GRcade

twitter.com/BraddJaffy/status/830107623714390016

US investigators corroborate some aspects of the Russia dossier

For the first time, US investigators say they have corroborated some of the communications detailed in a 35-page dossier compiled by a former British intelligence agent, multiple current and former US law enforcement and intelligence officials tell CNN. As CNN first reported, then-President-elect Donald Trump and President Barack Obama were briefed on the existence of the dossier prior to Trump's inauguration.
None of the newly learned information relates to the salacious allegations in the dossier. Rather it relates to conversations between foreign nationals. The dossier details about a dozen conversations between senior Russian officials and other Russian individuals. Sources would not confirm which specific conversations were intercepted or the content of those discussions due to the classified nature of US intelligence collection programs.
But the intercepts do confirm that some of the conversations described in the dossier took place between the same individuals on the same days and from the same locations as detailed in the dossier, according to the officials. CNN has not confirmed whether any content relates to then-candidate Trump.

The corroboration, based on intercepted communications, has given US intelligence and law enforcement "greater confidence" in the credibility of some aspects of the dossier as they continue to actively investigate its contents, these sources say.
Reached for comment this afternoon, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said, "We continue to be disgusted by CNN's fake news reporting."
Spicer later called back and said, "This is more fake news. It is about time CNN focused on the success the President has had bringing back jobs, protecting the nation, and strengthening relationships with Japan and other nations. The President won the election because of his vision and message for the nation."
Spokespeople for the FBI, Department of Justice, CIA and Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment.

twitter.com/AP/status/830178471322189831

twitter.com/Acosta/status/830177983507869696

President Donald Trump says that he's considering signing a new executive order on immigration as the one he signed suspending the nation's refugee program and barring citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries is held up in court.

Trump tells reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to Florida that he's confident he'll win his court battle.

But he says, "we also have a lot of other options, including just filing a brand new order."

He adds: "We need speed for reasons of security. So it could very well be that we do that."

Trump says a new order would likely change "very little" from the first and says he'll likely act next Monday or Tuesday.

He adds of his decision: "I'd like to surprise you."

Trump unaware of reports on Flynn and Russians

President Donald Trump says he's unaware of reports that his national security adviser discussed sanctions with the Russians before Trump was sworn into office.

Trump told reporters flying with him to Florida that he'll look into the issue.

The Washington Post first reported that Michael Flynn discussed the sanctions with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak.

Vice President Mike Pence said last month that Flynn had spoken to the ambassador during the transition period to wish him a Merry Christmas and offer condolences after a deadly Russian plane crash, but he denied that sanctions had come up in the conversation.

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday: "I don't know about it. I haven't seen it. What report is that?"

Flynn is among the passengers flying aboard the plane.

National security adviser Flynn discussed sanctions with Russian ambassador, despite denials, officials say

National security adviser Michael Flynn privately discussed U.S. sanctions against Russia with that country’s ambassador to the United States during the month before President Trump took office, contrary to public assertions by Trump officials, current and former U.S. officials said.

Flynn’s communications with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak were interpreted by some senior U.S. officials as an inappropriate and potentially illegal signal to the Kremlin that it could expect a reprieve from sanctions that were being imposed by the Obama administration in late December to punish Russia for its alleged interference in the 2016 election.

Flynn on Wednesday denied that he had discussed sanctions with Kislyak. Asked in an interview whether he had ever done so, he twice said, “No.”

On Thursday, Flynn, through his spokesman, backed away from the denial. The spokesman said Flynn “indicated that while he had no recollection of discussing sanctions, he couldn’t be certain that the topic never came up.”

Garth wrote:

twitter.com/AP/status/830178471322189831

twitter.com/Acosta/status/830177983507869696

So much for "SEE YOU IN COURT!"

Hexx wrote:I wonder how much more of this

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/ ... -town-hall

will make the GOP wind back at all

Rightey wrote:

Hexx wrote:I wonder how much more of this

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/ ... -town-hall

will make the GOP wind back at all

RIP NPR's public funding

captain red dog wrote:This handshake thing has gone a little viral on twitter. I really don't get it to be honest as it looks as awkward as any other political handshake opportunity.

Irene Demova wrote:

Rightey wrote:

Hexx wrote:I wonder how much more of this

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/ ... -town-hall

will make the GOP wind back at all

RIP NPR's public funding

They announced that like two weeks ago. One of his first acts was to gut all arts and public acess funding

Michael Strickland, the 36-year-old man accused of pulling a gun on Don't Shoot PDX protesters marching outside Portland's Justice Center, had a round in the chamber of the loaded handgun he swept in front of the crowd and five other magazines of ammunition on him Thursday night, according to court records.

Multnomah County deputy district attorney Kate Molina Friday successfully argued for Strickland's bail to be set at $250,000 after two felony counts of unlawful use of a firearm were added to misdemeanor allegations of menacing and second-degree disorderly conduct.

Four sheriff's deputies then placed him in handcuffs and led him to jail directly from arraignment court at the Justice Center.

Strickland had an extended clip in what appeared to be a Glock 26 that he swept at chest level multiple times in front of protesters and a plain-clothed Portland police officer, the prosecutor said.