from the Denver Broncos</a>, who wanted to honor them later tonight.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Al Gore Weighs In With Hefty Advice<br /> </em></strong><br /> Al Gore, the portly former Senator who has made a financial killing in environmentalism, <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/al-gore-donald-trump-vote-out-save-paris-climate-agreement-2020-a8050791.html">is now advising Americans to elect a new president in 2020</a> and thus remain in the Paris deal. Gore's recent "An Inconvenient Sequel" was a box office bust, but he is still a star to many in the environmental movement.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Judge Roy Moore Maintains Support in 'Bama<br /> </em></strong><br /> Republican Roy Moore, who hopes to fill the Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions, has been accused of dating underage girls long ago and even trying to seduce a girl who was then 14. Establishment Republicans have lined up against Moore, urging him to drop out of the race, <a href="https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/11/12/alabama-slow-to-condemn-roy-moore-senate-215819">but Alabamans seem to be sticking with their man</a>. Many Alabama residents are denouncing the messenger, the Washington Post, and deriding it as "fake news." <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/359939-former-moore-colleague-common-knowledge-that-he-dated-teen">Meanwhile, one of Moore's former co-workers says it was "common knowledge"</a> that Moore dated high school girls when he was in his 30s.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Hammers Obama's Intel "Political Hacks"<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump, on a roll this weekend, called the Russia investigation a "Democratic hit job" and <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/359894-trump-slams-former-us-intel-leaders-as-political-hacks">referred to former Obama administration officials James Comey, John Brennan, and James Clapper as "political hacks."</a> At least two of those "hacks" <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/Politics/clapper-brennan-will-respond-trump/2017/11/11/id/825552/">will be on CNN Sunday to respond</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN's Week from Hell<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/big-journalism/2017/11/11/cnn-drudge-lies-discrimination-lawsuit-tapper-meltdown/">Steve Bannon's Breitbart News is describing CNN's astounding fall from grace</a> and its many embarrassments and errors since it decided to go all-anti-Trump, all-the-time. The once-respected network is facing lawsuits, plummeting audiences, and overall disastrous results. Jeff Zucker's team has fallen far behind MSNBC in the race for left-wing viewers.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>GOP Ready for a Win on Taxes</em></strong><br /> <br /> It's only a first step in a long journey, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/359819-gop-nears-initial-victory-on-tax-reform">but House Republicans are expected to approve a vote</a> that will send their tax proposal to the next stages in the process. The House version is almost certain to pass that chamber, after which it will have to be reconciled with the Senate's bill. Democrats remain united in their opposition to any bill under any circumstances.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Prince Charles Once Denounced "Foreign Jews"<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5073607/Letter-penned-Prince-Charles-sparks-controversy.html">In a newly-discovered letter written by Prince Charles in 1986</a>, the prince blamed "the influx of foreign Jews" for stirring up turmoil in the Middle East. Then 38-years-old, he also urged the United States to stand firm and "take on the Jewish lobby." Charles has long been a defender of Islam and a student of the Koran, but his anti-Jewish views were never widely known.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Podesta Group Teetering on the Brink?<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/11/politics/podesta-group-mueller-investigation/index.html">The lobbying group founded by Democratic operatives Tony and John Podesta may never recover from its recent troubles.</a> Tony Podesta resigned after being accused of breaking various laws while representing foreign governments, after which the firm's CEO Kimberley Fritts packed her bags as well. Before leaving, Fritts told employees that the firm will no longer be around by the end of the year.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>UCLA Shoplifters Stuck in China<br /> </em></strong><br /> Three members of the UCLA basketball team were arrested for shoplifting during a team trip to China. Even as the rest of the team returned to Los Angeles, the three freshmen were left behind to face interrogation and possible charges. The inimitable Bill Walton, a former UCLA star, <a href="https://www.si.com/college-basketball/2017/11/11/bill-walton-apologizes-ucla-shoplifting-china">apologized "on behalf of the human race."</a> The three players are suspected of stealing high-end designer sunglasses, which may come in handy when they wish to hide their faces back home. Especially when Bill Walton is around.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Breaking News! SNL Mocks Dems<br /> </em></strong><br /> Saturday Night Live usually reserves its most cutting sarcasm for Republicans, but last night they actually took on the Democratic Party, mocking their elderly leaders and unpopular stances on illegal immigration and other issues.<br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CBUxNeXgC70?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-11-12T16:28:00ZSenate Unveils Tax Plan; President Trump Talks Trade in VietnamBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Senate-Unveils-Tax-Plan;-President-Trump-Talks-Trade-in-Vietnam/-57835840420567893.html2017-11-10T15:37:00Z2017-11-10T15:37:00ZCheck out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, November 10, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><strong><em><strong><em>'Bama Senate Race in Turmoil<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>Ultra-conservative Judge Roy Moore is the Republican candidate in an upcoming special election to determine who will replace Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the United States Senate. Moore seemed to be cruising along with a comfortable lead over Democrat Doug Jones, but the Washington Post has released a report </em><em><a href="http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/11/roy_moore_what_we_know_today_o.html">alleging that Moore had sexual contact with a 14 year old girl 38 years ago</a>. Moore, a favorite of former White House strategist Steve Bannon, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/alabama-senate-roy-moore-denies/2017/11/09/id/825221/">defiantly calls the story "the very definition of fake news" put forth by "the forces of evil.</a>" The special election will be held on December 12<sup>th</sup></em><em>.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Urges Moore to "Do the Right Thing"<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>President Trump, who has often been the victim of false reporting, says Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore should "step aside" </em><em><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-roy-moore-will-do-the-right-thing-resign-if-allegations-true-2017-11">if the sexual misconduct allegations are true</a></em><em>. However, the president, through spokesperson Sarah Sanders, added that a "mere allegation" from 38 years ago should not destroy someone's life.</em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Senate Unveils Tax Plan<br /> </em></strong></em></strong><em><br /></em><em> <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/11/10/nine-differences-between-house-and-senate-tax-plans-and-how-they-would-affect-you/850263001/">Republicans in the Senate have put forth a tax plan</a></em><em> that differs from the House plan in some very significant ways. While the lower chamber wants just four tax brackets, the Senate calls for maintaining seven brackets, all of which would be lower than they are now. The Senate version would also delay the corporate tax cut until 2019. There are other differences that will have to be worked out in a joint committee before the bill is ready for a full vote.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sen. Warren Does About-Face on "Rigged" Primary<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>Last week Senator Elizabeth Warren declared that the Democratic presidential primary was "rigged" in favor of Hillary Clinton. Either someone got to her or she is having second thoughts, because Warren </em><em><a href="http://freebeacon.com/politics/warren-backpedals-twice-calling-democratic-primaries-rigged/">now says "the primary process was fair and Hillary made history."</a></em><em> It is a rather dramatic shift for the woman many liberal Democrats hope will run for the presidency next time around.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>President Trump Talks Trade in Vietnam<br /> </em></strong></em></strong><em><br /></em><em> The president's traveling Asia road show has moved to Vietnam, where he spoke this morning at an economic summit. He reiterated previous declarations that <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/11/10/trump-talks-tough-on-trade-in-vietnam-wont-meet-with-putin/?utm_term=.c154f1b2b7ef">he will not permit the USA "to be taken advantage of anymore."</a></em><em> It was also revealed today that President Trump will probably not have a formal sit-down meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, even though both men are in the same country for the same summit.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Rand Paul Attacker in Court<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>Rene Boucher, </em><em><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/09/politics/rand-paul-rene-boucher-kentucky-assault/index.html">the anesthesiologist who viciously attacked his neighbor Senator Rand Paul</a>, has pleaded not guilty to assault. Paul was mowing his lawn and listening to headphones when Boucher tackled him from behind, breaking six of the senator's ribs. <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/11/09/rand-paul-neighbors-search-dispute-motive/847818001/">Other residents of the gated community in Bowling Green, Kentucky are befuddled</a></em><em>, unsure whether the assault stemmed from political differences or some other grievance.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Senator Mitt Romney?<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em><a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/10/mitt-romney-senate-utah-244760">Mitt Romney is reportedly considering a run for the Senate next year.</a></em><em> If Utah Senator Orrin Hatch, who is 83 years old, decides to retire after this term, Romney would be a natural for the position. Friends and aides say the 70-year-old former Massachusetts Governor and presidential nominee is eager to again hold public office.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Poll: Bernie Sanders Could Unseat Trump<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>The Zogby polling outfit finds that various Democrats might be able to defeat President Trump in 2020. </em><em><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/Politics/poll-trump-voters/2017/11/09/id/825064/">Perched atop the Democratic heap is Senator Bernie Sanders</a>, who beats the president by eleven points in a hypothetical one-on-one matchup. Digging down a little deeper into the polls methodology, which is always recommended, Zogby surveyed 682 Democrats and 569 Republicans, which seems to be slightly skewed. <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/09/trump-voters-polling-election-244644">In another poll taken by Politico</a></em><em>, the vast majority of Trump voters say they have few regrets and would eagerly vote for their man again.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Podesta Group Defection<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>The Podesta Group, the influential lobbying firm founded by Democratic power brokers Tony and John Podesta,</em><em> <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/09/podesta-group-ceo-quits-kimberley-fritts-244766">is losing </a></em><em><a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/09/podesta-group-ceo-quits-kimberley-fritts-244766">another top executive.</a></em><em> Just weeks after Tony Podesta left the firm under a cloud of accusations, CEO Kimberley Fritts is also walking out the door. Fritts is starting a new lobbying firm, while employees of the beleaguered Podesta Group are unsure about the future of the firm or their jobs.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mueller Interrogates Another Trump Aide<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>Special Counsel </em><em><a href="https://www.axios.com/stephen-miller-russia-probe-interview-2508211421.html">Robert Mueller's investigators have questioned Stephen Miller</a></em><em>, a top strategist in the Trump White House. Miller, who supposedly played a major role in the decision to fire FBI boss James Comey, is the highest-ranking Trump aide to be questioned by the Mueller team.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Racism Hoaxes Abound</em></strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong><em>Just a few weeks ago Air Force General Jay Silveria was a viral superstar. After learning that one of his black cadets had been targeted by racist messages and taunts, Silveria delivered an anti-racism speech that was widely praised and shared. It now turns out that the black cadet himself was behind the incident, which was a hoax. </em><em><a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/byron-york-at-air-force-academy-a-perfect-hoax-for-age-of-trump/article/2640281">There have been many similar hoaxes recently</a></em><em>, false allegations of bias against blacks and Muslims and Hispanics, but the media never fails to jump to the worst possible conclusion.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>TSA Screeners Fail Undercover Tests<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>The Department of Homeland Security recently ran secret undercover tests designed to determine the effectiveness of airport screeners. </em><em><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/tsa-fails-tests-latest-undercover-operation-us-airports/story?id=51022188">According to ABC News</a>, the failure rate was about 80%. On the bright side, two years ago TSA gate screeners failed 95% of the time when undercover agents tried to smuggle in weapons and explosives. Congress has called the widespread failure "disturbing," which may be the understatement of the year.</em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <strong><em>One More NFL Headache<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>In its eternal quest for more revenue, the National Football League debuted Thursday Night Football in 2006. Players have</em><em>complained that the short turnaround makes them more prone to injury, and last night's game lent credence to that argument. </em><em><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/2017/11/10/16632882/thursday-night-football-seahawks-doug-baldwin-should-be-illegal-richard-sherman-injury">Seven players left the game with injuries, among them Seattle Seahawks defensive back Richard Sherman</a></em><em>, who will be out for the remainder of the season. His teammate Doug Baldwin has put forth a very pithy solution: "Thursday Night Football should be illegal!"<iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ygtoRzrqRNA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The $7.5 Million Watermelon<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>Henry Walker didn't know it would be his lucky day when he stopped in Walmart two years ago to pick up a juicy watermelon. Walker claims that his foot got trapped while he was reaching for the perfect melon, causing him to break a hip. </em><em><a href="http://wfla.com/2017/11/10/walmart-shopper-hurt-while-buying-watermelon-wins-7-5m-verdict/">This week a very friendly jury in Alabama awarded him $7.5 million in damages</a>. Given that an average-sized watermelon goes for about $5, Mr. Walker can now afford to buy more than a million of them, as well as a home large enough to store them.</em><em><br /></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Keep It Under Your Hat!<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><em>43-year-old illegal immigrant Juan Bibriesca has certainly learned an important lesson in U.S. courtroom etiquette. </em><em><a href="http://www.vaildaily.com/news/crime/courtroom-cocaine-drug-defendant-drops-bindle-from-his-hat-while-in-court-on-a-drug-charge/">While on trial for drug charges in Colorado</a>, Bibriesca took off his hat and a small packet of cocaine fell from his chapeau. After scrutinizing the courtroom video and viewing the scene in slo-mo replay, police officers charged Bibriesca with two additional felonies. Even a sanctuary city can't protect against sheer stupidity.</em>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-11-10T15:37:00ZAbout that Border Wall!; Fusion GPS Co-Founder Will Testify on "Dossier"BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/About-that-Border-Wall!;-Fusion-GPS-Co-Founder-Will-Testify-on-Dossier/52132635692606057.html2017-11-09T14:42:00Z2017-11-09T14:42:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Thursday, November 9, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><strong><em>Trump, in China, Hammers "Past Administrations"<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/359544-trump-blames-predecessors-not-china-for-unfair-trade-practices">During a speech in Beijing this morning</a>, President Trump once again complained about trade that is one-sided in favor of China. The president added that he blames his predecessors in the White House for the imbalance, not the government of China. He also praised President Xi Jinping for helping in the effort to rein in North Korea and Kim Jong Un.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>$300,000 Back Pay Windfall for Bergdahl??<br /> </em></strong><br /> Confessed deserter Bowe Bergdahl, who received a dishonorable discharge but no jail time, could be entitled to $300,000 in back pay and benefits accrued during his years in captivity. <a href="https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2017/11/08/army-to-determine-if-bergdahl-is-owed-back-pay-for-his-time-in-captivity/">An Army official told the Army Times</a> that the Pentagon is trying to determine whether the disgraced former soldier is eligible for the cash payout.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Failing Grade for GOP Tax Proposal<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Congressional Budget Office has scrutinized the Republican tax cut proposal as it is now written. According to the CBO's green-eyeshaded analysts, <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/finance/359353-gop-tax-bill-would-add-17-trillion-to-debt-cbo">the plan would add $1.7 trillion to the national debt</a> over the next ten years. That's primarily because the bill would supposedly reduce government revenue, although estimating the actual impact of a complicated bill is a very inexact science. Public support for the GOP plan is also waning, <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/09/poll-support-for-gop-tax-plan-ticks-down-but-remains-positive-244715">at least according to a new poll published in Politico</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Rand Paul Attacker an Anti-Trumper<br /> </em></strong><br /> After Senator Rand Paul was brutally tackled by his neighbor in Kentucky, the man's lawyer portrayed it as a "trivial dispute" about landscaping. But in fact, <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/rand-pauls-neighbors-rip-media-landscaping-dispute-reports/article/2640090">anesthesiologist Rene Boucher was a virulent ideologue</a> who regularly tweeted out hate-filled messages about President Trump and Republicans. Paul is recovering from six broken ribs and a bruised lung, while Boucher is free after posting a paltry $7,500 bail.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Texas Victims Identified<br /> </em></strong><br /> Texas officials <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/church-shootings-texas-victims/2017/11/08/id/824945/">have released the names of the 26 people who were viciously murdered</a> last Sunday while attending church. Among the victims is Carlin Brite Holcombe, the unborn baby of Crystal Holcombe. Reading through the list, it is obvious that entire families were ripped apart by a madman in a matter of minutes.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Fusion GPS Co-Founder Will Testify on "Dossier"<br /> </em></strong><br /> The opposition research group Fusion GPS was founded by three former journalists, among them Glenn Simpson. <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/359410-fusion-gps-co-founder-strikes-deal-to-talk-about-trump-dossier">He has agreed to appear before the House Intelligence Committee next week</a>, where he is expected to provide details about the anti-Trump "dossier" that was paid for in part by the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee. The session will be conducted behind closed doors.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>About that Border Wall!<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump's "big, beautiful wall" may not be quite so big after all. The woman set to replace General John Kelly as head of Homeland Security <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/359486-trumps-dhs-nominee-no-need-for-full-us-mexico-border-wall">says there is no need for a wall that runs the entire length of the border with Mexico</a>. According to Kirstjen Nielsen, there are locations where natural barriers and other technology will be sufficient to prevent illegal crossings. In related news, the Border Patrol is losing 900 officers each year, but only hiring about 500 new ones. <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/nov/8/border-patrol-lose-agents-faster-it-can-hire-them/">Right now there is a shortage of 2,000 officers.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mexican National Executed in Texas<br /> </em></strong><br /> Ruben Cardenas, who raped and murdered his cousin in Texas 20 years ago, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/11/09/mexican-citizen-executed-in-texas-for-decades-old-killing-vows-will-be-back-for-justice.html">was killed by lethal injection last night</a>. While high on cocaine in 1997, Cardenas abducted 16-year-old Mayra Laguna, then beat, raped, and murdered the young girl. Mexico and the killer's lawyers argued that the execution was in violation of international law, but their pleas were to no avail.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>FEMA to Airlift Puerto Ricans to Mainland<br /> </em></strong><br /> While Puerto Rico still tries to recover from Hurricane Maria, the <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/359485-fema-finalizing-plans-to-airlift-puerto-ricans-to-florida-and-new">Federal Emergency Management Agency is about to transport island residents to Florida and New York</a>. Priority is being given to about 3,000 hurricane survivors who are living in shelters. This is the first time FEMA has used what is called an "air breach" to move people, but only those who wish to be relocated.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>California NAACP: Oust the National Anthem!<br /> </em></strong><br /> The California chapter of the NAACP is urging Congress to rescind "The Star Spangled Banner" as our national anthem. <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article183262411.html">According to organization officials</a>, the anthem is "one of the most racist, pro-slavery, anti-black" songs ever written. That assessment is based on a questionable interpretation of a few words in the third verse.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ge_2JUk1Pr4?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Al Green: Let's NOT Stay Together</em></strong><br /><br />Congressman Al Green, no relation to his far more famous namesake, is demanding that House Democrats <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/08/house-dems-new-demand-impeach-trump-by-christmas.html">vote to impeach the president before the Christmas recess</a>. Obviously not yet in the holiday spirit, Green described President Trump the "chief inciter of racism, bigotry, hatred, xenophobia, sexism, and ethnocentrism." He omitted "homophobia" and "Islamophobia," but who's to quibble?<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Kevin Spacey Deleted From Movie, Scenes Re-Shot<br /> </em></strong><br /> A movie called "All the Money in the World" will be released next month, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-5064647/Kevin-Spacey-replaced-Plummer-Getty-movie.html">but not before all of Kevin Spacey's scenes are edited out</a>. The actor, whose "House of Cards" also ceased production, is paying the price for allegations that he sexually assaulted underage victims. Spacey had played billionaire J. Paul Getty in the film; his scenes will be re-shot with Christopher Plummer in that role.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>America's Oldest Mayor<br /> </em></strong><br /> The New Jersey town of Tinton Falls has <a href="http://www.app.com/story/news/local/elections/2017/11/07/nj-election-world-war-ii-vet-wins-upset-tinton-falls-mayor/840720001/">elected 93-year-old Vito Perillo to be its next mayor</a>. Perillo, a World War II Navy veteran, campaigned door-to-door and defeated the incumbent mayor in an upset. Perillo will be 97 when his term ends. His first term, that is.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>College Madness, Episode 242<br /> </em></strong><br /> Rutgers University in New Jersey is defending its employment of Mazen Adi, who lectures on international law. Prior to this job, Adi had been a spokesman for the murderous Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and even accused Israel of trafficking in children's body parts. <a href="https://www.unwatch.org/u-s-deport-rutgers-prof-represented-syria-aiding-genocide/">An organization called UN Watch</a> accuses Adi of acting as "an apologist for mass murder" and says he should be deported. Meanwhile, some professors at Cornell are demanding that Drexel University <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/08/cornell-profs-demand-reinstatement-of-drexels-white-genocide-professor/">reinstate radical professor George Ciccariello-Maher</a>. You'll remember him as the lovely guy who wished for "white genocide" and blamed the Las Vegas slaughter on, of course, white supremacy.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Country Music Stars Roast Trump<br /> </em></strong><br /> Once upon a time, in a land far away, entertainers were adept at poking fun at politicians without spewing hatred. Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley, hosting the Country Music Awards for the 10<sup>th</sup> consecutive year, showed how that's done last night with <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">a hilarious song parody about President Trump's favorite pastime</a>.</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"> </div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-11-09T14:42:00ZTrump's Searing Message to North Korea; FBI Warns on Mass ShootingsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trumps-Searing-Message-to-North-Korea;-FBI-Warns-on-Mass-Shootings/-276974868211326417.html2017-11-08T15:26:00Z2017-11-08T15:26:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Wednesday, November 8, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p class="p1"><span class="s2"><strong><em> <strong><em>Democrats Hold Serve … And Then Some!<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/359310-dems-win-from-coast-to-coast">It was a banner day Tuesday for the Democratic Party Tuesday</a>, whose candidates won the elections they were supposed to win and added a few more. The most important victory came in Virginia, where Ralph Northam won the race for governor, while Democrat Phil Murphy also captured the governorship in New Jersey. In addition, Republicans went down to defeat in many state legislative races and local elections. Democrats eagerly portrayed their big day as a repudiation of President Trump.<strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Trump Tsunami, One Year On<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong>It's been a year since Donald Trump upset the political apple cart with his stunning victory over Hillary Clinton, and both major political parties are still reeling. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/news/358713-one-year-later-neither-party-can-get-past-last-years-election">According to analysis in The Hill</a>, Democrats and Republicans alike are trying to figure out exactly who and what they represent. The "swamp" has not been drained, but many of its denizens seem to be thoroughly confused.<strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dems, On a High, Reach a New Low<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong>Despite their good showing yesterday, Democrats are not exactly popular among most Americans. According to a CNN poll, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/07/politics/cnn-poll-republicans-democrats-taxes/index.html">the party's favorable ratings have dropped to their lowest level in more than 25 years</a>. 37% of voters view the party favorably, but that is still higher than the 30% who have positive views of the Republicans. Yes, Donald Trump has transformed the political landscape.<strong><em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Wb9V3W9F7Ew?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /></em></strong><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/trump-strikes-at-the-heart-of-the-north-korean-regime-with-speech/2017/11/08/8b1d6d48-c309-11e7-9922-4151f5ca6168_story.html?utm_term=.764bc35166be">P</a><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/trump-strikes-at-the-heart-of-the-north-korean-regime-with-speech/2017/11/08/8b1d6d48-c309-11e7-9922-4151f5ca6168_story.html?utm_term=.764bc35166be">resident Trump is in South Korea today, </a><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/trump-strikes-at-the-heart-of-the-north-korean-regime-with-speech/2017/11/08/8b1d6d48-c309-11e7-9922-4151f5ca6168_story.html?utm_term=.764bc35166be">where he spoke this morning to the National Assembly</a>. In an extraordinary blunt and powerful speech that was aimed directly at Kim Jong Un, the president denounced North Korea as a "hell that no person deserves." He actually called the North a nation ruled by a "cult" and an inhumane place where citizens endure "torture, starvation, rape, and murder." <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/north-korea-on-trump-we-dont-care-about-what-that-mad-dog-may-utter/article/2176977">North Korea responded by denouncing President Trump as a "mad dog,"</a> apparently confusing him with the Secretary of Defense.<strong><em><br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>North Korea Horror Stories<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong>A few people who have been fortunate enough to escape the North Korean hellhole are coming forward with terrible stories of deprivation and horror. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/11/07/north-koreas-nuclear-test-site-causing-deformed-babies-killing-vegetation-defectors-say.html">According to some defectors who lived near a nuclear test site</a>, Kim Jong Un's determination to become a nuclear power has led to deformed babies and widespread starvation. One of the defectors claims to have seen "corpses floating down the river," apparently victims of the nuclear tests.<strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Texas Madman Had Escaped From Mental Hospital<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong>The killer who abruptly and violently snuffed out 26 lives Sunday in Texas <a href="https://www.click2houston.com/news/sutherland-springs-church-shooter-escaped-mental-health-facility-months-after-attack-on-wife-child">escaped from a mental health facility five years ago</a>. He was in the Air Force at the time and had been confined to a New Mexico hospital after beating his wife and stepchild, crimes that eventually led to his bad conduct discharge. In another revelation, authorities have recovered the killer's phone, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/11/07/texas-church-gunmans-phone-recovered-but-encryption-preventing-access-fbi-says.html">but have thus far been unable to access the encrypted information</a>. The more that comes to light, the more it becomes obvious that the maniac had long been a truly dangerous and disturbed individual.<strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>FBI Warns on Mass Shootings<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><a href="https://www.newsmax.com/us/fbi-texas-church-active-shooting/2017/11/07/id/824702/">The FBI agent investigating the Texas murders has issued a stark warning</a>. According to Christopher Combs, there are more "active shooter" incidents than ever before and all citizens, wherever they may be, need to be ready for the worst. He advised Americans to always be alert and to "make sure that we are prepared."<strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Former DNC Boss on the Warpath<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong>The accusations and revelations keep pouring forth from former Democratic National Committee interim boss Donna Brazile, whose new book documents the chaos within the party. She claims that she was kept out of the loop and <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/07/donna-brazile-rips-schultz-over-perks-that-kept-chair-fat-and-happy-amid-dnc-cash-crunch.html">portrays her predecessor Debbie Wasserman Schultz as downright incompetent</a>. Brazile argues that Wasserman Schultz was kept "fat and happy" by all the perks that came with her position, including a "big Tahoe SUV." We're pretty sure that "big Tahoe SUV" was not in synch with Wasserman Schultz's self-proclaimed environmentalism.<strong> <em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Brazile Also Hits Obama<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong>Debbie Wasserman Schultz is fair game, but Barack Obama is generally the one person of whom no Democrat should ever speak an unkind word. <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/07/donna-brazile-lays-out-how-obamas-obsession-with-his-image-leeched-the-democratic-party-of-its-vitality/">But Brazile breaks that unwritten rule in her book</a>, criticizing the former president for worrying far more about his image than the party. She grouses that President Obama and his "titanic ego" left the Democratic Party deeply in debt.<strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Current Dem Boss: '16 Primary Was Not Fair<br /> </em></strong></em></strong><em><br /></em> Brazile's successor, Democratic Party chairman Tom Perez, <a href="http://ntknetwork.com/tom-perez-admits-democratic-primary-was-unfair-in-2016/">now concedes that the party fell short in 2016</a>, thus implying that Hillary Clinton had an unfair advantage over Bernie Sanders. Perez didn't go so far as to say the primaries were "rigged" in Clinton's favor, but he did admit that the Democratic National Committee "didn't put its best foot forward." The DNC boss says he is committed to ensure fairness in the future.<br /><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN Ignores Dem Senator's Corruption Trial<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong>New Jersey Democratic Senator Robert Menendez has been in court for two solid months, defending himself against charges that he used his office and power to illegally enrich a personal friend. In all that time, <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/mike-ciandella/2017/11/07/study-cnns-failure-cover-democrats-corruption-trial">according to the Media Research Center</a>, CNN has seen fit to devote about a half-hour to the case. Many CNN programs, including most of its prime time offerings, had absolutely zero coverage of the Menendez trial. Beyond that, the three network evening news shows have not covered the trial for even one second. One might ask, what media bias?<br /><strong><em> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Fusion GPS Web of Deceit<br /> </em></strong><br /> </em></strong><a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/07/fusion-gps-paid-by-kremlin-linked-firm-while-putting-together-steele-dossier/">Based on a report in The Daily Caller</a>, the opposition research firm Fusion GPS was receiving money from a Russian billionaire who had close ties to the Kremlin. To recap what we already know about the flow of money and information, the Hillary Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee paid millions of dollars to a Washington law firm, which funneled some of that money to Fusion GPS, which in turn hired a former British spy to compile the discredited anti-Trump "dossier." At the same time, Fusion GPS was being paid by the Russian oligarch for unspecified work. The tangled web grows stickier by the day.<strong><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong>Police Chief Investigated … for Upholding the Law<br /> </strong></strong><br /> Because Oakland proudly declares itself a "sanctuary city," <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/07/oaklands-top-cop-probed-by-internal-affairs-commissioner-for-assisting-crackdown-on-illegal-immigrants.html">the city's top cop is in hot water for helping federal authorities arrest illegal immigrants</a>. Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick dispatched some of her officers to help the feds find and arrest human traffickers. Because of her "crime" against political correctness, Chief Kirkpatrick is being investigated by the police department's internal affairs division.<strong><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong>Study: Tylenol As Effective as Opioids</strong><br /> </strong><br /> There is some encouraging news for those hoping to curtail America's opioid epidemic. <a href="https://apnews.com/c8a5e43be775463eaad55b4d2ae35cdb/Pain-relievers-worked-as-well-as-opioids-in-ER-patients">According to a new study conducted in emergency rooms</a>, patients in severe pain receive just as much relief from over-the-counter medications as they do from prescription drugs. Patients who were given acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen reported results that equaled those obtained from oxycodone, hydrocodone, or codeine. The study only measured short-term pain relief, but did not follow patients after they were discharged from the hospital.<strong><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong>On Your Mark. Get Set. SCREAM!<br /> </strong><br /> </strong>This is the day some Trump-haters have been waiting for. In a few cities across the nation, they'll open their lungs, look to the heavens, and "scream helplessly at the sky." The screamers are anti-celebrating what happened exactly one year ago, when a real estate tycoon won the presidency, setting off a wave of revulsion and anger among liberals and progressives. So here's what you might hear if you live in Austin, New York, Boston, Miami, Philadelphia, or a few other cities. If you're a Trump fan, sit back and enjoy! </span></p>
<iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KLAZ4TS0-Y4?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-11-08T15:26:00ZThe Madman's Arsenal; Details of Assault on Sen. Rand PaulBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/The-Madmans-Arsenal;-Details-of-Assault-on-Sen.-Rand-Paul/587326163454571095.html2017-11-07T14:57:00Z2017-11-07T14:57:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Tuesday, November 7, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.</div>
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<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>BILL'S DAILY BRIEFING TUESDAY 11 07 17<br /> </strong><br /> <br /> </span><span class="s2"><strong><em>The Madman's Arsenal<br /> </em></strong><br /> The maniac who went on a killing spree in Texas Sunday was a lifelong loser with little going for him, <a href="http://www.statesman.com/news/crime--law/new-hundreds-shell-casings-empty-magazines-found-church/tSW3WNOzyGcHC64ilkkLKN/"><span class="s3">but he was certainly well-armed.</span></a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The deadly scene inside the church included 15 empty magazines and hundreds of spent shells.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Authorities have also identified the brave man who exchanged gunfire with the killer, perhaps saving many lives in the process.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/358991-pence-to-visit-site-of-texas-church-shooting-on-wednesday"><span class="s3">Vice President Pence will be in Sutherland Springs tomorrow</span></a> to meet with those who lost family members in the massacre.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump on Gun Control<br /> </em></strong><br /> During a press conference in South Korea, a reporter decided the time was right to ask President Trump whether he supports "extreme vetting" for gun purchasers.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The president, who was obviously annoyed at the timing and substance of the question, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/07/trump-rebukes-call-for-extreme-vetting-for-gun-owners.html"><span class="s3">explained that stricter gun regulations</span></a> would have made no difference in Sunday's mass shooting in Texas.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>In fact, the killer should not have been able to purchase those weapons.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He had been imprisoned for beating his wife and stepson while serving in the military, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/06/report-air-force-error-allowed-texas-shooter-to-pass-firearm-background-check/"><span class="s3">but the Air Force neglected to report that crime to the FBI</span></a>.<br /><br /><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VcQRY0IDops?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Congressman Scorns Moment of Silence<br /> </em></strong><br /> Congressman Ted Lieu, an ultra-liberal Democrat from California, <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/nov/7/democrat-ted-lieu-snubs-texas-victims-pretend-angs/"><span class="s3">refused to take part in a moment of silence in memory of the Texas victims</span></a>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Lieu walked out of the House and quickly hopped on Facebook to post a live video in which he called for stricter gun control measures.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Chicago, The Deadly City<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump cited Chicago when asked about gun control, and with good reason.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Despite its tough gun laws, <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-weekend-gun-violence-20171106-story.html"><span class="s3">the city is on pace to have 600 murders this year</span></a>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This is only the second time in the past 14 years that Chicago has reached that murderous milestone.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The only good news is that the number of homicides is actually down from last year.<br /> <br /> <strong><em>Words of the Day: "Grossly Negligent"<br /> </em></strong><br /> When then-FBI boss James Comey tried to close the book on the Hillary Clinton investigation in July of 2016, he criticized her for being "extremely careless" in her handling of classified information.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We are now learning that <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/358982-early-comey-memo-accused-clinton-of-gross-negligence-on-emails?amp"><span class="s3">an earlier draft of the speech used the phrase "grossly negligent,"</span></a> which is more egregious and could have resulted in criminal prosecution.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It is unclear when, why, or by whom the verbiage was softened.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Saudi Arabia Accuses Iran of "Act of War"<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/11/07/saudi-arabia-calls-missile-launch-act-war-by-iran-vows-retaliation.html"><span class="s3">There is escalating tension between two of the largest nations in the Middle East</span></a>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Saudi Arabia is accusing Iran of supplying weapons to rebels in Yemen, including a ballistic missile that was fired at Saudi Arabia Saturday.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The Saudi government describes that as an act of war and says it "reserves its right to respond to Iran in the appropriate time and manner."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Saudi Arabia's Internal War <br /> </em></strong><br /> Even as it threatens Iran, the Saudi government continues its massive "anti-corruption" purge, which has led to the arrest of dozens of high-ranking officials, business executives, and members of the royal family.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5058061/Saudi-prince-killed-firefight-resisting-arrest.html"><span class="s3">One of the royal targets, the son of the late King Fahd, was shot and killed</span></a> when he refused to be taken into custody.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The government has frozen the bank accounts of those arrested and says it is prepared to seize property and assets held outside of the kingdom.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>France Foils Terror Plot<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.france24.com/en/20171107-france-switzerland-arrests-anti-terrorism-raids-paris-aix-encryption"><span class="s3">French and Swiss authorities arrested ten suspected terrorists today</span></a> and possibly prevented an attack on the city of Nice, where 86 people were mowed down and killed last year.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The men, one of whom is a teenager, were exchanging ominous and encrypted messages that indicated a terror attack was imminent.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Election Day, 2017<br /> </em></strong><br /> Polls are open in Virginia, where <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/07/hard-fought-virginia-governors-race-to-test-trumps-clout.html"><span class="s3">Republican Ed Gillespie and Democrat Ralph Northam</span></a> are fighting to be the next governor.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The state went for Hillary Clinton last year and President Trump is not popular, but the Republican Gillespie is still close in the polls.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Farther to the north, Democrat Phil Murphy is expected to defeat Republican Kim Guadango <a href="http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/11/n-j-election-preview-dems-quietly-winning-a-trifecta.html"><span class="s3">in their race to succeed outgoing New Jersey Governor Chris Christie</span></a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Details of Assault on Sen. Rand Paul<br /> </em></strong><br /> Republican Senator Rand Paul was violently attacked by a neighbor while mowing his lawn last weekend.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The man who tackled Paul from behind, anesthesiologist Rene Boucher, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/359072-neighbors-rand-paul-neighbors-dispute-began-over-landscaping"><span class="s3">was reportedly angry because of a dispute about landscaping</span></a>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The senator has five broken ribs and bruised lungs, while Boucher has been charged with assault.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>One Year Later, Trump's Conflicting Polls<br /> </em></strong><br /> Tomorrow marks one year since Donald Trump shocked most of the world and was elected president.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://www.investors.com/politics/1-year-after-trump-election-less-stress-more-hope-but-low-approvals-ibdtipp-poll/"><span class="s3">According to a new survey by the reliable IBD/TIPP polling outfit</span></a>, the president has a dismal approval rating even as Americans are more optimistic about the economy and other issues.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The good news for President Trump is that 76% of Republicans say he has met or exceeded their expectations.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Analysis: Tax Hikes Under GOP Plan</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/finance/358988-gop-bill-cuts-taxes-in-2018-but-30-percent-see-higher-taxes-in-2027-report"><span class="s3">According to calculations by the Tax Policy Center</span></a>, most Americans will get an immediate tax cut if the Republican plan passes as now written.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>However, within a decade or so, about 30% would see their taxes actually go up.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>That is partly because many deductions would be eliminated, including those for state and local income taxes.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Diversity Visa Lottery Under Fire<br /> </em></strong><br /> The much-maligned "diversity visa" program, under which the terrorist in last week's New York City attack entered the nation, <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/5-million-immigrants-enter-under-diversity-visa-345-more-than-promised/article/2639722"><span class="s3">has led to a vast and unintended rise in legal immigration</span></a>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The lottery is meant to give entry to about 50,000 lucky immigrants every year, but "chain migration" increases that by an estimated 300%.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>According to the Center for Immigration Studies, nearly 4-million people have come to the USA under the system.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Fickle Finger of Fate<br /> </em></strong><br /> You probably saw the recent photo of a woman cyclist giving President Trump's motorcade the one-fingered salute in Virginia.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The woman in question, 50-year-old marketing specialist Juli Briskman, has <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/woman-flips-off-donald-trump-fired_us_59fe0ab4e4b0c9652fffa484"><span class="s3">been fired by her employer</span></a>, which does work for the federal government.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Briskman says she may look for a new position at an organization such as Planned Parenthood, where giving President Trump the finger is grounds for a promotion.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Networks Literally Peddle Fake News<br /> </em></strong><br /> The media's anti-Trump animus is nothing new, but CNN, CBS, NBC and some other outlets <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2017/11/06/cnncbsnbc-create-fake-news-out-trump-feeding-koi-fish"><span class="s3">took it to new depths during the president's visit to Japan</span></a>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>They "reported" that President Trump made a gross gaffe when he poured an entire box of fish food into a pond at the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>They omitted one part of the story, namely that the president was simply following the lead of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who had done the exact same thing.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The REAL War on Christmas<br /> </em></strong><br /> A clothing retailer has come out with <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/christmas-rompers-men-latest-trend-clothing-pyjamas-onesies-a8041601.html"><span class="s3">a new line of rompers for men to wear on Christmas</span></a>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If you aren't familiar with the term "romper," just think of a onesie for grownups.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The Chicago-based firm makes the rompers in various holiday designs and themes.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>After seeing the rompers, we offer two suggestions:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>First, don't wear one on the South Side of Chicago, which Jim Croce referred to as "the baddest part of town."<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Second, perhaps the lyrics of "Deck the Halls" should be slightly altered this year.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>"Don We Now Our Gay Apparel," which isn't politically correct anyway, could be changed to "Don We Now Our Hideous Apparel."</span></p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>
</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-11-07T14:57:00ZDonna Brazile to Dem Critics: "Go to Hell!"; Heroes Among the HorrorBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Donna-Brazile-to-Dem-Critics:-Go-to-Hell!;-Heroes-Among-the-Horror/-311755138693794271.html2017-11-06T16:29:00Z2017-11-06T16:29:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, November 3, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>BILL'S DAILY BRIEFING MONDAY 11 06 17<br /> </strong><br /> <br /> </span><span class="s2"><strong><em>Emerging Portrait of a Monster<br /> </em></strong><br /> The madman who murdered more than two dozen churchgoers in Texas Sunday <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/11/05/texas-church-shooting-who-is-gunman-devin-patrick-kelley.html"><span class="s3">was a ticking time bomb with a very troubled past</span></a>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The 26-year-old had been court-martialed, imprisoned, and booted from the Air Force after beating his wife and child.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The killer, who reportedly has a wife and 2-year-old son, also had been arrested for cruelty to animals while living in Colorado.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Heroes Among the Horror<br /> </em></strong><br /> Sunday's massacre might have been even worse had it not been for the actions of two local men.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5052815/Hero-tackled-armed-shooter-left-church.html?ITO=applenews"><span class="s3">Johnnie Langendorff and Stephen Willeford</span></a> pursued the shooter in a high-speed chase and eventually ran him off the road.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Because the murderer had additional guns in his vehicle, there is speculation that he had wanted to continue his killing spree elsewhere.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Let the Gun Debate Begin<br /> </em></strong><br /> Some of the same people who denounced President Trump for "politicizing" last week's Islamic terror attack in New York city began calling for tougher gun laws almost immediately after the Texas shooting.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/05/obama-uses-texas-church-massacre-to-call-for-fewer-guns/"><span class="s3">Among them is former President Obama</span></a>, who sent out a tweet urging the USA to "reduce the violence and weaponry in our midst." Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/11/05/opinion/editorials/editorial-debate-gun-control.html"><span class="s3">the New York Times asserts</span></a> that it is never, ever too soon to demand gun control.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>President as Arms Salesman<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump, while visiting Japan, advised <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-trump-asia-japan/trump-says-japan-would-shoot-north-korean-missiles-out-of-sky-if-it-bought-u-s-weaponry-idUSKBN1D602F"><span class="s3">Japanese leaders that they should buy American-made high-tech weapons</span></a> that are capable of shooting down North Korean missiles.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>After meeting with Prime Minster Shinzo Abe, the president reaffirmed that the USA and Japan are on the same page when it comes to dealing with the constant threats from Kim Jong Un.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump to Meet With Putin<br /> </em></strong><br /> The president now says that <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/04/trump-putin-meeting-asia-trip-244556"><span class="s3">he expects to meet with Vladimir Putin during his trip</span></a>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The meeting is likely to take place in Vietnam next week, where both men will attend an economic summit.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>President Trump is eager to cooperate with President Putin on many issues, including opposition to North Korea's belligerence.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Donna Brazile to Dem Critics: "Go to Hell!"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Leading Democrats have been extremely unhappy with former party boss Donna Brazile, who is asserting that Hillary Clinton's campaign essentially took over the Democratic Party.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Her new book paints the party as an organization in disarray and blames just about everyone, including Barack Obama and Debbie Wasserman Schultz.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/donna-brazile-people-who-want-me-shut-can-go-hell-n817686"><span class="s3">Brazile has a very pithy and defiant message for Democrats</span></a> who are angry at her for airing the party's dirty laundry in public.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>All Eyes on Virginia<br /> </em></strong><br /> There are a few elections around the country tomorrow, and the one receiving the most attention is in Virginia, where <a href="http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/11/big-stakes-in-virginia-electionand-democrats-are-worried.html"><span class="s3">Republican Ed Gillespie and Democrat Ralph Northam are apparently in a close race</span></a> to be the state's next governor.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Northam was once comfortably ahead in the polls, but Gillespie has closed the gap.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The Republican probably got a boost from the <a href="http://www.roanoke.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-why-the-latino-victory-fund-ad-is-so-damaging/article_00c98476-1c70-5f89-82db-cfa7e673ad1e.html"><span class="s3">vile ad produced by the Latino Victory Fund</span></a>, which showed minorities and immigrants running in fear from a man driving a truck with a Gillespie bumper sticker.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Even most Democrats condemned the ad as divisive and counter-productive.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>D-Day for Weiner<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/11/06/anthony-weiner-heads-to-prison/"><span class="s3">Anthony Weiner will report to prison today to begin his 21-month sentence</span></a> for sexting with a 15-year-old girl.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The former Democratic Congressman will serve his time at the Federal Medical Center near Boston, which specializes in treating sex offenders with intensive therapy.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And, yes, Weiner will have to surrender his cell phone at the front gate.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Flynn in Mueller's Crosshairs?<br /> </em></strong><br /> According to "sources familiar with the investigation," <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/mueller-has-enough-evidence-bring-charges-flynn-investigation-n817666"><span class="s3">special counsel Robert Mueller has compiled enough evidence</span></a> to indict General Michael Flynn, who briefly served as President Trump's national security adviser.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Flynn's alleged crimes took place when he was working as a lobbyist prior to joining the Trump administration.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>"Dossier" Author Not Cooperating<br /> </em></strong><br /> That endlessly-discussed anti-Trump "dossier" was put together by Christopher Steele, a former British intelligence agent.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Steele has spoken with investigators, but has <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/05/senate-democrat-says-dossier-author-has-refused-to-meet-with-intelligence-panel-video/"><span class="s3">thus far refused to talk with the Senate Intelligence Committee about his report</span></a>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The top Democrat on the committee, Mark Warner of Virginia, says his panel will meet with Steele "any place, anywhere."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Tony Podesta's Shady Dealings</em></strong><br /> <br /> Washington lobbyist and power-broker Tony Podesta, whose brother John ran Hillary Clinton's campaign, represented the Russian-owned firm Uranium One but illegally failed to register as a foreign agent.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/05/tony-podesta-lobbied-for-russias-uranium-one-and-did-not-file-as-a-foreign-agent/"><span class="s3">That revelation comes from The Daily Caller</span></a>, which has been following the story closely.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Tony Podesta has stepped down from the firm that bears his name and is considered a very likely target of Robert Mueller's investigation.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>More Problems for NFL<br /> </em></strong><br /> This was another lousy weekend for the National Football League.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>First, the living legend <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/vin-scully-says-hell-never-watch-another-nfl-game-again-due-to-anthem-protests/"><span class="s3">Vin Scully told a crowd that he will never again watch an NFL game</span></a>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The 89-year-old retired broadcaster is one of the most respected and revered men in all of sports.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Then, on Sunday, Cincinnati Bengals receiver <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video"><span class="s3">A.J. Green assaulted and punched another player</span></a> in an attack that would have gotten him arrested anywhere else but on a football field<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Shocker At NYC Marathon<br /> </em></strong><br /> It may not sound like big news, <a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-nyc-marathon-20171105-story.html"><span class="s3">but an American woman won Sunday's New York City Marathon</span></a>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>36-year-old Massachusetts native Shalane Flanagan ran through the five boroughs and took the lead for good with four miles to go.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Over the past decade, most major marathons have been dominated by women from Ethopia and Kenya.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>For the record, the last American woman to win the race was Miki Gorman in 1977.<br /> <br /><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6xzYA0LPDX0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>One Year On, Liberals Still in Mourning<br /> </em></strong><br /> Wednesday marks one year since Donald Trump's astounding win over Hillary Clinton.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Ever since that night, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/05/opinions/liberals-still-obsessed-by-trumps-victory-timothy-stanley-opinion/index.html"><span class="s3">many on the left have alternated between mourning and making excuses</span></a>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>A few die-hard lefties now plan to "scream helplessly at the sky" on Wednesday.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>They would probably be better off searching for superior candidates and messages that resonate with average Americans, but screaming takes far less time and energy.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>What's in a Title?<br /> </em></strong><br /> Hot-tempered NBA player <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/11/03/mark-cuban-draymond-green-owes-nba-an-apology/"><span class="s3">Draymond Green is demanding that team owners should not be called "owners,"</span></a> apparently because it is somehow offensive or reminiscent of slavery.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He suggests that "chairman" would be a more appropriate title for an individual that actually owns a team.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Mark Cuban, the Dallas Mavericks owner, pardon the expression, has taken umbrage and says Green owes the entire league an apology.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>What's In A Name?<br /> </em></strong><br /> Next time you see the music mogul formerly known Sean Combs, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/nov/06/puff-daddy-diddy-sean-combs-renames-himself-love"><span class="s3">he would prefer that you address him as "Love."</span></a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Mr. Love, who was born Sean John Combs, has previously gone by Puff Daddy, Puffy, P. Diddy, and Diddy.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But he's Love from now on.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It may be a bit confusing if he visits Britain, where, "Hello, luv" is a very common greeting.</span></p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>
</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-11-06T16:29:00ZTrump En Route to Asia; Networks: What War?BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-En-Route-to-Asia;-Networks:-What-War/166403458242717059.html2017-11-03T13:57:00Z2017-11-03T13:57:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, November 3, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong><em>ISIS Embraces NYC Terrorist<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Islamic State, on the run in the Middle East, is taking comfort in Tuesday's New York City terrorism. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/03/us/new-york-terror-attack/index.html"><span class="s2">ISIS is praising Sayfullo Saipov as a "soldier of the caliphate"</span></a> and claims that it helped plan the attack. There is no evidence thus far that ISIS was directly involved, only that Saipov was a great admirer of the crumbling caliphate.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump En Route to Asia<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.npr.org/2017/11/03/561369057/president-trump-is-going-to-asia-what-to-watch-for-at-each-stop"><span class="s2">President Trump begins his longest foreign trip today</span></a>, a twelve-day jaunt that will include stops in five nations. His initial visit will be in Tokyo, where he'll talk with newly-reelected Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The men have become friends and allies, sharing both a love of golf and an abhorrence of North Korea's Kim Jong Un. The president will then head to South Korea, China, Vietnam, and Philippines.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>GOP Begins Tax Plan Pitch<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Republican plan for simplifying the tax code and lowering rates has finally been unveiled. It faces strident opposition from most Democrats, including the party's leaders, and also from people and businesses who like things just the way they are. <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/finance/358464-republicans-launch-into-sales-push-for-tax-plan"><span class="s2">Republicans have now begun the long and arduous process</span></a> of selling the plan to the public and to their reluctant colleagues. The final plan is expected to sail through the House, <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/03/tax-reform-senate-demands-244481"><span class="s2">but some Republicans in the Senate</span></a> are already expressing great reservations about the tax overhaul.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Democrats At War!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Donna Brazile, who took over as boss of the Democratic National Committee after Debbie Wasserman Schultz was axed, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/02/politics/donna-brazile-dnc-book/index.html"><span class="s2">has written a book in which she criticizes many of her fellow Democrats</span></a>. Among her targets are Barack Obama, who she says did little to help the DNC, Hillary Clinton, who essentially staged a takeover of the party apparatus, and Wasserman Schultz, who left the DNC deeply in debt. This is all welcome news for those <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/nov/2/democratic-party-is-in-ruins/"><span class="s2">Republicans and conservatives who enjoy that warm feeling of schadenfreude</span></a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Networks: What War?<br /> </em></strong><br /> Donna Brazile's accusations were understandably very big news on many outlets, but the three legacy networks totally ignored the story. <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2017/11/02/nets-refuse-acknowledge-revelation-dem-primary-was-rigged"><span class="s2">The conservative watchdog group Media Research Center</span></a> theorizes that the networks "didn't want to ruin their narrative that Clinton was a pure angel."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dems Name Hillary "Woman of the Year"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Just as the former chairwoman was portraying Hillary Clinton as a woman who staged a hostile takeover of the Democratic Party and rigged the primaries, the Woman's National Democratic Club <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-hillary-clinton-receives-2017-democratic-woman-of-the-year-award"><span class="s2">was honoring the former first lady as its "Woman of the Year."</span></a> She reminded the crowd of admirers that she won the popular vote and, of course, she complained about misogyny in politics.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>New Boss at The Fed<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump has picked <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/02/what-jerome-powell-means-for-your-pocketbook.html"><span class="s2">64-year-old Jerome Powell to be the nation's chief central banker</span></a>. He is expected to follow the policies enacted by outgoing Fed Chair Janet Yellen, meaning that lenders and borrowers shouldn't expect any sudden changes. Powell is slightly unconventional because he trained as a lawyer, not an economist.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Yikes! President's Twitter Feed Down<br /> </em></strong><br /> There were eleven minutes of darkness last night, eleven minutes when <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trumps-twitter-account-briefly-critics-seize-chance-ridicule/story?id=50897711"><span class="s2">President Trump's Twitter account was deactivated</span></a>. It wasn't some nefarious plot by Russians or the Trilateral Commission, but the work of an anti-Trump Twitter employee on his last day of work. The episode does raise serious questions about who has access to the president's account, which has nearly 42-million followers.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Las Vegas Killer Had Financial Problems<br /> </em></strong><br /> There is finally a bit more news about the rampage in Las Vegas and Stephen Paddock, who killed 58 people a month ago. According to Sheriff Joe Lombardo, <a href="https://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/homicides/las-vegas-gunman-stephen-paddock-lost-money-in-2-years-preceding-shooting/"><span class="s2">Paddock was suffering from bouts of depression</span></a> and was on a major losing streak at his favorite casinos. The sheriff speculated that Paddock, who reveled in his status as a high-roller entitled to all the perks, may have realized that his days as a favored customer were nearing an end.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Venezuela on Financial Brink</em></strong><br /> <br /> The socialist government of Venezuela has thus far been able to pay its debt, <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-bonds/venezuela-to-restructure-foreign-debt-default-looms-as-possibility-idUSKBN1D230Q?il=0"><span class="s2">but that may not last long</span></a>. President Nicolas Maduro has formed a commission that will study the beleaguered nation's financial situation and combat what Maduro calls "the financial persecution of our country." That could be a warning that Venezuela will simply not pay some or all of its creditors, which could make a very bad situation even worse.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Al Qaeda – Iran Connection<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Obama administration, eager to sign a nuclear deal that included Iran, portrayed that nation and its mullahs as trustworthy, while opponents of the deal denounced Iran as a state sponsor of worldwide terrorism. <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/11/02/what-team-obama-didnt-want-you-to-know-about-the-al-qaeda-iran-alliance/"><span class="s2">Based on newly-released documents seized from Osama bin Laden's hideout in Pakistan</span></a>, Iran supplied Al Qaeda with money, weapons, training, and safe haven for terrorists.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Rick Perry Makes Sense, Gets Mocked<br /> </em></strong><br /> Everyone in the Trump administration has come to expect this kind of treatment. Energy Secretary Rick Perry, who recently visited Africa, made the common sense observation that better street lighting in energy-poor nations can help reduce crime, including sexual assault. He pointed out that street lights come from electricity, which comes from fossil fuels, <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/the-hills-stupid-coverage-of-rick-perrys-sexual-assault-comment-is-why-nobody-trusts-the-media/article/2639393"><span class="s2">setting himself up for widespread media mockery.</span></a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Tesla May Lose Government Crutch<br /> </em></strong><br /> Anyone buying an electric car, including very wealthy people who purchase a trendy Tesla, gets a $7,500 kickback from the federal government. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/gop-tax-bill-kills-ev-credit-bad-news-tesla-2017-11"><span class="s2">The proposed Republican tax bill would eliminate that tax credit</span></a>, which is very bad news for a company that is already having major troubles manufacturing its much-anticipated Model 3. Tesla owners might not like to admit it, but they have been on government welfare, and welfare reform may be on the way.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sex Manual for Teens to Shut<br /> </em></strong><br /> The publishing giant Conde Nast <a href="http://variety.com/2017/biz/news/conde-nast-layoffs-teen-vogue-print-shut-down-1202605228/"><span class="s2">is finally closing the print edition of Teen Vogue</span></a>, which regularly dispensed graphic sex advice for young girls. Some of the magazine's articles, with titles that can't be repeated here, encouraged girls to embrace promiscuity, while other pieces simply lambasted President Trump and conservatives. Teen Vogue, however, was apparently not considered very vogue by the teens it was supposed to reach.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>
</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-11-03T13:57:00ZHouston, We Have A Celebration!; Diversity Visa Program in the CrosshairsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Houston-We-Have-A-Celebration!;-Diversity-Visa-Program-in-the-Crosshairs/911108091973991026.html2017-11-02T14:15:00Z2017-11-02T14:15:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Thursday, November 2, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>The Terrorist Rejoices<br /> </em></strong><br /> Sayfullo Saipov has told authorities <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/nyc-terrorist-attack/new-york-terrorist-attack-suspect-sayfullo-saipov-recently-fell-under-n816741">that he is quite satisfied after killing eight people Tuesday</a>. He also revealed that he had planned the attack for a full year and intentionally chose Halloween so as to kill as many people as possible. The terrorist reportedly followed an Islamic State instruction manual that lays out just how to use a truck to sow death and mayhem. He was wheeled into a Manhattan courtroom last night and charged with two counts.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Recommends Death<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump, upon hearing that Sayfullo Saipov was quite pleased with himself and wanted to hang an ISIS flag in his hospital room, declared that <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/11/02/trump-tweets-nyc-terror-suspect-should-get-the-death-penalty/">the terrorist deserves the death penalty</a>. Legal aces warn that the president's determination to weigh in, as he did with Bowe Bergdahl, can make it more difficult to obtain swift and harsh punishment.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Diversity Visa Program in the Crosshairs<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump and many Senators <a href="http://www.newsmax.com/Politics/senators-diversity-visa-lottery-terrorism/2017/11/01/id/823534/">are eager to end the lottery program</a> that allows more than 50,000 immigrants into the USA every year. Republicans are leading the charge, but some Democrats are also open to killing the scheme, which was begun in 1990. Terrorist Sayfullo Saipov came to the United States from Uzbekistan after winning the lottery in 2010.<br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN's Ryan to White House: Was Slavery Wrong?<br /> </em></strong><br /> For the second day in a row, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">CNN's April Ryan actually asked White House spokesperson</a> Sarah Sanders whether President Trump believes slavery was wrong. Sanders' aptly described the question as "disgusting and absurd."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Obama Launches Obama Foundation<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/01/obama-foundations-democrats-chicago-244442">Barack Obama was center stage again yesterday.</a> The ex-president was the star attraction at the launch of his new Obama Foundation. The exact mission of the foundation is not clear, but the event attracted politicians, rappers, and included much talk about hope and change. The gala was described as a mass therapy session for people who still can't believe that Donald Trump is President Trump.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Michelle Obama Blasts Men as "Entitled"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Speaking at that same event, Michelle Obama theorized that men grow up overly-protected, while women are raised to be strong. Using an accent that she reserves for special occasions, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/01/michelle-obama-says-men-are-entitled-self-righteous-because-women-protect-them-too-much.html">the former first lady advised the men in the audience,</a> "Y'all should get you some friends." She added that men too often feel "entitled and self-righteous."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Obama Endorsed Politicizing Violence</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/255723-obama-mass-shootings-should-be-politicized">Okay, it was actually two years ago,</a> but it's an interesting reminder to all those who are denouncing President Trump for "politicizing" Tuesday's terrorism. Just after a mass shooting in 2015, then-President Obama contended that gun violence is "something we should politicize." He hammered Congress and opponents of gun control and vowed to politicize every mass shooting from that point forward.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>How Much is That Dossier in the Window?<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Democratic Party and the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/01/heres-how-much-the-clinton-campaign-and-dnc-paid-for-the-trump-dossier/">ponied up about $1-million for that anti-Trump "dossier"</a> that has received so much attention. The money went to the opposition research firm Fusion GPS, which in turn paid $168,000 to the former British spy who created the document. The report was filled with salacious information about Donald Trump, most of which turned out to be false.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sprint to the Finish on Taxes<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Republican tax reform proposal, which has faced snags and which has been delayed, <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/finance/358347-pressure-mounts-as-house-gop-wrestles-with-tax-bill-decisions">is expected to finally be unveiled today</a>. There have been disputes about state and local taxes, ObamaCare mandates, and the impact on the deficit. There have even been arguments over what to name the bill, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/01/trump-reportedly-demanding-tax-reform-bill-be-the-cut-cut-cut-act.html">which President Trump wants to call "The Cut Cut Cut Act."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Democratic Party: White Men Need Not Apply!<br /> </em></strong><br /> When Democrats wonder why they alienate so many middle Americans, they might consider what <a href="http://www.dailywire.com/news/22939/exclusive-dnc-official-discriminates-against-elliott-hamilton#exit-modal">just transpired at the Democratic National Committee</a>. A DNC executive sent an email notification that there are some job openings at the organization, but added this caveat: "I would personally prefer that you not forward to cisgender straight white males, since they're already in the majority." The executive who wrote the offensive email, Madeleine Leader, refused to comment, but the DNC itself says her message was not authorized.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dems Eager to Impeach Trump<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/358240-dems-to-file-new-impeachment-articles-against-trump">A band of far-left House Democrats is ready to file articles of impeachment</a> against President Trump, which may be issued before the Thanksgiving break. According to the leader of the pack, Congressman Luis Gutierrez, Donald Trump "is unfit to be president." Meanwhile, their leader, Nancy Pelosi, <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/01/trump-impeachment-talk-pelosi-244336">is discouraging talk of impeachment</a>, perhaps knowing that it cost Democrats dearly when they started talking about impeaching President Bush in 2006.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Professor's Rage<br /> </em></strong><br /> These campus loons just seem determined to top one another. <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/01/trump-must-hang-prof-trump-supporters-believe-they-are-better-by-virtue-of-their-race/">This time, back for an encore performance, it's Cal Fresno history professor Lars Maischak</a>, who was earlier booted from the classroom for saying "Trump must hang." Despite that earlier punishment, Maischak is now taking on all of the president's voters and supporters, saying they "believe they are better by virtue of their race."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Snoop Seconds that Emotion!<br /> </em></strong><br /> The rapper Snoop Dogg has released his latest album and single, called "Make American Crip Again." <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/11/02/snoop-dogg-album-photo-appears-to-show-trump-corpse-in-morgue.html">The ever-so-edgy cover art depicts Donald Trump in a morgue</a> with a tag on his toe and an American flag draping his body. Instagram has removed the vile photo, but of course it lives on forever on other Internet venues.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Papa John's Denounces NFL Commissioner<br /> </em></strong><br /> John Schnatter, founder and CEO of Papa John's pizza, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-01/papa-john-s-blames-nfl-debacle-for-hurting-sales-of-its-pizza">is blaming the National Football League for weak sales and a corresponding drop in its stock price.</a> The chain has long been a major advertiser on NFL games, whose ratings have tanked after the protest controversies. Schnatter singled out league boss Roger Goodell, citing him as "an example of poor leadership."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Shrink Testifies in Bergdahl Sentencing<br /> </em></strong><br /> Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl's defense team, trying to get their client a lighter sentence, have called on <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/bergdahl-psychiatrist-taliban-afganistan/2017/11/01/id/823455/">a psychiatrist to help in that regard</a>. Dr. Charles Morgan testified that Bergdahl had a very tough childhood and may have been suffering from a serious mental illness when he walked away from his post in Afghanistan in 2009. After closing arguments, <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/sgt-bowe-bergdahls-attorneys-prepare-closing-arguments-50879524">which may come as soon as today</a>, the military judge could sentence Bergdahl to life in prison or some lesser punishment.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Houston, We Have A Celebration!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Houstonians, many still recovering from the after-effects of Hurricane Harvey, <a href="http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Jubliant-madness-erupts-in-downtown-Houston-after-12325267.php">are in a very jubilant mood today</a> after their cherished Houston Astros won baseball's World Series. The best-of-seven Fall Classic lived up to its name, with the Astros defeating the Dodgers in the decisive Game 7 in Los Angeles last night.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dare You Not To Cry!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa, just minutes after his team won the World Series, got down on one knee. Not to protest, of course, but to propose marriage to his girlfriend Daniella Rodriguez. Correa had planned the proposal for weeks, but waited for the most dramatic moment possible. Rodriguez, a former Miss Texas USA, after recovering from her obvious surprise, gave Correa the answer he had hoped for.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CKD6q0yTD7M?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /></p>
<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>
</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-11-02T14:15:00ZThe Terrorist Among Us; Trump Hammers Schumer, Dems on ImmigrationBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/The-Terrorist-Among-Us;-Trump-Hammers-Schumer-Dems-on-Immigration/49218321253443875.html2017-11-01T14:02:00Z2017-11-01T14:02:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Wednesday, November 1, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>The Terrorist Among Us<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.northjersey.com/story/news/2017/10/31/man-accused-nyc-terror-attack-had-possible-new-jersey-home-records-show/819450001/">Authorities are learning more about the 29-year-old suspected terrorist</a> who killed eight people in Manhattan yesterday. The suspect, a devout Muslim, lived with his wife and children in Paterson, New Jersey, a city which has a very large Muslim population and many mosques. He is not a United States citizen but is here legally after winning the "diversity visa" lottery in 2010.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Terrorist's Mosque<br /> </em></strong><br /> The suspect and his family worshiped regularly at the Omar Mosque near their apartment. The mosque is <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/11/01/terror-suspects-nj-mosque-has-been-under-nypd-surveillance-report.html">among several in New Jersey that have been under surveillance</a> because they are suspected of promoting a radical view of Islam. <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/nyc-terrorist-attack/note-about-isis-found-truck-used-nyc-terrorist-attack-sources-n816276">NBC News is reporting that the killer</a> left a note in his rented truck boasting that he is a warrior fighting for the Islamic State.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Terrorist's Victims<br /> </em></strong><br /> Among those killed in yesterday's terror attack <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-york-city-terror-attack-victims-manhattan/">were five men from Argentina, who were in New York City to celebrate their 30<sup>th</sup> high school reunion</a>. A Belgian woman and two others were also killed, while eleven pedestrians were injured.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Hammers Schumer, Dems on Immigration<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-blames-schumer-democrat-lottery-systems-for-nyc-terror-attack/article/2639221">President Trump has been venting on Twitter this morning</a>, focusing much of his anger on the "diversity visa" lottery that the suspected terrorist used to enter the country. <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/925684982307348480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Ftrump-blames-schumer-democrat-lottery-systems-for-nyc-terror-attack%2Farticle%2F2639221">The president savaged the program</a>, which was begun in 1990 and issues about 50,000 green cards to immigrants from countries that are "underrepresented" in America.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Top Democrat Defends "Diversity Visas"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Meanwhile, Congressman Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/adam-schiff-absurd-for-trump-to-oppose-diversity-visas-after-nyc-attack/article/2639222">is fighting back against President Trump</a> and defending the diversity visa lottery program. Schiff contends that diversity, not just merit, is a worthy goal when admitting new immigrants into the United States.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN Terrified of "Allahu Akbar"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Anyone watching CNN yesterday would not have learned that the suspected terrorist shouted "Allahu Akbar," which is Arabic for "God is greater." It is often taken to mean that our Allah is superior to your God. Instead, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">the struggling cable network ran a graphic reading</a>, "Suspect was yelling 'God is great' in Arabic." Earlier in the day, CNN's Shimon Prokupecz actually <a href="http://freebeacon.com/national-security/cnn-reporter-declines-to-share-physical-description-of-suspect-in-new-york-truck-attack/">refused to even share the terrorist's physical description</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN to White House: "Is Slavery Wrong?"<br /> </em></strong><br /> April Ryan, who has long been one of CNN's most virulent Trump-haters, upped her game yesterday. After White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders was barraged with questions about Chief of Staff John Kelly's comments regarding the Civil War, Ryan shouted: "Sarah, is slavery wrong? Does this administration think that slavery was wrong?"</p>
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<p><br /> <strong><em>Pakistan Woman Kills 17<br /> </em></strong><br /> Newlywed Asiya Bibi, who had been married against her will, tried to kill the husband she despised by putting poison in his milk. But when the woman's mother-in-law instead used the tainted milk to make drinks for the entire family, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pakistan-bride-kills-17-in-botched-plot-to-poison-husband/">17 people died and ten others were injured</a>. The woman's husband never touched the milk and is still alive.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Who is George Papadopoulos?</em></strong><br /> <br /> Among those under indictment by Robert Mueller's team is <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/358140-how-young-trump-aide-became-key-player-in-russia-probe">a 30-year-old named George Papadopoulos</a>, who has been charged with lying to the FBI. <a href="http://www.newsmax.com/JohnGizzi/george-papadopoulos-foreign-policy-adviser-indictment-FBI-special-counsel/2017/10/31/id/823268/">The president's supporters depict Papadopoulos as a lowly intern</a> who the president met just once; The president's enemies hope he is the person who will cooperate with prosecutors and <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/01/former-trump-adviser-george-papadopoulos-guilty-plea-could-rattle-white-house.html">deliver some real dirt that will damage the administration.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Aide to Speak With Mueller<br /> </em></strong><br /> Hope Hicks, who was involved in the Trump campaign and is now his communications director, <a href="http://www.newsmax.com/Politics/hope-hicks-robert-mueller-investigation-team/2017/10/31/id/823270/">will be grilled by Robert Mueller's team later this month</a>. She has been at Donald Trump's side for many years, even before he came down the elevator and announced his presidential ambitions.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Backlash Against A Vile Political Ad<br /> </em></strong><br /> A liberal group called the Latino Victory Fund <a href="http://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/358153-latino-groups-race-baiting-ad-an-insult-to-every-hard-working-american">created an ad that may have set a new low in fear mongering</a>. It shows minority children running in fear from a murderous madman driving a truck with a Confederate flag and a Gillespie bumper sticker. Republican Ed Gillespie is running against Democrat Ralph Northam to be the next governor of Virginia. Soon after the terror attack in New York City, the <a href="http://www.richmond.com/news/virginia/government-politics/latino-victory-fund-pulls-truck-themed-anti-gillespie-ad-after/article_f6e38527-fbd3-52eb-8b63-03a46c109c7c.html">Latino Victory Fund pulled its despicable ad off the air</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Tax Bill, Followed By "All Hell"<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Republican tax reform plan is expected to be unveiled soon, and then things will really get interesting. <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-01/tax-bill-delay-deals-gop-setback-even-before-hell-breaks-loose">According to one Republican Senator, "All hell's going to break loose"</a> when legislators start examining and debating the proposal. This may provide the ideal illustration for the old adage that says making law is about as ugly as making sausage.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Conservatives Fear Talking Politics<br /> </em></strong><br /> The libertarian Cato Institute has taken a new poll of 2,300 American adults. Nearly three in four believe that political correctness has made it more difficult to engage in important political discussions, and an <a href="https://www.cato.org/blog/poll-71-americans-say-political-correctness-has-silenced-discussions-society-needs-have-58-have">astounding 58% are afraid of sharing their own political views</a>. Republicans feel the greatest need to censor themselves, which is understandable when their views are routinely mocked by the media. The Cato study and the climate of fear help explain why pollsters have such a hard time getting accurate results in recent years.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Loyalists, Loyal Indeed<br /> </em></strong><br /> Another new poll shows that <a href="http://www.newsmax.com/Politics/us-poll-voters-support/2017/10/31/id/823176/">79% of Trump voters want him to remain in office even if it turns out that his campaign colluded with Russia</a>, while only 11% believe he should resign. His fans also believe President Trump has accomplished a great deal in his brief time in office. The wider population, of course, is not quite as sanguine when it comes to the administration's honesty and accomplishments.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Rise and Rapid Fall of Tony Podesta<br /> </em></strong><br /> He has been a fixture in Washington, a very big dog in the "swamp" of political lobbying and influence. Now Tony Podesta, after decades of living large, <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/30/tony-podesta-mueller-power-broker-244341">has resigned from the firm bearing his name and is rumored to be a prime target of Robert Mueller's investigation</a>. The Podesta Group, founded by Tony and his even more influential brother John, is suspected of using its influence to illegally obtain favors for foreign entities. Earlier this week <a href="http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/10/31/the-podesta-group-threatens-to-sue-tucker-carlson-over-his-reporting-see-how-carlson-responded/">Tony Podesta unleashed his lawyers on FNC's Tucker Carlson</a>, unsuccessfully demanding that Carlson stop reporting on the lobbying firm and its troubles.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Homeland Security Very Insecure With Weapons<br /> </em></strong><br /> Over the past three years <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/dhs-department-of-homeland-security-firearms-lost/2017/10/31/id/823226/">Homeland Security workers have lost 228 firearms and various other items</a>. That's according to a new audit taken by the department's Inspector General. In most cases, the items were lost when employees did not follow the proper policy. The good news is that these results actually represent a slight improvement since the last audit seven years ago.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Game Seven Tonight!<br /> </em></strong><br /> On a day when some escapism is called for, t<a href="https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/dodgers-astros-push-their-wonderful-world-series-to-game-7-110117">he Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros will play one final game tonight for the World Championship</a>. The Dodgers won last night to even the best-of-seven series at three wins apiece. There will be no kneeling during the National Anthem, no taunting of opponents, just a winner-take-all match between the two best teams in the sport.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Man's Best Friend. Really.<br /> </em></strong><br /> Researchers have confirmed what many people long suspected: <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/10/31/humans-love-dogs-more-than-other-people-study/">Most people have more affection and love for dogs</a> than for their fellow humans. Studies show that people tend to be more generous when dogs are in distress. Of course, reading the headlines about terrorism and crime and war raises an obvious question about human affection for pooches: Who can blame them?</p>
<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>
</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-11-01T14:02:00ZManafort Pleads Not Guilty; Chief of Staff Kelly Defends Robert E. LeeBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Manafort-Pleads-Not-Guilty;-Chief-of-Staff-Kelly-Defends-Robert-E.-Lee/-332417281442908633.html2017-10-31T14:03:00Z2017-10-31T14:03:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Tuesday, October 31, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Manafort Pleads Not Guilty<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort, indicted yesterday for alleged crimes that took place long before he was involved in the campaign, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/30/manafort-gates-plead-not-guilty-in-grand-jury-indictment.html">has pleaded not guilty to all counts</a>. His longtime business partner and friend Rick Gates also entered not guilty pleas. Both men have agreed to surrender their passports and remain in their homes unless they have medical or legal appointments.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>One Story, Two Very Different Reactions<br /> </em></strong><br /> As another illustration of just how divided our media landscape has become, just follow the news about the Manafort indictment. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/10/31/how-conservative-media-reacted-to-the-mueller-indictments/?utm_term=.df482b0f0b6b">Conservative-leaning outlets, among them Fox News and Breitbart</a>, are depicting this as much ado about almost nothing. But the legacy network newscasts and liberal cable outlets devoted <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2017/10/30/evening-abc-cbs-dedicate-70-percent-time-mueller-indictments">the preponderance of their air time</a> to the indictments and allegations about Russia.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary Weighs in on Indictment<br /> </em></strong><br /> Hillary Clinton, still on the book tour that never ends, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/clinton-on-russia-investigation-we-know-everything-we-need-to-know/">said this yesterday about President Trump</a>: "(He is) abdicating his responsibility to preserve, protect, and defend our national security interests." Mrs. Clinton urged Congress to do their jobs and "hold the president accountable." She also joked that she may go trick or treating dressed as the President of the United States.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Chief of Staff Kelly Defends Robert E. Lee<br /> </em></strong><br /> During an appearance on Laura Ingraham's new Fox News program, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/trump-chief-staff-john-kelly-defends-confederate-monuments-n815886">White House Chief of Staff John Kelly described General Robert E. Lee as "an honorable man"</a> and declared that the Civil War was caused in part by an inability to compromise. General Kelly also defended his criticism of hat-wearing Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, who injected herself into the Gold Star family controversy.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lrGDyJoFORs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Obama Campaign Arm Involved in "Dossier"<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Federal Election Commission has revealed that <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/obama-campaign-paid-law-firm/2017/10/30/id/822848/">"Obama For America," Barack Obama's campaign organization,</a> paid nearly a million dollars to the law firm of Perkins Coie for unspecified "legal services." That's the firm that paid Fusion GPS to come up with the phony anti-Trump "dossier." Perkins Coie was also paid more than $12-million by the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton campaign. President Trump, of course, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/924963492645437441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsmax.com%2FNewsfront%2Fobama-campaign-paid-law-firm%2F2017%2F10%2F30%2Fid%2F822848%2F">is having lots of Twitter fun with the revelations</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bergdahl Apologizes To Wounded Comrades<br /> </em></strong><br /> Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who has pleaded guilty to desertion and misbehavior before the enemy, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/10/30/bowe-bergdahl-gives-emotional-statement-at-sentencing-hearing-apologizes-to-wounded-service-members.html">made a surprise admission yesterday at his sentencing hearing</a>. The deserter apologized to the military men who risked their lives and were injured searching for him. The judge also heard from Shannon Allen, whose husband Mark was shot in the head during the search and is unable to speak or walk. The sentencing judge <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/bowe-bergdahl-trump-criticism-sentencing/2017/10/30/id/822916/">insisted that Bergdahl will be treated fairly</a>, even though candidate Donald Trump referred to him as a traitor who deserved to be killed.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Kate Steinle Murder Trial Heats Up<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Kate-Steinle-murder-trial-San-Francisco-12318120.php">A San Francisco police investigator has testified that the bullet that killed Kate Steinle</a> ricocheted off the concrete pier before striking her in the back. The officer surmises that Jose Ines Garcia Zarate, the career criminal who was deported many times, aimed the gun at Steinle and pulled the trigger. That is helpful to the prosecution, which is trying to prove that Zarate is guilty of murder.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Transgender Military Ban Overruled</em></strong><br /> <br /> Also in San Francisco, <a href="http://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/DC-court-bars-Trump-from-reversing-transgender-12317392.php">a federal judge has determined that President Trump</a> cannot exclude transgender individuals from serving in the military. Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, appointed to the federal bench by Bill Clinton, has ruled that the administration has shown no good reason for implementing the ban. The Trump administration is likely to appeal.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>A Truly Despicable Political Ad<br /> </em></strong><br /> Republican Ed Gillespie and Democrat Ralph Northam are running to be the next governor of Virginia. A pro-Northam group called the Latino Victory Fund has created an ad that may set a new low in fear mongering. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">It shows minority children running in fear</a> from a murderous madman driving a truck with a Confederate flag and a Gillespie bumper sticker.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>New Fed Boss to be Named Today<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump will likely name a new chair of the Federal Reserve today, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/10/30/president-trump-is-expected-to-name-jerome-powell-as-fed-chair-americas-top-economic-post/?utm_term=.5fa7e17f2e08">and it is expected to be Republican Jerome H. Powell</a>. Because Powell has generally supported policies endorsed by current Fed boss Janet Yellen, financial experts expect few major changes in the nation's monetary policy.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another NFL Headache<br /> </em></strong><br /> The National Football League suspended Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott for six games after he was charged with physically assaulting his then-girlfriend. That suspension was overruled, then reinstated, overruled again, and now it is back in effect. <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/six-game-suspension-cowboys-ezekiel-elliott-reinstated-judge-n815896">A federal judge has paved the way for Elliott to begin serving his suspension</a> this Sunday, unless of course another court intervenes in the interim.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Kevin Spacey Comes Out, Gets Hammered<br /> </em></strong><br /> When faced with allegations that he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old boy many years ago, Kevin Spacey and his public relations mavens seemed to think that he could buy some good will by revealing his homosexuality. It has not quite worked out that way, <a href="http://www.kcra.com/article/celebrity-reactions-kevin-spacey-sexual-advances-anthony-rapp/13118762">as many of his Hollywood colleagues are blasting Spacey as a pedophile</a> trying to find cover in his gayness.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Worse Than A Nuclear Bomb? A Nuclear Family!<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/10/31/having-white-nuclear-family-promotes-white-supremacy-says-new-york-professor-report-says.html">A New York professor named Jessie Daniels</a> has discovered what is really ailing the United States of America. The "white-nuclear family, she concludes is "one of the most powerful forces supporting white supremacy." Ms. Daniels, who looks to be exceedingly white herself, is advising white people to just stop having children. Yeah, that's the ticket!<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Cop Dresses as Colin Kaepernick for Halloween<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/10/30/police-officer-under-fire-after-trolling-colin-kaepernick-for-halloween/">A campus police officer at the University of Nevada</a>, the school at which Colin Kaepernick played his college football, is in hot water after dressing as the quarterback for Halloween. Antonio Guiterrez wore a fake nose, an afro, and carried a sign reading, "Will Stand For Food." After an outcry from angry leftists, both Gutierrez and his boss have apologized. Colin Kaepernick could not be reached for comment.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>How to Enjoy Halloween? Just Stay Home!<br /> </em></strong><br /> There are way too many ridiculous Halloween stories to document here, but suffice it to say that you and your little ones <a href="https://www.salon.com/2017/10/31/14-halloween-costumes-not-to-wear_partner/">had better be mighty careful when you put on that costume today</a>. No cultural appropriation, no masks that may offend protected groups, no dressing as cartoon characters from a different background than your own, no foreign headgear, no kimonos (unless you're Japanese, of course), and no Hillary Clinton as inmate getups. According to the PC police, you can pretty much do one of two things: Go as Donald Trump … or just avoid the whole thing, stay home in your safe space, and watch Game 6 of the World Series.</p>
<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>
</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-10-31T14:03:00ZPaul Manafort Surrenders to FBI!; NFL Team Kneels En MasseBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Paul-Manafort-Surrenders-to-FBI!;-NFL-Team-Kneels-En-Masse/-47910884300561767.html2017-10-30T15:05:00Z2017-10-30T15:05:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Monday, October 30, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Paul Manafort Surrenders to FBI!<br /> </em></strong><br /> As had been widely predicted, special counsel <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/manafort-and-former-business-partner-asked-to-surrender-in-connection-with-special-counsel-probe/2017/10/30/6fe051f0-bd67-11e7-959c-fe2b598d8c00_story.html?utm_term=.1ba74457f440">Robert Mueller has announced his first indictments</a>. Paul Manafort, who briefly served as President Trump's campaign manager, was ordered to surrender to the feds, which he did early this morning. Also charged was Manafort's partner and friend Rick Gates. The filing includes twelve counts, among them conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, and making false statements. <a href="https://www.justice.gov/sco">The actual indictment, unsealed just hours ago, can be viewed here.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>"Dossier" Firm In Spotlight<br /> </em></strong><br /> Fusion GPS, the dirt-digging opposition research firm founded by former Wall Street Journal reporters, has been at the center of the discredited anti-Trump "dossier," which was paid for in part by the Clinton campaign and the Democratic Party. Fusion has been fighting attempts by investigators to access its bank records, <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/russia-trump-campaign-fusion-gps-christopher-steele-dossier-congress-robert-mueller-a8026516.html">but now an agreement has apparently been reached</a>. The House Intelligence Committee and Fusion GPS have come to some compromise, the details of which have not been disclosed.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Wounded Soldier's Wife to Testify Against Bergdahl<br /> </em></strong><br /> This will likely be a very emotional day at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/10/30/wounded-soldiers-wife-expected-to-testify-against-bergdahl.html">where Bowe Bergdahl is being sentenced for desertion and misbehavior before the enemy</a>. One of the witnesses will be Shannon Allen, whose husband Mark suffered a traumatic brain injury while searching for Bergdahl in Afghanistan in 2009. Mark Allen was shot in the head during that mission and is now confined to a wheelchair, unable to speak.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>One Nation, Very Divisible<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.newsmax.com/Politics/poll-vietnam-america-divided/2017/10/28/id/822651/">A new survey reveals that most Americans believe the country is every bit as divided</a> as it was during the tumultuous Vietnam years. Older Americans who lived through the 1960s are most concerned about the current state of the nation.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Team Kneels En Masse<br /> </em></strong><br /> With only a few exceptions, nearly every member of the Houston Texans <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video?chartID=554">took a knee during the National Anthem prior to yesterday's game in Seattle.</a> They were protesting their owner, Bob McNair, who had referred to players as "inmates." McNair apologized profusely and said his remark was not meant to be taken literally.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Emergency NFL Meeting This Week<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-players-coalition-working-to-set-date-location-for-a-meeting-this-week/">NFL players have called for a special meeting with commissioner Roger Goodell</a> and other key figures in the ongoing controversies. They want to talk about the Houston Texans incident and the league-wide protests, which are now in their eighth week. Colin Kaepernick, the unemployed quarterback who started all of this when he took a knee last year, is said to be eager to get involved.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Takes A Big Hit<br /> </em></strong><br /> The NFL is paying a huge price for the ongoing chaos, which is widely perceived as un-American and unpatriotic. <a href="http://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/2017/10/26/positive-views-nfl-down-18-points-since-2013-fox-news-poll.html">According to a Fox News poll</a>, the league's favorable rating has declined by a whopping 18 points over the past four years. Meanwhile, the NFL's negative ratings have soared by 22 points over the same period. The league has especially alienated Republicans and white men, the very people who voted for Donald Trump.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>JFK Files Show CIA's Determination to Kill Castro<br /> </em></strong><br /> The recently-released papers related to the Kennedy assassination are not giving much sustenance to conspiracy theorists, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2017/10/30/what-did-the-jfk-files-tell-us-about-u-s-covert-actions/?utm_term=.a3049ca6a9ac">but they do serve as a reminder of the CIA's obsession with Fidel Castro</a>. It has long been known that the agency considered various assassination plots, some of them downright ridiculous. Researchers are now confirming that the CIA worked with Mafia dons to get rid of the Cuban communist dictator, who was a constant thorn in the USA's side.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>More JFK Files to Come</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/trump-jfk-twitter-files/2017/10/28/id/822669/">President Trump vows that he will soon release all the JFK papers</a>, including those that were held back last week due to security concerns. The president says some names will be redacted, but affirms that the information will "put any and all conspiracy theories to rest."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Yale "Decolonizes" English Dept.<br /> </em></strong><br /> Thanks to politically correct campus tyrants, an English major will now be able to graduate from Yale without reading a word of Chaucer and that Shakespeare fellow. <a href="https://www.thecollegefix.com/post/38303/">The Ivy League school has caved to pressure from students and faculty</a> who complained about studying long-dead white writers. Instead of Shakespeare, English majors can substitute a course that includes Ngugi wa Thiong'o. Never heard of that Kenyan writer? Well, you can learn more if you enroll your son or daughter and pay the annual cost of about $70,000.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>From Ridiculous to Downright Sad<br /> </em></strong><br /> A Virginia church in which George Washington himself frequently knelt in prayer <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/oct/27/washington-lee-memorials-to-be-removed-from-church/">is removing a plaque that honors the Father of Our Country</a>. Christ Church in Alexandria contends that Washington's ownership of slaves make him unworthy of the plaque. Using that special PC language, church officials say they want to provide a "welcoming" space for everyone who visits and worships at the church.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sanctuary Cities, MS-13 Dominate VA Governor Race<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/30/sanctuary-city-issue-propels-gillespie-in-virginia-governors-race-offering-window-into-2018.html">There is a major gubernatorial election coming up in Virginia</a>, where Republican Ed Gillespie has apparently caught up with Democrat Ralph Northam. Gillespie has spent much of his time and campaign cash hammering Northam on sanctuary cities and the dangers posed by the ultra-violent MS-13 gang. <br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xfvOLr7PXFo?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Kevin Spacey Hit With Pedophilia Allegation<br /> </em></strong><br /> Actor Anthony Rapp, now 46 years old, alleges that Kevin Spacey tried to seduce him when he was just 14. Spacey claims to have no memory of the encounter, <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/actor-kevin-spacey-declares-lives-life-gay-man-051543821.html">but nevertheless issued an apology</a> for what he admitted may have been "deeply inappropriate drunken behavior." The allegation has led Spacey to reveal that he has had relationships with both men and women but is now choosing "to live as a gay man."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hollywood Lectures, Americans Yawn<br /> </em></strong><br /> The movie "Suburbicon," <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/weekend-box-office-george-clooneys-suburbicon-doa-jigsaw-heads-no-1-1052479">directed by George Clooney and starring Matt Damon</a>, was yet another Hollywood lecture on American racism and 1950s repression. It was demolished by critics and largely ignored by moviegoers. Anyone wishing to see the movie should probably get to a theater in a hurry, because it won't be around very long.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>"Amityville" No Halloween Treat for Weinstein<br /> </em></strong><br /> Another new release is the first offering from The Weinstein Company since the massive scandal surrounding the firm's founder. <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/10/29/first-weinstein-co-movie-post-harvey-scandal-grosses-just-742/">"Amityville: The Awakening" actually managed to make "Suburbicon" look like a smash hit</a>. The film opened in ten theaters Saturday and took in a whopping $742. Total! By our rudimentary and rusty math, that's an average of $74.20 per theater. If you're wondering how any movie could be so dreadful, here's the trailer, which may provide a clue:<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pCN3Ouo-Hys?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>
</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-10-30T15:05:00ZMueller's Initial Indictment Expected Tomorrow; CNN's Cozy Relationship With Fusion GPSBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Muellers-Initial-Indictment-Expected-Tomorrow;-CNNs-Cozy-Relationship-With-Fusion-GPS/-135318918750317630.html2017-10-29T14:38:00Z2017-10-29T14:38:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Sunday, October 29, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em><br />Mueller's Initial Indictment Expected Tomorrow<br /> </em></strong><br /> Special Counsel Robert Mueller, whose team of lawyers has been looking into Russian involvement in last year's election, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/grand-jury-approves-first-charges-mueller-s-russia-probe-report-n815246">will reportedly announce his first indictment tomorrow</a>. Although there has been no official announcement, some of Mueller's lawyers were spotted at the federal courthouse in DC on Friday, where they filed the requisite papers.<br /> <br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN's Cozy Relationship With Fusion GPS<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/10/28/cnns-undisclosed-ties-to-fusion-gps/">CNN correspondent Evan Perez is apparently extremely close to the founders of Fusion GPS</a>, the opposition research firm hired to dig up salacious dirt on politicians. Fusion is the company that created the notorious anti-Trump "dossier" that was funded in large part by the Clinton campaign and the Democratic Party. CNN, coincidentally or not, has been accused of treating Fusion GPS with kid gloves while regularly hammering President Trump.<br /><br /><br /><br /> <strong><em>A Primer On That "Dossier"<br /> </em></strong><br /> For anyone wishing to know more, much more, about the endlessly-discussed "dossier," <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/357581-clinton-trump-and-the-russia-dossier-what-you-need-to-know">The Hill has a comprehensive rundown</a> of what it contains, how it was funded, by whom it was compiled, and the shady role of some major Washington players. <br /> <br /> <br /><br /> <strong><em>Houston Astros Player Busted By PC Cops<br /> </em></strong><br /> Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel, now playing in the World Series, defected from Cuba's repressive regime just last year. This week he was introduced to America's repressive regime of political correctness. Gurriel, unaware of our (over?) sensitivities, <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/10/28/astros-yuli-gurriel-suspended-for-racist-gesture-but-not-right-now/">made a stupid anti-Asian gesture Friday night after blasting a home run off an Asian pitcher</a>. As punishment, he will be forced to sit out five games next season, meaning he will lose nearly $300,000 in salary. If it's a lesson in racial sensitivity, it sure is an expensive one.<br /> <br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Kneeling Baseball Player Busted By Real Cops<br /> </em></strong><br /> Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell garnered some much-wanted attention as the only major league baseball player to take a knee during the recent National Anthem protests. He is now garnering unwanted attention <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/bruce-maxwell-catcher-arrested-aggravated-assault-article-1.3596605">after being arrested for pointing a gun at a woman who was making a food delivery</a>. He has been arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct.<br /> <br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Emergency NFL Meeting Tomorrow<br /> </em></strong><br /> Houston Texans team owner Bob McNair ignited another racial controversy in the National Football League with his recent crack about "inmates running the prison." <a href="http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/21201419/houston-texans-players-protest-seahawks-game-wake-bob-mcnair-comment">The team is reportedly planning a pre-game protest today</a>, perhaps with the entire squad taking a knee. Meanwhile, players have called for a special meeting tomorrow in Philadelphia, <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/10/28/nfl-players-invite-goodell-mcnair-and-kaepernick-to-monday-meeting/">which will reportedly include McNair</a>, commissioner Roger Goodell, and unemployed quarterback Colin Kaepernick.<br /> <br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Catalonia: Spanish Loyalists Fight Back<br /> </em></strong><br /> There are two wildly opposed factions in the Spanish region of Catalonia and its largest city, Barcelona. While many Catalans are clamoring for autonomy and while the region has issued a "declaration of independence," <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41794087">others want to remain in the fold of Spain's central government</a>. Thus far the competing protests and demonstrations have been mostly peaceful, <a href="http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/872700/Catalan-crisis-supporters-violence-Spain-Puigdemont-Rajoy">but a few radicals on both sides are predicting violence</a> and promising a "fight to the death."<br /> <br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Juicy Dirt in JFK Files<br /> </em></strong><br /> Researchers continue to sift through <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/10/27/jfk-docs-reveal-plot-to-take-out-castro-conspiracy-fears/">thousands of JFK-related documents that were made public</a> last week. The papers confirm long-alleged cooperation between the Kennedy-era CIA and mafia dons, who plotted to murder Fidel Castro. Another document claims, without corroborating evidence, that President Lyndon Johnson had once belonged to the Ku Klux Klan.<br /> <br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Maxine Mesmerizes Motown<br /> </em></strong><br /> Congresswoman Maxine Waters, reveling in her new role as the face of the anti-Trump resistance movement, <a href="http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2017/10/28/rep-maxine-waters-detroit-womens-convention/107112570/">spoke to a convention of women in Detroit this weekend</a>. She gave her usual rousing speech and had the ladies on their feet chanting, "Impeach 45, Impeach 45." Frequently named one of the most corrupt members of Congress, "Auntie Maxine" has nevertheless become the far left's favorite politician.<br /> <br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qqFDWCiMFqI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <br /><br /><strong><em>Resort for Plus-Sized Vacationers<br /> </em></strong><br /> The doors are wider, the beach chairs are doubly reinforced, and the buffets are never, ever skimpy. <a href="http://metro.co.uk/2017/10/24/holiday-resort-was-built-for-obese-people-7024791/">A resort in the Bahamas caters to people who are extremely obese</a> and aren't comfortable being surrounded by bikini-clad skinny folks. The resort comes with a big fat price tag - $16,400 for six days – but rest assured that three hefty meals a day are included.<br /> <br /> <br /><br /> <strong><em>Retort for a Plus-Sized Lefty<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/10/28/trump-slams-michael-moore-for-broadway-bomb.html">President Trump is having some fun with left-wing agitator Michael Moore</a>, whose one-man Broadway show has not been bowling over audiences. The president felt obligated to point out that the production was a "TOTAL BOMB and was forced to close." Moore's show, which was widely panned by critics, closed last week after disappointing at the box office. Even the New York Times called the show "shaggy and self-aggrandizing." Actually, that sounds like a description of its writer and star!<br /> <br /> <br /><br /> <strong><em>White Supremacists' Epic Fail in Tennessee<br /> </em></strong><br /> There was supposed to be a "White Lives Matter" rally in Murfreesboro, Tennessee this weekend, but it <a href="http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2017/10/28/white-lives-matter-rally-murfreesboro-tn-live-updates-shelbyville-tn-stream-video/804380001/">was called off due to lack of interest</a>. While a handful of white nationalists did show up, they were vastly outnumbered by counter protesters. There were no arrests, just a few Nazi salutes and lots of overtime pay for cops.<br /> <br /> <br /><br /> <strong><em>Trump Pal: No Tweets For You!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Donald Trump supporter and self-proclaimed provocateur <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2017/10/28/trump_adviser_roger_stone_has_been_permanently_banned_from_twitter.html">Roger Stone has reportedly been permanently banned from Twitter.</a> Stone spent much of his Friday evening sending profanity-filled messages about CNN and its erratic anchor Don Lemon. Stone was apparently set off when CNN reported that special counsel Robert Mueller is about to file charges.<br /> <br /> <br /><br /> <strong><em>But Will They Get An Employee Discount?<br /> </em></strong><br /> Walmart will soon be using <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-walmart-robots/wal-marts-new-robots-scan-shelves-to-restock-items-faster-idUSKBN1CV1N4?feedType=RSS&feedName=businessNews">robots to scan the shelves at many of its outlets.</a> The machines are able to move up and down the aisles and determine which items are in the wrong spot or need to be replaced. The retailer insists that the new technology will save human-variety employees time and energy, but will not cost any workers their jobs.<br /><br /><br /><br /> <strong><em>Man Spends Night Locked in Beer Cooler<br /> </em></strong><br /> A Wisconsin man named Jeremy Van Ert <a href="https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/4350872-wisconsin-man-got-locked-walk-beer-cooler-he-had-everything-he-needed-police-say">got locked inside a walk-in beer cooler at a convenience store last week</a>. He drank a beer, had a few cans of malt liquor, and waited until employees showed up the next morning. Unfortunately for Van Ert, he was on criminal probation at the time and police didn't buy his story that he was locked in the cooler "accidentally." He was arrested for theft and tossed in jail, where there is no beer, no malt liquor, and certainly no assurance of being freed when employees show up in the morning.</p>
<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>
</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-10-29T14:38:00ZCrisis in Spain Threatens to Explode; Tax Plan Coming Next WeekBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Crisis-in-Spain-Threatens-to-Explode;-Tax-Plan-Coming-Next-Week/-862494282116853794.html2017-10-27T14:21:00Z2017-10-27T14:21:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, October 27, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Great Economic News This Morning<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump has maintained that the U.S. economy should be growing at an annual rate of 3% or more. <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/10/27/economy-grew-brisk-3-q-3-despite-hurricanes/804949001/">That's exactly what happened in the third quarter</a>, according to Commerce Department stats released this morning. Most economists had expected an annual GDP growth rate of 2.6%, but in fact it came in at 3%. That follows a 3.1% growth rate in the second quarter.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Tax Plan Coming Next Week<br /> </em></strong><br /> Tax reform is plowing ahead in both the House and Senate, even though the details of the plan are extremely sparse. That is expected to change next week when Republicans, as the saying goes, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/357417-the-memo-trump-tax-reform-nears-crunch-time">put some meat on the bones of the tax proposal.</a> The GOP and its allies insist that the plan will benefit working Americans, while Democrats, as always, are denouncing "tax cuts for the rich." President Trump hopes to enact the first major overhaul of the byzantine tax system in 30 years.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Some JFK Documents Delayed<br /> </em></strong><br /> Nearly 3,000 previously-secret documents relating to the JFK assassination were released as scheduled yesterday. But President Trump, under pressure from the FBI and CIA, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/26/delayed-release-jfk-records-causes-backlash.html">agreed to withhold hundreds of other records.</a> Those documents, referred to by some as "the good stuff," will undergo an additional review that could last up to six months.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>President Trump Speaks About Alcoholic Brother<br /> </em></strong><br /> Fred Trump Jr., the president's deceased older brother, was described by the New York Times as "handsome, gregarious, and self-destructive." Fred was just 43 years old when he died from alcohol-related health issues in 1981. Yesterday, while talking about the opioid crisis in America, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">President Trump spoke movingly about his brother's alcoholism and the "profound impact" it had on him.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>SecDef Mattis in South Korea, Looking North <br /> </em></strong><br /> Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis is visiting with our South Korean allies and <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles/mattis-talks-diplomacy-on-north-korea-ahead-of-trumps-asia-tour-idUSKBN1CW04W">discussing how to broker a lasting peace with the rogue regime to the North</a>. "Our goal is not war," the Pentagon head declared. Mattis' boss, the less diplomatic commander-in-chief, heads for Asia next week on a trip that will include a stop in South Korea and a meeting there with President Moon Jae-in.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Crisis in Spain Threatens to Explode<br /> </em></strong><br /> Most citizens in the Catalonia region of Spain want their complete independence, <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-politics-catalonia/spain-set-to-impose-direct-rule-in-catalonia-as-crisis-spirals-idUSKBN1CW0VF?il=0">but the Spanish government adamantly insists that is not about to happen</a>. National leaders in Madrid are now indicating that they are prepared to take full control of Catalonia, while Catalan separatists hint that they may issue a declaration of independence. This is considered the most dire Spanish crisis in recent memory, with no peaceful and mutually-agreeable solution in sight.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>ESPN Suffers Another Blow<br /> </em></strong><br /> ESPN has already jettisoned more than 100 employees, <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/10/26/espn-bracing-for-another-round-of-widespread-layoffs/">but more layoffs are reportedly imminent</a>. The sports network, which has at times drifted far afield into left-wing advocacy, has been hit hard by the combination of vanishing subscribers and huge outlays for live NFL and NBA games. The next round of layoffs is expected later this year.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Belittles Billionaire<br /> </em></strong><br /> Hedge fund manager Tom Steyer, a self-described environmentalist who made much of his fortune investing in coal, is spending $10-million on a crusade to impeach President Trump. The president hit back this morning, calling Steyer "wacky & totally unhinged." Steyer's pro-impeachment ad, which we posted earlier this week, is here:<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GXl8vRmLeJk?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Ralph Peters on Bergdahl<br /> </em></strong><br /> Military analyst Lt. Col. Ralph Peters has never been reluctant to opine on Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who is being sentenced after pleading guilty to desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/10/27/ralph-peters-bergdahl-sentencing-isnt-about-him-its-about-setting-example-for-any-future-traitors.html">Peters contends that life in prison would send a powerful message</a> to any future soldier who even considers leaving his post. In the process, Lt. Col. Peters also gets in a few shots at the left and President Obama.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dem Congressman Hails "President Hillary Clinton"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Democratic Congresswoman John Lewis, apparently determined to ignore the fact that Hillary Clinton lost the election last year, <a href="http://freebeacon.com/politics/john-lewis-wishes-happy-birthday-madame-president-hillary-clinton/">has wished a happy 70<sup>th</sup> birthday to "Madame President Hillary Clinton."</a> Lewis was among those members of Congress who boycotted President Trump's inauguration earlier this year. Had he attended, he might know that Hillary Clinton is now a private citizen.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Stunning, Unspeakable Inhumanity<br /> </em></strong><br /> Just-released surveillance footage <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/10/26/woman-gets-knocked-out-cold-bystanders-stop-to-take-selfies/">shows a man assaulting a woman in Pittsburgh</a>, knocking her out cold. Then, rather than come to the woman's aid, other "people" took photos while she was lying unconscious on the sidewalk. No one called 911 and at one point a young man actually laid down next to the woman to take a photograph.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Stunning, Unspeakable Inhumanity II<br /> </em></strong><br /> A beast named Joshua Gurto, accused of raping and killing a 13-month-old infant girl, <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/ohio-man-accused-rape-murder-13-month-old-girl-captured-article-1.3593003">was finally nabbed this morning in Pennsylvania</a> after being on the lam for three weeks. The victim was the daughter of Gurto's girlfriend; he has been charged with murder and rape.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Now, For Some Good News<br /> </em></strong><br /> Two women and their two dogs, after being lost at sea for nearly five months, were finally located this week <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/27/us/women-lost-at-sea-rescued-navy-trnd/index.html">and rescued by the United States Navy</a>. They had intended to sail from Hawaii to Tahiti, but strayed badly off course after their engine conked out. This video shows the moment the grateful women and their equally grateful pooches were rescued. Hey, you would bark too!<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GchrFFGOUDY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Saudi Arabia Grants Citizenship to Female Robot<br /> </em></strong><br /> Sure, it's a public relations stunt, <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/26/saudi-arabia-robot-citizen-sophia/">but a robot named Sophia has become a citizen of Saudi Arabia</a>. She/It appeared onstage in the Saudi capital of Riyadh without any head covering, making Sophia a first among equals in that repressive society. The life-like humanoid was created by American roboticist and entrepreneur David Hanson last year. Whether Sophia will be allowed to vote or drive are questions to be decided at a later date.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gWxRLA2BWkw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /><br /></p>
<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>
</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-10-27T14:21:00ZUranium One Informant Free to Testify; President Trump Invokes WatergateBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Uranium-One-Informant-Free-to-Testify;-President-Trump-Invokes-Watergate/534345631730280436.html2017-10-26T13:58:00Z2017-10-26T13:58:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Thursday, October 26, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Uranium One Informant Free to Testify<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Justice Department has announced that a much-talked-about FBI informant <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/357230-fbi-informant-in-obama-era-russian-nuclear-bribery-cleared-to-testify-before">is no longer under a gag order and can testify before Congress.</a> The unnamed man went undercover for the bureau and reportedly has in-depth knowledge about the deal that enabled Russia to gain control of American uranium. He was prevented from testifying previously because he had signed a nondisclosure agreement with the FBI during the Obama administration.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>President Trump Invokes Watergate<br /> </em></strong><br /> Just about every political scandal inevitably gets compared to Watergate, and the uranium deal is no exception. President Trump yesterday denounced the Uranium One as "Watergate, modern age." At least no one has thus far referred to it as "Uranium-gate."<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r_aPNkfs0Y0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>About That 'Dossier'<br /> </em></strong><br /> We are not sure when a report becomes the more exotic-sounding 'dossier,' but that's the word attached to the phony document that was released by BuzzFeed and then widely covered by the mainstream media. It turns out that the dossier, which contained all kinds of astounding and literally unbelievable gossip about Donald Trump, was actually paid for in part by the Hillary Clinton campaign and the Democratic Party. If you wish to know more, <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/453104/russia-dossier-story-clinton-lies-media-irresponsibility-democratic-moral-blindness">attorney and writer David French has a good recap of the sordid tale in the National Review.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mainstream Media Types Hammer Hillary<br /> </em></strong><br /> We know many in the media don't like Republicans, but they also don't like being lied to, even by their Democratic allies. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/357079-new-york-times-reporters-blast-dems-over-trump-dossier-funding-claims">New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Kenneth Vogel are incensed</a> after learning that they were repeatedly lied to by the Clinton campaign and its lawyers. Clinton apparatchiks had consistently assured reporters that their hands were clean and they had nothing to do with the fake dossier. Hell hath no fury like a reporter scorned!<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Clinton Campaign Finance Violations?<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Clinton Campaign and the Democratic Party, which paid for that fake "dossier," may have broken campaign finance rules. They disguised the payments, listing them as legal expenses and consulting fees, thus evading the usual disclosure requirements. A nonpartisan watchdog group called the Campaign Legal Center <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/oct/25/fec-complaint-accuses-clinton-dnc-violations/">has filed an official complaint with the Federal Election Commission.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump's GOP Enemies and Tax Reform<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump has been in a war of words, and a war of tweets, with several Republican senators, most notably Bob Corker of Tennessee and Jeff Flake of Tennessee, both of whom will not seek reelection. Some tax reform advocates <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/357231-trump-feuds-endangering-tax-reform">worry that all the Republican infighting could torpedo tax reform</a> and other issues on the president's agenda.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Where in the World Was Jesus Campos?<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/10/26/jesus-campos-reportedly-left-the-country-days-after-vegas-massacre/">Add still another strange twist to the Las Vegas massacre.</a> Mandalay Bay security guard Jesus Campos, who was shot and wounded that night, left the country soon after the attack and returned one week later. No one seems to know how long Campos was out of the country or how he got back and forth. The Clark County Sheriff's Office is not answering any questions regarding Campos and his mysterious trip.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Congresswoman Reports Death Threats<br /> </em></strong><br /> Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, the hat-wearing legislator who injected herself into the Gold Star family controversy and hammered President Trump in the process, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/357259-frederica-wilson-not-in-washington-due-to-threats-report">has not returned to Washington this week</a>. She has reportedly received death threats and has chosen to remain in Florida for the moment.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>JFK Assassination Document Release Today<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/26/final-trove-of-documents-to-offer-new-details-on-jfk-assassination.html">The National Archives is about to release the last batch of files</a> relating to the assassination of President Kennedy. In 1992, Congress determined that all records should be made public in exactly 25 years, which happens to be today. While some conspiracy theorists hope the papers will contain salacious new material, most observers are not expecting any bombshell revelations about Lee Harvey Oswald and what took place in Dallas.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Kate Steinle Murder Case Underway<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Police-witnesses-detail-aftermath-of-Steinle-12306492.php">The trial of Jose Ines Garcia Zarate has begun in San Francisco.</a> The Mexican national, who had been deported many times and kept returning to the USA, is accused of murdering Kate Steinle two years ago. Zarate admits that he stole the gun used in the killing, but claims the shooting was an accident. As you know, the murder ignited a national debate about immigration, border security, sanctuary cities, and the importance of "Kate's Law."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Former SEAL Weeps At Bergdahl Sentencing<br /> </em></strong><br /> Bowe Bergdahl admits that he deserted his post in Afghanistan in 2009. He has also pleaded guilty to misbehavior before the enemy <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2017/10/25/at-bergdahl-sentencing-former-navy-seal-sheds-tears-recounting-death-of-military-dog/?utm_term=.538542422411">and now faces sentencing at Fort Bragg in North Carolina</a>. One witness yesterday was former Navy Seal James Hatch, who was shot in the leg during the search for Bergdahl. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/The-End-of-a-Shameful-Saga/203962697312765835.html">Our staff column about the entire Bergdahl affair was posted this morning</a> here on BillOReilly.com.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>White House to Declare Opioid Health Emergency<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump is expected to <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/357256-trump-will-stop-short-of-declaring-national-emergency-on-opioids">declare a public health emergency regarding opioids</a>, which are said to kill more than 140 Americans every single day. By issuing the order, which falls short of declaring a national emergency, the administration will have more authority to fund treatment and to curb the free flow of prescribed narcotics. A presidential commission studying the crisis had advised the president to issue some kind of emergency declaration.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Game Two, An Affair To Remember<br /> </em></strong><br /> The World Series in baseball, which is the sport in which players stand respectfully during the National Anthem, is now tied at one game apiece. <a href="http://www.espn.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/84121/11-innings-eight-home-runs-and-one-wild-game-2-a-timeline-of-the-astros-improbable-victory">Last night's contest between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros</a> will go down in the record books as one of the most astonishing ever played. There were improbable late-inning heroics, bunches of home runs leaving Dodger Stadium, and a comeback that simply was not supposed to happen. The end result was a 7 - 6 Astros victory with the teams now moving to Houston for Friday's Game 3.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Kaepernick Expected At NFL Meeting<br /> </em></strong><br /> The next National Football League meeting, at which owners and players will discuss the ongoing protests, may include the player who started it all. A league spokesman says that <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/nfl-colin-kaepernick-invitation-next/2017/10/25/id/822113/">Colin Kaepernick will most likely be invited to attend and provide his input.</a> The NFL is desperately trying to find some solution to this controversy, which has led to a precipitous decline in attendance and TV viewership.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Go Back to Bed, Universe Shouldn't Exist<br /> </em></strong><br /> Some very smart researchers have <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/10/25/the-universe-shouldnt-exist-according-to-science/">come to a conclusion that is literally earth-shattering</a>: The universe simply should not exist, at least according to science as we understand it. Their explanation, which involves matter and antimatter, may leave you asking whether anything matters.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Memo: Buy Earplugs For November 8<sup>th</sup><br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://insider.foxnews.com/2017/10/25/liberals-plan-scream-helplessly-sky-election-anniversary">Many liberals are reportedly planning to "scream helplessly at the sky" on November 8<sup>th</sup>.</a> That, of course, is the one-year anniversary of Donald Trump's stunning victory over Hillary Clinton. If you live in a red state, you are probably safe. But if you reside in a progressive enclave, even your liberal bubble won't protect you from the noise.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Rosie O'Donnell. She's Baaack!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former comic and talk show host Rosie O'Donnell, who long ago engaged in a very public feud with Donald Trump, now says has taken a great deal of <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/oct/25/rosie-odonnell-i-did-lot-therapy-after-trumps-elec/">therapy to face the reality of last year's election</a>, which she described as "a severe shock to my entire essence." In her first interview since Election Day, O'Donnell pondered whether she and the entire nation will be able to survive the Trump presidency.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>P.C. Madness Hits Cereal Boxes<br /> </em></strong><br /> Did you know that Kellogg's makes a cereal called Corn Pops? Did you know that the artwork on the package can elicit paroxysms of outrage from a politically correct extremist? It turns out that one man – one man! – <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/10/26/kelloggs-apologizes-for-lone-brown-corn-pop-on-cereal-box/?utm_term=.5b4a2896947b">noticed that a brown corn pop on the package was depicted as a janitor</a>. That, he declared, was "teaching kids racism." The cereal maker quickly issued what has become a standard apology: "Kellogg is committed to diversity & inclusion. We did not intend to offend." That statement could be described as pure pablum, which happens to be a very bland cereal for babies. Kind of like political correctness itself.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>
</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-10-26T13:58:00ZClinton Campaign's Dirty Tricks; Trump Describes Capitol Hill Lunch as "Love Fest"BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Clinton-Campaigns-Dirty-Tricks;-Trump-Describes-Capitol-Hill-Lunch-as-Love-Fest/-977436367284618209.html2017-10-25T14:10:00Z2017-10-25T14:10:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Wednesday, October 25, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Clinton Campaign's Dirty Tricks<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Washington Post, NBC News, and other mainstream outlets are reporting that <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/clinton-campaign-dnc-helped-fund-research-became-infamous-trump-dossier-n814011">Hillary Clinton's campaign and the Democratic National Committee</a> paid for opposition research that led to the infamous "dossier" containing false allegations about Donald Trump. The much-hyped report included salacious claims about Trump that were debunked. The White House, <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/922977246360502272">via Sarah Sanders' Twitter account</a>, is already referring to this as the "real Russian scandal."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Describes Capitol Hill Lunch as "Love Fest"<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-senate-gop-meeting-was-a-love-fest-aside-from-jeff-flake-bob-corker/article/2638543">The president emerged from Tuesday's lunch with Senate Republicans</a> and described it as a great meeting that included standing ovations and effusive praise for his policies. President Trump says his team and his Republican allies are focused on creating and passing "the biggest tax cut in U.S. history."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Media Worship Anti-Trump Republican Senators<br /> </em></strong><br /> Meanwhile, Senators Jeff Flake and Bob Corker, both of whom will not be running for re-election, <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2017/10/25/nets-fawn-over-retiring-flake-slamming-trump-downplay-likely">have become the media's very favorite Republicans</a>. It's easy to do – you only have to get up on the Senate floor and forcefully denounce President Trump. According to their newfound media fans, the renegade senators are "speaking truth to power."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>President Fights Back, Of Course<br /> </em></strong><br /> Never one to take attacks laying down, even when the clock reads 4:00 AM, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/923149037523566592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fnews%2Fpost-politics%2Fwp%2F2017%2F10%2F25%2Ftrump-punches-back-at-flake-and-corker-claims-a-love-fest-of-support-in-senate%2F">President Trump jumped on Twitter this morning</a> and hit back at Senators Flake and Corker, saying they had "zero chance of being elected." He does have a point in that the senators would have faced tough primary challenges in their respective states.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN's Lemon Defends His "Hysteria"<br /> </em></strong><br /> CNN host Don Lemon, who recently broke into tears on the air, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">got into a spirited debate this week</a> with Christopher Ruddy, the CEO of Newsmax. Lemon, relying heavily on the term "shiny object," did his usual Trump-bashing and added, "I should be hysterical."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dems to Oppose Tax Reform<br /> </em></strong><br /> House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi is licking her proverbial chops at the prospect of Republican failure on tax reform. <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/24/democrats-tax-reform-house-trump-244121">She and other powerful Democrats apparently have no intention of cooperating with the GOP</a>, believing that another Republican debacle on a major issue will give Democrats the House and once again make Pelosi the Speaker.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Saudi Arabia Vows "A More Moderate Islam"<br /> </em></strong><br /> The most doctrinaire nation in the Arab-Muslim world, Saudi Arabia, now says it is prepared to combat extremist ideologies <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/25/saudi-arabia-promises-a-return-to-moderate-islam.html">and chart a "more moderate" path.</a> Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Saudi Arabia's king have become tougher on religious extremists, allowed the first music concerts in decades, and even given women the right to drive a car.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>A Billionaire's Impeachment Campaign<br /> </em></strong><br /> Tom Steyer, a California hedge fund billionaire and self-proclaimed environmentalist who made much of his fortune by investing in coal, is spending $10-million on a campaign that demands President Trump's impeachment. The crusade relies heavily on TV ads in which Steyer himself lays out the case for ousting the president he describes as "mentally unstable."<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GXl8vRmLeJk?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>New Las Vegas Timeline<br /> </em></strong><br /> There has been an ongoing debate about what happened, and when, on that horrible Sunday night in Las Vegas. <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-new-york-times-develops-timeline-las-vegas-shooting/">The New York Times, calling on military experts and audio recordings, has developed a new timeline</a> claiming that Mandalay Bay security guard Jesus Campos was shot and wounded about one minute after Stephen Paddock began his attack on the crowd below. Law enforcement authorities had insisted that Campos was shot six minutes before Paddock began his massacre. The new analysis also concludes that more than 900 rounds were fired into the crowd.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sandy Hook Killer a Pedophile?<br /> </em></strong><br /> The FBI has released a trove of documents related to Adam Lanza, who massacred school children in Newtown, Connecticut five years ago. The papers are largely blacked out, but there is evidence that the <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/10/25/sandy-hook-killer-adam-lanza-had-sex-interest-in-kids-fbi-documents-show.html">troubled 20-year-old killer had a sexual interest in young children</a>. Lanza murdered 20 first-graders and six staff members before committing suicide.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NAACP's Feud With American Airlines<br /> </em></strong><br /> According to the NAACP, there has been a "pattern of disturbing incidents reported by African-American passengers" on board American Airlines. The left-wing organization <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2017/10/25/naacp-warns-african-americans-about-flying-on-american-airlines.html">is actually advising black Americans to be cautious</a> about booking flights with American. The airline responded that it proudly serves "customers of all backgrounds."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Russia Scandal, Another Special Counsel?<br /> </em></strong><br /> Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, chair of the Judiciary Committee, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/10/24/grassley-calls-for-special-counsel-in-uranium-one-deal/">wants the Justice Department to appoint another special counsel</a>. This proposed investigation would look into the complex Uranium One deal, which led to Russian control of much of America's uranium stockpile and great riches for the Clinton Foundation.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Unbearable Ignorance of College Students<br /> </em></strong><br /> Some not-very-bright students at the University of Wisconsin <a href="http://dailysignal.com/2017/10/24/university-of-wisconsin-students-protest-abraham-lincoln-statue-because-he-owned-slaves/">are objecting to a statue of Abraham Lincoln</a>. While most of us think of "the great emancipator" as the president who freed the slaves, these students believe he was actually a slaveholder himself. Then again, they are following the lead of JoAnne Kloppenburg, a top judge in Wisconsin, <a href="http://archive.jsonline.com/blogs/news/371456811.html">who also asserted that President Lincoln owned slaves</a>. Maybe there's something in the water in Wisconsin. Or the cheese.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bad Poll for the President<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/357035-majorities-in-new-poll-see-trump-as-reckless-not-honest">According to a new survey</a>, most Americans consider President Trump to be reckless and not honest, which is never good news for any chief executive. A bare majority also described the president as "not compassionate" and "thin skinned." Nevertheless, President Trump's approval rating, at least according to this poll, is holding firm at 42%, with 77% of Republicans giving him high grades.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>But He's Doing Great Compared With Michel Temer<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump's approval ratings may be low, <a href="https://www.axios.com/most-unpopular-leaders-world-trump-2500850404.html">but he's a political superstar compared to the leaders of Venezuela, South Africa, and Brazil.</a> A research group analyzed the popularity of presidents and prime ministers in some large countries, and found that Brazil's Michel Temer has an approval rating of 3%, which is about the same as mosquitoes, screaming babies, and Kathy Griffin. What did Michel Temer do to earn his 3% approval rating? You can start with corruption and then add an uncanny ability to alienate just about every segment of the Brazilian population.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>More Clinton Emails to Come?<br /> </em></strong><br /> The watchdog organization Judicial Watch has been dogged in its pursuit of information relating to Hillary Clinton's emails. <a href="https://pjmedia.com/trending/judicial-watch-state-dept-still-sitting-motherlode-clinton-emails/">The group now reveals that the State Department is sitting on another 72,000 pages</a> of Mrs. Clinton's records and is still sifting through them. Only a handful of the emails have been released to the public.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Obama Aide to Testify<br /> </em></strong><br /> Ben Rhodes, the failed novelist who became President Obama's trusted national security advisor, is set to <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/10/24/obama-aide-ben-rhodes-to-testify-on-unmasking-before-intel-committee/">testify today before the House Intelligence Committee</a>. The committee is investigating the "unmasking" scandal in which so many Americans, whose names were supposed to be kept private, were identified by members of the Obama administration.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>$1-Million Book Deal For Kaepernick<br /> </em></strong><br /> Unemployed quarterback Colin Kaepernick will <a href="https://pagesix.com/2017/10/24/colin-kaepernick-lands-million-dollar-book-deal/">reportedly receive more than $1-million for writing a book</a>. It was Kaepernick, of course, who started the entire NFL controversy when he started protesting during the National Anthem last year. One challenge, of course, will be learning how to type while taking a knee.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>
</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-10-25T14:10:00ZTrump, GOP Senators Meet Today; Bergdahl Sentencing Trial DelayedBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-GOP-Senators-Meet-Today;-Bergdahl-Sentencing-Trial-Delayed/-408540940576735092.html2017-10-24T14:35:00Z2017-10-24T14:35:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Tuesday, October 24, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Trump, GOP Senators Meet Today<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/356808-trump-goes-to-hill-seeking-gop-unity">President Trump heads to Capitol Hill today</a>, where he will have lunch with Republican Senators and search for some common ground. The president's most pressing goal is to get Congress to approve a tax reform bill, which is considered crucial to the GOP retaining power in Washington. Today's meeting is expected to include Senators John McCain and Bob Corker, both of whom have been engaged in very public, and occasionally nasty, feuds with the president.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Top Dem in Mueller's Crosshairs<br /> </em></strong><br /> Tony Podesta, whose brother John was Hillary Clinton's campaign boss, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/mueller-now-investigating-democratic-lobbyist-tony-podesta-n812776">is now being investigated by Special Counsel Robert Mueller</a>. The Podesta Group, a very well-connected Democratic lobbying firm, may have violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act when it worked for Ukraine during the Obama administration. The Russia probe gets curiouser and curiouser by the day.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump's Approval Rating Down<br /> </em></strong><br /> According to a new poll, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/356743-poll-trump-job-approval-dips-to-new-low">42% of Americans approve of President Trump's performance as president</a>, while 58% disapprove. That's a three-point decline since last month and reflects the president's unseemly feud with the Gold Star mother. Meanwhile, a poll of military personnel indicates that a <a href="http://www.newsmax.com/US/military-army-navy-marines/2017/10/23/id/821609/">plurality of active duty troops views the president favorably</a>. Most of his military support comes from enlisted men and women, while officers are less likely to approve of their commander-in-chief.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bergdahl Sentencing Trial Delayed<br /> </em></strong><br /> Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who pleaded guilty to desertion and misbehavior before the enemy, begins the sentencing portion of his trial this week. <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/trump-remark-sgt-bergdahl-delays-sentencing-article-1.3584898">His lawyers won a slight delay yesterday</a> when they argued that Bergdahl can't receive a fair hearing because of past comments made by President Trump. During his campaign, candidate Trump referred to the deserter as a "dirty rotten traitor" who should be shot.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Details Emerge on Niger Ambush<br /> </em></strong><br /> Four U.S. military men were killed earlier this month when they were ambushed in the African nation of Niger, where they were training local troops to fight Islamic radicals. The Pentagon has been stingy with details, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/caught-in-a-deadly-ambush-us-troops-in-niger-waited-an-hour-for-french-air-power-to-arrive/2017/10/23/0db1cea6-b834-11e7-be94-fabb0f1e9ffb_story.html?utm_term=.99c905f79c4a">but now Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Joseph Dunford</a> has laid out a timeline of what took place and exactly how the Americans were killed. The death of one soldier, Sgt. La David Johnson, led to the controversy involving President Trump's call to his widow.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN's Bizarre Commercial<br /> </em></strong><br /> With its prime time lineup being destroyed each and every night by its two cable news rivals, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">CNN is now running an that brings new meaning to 'strange.'</a> The spot, which stars an apple, is being perceived as a shot at President Trump, who regularly denounces CNN as "fake news."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Fewer Americans on Food Stamps<br /> </em></strong><br /> Reliance on food stamps, which soared during the Obama administration, <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/10/23/nearly-1-5-million-fewer-americans-food-stamps-trump/">is now on the decline</a>. According to the Department of Agriculture, about 1.5 million Americans have stopped receiving food stamps since President Trump's inauguration. The president's supporters credit his policies and a concerted effort by states to enact new work requirements.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary Clinton Cries "Baloney" on Uranium Reports<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Hill has been reporting on a very suspicious deal brokered early in the Obama administration, during Hillary Clinton's tenure as Secretary of State. The administration allowed a Russian-owned company to control some 20% of America's uranium supply. Coincidentally or not, the company's officials donated $145-million to the Clinton Foundation and Russia paid Bill Clinton $500,000 for a single speech. Asked about it yesterday, <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/356793-clinton-pushes-back-on-russian-uranium-deal-reports-baloney">Hillary Clinton dismissed the reports as "the same baloney they've been peddling for years."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Owner Admits League is "Suffering"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who has demanded that his players stand for the National Anthem, says the <a href="http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/article180344236.html">National Football League is "suffering negative effects from these protests."</a> Jones, a former running back at the University of Arkansas, has owned the team for nearly 30 years. His critics have accused him of treating his players as if they were slaves on a plantation.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>MSNBC Catches Illegals in the Act<br /> </em></strong><br /> An MSNBC crew was in California interviewing a Border Patrol agent about proposed new walls and fences. And then, right on cue, three illegal immigrants hopped over the existing wall, which is much shorter than the barriers that President Trump has promised. "That is the reality of everyday border enforcement," the agent explained to the befuddled reporter.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JRAv-aQJ3Z0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NYC Illegals Sought for Assault and Sexual Abuse<br /> </em></strong><br /> New York City, run by off-the-charts leftist Mayor Bill de Blasio, is very proud of its sanctuary city status. But that comes with a heavy price tag, <a href="https://townhall.com/tipsheet/timothymeads/2017/10/21/ice-arrests-5-illegal-aliens-including-one-wanted-for-sexual-abuse-after-nyc-refuses-to-cooperate-n2398490">as was proven again recently.</a> Federal immigration officials have arrested five illegal immigrants on charges of assault and sexual abuse. The suspects had committed crimes previously but the city refused to hand them over to federal authorities. Among the miscreants is an Indian national who had been arrested four times … and released four times.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Illegal Immigrant Outrage<br /> </em></strong><br /> Sreynuon Lunn, born in Thailand to Cambodian parents, has been convicted of numerous crimes since arriving in the United States. He was actually at the center of a case in which Massachusetts courts ruled that state and local authorities could not detain immigrants wanted by the feds. So in effect, Sreynoun Lunn's criminal activity turned Massachusetts into a sanctuary state. <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/oct/23/sreynuon-lunn-massachusetts-sanctuary-model-arrest/">Well, Lunn is in jail once again after slapping a wheelchair-bound woman and stealing her cash.</a> The much-arrested thief could be deported to Cambodia or Thailand, or he may once again be allowed to remain in the USA.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Rock-Throwing Teens Charged With Murder<br /> </em></strong><br /> 32-year-old Kenneth Andrew White, a construction worker in Michigan, was killed last week when a rock thrown from a highway overpass went through his windshield. <a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2017/10/five_teens_charged_with_second.html">Five teenage boys now face murder charges</a> and will be tried as adults. They threw rocks, some as large as 20 pounds, that hit multiple cars on the heavily-traveled I-75 freeway. After doing their deadly deed, the thugs went to chow down at a fast-food restaurant.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hawking's Ph.D. Thesis Crashes Servers<br /> </em></strong><br /> The publication "Properties of Expanding Universes" <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/10/23/559582380/stephen-hawkings-ph-d-thesis-crashes-cambridge-site-after-it-s-posted-online">is in such huge demand that it has crashed some servers at Cambridge University</a>. "Properties," the doctoral thesis written by the renowned Stephen Hawking back in 1965, was made available for on line yesterday and was downloaded by at least 60,000 curious readers. It is rumored that, of those 60,000, three or four people were actually able to understand what Hawking wrote.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Outrageous Prof Back to Teaching<br /> </em></strong><br /> Remember George Ciccariello-Maher, the hyphenated Drexel University professor who wished for "white genocide" and who blamed the Las Vegas massacre on "white supremacy?" The Philadelphia school placed him on administrative leave earlier this month, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/10/23/drexel-white-genocide-prof-back-teaching-but-only-online/">but he is now back to teaching courses online</a>. Drexel told The Daily Caller that Ciccariello-Maher will resume teaching two courses, and the congenial professor had this pithy comment: "F*** The Daily Caller." If you're thinking of sending your little one to Drexel, expect to shell out a little more than $70,000 each year.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Yikes, Tykes! The Machines Have Taken Over<br /> </em></strong><br /> A survey finds that an astounding <a href="https://www.axios.com/42-of-americans-under-8-have-their-own-tablet-2500697285.html">42% of children under the age of eight have their own tablet computer.</a> Only a few years ago, that number was less than 1%. Very young children are also far more likely than ever before to have access to video streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu. Hey, urchins, consider putting down the tablets and picking up "Give Please a Chance." Please!<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>This Little Piggy Went To Lab<br /> </em></strong><br /> Scientists in China have used genetic modification to <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/10/23/559060166/crispr-bacon-chinese-scientists-create-genetically-modified-low-fat-pigs">create pigs with far less body fat than regular swine</a>. The hope is that the little piggies, which burn fat far more efficiently than those other big fat pigs, will be less expensive for farmers to raise. Fortunately, the scientists insist that meat from the modified pigs will taste every bit as yummy as the normal variety. Pass the bacon. Please!<br /><br /></p>
<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>
</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-10-24T14:35:00ZB-52s On 24-Hour Alert; McCain Ridicules Trump's Military DefermentBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/B-52s-On-24-Hour-Alert;-McCain-Ridicules-Trumps-Military-Deferment/-155918921373212551.html2017-10-23T14:16:00Z2017-10-23T14:16:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Monday, October 23, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>B-52s On 24-Hour Alert<br /> </em></strong><br /> For the first time in a quarter-century, <a href="http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/10/23/sitrep-air-force-considering-b-52-nuke-alert-but-does-it-have-the-pilots/">America's fleet of nuclear-armed B-52</a> bombers may be placed on round-the-clock alert. Defense experts say that worldwide tension, especially with North Korea, could precipitate that move. The Air Force's chief of staff, four-star General David Goldfein, says the aging bombers could be put on alert because of the "reality of the global situation." Meanwhile, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/356619-air-force-responds-we-do-not-intend-to-recall-retired-pilots">the Air Force denies reports that a pilot shortage is forcing the recall of retired personnel</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>UK Foreign Secretary Sides With Trump<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/boris-johnson-warns-about-north-koreas-nuclear-threat-2017-10">In a speech this morning, Boris Johnson</a>, the United Kingdom's version of Secretary of State, lamented that North Korea is holding a "nuclear sword of Damocles" over the rest of the world. He added that President Trump has an "absolute duty" to protect the USA from nuclear attack. At the same time, however, Johnson sided with our own Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who advocates for more dialogue and diplomacy with Kim Jong Un's regime.</p>
<p><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Jimmy Carter: Send Me In, Coach!<br /> </em></strong><br /> 93-year-old former President Jimmy Carter says his bags are packed and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/oct/22/jimmy-carter-north-korea-donald-trump">he's ready to fly to North Korea to help broker a peace deal between Washington and Pyongyang</a>. Carter also told the New York Times that the media have been far tougher on President Trump than any other president in his lifetime. He excoriated the media, saying, "They feel free to claim that Trump is mentally deranged."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bergdahl's Former Colleagues To Testify<br /> </em></strong><br /> Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who pleaded guilty to desertion and misbehavior before the enemy, now faces the sentencing portion of his trial. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/23/wounded-us-soldiers-set-to-testify-before-bergdahls-sentencing.html">The proceedings begin today at Fort Bragg</a>, North Carolina, and will include testimony from at least one of the soldiers who were badly wounded while searching for Bergdahl in Afghanistan. The deserter recently told a British reporter that he was treated better by the Taliban than he has been since returning to the USA.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>McCain Ridicules Trump's Military Deferment<br /> </em></strong><br /> Senator John McCain, who has traded verbal shots with President Trump, is now literally hitting below the belt – <a href="http://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2017/10/22/john-mccain-mocks-donald-trumps-deferment-bone-spurs-without-naming-him/789051001/">aiming right at the president's 'bone spur,' in fact.</a> During an interview about the Vietnam War, McCain criticized wealthy Americans who "found a doctor that would say they have a bone spur." The president received five deferments during the war, including one for bone spurs in his heel.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Japan Election Lifts World Stocks<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-markets/victory-for-abenomics-lifts-world-stocks-dollar-idUSKBN1CR0X3">The stellar showing of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling party</a> has apparently had a salutary effect on world stock markets. His ruling coalition now has more than two-thirds of the seats in Parliament and he is on track to become the longest-serving prime minister in post-World War II Japan. Abe, a staunch ally of President Trump, said his first task is to deal with the threat from North Korea.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Soldier's Widow "Very Angry" With Trump<br /> </em></strong><br /> Myeshia Johnson, who received the phone call of condolence from President Trump last week, <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/fallen-soldiers-widow-angry-trumps-call-couldnt-remember/story?id=50655063">told ABC News this morning</a> that she was very upset because the president didn't remember her husband's name. This was the call that was overheard by hat-wearing Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, who is demanding an apology from the administration and has begun <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/22/politics/frederica-wilson-tweets-trump/index.html">claiming that the ambush in Niger is President Trump's Benghazi.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Russian Spies Targeted SecState Clinton<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/356630-fbi-watched-then-acted-as-russian-spy-moved-closer-to-hillary#.We1EVcvV-iI.twitter">According to The Hill and newly-released FBI documents</a>, Russian agents tried mightily to gain access to Secretary of State Clinton early in the Obama administration. In one instance, a female spy attempted to obtain information about the inner workings of the State Department before being caught and deported. All this occurred at around the same time that Bill Clinton was paid $500,000 for delivering a speech in Russia. According to one person close to the investigation, "the Russians had set their sights on Hillary Clinton's circle."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Protests Continue, Trump Responds<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nfl-players-national-anthem-protests-sunday-october-22/">About two two dozen NFL players protested during the National Anthem</a> in yesterday's games around the league. Some took a knee, while others sat on the bench or raised a clenched fist. President Trump, knowing a winning issue when he sees one, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/922430688703451136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fnfl-players-national-anthem-protests-sunday-october-22%2F">took to Twitter this morning to denounce</a> the players and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Meanwhile, police officers in Florida have responded to the protests <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/miami-dolphins-security-national-anthem-kneeling/2017/10/22/id/821360/">by reducing security at Hard Rock Stadium, home to the Miami Dolphins.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Empty Seats Abound Across NFL<br /> </em></strong><br /> The website Gateway Pundit has been inviting readers <a href="http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2017/10/nfl-hell-several-stadiums-nearly-empty-anthem-protest-backlash-rolls-week-7-photos/">to send in photos of less-than-full NFL stadiums</a>, and the pictures tell quite a story. As the season reaches the midway point, fans seem to be staying away in droves. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/nfls-first-six-weeks-sees-viewership-drop-2017-10">The story for the league is not much better when it comes to television viewers</a>, who really pay the players' massive salaries.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Meanwhile, That Other Football Flourishes in Atlanta<br /> </em></strong><br /> A full house of more than 70,000 soccer fans showed up yesterday <a href="http://www.espnfc.com/atlanta-united-fc/story/3236201/atlanta-united-sets-mls-attendance-records-for-single-season-and-game">in Atlanta to watch their beloved United team</a>, which has broken the league attendance record in its first season. This was the second time this year that Atlanta United drew more than 70,000 to the newly built $1.6-billion stadium, which opened two months ago.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>ESPN's Anti-Trumper Comes Clean<br /> </em></strong><br /> Jemele Hill, who was suspended for two weeks by ESPN after advising fans to boycott advertisers of the Dallas Cowboys, <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/us/espn-jemele-hill-suspension-trump/2017/10/21/id/821251/">now admits that she violated company policy</a> and deserved the suspension. She had previously called President Trump a "white supremacist," a term usually reserved for pundits on MSNBC. Hill now implies that she will be more careful when tweeting in the future.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump to Release JFK Documents<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump has announced that he <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/10/21/trump-vows-to-release-classified-jfk-files/">will authorize the release of documents</a> that have been under lock and key since the 1963 JFK assassination. The White House says the publication of the documents will ensure "full transparency." Most historians who have studied the murder are not expecting any major revelations when the papers are unveiled on Thursday.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sacre Bleu! France's First Dog Does a Number One in Palace<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Emmanuel Macron's pooch has been caught in the act. Newly-released, top-secret video shows Nemo, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41716115">a Labrador mix, urinating on a fireplace inside the Elysée Palace</a>. The rescued pup is named after Captain Nemo, the hero of Jules Verne's "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea." This Nemo, after his very non-heroic act, was promptly sent to bed without his usual ham and cheese croissant.<br /> <br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MvSkQavkLck?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>
</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-10-23T14:16:00ZSunday Briefing: Jimmy Carter: Send Me To North Korea; All Five Ex-Presidents On StageBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Sunday-Briefing:-Jimmy-Carter:-Send-Me-To-North-Korea;-All-Five-Ex-Presidents-On-Stage/963524309268327880.html2017-10-22T16:23:00Z2017-10-22T16:23:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Sunday, October 22, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Trump's Mandatory Sunday Morning Tweet<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/356585-trump-dem-lawmaker-gift-that-keeps-on-giving-for-the-gop">President Trump again went after hat-wearing Congresswoman Frederica Wilson this morning via Twitter</a>. The president tweeted, "Wacky Congresswoman Wilson is the gift that keeps on giving for the Republican Party, a disaster for Dems." <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/921709468055896064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwtop.com%2Fnational%2F2017%2F10%2Ftodays-trump-tweets%2F">This follows a Saturday tweet in which the president declared that Wilson "is killing the Democrat Party!"</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Jimmy Carter: Send Me To North Korea<br /> </em></strong><br /> He may be 93 years old, but <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-former-us-president-jimmy-carter-says-would-travel-to-north-korea-nyt-2017-10">former President Jimmy Carter is still eager to play a role in international diplomacy</a>. Carter, who visited Pyongyang in the 1990s, believes he can calm escalating tensions between Kim Jong Un and President Trump. The former president also warned that Kim Jong Un could do something unpredictable and dangerous if he believes the USA is ready to take military action.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Maxine Waters' Ominous Anti-Trump Threat<br /> </em></strong><br /> Maxine Waters, now in a tight race to be the #1 Trump-hating congresswoman, recently spoke at a charity event in New York City. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">A just-released video shows the lovely Waters</a> vowing to "go and take Trump out," a tahreat that elicited wild and prolonged applause from the liberal crowd.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>DNC Boss: Trump "Most Dangerous" Ever<br /> </em></strong><br /> Democrats seem to be competing to see who can say the most hateful things about the president of the United States. <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/democratic-chairman-trump-dangerous-president-50634892">Party chairman Tom Perez told fellow Dems yesterday</a> that President Trump is "the most dangerous president in American history." Never one to give a speech without at least some mild profanity, Perez added that the Democratic Party is "trying to get s*** done."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Understanding the Uranium One Scandal<br /> </em></strong><br /> Depending on whom you listen to, the Obama administration's 2009 uranium deal with Russia is either a massive scandal or much ado about very little. <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/452972/uranium-one-deal-obama-administration-doj-hillary-clinton-racketeering">Here is the view from conservative former federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy</a>, who believes the deal was an absolute disgrace that implicates President Obama, the Clintons, and their eponymous foundation. On the other side are those who say <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/online/the-media-is-justified-in-ignoring-the-russia-uranium-one-story-theres-nothing-there/">there is not even a smidgen of corruption in the Uranium One deal</a>. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Fellow Libs Hammer Maddow<br /> </em></strong><br /> MSNBC's Rachel Maddow is usually a favorite among progressives, <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/rachel-maddow-niger-travel-ban_us_59ea060fe4b05b4f1c3ad52f">but even they are distressed at her latest conspiracy theory</a> involving President Trump, Chad, and the death of four soldiers in Niger. According to Maddow's questionable logic, the president's proposed travel ban somehow played a role in the deadly ambush. It's a convoluted theory that took a well-deserved thrashing in even the most liberal media outlets.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Former NPR Boss Hits Media Bias<br /> </em></strong><br /> Ken Stern, once the CEO of National Public Radio, decided to venture into that foreign land known as Middle America. <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/10/21/the-other-half-of-america-that-the-liberal-media-doesnt-cover/">He is now writing about what he witnessed in flyover country</a> and how it clashed with his preconceived notions. Stern has actually written an entire book documenting his adventures outside of the "liberal bubble" in which he formerly resided.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump to Release JFK Documents<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump has indicated that <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/21/politics/trump-jfk-documents/index.html">he is fully prepared to allow the release of documents</a> that have been under lock and key since the 1963 JFK assassination. The White House says the publication of the documents will ensure "full transparency." Most historians who have studied the murder and the ensuing investigation are not expecting any earth-shattering revelations.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bergdahl Claims Taliban "More Honest" Than USA<br /> </em></strong><br /> Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who has pleaded guilty to desertion and misbehaving before the enemy, has spoken at length with a British reporter who was also a Taliban captive. Bergdahl, who has not yet been sentenced, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/21/deserter-bergdahl-says-taliban-more-honest-than-us-army.html">claims the Taliban dealt with him more honestly than the U.S. Army</a> since he was swapped for five Taliban commanders three years ago. The admitted deserter also groused that he has been dealing with "kangaroo courts and lynch mobs" in his military proceedings.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Alleged "Coup" in Catalonia<br /> </em></strong><br /> A high-ranking official in Catalonia is accusing the Spanish central government of engineering a "coup" against the region. Many Catalans, whose region includes Barcelona, want total independence from Madrid, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41713190">while the Spanish government is equally determined to keep Catalonia in the fold</a>. Spain's Prime Minister has announced plans to remove Catalonia's regional government and rein in the region's parliament.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>One Man's Desperate Plea for a Kidney<br /> </em></strong><br /> 74-year-old Wayne Winters of Utah wants to find a kidney donor for his beloved bride. <a href="http://fox13now.com/2017/10/18/utah-man-takes-to-the-street-to-find-organ-donor-for-wife-suffering-kidney-failure/">So he's walking the streets wearing a sandwich board that reads</a>, "Need Kidney 4 Wife." Deanne Winters has kidney failure and is now enduring painful dialysis. The loving husband has enjoyed widespread support, but that elusive and well-matched kidney donor has not yet stepped forward.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>All Five Ex-Presidents On Stage <br /> </em></strong><br /> There are five former presidents still alive and <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/10/22/559327489/5-living-ex-presidents-appear-on-stage-for-hurricane-relief-concert">all five of them came together last night in Texas</a> at a concert that raised money for hurricane victims. Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama were all there in person, while President Trump sent a video message to the crowd. The Fab Five had not been together since 2013, when they were also in Texas for the dedication of the younger Bush's presidential library.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Murderous Dictator Ousted as "Goodwill Ambassador"<br /> </em></strong><br /> What were they thinking? Or who was being bribed? The United Nations' World Health Organization actually named Zimbabwe tyrant and killer Robert Mugabe as its "goodwill ambassador" after praising Zimbabwe's commitment to public health. Faced with immediate scorn and outrage from around the world, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-41713919">WHO's boss soon rescinded the appointment</a>. All is not lost, though. Perhaps Mugabe can apply for a spot on the UN's Human Right's Council, which includes such freedom-loving nations as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Cuba.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sure-Fire, Can't-Miss World Series Prediction<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.covers.com/editorial/Article/c78b3967-b6e6-11e7-a97f-125516351e3a/Dodgers-hit-the-board-as-favorites-over-Astros-to-win-World-Series-betting-odds-matchup-preview-MLB">The Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros will square off in the World Series</a>, which begins Tuesday in LA. Both teams are loaded with great hitters and shut-down pitchers, but the Dodgers are slightly favored to win the best-of-seven championship series. One prediction is almost a lock: Not one player on either team will take a knee or otherwise disrespect the flag or the National Anthem. To paraphrase Tom Hanks in "A League of Their Own," there's no kneeling in baseball.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BHtgTSJHLv0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> </p>
<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>
</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-10-22T16:23:00ZGen. Kelly Takes Command; Hat-Wearing Congresswoman: 'I'm a Rock Star'BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Gen.-Kelly-Takes-Command;-Hat-Wearing-Congresswoman:-Im-a-Rock-Star/-97038913501831332.html2017-10-20T14:21:00Z2017-10-20T14:21:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Thursday, October 19, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Gen. Kelly Takes Command<br /> </em></strong><br /> Washington and much of the nation are still talking about White House Chief of Staff Gen. John Kelly, who spoke movingly yesterday and, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/19/john-kelly-brokenhearted-by-dem-reps-attacks-on-trump.html">in the process, demolished far-left Congresswoman Frederica Wilson</a>. The four-star Marine general, who lost a son in Afghanistan, said he was "stunned" when he learned that Wilson turned a military death into a political attack on President Trump. Kelly spent part of his off-the-cuff remarks explaining exactly what happens after a soldier is killed in action overseas.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hat-Wearing Congresswoman: 'I'm a Rock Star'<br /> </em></strong><br /> Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, the Trump-hating Democrat who got herself embroiled in the Gold Star family feud, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">is now basking in the attention she craved and received.</a> After uttering something about a dog barking at the moon, the multi-hatted Congresswoman said this: 'I have to tell my kids that I'm a rock star now!'<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Anti-Trump Media Keep the Story Alive<br /> </em></strong><br /> CNN, which seems to be on a crash diet aimed at losing viewers, is determined to keep this ridiculous story going as long as possible. This morning the <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/20/politics/frederica-wilson-donald-trump-gold-star-call-cnntv/index.html">network's very low-rated morning show invited the hat-wearing Congresswoman Wilson</a> to react to General Kelly's remarks. She accused the general of lying about her record and, of course, added that he is a "racist" for referring to her as an "empty barrel." As for how that phrase is racially charged, Congresswoman Wilson is keeping that under her hat for now.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>George W. Bush Issues Warning<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former President Bush gave a rare speech yesterday and <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/news/356212-george-w-bush-bigotry-seems-emboldened-in-us">spent much of it warning about the state of the nation, our values, and our divisive politics</a>. While he never mentioned President Trump by name, most observers believe Bush's denunciations of isolationism and nativism were directly aimed at the president.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Barack Obama Piles On<br /> </em></strong><br /> Just hours after President Bush criticized President Trump, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/obama-campaign-ralph-northam-phil-murphy-2017-10">President Obama also took some shots at what he called the "politics of division."</a> Obama's campaign speech for New Jersey's Democratic gubernatorial candidate also included a warning that some current leaders are "looking 50 years back" rather than forward. The Obama-worshipping Democratic crowd chanted, "Four More Years!" <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/19/obama-virginia-campaign-trail-ralph-northam-trump-243976">President Obama then headed to Virginia</a>, where he campaigned for another Democratic candidate and warned that "our democracy is at stake."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mandalay Bay Mystery<br /> </em></strong><br /> MGM, which owns the Mandalay Bay hotel and casino, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4996918/Hotel-insisted-Jesus-Campos-appear-Ellen-fearing-lawsuites.html#ixzz4vzVAuTNG">reportedly insisted that wounded security guard Jesus Campos appear only on "Ellen" and no other interview show</a>. They apparently wanted to avoid any tough questions that could alter the shifting timeline and perhaps open the company to even more lawsuits. Not coincidentally, some slot machines in the Mandalay Bay casino are adorned with images of Ellen DeGeneres.</p>
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<p><br /> <strong><em>Eureka! NY Times Hack Links Trump to Hitler<br /> </em></strong><br /> Times columnist Charles Blow, who eagerly attacks any Republican in sight, <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/452914/charles-blows-novel-idea-trump-hitler">is being ridiculed for his most recent column</a> in which he compares President Trump to that Hitler guy. Blow is about the 2,000<sup>th</sup> columnist to do the same thing, but he apparently believes that he has come up with something terribly original. Blow is the same columnist who <a href="https://legalinsurrection.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Twitter-@CharlesMBlow-Romney-magic-underwear1.jpg">once mocked Mitt Romney's Mormonism and "magic underwear."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NY Times Killed Weinstein Story in '04<br /> </em></strong><br /> Sharon Waxman, former entertainment correspondent for the New York Times, had the Harvey Weinstein story nailed down 13 years ago. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/356141-reporter-says-nyt-killed-her-2004-expose-on-weinstein-after-he-visited-editors">She now insists that her piece</a>, while not completely killed, was stripped of any sexual references and buried deep inside the paper. Waxman also reports that Harvey Weinstein himself, accompanied by powerhouse lawyer David Boies, visited the Times to speak with then-editor Bill Keller.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Senate Greases the Skids for Tax Reform<br /> </em></strong><br /> By a razor-thin 51-49 margin, <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/finance/356328-senate-narrowly-passes-2018-budget-paving-way-for-tax-reform">last night the Senate passed a budget for the coming fiscal year</a>, which will make it far easier to eventually pass tax reform. The budget was opposed by every Democrat and one lone Republican, libertarian-leaning Rand Paul of Kentucky. The House will likely pass the same bill, which will then go to President Trump for his signature.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>White Nationalist Silenced at U of FL <br /> </em></strong><br /> Security was tight yesterday at the University of Florida, <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/security-ramped-white-nationalist-richard-spencers-florida-event/story?id=50585570">where alt-right leader and provocateur Richard Spencer tried to speak on campus</a>. There were lots of protests, but little violence and just two arrests. Governor Rick Scott had declared an official state of emergency prior to Spencer's arrival. The self-described white nationalist was mostly drowned out by boos and obscene chants.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>More On Clinton & Uranium <br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/356323-bill-clinton-sought-states-permission-to-meet-with-russian-nuclear">The Hill has been covering the ever-more-suspicious tale</a> involving the Clinton Foundation, Russia, and a uranium deal approved by the Obama administration. It now seems that Bill Clinton requested a meeting with a Russian company involved in nuclear energy. The State Department, then run by his wife, approved the meeting, after which Bill Clinton received $500,000 for giving a speech in Moscow. All this transpired at around the same time that the Obama administration endorsed a deal that allowed the sale of large stockpiles of American uranium.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Bottom Line on NFL's Declining Ratings<br /> </em></strong><br /> Broadcasting rights to National Football League games have long been coveted by national TV networks, which pay the league billions of dollars for the privilege. But, with the exception of Monday Night Football on ESPN, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nfl-ratings-sliding-hit-tv-networks/">ratings are down significantly for NFL games this season</a>, no doubt in part because of many players' insistence on disrespecting the flag and National Anthem. Financial analysts warn that profits at Fox, CBS, and NBC are taking a major hit because of the vanishing viewers.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Team Owner: Trump is "Jealous"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Shad Khan, owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars, <a href="http://www.firstcoastnews.com/sports/nfl/jacksonville-jaguars/jacksonville-jaguars-owner-shad-khan-donald-trump-jealous-of-nfl-amid-failure-to-buy-team/484474866">claims he knows the real reason for President Trump's anti-NFL pique</a>. According to Khan, Trump failed in an attempt to buy the Buffalo Bills a few years back and is now engaged in a vendetta against the league. Khan, a Pakistan-born billionaire who has been described as the "face of the American Dream," went on to denounce the president on other issues far more serious than football.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Report: North Korean Officials Watch "Morning Joe"<br /> </em></strong><br /> According to an NBC correspondent who spoke with North Korean officials, the leaders of that rogue nation <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/356201-nbc-news-correspondent-senior-north-korean-officials-watch-morning-joe">rely on MSNBC's Morning Joe for their views of America and President Trump</a>. It's not surprising that they consider Trump "mentally ill," since Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski and their motley crew feel pretty much the same way. Considering that there are only about three functioning television sets in North Korea, Morning Joe no doubt enjoys a massive audience share and it may be the only place on the planet where people actually take Mike Barnicle and Donny Deutsch seriously.</p>
<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>
</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-10-20T14:21:00ZA Disgusting War Over Gold Star Families; Gen. Kelly Defends PresidentBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/A-Disgusting-War-Over-Gold-Star-Families;-Gen.-Kelly-Defends-President/723330616897801900.html2017-10-19T14:47:00Z2017-10-19T14:47:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Thursday, October 19, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>A Disgusting War Over Gold Star Families<br /> </em></strong><br /> Presidents often call families after members of the military have been killed in battle. The tradition has never been politicized until this week, and both sides have now taken to their battle stations. <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/anderson-cooper-trump-said-he-would-call-gold-star-widow-he-didnt-688250">Trump-hating CNN</a> is denouncing the president, as is their custom, for apparently not calling every single family. Meanwhile, Trump-friendly <a href="http://nation.foxnews.com/2017/10/19/lowly-liberals-manipulate-gold-star-families-war-trump">Fox News blames Democrats for "weaponizing" the issue</a> and using it as a bludgeon against the president. Both sides are shamelessly trotting out grieving widows and parents who support their versions of this ridiculous narrative. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/356090-trump-promised-25k-to-father-of-fallen-soldier-but-didnt-follow">The latest example is Chris Baldridge</a>, whose son was killed in Afghanistan, and who now says President Trump reneged on a promise to send him a $25,000 check.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Gen. Kelly Defends President<br /> </em></strong><br /> This entire controversy picked up steam yesterday when a Democratic Congresswoman accused President Trump of being "insensitive" when he called the widow of Sgt. La David Johnson, who was killed in Niger. But White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, whose son was killed in Afghanistan <a href="http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/john-kelly-donald-trump-remarks-army-widow/2017/10/18/id/820614/">and who was in the room during the call, says the president's condolences were totally appropriate</a>. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hypocrisy of Hat-Wearing Harridan<br /> </em></strong><br /> Flamboyant Democratic Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, who made the talk show rounds yesterday to accuse President Trump of disrespect towards the military, has a very interesting voting history. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/19/florida-democrat-wilson-no-friend-veterans-vote-record-shows.html">Records show that she has very often voted against bills that were intended to help vets and their families. </a> One of the bills she opposed ensured that families of soldiers killed in Afghanistan would receive death and burial benefits.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bergdahl Lawyers Throw Hail Mary Pass<br /> </em></strong><br /> Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl has already pleaded guilty to desertion and misbehavior before the enemy, <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/defense/356049-bergdahl-lawyers-renew-efforts-to-have-case-tossed-over-trump-comments">but his lawyers are making one final appeal for their client</a>. The attorneys claim that President Trump's harsh criticism of Bergdahl make it impossible for him to get a fair shake at his upcoming sentencing. During the campaign, Trump described Bergdahl as a "no-good traitor who should have been executed."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Hits Media on Russia/Uranium Deal<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Hill has been all over a story involving kickbacks, bribery, and collusion with Russia during the Obama administration. According to the reports, Russia was given access to a large amount of American uranium and then, possibly as part of a quid pro quo, the Russians funneled money to Bill Clinton and the Clinton Foundation. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/356161-trump-uranium-deal-with-russia-biggest-story-that-fake-media-doesnt">President Trump has now weighed in, calling this "the biggest story that Fake Media doesn't want to follow."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>McCain Blows His Stack<br /> </em></strong><br /> Some observers have wondered whether Senator John McCain is opposing various Trump initiatives because of personal animus. But when Fox News' Peter Doocy asked McCain about that yesterday, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">the senator angrily responded by berating both questioner and the question.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Sued by Family of Aaron Hernandez<br /> </em></strong><br /> Just in case the National Football League doesn't have enough problems, here's a new one. The family of Aaron Hernandez, a standout tight end for the New England Patriots before being convicted of murder, claims he <a href="http://people.com/crime/aaron-hernandez-suffered-a-chaotic-and-horrendous-existence-his-estate-says-in-new-lawsuit/">suffered from degenerative brain disease caused by repeated hits</a>. The player's estate is suing both the NFL and the maker of its helmets, saying they are responsible for his "chaotic and horrendous existence." Hernandez hanged himself in his jail cell this past April.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Kaepernick Endorses Anti-NFL Tweets<br /> </em></strong><br /> After the NFL's meeting yesterday, out-of-work quarterback Colin Kaepernick shared some tweets that savaged the league and commissioner Roger Goodell. <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/10/18/kaepernick-fires-back-at-roger-goodell-without-opening-his-mouth/">The messages Kaepernick endorsed and passed along accused the NFL of being complicit in perpetrating</a> "white supremacy" by avoiding the subject of police brutality against "unarmed black and brown people." <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Senate Committee Queries Former Trump Aide<br /> </em></strong><br /> Corey Lewandowski, who managed Donald Trump's nascent presidential campaign, <a href="http://www.newsmax.com/Politics/corey-lewandowski-senate-inteligence-russia-meddling/2017/10/18/id/820637/">was interrogated by staff members of the Senate Intelligence Committee yesterday</a>. Other Trump campaign aides have already been questioned by the committee, which is still looking into allegations that Russia influenced last year's presidential election.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Career Thug's Shooting Spree<br /> </em></strong><br /> Radee L, Prince, who has a lengthy record of theft and violence, <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/harford/aegis/ph-ag-edgewood-shooting-20171018-story.html">shot six people yesterday in Delaware</a>, three of whom died. After a multi-state manhunt and chase, Prince was caught and taken into custody. His murder spree began at the workplace where he had been employed as a machine operator for the past four months.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>ACLU Enters Bathroom Fray<br /> </em></strong><br /> Lawmakers in Montana are pushing for legislation that will require individuals to use bathrooms and locker rooms that correlate with the sex listed on their birth certificates. <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/10/18/aclu-sues-to-stop-initiative-that-would-make-people-use-bathrooms-according-to-birth-sex/">But the ACLU has filed suit</a>, claiming the proposal is a gross violation of transgenders' civil liberties. The bill's sponsors simply claim this: "High school girls shouldn't be forced to shower in front of a boy, even if he does think he's a girl."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Jefferson Davis Out, Barack Obama In<br /> </em></strong><br /> The elite Davis International Baccalaureate Elementary School, a magnet school in Jackson, Mississippi, is named after the infamous Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy. But not for long! Students, teachers, and parents have voted to rename the school, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/10/19/mississippi-school-named-after-jefferson-davis-to-be-renamed-after-obama.html">whose students are almost all black, in honor of Barack Obama</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>U. of Florida Preps for White Supremacist<br /> </em></strong><br /> University of Florida president Kent Fuchs <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/10/19/university-florida-president-richard-spencer/779149001/">is issuing stark warnings about Richard Spencer</a>, the self-proclaimed white nationalist who will speak at the university today. School administrators accuse Spencer of intentionally fomenting violence in order to attract supporters to his alt-right movement. There are stringent security measures in place and attendance will be limited to 700 people.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Border Wall Designs Unveiled<br /> </em></strong><br /> Border Patrol officials will soon <a href="http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/border-issues/2017/10/18/first-look-8-possible-versions-president-donald-trump-border-wall/747998001/">unveil eight different prototypes for President Trump's proposed wall along the Mexican border</a>. Half are made of concrete, the others include other materials. As the deadline for completing the samples approaches, five of the designs have already been finished. The walls are 30-feet high, so you can expect border wall opponents to predict a sudden run on 31-foot ladders.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Three in Four Americans Fear A Major War<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.axios.com/72-percent-americans-fear-war-2498262178.html">A new poll shows that 72% of Americans worry that the USA will be engaged in a "major war"</a> within the next few years. Most of those fearing war believe the greatest threat comes from North Korea, with ISIS, Russia, China, and Iran also mentioned. 26% of Americans, whether they are optimistic or oblivious, are not worried about the prospect of war.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>GOP Senator "Frail and Disoriented"<br /> </em></strong><br /> According to Politico, whose reporter spoke briefly with Republican Senator Thad Cochran yesterday, the <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/18/thad-cochran-says-not-retiring-senate-243918">79-year-old Mississippian is frail and "at times disoriented."</a> Nevertheless, Cochran adamantly dismisses rumors that he may soon retire. The conservative heads the Senate Appropriations Committee, which allocates hundreds of billions of dollars to government agencies.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mass Killings Not Increasing<br /> </em></strong><br /> A University of Illinois professor, after poring over reams of data, <a href="http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/10/18/mass-killings-shootings-research-university-illinois/">concludes that mass murder is not on the rise in the United States</a>. Over the past ten years, incidents in which four or more people were killed have remained steady. The research also showed that most mass killings occur when a family member murders his relatives. Mass murders like the one in Las Vegas are the exception, not the rule.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Harvard Rescinds Weinstein Award<br /> </em></strong><br /> Three years ago Harvard University awarded a Du Bois Medal to movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. The award, named for civil rights pioneer W.E.B. Du Bois, honors someone "for contributions to African and African American culture." To no one's surprise, <a href="http://variety.com/2017/biz/news/harvery-weinstein-du-bois-medal-harvard-1202593955/">the group that gave him the medal now wants it back</a>. This comes after Weinstein has been expelled by the Motion Picture Academy and the Producers Guild. Even France, which protects and lauds convicted pedophile and rapist Roman Polanski, is ready to rescind its Legion of Honor award.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Netflix Axes Show Hosted by Left-Wing 'Comic'<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/chelsea-handlers-netflix-show-canceled-2-seasons-1050194">Depending on who you believe, Chelsea Handler has quit or she has been canned</a>. Either way, her little-watched talk show will be ending its run on Netflix after two seasons. Handler, who has spouted vulgarities about President Trump and even Melania Trump, claims she will now have more time to focus on activism and "gain a better understanding of our political divide." Uh, Chelsea, it's a divide you exacerbated with your unfunny incivility. Bye for now!<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Jeffrey Immelt Sets New World Record in Hypocrisy<br /> </em></strong><br /> Jeffrey Immelt, former CEO of General Electric, loved to lecture the rest of us on "global warming." Who can forget the tweet after President Trump's decision to leave the Paris climate deal, <a href="https://twitter.com/jeffimmelt/status/870368499331457024?lang=en">in which Immelt lectured us that "climate change is real."</a> Well, it has now been revealed that Immelt frequently used not one, but two, corporate jets when he traveled. The second one, empty except for the crew, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/18/former-ge-ceo-jeff-immelt-used-two-jets-for-business-travel-wsj.html">tagged along just in case the first jet ran into mechanical problems.</a> Seriously! Crew members were told not to talk about the boss's extravagant travel habits. Immelt, by the way, walked away from GE with a severance package worth more than $200-million. It will be interesting to see if he uses some of the dough to buy his own private jet. Or two!</p>
<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>
</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-10-19T14:47:00ZTrump Hammers Comey as Liar, Leaker; Senate Republicans vs. Steve BannonBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Hammers-Comey-as-Liar-Leaker;-Senate-Republicans-vs.-Steve-Bannon/-378372700996922485.html2017-10-18T13:58:00Z2017-10-18T13:58:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Wednesday, October 18, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Hammers Comey as Liar, Leaker <br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/18/trump-comey-lied-protected-hillary-clinton-243897">President Trump took to Twitter early this morning</a> and blasted former FBI boss James Comey with both barrels. The president is accusing Comey of lying and leaking to protect "Crooked Hillary Clinton." The tweets were in response to reports that Comey had drafted a statement exonerating Clinton before the FBI's investigation was complete and even before she had been interviewed by agents.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Obama, Hillary, and Russia<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/355957-senate-judiciary-opens-probe-into-obama-era-russian-nuclear-bribery">The Hill has been reporting explosive stories</a> involving the Obama administration, the Clinton Foundation, Russia, and uranium. The basic allegation is that the Obama team approved a massive deal that gave Russia access to stockpiles of uranium. In what could be a quid pro quo, Russia donated millions of dollars to the Clinton Foundation and paid Bill Clinton large sums for speeches.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Speaking of Hillary<br /> </em></strong><br /> The invaluable Judicial Watch organization h<a href="https://www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/judicial-watch-state-department-reveals-2800-huma-abedin-government-documents-weiners-laptop/">as revealed that nearly 3,000 work-related emails were housed on the personal laptop of Anthony Weiner</a>, the soon-to-be-imprisoned estranged husband of Huma Abedin. Abedin, of course, was Hillary Clinton's closest aide during her tenure at the State Department and in her presidential campaign. The State Department will now review the documents, which Judicial Watch was able to unearth by filing a lawsuit.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Senate Republicans vs. Steve Bannon<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon essentially declared war on Senate Republicans last week, saying he will challenge nearly every single one of them. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/355940-senate-gop-prepares-for-a-war-with-bannon">The Republicans now declare that they will fight back</a> against Bannon and his efforts to unseat them. Senator Orrin Hatch reminded Bannon that his real enemies are Democrats who have been "screwing up the country all these years." Many Republicans are raising the specter of 2010 and 2012, when ultra-conservative and untested nominees proved to be unelectable in their respective general elections.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Defends Comments on Calls<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump has taken a beating in the media for claiming that some previous presidents did not always call the families of fallen soldiers. <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/obama-aide-trumps-claim-that-obama-didnt-call-families-of-fallen-soldiers-is-a-f-king-lie/article/2637669">One former Obama aide, in an unhinged tweet</a>, called the president "a deranged animal." But President Trump brought up his own chief of staff General John Kelly, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/17/trump-doubles-down-on-slain-soldier-comments-obama-didnt-call-john-kelly-when-son-died.html">who did not receive a personal call from President Obama after his own son was killed in action.</a> There is apparently some measure of truth on both sides, but the media and other Trump enemies are using this whole controversy as one more opportunity to damage the president.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Calls Congresswoman a Liar<br /> </em></strong><br /> Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, a Democrat from Florida best known for her collection of colorful hats, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">claims she overheard a conversation President Trump had with the widow of a slain soldier</a>. The president, she alleges, told the widow that her late husband "knew what he signed up for." The Congresswoman's allegation was played up on the Trump-hating cable networks, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/920611770775064576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2Fonpolitics%2F2017%2F10%2F18%2Fpresident-trump-fallen-soldier-widow%2F774781001%2F">but the president says Congresswoman Wilson's claim is "totally fabricated."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Public Very Skeptical of Anti-Trump Media<br /> </em></strong><br /> A new poll indicates that 46% of all voters <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/355963-poll-almost-half-think-media-fabricate-trump-reports">believe the media actually fabricates derogatory stories</a> about the president and his administration. As for Republicans, an astounding 76% say the media make up stories about President Trump. In other words, a whole lot of Americans think that there is indeed a great deal of "fake news" out there.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Punts<br /> </em></strong><br /> The National Football League convened a much-hyped meeting yesterday that included owners, players, and league officials. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-football-nfl-anthem/nfl-policy-on-anthem-kneeling-unchanged-despite-trump-rebuke-idUSKBN1CM16X?il=0">The meeting essentially did nothing to change the status quo</a>, meaning that players can continue to break existing rules and protest during the National Anthem without facing any punishment. Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement that gives new meaning to the term wishy-washy. He called his players "men of great character" and stressed the league's commitment to work with the players "on issues of social justice." Only a left-wing university professor could possibly understand just what that means.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Commish on Prison Reform<br /> </em></strong><br /> As part of that new focus on "issues of social justice," <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/355808-nfl-commissioner-sends-letter-to-senators-on-criminal-justice-reform">Goodell has co-written a letter to Congress urging reform in sentencing guidelines</a>. The bottom line is that the league and many players want lighter sentences for some drug offenses. This seems to be the league's attempt to placate protesting players and show that they are on the same team.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Fashion Big Begs For Mercy <br /> </em></strong><br /> Fashion designer Donna Karan, perhaps worrying that her DKNY line will take a major hit, <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/donna-karan-begs-forgiveness-harvey-000726299.html">is apologizing profusely for remarks she made last week about Harvey Weinstein</a>. She initially defended her friend Weinstein by suggesting that his victims may have been "asking for it" by dressing and acting provocatively. Karan now says that was a horrible mistake that she regrets immensely.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>LV Security Guard Surfaces … on Ellen<br /> </em></strong><br /> Mandalay Bay Hotel security guard Jesus Campos, who had not been seen for a week and was described as "missing," <a href="https://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/shootings/mandalay-bay-security-guard-set-to-appear-on-ellen-after-avoiding-media-video/">taped an interview with Ellen DeGeneres yesterday that will air today</a>. While on Ellen's couch, Campos described what happened when he was shot through the hotel room door by Stephen Paddock just minutes before Paddock opened fire on the crowd below.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Soros Infuses Foundation With $18-Billion<br /> </em></strong><br /> Far left billionaire George Soros, who has long served as a human ATM for radical groups and causes, will be making his mark for years to come. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/oct/18/george-soros-gives-18-billion-dollars-open-society-foundation">Soros has transferred $18-billion of his own fortune</a> to his Open Society Foundations, which he founded more than three decades ago. Open Society is now the second wealthiest foundation in the United States, surpassed only by the one founded and funded by Bill Gates.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Judge Blocks Travel Ban<br /> </em></strong><br /> A federal judge in Hawaii has declared that President Trump's proposed travel ban, which now applies to eight nations, <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/17/judge-blocks-trumps-latest-travel-ban-order-243875">is illegal because it runs afoul of existing immigration law</a>. Judge Derrick Watson, who was appointed to the federal bench by President Obama, has ruled that the order does nothing to enhance national security. The Justice Department will appeal the ruling.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another NY Times Editor Lets Her Bias Show<br /> </em></strong><br /> James O'Keefe's Project Veritas has bagged another media trophy, <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/new-york-times-homepage-editor-caught-on-video-calling-mike-pence-f-king-horrible/article/2637724">in this case a New York Times editor named Desiree Shoe</a>. She was caught on hidden camera describing Vice President Pence as "f***ing horrible." She also charmingly called President Trump "insanely crazy" and "sort of an idiot." Left wing media types must be wondering, pardon the pun, where and when the next Shoe will drop.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Feds Want More Prisons for Illegals<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2017/10/17/trump-plans-massive-increase-federal-immigration-jails/771414001/?">The Trump administration wants to build more detention facilities</a>, especially in so-called sanctuary cities, so they can lock up more illegal aliens who are being detained by ICE. Through the first seven months of this year, federal agents have arrested nearly 100,000 people who are suspected of being in the USA illegally, a vast increase over the prior year. Opponents, of course, call this policy "nativist and xenophobic."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mueller's Team Interrogates Sean Spicer<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former Trump spokesperson <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/17/sean-spicer-mueller-russia-probe-243882">Sean Spicer has been interviewed by lawyers working for special counsel Robert Mueller</a>. According to reports, the questioning lasted almost all day Monday, during which time Spicer was questioned about the firing of James Comey and various meetings between Trump campaign officials and Russians.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Study: Stressed-Out Rodents Gain Weight<br /> </em></strong><br /> Researchers have discovered that mice tend to gain weight when under stress. <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/10/17/stress-is-as-awful-for-your-body-as-cheeseburgers-and-chocolate-bars/">Just as much weight, in fact, as when the little critters are put on a high fat diet</a>. The study has serious implications as it relates to humans, but it's much more fun to focus on the mice aspect. Let's summarize the study this way: It's not only the cheese that Jerry has to worry about if he wishes to maintain his slender figure, it's also the constant stress that comes with being chased by Tom all day, every day.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sT-Yh0EjPDE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> </p>
<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>
</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-10-18T13:58:00ZNorth Korea Warns of Imminent "Nuclear War"; Trump to Hillary: "Please Run Again!"BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/North-Korea-Warns-of-Imminent-Nuclear-War;-Trump-to-Hillary:-Please-Run-Again!/952148809404998438.html2017-10-17T13:33:00Z2017-10-17T13:33:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Tuesday, October 17, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>North Korea Warns of Imminent "Nuclear War"<br /> </em></strong><br /> The daily threats and counter-threats between President Trump and Kim Jong Un are increasing in intensity. The latest verbal salvo comes courtesy of North Korea, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/10/16/north-korea-nuclear-war-may-break-out-any-moment.html">which is warning that "nuclear war may break any moment."</a> The rogue nation and its dictator are telling other nations to avoid joining forces with the USA if and when the war of words turns into something much more serious. The spokesperson added, "The entire U.S. mainland is within our firing range."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump to Hillary: "Please Run Again!"<br /> </em></strong><br /> During his wide-ranging press conference yesterday, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">President Trump blasted Hillary Clinton</a> for siding with protesting NFL players. He went on to describe her as a terrible candidate and someone who is "very disrespectful to our country."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary Falls, Breaks Toe<br /> </em></strong><br /> Hillary Clinton, in London to promote her book, says she took a spill while running down the stairs with a cup of coffee in her hand. <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/hillary-clinton-breaks-toe-fall-stairs-article-1.3567769">The end result was a broken toe and some canceled interviews</a>. After visiting with a physician, Mrs. Clinton put on a protective boot, grabbed some crutches, and resumed her interview schedule.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CA Offers Three Gender Options<br /> </em></strong><br /> Californians will soon have three choices when listing a gender on their driver's license and birth certificate. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/10/16/california-adds-non-binary-gender-option-on-state-licenses.html">They can identify as male, female, or "non-binary,"</a> which is kind of like "none of the above." Under a new law signed by Governor Jerry Brown, prisoners can also ask to change their gender on official papers. According to transgender activists, "non-binary" defines an individual who doesn't identify as either a male or female.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Networks' Dishonesty on Bowe Bergdahl<br /> </em></strong><br /> Susan Rice, National Security Adviser in the Obama administration, infamously claimed that Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl "served the United States with honor and distinction." That went unmentioned yesterday when <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2017/10/16/nets-forget-obama-admin-championed-bergdahl-hero-coming-home">mainstream media outlets reported that Bergdahl pleaded guilty to desertion and misbehavior before the enemy</a>. Also overlooked was the fact that President Obama swapped the deserter for five Taliban commanders.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Raqqa Liberated From ISIS<br /> </em></strong><br /> A coalition of anti-ISIS forces, backed by the United States, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-41646802">has reportedly taken full control of Raqqa</a>, which had been considered the capital city of the Islamic State's caliphate. This is the latest blow against once-feared ISIS, which has surrendered huge swaths of territory in Iraq and Syria. At one point Raqqa, in Northern Syria, was a magnet that attracted would-be jihadists from around the world.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Battle for Kirkuk in Iraq<br /> </em></strong><br /> Iraqi forces have made good on their <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-41646806">threats to attack the city of Kirkuk</a>, which has traditionally been dominated by Iraq's Kurdish minority. The government in Baghdad considers Kurdistan part of Iraq, but the Kurds recently voted for total independence. The United States is in a tough spot because both the Iraqis and the Kurds are important allies in the fight against ISIS, and both receive weaponry and training from the USA.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NRA Spokesperson Gets Death Threats<br /> </em></strong><br /> Dana Loesch, who has become the face of the National Rifle Association, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/355717-nra-spokeswoman-says-shes-moving-due-to-gun-control-death-threats">is moving her family after receiving "repeated threats" from anti-gun types</a>. The 39-year-old mom of two has been a forceful and effective opponent of gun control measures. To her credit, <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaClinton/status/919733016490135554?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Fhomenews%2Fmedia%2F355717-nra-spokeswoman-says-shes-moving-due-to-gun-control-death-threats">even gun control advocate Chelsea Clinton expressed her dismay at the threats</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Florida Preps for White Nationalist Speech<br /> </em></strong><br /> Florida Governor Rick Scott <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/355668-florida-gov-declares-state-of-emergency-ahead-of-richard-spencer-campus">has actually declared a state of emergency in Alachua County</a> in advance of a visit and speech by notorious white supremacist Richard Spencer. Spencer, who will speak at the University of Florida later this week, has frequently been greeted with protests, demonstrations, and even violence. The 39-year-old, frequently credited with coining the term "alt-right," tends to attract unhinged followers who praise Hitler and denounce Jews.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Where in the World is Jesus Campos?<br /> </em></strong><br /> The security guard who was shot by Stephen Paddock prior to the Las Vegas massacre <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/10/16/las-vegas-guard-jesus-campos-vanished-after-visiting-urgent-care-clinic-union-leader-says.html">has mysteriously vanished</a>. Jesus Campos canceled various television interviews late last week and was last reported to be at a medical facility for unknown reasons. Campos has not been seen in public for exactly one week, giving conspiracy nuts more fodder for their usually-wacky theories.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Cops In The Crosshairs<br /> </em></strong><br /> The official numbers are in and they are distressing. According to the FBI, <a href="https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/susan-jones/118-law-enforcement-officers-killeddied-line-duty-2016-37-2015">118 law enforcement officers died while on duty last year</a>, a 37% increase from the year before. More than half of those deaths are listed as "felonious," usually meaning the cops were murdered by armed thugs. One recent example of the dangers faced by police officers came in New Orleans, where <a href="http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2017/10/nopd_officer_marcus_mcneil_use.html">Officer Marcus McNeil was shot and murdered</a> by a career criminal.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Poll With Curious Methodology<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/17/politics/cnn-poll-trump-approval-steady/index.html">CNN is touting a new poll showing</a> that 57% of Americans disapprove of President Trump's job performance, and 56% believe the president is leading the country in the wrong direction. However, the poll, conducted for CNN by the research company SSRS, is worth examining in more detail. If you follow all the various links <a href="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2017/images/10/17/rel10b.-.trump,.guns.pdf">and have the time and energy to do some research</a>, 31% of the respondents self-identify as Democrats and 23% as Republicans. That is a much wider spread than most surveys of party affiliation in the United States. In fact, according to the most recent Gallup poll, 30% of Americans consider themselves Democrats, while 29% are Republicans. In other words, take the poll with a grain, or a full shaker, of salt.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NBA Coach Slanders President Trump<br /> </em></strong><br /> San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who is in the habit of intentionally making interviewers feel extremely uncomfortable, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/10/16/san-antonio-spurs-coach-calls-trump-a-soulless-coward/">has unloaded on President Trump</a>. During an interview with the far-left Nation magazine, Popovich described the president as a "soulless coward" and a "pathological liar."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>FBI Admits Comey's Premature Clinton Conclusion<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former FBI boss James Comey <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/10/16/fbi-confirms-that-comey-drafted-statement-on-clinton-probe-months-before-investigation-ended/">prepared statements regarding the Hillary Clinton email probe long before the investigation was completed</a>. The bureau has released documents indicating that Comey had reached a conclusion before Mrs. Clinton was even interviewed by FBI agents. Unfortunately, the actual content of the former director's emails has been completely redacted.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CBS May Take Earnings Hit, NFL Blamed<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/16/cbs-earnings-to-disappoint-due-to-weak-nfl-ratings-credit-suisse-says.html">Financial analysts at Credit Suisse have lowered earnings expectations for CBS</a>. The 5% cut in estimated third-quarter earnings is largely the result of lower television ratings for National Football League games televised by the network. There have been similar earnings downgrades for the parent company of Fox, also due to declining NFL ratings.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Donates to Far-Left Social Activist "Boot Camp"<br /> </em></strong><br /> The National Football League <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/10/16/report-nfl-to-bankroll-social-activism-boot-camp-for-pro-athletes-video/">is lending its financial support to a social activism boot camp</a> that will be hosted by historically black Morehouse College in Atlanta. The two-day camp will supposedly teach players how to get their activist messages out to the general public. Who knows, there may even be a class on the proper way to take a knee during the playing of the National Anthem. Should it be the right knee, or the left?<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>PC Hits Rock Bottom<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/10/16/toronto-schools-drop-chief-from-job-titles-to-avoid-offending-indigenous-people.html">This one you just won't even believe.</a> The school board in Toronto has decreed that the word "chief" must be removed from all job titles because it could be offensive to "indigenous peoples." In other words, the board's "chief financial officer" will have to find a new and less offensive title. White House Chief of Staff John Kelly could not be reached for comment, nor could his boss, the Commander-in-Chief. This latest foolishness brings to mind a running gag in the old Superman TV series:<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-yUeqIXOh54?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>
</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-10-17T13:33:00ZTillerson Stresses Diplomacy With North Korea; Bergdahl Speaks, Will Plead GuiltyBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Tillerson-Stresses-Diplomacy-With-North-Korea;-Bergdahl-Speaks-Will-Plead-Guilty/622819886398133421.html2017-10-16T14:10:00Z2017-10-16T14:10:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Monday, October 16, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Tillerson Stresses Diplomacy With North Korea<br /> </em></strong><br /> Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, appearing on CNN's Sunday chat show, <a href="http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/rex-tillerson-trump-wants-iran-deal/2017/10/15/id/819769/">insisted that the United States will continue to pursue diplomatic means to keep North Korea in check</a>. However, he warned that all talk will end the moment "the first bomb drops." Tillerson also affirmed that he has a good relationship with President Trump and dismissed the accusation that he has been "castrated" by the president. "I checked," Tillerson joked, "I'm fully intact."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bergdahl Speaks, Will Plead Guilty<br /> </em></strong><br /> Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl will reportedly enter a guilty plea this morning at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Claiming he cannot get a fair trial because President Trump has said mean things about him, Bergdahl will plead guilty to desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. Meanwhile, <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/alleged-deserter-bowe-bergdahl-doubts-fair-trial-trump/story?id=50501256">ABC News is airing an interview with the usually tight-lipped deserter that was filmed last year</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Nikki Haley Breathes Life into Iran Nuke Deal<br /> </em></strong><br /> Asked on Meet the Press about the nuclear arrangement with Iran, Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/16/us-hopes-to-stay-in-iran-nuclear-deal-haley-says.html">suggested that we should mend it, not end it</a>. She predicted that the USA will remain in the controversial deal but will try to make it more favorable to the American people. President Trump has "decertified" the agreement, and it will now be up to Congress and the administration to make changes.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Protests Continue<br /> </em></strong><br /> While the National Football League and its owners try to come up with some fix that will heal the growing rift between players and fans, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2017/10/15/as-nfl-owners-wrestle-with-national-anthem-demonstrations-what-will-sundays-games-bring/?utm_term=.c9b885b4cf10">many players continued their protests yesterday</a>. At least six San Francisco 49ers took a knee during Sunday's game in the nation's capital, while others did the same in other venues across the league. But even though the National Anthem is a hot topic, TV networks chose to run commercials during the game-opening ceremony.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Kaepernick Files "Grievance" Against NFL<br /> </em></strong><br /> Quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who took a knee last year and started the entire Anthem controversy, is now <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2738805-colin-kaepernick-reportedly-files-grievance-against-nfl-owners-for-collusion">officially alleging that the NFL and its owners are guilty of collusion</a>. His lawyer claims that teams have actively blackballed Kaepernick, who remains a man without a team. Now that he has filed the grievance, Kaepernick must prove collusion.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary Sides With NFL Protesters<br /> </em></strong><br /> Employing a very unique interpretation of the NFL protests, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/16/hillary-clinton-defends-kneeling-nfl-players-says-thats-not-against-our-anthem-or-flag.html">Hillary Clinton says kneeling during the National Anthem is "reverent."</a> While speaking in London as part of her eternal book tour, the vanquished Mrs. Clinton implied that President Trump's opposition to the protests is based in racism and urged people to "resist.".<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Dismantling Obama Presidency<br /> </em></strong><br /> With or without the help of Congress, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/355404-the-memo-trump-tries-to-turn-back-clock-on-obama-era">President Trump is rolling back President Obama's actions</a> on health care, the Iran deal, and many other items. Obama used executive actions to make end runs around Congress, and his successor is doing the same thing in reverse. One Republican put it this way: "We had to suffer through President Obama's executive orders. I hope Democrats enjoy President Trump's."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Jimmy Kimmel: Farewell to Republicans<br /> </em></strong><br /> Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, who has transformed himself from jovial comic into a very political anti-Trumpist, concedes that he has lost many Republican viewers. <a href="http://freebeacon.com/issues/kimmel-losing-republican-viewers-is-not-ideal/">But he expresses no regret for using his nightly monologue</a> to espouse liberal views on health care and gun control. As for those lost viewers, Kimmel says, "I probably wouldn't want to have a conversation with them anyway."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump's Twitter Targets<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.axios.com/list-of-people-trump-attacked-on-twitter-since-becoming-president-2484429964.html">The website Axios has compiled a handy-dandy guide</a> that illustrates just who President Trump attacks most frequently in his early-morning 140-character rants. His favorite media targets are, of course, the New York Times, CNN, and NBC. As for Democrats, he is most likely to go after Hillary Clinton, Chuck Schumer, and Nancy Pelosi. Republican Senator Bob Corker, however, is catching up fast and is closing in on "Chuck and Nancy."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Clinton Foundation Will Keep Weinstein's Cash<br /> </em></strong><br /> The foundation established by Bill and Hillary Clinton has never been reluctant to accept wads of cash from shady sources, even from women-oppressing nations like Saudi Arabia. The organization also <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4982956/Clinton-Foundation-won-t-return-cash-Harvey-Weinstein.html">took about a quarter-million dollars from Harvey Weinstein</a> over the years and is refusing to return a nickel. The foundation claims the money has already been spent on worthy causes which include, ironically, "supporting women and girls." Meanwhile, Democrat firebrand Maxine Waters is demanding that the Democratic National Committee return Weinstein's tainted money.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q8CMVJLPFWI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Adults Take Charge At University of Wisconsin<br /> </em></strong><br /> After pressure from Republican legislators, <a href="http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/education/2017/10/06/regents-consider-punishments-uw-students-who-disrupt-speakers/738438001/">leaders at the University of Wisconsin have finally decided to punish students</a> who shout down speakers with whom they disagree. Any student who disrupts a speech will get one free pass, then face suspension and even expulsion for future offenses. The shout-down tactic has been used almost exclusively by radical leftists who wish to silence conservative speakers. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>But Not At Columbia University<br /> </em></strong><br /> It costs parents about $70,000 to send their child to Columbia for a single year, so they may be very interested in how that money is being used. The Ivy League school, which may soon feature Professor Hillary Clinton, <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=9969">plans to spend more than $100-million over the next few years</a> to promote greater diversity in its staff. Not diversity of thought, of course, but diversity of skin color and gender. Using weasel words typical of college administrators, Columbia's president says the school needs more professors from backgrounds that have "traditionally been underrepresented."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Woody Allen "Clarifies" Weinstein Statement<br /> </em></strong><br /> Woody Allen, who married one of his adopted daughters and was credibly accused of sexually molesting another adopted daughter, told the BBC that the entire Harvey Weinstein situation was "sad." He is now being a bit tougher, <a href="http://deadline.com/2017/10/harvey-weinstein-woody-allen-comments-sad-witch-hunt-1202188712/">saying his good friend Weinstein is a "sad, sick man."</a> Allen feigned ignorance about Weinstein's apparently well-known proclivities with young and ambitious actresses.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Austria to Be Led By Millennial<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/sebastian-kurz-austria-ovp-likely-youngest-world-leader-2017-10">Austrians have made 31-year-old Sebastian Kurz their next chancellor.</a> His conservative, anti-immigration People's Party garnered the most votes in yesterday's elections and will now try to form a governing coalition. Austria's new parliament will likely be dominated by representatives who are opposed to mass immigration from Islamic nations. Chancellor Kurz will be the youngest national leader in Europe and the entire world.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>School Board Kills a "Mockingbird"<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/10/15/mockingbird-banned-in-biloxi-schools/766270001/">Students in Biloxi, Mississippi will no longer be assigned to read the classic anti-racism book</a> "To Kill a Mockingbird." The local school board frets that the language may make some students "uncomfortable." Harper Lee's classic won a Pulitzer Prize and was then turned into a movie starring Gregory Peck. Very few observers, other than perhaps the Audubon Society, agree with the school board's decision.</p>
<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>
</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-10-16T14:10:00ZSunday Briefing: North Korea: Trump a "War Merchant"; Deadly Terror in SomaliaBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Sunday-Briefing:-North-Korea:-Trump-a-War-Merchant;-Deadly-Terror-in-Somalia/137939647928649036.html2017-10-15T15:33:00Z2017-10-15T15:33:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Sunday, October 15, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>North Korea: Trump a "War Merchant"<br /> </em></strong><br /> The official newspaper of the North Korean government has <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/international/355504-north-korea-labels-trump-a-strangler-of-peace">lobbed a new volley of insults at President Trump</a>. Kim Jong Un's mouthpiece now denounces the president as "a war merchant and strangler of peace." North Korea is particularly incensed at the Trump administration's determination to defend and arm South Korea and Japan.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary: Trump Risks USA's "Trust and Credibility"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Sounding as though she essentially agrees with President Trump's overseas critics, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/15/trump-too-tough-on-iran-north-korea-clinton-says.html">Hillary Clinton is also criticizing the president for his tough positions on Iran and North Korea</a>. Still on her book tour, the former secretary of state is blaming the president for instigating a "nuclear arms race in East Asia."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Tillerson: I Have Not Been "Castrated"<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">During an appearance on CNN this morning</a>, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says he has not been "castrated" by President Trump, and is in fact "fully intact." His quip came in response to a comment by Republican Senator Bob Corker, who says he is worried about the president's "castration" of Tillerson. Gelding jokes aside, Tillerson gave a hearty and resounding endorsement to President Trump and their working relationship.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Lamentation of a NY Times Columnist<br /> </em></strong><br /> Paul Krugman, the left-wing New York Times columnist who has been wrong about too many things to count, now complains that he is "terrified" and <a href="https://townhall.com/tipsheet/timothymeads/2017/10/13/paul-krugman-seems-depressed-n2394836">wakes up every morning "in a state of existential dread."</a> Why? Because, according to Krugman, Donald Trump actually "enjoys seeing others hurt." The columnist, whose once-upon-a-time specialty was economics, pompously refers to himself as "the conscience" of liberalism.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Deadly Terror in Somalia<br /> </em></strong><br /> At least 200 people have been killed after <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/article178988306.html">two bombs exploded in Mogadisu</a>, the capital city of Somalia. The government blames the carnage on Islamist terrorist group al-Shabab, which is closely linked to Al Qaeda. The explosions, one of which was a truck bomb, were detonated at a very busy street that is close to many government ministries.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Academy Expels Weinstein, Others To Follow?<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, best known for hosting the annual Oscars bash every year, has kicked out serial sexual abuser Harvey Weinstein. Only one other member was ever given the boot, and that was for a minor policy violation. <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/harvey-weinstein-is-but-academy-decide-how-deal-members-who-behave-badly-1048923">However, as the Hollywood Reporter points out</a>, the Academy's membership still includes assorted rapists, pedophiles, and gropers. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Woody Allen "Sad" Over His Pal Harvey<br /> </em></strong><br /> Director Woody Allen, who has credibly been accused of sexually abusing one adopted daughter, and who took nude photos of another adopted daughter he later married, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41626750">has weighed in on the Harvey Weinstein scandal</a>. Allen says it is "sad for everybody involved," including Weinstein. Of course, it was Allen's son Ronan Farrow who helped expose the Weinstein matter in a lengthy magazine expose.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Taliban Captive Reveals Horror<br /> </em></strong><br /> Josuha Boyle, the Canadian man whose family was held hostage by the Taliban for five years in Afghanistan, <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/10/14/freed_taliban_hostage_says_captors_raped_his_american_wife_killed_their.html">is now describing the ordeal they endured</a>. Boyle says his captors raped his American wife Caitlan and slaughtered his infant daughter. The couple, in Afghanistan for reasons that are still unclear, was captured in 2012 and had four children while being held. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Austria Shifts Rightward<br /> </em></strong><br /> If the polls are correct, voters in Austria are about to elect a chancellor who makes Emmanuel Macron and Justin Trudeau look like old fogies. <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2017/10/15/557580074/austrian-voters-expected-to-elect-sebastian-kurz-as-new-chancellor">31-year-old Sebastian Kurz, who is frequently considered the political version of a pop star</a>, heads the right-leaning Austrian People's Party, which is expected to cruise to victory today. Kurz is opposed to mass immigration and demands that refugees learn German and assimilate into Austrian society.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL's National Anthem TV Blackout<br /> </em></strong><br /> What should football fans expect when they tune in to watch games today and tomorrow? According to at least one report, <a href="https://www.mrctv.org/blog/report-fox-and-espn-will-not-air-national-anthem-during-sunday-and-monday-night-football-games">some networks will air commercials during the National Anthem</a>. That's not terribly unusual, but this week there will be much interest in seeing whether players stand or take a knee in protest. League officials, team owners, and the players' union will meet in a few days and try to come up with a new policy.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Players Won't Have to Stand<br /> </em></strong><br /> Contrary to earlier reports, <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/355440-nfl-no-plans-to-force-players-to-stand-during-anthem">the National Football League will not mandate that players stand</a> during the National Anthem. Instead, league commissioner Roger Goodell is said to have some secret plan that will supposedly be acceptable to owners, players, and fans. Forcing players to stand and respect the flag would make it look like the league caved to pressure from President Trump, which many players would find totally unacceptable.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>UCLA Prof Blasts Affirmative Action<br /> </em></strong><br /> Richard Sander, get ready for some serious blowback. The UCLA law professor claims, based on extensive research, that affirmative action is <a href="http://www.thecollegefix.com/post/37872/">actually detrimental to the very students it is intended to help</a>. Sander, in a book and in lectures, argues that affirmative action creates a "mismatch," where black and Hispanic students are admitted to schools where they struggle and often flunk out, rather than attending universities where they could thrive.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pro-Trump Restaurant Shuts After Threats<br /> </em></strong><br /> The owners of Cup it Up American Grill in Tucson, Arizona <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/2017/10/14/arizona-restaurant-closes-following-backlash-from-its-pro-trump-facebook-post.html">decided to post a few of their likes and dislikes on Facebook</a>. They support President Trump, the National Anthem, the military, and legal immigration, while they dislike Antifa, fake news, and big government. The restaurant was immediately besieged with threats, negative reviews, and angry phone calls. At least one caller threatened to burn the restaurant to the ground. In the face of the onslaught, Cup it Up decided to close its doors, but not before posting one final message in the window: "Thank you all and God Bless."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Sandwich Wars<br /> </em></strong><br /> You may be unaware, but there is an <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/10/14/are-weak-if-make-your-man-sandwich-this-is-why-real-men-don-t-marry-feminists.html">ongoing feud about sandwiches and the wives who make them for their husbands.</a> In one corner are radical feminists who claim sandwich-making is equivalent to being a "slave" and a "1950s housewife." In the other corner are women who say it's merely part of being a loving wife and partner. Never in the course of human events has the act of slapping two pieces of bread together over a slice of salami caused so much consternation and tsuris. One wonders when social justice warriors will start tearing down statues of John Montague, Earl of Sandwich, the British aristocrat who started all this in the 18<sup>th</sup> century.</p>
<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>
</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-10-15T15:33:00ZGeneral Kelly's Tour De Force; Prez Targets ObamaCareBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/General-Kellys-Tour-De-Force;-Prez-Targets-ObamaCare/-740410651248119835.html2017-10-13T14:59:00Z2017-10-13T14:59:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, October 13, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>General Kelly's Tour De Force<br /> </em></strong><br /> White House Chief of Staff John Kelly is getting rave reviews <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/12/john-kelly-white-house-briefing-room-lets-loose-243727">for his solo act yesterday in the White House briefing room</a>. General Kelly made an unexpected appearance, then forcefully insisted that he is not quitting and is not even frustrated. He also took on the assembled media, advising them to get better sources before running with a story. There had been reports that Kelly was disenchanted with President Trump and with his job, but he put those rumors to rest, at least for one news cycle.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Prez Targets ObamaCare<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump has announced that the <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/13/trump-to-halt-obamacare-subsidies-legal-fight-likely.html">federal government will immediately stop doling out subsidies to health insurers</a>. It is the latest salvo in an ongoing assault on the basic underpinnings of ObamaCare. Declaring that the Affordable Care Act a "broken mess," the president is asking Democrats to help him amend the law. The Senate was unable and unwilling to "repeal and replace," so now President Trump seems determined to dismantle ObamaCare via executive action.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Let the Pushback Begin!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Leading Democrats, joined by state officials, insurance companies, and others, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/12/obamacare-bombshell-trump-kills-key-payments-to-health-insurers.html">are hammering President Trump and his announcement</a> about ending subsidies to insurers. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the president's move a "spiteful act of vast, pointless sabotage" and predicted an immediate spike in premiums that will harm the poor.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Will Dems Kick Hollywood Out of Bed?<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Democratic Party has had a symbiotic relationship with the entertainment business, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/10/13/weinstein-scandal-has-democrats-in-bind-can-afford-to-cut-their-celebrity-messengers-loose.html">which has long donated bushels of money to the party and properly liberal causes</a>. At the same time, Hollywood has regularly ridiculed Republicans, conservatives, and anyone who doesn't toe the liberal line. But now that the Harvey Weinstein scandal has exposed the industry's sleazy underbelly for all to see, Democrats will have to decide how closely they want to be associated with all that glitz and glamour.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>What Harvey Left Behind<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Weinstein Company, long one of the most feared and powerful organizations in the movie world, is in shambles and reportedly on the brink of bankruptcy. The firm's creative side is totally unable to fund and green-light new projects, while the financial side is being squeezed by creditors. <a href="http://variety.com/2017/biz/news/weinstein-co-harvey-weinstein-sexual-harassment-company-sale-1202588726/">According to Variety, lenders may soon demand a total reorganization and a declaration of bankruptcy.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Amazon Also Under Fire<br /> </em></strong><br /> Another Hollywood big has fallen from grace. Roy Price, head of Amazon Studios, has been placed on a leave of absence <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/12/amazon-studios-chief-roy-price-on-leave-of-absence-amid-sexual-harassment-claim.html">after he was alleged to have sexually harassed a female producer</a>. At the same time, actress Rose McGowan is accusing Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos of ignoring her warnings about Harvey Weinstein's behavior. She went so far as to accuse Amazon of "funding rapists, alleged pedos, and sexual harassers."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump 1, NFL 0<br /> </em></strong><br /> The National Football League's owners will meet next week in New York to search for some way out of the mess they created. The owners will be joined by representatives of the players' union. Commissioner Roger Goodell has issued some wishy-washy statements, and it now seems increasingly likely that he will order all players to stand during the National Anthem. To torture a metaphor, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Trump-Spikes-the-Ball-Dances-in-the-End-Zone/726897565782893310.html">the NFL fumbled, President Trump recovered the pigskin and took it to the end zone.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Player Says He'd Rather Quit Than Stand<br /> </em></strong><br /> Rishard Matthews, wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans, <a href="http://fanbuzz.com/nfl/rishard-matthews-leave-league-told-stand-for-national-anthem/?utm_medium=faves-usa&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=organic-social">has claimed that he'll quit the game if he's forced to stand for the National Anthem</a>. Given that Matthews is paid about $5-million a year, that would truly be an example of putting principle above pocketbook. But we'll lay 12 – 1 odds that Rishard Matthews, not exactly a marquee name in the sport, will not make good on his threat.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Cop Shot Dead<br /> </em></strong><br /> A police officer in New Orleans <a href="http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2017/10/new_orleans_police_killed_shoo.html#incart_river_home_pop">was ambushed and shot to death early this morning</a> as he was getting out of his patrol car. After attempting to escape, the suspected killer was eventually taken into custody and is now being treated for gunshot wounds. It is highly unlikely that Rishard Matthews or any other NFL player will be taking a knee to honor the fallen officer.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>"Dreamer" Accused of Brutal Murder<br /> </em></strong><br /> Daniel De Jesus Rangel-Sherrer, one of President Obama's vaunted "DREAMers," is an illegal immigrant from Mexico who has been protected from deportation under the DACA program. He now stands <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/10/13/illegal-alien-accused-murdering-18-year-old-student-was-in-daca-program.html">accused of killing an 18-year-old high school junior in Greenville, South Carolina</a>. The accused killer has been arrested and ICE has issued a detainer, but it's too late for this teenage girl and her family.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>San Juan Mayor Calls Trump "Hater-in-Chief"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz, who has spent an awful lot of time doing interviews since Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/12/politics/fema-trump-hurricane-puerto-rico-san-juan-mayor-don-lemon-cnntv/index.html">is again denouncing President Trump</a>. Yesterday the president suggested that FEMA and the military won't be on the island forever and reminded everyone that Puerto Rico has been fiscally irresponsible. Mayor Cruz, who should be on retainer by CNN and MSNBC, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">is implying that the president doesn't care about Puerto Rican lives.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>USA Quits Anti-Israel UN Organization<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/10/12/exiting-unesco-was-the-right-thing-to-do/">The United States will exit UNESCO</a>, the United Nations body that was originally established to promote culture and education. The organization has been consistently biased against Israel, which was the major factor in the USA's withdrawal. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley declared that UNESCO has become a "chronic embarrassment." Israel has also announced that it is leaving UNESCO.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dems in Disarray<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/10/12/democrats-are-showing-little-faith-in-tom-perez/">Democrats are increasingly frustrated with the performance of Tom Perez</a>, chair of the Democratic National Committee. While Perez has been very adept at hurling profanities at Republicans, he has been inept when it comes to raising money. As the party has been left in the dust by Republican fund-raisers, the Democratic boss has come under withering criticism. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Liberal Mag All In For Elizabeth Warren<br /> </em></strong><br /> The venerable New Republic magazine is declaring that <a href="https://newrepublic.com/article/145136/elizabeth-warren-became-soul-democratic-party">the Democrats' best hope for the future is 68-year-old Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts</a>. Calling Warren "the soul of the Democratic Party," the magazine implies that Bernie Sanders is just too old for another attempt at the White House. Senator Warren, if she runs, will again have to face accusations that she lied about her heritage, pocketed some nice change by flipping houses, and was paid $350,000 to teach a single course at Harvard Law School.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Outrage At The Oscars<br /> </em></strong><br /> The organization behind the Academy Awards <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/harvey-weinstein-may-be-expelled-motion-picture-academy-1048467">will hold an emergency meeting tomorrow to deal</a> with the Harvey Weinstein debacle that has damaged the entire industry. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is expected to publicly denounce Weinstein and may also rescind his membership. The Academy might consider awarding itself an Oscar, maybe even a Lifetime Achievement Award, for suddenly acting so shocked. Call it 'Best Performance of Feigned Outrage After Many Decades in a Supporting Role.'</p>
<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>
</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-10-13T14:59:00ZTrump Warns Puerto Rico on Aid; North Korea Again Warns USABillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Warns-Puerto-Rico-on-Aid;-North-Korea-Again-Warns-USA/77902878932828610.html2017-10-12T12:56:00Z2017-10-12T12:56:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Thursday, October 12, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Warns Puerto Rico on Aid<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/355064-trump-fema-cant-stay-in-puerto-rico-forever">In an early morning tweet</a>, President Trump declared that the federal government cannot help Puerto Rico indefinitely. He also took another shot at the island's history of irresponsible government and wasteful spending. Expect a swift and vicious response from Democrats and the left.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>North Korea Again Warns USA<br /> </em></strong><br /> Kim Jong Un is apparently taking offense at being called "Rocket Man" by President Trump. A top North Korean official says <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-12/north-korea-s-top-diplomat-says-trump-lit-fuse-of-war-tass-says">the president ignited "the fuse of war" when he used that derogatory term</a> at the United Nations. The North Koreans have declared that they will never engage in negotiations with the Trump administration and are actually boasting that they have achieved a "balance of force" with the USA, without specifying what that actually means.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Iran Announcement Expected Tomorrow<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump is expected to <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/11/trump-expected-to-decertify-iran-nuclear-deal-friday.html">"decertify" the Iranian nuclear arrangement that was the pride of the Obama administration on Friday</a>. Secretary of Defense James Mattis and some other top Trump national security advisors are reluctant to scrap the deal, while Russia and many Western European nations are also urging the president not to pull out, but he seems unlikely to heed their advice.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Touts Taxes to Truckers<br /> </em></strong><br /> The president took his tax reform push to on the road to Pennsylvania yesterday, where he promoted his plan to a crowd that included hundreds of truckers. <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/10/11/trump-tax-plan-4-000-raise/756417001/">The president predicted that an average household could see its income rise by $4,000 over eight years.</a> The administration is endorsing a law that will decrease the number of brackets, simplify the tax code, and lower the rate for corporations and small businesses.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Hammers NBC News<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump took his war with the mainstream media to a new level yesterday after NBC News reported that the administration was considering a tenfold increase in the USA's nuclear arsenal. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">The president denounced the report as "pure fiction"</a> and even raised the possibility of challenging the network's broadcast license. Secretary of Defense James Mattis fully backed his boss, <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/11/james-mattis-responds-nbc-news-nuclear-arsena-243680">calling the NBC News story "absolutely false" and "irresponsible."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Report: Feds to Investigate Weinstein<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4972836/Weinstein-meltdown-photographers-LA.html">The U.K. Daily Mail, which is usually very reliable</a>, is reporting that the Department of Justice is investigating Harvey Weinstein for sex crimes. There are also reports that Weinstein is jetting off to a $40,000-per-month rehab clinic to deal with his sex addiction. When camera crews caught up with Weinstein this morning outside his daughter's home, the disgraced mogul pleaded, "I need to get help." He added, with his customary colorful language, a message to the cadre of photographers: "You know I've always been loyal to you guys, not like those f****** pr*** who treat you like s***. I've been the good guy."<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eouct4qLTJs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary "Shocked" by Weinstein<br /> </em></strong><br /> Hillary Clinton, who has received vast sums of campaign cash from her long-time friend Harvey Weinstein, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/11/politics/hillary-clinton-harvey-weinstein-fareed-zakaria-cnntv/index.html">now says those contributions will be donated to charity.</a> Still on tour promoting her book, Mrs. Clinton professed to be "sick" and "appalled" after reading about the accusations against her old pal and benefactor.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Weinstein Company in Tatters<br /> </em></strong><br /> The company founded by Harvey Weinstein and his brother Bob <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/11/business/weinstein-company.html">is now dealing with reports that executives knew about cash payoffs</a> to Weinstein's many victims. A few board members have already resigned and it now seems likely that at least some directors were told about the settlements. The Weinstein brothers own 42% of the company and are its largest shareholders.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NBC News Boss Denies Spiking Weinstein Story<br /> </em></strong><br /> Ronan Farrow, the former MSNBC host who wrote a scathing piece about Harvey Weinstein for The New Yorker, has claimed that NBC News passed on the salacious story. But Noah Oppenheim, head of NBC News, <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/online/nbc-news-prez-deeply-offensive-to-suggest-we-covered-up-for-weinstein/">denies that his organization was cowed by Weinstein's power and influence</a>. Farrow maintains that NBC, for whatever reason, decided not to run the story that had been thoroughly researched and corroborated.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hollywood Men Tell Tales of Abuse<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/james-van-der-beek-terry-crews-back-harvey-weinstein-accusers-n810016">At least two male actors have stepped forward</a> to declare that they have also been harassed by unwanted sexual overtures. James Van Der Beek and Terry Crews both claim they were groped and grabbed and fondled by older, powerful men. Both actors say the revelations about Harvey Weinstein's serial abuse inspired them to speak out.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Labor Union Enters the NFL Fray<br /> </em></strong><br /> United Labor Unions Local 100 <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/thewire/jerry-jones-labor-union-anthem/2017/10/11/id/819124/">has filed a complaint against Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones</a>, who has stated that he will bench players who disrespect the National Anthem. The union claims Jones would be out of bounds if he fires players illegally. One suspects that the actual workers who labor in that union are not exactly in synch with their leadership.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Prez Carves Up ObamaCare With His Pen<br /> </em></strong><br /> Republicans have been unable to "repeal and replace," <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/12/trump-obamacare-executive-congress-243696">so President Trump is taking action into his own right hand.</a> He will sign an executive order today designed to encourage more competition in the health insurance market. The order will enable the creation of cheaper plans that could attract younger and healthier Americans.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>New Homeland Security Boss<br /> </em></strong><br /> Kirstjen Nielsen, a cyber security expert, <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/11/kirstjen-nielsen-dhs-department-of-homeland-security-secretary-243672?lo=ap_c1">will be nominated to replace General John Kelly, now White House Chief of Staff, as Secretary of Homeland Security</a>. She had been Kelly's top aide at DHS and also served in the Transportation Security Agency. The 45-year-old Nielsen will have to be confirmed by the Senate.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NY Times Hires "Gender Editor"<br /> </em></strong><br /> The newspaper known as the "Old Gray Lady" <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/randy-hall/2017/10/11/ny-times-announces-addition-first-gender-editor-its-staff">has hired a young brunette woman to serve</a> as its first "gender editor." Using language that can be deciphered only by academics and leftists, the paper says Jessica Bennett's task will be to "re-imagine the news through an inter-sectional lens." The Times hopes that the new position will attract more female readers.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Boy Scouts to Admit Girls, Girl Scouts Upset<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Here's a scoop for the Times' gender editor. <a href="http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-boy-scouts-girls-20171011-story.html">The Boy Scouts of America will soon begin welcoming young girls as Cub Scouts</a>. There will also be another program for older girls that will enable them to become elite Eagle Scouts. All this is not sitting well with the separate Girl Scouts organization, which accuses its male counterparts of engaging in a "reckless" effort to shore up its declining membership. Can Transgender Scouts be far behind?<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Deadly California Fires Burn On<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/12/us/california-fires-updates/index.html">The wildfires that have been raging in Northern California are still out of control</a>. At last count at least 23 people have died and nearly 300 are missing. Two major contributors are the lack of humidity and high winds, both of which are expected to continue today. The dense smoke has even led to some flight cancellations at San Francisco's airport.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Court to Congress: Take a Knee<br /> </em></strong><br /> In a victory for freedom of religion, a federal court has ruled that <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/oct/11/federal-court-upholds-prayer-congress/">Congress can legally continue with its opening prayer</a>. An atheist organization had challenged the prayer, arguing that it discriminates against non-religious people. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan celebrated the decision, which endorses a tradition that has endured for more than 200 years.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Your Daily College Update<br /> </em></strong><br /> What would a day be without some fresh college madness. <a href="http://freebeacon.com/issues/law-school-revokes-event-sponsorship-conservative-viewpoint-painful/">This time it comes courtesy of the law school at Seattle University</a>, which is withdrawing its sponsorship of an event because it would include a conservative point of view. There was to be a civil debate on immigration, but left-wingers decided that students should not be subjected to "hateful xenophobic and anti-immigrant rhetoric." Bowing to the gods of political correctness, the school's dean groveled and confessed her sins, admitting that she had "miscalculated and erred" when she did not invite input from "marginalized" students. Where do they find these people?<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Fans Hate NFL, Clintonistas Despise Fox News<br /> </em></strong><br /> A new poll has determined that the <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/10/11/trump-voters-hate-the-nfl-more-than-clinton-voters-hate-fox-news/">National Football League has become one of the most divisive brands in the country</a>, even more divisive than Fox News or maybe even broccoli. Voters who pulled the lever for Trump have a largely negative view of the NFL, while Fox News is hugely unpopular among those who voted for Hillary Clinton. It brings to mind a question someone recently asked: "Who would have thought that when America finally got a divorce, the left would get custody of the National Football League?"</p>
<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>
</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-10-12T12:56:00ZNFL Boss: Stand for Anthem; Prez to Address Iran This WeekBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/NFL-Boss:-Stand-for-Anthem;-Prez-to-Address-Iran-This-Week/20160136885903630.html2017-10-11T14:21:00Z2017-10-11T14:21:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Wednesday, October 11, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>NFL Boss: Stand for Anthem <br /> </em></strong><br /> While he didn't issue a direct order, <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/10/10/roger-goodell-everyone-should-stand-for-the-national-anthem/">NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has made it clear</a> that he wants all players to stand during the National Anthem. Fans have been alienated, ratings have been tanking, and the commish is desperate to stop the bleeding that began last year when Colin Kaepernick became the first player to take a knee.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Reaction from the Radical Left <br /> </em></strong><br /> Black organizations and individuals have come up with a unified theme, namely that forcing players to <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4967772/Common-says-Cowboys-Jones-slave-owner-mentality.html">stand for the Anthem is a modern form of slavery</a>. The rapper "Common" accused Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones of having a "slave owner mentality," Al Sharpton claimed Jones has a "plantation mentality," and even the normally sane and sober Michael Wilbon brought up the odious "plantation" comparison.</p>
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<p><br /> <strong><em>Harvey to Rehab in Europe<br /> </em></strong><br /> Disgraced and ousted <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2017/10/10/harvey-weinstein-sex-rehab-sexual-harassment-europe/">movie mogul Harvey Weinstein is jetting off to Europe</a>, where he will reportedly undergo either counseling or rehabilitation for sex addiction. He has been fired from his job, his wife has left, and he is even being criticized by Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and other Democrats who enjoyed his massive campaign contributions for so many years.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Did NBC Spike Weinstein Story?<br /> </em></strong><br /> Ronan Farrow, who wrote a chilling expose of Harvey Weinstein for The New Yorker, <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/how-nbc-killed-ronan-farrows-weinstein-expose">claims that NBC News refused to run with the story last summer</a>, possibly because Weinstein was so well connected with powerful Democrats. One NBC insider contends that the story simply "didn't meet the standard to go forward." As you know, NBC News has very, very high standards.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Prez to Address Iran This Week<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump is expected to deliver a major speech on <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-usa/trump-to-announce-broad-iran-strategy-this-week-white-house-idUSKBN1CF2NB">Iran and the nuclear deal in the coming days</a>. Most observers expect the president to "decertify" the arrangement that was worked out with Iran during the Obama administration. He may also officially designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization. Russia and many Western European nations are urging the president not to abrogate the Iran deal, but he is not likely to heed their advice.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump, GOP Depend on Tax Reform <br /> </em></strong><br /> After failing to repeal and replace ObamaCare, Senate Republicans and President Trump are in dire need of a legislative victory, first and foremost on taxes. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/11/us/politics/for-republicans-tax-cuts.html">The first test in that process comes next week</a>, when the Senate votes on a budget. Given that there are only 52 Republican Senators, and considering that Rand Paul has already announced that he may oppose the budget bill, the president can't afford to alienate any other GOP senators.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CA's Deadly Wildfires<br /> </em></strong><br /> 17 people have already been killed in the <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/thousands-flee-wildfires-ravage-northern-california-17-killed/story?id=50383162">wildfires that are devastating large swaths of California</a>. Firefighters are continuing their thus-far futile battle against the fires, which have been exacerbated by shifting gusts of winds. One law enforcement official predicts that, before the flames finally die down, this will go down as "one of the worst natural disasters" in the state's history.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Melania Visits Opioid-Addicted Infants<br /> </em></strong><br /> First Lady Melania Trump, who has made opioid addiction one of her main priorities, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/melania-trump-lends-voice-in-fight-against-opioid-abuse-at-infant-recovery-facility/">visited a drug center in West Virginia Tuesday</a>. That state has the highest rate of newborns who enter the world with a drug dependence. During a roundtable discussion, Mrs. Trump asserted, "I want to be here to support you."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Travel Ban Victory in Supreme Court<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Supreme Court has delivered a temporary victory to President Trump by <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/10/10/victory-trump-supreme-court-dismisses-travel-ban-case/752401001/">dismissing a challenge to his travel ban.</a> But the travel ban is not entirely legal yet because the latest version, which includes eight countries, has yet to make its way through the court system. Opponents of the ban have already begun gearing up for new challenges in lower federal courts.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Curious Poll News for President Trump<br /> </em></strong><br /> A new poll finds that President Trump's <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/354653-poll-trump-approval-falls-in-every-state">approval rating has dropped in every single state since his inauguration</a>. While that sounds ominous, every president has relatively high ratings on January 20<sup>th</sup> when he is sworn in, so it's only natural that there would be a decline. According to that same survey, 43% of voters nationwide approve of the president's performance, which is actually not a bad number.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Eminem Joins the Anti-Trump Chorus<br /> </em></strong><br /> The rapper Eminem, going acapella, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/11/arts/music/eminem-donald-trump-bet.html">has released a new video that is pure vitriol directed at President Trump</a>. He brings up the usual issues of racism, gun control, nuclear weapons, Charlottesville, Puerto Rico, and of course white supremacy. The video, called "The Storm," is a four-minute rant with no music to get in the way. Music critics haven't weighed in yet, but Eminem got <a href="https://twitter.com/Kaepernick7/status/917955545197314048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F10%2F11%2Farts%2Fmusic%2Feminem-donald-trump-bet.html">two thumbs up, and one knee down, from Colin Kaepernick</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Drexel U. Finally Penalizes Moron Professor<br /> </em></strong><br /> Political Science professor George Ciccariello-Maher <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/10/10/drexel-puts-tenured-white-genocide-prof-on-leave-after-he-blamed-vegas-massacre-on-white-people/">has finally been suspended by Drexel University</a> in Philadelphia. He recently blamed the Las Vegas massacre on entitled "white people and men," and previously tweeted about his wish for "white genocide." The professor responded in the American way – <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/10/10/drexel-professor-who-tweeted-about-white-supremacist-patriarchy-threatens-legal-action.html">he is threatening to sue Drexel for caving in</a> to what he calls a "smear campaign."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>College Limits Art Exhibition on Racism<br /> </em></strong><br /> Another Pennsylvania institution of higher learning, York College, had planned to open a public art exhibit that focuses on the terrible treatment of blacks during and after slavery. But college officials, <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/college-art-show-kkk-robes-too-disturbing-public-164631724.html">apparently afraid that the images would be "disturbing,"</a> says the public is no longer welcome.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Baltimore Cops Disciplined in Freddie Gray Case<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/10/10/officers-disciplined-in-freddie-gray-case.html">Two Baltimore police officers will be "disciplined" for their roles</a> in the arrest of Freddie Gray, who died in custody two years ago. Six officers had been charged in Gray's death, but all were cleared of criminal charges. The two cops in question dispute the accusation that they violated police department rules, but are nevertheless accepting the internal punishment, which has not been specified.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Obesity and Cancer<br /> </em></strong><br /> A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention c<a href="https://www.livescience.com/60634-cancer-linked-to-overweight-obesity.html">laims that obesity increases an individual's risk for many types of cancer</a>, including cancers of the colon, stomach, and brain. The report concludes that about 40% of cancer cases in the United States are linked to weight. <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/3433cfdc-adaa-11e7-aab9-abaa44b1e130">In a related and equally disturbing report</a>, childhood obesity worldwide has risen tenfold over the past four decades. Researchers studied data on more than 30-million children and teens and found that very soon there will be more overweight children than those who are underweight.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>MU (Modern University) + PC (Political Correctness) = I (Idiocy)<br /> </em></strong><br /> And you thought math was about equations and that stuff! Texas State University is looking to hire two professors of math education who must know far more than their goesintas. They must also<a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=9939"> profess a deep commitment to "social justice."</a> It goes without saying that professors "from historically underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply." We hereby lend our assistance to Texas State by identifying a possible female candidate:<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t8XMeocLflc?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>
</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-10-11T14:21:00ZLas Vegas Timeline Revised; Steve Bannon Enters the Trump-Corker FeudBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Las-Vegas-Timeline-Revised;-Steve-Bannon-Enters-the-Trump-Corker-Feud/357537453684251011.html2017-10-10T15:15:00Z2017-10-10T15:15:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Tuesday, October 10, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<p><strong><em>Las Vegas Timeline Revised<br /> </em></strong><br /> Sheriff Joe Lombardo, during one of his regular press briefings Monday, revealed that Stephen Paddock shot and wounded a hotel security guard <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/354636-police-las-vegas-gunman-shot-security-guard-before-shooting-at">about six minutes before opening fire on concert-goers</a>. Law enforcement officials had previously thought that Jesus Campos was shot when he interrupted the shooting spree. The new information, while it may give ammunition to conspiracy theorists, does not alter the near-universal conclusion that Paddock was the lone shooter.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>LV Shooter Remains an Enigma Wrapped in a Mystery <br /> </em></strong><br /> Some of the country's brightest law enforcement minds have pored over thousands of leads, but they <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-las-vegas-gunman-20171010-story.html">remain absolutely befuddled by Stephen Paddock and his motives</a>. They have examined his financial records and communications, interviewed family members and his live-in-lover, but still have far more questions than answers. Apparently the killer's life revolved around long hours of gambling and stocking up on high-powered weapons and ammunition. The puzzle is as puzzling as ever.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Steve Bannon Enters the Trump-Corker Feud<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former Trump aide Steve Bannon has come down squarely on the side of his ex-boss, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/354639-bannon-calls-for-corker-to-resign-after-insulting-trump">who has been engaged in a very public war of words with Senator Bob Corker</a>. Corker has become the left-wing media's favorite Republican after describing the White House an "adult day care center" and worrying aloud that President Trump may ignite World War III. In response, Bannon said, bluntly, "If Bob Corker had any honor or decency, he should resign immediately."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Washington Post on Trump's "Isolation"<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Washington Post has published a lengthy piece claiming that President Trump is "frustrated," "angry" and <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/politics/a-pressure-cooker-trumps-frustration-and-fury-rupture-alliances-threaten-agenda/2017/10/09/41115744-ad0d-11e7-9e58-e6288544af98_story.html">increasingly isolated in the White House</a>. The story, relying on leaks from "White House officials and advisers," paints a picture of a president who has alienated many allies and who is almost obsessed with satisfying his base voters.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>84-Year-Old Feinstein Will Run Again<br /> </em></strong><br /> California Democrat Dianne Feinstein, already the oldest member of the United States Senate, <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/opinion/editorials/article177973081.html">has announced that she will run for reelection next year</a>. If she wins, and the odds are certainly in her favor, Feinstein will be 91 when her term ends. But keep in mind that she would then have to win two more elections to match Strom Thurmond, who served in the U.S. Senate until he was 100!<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Russia Warns USA on Iran Nuke Deal<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/negative-consequences-trump-quits-iran-deal-kremlin-104941559.html">An official spokesman for Vladimir Putin warns that there will be "negative consequences"</a> if the United States abandons the nuclear weapons arrangement involving Iran. President Trump has ridiculed the deal and is expected to "decertify" it within the coming days, after which Congress may re-impose economic sanctions on Iran.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>ESPN Suspends Host <br /> </em></strong><br /> Last month Jemele Hill of ESPN called President Trump a "white supremacist" and got off with just a warning. <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/10/09/espn_suspends_jemele_hill_after_she_called_for_nfl_advertising_boycott_on.html">But now she has gored a sacred cow</a>, suggesting that fans boycott sponsors of the Dallas Cowboys. The network has relegated Hill to the proverbial penalty box for two weeks, saying she had violated ESPN's social media guidelines for a second time.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Rejoices at Suspension <br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump wasted no time in reacting to that two-week suspension of Jemele Hill. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/354646-trump-targets-suspended-espn-host-jemele-hill-in-early-morning-tweet">This morning he tweeted,</a> "With Jemele Hill at the mike, it is no wonder ESPN ratings have 'tanked.'" Last month White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Hill had committed a "fireable offense" when she called the president a "white supremacist."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>President vs. NFL, The Saga Continues<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-nfl-anthem/trump-calls-for-tax-law-changes-for-nfl-over-protests-twitter-post-idUSKBN1CF15W?il=0">President Trump also took to Twitter this morning</a> to fire another volley at the National Football League. He asked a simple question: "Why is the NFL getting massive tax breaks while at the same time disrespecting our Anthem, Flag, and Country." It's very likely that the president was watching Tucker Carlson's show on Fox News last night, during which Congressman Matt Gaetz railed against tax breaks afforded to the league and its owners.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/490H0inNdHo?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>California Wildfires Kill Ten<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/10/09/fast-moving-wildfires-ravage-northern-californias-wine-country/?utm_term=.271f6daf041b">Parts of Northern California's wine country have been nearly destroyed</a> by massive wildfires that have been exacerbated by high winds. At least ten people have died in the blazes, which spread across more than 100,000 acres and razed more than 1,000 homes. Fire officials hope that cooler temperatures and milder winds will enable them to fight back more efficiently today.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Cops in the Crosshairs<br /> </em></strong><br /> The FBI has issued a new report warning that <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/10/10/fbi-cites-black-extremists-as-new-domestic-terrorist-threat.html">"black identity extremists" are targeting and attacking police officers in record numbers.</a> The situation worsened dramatically after Michael Brown was justifiably shot to death in Ferguson in 2014, after which many black radicals pushed the false "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" narrative. Since then attacks on police officers, including the deadly assault carried out in Dallas by Micah Johnson, have inarguably been on the rise.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>California Totally Off the (High-Speed) Rails<br /> </em></strong><br /> California has enacted a law saying it is no longer a felony to have unprotected sex without first warning your partner that you are infected with the HIV virus. Similarly, it's okay for an HIV-infected person to donate blood, never mind the possible consequences. But while drawing that blood, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/10/09/california-to-have-harsher-penalty-for-pronoun-violations-than-for-knowingly-spreading-hiv/">health care workers better be careful about which pronouns they use</a>. Calling a transgender patient by the wrong pronoun is now against the law and can result in severe punishment. Secession, anyone?<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Fashion Big Retracts Praise for Harvey Weinstein<br /> </em></strong><br /> One day fashion designer Donna Karan stood by her pal Harvey Weinstein by saying the women were "asking for it." The next day <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/10/10/donna-karan-sorry-after-comments-praising-harvey-weinstein.html">she insisted that her remarks were, of course, taken out of context.</a> Realizing that she dug herself into a sizeable hole that could jeopardize her DKNY brand, Karan, issued a statement decrying sexual harassment by anyone, even her buddy Weinstein.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary Still Mum on Her Good Friend Harvey<br /> </em></strong><br /> Hillary Clinton gladly accepted Harvey Weinstein's boatloads of campaign contributions through the years, and proudly posed with the disgraced mogul at many events, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/09/hillary-clinton-faces-growing-pressure-to-denounce-pal-harvey-weinstein-as-sex-assault-accusations-surface.html">but she has yet to say a word about his abusive ways</a>. She has frequently used Twitter to denounce President Trump, but there has yet to be any criticism of long-time Democratic loyalist Weinstein.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Actor Nathan Lane's Weinstein Horror Story<br /> </em></strong><br /> Harvey Weinstein was always quite the charmer. Broadway actor Nathan Lane now reveals that <a href="http://pagesix.com/2017/10/08/nathan-lane-weinstein-threw-me-against-a-wall-at-clintons-birthday-party/">the portly and powerful Weinstein threw him up against a wall</a> during a birthday party for none other than Hillary Clinton. Lane, who was emcee at the party, apparently told a joke that offended the movie mogul's sensibilities.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Kathy Griffin Back to Trump-Bashing<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former comedian Kathy Griffin, who was contrite for about two hours in August after holding up a facsimile of President Trump's head, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/10/09/kathy-griffin-returns-to-stage-donning-trump-mask-giving-middle-finger.html">is back on stage trolling for laughs by ridiculing the president</a>. Displaying her "bravery," if not her humor, Griffin took the stage in Los Angeles wearing a Trump mask and flipping the audience the bird.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NY Governor Cuomo Vows to Protect Columbus Statue<br /> </em></strong><br /> Governor Andrew Cuomo, who was in New York City for various Columbus Day events, promised that the massive statue of Christopher Columbus <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/cuomo-n-y-honor-columbus-native-americans-article-1.3551614">will continue to "stand tall and proud" in Columbus Circle</a> as long as he is governor. He was perhaps responding to demands by American Indian groups, who are urging New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/american-indian-group-urges-de-blasio-remove-columbus-statues-article-1.3547967">to remove Columbus statues</a>. City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, even more of a left-wing nut than the mayor, is sympathetic to the idea of tearing down any and all statues of Columbus.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Meanwhile, Chicago Columbus Statue Again Defaced<br /> </em></strong><br /> Some thugs in Rahm Emanuel's Chicago celebrated Columbus Day by <a href="http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/10/09/christopher-columbus-statue-in-little-italy-defaced-again-on-columbus-day/">throwing red paint on a statue of Christopher Columbus in the city's Little Italy neighborhood</a>. The very same statue had also been defaced on Saturday, leading to the arrest of one 30-year-old suspect.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>College Follies, Episode 157<br /> </em></strong><br /> Michael Schill, president of the University of Oregon and a proponent of free speech, recently wanted to address students and faculty. But before he could get out a single word, <a href="https://www.thecollegefix.com/post/37670/">bullies rushed the stage and started shouting</a> about "indigenous rights," "systems of oppression," and the usual left-wing inanities. The school says it is looking into what it calls "potential conduct violations."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Twitter Nixes GOP Candidate's "Inflammatory" Video<br /> </em></strong><br /> Republican Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, who wants to replace Bob Corker when he retires from the Senate next year, has created a video to launch her campaign. But because she mentioned Planned Parenthood and its "sale of body parts," <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/09/marsha-blackburn-twitter-ad-243607">Twitter decided the video was not suitable for its platform.</a> Blackburn's video, which includes the offending line, is still on YouTube:<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wxSPO4V7FYI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump to Tillerson: Mine is Bigger than Yours!<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump has (presumably) jokingly challenged <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/10/trump-challenges-tillerson-to-battle-iq-tests-over-reported-moron-jab.html">Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to compare their IQ scores</a>. In a heated moment, Tillerson reportedly called the president a "moron," which he has denied through a spokesman. The president disparaged that report as another example of "fake news," but added that he'd gladly have an IQ shootout with Tillerson. President Trump added, "I can tell you who is going to win." Las Vegas oddsmakers have listed Tillerson as the early 3-point favorite. </p>
<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>
</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-10-10T15:15:00ZWhite House Plays Hardball on Immigration; NFL Players Kneel, VP Pence ExitsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/White-House-Plays-Hardball-on-Immigration;-NFL-Players-Kneel-VP-Pence-Exits/-851544998700096153.html2017-10-09T14:15:00Z2017-10-09T14:15:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Monday, October 9, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>White House Plays Hardball on Immigration<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump and his team <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/10/08/trump-administration-releases-hard-line-immigration-principles-threatening-deal-on-dreamers/?utm_term=.b118d739d696">have outlined a list of immigration demands</a> that have already alienated many Democrats and pro-immigration types. The administration, which had previously hinted at a deal with Dems that would allow DACA beneficiaries to stay, wants to cut funding to sanctuary cities, build a border wall, and hire more Border Patrol agents and immigration judges. Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer described the demands as unrealistic and unreasonable.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dem Congressman Slanders President<br /> </em></strong><br /> Congressman Luis Gutierrez, always front and center in the immigration debate, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/354498-dem-lawmaker-rips-trump-immigration-proposals-an-extension-of-the-white">called President Trump's immigration demands an "extension of the white supremacist agenda."</a> What's an accusation these days without the words "white supremacist?" This is the same Luis Gutierrez who recently called retired Marine Corps General John Kelly "a disgrace to his uniform."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Players Kneel, VP Pence Exits<br /> </em></strong><br /> Vice President Mike Pence was ready to watch a Sunday NFL game in Indianapolis, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">but he wasn't at the stadium very long</a>. When about 20 of the visiting San Francisco 49ers took a knee during the National Anthem, Pence and his entourage quickly bolted. One protesting player called the VP's exit a "stunt" and an example of "systemic oppression."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Killer's Mysterious Note Revealed<br /> </em></strong><br /> CBS News' '60 Minutes,' in a segment that aired last night, interviewed four law enforcement officials who put their lives at risk by barging into Stephen Paddock's hotel room last Sunday night. In addition to seeing his astounding arsenal, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/details-on-las-vegas-shooter-stephen-paddocks-note/">they noticed a piece of paper that has since been the subject of much speculation</a>. The hand-written note included calculations involving the distance and trajectory of the bullets he was planning to fire at the crowd, another indication of Paddock's meticulous planning.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>D-Day (Decertification-Day) Coming for Iran Nuke Deal<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/defense/354330-5-things-to-know-about-trump-and-the-iran-deal">will announce his final decision on the Iran nuclear arrangement on Thursday</a>. He is expected to "decertify" the deal, which will put the ball back in Congress's court. The president has long denounced the deal as horrible for the United States, but many national security observers insist that it has been working as planned.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump's War of Words With GOP Senator<br /> </em></strong><br /> Senator Bob Corker, chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, has announced that he won't seek re-election next year. He has since engaged in a Twitter feud with President Trump, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/917026789188399105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bloomberg.com%2Fnews%2Farticles%2F2017-10-08%2Ftrump-says-tennessee-s-corker-didn-t-have-the-guts-to-run">who claims Corker begged for his endorsement.</a> Corker returned fire yesterday, describing the Trump White House as an "adult day care center." More seriously, the senator warned that the administration may be putting the USA "on the path to World War III."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hollywood Conspicuously Silent on Harvey Weinstein<br /> </em></strong><br /> Just about everyone in the movie business knew <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/hollywoods-loud-silence-on-harvey-weinsteins-sexual-harassment-allegations">about mogul Harvey Weinstein's history of gross harassment and assault</a>, even as they lectured America on the importance of women's rights. Now, with a few exceptions, the Hollywood elite is keeping very mum on Weinstein's well-known habits. Meryl Strep, who once referred to Weinstein as "God" and who has defended child rapist Roman Polanski, <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/meryl-streep-harvey-weinstein_us_59db5d87e4b072637c45420e">finally issued a statement last night claiming she was totally unaware of Weinstein's proclivities</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Weinstein Fired From His Own Company<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Weinstein Company's board of directors met Sunday <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/harvey-weinstein-at-weinstein-1046874">and ousted the tycoon who started the firm</a>. Weinstein didn't help his cause when he issued his much-ridiculed statement about coming of age in the 1960s and 1970s, when the rules of workplace behavior were different. He may try to win back the affections of Hollywood liberals by taking aim at the National Rifle Association and President Trump. Also, the Weinstein Company said this morning that it may change its name.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Senator Feinstein Befuddled by Gun Question<br /> </em></strong><br /> Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, always a very reliable vote for gun control, was asked point blank on Meet the Press which law might have prevented the Las Vegas massacre. She came up empty, except to say that she would have to do more research.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ktxt15CB46w?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Child Rapist Given Joint Custody<br /> </em></strong><br /> Christopher Mirasolo, now 27 years old, was charged with kidnapping, raping, and threatening to kill a 12-year old girl nine years ago. Now, <a href="http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2017/10/06/rape-victim-attacker-joint-child-custody/106374256/">according to the Detroit News</a>, a Michigan judge has granted Mirasolo joint custody of the child conceived during that rape. The rapist spent just six months in prison before being released so he could supposedly comfort and care for his sick mother. This is a long and sordid and complicated story, one that is certain to elicit outrage among any decent person.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>A New World Record in Bad Marketing<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/08/dove-apologises-for-ad-showing-black-woman-turning-into-white-one">What in the world was Dove soap thinking?</a> The company and its high-priced marketers created an ad showing a black woman taking off her shirt and suddenly being a white woman. Dove quickly removed the ad, saying it "missed the mark," but these days images, like diamonds, are forever. Dove has long branded itself as "gentle" and "mild," but reactions to its ad were just the opposite.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pAIgDredHpw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Catalonia and Spain on the Brink<br /> </em></strong><br /> While many people in Spain's Catalonia region want to separate from Spain, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/09/catalonia-crisis-rages-on-as-thousands-protest-against-independence.html">there are hundreds of thousands who wish to remain under Madrid's administration</a>. Many of them took to the streets of Barcelona yesterday, demanding a peaceful resolution that will essentially maintain the status quo. The Spanish government has hinted that it will stop at nothing to prevent Catalonia from declaring its independence.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bergdahl to Admit Guilt</em></strong><br /> <br /> According to various reports, Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl will soon plead guilty to desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. He abandoned his post in Afghanistan in 2009 and was then captured by the Taliban. President Obama notoriously swapped Bergdahl for five Taliban commanders and warmly welcomed the deserter's parents to the White House, while National Security Adviser Susan Rice actually declared that Bergdahl had served "with honor and distinction." <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/10/08/bergdahls-guilty-pleas-wont-end-the-scandalous-tale/">The New York Post describes the entire debacle as "one of the most shameful episodes of President Obama's tenure."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Columbus Statue Survives Maria</em></strong><br /> <br /> How's this for a feel-good story on Columbus Day? (Or shall we say Indigenous People's Day?) The world's largest Christopher Columbus statue, standing 350-feet tall on Puerto Rico's waterfront, <a href="http://www.npr.org/2017/10/09/556597003/puerto-ricos-christopher-columbus-statue-survives-hurricane-maria">emerged unscathed after Hurricane Maria ravaged most of the island</a>. The massive statue, called "Birth of the New World," was assembled on Puerto Rico just a few years ago.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>KISS Goes Red, White, and Blue<br /> </em></strong><br /> During a concert in Louisiana Saturday night, the band <a href="http://www.nola.com/music/index.ssf/2017/10/kiss_gretna_fest_pledge_of_all.html">KISS stopped the show and invited the audience to join them in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance</a>. Guitarist Paul Stanley explained the move by saying, "It's always cool to love your country." Considering that the NFL is desperate to prove its patriotism, perhaps the league should ask KISS to perform at halftime of the Super Bowl. After all, their uniforms have apparently already malfunctioned.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1mimLH84E6g?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>
</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-10-09T14:15:00ZSunday Briefing: Trump's Ominous Hint on North Korea; Hurricane Nate Hits LandBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Sunday-Briefing:-Trumps-Ominous-Hint-on-North-Korea;-Hurricane-Nate-Hits-Land/-648835891851381701.html2017-10-08T16:27:00Z2017-10-08T16:27:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Sunday, October 8, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Trump's Ominous Hint on North Korea<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump, just days after warning that this is "the calm before the storm," <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/10/07/trump-on-north-korea-sorry-but-only-one-thing-will-work/?utm_term=.f9dc85bfee8a">tweeted on Saturday that "only one thing will work" when it comes to North Korea</a>. Both comments have observers, foreign and domestic, trying to figure out just what he means and whether some military action is imminent. The president also insisted that, contrary to media speculation, he has a very good working relationship with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Japan to Prez: You've Got a Friend!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/10/08/japan-fully-backs-trump-on-north-korea-abe-says.html">reaffirmed that he is fully supportive of President Trump</a> when it comes to North Korea. Abe blasted North Korea for continuing to pursue nuclear technology even after signing multi-national agreements. The looming threat from Kim Jong Un is front and center in Japan's upcoming parliamentary elections.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>New Speculation on Stephen Paddock<br /> </em></strong><br /> ABC News, citing law enforcement officials, <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/investigators-las-vegas-gunman-severe-undiagnosed-mental-illness/story?id=50346433">is reporting that Stephen Paddock may have had a very serious mental illness</a> that went undiagnosed. The killer was widely described as out of touch, isolated, and incapable of interacting with other people. Paddock reportedly had many antisocial habits that were similar to those of previous mass killers.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Killer's Mysterious Note Revealed<br /> </em></strong><br /> CBS News' '60 Minutes,' in a segment that will air this evening, has interviewed police officers who barged into Stephen Paddock's hotel room after the shooting had died down. In addition to witnessing his astounding arsenal of weapons, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/las-vegas-gunman-stephen-paddock-note-hotel-room-details-of-bullet-trajectory/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab7e&linkId=43241872">they saw a note on a nightstand that has since been the subject of much speculation</a>. It turns out that the paper included precise calculations involving the distance and trajectory of the bullets he was planning to fire at the crowd.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Vegas Hooker Speaks Out on Paddock<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4959970/Vegas-prostitute-says-Stephen-Paddock-enjoyed-violent-sex.html">According to a 27-year-old prostitute who spoke with the UK Daily Mail</a>, Stephen Paddock was a regular client who acted out violent fantasies and claimed, "I was born bad." Investigators are continuing to interview high-priced call girls who may have also had experiences with Paddock.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>White Power Ogres Return to Charlottesville<br /> </em></strong><br /> Led by the notorious Richard Spencer, dozens of self-proclaimed "white nationalists" <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41543631">returned to Charlottesville last night and held another torch-lit rally</a>. The mayor responded with a blunt message: "You're not welcome here! Go home!" The rally lasted only minutes, after which Spencer and his pals boarded a bus for parts unknown.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Prez Never Says Die on Health Care<br /> </em></strong><br /> In addition to tweeting about North Korea Saturday, President Trump said he would <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/08/trump-willing-to-pursue-temporary-deal-on-healthcare.html">consider a "temporary deal" with Democrats and Republicans</a> on health care reform. The president had already spoken with Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer to pursue the notion of passing "great health care legislation." Democrats say they will listen, but are adamant that while ObamaCare may be fixed, it will never be abandoned.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hurricane Nate Hits Land<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/08/us/hurricane-nate-landfall/index.html">The latest in a series of hurricanes is Nate</a>, which smacked Louisiana, Mississippi, and the Florida panhandle last night and this morning. Even though Nate has been downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane and then a tropical storm, it has left hundreds of thousands without power. President Trump has declared an emergency in the areas most severely affected and some officials have urged residents to evacuate.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Thrown For a Big, Big Loss<br /> </em></strong><br /> It's just one poll and may be an outlier, but a new survey claims that <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/shock-poll-nfl-now-least-liked-sport-core-fans-down-31/article/2636837">the National Football League has fallen deeply out of favor with many Americans</a>. While the appeal of other major sports remained fairly steady, the poll found that the NFL's "favorable" rating plunged from 57% in August to 44% in September, with a correspondent rise in its unfavorable numbers. The only reasonable explanation for such a large drop is the player protests that have alienated so many patriotic citizens.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Saturday Night Live Ignores Weinstein<br /> </em></strong><br /> SNL has made its name by pummeling the rich and famous, but that apparently does not apply to Hollywood moguls who are also huge Democratic donors. Harvey Weinstein, the mega-producer who has reportedly spent decades assaulting and harassing women, and who is the talk of New York and Hollywood, <a href="https://hotair.com/headlines/archives/2017/10/snl-completely-avoids-harvey-weinstein-scandal/">went completely ignored on last night's program</a>. But of course the show's cast pushed for more stringent gun control.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dems Return Weinstein's Tainted Money<br /> </em></strong><br /> Weinstein was among the most generous and reliable of Democratic donors, giving millions to presidential candidates, liberal members of Congress, and many others. Hillary Clinton, a good friend of Weinstein's and a frequent recipient of his largess, has been conspicuously silent in recent days, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/354310-democrats-rush-to-cut-ties-with-harvey-weinstein">but other Democrats are rushing to cleanse their hands by giving Weinstein's donations to charitable groups</a>, especially those involved in women's issues. Chuck Schumer, Elizabeth Warren, Al Franken, and others are rushing to distance themselves from the portly, piggish producer.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>LA Times on Hurricane Harvey Weinstein<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Los Angeles Times, which was scooped by the New York Times on the Weinstein story, <a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-harvey-weinstein-rise-fall-20171008-story.html">is trying desperately to make up for lost ground</a>. The paper has published a detailed account of Weinstein's rise and fall, which was accompanied by incredible bullying, arrogance, and possibly criminal harassment.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bergdahl Guilty Plea Imminent</em></strong><br /> <br /> Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, praised by Susan Rice for serving "with honor and distinction," <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/10/06/sgt-bowe-bergdahl-to-plead-guilty-to-desertion-misbehavior/">is expected to plead guilty to desertion and misbehavior before the enemy</a>. Bergdahl abandoned his post in Afghanistan in 2009 and was then captured and held by the Taliban. Some of his platoon mates were reportedly killed and injured when they conducted a desperate search for Bergdahl. President Obama infamously swapped Bergdahl for five Taliban commanders and warmly welcomed the deserter's parents to the White House.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dem Congressman Investigated for Bribery</em></strong><br /> <br /> Bob Brady, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, <a href="https://www.westernjournalism.com/democrat-congressman-under-investigation-for-bribery/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=thenewvoice&utm_campaign=can&utm_content=2017-10-06">is accused of paying $90,000 to another Democrat to entice him to drop out of their primary</a>. The investigation has apparently been underway for months, but prosecutors kept it mum so Brady would not cover his tracks. Congressman Brady says the money transfer was above board and completely transparent.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Astounding California Madness</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/07/health/california-hiv-bill-signed/index.html">Governor Jerry Brown has signed another remarkable piece of legislation</a> that is now the law in California. It is longer a major crime to expose a sexual partner to HIV without first telling them that you have the virus. Perhaps even more incredibly, knowingly donating HIV-infected blood has been reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor. The Democratic sponsors of the bill contended that this will "destigmatize" HIV, even if it puts others at grave risk.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Jail For Touching a Man in Dubai?<br /> </em></strong><br /> Jamie Haron, who was visiting Dubai from his home in Scotland, made the mistake of touching another man's hip while in a bar. He claims he was simply trying to avoid spilling a drink, but that didn't wash with Dubai authorities, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-41536636">who charged him with public indecency</a>, tossed him in jail for five days, and confiscated his passport. Lesson of the day: When in Dubai or any other predominantly Muslim nation, just let the damned drink spill!<br /> <br /> </p>
<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>
</div>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-10-08T16:27:00ZNRA Endorses Bump Stock Restriction; Report: Trump Will Scrap Iran Nuke DealBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/NRA-Endorses-Bump-Stock-Restriction;-Report:-Trump-Will-Scrap-Iran-Nuke-Deal/646363720521977035.html2017-10-06T14:11:00Z2017-10-06T14:11:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, October 6, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>The Mystery Grows More Mystifying<br /> </em></strong><br /> Investigators are still searching for anything that will help make sense of <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/motive-remains-elusive-days-las-vegas-massacre/story?id=50320760">why Stephen Paddock opened fire and killed 58 people</a>. Along with his arsenal of 23 weapons, Paddock's hotel room had one computer and other unidentified electronic devices. Forensics experts hope to find something revelatory in those devices or in one of the killer's homes, but the only conclusion thus far is that Paddock's mental health seems to have been rapidly deteriorating.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>More on His Meticulous Plan<br /> </em></strong><br /> While Paddock's motive remains a puzzle, there is more evidence showing just how thoroughly he planned the massacre. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/06/us/las-vegas-shooting-investigation/index.html">He recently went to a gun show in Arizona and attempted to buy tracer bullets</a>, which light up as they travel toward a target. The vendor was out of tracers, but Paddock stocked up on other ammo at the show. His car in the Mandalay Bay Hotel parking lot had 50 pounds of explosives and 1,600 bullets, leading law enforcement authorities to believe that he hoped to escape.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NRA Endorses Bump Stock Restriction<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lasvegas-shooting/nra-backs-bump-stocks-regulations-after-las-vegas-massacre-idUSKBN1CA0X6">Even the National Rifle Association agrees that the administration should restrict</a> "bump stocks," those devices that transform a semi-automatic rifle into a machine gun-like weapon. The add-ons, which are legal and easily available, enabled Stephen Paddock to fire hundreds of rounds per minute and almost surely led to more deaths than if he had to pull the trigger once for each round. President Trump and other Republicans have also implied that they are ready to restrict bump stocks.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Today's Mixed Jobs Report<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Labor Department unveiled its much-watched monthly jobs report this morning. <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/06/us-lost-33000-jobs-in-sept-vs-90000-jobs-increase-expected.html">The United States economy lost 33,000 jobs</a>, largely because of the hits taken by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. However, the unemployment rate fell to a 16-year low of 4.2% and hourly wages increased. Analysts surmise that the job losses should be temporary and do not signal a widespread economic slowdown.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Report: Trump Will Scrap Iran Nuke Deal<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-plans-to-declare-that-iran-nuclear-deal-is-not-in-the-national-interest/2017/10/05/825c916e-a9e3-11e7-b3aa-c0e2e1d41e38_story.html?utm_term=.edff984b5f56">The Washington Post is reporting that President Trump will abandon</a> the six-nation nuclear deal that was hammered out with Iran during the Obama administration. The president's move is not unexpected, given that he ridiculed the arrangement at nearly every campaign stop last year. The Post, which seems to be relying on well-sourced information, claims the White House will officially "decertify" the deal next week and assert that it is not in the USA's national interest.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>President Ominously Hints At Coming "Storm"<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump invited all his top military advisers to the White House last night and <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/10/06/trump-gathers-with-military-leaders-says-maybe-its-the-calm-before-the-storm/?utm_term=.c41d5c2a116e">cryptically warned of an imminent "storm."</a> But it is totally unclear whether he was talking about a storm involving Iran, North Korea, or ISIS. When pressed on just what he meant, President Trump simply said, "You'll find out." The only thing for certain is that he was not referring to Hurricane Nate, which is threatening the Gulf Coast.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Tax Reform Hits a Snag<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Hill is reporting that <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/354162-warning-signs-emerge-in-gops-tax-reform-push">Republicans in Congress are already divided on tax reform</a>, which President Trump is counting on after the failure of ObamaCare repeal. The major hurdle for any tax bill will come in the Senate, where Republicans have just 52 seats and very little margin for error. A few GOP Senators, among them libertarian Rand Paul and soon-to-retire Bob Corker, have already voiced their skepticism about the tax legislation.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Star Hit Hard for "Sexist" Comment<br /> </em></strong><br /> Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is used to being thrown for a loss, but he made a remark this week that will hit him very hard in the wallet. <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/panthers/2017/10/05/dannon-cut-ties-panthers-quarterback-cam-newton/735648001/">During a press conference, Newton said "it's funny to hear a female talk about (passing) routes." </a> If it was a joke, it got very few laughs, especially from Dannon Yogurt, which quickly dropped Newton as its high-paid spokesman. It's worth noting that the female reporter, who took great offense, sent out racially inflammatory tweets a few years back, even using the dreaded "n-word." It's also worth noting that sponsors don't seem to care if players disrespect the National Anthem or mimic peeing dogs in the end zone.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6FoG_PIde0M?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hollywood Big to Sue NY Times for $50-million<br /> </em></strong><br /> Harvey Weinstein, one of the America's most prolific movie producers and a major Democratic donor, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/10/05/weinstein-slams-new-york-times-report-over-harassment-claims-says-hell-sue-for-50m.html">says he has been defamed by the New York Times</a>, which ran a lengthy piece outlining his long and sordid history of sexual harassment. In what appears to be contradictory, Weinstein both apologized for his behavior and moved forward with a lawsuit against the paper that documented that behavior. <a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/abcarian/la-me-abcarian-weinstein-harassment-20171006-story.html">The Los Angeles Times has piled on, describing Weinstein as "just another overgrown Hollywood man-baby.</a>"<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Let the Statue Wars Resume!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Forget about mass shootings, hurricanes, and North Korea, let's get back to what really matters. Some people in Pittsburgh are calling for the <a href="http://www.pennlive.com/life/2017/10/stephen_foster_statue_hearing.html">removal of a statue depicting famous American composer Stephen Foster</a> because it includes a black banjo player. Foster, known as 'the father of American music,' wrote classics such as "Oh! Susanna" and "My Old Kentucky Home." The statue in question was sculpted in 1900 and now sits on public property near the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Leading Democrat Calls for Pelosi to Step Aside<br /> </em></strong><br /> Linda Sanchez, a 48-year-old Congresswoman from California, is the fifth-ranking Democrat in the House. She has just gone where Democrats fear to tread, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">publicly calling for elderly party leaders to step aside</a> and "pass the torch." There's no doubt she was referring to the top three House Democrats – 77-year-old Nancy Pelosi, 78-year-old Steny Hoyer, and 77-year-old James Clyburn. Rumors that Sanchez has hired a food taster have not been confirmed.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>California Now a "Sanctuary State"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Meanwhile, 79-year-old Governor Jerry Brown has <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/05/california-sanctuary-city-jerry-brown-signs-243503">signed a law designating California as a "sanctuary state."</a> The legislation limits the ability of local law enforcement officers to help the feds on immigration matters and symbolizes the cultural war between the USA's most populous state and the Trump White House. Meanwhile, <a href="http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2017/10/05/deadline-thursday-daca-permits/">illegal immigrants who support DACA protested and blocked traffic on Wilshire Boulevard</a> in Los Angeles, creating a major headache for commuters.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Nobel Peace Prize Announced<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-nobel-peace-prize-ican-20171006-story.html">This year's Peace Prize has been awarded</a> to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, whose goal is to rid the world of every one of its 15,000 nukes. The Nobel committee, which is big on sending messages, is using this year's prize to pressure North Korea and the United States. It is also seen as a thinly-veiled endorsement of the Iran nuclear deal, which President Trump is expected to exit next week. The Nobel Committee rarely follows that sage advice usually attributed to movie mogul Samuel Goldwyn: "If you want to send a message, call Western Union!"<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>"Fearless Girl" Firm Fined for Gender Bias<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Wall Street firm State Street Global Advisors signaled their virtue when it commissioned a statue depicting a young girl staring down the "Charging Bull" statue on Wall Street. The "Fearless Girl" statue was meant to advertise a State Street fund consisting of "gender-diverse" companies, and its plaque reads, "Know the power of women in leadership." Well, in a delicious bit of irony, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/business-41523233">State Street Global Advisors has been accused of paying</a> female executives far less than their male colleagues. The firm will pay settlements to 300 women who were underpaid relative to men. When it unveiled the statue earlier this year, State Street Global Advisors also created a slick video advertising its deep and abiding commitment to women.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G3ApQ2H6zFs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /><br /></p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-10-06T14:11:00ZThe Killer's "Secret Life"; Tillerson Defends President, Denies RiftBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/The-Killers-Secret-Life;-Tillerson-Defends-President-Denies-Rift/-217513873553293248.html2017-10-05T14:19:00Z2017-10-05T14:19:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Thursday, October 5, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>The Killer's "Secret Life"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Sheriff Joseph Lombardo, who has become the face of the Las Vegas investigation, is suggesting that <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/10/05/las-vegas-sheriff-mass-killer-likely-had-some-help-at-some-point.html">Stephen Paddock was living a "secret life"</a> and that we may never know what drove him to slaughter so many people. During a press briefing last night, the sheriff also theorized that Paddock "spent decades" amassing weapons and ammunition and may even have had some help somewhere along the way. Sheriff Lombardo also stated that <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/05/us/las-vegas-shooting-investigation/index.html">Paddock may have planned to escape</a> after carrying out his massacre.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Day, Another Theory<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/the-strip/las-vegas-strip-shooter-targeted-aviation-fuel-tanks-source-says/">The Las Vegas Review-Journal is reporting</a> that Paddock may have been aiming at large storage tanks filled with jet fuel during his rampage. It may be worth noting, however, that the story relies on a "knowledgeable source," and not a "law enforcement source." One aviation expert says that a machine gun bullet would never ignite a tank filled with jet fuel and that only a "very amateur terrorist" would believe that possible. So take this story with a grain of salt.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Paddock's Girlfriend Questioned by FBI<br /> </em></strong><br /> Marilou Danley, Stephen Paddock's live-in girlfriend, is back in the United States and has been interrogated by the FBI. According to her attorney, <a href="http://fox2now.com/2017/10/05/las-vegas-gunmans-girlfriend-says-she-didnt-know-he-was-planning-shooting/">Danley was absolutely clueless</a> about Paddock's murderous intentions. The couple met in a casino and had been living together for four years. It remains unclear whether she was aware that her boyfriend had amassed a large arsenal of weapons in their homes.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Killer's Love of Video Poker<br /> </em></strong><br /> Stephen Paddock was known as a regular casino gambler and reportedly a high-roller with enough money to open large lines of credit at various casinos, including Mandalay Bay. But he generally skipped blackjack, roulette, and other games that include some human interaction. <a href="https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/paddocks-game-of-choice-video-poker-allowed-him-to-blend-in/">His game of choice was video poker</a>, which actually requires some math skills and where a gambler can sit for hours and bet many thousands of dollars.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Very Moving Moment in Las Vegas Hospital<br /> </em></strong><br /> Thomas Gunderson, recovering in the hospital after being shot in the leg Sunday, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">insisted on standing when President Trump and Melania Trump visited his room yesterday</a>. It's a stunning contrast to football players who insist on kneeling during the National Anthem.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Left's Deep Hatred of the NRA<br /> </em></strong><br /> Leading Democrats, talk show hosts, pundits, and leftists everywhere are singing from the same hymnal this week. They blame Republicans, guns, and especially the National Rifle Association for the killing in Las Vegas and America's affinity for guns. <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/452300/liberals-national-rifle-association-gun-control">Writing in National Review, attorney, veteran, and author David French analyzes the left's loathing of the NRA.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Tillerson Defends President, Denies Rift<br /> </em></strong><br /> Responding to media reports that he was once close to quitting, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rex-tillerson-statement-today-leaving-resigning/">Secretary of State Rex Tillerson forcefully insisted</a> that he has "never considered leaving this post." Tillerson threw cold water on the story, which was reported by NBC News, and also scoffed at the notion that he had disparaged President Trump as a "moron." The president himself weighed in, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/915596990674849792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Fopinion%2Fwhite-house%2F353987-nbc-news-come-clean-on-tillersons-alleged-moron-quote">tweeting that the NBC story had been "totally refuted."</a> Other reports allege that there has been tension between the White House and the State Department because <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/353986-white-house-officials-clashed-with-tillerson-for-neglecting-to-return">the secretary of state is not big on returning phone calls.</a> We called Tillerson for confirmation but he has not gotten back to us.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Investigation That Won't Die!<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Senate Intelligence Committee, still searching for links between Russia and the Trump campaign, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/10/04/senate-intel-chief-cant-set-a-date-on-ending-russia-investigation-video/">will continue its probe indefinitely</a>. Republican Richard Burr, who chairs the committee, said he "can't set a date" and vowed to continue the quest. Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.newsmax.com/Politics/donald-trump-urges-senate-intelligence-committee-take-up/2017/10/05/id/817801/">President Trump jumped on Twitter early this morning</a> and urged the committee to investigate what he calls "Fake News Networks."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Black Lives Matter Silences Free Speech Event<br /> </em></strong><br /> It's hard to miss the irony in this story. <a href="https://reason.com/blog/2017/10/04/black-lives-matter-students-shut-down-th">William & Mary College decided to hold an event</a> at which an ACLU official would discuss the importance of free speech and the First Amendment. But students affiliated with Black Lives Matter had other plans and shut down the speaker and the event, which was eventually canceled.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hypocrisy-Laden GOP Congressman to Quit<br /> </em></strong><br /> Republican Congressman Tim Murphy, the pro-lifer who reportedly asked his mistress to undergo an abortion, <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/04/tim-murphy-abortion-mistress-243456">has announced that he will not run for reelection next year</a>. In addition to admitting to having an affair, Murphy sent text messages to his lover and advised her to end the pregnancy. As it turns out, she was not in fact pregnant at the time.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Words of the Day: Bump Stock<br /> </em></strong><br /> Most Americans had never heard the term "bump stock" prior to this week, but we now know that Stephen Paddock used the device to transform a semi-automatic rifle into a weapon that acts more like an automatic machine gun. <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/05/after-vegas-shooting-bump-stock-is-hot-at-gun-stores.html">Some leading gun retailers are now discontinuing the sale of bump stocks</a>, while other stores report that customers are very interested in the devices. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/353956-gop-lawmaker-to-unveil-bill-banning-bump-stocks">A Republican Congressman has already announced</a> that he will introduce a bipartisan bill to ban bump stocks.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Michelle Obama Criticizes White and Male GOP<br /> </em></strong><br /> The former First Lady, speaking at a conference in Philadelphia, claimed that people don't trust politicians largely because <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/oct/4/michelle-obama-laments-lack-diversity-all-men-all-/">one side of the political divide is "all white, all men."</a> She added that it was embarrassing for her to attend the State of the Union addresses and notice that the Republican side was "literally gray and white."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>US Green Berets Killed in Niger Ambush<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2017/10/04/u-s-troops-take-hostile-fire-in-niger/?utm_term=.ecbce4c1c3d7">Three elite U.S. Army Green Beret soldiers were killed in the African nation of Niger yesterday</a>. They were on patrol with Niger forces when their convoy was ambushed near the border with Mali. The Army has been tight-lipped about the mission, other than to say that the soldiers were involved in a counterterrorism action.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Jeb Bush Hammers Trump on Puerto Rico<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush <a href="http://tbtpics.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2017/10/04/jeb-bush-criticizes-trump-on-puerto-rico/">has denounced President Trump for lacking</a> "consistency and compassion" in his response to the destruction in Puerto Rico. Bush may be still smarting after candidate Trump derided him as a "low energy" guy during their early presidential debates.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Chicago Leads the Way in Mass Shootings<br /> </em></strong><br /> A "mass shooting" is often described as an incident where at least four people are shot in a single event. By that definition, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/10/04/chicago-alone-accounts-for-10-percent-of-mass-shootings-in-the-us/">The Daily Caller calculates that the city of Chicago</a> accounts for more than 10% of mass shootings in the United States. The city, known for its tough gun laws, is infected by gang warfare and a severe lack of leadership.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>God Bless Loony Professors<br /> </em></strong><br /> What would we do without 'em? <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/10/03/god-bless-america-warmongering-song-ithaca-professor-says.html">According to Stephen Mosher, a professor at Ithaca College</a>, "God Bless America" should not be played at sporting events because it is "warmongering." Maybe it's the "Land that I love" line that offends the professor. Or could it be "From the mountains to the prairies" that inspires violence? Irving Berlin wrote "God Bless America" in 1918, describing it as a "peace song," and it was later used in the Civil Rights movement. But no doubt Stephen Mosher knows more. By the way, a year at Ithaca College will set parents back about $60,000. Just to annoy the professor, here is a rendition by that noted warmonger Kate Smith:<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rEJo7x9y3D4?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-10-05T14:19:00ZTrump to Las Vegas Today; Stephen Paddock, What We KnowBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-to-Las-Vegas-Today;-Stephen-Paddock-What-We-Know/117374865729297402.html2017-10-04T13:44:00Z2017-10-04T13:44:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Wednesday, October 4, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Stephen Paddock, What We Know<br /> </em></strong><br /> While medical professionals try to perform miracles on the hundreds of wounded in Las Vegas, investigators are sifting through evidence and searching for clues. A picture of mass killer Stephen Paddock is emerging, but it remains extremely blurry. <a href="http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/10/what-we-know-about-las-vegas-gunman-stephen-paddock.html">New York magazine has put together</a> a comprehensive account of what is known about the madman, and what is still unclear. Also, it is now being reported that <a href="https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/the-strip/las-vegas-strip-shooter-prescribed-anti-anxiety-drug-in-june/">Paddock was taking the anti-anxiety drug diazepam,</a> which can occasionally exacerbate pre-existing violent tendencies, and Clark County Sheriff <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/10/03/sheriff-las-vegas-shooter-paddock-may-have-been-radicalized/">Joseph Lombardo is raising the possibility that Paddock had been "radicalized."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Paddock's Girlfriend Back in the USA<br /> </em></strong><br /> Marilou Danley, Stephen Paddock's live-in girlfriend, <a href="https://apnews.com/7e4a10c9c9204ccabf7ed0f11f049446/Las-Vegas-gunman's-girlfriend-returns-to-US-for-questioning">has returned from Asia and was met by FBI agents in Los Angeles last night</a>. She is officially a "person of interest" and may be able to provide valuable information about Paddock, his state of mind, and his ability to stockpile so many weapons without arousing suspicion. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/10/03/new-details-emerge-about-las-vegas-shooter-stephen-paddock-and-girlfriend-marilou-danley/?utm_term=.a500930afa46">The Washington Post reports that Paddock and Danley</a> met a few years ago when she was a casino hostess, and that witnesses at a Starbucks frequently saw Paddock verbally abuse the tiny woman in public.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Girlfriend's Sisters Speak Out<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/10/04/las-vegas-shooter-sent-girlfriend-away-while-planned-attack-her-sisters-say.html">Marilou Danley's two sisters have spoken to a TV station in Australia</a>. They insist that their sister had absolutely no prior knowledge of the attack and that Stephen Paddock sent her away so that she would not "interfere with what he's planning." Danley was in the Philippines when Paddock pulled the trigger and started mowing people down last weekend.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump to Las Vegas Today<br /> </em></strong><br /> One day after visiting hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/04/trump-expected-to-avoid-gun-control-debate-during-las-vegas-visit.html">President Trump heads today to Las Vegas</a>, a city still in shock after the mass murder. The president will likely meet with families of victims, emergency teams, and local officials, but is expected to eschew any talk about new gun laws.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Rex Tillerson Seeks to Salvage Iran Nuke Deal<br /> </em></strong><br /> Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is said to be working with Congress <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/03/politics/trump-tillerson-iran-deal-plan/index.html">to maintain the nuclear agreement with Iran</a>, which was brokered during the Obama administration and has been mocked by President Trump as the worst deal in history. Tillerson and others are searching for a way to avoid totally walking away from the agreement. Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/tillerson-s-fury-trump-required-intervention-pence-n806451">NBC News reports that Tillerson very nearly resigned</a> last summer before Vice President Mike Pence dove in to calm the waters.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>House Passes 20-Week Abortion Ban<br /> </em></strong><br /> The House of Representatives has <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/353709-house-passes-20-week-abortion-ban">passed a bill that would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy</a>, which is already law in more than a dozen states. The vote was almost purely along party lines, with just two Republicans voting "nay" and three Democrats voting "yea." The bill faces a very tough road in the Senate, where 60 votes will be required for passage.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hypocrisy of a Pro-Life Congressman<br /> </em></strong><br /> Republican Congressman Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania is a reliable vote against abortion rights, and was among those who endorsed the aforementioned 20-week ban. But his former lover is denouncing Murphy <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/10/04/anti-abortion-congressman-reportedly-asked-mistress-to-abort-baby/">for asking her to undergo an abortion</a>. It turns out that the woman, Shannon Edwards, was not in fact pregnant at the time, but that does little to ease the congressman's embarrassment. One pro-choice group mocked him for displaying "the height of hypocrisy."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Accentuates the Positive in Puerto Rico<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-praises-himself-for-administrations-great-job-in-puerto-rico/2017/10/03/fdb5eeb4-a83a-11e7-8ed2-c7114e6ac460_story.html?utm_term=.37c0d1d7d689">During his visit to Puerto Rico yesterday</a>, President Trump heaped praise on aid workers, local officials, and his own administration. The president pointed out that the island avoided Katrina-like mass casualties, but also took heat for joking that the disaster threw the U.S. budget "a little out of whack." Most observers realized he was kidding, but the media never misses an opportunity to hammer the president. Perhaps as a result of the unending criticism, <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/353781-almost-half-disapprove-of-trumps-handling-of-puerto-rico-poll">about half of Americans say they do not approve of the way</a> President Trump is handling the post-Maria crisis in Puerto Rico.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Prez to Request $29-Billion for Disaster Relief<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/353738-trump-admin-to-ask-congress-for-29-billion-for-disaster-aid-flood">The administration is about to ask Congress to authorize $29-billion</a> to help recovery in Puerto Rico, Texas, Florida, and other areas ravaged by recent hurricanes and floods. The White House may start negotiating with Congress as early as today.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Far Left Demands Dems Act on Gun Control<br /> </em></strong><br /> As both parties look ahead nervously to next year's mid-term elections, Democrats are under withering pressure from their party's left wing. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/353757-dems-face-pressure-from-left-on-gun-control">Progressives want Dems to push for extremely tough new gun laws</a>, while party leaders contend that gradual change is their best bet. Most gun control advocates are fully aware that no law will prevent gun violence, but insist that a ban on some powerful weapons and enhanced background checks will save lives.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Steve Scalise More Pro-Gun Than Ever!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Republican Congressman Steve Scalise, who was shot and nearly killed by a Republican-hating fanatic last summer, <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/10/03/scalises-support-for-gun-rights-fortified-by-vegas-shooting/">has emerged from the hospital with his pro-gun views unchanged</a>. The House Majority Whip, who has always been given the highest marks by the NRA, is pushing for laws that would make it far easier to carry a concealed handgun.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Drives Away Another Sponsor<br /> </em></strong><br /> A large car dealership in New Jersey has <a href="http://observer.com/2017/10/kalafer-pulls-all-car-ads-from-nfl-over-anthem-protest/">decided to pull its ads from NFL games for the remainder of the season</a>. Steve Kalafer, owner of Flemington Car and Truck Country, is staging his own protest in response to players kneeling and sitting during the National Anthem.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Here Come the Robots!<br /> </em></strong><br /> The fast-food chain Shake Shack was effusively praised by President Obama for paying its new workers a higher-than-minimum wage. <a href="http://freebeacon.com/issues/obamas-favorite-high-paying-restaurant-replaces-humans-robots/">But Shake Shack's newest outlet in New York City will replace some of those employees</a> with robots. Those workers lucky enough to remain will earn a lofty $15 an hour, but there will be fewer of them, which is the inevitable tradeoff when the minimum wage is increased.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Day, Another Mad Professor<br /> </em></strong><br /> George Ciccariello-Maher, who teaches at Drexel University in Philadelphia, has previously demonstrated his deep need for attention. Now he's at it again, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/10/03/professor-blames-las-vegas-massacre-on-trumpism-narrative-white-victimization.html">blaming "Trumpism" and "white victimization" for Stephen Paddock's murderous rampage.</a> The esteemed professor gained some measure of infamy last year when he tweeted, "All I Want for Christmas is White Genocide." Parents have the privilege of paying about $68,000 a year to send their little one off to Drexel.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Billionaire for President? What a Thought!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Mark Cuban, brash billionaire and TV host, may be following the lead of another brash billionaire and TV host. During an interview yesterday, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2017/10/03/mark-cuban-says-he-is-considering-a-run-for-president/?utm_term=.90081795f210">Cuban would not rule out the possibility that he might someday run for president.</a> He has described himself as a libertarian-leaning problem-solver and has described President Trump as "bats*** crazy." In turn, Trump says Cuban is simply not smart enough to run for the presidency.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Only Bad Parents Have Guns, Declares Pundit<br /> </em></strong><br /> David Frum, who describes himself as a "conservative intellectual," is evidently also an expert on parenting and firearms. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">During one of his frequent appearances on MSNBC yesterday</a>, Frum bizarrely claimed that no good parent would ever keep a gun in the house. He may want to tell that to the millions of dads who like to go hunting with their children.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>National Taco Day!<br /> </em></strong><br /> While we don't wish to be accused of "cultural appropriation," please don't forget that <a href="https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-taco-day-october-4/">this is National Taco Day</a>. The day's genesis is a mystery, but it apparently began in 2009. And which fast food restaurant chain is taking full advantage of this unofficial holiday? <a href="https://www.tacobell.com/day">Take a wild guess.</a></p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-10-04T13:44:00ZStephen Paddock, Inexplicable Terrorist ; Carnage or Not, NFL Player Sits Out AnthemBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Stephen-Paddock-Inexplicable-Terrorist-;-Carnage-or-Not-NFL-Player-Sits-Out-Anthem/72315785110597708.html2017-10-03T14:18:00Z2017-10-03T14:18:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Tuesday, October 3, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Stephen Paddock, Inexplicable Terrorist <br /> </em></strong><br /> More than a day after the Las Vegas massacre, <a href="https://apnews.com/b40154840ba744ceb1e002fad32bd5c9">no one has yet been able to answer the most perplexing question</a>: What made 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, said to be a retired accountant, intricately plan and carry out the deadliest shooting massacre in American history? Authorities have searched his homes and have spoken with family members, but thus far there is no reasonable answer. One tantalizing clue is that his father, Benjamin Paddock, was also a psychopath.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Killer's Notorious Father<br /> </em></strong><br /> When it comes to criminality, <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/10/02/stephen_paddock_s_father_patrick_benjamin_paddock_was_a_bank_robber_wanted.html">Stephen Paddock has a fascinating pedigree</a>. His father Benjamin robbed several banks in Arizona and was sentenced to 20 years in the slammer. The elder Paddock escaped from a federal lockup, landed on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted List, and lived a rather bizarre life as a fugitive from justice. He was known for a time as "Bingo Bruce Ericksen."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Carnage or Not, NFL Player Sits Out Anthem<br /> </em></strong><br /> Almost every player stood for last night's National Anthem prior to the Monday Night Football game between Washington and Kansas City. <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/oct/2/marcus-peters-takes-knee-after-las-vegas-massacre/">But the Chiefs' Marcus Peters sat for the Anthem</a>, as he has all season. He was predictably savaged on Twitter for refusing to stand on one of the most tragic days in the nation's recent history, a day when police and first responders performed heroically.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Two Dem Sits Out Moment of Silence<br /> </em></strong><br /> Just before Marcus Peters sat out the National Anthem, at least two Democratic members of Congress refused to participate in last night's moment of silence to honor the Las Vegas victims. Massachusetts Congressmen Seth Moulton, a gun control advocate and a veteran of the war in Iraq, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/democrat-says-he-will-boycott-moment-of-silence-for-las-vegas-shooting/">explained that this is not time for silence</a>, but for action.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pelosi Demands Committee on Gun Violence<br /> </em></strong><br /> House Democratic Leader <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/10/02/pelosi-calls-for-special-committee-on-gun-violence/">Nancy Pelosi wants to form a special bipartisan committee</a> that will presumably recommend some form of gun control legislation. At the very minimum, she is calling for expanded background checks and says Congress has a "moral duty" to take action.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Where Americans Stand on Gun Control<br /> </em></strong><br /> The two major parties are very far apart on many aspects of gun control, but there are also areas of agreement. <a href="https://www.axios.com/where-americans-agree-and-disagree-on-gun-control-2492065161.html">According to a poll taken earlier this year by Pew</a>, 89% of Republicans and 89% of Democrats agree that those who are mentally ill should not be allowed to purchase firearms. There are other areas of agreement, although Republicans are far more likely to endorse concealed carry and the ability of teachers to be armed in the classroom.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>ABC News Correspondent Slams "Right-Wing Media" <br /> </em></strong><br /> In the race for the bottom among biased left-wingers in the mainstream media, ABC's Terry Moran may be catching up on CNN's Jim Acosta. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/10/02/abc-news-terry-moran-blasts-right-wing-media-on-heels-vegas-massacre.html">Moran strutted his stuff yesterday</a> when he denounced what he called the "right-wing media" and its supposed refusal to talk about guns after a horrible massacre. Earlier this year Fox News host Tucker Carlson ran an amusing and revealing segment about Moran and his anti-Trump tweets:<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/969VZ79wC3o?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Prez to Puerto Rico Today<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-puertorico/trump-to-meet-victims-responders-in-hurricane-ravaged-puerto-rico-idUSKCN1C80DO">President Trump is heading to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico today</a>, where he has been both praised and criticized by local officials. He is expected to meet with rescue workers, government leaders, and victims of Hurricane Maria. The vast majority of residents have no electricity and most also lack clean water. The Trump administration is reportedly ready to ask Congress to allocate $13-billion, much of which will go to help rebuild the island.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Then, On to Las Vegas<br /> </em></strong><br /> After witnessing the effects of the natural disaster in Puerto Rico, <a href="https://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/shootings/trump-decries-act-of-pure-evil-will-visit-las-vegas-on-wednesday/">President Trump will pay his respects at the even deadlier man-made disaster in Las Vegas</a>. He will go there tomorrow to meet with families of the victims and to resume his call for national unity.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Administration Endorses Abortion Bill<br /> </em></strong><br /> A proposed House bill that would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/02/white-house-backs-bill-criminalizing-abortions-after-20-weeks.html">is being endorsed by the Trump administration</a>. Doctors performing abortions after that period, with some exceptions, would be subject to fines and even prison sentences. It should be noted that the bill is hardly draconian – most Western European democracies ban abortions after 12 weeks unless there is serious risk to the health of the mother.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>A Silencer for the NRA <br /> </em></strong><br /> As it has after previous gun-related massacres, <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/02/las-vegas-shootings-nra-guns-243394">the National Rifle Association has suspended all its social media activities</a>. The organization, which is taking incoming from Democratic politicians and the left, is also ignoring media inquiries. If past is prologue, the NRA will wait days or weeks before commenting on the Las Vegas carnage.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Late-Night Hosts Weigh in on Vegas<br /> </em></strong><br /> Following the lead of Stephen Colbert, many late-night hosts have become extremely political in recent months, almost uniformly taking an anti-Trump and anti-Republican line. <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/late-night-hosts-speak-gun-violence-wake-las-vegas-tragedy-1045047">Last night was no exception</a>, as Jimmy Kimmel, Conan O'Brien, and Seth Meyers eschewed comedy and demanded more and tougher gun control laws.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Rocker Tom Petty Dead<br /> </em></strong><br /> 66-year-old Tom Petty, best known as the leader of the Heartbreakers, was found unconscious in his California home Sunday night, <a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-tom-petty-20171002-story.html">then died yesterday in a Santa Monica hospital</a>. Petty had just finished a tour that celebrated the Heartbreakers' 40<sup>th</sup> anniversary. Their major hits included "Free Fallin' and "I won't Back Down," among many others.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN Praises President, WaPo's Erik Wemple Objects!<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2017/10/02/pitch-perfect-cnn-scrambles-to-glorify-trumps-las-vegas-speech/?utm_term=.1087b51ca075">Washington Post media reporter Erik Wemple took great umbrage and was even in a state of high dudgeon yesterday</a>. Why? Because CNN had the audacity to call President Trump's speech on Las Vegas "pitch perfect." The cable news network obviously broke the unwritten code that bans any and all praise of the president, and Wemple was right there to enforce the rules. CNN will think twice next time before giving the president a positive review.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Erik Wemple, Call Your Office!<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-s-right-his-media-coverage-mostly-negative-n806681">Meanwhile, how's this for a headline on NBC News' website: "Trump's Right."</a> NBC was reporting on a new poll showing that coverage of President Trump's first months in office was 62% negative and a whopping 5% positive. That compares with Barack Obama, who was effusively praised by the media eight years earlier. How long before Erik Wemple slams NBC for agreeing with President Trump?<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Lawyer Fired After Extremely Offensive Tweet<br /> </em></strong><br /> Prior to yesterday, Hayley Geftman-Gold was a highly paid corporate lawyer at CBS. <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/10/02/cbs-lawyer-fired-las-vegas-facebook-post-republican-gun-toters/724808001/">She then decided to go on Twitter and malign the dead victims in Las Vegas</a>, saying they were probably "Republican gun-toters" who deserve no sympathy. Geftman-Gold was promptly fired and is presumably in the market for a new job. Come to think of it, the odious Southern Poverty Law Center could be a perfect fit for an out-of-work, well-educated, and hate-filled attorney.</p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-10-03T14:18:00ZUSA's Deadliest Shooting Ever; FEMA Boss Slams San Juan MayorBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/USAs-Deadliest-Shooting-Ever;-FEMA-Boss-Slams-San-Juan-Mayor/146794728046854327.html2017-10-02T16:57:00Z2017-10-02T16:57:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Monday, October 2, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<p><strong><em><strong><em>Las Vegas Madman Dead by Suicide<br /></em></strong><br /></em></strong>The mass murderer in Las Vegas, 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/02/las-vegas-gunman-suspect-is-stephen-paddock-64-of-mesquite.html">opened fire from the 32<sup>nd</sup> floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel</a>. Paddock, who killed himself as police arrived, had an arsenal of weapons that he used to kill at least 50 people who were attending a country music festival across the road. Police say they had previous interactions with Paddock, but were short on specifics except to say that he had no known connections to terror organizations.<br /><br /><strong><em><br /><strong><em>Killer's Brother "Dumbfounded"</em></strong><br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-stephen-paddock-las-vegas-shooter-brother-20171002-story.html">Eric Paddock, brother of the mass killer Stephen Paddock,</a> says he is "completely dumbfounded" and cannot explain what may have triggered his brother's decision to carry out a massacre. Eric, who lives in Orlando, refused any further comment for the time.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>USA's Deadliest Shooting Ever<br /> </em></strong><br /> The body count is still being tabulated, the wounded are still dying, but the <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/las-vegas-attack-deadliest-shooting-modern-us-history-50227779">Las Vegas carnage is already the worst shooting in U.S. history</a>. More people have been killed in this slaughter than in the Orlando nightclub shooting last year, where 49 were murdered.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>FEMA Boss Slams San Juan Mayor<br /> </em></strong><br /> Carmen Yulin Cruz, the mayor of San Juan, has received a lot of attention by denouncing President Trump and his team's response to Hurricane Maria. <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/09/30/fema-chief-defends-trump-tweets-dings-san-juan-mayor-video/">But Brock Long, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency</a>, points out that Mayor Cruz, while busy making the talk show rounds, has neglected to communicate with FEMA's command center on Puerto Rico.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump and Tillerson at Odds Over North Korea<br /> </em></strong><br /> Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has declared that <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/save-your-energy-rex-trump-tweet-undermines-sec-state-tillerson-n806381">the United States has direct communication with the government of North Korea</a>. But President Trump, while praising Tillerson, <a href="https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/914497877543735296">sent a very contradictory message on Twitter</a>, writing that the Secretary of State is wasting his time "trying to negotiate with Little Rocket Man."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>President To Asia Next Month<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/donald-trump-tour-asia-china-confront-kim-jong-un-north-korea-pyongyang-a7975221.html">President Trump will visit five nations next month in Asia</a>, where he is expected to enlist more international support in his confrontation with North Korea and Kim Jong Un. In addition to stops in Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines, the president will attend two major international meetings.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Astounding Accusations Against Senator Menendez<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/09/30/menendez-has-set-a-new-low-for-blatant-corruption-in-the-us/">The prosecution has laid out some stunning charges</a> in the bribery case against New Jersey Democratic Senator Robert Menendez. There are sordid stories of lavish trips, very young girlfriends, campaign contributions, all involving the sitting U.S. senator and a very shady eye doctor. Even MSNBC's legal analyst says the case against Menendez "looks overwhelming."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bernie on Mendenez' Resignation: Not So Fast!<br /> </em></strong><br /> As mentioned above, Senator Robert Mendenez has been accused of blatant and massive corruption and bribery. Many political veterans say the senator should immediately resign if he is convicted, but Bernie Sanders is asking that no one rush to judgment.<br /> <br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2V5kQX_o2K0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Ohio Governor Kasich May Leave GOP<br /> </em></strong><br /> John Kasich, the Ohio Governor who ran for president in the Republican primaries, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/02/kasich-floats-idea-leaving-republican-party-if-party-cant-be-fixed.html">now says he may eventually leave the party behind</a>. Kasich says he is in a "struggle for the soul of the Republican Party" and denounced Republicans he sees as "dividers."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hundreds Injured in Catalonia Chaos<br /> </em></strong><br /> The central government of Spain is apparently prepared to do anything to prevent its Catalonian residents from conducting a vote on independence. <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/10/01/hundreds_injured_as_spanish_police_beat_up_referendum_voters_in_catalonia.html">Spanish police used rubber bullets and other non-lethal weapons</a> to disrupt the referendum, which was held yesterday. At last count, more than 800 people were injured in the chaos. The vote was declared illegal by Spain's version of the Supreme Court.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Taking it on the Chin<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/10/01/baltimore-ravens-make-statement-by-kneeling-before-anthem-then-fans-make-even-louder-statement/">What happened in Baltimore yesterday is fairly typical</a>. Just before the National Anthem was played, the Baltimore Ravens kneeled as a team. In response, just about the entire stadium started to boo. Across the league, most players stood while some kneeled. <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/what-the-polls-really-say-about-nfl-protests-theyre-unpopular/article/2636141">Polls clearly show that most Americans disagree with the NFL protests</a> and that the league has taken a severe public relations hit.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>This Bud's Not For You, NFL<br /> </em></strong><br /> Anheuser-Busch, always one of the National Football League's largest advertisers, <a href="http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/10/01/budweiser-considers-ending-their-nfl-sponsorship-over-protests-and-they-want-to-hear-from-you/">is inviting input from Americans regarding their sponsorship of the league</a>. The company has established a hotline on which fans can register their opinions about the league, the protests, and A-B's continuing sponsorship. Response was so overwhelming that the hotline went down for a time, but it is now back in operation. Call 800-342-5283 and press "1" if you wish to weigh in.<br /> <br /> <strong><em>Black Conservatives vs. NFL<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/10/01/black-conservatives-list-the-issues-football-players-should-actually-be-protesting-against/?utm_source=site-share">The Daily Caller spoke with three prominent black conservatives</a> and solicited their reactions to the ongoing NFL Anthem controversy. They urged players to confront some issues that really matter to blacks in America – fatherlessness, crime, welfare dependency, and lack of education.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Terrorism in Canada<br /> </em></strong><br /> Canadian officials are still investigating <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/10/01/terrorism-suspected-in-edmonton-attack-that-leaves-5-injured.html">a terror attack in the western city of Edmonton</a>, where a Somalia-born man stabbed a police officer and then rammed his van into a crowd of people. The 30-year-old, who had been seeking official refugee status, had an ISIS flag in his car but is believed to have acted alone.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hannity Lands Trump Interview<br /> </em></strong><br /> Fox News' Sean Hannity, fresh off a week of big-name interviews that included a certain humble correspondent, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/353274-trump-to-sit-down-for-interview-with-hannity-in-west-virginia">will sit down for an interview with President Trump</a> in West Virginia Wednesday. Audience members will also have the opportunity to throw questions at the president. Hannity has long been one of President Trump's most consistent and ardent media supporters.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Prominent Atheist Takes the Low Road<br /> </em></strong><br /> Author Richard Dawkins, who has made a name for himself by denying the existence of God, <a href="https://twitter.com/RichardDawkins/status/914830692651012098">may need some divine forgiveness after his early-morning tweet</a>: </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Durn tootin’, great shootin’. Cool dude sertin’ he’s 2nd Mendment rahts. Hell yeah! <br />Every country has its psychopaths. In US they have guns</p>
— Richard Dawkins (@RichardDawkins) <a href="https://twitter.com/RichardDawkins/status/914830692651012098?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
<p><br />While bodies were still being counted and people still being treated in Las Vegas, Dawkins decided to bring up guns, while mocking Southerners in the process. <br /><br /></p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-10-02T16:57:00ZTerrorism in Western Canada; San Juan Mayor Hit by Hurricane DonaldBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Terrorism-in-Western-Canada;-San-Juan-Mayor-Hit-by-Hurricane-Donald/756607763315110455.html2017-10-01T18:57:00Z2017-10-01T18:57:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Sunday, October 1, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Terrorism in Western Canada<br /> </em></strong><br /> A man rammed his car into a police cruiser last night in Edmonton, Canada, then got out and stabbed a police officer numerous times. Two hours later the same man, after switching vehicles, plowed a rented van into a crowd of pedestrians, injuring four of them. <a href="http://edmontonjournal.com/news/crime/heavy-police-presence-near-commonwealth-stadium-officers-checking-vehicles">Police say an ISIS flag was found in one of the vehicles and believe it was an act of terror.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>And More Terror in France<br /> </em></strong><br /> Meanwhile, a man armed with a knife went on a rampage today in the southern French city of Marseille. Early reports indicate that two people were murdered before the attacker was shot and killed by soldiers. Details are sketchy at the moment, but terrorism is considered extremely likely because France has been hit by so many terror incidents in recent years. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4938248/Police-shoot-dead-knife-wielding-man-Marseille-station.html">The fact that the killer reportedly shouted 'Allahu Akbar'</a> provides another clue, although no doubt some 'experts' will say the motive is unclear.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Juice is Loose<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/20877682/oj-simpson-released-nevada-prison">O.J. Simpson walked out of jail this morning</a> just after the clock struck midnight in Nevada. The 70-year-old's release was timed to avoid a media circus. Simpson, who most sentient people believe got away with double murder in 1995, served nine years for his role in an infamous hotel room stickup in Las Vegas. He was picked up this morning outside the prison in northern Nevada and whisked away to an unknown destination.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>San Juan Mayor Hit by Hurricane Donald<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/09/30/trump-slams-mayor-in-puerto-rico-then-praises-other-officials-over-recovery-effort.html">President Trump is in a fiery feud with Carmen Yulin Cruz</a>, the mayor of Puerto Rico's capital city. The president and his administration were praised by Governor Ricard Rossello for their response after Hurricane Maria, but Mayor Cruz expressed a far different opinion. The president responded with his expected twitter storm. It is worth noting that earlier this year the <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/09/30/san-juan-mayor-praised-convicted-faln-terrorist/">mayor heaped effusive praise on convicted terrorist Oscar Lopez Rivera</a>, whose sentence had been commuted by President Obama.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>San Juan Mayor Also Hit by Fellow Mayor<br /> </em></strong><br /> Angel Perez, Mayor of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, tells a far different story than that related by Mayor Cruz. <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/09/30/exclusive-fellow-puerto-rico-mayor-rips-san-juan-mayor-shes-not-participating-in-any-meetings/">He told The Daily Caller that he is receiving all the necessary help from FEMA</a> and other federal agencies, and criticized Cruz for skipping important meetings with federal officials. Observers have noted that Cruz has spent an inordinate amount of time in recent days giving press conferences and talking with media types who are eager to criticize President Trump.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump's North Korea Strategy<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-signed-presidential-directive-ordering-actions-to-pressure-north-korea/2017/09/30/97c6722a-a620-11e7-b14f-f41773cd5a14_story.html?utm_term=.e80eed0177ba">The Washington Post reports that President Trump</a>, soon after his inauguration, ordered his national security team and the State Department to step up pressure on North Korea. Senior officials were told to ask other nations to cut ties with North Korea, while IT experts tried to damage the North Korea's Internet capabilities. As one possible sign that the pressure has had its intended effect, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said yesterday that the United States is now in direct communication with Kim Jong Un's government.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Chaos Plainly Reigns in Spain <br /> </em></strong><br /> Spain's Catalan region, with more than 7-million residents, makes up 15% of the country's population and even more of its economic output. Because so many in Catalonia demand independence from Spain, a referendum was set to be taken today. But the central government in Spain, determined to prevent people from voting, <a href="http://www.euronews.com/2017/10/01/high-tension-as-catalonia-referendum-day-begins">has sent police armed with rubber bullets to seize ballots and forcibly stop the process</a>. <span>At least 400 people have been injured in Barcelona, Catalonia's largest city.</span><br /> <br /> <strong><em>To Kneel, or Not to Kneel?<br /> </em></strong><br /> That Shakespearian-like question surrounds the National Football League today as teams, players, and executives search for some way to avoid alienating fans even more than they already have. <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/353258-nfl-readies-for-second-week-in-political-spotlight">It's likely that some teams will follow the lead of the Dallas Cowboys</a> and kneel prior to the National Anthem, then stand for the Anthem itself. Whether that will fly with patriotic fans is another Shakespearian question.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Snag for Health Care Overhaul<br /> </em></strong><br /> The forced resignation of Dr. Tom Price from Health and Human Services <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article176410651.html">makes the effort to "repeal and replace" ObamaCare even more problematic</a>. Price had been a leading voice in Republican health care efforts and even GOP officials now concede that ObamaCare is here to stay, at least until the mid-term elections next year.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Scaramucci Back With His Own News Site<br /> </em></strong><br /> Remember Anthony Scaramucci, who spent a couple of minutes as White House Communications Director before self-destructing? <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/353253-scaramucci-news-site-will-represent-the-center-lane">He has unveiled something called 'The Scaramucci Post,'</a> which he says will be an outlet for centrist political views. Scaramucci describes his venture as "the center lane," which is noticeably lacking in traffic these days.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Nike's Role in Corrupting College Sports<br /> </em></strong><br /> One of college basketball's main goals is to sell sneakers, especially expensive models adorned with the Nike or Adidas logo. <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/09/30/how-the-sneaker-giants-became-the-shame-of-college-sports/">As outlined in the New York Post</a>, the footwear giants give colleges billions of dollars to wear their shoes, with much of the dough going to coaches, assistant coaches, and recruiters who troll playgrounds looking for future stars. The entire corrupt enterprise was exposed, at least in part, last week when the FBI brought fraud charges against a handful of college coaches.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Harry Reid May Testify in Menendez Trial<br /> </em></strong><br /> It has largely flown under the media radar, but Democratic Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey is being tried for allegedly profiting from a massive bribery and corruption scheme. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/09/29/harry-reid-expected-to-be-called-to-testify-in-menendez-trial-source-says.html">It is expected that Menendez' former leader in the Senate</a>, the now-retired Harry Reid, may be called by the prosecution. Senator Menendez is accused of accepting lavish vacations and gifts from a shady eye doctor who made millions by defrauding Medicare and Medicaid.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Michelle Obama Still Under Fire for Condescending Remarks<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former First Lady Michelle Obama made some rather bizarre comments about women last week. She opined that any woman who voted for Donald Trump "voted against their own voice." She was immediately lambasted for more than just her poor grammar. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/09/28/millions-of-american-women-disagree-with-michelle-obama-donald-trump-is-their-voice/?tid=hybrid_experimentrandom_2_na&utm_term=.d735367abc7f">The Washington Post notes that about 30-million American women take issue with Mrs. Obama's analysis</a> and object to her obvious condescension. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Monty Hall Makes His Final Deal<br /> </em></strong><br /> Beloved game show host Monty Hall, who served as the ringmaster on 'Let's Make a Deal' for nearly a quarter century, <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/monty-hall-legendary-host-deal-dead-96-article-1.3532862">has died at age 96</a>. His show, which challenged bizarrely-dressed contestants to make deals with Hall, was a massive hit, Must-See-TV for a generation. Beyond that, he is certainly the only game show host to have a mathematical conundrum named in his honor. <a href="https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/lets-make-a-deal-revisiting-the-monty-hall-problem/">The "Monty Hall Problem" has been analyzed by statisticians and probability experts for years</a>, and will continue to be studied long into the future.<br /><br /></p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-10-01T18:57:00ZTrump Makes His Case to Makers; Packers Fans Ignore Team's RequestBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Makes-His-Case-to-Makers;-Packers-Fans-Ignore-Teams-Request/-110275893274287168.html2017-09-29T13:24:00Z2017-09-29T13:24:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, September 29, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Makes His Case to Makers<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-29/trump-to-rally-manufacturers-to-press-congress-on-tax-overhaul">President Trump will address the National Association of Manufacturers today</a> in Washington and will extol the job-creating benefits of his tax reform proposal. The president's sales pitch will focus on the reduction in the corporate tax rate and the provision that allows companies to repatriate profits that are now being held overseas.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Packers Fans Ignore Team's Request<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Green Bay Packers and their quarterback Aaron Rodgers asked fans at Lambeau Field to link arms during the playing of the National Anthem last night. A few followed along, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">but most Packers faithful chose to hold their hands</a> over their hearts or smartly salute. The Packers won the game, but apparently lost the Anthem battle.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NY Officials Correct "Fake News" on Kushner<br /> </em></strong><br /> The New York State Board of Elections claimed earlier this week that President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner had registered as a female. Some Democrats ran wild with the news, saying it was evidence of some sort of nefarious intent. But in fact, <a href="http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/business-a-lobbying/352654-kushner-registered-as-male-voter-board-says-correcting-error">Kushner correctly checked the "male" box and the error</a> came when election officials entered the information improperly. Not that there would be anything wrong with his identifying as a female that day!<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Liberal Librarian Rejects Books Sent by First Lady<br /> </em></strong><br /> Displaying her anti-Trump bona fides, <a href="http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2017/09/28/cambridge-librarian-melania-trump-books/">a Massachusetts school librarian has rejected books</a> that were donated by First Lady Melania Trump. The White House celebrated National Read a Book Day by shipping copies of Dr. Seuss books to schools in various states. Most were very grateful, but this particularly librarian instead chose to denounce the Trump administration and Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. A small step for one woman, a large step for virtue signaling.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CBS' Charlie Rose Roots for Liberal Justices<br /> </em></strong><br /> During an interview with 84-year-old Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/geoffrey-dickens/2017/09/28/charlie-rose-justice-ginsburg-keep-exercise-okay">Charlie Rose of CBS News begged her and fellow justice Stephen Breyer to maintain their health</a>. Otherwise, you know, that dastardly Donald Trump could have the opportunity to appoint another Supreme Court Justice or two. Summing up his attitude, Rose said "the future of the country" depends on their good health.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" title="MRC TV video player" src="https://www.mrctv.org/embed/517271" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>HHS Secretary Still in Deep Doo-Doo<br /> </em></strong><br /> Secretary Tom Price, head of the massive Health and Human Services bureaucracy, <a href="http://politics.blog.ajc.com/2017/09/28/tom-price-promises-to-reimburse-taxpayers-for-private-flights/">is under fire from President Trump for taking expensive charter flights</a> that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Price now says he will reimburse taxpayers for the flights and make sure it does not happen again.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>USA Lags in "Economic Freedom"<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.investors.com/politics/editorials/protest-this-colin-the-u-s-now-ranks-11th-in-economic-freedom-thanks-to-obama/">According to the libertarian Cato Institute</a>, the United States has been losing ground in the organization's rankings of economic freedom. The US had consistently been in the top five, but is now relegated to 11<sup>th</sup> place. The folks at Cato blame President Obama's high-tax, big-government, over-regulation agenda for the decline. As usual, Hong Kong and Singapore lead the freedom rankings.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Puerto Rico Misery Endures<br /> </em></strong><br /> One week after Hurricane Maria, millions of Puerto Ricans are without power and are short on clean water and food. <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/09/28/554297787/puerto-rico-relief-goods-sit-undistributed-at-ports">Many tons of supplies have arrived in San Juan</a>, but the lack of infrastructure is making in nearly impossible to get those supplies to where they are needed. Roads are blocked by debris, there are few drivers and a dire shortage of fuel. President Trump, who has come under some criticism, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/913549374227181568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fabcnews.go.com%2FUS%2Ftrump-tweets-fema-amazing-great-job-puerto-rico%2Fstory%3Fid%3D50170044">is defending his administration and FEMA</a>. The Governor of Puerto Rico has also praised the administration's response.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Puerto Ricans Evacuate the Island<br /> </em></strong><br /> Puerto Rico residents and tourists are desperately trying to find space on passenger ships that can take them to the U.S. mainland. <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/09/29/thousands-of-puerto-ricans-line-dock-hoping-for-place-on-cruise-ship/">Many of those waiting at docks are relatively well-heeled people</a> who had been on vacation in Puerto Rico when Maria hit. It will certainly be a vacation they'll remember for the rest of their lives.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>North Korea Claims Millions of Army Volunteers<br /> </em></strong><br /> Only about 25-million people live in North Korea, but that <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/09/29/north-korea-trump-threat-inspired-millions-to-volunteer-for-army.html">regime claims that about 5-million of them are eager to join or re-enlist in the Army</a>. The alleged recruiting boom was supposedly inspired by President Trump's threat to annihilate the country. Official state propaganda says millions of citizens are rushing to defend "the leader and socialism," even though both the leader and socialism have left the country a basket case of misery.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>What Trump Hath Wrought<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump has been unable to push through ObamaCare "repeal and replace," but he has had a major impact on American life and the national economy. <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-trump-effect-rules/beyond-the-daily-drama-and-twitter-battles-trump-begins-to-alter-american-life-idUSKCN1C3261">That's the conclusion of a Reuters analysis that gauges the president's overall effectiveness</a>. Despite many well-publicized setbacks and misfires, there is no doubt that energy regulations have been lifted, chaos at the border has been reduced, and there is more freedom to do business.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Michelle Obama Blasted for Condescending Remarks<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former First Lady Michelle Obama has concluded that any female who voted for Donald Trump "voted against their own voice." <a href="https://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2017/09/28/michelle-obama-lectures-women-who-dared-to-vote-against-hillary-clinton-n2387561">Her patronizing remarks immediately led to widespread ridicule and condemnation</a> and raised a simple question: Does that same analysis apply to women who voted for her husband over Hillary Clinton in the 2008 Democratic primary?<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Kaepernick Honors Cop-Killer<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick started this whole Anthem mess last year when he took a knee to protest police brutality. It now turns out that <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/sep/28/colin-kaepernick-charity-donates-25000-to-assatas-/">his foundation has donated $25,000 to a group named after Assata Shakur</a>, the cop-killer formerly known as Joanne Chesimard. Shakur/Chesimard, now 70-years-old, fled to Cuba in 1979 and has lived there under the protection of the Castro brothers ever since.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Meanwhile, Steph Curry Honors Kaepernick<br /> </em></strong><br /> NBA star Stephen Curry, born into privilege and perceived as a wholesome hero who hawks luxury Infiniti cars in his spare time, is apparently eager to join the struggle. <a href="https://twitter.com/SInow/status/912663109130756097/photo/1">He is front and center on a Sports Illustrated cover that salutes activists and protesters</a>. But Curry, who recently gained attention by declining an invitation to visit the White House, is<a href="https://www.sbnation.com/2017/9/27/16376276/steph-curry-sports-illustrated-cover-terrible-colin-kaepernick-warriors"> upset because the magazine did not include Colin Kaepernick on the cover</a>. Apparently Colin Kaepernick's socks depicting cops as pigs have done nothing to diminish his stature among many athletes.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>WNBA Team Booed After Rejecting Anthem<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Los Angeles Sparks, playing in the WNBA championship series, <a href="http://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/09/wnba-teams-link-arms-leave-floor-during-national-anthem-at-game-1-of-finals">have decided to vacate the court entirely during the playing of the National Anthem</a>. Their gimmick wasn't very well received by fans in Minnesota, who roundly booed the Sparks players when they returned immediately after "Home of the Brave." On the bright side, prior to this incident, only a handful of sports fans even knew the WNBA finals were taking place.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/igiXAujElbE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
<p>Check back Sunday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-09-29T13:24:00ZTrump Tax Plan; President Not Giving Up on Health CareBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Tax-Plan;-President-Not-Giving-Up-on-Health-Care/-273469910883918060.html2017-09-28T14:15:00Z2017-09-28T14:15:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Thursday, September 28, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>President Claims NFL Owners Are "Afraid" <br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump says many NFL executives and owners are "in a box" <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/28/trump-nfl-owners-controversy-243245">and don't know how to get out of it</a>. He reiterated that it is "disgraceful" for any player to take a knee or otherwise disrespect the flag or the National Anthem. In an interview with Fox & Friends, the president explained why he considers the NFL controversy so important.</p>
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<p><br /> <strong><em>Green Bay Packers Go To Plan B<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Green Bay Packers play the Chicago Bears tonight in a nationally-televised Thursday Night Football game. The Packers, long beloved in their home town, are searching for some way to keep those fans in their corner. <a href="http://packerswire.usatoday.com/2017/09/26/packers-plan-another-show-of-unity-during-anthem-on-tnf/">The team will link arms and stand for the National Anthem</a>, while asking the fans at Lambeau Field to do the same. You might call this the equivalent of a "Hail Mary" pass.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>North Korea Denies Torturing American Student<br /> </em></strong><br /> Otto Warmbier's family alleges, and President Trump agrees, that their son was tortured in North Korea before he being returned to the United States, where he died a few days later. Kim Jong Un's official mouthpieces are <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/north-korea-otto-warmbier-torture-donald-trump-american-student-brain-damage/">denying those allegations</a>, saying he was never tortured while being imprisoned for more than a year. Warmbier's parents have described the North Korean regime as "terrorists." The Ohio coroner who examined Warmbier's body <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/09/27/554111612/coroner-says-otto-warmbier-s-death-is-still-a-mystery">says she simply cannot be sure what caused his death</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Tax Plan<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/finance/domestic-taxes/352771-republicans-rollout-sweeping-tax-proposal-seeking-a-win">President Trump has finally revealed some details</a> from the tax proposal he hopes will provide a major victory for him and the American people. The basic blueprint calls for three tax rates for individuals – 12%, 25%, and 35% - and a cut in the top corporate rate from 35% to 20%. It would also do away with the estate tax, frequently ridiculed as the "death tax," and eliminate many deductions. The president claims tax reform will help the economy take off "like a rocket ship."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Out Come the Knives<br /> </em></strong><br /> The new tax proposal, even though it may lead to many wealthy people paying more, is predictably being <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/27/opinions/trump-tax-plan-opinion-mccaffery/index.html">assailed as a "tax cut for the rich,"</a> largely because it would cut corporate rates and do away with the alternative minimum tax. Senator Bernie Sanders, foreshadowing what will likely be heard from many on the left, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-tax-plan-reform-bernie-sanders-democrats-2017-9">is denouncing the proposal "morally repugnant."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>President Not Giving Up on Health Care<br /> </em></strong><br /> Lazarus came back from the dead and Phoenix rose from the ashes, so why can't health care reform do something similar? <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/donald-trump-graham-cassidy-healthcare-bill-have-the-votes/2017/09/28/id/816301/">President Trump still insists that "we have the votes"</a> to pass a repeal/replace bill. While acknowledging that there is no way any bill can pass before tomorrow's deadline, the president predicts ultimate victory next year.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v6ieXDZTzqk?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Waives Regulations to Aid Puerto Rico<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-puertorico/trump-waives-u-s-shipping-restrictions-for-puerto-rico-spokeswoman-idUSKCN1C22G9">President Trump has suspended a law that restricted shipping to Puerto Rico</a>. Waiving the rule will enable more cargo ships and tankers to deliver much-needed water, food, and supplies to the island, which is just beginning the long recovery from Hurricane Maria.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Washington Post Hammers Prez on Puerto Rico<br /> </em></strong><br /> The anti-Trump Washington Post openly expresses its hope that Hurricane Maria <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/daily-202/2017/09/28/daily-202-trump-s-katrina-influx-of-puerto-ricans-after-hurricane-maria-could-tip-florida-toward-democrats/59cc037c30fb0468cea81c2f/?utm_term=.0ab06f8add88">could lead to a vast influx of Puerto Ricans to Florida</a>, thus resulting in a Democratic majority in that battleground state. The writer of the piece, James Hohmann, is listed as a "correspondent," not an opinion writer, but the article leaves little doubt as to where his political sentiments lie.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Social Media Tycoons Asked to Testify on Russia<br /> </em></strong><br /> Congressional investigators have asked <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/28/facebook-google-twitter-asked-to-testify-on-russian-meddling.html">executives from Facebook, Google, and Twitter to testify</a> about alleged Russian interference during the 2016 presidential election. The companies have not said whether or not they will appear before various committees in Washington. Facebook had earlier revealed that Russians bought ads that were intended to influence the election. President Trump, meanwhile, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/913034591879024640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnbc.com%2F2017%2F09%2F27%2Ftrump-tweet-facebook-is-fake-news-anti-trump.html">is accusing Facebook of being consistently "anti-Trump."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>More Progress on Border Wall<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/352747-house-gop-poised-to-move-10-billion-for-border-wall">Congressional Republicans are beginning their drive for funding</a> that will enable additional wall construction at the border with Mexico. Mike McCaul, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, wants $10-billion for construction and various high-tech security measures. A similar bill has been introduced in the Senate, and serious negotiations should begin next week.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>HHS Boss in Hot Water<br /> </em></strong><br /> Dr. Tom Price, the former Congressman who now heads the Department of Health and Human Services, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/09/27/tom-price-trades-in-his-private-plane-for-the-underside-of-a-bus/?utm_term=.504455e2da49">is in President Trump's doghouse</a>. The president is upset because Price used private planes for government business and stuck the feds with the bill. Attorney General Jeff Sessions managed to survive the president's wrath, and perhaps Dr. Price can do the same.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hugh Hefner Dies at His Playboy Mansion<br /> </em></strong><br /> Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner, often credited with ushering in the sexual revolution of the 60s, <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/hugh-hefner-dead-91/story?id=50144683">died yesterday at age 91</a>. He is being hailed as a visionary who altered the nation and the world.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>O.J. Release Imminent, "Real Killers" Petrified<br /> </em></strong><br /> Officials in Las Vegas report that O.J. Simpson <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/09/27/o-j-simpson-could-be-a-free-man-in-just-a-few-days/">may be released from prison this coming Monday</a>. It is not clear whether he will be permitted to leave the state of Nevada. If O.J. is confined to that state, it will undoubtedly put a damper on his search for the real killers.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>An Officer and a Commie<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://taskandpurpose.com/army-communist-west-point-graduate/">The Army is investigating Lt. Spenser Rapone</a>, who proudly posted photos of himself wearing a Che Guevara t-shirt. Far worse than that, Rapone had the message "communism will win" inside his hat. More recently, he tweeted out his support for Colin Kaepernick and described himself as a "commie/space cowboy." The newly-minted lieutenant also described Secretary of Defense James Mattis as "the most evil, vile f***" in the administration, which is a clear violation of military rules.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>A Setback for Bowe Bergdahl <br /> </em></strong><br /> Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl is in an Army courtroom this week, accused of deserting his post in Afghanistan and endangering his fellow soldiers. Bergdahl's attorneys, arguing that President Trump has swayed public opinion against their client, <a href="http://www.timesunion.com/news/us/article/The-Latest-Bergdahl-request-for-Trump-meeting-12232595.php">requested access to White House emails, but were denied</a>. When the suspected deserter goes on trial next month, he might consider calling former National Security Adviser Susan Rice to the stand. You probably remember that Rice, against all evidence, praised Bergdahl as a soldier who served "with honor and distinction." Then again, we could say the same about her.</p>
<p>Check back Friday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-09-28T14:15:00ZSec. Mattis Targeted by Taliban Rocket ; Full-Court Press on Tax ReformBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Sec.-Mattis-Targeted-by-Taliban-Rocket-;-Full-Court-Press-on-Tax-Reform/953394028555714415.html2017-09-27T14:16:00Z2017-09-27T14:16:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Wednesday, September 27, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Sec. Mattis Targeted by Taliban Rocket <br /> </em></strong><br /> When Secretary of Defense James Mattis made a surprise visit to Afghanistan this morning, he was on the <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/26/politics/mattis-afghanistan/index.html">receiving end of another surprise</a>. Just hours after Mattis' plane landed in Kabul, the Taliban launched an attack that was apparently aimed at the airport and the secretary. General Mattis had already left the airport and is unharmed. The Taliban apparently never heard the adage about "letting sleeping Mad Dogs lie."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>President Warns North Korea of "Devastating" Action<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump again took time Tuesday to <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/26/politics/trump-north-korea-moves-fighters-missiles-fuel-tanks/index.html">issue a stark warning to North Korea and Kim Jong Un</a>. One day after the North Korean foreign minister claimed that the USA had declared war on his nation, President Trump responded by threatening "devastating" military action if it turns out to be necessary. He also made it clear that the "military option" is not his first choice.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Full-Court Press on Tax Reform<br /> </em></strong><br /> With the failure of "repeal and replace" in the rear view mirror, the Trump administration is turning its full attention to tax reform. <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/26/tax-reform-wilbur-ross-sees-1-percent-gdp-jump.html">Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross</a>, among those leading the charge, claims that the right revisions could add a full percentage point to the gross national product. Also, in what is certainly good news for that effort, a new poll shows that <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/27/politics/cnn-poll-immigration-taxes/index.html">68% of Americans want a complete overhaul or at least major changes.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Moore Triumphs Over Strange in 'Bama<br /> </em></strong><br /> Senator Luther Strange had the support of President Trump, Mitch McConnell, and many others in Washington. But Judge Roy Moore had more support from the people who really mattered, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-27/alabama-s-ten-commandments-candidate-wins-republican-senate-race">conservative Republican primary voters in Alabama</a>. Not unlike the Crimson Tide football team, Moore rolled over Strange by 16 points and will now take on Democrat Doug Jones in December. The mainstream media, obviously hoping for a Democratic upset in the general election, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/09/27/a-short-history-of-roy-moores-controversial-interpretations-of-the-bible/?utm_term=.83f7f148fb71">are already taking direct aim at Moore's religious views</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Let the Wall Begin!<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Department of Homeland Security <a href="https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/construction-begins-wall-prototypes">has begun building wall prototypes</a> along the Mexican border near San Diego. Eight different designs are being tested, four made of concrete and four constructed with other materials. All are between 18' and 30' tall and are being paid for with money that was set aside in last year's budget. California, of course, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/09/20/california-sues-trump-over-the-border-wall-citing-environmental-laws/">has already sued the president</a> over the wall, saying it violates environmental regulations.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Puerto Ricans Face Dire Water Shortage<br /> </em></strong><br /> Residents of Puerto Rico have had their lives turned upside down by Hurricane Maria and its aftermath. Their immediate need, even before thinking about rebuilding or moving back into their homes, <a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2017-09-27/in-storm-ravaged-puerto-rico-drinking-water-in-short-supply">is clean water, which is in very short supply</a>. The island's water system, along with its power grid, was destroyed by the flooding, and Puerto Ricans are now relying on tankers loaded with clean water.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Your Daily Chuckle<br /> </em></strong><br /> The increasingly unhinged University of California at Berkeley recently established an "empathy tent," which was intended to give protesters a place to relax when taking a break from the exhaustion that comes with being perpetually outraged. Well, that plan came asunder yesterday when clashing <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/09/27/fight-in-empathy-tent-at-uc-berkeley-leads-to-4-arrests.html">political factions turned the empathy tent into a boxing ring</a>. Four people were arrested for battery, resisting arrest, and other charges.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bob Corker Out, Peyton Manning In?<br /> </em></strong><br /> No sooner had Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee announced his decision to retire than <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/peyton-manning-floated-as-contender-for-bob-corkers-senate-seat/article/2635706">Republicans started fantasizing about recruiting former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning</a> as a possible successor. Manning played his college football at the University of Tennessee, then went on to win Super Bowls with the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Saudi Women Allowed to Drive!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Beginning next year, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/09/27/saudi-arabia-to-allow-women-to-drive-for-1st-time-next-year.html">the kingdom of Saudi Arabia will finally permit women to drive cars</a>. The ultra-conservative and ultra-backward nation had frequently arrested females who got behind the wheel and even sentenced one woman driver to a whipping. Before anyone celebrates too wildly, it's worth remembering that Saudi women are still required to wear a full-length abaya in public and need a male's permission to open a bank account or have surgery.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Jeff Sessions Calls for Free Speech on Campus<br /> </em></strong><br /> Venturing into hostile territory, Attorney General Jeff Sessions visited Georgetown University Law School yesterday and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/26/us/politics/jeff-sessions-campus-free-speech-georgetown.html">vowed to defend free speech on university campuses</a>. University students have been increasingly brazen while shouting down conservative speakers with whom they disagree. In keeping with the latest trend in protesting, many Georgetown professors <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/09/26/jeff_sessions_speech_condemned_by_georgetown_law_professors_who_kneeled.html">greeted the attorney general by taking a knee</a>. And the National Anthem wasn't even playing at the time!<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Hard Truth About Black Crime<br /> </em></strong><br /> Writer and researcher Heather Mac Donald, who has been a guest on the No Spin News, has written a <a href="https://www.city-journal.org/html/hard-data-hollow-protests-15458.html">new piece in which she documents some inconvenient truths about crime in America</a>. While protesters lament the killing of black men by white cops, the undeniable truth is that blacks are killing one another at astounding rates. In 2016, according to FBI stats, 16 unarmed black men were killed by police, while nearly 8,000 were murdered by other blacks.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Football Ratings Thrown For a Loss<br /> </em></strong><br /> Three weeks into the NFL season, <a href="https://apnews.com/bf595941ba9640e9ab32e474459f529c/Nielsen:-Football-ratings-off-11-percent-this-year">the Nielsen ratings firm reports that viewership for nationally televised NFL games is off by 11%</a>. Football on television remains hugely popular, but the trends are definitely pointed down. Next week's ratings bear watching because various groups and individuals have called for a boycott of the league.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Most Americans Oppose Protests<br /> </em></strong><br /> A polling outfit called the Remington Research Group <a href="http://remingtonresearchgroup.com/">has conducted a survey about the ongoing National Football League protests</a>. The results include the revelation that 64% of Americans believe NFL players should stand and respect the flag during the National Anthem. That compares with 24% who do not believe players should stand. As might be expected, far more Republicans than Democrats want the athletes to be respectful.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>President Praises World's Fastest Man<br /> </em></strong><br /> In his ongoing feud with NFL players, President Trump yesterday turned to the greatest sprinter in history for help. The president tweeted a video from 2012, just after the incomparable Usain Bolt won still another race. <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/912848241535971331?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fpolitics%2F2017%2F09%2F27%2Ftrump-pulls-jamaicas-usain-bolt-into-national-anthem-debate.html">Bolt stopped in the middle of a TV interview so he could stand at attention during the Star Spangled Banner</a>. That fact that Bolt is Jamaican did nothing to affect his respect for the United States flag and Anthem.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary Reaches a New Low<br /> </em></strong><br /> As part of her never-ending book tour, Hillary Clinton paid a visit to Bloomberg News and friendly interviewer Charlie Rose. She used the occasion to <a href="http://freebeacon.com/politics/clinton-compares-trump-putin-hopefully-hasnt-ordered-killing/">liken President Trump to Vladimir Putin</a>, saying our president "doesn't really value democracy" and has "authoritarianism" tendencies. On the brighter side, Mrs. Clinton praised President Trump for not killing journalists. At least not yet!<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QxbmGN8sM1c?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NY Times' Bizarre Affection for Communism<br /> </em></strong><br /> The New York Times, formerly known as the "paper of record," <a href="http://www.weeklystandard.com/the-new-york-times-has-a-communism-fetish/article/2009823">is running a series of articles that look back on Communism in the 20<sup>th</sup> century</a>. The leftists at the Times did include some of the ideology's shortcomings, but they also paid inordinate attention to Communism's supposed benefits. One much-ridiculed piece claimed that women <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/12/opinion/why-women-had-better-sex-under-socialism.html?_r=0&mtrref=www.weeklystandard.com&gwh=321B3765D44A6F83197C1C944CDC67C1&gwt=pay&assetType=opinion">enjoyed better sex in Communist regimes</a>. According to the Black Book of Communism, which documented the entire bloody history of the ideology, about 100-million people were slaughtered during Communism's brief run. But, hey, at least the sex was good!<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Speaking of Communist Murderers<br /> </em></strong><br /> West Point graduate Lt. Spenser Rapone has gotten his military career off to kind of a rocky start. <a href="http://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2017/09/26/west-point-responds-to-tweets-of-cadet-with-che-guevara-tee-under-uniform/">Rapone posted photos of himself wearing a Che Guevara t-shirt</a> beneath his uniform, while the message "communism will win" was inside his hat. More recently, he tweeted out his support for Colin Kaepernick. If this Army thing doesn't work out, Rapone may find gainful employment writing about the glories of Communism at the New York Times.</p>
<p>Check back Thursday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
</div>
<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-09-27T14:16:00ZNorth Korea Targets US Bombers; The Cowboy CompromiseBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/North-Korea-Targets-US-Bombers;-The-Cowboy-Compromise/-183561460973683871.html2017-09-26T13:34:00Z2017-09-26T13:34:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Monday, September 25, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>North Korea Targets US Bombers<br /> </em></strong><br /> The war of words between President Trump and Kim Jong Un continues unabated. <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles/north-korea-bolsters-defenses-after-flight-by-u-s-bombers-as-rhetoric-escalates-idUSKCN1C026A">North Korea contends that the USA has essentially declared war</a> on the nation and is vowing to shoot down any United States bombers that fly near the Korean peninsula, even those that are outside North Korean airspace.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Warmbier's Parents: North Korea "Terrorists"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Fred and Cindy Warmbier, whose son Otto died in June, just days after returning home from North Korea in a coma, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/09/26/otto-warmbiers-parents-speak-out-north-korea-is-not-a-victim-theyre-terrorists/?utm_term=.de51b9f65182">are denouncing the Kim Jong Un regime as "terrorists."</a> They allege that the Pyongyang government kidnapped and tortured Otto, a 22-year-old college student, after he was arrested there last year.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Iran Missile Launch Was a Fake<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump responded angrily to a test launch supposedly carried out by Iran last weekend. But it now turns out that <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/09/25/irans-supposed-missile-launch-was-fake-us-officials-say.html">the Iranians never actually fired the missile</a> and that the video they released was seven months old. Iran maintains that it has the right to test ballistic missiles as long as they are "defensive."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Cowboy Compromise<br /> </em></strong><br /> Prior to last night's Monday Night Football game on ESPN, the Dallas Cowboys and their patriotic owner Jerry Jones found a way to compromise. <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/cowboys/2017/09/26/dallas-cowboys-pre-national-anthem-compromise-classic-jerry-jones/702959001/">The boss and his players came onto the field and knelt briefly</a>, then stood when the flag came out and the National Anthem was played. Jones had previously expressed disapproval of the growing protests around the league.</p>
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<p><br /> <strong><em>Is ESPN CNN? Or MS-ESPN?<br /> </em></strong><br /> The self-proclaimed "worldwide leader in sports" has become almost indistinguishable from a left-wing cable news channel. ESPN devoted much of Monday to <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/09/25/espn-turns-into-a-daylong-anti-trump-talk-show-video/">discussing the National Anthem controversy</a>, with most analysts and hosts blasting away at President Trump.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Congresswoman Takes a Knee<br /> </em></strong><br /> Sheila Jackson Lee, named by her employees as one of the most oppressive bosses in Congress, found another imaginative way to get some camera time yesterday <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">when she took a knee in support of the NFL protests</a>. She also managed to call the president's criticism of protesting athletes "racist."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary Piles On, Makes the NFL a Racial Issue<br /> </em></strong><br /> Hillary Clinton, <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/hillary-clinton-blasts-trump-on-nfl-comments-kushner-emails">continuing her book tour in invariably very friendly venues</a>, sat down with a sympathetic interviewer yesterday and took aim squarely at President Trump. Even though the president never mentioned race in the NFL matter, she accused him of "attacking black athletes" while giving a pass to "white supremacists, neo-Nazis, Ku Klux Klanners, or Vladimir Putin." <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NBA Coach Assails Trump<br /> </em></strong><br /> Gregg Popovich, coach of the San Antonio Spurs and one of the most respected men in the NBA, has also joined the fray. "Pop" now says <a href="http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/20809321/nba-about-president-trump-triggers-gregg-popovich">America has become "an embarrassment in the world,"</a> and also compared the president to a 6<sup>th</sup> grader.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Voting Day in 'Bama<br /> </em></strong><br /> Two Republicans square off today in Alabama, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/352362-rival-gop-factions-face-off-in-alabama">each claiming to be the best person to pursue the conservative cause</a>. The incumbent is Luther Strange, who is backed by President Trump and many establishment Republicans. In the other corner is Judge Roy Moore, who is endorsed by arch-conservatives Steve Bannon, Sarah Palin, Sebastian Gorka, among others. The winner will face Democrat Doug Jones in the general election.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Puerto Rico's Unimaginable Misery<br /> </em></strong><br /> The United States territory of Puerto Rico is <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/25/puerto-rico-hurricane-maria-help-243133">suffering through a catastrophe unlike any in its history</a>. Most of the island is without power and there are shortages of food, clean water, and gasoline. Making things worse, Puerto Rico was already bankrupt and, as a territory, has little leverage in Washington.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Team Regularly Used Private Email<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/25/us/politics/private-email-trump-kushner-bannon.html">The New York Times reports that a half-dozen of President Trump's top aides</a> used their own private email accounts to communicate on White House issues. Named in the article are Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump, Steve Bannon, Reince Priebus, Gary Cohn, and Stephen Miller.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Palestinian Murders Three Israelis<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/palestinian-shoots-dead-3-israelis-at-settlement-near-jerusalem/2017/09/26/888a93b2-a293-11e7-8c37-e1d99ad6aa22_story.html?utm_term=.2743e8b58910">Two Israeli security guards and one policeman were shot dead</a> by a Palestinian gunman in the West Bank. The incident will surely complicate matters for thousands of Palestinian workers who cross through checkpoints every day to work in Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that the killer's home will be destroyed and work permits for his family will be revoked.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bali Volcano Evacuation Expands<br /> </em></strong><br /> As Indonesia's Mount Agung volcano still threatens to erupt on the island of Bali, <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/wireStory/fears-bali-volcano-eruption-spark-exodus-75000-50096674">about 75,000 residents and tourists have evacuated the immediate area</a>. There have been hundreds of tremors every day recently, which usually indicates the strong possibility of an imminent eruption. Agung's last eruption came in 1963, when more than 1,000 people died.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Lindsey Graham on Health Care: Never Say Die<br /> </em></strong><br /> Senator Lindsey Graham, co-sponsor of the latest Republican health care proposal, is either delusional or knows something the rest of us do not. <a href="http://www.newsmax.com/Politics/lindsey-graham-obamacare-repeal-and-replace-bernie-sanders/2017/09/25/id/815694/">Last night he vowed to "press on" with efforts</a> to repeal and replace ObamaCare, and even seemed to harbor some faint hope that his current plan will squeak through. Graham also defended his good buddy Senator John McCain, who has announced his opposition to the bill.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Republicans Introduce DACA Alternative</em></strong><br /> A trio of Republican senators <a href="http://thehill.com/latino/352284-gop-senators-introduce-dream-act-alternative">have crafted a new bill they say will solve the thorny issue</a> of illegal immigrants who were brought to the USA as children. Their legislation would establish a path to a green card and perhaps even citizenship for individuals who came to the USA when they were under 16 years of age.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Ouch! One in Four Americans Can Name Three Branches<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.studyfinds.org/government-american-history-survey/">According to a very thorough survey conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center</a>, Americans are stunningly ignorant of their government. More than one-third could not name a single right enshrined in the First Amendment, and only one in four was able to identify all three branches of government. The study also discovered that conservatives are able to name the three branches more frequently than liberals.</p>
<p>Check back Tuesday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-09-26T13:34:00ZObamaCare Repeal Headed for Likely Defeat; NFL Protests MultiplyBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/ObamaCare-Repeal-Headed-for-Likely-Defeat;-NFL-Protests-Multiply/-408032114546597362.html2017-09-25T13:54:00Z2017-09-25T13:54:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Monday, September 25, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>ObamaCare Repeal Headed for Likely Defeat<br /> </em></strong><br /> The third time is actually not a charm after all. The Graham-Cassidy proposal, the Republicans' most recent attempt to repeal and replace ObamaCare, <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/352180-gop-facing-likely-failure-on-obamacare-repeal">seems destined to be voted down in the Senate</a>. John McCain and Rand Paul are apparently "nay" votes, while a handful of other GOP senators are also leaning in that direction.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Health Care Hail Mary<br /> </em></strong><br /> In a last-ditch effort to rescue the Graham-Cassidy bill, <a href="http://www.newsmax.com/Headline/APFN-US-Congress-Health-Overhaul/2017/09/24/id/815438/">its authors are scrambling to add provisions</a> that could entice Senators McCain, Paul, and Murkowski. President Trump continues to express hope that Senator Paul will eventually come around "for the good of the Party."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>McCain Still Smarting Over POW Insult<br /> </em></strong><br /> Senator McCain has revealed that <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/09/24/mccain-trump-hasnt-apologized-for-pow-crack/">President Trump has never apologized for implying that McCain</a> was less than heroic in Vietnam. Nevertheless, the senator insists that his votes against every Republican health care proposal have not been based on personal animus.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Tax Reform Coming Next<br /> </em></strong><br /> Whatever happens with health care, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/352093-trump-tax-plan-cuts-top-rate-to-35-percent-report">Republicans are ready to introduce a tax reform plan</a>. According to a new report, the Trump administration wants the top individual rate lowered slightly, from 39.6% to 35%. The president has been far more intent on lowering corporate rates as much as possible, which he contends will encourage job creation and ignite a business boom.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Protests Multiply<br /> </em></strong><br /> Pro football players around the league <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nfl-players-kneel-during-national-anthem-following-further-trump-tweets/2017/09/24/67415350-a12e-11e7-8cfe-d5b912fabc99_story.html?utm_term=.faa2ce81a84f">staged various demonstrations Sunday during the playing of the National Anthem</a>. What began as a one-man protest by Colin Kaepernick over police brutality has become a mass movement against President Trump and his bellicose comments about players disrespecting the flag.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Army Vet Defies Team, Stands Alone<br /> </em></strong><br /> Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Alejandro Villaneuva graduated from West Point before serving three tours in Afghanistan as an Army Ranger. While the rest of his teammates remained in the locker room while the National Anthem was played yesterday, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/09/24/former-army-ranger-is-only-steelers-player-to-stand-for-national-anthem-video/">Villaneuva came out, stood for the Anthem and sang along</a>. While his coach seemed to be dissatisfied by his choice to go it alone, Alejandro Villaneuva is being <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/09/24/sales-of-villanuevas-football-jersey-skyrocket/">widely hailed as a man of great principle and courage</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NASCAR Nixes Anthem Protest<br /> </em></strong><br /> No one really expected NASCAR drivers and their crew members to protest during the National Anthem. Nevertheless, and just to make sure, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/09/24/nascar-owners-threaten-to-fire-drivers-who-protest-the-national-anthem/">some car owners have issued a firm warning</a> – the only time to take a knee is when you're changing a tire.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mass Shooting in Tennessee Church<br /> </em></strong><br /> 25-year-old Emanuel Samson, who moved to the USA from Sudan as a child, <a href="http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/09/who_is_emanual_kidega_samson_p.html">opened fire at a church near Nashville Sunday</a>. One woman died in the assault, six other worshipers were wounded. Samson, who came to the church in a mask after leaving cryptic messages on social media, will be charged with murder.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>D-Day for Weiner<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/anthony-weiner-once-congressman-faces-jail-sex-offender-n802441">Former Democratic Congressman Anthony Weiner faces the music today</a>. He will be in a New York City courtroom and to face sentencing for sending salacious text messages to a 15-year-old girl. Observers predict that Weiner, who could be sentenced to ten years, will spend about two years in prison. Without a cell phone!<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Merkel Wounded, But Still Standing<br /> </em></strong><br /> Angela Merkel will be Germany's chancellor for a fourth term, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-election/chastened-merkel-looks-for-coalition-partners-after-vote-idUSKCN1C0096">but she faces new challenges in forming a working government</a>. Parties of the right made major gains yesterday, fueled by Merkel's decision to welcome a million refugees into the nation. The party Alternative for Germany became the first far-right party to land a spot in the parliament since the end of World War II.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bali Volcano Rumbles, 50,000 Flee<br /> </em></strong><br /> Indonesia's Mount Agung volcano is apparently about to erupt on the island of Bali, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/evacuations-from-indonesian-volcano-swell-to-nearly-50000/2017/09/25/4f6a13ba-a1c0-11e7-b573-8ec86cdfe1ed_story.html?utm_term=.4a16e38dc809">sending tens of thousands of people scurrying for safety</a>. Agung's last eruption was in 1963, when more than 1,000 people died.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>New Travel Ban, Countries Added<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump's travel ban, which originally included five predominantly Muslim nations, has been revised and <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/352179-trump-imposes-new-travel-restrictions-on-8-countries">expanded to add Chad, Venezuela, and North Korea</a>. The new edict sets restrictions on each individual nation and has no expiration date. The ACLU, which opposes the ban, ridiculed the inclusion of North Korea, which obviously has very few tourists visiting the USA.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Kushner in Hot Water Over Emails<br /> </em></strong><br /> Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law and close adviser, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/352163-kushner-used-private-email-for-white-house-work-report">used a private email account for official White House communications</a>. Kushner established the account after President Trump's November victory and admits to using it for White House business. Meanwhile, special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation continues and is reported to be nearing a conclusion.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Univ. of Missouri Makes Use of Empty Dorms<br /> </em></strong><br /> The University of Missouri, which suffered a tremendous drop in enrollment after protests roiled the campus, <a href="http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/education/sold-out-football-fans-fill-dorms-left-empty-at-mizzou/article_c1c42a07-c994-59e2-907b-31a5761c7df8.html">has found a new way to take advantage of its many empty dorms</a>. Out-of-town football fans are now staying in the dorms when they visit for weekend football games. The rooms aren't being given away for free, but they cost less than most hotels.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Report: Most Polls Skewed to the Left<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/mainstream-polls-used-one-third-democrats/2017/09/22/id/815261/">Political pollsters tend to include far more Democrats than Republicans</a> in their opinion surveys, thus altering the results. That is the contention of an organization that analyzed various polls and found that Democrats were oversampled in every single case. As just one example, pollsters for The Economist used a sample in which 24% of respondents were Republicans, 38% Democrats. Keep that in mind next time you read about a certain president's approval ratings.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Star Penalized for "Peeing"<br /> </em></strong><br /> New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. came up with <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/09/24/odell-beckham-penalized-for-peeing/">a unique way to celebrate a touchdown</a>, although he pissed away a 15-yard penalty in the process. OBJ lifted his right leg in the air and made like a dog in the vicinity of a fire hydrant. It is unclear whether Beckham was penalized for acting like a fool or for urinating on the field.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kgam4-S5Q6w?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
<p>Check back Tuesday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
</div>
<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-09-25T13:54:00ZTrump Criticizes Jocks, World Goes Nuts; From Bad to Worse in Puerto RicoBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Criticizes-Jocks-World-Goes-Nuts;-From-Bad-to-Worse-in-Puerto-Rico/-4627203946616134.html2017-09-24T15:50:00Z2017-09-24T15:50:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Sunday, September 24, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>From Bad to Worse in Puerto Rico<br /> </em></strong><br /> Not only is the entire island of Puerto Rico without electricity, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41377185">there are life-threatening shortages of food and clean water</a>. Residents still face severe flooding and a dam is in imminent danger of collapsing. Puerto Ricans, whose government had already declared bankruptcy, face a living hell that is certain to endure for months.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Maria Heads Toward the USA<br /> </em></strong><br /> Hurricane Maria, downgraded to a Category 2 storm, will still be strong enough to cause some major <a href="https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/hurricane-maria-us-east-coast-forecast">problems along the Eastern Seaboard this week</a>. The National Weather Service expects high winds and dangerous waves, especially in North Carolina.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Criticizes Jocks, World Goes Nuts<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-withdraws-invitation-white-house-after-stephen-curry-suggests-he-n804136">President Trump is in the very familiar position of being under attack</a>. This time his foes are elite athletes and professional sports leagues who are incensed after he rescinded a White House invitation to Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors and criticized unpatriotic NFL players. Cleveland Cavs great LeBron James expressed the view of many of his colleagues when he called the president a "bum."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>President Goes Toe-to-Toe With NFL Boss<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nfl-commissioner-roger-goodell-trump-responds-divisive-attack/">National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell</a>, whose league is rapidly losing fans and TV viewers, issued a statement bemoaning the president's "unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL." The president quickly responded, hammering the league and the "total disrespect certain players show to our country." <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/911904261553950720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fnews%2Fpost-politics%2Fwp%2F2017%2F09%2F24%2Ftrump-demands-nfl-teams-fire-or-suspend-players-or-risk-fan-boycott%2F">The commander-in-chief's Sunday morning advice to Goodell: Fire or suspend!</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Protest Moves to the National Pastime<br /> </em></strong><br /> Even baseball, usually known for cracker jacks and hot dogs, has entered the fray. Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell, who comes from a military family, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">took a knee during the National Anthem</a> prior to a game yesterday. The rookie says he was directing his protest at President Trump's comments about NFL players.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Prez Also Hammers "Little Rocket Man"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Taking a break from sports commentary, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/09/24/trump-north-korean-leaders-wont-be-around-much-longer-if-strike-us.html">President Trump warned North Korean leaders</a> that "they won't be around much longer" if they strike the U.S. or our allies. North Korea's foreign minister described the president as a "mentally deranged person" and said an attack on the U.S. mainland is "inevitable." In a related story, Kim Jong Un has been shrunken in the Trump lexicon from "Rocket Man" to "Little Rocket Man."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Iran's New Long-Range Missile<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/23/middleeast/iran-ballistic-missile/index.html">Iran is showing off its newest ballistic missile</a>, which has a reported range of 1,250 miles, meaning it could reach Israel or Saudi Arabia. President Rouhani has declared that his nation will continue building up its missile arsenal. President Trump used Iran's defiant stance to again ridicule the agreement reached between Iran and the Obama administration.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Election Day in Germany<br /> </em></strong><br /> Chancellor Angela Merkel is expected to win her fourth term today <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/germany-votes-as-merkel-bids-for-a-fourth-term-far-right-eyes-seats-in-parliament/2017/09/24/6d9819ce-9a43-11e7-af6a-6555caaeb8dc_story.html?utm_term=.09844a1da3f9">as Germans cast their ballots</a>. This is the first national vote since she swung open Germany's doors to a million refugees, and anti-immigration parties have gained strength, but that will apparently not cost Chancellor Merkel the nation's top job.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Another Acid Attack in London<br /> </em></strong><br /> Citizens in the UK, already living in fear of Islamic terrorism, have a new concern. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/09/24/acid-attack-at-london-mall-injures-at-least-6-people-police-say.html">A vicious attack at a shopping center in East London</a> is the most recent in a string of "acid attacks." In this case, a band of men approached shoppers and sprayed an unknown substance into their faces, sending at least three people to the hospital.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Right-Wing Event Canceled in Berkeley<br /> </em></strong><br /> Today was supposed to mark the beginning of "Free Speech Week" at UC Berkeley, which would feature Milo Yiannopoulos and other controversial conservative speakers. However, without giving a reason, <a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-berkeley-counterprotesters-20170922-story.html">the organizers of the event have decided to call it all off</a>. The university had already spent heavily to prepare for the speakers and provide them with the necessary security.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Anthony Weiner Faces the Music Monday<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former Congressman and perennial creep Anthony Weiner <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/09/23/weiner-has-an-average-chance-of-sexting-a-minor-again/">will be sentenced tomorrow for "sexting" with a 15-year-old girl</a>. A psychologist has determined that Weiner has an "average" chance of reoffending when he is reunited with his cell phone. Weiner is deemed to have a "sex addition" and the government is recommending a two-year jail sentence.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Democrat Urges ALL Players to Kneel <br /> </em></strong><br /> Donna Edwards, who represented Maryland in Congress, is <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/352045-dem-calls-for-all-nfl-players-to-kneel-during-national-anthem">urging every single National Football League player to take a knee today</a> to show their solidarity with Colin Kaepernick and other protesting players. She also slandered President Trump as a "white supremacist who squats in our White House." The former congresswoman is, of course, a regular guest on MSNBC.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>India Blasts Pakistani as "Terror Factory"<br /> </em></strong><br /> India's foreign minister, mincing no words, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-un-assembly-india-pakistan/india-at-u-n-calls-pakistan-pre-eminent-export-factory-for-terror-idUSKCN1BY0S2?il=0">has denounced neighboring Pakistan as the "world's greatest exporter of havoc, death and inhumanity."</a> Both nations are armed with nuclear weapons and have engaged in many skirmishes over the past decades. They are fighting over a disputed border.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Catholic Rebels Assail Pope as "Heretic"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Dozens of conservative priests and theologians <a href="https://cruxnow.com/global-church/2017/09/24/conservative-theologians-accuse-pope-spreading-heresy/">are accusing Pope Francis of heresy</a>. Employing a mechanism of protest that hasn't been used since the 14<sup>th</sup> century, they say Francis has taken specific positions that are heretical and inimical to the traditions of the Catholic Church. The pope's critics contend that he has espoused policies that are far too liberal, especially regarding marital matters. In other words, they would answer "no" to that age-old question: "Is the Pope Catholic?"</p>
<p>Check back Sunday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-09-24T15:50:00ZNorth Korea's Newest, Most Ominous Threat; Puerto Rico's Dark FutureBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/North-Koreas-Newest-Most-Ominous-Threat;-Puerto-Ricos-Dark-Future/-558159545163114403.html2017-09-22T13:26:00Z2017-09-22T13:26:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, September 22, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Trump's Tough Talk Gets Results<br /> </em></strong><br /> Bowing to unrelenting pressure from the Trump administration, th<a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/sep/21/donald-trump-persuades-china-to-cut-north-korea-fi/">e Bank of China has ordered all the nation's banks to stop dealing with North Korea</a>. President Trump and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin have been putting the financial squeeze on Kim Jong Un, who says he is now considering the "highest level of hard-line countermeasure in history."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>North Korea's Newest, Most Ominous Threat<br /> </em></strong><br /> Kim Jong Un may be revealing more about his promised "hard-line countermeasure." The North Korean leader is <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2017/09/22/north-korea-says-may-test-hydrogen-bomb-over-pacific-ocean/692122001/">threatening to test a powerful hydrogen bomb over the Pacific Ocean</a>. The rogue nation has tested nuclear devices previously, but never outside of its own borders. Beyond that, an above-ground nuclear test has not been performed by any nation in decades.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Unhinged Columnist Likens N. Korea to Vietnam<br /> </em></strong><br /> A columnist named Ann McFeatters, who has written a long string of anti-Trump diatribes, <a href="http://www.newsday.com/opinion/commentary/maybe-president-trump-should-watch-pbs-1.14239212">is warning that the president may be leading us into another Vietnam</a>. She also manages to ridicule the president for avoiding military service and compares him to a "junior high school bully." According to McFeatters, President Trump is pretty much the same as Kim Jong Un and obliquely compares him with a certain German leader in the 1930s.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>President Heads to 'Bama<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump will be in Huntsville, Alabama tonight to <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/22/politics/alabama-senate-trump-visit-roy-moore-luther-strange/index.html">campaign for Republican Senator Luther Strange</a>, who is running for a full term after being appointed to fill the seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. According to most polls, Strange is slightly behind arch-conservative Roy Moore in the GOP primary that is coming up on Tuesday, but Donald Trump is nearly as popular in the state as the University of Alabama football team.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> And in this Corner, Sarah Palin!<br /> </em></strong><br /> While President Trump campaigns for Luther Strange, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/09/22/sarah-palin-in-alabama-the-swamp-is-trying-to-hijack-this-presidency/?utm_term=.8e081bdd5826">Sarah Palin and other conservative Republicans are stumping for his opponent Roy Moore</a>. The right wing of the GOP accuses Strange of being an establishment candidate who is part of "the swamp," while praising Moore as a Tea Partier who is not a member of the "political elite." It all makes for what promises to be a very interesting Tuesday in Dixie.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Valerie Plame's Jew-Hating Re-Tweet<br /> </em></strong><br /> Remember Valerie Plame Wilson, the former CIA agent who became a darling of the left during the Bush administration? <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/international/middle-east-north-africa/351745-valerie-plame-tweets-story-blaming-americas">Well, she is again getting attention, but not the kind she relishes</a>. Plame re-tweeted an article called "America's Jews Are Driving America's Wars," then claimed she had only skimmed the piece. But inquiring minds soon unearthed prior Plame tweets that demonstrated an unbridled hostility toward Israel and Jews.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Uber Banned in London<br /> </em></strong><br /> Officials in London have banned <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/22/uber-loses-its-license-to-operate-in-london/">Uber from the city by rejecting</a> the ride-sharing company's renewal application. The city contends that Uber and its drivers are not "fit and proper to hold a license." Uber, which claims it has 40,000 drivers serving 3.5-million riders in London, will be out of business in the city at the end of the month.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Education Secretary's Unique Travel<br /> </em></strong><br /> Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos prefers to criss-cross the nation on a private jet, which is not terribly unusual. <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/09/21/secretary-devos-flies-everywhere-on-her-own-jet-and-her-own-dime/">What's odd is that she pays for it herself</a>, foregoing any reimbursement to which she is entitled. DeVos has the distinct advantage of being married to a billionaire whose family founded the Amway company.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Puerto Rico's Dark Future<br /> </em></strong><br /> Hurricane Maria is gone, but severe flooding remains and <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/weather/hurricane-maria-leaves-puerto-rico-facing-months-without-power-n803326">nearly every home and business in Puerto Rico is still without lights and power</a>. The mayor of San Juan, the island's largest city, predicts there will be no electricity there for months, and things may be even worse for residents in other parts of the bankrupt territory.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Harvard Profs Upset Over a Traitor's Snub<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/09/22/harvard-faculty-alumni-in-revolt-over-snubs-michelle-jones-chelsea-manning.html">This item comes straight from the "Only in Academia" department.</a> Some 150 Harvard professors are irate because the school rescinded an invitation to convicted spy Chelsea Manning, who was briefly scheduled to be a "visiting fellow" at the school. Even worse, the professors are ticked off because Harvard did not admit convicted murderer Michelle Jones, who served 20 years in prison for beating, abandoning, and killing her 4-year-old son.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Stark Division on GOP Health Bill<br /> </em></strong><br /> To many conservatives, the Graham-Cassidy health care legislation, which would effectively repeal ObamaCare, is a noble effort that will transfer power to individual states. But many on the left portray the bill as a big step back in health care and a virtual death sentence for many Americans. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/22/us/politics/graham-cassidy-bill-right-and-left.html">There is not much middle ground on the bill</a>, which may reach the Senate floor next week.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Jimmy Kimmel Slams Senator as "Inbred"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, who now fancies himself a health care policy wonk, has been engaged in a war of words with Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician and co-sponsor of the Graham-Cassidy proposal. Ratcheting up the insult level another notch, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/09/22/kimmel-calls-louisiana-senator-inbred-during-latest-health-care-monologue.html">Kimmel used his opening monologue last night</a> to describe Cassidy as "inbred."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Turks Fight Turks at New York Hotel<br /> </em></strong><br /> When Turkish President Recep Erdogan began speaking to supporters at a New York hotel yesterday, protesters tried to shout him down and called him a "terrorist." <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41358394">The anti-Erdogan protesters were punched and manhandled by the president's defenders</a>. The incident resembled another violent incident when protesters were severely beaten in May at the Turkish Embassy in Washington.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Tim Tebow Helping in the Keys<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former University of Football football star and devout Christian Tim Tebow <a href="https://www.news4jax.com/weather/hurricane-irma/tebow-hands-out-food-to-hurricane-irma-victims-in-florida-keys">is in the hurricane-ravaged Florida Keys handing out food, water, and ice</a>. The Heisman Trophy winner is touring the area with Senator Marco Rubio. Tebow, who never made it big in the NFL, has switched sports and now plays baseball in the New York Mets organization.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Aaron Hernandez' Family to Sue NFL<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez, who had a long history of violence, was eventually convicted of murder and sentenced to prison, where he hanged himself in April. <a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/news/local_coverage/2017/09/the_discovery_of_cte_in_aaron_hernandez_s_brain_further_complicates_this">After examining Hernandez' brain</a>, doctors say he had severe brain damage, possibly the result of enduring many hits on the football field. His family now plans to sue the National Football League and the Patriots for negligence.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Word of the Day: Dotard<br /> </em></strong><br /> Seeking a pithy insult worthy of his nemesis Donald Trump, North Korea dictator Kim Jong Un reached back to the 14<sup>th</sup> century and came up with "dotard." <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-41357315">According to the Oxford English Dictionary</a>, a dotard is "an old person, especially one who has become weak or senile." So, don't be a dotard when writing to Bill and the No Spin News.</p>
<p>Check back Sunday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-09-22T13:26:00ZPuerto Rico in Shambles; Mexican Quake Toll Still RisingBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Puerto-Rico-in-Shambles;-Mexican-Quake-Toll-Still-Rising/565605618201912173.html2017-09-21T13:35:00Z2017-09-21T13:35:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Thursday, September 21, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Puerto Rico in Shambles<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/weather/hurricane/article174488726.html">Hurricane Maria slammed into Puerto Rico Wednesday</a> and left behind astounding devastation. The island is without electricity and may be for months, while thousands of homes and cars have been demolished. The hurricane, according to one official, "has destroyed everything in its path." Maria moved on this morning to hammer the Dominican Republic, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/21/us/hurricane-maria-us-effect/index.html">but the East Coast of the United States is expected to avoid most of its wrath</a>.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Mexican Quake Toll Still Rising<br /> </em></strong><br /> Mexico's most recent earthquake, centered south of Mexico City, <a href="http://www.latimes.com/world/mexico-americas/la-fg-mexico-earthquake-20170920-story.html">has killed at least 230 people</a>. The death toll will almost certainly rise as rescue workers continue to sift through rubble across a wide swath of the country. President Nieto, after personally witnessing the devastation, has declared three days of national mourning.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Has Decided on Iran Deal<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/09/20/trump-says-he-has-made-decision-iran-nuclear-deal-but-wont-reveal-what/684761001/">President Trump says he has come to a final decision on the Iran nuclear deal</a>, which he has called "one of the worst and one-sided" transactions in history. However, the president is keeping that decision under wraps for the moment, only saying that he will soon let everyone know. He faces a deadline of October 15<sup>th</sup>, by which date he has to inform Congress whether or not the agreement will be continued.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> California Sues Trump Administration on Wall<br /> </em></strong><br /> The state of California has turned defiance of the White House into an art form. Its latest effort is a lawsuit <a href="https://ca.news.yahoo.com/california-file-lawsuit-over-trump-border-wall-130642062.html">demanding that the Trump team halt any plans to extend the wall on the Mexican border</a>. California officials claim the wall would damage the environment and violates the separation of powers between states and the federal government.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Manafort Accused Of Selling Access<br /> </em></strong><br /> Paul Manafort, who served as campaign manager to Donald Trump, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/manafort-offered-to-give-russian-billionaire-private-briefings-on-2016-campaign/2017/09/20/399bba1a-9d48-11e7-8ea1-ed975285475e_story.html?utm_term=.540759ef2784">reportedly offered to provide daily updates on the presidential race to a Russian billionaire</a>. The offer was found in the thousands of emails that are being examined by special counsel Robert Mueller and his team of investigators. There is no proof, however, that the Russian tycoon accepted or even received the offer.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump May Have Been Overheard in Wiretaps<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, who blatantly lied to Congress while serving in the Obama administration, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/09/21/james-clapper-its-possible-that-trumps-voice-was-picked-up-by-manafort-wiretap.html">now admits that "it's possible" that President Trump was caught on an FBI</a> wiretap while speaking with the aforementioned Paul Manafort. The president's allegation that he was bugged at Trump Tower is gaining veracity by the day.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Obama Administration's Unmasker-in-Chief<br /> </em></strong><br /> Samantha Power, former United States Ambassador to the United Nations, <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/09/20/samantha-power-allegedly-tried-to-unmask-americans-on-a-daily-basis/">tried to expose more than 260 people</a> whose names were "masked" in intelligence documents. Power and former National Security Adviser Susan Rice have both been accused of blatantly flaunting and abusing the official process used to unmask American citizens whose names appeared in intelligence reports.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Speaking of Unmasking!<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/09/20/college-students-face-five-years-in-prison-for-wearing-masks-at-confederate-protest/">Four individuals have been arrested for wearing masks during a protest</a> in Richmond, Virginia last weekend. They now face jail time for breaking a state law that prevents demonstrators from hiding their faces. If Virginia needs any help unmasking future protesters, we know of a former Obama official who could lend a hand.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Networks Praise ObamaCare<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2017/09/20/cbs-nbc-tout-obama-speaking-out-defend-obamacare">On their Wednesday evening newscasts</a>, both CBS News and NBC News featured former President Obama defending his signature health care legislation. CBS's correspondent Nancy Cordes echoed Obama's criticisms of the latest Republican alternative and essentially cited talk show host Jimmy Kimmel as a health care authority.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>All Eyes on Senator Murkowski<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/ready-to-deal-this-time-alaskas-murkowski-is-in-the-health-care-spotlight-again/2017/09/20/bfabcf9c-9d83-11e7-9c8d-cf053ff30921_story.html?utm_term=.88c1495f0cfd">Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski is certainly getting a lot of attention these days</a>. With almost all other Republican senators firmly decided on the latest GOP health care bill, she is wavering and her vote may be the deciding factor. The legislation in question is the Graham-Cassidy bill, which would give more money and decision-making power to individual states. The bill may to the Senate floor for a vote next week.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Ellen: No Trump On My Show!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has declared that President Trump, because he is "dangerous" to the country and the world, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">will never be invited to grace her eponymous show.</a> Sad!<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>What If They Were Just Lip-Synching?<br /> </em></strong><br /> The University of New Hampshire, continuing the tradition of campus insanity, <a href="http://nh1.com/news/top-news/video-of-unh-sorority-members-singing-n-word-sparks-outrage">is now investigating sorority sisters who were caught on tape singing a rap song</a>. The problem is that the song in question, a Kanye West ditty called "Gold Digger," includes the most infamous and taboo racial slur. Among Kanye's poetic lyrics: "Now I ain't saying she a gold digger, But she ain't messing with no broke n*****." Okay, speaking good grammar ain't his strong suit!<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Angela Merkel's Moment of Truth<br /> </em></strong><br /> Chancellor Angela Merkel is expected to retain her position when Germans cast their votes in national elections this weekend. It is very likely, however, that she will have to work with a reduced majority in the German legislature. <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/german-election-merkel-refugees-1.4297071">Merkel has faced heavy criticism for her "great gamble,"</a> in which she flung open the nation's borders to nearly a million refugees, most of them from Muslim nations.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>"Rocket Man" Living Large<br /> </em></strong><br /> A defector from Kim Jong Un's repressive North Korean regime claims the supreme leader derives great pleasure from caviar lunches, public executions, and the attention of teenage girls. <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/inside-kim-jong-uns-feared-11203055">According to a woman who escaped the repressive regime</a>, officials visit schools and hand-pick attractive young girls to serve the dictator at one of his many homes.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>"Rocket Man" Assails Trump Speech<br /> </em></strong><br /> Taking a break from his caviar lunches and massages, Kim Jong Un has apparently authorized his diplomats to denounce President Trump's speech to the UN General Assembly. <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/international/351693-north-korea-likens-trump-un-speech-to-sound-of-a-dog-barking">The North Koreans compared the president's address to the sound of a dog barking</a>. Neither the breed of pooch nor the timbre of the bark was specified.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Players List Requests/Demands<br /> </em></strong><br /> Present and former players have <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/players-send-goodell-memo-support-activism-report-article-1.3510245">sent a lengthy memo to the NFL</a> in which they ask the league to join them in their activism. The league, which is deeply concerned with empty seats and declining television ratings, has to draw a fine line between satisfying its players and alienating many of its fans.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>World To End Saturday!<br /> </em></strong><br /> A doomsday prophesy has gained a lot of traction recently. According to David Meade, a Christian numerologist, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/09/20/the-christian-numerologist-whose-biblical-doomsday-claim-has-some-nervously-eyeing-sept-23/?utm_term=.bd7a1782e725">a planet named Nibiru will pass close to Earth</a>, initiating deadly volcanos, tsunamis, and earthquakes. Remarkably, none of the massive destruction will be attributed to "global warming," mainly because all the climate alarmists will presumably be dead. NASA says there is no planet called Nibiru headed in our direction, but whose word are you going to take? So enjoy Friday, it may well be your last!</p>
<p>Check back Friday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-09-21T13:35:00ZExtremely Mixed Reviews for Trump's UN Speech; Another Quake Hits Mexico, Hundreds DeadBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Extremely-Mixed-Reviews-for-Trumps-UN-Speech;-Another-Quake-Hits-Mexico-Hundreds-Dead/810257320752232075.html2017-09-20T15:05:00Z2017-09-20T15:05:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Wednesday, September 20, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Extremely Mixed Reviews for Trump's UN Speech<br /> </em></strong><br /> Right-wingers generally loved President Trump's address to the United Nations General Assembly Tuesday; lefties despised it nearly as much as they despise the president himself. <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/09/19/the-good-and-the-bad-of-trumps-un-speech/">His critics were angered by the president's stark warning to North Korea</a>, his blunt criticism of Iran, and his assessment of the eternal failures of socialism.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Hillary Clinton Rips Trump<br /> </em></strong><br /> "I thought it was very dark, dangerous." <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/hillary-clinton-trump-un-speech_us_59c1c9abe4b087fdf508fe61">That's how Hillary Clinton evaluated President Trump's speech to the General Assembly</a>. On tour to promote her book, Mrs. Clinton has been giving many interviews, almost all of them with friendly and adoring hosts. Perhaps still unaware that she is not the president, Clinton also opined on what President Trump should have said.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5-plKfA54Dc?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Returning Fire, Trump Rips Hillary<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump, apparently responding to Hillary Clinton's criticism, <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/20/trump-north-korea-hillary-bill-clinton-242918">blamed Mrs. Clinton and her husband</a> for allowing North Korea to build up its nuclear weaponry. "Crooked Hillary now criticizes," the president wrote <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/910453612630900736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2F2017%2F09%2F20%2Ftrump-blames-hillary-clinton-north-korea-nuclear-weapons-program%2F684183001%2F">in one of his patented tweets very early this morning</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NBC News Lauds Iran<br /> </em></strong><br /> Lester Holt, the anchor of NBC Nightly News, <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2017/09/19/nbcs-holt-sympathizes-rogue-iran-regime-against-trump">sat down with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani</a> just prior to President Trump's speech at the United Nations. Holt took the Iranian strongman at his word and seemed to endorse Rouhani's claim that the United States will "lose trust and credibility on the world stage" if it backs away from the nuclear deal brokered during the Obama administration.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Was Trump Correct About Wiretaps?<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump has endured a great deal of ridicule, never more so than when he claimed President Obama "had my wires tapped" in Trump Tower. That was forcefully denied by then-FBI boss James Comey and intelligence committee leaders in Congress, but Donald Trump may have been at least close to the truth. <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/09/19/wiretaps-may-prove-trump-right-and-thats-absolutely-terrifying/">There are now numerous reports that the FBI bugged former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort</a>, who had a residence in Trump Tower and who frequently spoke with the president.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump's Full-Court Press on New Health Care Bill<br /> </em></strong><br /> In a last-ditch effort to fulfill his "repeal and replace" campaign pledge, President Trump is putting the full weight of his office <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2017/09/19/politics/trump-graham-cassidy-obamacare-repeal/index.html">behind the Graham-Cassidy health care reform bil</a>l. With 50 votes needed in the Senate, and with Rand Paul being a certain "no" vote, the White House will be putting pressure on Senators Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, and John McCain. Some predict that McCain will vote against the bill, while others believe he will back the legislation co-sponsored by his good friend Lindsey Graham.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Maria Strikes Puerto Rico<br /> </em></strong><br /> Hurricane Maria, armed with 150 mph winds, smacked Puerto Rico early this morning. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/20/us/hurricane-maria-puerto-rico.html">More than 10,000 island residents have sought safety in shelters</a>, while millions more are trying to survive the storm in their homes. This is the first Category 4 hurricane to make landfall on Puerto Rico since 1932.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Quake Hits Mexico, Hundreds Dead<br /> </em></strong><br /> A powerful earthquake, with its epicenter 100 miles from Mexico City, has brought down buildings, ignited fires, and left more than 200 dead. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/mexico-city-residents-search-through-the-night-for-survivors-of-quake-that-killed-more-than-200/2017/09/20/4ef19d8e-9d8a-11e7-b2a7-bc70b6f98089_story.html?utm_term=.58773b79bfb3">Rescue workers are still searching through the rubble and the death toll is expected to rise</a>. The quake struck on the 32<sup>nd</sup> anniversary of a massive earthquake that killed at least 10,000 Mexicans and left 250,000 homeless.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Why Mexico, Why Now?<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/20/americas/mexico-two-earthquakes-in-one-month/index.html">CNN's website includes a thorough and scientific explanation</a> of why Mexico is so vulnerable to earthquakes and why the quakes often hit one after another. Most of the deaths tend to occur in Mexico City, which packs 20-million people into a relatively small area.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Taking Aim at "Rocket Man"<br /> </em></strong><br /> According to some sources, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/19/politics/us-north-korea-missile-mattis-options/index.html">the United States is considering the possibility of shooting down a North Korean ballistic missile</a>. The Pentagon might target a missile even if it is not aimed at Guam or any American allies. Secretary of Defense James Mattis has affirmed that he is considering military options, but refused to go into specifics.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Trump's Approval Rating Improves<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/351489-trumps-approval-rating-ticks-upward-in-new-poll">According to a new poll</a>, President Trump's approval rating has reached 43% among American voters, up by four points from a month ago. The uptick was especially notable among independents and Republicans, with 80% of GOP voters giving him a thumbs up. The vast majority of Democrats are still not on board the Trump Train, and in fact haven't even reached the station.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> What the NFL Hath Wrought: 8-Year-Olds Kneel for Anthem<br /> </em></strong><br /> In Cahokia, Illinois, all 25 members of a youth football team <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">took a knee when the National Anthem was played prior to a game</a>. Their coach said the team was inspired by protesters in St. Louis and some NFL players who are also sitting out the Anthem.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Suspected Neo-Nazi Kills Two Black Men<br /> </em></strong><br /> 23-year-old Kenneth Gleason, a former Eagle Scout who reportedly admires Adolf Hitler, <a href="http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/article_7d8e8e9c-9d65-11e7-a156-53626665de7f.html">has been arrested for murdering two unarmed black men in Baton Rouge</a>. He is also suspected of firing shots at the home of a black family that lived in his neighborhood. In a search of Gleason's home, police discovered a Hitler speech, marijuana, and human growth hormone.</p>
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<p><strong><em><br /> <br /> Piers Morgan Lauds Trump, Slams UK on Refugees<br /> </em></strong><br /> British journalist Piers Morgan, who also made a mark in the USA, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4896052/PIERS-MORGAN-Trump-RIGHT-bucket-bomber.html">describes life in today's London</a>, where terror attacks have become common. Opening himself up to vicious ridicule from the left, Morgan opines that President Trump is correct about radical Islamic terrorism and questions Britain's willingness to accept refugees from war-torn countries in the Middle East.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> A New Low, Even For Maxine Waters<br /> </em></strong><br /> Congresswoman Maxine Waters, frequently named one of the most corrupt legislators in Washington, used the solemn occasion of <a href="http://www.theamericanmirror.com/maxine-waters-pushes-trump-impeachment-eulogy/">Dick Gregory's memorial service to bash President Trump and call for his impeachment</a>. She called the president a "dishonorable human being" who has filled his administration with white supremacists.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> A New Low, Even For Middlebury College<br /> </em></strong><br /> Students at Middlebury College in Vermont, who shouted down speaker Charles Murray in March, are essentially being rewarded. <a href="https://www.thecollegefix.com/post/36899/">The cowardly administration has introduced a policy</a> that will ban speakers who present an "imminent and credible threat" merely by showing up and trying to talk. The policy is being derided as a "heckler's veto" by free speech advocates.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Long Ball Record in Major League Baseball<br /> </em></strong><br /> With about two weeks to go in the major league baseball season, players have already hit more home runs than in any previous year. The record breaker came last night when Alex Gordon of the Kansas City Royals bashed the 5,694<sup>th</sup> homer of the 2017 season. The previous record was set in 2000, when baseball was in its notorious "steroid era."</p>
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<p><strong><em><br /> <br /> Buffett Prediction: Dow 1,000,000<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/20/buffett-calls-pessimists-about-united-states-out-of-their-mind.html">The good news is that investor Warren Buffett is bullish on the American economy</a> and expects that the Dow Jones Industrial average, now at 22,000, will eventually reach 1-million! The bad news is that he believes that milestone may not be reached for another century. Buffett's prediction brings to mind the adage coined by famed economist John Maynard Keynes: "In the long run we are all dead."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Heroic Crime-Stopper Sued by Thug<br /> </em></strong><br /> 58-year-old Cregg Jerri was hailed as a courageous hero in July when he stopped an attempted robbery at a Starbucks in Fresno, California. He bashed and beat Ryan Flores, who was armed with a knife and a toy gun. Now, however, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/09/20/starbucks-robbery-suspect-may-sue-good-samaritan-who-subdued-him.html">the would-be thief claims Jerri used "excessive force"</a> and plans to sue. No doubt most Americans side with Cregg Jerri, and no doubt most have only one question when it comes to Ryan Flores: Should his jail sentence be grande, venti, or maybe even trenta?</p>
<p>Check back Thursday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-09-20T15:05:00ZTrump to Address UN; Cat 5 Hurricane Maria Wreaks HavocBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-to-Address-UN;-Cat-5-Hurricane-Maria-Wreaks-Havoc/272875254605447583.html2017-09-19T13:34:00Z2017-09-19T13:34:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Monday, September 19, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Trump to Address UN<br /> </em></strong><br /> All eyes will be on President Trump today when he gives his <a href="http://www.npr.org/2017/09/18/551864950/world-leader-in-first-u-n-speech-trump-will-call-for-other-countries-to-step-up">first speech to the United Nations General Assembly</a>. He is expected to defend his desire to put "America First" and to urge other nations to step up when it comes to dealing with international threats. The president was highly critical of the UN prior to his inauguration, but he is now pushing for reforms that will make the body more effective, less bureaucratic, and less dependent on the United States to fund its generous budget.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Former Trump Aide Manafort Was Bugged by Feds<br /> </em></strong><br /> It has just been revealed that Paul Manafort, who briefly managed Donald Trump's presidential campaign, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/paul-manafort-was-wiretapped-by-us-government/">was wiretapped by the FBI</a>. The feds listened in on Manafort during the campaign, suspecting that he was communicating with Russian agents who wanted to influence the election. While the wiretaps occurred prior to the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/18/us/politics/mueller-russia-investigation.html">it was Mueller who authorized a search of Manafort's home in July</a>. According to various reports, Manafort has been told that he will soon be formally charged with a crime.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bug-Infested White House?<br /> </em></strong><br /> Meanwhile, some administration officials are sa<a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/351132-wh-officials-fear-colleagues-are-wearing-a-wire-for-mueller-report">id to be worried that their colleagues may be wearing wires</a>. The fear is that White House officials could be recording conversations for special counsel Mueller. This latest concern comes as there is reported to be a conflict between White House Counsel Don McGahn and Ty Cobb, the lawyer who was brought on board to manage the administration's response to the Mueller investigation.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Cat 5 Hurricane Maria Wreaks Havoc<br /> </em></strong><br /> Maria has been upgraded to Category 5, the most powerful storm level, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/19/world/americas/hurricane-maria-caribbean.html">as it ravages the island of Dominica</a> and possibly heads toward the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The last hurricane to make landfall on Puerto Rico was nearly 20 years ago, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/bankrupt-puerto-rico-faces-direct-hit-hurricane-maria-n802431">and that bankrupt U.S. territory is now preparing for the worst</a>. Meanwhile, to the north, Hurricane Jose threatens to brush parts of New England and Long Island. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Immigrants to Former Speaker Pelosi: Don't Speak!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Dozens of protesters marched into a press conference in San Francisco at which Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi was addressing immigration and DACA. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video?chartID=554">They commandeered the event</a>, called Pelosi a "liar," and would not allow her to speak. Pelosi, looking befuddled, eventually gave up and exited stage left.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> NAACP Sues Trump Over DACA<br /> </em></strong><br /> Many economists and immigration experts claim that illegal immigrants drive down wages and especially harm black American workers. Nevertheless, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/351219-naacp-sues-trump-for-ending-daca">the ultra-liberal NAACP has filed a lawsuit</a> against President Trump, Attorney General Sessions, and other officials. The suit alleges that the administration's DACA decree violates due process and is racially motivated because 80% of DACA beneficiaries are Mexican.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Crossing the Border Tougher Than Ever<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Department of Homeland Security reports that it is <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/09/18/crossing-the-border-illegally-is-harder-than-its-been-in-50-years-dhs-report-says/">harder than ever for Mexicans to cross the border</a> and enter the USA illegally. DHS says Border Patrol agents are far more efficient and have many more tools at their disposal. Border arrests are down by more than 20% since President Trump took office.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Repeal and Replace, The Sequel!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Congressional Republicans believe that have one final chance to replace the Affordable Care Act. <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/351198-new-gop-obamacare-repeal-bill-gains-momentum">The latest idea is the Graham-Cassidy bill</a>, which has been building momentum over the past week. The new bill, which would require only 50 votes to pass the Senate, would do away with individual and employer mandates and would shift much of the responsibility for health care to individual states.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Riots in Atlanta After Police Shooting<br /> </em></strong><br /> There were several arrests last night as protesters took to the streets after a police officer shot and killed a student at Georgia Tech University. <a href="http://www.ajc.com/news/three-arrested-violent-georgia-tech-protests-after-police-shoot-student/CVfX0KeBUlTPzYLCf3KnwO/">The rioters set a police car on fire and two cops</a> were treated for minor injuries. The disturbance was ignited when campus police, who claim that Scout Schultz had a knife and was acting menacingly, shot and killed the 21-year-old engineering major.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> More St. Louis Protests Expected<br /> </em></strong><br /> St. Louis is still on edge, despite a relatively calm and quiet night Monday. The protests there began when a police officer who had shot a black suspect was acquitted of murder charges. The demonstrators are now demanding that their colleagues, <a href="http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/as-arrests-are-made-protesters-question-the-tactics-used-by/article_e58481b7-f7c2-541e-91d2-31a6379f272c.html">many of whom were jailed over the weekend</a>, be released. Police in St. Louis have arrested more than 100 people on various charges related to weekend protests that turned violent.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Broke 'R' Us<br /> </em></strong><br /> The toy chain Toys 'R' Us, which employs more than 60,000 people at its 1,600 stores, <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-toys-r-us-bankruptcy-toymakers/toys-r-us-files-for-bankruptcy-ahead-of-holiday-season-idUSKCN1BT2AV?il=0">has filed for bankruptcy</a>. The company is drowning in debt that was incurred during its purchase in 2005, and is also suffering from the generally dismal prospects facing many retailers.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Oops! Global Warming Not So Bad<br /> </em></strong><br /> Remember all those predictions of imminent doom, vanishing ice caps, and underwater cities? <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/09/18/new-climate-calculations-could-buy-the-earth-some-time-if-theyre-right/?utm_term=.a2213c1f2078">Not so fast, say a group of scientists</a> who now report that the danger from "global warming" is not nearly as bad as previously estimated. Their study, published in Nature Geoscience, gives Mother Earth a temporary reprieve from the ravages of climate change. Please don't mention this to Al Gore.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Free Speech Test for Berkeley<br /> </em></strong><br /> The University of California at Berkeley, home to the "free speech" movement in the 1960s, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/09/19/non-stem-professors-reportedly-push-for-boycott-uc-berkeley-free-speech-week.html">is bracing for an event next week that will include some right wing provocateurs</a>. Among those who may be speaking are Ann Coulter, Steve Bannon, and Milo Yiannopoulos, whose previously scheduled speech at Berkeley was shut down in February by violent protesters. Astoundingly, but not surprisingly, <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/UC-Berkeley-professors-urge-campus-boycott-during-12202096.php">177 Berkeley professors are calling for a boycott of the event</a>, which they say will risk the "physical and mental safety" of their delicate students.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Emmy Awards Sink in Ratings<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Trump-bashing festival known as the Emmy Awards attracted 11-million viewers Sunday night, about the same as last year, <a href="http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/2017-emmys-ratings-1202562498/">but reached new depths when it came to younger viewers</a>. The results may convince Hollywood types to ease up on the political speeches next time around. Nah, probably not.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NBC News Touts "The Handmaid's Tale"<br /> </em></strong><br /> One of the big winners at the Emmys was "The Handmaid's Tale," a series that depicts an ominous and religious totalitarian United States government. <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/kyle-drennen/2017/09/18/nbcs-geist-sees-glimmer-modern-reality-totalitarian-handmaids-tale">NBC News and the show's star</a> took the opportunity to bash "modern reality," which of course is secret code for President Trump.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Feds Fund "Safe Zones" for LGBTQ Students<br /> </em></strong><br /> More than $500,000 of your tax dollars are being handed over to make "lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer" students <a href="http://freebeacon.com/politics/feds-spend-587441-make-engineering-safe-zone-lgbtq-students/">feel more comfortable in engineering classes</a>. Using that very special and unique education-speak, the feds say the dough will "foster inclusion" and enable professors to become "change agents."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary "Won't Rule Out" Challenging Election<br /> </em></strong><br /> Speaking in the friendly confines of National Public Radio, Hillary Clinton actually hinted that she might still <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/09/18/hillary-clinton-still-wants-to-challenge-election-results/">challenge the legitimacy of last year's election</a>. Her only trepidation seems to be that there is no constitutional way to do that. She also said the Electoral College should be abolished. It goes without saying that she would prefer if it were abolished retroactively!<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Laura Ingraham Lands 10PM Fox News Slot<br /> </em></strong><br /> Fox News, still trying to find its way after a lineup shuffle and the loss of a certain very humble correspondent, <a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-ingraham-fox-news-20170918-story.html">is turning over its 10 PM slot to Laura Ingraham</a>, who has been an FNC regular for many years. Sean Hannity will move to 9 PM, while The Five heads back to its original 5 PM slot. The odd man (and women) out in this shuffle is the Fox News Specialists, which never caught on with viewers.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump's Latest Nickname<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump has finally come up with a nickname for North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. "Little" had been used on Marco Rubio, "Lyin'" was reserved for Ted Cruz, and of course "Crooked" was already taken. So the president came up with "Rocket Man," the title of a 1972 Elton John song. We would have suggested another Elton John hit, "Madman Across the Water," but perhaps the president is saving that moniker for some other deranged dictator.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DtVBCG6ThDk?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
<p>Check back Tuesday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-09-19T13:34:00ZAll eyes on Hurricane Maria; The Political Emmys - Sean Spicer makes an appearanceBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/All-eyes-on-Hurricane-Maria;-The-Political-Emmys---Sean-Spicer-makes-an-appearance/746646008494075686.html2017-09-18T12:47:00Z2017-09-18T12:47:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Monday, September 18, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p class="gmail-p2"><strong>All eyes are on Hurricane Maria; The Emmy’s turn political, Sean Spicer makes a special appearance</strong></p>
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<p class="gmail-p2"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Maria forecast to intensify to Category 4 'dangerous major hurricane'</span></strong></p>
<p class="gmail-p2"><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/maria-forecast-intensify-category-dangerous-major-hurricane/story?id=49923831">ABC News</a></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">Maria, now a Category 1 hurricane, is expected to become a "dangerous major hurricane" over the U.S.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/topics/news/virgin-islands.htm"><span class="gmail-s1">Virgin Islands</span></a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>and Puerto Rico by the middle of the week as a separate hurricane heads for the Northeast Coast, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Monday. Maria was churning in the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/topics/news/atlantic-ocean.htm"><span class="gmail-s1">Atlantic Ocean</span></a>, located about 90 miles northeast of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/topics/news/barbados.htm"><span class="gmail-s1">Barbados</span></a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>as of early Monday morning with maximum sustained winds of 90 miles per hour, according to the NHC, which expects it to become a major hurricane when it reaches the Leeward Islands over the next few days. The storm is forecast to rapidly intensify to a Category 4 hurricane as it approaches Puerto Rico late Wednesday morning.</p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">More than 80 arrested in third night of St. Louis protests</span></strong></p>
<p class="gmail-p3"><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/18/us/jason-stockley-st-louis-protest-arrests/index.html">CNN</a></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">More than 80 people were arrested after a third night of demonstrations in St. Louis over the acquittal of a former police officer who had been charged with first-degree murder. Arrests came after police officers were assaulted and "a concentrated area" was hit with vandalism including broken windows, broken sidewalk flower pots and overturned trash cans, acting Police Commissioner Larry O'Toole told media at a briefing late Sunday.</p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">This year's Emmys didn't even pretend not to be political</span></strong></p>
<p class="gmail-p3"><a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-emmy-awards-2017-review-20170918-story.html">LA Times</a></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">Subtext became text when issues of race, gender and national politics, long a part of Hollywood awards shows, took center stage at the 69th<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/emmys/"><span class="gmail-s1">Emmy Awards</span></a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>telecast Sunday night. “You can’t deny that every show was influenced by<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/politics-government/donald-trump-PEBSL000163-topic.html"><span class="gmail-s1">Donald Trump</span></a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>in some way,” said host<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/entertainment/television/stephen-colbert-PECLB005418-topic.html"><span class="gmail-s1">Stephen Colbert</span></a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>in his opening monologue. “All the late night shows, obviously. ‘House of Cards.’ The new season of ‘American Horror Story.’” Pause. “And of course next year’s Latin Grammys, hosted by Sheriff Joe Arpaio.” By tapping Colbert as host, the television academy all but guaranteed that the first Emmy broadcast of the Trump presidency would send a clear message — Colbert’s late-night career was resuscitated by his return to political satire. But it really wasn’t necessary. Sheriff quip aside, Colbert was barely joking.</p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sean Spicer tries to clean up his battered image with a surprise Emmy appearance</span></strong></p>
<p class="gmail-p3"><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/17/entertainment/sean-spicer-emmys/index.html">CNN</a></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">Anyone could have predicted that Stephen Colbert's opening Emmy monologue would include talk of politics and mentions of President Donald Trump, but no would could have predicted a surprise cameo from White House alum Sean Spicer. The former White House press secretary made a brief appearance at the end of Colbert's opening monologue for a bit that appeared to mock Spicer's defense of Trump's inauguration attendance. On stage, Colbert asked if someone could predict how large this year's Emmy audience would be -- Spicer's cue to emerge from backstage. "This will be the largest audience to witness the Emmys, period -- both in person and around the world," Spicer said from a podium. Spicer battled with reporters back in January as he defended the size of the crowd that showed up to watch Trump's inauguration. At the time, he<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/21/politics/sean-spicer-resigns/index.html"><span class="gmail-s1">said</span></a>, "This was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration, period," despite photographic evidence to the contrary. Colbert also joked that HBO's Emmy-nominated Bernie Madoff TV movie "Wizard of Lies" was "the Sean Spicer story." Spicer's appearance drew reactions of shock from the celebrity audience. "Melissa McCarthy everybody. Give it up," Colbert said, joking, as the camera panned to McCarthy, who famously impersonated Spicer on last season's "Saturday Night Live."</p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Iran, North Korea expected to dominate Trump's first UN General Assembly</span></strong></p>
<p class="gmail-p3"><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/18/politics/donald-trump-unga-preview/index.html">CNN</a></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">President Donald Trump will tote his "America First" stance this week to the United Nations General Assembly, the annual inundation of diplomats and world leaders who this year await the new US leader with uneasy anticipation. The summit in Trump's hometown -- New York City -- has become the quickest-paced diplomatic event on the calendar for an American president. Trump arrives to the soaring, green-hued assembly hall facing open questions about his approach to hot-button<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/16/politics/trump-paris-climate-deal/index.html"><span class="gmail-s1"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>issues like climate change</span></a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>and the<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/14/politics/trump-iran-nuclear-deal-cctober-deadline/index.html"><span class="gmail-s1"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Iran nuclear accord</span></a>. His schedule over four days is stacked with one-on-one talks with foreign counterparts eager to discuss those global flash-points,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/17/politics/nikki-haley-north-korea-un-cnntv/index.html"><span class="gmail-s1">as well as the deepening standoff with North Korea</span></a>. The centerpiece, however, comes Tuesday during Trump's first UN address, a landmark foreign policy moment at the eight-month mark of his presidency. Once deeply critical of the UN -- right down to its iconic emerald marble -- Trump as President has achieved his principal diplomatic wins at the body's Security Council, which has passed waves of sanctions on North Korea. Trump remains skeptical, however, of the UN's efficacy or its value to the United States. Administration officials say Trump is unlikely to unload on the UN in the way he has in the past. Instead, the President's aides are preparing an address that largely adheres to tradition by rallying countries behind condemnation of rogue regimes like North Korea and Iran.</p>
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<p class="gmail-p2"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">FIRST IMAGES OF LONDON BOMB SUSPECT YAHYAH FARROUKH EMERGE</span></strong></p>
<p class="gmail-p3"><a href="http://www.newsweek.com/first-images-london-bomb-suspect-yahyah-farroukh-emerge-666676">Newsweek</a></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">The first images of one of the suspects being held by U.K. police after the bomb blast on a London subway train on Friday have appeared in British media. Yahyah Farroukh, a 21-year-old from Syria, is being questioned under Britain's Terrorism Act, meaning that he is suspected of being involved in extremist-related activities. He was recently registered as a resident at an address that police searched in the British country of Surrey, to the southwest of London after the attack. Officers detained him at a fried chicken shop named Aladdin's on Saturday night, according to reports by Sky News. Farroukh's Facebook page says that he is from the Syrian capital, Damascus, which has been wracked by fighting for more than six years in the protracted civil war. In one post on his page, he shared an image of a candle being lit for Syria. It read: "So the UK government has authorised bombings in Syria, God protect all the innocent people that are going to be killed in the process #pray4Syria"</p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Dallas schools to consider new monikers for buildings named after Franklin, Jefferson, Madison</span></strong></p>
<p class="gmail-p3"><a href="https://www.thecollegefix.com/post/36871/">The College Fix</a></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">This past Thursday, the Dallas Independent School District School Board took up the matter of renaming some of its schools, identifying 21 with “some sort of Confederate tie.” Superintendent Michael Hinojosa noted four schools were “priorities”: William L. Cabell, Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, and Albert Sidney Johnston.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Dallas-ISD-Focused-on-Renaming-Four-Schools-with-Confederate-Ties--444545533.html"><span class="gmail-s2"><strong>According to NBC-5</strong></span></a>, “[t]he board seemed to agree with starting with the four schools recommended.” “I think the board, in essence, is pretty much together on this. Just, do we waive the current policy or not, and I want an expedient timeline. I’m looking at about two months,” Trustee Joyce Foreman said. However, what the NBC-5 report<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><em>doesn’t</em><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>mention is the list of recommended schools includes the names of three prominent Founding Fathers — Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://amp.dailycaller.com/2017/09/17/dallas-school-district-weighing-renaming-schools-named-after-franklin-jefferson-and-madison/"><span class="gmail-s2"><strong><em>The Daily Caller</em></strong></span></a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>reports that DISD board member Dustin Marshall, at the behest of many of his constituents,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DustinMarshallForDISD/posts/834314796742765"><span class="gmail-s2"><strong>posted on Facebook</strong></span></a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>the full list of schools under consideration for new names.</p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Kim Jong-un threatens to turn US into ‘sea of flames’ with surprise attack and boasts America’s fate is in his hands after latest missile launch</span></strong></p>
<p class="gmail-p3"><a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4482944/kim-jong-un-threatens-to-turn-us-into-sea-of-flames-with-surprise-attack-and-boasts-americas-fate-is-in-his-hands-after-latest-missile-launch/">The Sun</a></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">TYRANT dictator Kim Jong-un has taunted Donald Trump boasting "America's fate is in hands of North Korea" by vowing to turn US into a "sea of flames". The threat came just a day after the North carried out yet another successful ballistic missile over Japan claiming America is now in "mortal fear" after proving it has the military power to strike US territory. A spokesman for NK's ruling party said: "Through the two successful ICBM test-launches the DPRK has put the whole U.S. mainland in its striking range and clearly showed that it can turn the American empire into a sea in flames through sudden surprise attack from any region and area. "Whatever means and methods the U.S. may employ, they will never work on the DPRK. The U.S. fate is in the hands of the DPRK. "If the US and south Korean warmongers persist in reckless action in disregard of our repeated warnings, we will decisively take a strong retaliatory step." Meanwhile, an editorial run in one of Korea's state-run newspapers described the US as a "war merchant living on human blood," while the official newspaper said the US "would meet horrible nuclear strike and miserable and final ruin" in the event of an attack. The brash North Korean tyrant boasted of his "shining victory" and vowed that his final goal is "equilibrium of real force with US".</p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">US may close Cuba embassy after 'attacks' on diplomats</span></strong></p>
<p class="gmail-p3"><a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-may-close-cuba-embassy-attacks-diplomats-181645745.html">Yahoo News</a></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">he United States may again close its embassy in Cuba, which reopened two years ago after a half-century stand-off, following a series of mystery "health attacks" on its diplomats, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Sunday. At least 21 members of the US mission in Havana and a smaller number of Canadians have suffered brain injuries and hearing loss in what have been reported as "acoustic attacks", although US officials say their origin remains unclear. The incidents began last year, and the latest was recorded in August, despite US authorities having complained to Cuban officials in February and having expelled two Cuban diplomats from Washington in May. Some of those hurt were evacuated to Florida and some treated in place. The mission remains open, and US officials have warned that Cuba is responsible for the safety of diplomats on its soil, without accusing them directly.</p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Teacher Accused Of Assaulting Student For Sitting During Pledge Of Allegiance</span></strong></p>
<p class="gmail-p3"><a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/teacher-accused-assaulting-student-sitting-004349850.html">Yahoo News</a></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">A school in eastern Michigan has placed a teacher on leave and launched an investigation after she allegedly “snatched” an 11-year-old student who sat during the Pledge of Allegiance. Stone Chaney, a sixth grade student at East Middle School in Farmington Hills, Michigan,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/farmington-hills-teacher-accused-of-assaulting-6th-grader-who-sat-during-pledge-of-allegiance?ncid=edlinkushpmg00000313"><span class="gmail-s1">told WDIV Local 4<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></a>that he didn’t stand up during the Pledge of Allegiance because “I don’t pledge to a flag. I pledge to God and family.” The alleged confrontation took place on Sept. 7 during Stone’s first week at school. He said his homeroom teacher forced him to get up after he refused to stand for the pledge. “The teacher consultant comes up behind me and snatches me out of my chair violently,” Stone, who is black,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/farmington-hills-teacher-accused-of-assaulting-6th-grader-who-sat-during-pledge-of-allegiance?ncid=edlinkushpmg00000313"><span class="gmail-s1">told WDIV</span></a>. “I was so confused. I didn’t know what was going on.” Stone has not stood up to salute the American flag ― instead choosing to honor God and his family ― while at school<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/education/wp/2017/09/15/this-child-sat-for-the-pledge-so-his-teacher-violently-snatched-him-from-his-chair-he-says/?utm_term=.8a353d45d0d0&ncid=edlinkushpmg00000313"><span class="gmail-s1">without incident</span></a> for several years, according to the Washington Post.</p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Poll: Majority doesn't trust Trump to handle North Korea</span></strong></p>
<p class="gmail-p3"><a href="http://thehill.com/policy/defense/351124-poll-majority-doesnt-trust-trump-to-handle-north-korea">The Hill</a></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">A majority of Americans in a new survey doesn't trust President Trump to deal with the North Korean threat. The<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.npr.org/2017/09/18/551095795/npr-ipsos-poll-most-americans-dont-trust-trump-on-north-korea?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=politics&utm_medium=social&utm_term=nprnews"><span class="gmail-s1">NPR/Ipsos poll finds</span></a>51 percent of Americans question Trump's ability to handle North Korea. Forty-four percent of respondents say they do trust Trump to handle the conflict. About three-quarters of Democrats, 77 percent, say they don't trust Trump to handle North Korea, while 81 percent of Republicans disagree. The poll was conducted from Sept. 11 to 12 among 1,005 adults. It was conducted before North Korea last week fired another ballistic missile over Japan.</p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Manhattan College Professor in Trouble for Sending Message About 'Future Dead Cops'</span></strong></p>
<p class="gmail-p3"><a href="https://townhall.com/tipsheet/cortneyobrien/2017/09/17/manhattan-college-professor-in-trouble-for-sending-message-about-future-dead-cops-n2382785">Townhall</a></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">Michael Isaacson, an economics professor at Manhattan's John Jay College of Criminal Justice, has been placed on administrative leave for a tweet he sent on August 23. In it, he appeared to suggest that violence against cops was simply a fact of life. “Some of y’all might think it sucks being an anti-fascist teaching at John Jay College but I think it’s a privilege to teach future dead cops,” he<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/john-jay-professor-slammed-future-dead-cops-tweet-article-1.3498056?utm_content=bufferf72a7&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=NYDailyNewsTw"><span class="gmail-s2">wrote</span></a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>at the time. Unlucky for Isaacson, who is also a leader of the Antifa movement, police union officials saw the tweet, followed by school officials. John Jay President Karol Mason responded swiftly, knowing exactly what to do. “Today, members of the John Jay faculty received threats, and our students expressed concerns for their safety in the classroom,” Mason said. “Out of concern for the safety of our students, faculty and staff, we are immediately placing the adjunct on administrative leave as we continue to review this matter.” After his suspension, Isaacson offered a non-apology, before making a sarcastic comment about his right to "free speech."</p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Chelsea Manning Says She Is Not a Traitor</span></strong></p>
<p class="gmail-p3"><a href="http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/09/18/chelsea-manning-says-she-not-traitor.html">Military News</a></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">Chelsea Manning said Sunday she is not an "American traitor" as her critics have claimed, and that she did what she thought was right. Manning made the remarks at a conference in Nantucket that was one of her first public appearances since being released for a military prison in May. The Associated Press was the only media outlet in attendance. "I believe I did the best I could in my circumstances to make an ethical decision," she told the crowd when asked by the moderator if she was a traitor. Manning spoke at the annual conference for The Nantucket Project in Massachusetts, a venture founded to bring together creative thinkers to uncover ideas. Organizers say about 600 people attended.</p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Brown University will offer segregated student dinners for black, Muslim students</span></strong></p>
<p class="gmail-p3"><a href="https://www.thecollegefix.com/post/36867/">The College Fix</a></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">University will host dinners as part of ‘racial reconciliation’ program. To promote “racial reconciliation” after the deadly clashes between white nationalists and counter protesters in Charlottesville last month, Brown University plans to offer segregated events to its black students and female Muslim students. The university received a $30,000 grant from the Association of American Colleges and Universities, which represents liberal arts schools, to create a campus center whose mission is to “break down racial hierarchies and create a positive narrative about race in the community,”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.browndailyherald.com/2017/09/06/university-awarded-grant-address-truth-racial-healing/"><span class="gmail-s2"><strong>according to</strong></span></a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><em>The Brown Daily Herald</em>. These grants, provided with the assistance of the Newman’s Own Foundation and W.K. Kellogg Foundation, will go towards hosting racially and religiously segregated “dinner discussion groups.” These discussions are being led by Brown University Chaplain Rev. Janet Cooper Nelson, who told<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><em>The Daily</em><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>that “one [group will be] for black students and the other [will be for] for Muslim women on campus.”</p>
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<p>Check back tomorrow for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-09-18T12:47:00ZMore potential hurricanes strengthening in the Atlantic; What's next for North Korea?BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/More-potential-hurricanes-strengthening-in-the-Atlantic;-Whats-next-for-North-Korea/-821496457799385238.html2017-09-17T16:01:00Z2017-09-17T16:01:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, September 15, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p class="gmail-p2"><strong>More potential hurricanes strengthening in the Atlantic; What's next for North Korea?; Violent protests continue in St. Louis</strong></p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><span class="gmail-s1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Three storms raging in Atlantic -- with one aiming for Irma's path</span></strong></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">Three storms are spinning in the Atlantic, with one already a hurricane and another one strengthening and forecast to threaten areas battered by Hurricane Irma last week. Tropical Storm Maria formed Saturday in the western Atlantic Ocean and is expected to be a hurricane by late Monday and a major hurricane by Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center says. By Sunday morning, Maria was about 460 miles southeast of the Lesser Antilles. The storm is moving toward the Caribbean at 15 mph,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT5+shtml/170907.shtml"><span class="gmail-s2">according to the center</span></a><span class="gmail-s2">.</span>”Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 65 mph (100 km/h) with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Maria will likely become a hurricane later today," it said.</p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><span class="gmail-s1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Haley: If diplomacy doesn't work, Mattis will 'take care of' North Korea</span></strong></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://thehill.com/people/nimrata-nikki-haley"><span class="gmail-s2">Nikki Haley</span></a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>said if diplomatic measures with North Korea continue to fail, Defense Secretary<a href="http://thehill.com/people/james-mattis"><span class="gmail-s2">James Mattis</span></a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>is ready to "take care" of the situation. "We wanted to be responsible and go through all diplomatic means to get their attention first. If that doesn't work, General Mattis will take care of it," Haley told CNN's Dana Bash on "State of the Union." "If North Korea keeps on with this reckless behavior, the United States has to defend itself or defend its allies in anyway, North Korea will be destroyed, and we know that and none of us want that. None of us want war," she continued. </p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><span class="gmail-s1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">McMaster: We have to move with 'great deal of urgency' on North Korea</span></strong></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">President Trump's national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, said on Sunday the U.S. needs to move "with a great deal of urgency" in response to the North Korean threat. McMaster told "Fox News Sunday" that North Korea is close to threatening the U.S. with a nuclear weapon. "We really have to move with a great deal of urgency, on sanctions, on diplomacy and on preparing if necessary, a military option," McMaster said.</p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><span class="gmail-s1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Durbin: We're going forward with understanding we can work with WH on DACA</span></strong></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">Sen.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://thehill.com/people/dick-durbin"><span class="gmail-s2">Dick Durbin</span></a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(D-Ill.) said Sunday lawmakers are continuing with the understanding they can work with the White House on a solution to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. During an interview on "Fox News Sunday," Durbin was asked whether there is a deal to protect DACA recipients without funding for the border wall and whether there is a deal to give the recipients a path to citizenship. "Well there's a basic understanding," Durbin said.</p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><span class="gmail-s1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">'He's Making Things Happen.' Trump Fans Rally in Washington, D.C.</span></strong></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">hundreds of supporters of President Trump who gathered on the National Mall on Saturday for what was called the "Mother of All Rallies" — an event intended, according to promotional material, to "send a direct message to Congress, the media and the world that we stand united to protect and preserve American culture." The event was unusual — a rally for a political figure who was elected less than a year ago, without a specific proposal animating it. But the people who flocked to Washington on Saturday — many of whom had traveled from places like Florida, upstate New York, and Illinois — were simply delighted to make their voices heard.</p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><span class="gmail-s1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Spotlight turns on Donald Trump for debut UN address</span></strong></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">As global leaders descend on New York for UN meetings amid mounting crises in North Korea, Myanmar and Venezuela, one thing above all else will loom large: Donald Trump. “It’s 190-plus countries, but it’s all about one man,” said Richard Gowan, UN expert at New York University, of this year’s general assembly, at which heads of state gather for meetings so intensely packed officials liken them to diplomatic speed dating. Mr Trump, who won last year’s presidential election on a ticket of American isolationism, will address the bastion of global multilateralism for the first time since his credo of “America First” began to alarm allies that he would permanently upset the liberal international order that the US did so much to help create at the UN’s 1945 foundation. “The big question is whether he wants to take advantage to reassert US leadership around the world,” said Stephen Schlesinger, foreign policy expert and author. “Or whether he uses his ‘America First’ philosophy as a way of withdrawing and says we’re going to only look after ourselves and to hell with the rest of the world.”</p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><span class="gmail-s1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">UK police arrest 2nd man in London subway attack case</span></strong></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">London police say a second man has been arrested in connection with the London subway attack. Police said Sunday that a 21-year-old man was arrested late Saturday night in Hounslow in west London and is being held under the Terrorism Act. He is being questioned at a south London police station but has not been charged or identified. Two men are now in custody for possible roles in the bombing attack on a rush-hour subway train Friday morning that injured 29 people in London. An 18-year-old man was arrested Saturday in the departure area of the port of Dover, where ferries leave for France. The two arrests indicate police and security services believe<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/crime-law-justice/charlottesville-attack-EVCAL00097-topic.html"><span class="gmail-s2">the attack</span></a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>at the Parsons Green station was part of a coordinated plot, not the act of a single person.</p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><span class="gmail-s1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">9 officers injured in day of protests in St. Louis</span></strong></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">About 1,000 protesters surrounded the home of St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson in the Central West End late Friday, breaking at least two windows and throwing red paint at the brick house before some 200 police in riot gear moved in to break it up. There was no indication on the scene that Krewson was in the home at the time. A total of nine police officers had been reported injured as of 9 p.m., including one officer with a dislocated shoulder and an officer with a possible broken jaw, Acting Police Chief Lawrence O'Toole said shortly after midnight Saturday, appearing with Krewson in a video. A Highway Patrol trooper was also reported injured. Mostly peaceful protests following the not-guilty verdict in the murder trial of former police Officer Jason Stockley turned into unrest after dark, as police officers responded to several locations throughout the Central West End. </p>
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<p class="gmail-p5"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Harvard student groups: Reinstate Chelsea Manning as fellow</span></strong></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">Twelve Harvard University student groups are condemning the school's reversal of a decision to name Chelsea Manning a visiting fellow. The groups released a statement Saturday calling for Harvard to reinstate Manning as a fellow. Harvard reversed its decision on Friday, one day after CIA Director Mike Pompeo scrapped a planned appearance over the visiting fellow designation for the soldier convicted of leaking classified information. Harvard Kennedy School Dean Douglas Elmendorf says on the school's website that naming Manning a visiting fellow was a mistake. He says Manning is still invited to spend a day at the school and speak to students. Manning wrote on Twitter that Harvard chills "marginalized voices under @cia pressure."</p>
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<p class="gmail-p2"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Trump, South Korean leader discuss North Korea, ‘Rocket Man’</span> </strong></p>
<p><span>President Donald Trump says he and South Korean President Moon Jae-in have discussed North Korea in their latest call. And Trump tweets that he’s asked Moon about “Rocket Man” — an apparent reference to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. North Korea has launched a trio of missiles in recent weeks and tested a bomb that was its most powerful to date. Trump also says long gas lines are forming in North Korea, calling it “too bad.” New U.N. sanctions cut oil exports to North Korea. The White House says Trump and Moon are committed to continuing to take steps to strengthen deterrence and defense capabilities, and maximize economic and diplomatic pressure on North Korea. They plan to meet this week at the U.N. General Assembly.</span></p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><span class="gmail-s1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">AL SHARPTON: WE'LL BOYCOTT ESPN IF JEMELE HILL GETS FIRED</span></strong></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1"><span class="gmail-s2"><a href="http://www.tmz.com/person/al-sharpton/"><strong>Al Sharpton</strong></a></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>says he's got<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.tmz.com/person/jemele-hill/"><span class="gmail-s2"><strong>Jemele Hill</strong></span></a>'s back -- and if<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong>ESPN</strong><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>fires her over her anti-Trump tweets, he'll lead a boycott against the network. The Rev. tells<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong>TMZ Sports</strong><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>he's furious with the White House and press secretary<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong>Sarah Huckabee Sanders</strong><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>for saying Hill's tweets are a "fireable offense." FYI, Hill strongly tweeted against Trump on Sept. 11 ... calling him a "white supremacist" and "the most ignorant, offensive president of my lifetime." Sharpton says Hill has every right to express her political views without fear that the government will call for her job. "Let's not forget, ESPN is regulated by the FCC. The FCC commissioners are appointed by the White House so it's a whole different level of intimidation on media outlets when you have the press secretary [calling for a reporter's job]." Sharpton says he has a message for Hill -- "Stand strong. If they take you out, many of us in the civil rights community will stand up for you and take ESPN off our service."</p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><span class="gmail-s1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">ESPN Employee: ‘I Pretend I’m A Democrat So I Can Keep My Job Here'</span></strong></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">After Jemele Hill didn’t receive any punishment for her comments about President Trump on Twitter, the floodgates broke and employee after employee reached out to Outkick to share the Cohn story and other comments. (Anchor Linda Cohn, who was<a href="https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2017/09/13/espn-where-you-can-call-trump-a-racist-but-dont-you-dare-say-politics-is-killing-the-network-n2380632"><span class="gmail-s3"> suspended</span></a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>when she said that politics might be a contributing factor to ESPN’s declining subscription base). Said another, different ESPN personality, “<strong>If Jemele can say that and Linda can’t say what she said, what kind of standard actually exists here?</strong>There isn’t one. There’s clearly a double standard. If you say things the company agrees with, you don’t get punished. If you say things the company disagrees with, you do get punished. Maybe even fired.” Another prominent employee who also requested anonymity stated, “<strong>If I’d said Obama got elected because he was black is there any way I’d still be employed here? No chance</strong>. But Jemele can say Trump got elected because of white racists and no one does anything? They protect the people they agree with politically. They give them better jobs, more money, everyone can see it.” Another employee recently contacted Outkick and said,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong>“I pretend I’m a Democrat so I can keep my job here.</strong><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And there are others just like me. We’re like a secret society inside ESPN.”</p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><span class="gmail-s1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Two American female tourists in their early twenties are rushed to hospital after having acid thrown in their face outside Marseille train station while two more suffer burns</span></strong></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">Two female American tourists suffered facial injuries in an acid attack that left two others nursing burns, outside a train station in Marseille. The group of 4 female tourists, all in their early twenties, were traveling between Marseilles and Paris when a 41-year-old man sprayed them with hydrochloric acid, according to<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.laprovence.com/actu/en-direct/4622589/marseille-deux-touristes-americaines-aspergees-dacide-au-visage-en-pleine-gare-saint-charles.html"><span class="gmail-s2"><strong>reports</strong></span></a>. It is understood the tourists were in gare Saint-Charles station just after 11am this morning when the attacker struck. Local media say the acid hit two girls in the face leaving them with facial burns, while two others are in shock. According to reports, a 41-year-old man was arrested by police and the two tourists were taken to hospital. Fourteen firefighters rushed to the scene in four emergency vehicles. Police do not believe the attack is terror related.</p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><span class="gmail-s1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Trump Administration Seeks to Avoid Withdrawal From Paris Climate Accord, International Climate Officials Say</span></strong></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">Trump administration officials said Saturday the U.S. wouldn’t pull out of the Paris Agreement, offering to re-engage in the international deal to fight climate change, according to multiple officials at a global warming summit. The U.S. position on reviewing the terms of its participation in the landmark accord came during a meeting of more than 30 ministers led by Canada, China and the European Union in Montreal. In June, President Donald Trump said<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-to-exit-paris-climate-deal-officials-say-1496343854"><span class="gmail-s2">the U.S. would withdraw from the deal</span></a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>unless it could find more favorable terms.</p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><span class="gmail-s1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">As Trump visits U.N., New York prepares for 'Super Bowl' of security</span></strong></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">New York police and a host of federal agencies are preparing for the annual traffic and security nightmare known as the United Nations General Assembly, featuring a week of speeches by U.S. President Donald Trump and a parade of other dignitaries. The meeting of the world’s top leaders and diplomats, scheduled to begin on Tuesday, will bring street closures, thousands of police officers and hundreds of protesters to midtown Manhattan, an area already plagued with gridlock on an average weekday. “It’s the equivalent of the Super Bowl of security,” said J. Peter Donald, a spokesman for the New York City Police Department. Trump will be on hand on Monday and Tuesday, when he will address the body of world leaders for the first time. It was not immediately clear whether he would stay at his Manhattan penthouse about a mile away from United Nations headquarters or sleep at his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey. The event also comes just days after a homemade bomb on a packed commuter train in London injured 22 people, though it failed to fully explode. A handful of anti-Trump protests in New York have been scheduled, with more sure to come. A march on Monday to combat “white supremacy” will start from Grand Central Terminal, while the left-wing activist group Code Pink has organized a Tuesday march to the U.N. to protest Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Other protesters will gather outside the U.N. to call out specific countries, including a rally against Iran President Hassan Rouhani.</p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><span class="gmail-s1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">DEFIANT N. KOREA LEADER SAYS HE WILL COMPLETE NUKE PROGRAM</span></strong></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country is nearing its goal of "equilibrium" in military force with the United States, as the United Nations Security Council strongly condemned the North's "highly provocative" ballistic missile launch over Japan on Friday. The North's official Korean Central News Agency carried Kim's comments on Saturday - a day after U.S. and South Korean militaries detected the missile launch from the North Korean capital of Pyongyang. The KCNA said Kim expressed great satisfaction over the launch, which he said verified the "combat efficiency and reliability" of the missile and the success of efforts to increase its power. While the English version of the report was less straightforward, the Korean version quoted Kim as declaring the missile as operationally ready. He vowed to complete his nuclear weapons program in the face of strengthening international sanctions, the agency said.</p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><span class="gmail-s1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">UVA fraternity’s ‘cops and robbers’ party ripped for ‘encouraging racist conduct’</span></strong></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">The University of Virginia chapter of the Delta Psi fraternity came under fire last week for throwing a “cops and robbers” themed party. The social media outrage machine complained the frat could be viewed as “encouraging racist conduct” by asking attendees to wear police or prisoner attire, according to <strong><em>The Cavalier Daily</em></strong>. With word out about the gig, student protesters showed up to confront partygoers … eventually leading to the fraternity calling the police. The group U.Va. Students United posted its grievances<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/UVAstudentsUNITED/posts/850014058506966"><span class="gmail-s3"><strong>on its Facebook page</strong></span></a>: The members of the frat wore orange jumpsuits, with bandanas tied around their heads, chains, and tattoos drawn on their arms. These “costumes” make a joke of mass incarceration and the prison-industrial complex, systems that disproportionately brutalize people of color. The predominantly white members of this fraternity got to take their costumes off at the end of the night, people trapped in the prison system do not. The women wore “sexy” cop outfits complete with hats and badges, some inexplicably had tear drop tattoos drawn on their face. Historically, the police have justified violence against people of color in the name of protecting white women, and in wearing these costumes, these women made a joke of that legacy of violence. The group didn’t much care that attendees had no offensive intentions: “It’s this kind of willful ignorance that allows white supremacy to continue,” it wrote.</p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><span class="gmail-s1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Will Las Vegas Be ‘Amsterdam on Steroids’? Door Opens for Pot Lounges</span></strong></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1"><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/legal-pot/will-las-vegas-be-amsterdam-steroids-door-opens-pot-lounges-n801311">NBC News</a></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">What happens in Vegas will still stay in Vegas — but perhaps no longer behind closed doors, at least when it comes to pot. Earlier this week, Nevada's Legislative Counsel Bureau gave the green light for marijuana to be permitted in public places, as long as patrons are of legal age. Citing a lack of state law, the bureau said cities and counties could create their own ordinances governing marijuana consumption in businesses. Pro-marijuana advocates hailed it as a logical next step for the state, which was the most recent to legalize recreational weed. Nevada started allowing adults 21 and older to buy it on July 1, but like the other four states where it's legal, restricts its use to private residences. State Sen. Tick Segerblom, D-Las Vegas, a dogged champion of marijuana legalization, sees the opinion from the state legal body as an opportunity to turn Sin City into "Amsterdam on steroids." What happens in Vegas will still stay in Vegas — but perhaps no longer behind closed doors, at least when it comes to pot. Earlier this week, Nevada's Legislative Counsel Bureau gave the green light for marijuana to be permitted in public places, as long as patrons are of legal age. Citing a lack of state law, the bureau said cities and counties could create their own ordinances governing marijuana consumption in businesses. Pro-marijuana advocates hailed it as a logical next step for the state, which was the most recent to legalize recreational weed. Nevada started allowing adults 21 and older to buy it on July 1, but like the other four states where it's legal, restricts its use to private residences. That's posed a particular challenge for Nevada, where the economy is highly dependent on visitors who stay in hotels and play in casinos. State Sen. Tick Segerblom, D-Las Vegas, a dogged champion of marijuana legalization, sees the opinion from the state legal body as an opportunity to turn Sin City into "Amsterdam on steroids." "We’re inviting 40 million people to come here and buy marijuana, but then we turn around and say there’s no place to use it," Segerblom said of the annual influx of tourists who go to Las Vegas. "I think Vegas is perfect for this," he added. "That’s what we do. We regulate vices."</p>
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<p class="gmail-p1"><span class="gmail-s1"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Apple's New "FaceID" Could Be A Powerful Mass Spying Tool</span></strong></span></p>
<p class="gmail-p1">FaceID should create fear about another form of government surveillance. And this one is a rights violation of every person on earth: mass scans to identify individuals based on face profiles. Law enforcement is rapidly increasing their use of facial recognition; one in two American adults are <a href="https://www.perpetuallineup.org/"><span class="gmail-s2">already enrolled</span></a> in a law enforcement facial recognition network, and at least one in four police departments has the capability to run face recognition searches. This could make Apple the target for a new mass surveillance order. While <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2017/08/04/facebook_is_fighting_biometric_facial_recognition_privacy_laws.html"><span class="gmail-s2">Facebook has a powerful facial recognition system</span></a>, it doesn’t maintain the operating systems that control the cameras on phones, tablets, and laptops that stare at us every day. Apple’s new system completely changes that. For the first time, a company will have a facial recognition system with millions of profiles, and the hardware to scan and identify faces throughout the world. <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/apples-faceid-could-be-a-powerful-tool-for-mass-spying/"><span class="gmail-s2">According to <em>Wired</em>,</span></a> <em>this is a system already ripe for government abuse</em>. The government could issue an order to Apple with a set of targets and instructions to scan iPhones, iPads, and Macs to search for specific targets based on FaceID, and then Apple would provide the government with those targets’ location based on the GPS data of devices’ that receive a match. Apple has a <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/apples-ios-11-will-make-it-even-harder-for-cops-to-extract-your-data/"><span class="gmail-s2">good record of fighting for user privacy</span></a>, but there’s only so much the company could do if its objections to an order are turned down by the courts. And the government is already looking into how this could benefit them, but are hiding behind the guise of “privacy.” On Wednesday Sen. Al Franken (D-Minnesota) <a href="https://www.franken.senate.gov/files/letter/170913_AppleFaceID.pdf"><span class="gmail-s2">released a letter</span></a> to Apple CEO Tim Cook, asking how the company will handle the technology’s security and privacy implications.</p>
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<p><br />Check back Sunday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-09-17T16:01:00ZNorth Korea launches missile over Japan; London Underground blast is terror incidentBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/North-Korea-launches-missile-over-Japan;-London-Underground-blast-is-terror-incident/-518347974423922275.html2017-09-15T15:02:00Z2017-09-15T15:02:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, September 15, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Parsons Green: London Underground blast is terror incident</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Source: </span><a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-41278545">BBC</a></p>
<p>An explosion on a Tube train in south-west London is being treated as terrorism, Scotland Yard has said. Passengers were injured in the blast at 08:20 BST at Parsons Green station on the District Line. Pictures show a white bucket on fire inside a supermarket bag, but do not appear to show extensive damage to the inside of the carriage. Eighteen people had been taken hospital, the London Ambulance Service said in a statement. The Metropolitan Police said it was too early to confirm the cause of the fire and the station, which is above ground, has been cordoned off. </p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">President Trump tweets about ‘loser terrorist’</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Source: </span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/15/world/europe/uk-london-underground-tube-explosion.html">NY Times</a></p>
<p>From the United States, President Trump weighed in on Twitter, saying the bombing was the act of a “loser terrorist.” He said that “sick and demented people” were “in the sights of Scotland Yard,” but he did not elaborate on what he meant.</p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">North Korea launches missile over Japan</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Source: </span><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/14/asia/north-korea-missile-launch/index.html">CNN</a></p>
<p>In a major show of defiance to the international community, North Korea fired a ballistic missile over the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido Friday. This comes just a day after Pyongyang said that Japan “should be sunken into the sea” with a nuclear bomb and that the United States should be “beaten to death” with a stick “fit for a rabid dog.” The launch is the second to fly over Japan in less than a month, and the first since North Korea's sixth nuclear test and new United Nations sanctions on the country. Tokyo and Washington will be seeking to up that pressure at the United Nations Friday, with the two governments calling a snap meeting of the Security Council for Friday afternoon, ahead of the General Assembly next week.</p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Harvard dean rescinds Chelsea Manning’s visiting fellow invitation, calling it a ‘mistake’</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Source: </span><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2017/09/14/former-cia-directors-shun-harvard-after-the-school-invites-chelsea-manning-to-campus/">Washington Post</a></p>
<p>Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government <a href="https://www.hks.harvard.edu/announcements/statement-dean-elmendorf-regarding-invitation-chelsea-manning-be-visiting-fellow?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=hks-twitter&utm_source=twitter" target="_blank">rescinded a visiting fellowship</a> offered to Chelsea Manning, the former military intelligence analyst who spent seven years in prison for leaking classified government secrets, after the university faced forceful backlash from CIA Director Mike Pompeo among others. Manning was <a href="https://www.hks.harvard.edu/announcements/institute-politics-harvard-kennedy-school-announces-additional-visiting-fellows" target="_blank">one of four</a> visiting fellows announced two days earlier by the Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics.</p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">9 arrested as protesters gather at UC Berkeley for talk by conservative speaker Ben Shapiro</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Source: </span><a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-berkeley-protest-shapiro-20170914-htmlstory.html">LA Times</a></p>
<p>Hundreds of protesters swarmed <a href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/education/colleges-universities/uc-berkeley-OREDU00000197-topic.html" target="_blank">UC Berkeley</a> on Thursday evening as conservative writer Ben Shapiro spoke on campus, with law enforcement out in force to prevent a repeat of recent violent clashes between far-left and far-right agitators. Nine people were arrested, four of them for carrying banned weapons. One was held on suspicion of battery on a police officer. Hundreds of law enforcement officers, many in riot gear, prepared for violence and seized potential weapons, but no major skirmishes were reported. Several shouting matches erupted but ended peacefully. </p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Crane Removes Robert E. Lee Statue That Stood For 81 Years</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Source: </span><a href="http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2017/09/14/crane-set-to-remove-robert-e-lee-statue-that-stood-for-81-years/">CBS</a></p>
<p>Crews came to finish what they started last week, removing a Confederate statue that has stood for 81 years in Robert E. Lee Park. It took no more than three hours to remove the controversial statue. It will be temporarily kept at Hensley Field, an 88-year-old Naval Air Station owned by the city of Dallas, until city leaders decide where it will go from there. The fate of the monument was in limbo since last Wednesday, when the Dallas City Council voted 13-1 to remove it. </p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Former Mizzou professor Melissa Click gets contract renewed at Gonzaga: ‘She has excelled’</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Source: </span><a href="https://www.thecollegefix.com/post/36814/">The College Fix</a></p>
<p>In a <a href="http://www.gonzagabulletin.com/announcements/article_8617d6e8-98fd-11e7-8da4-67f232065a4c.html" target="_blank">glowing profile</a> of Communications Studies Prof. Melissa Click, whose contract was just renewed for another year by the Catholic university, the Bulletin does not once tell readers why Click was so controversial after the November 2015 racial protests at the University of Missouri. The sympathetic and one-sided Bulletin story continues to hide the most relevant information about Click’s past and simply emphasize how appreciated she is at Gonzaga: And when her contract expired at the end of last school year, it was students who stood by her yet again. Interim Academic Vice President Elisabeth Mermann-Jozwiak said:] “Her record was really exemplary, she excelled in the area the department was looking for. [She is an] excellent teacher, great colleague, good scholar. She was hired based on that record.” </p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Black female chair of Ohio State’s engineering department calls it ‘very male, very white’</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Source: </span><a href="https://www.thecollegefix.com/post/36804/">The College Fix</a></p>
<p>Dr. Monica Cox, the female, black chair of the Department of Engineering Education at Ohio State University, recently told the campus community that her relationship with her colleagues is adversely impacted simply because they’re mostly white and male. “You are different. You are an outlier and it’s real,” Cox told <em>The Lantern</em> campus newspaper. “I do feel that because this is the nature of the profession. It’s very male. It’s very white.” Cox added in her comments to <em>The Lantern</em> that the lack of diversity in the department “represents some of the real issues in our society when it comes to socioeconomic differences and disadvantages to minority populations.” </p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Trump’s Support for Law to Protect ‘Dreamers’ Lifts Its Chances</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Source: </span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/14/us/politics/trump-daca-dreamers.html">NY Times</a></p>
<p>An unexpected meeting of the minds between President Trump and Democratic leaders on Thursday made real a possible deal in Congress to pair enhanced border security with legislation to protect young, undocumented immigrants brought to the country as children. One day after Mr. Trump hosted Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Nancy Pelosi for dinner at the White House, the president said he could support legislation to protect the young immigrants known as “Dreamers” from deportation if it were accompanied by a “massive” border security upgrade. Acceding to a key Democratic demand, Mr. Trump said such a package did not need to have funding for a border wall. </p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Police won't interfere with protest to keep Confederate statues — unless there's trouble</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Source: </span><a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/dallas-city-council/2017/09/14/police-interfere-protest-keep-confederate-statue-unless-trouble">Dallas News</a></p>
<p>A group claiming to "protect all things Texas" intends to protest Dallas' Confederate monuments on Saturday at the same park where one such statue was removed this week. The demonstrators, This Is Texas Freedom Force, have rallied across the state to support such tributes, and they list groups such as Occupy Austin and Black Lives Matter as the "opposition." Dallas officials removed a statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee on Thursday, just days before a protest by the ‘This is Texas Freedom Force’ at the same spot. But the group said it plans to gather at 11 a.m. anyway.</p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">High school shooter wanted to ‘teach everyone a lesson’ about bullying</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Source: </span><a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/school-shooter-wanted-teach-lesson-bullying-article-1.3496126">NY Daily News</a></p>
<p>The teenage gunman who <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/shooting-reported-washington-state-high-school-article-1.3493207" target="_blank">opened fire on classmates</a> at a Washington high school said he did so to “teach everyone a lesson” about bullying. Caleb Sharpe, 15, took two weapons from his dad’s gun safe before killing one student and wounding three others at Freeman High School outside of Spokane, according to court documents. Sam Strahan, a sophomore who police say walked up to Sharpe and tried to make him stop, was identified as the slain victim, with three girls surviving the attack. </p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Jose expected to become a hurricane again in the Atlantic</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Source: </span><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/15/jose-expected-to-become-a-hurricane-again-in-the-atlantic.html">AP</a></p>
<p>Tropical Storm Jose is expected to re-strengthen to a hurricane and produce high surfs and life-threatening rip current conditions along the U.S. East Coast as it moves up the Atlantic. The storm's maximum sustained winds early Friday are near 70 mph and it's forecast to become a hurricane again later in the day. Jose is centered about 360 miles northeast of the southeastern Bahamas and is moving west-northwest.</p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Trump to visit Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands to view Irma recovery</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Source: </span><a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/article173325041.html">Miami Herald</a></p>
<p>Puerto Rican Gov. Ricardo Rosselló said Thursday that President Donald Trump will visit Puerto Rico along with the U.S. Virgin Islands to view Hurricane Irma relief efforts in the territories first hand. Details of Trump’s trip are forthcoming, Rosselló said. The governor also said that Puerto Rico will host about 3,000 victims of Irma from the U.S. Virgin Islands and other Caribbean countries that suffered a direct hit from what was then a e Category 5 storm.</p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Facebook Enabled Advertisers To Target Anti-Semites</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Source: </span><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/kathleenchaykowski/2017/09/15/facebook-enabled-advertisers-to-target-anti-semites/#37e8b92d2d36">Forbes</a></p>
<p>Advertisers were allowed to target fields such as “Jew hater,” as well as related categories covering people who had expressed interest in topics like “How to burn jews” and “History of ‘why jews ruined the world,’” ProPublica found. Those categories were available until earlier this week, when ProPublica flagged them to <a href="https://www.forbes.com/companies/facebook/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, which has since removed them. ProPublica discovered the ad categories after receiving a tip about them, and found that together they could reach the news feeds of about 2,300 people. </p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Amazon removes one-star reviews from Hillary Clinton's new book</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Source: </span><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2017/09/15/amazon-removes-one-star-reviews-hillary-clintons-new-book/668604001/">USA Today</a></p>
<p>Amazon was on the defensive end this week after receiving criticism for deleting negative reviews of Hillary Clinton's new book. The online retail giant acknowledged its decision to remove one-star reviews of Clinton's memoir, <em>What Happened, </em>claiming they have the right to uphold reviews from legitimate customers.</p>
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<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">NYPD Releases 1st-Ever Video of Deadly Police Shooting Caught on Bodycam</span></strong></p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/NYPD-Release-Video-Deadly-Police-Shooting-Caught-on-Bodycam-444472143.html">NBC New York</a></p>
<p>The 16-minute video begins as two officers enter a bedroom after being called to a building on Pratt Avenue in Wakefield by a landlord who was concerned he hadn't seen his tenant, 31-year-old Miguel Richards. When the landlord opened the door to Richards' apartment, the two responding officers found him with a knife in one hand and his other hand behind his back, according to Gomez. Gomez said the officers eventually spotted a gun, later determined to be a toy with a laser on it, in Richards' other hand. An officer yells: "That's a gun, dude. Drop that gun. Drop that gun." The third officer raises his stun gun and enters the bedroom. Richards moves towards the officers and the first two officers open fire. Several loud shots can be heard before Richards drops to the floor. </p>
<p class="m7109292793379929466gmail-p2"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">California high school warns students against chanting ‘USA!’ at sporting events</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Source: </span><a href="https://www.thecollegefix.com/post/36785/">The College Fix</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/sep/14/calif-high-school-warns-students-against-chanting-/" target="_blank">The Washington Times</a> reports Principal <a href="https://www.fcusd.org/Page/6201" target="_blank">Lori Emmington</a> of Vista Del Lago High School in Folsom, sent a letter home to parents noting that in the “school’s effort to promote ‘sportsmanship, empathy and kindness,’ they had opened up a discussion with dozens of students to determine when chanting ‘USA’ is and isn’t appropriate.” It is appropriate, for example, after the National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance or “any other patriotic event,” but during sports competitions it “might be confusing.” CBS Sacramento reports that elsewhere in the country “USA!” chants “appeared to be used in derogatory ways toward opponents of different ethnicities,” and that the California Interscholastic Federation has addressed any concerns with its individual districts.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Google Hit With Gender Pay Discrimination Lawsuit</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Source: </span><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/google-hit-gender-pay-discrimination-lawsuit-n801396">NBC News</a></p>
<p>Google, which is already under federal investigation over claims of unfair pay practices, has been sued by three former employees who allege that the company pays women less than men for similar work. The lawsuit, which was filed Thursday in California Superior Court in San Francisco by Kelly Ellis, Holly Pease and Kelli Wisuri, is seeking class action status to cover women who have worked at Google over the past four years. "Google has discriminated and continues to discriminate against its female employees by systemically paying them lower compensation than Google pays male employees performing substantially similar work, under similar working conditions," the complaint reads.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Cassini, NASA's 13-year Saturn mission, has ended</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Source: </span><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/15/us/cassini-mission-ends/index.html">CNN</a></p>
<p>Contact has been lost with the Cassini spacecraft after it completed a "death dive" into the upper atmosphere of Saturn and transmitted its final signal, according to NASA. The spacecraft deliberately sank into Saturn's upper atmosphere at a high speed and plunged itself into the planet just after 6:30 a.m. ET Friday. Given the amount of time it takes signals to reach Earth, the final signal and last bits of data reached the Deep Space Network's Canberra Station in Australia about an hour and a half later. NASA confirmed the spacecraft's demise at 7:55 a.m. ET, as predicted. For about a minute, Cassini was able to transmit new data about the planet's composition as long as its antenna remained pointed toward Earth, with the assist from small thrusters. Then, the spacecraft burned and disintegrated due to the heat and high pressure of the hostile atmosphere. It became part of planet it set out to explore.</p>
<p><br />Check back Sunday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
</div>
<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-09-15T15:02:00ZDems Claim DACA Deal, Trump Denies DACA Deal; President Heads to FloridaBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Dems-Claim-DACA-Deal-Trump-Denies-DACA-Deal;-President-Heads-to-Florida/-352662958327861997.html2017-09-14T14:07:00Z2017-09-14T14:07:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Thursday, September 14, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Dems Claim DACA Deal, Trump Denies DACA Deal<br /> </em></strong><br /> After dining with President Trump last night, <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/09/14/550878338/democrats-say-they-have-a-deal-with-trump-to-protect-dreamers">some leading Democrats essentially declared victory</a>, claiming they had struck a deal to protect the immigrants shielded by DACA. But the president himself came to a different conclusion, saying there is "no deal." President Trump, while expressing support and sympathy for the 800,000 immigrants affected, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/908274366739345409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.npr.org%2Fsections%2Fthetwo-way%2F2017%2F09%2F14%2F550878338%2Fdemocrats-say-they-have-a-deal-with-trump-to-protect-dreamers">reminded Democrats that any deal will have to include "massive border security"</a> in the form of a wall.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Breitbart Accuses President of "Caving"<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/09/13/report-trump-caves-on-daca-wants-quick-amnesty-for-800k-illegal-aliens/">Steve Bannon's Breitbart website</a>, and presumably Bannon himself, are pushing back against any prospective DACA deal that would allow immigrants to stay in the country. In a sign of possible resistance from President Trump's right wing supporters, Breitbart accused the president of signaling a "full-fledged cave on the issue of giving amnesty to nearly 800,000 illegal aliens."<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Most Voters Endorse Bipartisanship<br /> </em></strong><br /> While President Trump is being castigated by the Breitbart crowd, <a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/trump_administration/september_2017/most_voters_welcome_trump_s_outreach_to_congressional_democrats">a Rasmussen poll finds that two-thirds of likely voters favor his cooperation with Democrats</a>. Very few Americans believe the president can or should rely exclusively on congressional Republicans to move his agenda forward.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> President Heads to Florida<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump, Melania Trump, and Vice President Pence <a href="http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-pol-trump-florida-20170914-story.html">will visit Florida today to survey the damage wrought by Hurricane Irma</a>. Their stops will include Fort Myers and Naples, both on the state's hard-hit west coast. Florida Power & Light is slowly restoring power, but millions of Floridians remain without electricity or air conditioning.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Eight Dead in FL Nursing Home Nightmare<br /> </em></strong><br /> A criminal investigation is underway in Hollywood, Florida, <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/weather/hurricane/article173059891.html">where at least eight elderly residents died in a nursing home</a> when the air conditioning was knocked out by Hurricane Irma. The victims, one of them a 99-year-old woman, were left in the sweltering heat for days.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Kim Jong Un's New and Bizarre Threats<br /> </em></strong><br /> When it comes to belligerence, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles/north-korea-threatens-to-sink-japan-reduce-u-s-to-ashes-and-darkness-idUSKCN1BP0F3">North Korea apparently intends to set a new world record</a>. The nation is now threatening to "sink" Japan and reduce the United States to "ashes and darkness." The threats came after the United Nations Security Council endorsed new and tougher sanctions against Pyongyang. North Korea described the council as a "tool of evil." The question is, when will Kim Jong Un and his writers run out of ever-escalating threats?<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> UC Berkeley Braces for Conservative Speaker<br /> </em></strong><br /> The University of California at Berkeley, once the epicenter of the "free speech movement," is on virtual lockdown <a href="http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/UC-free-speech-in-spotlight-over-super-tight-12196062.php">as officials and police get ready for an appearance tonight by conservative writer Ben Shapiro</a>. Cops have received the okay to use pepper spray on any protesters who get violent. Shapiro, by the way, is a 33-year-old Harvard Law School grad who is a prolific writer and not exactly a bomb-thrower. The great fear of his mere appearance is subjecting UC Berkeley, which has recently been hostile to other conservatives, to even more ridicule.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Berkeley Gets $100,000 From Feds To Honor Black Panthers<br /> </em></strong><br /> While Berkeley preps for invasion by a conservative speaker, <a href="http://freebeacon.com/issues/feds-give-berkeley-97999-honor-legacy-black-panther-party/">the university is gladly accepting $100,000 from the National Park Service</a> for a project that will "honor the legacy" of the Black Panther Party. The Marxist group was unquestionably a major part of Oakland's history, but it devolved into an ultra-violent organization that was actually implicated in various murders. Berkeley, which offers counseling sessions for students traumatized by conservative speakers, is not performing a similar service for anyone who might take offense at the lionization of murderers.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Rapper "Lynches" White Child in Video<br /> </em></strong><br /> A 19-year-old Florida rapper who goes by the name XXXTentacion has created a video <a href="http://www.fox5dc.com/entertainment/xxxtentacion-new-music-video-look-at-me-shows-child-being-lynched">that shows him tying a noose around the neck of a young white boy</a>. The song in question is called "Look At Me," which seems to be Mr. Tentacion's ultimate goal in life. He did indeed get us to look at him, if only for a day.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Francis Scott Key Statue to Remain … For Now<br /> </em></strong><br /> Earlier this week vandals in Baltimore spray painted a statue of Francis Scott Key, the lawyer who wrote the words to the Star Spangled Banner in 1814. <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-key-statue-painted-20170913-story.html">The city's mayor says the statue will stay</a>, although officials admit it is nearly impossible to prevent future acts of vandalism.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>ESPN Host Apologizes … To ESPN!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Jemele Hill, who called President Trump a "white supremacist," has apologized. Not to the president or his voters, of course, <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/09/14/jemele-hill-apologizes-to-espn-for-trump-tweet/">but to the people who sign her paychecks</a>. Hill worries that her odious comments painted her network "in an unfair light."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>ESPN Suspends Host … Not THAT One!<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.outkickthecoverage.com/espn-suspended-linda-cohn-let-jemele-hill-slide/">It is now being revealed that ESPN suspended long-time anchor Linda Cohn</a> earlier this year when she criticized the network's business model, saying that ESPN overpaid for many sporting events. Although that was unquestionably accurate, she was promptly scolded and suspended. But this week, of course, ESPN essentially did nothing when Jemele Hill called President Trump a "white supremacist."<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Harvard's Odd List of New "Fellows"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Harvard University has announced a new slate of visiting fellows. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-chelsea-manning-sean-spicer-named-fellows-at-harvard-2017-9">Among them are Chelsea Manning, the convicted spy who spent seven years in prison</a>, and former White House spokesman Sean Spicer. Employing a language usually only spoken on college campuses, Harvard announced, "We welcome the breadth of thought-provoking viewpoints on race, gender, politics and the media."<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Benghazi Mom Denounces Clinton<br /> </em></strong><br /> Patricia Smith, whose son was killed in the terrorist attack in Benghazi, has never been shy about criticizing Hillary Clinton. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/09/14/benghazi-victims-mother-slams-clinton-for-calling-attack-fallout-political.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+foxnews%2Fpolitics+%28Internal+-+Politics+-+Text%29">She is now hammering Clinton for characterizing</a> the post-Benghazi criticism she faced as "political." Clinton briefly addressed the Benghazi attack and its aftermath during on a stop on her book tour.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Susan Rice Admits to "Unmasking"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Susan Rice, the former national security adviser who blamed Benghazi on a video and hailed Bowe Bergdahl for serving "with honor and distinction," is back in the spotlight. <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/350557-rice-told-investigators-she-unmasked-trump-officials-in-undisclosed">She told House investigators that after last year's election</a> she revealed the identities of Trump officials in order to understand why the crown prince of the United Arab Emirates was visiting Trump Tower. There is no evidence that Rice broke the law with her "unmasking."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Flynn's Son a Target of Russia Investigation<br /> </em></strong><br /> Michael G. Flynn, whose father briefly served as President Trump's national security adviser, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/mike-flynn-s-son-subject-federal-russia-probe-n800741">is on the hot seat himself</a>. The younger Flynn is being probed for work he did with his father's lobbying group and its possible ties to Russia. The Flynns, father and son, traveled together to Moscow in 2015, where the elder Flynn was paid to give a speech attended by Vladimir Putin. Russian television paid for their airfare and accommodations.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Green Monsters Matter<br /> </em></strong><br /> The massive left-field wall at Fenway Park in Boston, affectionately known as the "Green Monster," <a href="http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/20697346/fans-removed-fenway-park-seats-racism-american-baseball-sign">was the site of an unusual protest last night</a>. A few customers unveiled a sign that read: "RACISM IS AS AMERICAN AS BASEBALL." The banner was soon removed, as were the protesters, who said they were inspired by Black Lives Matter.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Astounding Indians Break Record<br /> </em></strong><br /> When baseball's American League was formed in 1901, one of the eight original teams was the Cleveland Bluebirds. Well, 116 years later, the Cleveland Indians have achieved a stunning milestone. <a href="http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2017/09/the_cleveland_indians_21-game.html#incart_2box">Last night the team won its 21<sup>st</sup> consecutive game</a>, a longer streak than any team in the history of the league. The Indians have not merely been winning, they have dominated other teams with their hitting and pitching. The Tribe, pardon the expression, looks to extend its record tonight in Cleveland.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6GV7tkgzpA0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
<p><br />Check back Friday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-09-14T14:07:00ZFlorida Cleanup Begins; Dem Leaders Shun Sanders on Single-PayerBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Florida-Cleanup-Begins;-Dem-Leaders-Shun-Sanders-on-Single-Payer/80874206773591386.html2017-09-13T12:56:00Z2017-09-13T12:56:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Wednesday, September 13, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Florida Cleanup Begins<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/12/us/irma-damage-aftermath/index.html">Millions of Floridians are still in the dark or</a>, even worse, faced with the total loss of their homes. The situation is most dire in the Keys, where about one-quarter of all homes have been totally destroyed by Hurricane Irma. Officials are urging Keys residents to avoid the temptation to return home until roads are cleared and power restored. Twelve people have died in Florida as a direct result of the storm and its aftermath. Meanwhile, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/350287-trump-to-visit-florida-thursday-to-survey-irma-damage">President Trump will fly to Florida tomorrow</a> to view the devastation first-hand, as with prior visits to Texas.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hurricane Telethon Goes Far Left<br /> </em></strong><br /> It sure didn't take long. <a href="https://news.grabien.com/story-celebrities-turn-hurricane-benefit-concert-left-wing-sermon">A star-filled concert intended to raise money</a> for victims of Harvey and Irma quickly devolved into a platform for left-wing diatribes. Stevie Wonder preached about the dangers of global warming, while Beyoncé somehow found a way to link the Mexico earthquake with "climate change." Even purported newsman Matt Lauer incorrectly stated that Hurricane Irma was "the most powerful Atlantic storm ever recorded." It brought to mind the title of a book written by Laura Ingraham a decade ago: "Shut Up & Sing."<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Black Lives Matter Coming For You, TJ<br /> </em></strong><br /> This was also inevitable. Not content with ousting statues of Robert E. Lee and "Stonewall" Jackson, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/09/13/black-lives-matter-targets-jefferson-monument-in-charlottesville.html">Black Lives Matter and other radical groups want the University of Virginia in Charlottesville to take down its statue of Thomas Jefferson</a>. Never mind that Jefferson founded the school, never mind that he wrote the Declaration of Independence, the slave-owning Founding Father must be expunged from our collective memory.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Possible Reduction in Refugees to USA<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/09/13/us-refugee-quota-may-be-lowered-to-1980-level-report.html">The White House is considering a dramatic reduction in the number of refugees</a> admitted into the nation. While President Obama established a limit of more than 100,000 refugees annually, the Trump administration may be aiming at 50,000 or fewer. Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts_law/supreme-court-agrees-with-trump-administration-says-some-refugees-can-be-barred-for-now/2017/09/12/f38d5884-97ee-11e7-82e4-f1076f6d6152_story.html?utm_term=.a4b032186ab2">in a brief statement issued Tuesday</a>, the U.S. Supreme Court has given the Trump administration authority to ban certain refugees from entering the country. Lower courts had issued rulings limiting the White House's authority in issuing "travel bans," but the high court sided with the administration, at least temporarily.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Democratic Senator Hails Dinner With Trump<br /> </em></strong><br /> Heidi Heitkamp, Democratic Senator from North Dakota, was among three vulnerable Democrats who broke bread with President Trump at the White House last night. <a href="http://www.grandforksherald.com/news/4326956-heitkamp-good-discussion-dinner-trump-and-other-senators">She characterized it as a "good discussion"</a> and perhaps a step forward toward a tax reform bill that can attract support from both sides of the aisle. Democrats Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Joe Donnelley of Indiana, whose states were also won handily by President Trump, were at the dinner as well.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Senator Menendez's Bizarre Priorities<br /> </em></strong><br /> A former aide to Senator Robert Menendez, who is on trial for bribery, has testified that Menendez placed a very high priority <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/09/11/menendez-demaned-aide-get-visa-for-rich-docs-gal-pal-emails/">on obtaining visas for two young and comely Dominican women</a>. One was the girlfriend of his constant travel companion, the other her sister. The senator also pressed the State Department to issue visas for other young women from Brazil and Ukraine. Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/bob-guilty-boot-no-place-senator-article-1.3487910">the New York Daily News, by no means a conservative paper</a>, is urging Democrats to oust Menendez immediately if he is convicted.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Teacher Canned After Equating MAGA with Swastika<br /> </em></strong><br /> Lyn Orletsky, a high school teacher in Georgia, <a href="http://www.ajc.com/news/local/teacher-who-compared-trump-slogan-swastika-longer-classroom/k5THgySGliORr20JH9zhNN/">scolded students who were wearing Trump gear</a>, telling them that "Make America Great Again" was no different than Nazi slogans and symbols. Orletsky has been disciplined and is no longer teaching her math class, although her exact fate has not been disclosed.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dem Leaders Shun Sanders on Single-Payer<br /> </em></strong><br /> Socialist Senator Bernie Sanders is introducing a bill that calls for government-run health care, what he calls "Medicare for all." The bill has won support from many rank-and-file Democrats in Congress, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/350371-democratic-leaders-keep-distance-from-sanders-single-payer-plan">but Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi are keeping their distance</a>. Pelosi says she is choosing instead to protect and improve ObamaCare, which Schumer is basically avoiding comment on Sanders' radical proposal.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>New and Damning Benghazi Revelations<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/09/13/clinton-state-department-silenced-them-on-benghazi-security-lapses-contractors-say.html">Fox News is reporting that there were astounding security lapses</a> at the Benghazi compound prior to the terrorist attack in 2012. Two men who worked for a security firm brought in to fix the mess now say they were pressured to remain quiet about the situation. Jerry Torres and Brad Owens, who have finally come forward, assert that there was "absolutely" a concerted effort to silence them.<strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> Clinton Excuse Tour Continues<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/350297-clinton-i-wouldve-been-seen-as-a-genius-if-i-won">While promoting her new book Tuesday</a>, Hillary Clinton asserted that she "would have been seen as a genius" and her campaign "would have been seen as perfect" if she had won in November. That is a pretty significant "if" and it inspired a snarky response from former White House spokesman Sean Spicer: "If I won the lottery," he tweeted, "I'd be rich."<strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> Americans to Hillary: Bye-Bye!<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/september_2017/61_say_it_s_time_for_hillary_clinton_to_retire">A new Rasmussen poll finds that 61% of Americans want Hillary Clinton to retire</a>, which is a significant increase from just after last year's election. About half of all voters also believe that her continued presence in the public arena is harming the Democratic Party.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Congressman Gutierrez Doubles Down on Slander<br /> </em></strong><br /> Luis Gutierrez, a Democrat from Illinois, is being hammered from both left and right for saying <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">White House Chief of Staff General John Kelly is a "disgrace to the uniform."</a> Kelly, it should be noted, was a four-star Marine general whose son was killed in Afghanistan, while Gutierrez did not serve. <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/luis-gutierrez-john-kelly-is-a-politician-not-a-general/article/2634203">Given a chance to back off yesterday</a>, Gutierrez chose instead to deride the highly-decorated General Kelly as "a politician who works for Donald Trump."<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Seattle Mayor Quits After Child Sex Abuse Accusations<br /> </em></strong><br /> Mayor Ed Murray of Seattle has faced numerous accusations <a href="http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-mayor-ed-murray-resigns-after-fifth-child-sex-abuse-allegation/">that he sexually abused boys before entering politics</a>. The latest claim comes from his own cousin, who says Murray molested him in the 1970s. The mayor had maintained his innocence and kept his office, but this charge from a family member has finally convinced him to resign. Even though Mayor Murray insists he is not guilty, he will leave City Hall at 5:00 this afternoon.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Middle Class Incomes on the Rise<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Census Bureau is reporting that <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/us-middle-class-incomes-reached-highest-ever-level-in-2016-census-bureau-says/2017/09/12/7226905e-97de-11e7-b569-3360011663b4_story.html?utm_term=.d3a80be50b2b">incomes of middle Americans rose last year</a> to the highest level ever recorded. Median household income, a trusted yardstick for measuring middle class progress, reached $59,000 in 2016, a 3.2% bump from the year before. Meanwhile, the national poverty rate went in the other direction, declining to 12.7%.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Trump-Loathing Media<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Media Research Center, a conservative watchdog group, has monitored all the coverage of President Trump on the three broadcast networks since his inauguration. Their not-terribly-surprising finding: <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/sep/12/trashing-trump-broadcast-coverage-of-the-president/">91% of all reporting has been negative</a>. The MRC described the coverage as "aggressive anti-Trump spin" that has been unrelenting, especially when compared with their "docile, often adoring coverage of President Obama."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>ESPN Under Fire for Racist Host<br /> </em></strong><br /> As has been widely reported, ESPN's Jemele Hill denounced President Trump as a "white supremacist" who is "ignorant," "unfit," and generally a fool. Rather astoundingly, Ms. Hill still works for the network, although she did receive an official reprimand and was told that her tweets were "inappropriate." Wow, what a punishment! Keep in mind that ESPN has fired other analysts for espousing much milder conservative views. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/espn-jamele-hill-twitter-trump-white-supremacy-2017-9">Critics and viewers are hitting back at the struggling network</a>, which once focused on sports before it began promoting left-wing propaganda.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Out With "Plus-Size," In With "Fabulously-Sized"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Kmart hopes to fatten its profits by promoting positive body images. Therefore, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/09/12/kmart-renames-plus-size-clothing-fabulously-sized/">clothing that was once labeled "plus-size" will forever be known as "fabulously sized." </a> The new description applies to all women's wear that is larger than a size 12. Kmart has also created a video that shows "fabulously sized" models affirming their confidence and beauty. Premium Members, check back later here on BillOReilly.com for a Fabulous-Sized Edition of The No Spin News.</p>
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<p><br /><br />Check back Thursday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-09-13T12:56:00ZFlorida Calculating Irma's Toll; Mrs. Clinton's Blame GameBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Florida-Calculating-Irmas-Toll;-Mrs.-Clintons-Blame-Game/878098276289956725.html2017-09-12T14:02:00Z2017-09-12T14:02:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Tuesday, September 12, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<p><strong><em>Florida Calculating Irma's Toll<br /> </em></strong><br /> Yes, things could have been worse, but they were still pretty bad. Hurricane Irma's stampede through Florida left <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/irma-leaves-dead-florida-37-dead-caribbean-millions/story?id=49758372">at least 11 people dead and cut off electricity to nearly 7-million.</a> The full magnitude of destruction will become more evident as the water recedes and cleanup begins. The Florida Keys, where Irma touched down Sunday morning as a Cat 4 hurricane, remains largely without power and drinking water. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/09/12/hurricane-irma-us-navy-dispatches-carrier-to-help-search-and-rescue-operations-in-florida-keys.html">The United States Navy has sent an aircraft carrier and two other ships to the Keys</a> to aid in the search-and-rescue operations that are underway.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary Haters/Lovers Dominate Clinton Amazon Reviews<br /> </em></strong><br /> Hillary Clinton's "What Happened" has been officially released today and reviews have been mixed. <a href="http://fortune.com/2017/09/12/hillary-clinton-book-amazon-review/">Many Amazon customers just couldn't wait to chime in with their evaluations</a>. Amazon actually seems befuddled regarding the book and how to handle it. As of Tuesday mid-morning, there were only a few dozen customer reviews, 98% of them either "5-star" or "1-star." With Hillary Clinton, the middle ground is not very well-trod.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Mrs. Clinton's Blame Game<br /> </em></strong><br /> Some unlucky video editor at The Washington Free Beacon had his or hands hands full yesterday <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">when tasked with stringing together some "highlights" from Hillary Clinton's interview with Jane Pauley on CBS</a>. The clip is just two minutes long but, as you would have predicted, it includes the words "sexism" and "misogyny" more than a few times.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Security Council Imposes New Sanctions on North Korea<br /> </em></strong><br /> Defying threats from Kim Jong Un, the United Nations Security Council has unanimously agreed <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/09/11/550301634/u-n-security-council-approves-new-north-korea-sanctions">to levy new sanctions on North Korea</a>. There will be tougher restrictions on exports of oil, natural gas, and other products. Beyond that, countries around the world are now banned from issuing work permits to North Korean workers. Ambassador Nikki Haley described the sanctions as the strongest ever imposed on North Korea.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>A New Low, Even For HuffPost<br /> </em></strong><br /> On the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/09/11/huffpost-publishes-article-calling-bush-a-terrorist-promoting-911-conspiracies-on-anniversary-of-attacks/">the online HuffPost gave space</a> to someone named Dexter Rogers, who called George W. Bush a terrorist and declared the World Trade Center assault an "inside job by the American government." In his odious piece, Rogers repeated some ridiculous and disproven conspiracy theories, and even went back in time to accuse President Bush's grandfather of collaborating with the Nazis.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Free Abortions for Harvey Victims<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2017/09/11/whole-womans-health-clinic-offers-no-cost-abortion-care-harvey-victims/">A clinic in Texas is raising money</a> in order to provide free abortions to women who were affected by Hurricane Harvey. Whole Woman's Health Clinic in Austin has raised enough money thus far to terminate 15 pregnancies.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Massive Typhoon Takes Aim at China<br /> </em></strong><br /> Hurricane Irma may seem like a gentle breeze compared to Typhoon Talim, which is headed straight for south China. <a href="http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2110710/500000-people-could-be-evacuated-giant-typhoon-set-hit">According to a report in the South China Morning Post</a>, as many as 500,000 people will be evacuated from their homes in advance of Talim's landfall. It is classified as a "super typhoon" with many millions of people in its direct path.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>A Dubious Debt Milestone<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/us-debt-20-trillion-how-much-2017-9">The United States now owes more than $20-trillion</a>. Or, to be more precise, $20,162,176,797,904, rounded to the nearest dollar. In fact, the national debt probably passed the $20-trillion mark days or weeks ago, but was held below that number because of the debt ceiling, which was raised last Friday. Your individual share of that debt is about $62,000. And for a family of four? Don't ask.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> A Dubious Death Milestone<br /> </em></strong><br /> With heroin overdoses increasing rapidly, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/09/11/heroin-use-spikes-as-drug-deaths-are-expected-to-top-70000-this-year/">a new study from the National Institute on Drug Abuse</a> predicts that 70,000 Americans will die from drug abuse this year. To put that in gruesome perspective, this will be the second consecutive year in which drug deaths are higher than the number of Americans killed through the entire course of the Vietnam War.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> White House vs. James Comey … the Sequel<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Trump administration is suggesting that former FBI boss James Comey gave false testimony to Congress <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/09/11/new-pressure-on-comey-to-return-to-capitol-hill-as-white-house-accuses-him-false-testimony.html">and wants him to return for more questioning</a>. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders has reaffirmed that Comey's dismissal was entirely justified, even more so now that "new information about his conduct" has been revealed.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Obama's Shadow Presidency<br /> </em></strong><br /> Barack Obama, unlike most other former presidents, has continued to live in Washington <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/barack-obama-the-former-president-who-wont-go-away/article/2633709">and has not been reticent to criticize his successor</a>. Most recently President Obama described President Trump's DACA actions as "cruel" and "wrong." One leading Democrat is describing Barack Obama as "our president-in-exile."<strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> Three GOP Congressmen Exiting, Stage Right<br /> </em></strong><br /> Democrats may face an uphill battle in their quest to regain the House next year, <a href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2017/09/12/eyes_on_2018_as_3rd_house_republican_says_hell_retire.html">but some recent developments are making it a less formidable task</a>. Within the past week, Republicans Dave Trott of Michigan, Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania, and Dave Reichert of Washington have all announced they will not stand for re-election. Thus far 17 GOP House members are expected to leave, either to seek higher office or to completely step aside from politics.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Emmy Award for Melissa McCarthy<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/reliable-source/wp/2017/09/11/melissa-mccarthy-wins-emmy-for-her-snl-sean-spicer-parody/?utm_term=.873f16b52f9d">Comic actress Melissa McCarthy has won an Emmy award</a> as "best guest actress on a comedy series." The series, of course, is Saturday Night Live, and McCarthy was honored for her recurring and scathing portrayals of then-Press Secretary Sean Spicer. One sure-fire way to get recognized in Hollywood is to ridicule a Republican official, but in this case it's hard to argue that she was not hilarious and well-deserving.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>ESPN Host: Trump a "White Supremacist"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Jemele Hill, co-host of a little-watched show on ESPN, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/09/12/espn-anchor-donald-trump-is-a-white-supremacist/">went on a Twitter rant last night</a> in which she called the president of the United States a "white supremacist" and a "bigot." The charming Ms. Hill added that Donald Trump is "the most ignorant, offensive president of my lifetime." Considering that the network has fired various announcers and hosts for espousing conservative views, it will be most interesting to see what happens to Ms. Hill. Maybe she'll get an ESPY Award. Or even an Emmy!</p>
<p><br /><br />Check back Wednesday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-09-12T14:02:00ZIrma Leaves Floridians Powerless; 9/11 Ceremonies at Ground ZeroBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Irma-Leaves-Floridians-Powerless;-9/11-Ceremonies-at-Ground-Zero/604033644911569160.html2017-09-11T13:36:00Z2017-09-11T13:36:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Monday, September 11, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Irma Leaves Floridians Powerless<br /> </em></strong><br /> Before Hurricane Irma weakened into a tropical storm Monday, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/09/10/hurricane-irma-churns-north-toward-tampa/?utm_term=.cec49eee1943">it left much of Florida without electricity and many residents without their homes</a>. Irma, even with its strength diminished, is expected to continue doing damage as it moves north through Florida before hitting Georgia and other states in the deep south.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>President to Visit Florida<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump and Melania Trump, who made two visits to Texas after Hurricane Harvey, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/350007-trump-to-visit-south-florida-in-wake-of-hurricane-irma">will be heading to Florida "very soon."</a> The president has also declared a "major disaster," which enables federal agencies to help state and local agencies that are dealing with Irma and its aftermath.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Looters Caught on Camera<br /> </em></strong><br /> Fort Lauderdale police have arrested nine people, six adults and three teens, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">after they were caught on camera pilfering sneakers from two stores</a>. The local police chief ridiculed the thieves, saying this: "Going to prison over a pair of sneakers is a fairly bad life choice."<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Harvey's Devastating Economic Impact<br /> </em></strong><br /> Hurricane Harvey is expected to be one of the most expensive storms in history. According to early projections from Goldman Sachs, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/10/hurricane-harvey-probably-shaved-1-percent-from-third-quarter-growth-goldman-sachs-says.html">the hurricane will be a major drag on the national economy</a> and could cut a full percentage point from third-quarter growth.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>9/11 Ceremonies at Ground Zero<br /> </em></strong><br /> Hurricanes Harvey and Irma have dominated the news lately, but today is the anniversary of the worst foreign terrorist attack on U.S. soil. <a href="http://time.com/4935553/ground-zero-911-anniversary/">As part of what has become an annual tradition</a>, the names of the dead will ring out in lower Manhattan. President Trump and Defense Secretary Mattis will also take part in a memorial at the Pentagon, where the third plane struck sixteen years ago today.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Steve Bannon Hammers McConnell, Ryan, GOP<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former White House strategist Steve Bannon, in a lengthy interview with CBS' "60 Minutes," <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/60-minutes-breitbart-steve-bannon-declares-war-on-the-gop/">declared war on what he called the "permanent political class."</a> The self-declared "street fighter" was especially tough on Republican leaders, whom he accused of impeding President Trump's primary goals and attempting to "nullify the 2016 election." Bannon, still a staunch Trump loyalist, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/350021-bannon-trump-firing-comey-was-biggest-political-mistake-in-modern">added that firing James Comey was a huge political mistake</a>. He surmised that Comey's dismissal led directly to the appointment of a special counsel and an expanded investigation into alleged Russian influence.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Penn Prof Under Fire for Spreading Common Sense<br /> </em></strong><br /> Professor Amy Wax, whose saga was documented on the No Spin News last week, continues to take incoming fire at the University of Pennsylvania. Wax and a colleague wrote an op-ed in which they contended that many Americans are failing because they are not following standard and common sense traditions, which called "bourgeois culture." <a href="http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2017/09/penn-law-students-try-to-get-amy-wax-banned-from-teaching-civil-procedure.html">Now some law students at the Ivy League school</a>, complaining of her "bigoted views," want Professor Wax banned from teaching a required course at Penn.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary Clinton Cops to "Biggest Mistake"<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hillary-clinton-what-happened-sunday-morning-jane-pauley/">In the first TV interview of her book tour</a>, Hillary Clinton revealed that she had absolutely no inkling that she might lose to Donald Trump. She accused President Trump of taking advantage of grievances felt by "millions of white people," and said her biggest mistake was using her personal email server. But she staunchly defended calling half of Trump voters a "basket of deplorables" and actually said that had no effect on the election.<br /> <br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Meopn9zHYUM?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Democratic Pollster Urges Hillary to Vanish<br /> </em></strong><br /> Doug Schoen, a longtime Democrat who worked on Hillary Clinton's 2008 campaign, <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/national-party-news/349973-hillary-time-to-exit-the-stage">is now begging her to "step off the stage."</a> He argues that she and her basket of deplorable excuses are weakening the Democratic Party and taking the focus off prospective presidential candidates. Schoen backed up his analysis by highlighting a recent poll showing that only 30% of voters have a positive view of Secretary Clinton.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> New Warnings from North Korea<br /> </em></strong><br /> As the United States and United Nations consider imposing tougher economic sanctions on North Korea, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-10/north-korea-warns-u-s-of-retaliation-for-tougher-un-sanctions">that rogue nation is warning of retaliation</a>. Kim Jong Un's government says the USA will pay dearly if "illegal and unlawful" sanctions are approved. North Korea, always big on hyperbole, vows to deliver "the greatest pain and suffering" that America has ever endured.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> NFL Anthem Protests on the Rise<br /> </em></strong><br /> Colin Kaepernick opened the floodgates. <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-opening-weekend-sees-more-star-spangled-banner-224910673--nfl.html">Numerous NFL players are expressing their discontent</a> by refusing to stand during the pre-game National Anthem. On the first weekend of the regular season, some players sat during the Anthem, others raised a fist. This cannot be good news for the league, which is faced with declining TV ratings and more empty seats than usual.<strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> Seven Shot Dead at Football Party<br /> </em></strong><br /> A group of Dallas Cowboys fans gathered in a suburban home Sunday to watch their favorite team on television. <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/2017/09/10/8-reportedly-shot-death-plano-home-suspect-killed-police">But a gunman stormed into the house and killed seven of the party-goers</a>, injuring two others. The murderer was finally killed by a police officer who had been in the vicinity. Early reports indicate that the carnage was ignited by a domestic feud and a prospective divorce.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Unimaginable Tragedy Strikes Eric Bolling<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.timesunion.com/news/crime/article/Son-of-ex-Fox-News-host-Eric-Bolling-dies-in-12185670.php">Former Fox News host Eric Bolling is enduring every parent's worst nightmare</a>. His 19-year-old son Eric Chase Bolling was found dead in Boulder, where he was attending college at the University of Colorado. The senior Eric Bolling said the cause of death is undetermined and affirmed that there was "no sign of self harm." An autopsy will be performed this week.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Antifa Runs Wild in Portland<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/09/10/antifa-throws-smoke-and-projectiles-at-police-at-portland-rallies-7-arrested.html">The thugs of Antifa threw a smoke bomb and various projectiles at police officers</a> during a protest Sunday in Portland, which has become the unofficial capital of far-left violence. At least two cops were injured and seven suspects were taken into custody. <a href="https://twitter.com/KATUNews/status/907027788946841600/photo/1">This is a photo of the rowdy seven</a>, whose parents must be very proud.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Here She Comes, Miss America<br /> </em></strong><br /> 23-year-old Cara Mund is the new Miss America. She hails from the Peace Garden State, whose capital is Bismarck. Give up? Mund is from North Dakota, which had never produced a Miss America in the pageant's 97-year history. In fact, prior to Sunday night, North Dakota had never even had a contestant reach the top five! You might say that North Dakota was the Chicago Cubs of beauty pageants. But just like the Cubs broke their losing streak last year, Cara Mund has brought great pride to North Dakota and its 757,952 residents.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n-_zaBYexyI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
<p><br /><br />Check back Tuesday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-09-11T13:36:00ZIrma Hits Florida Keys; Trump Prays, PreparesBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Irma-Hits-Florida-Keys;-Trump-Prays-Prepares/86441921057593708.html2017-09-11T01:51:00Z2017-09-11T01:51:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Sunday, September 10, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Irma Hits Florida Keys</em></strong></p>
<p><br /> As feared and expected, <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/weather/hurricane/article172390457.html">Hurricane Irma finally reached the lower Florida Keys Sunday morning</a> just after 7:00 AM. Hurricane experts predict widespread and "catastrophic" damage in Key West and the other islands before Irma heads up to the mainland. The storm had earlier been expected to ravage Miami and the state's east coast, but it is now aiming at cities on Florida's west coast and Georgia.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Prays, Prepares<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/09/09/trump-huddles-with-cabinet-at-camp-david/">President Trump and his entire cabinet met Saturday at Camp David</a> and focused mainly on Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. "We're as prepared as we can be," the president declared. He praised emergency workers and vowed to supply federal aid. In the excerpt released to the public, President Trump also reiterated his determination to sign a tax reform bill.<br /> <br /> VIDEO EMBED: <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xXnfQ4SC6oQ?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hurricane Models Failing Miserably<br /> </em></strong><br /> There are many hurricane forecasting models <a href="http://wgno.com/2017/09/08/whats-with-all-these-hurricane-forecast-models/">and almost all of them have been sub-par over the past few days</a>. The best-known and most lavishly funded US model, the Global Forecast System, has proven to be even less accurate than other forecasters. All this demonstrates the extreme difficulty of predicting weather events that include so many variables.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Mexico Earthquake's Deadly Legacy<br /> </em></strong><br /> At least 65 people have died as a direct result <a href="http://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/quake-death-toll-65-oaxaca-worst-hit/">of the powerful earthquake that shook Mexico's southwest coast Thursday</a>. It was the nation's most powerful quake in more than a century and officials expect that more bodies will eventually be discovered. President Nieto has traveled to Oaxaca, the hardest hit city, and has declared a period of national mourning.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> North Korea, Trading Partners Defy Sanctions<br /> </em></strong><br /> According to a United Nations panel, North Korea has been totally ignoring trade sanctions imposed by the UN. Kim Jong Un's regime has shipped coal and other commodities to India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and China. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/09/09/north-korea-illegally-exported-270m-in-goods-so-far-this-year-un-says.html">The value of the traded material, most of which eventually wound up in China</a>, is thought to be north of $270-million.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>New Claims of Saudi Involvement in 9/11<br /> </em></strong><br /> Sixteen years after the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, there are damning new accusations that the Saudi Arabian government paid for a "dry run" two years earlier. <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/09/09/saudi-government-allegedly-funded-a-dry-run-for-911/">According to documents put forth in a lawsuit filed by families who lost loved ones</a>, there was a very close relationship between Al Qaeda and Saudi officials. The suit claims that two Saudi students, both of whom had trained with Al Qaeda, tested the vulnerability of airplane cockpits and were funded by the Saudi embassy.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Notre Dame President Slams Sen. Feinstein<br /> </em></strong><br /> Last week Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein grilled a judicial nominee about her Catholic beliefs, suggesting that her religious "dogma" could get in the way of her decisions. <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/dianne-feinsteins-comments-on-judge-nominees-faith-chilling-notre-dame-president-says/article/2633932">Notre Dame president John Jenkins has sent a scathing letter</a> to Senator Feinstein, calling her questions "chilling." The nominee in question is highly respected Amy Coney Barrett, a professor at Notre Dame Law School.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>What Joe Paterno Knew, When He Knew It<br /> </em></strong><br /> Football coach Joe Paterno was beloved at Penn State, where he roamed the sidelines for 46 years before being fired in the wake of the child sex abuse scandal involving his longtime assistant Jerry Sandusky. "JoePa" still has his defenders, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/09/us/penn-state-paterno-sandusky-police-report/index.html">but they may be even fewer in number after the release of a new police report</a>. The report buttresses earlier claims that that Paterno had been made aware of Sandusky's deviant activities and chose to look the other way.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Sharpton's Daughter Attacks Cabbie<br /> </em></strong><br /> Ashley Sharpton, Al's just-turned-30-year-old daughter, <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/ashley-sharpton-arrested-allegedly-attacking-cab-driver-article-1.3482542">is accused of hitting a taxi driver and stealing his keys</a> from the ignition after a confrontation after her birthday party. She was arrested and charged with petty larceny. The most reverend Al, who says Ashley was arrested because she is his daughter, is threatening a court fight.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Death of Woman Who Chose Baby Over Chemo<br /> </em></strong><br /> Carrie DeKlyen was faced with a horrible choice. She could have undergone chemotherapy and lived a longer life, or she could have refused the treatment and continued with her pregnancy. Carrie chose the latter option <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/woman-chose-baby-chemotherapy-died-49723010">and gave birth to her sixth child on Wednesday</a>. One day later, she died from the cancer that had ravaged her brain. Her husband Nick assured her that they'll be reunited in the afterlife.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> A Texas Lawyer's Grotesque Tweet<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/sep/9/rob-ranco-texas-lawyer-says-he-would-be-ok-if-bets/">Attorney Rob Ranco sent out this absolutely horrible tweet Friday</a>: "I'd be okay if Betsy DeVos was sexually assaulted." He was referring to Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, who is urging universities to institute fairer procedures when a student is accused of sexual assault. Ranco soon deleted the offensive tweet, cut off access to his Twitter account, and was last seen hiding under his mahogany desk.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Miami Maternity Wards in Overdrive<br /> </em></strong><br /> Hospitals in southern Florida, or at least those that are still operational, expect an increase in births over the coming days. For whatever reason, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-miami-hospitals-prepare-for-surge-in-births-during-hurricane-irma-2017-9">hurricanes are often accompanied by a spike in deliveries</a>. Some observers speculate that the drop in barometric pressure is the reason for the increased number of births.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Duh! Officials Advise Against Hurricane Booze Parties<br /> </em></strong><br /> Some not-very-bright Floridians have been stocking up on more than just water and toilet paper. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/09/10/drinking-at-hurricane-parties-bad-idea-florida-officials-warn.html">Many liquor shelves have been cleared out as some partiers plan to hunker down and drink up</a>. Captain Morgan's rum, named after a feared raider and destroyer in the Caribbean, is especially popular as another feared raider and destroyer comes out of the Caribbean. These modern-day drunkards may not know that Captain Henry Morgan drank himself to death at the age of 53.</p>
<p><br /><br />Check back Sunday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
</div>
<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-09-11T01:51:00ZIrma Takes Aim at Florida; Major Earthquake in MexicoBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Irma-Takes-Aim-at-Florida;-Major-Earthquake-in-Mexico/-931342889995209435.html2017-09-08T13:09:00Z2017-09-08T13:09:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, September 8, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Irma Takes Aim at Florida<br /> </em></strong><br /> After smashing various islands in the Caribbean, Hurricane Irma and its 150 mph winds are expected to reach the <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/weather/hurricane/article171959542.html">Florida Keys and other parts of southern Florida by Sunday morning</a>. Evacuation orders have been issued to residents and visitors in coastal areas of heavily-populated Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Major Earthquake in Mexico<br /> </em></strong><br /> While Mexicans on the Gulf Coast worry about Hurricane Katia and possible flooding, <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-mexico-earthquake-20170907-story.html">residents on the other side of the country are facing a possible tsunami</a>. A very powerful earthquake struck in the Pacific Ocean at around midnight last night; its tremors were felt by about 50-million Mexicans, some of them hundreds of miles from the quake's epicenter. At least five people have been killed and the death toll is expected to rise rapidly.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Five Former Presidents Join in Harvey Effort<br /> </em></strong><br /> Five former United States Presidents are still living, and all of them appear in a new video urging Americans to contribute to the relief efforts in Texas. The public service announcement, featuring Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Jimmy Carter, and both Bushes, will get heavy air play during this weekend's football games. 93-year-old George H.W. Bush sums it all up with this message: "We love you, Texas."<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WCKJPn1UcXc?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Who Stole New Hampshire?<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/09/08/out-staters-may-have-won-new-hampshire-for-clinton-data-suggest.html">According to some numbers-crunchers</a>, Hillary Clinton's very slender victory in New Hampshire may be tainted. She beat Donald Trump in that state by fewer than 3,000 votes, but it's possible that more than 6,000 voters were not actually New Hampshire residents. The suspect voters provided out-of-state licenses but no other identification. A victory in the Granite State would have added four electoral votes to President Trump's total and subtracted four from Mrs. Clinton's. One might ask, "What Happened?"<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary: Let the Book Tour Begin<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/07/arts/television/hillary-clinton-campaign-colbert.html">Get ready for lots and lots of Hillary Clinton</a>. Her book "What Happened" will be published in less than two weeks and she will then kick off the obligatory media tour. Secretary Clinton's first late-night booking will be with anti-Trumpist Stephen Colbert and she will likely stick to friendly venues. Fox News has of course invited Mrs. Clinton to sit down with Bret Baier, but so far there has been no response. <a href="http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/09/democratic-pols-dreading-hillary-clintons-book-tour.html">Some Democrats call the book and media tour the "final torture"</a> inflicted upon their party by a candidate who was considered inevitable.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Actress on Her "Best Abortion"<br /> </em></strong><br /> As mentioned on the No Spin News earlier this week, an actress named Martha Plimpton boasted about having her first and best abortion in Seattle. Even more nauseating, the pro-abortion crowd cheered wildly and enthusiastically at her revelation. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">Watch and weep.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dept. of Education Revises Sexual Assault Policy<br /> </em></strong><br /> It's been more than five years since bureaucrats in the Obama administration established guidelines that denied many college men their due process when accused of sexual assault. <a href="http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/09/08/devos-campus-sexual-assault-how-to-get-it-right-215585">Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is now on a mission to reverse those guidelines</a>, under which students have been suspended and expelled without having any chance to defend themselves. The grievance industry is already in high dudgeon, accusing DeVos of taking sides against the victims.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Justice Department Sides with Religious Liberty<br /> </em></strong><br /> In a much-watched case involving a Colorado baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex marriage, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts_law/in-major-supreme-court-case-justice-dept-sides-with-baker-who-refused-to-make-wedding-cake-for-gay-couple/2017/09/07/fb84f116-93f0-11e7-89fa-bb822a46da5b_story.html?utm_term=.7cfe15f8d733">the Department of Justice will argue on the side of the baker</a>. Jack Phillips, who contended that making the cake would violate his religious faith, was penalized by the state for violating its laws against discrimination. The ACLU, which is representing the same-sex couple, characterized the DOJ's position as "shocking."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Democratic Senator Slams Catholicism<br /> </em></strong><br /> Senator Dianne Feinstein of California, while questioning a judicial nominee, let her anti-Catholic bias slip. Feinstein accused Notre Dame law professor Amy Coney Barrett of relying on her "religious beliefs." <a href="http://www.ncregister.com/blog/mbunson/sen.-feinstein-grills-catholic-nominee-the-dogma-lives-loudly-within-you">The senator then uttered a comment that many Catholics find deeply offensive</a>: "When you read your speeches, the conclusion one draws is that the dogma lives loudly within you." In other words, Barrett's devotion to her religion should disqualify her from the federal bench.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JRwEAhWn5B8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NY Daily News Dead, Murdered by Trump-hatred<br /> </em></strong><br /> The New York Daily News, which tried to outdo itself every day with anti-Trump headlines, has been sold for one dollar. A buck, eight bits! <a href="https://www.frontpagemag.com/point/267795/trump-killed-new-york-daily-news-daniel-greenfield">One writer explains how the paper's animus alienated much of its readership</a> and sounded a death knell for the Daily News, once the highest-circulation paper in America. The new owner is a publishing company called Tronc, which also owns the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune. It will be interesting to see if the paper of the "working class" can regain its credibility in New York's outer boroughs.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Braves' Poor Song Selection<br /> </em></strong><br /> In their home game against the Miami Marlins last night, the Atlanta Braves played "Rock You Like a Hurricane" between innings. Given that the Marlins' home town is under grave and imminent threat from Hurricane Irma, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2017/09/07/tone-deaf-braves-play-rock-like-hurricane-during-game-against-miami.html">Twitter soon lit up with complaints about the team's insensitivity</a>. Adding injury to insult, the Braves won the game by scoring two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hold the Chicken Sashimi<br /> </em></strong><br /> Never heard of eating raw chicken? <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/chicken-sashimi-eat-risk-food-poisoning-bacteria-salmonella-campylobacter-experts-a7935591.html">Well, it's actually quite popular in Japan</a>, where chicken sashimi is in high demand. Japanese gourmands understand the dangers, but many are quite willing to take the risk. After all, raw chicken is pretty darned safe compared the fugu fish, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/05/last-supper-japan-killer-puffer-fish-fugu">a Japanese delicacy that can easily be fatal</a>. If prepared incorrectly, the fish is akin to committing hari-kari with chopsticks.</p>
<p><br /><br />Check back Sunday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-09-08T13:09:00ZTrump the Unifier?; Hillary's Blame Game Heads Into OvertimeBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-the-Unifier;-Hillarys-Blame-Game-Heads-Into-Overtime/524347355965615441.html2017-09-07T17:35:00Z2017-09-07T17:35:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Thursday, September 7, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Trump the Unifier?<br /> </em></strong><br /> Official Washington is still trying to digest what took place Wednesday at the White House. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/349533-the-memo-trump-pulls-off-a-stone-cold-stunner">President Trump cut a deal to fund the government</a> with Democrats Charles Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, then complimented "Chuck and Nancy" for their willingness to cooperate.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump the Divider?<br /> </em></strong><br /> While Democrats Chuck and Nancy are thrilled, <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/06/hill-trump-relations-242411">Republicans Mitch and Paul are said to be furious</a>. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan had advised the president to extend the debt ceiling by more than a year, far more than the three-month extension to which he agreed. Many political analysts claim that yesterday's deal helps Democrats and damages Republicans, but the president may be angling for Democratic cooperation on tax reform and immigration.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary's Blame Game Heads Into Overtime<br /> </em></strong><br /> The late Christopher Hitchens wrote a scathing book about Bill Clinton called "No One Left to Lie to." In the case of Hillary Clinton, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/349548-clintons-score-settling-frustrates-democrats">there is almost no one left to blame</a>. In her upcoming book "What Happened," Mrs. Clinton bashes some leading Democrats, among them Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden. She has already castigated James Comey, sexism, and the Macedonians. Yes, the Macedonians.<br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/07/hillary-clinton-book-tour-democrats-242419">According to Politico</a>, many Democrats wish that Hillary Clinton would go quietly into that good night. Instead, her book continues to litigate the 2016 election and the various reasons for her defeat. A new poll shows that Mrs. Clinton has a 30% approval rating among voters. Among Democratic politicians it is probably a whole lot lower.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Irma Turns Deadly in Caribbean<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/07/hurricane-irma-latest-live-updates-storm-nears-cuba-florida/">At least ten people have died as a direct result of Hurricane Irma</a> and its stunningly powerful winds. The storm will continue its march through the Caribbean, hitting various islands, and may reach Florida by the weekend. <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/weather/hurricane/article171696867.html">Local media outlets in Florida are keeping residents up to date</a> with the latest on what to expect when Irma makes a sharp right turn and heads north.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Nukes in Irma's Possible Path<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/09/07/2-florida-nuclear-plants-likely-to-shut-down-if-irma-continues-path.html">Two nuclear power plants in Florida may be affected by Hurricane Irma</a>, depending on the storm's eventual path. Officials say they will shut down the reactors if Irma is deemed an imminent threat. The plants are extremely well-protected by steel and concrete and were built to endure massive flooding.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hurricanes Lined Up Like Planes Over LaGuardia<br /> </em></strong><br /> Irma is in the headlines right now, but she is joined in the Atlantic by Hurricanes Jose and Katia. Katia is expected to do some damage to Mexico, while Jose is unlikely to hit land. <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/09/07/3-hurricanes-are-spinning-simultaneously-through-the-atlantic/">This is the first time since 2010 that three hurricanes are active in the Atlantic</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sarah Sanders Visits The View<br /> </em></strong><br /> The "ladies" of The View are not known for treating conservative guests with warmth and hospitality, so <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders</a> and her father, former Governor Mike Huckabee, knew what to expect when they entered the Lionesses' Den. The forever-joyless Joy Behar actually repeated the specious claim that 95% of what President Trump says is a lie.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Merkel Pelted With a Tomato<br /> </em></strong><br /> German Chancellor Angela Merkel, campaigning for her party and her own reelection, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/09/07/merkel-hit-with-tomato-during-campaign-rally-in-germany.html">was the target of tomato-tossing anti-immigration activists Tuesday</a>. Demonstrators called her a "liar" and blasted her willingness to open Germany's borders to hundreds of thousands of migrants from Turkey, Syria, and other nations.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Wages of Poverty<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Southern Poverty Law Center, which is far more about left-wing politics than poverty, <a href="http://www.weeklystandard.com/the-southern-poverty-law-center-has-69-million-parked-overseas/article/2009553">reportedly has tens of millions of dollar stashed around the world</a>, including in some well-known tax havens. The SPLC has an endowment of more than $300-million, much of which is invested in offshore entities. The organization is known for its "hate map," which fails to distinguish between neo-Nazi groups and mainstream Christian organizations. Some conservatives are urging media outlets to stop giving respect and credibility to the SPLC, calling it a <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/09/06/conservatives-sign-letter-warning-media-against-southern-poverty-law-center.html">"discredited, left-wing political activist organization that seeks to silence its political opponents."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Actress Boasts of Her "Best Abortion" Ever<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/sep/6/martha-plimpton-goonie-actress-and-her-abysmal-bra/">D-list actress Martha Plimpton was cheered by a crowd of Planned Parenthood supporters</a> in Seattle when she boasted that her "best" abortion was performed in that city. She was vague on just how many abortions she has had, but affirmed that the Seattle procedure, performed when she was 19, was worthy of rave reviews.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Speaking of Seattle<br /> </em></strong><br /> Seattle-based Amazon is <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/07/amazon-is-looking-for-a-2nd-headquarter-city-a-full-equal-to-seattle/?ncid=mobilenavtrend">searching for another city in North America</a> to serve as its "second headquarters." The original HQ in Seattle has 40,000 workers, 33 buildings, and 24 restaurants; Headquarters # 2, wherever it is located, is expected to be about the same size or even larger. No doubt cities are already lining up with tax incentives, which will be sent with free shipping.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bannon Hammers Catholic Church<br /> </em></strong><br /> Usually camera-shy Steve Bannon has sat down for an interview with "60 Minutes." <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bannon-criticizes-catholic-church-response-to-trump-plan-for-daca/">In that piece he goes out of his way to criticize the Catholic Church</a>, saying it has been "terrible" when it comes to illegal immigration. "They need illegal aliens to fill the churches," Bannon said. The interview airs this coming Sunday evening.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Dem Senator Accused of "Selling His Office"<br /> </em></strong><br /> New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez, who is on trial for corruption, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/senator-robert-menendez-sold-his-office-prosecutor-alleges-corruption-trial/">stands accused of trading favors in exchange "for a lifestyle he couldn't afford." </a> The government began its case against Menendez by claiming he illegally accepted bribes, exotic vacations and campaign donations. The trial may last as long as two months and a conviction could shift the balance of the Senate.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Spy vs. Spy, Baseball Version</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Boston Red Sox have been caught stealing signs while playing the New York Yankees. Swiping signs is a baseball tradition, but the Sox did it by using electronic devices, which is against the rules. <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/09/07/red-sox-we-have-video-of-the-yankees-cheating/">Now the Red Sox are accusing their hated New York rivals</a> of a similar crime, using television cameras to purloin signals. Thus far Hillary Clinton has not accused either team of stealing the election. But give her time!<br /><br /><br />Check back Friday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-09-07T17:35:00ZCategory 5 Irma Aims at Puerto Rico, Florida; "Dreamers" Look to CongressBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Category-5-Irma-Aims-at-Puerto-Rico-Florida;-Dreamers-Look-to-Congress/-915560716942625877.html2017-09-06T13:42:00Z2017-09-06T13:42:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Wednesday, September 6, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Category 5 Irma Aims at Puerto Rico, Florida<br /> </em></strong><br /> If there was such a thing as a "Category 6" hurricane, Irma might fit the bill. The storm, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-41168117">with winds as high as 185 mph</a>, has reached some islands in the Caribbean and is expected to hammer Cuba, Puerto Rico, and possibly parts of Florida. President Trump has already declared a state of emergency for Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, while Key West residents and tourists have been told to evacuate the island.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>"Dreamers" Look to Congress<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump has tossed the DACA dilemma to Congress, <a href="http://www.npr.org/2017/09/06/548766330/here-s-how-congress-could-act-to-save-daca">giving legislators six months to rescue or amend the program</a>. Congress could work on a stand-alone bill aimed only at the so-called "dreamers," or it could try to enact a larger and more comprehensive immigration reform. More likely, the House and Senate will not pass anything at all. As the commercial says, "it's what they do."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pro-DACA Protesters Savage Trump<br /> </em></strong><br /> To the surprise of no one, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/immigrants-supporters-blast-daca-decision-angry-protests-n798956">protesters took to the streets Tuesday to denounce President Trump</a> and his DACA decision. There were rallies and protests across the country, including outside Trump Tower in New York City. President Obama, who initiated the DACA program in 2012 and said it would only be temporary, <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2017/09/05/obama-trumps-daca-decision-to-target-these-young-people-wrong/634379001/">also criticized the decision via social media</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>A Congressman's Grotesque Slander<br /> </em></strong><br /> Democratic Congressman Luis Gutierrez <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/349291-dem-calls-trump-chief-of-staff-a-disgrace-to-uniform">took the DACA debate to a new low Tuesday</a> when he called White House Chief of Staff John Kelly a "disgrace to the uniform he used to wear." Gutierrez is probably aware that Kelly is former four-star general in the Marine Corps whose son Robert, also a Marine officer, was killed by a landmine in Afghanistan.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mayor Emanuel's Bizarre Message to High Schoolers <br /> </em></strong><br /> Speaking of unhinged Illinois politicians, <a href="http://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/cps-students-head-back-to-school/">Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has declared his city a "Trump-Free Zone."</a> He was reassuring Hispanic high schoolers that they have nothing to worry about in his ultra-violent city. In other words, the mayor of America's third-largest metropolis was proudly informing school children that he will defy the law and the president of the United States.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>77% of Americans Oppose "Sanctuary Cities"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Mayor Emanuel may wish to <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/exclusive-77-demand-end-to-sanctuary-cities-for-illegal-immigrants/article/2633359">peruse a new Zogby poll showing that the vast majority of Americans</a> in battleground states want cities to follow the law and stop giving sanctuary to illegal immigrants. Additionally, more than four in five Hispanics want cities to cooperate with the feds when it comes to turning over illegal immigrants who are to be deported.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Democratic Senator Joins Trump in North Dakota<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump heads to North Dakota today, where he will resume his push for tax reform. He will be <a href="http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/09/democrat-is-open-to-trump-tax-plan-gets-air-force-one-ride.html">joined on Air Force One by that state's Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp</a>, who could be persuaded to support the still-undefined tax plan. Heitkamp's cozying up to the president is understandable – he won by 36 points in her state and she will be on the ballot next year.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Diplomat's Daughter Stabs Prep School Classmate<br /> </em></strong><br /> A 12-year-old girl stabbed her classmate with a scissors at least twice, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">but she'll probably skate because of diplomatic immunity</a>. Both assailant and victim are students at the tony British International School in Washington, where well-heeled parents spring for about $33,000 a year. The immediate family of anyone with diplomat status is exempt from prosecution.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary Blames Bernie, Blasts Biden<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/349197-clinton-blames-sanders-for-trumps-crooked-hillary-attack">Hillary Clinton's wrath has a new target</a>. In her upcoming book "What Happened," Clinton claims that Sanders unfairly painted her as a corporate tool and badly damaged her standing among liberal voters. She adds that she wanted to fight back against Sanders, but was advised against that by her strategists and even President Obama. Clinton also found a way to play the gender card, characterizing Sanders' rabid supporters as "sexist." <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/349368-clinton-questions-biden-and-middle-class-narrative">The former secretary of state also chastised Joe Biden</a> for asserting that her campaign, and Democrats in general, forgot to focus on the middle class. Hell hath no fury … <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary's Pastor a Plagiarist<br /> </em></strong><br /> Bill Shillady, long known as being Hillary Clinton's pastor, is apparently fond of quoting more than the word of God. Shillady's book about the former Secretary of State's faith has been pulled by its publisher <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/349347-publisher-pulls-book-by-hillary-clintons-pastor-over-plagiarism">because much of it has been copied from other publications</a>. United Methodist Publishing House says it will recall and destroy all existing copies of the book. The author admits that he was wrong and is asking for forgiveness.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Publishing House Denounces NY Times<br /> </em></strong><br /> Regnery Publishing, which has printed and distributed many popular conservative-leaning books, is <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/sep/5/regnerys-new-york-times-shot-heard-round-publishin/">ending its relationship with the New York Times</a>. Regnery claims the Times' influential best-seller lists are skewed by the paper's politics and give liberal-leaning books an unfair advantage. The Times insists that its best-seller lists are compiled without any bias against conservative authors.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Poll Shows a Trump Bump</em></strong><br /> <br /> According to a poll taken by the reliable IBD/TIPP outfit, <a href="http://www.investors.com/politics/trump-approval-rebounds-from-lows-after-charlottesville-harvey-confederate-statues-ibdtipp-poll/">President Trump's approval rating has risen by six points</a> over the past month. The pollsters surmise that the president is benefiting from an expanding economy and his leadership in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN Pulls Back on Russia-Trump Allegations</em></strong><br /> <br /> Virulently anti-Trump CNN has <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/09/05/cnn-pulled-investigative-team-off-trump-russia-coverage/">reportedly told its investigative specialists to stop searching for ties between the Trump administration and Russia</a>. The network is not totally giving up on that probe, it is just handing the assignment to other reporters. CNN's investigative unit is still reeling after it falsely reported allegations about the Trump team and subsequently sacked three high-profile reporters. Other over-the-top Trump-haters associated with CNN, among them Kathy Griffin and Reza Aslan, have also been given their walking papers.<br /> <br /> <strong><em>Charlottesville to Oust "Stonewall" Jackson Statue</em></strong><br /> <br /> The city council in Charlottesville, Virginia, h<a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/09/06/charlottesville-council-votes-to-remove-stonewall-jackson-statue.html">as voted unanimously to move a statue of Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson</a>. Statues of Jackson and Robert E. Lee, which have been shrouded in black plastic, will be removed from public parks and possibly put in a museum.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Cher to Dreamers: I Got You Babe</em></strong><br /> <br /> The mononymous and often monotonous Cher says she will give "sanctuary" to immigrants affected by President Trump's DACA decision. <a href="https://twitter.com/cher/status/905116735216517120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fcher-offers-dreamers-sanctuary%2F">In a tweet filled with lovely emojis</a>, the 71-year-old urged Americans to take "dreamers" into their homes and vowed to do the same. If any illegal immigrants wish to find Cher's palace, just take a right onto Highway 1 and head up to Malibu. She'll be waiting with open arms. </p>
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<p>Check back Thursday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-09-06T13:42:00ZNorth Korea Issues Ominous Threat; Irma, Gaining Strength, Heads Toward FloridaBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/North-Korea-Issues-Ominous-Threat;-Irma-Gaining-Strength-Heads-Toward-Florida/436988877133082267.html2017-09-05T15:53:00Z2017-09-05T15:53:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Tuesday, September 5, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>North Korea Issues Ominous Threat<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/defense/349163-north-korea-us-will-receive-more-gift-packages-from-my-country-as-long-as-its">Kim Jong Un continues to taunt President Trump</a>. Today North Korea's representative warned that "more gift packages" are about to be delivered to the United States. Left unsaid is whether the rogue regime is planning on more missile launches, additional nuclear bomb tests, or both. One day after Secretary of Defense James Mattis warned of a "massive military response," United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley accused Kim Jong Un of "begging for war."<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Yw_m07nhr2k?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>South Korea Ups the Ante<br /> </em></strong><br /> While Kim Jong Un rattles sabers and launches missiles in the North, his neighbors in South Korea are asking the USA for deadlier weapons. The South is under restrictions that limit the power of its arsenal, but now the nation wants to spend billions of dollars on more advanced weapons. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/349137-us-south-korea-agree-to-end-missile-payload-limits">President Trump has reportedly signed off on an agreement</a> that would enable South Korea to arm itself and "maximize pressure on North Korea using all means at their disposal."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Putin: Trump is "Not My Bride"<br /> </em></strong><br /> It's not totally clear what he means, but <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/05/world/europe/vladimir-putin-donald-trump.html">Russia's President Vladimir Putin made a bizarre remark</a> today in China, even by his standards. "President Trump is not my bride," he said, "and I am not his groom." Putin also denounced North Korea's missile launches and nuclear tests, but questioned the value of economic sanctions. In another Putin-ism, he said, "North Korea would rather eat grass than give up their nuclear program." Ironically, grass is about all that's left to eat for ordinary North Koreans.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Irma, Gaining Strength, Heads Toward Florida<br /> </em></strong><br /> Parts of Florida are in an official state of emergency as Hurricane Irma, <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2017/09/05/hurricane-irma-now-category-5-175-mph-winds/632151001/">now a Category 5 storm, continues to move in their direction</a>. Irma is expected to wreak her havoc on Caribbean islands today and tomorrow before reaching south Florida at the end of the week or over the weekend. U.S. weather officials have measured the hurricane's maximum wind speeds at 175 mph, making it one of the strongest hurricanes on record.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Harvey Aid Bill On Tap<br /> </em></strong><br /> While Irma bears down on the Caribbean and Florida, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/349123-source-house-to-vote-on-harvey-aid-package-wednesday">Congress is about to debate a bill that will provide billions in disaster relief for victims of Hurricane Harvey</a>. The major sticking point is whether relief should be tied to an increase in the debt ceiling. Also, in a very neighborly gesture, <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/09/04/mexico-vows-to-send-25-trailers-of-goods-to-harvey-victims/">Mexico has announced that it will send 25 tractor trailers</a> filled with food and equipment across the border to help Texans in their hour of need.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>DACA Announcement Today<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/349157-sessions-to-make-daca-announcement-tuesday">Attorney General Jeff Sessions will take to the podium this morning</a>, where he is expected to announce the end of DACA, the Obama executive order that enabled illegal immigrants to remain in the United States if they arrived as children. The administration will likely include a six-month delay, giving Congress time to enact legislation that could restore or amend the program.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>GOP Split on DACA<br /> </em></strong><br /> Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and some other Republicans are vocally opposed to President Trump's decision to end the so-called "dreamers" program, arguing that DACA helps innocent and ambitious immigrants. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/09/05/republicans-divided-on-trumps-expected-daca-announcement.html">Others in the GOP say the president is simply restoring the rule of law</a> and eliminating a program that was unconstitutional from the very beginning..<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Boston Globe Dives in the Tank<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Boston Globe is being widely mocked for its long front-page article Sunday. The paper informed its readers that far-left, pro-abortion Senator Elizabeth Warren is a deeply religious woman whose every move is determined by her devout Christianity. Even if the puff piece is totally accurate, <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/clay-waters/2017/09/04/boston-globe-gives-sen-warren-hillary-style-religious-aura-skips">the Globe set a new world indoor record for promoting a candidate and her campaign</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Washington Post Hammers Trump on DACA<br /> </em></strong>On the subject of media bias, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/daily-202/2017/09/05/daily-202-daca-decision-highlights-chasm-between-trump-s-compassionate-rhetoric-and-reality/59ae0e5a30fb04264c2a1c9c/?utm_term=.4296ca845d0a">the Washington Post is declaring that President Trump's decision</a> to phase out DACA is one more example of his hypocrisy. The piece says the president's "rhetoric hasn't matched reality" and accuses him of kowtowing to "his dwindling base."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Failing NY Daily News Sold for $1<br /> </em></strong><br /> The New York Daily News, once the highest-circulation paper in the entire country, is changing hands. <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-05/tronc-buys-new-york-daily-news-adding-to-nationwide-paper-chain">The media company Tronc, which also owns the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune</a>, will assume all of the Daily News' debts and pension liabilities. The virulently anti-Trump tabloid, which was long ago hailed as the "voice of the working man," once had a daily circulation of about 2-million. That has plummeted to about 200,000 and the Daily News is said to lose about $30-million every year.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Trumps Are Targeted as Russia Probes Return</em></strong><br /> <br /> With Congress back in session, the various committee investigations are set to resume. That's in addition to the ongoing probe by special counsel Robert Mueller, whose team continued its work through August. <a href="Wife-Killer's%20Defense:%20The%20Cold%20Medicine%20Made%20Me%20Do%20It!">It is expected that Donald Trump Jr. and his meeting with a Russian lawyer</a> will be a major focus of the various inquiries.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Democratic Senator's Bribery Trial to Begin</em></strong><br /> <br /> New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez, the first sitting U.S. Senator to face bribery charges in more than three decades, <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/sep/4/robert-menendez-trial-puts-other-democrats-at-lega/">is about to have his day in court</a>. Menendez is accused of helping a longtime pal and travel companion avoid punishment after he defrauded the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Senator Menendez is expected to miss some crucial votes in Washington, and there is fear among Democrats that other party bigwigs will get burned along the way. Should Menendez be convicted and step down, Republican Governor Chris Christie will likely name a Republican to take over his seat.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Wife-Killer's Defense: The Cold Medicine Made Me Do It!</em></strong><br /> <br /> 29-year old Matthew Phelps, charged with killing his wife Lauren last week, <a href="http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/crime/article170673717.html">has come up with a unique defense</a>. The suspect, an evangelical Christian who graduated from bible college, claims he took more cold medicine than he should have and unintentionally murdered his wife of less than one year. "I think I did it," he confessed in a chilling call to 911.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Wife-Beater's Parents Fly From India to Help "Discipline"<br /> </em></strong><br /> When 33-year-old Florida resident Devbir Kalsi was having problems with his wife, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">he put in a call to his parents in India</a>, who immediately came to help him savagely beat the "disobedient" bride. The victim finally reached her own parents in India, who notified the police in Florida. All three of the abusers are behind bars without bail, while the victim and her infant child have been moved to safety.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Religious Carnage in Asia<br /> <br /> </em></strong></p>
<p>Muslims belonging to a little-known sect <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-41082689">are being terrorized in Myanmar</a>, also known as Burma. Buddhist mobs are reportedly murdering the Muslims and driving them out of the country. So far more than 100,000 refugees, most of whom are classified as Rohingya Muslims, have fled into neighboring Bangladesh. The Buddhist majority claims the savagery began last month when radical Muslims attacked police in Myanmar.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>San Fran Proposes Robot Tax<br /> </em></strong><br /> San Francisco, which always manages to push the bizarre one step further, <a href="http://www.dailytech.com/San+Francisco+proposes+a+robot+tax/article42605.htm">is considering a "robot tax," which would penalize companies for adding automation</a>. The circle is now complete: San Franciso voters approved a high minimum wage, thus encouraging employers to hire fewer actual people and use more automation. And now that those unintended, but not unexpected, consequences have become a reality, the city wants to tax companies that cut down on labor. The question is, will San Francisco itself dispatch scary-looking robots to collect those new taxes?<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Little Lego Men in Unemployment Line<br /> </em></strong><br /> Perhaps it's another sign of middle class working stiffs being expendable. <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/lego-sales-hit-brick-wall-sheds-8-of-workforce-2017-09-05?mg=prod/accounts-mw">Lego, with sales slumping, is laying off workers in its Denmark facilities</a>. Humans are the first to go, but it probably means those little plastic Lego guys in their hard hats will also be laid off. Not surprisingly, robots are to blame once again.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sjywAqgFrzI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
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<p>Check back Wednesday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-09-05T15:53:00ZTensions Mount in Korea; Nightmare for "Dreamers"BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Tensions-Mount-in-Korea;-Nightmare-for-Dreamers/-215980614983293309.html2017-09-04T13:45:00Z2017-09-04T13:45:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Monday, September 4, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Tensions Mount in Korea<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-41144356">The two Koreas are again exchanging ominous threats and warnings.</a> After North Korea tested what it says is an extremely powerful hydrogen bomb that can be mounted on an ICBM, South Korea responded with military exercises and says it expects more missile launches. Meanwhile, the United States has warned North Korea that any offensive action against the South or any other allies will met with a "massive military response." Those are the words of Secretary of Defense James Mattis, a man not known for issuing empty threats.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Switzerland Offers to Mediate<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Doris Leuthard of traditionally neutral Switzerland is suggesting that her nation <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/switzerland-mediate-north-korea-crisis-1.4274409">can help defuse the Korean crisis</a>. She says the Swiss will gladly mediate between the various factions if the standoff continues. The offer has added credibility because Kim Jong Un actually studied in Switzerland as a boy in the early 1990s, when he was said to be fascinated by the NBA, which could help explain his bizarre friendship with Dennis Rodman.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>North Korea? Let's Blame Trump!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Matthew Dowd, who plays a conservative on ABC News, confidently assured us all that Hillary Clinton would win handily with more than 300 electoral votes. He is now turning his wisdom to North Korea, informing ABC viewers that the crisis there <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video#play">is largely due to President Trump's "continued belligerence."</a> Never right, never in doubt.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Nightmare for "Dreamers"<br /> </em></strong><br /> The White House won't make an official announcement until tomorrow, but all reports indicate that <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/09/04/daca-trump-reportedly-expected-to-end-dreamers-immigration-program.html">President Trump will end the DACA program</a>, which enabled illegal immigrants to stay in the United States if they arrived as children. The president has called this an extremely difficult decision, and he has given Congress six months to pass legislation that could save the program.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Obama Going Public With DACA Defense<br /> </em></strong><br /> According to at least one person close to Barack Obama, <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/04/obama-trump-dreamers-daca-242303?lo=ap_a1">the former president will publicly voice his objections</a> if President Trump, as expected, ends the DACA program that was begun in the Obama administration. The source says President Obama will issue a statement on Facebook and Twitter if his successor ends this aspect of his legacy.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Irma Threatens East Coast<br /> </em></strong><br /> Hurricane Irma is looming in the Caribbean and may eventually head in the direction of Florida and the East Coast. <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/officials-on-east-coast-cast-wary-eye-on-hurricane-irma/">Antigua, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic</a> are in the immediate path of Irma, which is now classified as a Category 3 hurricane that could reach land tomorrow.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sanders to Introduce "Medicare for All"<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/348925-single-payer-bill-poses-dilemma-for-2020-dem-hopefuls">Senator Bernie Sanders is ready to go all the way</a>. He is about to introduce a bill that will effectively endorse a fully government-run health care system. The proposal is seen as an early test for Democratic presidential hopefuls such as Senator Kamala Harris, who supports the Sanders' "Medicare for All" initiative. Most other Democratic presidential hopefuls, among them Andrew Cuomo and Kirsten Gillibrand, are being far more coy for the moment.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Hepatitis Emergency in San Diego<br /> </em></strong><br /> At least 15 people have died in San Diego and hundreds more have been hospitalized after an outbreak of the liver disease hepatitis A. <a href="http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/health/sd-me-hepatitis-emergency-20170901-story.html">Local authorities have declared a health emergency</a> and say homeless people have been most affected. Because the virus spreads when people don't properly wash their hands after using the bathroom, San Diego has set up portable hand-washing stations in areas where the homeless tend to congregate.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Harvey's Astounding Toll on Vehicles</em></strong><br /> <br /> Almost overlooked among the lives lost and homes destroyed is the fact that Hurricane Harvey and the ensuing floods <a href="http://fortune.com/2017/09/03/hurricane-harvey-damage-cars/">destroyed hundreds of thousands of cars and trucks</a>. Some analysts claim that as many as a million cars were ruined in and around Houston, a city where pretty much everyone is car-dependent. Insurance companies have already received more than 100,000 claims for cars, the vast majority of which are considered total wrecks. All this raises another worry – some fraudsters specialize in fixing up flood-damaged cars and selling them to unsuspecting buyers. Caveat emptor!<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>J.J. Watt Parkway?<br /> </em></strong><br /> It seems like a natural. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2017/09/04/more-than-70000-sign-petition-to-rename-houston-highway-after-jj-watt.html">Football star J.J. Watt, who has been absolutely heroic</a> when it comes to raising money for flood victims, wears number 99 for the Houston Texans. So there is a petition to rename Texas State Highway 99 in his honor. A petition to create the J.J. Watt Parkway has already garnered an estimated 70,000 signatures. If you wish to make it 70,001, <a href="https://www.change.org/p/texas-department-of-transportation-rename-sh-99-the-jj-watt-parkway">here's the link</a>.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Angela, Like Hillary, Seems Headed for Victory<br /> </em></strong><br /> German Chancellor Angela Merkel <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/merkel-election-debate/4014143.html">got generally high marks for her performance in Sunday's debate</a>, where she squared off against challenger Martin Schulz. Germans go to the polls in three weeks and most pollsters and pundits predict victory for Merkel and her Christian Democratic Union party. Of course, Schulz might take solace in the fact that many of these same pollsters and pundits predicted defeats for Brexit and Donald Trump.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> William and Kate: Baby Makes Five<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/09/04/prince-william-kate-expecting-third-child.html">Britain's royal family has issued this very formal and stuffy announcement</a>: "Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their third child." In plain old English, William and Kate, both 35 years old, will have another child to join Prince George and Princess Charlotte.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Hollywood's Holiday from Hell<br /> </em></strong><br /> Perhaps actors and directors should stop lecturing the rest of us and begin focusing on making great movies. This holiday weekend's box office is shaping up to be the <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-hitmans-bodyguard-leads-worst-labor-day-1990s-1034864">industry's worst Labor Day in nearly 20 years</a>. Analysts blame the lack of any major releases, but the entire summer has been a downer for the business.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Another Snake on a Plane<br /> </em></strong><br /> An airline passenger who took "unruly" to new heights <a href="https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/this-allegedly-drunk-passenger-was-just-fined-100.html">has been fined $100,000 for his absolutely deplorable behavior</a> on a flight from Hawaii to New York City. James August, obviously very drunk, was verbally abusive to other passengers, slapped a flight attendant, and threatened to punch his girlfriend in the face. Things got so bad that the pilot made a U-turn and returned to Honolulu, where the not-very-august Mr. August was taken into custody. He is now $100,000 lighter in the wallet.<br /><br /></p>
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<p>Check back Tuesday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-09-04T13:45:00ZSunday Briefing: North Korea Claims Massive Nuke Success; The Trumps Visit HoustonBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Sunday-Briefing:-North-Korea-Claims-Massive-Nuke-Success;-The-Trumps-Visit-Houston/-724865709758304968.html2017-09-03T15:19:00Z2017-09-03T15:19:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Sunday, September 3, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>North Korea Claims Massive Nuke Success<br /> </em></strong><br /> In defiance of President Trump, the United Nations, and much of the world, <a href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-northkorea-nuclear/north-korea-says-conducts-perfect-hydrogen-bomb-test-idUKKCN1BD0VY">North Korea says it has successfully tested a hydrogen bomb</a> that could fit atop one of its intercontinental ballistic missiles. If the claim is true, this is the most powerful nuclear bomb tested thus far by Kim Jong Un's regime. South Korea's defense ministry estimates that the explosion was as much as ten times more powerful than North Korea's last nuclear test.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>President Trump Responds to Blast<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/09/03/trump-calls-north-korea-dangerous-and-great-threat-after-overnight-nuclear-test.html">Soon after North Korea's announcement</a>, President Trump took to Twitter and denounced the nuclear test as "very hostile and dangerous." The president strongly <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/904309527381716992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fpolitics%2F2017%2F09%2F03%2Ftrump-calls-north-korea-dangerous-and-great-threat-after-overnight-nuclear-test.html">hinted that force against North Korea may eventually be required</a>, saying appeasement is useless because North Korea and Kim Jong Un "only understand one thing!"<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pressure Mounts on China<br /> </em></strong><br /> North Korea's reported hydrogen bomb test increases pressure on China to rein in its rogue neighbor to the south. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-china/chinas-anger-at-west-to-overshadow-tougher-action-on-north-korea-idUSKCN1BE0MB">But the government in Beijing complains that it is not China's responsibility</a> to control North Korea. The Chinese also express doubt about the effectiveness of economic sanctions, which they warn could lead to the total collapse of North Korea and an influx of refugees into China's northern provinces.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Trumps Visit Houston<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump and the First Lady traveled to Texas for the second time since the state was ravaged by Hurricane Harvey and the ensuing flooding. <a href="http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Trump-visits-Houston-as-comforter-in-chief-12169903.php">This time the president was in Houston</a>, where he spoke directly with victims of the disaster. In addition to hands-on consolation, President Trump has requested about $8-billion in federal aid for the nearly unfathomable rebuilding process.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> A Giant's Giant Fundraiser<br /> </em></strong><br /> J.J. Watt, the star defensive end of the NFL Houston Texans, thought he might raise $200,000 when he established an online fundraiser. <a href="http://abc13.com/society/jj-watt-raises-over-$17-million-for-houston-victims/2348448/">Well, he has now announced that the crowd funding site has brought in more than $17-million</a> and donations are still mounting. <a href="https://twitter.com/JJWatt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.espn.com%2Fnfl%2Fstory%2F_%2Fid%2F20528610%2Fjj-watt-hurricane-harvey-relief-effort-passes-17-million-mark">Watt tweeted this update from a warehouse</a> that is part of the effort and vowed, "Houston, we got your back!" <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Massive Wildfire near Los Angeles<br /> </em></strong><br /> Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes and a major highway has been closed as a <a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-la-tuna-fire-wildfire-20170902-story.html">wildfire continues to spread in north Los Angeles, Burbank, and Glendale</a>. The La Tuna Fire is named after the canyon where it began on Friday. Three homes have been destroyed in what Mayor Eric Garcetti calls "the largest fire in the history of L.A. city in terms of its acreage."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>ObamaCare, More Unaffordable Than Ever<br /> </em></strong><br /> Expect another year of double-digit premium increases. That's the warning to individuals and families who purchase health insurance policies without being poor enough to qualify for government subsidies. <a href="http://www.sfchronicle.com/news/medical/article/Frustration-mounts-over-premiums-for-individual-12170263.php">According to this AP report</a>, the big losers in ObamaCare are middle-class Americans who have been hit hard by the ironically-named Affordable Care Act.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> HS Teacher Compares Trump Attire to Swastika<br /> </em></strong><br /> A teacher in Georgia ordered students to <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/09/02/watch-teacher-makes-students-remove-trump-apparel-says-its-neo-nazi-slogan-video/">remove their shirts because they contained pro-Trump slogans</a>, which she compared to swastikas and Nazi messages. In the eyes of this educator, the words "Make America Great Again" are pretty much the same as "Heil Hitler" and "Deutschland Uber Alles."<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Nurse vs. Cops in Salt Lake City<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://fox13now.com/2017/09/01/utah-nurse-alex-wubbels-responds-to-apology-from-slc-mayor-chief-of-police/">A Utah nurse was forcibly dragged away and arrested</a> after she refused to draw a patient's blood unless he was under arrest or police had a warrant. Salt Lake City's mayor and top cop have both apologized to Alex Wubbels, who was following law and procedure. The disturbing video of the nurse being manhandled and hauled off has been viewed by about 5-million people.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ihQ1-LQOkns?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> US Ousts Russian Diplomats, Seizes Property<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/09/02/us-takes-control-russian-posts-in-three-cities-after-expelling-diplomats.html">American authorities have taken over Russian facilities</a> in San Francisco, New York, and Washington. The eviction came after the Trump administration ordered that the buildings had to be evacuated and surrendered. Moscow has accused the USA of bullying tactics, saying the feds threatened to "break down the entrance door." This latest fissure is being called the tensest diplomatic showdown since the Cold War.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> European Elites Talk Down to Pro-Brexit Brits<br /> </em></strong><br /> The people have spoken in the UK, voting to leave the European Union. But, much like their counterparts in the USA, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-41140564">Euro-elites still don't like the results of that vote</a>. EU bureaucrats are warning the UK that there will be dire consequences after the separation is consummated. In a declaration that helps explain votes for both Brexit and Donald Trump, one bureaucrat condescendingly said his job is to "teach the British people" about the separation.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> New Meaning to "The Old Man"<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.babwnews.com/2017/09/huge-discovery-about-dads-stuns-scientists/">A study shows that about one in ten first-time fathers is over the age of 40</a> and a few new daddies are in their 50s. These older papas, who are usually more educated and financially secure, tend to stay with their children longer and are more involved in child care. There are some health risks associated with older fatherhood, but they are relatively rare.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Snakes on a Plane<br /> </em></strong><br /> Nine rowdy men were tossed off a plane after one of them jokingly shouted "Allahu Akbar," two words that understandably strike fear into the hearts of travelers. <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/02/passengers-evacuated-man-shoutsallahu-akbar-ryanair-flight/">The plane, which had not yet taken off, was evacuated, all luggage was inspected</a>, and the men were not allowed to reboard. Adding to the passenger's stupidity, the flight was bound for Spain, which is still reeling from the terrorist attack in Barcelona.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> We Dare You Not to Cry!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Jake Olsen is totally blind due to eye cancer, <a href="http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/20553215/jake-olson-usc-snaps-successful-extra-point-western-michigan">but he played in a major college football game Saturday</a>. After the University of Southern California scored a touchdown near the end of its game against Western Michigan, Olson came in to snap the ball on the extra-point attempt. He performed his job perfectly and you will be excused for getting a little misty when you watch the play and the reaction:<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BRttFSTDtJQ?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /></p>
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<p>Check back Tuesday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-09-03T15:19:00ZHarvey Death Toll at 40+; Great Concern Over Houston's Chemical PlantsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Harvey-Death-Toll-at-40+;-Great-Concern-Over-Houstons-Chemical-Plants/-330925245056297566.html2017-09-01T12:54:00Z2017-09-01T12:54:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, September 1, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Harvey Death Toll at 40+<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.chron.com/news/houston-weather/hurricaneharvey/article/Harvey-Aftermath-Houston-police-officer-dies-19-12159139.php">The Houston Chronicle reports that at least 40 individuals</a> have died as a direct result of Hurricane Harvey and the massive flooding. Officials expect and fear that more bodies will be discovered as the waters recede over the coming days.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Let the Recovery Begin<br /> </em></strong><br /> No one in or out of the government is under any illusions about what comes next. Recovery from Hurricane Harvey <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/348784-white-house-braces-for-long-frustrating-recovery-from-harvey">will be long, tedious, and extremely expensive</a>. More than 100,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed and the massive influx of insurance claims has already begun. The Trump administration acknowledges that the area faces a "long, frustrating recovery process."<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Great Concern Over Houston's Chemical Plants<br /> </em></strong><br /> Houston and the Gulf Coast are home to scores of chemical plants and oil refineries, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/01/politics/environmental-regulation-hurricane-harvey-houston/index.html">many of which have been badly damaged by Harvey</a>. There is now fear that chemicals will be released into the atmosphere and that the plants might catch fire and explode. <a href="http://www.sierraclub.org/environmental-justice/hurricane-harvey-toxic-sites">The Sierra Club has published an ominous map</a> showing where many of the vulnerable plants and refineries are located.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Trump Pledges $1-million Of His Own Money<br /> </em></strong><br /> You would not know this if you watch NBC News, and you probably don't, but <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2017/08/31/nbc-blackout-ignores-trumps-1-million-pledge-harvey-relief">President Trump has donated a million dollars</a> to help recovery efforts after Hurricane Harvey. The White House is asking for suggestions as to where the money should be directed.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> The Great Dangers of Returning Home<br /> </em></strong><br /> Receding waters in Texas will temp many people to return to their homes, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/09/01/as-texas-floodwaters-recede-dangers-abound.html">but officials warn that they face tremendous risks by doing that</a>. Among the perils are mold, risk of electrocution, toxic waters, and even hungry alligators. Houston health officials are asking people to resist the very understandable urge to get back to their houses.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Los Angeles Slaughters Columbus Day<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video?chartID=554">The LA City Council has voted to eliminate Columbus Day as a city holiday</a>, with some local pols denouncing the great explorer for committing "the greatest genocide in world history." Instead of Columbus Day, Angelinos will celebrate "Indigenous Peoples Day" on the second Monday in October. Most Italian-Americans in Los Angeles are unhappy, but outnumbered.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Democratic Leaders All Senior Citizens<br /> </em></strong><br /> It is well known that Democrats lost about 1,000 offices around the nation during the Obama years. <a href="https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2017/08/31/geezer-world-democrats-literally-have-no-one-under-55-who-can-run-in-2020-n2375752">Perhaps a worse sign for the party is that almost all their senior leaders are … senior</a>. Prospective presidential candidates Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and Joe Biden would all be in their 70s by the time 2020 rolls around. Meanwhile, Nancy Pelosi is 77, a year younger than her deputy Steny Hoyer. The party is desperately seeking a younger man or woman who can help them regain power.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> USA Today's Irresponsible Conclusion<br /> </em></strong><br /> The editorial board of USA Today, not usually known for its scientific acumen, <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2017/08/30/climate-change-juiced-hurricane-harvey-editorials-debates/105130334/">has concluded that "climate change" played a major role in Harvey's intensity</a>. But in fact, real scientists will spend many months poring over data and maps before they actually reach any conclusion about Harvey's causes. USA Today followed a variation on an old adage: Never let a crisis go to waste when you can play politics while people are drowning.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Judge Orders Release of Clinton Emails<br /> </em></strong><br /> It's certainly a story with legs. <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/08/31/judge-orders-fbi-to-make-details-of-clinton-email-probe-public/">A federal judge has ruled that the FBI must release previously undisclosed</a> documents related to Hillary Clinton's emails and her home-brew server. The ruling is a response to requests made by the invaluable Judicial Watch and the Cause of Action Institute, which claim that the State Department's secrecy is in violation of federal law.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Trump Still Unsure on "Dreamers"<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/daca-donald-trump-decision-dreamers-program-in-review/">President Trump and his team are considering what to do about the "Dreamers" program</a>, which protects illegal immigrants who entered the country as children. The president has called this a tremendously difficult decision and he will perhaps phase out the program without deporting the immigrants who are already here. Many mayors across the country are urging the president to keep the program fully in place.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Unspeakable, Gruesome Beating in California<br /> </em></strong><br /> Gang bangers in Southern California are suspected of <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/09/01/female-deputy-da-found-bloody-beaten-after-gang-attack-in-california.html">savagely beating a deputy district attorney</a> who was about to give closing arguments in a gang-related murder trial. The woman, who has not been named, was bloodied, beaten, and could barely walk.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Money for Nothing, Checks for Free<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/aug/31/obama-will-top-bush-most-costly-ex-president/">Taxpayers will ante up more than $1-million next year to pay and protect former President Obama</a>. His expenses are considerably higher than any of the other four living ex-presidents. The most frugal is Jimmy Carter, who will get less than $500,000 in the coming year. We've come a long way since Harry Truman returned broke to his home in Independence, Missouri.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sheriff Clarke Resigns</em></strong><br /> <br /> Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke, a favorite of conservatives and a vocal supporter of President Trump, has resigned. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/08/31/milwaukee-sheriff-david-clarke-resigns.html">No reason was given, but Clarke said he will "pursue other opportunities</a>." The outspoken lawman will almost certainly be in great demand at Fox News and other outlets that value his candor and unconventional opinions about crime, politics, and just about everything else.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Putin Warns of "Large Scale Conflict"</em></strong><br /> <br /> Russia's President Vladimir Putin is apparently worried that the escalating tension between North Korea and the United States is leading in a very dangerous direction. The oft-shirtless strongman wants the rivals to negotiate via dialogue and is urging the US to stop pressuring North Korea over its nuclear ambitions. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-putin/putin-warns-north-korea-situation-on-verge-of-large-scale-conflict-idUSKCN1BC470">Putin warned that the Korean Peninsula is "balanced on the verge of a large-scale conflict."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>National Anthem, They're Comin' For You!</em></strong><br /> <br /> The far left, not content with renaming Columbus Day and toppling statues, <a href="https://pjmedia.com/trending/2017/08/31/salon-slams-national-anthem-neo-confederate-symbol/">may soon take aim at the National Anthem</a>. According to an article by someone called Jefferson Morley, who may wish to change his very offensive first name, "The Star Spangled Banner" is a symbol of slavery, Jim Crow, and lynching. Hey, we're not making this stuff up.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>And Now, The Good News</em></strong><br /> <br /> We Earthlings are very likely to survive, at least through the Labor Day weekend. The asteroid Florence is expected to pass by our planet and won't get closer than four-million miles or so. <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-41121245">NASA reports that Florence is the largest asteroid to come this close in recorded history</a>, but reassures us all that there is no imminent danger until the year 2500. Maybe the one-hit-wonders Zager and Evans were on to something when they wrote these prescient lyrics in 1969: "In the year 2525, if man is still alive."<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/izQB2-Kmiic?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> </p>
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<p>Check back Tuesday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-09-01T12:54:00ZExplosions at Texas Chemical Plant; Harvey Death Toll RisingBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Explosions-at-Texas-Chemical-Plant;-Harvey-Death-Toll-Rising/-418847449177914367.html2017-08-31T14:10:00Z2017-08-31T14:10:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Thursday, August 31, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Explosions at Texas Chemical Plant<br /> </em></strong><br /> The rain has subsided in and around Houston, but the aftereffects are just beginning. <a href="http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/texas/article/BREAKING-Reports-of-explosion-at-flooded-Crosby-12163386.php">Early this morning two explosions were reported at</a> the Arkema chemical plant in Crosby, about 25 miles northeast of the city. The company had previously warned that it was unable to prevent an explosion and fires at the plant, which has about six feet of standing water. More than a dozen Harris County deputies were sent to the hospital after inhaling potentially dangerous fumes.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Harvey Death Toll Rising<br /> </em></strong><br /> At least 38 people have died as a direct result of Hurricane Harvey and the flooding that followed. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/30/us/harvey-death-toll.html">The New York Times has assembled emotionally moving profiles</a> of some of the victims, which include a Houston cop, a beloved coach, and a family of six.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Mike Pence to Texas Today<br /> </em></strong><br /> Vice President Pence will spend <a href="http://krqe.com/2017/08/31/pence-will-travel-to-texas-to-survey-harveys-wreckage/">his Thursday surveying the damage on the coast of Texas</a>, where Harvey first made landfall and unleashed much of its fury. President Trump is expected to return to Texas and perhaps Louisiana on Saturday. Hopefully the media will focus on the substance of their visits, not their spouses' choices in footwear.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Fears of Gasoline Shortage in Texas<br /> </em></strong><br /> Because many Gulf Coast refineries have been shut down, <a href="http://www.star-telegram.com/news/traffic/gas-prices/article170270997.html">some Texas retailers warn that they may run out of gasoline</a> over the coming long weekend. QuikTrip, a major chain in the area, expects to stop selling fuel at half its outlets this weekend. The price of gasoline is already rising and will probably go higher.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Judge Slams Texas on Sanctuary City Ban<br /> </em></strong><br /> Texas lawmakers recently passed a bill to penalize cities that protect illegal immigrants from federal authorities. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/30/us/judge-texas-sanctuary-cities.html">But a federal judge has now decided</a> that the ban on sanctuary cities is unconstitutional and cannot be put into effect. The lawsuit, which had been filed by Democratic-run cities including Austin, Dallas, and Houston, will surely be appealed.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Labor Boss Slanders White House<br /> </em></strong><br /> Richard Trumka, head of the AFL-CIO, <a href="http://www.npr.org/2017/08/30/547366947/labor-leader-sees-a-white-house-of-racists-and-wall-streeters">is describing the Trump administration as being filled with</a> "Wall Streeters" and "racists." Trumka was a member of the president's Manufacturing Jobs Initiative, but departed after what he considered the president's ill-conceived response to the Charlottesville mayhem. The workers he represents presumably have very different opinions of the administration.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Air Power on Display, a Warning to North Korea<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2017/08/31/u-s-south-korean-and-japanese-warplanes-carry-out-show-force-against-north-korea/619561001/">Some of the world's most advanced bombers and fighters took to the air</a> in a joint exercise involving the United States, Japan, and South Korea. The mighty arsenal included two B-1B bombers that are based in Guam, the U.S. island frequently threatened by Kim Jong Un. This show of force is thought to be a direct response to North Korea's recent missile launches.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Diana, Twenty Years Later<br /> </em></strong><br /> Princess Diana, who died twenty years ago, can still sell newspapers and magazines. There is endless fascination with her life, her marriage, and especially the final days of her life. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/aug/31/death-of-diana-the-week-that-rocked-britain">The UK Guardian has put together a detailed timeline</a> that includes Diana's death and the week of mourning that followed. <br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Ouch! Americans Spend More On Taxes Than Food & Clothing<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Bureau of Labor Statistics has compiled data showing that U.S. citizens cough up more for taxes than for clothing and food … combined. <a href="https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/terence-p-jeffrey/bls-average-family-tax-bill-increased-411-4-years">The numbers and definitions in this story get very dense and arcane</a>, but the takeaway is that taxes at all levels of government are rising.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Poll: Trump Tearing the Country Asunder<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/08/30/fox-news-poll-voters-mood-sours-56-percent-say-trump-tearing-country-apart.html">A new Fox News poll finds that 56% of Americans believe President Trump</a> is "tearing the country apart," while only about a third say he is "drawing the country together." That is bad news for the president, who also faces high disapproval numbers. One bright spot is that a plurality of Americans gives Mr. Trump high marks on the economy, and that will surely rise if he can get tax reform across the finish line.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> All Eyes on Paul Manafort<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former Trump campaign manager <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/30/manafort-mueller-probe-attorney-general-242191">Paul Manfort is said to be under very close scrutiny by special counsel Robert Mueller</a>. According to leaks coming from the special counsel's office, there is evidence that Manafort may have been involved in money laundering and other financial shenanigans. Federal agents staged an early morning raid of Manafort's residence a month ago.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Eric Trump Hammers Hostile Media</em></strong><br /> <br /> During an radio interview, <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/donald-trumps-son-says-media-coverage-president-would-drive-person-suicide-657451">Donald Trump's son lambasted the media and its unrelentingly negative coverage</a> of his father. Eric Trump lashed out at "fake news" and reiterated that the mainstream media is hoping for his dad's failure. He added that the deluge of negative coverage could easily lead some people to depression and even suicide.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Report: CIA Had Warned Spain</em></strong><br /> <br /> According to a report in the Spanish newspaper El Periodico, the <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4840038/CIA-warned-Spain-12-WEEKS-Las-Ramblas-ISIS-attack.html">Central Intelligence Agency warned Spanish authorities</a> three months ago about an impending ISIS attack. The warning even specified Las Ramblas in Barcelona, where Islamic radicals struck earlier this month. So much for Wolf Blitzer's much-ridiculed theory that the terror in Spain was a "copycat attack" after Charlottesville.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Odious SPLC Warns of "Turmoil and Bloodshed"</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Southern Poverty Law Center, which is itself a far-left hate group, <a href="https://pjmedia.com/trending/2017/08/30/splc-warns-of-turmoil-and-bloodshed-with-new-map-identifying-confederate-monuments-cities-middle-schools/">has published a map showing every Confederate monument in America</a>, as well as towns and schools that bear the names of Confederate officers. The monuments, according to the SPLC, have the potential to "unleash more turmoil and bloodshed." It's hard not to conclude that more turmoil and bloodshed is precisely what the SPLC agitators are wishing for.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Football Analyst, Citing Brain Injuries, Walks Away</em></strong><br /> <br /> Ed Cunningham, a former NFL player and a long-time college football analyst on ESPN, <a href="http://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/20509836/ed-cunningham-former-espn-abc-college-football-analyst-discusses-leaving-role-due-concerns-sport-safety">is giving up his lucrative job</a>. Cunningham says he can no longer be a "cheerleader" for a sport that leads to so many injuries, adding that he does not think "the game is safe for the brain." Two of Cunningham's former NFL teammates killed themselves and were later found to have chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which can result from repeated concussions.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Reports of "Total Panic" Over Megyn Kelly at NBC </em></strong><br /> <br /> Megyn Kelly, who was lured away from Fox News by NBC News, <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/tv/nbc-insiders-reportedly-in-a-total-panic-over-megyn-kellys-upcoming-morning-show/">will soon be hosting a morning program called "Today's Take."</a> But after her Sunday night newsmagazine floundered, some executives at the network are reportedly in full panic mode. She will have the advantage, however, of following "Today," which has solid numbers and a loyal audience. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Chain-Smoking Toddlers in Indonesia</em></strong><br /> <br /> It may sound like The Onion, but this is all too real. Children in Indonesia, some not yet in their teens, are hooked on tobacco. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/30/health/chain-smoking-children-tobacco-indonesia/index.html">This piece looks back at Aldi Suganda</a>, who was chain smoking at the age of two. He is now eight and has apparently kicked the habit, but the nation has millions of other youngsters who are puffing away, usually with the full knowledge and approval of their parents.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary Savaged for Big Bucks Appearances </em></strong><br /> <br /> Hillary Clinton is getting some blowback for <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/08/31/hillary-clinton-charging-big-bucks-for-book-tour-events.html">charging audiences on her upcoming book tour</a>. The most expensive venue is in Toronto, where $2,400 will land you a "VIP platinum ticket." You'll get great seats, a signed book, and a photo with the author herself. But those Hillary fans who see her as a model of virtue and selflessness may be asking a very simple question: "What Happened?"<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Charlie Hebdo Magazine Mocks Drowning Texans<br /> </em></strong><br /> No one can accuse France's Charlie Hebdo magazine of not being an equal-opportunity offender. The publication became infamous when its offices were attacked in 2015 by Muslim extremists after it mocked Mohamed and Islam. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/08/31/french-magazine-charlie-hebdo-mocks-harvey-victims-as-neo-nazis.html">Now the magazine's cartoonists are portraying drowning Texans as Nazis</a>. The cover headline: "God Exists! He Drowned All the Neo-Nazis of Texas."<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Politico Does The Same<br /> </em></strong><br /> Not to be outdone by its French counterparts, <a href="http://thefederalist.com/2017/08/31/5-problems-with-politicos-cartoon-mocking-texas-flood-victims/">Politico magazine has published a cartoon</a> that depicts Texans as stupid, bible-thumping, secessionist hicks. The publication has been roundly blasted for its tone-deafness, condescension, and insensitivity. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/politico-cartoon-hurricane-harvey-victims-2017-8">Sit back and read a few of the pithy responses</a>.</p>
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<p>Check back Friday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-08-31T14:10:00ZHouston Imposes Curfew; ABC Finds a Way to Hammer TrumpBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Houston-Imposes-Curfew;-ABC-Finds-a-Way-to-Hammer-Trump/-847037178196183637.html2017-08-30T13:53:00Z2017-08-30T13:53:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Wednesday, August 30, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Houston Imposes Curfew<br /> </em></strong><br /> As the rain in Houston finally eases, Mayor Sylvester Turner <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41091030">has ordered a nighttime curfew in the city</a>. The decision was made after armed robbers were caught stealing vehicles and other valuables. The curfew, intended only to protect against property crime, will begin at midnight and extend until 5:00 AM. Of course, first responders and relief volunteers are exempt.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mayor Reassures Illegal Immigrants<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/08/30/houston-mayor-promises-illegal-immigrants-fleeing-harvey-will-not-be-turned-over-to-ice.html">Mayor Turner has also pledged that the city's illegal immigrants are in no danger of arrest or deportation</a> if they go to a shelter or request aide. The mayor even offered to personally represent in court any illegal immigrant who is threatened with deportation in the midst of all this chaos.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Reporter Blasted for Revealing Looting<br /> </em></strong><br /> ABC's Tom Llamas was the victim of a storm Tuesday, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/348432-abc-reporter-slammed-after-saying-he-informed-houston-police-of-supermarket">but it was a Twitter storm that engulfed Llamas</a> soon after he tweeted about looters and reported their crimes to police. Many people were outraged and defended the alleged looters as "hungry folks" searching for any way to survive. Llamas soon deleted the tweet and tried mightily to defend himself.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> ABC Finds a Way to Hammer Trump<br /> </em></strong><br /> Does Trump Derangement Syndrome ever take a holiday, even during a devastating storm? Evidently not. Check this skewed headline on ABC News' website: <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-texas-officials-hurricane-response-reserves-congratulations-finished/story?id=49489449">"Trump thanks Texas officials for hurricane response, barely addresses victims."</a> The accompanying article went on to call the president's comments a "departure" from those made by past presidents.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Harvey Invades Louisiana</em></strong><br /> <br /> Now classified as a tropical storm, <a href="http://www.nola.com/hurricane/index.ssf/2017/08/harvey_louisiana_landfall_stor.html#incart_2box_nola_river_orleans_news">Harvey landed in Louisiana very early this morning</a>. The storm and massive flooding are expected to move north through the state over the next few days as Harvey gradually weakens. There will be heavy rains, but nothing approaching the record rainfall that has devastated many parts of Texas.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Financial Markets Cheer US Response to North Korea<br /> </em></strong><br /> World stock markets and the dollar both took a hit earlier this week after North Korea announced that it had fired a missile over Japan. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-markets-idUSKCN1BA02Y">Those same markets and investors have apparently been reassured</a> by the worldwide response and President Trump's relatively subdued reaction.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> USA Tests Missile Defense<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Pentagon has just issued an announcement that is a thinly-disguised warning to North Korea. An interceptor missile, fired from the USS John Paul Jones, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/08/30/us-test-to-shoot-down-ballistic-missile-success-amid-recent-north-korean-provocations.html">passed a crucial test when it shot down a medium-range ballistic missile</a> off the coast of Hawaii. This is apparently a direct response to the bluster and continuing missile launches coming from of North Korea and Kim Jong Un.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> From Texas to Taxes</em></strong><br /> <br /> After his visit to Texas, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/348474-trump-kicks-off-tax-reform-pitch">the president is apparently ready to shift his focus to tax reform</a>. President Trump begins that effort today in Missouri, where he is expected to tell manufacturing workers that simpler and lower taxes will help their companies and their individual finances. Perhaps not coincidentally, this push for tax relief is being launched in the home state of Senator Clair McCaskill, a vulnerable Democrat who is up for reelection next year.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>University Fires Despicable Prof<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/college/ut-condemns-teacher-whose-tweet-blames-harvey-on-texas-gop-vote/2335504">Bye, bye, Kenneth Storey</a>. The University of Tampa has jettisoned the porky professor who set a new world indoor record for hateful tweeting. Storey, of course, gleefully claimed that Republicans in Texas were quite deserving of the devastating hurricane and floods. Faced with a tidal wave of outrage, the school gave Storey his walking papers. Yes, karma is indeed a b*tch.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Gorka Unleashed<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former Trump national security aide Sebastian Gorka is hammering away at Republican leaders in Congress. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/348412-gorka-trump-isolated-gop-leaders-living-fantasy-illusion">The always-blunt Gorka told The Hill</a> that Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have zero remaining credibility. He also frets that President Trump, whom he greatly admires, is being isolated in the White House.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>More Troubled Waters in Trump-land?</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/08/30/a-fresh-crisis-may-be-emerging-within-trumps-administration/">Conservative columnist Michael Goodwin</a> is worried that two of President Trump's leading aides may be wandering off the reservation. Economic adviser Gary Cohn was obviously and openly upset by the president's response after Charlottesville, and then Secretary of State Rex Tillerson raised eyebrows with a comment about the president. Goodwin theorizes that this could be a red flag signaling that something is still "seriously off-kilter in the administration."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dems Set to Fight for Transgender Troops</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/30/politics/democrats-trump-transgender-fight/index.html">Leading Democrats are manning the barricades, readying for a major fight against President Trump</a> and his call for a ban on transgender soldiers and sailors. The battleground will probably be a defense bill that will come before in Congress after the August recess. Democrats are working on an amendment that would reverse the president's ban. Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/08/29/mattis-orders-pentagon-allow-transgender-troops-continue-serving-pending-study/614711001/">Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis has decreed</a> that all currently serving transgender troops will continue on active duty.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Wow: Democratic Senator Compliments Trump<br /> </em></strong><br /> Senator Dianne Feinstein left a San Francisco audience speechless, maybe even gasping for air, when <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/08/30/feinstein-stuns-san-francisco-crowd-trump-can-be-good-president.html">she offered some kind words for President Trump</a>. She opined that Trump can actually "be a good president" if he learns along the way and changes his demeanor. Feinstein also passed up an opportunity to call for impeachment and told (warned?) the audience that they should be ready for at least one full term of President Donald J. Trump.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Wow II:</em></strong><br /> <br /> Speaking of surprises coming from long-serving California legislators, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/08/29/nancy-pelosi-finally-condemns-antifa/">Nancy Pelosi has finally denounced Antifa and its violent tactics</a>. The former Speaker, perhaps reading the tea leaves and the polls, issued a statement in which she condemns Antifa for the first time, even mentioning the black-clad, thuggish group by name.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Scrutinizing the First Lady, From Toe to Head</em></strong><br /> <br /> First it was the shoes, now it's the cap. First Lady Melania Trump was criticized by a few losers Tuesday morning when she wore stiletto heels while walking to a helicopter. <a href="https://www.bustle.com/p/melania-trumps-flotus-hat-is-making-twitter-go-absolutely-nuts-79795">Now her choice of headwear is being scrutinized</a>. While in Texas, the First Lady of the United States wore a black cap emblazoned with the acronym "FLOTUS," which is in fact her title. That generated a few snarky tweets, but it was pretty mild stuff by her husband's standards.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hey, It's a Flood … Have a Drink</em></strong><br /> <br /> A live TV news report in Houston Tuesday <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">caught some rescuers passing around a flask that obviously was filled with something a bit stronger than Gatorade</a>. The local anchor amusingly thought it was water they were sharing, but she was quickly corrected by her co-host. Cheers, rescuers, you deserve it!<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Spicey and The Pope</em></strong><br /> <br /> Former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer has finally achieved a lifelong dream. Spicer, a devout Roman Catholic, <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/29/sean-spicer-meets-pope-vatican-242133">attended an audience with Pope Francis this past Sunday</a>, although he was there as part of a group. There is absolutely no truth to the rumor that Melissa McCarthy was also in attendance.</p>
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<p>Check back Thursday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-08-30T13:53:00ZTrump to Texas; Defiant North Korea Launches MissileBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-to-Texas;-Defiant-North-Korea-Launches-Missile/-376694519719698348.html2017-08-29T14:24:00Z2017-08-29T14:24:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Tuesday, August 29, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Trump to Texas<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.npr.org/2017/08/29/546861395/trump-heads-for-texas-to-inspect-storm-damage">President Trump and Melania Trump are scheduled to fly to Texas later today</a> to inspect the damage wrought by Hurricane Harvey. They will avoid Houston, where waters are still rising and rescue efforts are in full swing, and will instead focus on the coast near Corpus Christi. The president predicts that emergency funding will win overwhelming and bipartisan support in Congress.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Six Dead in One TX Family<br /> </em></strong><br /> There are countless tragic and horrifying stories coming out of Texas, <a href="http://metro.co.uk/2017/08/29/family-of-six-escaping-hurricane-harvey-confirmed-dead-after-their-van-was-washed-away-6885739/">and one is particularly heartbreaking</a>. Six members of the Saldivar family - four young children and their great-grandparents - died when their van was swept away by flood waters as they tried to escape the devastation. The victims were four children aged 6 to 16 and their octogenarian great-grandparents.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> A Professor's Grotesque Response<br /> </em></strong><br /> Some on the far left, following the adage made famous by Rahm Emanuel, never let a tragedy go to waste. The most odious example comes from the University of Tampa and <a href="https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=9660">an assistant professor named Ken Storey</a>, who implied that Texans and Republicans deserve their fate. The invaluable Campus Reform tried to reach Storey for a comment, but he was hiding under his lectern.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Defiant North Korea Launches Missile<br /> </em></strong><br /> North Korea and its erratic leader Kim Jong Un <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/08/28/north-korea-fires-unidentified-missile-reports-say.html">are back to their familiar belligerent ways</a>. The reprobate nation has fired another missile, one that sailed directly over Japan, which labeled the incident an "unprecedented grave threat." This is the third time the North Koreans have sent a missile over Japan, but the first time in eight years.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Trump Again Warns North Korea </em></strong><br /> <br /> Responding to that latest missile launch, <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/29/trump-shinzo-abe-phone-call-north-korea-242123">President Trump denounced North Korea</a> and declared that "all options are on the table." He avoided any more "fire and fury" warnings, but reaffirmed solidarity with Japan and spoke on the phone at length with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Prez Refuses to Single Out Russia as "Security Threat"</em></strong><br /> <br /> When asked at a Monday press conference whether he considers Russia a security threat, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/348326-trump-wont-single-out-russia-as-security-threat">President Trump sidestepped the question by</a> saying "many countries" pose threats. The president also reiterated that cultivating a better relationship with Russia will be "very good for world peace."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Leftists Finally Denounce Antifa</em></strong><br /> <br /> The violence of black-clad Antifa goons has been widely overlooked by the media and Democratic politicians, but that may be changing. On Monday the Washington Post hammered the anarchists, and <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">now the mayor of Berkeley is chiming in</a>, describing Antifa as a "gang." Last week Professor Noam Chomsky, the intellectual dean of the far left, <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/noam-chomsky-antifa-major-gift-right-wing-anti-fascist-alt-left-a7906406.html">called Antifa a "major gift to the right."</a><br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> 12% of Trump Voters Trust the New York Times<br /> </em></strong><br /> A survey of Americans who support President Trump <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/poll-just-12-trump-voters-call-nyt-trustworthy-14-for-wash-post/article/2632748">revealed some striking views of the news media</a>. 64% of them rate the New York Times as "very untrustworthy" or "untrustworthy," while 12% believe the paper is either "trustworthy" or "very trustworthy." The results were similar for the Washington Post, another outlet which has been a regular target of the president's ire.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> ACLU Sues President Trump<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/348242-aclu-sues-trump-over-transgender-ban">The American Civil Liberties Union has announced that it will file a lawsuit</a> against President Trump over his call to ban transgender troops. The president has directed the Pentagon to stop taking on new transgender recruits, although the fate of current transgender soldiers and sailors remains unclear. The ACLU says the ban "wrongfully prevents patriotic, talented Americans from serving."<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> University of Maryland Bans "Maryland, My Maryland"</em></strong><br /> <br /> It may be the official state song, but "Maryland, My Maryland" <a href="http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2017/08/28/umd-maryland-my-maryland/">is no longer welcome at the state's flagship university</a>. The song has ties to the Confederacy and has thus been banned at sporting events or anywhere else on campus. A UMD spokesperson, employing that special language reserved for academia, says the song is not consistent with "the values of our institution at this time."<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Illinois Now a "Sanctuary State"</em></strong><br /> <br /> Republican Governor Bruce Rauner <a href="http://www.sj-r.com/news/20170828/rauner-signs-law-limiting-illinois-police-on-immigration">has signed a bill that strictly limits state and local police from helping federal immigration officials</a>. Under the new law, police in Illinois are banned from detaining illegal immigrants even when the feds request a detainer. An arrest warrant will be required if an individual is to be detained. The governor, who disagrees with most of his fellow Republicans on this issue, invited a mariachi band to play at the signing ceremony.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Chicagoans Getting Away With Murder<br /> </em></strong><br /> While Governor Rauner is busy protecting illegal immigrants, his state's biggest city is unable to solve murders. <a href="http://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/editorial-in-chicago-people-get-away-with-murder/">In a blistering editorial, the Chicago Sun-Times</a> reveals that more than 80% of this year's murders have not been solved. As the paper laments, that translates directly to having "more killers on the streets." In comparison, New York City solves about 80% of the homicides in that city.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Evangelical Osteen Denies Flood Accusations </em></strong><br /> <br /> Houston-based pastor Joel Osteen is denying reports that his massive church shut its doors to flood victims this week. <a href="http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/joel-osteen-houston-megachurch-to-shelter-people-if-needed/ar-AAqVG0Z">He says the church is now ready to welcome Houstonians</a> who have been displaced. Osteen's megachurch, which has a seating capacity of 16,000, says it will be open Tuesday to accept donations for flood victims.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary Charging Big Bucks for Book Tour Tickets </em></strong><br /> <br /> Hillary Clinton, whose past literary efforts have not exactly been smash hits, apparently expects a much different reception for her upcoming "What Happened." <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chicagoinc/ct-hillary-clinton-0829-chicago-inc-20170828-story.html">She will charge hefty admission fees</a> to hear her speak about the book in various cities around the country. Seeing Mrs. Clinton in New York City will set you back about $125, while a very special "VIP Experience" in Toronto goes for $2,400 a ticket. That will presumably enable you to meet her in person, <a href="http://variety.com/2017/biz/news/hillary-clinton-donald-trump-what-happened-1202536719/">as long as you don't act like a creep.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Fake Tweet Fools Thousands</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Obama's fans are always eager to believe the best about their guy, the worst about President Trump. <a href="http://www.politifact.com/punditfact/statements/2017/aug/28/blog-posting/outdated-photo-wrongly-suggests-barack-obama-food-/">So a photo purportedly showing Barack Obama and his entire family serving meals to victims of Hurricane Harvey</a> has been making the rounds on social media. But in fact, the picture was taken on Thanksgiving of 2015.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Kathy Griffin … She's Baaacck</em></strong><br /> <br /> Alleged comedian Kathy Griffin has been keeping a low profile since she was photographed holding up a mocked-up version of President Trump's head. <a href="http://www.etonline.com/kathy-griffin-announces-new-world-tour-called-laugh-your-head-following-donald-trump-controversy">But she is ready to embark on a tour that includes Australia, New Zealand, and some countries in Europe</a>. Appearances in the United States are conspicuously missing from the tour, perhaps because folks down under are unaware of her "behead the president" routine. And the name of the tour: "Laugh Your Head Off." Get it?</p>
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<p>Check back Wednesday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-08-29T14:24:00ZDeath and Chaos in Houston; Antifa Again Gets ViolentBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Death-and-Chaos-in-Houston;-Antifa-Again-Gets-Violent/-96170629233949732.html2017-08-28T13:34:00Z2017-08-28T13:34:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Monday, August 28, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Death and Chaos in Houston<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/08/28/harvey-flooding-forces-new-evacuations-as-houston-braces-for-more-rain.html">The fourth most populated city in the USA is desperately trying to cope</a> with flooding that is likely to get even worse. Much of Houston is impassable except by boat and thousands of residents are stranded in and on top of their houses. City leaders are asking that anyone with a boat bring it to Houston to help in the rescue effort. <a href="https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/tropical-storm-hurricane-harvey-rain-flood-forecast-texas-louisiana">More rain is on the way and forecasters warn that some areas will be battered</a> by as much as 50 inches of rain.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> "Cajun Navy" To The Rescue<br /> </em></strong><br /> When Texans ask for help, people in neighboring Louisiana heed the call. <a href="http://www.nola.com/hurricane/index.ssf/2017/08/cajun_navy_goes_to_texas.html">Hundreds of volunteers who call themselves the "Cajun Navy"</a> are towing their private boats to Texas, where they will search for and rescue those who have been stranded by the severe flooding.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Houston's Non-Evacuation<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2017/08/27/why-not-evacuate-harvey-houston-leaders-defend-their-calls-stay-put/">It was a no-win situation for Houston officials in the days leading up to the storm</a>. Governor Greg Abbott advised that local leaders evacuate their cities, but Houston and other localities decided that evacuating would be more dangerous than the flood itself. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is now defending his decision</a>.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Comparisons With Katrina<br /> </em></strong><br /> The UK Daily Mail, which has a knack for covering events in the USA more thoroughly than many American outlets, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4828968/Thousands-trapped-rooftops-flooded-Houston.html">provides a comprehensive and distressing rundown of the horrible situation in Texas</a>. Many observers worry that the aftermath of Harvey could rival the destruction wrought by Katrina a dozen years ago.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Antifa Again Gets Violent</em></strong><br /> <br /> Credit the Washington Post for this stunningly honest headline: <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/08/28/black-clad-antifa-attack-right-wing-demonstrators-in-berkeley/?utm_term=.a3fe3834c5fe">"Black-clad antifa attack peaceful right wing demonstrators in Berkeley."</a> Even though a scheduled "anti-Marxist" rally had been canceled in Berkeley, left-wing Antifa types still used the occasion to don masks and beat people they considered Trump supporters. Police arrested at least 14 thugs, most of whom were brandishing weapons that they intended to use on their political rivals.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Gorka's Explosive Allegations</em></strong><br /> <br /> Sebastian Gorka, who resigned from the Trump administration last week, <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/gorka-hillary-clinton-fans-are-working-within-white-house-ruin-trump-655694">now claims that President Trump is being sabotaged by aides</a> who would have actually preferred a Hillary Clinton presidency. According to the never-shy Gorka, "forces that are un-Trumpian are in ascendance." <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump to Lift Controversial Ban</em></strong><br /> <br /> After riots in Ferguson, Missouri, President Obama issued an executive order banning the transfer of battlefield-style military gear to local police departments. <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/08/27/trump-expected-lift-ban-military-gear-local-police-forces/606065001/">President Trump is now expected to lift that ban</a>, which would enable the Pentagon to send surplus tanks and large-caliber weapons to U.S. cities.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Legal Pot Kills in Colorado<br /> </em></strong><br /> Traffic statistics indicate that <a href="http://www.kktv.com/content/news/Traffic-fatalities-linked-to-pot-are-up-sharply-in-Colorado-441897203.html">many Colorado drivers involved in fatal crashes are under the influence of marijuana</a>, especially the very powerful weed that has become so prevalent in the state. While the correlation between legalization and traffic deaths seems crystal clear, the marijuana industry is burying its head in the proverbial sand and denying that there is any definitive link.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> 38 Dead in India Riots<br /> </em></strong><br /> A self-proclaimed "holy man" was convicted of rape in India last week, <a href="https://qz.com/1063379/gurmeet-ram-rahim-singh-the-damage-that-a-rapist-guru-has-caused-to-life-and-business-in-north-india/">igniting widespread violence among his many followers</a>. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan, who leads a cult with tens of millions of adherents, is also being investigated for murder. The violence is continuing Monday, with mobs setting fire to government buildings and striking out against just about anyone in their path.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> All Dead Sailors Found After Collision</em></strong><br /> <br /> Divers have finally <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/08/27/bodies-missing-uss-mccain-sailors-recovered/606886001/">located all ten sailors who were missing after the USS John S. McCain</a> collided with a tanker last week. The remains were found in compartments of the destroyer that had been flooded and difficult to reach. The commander of the 7<sup>th</sup> Fleet was relieved of his duties after the incident, which was the second fatal collision involving a U.S. warship in recent weeks.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Maxine Escalates the Vitriol</em></strong><br /> <br /> Unhinged Congresswoman Maxine Waters, who has become the face of anti-Trump Democrats, claims that <a href="http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/08/27/maxine-waters-has-a-bizarre-theory-as-to-why-trump-pardoned-joe-arpaio/">President Trump pardoned Sheriff Joe Arpaio</a> because the men are both racists. Waters has called the White House the “White Supremacy House” and has flung slanderous accusations at Attorney General Jeff Sessions. But to many on the left she remains loveable old "Auntie Maxine."<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Trump in Verbal War w/Mexico<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/901802524981817344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2017%2F08%2F27%2Fpolitics%2Fmexico-border-wall-trump-tweet%2Findex.html">in a Sunday tweet</a>, again stressed the need for a wall and insisted that Mexico will pay for it. He also called NAFTA the worst trade deal ever made and suggested that he may end that agreement, which also includes Canada. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/27/politics/mexico-border-wall-trump-tweet/index.html">Mexico quickly fired back</a>, saying that it will not pay for a wall "under any circumstances."<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Robert E. Lee Descendant Hails BLM<br /> </em></strong><br /> Reverend Robert Wright Lee IV spoke at Sunday night's MTV Video Music Awards, where he introduced the mother of Heather Heyer, the young woman murdered in Charlottesville. Lee, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/08/28/civil-war-gen-lees-ancestor-introduces-heather-heyers-mom-at-vmas.html">while calling for an end to racism and hatred</a>, praised the often-violent Black Lives Matter group.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Apple, J.P. Morgan Donate to Hateful SPLC </em></strong><br /> <br /> The Southern Poverty Law Center has grown tremendously wealthy by identifying so-called "hate groups" in the USA. Some of the SPLC's targets are genuinely odious, but others are merely Christian groups that endorse traditional marriage. Nevertheless, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/08/27/apple-j-p-morgan-and-southern-poverty-law-centers-hate-list-what-are-gifts-to-splc-really-telling-customers.html">Apple is giving the SPLC $1-million and J.P. Morgan Chase is ponying up another $500,000</a>. The Southern Poverty Law Center is frequently described as little more than a "far-left activist group" that tries to silence anyone with whom it disagrees. One such group, the D. James Kennedy Ministries, <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/news/nation-world/article169654672.html">is fighting back against the SPLC by filing a lawsuit</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>In Chicago, City Workers Dine at the Public Trough</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Chicago Sun-Times has discovered that <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/08/27/over-one-third-of-chicago-city-employees-make-over-100k-a-year/">about one in three Chicago workers receives a six-figure paycheck</a>. Three dozen even make more than Mayor Rahm Emanuel, including an unnamed police sergeant who was paid $261,000 last year. Another policeman was paid more than $250,000 despite having been retired for three years.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>In Chicago, Gangsters Kill and Kill Again</em></strong><br /> <br /> While those well-fed city workers and cops enjoyed their weekends, <a href="http://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/man-killed-10-wounded-in-shootings-to-start-the-weekend-in-chicago/">seven more people were murdered</a> in the city over the weekend and another 25 were injured. Among the dead was a 16-year old young man who was shot in the back. As always, <a href="http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/map-chicago-weekend-shootings-tracker-for-aug-25-28/">the Chicago Sun-Times has a depressing running tally of the carnage</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>When Jim Brown Speaks …</em></strong><br /> <br /> Last week a dozen Cleveland Browns players took a knee during the National Anthem. That apparently didn't sit well with former Cleveland star Jim Brown, perhaps the greatest football player who ever lived. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2017/08/27/jim-brown-urged-browns-to-unite-to-send-strongest-possible-social-justice-message/?utm_term=.251c3f43f283">He met with the players and also said</a>, "I don't desecrate my flag and my national anthem." The protesting players apparently got the message as they stood and joined hands Saturday night for the playing of the Star Spangled Banner.</p>
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<p>Check back Tuesday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-08-28T13:34:00ZSunday Briefing: Harvey's Onslaught Continues; White House's Massive Friday News DumpBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Sunday-Briefing:-Harveys-Onslaught-Continues;-White-Houses-Massive-Friday-News-Dump/724393020250368425.html2017-08-27T17:04:00Z2017-08-27T17:04:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Sunday, August 27, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Harvey's Onslaught Continues<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/27/us/harvey-texas-storm.html">The much-feared and devastating Hurricane Harvey has been downgraded to a tropical storm</a>, but not before claiming at least five lives in Texas. The storm system is now paused and is expected to hammer parts of Texas with massive rainfall and severe flooding for days to come. <br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /><strong><em>Houston Hit Hard</em></strong><br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/hurricane-harvey-houston-texas-impacts">Much of America's fourth-largest city is without power Sunday</a> and its Hobby Airport is totally closed. Parts of Houston have been declared a "catastrophic flooding emergency," more than a thousand of people have been rescued, and many more are still stranded in their attics. The city was hit with as much as 20" of rain.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> White House's Massive Friday News Dump<br /> </em></strong><br /> While most Americans were focused on Hurricane Harvey Friday, there was <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/26/trump-friday-news-dump-arpaio-harvey-242061">some very big news coming from the Trump administration</a>. Not only did the president pardon Sheriff Joe Arpaio, but his team implemented new regulations on transgender troops. Beyond that, national security aide Sebastian Gorka resigned in protest of the president's foreign policy initiatives.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Gorka Back to Breitbart</em></strong><br /> <br /> Sebastian Gorka, the aforementioned national security adviser who announced his resignation from the administration Friday, <a href="http://thehill.com/media/348135-gorka-returns-to-breitbart">is re-joining Steve Bannon at Breitbart News</a>. Gorka has expressed dissatisfaction with the direction of the White House and the ascendency of national security advisors who don't share his views.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Heading to Texas<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/901791391130554370?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Fhomenews%2Fadministration%2F348153-trump-to-travel-to-texas">in an early morning Sunday tweet</a>, pledged to visit storm-ravaged Texas as soon as the trip can be made "without causing disruption." He also praised emergency workers at all levels of government for rescuing thousands of people after Harvey struck.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> "Right-Wing" March Canceled in SF<br /> </em></strong><br /> A group calling itself "Patriot Prayer" <a href="http://www.sfexaminer.com/hundreds-take-sf-streets-protest-patriot-prayer-news-conference/">called off a rally in San Francisco Saturday</a> after members of the group reportedly received threats on social media. City leaders are relieved because, even though Patriot Prayer claims to shun racism and bigotry, the rally could have led to counter-protests and possibly violence.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> ICE Discovers Smuggling Tunnel<br /> </em></strong><br /> Federal immigration authorities have found a tunnel leading from Mexico to San Diego and have arrested 30 illegal aliens. Perhaps the most surprising aspect of this story is that <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/27/us/san-diego-immigrant-smuggling-tunnel/index.html">CNN actually uses the term "illegal immigrants"</a> and not the more PC "undocumented." Perhaps the bosses back in New York and Atlanta will order a change later today.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Barcelona Terror Death Toll Rises<br /> </em></strong><br /> More than one week after an Islamic terrorist mowed down dozens of pedestrians in Barcelona, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41066735">a 51-year-old German woman has died from her injuries</a>. A total of 16 are now dead, and five more victims are hospitalized in critical condition. Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/26/thousands-in-barcelona-march-against-extremism-shouting-im-not-afraid.html">hundreds of thousands of people marched in Barcelona</a> Saturday to express their determination to defeat extremism.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Dem Accuses Trump of "Textbook Racism"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Congressman Elijah Cummings <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/348101-cummings-trump-continues-to-promote-textbook-racism">excoriated President Trump for pardoning Sheriff Joe Arpaio</a>, described by Cummings as "a racist cop" who has committed crimes against minorities. Speaker Paul Ryan and Senator John McCain, both Republicans, have also spoken out against the pardon of "Sheriff Joe."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>"Gone With the Wind" is … Gone With the Wind </em></strong><br /> <br /> This was probably inevitable. <a href="http://wreg.com/2017/08/25/orpheum-theater-wont-show-gone-with-the-wind-calling-film-insensitive/">A theater in Memphis has canceled</a> a showing of "Gone With the Wind," the 1939 classic about the South during the Civil War. The movie has been shown every year for decades in Memphis, but it is suddenly considered "racially offensive" and the theater does indeed give a damn.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Post-Mortem for Gore's "Inconvenient Sequel"</em></strong><br /> <br /> Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Sequel" was heavily promoted by almost all media outlets, but the movie about global warming received a very cold reception at the box office. <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/christian-toto/2017/08/24/seven-reasons-inconvenient-sequels-stunning-fail">The Media Research Center lists some reasons</a> for the film's epic failure.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mayweather Stays Perfect</em></strong><br /> <br /> Boxer Floyd Mayweather is still undefeated at 50 – 0 <a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-mayweather-mcgregor-mayweather-reaches-50-0-with-10th-round-1503810919-htmlstory.html">after defeating mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor in one of the most-hyped fights in history</a>. Mayweather, who is 40 years old, came out of retirement for this Las Vegas confrontation and reportedly took home more than $200-million. He unequivocally vows that he has entered the ring for the last time.<br /> <br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S7TjFqCDrDs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NY Times Makes Fight About Race </em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/25/sports/mayweather-mcgregor-fight-race.html">Leave it to the New York Times to turn the Mayweather-McGregor fight into a racial thing</a>. Never mind that many of the most popular and beloved athletes in America are black, the Times implies that Mayweather is disliked by many because of his race. Of course, any enmity could be related to the fact that Mayweather has pleaded guilty to domestic violence numerous times and even spent 90 days in prison for beating his girlfriend.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Chelsea Clinton Mocked Mercilessly </em></strong><br /> <br /> Like President Trump, the former First Daughter might want to consider avoiding Twitter. In her latest misadventure, Chelsea Clinton re-tweeted a headline reading, "The year I spent in Joe Arpaio's tent jail was hell." The problem is that she did not attribute the statement and thus implied that she had been there herself. <a href="http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/08/27/chelsea-clinton-tweets-she-spent-a-year-in-joe-arpaios-tent-jail-the-reaction-is-priceless/">Of course, Twitter hilarity ensued immediately</a>.</p>
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<p>Check back Monday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-08-27T17:04:00ZHurricane Harvey Bears Down On Texas; Trump's Economic Guru Criticizes White HouseBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Hurricane-Harvey-Bears-Down-On-Texas;-Trumps-Economic-Guru-Criticizes-White-House/39164330918885201.html2017-08-25T14:28:00Z2017-08-25T14:28:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, August 25, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Hurricane Harvey Bears Down On Texas<br /> </em></strong><br /> It takes a lot to scare Texans, but the oncoming hurricane is <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/08/25/nws-hurricane-harvey-strengthens-to-category-2-storm-texans-prepare-for-worst.html">very likely to hammer much of the state</a>. Harvey is expected to hit the southeast part of Texas late tonight or early Saturday morning, then continue its destructive march to the north. Some areas will face 36" of rain, flooding, and 125 mph winds. Governor Greg Abbott has activated the National Guard and President Trump is promising to make any and all federal help available.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Trump's Economic Guru Criticizes White House<br /> </em></strong><br /> Gary Cohn, head of the National Economic Council, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/gary-cohn-trump-must-do-better-after-charlottesville-2017-8">admits that his boss "can and must do better"</a> when it comes to denouncing hate groups. Cohn was reportedly outraged when the president blamed "both sides" for violence in Charlottesville, but he affirmed that he is staying put in the administration. Cohn is a Wall Street favorite and there is concern that his exit could lead to a stock market decline.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> France Invades Poland … Verbally<br /> </em></strong><br /> Poland and some other Eastern European nations have been unwilling to open their doors to "refugees" from North Africa and elsewhere. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-centraleurope-idUSKCN1B5128?il=0">France's Emmanuel Macron, for one</a>, finds that offensive and is urging Poland to act more like countries in Western Europe, which have admitted millions of refugees.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Canada To Haitians: Stay Home!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, never shy about criticizing the United States' immigration policies, is searching for ways <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/article169249627.html">to stop Haitian asylum seekers from illegally entering Canada</a>. Trudeau has sent an emissary to meet with Haitian leaders in Miami and his government is threatening to deport any illegal border crossers. Sounding like a certain president to the south, one member of Canada's Liberal Party declared, "The door is completely closed for them."<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Gov. McAuliffe's Statue-esque 180-Degree Spin<br /> </em></strong><br /> Just two years ago Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe defended Confederate statues, including those of Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis, "parts of our heritage" Now he says they are offensive and have to come down. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">The folks at the Media Research Center</a> have documented McAuliffe's dazzling turnaround, which has been matched by many other Democratic politicians.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Fighting Back Against Statue Destroyers</em></strong><br /> <br /> The University of Texas, one of many colleges that have removed Confederate statues, is facing opposition and a lawsuit. <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/texas-politics/2017/08/24/confederate-group-sues-ut-late-night-statue-removal">The Sons of Confederate Veterans contends</a> that its rights were violated when the university ordered the statues removed in the middle of the night without any public input. Four statues were removed, three of which honored Confederate soldiers and politicians.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Russian Diplomats Dropping Like Flies</em></strong><br /> <br /> Mirgayas Shirinsky, Russia's Ambassador to Sudan, has been found dead in his swimming pool in Khartoum. <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41036856">Initial reports indicate that Shirinsky died of natural causes</a>, but he joins a long list of Russian diplomats who have died around the world, some under very mysterious circumstances.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>New Antifa Cell Endorses Anti-Cop Violence</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/08/24/armed-antifa-group-calls-for-revolution-seizing-property-and-violence-against-police/">According to a report in The Daily Caller</a>, a far-left Philadelphia-based group is praising cop-killers and endorsing violence against law enforcement officers. Calling itself the "Revolutionary Abolitionist Movement," the group's press release urges members to steal property and "begin the revolutionary process."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sucker-Punching Antifa Thug Arrested</em></strong><br /> <br /> 20-year-old Richard Losey has been arrested by police in Laguna Beach, California. He is thought to be the man <a href="https://pjmedia.com/trending/2017/08/24/laguna-beach-police-arrest-white-antifa-thug-who-sucker-punched-black-trump-supporter/">who was caught on video punching a black Trump supporter during a rally on Sunday</a>. The victim of the assault was merely engaged in conversation when Losey hit him with a right hook and then scampered into the crowd.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>SPLC Sued By Religious Group</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Alabama-based Southern Poverty Law Center, the very wealthy organization that decides what constitutes a "hate group," <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/08/24/southern-poverty-law-center-hate-group-label-hit-in-evangelicals-lawsuit.html">is being sued by a Christian organization that was tagged with that odious label</a>. The SPLC has gradually become a far-left partisan group that castigates anyone who believes in traditional marriage. This most recent outrage involves the D. James Kennedy Ministries, which is now listed as a "hate group" by the SPLC.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Stuart Smalley Holds Up Judge</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.startribune.com/klobuchar-franken-impede-the-path-of-an-outstanding-judge/441683303/">Even the liberal Minneapolis Star Tribune is outraged by this story</a>. Minnesota Senator Al Franken, formerly known as Stuart Smalley, and his Democratic counterpart Amy Klobuchar, are holding up the appointment of a judge who is considered eminently qualified by just about everyone who has crossed his path. Justice David Stras, who sits on the Minneapolis Supreme Court, has been nominated for the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, but Franken and Klobuchar are using their power to block confirmation hearings.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Lying Lesbian Jailed In UK</em></strong><br /> <br /> 25-year-old Jemma Beale claimed she had been raped by nine men, one of whom was jailed for seven years, and sexually assaulted by six others. <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4313763/woman-falsely-accused-rape-15-men-is-jailed/">But she invented all those crimes in order to win affection and attention</a> from her girlfriend. A judge, worrying that her "grotesque" lies will impede the prosecution of actual rapists, has sentenced the Beale to ten years in prison.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>New Target For Monument Bashers</em></strong><br /> <br /> Sure, Peter Stuyvesant helped found and create New York City in the 17<sup>th</sup> century, but he is now being accused of anti-Semitism. <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/08/24/jewish-activists-target-removal-of-peter-stuyvesant-monuments/">A Jewish group wants Mayor Bill de Blasio to tear down statues of Stuyvesant</a> and perhaps even rename the city's ultra-elite Stuyvesant High School. Meanwhile, Italian-Americans in New York City are defending statues of Christopher Columbus, which are also in the crosshairs of PC warriors.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Samsung Boss Jailed For Bribery</em></strong><br /> <br /> Jay Y. Lee, who heads up South Korea's massive Samsung corporation, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-samsung-lee-idUSKCN1B41VC">has been found guilty of bribery and sentenced to five years in jail</a>. He was convicted of paying bribes to at least one prominent politician in exchange for business favors. As far as we can tell, the billionaire is no relation to General Robert E. Lee and the judge did not take Lee's offensive last name into consideration when handing down the sentence.</p>
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<p>Check back Sunday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-08-25T14:28:00ZMedia Unleash Their Fury on Trump; Italy's War on RefugeesBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Media-Unleash-Their-Fury-on-Trump;-Italys-War-on-Refugees/-430325204653335988.html2017-08-24T13:23:00Z2017-08-24T13:23:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Thursday, August 24, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Trump 3.0 in Nevada<br /> </em></strong><br /> In his third speech in three days, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congress/the-latest-trump-calls-for-patriotism-national-healing/2017/08/23/2e959730-8876-11e7-96a7-d178cf3524eb_story.html?utm_term=.5bfb95e82d19">President Trump urged Americans to come together in unity</a>. The president was speaking on Wednesday to military veterans at an American Legion conference. He praised the vets for their "strength, courage, and resolve."<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Media Unleash Their Fury on Trump<br /> </em></strong><br /> After President Trump spent a good chunk of his Tuesday night rally in Phoenix denigrating the media, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/media/347710-media-lets-loose-its-fury-after-trump-attacks">the networks and newspapers struck back</a> with a vengeance. As usual, CNN and the New York Times led the way, calling the president "unhinged" and "demented" and a few other choice names.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Former CIA Official Wants To Buy Twitter<br /> </em></strong><br /> You may remember Valerie Plame Wilson, the former CIA officer who briefly became a darling of the anti-Bush left. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/news/347735-former-cia-agent-wants-to-buy-twitter-to-kick-trump-off">She now wants to raise enough money via GoFundMe</a> to purchase a large stake in Twitter. Her ultimate goal: Shut down President Trump's account, which she describes as "his most powerful megaphone."<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Italy's War on Refugees<br /> </em></strong><br /> Some European nations are apparently losing their patience when it comes to refugees and migrants. <a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/police-use-water-cannon-and-batons-to-clear-refugees-from-rome-square-a3619071.html">Police in Rome used water cannons and batons</a> to clear a popular town square that had been overrun by squatters. Most of the refugees are from Eritrea and Ethiopia in northern Africa.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Next U.S. Flashpoint, Berkeley</em></strong><br /> <br /> A planned march for this weekend called "No Marxism in America" <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/08/23/violent-leftist-group-plans-to-shut-down-berkeley-march-against-marxism/">in Berkeley will likely face some resistance</a>. The left-wing and frequently violent group "By Any Means Necessary" is vowing to shut down the march, presumably by any means necessary. One of the leftist group's leaders is a Berkeley instructor who has already been charged with inciting a riot.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Poll Shows Increasing Worry About Prejudice</em></strong><br /> <br /> A new Quinnipiac University survey asked Americans about "hatred and prejudice" in the United States. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/347669-poll-majority-says-prejudice-in-us-has-increased-since-trumps">Nearly two-thirds of voters worry that hatred has increased</a> in the seven months since President Trump's inauguration. Most respondents also give the president low grades for his handling of the Charlottesville riots and murder.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Clemson Prof Calls Republicans "Racist Scum"</em></strong><br /> <br /> At least one professor is doing his part to promote racial understanding. Clemson's Bart Knijnenburg has charmingly described all <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/08/23/clemson-professor-claims-all-republicans-are-racist-scum/">Trump supporters and all Republicans as "racist scum."</a> The esteemed professor has also endorsed violence, expressing admiration for "anyone who stands up against white supremacy." Of course, he added the hashtag #PunchNazis.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pelosi's Father Dedicated Confederate Statues</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/JohnGizzi/nancy-pelosi-confederate-statues-racism/2017/08/23/id/809429/">This may be a bit awkward for Nancy Pelosi</a>, who has suddenly become the sworn enemy of Confederate statues wherever they rear their ugly heads and torsos. It turns out that her own father, former Baltimore Mayor Thomas D'Alesandro, dedicated a statue to Robert E. Lee. Mayor D'Alesandro also heaped praise on both General Lee and Stonewall Jackson, calling them "two great men in the War Between the States." The statues of the men lauded by Nancy Pelosi's father were removed last week.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Utter Depravity of ISIS</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Islamic State, reeling after a loss of territory and cities, has released a <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/new-isis-video-shows-american-child-member-first-time-654214">video showing a child talking about the coming caliphate</a>. The 10-year-old boy calls himself Yousef and speaks in an American accent. Rex Tiller's State Department has <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/state-department-sick-and-depraved-to-put-american-child-in-isis-video/article/2632394">condemned the video and ISIS as "sick and depraved."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Utter Depravity of the UN</em></strong><br /> <br /> The United Nations, many of whose member states oppress women and throw homosexuals off buildings, has taken aim at … the United States. <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/un-racism-committee-issues-warning-over-us-tensions-103644308.html">A UN panel that focuses on racial discrimination</a> openly frets about what it describes as racism in the USA. At least it's a welcome break from the United Nations' tendency to blame all the world's ills on Israel.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>$758-Million Lottery, We Have A Winner!</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/winning-758-million-powerball-ticket-sold-massachusetts-article-1.3437898">A small convenience store near Boston sold the winning Powerball ticket</a>, which will make the holder a three-quarters-of-a-billionaire. After taxes and fees, the lucky lottery winner will have to make due with only $480-million. Put another way, that would be enough to fund the entire United States federal government … for about one hour.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>ESPN Under Withering Ridicule</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/23/sports/ncaafootball/espn-robert-lee-virginia.html">It's the story just too ridiculous to be true. </a> ESPN is being mocked by just about everyone for its decision to yank announcer Robert Lee from a football game in Virginia. As you know by now, the Asian Lee's name was just too close to that of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. The story was broken by sports reporter Clay Travis, a perennial thorn in ESPN's side, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">who went on Fox News to excoriate the network he calls "MS-ESPN" for its leftist ideology</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pro-Kaepernick Rally @ NFL HQ</em></strong><br /> <br /> A crowd of protesters congregated <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2729110-colin-kaepernick-supporters-hold-rally-outside-nfl-headquarters-in-new-york">outside the National Football League's Manhattan office Wednesday</a>. They are demanding that quarterback Colin Kaepernick, infamous for disrespecting the National Anthem, get another shot in the league. The NAACP is also asking for a meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Many NFL players have followed Kaepernick's lead and are now sitting or kneeling during the pre-game playing of the Star-Spangled Banner.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Charlottesville Covers Confederate Statues</em></strong><br /> <br /> So as not to avoid offending anyone, city leaders in Charlottesville have <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/08/23/charlottesville-covers-robert-e-lee-stonewall-jackson-statues-with-black-shroud.html">decided to totally cover some Confederate statues</a>. Among those hidden from view are monuments dedicated to Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee. That would be the general, not the sports announcer.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>When "Friends" Aren't Really Friends<br /> </em></strong><br /> A judge has ruled that Facebook "friends" <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/08/23/court-rules-facebook-friends-arent-real-friends/">aren't really, truly bosom buddies</a>. The ruling came in response to a dispute involving a Miami judge who was Facebook friends with one of the attorneys in a case he was hearing. The decision concluded that "the degree of intimacy among Facebook 'friends' varies greatly." We eagerly await a ruling on whether BFFs are really and legally Best Friends Forever.</p>
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<p>Check back Friday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-08-24T13:23:00ZTrump On Fire In Phoenix; Clapper Calls Trump "Scary and Disturbing"BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-On-Fire-In-Phoenix;-Clapper-Calls-Trump-Scary-and-Disturbing/235891646253506168.html2017-08-23T14:21:00Z2017-08-23T14:21:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Wednesday, August 23, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Trump On Fire In Phoenix<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/347594-the-memo-seven-takeaways-from-trumps-arizona-speech">President Trump was back in campaign mode Tuesday night in Phoenix</a>, where he spent much of his time hammering the news media, especially CNN. The president also revisited the Charlottesville controversy and his reactions after the chaos and murder. He boasted about the economy, vowed to build the border wall, and again denigrated business-as-usual in Washington. As usual, his base was thrilled, his critics appalled.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> The Network Strikes Back<br /> </em></strong><br /> Immediately after President Trump blasted CNN on Tuesday night, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">the network hit back with some stunning accusations</a>. Anchor Don Lemon declared that the president is "clearly trying to ignite a civil war," and analyst Ana Navarro actually said the president of the United States is suffering from "early-on-set dementia." Navarro can't spell too good, but she is apparently a medical expert.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Guest Hammers CNN … on CNN<br /> </em></strong><br /> Even though he was grossly outnumbered as usual, former Republican official Mike Shields bravely <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/curtis-houck/2017/08/23/boom-ex-rnc-official-shields-demolishes-cnns-irresponsible-trump">showed up on CNN after the Trump rally and defended the president</a>. Shields lambasted CNN analysts and anchors who have decided that President Trump is "insane" or suffering from "dementia."<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Clapper Calls Trump "Scary and Disturbing"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former national intelligence director James Clapper may be angling for a full-time analyst spot on CNN. Clapper, who blatantly lied to Congress in 2013 about the NSA's spying activities, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/08/23/james-clapper-questions-trumps-fitness-worries-about-his-access-to-nuclear-codes/?utm_term=.95fdc42b7644">is openly questioning President Trump's mental fitness for office</a>. He also theorizes that the president may be "looking for a way out."<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Phoenix Police Keep Relative Calm<br /> </em></strong><br /> There were widespread worries that Phoenix would be overrun by violence after President Trump's rally when his supporters came outside and confronted protesters. <a href="http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2017/08/23/phoenix-police-aftermath-trump-rally-protest/592727001/">But there were only three arrests</a> after the rally and, according to the mayor, "everyone got home safely." Police lobbed pepper spray and tear gas at anti-Trump protesters who were pelting them with rocks and bottles.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Navy Torpedoes Fleet Commander <br /> </em></strong><br /> After two U.S. warships were involved in deadly collisions, the <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/22/politics/uss-mccain-7th-fleet-commander-dismissal/index.html">Navy has transferred 7<sup>th</sup> Fleet Commander Joseph Aucoin</a>. Seven sailors died in June when the USS Fitzgerald struck a container ship near Japan, and ten more sailors are presumed dead after the USS John S. McCain hit a tanker Monday morning near Singapore. Rear Admiral Aucoin was relieved of his duty "due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Jared Kushner in Cairo<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump's adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner has arrived in Egypt for high-level meetings with Egyptian officials. <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/egypt-jared-kushner-sameh-shoukry-president-abdel-fattah-el-sissi-us-aid/">There is some confusion about who will meet with whom</a>, but it seems likely that Kushner will speak in person with President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. The Trump administration has recently reduced aid to that nation, which Egyptian officials characterized as a "misjudgment." Only Israel receives more foreign aid from the USA.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Postal Workers Campaigned for Clinton</em></strong><br /> <br /> Republican in Congress are expanding <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/08/22/republicans-dig-deeper-after-postal-service-cited-for-workers-clinton-campaign-aid.html">their investigation into the United States Postal Service</a>, which allowed some employees to work on Hillary Clinton's campaign. The Postal Service apparently broke federal laws by playing politics so blatantly last year.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary Says Her "Skin Crawled" During Debate</em></strong><br /> <br /> The contents of Hillary Clinton's upcoming book "What Happened" are slowly being revealed. <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/aug/23/hillary-clinton-calls-donald-trump-a-creep-in-her-/">Mrs Clinton writes that Donald Trump acted like "a creep" during the second debate when he invaded her "personal space."</a> The book, an account of her reactions to her stunning defeat, is due for publication next month.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Lawmaker Punished for Wishing Assassination</em></strong><br /> <br /> Missouri State Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal <a href="http://www.missourinet.com/2017/08/23/tuesday-toughest-day-yet-for-missouri-state-senator-who-hoped-for-trumps-assassination/">may be wishing she had never openly hoped for President Trump's assassination.</a> She has been ousted from committee assignments and senators are still searching ways to remove her from office. There may even be a special session to do just that.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Arpaio Pardon Imminent</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump didn't pardon former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio at Tuesday's rally, <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/22/trump-arpaio-pardon-241926">but he made it eminently clear that a pardon is imminent</a>. Arpaio was convicted of contempt of court after he refused a judge's orders to ease up on his fight against illegal immigration. The president made a very straightforward and unambiguous prediction about the 85-year-old lawman: "I think he's going to be just fine."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Arizona Border Crossings Way, Way Down</em></strong><br /> <br /> Just prior to President Trump's visit, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/08/22/dhs-officials-tout-successes-ahead-of-trumps-visit-to-arizona-border-town/">Homeland Security officials used Yuma, Arizona as an example of a wall's effectiveness</a>. Border fencing went up in 2007 and, since then, there has been an 82% reduction in crossings by illegal immigrants. The president visited Yuma Tuesday afternoon and scoped out some high-tech border protection tools, including a Predator drone.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Racial Arsonist Sharpton Frets About "Explosion"</em></strong><br /> <br /> Al Sharpton, who fomented a riot in Brooklyn and inspired deadly arson in Harlem, <a href="http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/08/22/sharpton-any-match-could-lead-to-an-explosion-215517">is now worried that President Trump has created a "poisonous atmosphere."</a> Sharpton also predicted, "Any match could lead to an explosion." Al Sharpton will be holding a rally in Washington next week.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>ESPN's Astounding Idiocy</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/college/article168813917.html">This sounds like a hoax, but unfortunately it's 100% true</a>. ESPN has replaced an announcer who was scheduled to host an upcoming football game at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. Why? The announcer's name is Robert Lee, which is too close to the suddenly-unmentionable General Robert E. Lee. Given that the football announcer is of Asian descent, he is probably not descended from the Confederate general … or any other Confederate soldiers.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>George Foreman Grills & Skewers Unpatriotic Athletes</em></strong><br /> <br /> Former heavyweight boxing champ George Foreman <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/08/22/george-foreman-praises-trump-slams-colin-kaepernick-and-kevin-durant.html">has blasted Colin Kaepernick, Kevin Durant, and other jocks who are acting less-than-patriotic</a>. The now unemployed Kaepernick, of course, refused to stand for the National Anthem, while Durant said he'd refuse any invitation to the White House. Foreman put it pithily: "A lot of people died so that they can have that privilege."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>PayPal Reinstates Jihad Watch</em></strong><br /> <br /> PayPal, which has a near-monopoly on electronic Internet payments, has notified two conservative websites that it is rescinding a freeze on their accounts. One of the websites Jihad Watch, is directed by Robert Spencer, who spoke with Bill about his PayPal travails on Tuesday's No Spin News. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Bill-OReillys-Interview-with-Robert-Spencer-Director-of-Jihad-Watch-on-Far-Left-Intimidation/-269747044512626095.html">You can hear the entire interview with Robert Spencer via this link.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Join Antifa, See the World</em></strong><br /> <br /> The far-left radicals of Antifa <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/08/22/antifa-site-posts-guide-on-how-to-start-campus-anarchist-clubs/">have created a handy-dandy guide for would-be agitators and anarchists</a>. According to the guide, the government is "lurching towards tyranny" and fascists are "killing people on the streets." How to fix the mayhem? Establish an Antifa club at your college and defend your fellow leftists against oppression. Don't worry, thanks to grade inflation your GPA will take care of itself.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mayor de Blasio Caught in Clintonesque Web</em></strong><br /> <br /> Speaking of far-left agitators, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/08/22/nyc-mayor-bill-de-blasio-used-personal-email-for-city-business-report-says.html">is accused of using personal email accounts to conduct city business</a>. The New York Times, employing the Freedom of Information Law, found that de Blasio's use of personal email, at the very least, violated city guidelines.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>War on Statues Moves to North Carolina</em></strong><br /> <br /> The University of North Carolina's bucolic campus at Chapel Hill was not exactly bucolic Tuesday. <a href="http://www.wral.com/unc-student-arrested-after-hundreds-protest-at-unc-chapel-hill-silent-sam-monument/16898155/">Hundreds of protesters gathered to demand the removal</a> of a Confederate statue known as "Silent Sam." The statue was erected in 1913 as a tribute to the Chapel Hill boys who left college "and joined our Southern Army in defense of our state." The statue is called "Silent Sam" because it is said that if a virgin walks past the monument Sam will fire his weapon. </p>
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<p>Check back Thursday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-08-23T14:21:00ZA New Direction in Afghanistan; Trump Bound for Arizona RallyBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/A-New-Direction-in-Afghanistan;-Trump-Bound-for-Arizona-Rally/-115925927610356088.html2017-08-22T14:11:00Z2017-08-22T14:11:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Tuesday, August 22, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>A New Direction in Afghanistan<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump addressed the nation Monday night and <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-afghanistan-idUSKCN1B109Q?il=0">unveiled a new strategy intended to turn the tide in Afthanistan</a>. There will be thousands of additional U.S. troops, a new focus on terrorists who are frequently sheltered by Pakistan, and an end to "nation building." The president's overriding message: "We are killing terrorists." The Taliban immediately threatened to continue fighting and terrorizing until the United States totally withdraws from the theater.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Bannon's Breitbart Criticizes New Policy<br /> </em></strong><br /> Breitbart News, which has been rejoined by former Trump advisor Steve Bannon, <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/08/21/donald-trump-echoes-obama-blank-check-rhetoric-in-afghanistan-speech/">criticized President Trump's Monday night speech</a>, accusing him of following in the footsteps of Barack Obama. The article in Breitbart concluded, "The United States has no end in sight for the longest war in American history."<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Spanish Police Kill Barcelona Terrorist<br /> </em></strong><br /> Morocco-born Younes Abouyaaqoub, who drove his van into a crowd and killed 13 people in Barcelona last week, <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/spanish-police-fatally-shoot-suspect-barcelona-terror-attack-n794406">has been shot dead by police</a>. When authorities finally found Abouyaaquob after an intense manhunt, he shouted "Allahu Akbar" and displayed a suicide belt that turned out to be a fake. Eight other terrorists suspected of involvement in the Spain attacks had already been killed, four more are in custody.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Remains of Missing Sailors Found</em></strong><br /> <br /> The United States Navy is reeling after the destroyer USS John S. McCain collided with an oil tanker near Singapore. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2017/08/22/is-someone-hacking-our-7th-fleet-navy-to-investigate-after-uss-john-s-mccain-collision.html">Ten sailors had been declared missing, but "some remains" have been found today in a sealed compartment on board the ship</a>. The Navy has declared an "operational pause" for all fleets around the world amid fears that the ship could have been a target of cyber warfare. This was the second major collision involving an American warship in recent months – seven sailors died in June when the USS Fitzgerald hit a cargo ship.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Bound for Arizona Rally</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump will be in Phoenix Tuesday afternoon for another campaign-style rally. The President is already at odds with Arizona's two Republican Senators – Jeff Flake and John McCain – <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/347392-arizonas-republican-governor-will-skip-trumps-rally">and now the state's Republican Governor says he will skip the rally</a>. Gov. Doug Ducey will greet President Trump upon his arrival in Phoenix, then return to his office at the State House.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Prez to Visit Border Facility</em></strong><br /> <br /> During his visit to Arizona, <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-border-idUSKCN1B12HH">President Trump will stop at a Border Patrol facility in Yuma</a>. The Arizona border is generally considered a success story because illegal crossings are way down under the Trump administration. The president will see some of the equipment employed by the Border Patrol in Arizona, including a Predator drone.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Border Horror Story</em></strong><br /> <br /> Texas Border Patrol agents recently <a href="http://www.fox5ny.com/news/275100210-story">discovered 60 would-be illegal immigrants hiding</a> in the back of a refrigerated truck. The people in the trailer, who had no means of escape, were from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. This incident comes just weeks after ten illegal immigrants died in a sweltering truck in San Antonio. <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/james-matthew-bradley-jr-indicted-texas-human-smuggling-operation/">The driver in that case has been indicted by a federal grand jury</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Houston Plot to Blow Up Statue</em></strong><br /> <br /> 25-year-old Andrew Schneck <a href="http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/HPD-HFD-FBI-on-scene-overnight-at-Rice-11946918.php">has been arrested in Houston</a>, charged with plotting to bomb a Confederate statue. The would-be bomber was arrested when a park ranger saw him at the base of a statue dedicated to Confederate Lieutenant Dick Dowling, an Irish immigrant who had lived in Houston. Police later found a large cache of explosives at the home where Schneck lives, of course, with his parents. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bowe Bergdahl Opts for Trial by Judge</em></strong></p>
<p>Disgraced Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, praised by Susan Rice for serving "with honor and distinction," stands accused of endangering his fellow soldiers when he abandoned his post in Afghanistan. Bergdahl, who faces charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/08/21/bergdahl-chooses-to-have-trial-heard-by-judge-and-not-jury.html">has decided to be tried by a single judge</a> and not a military jury. The trial expected to begin in October at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Bergdahl is still in uniform, working at a desk in Texas.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>IRS Again Under Fire for Tea Party Targeting</em></strong><br /> <br /> The Internal Revenue Service <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/08/21/judge-orders-irs-to-reveal-who-took-part-in-tea-party-targeting.html">has been ordered to reveal the names of employees</a> who were involved in targeting conservative groups during the Obama administration. A federal judge is demanding that the IRS turn over information about which organizations were targeted and by whom. Conservative organizations cheered the decision as a victory for transparency.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Columbus Latest Victim of Statue Controversy</em></strong><br /> <br /> Vandals in Baltimore took a sledgehammer to <a href="https://baltimorebrew.com/2017/08/21/columbus-statue-in-baltimore-vandalized/">a 225-year-old statue of Christopher Columbus</a>. The statue was partially smashed and surrounded by signs accusing Columbus of racism and genocide. The proud miscreants posted an online video showing their criminal act.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iFSW0id36FA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Most Americans Side With Trump on Statues</em></strong><br /> <br /> Recent polls have consistently shown that <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/08/21/poll-voters-agree-with-trump-on-protecting-historic-monuments/">most citizens believe Confederate statues should remain</a> in place. According to a new Rasmussen survey, just 28% of those questioned want to see the statues removed or destroyed. A Marist Poll last week came to very similar findings.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Chaos at Charlottesville City Council Meeting</em></strong><br /> <br /> Charlottesville's first city council meeting since the deadly rally was <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/08/22/protesters-clash-with-officials-at-charlottesville-council-meeting/">marred by screaming and cursing</a>. Protesters packed the meeting and accused the city's leaders of having "blood on your hands." There were also calls for Mayor Mike Signer to step down. Meanwhile, James Alex Fields remains in custody, charged with murdering 32-year-old Heather Heyer when he drove his car into a crowd.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NFL Players Expand National Anthem Protests<br /> </em></strong><br /> What Colin Kaepernick started has now mushroomed. Prior to a Monday night preseason game in Cleveland, <a href="http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/20409319/cleveland-browns-players-take-knee-circle-national-anthem-monday-preseason-game">a dozen Browns players knelt during the National Anthem</a>. According to one player, the protest is a response to all the "racial and social injustices in the world." Meanwhile, Commissioner Roger Goodell <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/21/sports/football/roger-goodell-nfl-contract.html">is reportedly about to sign a five-year extension</a> to the lavish contract that earns him $30-million to $45-million every year.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Paul Manafort in Mueller's Vice<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort, who had long ties with Russian business interests, is apparently a leading target of the probe being conducted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article168495837.html">According to various sources</a>, Manafort's consulting firms earned tens of millions of dollars from pro-Russian clients long before he took charge of the Trump campaign.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Black Lives Matter's Laughable "Requests"<br /> </em></strong><br /> An article written by a self-proclaimed co-founder of Black Lives Matter in Louisville <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/08/21/give-up-the-home-you-own-black-lives-matter-activist-makes-list-of-requests-for-white-people/">lists ten "requests" for white people</a>. White folks are asked to leave their property to a "black or brown family" and perhaps even "give up the home you own." Thus far no generous white people have volunteered to give away their home and property, so more guilt-shaming may be necessary.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>New York's Finest Complain of Anti-Cop Bias<br /> </em></strong><br /> Some police in the Big Apple claim <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/08/21/blue-racism-new-york-police-association-says-cops-are-victims-racism.html">they are the victims of discrimination</a>, often targeted and shot at "just because they are cops." Black Lives Matter and other radical groups have consistently demonized cops as trigger-happy oppressors. Police organizations are fighting back by calling attention to their own plight as victims of what they call "Blue Racism."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Cop Killer Targeted Police for Murder<br /> </em></strong><br /> 45-year-old Everett Glenn Miller, a former Marine, is under arrest for ambushing and killing two police officers in Florida last week. Miller, who also goes by Malik Mohammad Ali, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/08/19/suspected-florida-cop-killer-claimed-to-be-member-of-black-extremist-group/">was openly hateful of white people and cops</a> and particularly upset by recent events in Charlottesville and elsewhere. Police had been aware of Miller's ominous <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">Facebook threats to kill a cop.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>For Some, Eclipse Eclipsed Expectations<br /> </em></strong><br /> Even though he had already witnessed 34 total eclipses, <a href="http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-eclipse-jay-pasachoff-20170821-htmlstory.html">astronomy professor Jay Pasachoff was mesmerized by Monday's solar spectacle</a>. The 74-year-old Pasachoff, considered the world's authority on total eclipses, has traveled the world to document eclipses wherever and whenever they occur. His next stop: Chile in July of 2019, when the moon and sun will again intersect to create magic.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>New Divorce Laws for Muslims in India<br /> </em></strong><br /> Muslim men living in India never had to pay fancy lawyers to obtain a divorce. In fact, they only had to repeat the word "talaq" three times and, voila, they were no longer married. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/muslim-men-in-india-could-once-divorce-their-wives-by-saying-three-words-until-now/2017/08/22/93ccb4f6-871a-11e7-9ce7-9e175d8953fa_story.html?utm_term=.d94d97d05352">But India's Supreme Court has finally declared</a> that practice unconstitutional and has instituted a six-month moratorium on instant divorces. It's bad news for Muslim men, good news for Muslim women, and maybe even better news for divorce lawyers.</p>
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<p>Check back Wednesday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-08-22T14:11:00ZTroop Surge in Afghanistan; Spain's Terrorist Manhunt IntensifiesBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Troop-Surge-in-Afghanistan;-Spains-Terrorist-Manhunt-Intensifies/842522786357812419.html2017-08-21T14:09:00Z2017-08-21T14:09:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Monday, August 21, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Troop Surge in Afghanistan<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump, who has been openly frustrated by the lack of military progress in Afghanistan, <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-expected-to-boost-us-troop-levels-in-afghanistan/article/2176765">is expected to announce a major move Monday night</a>. The president met with more than 20 of his top national security advisors at Camp David before finally deciding that a surge in troop strength is the way to go. The Pentagon will deploy 4,000 additional troops to Afghanistan, with the goal of pressuring Pakistan to stop giving safe haven to terrorists.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Spain's Terrorist Manhunt Intensifies<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/spain-terror-attacks-barcelona-and-cambrils-suspect-could-have-fled-to-france-as-manhunt-steps-up-a3615931.html">Police have established hundreds of checkpoints</a> in and around the Spanish region of Catalonia as they continue their hunt for the man suspected of killing 14 people in Barcelona last week. There are concerns that 22-year-old Younes Abouyaaquob, who escaped from the van on foot, may have crossed the nearby border into France. The suspect's mother, who has been hospitalized for stress, went on television and begged her son to turn himself in.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>U.S. Destroyer Damaged, Ten Sailors Missing</em></strong><br /> <br /> The USS John S. McCain, named after the Senator's distinguished father, collided with a much larger oil tanker near Singapore. Five U.S. sailors were injured and <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2017/08/21/uss-john-s-mccain-collision/585097001/">an intensive search is underway for ten others</a> who are still missing. This is the second incident involving an American warship in recent months – seven sailors died in June when the USS Fitzgerald hit a cargo ship.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>USS Indianapolis, Sunk in '45, Finally Found</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/20/world/asia/uss-indianapolis-paul-allen.html">In one of the final acts of World War II</a>, a Japanese submarine torpedoed and sank the Navy cruiser USS Indianapolis in the Philippine Sea. A team assembled by Microsoft billionaire Paul Allen has <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulGAllen/status/898945611520552960/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F08%2F20%2Fworld%2Fasia%2Fuss-indianapolis-paul-allen.html">announced that it has finally located the wreckage 18,000 feet below the surface</a>. The Indianapolis was sunk on July 30, 1945, only a week before the first atomic bomb was unleashed on Hiroshima. Of the 1,196 men on board the doomed ship, 316 were rescued and 22 are still alive.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dem Senator Refuses Rosie O'Donnell Donation</em></strong><br /> <br /> Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill, running for re-election in a state where Donald Trump trounced Hillary Clinton, is eschewing donations from far-left Hollywood types. <a href="http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/mccaskill-gearing-for-a-tough-re-election-fight-turned-over/article_a2b93062-f131-5316-ad12-135a0a8ac0fe.html">McCaskill recently received $2,700 from the bombastic Rosie O'Donnell</a>, then quickly transferred the money to a domestic violence shelter. McCaskill won in 2012 largely because her Republican opponent was the deeply flawed Todd Akin, who made some outrageous comments about rape.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Eclipse Day, At Long Last</em></strong><br /> <br /> The much-hyped and long-awaited Great Solar Eclipse is finally here. The total eclipse will first be witnessed in the United States by Oregonians at 10:16 AM Pacific Time, then will sweep across 14 states. It will be visible somewhere in the United States for about an hour-and-a-half before winding up the show in South Carolina at around 3:00 Eastern Time. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2017/08/20/the-eclipse-capital-of-the-united-states-is-giddy-for-mondays-total-solar-eclipse/?utm_term=.29b43856f339">The city of Carbondale, Illinois – population 26,179 - is directly in the path of today's total eclipse</a>, and will also have that same good fortune when another total eclipse occurs in 2024.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>War on Statues Reaches the 1970s</em></strong><br /> <br /> The City of Brotherly Love is not acting very lovingly towards a former mayor. <a href="http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Frank-Rizzo-Statue-Vandalism-Removal-Gym-441128373.html">Statues and murals dedicated to Frank Rizzo</a>, Philadelphia's mayor through most of the 1970s, are being defaced almost as fast as they can be scrubbed clean. Rizzo, a tough-as-nails, law-and-order police commissioner prior to being elected mayor, remains as controversial as ever, even 16 years after his death.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>University of Texas Ousts Four Statues</em></strong><br /> <br /> Late Sunday night demolition crews <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/university-texas-removes-four-confederate-statues-overnight-n794411">began removing four statues from the University of Texas</a> campus in Austin. The school's president said the monuments, which include a statue of Robert E. Lee, have become "symbols of modern white supremacy."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Jefferson Memorial Gets Slavery "Update"</em></strong><br /> <br /> The magnificent Jefferson Memorial, which was dedicated in 1943 on the 200<sup>th</sup> anniversary of Jefferson's birth, will soon have an addendum. <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/jefferson-memorial-exhibit-update-will-acknowledge-slavery-record/article/2632084"> An additional exhibit will be added to</a> focus on Jefferson as a slave owner. That may be just the beginning, as the Trust for the National Mall vows that all monuments will be "scrutinized and challenged."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>More Statue Madness<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/347288-petition-launched-to-replace-confederate-monument-with-missy">If petition-signers in Virginia get their way,</a> a Confederate Monument in Portsmouth will be replaced by a statue of native daughter Missy Elliott, a rapper and dancer and singer. Ms. Elliott is known for such classics as "She's a Bitch" and "Get Ur Freak On."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Yea to Kaepernick, Nay to Thomas<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture will feature <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/08/20/kaepernick-makes-black-history-smithsonian-before-clarence-thomas/">quarterback Colin Kaepernick in a collection devoted to Black Lives Matter</a>. But there is no room in the museum for Clarence Thomas, the second black man to serve on the Supreme Court. For that matter, Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina is also missing. He is the first black elected to the Senate from the South since Reconstruction, but Republicans are apparently unwelcome in the not-so-inclusive museum.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary Clinton's Byrd Flu<br /> </em></strong><br /> All this talk about past sins has again raised the inconvenient fact that <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/clinton-kkk-byrd-trump-652176">Hillary Clinton was an unflinching admirer of the late Senator Robert Byrd</a>, who had been a recruiter for the Ku Klux Klan. Mrs. Clinton praised Byrd as her "friend and mentor," while Bill Clinton actually delivered the eulogy at Byrd's 2010 funeral. Lest anyone forget the connections, actor James Woods <a href="https://twitter.com/RealJamesWoods/status/898537897514725376/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsweek.com%2Fclinton-kkk-byrd-trump-652176">sent out a tweet to remind people about the affection between Hillary Clinton and former KKK Exalted Cyclops Robert C. Byrd</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Missouri Pol Apologizes for "Assassination" Wish<br /> </em></strong><br /> After days of mounting pressure, Missouri State Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal <a href="http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/missouri-democrat-who-hoped-for-trump-assassination-apologizes-but-says/article_b6fd361d-7554-52ef-8ddd-1f880373780f.html">has finally apologized for a Facebook post</a> in which she hoped for President Trump's assassination. Chappelle-Nadal, no stranger to controversy, is now playing the religion card in hope of staying in office.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Weaponization of Urine<br /> </em></strong><br /> Self-described "anti-fascists" have <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/08/20/pee-filled-projectiles-a-recurring-weapon-of-choice-for-anti-fascists/">taken to throwing bottles of urine at their opponents</a>. The most recent example came at Saturday's rallies in Boston, where Antifa types hit police officers with their liquid weapon of choice. Katie Couric also reported that two of her producers were sprayed with urine, although she didn't specify that the perpetrators were almost certainly left-wing agitators.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Philippines Inhumane War on Drugs <br /> </em></strong><br /> President Rodrigo Duterte's determination to wipe out drugs in the Philippines <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-40992618">has led to thousands of deaths</a>. Reuters reports that more than 90 people were murdered just last week, 32 in a single day. The leader of the country's Catholic Church has denounced the over-the-top anti-drug campaign and even some of Duterte's political allies are raising serious concerns.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Charities Nix Fund-Raisers @ Mar-a-Lago<br /> </em></strong><br /> Charitable organizations are falling over themselves in a rush to cancel lavish fund-raisers at President Trump's club in Palm Beach, Florida. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/20/us/politics/more-charities-cancel-fund-raisers-at-trumps-mar-a-lago-club.html">Over the weekend two more nonprofits</a> joined the exodus, which is apparently in response to the president's comments about Charlottesville.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Feds to Spend $175,000 for "Implicit Bias" Powwow</em></strong><br /> <br /> Stanford University, which has an investment portfolio of about $22-billion, <a href="http://freebeacon.com/issues/feds-spend-174932-implicit-bias-conference/">has received $175,000 from the National Science Foundation</a> so the school can host a conference on "implicit bias." <a href="https://nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1651174&HistoricalAwards=false">According to the NSF</a>, the conference will bring together "leading experts on racism and prejudice." Nice work if you can get it. But if you can't, a no-doubt scintillating report summarizing the conference will be eventually available for your reading pleasure.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Big Ben's Final Bong Hit<br /> </em></strong><br /> Shortly before noon on Monday in London, <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/08/21/big-ben-row-everything-need-know-westminsters-great-bell-silenced/">the monumental clock tower Big Ben chimed for the last time until 2021</a>. The big guy will undergo major renovations and repairs and is being silenced in order to protect the workers' eardrums. At least one Member of Parliament openly wept today when Ben fell silent.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Vermont Fires ObamaCare Architect Gruber<br /> </em></strong><br /> Professor Jonathan Gruber, who condescendingly boasted that ObamaCare relied on "the stupidity of American voter," <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/08/20/chief-obamacare-architect-sacked-after-fraudulent-billing-investigation/">will no longer be doing business for Vermont</a>. The state had been paying Gruber for consulting work before accusing him of fraudulent billing practices. Under the terms of the settlement, Vermont will not go after Gruber for any possible criminal charges.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Tribute to Jerry Lewis</em></strong><br /> <br /> Jerry Lewis, who entertained people around the world for more than half a century, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-08-20/jerry-lewis-comedian-turned-telethon-host-dies-at-91-cbs-says">died Sunday at the age of 91</a>. Lewis mastered lowbrow slapstick comedy, highbrow filmmaking, and pretty much everything in between. The Muscular Dystrophy Association, for which Lewis raised well over a billion dollars via his famous Labor Day telethons, put together this brief video salute.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sornrIk3qfw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> </p>
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<p>Check back Tuesday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-08-21T14:09:00ZBoston Emerges Mostly Unscathed; Trump Assails "Anti-Police Agitators"BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Boston-Emerges-Mostly-Unscathed;-Trump-Assails-Anti-Police-Agitators/553927899182245881.html2017-08-20T14:15:00Z2017-08-20T14:15:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, August 17, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Boston Emerges Mostly Unscathed<br /> </em></strong><br /> Tens of thousands of people descended on the Boston Common Saturday, some for a "Free Speech Rally," others to protest that rally, and many just to watch. <a href="http://www.wcvb.com/article/free-speech-rally-fight-supremacy-rally-boston-common/12036148">While there were 33 arrests</a> on various charges, there were relatively few reports of violence and the event had none of the deadly chaos that struck Charlottesville one week previously.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Antifa Outrage Mars Boston Rally</em></strong><br /> <br /> Even though the Boston event went off with little violence, there were exceptions. In one egregious case, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">a woman holding an American flag was struck and dragged</a> by a far-left protester. The woman was uninjured but badly shaken, while her assailant was never nabbed.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Assails "Anti-Police Agitators"<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump, as expected, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/898988632551370753">tweeted his immediate reaction to the Boston rally and protests</a>. He praised the police for being "tough and smart" and denounced those he described as "anti-police agitators." The president also took the opportunity to call for national healing.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Police Pursuing Barcelona Terrorist <br /> </em></strong><br /> Authorities in Spain <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/08/20/spanish-police-close-suspect-related-attacks-barcelona-cambrils/">say they are closing in on Moroccan-born Younes Abouyaaquob</a>, who is suspected of killing 14 people in Barcelona on Thursday. The 22-year-old is believed to have run from the scene after his van finally came to a halt.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Barcelona Rabbi to Spanish Jews: Get Out!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Chief Rabbi Meir Bar-Hen <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4805660/Barcelona-s-chief-rabbi-urges-Jews-Israel.html">is advising Jews to depart Spain and head to Israel and safety</a>. He warns that Jews who remain in Western Europe live under the constant threat from radical Islam. The rabbi urged Spanish Jews to avoid the mistakes made by Jews in other nations, declaring that "Europe is lost."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>New Threat From North Korea</em></strong><br /> <br /> As the United States and South Korea prepare for their annual joint military exercises, the North Korean government says <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/international/347247-north-korea-us-cannot-dodge-merciless-strike">the war games could lead to an "uncontrollable phase of nuclear war."</a> Kim Jong Un reaffirms that his missiles can reach both the U.S. territory of Guam and the United States mainland.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>USS Indianapolis, Sunk in '45, Finally Found</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/20/world/asia/uss-indianapolis-paul-allen.html">In one of the final acts of World War II</a>, a Japanese submarine torpedoed and sank the Navy cruiser USS Indianapolis in the Philippine Sea. A team assembled by Microsoft billionaire Paul Allen has <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulGAllen/status/898945611520552960/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F08%2F20%2Fworld%2Fasia%2Fuss-indianapolis-paul-allen.html">announced that it has finally found the wreckage 18,000 feet below the surface</a>. The Indianapolis was sunk on July 30, 1945, only a week before the first atomic bomb was unleashed on Hiroshima. Of the 1,196 men on board the doomed ship, 316 were rescued and 22 are still alive.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Steve Bannon Out, Now What?</em></strong><br /> <br /> Strategic advisor Steve Bannon is gone from the White House, back at Breitbart News where he initially gained his reputation as a conservative political thinker. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/bannons-departure-is-unlikely-to-calm-the-turmoil-in-trumps-white-house/2017/08/19/efcd08be-84f9-11e7-ab27-1a21a8e006ab_story.html?utm_term=.7f9ad1302301">Washington Post political observers</a> are obviously not convinced that the staff shakeup will do much of anything to calm the roiled waters in the White House.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hope Hicks In, Now What?</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump has a new communications boss, <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/meet-hope-hicks-white-house-interim-communications-director/story?id=49299112">28-year-old Hope Hicks</a>. The former model and actress moved into public relations and became close friends with Ivanka Trump, who once described Hicks as "brilliant, kind, and wickedly funny." Hope Hicks is the youngest person to head up the White House communications shop.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Why Americans Distrust the Media</em></strong><br /> <br /> Sharyl Attkisson, former correspondent for CBS News and author of "The Smear," <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/media/347091-americans-dont-trust-the-media-and-for-good-reason">writes in The Hill that media charlatans</a> have strangled fair journalism. She explains how the once-respected profession has been transformed, and not for the better.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>General Lee Ousted at Duke<br /> </em></strong><br /> Duke University, which acted so cowardly and cravenly when lacrosse players were falsely accused of rape, <a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/news/national/2017/08/duke_university_takes_down_statue_of_gen_robert_e_lee">has removed a statue of Robert E. Lee in the dark of night</a>. After the statue was defaced and vandalized Thursday, school officials decided it was best to put the statue in storage.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> PC Gone Mad, Take 1<br /> </em></strong><br /> Some students at the University of Southern California have decided that the school's mascot <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/08/19/usc-mascot-squabble-trojan-horse-for-political-correctness.html">is offensive and oppressive</a>. Why? The white horse, ridden at football games by a latter-day Trojan warrior, is named Traveler VII. And Robert E. Lee's famous horse was named Traveller. Different spelling, but who the 'L' cares these days?<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> PC Gone Mad, Take 2<br /> </em></strong><br /> Not to be outdone, <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/08/american-totality-eclipse-race/537318/">The Atlantic has published a piece</a> complaining that the Great Solar Eclipse will be seen in its totality mostly by white people. The race-obsessed writer uses the eclipse as a way to shed light, so to speak, on America's racial history. Seriously.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Vermont Slams ObamaCare Architect Gruber<br /> </em></strong><br /> Remember the ultra-arrogant professor Jonathan Gruber, who boasted that ObamaCare passed largely because of the stupidity of American voters? After a long investigation into Gruber's business practices, <a href="http://www.rutlandherald.com/articles/vt-community-health-centers-awarded-grants/">the state of Vermont has determined that the professor submitted false claims</a> in violation of state law. It is unclear whether Vermont will continue to do business with the shady consultant.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Deadly Weekend for Cops<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/everett-miller-suspect-in-kissimmee-police-shootings-is-former-marine/">A 45-year-old Florida man ambushed and killed two police officers Friday</a>. The alleged killer, Everett Miller, is a former Marine who posted threats against cops on social media. Two cops were also shot in Jacksonville, Florida, and two more in Pennsylvania. All four of those officers survived the shootings.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Comic-Turned-Activist Dick Gregory Dead<br /> </em></strong><br /> Dick Gregory initially gained fame as a standup comedian, then shifted to social activism. Gregory ran for mayor of Chicago and once engaged in a 70-day-fast that took his weight down to 104 pounds. He admittedly ignored his own eleven children in his quest to be "a great fighter for the liberation." <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/08/20/comedian-and-civil-rights-activist-dick-gregory-dead-at-84/">Dick Gregory died of heart failure Saturday at age 84.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Calls for NFL Boycott Over Kaepernick<br /> </em></strong><br /> Quarterback Colin Kaepernick still hasn't been signed by an NFL team and his supporters are ready to take action. The NAACP, among others, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2017/08/20/kaepernick-supporters-call-for-nfl-boycott.html">accuses team owners of shunning Kaepernick</a> because he refused to stand for the National Anthem. The NAACP warns that it will find some way to halt NFL games if the quarterback is not signed by a team and given another chance.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Major League Umpires Protest Abuse<br /> </em></strong><br /> If you catch a major league baseball game soon, you may notice that the men in blue are wearing white wristbands. <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2017/8/19/16174138/mlb-umpires-protest-wristbands-verbal-attacks-angel-hernandez-ian-kinsler">The umps are protesting what they say is increasing verbal abuse</a> hurled at them by players. Umpires are accustomed to being pelted with insults from the stands, but they expect the players to be a bit more circumspect.</p>
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<p>Check back Monday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-08-20T14:15:00ZManhunt for Barcelona Terrorist; Lawmaker Calls for Trump's AssassinationBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Manhunt-for-Barcelona-Terrorist;-Lawmaker-Calls-for-Trumps-Assassination/60308605612415832.html2017-08-18T13:51:00Z2017-08-18T13:51:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, August 17, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Manhunt for Barcelona Terrorist<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/08/18/search-continues-for-driver-in-barcelona-attack.html">At least 14 people are dead and more than 100 wounded</a> after Thursday's terrorist attacks in Spain. The 18-year-old driver in the main attack in Barcelona escaped on foot, while five suspects were killed by police in a related attack. ISIS was quick to take responsibility for the carnage, praising the killers as "soldiers of the Islamic State."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The 18-Year-Old Suspect</em></strong><br /> <br /> The driver of the van <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-40975552">has been identified as Moussa Oukabir</a>, who recently turned 18. His social media messages include this ominous post: "Kill the unbelievers and leave only Muslims who follow their religion." The suspect apparently used his brother's ID to rent the van.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Lawmaker Calls for Trump's Assassination<br /> </em></strong><br /> Missouri State Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal has taken Trump Derangement Syndrome to a new low. The Democrat from a suburb of St. Louis <a href="http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/mccaskill-clay-and-others-call-for-mo-senator-to-resign/article_406059d6-1aa4-52fc-89ee-2a6a69baaf2e.html">posted this Thursday: "I hope Trump is assassinated."</a> The Secret Service is investigating and other Democrats are demanding that Chappelle-Nadal resign, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">but she refuses to even apologize</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>President Trump Losing Friends?</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/18/politics/donald-trump-bob-corker-tim-scott-friends/index.html">According to CNN</a>, which is notoriously and proudly anti-Trump, the president has alienated many Republicans in Washington. Among the GOP senators who have recently expressed doubt about President Trump are Bob Corker of Tennessee and Tim Scott of South Carolina. In addition, a gaggle of CEOs have distanced themselves from the president by resigning from White House advisory councils.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hero of the Left Denounces Antifa</em></strong><br /> <br /> Noam Chomsky, the far left professor who has long been a leading intellectual beacon for progressives, has described the "Antifa" movement <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/noam-chomsky-antifa-is-a-major-gift-to-the-right/article/2631786">as a fringe group and a "major gift to the right."</a> Antifa, short for anti-fascist, which has violently shut down college speakers from California to Vermont, is primarily made up of communists, socialists, and anarchists.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Ghostwriter Predicts Presidential Resignation<br /> </em></strong><br /> Tony Schwartz, who helped write Donald Trump's "The Art of the Deal," <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/17/politics/art-of-the-deal-author-trump-resignation-prediction/index.html">says President Trump will soon walk out on his deal with the American people</a>. Schwartz, a very vocal critic of the president, contends that Mr. Trump will resign before the end of the year.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> AZ Congressman to Trump: Stay Home!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Congressman Ruben Gallego, a Democrat from Arizona, wants President Trump to call off his planned rally in Phoenix next week. Gallego accused the president of visiting only so that he can "stir up more trouble and to cause more resentment."</p>
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<p><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Confederate Monuments Vandalized, Defaced<br /> </em></strong><br /> The war against symbols of the Confederacy has accelerated in recent days. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/18/us/monuments-memorials-vandalized-charlottesville/index.html">CNN has assembled a list of some of the statues that have been damaged this week</a>. The most distressing vandalism came in Chicago, where a bust of Abraham Lincoln was burned and defaced. The list also includes former Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo, who didn't have a whole lot to do with the Civil War. Rizzo was mayor in the 1970s, but is considered a "racist" by some in the City of Brotherly Love.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pelosi Demands Statue Removal<br /> </em></strong><br /> Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/346960-pelosi-wants-confederate-statues-out-of-capitol">are calling for Confederate statues to be removed from Statuary Hall in the Capitol</a>. Among those honored in the capitol are Confederate President Jefferson Davis, his Vice President Alexander Stephens, and General Joseph Wheeler, who massacred freed slaves late in the Civil War.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Navy Punishes Crew of Fatal Ship<br /> </em></strong><br /> Seven U.S. sailors died when the destroyer USS Fitzgerald collided with another ship off the coast of Japan in June. While the Navy has praised the crew for saving many lives, <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/08/18/544387493/uss-fitzgerald-leaders-punished-crew-is-praised-after-collision-with-cargo-ship">it has also relieved Commander Bryce Benson of his duties</a>. Two other sailors, an officer and an enlisted man, have also been disciplined.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Zimbabwe First Lady to Skip Prosecution<br /> </em></strong><br /> Grace Mugabe, wife of Zimbabwe's murderous dictator Robert Mugabe, was arrested in South Africa and charged with beating and whipping a 20-year-old model. But now South African authorities will <a href="https://in.reuters.com/article/safrica-mugabe-idINKCN1AY0WN">apparently grant diplomatic immunity to Mrs. Mugabe</a>, saying that a prosecution would be harmful to relations with other countries in the region.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>An Eclipsed Singer's Great Comeback<br /> <br /> </em></strong></p>
<p>Bonnie Tyler has been somewhat under the radar lately, but that's about to change. <a href="http://variety.com/2017/music/news/bonnie-tyler-eclipse-total-eclipse-of-the-heart-1202531190/">On Monday the 66-year-old Welsh singer will belt out her biggest hit, "Total Eclipse of the Heart,"</a> on a cruise ship that will be directly in the path of the Great Solar Eclipse. If you don't have the time or money to book passage, you can at least play her music video as the skies darken.<br /><br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lcOxhH8N3Bo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
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<p>Check back Sunday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-08-18T13:51:00ZSteve Bannon Speaks Out; Trump Denounces Lindsey Graham's "Disgusting Lie"BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Steve-Bannon-Speaks-Out;-Trump-Denounces-Lindsey-Grahams-Disgusting-Lie/900355776897216737.html2017-08-17T14:56:00Z2017-08-17T14:56:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Thursday, August 17, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Denounces Lindsey Graham's "Disgusting Lie"<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump, in a Thursday morning tweet, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/16/politics/lindsey-graham-donald-trump-charlottesville/index.html">accused Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of putting forth an egregious lie</a> about the president's response to Charlottesville. The president insists that in no way did he give moral equivalence to white supremacists and left-wing protesters. He also twisted the knife by reminding everyone that he trounced Senator Graham in the presidential primaries. President Trump has been going after some of his fellow Republicans with a venom usually reserved for members of the other party.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Steve Bannon Speaks Out<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump's strategic advisor Steve Bannon, who usually prefers to remain in the background, <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/17/steve-bannon-interview-american-prospect-241729">called a reporter this week to unload</a>. He dismissed the far-right movement as "a collection of clowns" and accused some of his rivals in the government of "wetting themselves." Bannon also seemed to be at odds with President Trump when it comes to a possible military solution in North Korea.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sheriff Clarke on Alt-Left</em></strong><br /> <br /> David Clarke, the pro-Trump Sheriff of Milwaukee County in Wisconsin, <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/the-administration/346915-trump-is-right-the-alt-left-exists-and-theyre-no-better">writes in The Hill that President Trump was exactly right</a> when he denounced the actions of left wingers in Charlottesville. Clarke, excoriating what he calls the "self-righteous left," declares that extreme leftist movements "are in the same category as neo-Nazis and white supremacists."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>White Nationalists Eye Kentucky<br /> </em></strong><br /> City officials in Lexington, Kentucky <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/08/16/lexington-braces-for-protests-as-it-moves-ahead-with-plans-to-remove-confederate-statues.html">are preparing for the possibility of trouble</a> as white nationalists are reportedly headed in that direction. The city has announced that it may remove two Confederate statues from the courthouse downtown. The Lexington police chief is working closely with the FBI to prevent a Charlottesville-like outbreak of violence.<strong><em><br /> <br /> <br /> Phoenix Mayor to Trump: Stay Away!</em></strong><br /> <br /> President Trump is planning to stage another political-style rally next week, this time in Phoenix, Arizona. <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/08/17/544113745/phoenix-mayor-asks-trump-to-delay-visit-hoping-for-more-sound-judgment">But Democratic Mayor Greg Stanton is advising the president to steer clear of Phoenix</a>, especially if President Trump plans on using the occasion to pardon former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. The man known as "America's Toughest Sheriff" was convicted of criminal contempt when he refused a judge's orders to stop targeting possible illegal immigrants.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>George Washington Statue in the Crosshairs</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">This was not exactly difficult to predict</a>. A Chicago pastor has asked Mayor Rahm Emanuel to remove a statue of George Washington from a public park. He also suggests that parks named after Washington and James Madison should instead honor Jesse Jackson and, yes, Michael Jackson.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sessions Hammers Chicago<br /> </em></strong><br /> Meanwhile, don't expect to see a statue of Jeff Sessions going up in Chicago any time soon. The attorney general <a href="http://thehill.com/latino/346862-sessions-rails-against-chicago-during-visit-to-miami">is denouncing that city's sanctuary</a> policies and linking those policies to Chicago's astronomical murder rate. The AG pointed out yesterday that Chicago has more murders than New York and Los Angeles combined.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>FBI Examining Clinton-Lynch Tarmac Pow wow<br /> </em></strong><br /> Federal law officials have <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/08/16/fbi-has-reopened-case-on-search-for-lynch-clinton-tarmac-meeting-records.html">reportedly re-opened their investigation</a> into the bizarre meeting between then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former President Bill Clinton. Conservative legal gadfly Jay Sekulow says the FBI is re-visiting his Freedom of Information Act request for documents about the meeting. Lynch and Clinton claimed they discussed golf and grandchildren, but skeptics are, well, skeptical.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Staff Shakeup on Mueller Team<br /> </em></strong><br /> Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating the Russia situation, will have to get by without one of his best sleuths. FBI veteran Peter Strzok, who is highly regarded and widely respected, <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/special-counsels-russia-probe-loses-top-fbi-investigator/story?id=49249486">has left the Mueller team for reasons unknown</a>. The very secretive special counsel's office, to no one's surprise, had no comment.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Atlanta Fed Predicts Explosive Growth<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, which has created an economic model called GDPNow, is forecasting <a href="https://www.frbatlanta.org/cqer/research/gdpnow.aspx">economic growth at an annual rate of 3.8% in this quarter</a>. That is much higher than the growth rate predicted by most financial analysts.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Eclipse Mania<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Great American Eclipse is only four days away. On Monday, the Moon will pass directly between the Sun and the Earth, and for the first time since 1918 the eclipse will be seen across the entire continental United States. <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/marshallshepherd/2017/08/17/no-3d-movie-glasses-are-not-like-eclipse-glasses-heres-why/#5f3a6fcd6cc6">Keep in mind that eclipse glasses are a must</a> for viewing the magnificent event and, no, 3-D movie glasses are not a safe replacement.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Australian Senator Wears Full Burqa<br /> </em></strong><br /> Senator Pauline Hanson, a strident foe of Muslim immigration to Australia, raised eyebrows down under this morning when <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-40957255">she walked into the Senate chamber wearing a full, head-to-toe burqa</a>. Hanson, who has worried aloud that Australia is "in danger of being swamped by Muslims," wants to ban the burqa.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Rosie O'Donnell Off The Rails<br /> </em></strong><br /> The former comedian known as Rosie O'Donnell, always eager for attention, is now declaring that <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/08/16/rosie-odonnell-youre-nazi-if-work-with-adolf-trump.html">anyone who works with "Adolf Trump" is, by definition, a Nazi</a>. O'Donnell may be trying to overtake Michael Moore in the Battle of Portly Trump-Bashers. It can be just as entertaining as the upcoming Mayweather-McGregor match, and much less expensive to watch.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sea World Euthanizes Elderly Whale<br /> </em></strong><br /> The 42-year-old whale Kasatka, the matriarch of Sea World's orca family, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4797792/SeaWorld-s-42-year-old-killer-whale-euthanized.html">was put down this week after a long fight against a lung infection</a>. Kasatka, who was captured way back in the Carter administration, was the second oldest orca in captivity. Sea World no longer breeds whales and is gradually ending its popular orca shows.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dodgers on a Roll<br /> </em></strong><br /> Feel a desperate need to get away from statues and political feuds? <a href="http://www.latimes.com/projects/la-sp-dodgers-best-season-ever/">Well, perhaps you should take a look at the Los Angeles Dodgers</a>. After last night's walk-off win, the team has an astounding record of 85 wins and 34 losses. The latter-days Boys of Summer are on pace for the best record in the history of that storied franchise, and perhaps even the most wins in the history of Major League Baseball. Not even the far left can possibly object to a future statue of Clayton Kershaw.</p>
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<p>Check back Friday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-08-17T14:56:00ZDC Still Abuzz After Prez Presser; More Monuments to FallBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/DC-Still-Abuzz-After-Prez-Presser;-More-Monuments-to-Fall/940628459505394694.html2017-08-16T14:16:00Z2017-08-16T14:16:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Wednesday, August 16, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>DC Still Abuzz After Prez Presser<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump's <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/346712-the-memo-trump-reignites-race-firestorm">unscripted press conference at Trump Tower Monday</a> is still the talk of the town and still lighting up social media. He laid blame for the Charlottesville violence on both white nationalists and the "alt-left" and lambasted the media in his own inimitable way.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Networks Run Wild with Press Conference<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-fondacaro/2017/08/15/nets-spend-77-percent-evening-news-wild-trump-presser">According to the Media Research Council</a>, which keeps track of these things, the three legacy networks devoted 77% of their Tuesday evening newscasts to Donald Trump's press conference. CBS led the way by spending each and every available second on that topic. Forget North Korea, forget Russia, forget infrastructure, this was all the news that was fit to print … or broadcast.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Ultra-Sensitive Reporters "Shaken" and "Sick"<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://ijr.com/the-declaration/2017/08/948544-reporters-left-feeling-sick-shaken-rattled-trumps-internet-breaking-news-conference/">The Independent Journal Review</a> has gathered some amusing tweets from media types who complain that they were "rattled" by President Trump's news conference. One very manly magazine editor admits that he "bawled for 20 minutes" because of the stress and anxiety. Some anti-Trump reporters <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/16/politics/trump-moment-might-be-different/index.html">are gleefully predicting that this time he went too far</a> and will alienate friends and foes alike.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The President's Grudge Against McCain<br /> </em></strong><br /> During that wild press conference, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/08/16/trump-shows-hasnt-forgotten-mccains-health-care-vote.html">President Trump bristled when a questioner mentioned Senator John McCain</a>, whose pivotal vote against ObamaCare repeal incensed the White House. The president went out of his way to mention Senator McCain a few times, most certainly not in an affectionate manner.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>More Monuments to Fall<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/momentum-to-remove-confederate-monuments-building-post-charlottesville/">In the wake of Charlottesville, many cities are moving quickly</a> to tear down or move Confederate statues on public property. While there is not much resistance, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">some sober observers are questioning</a> where and when this move to erase the past will end.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> Baltimore Hauls Off Statues<br /> </em></strong><br /> In an effort to avoid controversy or protests, <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-monuments-removed-20170816-story.html">Baltimore crews removed four Confederate statues</a> in the wee hours of Wednesday morning. Mayor Catherine Pugh was on hand as the monuments were taken down and hauled away to an unknown destination.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>War on Statues Moves to the Capitol<br /> </em></strong><br /> Meanwhile, the Congressional Black Caucus is calling for the <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/346710-black-lawmakers-say-confederate-statues-should-come-out-of-capitol">removal of Confederate statues from the Capitol building</a>. There are at least nine such monuments in the National Statuary Hall Collection. Among those honored with statues are Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederate States, and former Vice President John Calhoun, an ardent defender of slavery.<br /> <br /> <strong><em>On Another Subject …<br /> </em></strong><br /> Lost in all this press conference and statue kerfuffle is the <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/finance/346673-gop-thinks-it-has-winning-message-on-taxes">news that the GOP seems to be coming together</a> over tax reform. Both House and Senate Republicans predict that tax simplification will be a much easier sell than ObamaCare repeal. Failure to pass tax legislation could be disastrous for the party and its candidates in 2018.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>And on Still Another Subject …<br /> </em></strong><br /> Remember North Korea and the threat of nuclear conflict? That was so last week! The good news, which has largely been overlooked, is that Kim Jong Un has apparently backed down and <a href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2017/08/16/us_ponders_path_to_permanent_treaty_with_north_korea_134759.html">may even agree to direct talks with the Trump administration</a>. This morning <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-idUSKCN1AW0VY">President Trump praised the North Korean</a> leader for making a "wise" decision regarding Guam.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>North Korea Accused of Religious Atrocities<br /> </em></strong><br /> Not all the news from North Korea is positive, far from it. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/08/15/north-korea-is-executing-torturing-and-enslaving-those-who-practice-religion-us-says-in-new-report.html">The U.S. State Department has just released a report</a> claiming that North Korea is engaged in widespread persecution of people of faith. Kim Jong Un's government allegedly punishes religious citizens with "executions, torture, beatings and arrests."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Report: Scaramucci Replacement Picked<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/08/16/exclusive-hope-hicks-to-be-named-white-house-comms-director/">The Daily Caller is reporting</a> that Trump loyalist Hope Hicks will be the new White House Communications Director. She is a former model and actress who turned to public relations and communications after building a friendship with Ivanka Trump. You'll recall that Anthony Scaramucci lasted just ten days in that position.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Unspeakable Illegal Alien Horror in Utah<br /> </em></strong><br /> 32-year-old Mexican national Victor Francisco Michel-Lara, who returned to the USA after being deported, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/08/15/illegal-immigrant-in-utah-who-was-deported-raped-7-year-old-girl-thousands-times-police-say.html">is accused of raping a 7-year-old girl "thousands of times."</a> The little girl told authorities that the illegal immigrant molested and raped her repeatedly, while he claims the inappropriate touching came when he was rubbing lotion on her. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bar Association: Let Illegals Be Lawyers<br /> </em></strong><br /> Just when you think things cannot get any more bizarre, the <a href="https://lawnewz.com/uncategorized/bar-association-wants-trump-to-let-undocumented-immigrants-practice-law/">American Bar Association has passed a resolution</a> suggesting that illegal immigrants should be able to practice law. Given the makeup of Congress and the administration, it is highly unlikely that you will be represented by an illegal alien any time in the near future.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary Clinton Shifts $800,000 to Political Organization<br /> </em></strong><br /> After her loss to Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/08/14/hillary-using-800k-in-campaign-funds-for-new-political-group/">transferred an estimated $800,000 in unspent campaign</a> funds to her political group called Onward Together. Since the former secretary of state boasts that she is part of the anti-Trump "resistance" movement, the money will undoubtedly be used to promote liberal causes.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Runoff in Alabama Senate Race<br /> </em></strong><br /> After no Republican candidate reached 50% in Tuesday's GOP primary, <a href="http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/politics/southunionstreet/2017/08/15/dnp/570938001/">former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore and State Senator Luther Strange</a> will square off for the nomination. Strange has received the endorsement of President Trump, while Moore is known for defiantly displaying the Ten Commandments in his courtroom. The winner will eventually face Democratic former U.S. Attorney Doug Jones, with the victor heading to Washington to replace Jeff Sessions.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Elvis Dead For Four Decades!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Yes, it's been 40 years since Elvis Presley died at his home in Memphis less than two months after giving his final concert. Just as Elvis was scheduled to begin another tour, he was found dead on his bathroom floor, setting off a wave of mourning. <a href="http://people.com/music/elvis-presley-40th-death-anniversary-graceland-candlelight-vigil/">Tens of thousands of fans are at Graceland for a vigil</a> on the estate that includes the singer's grave.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>One Year, $147,000, & You, Too, Can Be A Reporter<br /> </em></strong><br /> Columbia University is offering a new one-year <a href="https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2017/08/11/new-journalism-degree-columbia-150k-catch">degree program that will set you back about $150,000</a>. The school says the proud (and poor!) student will receive top-notch training in "producing deeply reported data-driven stories in the public interest." Since reporters tend to be easily rattled and sickened by a Donald Trump press conference, we hope the steep fee includes a hefty supply of Kaopectate.</p>
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<p>Check back Thursday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-08-16T14:16:00ZNorth Korea Backs Down on Guam; Nuke Warnings from IranBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/North-Korea-Backs-Down-on-Guam;-Nuke-Warnings-from-Iran/178674408179323334.html2017-08-15T14:23:00Z2017-08-15T14:23:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Tuesday, August 15, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>North Korea Backs Down on Guam<br /> </em></strong><br /> Whether or not it was President Trump's tough "fire and fury" warnings, <a href="https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-northkorea-missiles-idUKKCN1AU04S?il=0">Kim Jong Un has reportedly delayed or canceled</a> any thoughts of firing missiles towards Guam. While Guamanians are resting easier today, the erratic North Korean leader says he is reserving the right to change his mind again if the USA continues its "dangerous reckless actions."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Nuke Warnings from Iran<br /> </em></strong><br /> Just as tensions cool on the Korean Peninsula, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40934680">things may be heating up in Iran</a>. President Hassan Rouhani is boasting that his nation has the ability to re-ignite its nuclear program "within hours" if the United States imposes new sanctions. The Trump administration has given formal approval to the nuclear deal negotiated by President Obama, but has also warned Iran to avoid future threats.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Protesters Greet President @ Trump Tower<br /> </em></strong><br /> Anti-Trumpers gathered <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/08/14/thousands-hit-nyc-streets-to-protest-trumps-response-to-charlottesville/">around New York City Monday night</a> as the president returned to spend the night in Trump Tower for the first time since his inauguration. As usual, the protesters shouted "not my president" and similar slogans. Despite the noisy reception, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/897293484884979712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2017%2F08%2F15%2Fus%2Ftrump-charlottesville-reaction-rallies%2Findex.html">President Trump tweeted that it felt good to be home.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump May Pardon "Sheriff Joe"<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/08/14/trump-seriously-considering-pardon-for-sheriff-joe-arpaio.html">The president has hinted that he may issue a pardon to Joe Arpaio</a>, the man once known as "America's Toughest Sheriff." Arpaio was convicted of defying a judge's orders by continuing traffic stops intended to find illegal immigrants. The sheriff has long been a thorn in the side of immigration groups, but President Trump describes him as a "great patriot."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Black Lives Matter: Ban Confederate Symbols<br /> </em></strong><br /> Comparing Confederate flags and statues to Nazi symbols, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/08/15/black-lives-matter-wants-to-outlaw-confederate-groups-and-flags-now/">Black Lives Matter is calling on governments</a> to outlaw all reminders of the Confederacy. BLM claims the statues are stark evidence of "white supremacy" that is enduring and endemic in the United States.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>University Orientation: Whites Need Not Apply<br /> </em></strong><br /> The University of San Francisco is about to hold a day-long orientation program that is <a href="https://www.thecollegefix.com/post/35536/">reserved for black students</a>. The event is intended to "address the specific and particular needs of African American/Black students" at the school. USF has also published a "White Privilege Resource Guide" that is meant to inform white students about their unfair advantages.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Statue Bites the Dust<br /> </em></strong><br /> A gaggle of left-wing protesters has destroyed another Confederate statue, this time in Durham, North Carolina. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">Local police videotaped the vandalism on public property</a>, but did nothing to intervene when the mob used a cord to bring the statue to the ground. The statue did not honor any particular soldier, but was erected to commemorate "the boys who wore the gray."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another CEO Bites the Dust<br /> </em></strong><br /> Brian Krzanich, CEO of chipmaker Intel, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/14/intel-ceo-quit-trumps-manufacturing-council.html">is the latest corporate boss to exit President Trump's council of manufacturing advisers</a>. Krzanich, who says he stepped down to call attention to "our divided political climate," is the third CEO to leave the council since the Charlottesville violence.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Zimbabwe First Lady Arrested for Assault<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Grace Mugabe, wife of Zimbabwe's brutal dictator Robert Mugabe, <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/zimbabwe-president-grace-mugabe-south-africa-650836">has been arrested for assaulting a young woman in South Africa</a>. The victim accused Mrs. Mugabe of severely beating her with an extension cord. The first lady is due in court today.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>California Sues Trump Administration<br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/08/14/california-sues-doj-over-threats-to-withhold-federal-funds-to-sanctuary-cities.html">The State of California accuses the Trump administration</a> of unlawfully withholding federal funds intended to help cities. The White House and the Justice Department have clearly stated their intention to punish sanctuary cities and counties that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration officials. Various localities in California apparently feel they are free to defy the feds and still collect federal dollars.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Scaramucci Vs. Bannon<br /> </em></strong><br /> Remember Anthony Scaramucci, whose tenure as White House Communications Director lasted about ten days? <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/346567-scaramucci-bannon-is-a-white-house-leaker">He's now making the talk show rounds</a> and accusing Trump aide Steve Bannon of leaking information to the media. Scaramucci was fired after his infamous profanity-laced tirade in which he accused Bannon of an anatomically impossible act.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Tiger Woods' Lethal Drug Cocktail<br /> </em></strong><br /> A toxicology report shows that <a href="http://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/20344001/toxicology-report-shows-tiger-woods-had-vicodin-dilaudid-xanax-ambien-thc-system-dui-arrest">Tiger Woods had at least five drugs in his bloodstream</a> when he was arrested after being found asleep in his car in May. The drugs included Vicodin, Xanax, Ambien, THC, and Dilaudid. Woods has pleaded guilty to reckless driving and will enter a program that will enable him to have his record expunged.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Senator Kid Rock? Not So Fast!<br /> </em></strong><br /> Just about everyone knows Kid Rock, but not many are familiar with Robert Ritchie. So of course the senatorial hopeful wants to run in Michigan under his stage name, not his legal appellation. However, state election officials must <a href="http://www.denverpost.com/2017/08/15/kid-rock-michigan-senate-may-be-ineligible/">decide whether he can actually appear on the ballot as "Kid Rock"</a> since nicknames are not usually recognized under Michigan law. Right now Mr. Ritchie, aka Mr. Rock, is a front-runner in the Republican primary and is polling about even with incumbent Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Think Twice Before Using That Smiley Face</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>A new study indicates that <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/08/14/using-emojis-makes-people-think-incompetent-research-finds/">people who use emojis are generally perceived as less competent</a> than emoji-eschewers. The researchers add that generously sprinkling emojis on correspondence could damage your prospects for landing a job. <br /> </p>
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<p>Check back Wednesday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-08-15T14:23:00ZWhite House Calibrates Response to VA Violence; Trump Hammered From All SidesBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/White-House-Calibrates-Response-to-VA-Violence;-Trump-Hammered-From-All-Sides/-312815733286890027.html2017-08-14T15:03:00Z2017-08-14T15:03:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Monday, August 14, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Justice Department Steps In<br /> </em></strong><br /> Attorney General Jeff Sessions <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/08/13/federal-civil-rights-probe-launched-into-fatal-charlottesville-crash.html">is vowing that the Department of Justice</a> will be deeply involved in the Charlottesville investigation. He affirmed that the murder of Heather Heyer, who was killed when 20-year-old Nazi sympathizer James Alex Fields allegedly plowed his car into a crowd, meets the definition of "domestic terrorism."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>White House Calibrates Response to VA Violence<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump has been widely criticized by the mainstream media and others for his relatively tepid comments in which he denounced hate from "many sides." <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/346389-white-house-defends-trumps-charlottesville-statement">The White House has since issued a statement</a> that specifies "white supremacists, KKK, Neo-Nazi and all extremist groups." Meanwhile, Vice President Pence has spoken out very powerfully in his condemnation of "fringe groups."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Hammered From All Sides<br /> </em></strong><br /> Even the New York Post, a newspaper that is usually supportive of President Trump, <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/08/13/trump-badly-missed-the-mark-on-charlottesville/">is blasting his initial response to the murder and mayhem in Charlottesville</a>. The paper's editorial praised other administration officials for sounding the right tone of outrage, but urged the president to speak with far more clarity.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Rally Organizer Spat On and Chased<br /> </em></strong><br /> 34-year-old Jason Kessler, the white nationalist who organized the "Unite the Right" rally that turned deadly, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">attempted to give a press conference Sunday</a>. He was immediately berated by an angry crowd and peppered with shouts of "murderer" and "shame." Prior to being rushed away by police, <a href="http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/kessler-blames-city-officials-as-news-conference-dissolves-into-chaos/article_cc7ae852-8096-11e7-8198-bbb38b7b63d1.html">Kessler blamed Charlottesville police and politicians</a> for allowing Saturday's mayhem to occur.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Presidential Press Conference Today?<br /> </em></strong><br /> On Friday, prior to the madness in Virginia, President Trump told reporters he would give a "pretty big" press conference Monday, meaning today. The president was scheduled to travel from Bedminister, New Jersey, to Washington for the event, which was vaguely defined. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/08/14/trump-returns-to-washington-with-target-on-china-amid-charlottesville-turmoil.html">But in his Monday morning tweets</a> there was no mention of a press conference.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Maxine Waters Goes Off On Trump<br /> </em></strong><br /> Congresswoman Maxine Waters, never reticent to lob a few verbal grenades, has outdone herself since the Charlottesville mayhem. <a href="http://insider.foxnews.com/2017/08/13/maxine-waters-blames-trump-white-nationalist-riots-your-side-not-many-sides">The White House, she says, is now the "White Supremacists' House."</a> Waters, who was listed as one of the "most corrupt" members of Congress four times, has become a favorite guest on anti-Trump cable news outlets and a face of the Democratic "resistance."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>White House Feud?<br /> <br /> </em></strong>There is apparently very real tension between National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster and Trump strategist Steve Bannon. <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/h-r-mcmaster-dodges-questions-about-whether-he-can-work-with-steve-bannon/">During an appearance on Meet the Press Sunday</a>, General McMaster was noncommittal when asked whether he can work with Bannon.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Approval @ 45%<br /> <br /> </em></strong>In two polls conducted prior to the weekend's events, <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-approval-at-45-gop-base-steady-at-76-percent-independents-returning/article/2631255">President Trump's approval rating among American</a> voters rose to a relatively solid 45%. He is also holding firm among Republicans. However, far more Americans "strongly disapprove" of the president than "strongly approve."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bill de Blasio for President?<br /> </em></strong><br /> It would be a Republican dream come true! <a href="http://pagesix.com/2017/08/13/mayor-bill-de-blasio-may-be-running-for-president/">According to some reports</a>, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is considering a run for the White House in 2020. At least two other New Yorkers - Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Governor Andrew Cuomo - are also said to be testing the waters. A de Blasio candidacy would steer the Democratic Party even farther to the left than it has drifted in recent years.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>20 Dead in Burkina Faso<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-40920338">At least 20 people were murdered by terrorists in Burkina Faso</a>, the West African nation formerly named Upper Volta. The killers, thought to be members of an Al Qaeda affiliate, opened fire in a Turkish restaurant and were eventually killed themselves by police. Burkina Faso and neighboring countries have been devastated by terror attacks in recent years.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pakistan at 70<br /> </em></strong><br /> It has been 70 years since colonial Britain partitioned the Indian subcontinent into Hindu-majority India and <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/14/asia/pakistan-independence-day-partition-india/index.html">Pakistan, which would be almost exclusively Muslim</a>. The division led to millions of desperate refugees and mass murder as Muslims flocked to the new country and Hindus scrambled to escape. The two nations, both of which possess nuclear weapons, have gone to war four times since the 1947 partition.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>That's Some Weird, Wild Stuff</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>File this under Strange But True. Very strange indeed! Professional golf has four major championships and this year each of them was won by a <a href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/news/1350478-wanna-pick-a-major-champ-choose-a-guy-with-12-letters-in-his-name">man whose first and last name both had six letters</a>. Sergio Garcia, Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, and Justin Thomas were the winners. Count 'em up – 48 letters in all, equally divided. What are the odds? Certainly much greater than 6 – 1!<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>NFL & The National Anthem</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Michael Bennett, <a href="http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/seahawk-michael-bennett-sits-during-anthem/">defensive end for the Seattle Seahawks</a>, is the latest player choosing to sit out the pre-game National Anthem. While stressing that he has great respect for the military, Bennett is speaking out against what he describes as "oppression" and "segregation." Another player, Marshawn Lynch of the Oakland Raiders, is following the same playbook.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Big Ben Sentenced to Four Years of Silence<br /> </em></strong><br /> London's fabulous Big Ben clock tower, which first sounded off in 1859, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-40922169">will be very quiet until 2021</a>. While the clock undergoes major repairs, the chimes will be turned off in order to protect workers' ear drums from damage. So for the next four years, London may feel a bit more like Chicago, with people asking, "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?"</p>
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<p>Check back Tuesday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-08-14T15:03:00ZRacist Charlottesville Rally Turns Deadly; Media Focus on Trump ResponseBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Racist-Charlottesville-Rally-Turns-Deadly;-Media-Focus-on-Trump-Response/-845658081624469939.html2017-08-13T14:18:00Z2017-08-13T14:18:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Sunday, August 13, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Racist Charlottesville Rally Turns Deadly<br /> </em></strong><br /> Hundreds of protesters identified as "white nationalists" congregated this weekend for a "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, the normally-serene Virginia city that has become Ground Zero for racially-charged protests. <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/white-nationalist-rally-virginia-triggers-state-emergency-article-1.3405906">Chaos and violence ensued when the white protesters clashed</a> with counter-protesters. There were arrests, bloodshed, death, and widespread condemnation from politicians of all stripes.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Media Focus on Trump Response<br /> </em></strong><br /> Many media outlets have been obsessed with President Trump's condemnation of <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/12/us/trump-charlottesville-protest-nationalist-riot.html">Saturday's violence in Charlottesville</a>, especially the fact that he did not single out white nationalists or neo-Nazis. The president denounced "hatred, bigotry, and violence," but was unusually judicious.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Charlottesville Killer IDed<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/08/12/ohio-man-20-identified-as-suspect-accused-driving-car-into-charlottesville-protesters.html">James Alex Fields of Ohio has been charged</a> with second-degree murder after plowing his car into a crowd at the Charlottesville protests and killing one woman. The victim was a 32-year-old who was crossing the street just as Fields accelerated his Dodge Charger. Fields' mother said she knew her son was going to Virginia for a protest, but apparently did not know it had anything to do with white supremacism.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Justice Department Beings Investigation<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/08/13/federal-civil-rights-probe-launched-into-fatal-charlottesville-crash.html">Attorney General Jeff Sessions and the Department of Justice</a> have opened an investigation into the Virginia protests and the death of the unidentified woman. Sessions pointedly decried "racial bigotry and hatred" and vowed that "justice will prevail." Two Virginia State Police pilots also died Saturday when their helicopter crashed while they were monitoring the violence.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Protests Spread to Oakland<br /> </em></strong><br /> After news of the Virginia violence spread, <a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2017-08-13/hundreds-protest-in-oakland-over-deadly-virginia-rally">hundreds of protesters marched in Oakland</a> to protest "white supremacy." Their march was described as peaceful, although they did block a major highway before police arrived to break up the march. There were smaller rallies and candlelight vigils in other cities as well.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Confers with President Macron Over Korea<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/11/politics/trump-north-korea-overt-threat/index.html">President Trump rang up President Emmanuel Macron of France Saturday</a> to discuss ways to defuse the escalating tension surrounding North Korea and Kim Jong Un. The president has also spoken with the governor of Guam, a possible target of Nork missiles, and leaders in China.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Google Hammered From the Right<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Conservatives and activists generally considered right of center <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/technology/346267-wrath-of-right-falls-on-google">have essentially declared war on ultra-powerful Google</a>. The high tech company angered many when it fired James Damore, a Google software engineer who criticized the firm's efforts to promote "diversity." Damore attempted to explain why women are underrepresented in many high-tech specialties, but his notorious memo turned him into a pariah at the supposedly tolerant company.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Elizabeth Warren Refuses Powwow with Nominee<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, a darling of the far left, is <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/elizabeth-warren-refuses-to-meet-trump-nominee-shes-blocking-for-justice-antitrust-division/article/2631317">reportedly blocking confirmation of Makan Delrahim</a>, who was nominated by President Trump to run the Justice Department's antitrust division. She has not explained her objection and has refused to meet with Delrahim. Even though the nomination sailed through the Senate Judiciary Committee on a 19 – 1 vote, an individual senator can delay confirmation.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Left Wing Loons Shout Down White Dem<br /> </em></strong><br /> Stacey Evans, a state legislator who is running to be the next Georgia Governor, <a href="http://politics.blog.ajc.com/2017/08/12/stacey-evans-gets-rocky-reception-at-netroots-conference/">was booed and heckled when she tried to speak</a> at Saturday's far-left Netroots Nation gathering. Evans' crime, in the eyes of the crowd, is that she is running against Stacey Abrams, a black woman. Both candidates are Democrats, both are lawyers, both are sufficiently "progressive," but only one has the right skin color.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dozens of Children Die in India Hospital<br /> </em></strong><br /> As many as 60 children, half of them infants, <a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2017-08-13/northern-indian-state-suspends-hospital-chief-after-deaths-of-60-children">have died in a hospital when a private supplier</a> cut off the supply of medical oxygen after not being paid. The head of the hospital has been suspended and an investigation is underway. One politician proclaimed, "The government is a murderer."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Black Reporters Shun Omarosa<br /> </em></strong><br /> Trump adviser <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/white-houses-omarosa-manigault-jeered-panel-talk-49179348">Omarosa Manigault was greeted with animosity</a> when she appeared at the National Association of Black Journalists conference in New Orleans. At least two reporters refused to share the stage with Manigault, who then got into a verbal altercation with an immoderate moderator.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>MSNBC Anchor Claims Focus on Opioids is Racist</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>A host on MSNBC, apparently very fond of the phrase "folks who look like me," actually implied that the government is fighting the opioid crisis because it affects white people rather than folks who look like him. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">Really, we're not kidding</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another NFL Player Emulates Kaepernick<br /> </em></strong><br /> Running back Marshawn Lynch of the Oakland Raiders <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/raiders-marshawn-lynch-sits-anthem-oakland-arizona-game-045425043.html">opted to sit out the National Anthem Saturday</a> before his team played a preseason game. Lynch, who is attempting a comeback after retiring, had previously expressed support for Colin Kaepernick.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Michael Moore's Broadway Flop</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Portly provocateur Michael Moore has switched from documentaries to the stage, <a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-michael-moore-terms-surrender-review-20170810-story.html">and the results have been generally panned by reviewers</a>. Moore's Boardway show "The Terms of My Surrender," which opened last week, had the expected anti-Trump screeches and attempts at humor, but the show is apparently not destined for a Cats-like run.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Bizarre Bazaar Marital Advice<br /> </em></strong><br /> Mixed among ads for $700 shoes, $2,300 dresses and $1,500 handbags, the women's magazine Bazaar offers some advice to any woman unfortunate enough to be married to a Trump supporter: Divorce The Bastard! Then go out and find a husband who believes nuclear war is a really, really bad thing. And, of course, make sure the new guy is rich enough to buy you those very expensive baubles that keep Bazaar afloat.</p>
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<p>Check back Monday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-08-13T14:18:00ZTrump Doubles Down on NK; Vogue Features TraitorBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Doubles-Down-on-NK;-Vogue-Features-Traitor/-108515474574215712.html2017-08-11T14:29:00Z2017-08-11T14:29:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, August 11, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Doubles Down on North Korea<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/895970429734711298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcnews.com%2Fnews%2Fworld%2Ftrump-us-military-locked-loaded-north-korea-n791721">In a Friday morning tweet</a>, President Trump warned North Korea that military solutions are "fully in place, locked and loaded." The president's message was issued soon after China said it will remain neutral if North Korea launches any type of attack aimed at the U.S. or the American territory of Guam.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>China Scolds North Korea, Warns USA<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/china-warns-north-korea-youre-on-your-own-if-you-go-after-the-us/2017/08/11/a01a4396-7e68-11e7-9026-4a0a64977c92_story.html?utm_term=.2b2c5d567bb5">Beijing has told North Korea that it won't jump in the fray</a> if Kim Jong Un goes through with his threats against the United States. At the same time, the Chinese say they will intervene if President Trump initiates a first strike. Playing the role of peacemaker, China is urging both sides to "alleviate tensions and enhance mutual trust." A Chinese semi-official newspaper added that both the USA and North Korea are playing a "reckless game."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Pros & Cons of Missile Defense<br /> </em></strong><br /> As North Korea warns that it will launch missiles in the direction of Guam, a U.S. territory, the Pentagon and President Trump may eventually have to decide whether to intercept and destroy the missiles. AP's bureau chief in North Korea <a href="https://apnews.com/839865501c6e4d8084c5f5258fb7f656/Pyongyang-challenge:-Should-US-shoot-Kim%C2%B4s-missiles-down">lays out the benefits and potential dangers of U.S. defensive action</a>, which has no guarantee of success.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CNN to Pro-Trump Analyst: You're Fired!<br /> <br /> </em></strong>CNN has shown Jeffrey Lord the door after Lord mocked Media Matters by tweeting the Nazi slogan "Sieg Heil!" In a network overflowing with Trump-haters, <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/cnn-fires-commentator-jeffrey-lord-over-sieg-heil-tweet-n791701">Lord was one of the president's only defenders</a> and a thorn in the side of many CNN hosts and viewers. He was at war with Media Matters because that far-left organization is calling for a boycott of conservatives like Sean Hannity. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/08/11/cnn-cuts-ties-with-commentator-jeffrey-lord-after-twitter-blowout.html">In his post-firing response, Lord said</a>, "CNN caved on the First Amendment." <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Paul Manafort Hires New Legal Team<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort, whose home was raided by the FBI last month, has fired his lawyers and hired new ones. The incoming legal wizards specialize in complicated financial crimes, <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/10/hold-manafort-switching-legal-team-as-feds-crank-up-heat-on-him-hold-241507">according to a report in Politico</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Big Pharma and Opioids</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://www.salon.com/2017/08/11/how-big-pharma-is-hindering-treatment-of-the-opioid-addiction-epidemic_partner/">An interesting article in Salon</a>, written by a professor who specializes in intellectual property, accuses major U.S. drug companies of making it far too expensive for opioid addicts to obtain treatment. The professor zeroes in on the addiction treatment drug Suboxone, which costs more than $500 for a one-month supply even though its patent has expired.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Voter Fraud? What Voter Fraud?</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>A college student in Virginia will spend 100 days in jail after admitting to committing electoral fraud. Andrew Spieles, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/08/10/college-student-gets-100-days-in-slammer-for-registering-dead-voters-for-dems.html">who worked for a Democratic organization</a>, earned money by filling out bogus voter registration forms. Among those he registered to vote were more than a few dead people.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Democrats Reject Pro-Life Candidates</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>The Democratic Party continues to feud over whether or not it should welcome anti-abortion candidates into the fold. In the most recent salvo, <a href="http://freebeacon.com/politics/dccc-no-pro-life/">the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee</a> says it has absolutely no interest in cooperating with a pro-life Democratic group. Some Democrats have claimed that abortion should not be a "litmus test," but others want absolutely nothing to do with any Democrat who does not fully back abortion on demand and Planned Parenthood.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>NY Times Still Under Fire for Stunning Error<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Earlier this week the New York Times hyped a major, earth-shattering story: It had exclusively received a leaked government report outlining the imminent threats posed by "climate change." The Times quoted scientists who feared that the dastardly Trump administration would bury the report deep in the bureaucracy. Unbeknownst to the Times, <a href="http://www.investors.com/politics/editorials/n-y-times-bias-shows-in-global-warming-report-what-else-is-new/">the report had been available online for seven months</a> and there was absolutely no attempt to suppress it. The "paper of record" issued a half-baked apology and moved on to search for the next anti-Trump "exclusive."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>New Developments in Sarah Palin vs. NY Times<br /> </em></strong><br /> Also, a New York Times editorial, written just after the targeting of Republican lawmakers in Virginia, falsely and maliciously asserted that Sarah Palin's campaign was directly responsible for the shooting of former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. Palin promptly filed a defamation suit, and a federal judge has now ruled that <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/10/business/media/sarah-palin-new-york-times-defamation-lawsuit.html">the editorial's writer must testify under oath</a>. He may have to concede that he does not read his own paper, which had repeatedly reported that the Palin campaign had nothing to do with the Giffords shooting.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Countdown to the Eclipse<br /> </em></strong><br /> In less than two weeks, on August 21<sup>st</sup>, <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2017/8/11/16086896/total-solar-eclipse-chaser-2017-david-baron">the moon will fully block the sun and cast darkness on parts of North America</a>. The temperature will drop, stars will be visible in the middle of the day, and tens of millions of Americans will be totally mesmerized. This is being heralded as the Great American Eclipse, the first total solar eclipse to cross the United States in a century.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Vogue Features Traitor</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Vogue magazine, which once ran an embarrassing puff piece about the wonderful Assad family of Syria, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/aug/11/chelsea-manning-fronts-vogue-magazines-september-issue">is now featuring Chelsea Manning</a>, the convicted traitor formerly known as Bradley. Manning, who was sentenced to 35 years in prison and then revealed herself as a transgender, had her sentence commuted by then-President Obama. She is now far removed from the prison at Fort Leavenworth and getting the full swimsuit-on-a-beach treatment from Vogue and photographer Annie Liebovitz.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Applebee's & IHOP Shuttering Restaurants<br /> </em></strong><br /> The parent company of Applebee's and IHOP, formerly known as the International House of Pancakes, has <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/08/10/many-160-applebees-and-ihop-locations-close/556343001/">announced that it is closing about 160 restaurants</a> across the country. Casual-dining outlets, where customers sit down to break bread and perhaps even talk with one another, have been losing market share to other types of fast-food restaurants.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>How Trump Earned Ronald McDonald's Vote<br /> </em></strong><br /> Perhaps President Trump, when he was running for office, should have spent just a little more time in Applebee's and IHOP. In a major dietary revelation, <a href="http://www.dailywire.com/news/19595/lewandowski-trump-ate-mcdonalds-six-days-week-robert-kraychik">former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski</a> now confesses that he and his candidate "ate McDonald's six days a week." And on the seventh day … they rested.</p>
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<p>Check back Sunday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-08-11T14:29:00ZPentagon's Plan to Attack NK; NK's Plan to Attack GuamBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Pentagons-Plan-to-Attack-NK;-NKs-Plan-to-Attack-Guam/-158147162303066085.html2017-08-10T15:04:00Z2017-08-10T15:04:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Thursday, August 10, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>The Pentagon's Plan to Attack North Korea<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/news/north-korea/b-1-bombers-key-u-s-plan-strike-north-korean-n791221">NBC News is reporting that top U.S. military brass</a> has formulated a plan to execute if and when President Trump orders a strike on North Korea's missile facilities. The key warplanes would be B-1B Lancer bombers stationed in Guam, which have already taken part in many practice runs. The B-1B does not carry nuclear bombs, but is stocked with more conventional bombs than any warplane in the U.S. arsenal.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>North Korea's Plan to Attack Guam<br /> </em></strong><br /> At the same time, <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/345984-north-korea-says-plan-to-attack-guam-will-be-complete-by-mid-august">North Korea's top military brass is allegedly working on a plan to strike waters</a> near the U.S. island of Guam, where those B-1B bombers are based. The North Koreans have ridiculed President Trump's "fire and fury" warning, calling it a "load of nonsense." In the irony of ironies, a North Korean commander, who answers to Kim Jong Un, complained that President Trump is not a reasonable man.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Networks, Of Course, Blast Trump<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Most mainstream news outlets seem to more concerned about President Trump's "fire and fury" warning than North Korea's continuing belligerence. CBS News trotted out a former Hillary Clinton aide, who actually said this: "It just doesn't help when our allies and the countries in the region can't tell whether it's Donald Trump or Kim Jong Un who's the crazier one." The folks at the Media Research Center <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/kyle-drennen/2017/08/09/nets-more-terrified-trumps-dangerous-rhetoric-north-korea">have put together an illuminating montage</a> that has to be seen and heard to be believed.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Wall Street Shrugs Off "Fire and Fury"<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Compared to the hyperbolic hysteria exhibited by the media Wednesday, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/the-finance-202/2017/08/10/the-finance-202-stock-market-to-trump-fire-and-fury-is-fire-and-forget/598b6e4330fb045fdaef1207/?utm_term=.be8832982a88">America's investing class seemed fairly nonchalant</a> after President Trump's ominous warning to North Korea. As one Wall Street analyst put it, "fire and fury" quickly became "fire and forget."<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>The New York Times' Enormous Error</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>The "paper of record" has been caught in a massive screw-up. Earlier this week the New York Times claimed it was publishing a draft report on climate change that had not been seen anywhere else. The paper quoted scientists who said they leaked the report because they feared it would be suppressed by the Trump administration. As it turns out, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2017/08/09/new-york-times-guilty-of-large-screw-up-on-climate-change-story/?utm_term=.7722d20ba685">the report had been readily available on the Internet since January</a>. In other words, the Times' much-hyped "scoop" was actually seven months old.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Obama Fat Cats Wary of Biden<br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/345806-obama-donors-not-committing-to-biden">According to a report in The Hill</a>, wealthy Americans who gave big bucks to President Obama are far more parsimonious when it comes to funding Joe Biden's prospective presidential run. Some donors are apparently concerned about Biden's age and his status as a pillar of the Washington establishment.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump on North Korea … in 1999<br /> </em></strong><br /> Way back in the last century, Donald Trump spoke with Meet the Press host Tim Russert about the threat from North Korea and what to do about it. While he didn't use the words "fire and fury," Trump sounded an alarm that was quite similar to his current stance and warned that North Korea needed to be stopped before it could have "weapons pointed all over the world."<br /> <br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XjXZNJ50GN0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trangender Troops Sue President Trump<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Five active duty transgender service members <a href="http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article166341692.html">have filed suit against President Trump</a>, who has stated that transgenders have no place in the military. The five complainants are in the Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard, and some have reportedly been on active duty for two decades.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Nearly One-Quarter of Federal Inmates are Illegals<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Department of Homeland Security reports that an <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/dhs-23-of-all-federal-prisoners-are-illegals-just-7-of-42034-saved-from-deportation/article/2630999">astounding 23% of all federal prisoners</a> are illegal immigrants. Of those aliens in federal lockups, 97% are facing the possibility of deportation. Immigration expert Jessica Vaughan says many of them have been arrested for drug trafficking and human smuggling.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Major Layoffs @ Chicago Schools</strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> While Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel focuses on protecting criminal illegal aliens, his city's school system is going belly-up. <a href="http://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/cps-lays-off-950-including-356-teachers-delays-releasing-its-budget/">950 employees, including 350 teachers</a>, have been laid off because of budget issues. The median annual salary for public school teachers in Chicago is more than $78,000.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Fat Studies at Oregon State<br /> </em></strong><br /> Students at Oregon State University can fatten up their GPAs by <a href="http://www.campusreform.org/?ID=9570">taking a course called Fat Studies</a>. The class will focus on "privilege and discrimination" that are related to body shape. And, of course, there is the mandatory concern about "oppression." It seems that "white privilege" has a new relative called "weight privilege."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Denmark Promotes "Hug a Jihadi"<br /> </em></strong><br /> Some ideas seem too nutty for even an ultra-liberal nation like Denmark. Police in the city of Aarhus are <a href="https://townhall.com/tipsheet/leahbarkoukis/2017/08/09/denmark-promotes-hug-a-jihadi-program-n2366612">urging residents to treat potential Islamic extremists with extreme kindness</a>. The program, referred to as "hug a jihadi," is meant to help refugees who are feeling isolated and tempted to join up with terrorists. A skeptic might worry that, when hugging a jihadi, bleeding heart liberals don't actually wind up with … bleeding hearts.</p>
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<p>Check back tomorrow for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-08-10T15:04:00ZNorth Korea Eyes Attack on Guam; Tillerson Calms the WatersBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/North-Korea-Eyes-Attack-on-Guam;-Tillerson-Calms-the-Waters/-351383857351599189.html2017-08-09T13:55:00Z2017-08-09T13:55:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Wednesday, August 9, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Warns North Korea of "Fire and Fury"<br /> <br /> </em></strong>President Trump, upon learning that North Korea's nuclear capacities are more advanced than previously known, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-north-korea-fire-fury-threats-2017-8">issued a stark and ominous warning to Kim Jong Un</a>. He twice employed the Biblical-like phrase "fire and fury" while implying there will be a vicious military response if North Korea continues its threatening behavior.<br /> <br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8p1JIgTuKQk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>North Korea Eyes Attack on Guam<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Pyongyang's official news outlet says it is <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/08/politics/north-korea-considering-guam-strike-trump/index.html">contemplating a rocket and bomb attack on Guam</a>, a U.S. territory and a base for American warplanes. This new threat is apparently a direct response to President Trump's "fire and fury" warning. <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-40871854">Guam's 165,000 citizens are understandably on edge</a>, even though their leaders are being as reassuring as possible under the circumstances.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Tillerson Calms the Waters</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/tillerson-no-imminent-threat-from-north-korea/2017/08/09/baa2f264-7cf4-11e7-b2b1-aeba62854dfa_story.html?utm_term=.1810834fcf5c">Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is assuring Americans</a> and the world that there is no "imminent threat" from North Korea. He also explained the much-replayed "fire and fury" statement, saying the president was simply sending a very clear message to Kim Jong Un. Tillerson made his comments while returning to Washington from Malaysia, a trip that included a stop in Guam.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Gore Predicts Early End to Trump Presidency<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Eco-billionaire Al Gore, touring the world via private jet to promote his new movie, has hinted that Donald Trump's presidency <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-gore-idUSKBN1AO2MD?utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_content=598a841504d30156a09c026a&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter">may be done in for "ethical reasons."</a> The former vice president also encouraged American cities and states to defy the Trump administration's withdrawal from the Paris agreement.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Administration Takes On Opioids<br /> </em></strong><br /> President Trump focused on the opioid/heroin crisis Tuesday in a meeting with key members of his administration. <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/08/trump-opioid-epidemic-heroin-241416">The president stressed the need for more security</a> on the Mexican border, the entry point for most heroin. "Strong law enforcement is absolutely vital to having a drug-free society," President Trump declared.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pot Use & High Blood Pressure<br /> </em></strong><br /> Meanwhile, a new study shows that <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-marijuana-hypertension-idUSKBN1AP0JS">people who smoke marijuana are three times more likely to die</a> from hypertension than non-users. Scientists at Georgia State University looked at more than 1,000 people in the U.S. and other nations. They found that smoking pot stimulates the nervous system and leads to increases in heart rate and blood pressure.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sebastian Gorka Takes on MSNBC<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Trump adviser Sebastian Gorka is the wrong guy with whom to pick a fight. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">Two MSNBC hosts re-discovered that truism</a> when they pressed Gorka on the wisdom of using the term "radical Islamic terrorism." Gorka, who has taught military theory, has recently been lobbing verbal grenades at liberal hosts on CNN and MSNBC.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>McConnell on Trump's Great Expectations<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/345761-mcconnell-goes-after-trumps-excessive-expectations">Mitch McConnell, the leading Republican in the Senate</a>, is frustrated with President Trump's "excessive expectations." Known as a master legislator, to borrow a term from Nancy Pelosi, McConnell says the president entered office without having a full grasp of lawmaking, which has often been compared to making sausage.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump's Messages to Robert Mueller<br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/08/08/donald-trump-exchanged-private-messages-special-counsel-mueller/547917001/">USA Today is reporting that President Trump has exchanged private messages</a> with Special Counsel Robert Mueller. The notes, according to the president's lawyer, express Trump's "appreciation and greetings." Administration officials say the communications, which break no rules, are an indication that President Trump is eager to cooperate with Mueller's investigation.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Apparent Terror Attack in Paris</strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> An unnamed assailant mowed down six French soldiers in a Paris suburb Wednesday morning. The wounded soldiers were members of a specialized anti-terrorism unit and the incident is definitely considered a terror attack. <a href="https://www.thelocal.fr/20170809/car-ploughs-into-soldiers-outside-paris-injuring-six-people">French authorities say that, after an intense manhunt and shootout, they have arrested the primary suspect.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>White House to Privatize Afghanistan War?<br /> </em></strong><br /> The Trump administration is reportedly considering a plan that would hand over much of the war <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2017/08/08/war-afghanistan-trump-white-house-weighs-bold-plan-privatize/548004001/">operations in Afghanistan to private contractors</a>. President Trump has expressed great disenchantment with progress in Afghanistan, where the United States retains about 8,400 troops. If the plan is adopted, those active duty forces would be gradually replaced by the private fighters, many of whom were elite Special Operations troops.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Feds Nab 32 Foreign Sex Offenders<br /> </em></strong><br /> Immigration and Customs Enforcement has announced that <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/08/08/ice-officers-arrest-32-sex-offenders-on-long-island-as-part-operation-soar.html">it has arrested 32 sexual predators on Long Island</a> as part of Operation Soar (Sex Offender Alien Removal.) A dozen of the suspects are registered sex offenders and all had past convictions. The predatory perverts will begin a process that could lead to deportation.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Umpire Thrown Out of the Game</strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> Joe West, who has umpired more than 5,000 major league baseball games and has ejected hundreds of players and managers, <a href="http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/20288292/joe-west-suspended-3-games-comments-adrian-beltre">has himself been suspended for three games</a>. The 64-year-old broke a league rule when he singled out a player for criticism. Asked which player is the "biggest complainer," West quickly named Adrian Beltre of the Texas Rangers. West has been calling balls and strikes in the big leagues for more than 40 years.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Death of a Musical Great</strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> Glen Cambell, who recorded some of the greatest tunes in the American songbook, <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2017/08/08/glen-campbell-dead/">died Tuesday at age 81</a>. In addition to hits like "Rhinestone Cowboy," "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," and "Gentle on My Mind," Campbell returned to the studio to record one final song in 2014. "I'm Not Gonna Miss You" was his farewell to family and loved ones after he had been diagnosed with the Alzheimer's disease that eventually killed him. The tear-inducing song won a Grammy Award as Best Country Song of the year.<br /> <br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U8TsAh-zYFI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Professor: Get Rid of Dogs and Cats<br /> <br /> </em></strong>A professor at UCLA claims that <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/aug/8/gregory-okin-ucla-professor-blames-dogs-and-cats-c/">canines and felines have large carbon pawprints</a> and could be replaced by other pets. Naturally, Gregory Okin's study elicited loud caterwauling from pet owners. Okin advised them to consider shifting to smaller animals like hamsters and birds. Even better, of course, would be a battery-powered puppy, which would requires no food or water. Want to really save the planet? How about a solar-powered Corgi? You could even name it Holly.<br /> <br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xd_-DzCr9Po" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> </p>
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<p>Check back Thursday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-08-09T13:55:00ZJeff Sessions vs. The Windy City; North Korea Ups the AnteBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Jeff-Sessions-vs.-The-Windy-City;-North-Korea-Ups-the-Ante/756869022198391416.html2017-08-08T14:31:00Z2017-08-08T14:31:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Tuesday, August 8, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></div>
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<p><em><strong>Dem Senator on Re-election: "I Don't Give A S***"</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Joe Manchin of West Virginia, a Democrat in a deeply Republican state, may not be helping his chances to win reelection next year. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/345589-manchin-i-dont-give-a-sh-t-if-i-win-reelection">Asked about disagreements with his party bosses</a>, Manchin bluntly declared, "I just don't give a s***, don't care if I get elected." President Trump garnered nearly 70% of the vote in West Virginia and just last week Governor Jim Justice switched from Democrat to Republican. Senator Manchin is being challenged by Republican Patrick Morrisey, the state's attorney general.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dem Senator Responds to Trump's Attacks<br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-says-blumenthal-lied-about-vietnam-he-did-cried-he-n790291">President Trump has taken to Twitter to absolutely savage</a> Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, who repeatedly lied about his military service. Blumenthal, who falsely claimed to have served in Vietnam, has been harshly critical of the president and possible Trump campaign ties to Russia. Asked about Trump's attacks on CNN, Blumenthal said, "It's not about me."<br /> <br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LpkuCEoGx3E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Jeff Sessions vs. The Windy City<br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://thehill.com/latino/345668-sessions-rips-culture-of-lawlessness-in-chicago">Attorney General Jeff Sessions is firing back against Chicago</a>, which has filed a lawsuit against the federal government and is determined to remain a "sanctuary city." Sessions warned Mayor Rahm Emanuel that certain funds will be cut off as long as the city retains its "culture of lawlessness." Chicago, of course, is notorious for its out-of-control violence.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Miami, Sanctuary No More!</strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> In contrast to Chicago, <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article165837497.html">Miami-Dade County has rescinded its "sanctuary" status</a> and is receiving about half-a-million dollars in federal grant money earmarked for law enforcement. Miami-Dade announced its new policy almost immediately after President Trump took office and is now cooperating fully with federal immigration authorities. Cuban-born Mayor Carlos Gimenez expected backlash from self-proclaimed "immigration advocates," and that backlash has been unrelenting.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Worrisome Poll for President Trump?<br /> <br /> </em></strong>The president has retained solid support among most Republicans. But a new poll indicates that while Republican support for President Trump remains solid at 83%, enthusiasm may be waning. That is especially notable among Trump's base of non-college educated white voters. One cautionary note: The poll, while conducted by an "independent research company," <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/07/trump-support-base-republicans-241393">was commissioned by CNN, which does not disguise its loathing of President Trump and his administration</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>North Korea Ups the Ante</strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> The government of Kim Jong Un <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/08/world/asia/north-korea-un-sanctions-nuclear-missile-united-nations.html">now threatens to take "physical action"</a> in response to new United Nations sanctions. Analysts interpret the message as meaning that North Korea will conduct more missile or nuclear tests. Using typically colorful language, the official statement out of Pyongyang said this: "Packs of wolves are coming in attack to strangle a nation … physical action will be taken mercilessly."<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Report Claims Climate Change is Harming USA</strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> The draft copy of a report, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/07/climate/climate-change-drastic-warming-trump.html">leaked to the New York Times</a>, concludes that temperatures in the USA have been rising rapidly and that Americans are already being affected by "climate change." The report predicts that the average temperature in the USA will continue to rise and calls for significant reductions in worldwide levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The scientists who leaked the report say they leaked it because they’re worried that the Trump administration would bury it in the bureaucracy.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Debbie Wasserman Schultz Deals the Race Card</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong></p>
<p>You just knew it was coming. Asked why she didn't fire her shady IT guy Imran Awan, even after he was accused of stealing from the House of Representatives, Debbie Wasserman Schultz says she was <a href="https://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2017/08/07/dws-has-a-new-excuse-for-her-it-scandal-the-police-are-racist-against-her-muslim-staffer-n2364699">concerned about "racial and ethnic profiling."</a> Awan was nabbed last week just as he was about to board a plane bound for Pakistan.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Loretta Lynch, alias Elizabeth Carlisle<br /> <br /> </em></strong>While conducting some government business via email, <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/loretta-lynch-used-elizabeth-carlisle-email-alias-at-department-of-justice/article/2630827">former Attorney General Loretta Lynch identified herself as "Elizabeth Carlisle."</a> The alias was discovered when a new batch of emails was released to conservative groups under the Freedom of Information Act. Loretta Lynch is certainly not the first government official to use a fake name; it was relatively commonplace in the Obama administration.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Rising Star, Sarah Huckabee Sanders<br /> </em></strong><br /> Since taking over the unenviable task of representing the White House at press briefings, Sarah Huckabee Sanders has generally received positive reviews. The daughter of former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/08/business/now-starring-in-the-west-wing-sarah-huckabee-sanders.html">she is the third woman press secretary and the first mother</a>. Huckabee Sanders, like her predecessor Sean Spicer, is not averse to slapping down reporters' questions. But she tends to do it while wearing a velvet glove.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Google Fires "Manifesto" Author<br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="https://www.theverge.com/2017/8/8/16111724/google-sundar-pichai-employee-memo-diversity">Google has found and fired the employee</a> who wrote and circulated a highly controversial memo dealing with diversity in the workplace and innate male-female differences. Senior software engineer James Damore has been canned for "perpetuating gender stereotypes," and Google CEO Sundar Pichai has described the memo as "offensive." <a href="http://gizmodo.com/alt-right-activists-call-for-google-boycott-after-emplo-1797623429">A few far-right Internet groups are now calling for a boycott</a> of Google and are raising money for the fired engineer.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Alan Dershowitz Hammers Maxine Waters</strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> Lifelong liberal law professor Alan Dershowitz was actually labeled a "racist" by Maxine Waters after he correctly pointed out that Robert Mueller's grand jury will draw from a pool of largely anti-Trump voters. <a href="http://insider.foxnews.com/2017/08/07/alan-dershowitz-maxine-waters-calling-him-racist-grand-jury-comments">Appearing on Fox News Monday night</a>, Dershowitz calmly and methodically destroyed the ultra-far-left Congresswoman from California.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Trump Hatred: Is There Nothing It Can't Do?</strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> The venerable band Journey, formed more than 40 years ago in San Francisco, may be breaking up … <a href="http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7890157/neal-schon-feuding-journey-bandmates-trump-visit">all because of President Trump</a>. After some band members went to the White House and met with the president, guitarist Neal Schon denounced the visit. Schon is the only remaining original member of the band, perhaps best known for its mega-hit "Don't Stop Believin." Apparently Neal Schon has stopped believin' in his mates and their political leanings.</p>
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<p>Check back Wednesday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-08-08T14:31:00ZPence Slams New York Times Allegation; Baltimore Ceasefire FailsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Pence-Slams-New-York-Times-Allegation;-Baltimore-Ceasefire-Fails/-401135900762342736.html2017-08-07T14:08:00Z2017-08-07T14:08:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Monday, August 7, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Pence Slams New York Times Allegation<br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/news/columnists/kimberly_atkins/2017/08/atkins_pence_to_prez_times_story_all_the_news_unfit_to_print">Vice President Mike Pence went ballistic</a>, at least by his placid standards, when the New York Times wrote that he is raising money to challenge President Trump in 2020. The VP denounced the article as "disgraceful and offensive," called it "fake news," and affirmed his loyalty to the boss. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Boasts About His Support<br /> <br /> </em></strong>President Trump, in an early-morning tweet from his northern White House in Bedminster, New Jersey, says the <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/894512983384129536">"Trump base is far bigger & stronger than ever."</a> The president also blasted the Russian investigation, the New York Times, and "fake news," <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4768006/Trump-boasts-base-getting-stronger.html">while pointing to his accomplishments in immigration, the economy, and the war against ISIS</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Deputy A.G. Rosenstein Asserts Authority</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Special Counsel Robert Mueller, <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/rod-rosenstein-mueller-needs-to-come-to-me-if-he-wants-to-chase-any-crime-outside-scope-of-russia-probe/article/2630745">has declared that Mueller needs his permission</a> to extend the investigation beyond allegations of Russian interference in the election. Rosenstein also vowed that the Mueller investigation will not become "a fishing expedition." He added that the Department of Justice is going after leakers in the administration, not the media outlets that publish those leaks.<br /> <br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/03iPQzVtTrc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Law Prof Calls for Rosenstein Recusal<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Professor Jonathan Turley, widely considered an authority on constitutional law, <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/the-administration/345538-opinion-why-its-high-time-rod-rosenstein-recuse-himself">has an opinion piece in The Hill in which he calls for Rod Rosenstein</a> to recuse himself from this entire investigation. Turley argues that Rosenstein's mandate to Special Counsel Mueller was far too broad and that Rosenstein himself could wind up being a witness.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>North Korea Vows Retaliation</strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> The government of Kim Jong Un has responded to new sanctions slapped on North Korea by the United Nations. The North Koreans denounced the sanctions and <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/06/asia/north-korea-asean/index.html">promised to "teach the United States a severe lesson"</a> if the simmering tension boils over into a military battle. Pyongyang also affirmed that it will continue building and testing ballistic missiles that it claims can reach much of the USA.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Poll: Wide U.S. Support for South Korea</strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20170807000916">According to a new poll</a>, more than 60% of Americans endorse the idea of sending additional troops to defend South Korea if that nation is attacked by its northern neighbor. The poll and its methodology seem credible, but it should be noted that it was funded by a South Korean advocacy organization.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Tillerson Extends Olive Branch to Russia</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong></p>
<p>Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is trying to calm the escalating tension between the United States and Russia. <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-asean-philippines-usa-russia-idUSKBN1AN09B?il=0">Tillerson met with Russia's Sergei Lavrov Sunday</a> and searched for ways to mend the rift, which has been exacerbated by tough new sanctions on Russia passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Chicago Mayor Sues Administration<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Chicago boss Rahm Emanuel, determined as ever to protect illegal immigrants, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-sanctuary-idUSKBN1AM0Q5">is suing the Trump administration for threatening to withhold grants</a> to sanctuary cities. The city, infamous for its astronomical murder rate, had expected to receive about $3-million this year in aid for law enforcement.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Baltimore Ceasefire Fails<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Speaking of murder-infested cities, <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-ci-ceasefire-day-three-20170806-story.html">Baltimore leaders called for a 72-hour moratorium on killing this past weekend</a>. The weekend ended, however, with two men shot to death in separate incidents. The police commissioner called the proposed ceasefire "beautiful" and organizers vowed to try again.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>MD City: Let Illegals Vote<br /> </em></strong><br /> While Baltimore citizens are getting slaughtered, another Maryland city 30 miles to the south is <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/blog/bs-md-immigrant-voting-20170805-story.html">considering allowing non-citizens to vote</a>. College Park, home to the University of Maryland, is debating a plan that would enable illegal aliens to vote in city elections. Whatever the outcome, illegals would not be permitted to vote for president or statewide office holders.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Most/Least Trusted News Sources<br /> <br /> </em></strong>A survey of American news consumers finds that <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/these-are-the-most-and-the-least-trusted-news-sources-in-the-us-2017-08-03">the British publication The Economist is the most trusted source of news in the USA</a>. Other trusted outlets are public television, Reuters, and the BBC. At the other end of the scale, Americans don't place much faith in traditional networks, cable news outlets, and especially ultra-partisan "news" outlets on both sides of the political divide.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Violence on the Left</strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> Writer Peter Beinart, a card-carrying liberal for decades, <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/09/the-rise-of-the-violent-left/534192/?utm_source=feed">admits that America's far left is fomenting violence in many cities across the country</a>. Ground Zero for left-wing violence is Portland, where self-proclaimed anti-fascists have been running wild. The mayhem extends to college campuses and many other cities, primarily on both coasts.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Taxing Testosterone</strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> A restaurant in Australia, vegan of course, <a href="https://www.broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/city-file/article/handsome-her-and-equal-pay">is slapping an 18% surcharge on male customers</a>, symbolic of the income disparity between genders. Women also are afforded "priority seating," whatever that means. All this raises the obvious question: What if a male customer decides that he is identifying as a woman that particular day?<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Pity Poor Anthony Weiner</strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://pagesix.com/2017/08/06/anthony-weiner-has-no-friends/">The New York Post reports that disgraced former Congressman Anthony Weiner</a> is isolated, friendless, and shunned. According to the story, most of his fellow Manhattan apartment dwellers blame him for Hillary Clinton's loss in November. If things get really bad, Weiner could move to Australia, where he could be anonymous. On the other hand, he would have to pay that 18% surcharge, and the restaurant has plenty of irrefutable visual evidence that he's a male.</p>
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<p>Check back Tuesday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-08-07T14:08:00ZSunday Briefing: UN Slaps Sanctions on North Korea; WH MakeoverBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Sunday-Briefing:-UN-Slaps-Sanctions-on-North-Korea;-WH-Makeover/-749385934061785754.html2017-08-06T13:28:00Z2017-08-06T13:28:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Sunday, August 6, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></div>
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<p><em><strong>President at 'New Jersey White House'</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>President Trump has begun <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-kicks-off-17-day-working-vacation-with-tweets-golf/">his 17-day visit to Bedminister, New Jersey</a>, where he will work out of his own golf club while the real White House undergoes some long-overdue maintenance. But, the president warns, just don't call it a vacation:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Working in Bedminster, N.J., as long planned construction is being done at the White House. This is not a vacation - meetings and calls!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/893964041630212098">August 5, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<br /> <br /> <strong><em>Actual White House Gets Makeover<br /> <br /> </em></strong>While the president is on his non-vacation in New Jersey, the West Wing of the White House is <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/aug/5/white-house-renovations-begin-trump-starts-17-day-/">getting some major renovations</a>. There will be a fresh coat of paint, new carpeting, and a more efficient air-conditioning system. Whether or not President Trump did indeed call the White House a "dump," <a href="http://wjla.com/news/nation-world/trump-denies-he-called-white-house-a-dump">which he denies</a>, it will be a lot less dumpier in a couple of weeks.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Trump Re-Friends Sessions</strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> After publicly criticizing Attorney General Jeff Sessions, President Trump has apparently <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-warms-sessions-following-stinging-public-criticism-055730491.html" target="_blank">had a change of heart</a>. The president is now praising Sessions for vowing to punish leakers who release damaging information to the media.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">After many years of LEAKS going on in Washington, it is great to see the A.G. taking action! For National Security, the tougher the better!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/893969438139191296">August 5, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<br /> <br /> <strong><em>UN Slaps New Sanctions on North Korea<br /> <br /> </em></strong>The United Nations Security Council <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/north-korea-sanctions-china-urges-dialogue-pyongyang-n789946">has unanimously approved additional economic sanctions on North Korea</a>. This is a direct response to Kim Jong Un's ongoing missile tests and general belligerence. Under the latest round of sanctions, North Korea will no longer be able to export certain minerals and seafood. <br /><br />United States Ambassador Nikki Haley also asserted that the U.S. military will continue to carry out joint drills with South Korea.<br /><br /><img style="vertical-align: middle; margin: 5px;" src="https://www.billoreilly.com/images/ap/nikki_haley.jpg" alt="U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley is seen during a meeting of the UN Security Council at UN Headquarters in New York, NY, USA on August 5, 2017. " width="575" height="383" /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>China Joins the Anti-Pyongyang Chorus<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Just after those new sanctions were imposed on North Korea, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-40842068">China strenuously urged its southern neighbor</a> to end those missile tests. The Chinese foreign minister strongly advised North Korea to stop its provocation of the USA and the world.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Some Dems See Pelosi as an Albatross<br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://amp.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/article165213507.html">A recent survey of 20 Democratic House candidates is very revealing</a>. Only one of those Democrats was willing to express unbridled support for Nancy Pelosi. Republicans have used the California ultra-liberal to energize their voters, most recently in special elections. One Democratic hopeful, Ohio military veteran Kenneth Harbaugh, likens Pelosi to a captain who has run the Democratic ship onto the rocks.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>A Scaramucci Replacement?</strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> Stephen Miller, who recently delivered a public dressing-down to CNN's showboating Jim Acosta, is <a href="https://www.axios.com/who-will-be-trumps-communications-director-after-mooch-stephen-miller-2469535517.html">said to be a candidate for the position vacated by Anthony Scaramucci</a>. Miller, a polished debater and fiery advocate for the president, is reportedly one of many people mentioned to take over as White House Communications Director.<br /> <br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7PSukBj7RWs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Mosque Bombing in Minneapolis</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Minneapolis, which has endured great strains between city leaders and its large Somali population, has another reason for concern. <a href="http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-mosque-bombing-20170805-story.html">Police there are investigating a bombing</a> outside a mosque in the city's suburbs. No one was injured in the bombing, but it's another sign that Minneapolis is overflowing with tension.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Hillary Staffing Up, But For What?</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Hillary Clinton <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/hillary-clinton-enlists-former-campaign-staffers-for-political-group-report/article/2630703" target="_blank">has recruited two former aides</a> for her political action committee called "Onward Together." The PAC's slogan is "Resist, Insist, Persist, Enlist," and its stated goal is to build a large coalition of liberal voters. There is thus far no indication that Mrs. Clinton will run for the presidency in 2020.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Howard Dean Hammers "Whiny" Democrats</strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/345484-former-dnc-chair-calls-progressives-whiny">Former Democratic Party boss Howard Dean is taking aim at those progressives</a> who are already objecting to a presidential run by California Democratic Senator Kamala Haris. Many far-left supporters of Bernie Sanders have harshly criticized prospective candidates such as Harris, Joe Biden, and Cory Booker. Dean, sounding less unhinged (or more hinged?) than usual, castigated Democrats who opt for purity over victory.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Hugs and Cuddles for Sale</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Yes, it's come to this. <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/scott-whitlock/2017/08/04/rolling-stone-promotes-professional-cuddling-way-coping-trump">Trump-haters with a few extra bucks can now purchase</a> a "hugging session" for about $80 an hour. According to one report, many of those cuddle-seekers claim that President Trump reminds them of some terrible trauma in their past. Participants are warned that all touching must remain "outside the bikini area."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>"Angry Birders" Fight Obama Center<br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-jackson-park-angry-birders-met-20170804-story.html">Bird watchers in Chicago are flapping their wings</a>. They worry that the Obama Presidential Center, which will include a golf course, will send migratory birds flocking away. According to one scientist, about 15-million birds pass through Chicago every year. The bird watchers may be small in number, but they can be ferocious when it comes to protecting their fine-feathered friends.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Anti-Diversity Manifesto Rocks Google</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>An engineer at Google <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/google-engineer-anti-diversity-manifesto-causes-uproar-2017-8">has composed a lengthy exposition</a> arguing against forced gender and racial diversity at the tech giant. Most contentiously, the writer contends that the hiring disparity in technology is largely the result of innate biological differences between men and women. The manifesto's writer remains unknown, but no doubt Google is conducting a search. Probably using Google.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Usain Bolt Runs Final Race</strong></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> </em></strong>The greatest sprinter in history ran his last 100 meter race Saturday, but it didn't go according to the script. <a href="http://www.espn.com/olympics/trackandfield/story/_/id/20259608/usain-bolt-finishes-third-100-meter-final-world-track-field-championships">Jamaica's Usain Bolt finished third in the World Championships</a> behind two American sprinters. The winner, Justin Gatlin, has twice been suspended for doping. He was booed by the fans in London, Bolt was wildly cheered, but this time the hero of the story had to settle for the bronze medal.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Putin, Shirtless Once More</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>There seems to be an informal competition between Vladimir Putin and Matthew McConaughey to see which man can doff his shirt more frequently. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/08/05/new-bare-chested-putin-photos-released-2017-edition-aquatic-theme/?utm_term=.bf9857f26544">Putin's most recent bare-chested photos</a> were snapped by state media during his very masculine vacation in Siberia. But when it comes to going topless, no one should ever doubt the <a href="http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-body/pictures/matthew-mcconaugheys-hottest-shirtless-moments-2011311/41930">grit and determination of McConaughey</a>.</p>
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<p>Check back Monday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-08-06T13:28:00ZGrand Jury Empaneled in DC; Unemployment at 16-Year LowBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Grand-Jury-Empaneled-in-DC;-Unemployment-at-16-Year-Low/881112929472876.html2017-08-04T13:20:00Z2017-08-04T13:20:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, August 4, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></div>
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<p><em><strong>Unemployment at 16-Year Low</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/us-jobs-report-july-2017-8">The Labor Department has reported</a> that more than 200,000 jobs were added in July and the official unemployment rate fell to 4.3%, the lowest it has been since 2001. While the jobs number exceeded expectations, wages remain relatively low by historical standards.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Grand Jury Empaneled in DC</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Special Counsel Robert Mueller, charged with investigating Russian influence on last year's election, has <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/345271-muellers-grand-jury-what-it-means">established a 23-member grand jury in Washington</a>. That mechanism enables him to issue subpoenas and possibly move the investigation far beyond Russia. All grand jury matters, even the very existence of one, are supposed to be secret, but these days there are very few secrets in Washington.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Columnist Ridicules the Grand Jury<br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/news/columnists/howie_carr/2017/08/carr_a_ham_sandwich_made_with_dems_sour_dough">Boston columnist Howie Carr</a>, a staunch conservative, recalls the famous adage that any grand jury can "indict a ham sandwich." His Friday column denounces the presence of so many Democratic donors on Robert Mueller's 16-member legal team and notes that this new grand jury is made up of citizens who reside in a city where Donald Trump won a whopping 4% of the vote. Extrapolating from that, perhaps one of the 23 grand jurors will be a Trump supporter.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>President Rallies the Troops in West Virginia</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-west-virginia-rally-20170803-story.html">The president held another campaign-style rally Thursday evening</a>, this time in Huntington, West Virginia. Speaking to a crowd of faithful followers, he dismissed the Russia story as a "total fabrication," boasted about the economy, and reminded the audience that his coal-friendly policies have helped their state. The president also went out of his way to once again bash Hillary Clinton, eliciting cries of "lock her up."<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>A New Republican Governor</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>West Virginia Governor Jim Justice <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">told the crowd at President Trump's rally</a> that he is switching parties and is now a Republican. Justice, a billionaire who made his fortune in agriculture and coal, becomes the 34<sup>th</sup> Republican governor, although that number is likely to decrease by one when New Jersey elects a successor to Chris Christie in November.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Rips Republicans in Congress<br /> <br /> </em></strong>President Trump is hammering members of his own party in Congress, <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/345253-trump-turns-on-gop-congress">blaming them for failing to repeal ObamaCare while passing a bill that increases sanctions on Russia</a>. Republicans in Congress have had mixed responses to the president's escalating criticism, with a few showing open defiance. "We work for the American people," declared Senator Tim Scott, "we don't work for the president."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Alarming Rise in Teen Girls' Suicide<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Teenage boys kill themselves at triple the rate of girls, but that gap is narrowing. <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/suicides-teen-girls-hit-40-year-high-n789351">According to the CDC</a>, more young girls are taking their own lives than at any time in four decades. Possible causes run the gamut from economic factors to social media, but no one is able to pinpoint the precise reasons for the upturn.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Asians Torn Over Affirmative Action<br /> <br /> </em></strong>It is well-known that Asian American are harmed by the affirmative action policies that rule most American universities. While black and Hispanic applicants get preferential treatment, high-achieving Asians are often rejected. Nevertheless, <a href="http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-asian-americans-affirmative-action-20170803-story.html">according to the Los Angeles Times</a>, the news that the Trump administration will investigate discrimination in college admissions is being met with mixed reviews among Asians.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Massive New Auto Plant Planned for USA</strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> Japanese auto makers Toyota and Mazda <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-toyota-mazda-idUSKBN1AK0RF">are teaming up to build a $1.6-billion plant</a> in the United States. They hope to build 300,000 electric cars a year and employ about 4,000 workers at a yet-to-be-determined site. President Trump, of course, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/893411790868160514">welcomed the news with a celebratory Tweet.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Chilling Details on Australia Terror Plot</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Two men living in Sydney, Australia have <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/03/asia/australia-plane-terror-plot-isis/index.html">face terrorism charges for their roles in two foiled plots</a>. They had planned to bomb a passenger plane that was capable of carrying as many as 500 people, and they also hoped to release deadly poison gas in public. Authorities call it the "most sophisticated" terror attack ever attempted in Australia.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Denying Cops Their Rightful Donuts!</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>An employee at a Dunkin' Donuts outlet in Brooklyn <a href="http://pix11.com/2017/08/03/detectives-union-calls-for-boycott-after-dunkin-donuts-worker-allegedly-refuses-to-serve-cops-in-brooklyn/">has allegedly refused to serve two NYPD detectives</a>. The worker pithily said, "I don't serve cops." Withholding donuts from cops is so egregious that even New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is siding with the officers.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Susan Rice to Keep Security Clearance</strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> Former Obama National Security Adviser Susan Rice will maintain her full access to classified information, <a href="https://www.circa.com/story/2017/08/03/politics/susan-rice-keeps-top-secret-security-clearance-hr-mcmaster-letter-says">according to a report by Sara Carter in Circa</a>. This is the same Susan Rice who lied about Benghazi, claimed Bowe Bergdahl served "with honor and distinction," and is accused of unmasking American citizens.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Trump's Rocky Relationship with Granite State</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>New Hampshire officials, Republicans and Democrats alike, <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/08/03/541406337/trumps-drug-infested-den-remark-angers-new-hampshire">are incensed with President Trump</a>, who described their state a "drug-infested den" during a phone conversation with Mexican President Nieto. A transcript of the two presidents' January conversation was leaked and published by the Washington Post Thursday. President Trump was trying to express his anger with the continuing flow of drugs from Mexico into the USA.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Taking "Separate Beds" to the Extreme</strong></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> </em></strong>Prince Henrik of Denmark <a href="http://www.npr.org/2017/08/03/541405352/denmark-s-prince-henrik-says-he-won-t-be-buried-with-his-wife">has declared that he does not want to be buried alongside his wife</a>, Queen Margrethe II. While they have been married for 50 years, Henrik has always been disgusted by his diminished title in the Danish royal family, where he is only "His Highness" and not a "His Majesty." His official title is "His Royal Highness Prince Henrik of Denmark." Sounds pretty majestic to us, but he and his wife will still spend eternity in separate beds.</p>
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<p>Check back Sunday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-08-04T13:20:00ZProposed Bill Would Halve Legal Immigration; Illegal Aliens VotingBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Proposed-Bill-Would-Halve-Legal-Immigration;-Illegal-Aliens-Voting/-552117821726308558.html2017-08-03T14:00:00Z2017-08-03T14:00:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Thursday, August 3, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Proposed Bill Would Halve Legal Immigration<br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/08/02/trump-gop-senators-to-introduce-bill-to-slash-legal-immigration-levels/?utm_term=.a8554af27fbb">President Trump and two Republican Senators</a> are pushing legislation that would reduce the number of legal immigrants entering the country. Right now about one-million people are admitted legally, this bill would cut that in half. At the same time, new immigrants would be expected to have skills that would boost American productivity.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Immigration Fireworks in White House Briefing</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>CNN's Jim Acosta, always eager to preen on camera while sparring with a White House spokesman, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">got more than he bargained for Wednesday</a> when the administration's Stephen Miller gave him some lessons on legal immigration and the president's proposed changes.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Affirmative Action Front and Center</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>The Trump administration, with <a href="http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/08/sessions_attack_on_affirmative.html">Attorney General Jeff Sessions as point man</a>, is taking direct aim at university policies that discriminate against high-achieving Asian-Americans. It is no secret that some racial groups are given preference in admissions, while Asians usually pay the steepest price. Ivy League schools have instituted an unofficial quota system that limits the number of Asians, much like Harvard at one time excluded high-performing Jews.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Criminal Acts in the Obama Administration?</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>There are growing accusations that various Obama national security officials – among them Ben Rhodes, Susan Rice, Samantha Power, and John Brennan – <a href="http://www.investors.com/politics/editorials/in-abusing-nsa-intelligence-did-obama-white-house-commit-a-crime/">were illegally "unmasking" American citizens</a> and thus violating their privacy rights. <a href="https://www.circa.com/story/2017/08/01/former-obama-aide-ben-rhodes-now-a-person-of-interest-in-house-intelligence-committee-unmasking-investigation">Investigative reporter Sara Carter</a> has been on top of the little-covered scandal and now says that it is much wider and deeper than anyone had realized.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Illegal Aliens Voting in MA<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Six people in Massachusetts, four of them employees of the motor vehicle bureau, <a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/news/local_coverage/2017/08/rmv_clerks_nabbed_in_fake_id_bust">are accused of helping illegal aliens obtain false IDs that would enable them to vote</a>. One of the men arrested was found with a fake green card and is himself an illegal immigrant. Keep this in mind the next time someone on the left proclaims that voter fraud is an imaginary non-problem.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Suicide by Texting<br /> <br /> </em></strong>In a bizarre case, also in Massachusetts, a young woman <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/woman-sentenced-teen-texting-suicide-case-49003211">has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter</a> because she encouraged her then-boyfriend to take his own life. Michelle Carter sent dozens of very explicit texts to Conrad Roy, urging him to commit suicide. Roy finally took her advice and inhaled toxic gas. Carter, who was only 17 at the time of the crime, will be sentenced today and could get up to 20 years.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>More Damning Hillary Emails Found</strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> The always-invaluable Judicial Watch has obtained a new batch of emails that show unseemly coordination between the Clinton Foundation, Clinton donors, and Hillary Clinton's State Department. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/08/02/favor-factory-huma-emails-reveal-clinton-allies-seeking-jobs-meetings.html">Judicial Watch boss Tom Fitton claims that the emails demonstrate</a> "pay to play" and that a criminal investigation is needed.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Terrorism Charges Down Under</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Two men who planned to blow up a commercial airliner in Australia <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4756728/Two-men-charged-Sydney-plane-terror-plot.html">have been charged as</a> terrorists. Their plot was foiled at the last minute when airport officials found a large bomb in their luggage. The flight, capable of carrying up to 500 people, was scheduled to fly from Sydney to Abu Dhabi.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Venezuela's Maduro: What, Me Cheat??</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Although Sunday's election was widely dismissed as a sham and a fraud, Venezuela President Nicolas Madura <a href="http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-venezuela-election-20170803-story.html">insists that his socialist party won fair and square</a>. His nation, once extolled as a paradise by Michael Moore, Sean Penn, and other American left-wingers, is now an economic basket case. Food and toilet paper are scarce, currency is almost worthless, and the specter of full-scale violence looms over the nation.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Tom Brady @ 40</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/brennan/2017/08/03/tom-bradys-40th-birthday-why-its-time-him-retire/534446001/">New England quarterback Tom Brady, widely considered the best in the game, turns 40 today</a>. The five-time Super Bowl champion has indicated that he wants to play for at least a few more years. Some analysts believe that if anyone can play the sport into their mid-40s, it's Brady, while others are certain that his considerable skills are due for an abrupt decline. If you are thinking of buying ol' Tom a present, don't forget that he truly is the man who has everything.<strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> <br /> <em><strong>The End is Nigh, Very Nigh </strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>We have been warned for decades that the Earth and humans face imminent destruction due to "global warming," which then transformed into "climate change." Now the doomsayers, even though their models have proved faulty, are doubling down, claiming that the globe is about to become "horrifically inhospitable." If you're up for some extremely dire predictions today, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/can-humans-beings-survive-the-impending-climate-crisis_us_59829712e4b0396a95c874c5">put this on your reading list</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>If the End is Nigh, Drink Up</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://denver.cbslocal.com/2017/08/02/moderate-heavy-drinking-dementia-mental-health-study/">According to a new study</a>, drinkers are more likely than teetotalers to reach 85 with their faculties mostly intact. So, considering that "climate change" is about to kill us all and that moderate drinking may be beneficial, consider pouring yourself a glass of wine. Or even two.</p>
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<p>Check back Friday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-08-03T14:00:00ZTrump Boasts About Economy; Affirmative Action Under FireBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Boasts-About-Economy;-Affirmative-Action-Under-Fire/917384103196630068.html2017-08-02T14:20:00Z2017-08-02T14:20:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Wednesday, August 2, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></div>
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<p><em><strong>Trump Boasts About Economy</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>President Trump, hoping to steer attention away from White House intrigue, <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/aug/1/donald-trump-hails-economy-takes-credit/?">is reminding everyone that the stock market is soaring</a>, unemployment is low, and consumer confidence is high. At the same time, the administration is reportedly about to investigate what it considers China's unfair trade practices. The president routinely bashed China's trade policies during the campaign and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/01/business/trump-china-trade-intellectual-property-section-301.html">now may be ready to take action.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Legal Immigration Bill On Tap For Today<br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/exclusive-david-perdue-tom-cotton-to-unveil-skills-based-immigration-bill-at-white-house-wednesday/article/2630347">Two Republican Senators will join President Trump today</a> to announce a new proposal that deals with legal immigration. They want to reduce the number of immigrants entering the country, but also ensure that the newcomers possess skills that will help America's economy. Right now the USA admits an estimated one-million legal immigrants every year, and Republicans worry that lower-skilled immigrants are a drag on wages.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Illegal Immigrants Flood Federal Prisons<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Meanwhile, Homeland Security has announced that <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/08/01/dhs-almost-a-quarter-of-federal-prisoners-are-immigrants/">nearly a quarter of all federal inmates</a> are immigrants, the majority of them in the country illegally. The estimated cost of keeping a federal prisoner locked up for a year is $32,000.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Self-Doubt Gnaws at GOP<br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/344884-republicans-wonder-can-we-govern">The Hill reports that many Republicans</a>, even though they have displayed an ability to get elected, are questioning their ability to govern effectively. With their vow to "repeal and replace" ObamaCare off the table, the GOP now turns to other thorny issues such as tax reform and the debt ceiling. The single biggest item on their agenda will be a tax bill that lowers rates and simplifies the code. Republican leaders are debating whether they should seek Democratic help or simply go at it alone.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Newt: Pass Tax Cuts or it's Speaker Pelosi</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2017/08/02/pass-gop-tax-cuts-thanksgiving-get-ready-speaker-nancy-pelosi/529438001/">In an op-ed published today</a>, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich warns his fellow Republicans that they had better enact tax reform … or else. The "or else" is the possibility that Democrats will take over the house, a prospect that sends shivers down the spines of many on the right. On the other side of the aisle, <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/01/tax-reform-senate-democrats-241182">Democrats in the Senate</a> have laid down specific conditions that must be met before they will cooperate.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>SecState Tillerson Rejects $80-million</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>It's not often that a government official turns down money already allocated by Congress, but <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/02/tillerson-isis-russia-propaganda-241218">that's exactly what Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is doing</a>. Over the objections of his own staff, Tillerson is spurning money set aside to combat various types of propaganda. The former CEO of ExxonMobil has been trying to pare the State Department's budget. <br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Affirmative Action Under Fire</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>The Department of Justice is <a href="https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2017/08/02/report-justice-department-will-seek-sue-colleges-over-affirmative-action">taking aim at the racially discriminatory admissions policies</a> that reign on many, if not most, college campuses. While other administrations have winked and looked the other way, the DOJ is ready to investigate policies that favor black and Hispanic applicants and discriminate against high-performing Asian students.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Coast Guard Jumps Ship on Transgender Policy</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Commandant Paul Zukunft, head of the United States Coast Guard, <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/01/transgender-military-ban-trump-coast-guard-chief-react-241206">is openly defying President Trump's Twitter edict</a> about transgenders in the armed forces. The commandant vows that he "will not break faith" with transgender individuals under his command. The Pentagon still has not received any formal orders regarding the policy.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Republican Senator Suddenly a Democratic Hero</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Senator Jeff Flake, Republican from Arizona, is being fawned over by liberal pundits and Democratic politicians. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/daily-202/2017/08/02/daily-202-jeff-flake-delivers-the-most-courageous-conservative-rebuttal-of-trumpism-yet/59812c9b30fb045fdaef10a8/?utm_term=.de95c63af316">His book "Conscience of a Conservative"</a> hammers Donald Trump and his own party, thus earning him invitations to just about every cable news network. Flake did not vote for Trump, but has voted with the president 95.5% of the time.<strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> <br /> <em><strong>Commercial Crabber Confronts Al Gore </strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>James Eskridge, a lifelong crabber and mayor of Tangier Island in Virginia, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/08/01/commercial-crabber-of-50-years-tells-gore-sea-level-hasnt-changed-since-at-least-1970/">was simply not buying what Al Gore was selling</a> in a Tuesday night CNN town hall. While Gore insisted that "climate change" is causing the island to sink, Eskridge says the sea has not risen at all and storm level has not increased. The mayor is a Trump supporter and a "global warming" skeptic. <br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Scaramucci Could Lose Millions</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Anthony Scaramucci, who served as White House Communications Director for little more than a week, may take a financial beating. <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/08/01/scaramucci-may-owe-millions-in-taxes/">According to the New York Post</a>, the famously profane "Mooch" may be required to pony up $16-million in taxes to the IRS. Reince Priebus could not be reached for comment.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Scaramucci Gone, But War on Leakers Endures</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>The White House, besieged by unauthorized leaks to the media, is reportedly about to crack down hard. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/08/01/lock-up-leakers-sessions-to-unveil-crackdown-as-kelly-gets-white-house-staff-in-line.html">Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Chief of Staff John Kelly</a> have both made it a priority to find and punish leakers in the government. President Trump himself has demanded that Sessions and the DOJ be "much tougher" on leaks, especially those emanating from intelligence agencies.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Debbie Wasserman Schultz Getting Hammered</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>After her IT staffer was caught trying to flee to Pakistan, <a href="http://www.investors.com/politics/editorials/wasserman-schultz-cant-blame-racism-for-her-growing-it-scandal/">Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz is predictably trying to blame the incident on Islamophobia</a>. Some Republicans in Congress are demanding to know why Wasserman Schultz kept Imran Awan on her payroll, even as he was being investigated for theft and computer fraud. Congressman Ron DeSantis, a fellow member of the Florida delegation, calls this "one of the all-time congressional scandals in the last 30 years."<br /> <em><strong><br /> <br /> </strong></em><strong><em>Proctor & Gamble Uses Racism to Sell Soap<br /> <br /> </em></strong>P&G, the most prolific advertiser in the world, <a href="http://www.bizpacreview.com/2017/07/31/sick-sick-sick-racist-procter-gamble-ad-crosses-every-line-white-brace-watching-520278">has produced a commercial called "The Talk,"</a> in which black parents are seen warning their kids about America's historic and inherent racism. The company, which makes Crest, Tide, Pampers, and hundreds of other consumer products, evidently feels that its "My Black is Beautiful" campaign will enrich its bottom line.<br /> <br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ovY6yjTe1LE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <em><strong><br /> </strong></em><strong><em>The Catch of the Year!<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Center fielder Austin Jackson of the Cleveland Indians made an astounding, remarkable, unbelievable catch Tuesday night at Fenway Park in Boston. Watch and marvel as Jackson robs Boston's Hanley Ramirez of a home run.<br /> <br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lwxJQfLeF1Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Last of the "Peanut Butter Dozen" is Nabbed</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Twelve inmates, with the help of peanut butter, escaped from an Alabama prison last week. Eleven were caught in a Jif, and now the final escapee has been tracked down in Florida. It is of course tempting to say that the last of the crafty prisoners was found before he could Skippy the country.</p>
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<p>Check back Thursday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-08-02T14:20:00ZScaramucci Out; Mostly Rave Reviews for Gen. KellyBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Scaramucci-Out;-Mostly-Rave-Reviews-for-Gen.-Kelly/866461544695883736.html2017-08-01T13:41:00Z2017-08-01T13:41:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Tuesday, August 1, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Scaramucci Out After Profane Interview<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Anthony Scaramucci's bizarre interview with The New Yorker, in which he referred to then-Chief of Staff Reince Priebus a "f***ing paranoid schizophrenic," apparently had much to do with his sudden ouster Monday. White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders conceded that President Trump found the comments "inappropriate," and <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/what-really-happened-scaramucci-n788356">NBC News reports that Melania and Ivanka Trump</a> were "disgusted" by Scaramucci's profane outburst.<br /> <br /> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yACC0F-IPhk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Kellyanne Conway to Replace Mooch?</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>The Washington rumor mill is working overtime Tuesday morning, this time with speculation that <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/07/31/exclusive-kellyanne-conway-may-be-the-next-communications-director/">Kellyanne Conway could replace Anthony Scaramucci</a> as White House Communications Director. Conway stepped in to save the Trump campaign when it was floundering, and is now a frequent spokesman for the administration on cable news outlets. Except for MSNBC's Morning Joe, that is, <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/morning-joe-bans-kellyanne-conway">which has banned her from its esteemed broadcast.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Mostly Rave Reviews for Gen. Kelly</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Most political analysts <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/the-administration/344709-opinion-john-kelly-is-the-man-to-get-trumps-house-in">have nothing but high praise for Gen. John Kelly</a>, President Trump's newly-sworn-in Chief of Staff. In addition to his four-star pedigree, Kelly has the distinct advantage of taking charge after what is generally considered the worse week in Donald Trump's presidency. The former Marine is the second four-star general to serve as White House Chief of Staff, with Alexander Haig being the first.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Trump Scandal Du Jour</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170801/sources-trump-dictated-sons-misleading-statement-on-meeting-with-russian-lawyer">Some news outlets believe they have unearthed more</a> information that could damage President Trump. After news broke last month that Donald Trump Jr. had met with a Russian lawyer during the campaign, the president himself allegedly dictated his son's response The younger Trump eventually admitted that the meeting was set up after he had been promised damaging information about Hillary Clinton.<strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> <br /> <em><strong>North Korea Looms Large Over White House</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Washington's politicians and pundits may be obsessed with the Trump administration follies, but a tremendous threat is hovering in the background. <a href="http://www.mcclatchydc.com/opinion/article164596297.html">U.S. intelligence sources now say that North Korea</a> could launch a nuclear-armed missile at the USA within a year. President Trump wants China to deal with its out-of-control neighbor, but that job could ultimately fall to the United States. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/07/20/fox-news-poll-68-percent-voters-are-concerned-about-war-with-north-korea.html">According to a July Fox News poll</a>, most Americans now believe military force will be necessary to stop Kim Jong Un.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Venezuela, From Very Bad to Even Worse</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>The government of President/Dictator Nicholas Maduro, which has accelerated oil-rich Venezuela's descent into a basket case, is now terrorizing his opposition. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/top-venezuelan-opposition-leaders-taken-into-custody-amid-fears-of-wider-crackdowns/2017/08/01/aeaa11de-769d-11e7-9eac-d56bd5568db8_story.html?utm_term=.855a21493d30">As reported in the Washington Post</a>, two of Maduro's most vocal rivals were taken from their homes in the middle of the night. An "election" Sunday, deemed a fraud by the U.S. and most other Western nations, filled the legislature with Maduro allies and sycophants.<strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> <br /> <em><strong>Republican Blames Sanctuary City for Rapes</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/07/31/portlands-sanctuary-policies-to-blame-for-horrific-rapes-says-gop-leader.html">A leading Oregon Republican has denounced Portland officials</a>, blaming the city's "sanctuary" status for enabling Sergio Martinez to sexually assault two women. Martinez had been deported 20 times to his native Mexico, but returned each and every time. His latest crimes were committed after Portland defied federal immigration officials, who had requested that Martinez, a confessed meth head, be held until they could deport the thug. Instead, they released Martinez, who is now in jail with bail set at $2-million.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Paris to Host 2024 Olympics</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>The International Olympic Committee will hold the 2024 summer games in the City of Lights, and then it will be the City of Angels' turn in 2028. <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/olympics/2017/07/31/paris-set-host2024-olympics-los-angeles-2028-edition/">Los Angeles agreed to cede the '24 Olympics to Paris</a> in exchange for a multi-billion dollar payout from the IOC.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>ObamaCare in Critical Condition</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Republican plans to "repeal and replace" have been defeated, but the Affordable Care Act continues to damage ordinary Americans. <a href="http://www.investors.com/politics/editorials/with-repeal-off-the-table-media-suddenly-discover-that-obamacare-is-in-deep-trouble/">Investor's Business Daily points out that the mainstream media</a>, which had been extolling the wonders of ObamaCare, is now admitting that the scheme is in deep trouble and in need of an overhaul. Even the New York Times admits that its cherished ObamaCare "has big problems."<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Trump Threatens Congress, Insurance Companies<br /> </strong></em><em><br /> </em><a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/891996053611917312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcnews.com%2Fpolitics%2Fwhite-house%2Fhealth-care-president-trump-s-triple-threat-n788321">President Trump warns that he still has a few health care arrows in his quiver</a>. For one thing, he could end health care subsidies that are doled out to members of Congress and their staffs. He could also eliminate federal payments that help health care insurers stay afloat under ObamaCare. Both actions, which can be accomplished unilaterally, could be used as leverage to convince Congress <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/health-care-president-trump-s-triple-threat-n788321">to take one more stab at repealing the Affordable Care Act</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Revolt on the Left Over Abortion<br /> <br /> </em></strong>The head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has announced that even anti-abortion candidates might qualify for the party's support in 2018. <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/07/31/betrayal-left-wingers-furious-with-democrats-support-for-pro-life-candidates/">That set off a wave of opposition and indignation</a> among Democrats who consider abortion a sacred right. Howard Dean, the bombastic former Vermont Governor, declared that he will withhold support from the DCCC if they ever consider backing a pro-life Democrat. <a href="https://twitter.com/GovHowardDean/status/892092763268894720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Fhomenews%2Fcampaign%2F344668-howard-dean-to-withhold-support-for-dccc-if-it-funds-candidates-who-oppose">Even though Governor Dean misspelled "withholding,"</a> his point came across loud and clear.<br /> <br /> <em><strong><br /> </strong></em><strong><em>CNN: The Racists Did It!<br /> <br /> </em></strong>After much investigation, <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">CNN's political sleuth Fareed Zakaria has finally uncovered the reason for Donald Trump's upset</a> victory. No, it wasn't Hillary Clinton's lousy, message-free campaign. It was those alienated "older, white, non-college-educated Americans." You know, the ignoramuses who hate immigrants and blacks and gays.<br /> <br /> <em><strong><br /> </strong></em><strong><em>J.K. Rowling Apologizes, Finally<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Harry Potter author and noted Trump-hater J.K. Rowling falsely claimed that President Trump callously ignored a wheelchair-bound boy at a White House ceremony. In fact, the president she despises more than Lord Voldemort made a point to speak with the young man. After she was widely ridiculed on social media, and after the boy's mother confirmed that she was wrong, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/news/344720-rowling-apologizes-after-tweets-saying-trump-ignored-disabled-boy">Rowling finally apologized</a>. Not to President Trump, of course, but to the boy and his family.<br /> <br /> <em><strong><br /> Jail Escapees Relied on Peanut Butter<br /> </strong></em><em><br /> </em>When twelve prisoners escaped from prison in Alabama Sunday night, they relied on some good, old-fashioned ingenuity. <a href="http://mashable.com/2017/08/01/peanut-butter-escape-jail-inmates/#NNZ8P63a4Oqg">One inmate used a dollop of peanut butter</a> to disguise a number on a cell door, which confused guards and enabled them to walk out and then climb a fence. Eleven of the inmates are back in custody, but one remains at large.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>"Sheriff Joe" Guilty of Contempt<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was always eager to round up illegal aliens in Arizona, <a href="http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2017/07/31/maricopa-county-sheriff-joe-arpaio-found-guilty-criminal-contempt-court/486278001/">has been convicted of criminal contempt of court</a>. According to prosecutors, the bombastic Arpaio consistently showed "flagrant disregard" for judges' orders. The 85-year-old Arpaio, known affectionately as "Sheriff Joe," could spend up to six months in prison.<br /> <em><strong><br /> <br /> Stay Small, My Friend </strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> A Swedish man, hoping to enhance his manhood, went to the hospital for a phalloplasty, otherwise known as penile elongation. <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/07/31/mans-quest-for-bigger-penis-turns-deadly/">But he had a heart attack during the procedure and died</a>. Perhaps the man should have followed the advice put forth by soul singer William DeVaughn in his 1974 classic: "Just Be Thankful for What You Got."</p>
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<p>Check back Wednesday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-08-01T13:41:00ZTrump's Reset Button; USA Issues Stark Warning to North KoreaBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trumps-Reset-Button;-USA-Issues-Stark-Warning-to-North-Korea/476678817611777110.html2017-07-31T14:15:00Z2017-07-31T14:15:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Monday, July 31, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>USA Issues Stark Warning to North Korea<br /> <br /> </em></strong>The commander of U.S. air power in the Pacific warns that the United States and its allies are prepared to use "rapid, lethal, and overwhelming force" <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/07/30/us-allies-ready-to-use-overwhelming-force-in-north-korea-general-says.html">against North Korea and Kim Jong Un</a>. General Terrence O'Shaughnessy bluntly described North Korea as "the most urgent threat to regional stability." Ambassador Nikki Haley added, rather ominously, that "the time for talk is over."<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>President Trump's Reset Button</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Following a tumultuous week that included the departure of his Chief of Staff and a public dressing-down of his Attorney General, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/31/politics/trump-starts-over/index.html">President Trump is hoping for a fresh start</a> as General John Kelly takes over for the ousted Reince Priebus. Even the president seems to be conceding that his White House has been mired in way too much turmoil and palace intrigue. The major question in Washington is whether anything will really change. A new team may be in place, but the man at the top is still the man in charge.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Kelly Takes Command</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Incoming White House Chief of Staff John Kelly moves today from the Department of Homeland Security to the West Wing, <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-john-kelly-chief-of-staff-20170731-story.html">where he will be sworn in</a>. As the expression goes, the general's plate is full to the point of overflowing. He'll have to deal immediately with threats from North Korea, his boss's friction with Jeff Sessions, and calming the White House waters after Anthony Scaramucci's profane outburst. General John Kelly, 45-year Marine Corps combat veteran, is taking command of a war zone unlike any he has faced in the past.<strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> <br /> <em><strong>Americans to GOP: Move On!</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/31/majority-of-americans-want-congress-to-move-on-from-health-care-reform-reutersipsos-poll.html">A new poll shows that most Americans</a> want Congress to get on to issues other than health care. Democrats are especially glad that "repeal and replace" reached a dead end, and even many Republicans are now content to leave ObamaCare in place. Tax reform is high on the list of priorities for Republicans and Democrats alike.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Socialist Sanders Pushes for Single Payer</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is making news on a couple of fronts. First, he is not ruling out another run for the presidency in 2020, when he will be 79. Beyond that, the socialist senator is urging Americans to turn to single-payer, government-run health care. That "Medicare-for-all" ideal was proposed in Sanders' very liberal home state, but deemed far too expensive. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">Senator Sanders danced around the issue when he asked about it on Sunday.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Socialist Venezuela in Utter Chaos</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Venezuela, once among the wealthiest nations in South America, is now in a state of near-total collapse. President Nicholas Maduro cast a ballot in Sunday's election, but most Venezuelans stayed home, terrorized by the escalating violence. <a href="http://www.ibtimes.com/venezuela-election-step-toward-dictatorship-us-warns-amid-protests-killed-several-2572390">United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley denounced the vote as a "sham election"</a> and "another step toward dictatorship."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Saying Goodbye to Charlie Gard<br /> <br /> </em></strong>The 11-month-old British infant, who died after being mired in the middle of an international dispute over parental rights and government control, will soon be buried. His shattered parents are still finalizing funeral plans, but they do know that Charlie will be buried with the toy monkeys that he loved so dearly. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4744828/Charlie-Gard-buried-cuddly-toy-monkeys.html">They are now speaking out about their very painful ordeal.</a><br /> <br /> <em><strong><br /> </strong></em><strong><em>From Russia, With Enmity<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Vladimir Putin is demanding that the United States remove 755 workers from various U.S. offices in his country. The United States government employes about 1,200 people in Russia, meaning that more than half are being "requested" to end their assignments. But, in fact, very few of the 1,200 are U.S. citizens. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/07/31/putin-says-the-u-s-mission-in-russia-needs-to-cut-755-employees-what-do-all-these-people-do/?utm_term=.8fdf78b1e81f">The Washington Post has a comprehensive breakdown</a> of just who works at various American bureaus in Russia.<br /> <br /> <em><strong><br /> Australia Dodges a Bomb<br /> </strong></em><em><br /> </em>Authorities down under are holding four men who allegedly devised a "sophisticated" terror plot that would have killed hundreds aboard a passenger plane. <a href="http://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/07/29/18/09/terror-related-police-operation-underway-across-sydney">The news led to greatly heightened security</a> and mass chaos at Australian airports over the weekend. Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4745574/Flyers-Penrith-want-ban-Muslim-women-wearing-burqas.html">there is a concurrent move in Australia to "ban the burqa,"</a> as many Aussies worry that the head-to-toe covering poses a security threat.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Massive Jailbreak in Alabama<br /> </strong></em><em><br /> </em>Twelve prisoners escaped from prison in Alabama Sunday night in a dramatic run for freedom. Eleven of the inmates have already been captured, but 24-year-old Brady Andrew Kilpatrick remains at large as of Monday morning. Police are offering a $500 reward for information that leads to Kilpatrick's capture. <a href="http://wnep.com/2017/07/31/alabama-jailbreak-1-inmate-at-large-after-12-escape/">His picture is here</a>, so you might be able to pocket some dough if you run into him at the mall today.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Kathy Griffin Cleared by Secret Service<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Her career may be in tatters, but at least "comedian" Kathy Griffin won't be telling jokes behind bars. <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/07/29/kathy-griffin-free-of-federal-investigation-into-severed-trump-head-stunt/">A federal investigation into the infamous photo showing</a> Griffin holding a severed head of "President Trump" has apparently concluded. <a href="https://twitter.com/kathygriffin/status/891026797566894081">Griffin, not unlike her hated president, used Twitter to announce</a> that she has been "completely exonerated." But can New Year's Eve ever be the same without the inimitable duo of Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin?<br /> <br /> <em><strong><br /> Being Smart, the Latest Unfair "Privilege"</strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> Have you ever heard of "cognitive privilege?" It's the unfair advantage conferred on people who just happen to be very intelligent, thus gaining societal privilege simply through "the accident of birth." <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/07/29/update-not-being-stupid-is-cognitive-privilege-now-which-is-just-like-white-privilege/">This new privilege was discovered, Columbus-like, at the University of Iowa</a>. It's kind of like NBA players being castigated for having "height privilege," which at least rhymes with "white privilege." <br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Chris Christie Confronts Baseball Heckler</strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, apparently upset because a baseball fan was heckling him at a game in Milwaukee, <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/chris-christie-confronts-chicago-cubs-fan-game-youre/story?id=48944503">walked up some steps and got right in the man's face</a>. </p>
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<p>Check back Tuesday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-07-31T14:15:00ZUSA Flexes Muscles Over North Korea; General Kelly Marches InBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/USA-Flexes-Muscles-Over-North-Korea;-General-Kelly-Marches-In/256889462837815000.html2017-07-30T14:38:00Z2017-07-30T14:38:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Sunday, July 30, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>USA Flexes Muscles Over North Korea<br /> <br /> </em></strong>The Trump administration <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-idUSKBN1AF02K">has issued a stark warning to North Korea and Kim Jong Un</a>. After North Korea claimed it had conducted another successful ICBM launch, the Pentagon flew two menacing B-1B bombers over the Korean Peninsula Sunday. Meanwhile, President Trump has again chastised China for not doing more to pacify its southern neighbor.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>General Kelly Marches In</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>There’s a new sheriff in town, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-enlists-kelly-to-enforce-order-but-can-the-animals-in-the-zoo-be-tamed/2017/07/29/4065eb56-748d-11e7-8839-ec48ec4cae25_story.html?utm_term=.afc5988e9da7">or at least there’s a new general in the White House</a>. John Kelly, who served in the Marine Corps for 45 years, is a combat veteran walking into a war zone. In taking over for Reince Priebus as White House Chief of Staff, Kelly is charged with bringing order to what seems to be utter chaos. He will be sworn in Monday.<br /><br />Bill weighed in on the appointment of General Kelly on Twitter:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">General John Kelly will be an upgrade as White House Chief of Staff if he brings some military discipline to the West Wing.</p>
— Bill O'Reilly (@billoreilly) <a href="https://twitter.com/billoreilly/status/891051105110687746">July 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Oh, and if you haven't heard, Bill is now tweeting! Follow @billoreilly on Twitter by clicking the "Follow" button in the tweet above. <br /> <br /><br /> <em><strong>Democrats on ObamaCare: Don’t End It, Mend It</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>After watching Republicans try in vain to repeal and/or replace ObamaCare, House Democrats now say they are prepared to improve the existing law. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/344397-dems-pivot-to-offering-obamacare-improvements">The Hill reports that some Democrats</a> are willing to work with, not merely obstruct, their Republican colleagues.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Media Covering Up a Massive Dem Scandal?</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/07/29/liberal-news-outlets-work-overtime-to-hide-huge-democratic-scandal-and-more-crazy-media-misses-this-week.html">Dan Gainor of the conservative Media Research Center is questioning</a> why there has been scant coverage of a scandal involving Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, former head of the Democratic National Committee. The story involves smashed computer drives, an attempt to flee the country, and millions of dollars in payouts, but the press has mainly looked the other way.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Illegal Immigrant Horror Story</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>31-year-old Sergio Jose Martinez, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4742896/Illegal-immigrant-freed-sanctuary-law-charged-rape.html">who had been deported to Mexico 20 times</a>, returned again and has been arrested again, this time for sexual assault. The worst part of the sickening story is that local authorities released Martinez last year even though ICE wanted to deport the thug once again. Portland prides itself on being humane towards illegal immigrants, and this time Martinez’ 65-year-old victim paid the price. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">This is how it is being reported in Portland</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Islamic Terror Plot Foiled Down Under<br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://nypost.com/2017/07/30/australian-cops-foil-islamic-inspired-plane-attack-plot/">Australian authorities say they have stopped an “Islamic-inspired”</a> terror attack that, if successful, could have killed hundreds. Four suspects are in custody and the nation’s citizens and airlines are on heightened alert.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Iraqi Opens Fire in German Nighclub</strong></em><br /> <br /> German police have killed a man who shot up a nightclub in the German city of Konstanz Sunday morning. Even though the 34-year-old shooter is a citizen of Iraq and had no apparent motive, <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/germany-konstanz-nightclub-shooting-killed-seriously-injured-latest-updates-a7867166.html">Germany was extremely fast</a> to rule out terrorism. <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/b90f2be4-7451-11e7-90c0-90a9d1bc9691">In a separate incident</a>, a knife-wielding attacker went on a rampage in Hamburg. Given that the assailant is a Palestinian asylum-seeker who shouted “Allahu Akbar,” German police were unable to overlook the terror aspect.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Another Bloody Chicago Weekend</strong></em><br /> <br /> At least 23 people have been shot in Chicago since Friday. The shooting victims range in age from a 4-year-old boy to an 89-year-old man. <a href="http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/map-chicago-weekend-shootings-tracker-for-july-28-31/amp/">The Chicago Sun-Times now includes a map</a> that keeps track of the city’s many shootings and homicides.<br /> <br /> <em><strong><br /> </strong></em><strong><em>Pope Francis Leads Prayers for Charlie Gard<br /> <br /> </em></strong>11-month-old Charlie Gard, who was at the center of a political firestorm, died on Friday. Since then, condolences and prayers have been streaming in from around the world. <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/07/28/charlie-gards-death-prompts-outpouring-grief-around-world-heaven/">Pope Francis and Vice President Mike Pence are among those</a> who have paid tribute to Charlie and his grieving parents. <br /> <br /> <em><strong><br /> Doctor Murdered Over Pain Killers</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>America’s well-documented opioid crisis has claimed another victim. When Indiana physician Dr. Todd Graham refused to prescribe pain killers for a woman, <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/midwest/indiana/ct-indiana-doctor-killed-opioids-20170729-story.html">her irate husband returned to the clinic, killed the doctor</a>, and then committed suicide.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Jeff Bezos, King for a Day<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Amazon boss Jeff Bezos is back in his familiar position of being the world’s second richest person. For a brief time last week he supplanted Bill Gates in the top spot. Each man has a net worth estimated at about $90-billion.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/bezos-slips-second-richest-what-lies-ahead-amazon-n787541">business analysts are trying to figure out what the mighty, mighty Amazon will do next</a>, whether here on Earth or off in distant worlds.</p>
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<p>Check back Monday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-07-30T14:38:00Z"Skinny Repeal" Dead; Russia Strikes Back at USABillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Skinny-Repeal-Dead;-Russia-Strikes-Back-at-USA/-592016973434328559.html2017-07-28T13:47:00Z2017-07-28T13:47:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, July 28, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>"Skinny Repeal" Dead of Malnutrition<br /> <br /> </em></strong>By a vote of 51 – 49 early Friday morning, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/344270-mccain-votes-to-kill-gops-skinny-backup-obamacare-repeal-plan">the Senate rejected a bill that</a> would have done away with ObamaCare. Senator John McCain, who made a dramatic return to Washington earlier this week, joined his fellow Republicans Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski in voting against the bill. President Trump's Twitter response to the news: "Let ObamaCare implode."<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Dems Waiting in the Wings With Single Payer </strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Democrats in Congress have been enjoying the spectacle of Republicans failing time and again to repeal and replace, but have few answers of their own. Some Democrats have been openly espousing a single-payer, government-run system, and even Chuck Schumer declares that "single-payer is on the table." <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/07/27/democrats-disastrous-new-health-rx/">According to this analysis by Michael Tanner of the libertarian Cato Institute</a>, most Americans are reluctant to give the federal government too much power over their lives and aren't ready to go the route of Western Europe and Canada.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>UK Single Payer System in Crisis </strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Speaking of government-run health care, <a href="http://www.itv.com/news/2017-07-28/secret-nhs-cuts-will-cause-uproar-once-revealed-doctors-claim/">Britain's National Health Service is reportedly planning massive cuts</a> that may greatly affect physicians and the care they provide. Doctors describe the expected cuts as "brutal" and complain that they are "shrouded in secrecy."<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Trump Goes to NYC for Gang Warfare</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-gangs-idUSKBN1AD0GK">President Trump will travel Friday to Long Island</a>, which has been front and center in the epidemic of gang brutality. The president and Attorney General Jeff Sessions have been waging war against the Salvadorian gang MS-13, whose tattooed members have committed unspeakably gruesome crimes. According to local authorities, the gang has killed 17 people over the last 18 months.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>MS-13 Fights Back</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>The above mentioned MS-13 gang, which has been escalating its violence on Long Island, <a href="http://gantdaily.com/2017/07/28/ms-13-members-trump-makes-the-gang-stronger/">claims that President Trump's immigration policies are making them stronger</a>. Gang leaders say some potential witnesses are terrified of being deported if they report criminal activity.<br /> <br /> The Trump administration, however, insists that gang-bangers are being deported or imprisoned in large numbers and say MS-13 has been severely damaged.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Russia Strikes Back at USA<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Responding to new sanctions against Russia enacted by Congress, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/28/world/europe/us-russia-sanctions.html">President Vladimir Putin has closed American facilities</a> in his country and is set to expel some American diplomats. U.S. lawmakers are still trying to exact revenge against Russia for whatever role it had in last year's presidential election.<br /> <br /> <em><strong><br /> Maxine Waters Goes Wild</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Congresswoman Maxine Waters, who has become the face of anti-Trumpism in Congress, set a new <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">world record for rudeness at a House hearing Thursday</a>. She interrupted Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin at least a dozen times, usually with the demand "reclaiming my time." <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Scaramucci, Bull in the White House China Shop</strong></em><br /> <br /> Profane and preening Anthony Scaramucci has been White House Communications Director for only a week, but that was enough time for <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/28/politics/anthony-scaramucci-wild-week/index.html">CNN to compile some of his greatest and most outrageous hits</a>. Washington is still stunned by Scaramucci's over-the-top, personal attacks on Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and Trump adviser Steve Bannon. We should warn you that the linked article contains direct quotes from "The Mooch" and therefore comes with a parental warning.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Swedish Government Near Collapse</strong></em><br /> <br /> As if rapes and sexual assaults by refugees aren't enough, ultra-liberal Sweden is now facing a crisis that involves a massive security breach. <a href="http://www.euronews.com/2017/07/27/political-crisis-in-sweden">According to EuroNews</a>, the Swedish government allowed foreign IT workers access to extremely confidential information, thus exposing millions of its citizens to potentially damaging leaks. Rest assured, though, that if Sweden changes governments, it will merely substitute one far left party for another.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Woman Laughs at Husband, Husband Kills Wife<br /> <br /> </em></strong>39-year-old Utah resident Kenneth Manzanares, on a pleasure cruise with his wife Kristy, took great displeasure when she "wouldn't stop laughing at him." According to authorities, Manzanares responded in the most extreme way, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/07/27/utah-man-killed-wife-on-alaska-cruise-because-would-not-stop-laughing-at-him-fbi-says.html">killing Kristy with his bare hands</a>. He has been charged with murder.<br /> <br /> <em><strong><br /> Civil War Erupts Over HBO Series</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>HBO is tentatively planning a series that will depict a much different America, mainly because the Confederacy won the Civil War and slavery remains legal. The white creators of the proposed show have been roundly blasted by journalists and critics, even though there are prominent black producers involved. <a href="http://www.npr.org/2017/07/27/539714033/black-producers-hbo-defend-upcoming-series-confederate">As NPR reports</a>, this "may be the most explosive response ever to a TV show that hasn't shot a frame."<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Beware those Baseball Celebrations</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>New York Yankees' rookie sensation Aaron Judge, with 32 home runs, has been almost unstoppable this year. But he needed emergency dental care last night when he broke a tooth while celebrating a dramatic Yankee victory. <a href="http://m.mlb.com/news/article/244927580/brett-gardner-homers-aaron-judge-chips-tooth/">The minor injury was chronicled and scrutinized</a>, frame by agonizing frame. Judge is fine and ready to resume his march toward being honored as American League Rookie of the Year. Just don't ask him to smile.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Amazing Solar Eclipse, Coming Soon<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Millions of Americans are already getting psyched about the very rare total solar eclipse, which will engulf much of the USA in darkness on August 21<sup>st</sup>. More than a mere spectacle, the eclipse is expected to provide scientists with a unique opportunity to learn more about the sun's many mysteries. Pretty much everything you may want to know about the eclipse <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/solar-eclipse-august-21-2017-will-reveal-sun-corona-and-its-mysteries/">is here in a very thorough article by CBS News</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Rolls-Royce Unveils $450,000 Model<br /> <br /> </em></strong>If you're looking to buy something for the man or woman who has absolutely everything, consider the new Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII. (Like the Super Bowl, a car like this requires Roman numerals.) The company says the car is meant for the "connoisseur of luxury in the extreme," which sounds about right. <a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-rolls-royce-phantom-viii-20170727-story.html">If you can afford the starting sticker price of $450,000</a>, you probably won't be overly-concerned that the Phantom's fuel efficiency is a paltry 14 miles per gallon. Come to think of it, the Phantom VIII could be the perfect car for wealthy eco-hypocrites like Leonardo DiCaprio and Al Gore.</p>
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<p>Check back Sunday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-07-28T13:47:00Z"Skinny Repeal" Gains Traction; Trump Taking Friendly FireBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Skinny-Repeal-Gains-Traction;-Trump-Taking-Friendly-Fire/646143226616697855.html2017-07-27T13:46:00Z2017-07-27T13:46:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Thursday, July 27, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>"Skinny Repeal" Gains Traction<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Republican Senators, unable to agree on any major health care initiative, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/senate-embarks-on-new-round-of-voting-to-peel-back-affordable-care-act/2017/07/26/a7206f62-71e8-11e7-9eac-d56bd5568db8_story.html?utm_term=.812b29ffa53f">may turn to a far less ambitious bill</a>. It would do away with mandates on individuals and businesses and eliminate the tax on medical devices. Apparently following the "half a loaf is better than none" strategy, GOP leaders seem willing and ready to accept this measure and come back for more later.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Dems on Health Care: Count Us Out!</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>As debate over health care continues in the Senate, <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/344029-demi-walk-health-tightrope">most Democrats are content to sit back</a> and enjoy the chaos. Senator Chris Murphy admitted that his party does not want to "inadvertently help a bill that nixes large swaths of the Affordable Care Act." There will be a series of amendments proposed today in a session not-so-affectionately known as "vote-a-rama."<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Hostile Press Questions Military Transgender Ban</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders was peppered with questions Wednesday about her boss's decree that the military will no longer accept transgender troops. Reporters demanded answers about the not-yet-formulated policy, which President Trump announced via Twitter on Wednesday morning.<br /><br /> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J3mRWAQbqRk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Retired SEAL Challenges President Trump<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Kristin Beck, who served as a Navy SEAL for 20 years, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/kristin-beck-trump-transgender-ban-2017-7">has become an unofficial spokesperson for transgenders in the military</a>. Beck served as a man, was twice married to women, then self-identified as a female after retiring from the military in 2011. "Let's meet face to face," Beck challenged the president, "and you tell me I'm not worthy."<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Scaramucci's War on Leaks Escalates</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>White House communications boss Anthony Scaramucci is fit to be tied, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/27/us/politics/scaramucci-leaks-priebus-white-house-justice.html">especially after someone leaked his financial disclosure form to the media</a>. It indicates that the former Wall Streeter has assets that may be worth $85-million, which should surprise no one. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/27/politics/anthony-scaramucci-reince-priebus/index.html">In a call to CNN this morning</a>, Scaramucci took a verbal shot at White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus. Even though disclosure forms are available to the public, Scaramucci denounced the leak as a felony and vowed to involve the FBI and Justice Department.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>The Latest Sessions Rumor</strong></em><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/26/politics/recess-appointment-sessions-replacement/index.html">CNN reports that President Trump may be considering a roundabout</a> way to repeal and replace Attorney General Jeff Sessions. He may be able to fire Sessions and then make a "recess appointment" while Congress is out of session, no pun intended. Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/republican-senators-steamed-over-trump-attacks-back-sessions-n786686">some Republican lawmakers</a> have publicly and pointedly announced their support for the sitting Attorney General.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Trump Taking Friendly Fire</strong></em><br /> <br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/344025-trumps-attacks-stun-republican-senators">Many Republicans are apparently growing weary</a> of President Trump's in-your-face management style. The president hasn't been attacking only Jeff Sessions, but also GOP Senators who are not in lockstep with his policies. Senator Lindsey Graham described President Trump's public outbursts as "a sign of great weakness."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Day, Another Investigation<br /> <br /> </em></strong>The House Judiciary Committee is opening up a new line of inquiry. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/344051-house-judiciary-committee-votes-to-request-documents-on-comey-clinton">Conservative Republicans on the panel now want to see all documents</a> that might shed light on former FBI boss James Comey's dealings with the Obama team and the media. Democrats are generally interested in investigating Comey's firing by President Trump, while Republicans now want to reach back and examine possible wrongdoing during the prior administration. In a town filled with investigations, what's one more?<br /> <br /> <em><strong><br /> </strong></em><strong><em>Sarah Palin Taking on the New York Times<br /> <br /> </em></strong>After last month's near-fatal shooting of Republican Steve Scalise, the New York Times flatly and falsely declared that Sarah Palin was largely responsible for the 2011 shooting of Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/07/26/palin-to-subpoena-two-dozen-reporters-in-defamation-suit/">Palin and her legal team have swung into action</a>, suing the paper for defamation and requesting testimony from two dozen Times employees. The former Alaska governor intends to prove that the Times despised her and went out of its way to defame and demean her.<br /> <br /> <em><strong><br /> Hillary, "What Happened?"</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Hillary Clinton's upcoming book about her losing campaign <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4735856/Hillary-Clinton-call-memoir-Happened.html">will be called "What Happened."</a> Her publisher says it will be filled with revelations, although the primary villains will wind up being James Comey, "the Russians," and sexism. The book will be released in September.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>One-Million California Illegal Immigrants on the Road</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article163623103.html">The Sacramento Bee reports</a> that California is approaching a dubious milestone. By the end of this year, there will be nearly one-million illegal immigrants with driver's licenses. The Golden State, claiming it enhances public safety, allows a non-citizen to obtain a license only by proving identity and residency.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Defy Border Patrol, Become a Hero!</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>A California school teacher recorded her heated interaction with a Border Patrol agent, during which she refused to state whether or not she is a United States citizen. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">Her video went viral</a> and the woman is now being hailed as a social justice warrior.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Steve Bannon: Eat the Rich!<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Trump adviser Steve Bannon, a perennial bogeyman of the left, is reportedly endorsing a tax hike on the wealthiest Americans. <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/07/26/steve-bannon-pushing-for-44-percent-marginal-tax-rate-on-the-very-rich/">According to a report by The Intercept</a>, he wants the highest bracket, now 39.6%, raised to 44%. President Trump has also hinted that he may be open to raising taxes on extremely rich people such as himself.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Sean Spicer on "Dancing With the Stars?"</strong></em><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/26/dancing-with-stars-spicer-241001">Washington is abuzz with rumors</a> that Dancing With the Stars producers want to enlist former White House spokesman Sean Spicer. Whether or not that comes to fruition, Melissa McCarthy is certainly hoping "Spicy" remains in the public eye. If the DWTS gig comes through, perhaps Spicer can tango with his lectern.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Justin Bieber Mows Down Paparazzo</strong></em><br /> <br /> More trouble for always-troubled Justin Bieber, who just canceled the remainder of his world tour. <a href="http://www.eonline.com/news/869611/justin-bieber-hits-a-paparazzo-with-his-truck-outside-church">E! News reports that the former teen star</a> accidentally ran into a photographer while driving his truck in Beverly Hills. When cops arrived at the scene, Bieber was said to be cooperative.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>USA: We're Number One!!</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/obesity-becomes-worldwide-epidemic-us-is-the-fattest/article/2629712">The New England Journal of Medicine reports</a> that the entire world is getting fatter, and the United States is the chubbiest nation of all. Obesity is rising in countries rich and poor, most likely the result of fast food that is abundant and inexpensive by historical standards.</p>
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<p>Check back Friday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-07-27T13:46:00ZTrump Bans Transgender People from Military; Scaramucci on the WarpathBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Bans-Transgender-People-from-Military;-Scaramucci-on-the-Warpath/-664995630012890905.html2017-07-26T16:04:00Z2017-07-26T16:04:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Wednesday, July 26, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></div>
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<p><strong><em>Trump Bans Transgender People from Military<br /> <br /> </em></strong>President Trump took to <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/343847-trump-calls-for-ban-on-transgender-individuals-in-military">Twitter this morning with a major announcement</a>. The president said that "after consultation with my Generals and military experts," transgendered individuals will not be allowed to serve in the military "in any capacity." The commander-in-chief insists, and Secretary of Defense James Mattis apparently agrees, that social experimentation should never interfere with military readiness.<br /> <br /> The Obama administration lifted the ban on transgender troops last year and even paid for individuals to receive sex-change therapy. There are now an estimated 250 transgender individuals serving openly; their fate under the new decree is unknown.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow......</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/890193981585444864">July 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">....Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming.....</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/890196164313833472">July 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">....victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/890197095151546369">July 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<br /><br /> <em><strong>Health Care Again Takes Center Stage</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>One day after voting to continue the health care debate, <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/senate-health-care-bill-vote-26-july-live-updates/">the Senate will vote today on various amendments</a>. Senators are expected to introduce proposals that would dramatically alter the health care bill that passed the House. President Trump has warned Senate Republicans that this is their "last chance to do the right thing," but political analysts insist that any new health care plan still faces a very steep uphill climb. It is entirely possible that ObamaCare will remain the law of the land.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>McCain Hailed for his Senate Return<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Senator John McCain, brain tumor notwithstanding, <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/mccain-returns-battling-cancer-malignant-politics-article-1.3356538">flew from Arizona to Washington</a> so that he could be the 50<sup>th</sup> vote that allowed debate on health care to continue. In a moving speech, he urged other Republicans to take their time and craft a new bill that can win support from both sides of the aisle.<br /> <br /> <br /> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aS8K90zFgUE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /> <em><strong>President Trump Returns to Campaign Mode</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>The president spent his Tuesday night <a href="http://wkbn.com/2017/07/25/vienna-struthers-and-youngstown-ready-for-president-trumps-visit/">rallying the faithful at a packed arena in Youngstown, Ohio</a>. He again promised to bring back manufacturing jobs, repeal ObamaCare, make America safer, and – of course – "make America great again." At least two protesters were forcibly removed from the event, but <a href="http://nypost.com/2017/07/25/why-the-rust-belt-just-gave-donald-trump-a-heros-welcome/">most people in the arena were undeniably thrilled</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Trump Blasts Illegal Alien "Animals"</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://www.newsweek.com/trump-says-immigrant-gang-members-slice-and-dice-young-beautiful-girls-642046">During that rally Tuesday night</a>, President Trump bluntly compared some criminal illegal aliens to "animals" who "slice and dice" young women. He was likely referring to a spate of particularly gruesome crimes committed by MS-13 on Long Island, where members of that gang have been vicious beyond belief. The president again urged the Senate to pass Kate's Law, which has already made it through the House.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Death Penalty Returns to Buckeye State</strong></em><br /> <br /> <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/ohio-set-end-year-hiatus-execution-child-killer-48850968">In other news out of Ohio</a>, the state is about to resume its use of the death penalty today after a three year hiatus. The convicted man is Ronald Phillips, who raped and murdered his girlfriend's three-year-old daughter. The state will kill Phillips, barring any last-minute stay of execution, by injecting him with a lethal combination of three drugs.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Scaramucci on the Warpath<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Anthony Scaramucci has already made his presence felt. The new White House Communications Director, <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/25/anthony-scaramucci-changes-white-house-communications-office-240928">who says he is prepared to "fire everybody"</a> if that's what it takes to stop White House leaks, has accepted the resignation of assistant press secretary Michael Short. Scaramucci says he has the full backing of the president in his all-out effort to find leakers and get rid of them.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Manafort Off the Hook … Temporarily</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort was expected to testify before a Senate committee Wednesday, but the subpoena was withdrawn <a href="http://www.latimes.com/politics/washington/la-na-essential-washington-updates-senate-committee-withdraws-subpoena-for-1501066466-htmlstory.html">after Manafort agreed to turn over some documents</a>. Manafort is still expected to meet with the Senate Judiciary Committee in the future. Donald Trump Jr. has also been given a temporary reprieve from testifying.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Sessions Lives Another Day</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>President Trump has been roundly criticized for humiliating his very loyal Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Conservatives have leapt to Sessions' defense, noting that he has a lifetime commitment to the cause. But the president, for whatever reason, has been mercilessly pounding the AG in interviews and on Twitter. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/25/us/politics/trump-attacks-own-attorney-general-jeff-sessions.html">Political observers are wondering</a> whether Sessions will resign or be fired.<br /> <br /> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">It is apparent that President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump">@realDonaldTrump</a> would like to fire Mr. Sessions but there are two huge problems with that...</p>
— Bill O'Reilly (@billoreilly) <a href="https://twitter.com/billoreilly/status/890209777166540800">July 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">First: Senate would have to approve a new AG & more than a few Republicans, who now support Sessions, would likely give <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS">@POTUS</a> a hard time.</p>
— Bill O'Reilly (@billoreilly) <a href="https://twitter.com/billoreilly/status/890209865775427586">July 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Second: many conservative commentators would turn on Trump because they support Sessions. Firing would harm admin in a big way.</p>
— Bill O'Reilly (@billoreilly) <a href="https://twitter.com/billoreilly/status/890210104930336768">July 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<br /><br /> <strong><em>Debbie Wasserman Schultz Aide Arrested<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Outside of Politico, Fox News, and a few other outlets, <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/25/debbie-wasserman-schultz-aide-arrest-240960">the story of Imran Awan's arrest is getting scant attention</a>. The IT expert, who was employed by Debbie Wasserman Schultz and had also worked for other Democrats, was nabbed at Dulles Airport just as he was about to leave the country for Pakistan. Awan has been fired by Wasserman Schultz and charged with bank fraud.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>A Busy Day for Trump Fact-Checkers<br /> <br /> </em></strong>According to the Washington Post's crack team of fact-checkers, President Trump made 29 false claims within a 26-hour span on Monday and Tuesday. The time frame included the Boy Scout Jamboree, a news conference, and of course many tweets. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2017/07/26/26-hours-29-trumpian-false-or-misleading-claims/?utm_term=.d4491e06dd78">An entire roundup is here in today's Pinocchio-laden Post article.</a> <br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>New Democratic Slogan Slammed</strong></em><br /> <br /> The motto "A Better Deal" may have looked good on paper, but it's been roundly mocked by pretty much everyone across the political spectrum. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video?chartID=554">Here's a brief sampling of Democratic and media ridicule</a>, put together by the folks at the Washington Free Beacon.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Britain Bans Sale of Gasoline, Diesel Cars</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Looking ahead a couple of decades, <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-autos-idUSKBN1AB0U5">British authorities have decreed</a> that new cars running on gasoline or diesel will no longer be sold after 2040. Within a decade after that, the streets and roads of Merry Old England are supposed to be a lot cleaner – and quieter - as electric vehicles take over.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary Clinton's Book Coming Soon</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/343755-clinton-book-to-double-down-on-russia-comey-message">The Hill reports that Hillary Clinton's upcoming book</a> will make more excuses for her loss to President Trump. She is expected to place the blame on James Comey's pronouncements and, of course, Russian interference. But many of Mrs. Clinton's Democratic allies believe it was really her message, or lack thereof, that enabled her to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Horrible News for Football Players</em></strong><br /> <br /> A new study published in the Journal of American Medicine is beyond disturbing for the National Football League and its players. After studying the brains of dead former NFL players, researchers found that 99% had a brain disease that is commonly found in people who suffer repeated hits to the head. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/25/health/cte-nfl-players-brains-study/index.html">The study's co-author declared, "There's a problem in football."</a><br /> <br /> Symptoms of the disease, known as CTE, include anxiety, depression, aggression, and premature dementia. The NFL has acknowledged the problem and is funding further research.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Grotesque "Honor Killing" in London</em></strong><br /> <br /> Celine Dookhran, a 19-year-old Muslim woman, <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/muslim-girl-honour-killing-throat-slit-her-name-locations-country-thank-god-everything-a7860316.html">was raped and brutally killed</a>, allegedly because she was an Indian Muslim who had begun a relationship with an Arab Muslim. A second woman was also raped but survived the "honor killing" ordeal. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Sadistic Floridians in Hot Water for Dragging Shark</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article163486458.html">A video has emerged showing a group of people</a> dragging a shark behind their power boat at very high speed. Florida wildlife officials are trying to identify the miscreants, who will be subject to arrest if they are nabbed. There is absolutely no truth to the rumor that Michael Phelps was swimming alongside the shark.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Whither the Withering Sperm?</strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2017/07/25/sperm-concentration-has-declined-50-percent-in-40-years/?utm_term=.0497e39547a1">In another story involving fast swimmers</a>, researchers report that the quality of sperm in men has declined precipitously in recent decades. The study included tens of thousands of men around the world, and the results seem to confirm earlier fears about men's reproductive health. No one is certain why so many men are now being categorized as "infertile and sub fertile." <br /> <br /> <br /><br /></p>
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<p>Check back Thursday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-07-26T16:04:00ZMajor Health Care Vote On Tap; Trump Feels the Love, Scout's HonorBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Major-Health-Care-Vote-On-Tap;-Trump-Feels-the-Love-Scouts-Honor/821284654160001233.html2017-07-25T15:22:00Z2017-07-25T15:22:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Tuesday, July 25, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></div>
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<p><em><strong>Major Health Care Vote On Tap</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/343549-mcconnell-to-pin-down-colleagues-on-healthcare">is expected to introduce a key vote on health</a> care Tuesday afternoon. The vote is not to actually repeal ObamaCare, but rather to allow debate to continue. Senator John McCain, even after his brain cancer diagnosis, will fly from Arizona to Washington to help the pro-repeal Republicans, who need 50 votes to move on.<br /> <br /> <br /><br /> <em><strong>America's Mayor to be America's Attorney?</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Donald Trump has made no secret of the fact that he is very unhappy with Attorney General Jeff Sessions, one of his earliest and most loyal supporters. <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/889790429398528000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fpolitics%2Ftrump-renews-twitter-attacks-on-attorney-general-jeff-sessions%2F2017%2F07%2F25%2F003d15ca-7124-11e7-8839-ec48ec4cae25_story.html">The president resumed his Twitter attacks</a> on the AG Tuesday morning and, <a href="https://www.axios.com/exclusive-trump-ponders-rudy-giuliani-for-attorney-general-2464579234.html">according to some reports</a>, the president may call on another loyal supporter, Rudy Giuliani, to take over when and if Sessions resigns or is forced out. <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/343556-cruz-being-considered-to-replace-sessions-report">Another rumored replacement for Sessions is Senator Ted Cruz</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /><br /> <em><strong>Rex Tillerson Exiting State Department?</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/343448-tillerson-considering-early-exit-from-state-dept-report">According to reports in The Hill and other outlets</a>, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson may step down at the end of this year. The story is based on anonymous sources who leaked the rumor to CNN. Tillerson is said to be upset with President Trump's very public criticism of Attorney General Jeff Sessions.<br /> <br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Hammers Washington Post<br /> <br /> </em></strong>President Trump took to Twitter late Monday <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/07/25/trump-blasts-fabricated-syria-story-appears-to-confirm-covert-cia-program/?utm_term=.6a6a44181e54">night to smack the newspaper he now calls the "Amazon Washington Post."</a> He claims the Post misstated the facts about his decision to end a covert program intended to help anti-Assad rebels in Syria.<br /> <br /> <br /><br /> <em><strong>Can't Tell Mueller's Team Without a Scorecard</strong></em><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/07/24/mueller-probe-meet-lawyers-who-gave-to-hillary-now-investigating-team-trump.html">Fox News has looked into the team of lawyers</a> hired by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating the Russia deal. At least seven of his 15 attorneys have given money to Democratic candidates and campaigns, while the eight others have apparently not made political donations. None of the lawyers donated to the Trump campaign. Whatever else might be said of Mueller and the investigation, he did not go out of his way to avoid the appearance of conflict.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /><br /> Trump Feels the Love. Scout's Honor<br /> <br /> </em></strong>President Trump traveled to West Virginia and the annual Boy Scouts Jamboree. Amid chants of "we love Trump," <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video">the president couldn't resist taking a swipe at his predecessor</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /><br /> <strong><em>Media Hammers Trump for Speech to Scouts <br /> <br /> </em></strong>The Boy Scouts in West Virginia loved President Trump's speech, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/07/25/trumps-boy-scouts-speech-broke-with-80-years-of-presidential-tradition/?utm_term=.e2fed9b93235">but many news outlets have assailed the president for being too political</a>. He mentioned the "fake media," criticized Hillary Clinton's campaign, and urged Congress to vote for the GOP health care bill.<br /> <br /> <br /><br /> <em><strong>Last Whale Born at SeaWorld Dies</strong></em><br /> <br /> A young killer whale named Kyara, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/25/us/seaworld-baby-killer-whale-dies-trnd/index.html">the final whale to be born at SeaWorld,</a> has died after suffering serious health problems. Kyara's mother was pregnant when SeaWorld announced that it would no longer breed killer whales in captivity.<br /> <br /> <br /><br /> <em><strong>One Family's Nightmare, Live on Instagram</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>18-year-old Obdulia Sanchez, live-streaming on Instagram while driving drunk, watched her younger sister die after she lost control of the car and crashed. Neither Obdulia nor her late sister were wearing seat belts. <a href="http://people.com/crime/live-stream-crash-father-speaks-out/">The girls' distraught father said, "My one daughter killed my other daughter."</a><br /> <br /> <br /><br /> <strong><em>Republican Group Mocks Dems' New Slogan</em></strong><br /> <br /> With great fanfare, the Democratic Party on Monday unveiled its new agenda and new slogan: "A Better Deal: Better Jobs, Better Wages, Better Future." In response, the conservative Congressional Leadership Fund produced a searing TV spot that highlights the Democrats' association with "radical extremists."<br /> <br /> <iframe width="515" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mNCBlNqy4Ds" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <br /> <br /> <br /><strong><em>Activists Warn Dems: Go Black or Step Back</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article163362558.html">Some groups are advising the Democratic Party</a> that only a black nominee can win back the White House in 2020. Among the leading candidates are Senators Cory Booker and Kamala Harris, former Attorney General Eric Holder, and former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick.<br /> <br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Snopes in Deep Trouble. Just Check Snopes!</em></strong><br /> <br /> The fact-checking website Snopes, a familiar stop for anyone wishing to check the veracity of a rumor, is in severe financial trouble and <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2017/07/24/snopes-seeks-crowdfunding-in-ownership-battle/">is asking readers to cough up $500,000</a> so that it can remain viable. The problems result from a protracted legal battle between two groups, both of which claim to own the Snopes name and domain. <a href="http://www.snopes.com/">We checked on Snopes</a> (where else?) and the problems seem to be very real.<br /> <br /><br /> <br /> <em><strong>Democratic Congressman Vows to "Eliminate" Trump</strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> Congressman Luis Gutierrez, who never met an illegal immigrant he didn't like, took to the pulpit to hammer President Trump's immigration policies. Along the way, Gutierrez <a href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2017/07/24/rep_gutierrez_when_democrats_take_majority_were_going_to_eliminate_trump.html">vowed that his party will eventually "eliminate him as president."</a> The left-wing congressman also described President Trump as a "major criminal."<br /> <br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Another Illegal Alien Horror Story</em></strong><br /> <br /> The aforementioned Congressman Gutierrez <a href="http://www.thelcn.com/lcn01/geneseo-man-hit-with-multiple-rape-sex-crime-charges-involving-young-girl-20170724">may wish to read this sordid story</a> out of Genesco, New York. Illegal immigrant Fernando Alvarado-Perez is charged with raping a young girl numerous times, beginning when she was 12 years old! On more than one occasion, the rapes occurred in the presence of a baby. Alvarado-Perez claims to have been in the country illegally for about a decade.<br /> <br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Horrible Details Emerge About TX Truck of Death<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2017-07-24-USTractor-Trailer%20Trafficking%20Deaths/id-8dfcc5f5d0c74da389b90582bafc9a72">Authorities have released extremely chilling specifics</a> regarding the truck journey that killed at least ten illegal immigrants. The tractor-trailer was crowded with nearly 100 immigrants, who were deprived of water and food and air conditioning. The desperate people, children and babies among them, took turns breathing through a single hole. They were headed from Laredo to San Antonio, which is known to have friendly policies toward illegal immigrants. The driver of the truck, James Bradley of Florida, is behind bars and could spend the rest of his life in jail..<br /> <br /><br /><br /> <strong><em>New Documents Released on JFK Assassination<br /> <br /> </em></strong>The National Archives has released nearly 4,000 documents, many of which have never been publicly available, involving the 1963 assassination of President Kennedy. <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/cia-fbi-documents-investigation-kennedy-assassination-released/story?id=48817457">The trove includes CIA and FBI files</a>, as well as recordings of interviews with a former Russian spy who served as Lee Harvey Oswald's contact when the assassin spent time in the Soviet Union.<br /> <br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Senator Ritchie? Senator Rock? Senator Kid?<br /> <br /> </em></strong>It may be premature to speculate about how he should be addressed, <a href="http://canadafreepress.com/article/senator-kid-rock-for-real">but the singer known as Kid Rock is being taken seriously in many quarters</a>. Born Robert Ritchie, he has announced his intention to be elected United States Senate from Michigan. Republican leaders are thrilled to have Mr. Rock on their side, and one <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/07/24/kid-rock-leads-democrat-in-new-poll/">early (and very unreliable poll) has him doing well</a> when stacked up against Democratic incumbent Debbie Stabenow.<br /> <br /> <br /><br /> <em><strong>Pity for Poor Justin</strong></em><br /> <br /> How cold-hearted must one be to not grieve for Justin Bieber. After all, <a href="http://www.eonline.com/news/869004/why-23-year-old-justin-bieber-needs-a-break">according to E! Online,</a> "he's had an exhausting eight years." Bieber has canceled the remainder of his world tour, just days after China banned the singer for "bad behavior." It's not easy being a former teen star accused of assault, DUI and other offenses. However, to maintain some perspective, Bieber and E! Online may wish to compare his hardships and travails with those experienced by U.S. soldiers deployed in Afghanistan and Iran. Just a thought.<br /> <br /><br /></p>
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<p>Check back Wednesday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-07-25T15:22:00ZJared Kushner in the Dock; Scaramucci Puts Leakers on NoticeBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Jared-Kushner-in-the-Dock;-Scaramucci-Puts-Leakers-on-Notice/-804239878000607842.html2017-07-24T14:24:00Z2017-07-24T14:24:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Monday, July 24, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></div>
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<p><em><strong>Jared Kushner in the Dock</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>It's a big week for President Trump's son-in-law, who will talk behind closed doors to both the House and Senate Intelligence Committees. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/07/24/kushner-to-detail-four-meetings-with-russian-officials-in-congressional-testimony/?utm_term=.bacce433c832">The Washington Post reports</a> that Kushner will elaborate on four meetings he had with Russian officials during the campaign and after his father was elected. Jared Kushner, husband of Ivanka Trump, is expected to staunchly defend those meetings.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Manafort, Trump Jr. On Deck</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>While Kushner's interviews will be held out of the public eye, Donald Trump Jr. and former Trump campaign manager <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/07/23/trump-jr-kushner-manafort-talk-to-senate-aides-downplay-pardons.html">Paul Manafort will be testifying in open session</a>. Both men are scheduled to come before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Scaramucci Puts Leakers on Notice</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Anthony Scaramucci, the new White House Communications Director, <a href="http://freebeacon.com/politics/scaramucci-im-going-to-fire-any-white-house-leakers/">came down hard on administration leakers while making the rounds of the Sunday talk shows</a>. He denounced them as "un-American" and vowed to fire anyone who is caught in the act.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Death Toll at Nine in Truck from Hell<br /> <br /> </em></strong>One man is under arrest in Texas after nine illegal immigrants were found dead in the back of his tractor-trailer. At least twenty other people were also stuffed inside the trailer, apparently without food or water or air conditioning as the temperature outside was above 100 degrees. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/07/24/texas-lieutenant-governor-blames-truck-deaths-on-sanctuary-cities-that-enable-human-smugglers.html">Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick blames the tragedy on sanctuary cities</a>, which he says serve as a lure to illegal immigrants.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Senate Talks Health Care, Trump Scouts for Votes</strong></em><br /> <br /> Republican Senate leaders will meet Monday on Capitol Hill to plan the next move on "repeal and replace." Prior to that meeting, President Trump is expected to talk about health care Monday <a href="http://www.herald-dispatch.com/_recent_news/justice-excited-about-trump-s-visit-to-west-virginia/article_8090a0dc-6fe1-11e7-a3b9-937fab138f82.html">when he goes to West Virginia and the Boy Scout Jamboree</a>. The president's <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/889274373689028609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2017%2F07%2F24%2Fpolitics%2Fhealth-care-state-of-play%2Findex.html">latest tweet on the subject</a> has the sound of an ominous warning.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Chainsaw Attack in Switzerland<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Swiss police are hunting for a man who went on a Monday morning rampage with a chainsaw in the quiet town of Schaffhausen, near the border with Germany. <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-40705621">Authorities say the attack is not an act of terrorism</a>, but that is frequently the first response in Europe these days.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>More Campus Madness, Professor Slanders McCain</strong></em><br /> <br /> After hearing of Senator John McCain's brain cancer, San Diego State professor Jonathan Graubart rushed to Facebook to denounce McCain as a "war criminal." <a href="http://www.abc15.com/news/san-diego-state-professor-makes-controversial-facebook-post">One of Graubart's former students told a local TV station</a> that no one should be surprised by Graubart's outburst.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>"Dunkirk" Brings 97-Year-Old Vet to Tears</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Ken Sturdy, a native of Wales who served with the Royal Navy in Dunkirk and got out alive, <a href="http://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news/dunkirk-vet-97-breaks-down-in-tears-after-watching-movie-i-never-thought-i-would-see-that-again/ar-AAoH02d?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp">praised the new war movie</a>, saying "it was just like I was there again." The zombie-free film was a huge box office success on its opening weekend, <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-dunkirk-conquers-competition-505m-debut-valerian-bombs-1023700">taking in more than $100-million around the world</a> and wildly exceeding expectations.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>MSNBC Race Hustlers, Wrong Again</strong></em><br /> <br /> Legal analyst Paul Butler and <a href="https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/brad-wilmouth/2017/07/23/msnbc-wrongly-claims-majority-police-killings-hit-people-color">host Al Sharpton (yes, he's still around)</a> both falsely claimed on Sunday that most people killed by police officers are "people of color." In fact, the majority of Americans who die at the hands of cops are white.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Minneapolis Cop Mohamed Noor Faces Separate Allegation</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.9news.com.au/world/2017/07/23/19/31/us-woman-sues-officer-who-fatally-shot-justine-ruszczyk">According to reporting by 9News in Australia</a>, a Minneapolis woman is suing police officer Mohamed Noor for assault, battery, and imprisonment. Neighbors of the woman, however, claim she has a tendency to exaggerate.<br /> <br /> Officer Noor is the Somalia-born cop who shot and killed pajama-clad Australian citizen Justine Damond, thus setting off a crisis in Minneapolis. Thus far the police chief has resigned and Mayor Betsy Hodges is under pressure to do the same.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Signs of the Times in Minneaplois</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.9news.com.au/world/2017/07/24/13/51/police-officers-startled-street-sign-justine-shooting">Fake street signs have been popping up in Minneapolis</a> in the wake of Justine Damond's death. The bright orange signs read: "Warning: Twin Cities Police Easily Startled."<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Democrats Unveil New Agenda, New Slogan</strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> The Democratic Party, reeling after a long series of defeats, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/24/politics/democratic-agenda-unveiling-virginia-event/index.html">will roll out a new economic plan Monday</a>. It comes complete with a new slogan: "A Better Deal: Better Jobs, Better Wages, Better Future." The party is trying to overcome the notion that it stands for very little beyond destroying President Trump. Democrats need to pick up 25 seats in the House next year to regain control of that chamber.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>A Squirrel to Avoid</em></strong><br /> <br /> As if Mayor Bill de Blasio's New York City doesn't have enough problems, <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/city-seeks-violent-squirrel-bitten-5-brooklyn-park-article-1.3348497">the health department is now warning of an "unusually aggressive squirrel."</a> The critter, Brooklyn born-and-bred, has bitten five people and is feared to have rabies. Health officials, who haven't run across a rabid squirrel for 25 years, are urging anyone bitten by a squirrel to seek immediate medical care.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Anthony Scaramucci, Kleenex Dispenser<br /> <br /> </em></strong>In an amusing exchange with CNN's Jake Tapper, White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video?chartID=554" target="_blank">promised to hand-deliver tissues to CNN</a> when President Trump is reelected in 2020.<br /><br /></p>
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<p>Check back Tuesday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-07-24T14:24:00ZPresident Trump Welcomes $13-Billion Carrier to Fleet; Russia SanctionsBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/President-Trump-Welcomes-$13-Billion-Carrier-to-Fleet;-Russia-Sanctions/-199283125603199177.html2017-07-23T15:35:00Z2017-07-23T15:35:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Sunday, July 23, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></div>
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<p><em><strong>President Trump Claims "Complete Power to Pardon"</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Weighing in a legal and constitutional issue, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/22/us/politics/donald-trump-jeff-sessions.html" target="_blank">the president insists that his power to pardon individuals</a>, including himself, is absolute. Not surprisingly, President Trump delivered his message via Twitter:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">While all agree the U. S. President has the complete power to pardon, why think of that when only crime so far is LEAKS against us.FAKE NEWS</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/888724194820857857">July 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p> The president also hammered the Washington Post for publishing leaks and the New York Times for damaging national security.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Trump Welcomes $13-Billion Carrier to Fleet</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>The USS Gerald Ford, the most advanced and powerful ship in the world, was greeted by the most powerful man in the world <a href="http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/07/23/away-dc-turmoil-trump-welcomes-new-high-tech-warship-navy.html" target="_blank">at a moving ceremony in Norfolk Saturday</a>. The commander-in-chief lauded the U.S. military and vowed to expand the naval fleet. The USS Gerald Ford is still undergoing testing and won't actually be deployed until 2022.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Congress Approves Russia Sanctions</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>The House and Senate <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/07/22/bipartisan-deal-curb-trumps-ability-ease-russia-sanctions/502032001/" target="_blank">have reached a deal that punishes Russia for meddling in the U.S. presidential election</a> and for its military belligerence. President Trump had maintained that he has the ability to unilaterally ease the sanctions, but the <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/343353-huckabee-sanders-white-house-backs-russia-sanctions-legislation" target="_blank">White House said Sunday that it supports the sanctions</a>. A Russian spokesman called the latest deal in Congress "very negative."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Human Traffickers and their Truck of Death<br /> <br /> </em></strong>It was an unspeakable scene of suffering in Texas this weekend when <a href="http://www.kens5.com/news/local/semi-trailer-discovered-with-immigrants-in-san-antonio/458904209" target="_blank">eight illegal immigrants were found dead in the back of a tractor-trailer</a> that had brought them across the border. At least twenty other people were also stuffed in the trailer, apparently without food or water or air conditioning as the temperature outside was above 100 degrees. The driver of the death trap is in custody in San Antonio.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Mass Hospitalization At Connecticut Concert </strong></em><br /> <br /> About 90 young people were taken to hospitals in and around Hartford, most of them suffering from severe intoxication after drinking heavily before and during a concert. <a href="http://www.courant.com/breaking-news/hc-hartford-hotjam-concert-drinking-0723-20170722-story.html" target="_blank">EMS teams were overwhelmed</a> Friday night as they constantly ferried people to medical facilities. The concert, featuring Chance the Rapper, attracted more than 20,000 people, most in their teens and 20s.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> Immigrants Warned Against Groping European Women<br /> <br /> </em></strong>How much has Europe changed in this age of mass migration from Islamic nations? <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4074403/swimming-pool-bosses-put-up-signs-banning-migrants-from-female-changing-rooms-and-telling-them-not-to-grope-women-in-austrian-market-town/" target="_blank">A sign of the times is this one at a swimming pool</a> in Austria which warns men, in Arabic, that fondling women bathers is frowned upon. There have been multiple cases of groping, sexual assault, and even rape, at various public events across Europe.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>In the Race for $$$, Republicans Leave Democrats in the Dust</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Despite President Trump's poor poll numbers, the Republican National Committee is far ahead of its Democratic counterpart when it comes to raising money. So far this year the GOP has doubled the Dems' haul, and things were especially bleak for the Democrats in June. <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/byron-york-why-are-republicans-trouncing-democrats-in-fundraising/article/2629435" target="_blank">Conservative analyst Byron York crunches the number and tries to explain the imbalance</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Democrats Announce a New Slogan</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Perhaps to enhance their anemic fundraising, <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/finance/343344-dems-to-announce-a-better-deal-economic-agenda-on-monday-report" target="_blank">Democrats are about to unveil a new economic agenda</a> and slogan. They call it "A Better Deal," reminiscent of FDR's New Deal. The party is calling for more spending on infrastructure and a higher minimum wage. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi insists that her party has great ideas and policies but just needs better branding and public relations.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Jews Slaughtered, Tension Mounts in West Bank</strong></em><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.westernjournalism.com/palestinian-arab-terrorist-murders-three-members-of-jewish-family-celebrating-birth-of-grandson/" target="_blank">A Palestinian terrorist murdered an Israeli father and his two children</a> as they were dining in their home in the West Bank. The killer was shot to death by an Israeli soldier who lived next door and heard the chilling screams.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, there is ongoing tension <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40698402" target="_blank">after Israel's decision to install metal detectors</a> at the entrance to the sacred Temple Mount.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Bernie in 2020?</strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/343317-sanders-keeping-door-open-on-2020" target="_blank">According to The Hill</a>, 75-year-old Bernie Sanders is seriously considering another run for the White House in 2020. The Vermont senator apparently believes he would have defeated Donald Trump had he been the Democratic nominee last year. Sanders' wife Jane has been accused of bank fraud and the senator may need to distance himself <a href="https://i2.wp.com/ramblingsofanulsterscot.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/linda.jpg?fit=500%2C286&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200" target="_blank">from radical Islamic activist and terror apologist Linda Sarsour.</a><br /> <br /> Many Democratic donors are interested in finding a younger and fresher standard-bearer, perhaps Senator Kamala Harris of California.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>More Details on Minneapolis Cop Mohamed Noor</em></strong><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4721924/Officer-shot-Justine-Damond-seven-months-training.html" target="_blank">British and Australian news outlets have been more</a> aggressive than many U.S. media when it comes to the case of Australian bride-to-be Justine Damond, who was shot and killed by Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor. He had been pushed through training so that he could join a force that was desperate to hire Somali officers. Police Chief Janee Harteu has resigned and Mayor Betsy Hodges is also under fire.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Scaramucci, Leak Fixer<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Anthony Scaramucci, who just took over as White House communications director, is vowing to put an <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/343348-scaramucci-i-will-take-drastic-action-to-stop-leaks-from-wh" target="_blank">end to leaks that have damaged the Trump administration</a>. Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Scaramucci implied that heads will roll if the leaking doesn't stop.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Fighting McCain's Glioblastoma<br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/glioblastoma-new-tools-against-brain-cancer/" target="_blank">On CBS Sunday Morning</a>, doctors and researchers spoke about the very aggressive and deadly cancer that is now threatening the life of Senator John McCain. There are promising new treatments that can help slow the cancer's progress, and everyone agrees that the famously tough and dogged Senator McCain will fight like hell.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Mayor Bill de Blasio, Cowardly Lion<br /> <br /> </em></strong>When confronted by an angry constituent in Queens, New York's far left mayor looked around for a desk under which he could hide, but he was outside and ran away instead. His nemesis, 63-year-old Vickie Paladino, hammered the mayor for addressing a "resistance" rally in Germany rather while skipping a memorial service for a slain cop. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video?chartID=554" target="_blank">Here are a few highlights of their encounter</a>.</p>
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<p><br />Check back Monday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-07-23T15:35:00ZTrump Fuels Rumors About Firing Mueller, CIA Boss Hammers NYTBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Trump-Fuels-Rumors-About-Firing-Mueller-CIA-Boss-Hammers-NYT/-93916759036827450.html2017-07-21T13:41:00Z2017-07-21T13:41:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, July 21, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></div>
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<p><em><strong>Trump Fuels Rumors About Firing Special Counsel</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>President Trump's warning that Special Counsel Robert Mueller should steer clear of the Trump family businesses has fueled speculation in Washington. <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-20/trump-move-to-fire-mueller-likely-would-trigger-purge-at-justice" target="_blank">Bloomberg Politics outlines</a> what could happen if the president ever decides to pull the trigger, so to speak, and get rid of Mueller. Media outlets frequently remind us of the similarities between such an act and President Nixon's "Saturday Night Massacre" in 1973.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/20/us/politics/donald-trump-robert-mueller-russia-investigation.html" target="_blank">the Trump team is investigating</a> the background of Muller's lawyers, presumably seeking conflicts of interest.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Tough Road Ahead for John McCain</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Senator McCain and his family are deciding what to do next after he was diagnosed with brain cancer. The cancer, of the especially aggressive glioblastoma variety, was discovered when a blood clot was removed from above the senator's eye a week ago. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/20/health/john-mccain-glioblastoma-treatment-explainer/index.html" target="_blank">According to medical experts</a>, glioblastoma is difficult to treat and usually fatal.<br /> <br /> On the other hand, John McCain is one of the very few people in the world who can accurately say, <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/07/20/sen-mccain-ive-been-through-worse/" target="_blank">"I've been through worse."</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Hawaii Preps for North Korea Nuke Attack</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/35936105/hawaii-to-kick-off-campaign-to-help-residents-visitors-plan-for-missile-attack-from-north-korea" target="_blank">The Aloha State is quietly working on a plan</a> to help its citizens and tourists deal with a nuclear missile attack from the rogue state of North Korea. It would take about 20 minutes for an ICBM to reach Hawaii from Pyongyang. Tourism officials are understandably reluctant to publicize the proposed educational plan, worrying that it will cause visitors to avoid the islands in droves.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Britain Preps for Islamic Terror Attack</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>In a somewhat similar vein, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4717568/Terror-police-Brit-tourists-running-lives.html" target="_blank">British anti-terror cops have created a video</a> telling tourists what to do if they find themselves in the middle of a terror attack while on holiday or at home. The three key words: "Run, hide, and tell." Not exactly Churchillian, but this is modern Europe.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Federal Judge Defies Trump on Sanctuary Cities</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/07/21/california-judge-refuses-to-bring-back-trumps-sanctuary-cities-ban.html" target="_blank">San Francisco-based Judge William Orrick is refusing to follow the</a> Trump administration's plans on cities that harbor illegal immigrants. There is an escalating battle over so-called "sanctuary cities" between Washington, local governments, and liberal judges. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has accused sanctuary cities of "protecting criminals."<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>CIA Boss Hammers New York Times</strong></em><strong><em><br /> </em></strong><br /> America's top spy, CIA Director Mike Pompeo, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/07/20/cia-director-pompeo-says-russia-in-syria-to-stick-it-to-america.html" target="_blank">is denouncing the New York Times</a> for exposing the name of an undercover officer who runs the CIA's Iran operation. Speaking to intelligence and security analysts in Aspen, Pompeo called the Times' decision "unconscionable." Critics of the paper recall its sanctimonious outrage when CIA analyst Valerie Plame was identified by name during the Bush administration.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Pennsylvania Mass Murderer Had Shady Past<br /> <br /> </em></strong>20-year-old Cosmo DiNardo, who admits to killing at least four young men outside of Philadelphia, was apparently a ticking time bomb. <a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/news/crime/cosmo-dinardo-was-also-banned-from-holy-ghost-prep-20170719.html" target="_blank">Local police now say that they "had contact"</a> with DeNardo 40 times, beginning when he was 14 years old. The killer had been involuntary committed, kicked out of schools, and even had a gun arrest. Authorities are now trying to explain how such a severely troubled young man was free to kill.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Teens Laugh as Man Drowns<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Some very depraved Florida teenagers had their phone cameras rolling as a 31-year-old man drowned. <a href="http://time.com/4868014/florida-teens-watch-man-drown/" target="_blank">They taunted the victim, laughed out loud</a>, but did absolutely nothing to help. There is no law in Florida mandating that one citizen help another in that kind of situation, meaning the unremorseful teens will totally escape punishment.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Dr. Krauthammer Opines on Charlie Gard</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Charles Krauthammer, while conceding that British infant Charlie Gard is suffering greatly and cannot be cured, nevertheless <a href="https://www.caymancompass.com/2017/07/21/krauthammer-what-should-be-done-for-little-charlie-gard/" target="_blank">argues that the final decision about Charlie's fate should be left to his parents</a>, not the government. Krauthammer declares that the parents are wrong, but they are still sovereign in a troubling case like this. His conclusion: "I would let the parents take their boy where they wish." <a href="http://www.lifenews.com/2017/07/11/charles-krauthammer-under-fire-for-calling-efforts-to-save-charlie-gard-a-cruel-hoax/" target="_blank">Dr. K has come under criticism from right-to-life</a> forces because he called this episode a "cruel hoax" and declared that Charlie is "utterly incurable."<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Wildly Mixed Reactions to O.J. Parole</strong></em><br /> <br /> O.J. Simpson worked his considerable charm on the Nevada Parole Board, just as he's been charming people his entire life. He will walk out of prison in three months, reuniting with jubilant friends and family. <a href="http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/story/o-j-simpson-triumphant-others-devastated-as-he-gets-parole-072117" target="_blank">But relatives of Ron Goldman, one of the two people Simpson viciously slaughtered in 1994</a>, are devastated by the outcome.<br /> <br /> <strong><em><br /> O.J. "Dream Team" Lawyer Destitute<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Famed attorney F. Lee Bailey, a prominent member of O.J. Simpson's team of legal wizards at the murder trial, actually maintains with a straight face that Simpson was innocent of the killings. After declaring bankruptcy, Bailey now works out of an office above a hair salon in Maine. The 84-year-old sat and watched the Thursday's hearing with a local news reporter, then rejoiced when Simpson was granted parole.<br /> <br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c3EZJ0kynu0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Left's Favorite Terror Apologist<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Linda Sarsour, whose Women's March group praised cop-killer Assata Shakur, has become a mascot of the far-left. Democrats are reluctant to distance themselves from Sasour, even though the Brooklyn-born activist has actually declared that women who disagree with her "do not deserve to be women" and some other foul stuff.<br /> <br /> In her latest outrage, <a href="http://thefederalist.com/2017/07/21/linda-sarsour-proves-shes-unhinged-murderer-apologist/" target="_blank">Sarsour accused CNN's Jake Tapper as being a member of the "alt-right."</a> Yes, Jake Tapper. The CNN host's crime, from her radical perspective, was criticizing Sarsour and the Women's March for honoring a convicted cop-killer.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Hillary Clinton's Less-Than-Green Campaign<br /> <br /> </em></strong>The Clinton campaign team vowed to purchase "carbon offsets," the modern version of indulgences, to help rationalize her penchant for flying in private jets. However, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/07/20/clinton-campaign-never-bought-carbon-offsets-to-atone-for-hillarys-private-jet-rides/" target="_blank">an inquiry by the Daily Caller shows</a> that the Clintonistas never followed up on that promise. Like many wealthy "climate change" warriors, Mrs. Clinton is able to warn about emissions one minute, then board a gas-guzzling private jet moments later.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Holly's Good Nature Explained by Science<br /> </em></strong><br /> <a href="https://twitter.com/billoreilly/status/876049302275080192" target="_blank">Why are dogs like a certain Corgi named Holly</a> so darned friendly and fun to be around? <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-40655634" target="_blank">Well, the BBC reports that congeniality was programmed into their genes long ago when they evolved from wolves</a>. Most pooches love the company of humans, a trait that is deeply ingrained in their DNA. Many dog owners are now hoping that scientists can do something about that darned shedding.</p>
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<p>Check back Friday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-07-21T13:41:00ZPrayers All Around for John McCain, Trump Harangues RepublicansBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Prayers-All-Around-for-John-McCain-Trump-Harangues-Republicans/-684598359639547460.html2017-07-20T13:40:00Z2017-07-20T13:40:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Thursday, July 20, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></div>
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<p><em><strong>Prayers All Around for John McCain</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>The news that Senator John McCain has a brain tumor <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/07/19/tougher-than-a-2-steak-washington-reacts-to-john-mccains-tumor-diagnosis/?utm_term=.7fb65d9261cb" target="_blank">has brought Washington together</a> like few other events ever could. McCain is known to almost everyone as an American hero who survived incredible brutality and deprivation as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. The 80-year-old and his family are weighing various treatment options, but the cancer is said to be "particularly aggressive."<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Prez Harangues Republican Senators on Health Care </strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Not mincing words while chewing his lunch, President Trump told GOP Senators they should cancel their vacation plans and stay in Washington until ObamaCare is repealed and eventually replaced.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/342732-trump-to-gop-senators-cancel-your-recess" target="_blank">As noted in The Hill</a>, the president took a swipe at Senator Dean Heller of Nevada, an opponent of the earlier Senate bill who was sitting next to Mr. Trump at Wednesday's White House lunch. Only three of the 52 Republican Senators, among them of course John McCain, failed to attend the lunch.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>The CBO's Bad News on Repeal</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>The Congressional Budget Office has come up with some projections that many Republican lawmakers will surely find distressing. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cbo-score-gop-obamacare-repeal-bill-2017-7" target="_blank">According to the CBO</a>, there will be 32-million additional uninsured Americans by 2026 if ObamaCare is repealed without a new bill in place.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, Larry Lindsey, who directed the National Economic Council under President Bush, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0yEnlshw5E" target="_blank">told CNBC that the CBO does a "lousy job" and is "part of the swamp."</a> <br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u0yEnlshw5E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Trump Hammers His Own Attorney General</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/19/us/politics/trump-interview-sessions-russia.html" target="_blank"><iframe id="nyt_video_player" width="480" height="321" title="New York Times Video - Embed Player" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="true" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="https://static01.nyt.com/video/players/offsite/index.html?videoId=100000005285371"></iframe><br /><br />During an interview with the New York Times</a>, President Trump denounced Attorney General Jeff Sessions for recusing himself from overseeing the Russia probe. Sessions was a very early and avid supporter of Trump at a time when most members of Congress were distancing themselves from the candidate.<br /> <br /> The president also had harsh words for former FBI boss James Comey and special counsel Robert Mueller, suggesting that Mueller will be out of bounds if the Russia investigation veers into his family's financial dealings.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>President's Ties to Deutsche Bank Under Scrutiny<br /> <br /> </em></strong>President Trump, as noted above, wants to keep his personal business dealings private, but it may be too late. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/19/business/big-german-bank-key-to-trumps-finances-faces-new-scrutiny.html" target="_blank">Investigators are reportedly digging into Trump's</a> close relationship with German banking giant Deutsche Bank, which lent him money in his most troubled times. Bank officials have spoken with federal investigators and it's very possible that special counsel Robert Mueller will want to know more about the loans.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>ISIS, Post-Mosul, Readies for a Different Fight</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>The Islamic State, which had hoped to establish a massive and powerful caliphate, has been routed in city after city. In response, <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-iraq-insurgency-idUSKBN1A50ML?il=0" target="_blank">according to a report by Reuters</a>, ISIS militants are heading into the mountains and preparing to mount a violent insurgency. While Iraqi forces celebrated their victory over ISIS in Mosul, a counter-terrorism official offered a more sober assessment, saying, "I believe we have tougher days coming."<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>10-Year-Old Miami Boy Dies After Opioid Overdose</strong></em><br /> <br /> Alton Banks, who lives in a drug-infested Miami neighborhood, died after somehow obtaining and ingesting the powerful painkiller fentanyl. One mystery is how and from whom he got the opioid. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video" target="_blank">This is CBS News' report on the little boy's death.</a><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Minneapolis Cop Mohamed Noor "Failed Another Woman"<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Media outlets in Australia have been aggressively covering the shooting death of Aussie citizen Justine Damond, who was killed by Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor. <a href="http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/justine-damonds-killer-mohamed-noor-failed-another-woman-when-he-sent-teresa-graham-to-mental-hospital/news-story/4b664a29a7a17a6b11a05e91beffe377" target="_blank">The Daily Telegraph of Sydney</a> spoke with the lawyer for another Minnesota woman who has sued Officer Noor, claiming he broke into her house and treated her abusively.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/b/A-White-Life-that-Mattered/686550609087272319.html" target="_blank">This week's staff column also focuses</a> on Justine Damond's death and the Somalia-born cop who fired the fatal shot. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>40 Years Later, Another Victim of Serial Killer IDed<br /> </em></strong><br /> John Wayne Gacy, who killed more than 30 men in the 1970s, has been dead for 23 years, but the extent of his grisly crime spree is still being discovered. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/19/us/john-wayne-gacy-victim/index.html" target="_blank">This week Cook County authorities identified one more victim</a> of the so-called "killer clown." James Haakenson arrived in Chicago from Minnesota when he was just sixteen years old. He called his mom to let her know he had arrived safely and was never heard from again. Now, 41 years later, his family finally knows what happened.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Campaign Aides to Testify<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law and trusted adviser, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/kushner-to-testify-before-senate-intel-panel-monday/2017/07/19/0db11da6-6cd2-11e7-b9e2-2056e768a7e5_story.html?utm_term=.456978d28fa1" target="_blank">will testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee Monday</a>. While that session will be behind closed doors, Donald Trump Jr. and former Trump campaign manager Paul Manifort will give their sworn testimony in open session two days later. <br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump-Hating Playwright Writing Play About Trump<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Tony Kushner, celebrated for his play "Angels in America," <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/342858-award-winning-playwright-writing-production-about-trump" target="_blank">now says he is working on a play</a> about President Trump. There is not much doubt about Kushner's point of view, given that he describes the Trump presidency as a "nightmare" and describes the president as "grotesque." In other words, don't expect a Neil Simon-type comedy.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Europe's Suicide-By-Immigration<br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://thefederalist.com/2017/07/18/unable-confront-migrant-crisis-europe-committing-suicide/" target="_blank">A provocative piece in The Federalist</a> examines the long-range effects of Western Europe's willingness, even eagerness, to resettle millions of refugees from the Middle East and North Africa. Many women on the continent have been sexually assaulted, and that may be only the beginning.<br /> <br /> On that same theme, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Strange-Death-Liberal-Europe/dp/1472942248" target="_blank">a new book called "The Strange Death of Europe"</a> provides an in-depth examination of the immigration crisis, which stretches from Greece and Italy to Sweden and The Netherlands.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Boston Proclaims its Virtue and Tolerance<br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jul/18/boston-fears-islamophobia-blankets-city-bus-stops-/" target="_blank">Bus riders in Boston are being inundated</a> with posters intended to "educate" them on how to fight Islamophobia. The signs encourage bus riders to "keep building the safe space" if they see a Muslim man or woman being harassed. One of those invaluable tips: <a href="http://netnebraska.org/sites/default/files/styles/news_article_feature_colorboxed/public/external_news_images/bostonposter_custom-5aad2f6fded820764f845c2081a86513e208e66e.jpg?itok=ZWUSaJJf" target="_blank">"Pick a random subject and start discussing it."</a><br /> <br /> There is no word yet on whether the anti-harassment initiative might eventually extend to fans of the hated New York Yankees.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Democratic Rep Wants Statue of Liberty on Border</em></strong><br /> <br /> In another candidate for the week's silliest story, Congressman Jose Serrano wants the federal government to erect "another Statue of Liberty" on our southern border with Mexico. Of course, the proposed statue would be an alternative to any wall or barrier. <a href="http://www.lifezette.com/polizette/democratic-lawmaker-wants-second-statue-liberty-mexican-border/" target="_blank">Organizations opposed to illegal immigration told LifeZette</a> that Serrano is "grandstanding" a very serious issue. Given that France paid for the original Statue of Liberty, perhaps Mexico will ante up for this one.</p>
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<p>Check back Friday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-07-20T13:40:00ZRepublicans Pointing Fingers (At Each Other); Let's Do Lunch!BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Republicans-Pointing-Fingers-At-Each-Other;-Lets-Do-Lunch!/654204502994074815.html2017-07-19T15:05:00Z2017-07-19T15:05:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Wednesday, July 19, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></div>
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<p><em><strong>Republicans Pointing Fingers … At Each Other</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>The Trump administration is blaming Senator Mitch McConnell for the demise of the GOP health care bill. McConnell failed to muster the necessary 50 votes, thus depriving President Trump of a major legislative victory. On the other hand, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/342650-tensions-reach-new-high-between-trump-gop" target="_blank">according to The Hill</a>, at least one unnamed Republican Senator said the president was "of no help" in the process.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Trump to Senators: Let's Do Lunch!</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Despite the recriminations mentioned above, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/342643-trump-to-lunch-with-gop-senators-after-healthcare-collapse" target="_blank">President Trump has invited all 52 Republican Senators</a> to break bread at the White House today. They are expected to talk about the health care bill collapse and perhaps search for another way forward. And, no, they will not be dining on crow.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Tax Reform Takes Center Stage</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Unless health care reform comes back to life, Zombie-like, the Trump administration is expected to shift its focus to tax simplification and reform. <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/19/tax-reform-becomes-must-win-for-trump-240691" target="_blank">Politico predicts that Republicans</a> could once again engage in intra-party fighting over the details of what a tax reform bill should actually look like. President Trump has expressed his desire to get the corporate rate down to 15%, although that much of a cut is not likely.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Much Ado About Trump's "Second Meeting" with Putin</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Many in the media are in a mini-frenzy over President Trump's previously-undisclosed "second meeting" with Vladimir Putin during the G20 summit in Germany. <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/18/trump-putin-held-a-second-undisclosed-meeting-at-g20-summit.html" target="_blank">It turns out that their conversation</a> came during a dinner attended by about 40 world leaders and their spouses. President Trump, as is his wont, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/887475373981696000" target="_blank">posted a pithy response on Twitter</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>When In Doubt, Hold A Rally!<br /> <br /> </em></strong>President Trump is planning to rally the base once again, this time in the industrial city of Youngstown in the swing state of Ohio. The president, who is in his element at these events, has staged previous rallies in Florida, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Tennessee.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2017/07/trump_to_appear_in_youngstown.html" target="_blank">He is scheduled to begin talking at around 7:00 next Tuesday</a>, and no doubt some of his more avid fans will camp out overnight to get a prime seat close to the stage.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Senator Warren's Powwow With Wall Street Fat Cats<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and other Democratic senators, who love to smack Wall Street, hobnobbed with some big-bucks financiers at posh Martha's Vineyard last weekend. The fundraiser was hosted by banker Robert Wolf, a former financial backer and friend of Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://freebeacon.com/issues/elizabeth-warren-attends-marthas-vineyard-dinner-hosted-by-big-bank-executive/" target="_blank">According to The Washington Free Beacon</a>, Wolf has previously denounced Senator Warren as a far-left radical who makes political hay by bashing big business.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Cop Won't Talk About Fatal Shooting<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Minneapolis Police Officer Mohamed Noor, who shot and killed pajama-clad Justine Damond last weekend, is keeping mum about the incident. While his partner Matthew Harrity spoke with investigators about the shooting, Noor is exercising his right to keep quiet.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-police-officer-heard-loud-noise-before-partner-mohamed-noor-shot-justine-damond-minnesota-bca-says/435251273/" target="_blank">The Minneapolis Star Tribune and other outlets</a> have published a timeline of the events leading to Damond's death, noting that both responding officers were relatively inexperienced.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Women's March Lauds Cop-Killer, Dems Won't Condemn<br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://dailycaller.com/2017/07/19/dem-senators-decline-to-condemn-womens-march-for-supporting-terrorist/?utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=TheDC%20Briefing&utm_campaign=TheDC%20Briefing" target="_blank">Three female Democratic Senators</a>, all of whom enthusiastically back a left-wing organization called Women's March, are refusing to distance themselves from the group's support for cop-killer Joanne Chesimard, now known as Assata Shakur. The murderer escaped from prison and has been living comfortably in Cuba for more than 30 years.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jul/18/womens-march-defends-assata-shakur-amid-backlash/" target="_blank">Women's March tweeted birthday greetings to Shakur</a>, lauding her as a "civil rights leader."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Names Jon Huntsman Ambassador To Russia<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, who also ran for president and served as Ambassador to China under President Obama, will be the United States Ambassador to Russia. <a href="https://themoscowtimes.com/articles/white-house-appoints-hardline-jon-huntsman-as-ambassador-to-russia-58436" target="_blank">Russian media outlets refer to Huntsman</a> as a "hardliner," implying that he does not wish to improve Washington's relations with Moscow. The Senate will have to confirm Huntsman's new role.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>MSNBC Frets Over President Trump's Weight & Fitness<br /> <br /> </em></strong>MSNBC, aka "The Worldwide Leader in Trump Hatred," actually devoted an entire segment to the president's physical appearance and his tendency to use a golf cart. The relevant part of the riveting conversation <a href="/video/video-of-the-day?vid=932033071997539591" target="_blank">can be seen and heard here.</a> Politico also ran a hard-hitting piece on the president’s appeararance yesterday. One cannot help but wondering whether, had things turned out differently, MSNBC and others would be worrying about President Hillary Clinton's appearance and health.<br /> http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/07/18/is-the-president-fit-215385<br /> <br /> <strong><em>More Sexual Assaults by European "Refugees"<br /> <br /> </em></strong>The sickening violence against European women, endemic in Sweden, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4703386/Riots-German-festival-Iraqi-sexually-harassing-women.html" target="_blank">is also affecting Germany</a>, where Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed Muslim refugees with open arms. In one recent incident, young women were sexually assaulted by Afghan and Iraqi asylum-seekers at a music festival. Charmingly, a crowd of 1,000 reportedly threw bottles at police who tried to detain one of the suspects.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Postal Service Workers Helped Hillary<br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/07/19/watchdog-postal-service-broke-law-by-letting-employees-do-clinton-campaign-work.html" target="_blank">Fox News has unearthed a government report</a> showing that the United States Postal Service allowed employees to perform work for the Clinton campaign while they were on leave. The Office of Special Counsel has ruled that the post office "engaged in systemic violations" of the Hatch Act, which regulates and limits the political advocacy work that can be done by federal workers.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Couple Missing for 75 Years Found in Swiss Glacier<br /> <br /> </strong></em>Police in Switzerland have identified the bodies of a man and wife who vanished without a trace in 1942. The couple went outside to feed their animals and were never seen again until their bodies were discovered last week.<br /> <br /> The couple's children, some of whom are still alive, spent most of their lives trying to locate their parents, who can now have a proper funeral. <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/switzerland-swiss-couple-found-alps-glacier-marcelin-and-francine-dumoulin/" target="_blank">Their daughter says she will wear white</a> to the service because it "represents hope, which I never lost."<br /> <em><strong><br /> </strong></em><br /> <em><strong>Saudi "Mini-Skirt Woman" Identified, Arrested</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Authorities in Saudi Arabia have nabbed the young woman who broke all the country's conventions by strolling around in a mini-skirt, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQihgGSESrc" target="_blank">creating a video that went viral on YouTube</a> and sparked outrage in the Islamic kingdom. The unidentified woman has been charged with wearing "immodest clothes"<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Evacuations as Wildfires Rage in California</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes as <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-wildfires-idUSKBN1A40WB" target="_blank">a massive wildfire continues to spread in central California</a>. Dry and windy weather are ideal for the blazes, which are affecting people across the western United States. This is CBS's report on the emergency:<br /> <br /> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mYUzU1TwBHw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br /><br /><em><strong>Infamous Octogenarian Thief Busted in Boston<br /> <br /> </strong></em>86-year-old Doris Payne, who has spent much of her long life stealing jewelry, is at it again. This time the sticky-fingered Payne was arrested at Walmart as she was swiping less than $100 worth of merchandise. Her unusual career of theft was actually documented in a film called "The Life and Crimes of Doris Payne." <a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/news/national/2017/07/police_notorious_jewel_thief_arrested_at_walmart" target="_blank">Her lawyer, excusing this latest crime</a>, says his client was merely taking some supplies that she needs to survive.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Chris Christie Goes Left, Nabs Foul Ball, Gets Roundly Booed<br /> <br /> </strong></em>New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, fresh off his much-ridiculed beach outing, had the good fortune (or misfortune) of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqK4bvLJU78" target="_blank">catching a foul ball at Tuesday night's New York Mets game</a>. The crowd's reaction was perhaps one more sign that the soon-to-be ex-governor should look for another line of work.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>A Congressman's Really, Really Stupid Question<br /> <br /> </strong></em>During a House hearing, Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIqcEPYO7nE" target="_blank">actually wondered aloud whether</a> there may have been a thriving civilization on Mars "thousands of years ago." The testifying scientists tried to answer his inquiry as gracefully as possible, but they might be excused for wondering whether there is intelligent life on Capitol Hill.</p>
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<p>Check back Thursday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-07-19T15:05:00ZGOP Health Care Bill DOA; Frustrated Newt Hits RepublicansBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/GOP-Health-Care-Bill-DOA;-Frustrated-Newt-Hits-Republicans/-977154147333907986.html2017-07-18T14:25:00Z2017-07-18T14:25:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Tuesday, July 18, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></div>
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<p><em><strong>GOP Health Care Bill DOA</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>The long and arduous Republican effort to "repeal and replace" ObamaCare has been defeated, at least for the moment. Two more GOP senators have announced that they will vote against the plan, thus making it impossible for Mitch McConnell to garner the necessary 50 votes.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/amid-uncertainty-about-mccains-health-senate-returns-with-gop-agenda-in-flux/2017/07/17/6dd31530-6b02-11e7-9c15-177740635e83_story.html?utm_term=.1c14689c8814" target="_blank">The Washington Post reports</a> that neither McConnell nor President Trump have any immediate strategy, although there is talk of a straight ObamaCare repeal vote.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Frustrated Newt Hits Republicans: "It's Time to Perform."</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/18/republican-health-care-bill-reaction-240663" target="_blank">implored his fellow Republicans</a> to get something done on health care. Even with this latest proposal dead in the water, Gingrich suggested that his party can at least "get something done that starts to move us away from ObamaCare."<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Questionable Poll Says 4 in 10 Americans Endorse Impeachment<br /> <br /> </em></strong>A poll conducted by Monmouth University claims that 41% of Americans believe President Trump should be impeached. <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/17/americans-want-trump-impeached-more-than-nixon-at-start-of-watergate-poll.html" target="_blank">As CNBC reports</a>, that is far higher than the 24% who wanted President Nixon impeached as the Watergate scandal was picking up steam. If you take the time to examine the poll's methodology, the respondents were 26% Republican, 34% Democrat, and 40% Independent. <a href="http://www.people-press.org/2016/09/13/2-party-affiliation-among-voters-1992-2016/" target="_blank">In fact, according to Pew Research Center</a>, 44% of registered voters lean toward being Republicans, while 48% lean toward the Democratic Party. So take the poll with the proverbial grain of salt.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Susan Rice Delays House Appearance<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Former Obama National Security Adviser Susan Rice was expected to give classified testimony this week in front of the House Intelligence Committee, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/17/politics/samantha-power-testify-house-intelligence-committee/index.html" target="_blank">but she has delayed that appearance</a>. Meanwhile, another former Obama aide, Samantha Power, will likely testify in the next few weeks.<br /> <br /> Republics are eager to find out more about the "unmasking" of some Trump officials, among them Michael Flynn. Susan Rice, infamous for her misstatements about Benghazi and Bowe Bergdahl, denies that she did anything improper.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Minneapolis Reeling After Cop Kills Australian Visitor<br /> <br /> </em></strong>There are many questions, few answers, in the shooting death of Justine Damond, who called 911 to report a possible crime and wound up dead. <a href="http://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-police-officer-who-shot-killed-woman-identified/434975623/#1" target="_blank">She was shot to death by Mohamed Noor</a>, one of the few Somali-born cops on the Minneapolis force.<br /> <br /> The victim, an Australian woman living in Minneapolis with her fiancée, was unarmed and in her pajamas at the time of the shooting, while Officer Noor violated policy by not activating his bodycam. <a href="http://www.news.com.au/world/north-america/shooting-death-of-justine-damond-in-minneapolis-sparks-calls-for-federal-investigation/news-story/2d2486888c0c6d8fa1ca3d8f4bc7df91" target="_blank">In her native country</a>, Damond's death has reinforced worries about violence in America.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Dems Actually Worried About Kid Rock Candidacy<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Ever since rock star Robert James Ritchie, better known as Kid Rock, suggested that he may run for the U.S. Senate, <a href="http://ijr.com/the-declaration/2017/07/922897-senate-democrats-losing-minds-thought-senator-kid-rock/" target="_blank">Democrats seem to be visibly shaken by the possibility</a>. The Libertarian/Republican Mr. Rock is already being used by some Democrats to raise money. Senator Elizabeth Warren, for one, reminded her constituents that Kid Rock may seem like a joke, but so did Donald Trump.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Not My President, Says CNN Analyst<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Consistent Trump-hater Angela Rye, always a Trump-hater, calls Donald Trump "your president" <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video" target="_blank">in this segment on the struggling network</a>. At least, in this case, the host tried to correct the record and reminded her that Trump is President of the United States.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Top Lawyer Dershowitz Hammers New York Times<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Alan Dershowitz, legal wizard and lifelong Democrat, is accusing the New York Times of shutting down his views. Dershowitz has argued that the Trump campaign team has thus far not been shown to have engaged in any criminal activity, putting him at odds with the Times' ultra-leftist editorial team.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/alan-dershowitz-new-york-times-ignoring-me-because-i-dont-have-the-right-point-of-view/article/2628922" target="_blank">He tells the Washington Examiner that</a>, while other publications have attempted to show some balance, the Times "has been pretty one-sided" in its coverage of the Russia story.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Radical Pastor Says Praying for Trump is "Theological Malpractice"<br /> <br /> </strong></em>William Barber, who has become familiar to MSNBC viewers, has denounced religious leaders who met with President Trump last week. Barber, apparently playing God himself, <a href="http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/07/17/prominent-liberal-pastor-praying-for-trump-is-theological-malpractice-that-borders-on-heresy" target="_blank">warns that praying for the president borders on heresy</a>. He says it's wrong to pray for a man who is "preying on the most vulnerable," which will surely earn him a return visit to MSNBC.<em><strong><br /> <br /> <br /> Border Patrol Hails Steep Drop in Illegal Immigration<br /> <br /> </strong></em>Brandon Judd, head of the union representing Border Patrol agents, <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/border-patrol-union-chief-praises-miraculous-drop-in-illegal-immigration-under-trump/article/2628828" target="_blank">describes the decline in illegal border crossings as nothing less than "miraculous."</a> He also credits the Trump administration with invigorating morale among his men and women. According to the most recent figures, there has been a 53% decline in the number of apprehensions at the Mexico border from a year ago.<em><strong><br /> <br /> <br /> Saudi Woman Wears Mini-Skirt, Risks Her Life<br /> <br /> </strong></em>An anonymous woman in Saudi Arabia <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J19NsnraVwg" target="_blank">has posted a video of herself</a> walking around abandoned streets in a mini-skirt. Her attire has led to calls for her arrest, although some are also praising her courage.<br /> <br /> Women in that Islamic kingdom are required to cover their hair and face and wear long robes. But at least she wasn't driving a car!<em><strong><br /> <br /> <br /> Huge Praise for World War II Movie "Dunkirk"</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>The movie "Dunkirk," which dramatizes the chaotic British evacuation in 1940, is being hailed as a "masterpiece" by many critics. Remarkably, it's a film without zombies or special effects, just storytelling at its best. An article about "Dunkirk" and the <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/dunkirk-review-roundup-what-critics-are-saying-1021889" target="_blank">movie's trailer are here in the Hollywood Reporter</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Singer R. Kelly Accused of Running "Abusive Cult"</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Robert Sylvester Kelly, aka R. Kelly, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40639378" target="_blank">stands accused of holding young women</a> against their will. The singer was briefly married to a 15-year-old in the 90s and has since been arrested for having sex with a minor. At least one of the women denies she is in a cult and Kelly's lawyers vigorously proclaim his innocence.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Artificial Sweeteners Linked to Weight Gain</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Put down the no-calorie sweetener, pick up the sugar. At least that's the implication <a href="http://fox43.com/2017/07/18/study-suggests-link-between-artificial-sweeteners-and-weight-gain/" target="_blank">of a study by a researcher at the University of Manitoba</a>. He claims that artificial sweeteners, which are ubiquitous in drinks and food, are detrimental to both weight and health.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Holly Would Beat 'Em All</strong></em></p>
<p><a href="http://ijr.com/2017/07/922802-cutest-dogs-hill-voting-top-10-cast-ballot-now/" target="_blank">The Independent Journal Review is running a contest</a> to determine which pooch is the absolute cutest canine on Capitol Hill. While we all can acknowledge that these doggies are pretty darned adorable, we would vote for a <a href="https://twitter.com/billoreilly/status/878219845413634049?lang=en" target="_blank">certain Corgi named Holl</a>y. Unfortunately, there does not seem to be space for a write-in vote, which seems downright undemocratic. Russian meddling, anyone?</p>
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<p>Check back Tuesday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-07-18T14:25:00ZHealth Mystery Surrounds Health Vote; Madame Senator Jenner?BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Health-Mystery-Surrounds-Health-Vote;-Madame-Senator-Jenner/458692354694409917.html2017-07-17T14:39:00Z2017-07-17T14:39:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Monday, July 17, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></div>
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<p><em><strong>Health Mystery Surrounds Health Vote</strong></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> </em></strong>Senator John McCain's doctors are totally mum as to when he may be able to return to Washington following surgery to remove a blood clot. McCain's 'yea' vote on the health care proposal is sorely needed by Republican proponents of the bill, but he could be out of action for more than the one week initially suggested.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/16/us/politics/health-care-vote-john-mccain.html" target="_blank">The New York Times theorizes</a> that any delay in the health care legislation, which is teetering and in jeopardy of going down, makes passage less likely.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>CBO Health Care Bill Scoring Also Delayed<br /> <br /> </em></strong>The Congressional Budget Office was expected to put hard numbers to the Republican health care proposal today, but that has been delayed indefinitely. GOP Senators continue to change the plan, making scoring even more difficult than usual.</p>
<p><a href="http://nypost.com/2017/07/16/cbo-delays-scoring-of-gop-health-care-bill-in-yet-another-setback/" target="_blank">The New York Post reports</a> that this latest delay is another setback for Mitch McConnell and other Republicans who are eager to pass the bill.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Defense Lawyer Defends, Defends, Defends<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Jay Sekulow, who has become the face of President Trump's legal team, made the round of Sunday political talk shows to vigorously defend his client against charges involving Russian "collusion."</p>
<p>His contentious interview with Chris Wallace <a href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2017/07/16/jay_sekulow_to_chris_wallace_the_president_of_the_united_states_is_not_a_suspect_at_all.html" target="_blank">is here in its entirety</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Secret Service at Odds With Trump Lawyer<br /> <br /> </em></strong>Speaking of Jay Sekulow, in one of those interviews he told ABC News that the Secret Service knew about the meeting in Trump Tower and "allowed these people in." However, the Secret Service forcefully denied that it had vetted that meeting between Trump campaign officials and Russians.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-idUSKBN1A10Q9" target="_blank">Reuters reports that Frances Townsend</a>, former adviser to President George W. Bush, is accusing Sekulow of totally misrepresenting the Secret Service's role in the meeting.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Jared Kushner's Security Clearance in Jeopardy?</strong></em></p>
<p>Democrats are demanding that Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law, have his security clearance revoked. The president's enemies point to his attendance at that Trump Tower meeting and his possible role in spreading "fake news" about Hillary Clinton.</p>
<p><a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/342120-questions-grow-over-kushners-security-clearances" target="_blank">According to The Hill</a>, even some Republicans are suggesting that Kushner and other Trump family members, including Jared's wife Ivanka and Donald Trump Jr., be ousted from the White House.<br /> <em><strong><br /> <br /> South Korea to North Korea: Let's Talk</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>The two Koreas, separate nations for nearly 70 years, may have at least a slight thaw in their very icy and perilous relationship. A South Korean official, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/07/17/south-korea-offers-to-talk-with-north-on-easing-border-tensions-resuming-family-reunions.html" target="_blank">Fox News reports</a>, has proposed talks near the border to discuss ways to ease the perpetual tension and reunite familes.</p>
<p>This is especially encouraging in light of the North's ICBM launch earlier this month and the upcoming 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>"Made in America" Week at the White House</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>In an effort to put out some good news, <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/17/white-house-planning-made-in-america-week.html" target="_blank">the White House is showcasing products made in each of the 50 states</a>. President Trump will also stress the importance of reinvigorating American manufacturing and of actually making things in this country.</p>
<p>President Trump will also head to Virginia to attend the commissioning of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, which was most definitely made in America.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Another Bloody Weekend in Chicago Killing Fields</strong></em><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Ten Chicagoans were murdered over the weekend, <a href="http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/4-dead-13-wounded-in-shootings-across-chicago-since-friday-evening/" target="_blank">including 9-year-old Gustavo Garcia</a>, who was shot in the back in his South Chicago neighborhood..</p>
<p>Approximately 350 people have been killed in Mayor Rahm Emanuel's city so far this year, about the same number as last year at this time.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Green Light for Anti-White Professor</em></strong><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Sociology professor Johnny Eric Williams, who wrote virulently anti-white messages on social media, <a href="https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2017/07/17/trinity-connecticut-clears-johnny-williams-wrongdoing-he-remains-leave-now-voluntary" target="_blank">has been cleared of wrongdoing</a> by Trinity College in Connecticut. The school says Williams is protected by "academic freedom."</p>
<p>To ease his trauma after the controversy, the professor will take a leave of absence through the fall semester, but of course he will continue to be paid by Trinity.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> <strong>Bernie Sanders' Wife Jane Plays the "Sexism" Card</strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Jane Sanders, accused of bank fraud during her tenure as president of Burlington College in Vermont, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/07/16/jane-sanders-cries-sexism-in-bank-fraud-accusations-as-gop-hits-back.html" target="_blank">now says her primary accuser is "incredibly sexist."</a> The FBI's investigation into the case was initiated when Vermont Republican Brady Toensing filed a complaint against the senator's wife. Burlington College shut its doors last years after it was unable to meet its debts, most of which were run up during Jane Sanders' tenure. She left the school unceremoniously with a six-figure payout.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> <em>New Tourism Slogan: Visit Miami Before It Sinks!</em></em></strong></p>
<p>Climate alarmists, always adept at putting forth apocalyptic predictions, <a href="http://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/scientists-say-miami-could-cease-to-exist-within-our-childrens-lifetimes/ar-BBEiUxL?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp" target="_blank">now warn that the city of Miami</a> will be swallowed whole by the Atlantic Ocean if we don't stop burning fossil fuels. Scientists concede that Miami will only vanish if the most extreme scenarios come to fruition.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>American Doctor Examines Charlie Gard in London</strong></em></p>
<p><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4703016/US-doctor-heads-Charlie-Gard-s-bedside.html" target="_blank">The Daily Mail reports</a> that New York Doctor Michio Hirano has arrived in London to examine terminally ill infant Charlie Gard, the lad at the center of an international tug-of-war. While Dr. Hirano apparently believes he can help the little boy, British medical authorities want the plug pulled so that Charlie can die.</p>
<p>The Vatican has also offered to take Charlie and help him find treatment. A judge in England will make the final decision next week.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Madame Senator Jenner?</strong></em></p>
<p>Caitlyn Jenner, the Olympic gold medalist formerly known as Bruce, <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/342202-caitlyn-jenner-weighs-run-for-senate" target="_blank">has implied that she may run for the United States Senate</a>. Jenner may be a long shot at the moment, but so was Donald Trump a couple of years ago. She would be the first transgender member of the Senate … at least that we know of.</p>
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<p>Check back Tuesday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-07-17T14:39:00ZMcCain Surgery Delays Health Care Vote; Comey's Big Bucks Book DealBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/McCain-Surgery-Delays-Health-Care-Vote;-Comeys-Big-Bucks-Book-Deal/-48861693134697929.html2017-07-16T14:42:00Z2017-07-16T14:42:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Sunday, July 16, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></div>
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<p><em><strong>McCain Surgery Delays Health Care Vote</strong></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> </em></strong>The Senate showdown on health care has been postponed because of one member's health care. <a href="http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/342206-mcconnell-delays-healthcare-vote-after-mccain-surgery" target="_blank">As reported in The Hill,</a> Senator John McCain is recovering from surgery to remove a blood clot and will not be in Washington next week.</p>
<p>Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who needs every single GOP vote he can muster, admitted that the bill would be unlikely to pass without McCain's presence. The 80-year-old McCain, who underwent the operation Friday, is at his home in Arizona.<br /><br /> <br /> <strong><em>New York Times, At It Again<br /> <br /> </em></strong>The Times is using a new phrase – "junk insurance" – to describe inexpensive health care plans that don't cover everything under the sun. But, <a href="http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2017/07/junk-insurance-or-junk-reporting.php" target="_blank">as the invaluable Power Line blog states</a>, that kind of bare-bones policy is exactly what many healthy consumers want. What may be "junk" to an elite Timesman is just what the doctor ordered for many consumers.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Trump Haters, Trump Supporters Clash in Hollywood</strong></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> </em></strong>Anti-Trump protesters hit the streets in various cities across the USA Saturday, demanding that the president step down immediately, if not sooner. <a href="https://www.billoreilly.com/video/video-of-the-day?vid=689134824899078885" target="_blank">As documented in this report</a>, the Trump haters in Hollywood were met with resistance from supporters of the president.</p>
<p>The protests were staged by a group calling itself "Refuse Fascism," described as a militant organization funded at least in part by left-wing billionaire George Soros. Refuse Fascism claims it was also instrumental in the G20 protests in Germany last week.<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><em>President's Approval Ratings Sink</em></strong><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/poll-finds-trump-standing-weakened-since-springtime/2017/07/15/2decf03a-68d2-11e7-9928-22d00a47778f_story.html?utm_term=.078d10e48f22" target="_blank">A new Washington Post-ABC News poll</a> shows that President Trump's approval rating has dropped to 36%. The poll also finds that a large plurality of Americans, 48%, "disapprove strongly" of the president's performance in office. Most Americans agree that Russia tried to influence November's presidential election.</p>
<p>Two big bright spots for the president are his generally high marks on the economy and the fact that most Americans don't believe the Democratic Party stands for much of anything beyond being against the president.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> <strong>Comey's Big Bucks Book Deal</strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Fired FBI boss James Comey is <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/342193-former-fbi-director-comey-agrees-to-book-deal" target="_blank">writing a book about his time</a> in the Trump administration and his dealings with the president. America's former top cop has reportedly signed a deal with a New York publisher and will reap many millions of dollars.</p>
<p>Comey still faces questions about his handling of the Hillary Clinton investigation and whether he illegally leaked classified information to news outlets.<br /> <strong><em><br /> <br /> <em>Two Men Charged in Pennsylvania Murders</em></em></strong></p>
<p>Cosmo DiNardo and Sean Michael Kratz, 20 years old cousins, are in prison, charged with killing and burying four young men outside of Philadelphia. All the dead men had been shot and all have been identified.</p>
<p><a href="https://bucks.crimewatchpa.com/da/29567/post/two-men-charged-homicide-four-solebury-slayings" target="_blank">Local authorities are not sure of the motive</a>, but the grisly killings were apparently set up with promises of marijuana deals. The defendants will have their first day in court later this month.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>President Macron Admits France's Role in Holocaust</strong></em></p>
<p>French President Emmanuel Macron is denouncing any French citizens who continue to minimize their nation's culpability in the slaughter of Jews during World War II.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/the-latest-macron-denounces-french-role-in-the-holocaust/2017/07/16/6477c99a-6a1c-11e7-abbc-a53480672286_story.html?utm_term=.01d468ca2370" target="_blank">In a ceremony 75 years after French Jews were rounded up in and around Paris</a>, Macron conceded that "it was indeed France that organized this." At the event, which was attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Macron vowed to fight the anti-Semitism that has long plagued his country.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Praising Cops, Smacking Black Lives Matter</strong></em></p>
<p>Fearless writer Heather MacDonald <a href="https://www.city-journal.org/html/running-toward-when-others-run-away-15319.html" target="_blank">has another must-read piece in City Journal</a>, in which she examines the virulent hatred of police by far too many on the left. She excoriates Black Lives Matter, which has been responsible for some of the most disgusting anti-cop rhetoric in recent memory.</p>
<p>Mac Donald's article is a direct response to the assassination of NYPD officer Miosotis Familia and the muscular response by New York Police Commissioner James O'Neill.<br /> <em><strong><br /> <br /> Former Astronaut: To Mars & Beyond</strong></em></p>
<p>Nearly a half-century after Buzz Aldrin took a stroll on the moon, <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/buzz-aldrin-rolls-out-red-carpet-for-mars-48-years-after-moon-landing-kennedy-space-center/" target="_blank">he is now raising money</a> to promote a future mission to Mars. Aldrin hosted a gala at Florida's Kennedy Space Center that attracted other former moon-walkers and assorted celebrities.</p>
<p>Aldrin believes we should eventually colonize the Red Planet and he offers this pithy advice to NASA: "Get your ass to Mars!"<br /> <em><strong><br /> <br /> Uh-oh 1: Desperate Brides-To-Be Search for Wedding Gowns</strong></em></p>
<p>Alfred Angelo Bridal Stores closed all 61 of its outlets Thursday night, leaving many young women scrambling to recover the expensive gowns they had bought and paid for. <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/07/15/537443368/brides-scramble-for-dresses-and-information-after-alfred-angelo-stores-close-abr" target="_blank">As NPR reports</a>, after 80 years of outfitting brides, the Florida-based company abruptly filed for bankruptcy.</p>
<p>Some blushing brides may be able to salvage their gowns, others could get refunds, and it is certain that more than a few wedding planners will have to deal with even more tension than usual.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Uh-oh 2: Don't Eat That Hot Dog!</strong></em></p>
<p>If you're planning to grill up some Sabrett doggies any time soon, think twice. The makers of the popular hot dog are recalling some 7-million pounds of hot dog products that may include potentially-injurious fragments of bones and cartilage.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food-drink/article161564028.html" target="_blank">This piece in the Miami Herald</a> details the exact specifications of the sullied hot dogs that were all processed by Marathon Enterprises in the Bronx, which will surely take a financial roasting for this debacle.</p>
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<p>Check back Monday for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-07-16T14:42:00ZFederal Judge Slaps Trump; Mystery Man in Trump, Jr. MeetingBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Federal-Judge-Slaps-Trump;-Mystery-Man-in-Trump-Jr.-Meeting/330909146275086289.html2017-07-14T14:46:00Z2017-07-14T14:46:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Friday, July 14, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></div>
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<p><em><strong>Federal Judge Slaps Trump</strong></em></p>
<p><strong><em> <br /> </em></strong>The Trump administration's "travel ban" from six predominantly Muslim nations, despite being essentially upheld by the Supreme Court, has run into another legal blockade. <a href="http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-hawaii-judge-travel-ban-07132017-story.html">As reported in the Los Angeles Times</a>, this latest brouhaha is a continuation of the ongoing legal battle between Hawaii and President Trump.</p>
<p>Judge Derrick Watson, appointed to the federal bench by President Obama, has ruled that exemptions to the ban must be greatly expanded. Taking a direct jab at the president, Judge Watson disparaged the travel restrictions as "the antithesis of common sense."</p>
<p>This latest ruling allows the travel ban to stay in place, but carves out many additional exceptions for people who have extended family in the United States. The DOJ has not responded, but seems likely to appeal what it surely considers a very unappealing ruling.</p>
<p><br /> <br /> <em><strong>Mystery Man in Donald Trump, Jr. Meeting</strong></em><strong><em> <br /> <br /> </em></strong>A previously-unidentified fifth individual was at that Trump Tower meeting last year along with Donald Trump, Jr., Jared Kushner, Paul Manifort, and Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/russian-lawyer-brought-ex-soviet-counter-intelligence-officer-trump-team-n782851">NBC News reports that the mystery man</a> is a lobbyist and "former Soviet counter intelligence officer," but has not released his name. Donald Trump, Jr. continues to downplay the significance of the meeting, but it is another story that will keep the Russia deal alive for at least a few more news cycles. </p>
<p><br /> <br /> <strong><em>Trump Occupies Paris</em></strong><strong><em><br /> <br /> </em></strong>President Trump and the First Lady <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-revels-in-french-military-pomp-as-counter-protest-decries-his-visit/2017/07/14/8f59831e-6801-11e7-8eb5-cbccc2e7bfbf_story.html?utm_term=.9c3d2a742ad2">helped France celebrate Bastille Day</a> at a grand parade that showed off French military hardware.</p>
<p>The president and French President Emmanuel Macron, despite their major policy differences on "climate change" and other issues, appeared to get along famously, as did their respective wives. After spending just one day in the City of Lights, The Trumps will return to the USA Friday afternoon.</p>
<p><strong><em><br /> <br /> <strong>Health Care on the Gurney</strong><br /> <br /> </em></strong>Call it Washington's version of the Final Four. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, knowing Senators Rand Paul and Susan Collins are lost causes, is now focusing his attention on four reluctant Republican moderates. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/the-health-202/2017/07/14/the-health-202-trump-administration-tells-moderates-to-trust-it-on-health-care/5967ad23e9b69b7071abcb2b/?utm_term=.000fbc0a4c30">The Washington Post reports that McConnell is reassuring the skeptical Senators</a>, all from states that rely heavily on Medicaid funds, about the merits of the bill.</p>
<p>The latest version of the Senate bill retains ObamaCare's taxes on the wealthiest Americans and also includes $45-billion for opioid abuse.</p>
<p><strong><em><br /> <br /> <em>Awful Acid Crimes in London</em></em></strong></p>
<p>London has achieved the terrible distinction of leading the world in "acid attacks," <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-40559973">according to the BBC</a>. On Thursday alone there were five such attacks in less than 90 minutes, when two thugs sprayed pedestrians with a corrosive substance while driving a moped.</p>
<p>London police report that 458 such assaults were perpetrated last year and the number is growing. The acid attacks, which are extremely hard to solve, seem to be gang-related. </p>
<p><br /> <br /> <em><strong>Mass Murder in Pennsylvania</strong></em></p>
<p>20-year-old Cosmo DiNardo, a diagnosed schizophrenic, has confessed to killing four young men and burying their bodies. His only response upon leaving the courthouse: "I'm sorry."</p>
<p><a href="http://www.fox29.com/news/267801841-story">According to new reports Friday morning</a>, DiNardo may not have acted alone; a second "person of interest" has been detained.<br /> <br /> <br /><br /><em><strong>Obama, Back in the Fray</strong></em></p>
<p>President Obama was the big lure at a Democratic fundraiser in Washington Thursday night. The event, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4693392/Obama-political-fray-Democratic-fundraiser.html">according to the Daily Mail</a>, was closed to the media, but also included former AG Eric Holder and Nancy Pelosi.</p>
<p>They were all there to raise money for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, which wants to help Democrats improve their standing in state legislatures around the country, where they have been losing ground big-time since President Obama's first term.</p>
<p><br /> <br /> <em><strong>Mixing Golf and Anti-Trump Animus</strong></em></p>
<p>The world's best female golfers are in Bedminister, New Jersey for the U.S. Open tournament, which is being played at the Trump National Golf Club.</p>
<p><a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2017/07/13/golf/donald-trump-us-open-womens-golf/index.html">Amid speculation that President Trump himself</a> will show up at the tournament over the weekend, some golfers and media types are urging him to steer clear of his own course, fearing his presence will "overwhelm the event."<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><strong>Mac and Cheese, Hold the Cheese</strong></em></p>
<p>Your kids' long-time favorite macaroni and cheese, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/12/well/eat/the-chemicals-in-your-mac-and-cheese.html">according to new reports</a>, probably contains some harmful chemicals that have been linked to behavior problems. Laboratory testing of 30 cheese products found that 29 of them have chemicals known as phthalates. The potentially dangerous chemicals were found even in cheese products that were promoted as being organic. </p>
<p>The worst offender seems to be powdered cheese that is highly processed. In response, nutritionists are urging parents to cut down on any food, not only mac and cheese, that can sit in a box for many years. It certainly sounds like reasonable advice, and <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/222101/healthier-homemade-mac-and-cheese/">here's a healthy recipe</a> if you wish to make your own.</p>
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<p>Check back tomorrow for the day’s biggest headlines. </p>
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<p>Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-07-14T14:46:00ZThe Mysterious Plot Thickens; Refugee Limit ReachedBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/The-Mysterious-Plot-Thickens;-Refugee-Limit-Reached/593440822208657884.html2017-07-13T14:33:00Z2017-07-13T14:33:00Z<div>Check out Bill’s Daily Briefing for Thursday, July 13, where we round up the day's biggest headlines for your perusal. Take a look.<br /><br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong><em>The "I" Word Rears its Ugly Head<br /><br /></em></strong>You knew it had to happen. California Congressman Brad Sherman <a href="http://www.latimes.com/politics/essential/la-pol-ca-essential-politics-updates-rep-brad-sherman-just-introduced-1499883664-htmlstory.html" target="_blank">has introduced articles of impeachment against President Trump</a>. (LA Times). While most other Democrats not quite ready to board that impeachment train, Sherman doesn't seem to care.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">He accuses the president of obstructing justice and interfering with an ongoing FBI investigation. But even Congressman Sherman knows his articles are pretty much a dead letter in a Republican-dominated House of Representatives.</div>
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<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><br /><br /><em><strong>The Mysterious Plot Thickens<br /><br /></strong></em>The story of Natalia Veselnitskaya, the Russian lawyer who managed to wrangle a meeting last year with Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort, seems to be right out of a Cold War spy novel.<em><strong><br /></strong></em></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/341788-exclusive-doj-let-russian-lawyer-into-us-before-she-met-with-trump" target="_blank">According to The Hill</a>, the attorney entered the United States under "extraordinary circumstances" last year and then engaged in a whirlwind lobbying campaign. Not only did she manage to score a meeting with the president's eldest son, but she also met with Capitol Hill politicians and State Department officials.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Veselnitskaya was ushered into the country by President Obama's Justice Department without having a visa. Adding to the mystery, she was caught on camera sitting in the front row during a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee just a few days after meeting with Don Jr. and his pals at Trump Tower.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Special Counsel Robert Mueller certainly has his work cut out for him, and he may wish to put spy novelist John le Carré on retainer.<br /><strong><em><br /><br /><br />Refugee Limit Reached on Wednesday</em> <br /><br /></strong></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">The Trump administration has limited the number of refugees allowed into the USA each year to 50,000. That compares to 85,000 admitted last year and President Obama's goal of eventually resettling more than 100,000 refugees annually.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Yesterday the total number of refugees settled in the USA since the fiscal year began in October reached 50,086, and thus all further settlements have been halted, <a href="LINK:%20%20http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-administration-reaches-limit-it-imposed-of-admitting-50000-refugees/article/2628501" target="_blank">The Washington Examiner reports</a>. President Trump's executive order on the issue declared that admitting more than 50,000 refugees "would be detrimental to the interests of the United States." For the next three months, the only refugees admitted with be those with close family members already living in the United States.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><em>Manafort in the Dock<br /><br /></em></strong></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley<a href="http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2017/07/12/chuck-grassley-call-paul-manafort-testify-well-subpoena-him-if-necessary/472253001/" target="_blank"> tells the Des Moines Register</a> that he will subpoena the aforementioned Paul Manafort to testify. Manafort, then-candidate Trump's campaign manager for a time, was at that meeting with the Russian attorney last year and has many previous ties with Ukraine.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Senator Grassley says he wants to determine whether Manafort followed all the rules of the Foreign Agent Registration Act in his various overseas dealings.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><em>Wray's Way or the Highway<br /><br /></em></strong></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Christopher Wray, who seems a shoo-in to be confirmed as the next FBI boss, <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-fbi-pick-christopher-wray-promises-to-act-based-on-the-impartial-pursuit-of-justice/article/2628386" target="_blank">made a vow to the Senator Judiciary Committee during this week's hearings</a>: He will adhere to the Constitution, always be independent, and "make every American proud."<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">The 50-year-old placated Senate interrogators by saying he does not believe the investigation into possible Russian collusion is a "witch hunt," and he also pledged to resign if a president orders him to do something he perceives as illegal. The prospective top cop described himself as "boring," not necessarily a bad thing in these chaotic times.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Wray is expected to get broad support from the committee, and even Minnesota Senator Stuart Smalley (aka Al Franken) has voiced his support. If confirmed, Christopher Wray will be the eighth director in the FBI's 82-year-history.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><em>President Peers inside Putin's Head<br /><br /></em></strong></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">During a sit down interview with Pat Robertson of the Christian Broadcasting Network, President Trump claimed that <a href="http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/07/12/trump-putin-would-be-happier-if-clinton-were-president/" target="_blank">Vladimir Putin would be a much happier autocrat if Hillary Clinton had won in November</a> (The Blaze). The president theorizes that a Clinton presidency would have "decimated" the military and made the USA a much weaker country. <br /><br />It is hard to dispute the fact that President Trump, with his affection for pipelines, coal, and fracking, has helped drive down energy costs, certainly bad news for Putin's economy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><em>Trump's Stark Warning to McConnell<br /><br /></em></strong></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">President Trump, who campaigned on "repeal and replace," laid down the law to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. In his interview with Pat Robertson, the president said that he will be "<a href="http://www.mediaite.com/online/trump-puts-senate-mcconnell-on-notice-if-gop-fails-on-health-care-i-will-be-very-angry/" target="_blank">very angry</a>" if a new health care bill does not make it to his desk. "Mitch has to pull it off," President Trump declared. "He's working very hard, he's got to pull it off." (Mediaite)<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><em>Suspect in Serial Killing<br /><br /></em></strong></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Pennsylvania authorities have dug up human remains on a farm outside Philadelphia. There is a suspected link between that grisly discovery and the mysterious disappearance of four young men who have been missing since last week.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">The farm belongs to the parents of 20-year-old Cosmo DiNardo, who has been named as a "person of interest" in the case. He is being held on $5-million bail, a clear indication that police believe they may have a serial killer in custody. More in <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/latest-police-search-farm-4th-day-missing-men-48587357" target="_blank">this report from ABC News</a>. <br /><strong><em><br /><br /><br />A Run on Weed in Nevada</em> <br /><br /></strong></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Trying to get marijuana in Nevada is apparently like trying to score toilet paper in Venezuela. <a href="http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-nevada-marijuana-20170711-story.html" target="_blank">An article in the Los Angeles Times</a> explains that the Silver State, which legalized recreational pot use two weeks ago, was hit by unexpectedly great demand. <br /><br />Nevada officials have actually declared a state of emergency, not least of all because the state has been getting high on tax revenue from pot sales.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><em>Runaway City, Running Wild<br /><br /></em></strong></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Heard the latest from that crazy left-wing city by the bay? San Francisco authorities are <a href="https://townhall.com/tipsheet/guybenson/2017/07/12/pc-vs-public-safety-san-francisco-withholding-security-footage-of-crimes-to-prevent-racism-n2353897" target="_blank">refusing to release video surveillance footage</a> showing roving gangs of young men assaulting citizens on the BART rapid transit system. They fret that the videos "would create a high level of racially insensitive commentary." In other words, the attackers were black and must be protected. Safety of the riders takes a back seat, so to speak, to political correctness.<br /><br /></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Things are so bad in San Francisco that Tony Bennett has reportedly asked that his heart be returned immediately.<br /><br /><br /></div>
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<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><em><strong>Runaway Network, Running Wild<br /><br /></strong></em></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">You almost have to feel sorry for the good folks at the Media Research Center, who watch TV news for a living. According to the MRC's tireless staff, CNN's morning show spent <a href="http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/alex-xenos/2017/07/12/consumed-cnn-new-day-spends-93-airtime-russia" target="_blank">93% of its Wednesday three-hour block covering the Trump-Russia story</a> (Newsbusters). The network is so far gone that James Earl Jones has begun disguising his voice.<br /><br />[Side note: you might want to check out or latest staff column on the media's obsession with Trump & smoking guns: <a href="/b/Donald-Trump-That-Wascally-Wabbit/8721395376097246.html" target="_blank">DONALD TRUMP, THAT WASCALLY WABBIT</a>]<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><em>MVPs at War??<br /><br /></em></strong></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Former NFL Most Valuable Player Peyton Manning, host of ESPN's annual awards show Wednesday night, took some jabs at former NBA MVP Kevin Durant, who abandoned ship in Oklahoma City to join the already-powerful Golden State Warriors. <br /><br />Durant did not look the slightest bit amused:<br /><br /></div>
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<p>Check back tomorrow for the day’s biggest headlines. <br /><br />Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-07-13T14:33:00ZToday: FBI director nominee Christopher Wray gets confirmation hearingBillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/Today:-FBI-director-nominee-Christopher-Wray-gets-confirmation-hearing/960757169384324945.html2017-07-12T17:21:00Z2017-07-12T17:21:00Z<p>Good afternoon and welcome to Bill’s Daily Briefing. We took a short hiatus but we are back in full swing with the day’s biggest stories. Take a look.</p>
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<p><strong>FBI director nominee Christopher Wray gets confirmation hearing Today</strong></p>
<p>The confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee for Christopher Wray, President Trump’s nominee for F.B.I. director, began at 9:30 a.m. today and is ongoing.</p>
<p>As James Comey’s predecessor, Mr. Wray is facing questions about how he plans to maintain the FBI’s neutrality in investigations with political implications.</p>
<p>The New York Times, this morning, looked at <a href="https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/07/12/us/politics/christopher-wray-fbi-confirmation-hearing.html?referer=https://www.google.com/" target="_blank">what else to expect during today’s confirmation hearing</a>.<strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong><br /><br /><br />Donald Trump Jr.: 'I probably would have done things a little differently'</strong></p>
<p>In <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/07/12/donald-trump-jr-tells-sean-hannity-in-retrospect-probably-would-have-done-things-little-differently.html" target="_blank">an exclusive interview with Fox News last night</a>, Donald Trump Jr. admitted that he "probably would have done things a little differently" when he met with a Russian attorney in June 2016.</p>
<p>"This [was] pre-Russia fever. This [was] pre-Russia mania," Trump Jr. told Sean Hannity. "I don’t think my sirens went [off] or my antenna went up at this time because it wasn’t the issue that it’s been made out to be over the last nine months, ten months."</p>
<p>In the interview, Trump Jr. also denied telling his father about the Veselnitskaya meeting, saying, "There was nothing to tell."</p>
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<p><strong>Sources: White House aides feeling ‘helpless’ as Russia ‘Scandal’ escalates </strong></p>
<p>According to POLITICO reporting this morning, White House aides say they feel “blindsided by the bombshell revelations around Donald Trump Jr.’s campaign meeting with a Russian lawyer”.</p>
<p>POLITICO <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/11/trump-junior-white-house-scandal-russia-240433%20%20%20" target="_blank">spoke with 6 White House officials</a> who report feeling “exasperated”, while the president “fumes” about the scandal.</p>
<p>One person interviewed said the White House has "very little to no role" in the response to the revelations about the eldest Trump son’s meeting with a Russian lawyer in 2016.</p>
<p>"How much longer can we assume that the American people don't care about Russia?" the official asked.</p>
<p>POLITICO did not name any of the officials interviewed.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>FBI document dump reveals new info of Clinton probe</strong></p>
<p>Over <a href="http://ijr.com/the-declaration/2017/07/918329-everyone-watching-trump-jr-fireworks-fbi-made-document-dump-hillary-clinton/%20%20%20" target="_blank">40 pages of redacted documents</a> from the FBI’s investigation into Hillary Clinton's handling of classified materials point to a flawed investigation that seriously lacked any form of cooperation.</p>
<p>The document also addresses the matter of Blackberrys used by Mrs. Clinton that were “wiped”, either by the removal of SIM cards and/or physical damage.</p>
<p>A a total of 13 mobile devices identified by the FBI as potentially using clintonemail.com email addresses were never located.</p>
<p><br /><br /><br /></p>
<p><strong>Senate GOP to offer new healthcare bill on Thursday</strong></p>
<p>On Thursday Senate Republican leaders plan to unveil a new version of their healthcare plan to replace ObamaCare.</p>
<p><a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/341558-senate-gop-to-offer-new-healthcare-bill-on-thursday" target="_blank">The Hill reported</a> that the updated legislation will include concessions to centrist Republicans with the goal of winning the necessary 51 votes needed for passage.</p>
<p>The concessions are said to include maintaining “Obamacare taxes’ that would provide revenue for tax credits and state funding. </p>
<p>According to reports, however, the revised bill maintains many of the fundamental aspects of the GOP’s previous legislation.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>POLL: Republican voters want the GOP to keep working on Obamacare repeal</strong></p>
<p>According to <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/12/obamacare-repeal-republicans-poll-240425" target="_blank">a new POLITICO/Morning Consult poll </a>GOP voters wants Senate Republicans to continue their attempts to repeal Obamacare.</p>
<p>67 percent of Republican voters want the GOP to continue to work to repeal and replace the health care law. 21 percent want Senate Republican leaders to move on.</p>
<p>Among all voters, 40 percent want congressional Republicans to continue to work on a new health care bill, and 47 percent want them to move on.<br /><br /> <br /><br /></p>
<p><strong>Illegal Alien snuck into US 7 times – Kills Father of 3 in Drunken Crash</strong></p>
<p>An illegal alien who snuck into the U.S. from Mexico seven times was driving while intoxicated and speeding down a Nebraska highway last week when he crashed his vehicle, killing the passenger, prosecutors said.</p>
<p>Douglas County prosecutors said in court Tuesday Nemias Garcia-Velasco, 32, was deported in 2009 and 2011 and "voluntarily returned" to Mexico five times in 2005, Omaha World Herald reported.</p>
<p>Silvano Torres, 58, was riding in the back of the van and died when Garcia-Velasco hit a guard rail, causing the vehicle to flip over and catch fire.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.omaha.com/news/crime/prosecutor-driver-involved-in-fiery-crash-has-been-removed-from/article_5757731c-6645-11e7-9201-d7386ec44378.html" target="_blank">According to the Omaha World Herald report</a>, who spoke with Torres' girlfriend, he had documents to be in the U.S. and he was a father to three children.</p>
<p>Garcia-Velasco’s blood-alcohol level was at .243, three times the legal limit</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>President Trump being sued for blocking Twitter Followers</strong></p>
<p>The Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University <a href="ttp://dailycaller.com/2017/07/11/free-speech-clinic-sues-trump-for-blocking-twitter-users/%20%20%20" target="_blank">filed suit against President Donald Trump for blocking Twitter users</a> from his @realDonaldTrump account.</p>
<p>The Institute claims that the president’s decision to block certain followers infringes on First Amendment rights.</p>
<p>The plaintiffs are seeking a court order forcing Mr. Trump to “unblock” each of the 7 users.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Check back tomorrow for the day’s biggest headlines. Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-07-12T17:21:00ZThis week's "Smoking Gun" aimed squarely at Donald Trump Jr.BillOReilly.com Staffhttp://www.BillOReilly.com/b/This-weeks-Smoking-Gun-aimed-squarely-at-Donald-Trump-Jr./-641291365448608549.html2017-07-11T21:52:00Z2017-07-11T21:52:00Z<p>Good afternoon and welcome to Bill’s Daily Briefing. We took a short hiatus but we are back in full swing with the day’s biggest stories. Take a look.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>This week’s “Smoking Gun” aimed squarely at Donald Trump Jr. </strong></p>
<p>This morning <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/10/us/politics/donald-trump-jr-russia-email-candidacy.html?_r=0" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">the New York Times published yet another “bombshell” report</span></a> about Donald Trump Jr.’s meeting with Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya.</p>
<p>The Times, citing anonymous sources, claimes that, before attending the meeting in which Trump Jr. believed he would receive information about the Clinton campaign, he was informed in an email that the material “was part of a Russian government effort to aid his father’s candidacy”.</p>
<p>In the interest of fairness, The New York Times did include the fact that there is no evidence to suggest that the promised information was related to Russian government intrusions into the 2016 election.</p>
<p>That did not stop the Times from concluding that Trump Jr.’s correspondence would be of “keen interest” to the Justice Department – implying Mr. Trump is guilty of some crime.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Russian Lawyer Who Met With Trump Jr. Speaks out</strong></p>
<p>This morning, <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russian-lawyer-who-met-trump-jr-i-didn-t-have-n781631" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">in an exclusive interview with NBC News</span></a>, the Russian lawyer who met with Donald Trump Jr. during the presidential campaign denied that she had any connection to the Kremlin.</p>
<p>Natalia Veselnitskaya also told NBC that she never attempted to share information about the Clinton’s with Mr. Trump – insinuating that the Trump camp imagined that was the purpose of the meeting.</p>
<p>“I never had any damaging or sensitive information about Hillary Clinton. It was never my intention to have that,” Veselnitskaya said. “It is quite possible that maybe they were longing for such an information. They wanted it so badly that they could only hear the thought that they wanted.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>McConnell cuts short Senate’s Summer break</strong></p>
<p>Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Tuesday <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/senate-august-recess-delayed-two-weeks-n781846" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">announced he is delaying the start of the traditional August recess this year by two weeks</span></a>.</p>
<p>“In order to provide more time to complete action on important legislative items and process nominees that have been stalled by a lack of cooperation from our friends across the aisle, the Senate will delay the start of the August recess until the third week of August," McConnell said in a statement released to reporters Tuesday.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>US preparing for sanctions on North Korea</strong></p>
<p>The United States is preparing to tighten sanctions on North Korea.</p>
<p>In addition, the administration is looking into targeting Chinese companies and banks the U.S. believes are giving money to support North Korea's weapons program.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.apnews.com/37497f7673c94a4885289f15f59234d2/Diplomats:-US-drafts-new-sanctions-resolution-against-NKorea" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">According to the Associated Press reporting</span></a>, the U.S. circulated a draft resolution that would impose new sanctions on North Korea after the regime’s successful test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile last week.</p>
<p>Check out the link above for more specifics on how these new sanctions could impact the United States’ relationship with China.</p>
<p> <strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Arrests of illegals at Southwest border crossings reaches 6-year low</strong></p>
<p>Last week U.S. Customs and Border Protection <a href="http://nation.foxnews.com/2017/07/10/53-drop-arrests-illegals-southwest-border-crossings-6-year-low" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">reported a large drop in arrests along the Southwest border</span></a>, with apprehensions falling 53% from last year.</p>
<p>According to CBP, since Mr. Trump became president, the number of apprehensions at ports of entry for every month has been at a record six-year low.</p>
<p><br />Check back tomorrow for the day’s biggest headlines. Thoughts, comments, concerns? Email them to producer@billoreilly.com.</p>BillOReilly.com Staff2017-07-11T21:52:00Z