THE TRUMP DIARIES: WEEK SIX

 

STONE COLD PERJURY

THE TRUMP DIARIES:  WEEK SIX

42 Days of Trump

By Jack Random

Entering the sixth week of the Trump presidency it has become clear that we are engaged in a battle to define reality.  It has become clear that the White House has chosen mainstream media as its foil and bogeyman.  If things don’t go as planned, blame the media.  If his indecipherable foreign policy explodes, blame the media.  If his legislative agenda fails to deliver, blame the media. 

Apparently, the Democratic Party does not offer enough resistance to play its traditional role as the party of opposition. 

This is the sixth installment of the Trump Diaries. 

DAY 36:  WHITE HOUSE OBSTRUCTION

February 24, 2017

The Associated Press obtains a Department of Homeland Security draft report that does not support the president’s Muslim travel ban. [1] The finding is not what the White House ordered and is sure to raise the ire of the man at the top. 

The Washington Post reports that Chief of Staff Reince Preibus contacted the FBI, other intelligence personnel, reporters and members of congress to orchestrate denials of Trump connections to Russia.  The contacts included Senator Richard Burr, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and Representative Devin Nunes, chair of the House Intelligence Committee.  Both complied with the White House request yet deny that their ongoing investigations would be compromised. 

Something is rotten in Trumpland. 

Representative Darrell Issa of California becomes the first Republican to call for a special prosecutor to investigate the Trump-Russia connection. 

DAY 37:  TRUMP CUTS NATIONAL DEBT

February 25, 2017

The president claims to have miraculously cut the national debt by twelve billion dollars in his first month in office.  He is incensed that mainstream media has not reported the miracle.  In Barrack Obama’s first month the debt increased by approximately $200 billion.  Of course, Obama took office with the global economy tottering on the brink of collapse.  The current debt figure is basically unrelated to Trump since he has not yet passed a budget. [2]

There can be no doubt that Wall Street loves Trump as Trump loves Wall Street but the national debt has not yet weighed in. 

DAY 38:  RIGGED SYSTEM

February 26, 2017

The president engages in an early morning rant against the Democratic National Committee for electing former Secretary of Labor Tom Perez as chair.  He labels the process “rigged” and claims Representative Keith Ellison never had a chance. 

Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders endorsed Ellison while Perez enjoyed the backing of the Clinton-Obama establishment.  Adding fuel to Trump’s fire, Sanders suggested he might not be willing to give his email list of supporters to the DNC. 

Why should he?  This high-profile selection of a DNC chair demonstrates that the middling, do-nothing, free trade, neoliberal Wall Street loyalists of the party establishment have learned nothing from a devastating loss in the presidential election.  This party paved the road for a Trump presidency by neglecting the working class, promoting free trade and collecting unconscionable Wall Street contributions while pretending to represent the common people. 

Soon enough, the stalwarts of the Republican Party will cut ties with the Donald and the Democrats will revert to identity politics.  If ever there was a time for a third party challenge, the time is now. 

Hold on to that mailing list, Bernie, and send a message to the DNC:  Can you hear us now? 

DAY 39:  THE NUMBERS DON’T ADD UP

February 27, 2017

The Donald announces his intention to increase military spending by $54 billion and offset the increase with cuts to non-military spending.  The cuts will not include border patrol, ICE or law enforcement.  It will include foreign aid, environmental protection and other “unnecessary” expenditures. 

Add the estimated $20 billion to build the wall and we can say goodbye to rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure.  Why build a bridge when we can build a bomb to knock it down?  Gone is any hope that Trump’s version of national health care provides universal coverage at an affordable price.  We all knew that was bullshit anyway. 

The president renews his promise to spend big on infrastructure and his Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin assures us that Social Security and Medicare are still off the table.  That might give us comfort but the numbers don’t add up. 

The first rule of the con:  Never ever believe anyone who says, “Believe me.”

“Mexico will pay for the wall, believe me – 100%.”  NY Times, January 6, 2017.

“We’re going to knock the hell out of ISIS.  Believe me.”  CNN, April 6, 2016. 

“I have great respect for women.  Believe me.”  LA Times, May 27, 2016.

“I’m the only who is going to save Social Security.  Believe me.”  National Review, February 13, 2016. 

“Believe me, we’re going to protect our Medicare.”  Trump Rally, October 11, 2016. 

No, Donald, we do not believe you.  We never have believed you.  Even your followers know better than to believe you.  You’re a con man.  But the key to any successful con is to make a clean escape.  You can’t escape this time, Donald.  There’s nowhere to hide. 

DAY 40:  THE EARTH SHIFTED

February 28, 2017

President Donald Trump makes his first address to a joint session of congress.  Like Jack Nicholson reading Walt Whitman, where the words don’t match the speaker, Trump delivers a striking contrast to the daily Donald.  Gone are the vilifications of real and imagined enemies at home and abroad.  Gone is the dark vision of American carnage.  A new and gentler Trump issues a call for unity in “condemning hate and evil in all its forms.” 

We can all agree with the president’s declaration that 2016 was the year “the earth shifted beneath our feet.”  Where we disagree is on the results of that quake. 

“It’s a total disaster.” [3]

Trump raises hope for comprehensive immigration reform and a trillion dollar infrastructure bill that would rely on public and private funding.  Both initiatives would have to overcome stiff resistance from his own party.  There is a limit to private funding that would place tolls on roads and bridges and congress approved only $787 billion when confronted with economic crisis of 2009. [4] Trying to get a trillion dollars from a Republican controlled congress is like asking Steve Bannon for a contribution to Public Broadcasting.  It ain’t happening. 

Trump spells out five criteria for healthcare reform:  First, Americans with pre-existing conditions must have “access” to insurance.  The word “access” is a crack in the dam that brings the whole system crashing down.  Second, provide tax credits and health savings accounts in lieu of direct assistance.  Twenty million people just slipped through the crack.  Third, provide states with resources and flexibility.  Flexibility is the key to cutting Medicaid.  Fourth, limit malpractice damages to bring down the cost.  Republicans hate trial lawyers.  Cost savings would be negligible.  Fifth, enable people to purchase insurance across state lines.  It sounds good but it turns out insurance companies are not interested in selling across state lines.  Insurance coverage is regulated by the states even under Obamacare. [4]

“Nobody knew healthcare could be so complicated.”  Trump, February 27, 2017. 

No, Donald.  Nobody knew – except everyone who has followed the news for the past three decades.  Sad. 

Trump embraces free choice to save education.  The right to choose private for profit and religious schools, unburdened by federal mandates, special education and teacher’s unions, is the Republican prescription for eviscerating public education. 

We can hardly wait for the next generation of scientists raised on biblical prophecy, alternative facts and the relative value of Moses versus Einstein. 

Trump calls for unity in support of our brave men and women in blue.  He has ordered Homeland Security to create a new office to support victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants.  Attorney General Jeff Sessions announces his department will no longer question police killings of citizens regardless of race, creed or conscience. [5]

Trump continues to believe we are in the midst of a historic crime wave despite all evidence to the contrary.  He is determined to be a law and order president – like Nixon. 

The most disturbing theme underlying the president’s address is his overwhelming desire for greatness. 

“When we celebrate our 250 years of glorious freedom, we will look back on tonight as when this new chapter of American greatness began.  The time for small thinking is over.  The time for trivial fights is behind us.” 

This comes from a man who has spent the last two years in trivial pursuit of the White House.  We can only hope he devotes his time to knocking down windmills, the monsters in his mind, and leaves the rest to individuals of substance.  When presidents start thinking big, the most probable result is war. 

DAY 41:  THE DOW SOARS

March 1, 2017

The Dow Jones Industrial Average soars to close above 21,000 for the first time as Trump basks in the glory of positive reviews for his presidential address to congress. 

One day after a moving tribute to fallen Navy Seal Ryan Owens, controversy continues over whether the Yemen raid was “highly successful” as the president claims.  While no one doubts the courage of Ryan Owens, a great many doubt the efficacy and “success” of a mission that resulted in dozens of civilian deaths, the destruction of a $70 million helicopter and three wounded American soldiers in addition to Owens’ death. [6]

The president’s statements on the Raid in Yemen have been attempts to deflect blame and responsibility.  He has suggested his predecessor approved the mission when in fact he did not.  He has said that the generals made the decision when in fact the call was his and would not have proceeded without his approval. 

If the president had hoped to put the Raid in Yemen behind him, his response all but guarantees an investigation will ensue. 

The shadow of Benghazi lives. 

DAY 42:  STONE COLD PERJURY

March 2, 2017

This story broke late Wednesday night; on Thursday shit hit the fan: 

The Washington Post reports that Attorney General Jeff Sessions had communications with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak on at least two occasions during the recent presidential campaign.  The revelation stands in stark contrast to Sessions’ testimony in his confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee. [7]

Despite the twisted, mealy-mouthed rationalizations of the Justice Department, the stone cold truth is:  Sessions flat out lied. 

The story holds that Sessions met with Kislyak in July and September – a fact not disputed by the Attorney General.  On January 10, in response to questioning by Senator Al Franken of Minnesota, Sessions stated:  “I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in [the Trump] campaign and I did not have communications with the Russians.” 

You cannot repair shattered glass.  Recusal from the ongoing investigation of the Trump campaign’s connections with Russia is not enough.  Resignation is not enough.  The nation’s lead law enforcement officer should be prosecuted for perjury. 

As then Senator Sessions said in January 1999:  “In America…no one is above the law.” 

The matter then was Bill Clinton’s sexual relations with Monica Lewinski.  The matter now is collusion with a foreign agent to defraud an American election. 

Jazz.

1.  “AP Exclusive:  DHS report disputes threat from banned nations” by Vivian Salama and Alicia A. Caldwell.  Associated Press, February 24, 2017. 

2.  “Trump lashes out at media for failing to report debt decrease” by Michael Collins.  USA Today, February 25, 2017. 

3.  “Trump says EVERYTHING is broken, awful, a disaster” by Gregory Krieg.  CNN Politics, October 15, 2016. 

4.  “Trump’s Address to Joint Session of Congress, Annotated.”  NPR: Capitol Public Radio, February 28, 2017. 

5.  “AG Sessions Says DOJ to ‘Pull Back’ on Department Civil Rights Suits” by Pete Williams.  NBC, February 28, 2017. 

6.  “What Donald Trump left out about the Yemen raid that killed Navy SEAL Ryan Owens” by Lauren Carroll.  PolitiFact, March 1, 2017. 

7.  “Sessions met with Russian envoy twice last year, encounters he later did not disclose” by Adam Entous, Ellen Nakashima and Greg Miller.  Washington Post, March 1, 2017. 

JACK RANDOM IS THE AUTHOR OF THE JAZZMAN CHRONICLES – VOLUMES I-X, WASICHU: THE KILLING SPIRIT, THE GRAND CANYON ZEN GOLF TOUR AND RANDOM JACK: TALES FROM JAZZTOWN (CROW DOG PRESS).

TRUMP DIARIES: 35 DAYS

THE TRUMP DIARIES:  WEEK FIVE

35 Days of Trump

By Jack Random

Through four weeks of the Trump presidency we have witnessed a historic clash between fact-based reality and the power of willful delusion.  Like Queen Mab of Shakespearean lore, the president spins his web of fantasy and challenges all comers to prove him wrong. 

We have entered the Twilight Zone of American politics. 

This is the fifth installment of the Trump Diaries. 

DAY 29:  ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Friday February 17, 2017

Trump makes an appearance at the Boeing plant in South Carolina.  He heads to Florida tomorrow for a big rally.  He promises to bring America jobs and more jobs – good paying manufacturing jobs.  Can we assume most of those jobs will be non-union? 

Just as an Oklahoma court orders him to release thousands of emails to the oil, gas and coal industries in compliance with state law, the Senate confirms state attorney general Scott Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency.  They could not have selected a more antagonistic individual to the environmental cause if they had chosen the CEO of Exxon Mobil – and he already has a job as Secretary of State. 

Any hope that Trump would moderate his anti-environment, climate change denial policies seems to have vanished.  The coal industry is once again free to dump toxic waste into rivers and streams.  The fracking industry – a subsidiary of big oil – can proceed without delay in contaminating the drinking water of millions of Americans. 

If he survives his first term, Trump will be known as the man most responsible for the climate catastrophe still to come. 

In his ongoing war on the mainstream media, Trump tweets:  The media is the enemy of the American people.  Correction, Donald:  The media are the enemy of the American people.  They are also our last best hope. 

FBI Director James Comey briefs members of the Senate Intelligence Committee concerning Russia’s interference in the presidential election.  Senator Marco Rubio – AKA Little Marco – came out of the meeting certain that the committee would conduct a thorough investigation.

DAY 30:  THE BIG RALLY

Saturday February 18, 2017 

Thousands of Trump supporters pack an airport hangar in Melbourne, Florida to hear the president proclaim the accomplishments of his first thirty days in office and his projection of accomplishments to come. 

The president counts among his accomplishments withdrawal from the Trans Pacific Partnership but the TPP never took effect.  He advocates one-to-one trade deals and mentions NAFTA but he has not withdrawn from NAFTA or CAFTA.  He defends his Muslim travel ban but it has thus far stalled in the courts.  He proclaims that his deportations have made America safer but there is no evidence that the ICE raids have swept up “bad hombres” and violent criminals.  There is a great deal of evidence that his actions have divided families by indiscriminately deporting undocumented workers who are guilty of nothing more than being undocumented. 

Trump promises a trillion dollar effort to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure but there are no signs his own party supports the effort.  He continues to promise that Obamacare will be repealed and replaced by something better but his own party stands in the way.  He says he will take care of the veterans.  Does he really believe Obama didn’t want to fully fund the Veterans Administration?  The Republicans in congress will insist – as they always have – on budgetary offsets.  Where will the money come from? 

The president must come to grips with the fact that his party controls both houses of congress.  He is no longer a candidate; he is the president.  He cannot continue to blame the Democrats and the media for obstructing his policies.  He will be judged by what he does and what he has accomplished thus far is in fact very little and all of it divisive and harmful.  If he leaves it up to congress to pass tax reform and healthcare reform we will all be disappointed in the results. 

DAY 31:  WE ARE ALL MUSLIMS

February 19, 2017

One day after Trump’s campaign rally, thousands gather at Times Square in NYC to protest the ban on travelers from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Sudan, Somalia and Yemen.  Hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons leads the protest in which Christians, Jews, Muslims and others of all faiths and creeds proclaim their solidarity with the Muslim community. 

Mainstream media reports that the president’s strange lament over what happened “last night” in Sweden never happened.  It turns out the president has been absorbing his news from such credible news sources as Breitbart, Human Events, the Drudge Report, Fox News, the Rush Limbaugh Show and the Savage Nation.  (Update:  A riot in Stockholm two days after Trump’s pronouncement makes us wonder if the president is psychic.) 

Fake news has been going on a very long time.  The president is not the creator of “alternative facts”; he is a consumer and purveyor of rightwing propaganda.  He and millions of ordinary Americans sincerely believe that mainstream media have created a reality that bears only a coincidental relationship with the truth.  Mainstream media are hardly free of guilt in this development.  A corporate monolith with its own agenda now owns every mainstream media outlet.  Mainstream media have long dismissed even the notion of a conspiracy to defraud our democracy though there has often been compelling evidence of such conspiracies:  Florida 2000, Ohio 2004, the assassinations of the Kennedy’s, the Iran Hostage crisis, on and on.  You can add FBI director James Comey’s October surprise to the list. 

Mainstream media were complicit in supporting the Bush administration’s patently false case for war – most notably the New York Times acting as a front for White House propaganda through esteemed reporter Judy Miller. [1]

Who can forget Dan Rather pledging his allegiance to the commander-in-chief soon after September 11, 2001? [2]

Mainstream media are not pure in this battle for credibility but let us be clear:  the alternative media that our president relies on constitute a blatant propaganda machine whose primary interest is to capture a growing audience.  The Alt Right is what it preaches against: false news.  The great shame is that Americans have so lost trust in traditional news sources that large percentages believe in them.  It has become a religion and religions require no sources, no facts and no grounding in reality. 

Shall we blame education for not teaching our children to decipher truth from fiction?  Or shall we blame the media for abandoning the principles of journalism during times of war?  It is high time media reform became an issue again. 

DAY 32:  NOT MY PRESIDENT’S DAY

February 20, 2017

Anti Trump protesters hit the streets across America from New York to San Francisco and everywhere in between.  Mass protests continue in London where Parliament is considering an invitation to the new American president. 

Chaos continues to rule the White House as institutions and individuals compete for the president’s ear.  Trump fires National Security Council senior director for Western Hemisphere Affairs Craig Deare for critical comments at a private roundtable at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. 

I suspect Mr. Deare dearly wanted out of this sinking ship of state.  Trump continues to search for a replacement to General Flynn as National Security Adviser.  Traditionally one of the most powerful positions in the executive branch, Trump’s first choice was reportedly retired Vice Admiral Robert Harwood who rejected the job as a “shit sandwich.” Now Trump is down to considering the likes of neocon John Bolton who championed the “axis of evil” approach that led us down the rabbit hole of foreign wars during the George W. Bush administration. 

That Bolton is even being interviewed is a measure of Trump’s desperation.  The former ambassador to the United Nations favors stronger sanctions on Russia for interfering in our presidential election. [3]

Trump announces his selection: the relatively non-controversial Lt. General H.R. McMaster who will become the administration’s leading advocate of increased military spending to modernize our war machine.  His latest specialty is strategic preparations for future conflict with Russia. [4] Interesting. 

In yet another potential blockbuster, the NY Times reports a backchannel deal to settle the conflict in Ukraine and lift sanctions imposed by the Obama administration.  [5] Moscow categorically denies the report. 

You can’t make this stuff up. 

Brain Drain:  CIA analyst Edward Price resigns after fifteen years of service rather than continue under President Trump. 

DAY 33:  BIGOTRY, INTOLERANCE & HATRED

February 21, 2017

Slow day in Trumpland:  The president visits the National Museum of African American History and Culture at the Smithsonian.  He wants us to know despite rumors to the contrary that he’s actually against “bigotry, intolerance and hatred.”  He condemns recent attacks on the Jewish community. 

The question is:  What took him so long?  After neglecting to mention the Jews on Holocaust Remembrance Day and dressing down a Jewish reporter who merely asked him to take a stand against anti-Semitic terrorism, he finally complies. 

I have a theory about this and it comes from the Bannon playbook.  Recall that it took a day or two for candidate Trump to condemn the KKK and disavow former Imperial Wizard David Duke.  Recall that Trump swept the South in both the primaries and the general election.  Bannon has informed Trump that he doesn’t have to talk the talk in order to maintain the support of white supremacists.  He only has to appear reluctant to give the usual condemnations. 

With a wink and a nod they all fall in line. 

DAY 34:  CLEARING THE WAY FOR MASS DEPORTATION

February 22, 2017

The Department of Homeland Security issues new and broader guidelines for deportation.  After floating a rumor about calling up the National Guard for deportation service, these guidelines make it clear that ICE can deport any undocumented immigrant it wishes to deport.  For now the dreamers (individuals who migrated as children) are safe but who knows how long that will last? 

Trump erases hope that he will uphold the rights of the LGBT community by revoking former president Obama’s landmark guideline to public schools.  It instructed schools to allow students to use the bathroom of their sexual identity. 

Trump went out of his way to become the first Republican presidential candidate to stand up for the rights of the LGBT community but President Trump went out of his way to denigrate those rights in deference to states’ rights and the rights of individual schools to discriminate.  Sad! 

DAY 35:  BANNON VOWS DECONSTRUCTION

February 23, 2017

Steve Bannon makes a rare public appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).  The man who traditionally looks like he just came off a three-day bender is the dominant figure behind the Trump presidency.  He vows a policy of government deconstruction and decries mainstream media for their corporate globalism.  There is more than a grain of truth to his media criticism and anyone who doubts that should take another look at Bill Moyers’ critique during the Iraq War. [6] The difference is:  Moyers wants to reform the media; Bannon wants to replace it with his own rightwing propaganda machine. 

Unlike his boss, Bannon seems to understand trade policy.  He does not use the phrase “free and fair” trade.  He advocates bilateral fair trade.  We’ll see how that shakes out.  I’m guessing Bannon’s interpretation of fair trade does not include the basic rights of labor. 

CNN reports that chief of staff Reince Preibus contacted the FBI to request a denial of published reports that members of the Trump campaign were in constant contact with Russian agents.  The FBI refused.  Reminiscent of Nixon’s articles of impeachment, the move could be interpreted as an attempt to obstruct an ongoing investigation. [7]

Incredible.  This team of amateurs forgot the first rule of post-Watergate government:  It’s not just the crime; it’s the cover up. 

After a month at a frenetic rate the White House is finally settling down into something resembling a normal operation.  The president has stirred controversy while holding to his rightwing agenda in a series of executive actions.  We are still awaiting major legislative actions regarding health care, infrastructure and military spending. 

The Dow Jones Industrial reaches a new high and the price of housing has reached the same inflated levels that led to the great recession.  Wall Street loves Trump but, then again, Wall Street loved George W.  And we all know how that turned out. 

The president has demonstrated he can control the news cycle but he has yet to prove he can govern. 

Jazz. 

1.  “Miller Time” by Jack Random.  Counterpunch, July 15, 2005. 

2.  “Buying the War.”  Bill Moyers, PBS, April 25, 2007.   

3.  “Bolton:  Russian sanctions insufficient; U.S. must ‘make the Russians feel pain’” by Louis Nelson.  Politico, December 30, 2016. 

4.  “The Secret U.S. Army Study That Targets Moscow” by Bryan Bender.  Politico, April 14, 2016. 

5.  “A Back-Channel Plan for Ukraine and Russia, Courtesy of Trump Associates” by Megan Twohey and Scott Shane.  NY Times, February 19, 2017. 

6.  “Bill Moyers Journal:  Media consolidation and the erosion of democracy.”  Public Broadcasting System, August 24, 2007. 

7.  “FBI refused White House request to knock down recent Trump-Russia stories” by Jim Sciutto, Evan Perez, Shimon Procupecz and Pamela Brown.  CNN, February 23, 2017. 

JACK RANDOM IS THE AUTHOR OF THE JAZZMAN CHRONICLES, GHOST DANCE INSURRECTION, A PATRIOT DIRGE AND WASICHU: THE KILLING SPIRIT (CROW DOG PRESS). 

TRUMP DIARIES: 28 DAYS

 
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THE TRUMP DIARIES:  WEEK FOUR

28 Days of Trump

By Jack Random

On the 27^th day of the Trump presidency Breitbart News—gateway to an alternative reality – was seated in the front row of the White House press corps and concern over gross incompetence was supplanted by fear that the man elected to represent the American people in fact represents neither the people nor America. 

Donald Trump began his presidency by handing down decree after decree as if he believed he was the king of the world.  Resistance started on the streets of every major city in America and spread throughout much of the free world.  Now the resistance is finding its way into town hall meetings and congressional offices.  The fourth estate is finding a voice and the wall is beginning to crack. 

This is the fourth installment of the Trump Diaries. 

DAY 22:  CRACKS IN THE WALL

Friday February 10, 2017

National Security Advisor Michael Flynn is caught in the lie that he never talked sanctions with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak on the very day former president Barrack Obama imposed sanctions for interference in the American election.  Flynn publicly denied the charge at the time and handed the lie to press secretary Sean Spicer as well as vice president Mike Pence.  The Washington Post, however, spoke to nine former and current officials with direct knowledge of the recorded conversation. [1] 

In a related story, FBI Director James Comey reportedly reviewed the conversation and found no evidence of wrongdoing. [2] The plot thickens and the possibility of a criminal conspiracy to undermine our democracy comes into focus. 

This is the lie that will eventually take down the Trump presidency.  Does anyone believe Flynn was acting without guidance?  How sweet would it be to take down the vice president and the director of the FBI as well? 

DAY 23:  FIRST WAVE OF MASS DEPORTATION

Saturday February 11, 2017

Under the cover of darkness the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) conducted raids nationwide in compliance with Trump’s January 25^th executive order, seizing hundreds from their homes and workplaces.  In their efforts to make America safe again, the deportations included a mother whose only crime was using false documents to obtain employment eight years ago. [3]

ICE denies the raids are being conducted on the president’s order.  Whether Trump gave the order or not is beside the point.  They are being conducted under his guidance and under his guidelines you can be deported on suspicion of jaywalking. 

A leaked Department of Homeland Security report estimates the cost of the Trump Wall at $21.6 billion over three and a half years.  The cost trumps previous estimates of 12-15 billion. [4]  Maybe Japan will pay for it. 

Modeled on the Tea Party, the resistance movement organizes to confront representatives in congress at the local level.  Republicans now fear town hall meetings and open door policies.  They are reluctant to make public appearances.  The pressure will build as they confront a choice:  Stick with the president or yield to their constituents. 

It turns out repealing Obamacare is not so popular without a replacement plan.  Surprise us all, Mr. Trump:  Give us universal Medicare.  Reverse the polarity and watch your ratings rise!  If you continue on the path your walking, nothing good can happen to your presidency or your brand. 

Protesters gather in New York and other major cities to support Planned Parenthood and a woman’s right to choose. 

The resistance is rising. 

DAY 24:  FLYNN UNDER FIRE

Sunday February 12, 2017

With the president hosting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Florida, North Korea fires a ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan.  Mr. Trump pledges to stand with Japan one hundred percent.   

Thousands take to the streets across Mexico to protest Trump’s policies on immigration and the wall.  Hundreds have been rounded up and summarily deported in what still appears to be the first wave of a mass deportation.  Trump praises the actions of ICE while the ACLU and an army of Mexican immigration lawyers prepare for a fight. [5]

The White House chooses not to defend Michael Flynn concerning his misleading statements over pre-inauguration communications with Russia.  Flynn may be the first of the Trump team to step down.  He won’t be the last. 

DAY 25:  NSA BLOWBACK

Monday February 13, 2017

A former NSA analyst claims that the intelligence community is withholding sensitive information from the president’s eyes amid fears that “the Kremlin has ears” inside the White House circle.  In a touch of irony the story was leaked through the New York Observer’s website, until recently owned by the president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. [6]

Trump relates his full support for Flynn through surrogates.  It has all the markings of a Mafia kiss of death. 

Trump meets with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.  No one has presented a stronger contrast to Trump’s immigrations policies than Trudeau – particularly when it comes to welcoming Syrian refugees.  When Toronto Star reporter Tonda MacCharles inquires if Trump now considers the northern border dangerous, he skirts the issue.  It may be the last time he takes questions from a legitimate reporter. 

Come on, Donald!  Go all in!  What this country needs is a northern border wall, a southern border wall and an impenetrable force field in the Atlantic, Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico.  Let Canada pay for it! 

The senate confirms foreclosure king Steven Mnuchin as Secretary of the Treasury.  Mnuchin capitalized on the financial crisis of 2009 by orchestrating an expedited foreclosure campaign, predating documents and implementing a robo-signing program to push people out of their homes. [7]

Is this what the president meant by “draining the swamp”?  Mnuchin is the definitive swamp rat. 

Late in the evening the White House announces Flynn’s resignation.  His interim replacement is Lt. General Joseph Keith Kellogg.  Trump loves the generals. 

DAY 26:  FLYNN BLOWBACK

Tuesday February 14, 2017

Representative Elijah Cummings of Maryland becomes the first member of congress to ask the critical question:  What did president Trump know and when did he know it? 

This is the beginning of the end for the beleaguered chief executive.  The evidence will lead directly to his desk.  The White House reaction is telling:  They do not deny the reports; they decry the leaks.  This is the Nixon defense. 

It is probably not the first time a president-elect has colluded with an antagonistic foreign nation.  A persistent theory holds that Reagan defeated Carter partly by arranging a deal with Iran not to release American hostages until after the election.  History will attest the hostages were released on inauguration day.  Reagan later dealt arms to Iran to win the release of hostages held in Lebanon and to finance the Contras in Nicaragua in defiance of congress. [8] As so often happens, failure to address high crimes makes repetition of high crimes possible. 

Trump is not Reagan.  His support in congress is tenuous despite the GOP majorities.  His support with the public is in decline.  Maybe this time we’ll get it right and the president will pay the price. 

Trump loses another round in federal court over the Muslim travel ban.  District Judge Leonie Brinkema of Virginia finds that the ban violates first amendment protection against religious discrimination.  No kidding. 

DAY 27:  PUTTING PALESTINE ON NOTICE

Wednesday February 15, 2017

In a joint news conference, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump serve notice that neither Israel nor America considers an independent Palestinian state essential to a peace settlement. 

The rightwing Israeli leader proclaims two conditions to peace with the Palestinians:  Unconditional recognition of the Israeli state’s right to exist and Israeli control “over all areas west of the Jordan River.”  That designation encompasses all of the West Bank as well as the Gaza Strip. 

It is doubtful that our president understands any of the issues regarding the Israeli-Palestine conflict.  If he did he would know that Netanyahu is advocating perpetual occupation of all Palestinian lands.  That is a prescription for perpetual war. 

The president avoided questions concerning Flynn and the Russians except to say that the media has treated his good friend very unfairly. 

With fresh reports that Trump’s staff had “repeated contacts” with Russian agents during the campaign, the pressure for an independent investigation only grows. [9]

Anti-labor CEO Andrew Puzder withdraws from consideration as Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Labor. 

DAY 28:  THE RUSSIAN RUSE

Thursday February 16, 2017

In his first solo press conference, Trump stands before the press and takes question after question, like a cornered pugilist, absorbing body blows and throwing punches at virtually every media institution and painting himself as the victim of unfair treatment.  It seems he particularly disdains CNN, the Times and the BBC. 

When all is said and done, Trump denies any wrongdoing in what he calls a ruse.  He denies giving Flynn the order to contact Russia on the day of the sanctions.  He denies knowledge of any Russian contacts by his staff during the campaign.  He denies owning anything in Russia.  He denies any Russian debts.  He denies having any deals in Russia. 

The president fired his good friend Flynn for misleading the vice president.  As far as he’s concerned, contacting the Russian ambassador to undermine President Obama’s action was perfectly okay – so okay he would have ordered Flynn to make the contact if he hadn’t done so on his own. 

Trump hasn’t worked out his argument.  He saves all his venom for the illegal leaks of classified information.  The problem is:  It is not illegal to leak fictional information; it is only illegal if the information is both valid and classified. 

The cards are on the table.  The bets are placed.  Either the president has told the truth and the story will pass or the president has lied and the truth will undo him. 

Protesters march in support of “A Day Without Immigrants.”  Documented and undocumented immigrants are called upon to miss work, skip school and forego shopping.  The action is partly in response to the first wave of deportations. 

The president promises to deal with the dreamers “with heart.”  Tell that to the families your mass deportation raids have already divided. 

He describes his administration as a “fine-tuned machine.”  We would like to see what dysfunctional looks like if this is a fine-tuned machine. 

In a departure from his norm the president nominates a highly qualified individual in Alexander Acosta to be Secretary of Labor.  He will also be the first Hispanic in Trump’s cabinet. 

After 28 days we are beginning to understand how much damage an unprepared president can do in a very short time.  We wait for the Republicans in congress to initiate the investigations that will bring this president down.  We will then continue the resistance against the new president. 

There are two years to the midterm elections and congressional districts are still gerrymandered for Republican control.  Any way you look at it, in the words of former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld:  It’s going to be a long, hard slog. 

But we’re still here and we’re growing stronger. 

Jazz. 

1.  “National security advisor Flynn discussed sanctions with Russian ambassador, despite denials, officials say” by Greg Miller, Adam Entous and Ellen Nakashima.  Washington Post, February 9, 2017. 

2.  “FBI reviewed Flynn’s calls with Russian ambassador but found nothing illicit” by Ellen Nakashima and Greg Miller.  Washington Post, January 23, 2017. 

3.  “Federal agents conduct immigration enforcement raids in at least six states” by Lisa Rein, Abigail Hauslohner and Sandhya Somashekhar.  Washington Post, February 11, 2017. 

4. “Exclusive - Trump border 'wall' to cost $21.6 billion, take 3.5 years to build: internal report” by Julia Edwards Ainsley.  Reuters, February 9, 2017.

5.  “Can an army of lawyers stop Trump’s mass deportations?” by David Iaconangelo.  Christian Science Monitor, February 11, 2017. 

6.  “NSA so concerned over Donald Trump’s ties to Russia they’ve ‘withheld information from presidential briefings’” by Jon Sharman.  Independent, February 13, 2017. 

7.  “Treasury Nominee Steve Mnuchin’s Bank Accused of ‘Widespread Misconduct’ in Leaked Memo” by David Dayen.  The Intercept, January 3, 2017. 

8.  “Did Iran Delay Hostages Release To Ensure Reagan’s Election?” Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, October 1987. 

9.  “Trump Campaign Aides Had Repeated Contacts With Russian Intelligence” by Michael S. Schmidt, Mark Mazzetti and Matt Apuzzo.  NY Times, February 14, 2017. 

JACK RANDOM IS THE AUTHOR OF THE JAZZMAN CHRONICLES - VOLUMES I-X, GHOST DANCE INSURRECTION, PAWNS TO PLAYERS, WASICHU AND A PATRIOT DIRGE. 

21 DAYS OF TRUMP

  
THE TRUMP DIARIES:  WEEK THREE

21 Days of Trump

By Jack Random

In his first fourteen days Donald Trump set a blistering pace with executive orders and began to deal with international crises.  The administration’s first military action, a Special Forces operation in Yemen, was by most accounts blundered.  Relations with ally Australia were strained by an awkward telephone call, protests continued to rise up, the first signs of easing sanctions on Russia appeared and Iran was placed “on notice.” 

This is the third installment of the Trump Diaries. 

DAY FIFTEEN:  IRAN SANCTIONS, ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS

February 3, 2017

The Treasury Department announces new sanctions on Iran in retaliation for testing a ballistic missile.  The action is limited to individuals and companies connected to the missile program and is designed not to affect the nuclear weapons treaty signed by the Obama administration along with five international partners:  Russia, Germany, France, China and Britain. 

The administration gently admonishes Israel for recklessly pursuing expanded settlements in occupied territories.  The admonition that expansion beyond existing settlements “may not be helpful” to the peace process suggests that the Trump White House may not be as loyal to the Israeli right as anticipated. 

In a busy Friday, Trump initiates the process of dismantling Dodd-Frank, the legislative fix to a runaway Wall Street that collapsed the global economy and put us on the precipice of a great depression. 

Federal courts issue conflicting rulings on the legality of Trump’s Muslim ban. District Judge James Robart in Seattle placed a temporary restraining order on the executive action, finding it discriminatory and unconstitutional. 

The unfolding Trump foreign policy is as convoluted and indecipherable as a maze in a deep cave.  How do you affect closer relations with Russia and its allies Iran and Syria while simultaneously endearing Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu?  How do you square UN Ambassador Nikki Haley’s condemnation of Russia in Ukraine and Crimea with Trump’s unbelievable defense of Vladimir Putin in his pre Super Bowl interview with Bill O’Reilly:  “There are a lot of killers.  What? Do you think our country’s so innocent?” 

No, Donald, we don’t think our country is so innocent and we do not condone our immoral wars or extrajudicial drone killings; but neither do we hesitate to condemn the assassination of journalists, political rivals and dissidents.  Is the president really presenting a profound moral conundrum or is this Trump’s golden rule:  Never criticize Vladimir Putin? 

The balance becomes even more delicate when you consider Iran’s critical role in fighting back the Islamic State in Iraq. 

DAY SIXTEEN:  “SO CALLED” PRESIDENT

February 4, 2017

The State Department under its newly confirmed Secretary Rex Tillerson begins the process of reinstating an estimated 60,000 visas cancelled under the president’s ill-conceived executive order.  The Department of Homeland Security announces it is suspending enforcement of the ban. 

From his estate in Mar-a-Lago the president goes on a twitter rampage against the “so-called” judge who had the audacity to stand up to him.  The “so-called” president’s rant runs from 4:59 to 5:12 am.  Does this man ever sleep? 

Protesters are back on the streets in London, Paris, Berlin, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, New York, Salt Lake City, Miami, San Francisco, Boulder, Manila and Jakarta.  The “so-called” president threatened to cut federal funding to Berkeley for a protest last Wednesday that erupted in violence.  Trump’s threat is empty but it does suggest he is suffering from delusions of grandeur. 

DAY SEVENTEEN:  BAN ON HOLD

February 5, 2017

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals turns back the Justice Department’s motion to put a stay on Judge Robart’s temporary restraining order, indicating the government failed to prove there would be irreparable harm. 

The president takes the day off to watch the Super Bowl and root for the New England Patriots.  Watching the Patriots come back from 25 down was like watching the election night coverage:  Unbelievable.  The impossible catch was like FBI Director James Comey’s surprise announcement and the final results were stunning.  No word on whether Putin tried to influence the game. 

DAY EIGHTEEN:  AWAITING JUSTICE

February 6, 2017

As we await the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals next ruling on lifting the hold on the Muslim travel ban, Trump accuses the media of deliberately propagating fake news.  He is particularly incensed that any polls would find that his Muslim ban is less than popular.  Maybe Steve Bannon should explain the concept of political courage to his boss:  A leader holds his ground on principle even when his decisions go against public opinion. 

The New York Times reports that Trump was angry at not being fully informed on the executive order that increased Steve Bannon’s authority and prominence.  Trump calls the story “complete fiction” but it has the ring of truth. [1]

Given the president’s insatiable ego, how long can Bannon last?  The more Bannon becomes the story as the brain behind the policies, the shorter his White House tenure. 

DAY NINETEEN:  WAR ON PUBLIC EDUCATION

February 7, 2017

The senate confirms Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education on a 50-50 vote with vice president Mike Pence casting the tiebreaker.  DeVos has one mission and that is to destroy public education by allowing public funds to go to private schools, including religious and for-profit charter schools. 

For those who don’t know how it works, it goes something like this:  Take under-funded public schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods, apply rigorous testing requirements and impossible standards of achievement.  When the schools fail to meet standards, pronounce them failures, cut funding and offer parents vouchers to attend charter schools.  The vouchers represent money that would have gone to the public school, thus creating a cycle of perpetual failure. 

Reminiscent of No Child Left Behind, the approach has never improved education and it certainly hasn’t in Michigan where DeVos was a major charter school advocate for two decades. [2, 3] 

Interesting side note:  Betsy’s brother is the founder of Blackwater USA, the mercenary army responsible for so much chaos, death and destruction in Iraq. 

DAY TWENTY:  LAST STAND AT STANDING ROCK

February 8, 2017

In compliance with an executive order, the Army Corps of Engineers approved an easement to clear the way for completion of the Dakota Access Pipeline.  Veterans Stand issues a call for its members to return to North Dakota for a “Last Stand” to block the project. [4]

Energy Transfer Partners has completed all but the last 1,100 feet of the pipeline that courses under Lake Oahe, a reservoir of the Missouri River only a half-mile upstream of the Standing Rock Reservation.  What could possibly go wrong? 

The great fear is what happens if and when the cameras are turned off and no one is paying attention.  These are very brave people enduring harsh conditions for a cause that belongs to us all. 

With the president seated in the Oval Office, CEO Brian Krzanich announces Intel’s intention to invest seven billion dollars in a new factory in the notorious anti-labor “Right to Work” state of Arizona.  If there was ever any question, the Trump administration intends a full-scale assault on the rights of labor. 

The senate confirms Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions as the next Attorney General by a 52 to 47 vote.  There was a time when claiming the accomplishments of someone else was a sufficient impunity of character to block a nomination to high office but that is not the case with Sessions.  On his questionnaire for the Senate Judiciary Committee he listed four cases involving voting rights and civil rights as among his legal accomplishments during his tenure as Alabama’s Attorney General.  It turns out he had little to do with any of them. [5]

Painting Jeff Sessions as a champion of civil rights is like citing Judy Miller as an example of journalistic integrity.  Nevertheless he is our Attorney General. 

DAY TWENTY-ONE:  JUDICIAL BLOWBACK

February 9, 2017

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issues a stern rebuke to the imperial presidency of Donald Trump by upholding Judge James Robart’s stay on the Muslim ban. 

Civics lesson 101:  The United States is governed by three co-equal branches of government.  Get used to it.  You are not the king. 

Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut reveals that Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch labeled the president’s attacks on the judiciary “demoralizing” and “disheartening.”  Trump responds by attacking the messenger for misrepresenting his nominee’s comments.  The account is supported by multiple sources on both sides of the political aisle. [6] 

If Trump accepts the reality of Gorsuch’s criticism, he may well withdraw the nomination.  He seems incapable of accepting any criticism or acknowledgement that his actions or judgments are wrong.  This case presents a dilemma:  Either his judgment in selecting Gorsuch was wrong or his denunciations of a federal judge are wrong. 

Trump signs three more executive actions designed to portray him as a “law and order” president.  He believes we are in the midst of a historic crime wave though statistics do not comply with his belief system. [7]

While some suggest that Gorsuch is just playing the game to win confirmation, he offers a good beginning to the Trump presidential experience through 21 days:  Demoralizing, disheartening, disingenuous, despicable, dishonest, demeaning, defiant and delusional. 

But we’re still here. 

Jazz.

1.  “Trump and Staff Rethink Tactics After Stumbles” by Glenn Thrush and Maggie Haberman.  NY Times, February 5, 2017. 

2.  “DeVos’ Michigan schools experiment gets poor grades” by Caitlen Emma, Benjamin Wermund and Kimberly Hefling.  Politico, December 9, 2016. 

3.  “Betsy DeVos and the Wrong Way to Fix Schools” by Douglas N. Harris.  NY Times Editorials, November 25, 2016. 

4.  “Veterans return to Standing Rock, ‘not back off’ pipeline protests” by Nikki Wentling.  Stars and Stripes, February 8, 2017. 

5.  “Jeff Sessions says he handled these civil rights cases.  He barely touched them.”  Editorial by J. Gerald Hebert, Joseph D. Rich and William Yeomans.  Washington Post, January 3, 2017.  

6.  “Supreme Court Nominee Calls Trump’s Attacks on Judiciary ‘Demoralizing’” by Julie Hirschfield Davis.  NY Times, February 8, 2017. 

7.  “Fact-checking Trump’s rhetoric on crime and the ‘American Carnage’” by Michelle Ye Hee Lee.  Washington Post, January 30, 2107. 

JACK RANDOM IS THE AUTHOR OF THE JAZZMAN CHRONICLES, GHOST DANCE INSURRECTION, PAWNS TO PLAYERS: A MATCH FOR THE WHITE HOUSE, WASICHU: THE KILLING SPIRIT AND RANDOM JACK: TALES FROM JAZZTOWN (CROW DOG PRESS).