The Daily Countable: Trump's on fire & fires FBI's #2. Plus, who's heard of the "COVFEVE act"?
by Countable | Updated on 3.18.18
A fresh, new week, friends. And thank goodness for it.
President Donald Trump had important things to say on Twitter this weekend, starting with Friday night's firing of the FBI's #2 official, Andrew McCabe. That move came a mere 2 days before McCabe was scheduled to retire from the post.
Andrew McCabe FIRED, a great day for the hard working men and women of the FBI - A great day for Democracy. Sanctimonious James Comey was his boss and made McCabe look like a choirboy. He knew all about the lies and corruption going on at the highest levels of the FBI!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 17, 2018
The President has not clearly outlined what "lies and corruption" he alleges were going on "at the highest levels of the FBI."
Trump and one of his top lawyers also released tough words criticizing the ongoing Russia Investigation and its leader, Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
"The Mueller probe should never have been started in that there was no collusion and there was no crime…WITCH HUNT!" -- President Donald Trump
On the Radar
Meanwhile, a series of bombshell stories opened new questions on several fronts:
Russian entities hacked into the controlling software of America's energy infrastructure. One tech-expert told the New York Times, "They have the ability to shut the power off." More here.
The Trump Organization has been subpoenaed by the Russia Investigation requesting business documents, including some related to Russia. It is the first time, publicly at least, that Special Counsel Mueller's investigation has approached Trump's personally controlled company.
After his inauguration, President Trump required some in his administration to sign broad, strict non-disclosure agreements, according to reports in the Washington Post and other news outlets. One catch? White House employees don't actually work for the President -- they work for the United States government, so it is unclear if those NDAs could be upheld in court.
Under the Radar
In honor of March Madness and politicians’ penchant for pithy bill acronyms (anyone remember what the USA PATRIOT Act stood for?), we’ve put together a tournament in which you — Countable users — can choose the best bill acronym of the 115th Congress. Check it out -- there are some real doozies!
Your Gov at a Glance 👀
The White House: President Trump in DC & Manchester, NH
- After his daily intelligence briefing, The President and First Lady board Air Force One, and depart for Manchester, NH.
- At Manchester Community College, President Trump delivers remarks about combating the opioid crisis.
- The President and First Lady return to the White House.
The House of Representatives: In Session
- Voting on a bill to require Homeland Security to report to Congress on the threat of vehicular terrorism.
- Voting on 10 other bills.
The Senate: In Session
- Voting on the confirmation of Kevin McAleenan to be Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection.
- Taking a procedural vote on a bill to make it a federal crime for websites to promote prostitution or sex trafficking.
Tomorrow's Preview
- The House will vote on a bill to exempt non-bank financial firms (like mutual funds) from the Dodd-Frank Act's stress testing requirements.
- The Senate will continue debate on the bill to make it a federal crime for websites to promote prostitution or sex trafficking.
And, in the End…
On a personal note, the now-steady drumbeat of incredible, uncommon and crazy news has given me a whole new understanding of the word "mind-numbing." I mean, if you haven't already dedicated your life to news (read: insane people), it seems like it would be impossible to sustain the kind of attention it requires to keep up with the pace and import of current events (read: having a real life). So I'm truly interested: how do you keep up while also setting boundaries? And what can we at Countable do to help? Be in touch --
—Andrea Seabrook
Talk to Managing Editor Andrea Seabrook via email, andrea [at] countable.us, or on twitter, @RadioBabe. And don’t forget to keep in touch @Countable.
Written by Countable
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Congress MUST take immediate bipartisan action that prevents Trump or anyone else in this cabinet from being able to fire Robert Mueller.
Only a true scumbag would fire someone two days before retirement depriving them of their pension. Oh wait, we’re talking about DJT. He’s playing true to form. A vindictive bastard with no class at all regardless of how much gold he drapes himself in.
He needs to fire himself.
Trump is like a destructive three year old with a book of matches! Impeach him now!!!!
He is a vindictive, petty, narcissist who is psychologically very weak. Sad really. His next attempt will be to try to fire mueller. He has put “feelers” out already. And as long as the republicans don’t send a clear message that that is political suicide he will fire mueller. This is a disaster. I am hoping mueller has already followed the money down the path of money laundering so we can finally be rid of this clown.
Mueller needs protection The rule of law needs protection Everyone needs to write to every member of congress and let them know we want our democracy and rule of law protected
Trump has no regard for the rule of law unless it benefits him personally. This disregard threatens our democracy and is tearing apart the fabric of this country from the inside out. Not only must the Mueller investigation be protected, the time has come for Republican legislators of conscience to take a stand against this behavior. To continue to remain silent implies your approval.
Message sent to my reps: I have been following Trump's attack on the government entities that are investigating his companies and the Russian interference (particularly in the 2016 election). He and his cabinet have been firing anyone who crosses his path. This is a dangerous abuse of power and every government official needs to be held responsible through checks and balances. Trump is making sure that doesn't happen. I urge you to stand up against him and his cabinet to protect Mueller as the FBI investigates Trump's companies and Russian interference. Mueller and his investigation team NEEDS bipartisan support. We, as a people, cannot normalize election interference. He is a representation of this country and he needs to be held responsible for his actions. Do not let him fire Mueller or others that are investigating him. Trump needs to be held accountable.
Trump needs to be impeached and removed from office as soon as possible before he destroys this whole country...
Editor Andrea, why would you qualify 45’s words as important? He lies and spews his toxic hatred on the nation, he disrespects people via Twitter. As a president he is doing serious damage to our democracy. There is nothing great about what he is doing to the nation (he certainly is doing nothing positive for the nation). Please chose your words carefully for words are powerful. Thanks
We have a juvenile with a learning disability in charge of a super power his name is trump
Putin’s little bitch needs to be impeached before he turns our elections into a joke like he did Russia’s.
Please move to immediately protect Mueller. #45 is already acting like a dictator while installing people who destroy any protections of the American people. He is a petty, vindictive child with no grasp nor concern of his responsibilities but all interest in absolute power and every cent he can wring out of his position. Protect Mueller and get Trump out before it is too late. He is a clear and present danger to the freedom of this country.
At this point the President of the United States has fired two sitting FBI directors whilst under investigation for obstruction of justice and collusion with Russia with the intent of undermining our electoral process, or in layman terms, treason. The response from the GOP, a party which claims to be of the highest caliber of patriots and the staunchest defenders of the constitution has been underwhelming at best. The simple fact is that Robert Mueller is an honorable man, a Republican, and Vietnam veteran of the Marine Corp, his investigation has rapidly led to indictments and guilty pleas. It is not a farce or a political act, it is the appropriate application of politically blind justice. For republican leadership not to diligently and aggressively protect such an investigation begs the question how truly committed to the United States of America they are. We cannot, collectively as a nation, regardless of political leanings allow for demagoguery, obstruction, corruption, or treason. It simply cannot be allowed to continue without wholly changing the values we hold dear as Americans. When the very fabric of our great nation is threatened we must put aside our political differences and come together to protect the things we collectively hold most dear. We must remember that it takes two wings to fly a plane.
If there is any way you can reverse Trumps firing McCabe or at least give him his retirement package you should act now. This is morally not right right. If you don’t act this will be one more nail added to your coffin in the 2018 election. I am speaking to both Democrats and republicans.
Its WAY past time to restore integrity and civilian control in DC bureaucracies! Partisan politics has NO place in any level of law enforcement.
-Russian Hack of our infrastructure -Subpoena of Trumps Personally controlled companies. -Non disclosure agreements that are not legal. I have never seen such utter incompetence and disregard for the law and the safety of America as this!I know republicans were distraught about having a moderate president of color in the White House and electing Trump was the racist bigots way of protesting. I’m looking forward to the big blue wave that is coming. America is waking up and will elect true leadership. The future leadership will be strong people of color, immigrants and predominately female. As the backlash to this incompetency will be joyous to watch. To all the republicans and democrat politicians who have not taken a stand against this tyrant, kiss your political career good bye and go home. America is waking up and America will stand up against all of you.
I find the timing of firing Mr. McCabe the day before his retirement the act of a school yard bully. This is a pure act of revenge. This hurts anyone in politics and it personally makes me so angry I will never vote for anyone who finds this act of outright evil acceptable. If the man is guilty of something, then prosecute him. Give him his day in court. The FBI commission that recommended his firing got their report from the DOJ and Mr. Sessions, and therefore Trump. Petty act by petty people. Please find the backbone to denounce bulling, otherwise you silence will show you approve. This is not a horse anyone should hitch there wagon to. No honor in this act and it troubles me more than any other events of late. God bless this country, we need it more than ever right now.
To Cornyn, Cruz and Lamar Smith: GROW A SPINE AND DEFEND OUR DEMOCRACY! The actions of this president are despicable. Blindly supporting his actions because he is a republican says you are not patriots. You are sycophants .
Pass legislation to PROTECT MUELLER INVESTIGATION!!