Beltway Insider: Immigration Plan Banned; ISIS/Dakota Pipeline; Queen’s Jubilee; UK Protest; Pat’s Shock Falcons

  • Print

President Donald Trump has remained defiantly steadfast in fulfilling his campaign promises which, under the umbrella of "Making America Strong Again," are challenging laws and liberties, backfiring and causing continued protests as Americans watch their rights erode.

According to Gallup, President Trump's job approval, over the past week, remained at 42% of those polled who approve of his effectiveness as President and those who disapprove of his effectiveness as President increased two percentage points to 53%. 

Immigration Plan Backfire; Travel Bans Challenges Across Nation

Protesters have taken to showing up at every announced location the president appears. This weekend, while at Mar-a-Lago the official president retreat, protesters lined the street as the controversial immigration and Travel ban remains the focus and hot button issue.

A United States District Court of Appeals has struck down the official government challenge and the order that would bar those foreign citizens arriving in the United States with a pre-approved Visas from entry allowing for foreign nationals at least one more day.

Multiple lawsuits have been filed challenging the constitutionality of the ban. In New York and California Federal Courts have blocked aspects from being implemented.

The recent decision by Justice Ann Donnelly was appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit where the decision of the lower court was upheld temporarily halting the ban on immigrants. The case will not be elevated to the Supreme Court before the 9th District court has issued its ruling.

In voicing his displeasure, President Trump took to twitter and said, "Just can't believe a judge would put our country in such peril. If something happens blame him and court system. People pouring in. Bad!"

Vice President Pence said Sunday on Meet The Press that White House officials felt Trump was "operating within his authority as president, both under the constitution, and under clear statutory law." 

Trump Fires Attorney General Yates

The President fired Acting Attorney General Sally Yates after she explained the law did not require her to enforce his ban on Immigration.

Beltway Insider: Immigration Ban Challenges Trump; E.O's; PM May Visits WH; Princess Diana; MTM/Emmanuelle Riva

Trump Present Plan to Defeat ISIS

President Trump has outlined and presented a National Security Presidential Memorandum to defeat The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria calling the terror organization "the most vicious and aggressive" radical terrorist group the U.S. faces.

Trump, with all his inadequacies, has maintained the global policy and opinion directing "my Administration to develop a comprehensive plan to defeat ISIS."

The hardline position is welcomed, and does not differ in principal from the Obama Administrations global position and 66 nation coalition, as the world continues to face insidious terror threats and violence.

The Memorandum stated emphatically as Point One: It is the policy of the United States that ISIS be defeated. To coordinate this effort the development of a new plan shall commence immediately. In 30 days, a preliminary draft of the Plan will be submitted to the president by the Secretary of Defense.

The Plan must include the comprehensive strategy, any recommended changes in rules of engagement, public diplomacy, information operations, and cyber strategies to isolate and delegitimize ISIS and its radical Islamist theology.

Further the plan must identify new coalition partners and mechanism to cut off or seize ISIS financial support, including financial transfers, money laundering, oil revenue, human trafficking, sales of looted art and historical artifacts, and other revenue sources such as heroin trafficking known to be used by Slobodan Milošević to finance the Balkans War

President Trump's Statement on The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria

  

ISIS is responsible for the violent murder of American citizens in the Middle East, including the beheadings of James Foley, Steven Sotloff, and Peter Abdul-Rahman Kassig, as well as the death of Kayla Mueller.  In addition, ISIS has inspired attacks in the United States, including the December 2015 attack in San Bernardino, California, and the June 2016 attack in Orlando, Florida. 

 

ISIS is complicit in a number of terrorist attacks on our allies in which Americans have been wounded or killed, such as the November 2015 attack in Paris, France, the March 2016 attack in Brussels, Belgium, the July 2016 attack in Nice, France, and the December 2016 attack in Berlin, Germany.

 

ISIS has engaged in a systematic campaign of persecution and extermination in those territories it enters or controls.  If ISIS is left in power, the threat that it poses will only grow.  We know it has attempted to develop chemical weapons capability.  It continues to radicalize our own citizens, and its attacks against our allies and partners continue to mount.  The United States must take decisive action to defeat ISIS. President Donald Trump

ISIS Claims No "Lone Wolfs" All Attacks Directed Remotely

After much speculation and worldwide belief that certain recent ISIS attacks lead by individuals were part of a "lone wolf" radicalization introduced by online affiliates found throughout the internet, it was revealed this week by The New York Times who obtained interrogation records of three of the eight suspects arrested in Hyderabad, India attacks that all attacks are coordinated, organized to the most minor details.

According to the records, Islamic State operatives invest considerable time in recruitment and development of the individuals targeted or determined to have sensitivities to Islamic State initiatives or anti-U.S. or anti-Western involvement sympathies.

Islamic State recruits are vetted and scrutinized, with daily contact with their handler they are constantly encouraged and taught how to declare loyalty to the terror group and how to sending those statements without detection.

The recent New Year's Eve Raina Club in Istanbul, Germany's Christmas Bazaar,  Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Bastille Day Attack in Nice and San Bernardino state building were all thought to be carried out by "lone wolf" radicalized assassins.

The recent statements by ISIS indicate wide spread coordination, and largely more organized terror group than has been revealed. Essentially the strength of the Islamic State, outside the Caliphate, has been downgraded, through coordinated global military efforts and effective public relations, and still remains a threat.

Trump Admin Abolishes Mexico City Policy

President Trump signed a memorandum revoking the Presidential Memorandum of January 23, 2009 (Obama Administration) and reinstated the Presidential Memorandum of January 22, 2001 (Bush Administration) Mexico City Policy and Assistance for Voluntary Population Planning.

Essentially, The Mexico City Policy blocks Federal Funding for non-governmental organizations, (NGO's), that provide abortion counseling, referrals or advocate to decriminalize abortion or expand abortion service, according to Wikipedia.

Further, the policy requires for the complete ban and refusal of foreign NGO's to offer any abortion counseling as a matter of family planning.

While the Mexico City Policy clearly effects foreign governments dependent on U.S. Federal funds, it does not yet effect any U.S. laws, policy's, or organizations within the borders of the United States to including abortion options during any counseling sessions.

It is expected that at some point in this Administration's Term, Roe V. Wade, the landmark, 1973 law that allows a woman her right to choose the medical care, including abortion, she believes is her rightful decision will be challenged.

Trump Reverses Dakota, Keystone XL Pipeline

The Memorandum set forth by President Trump makes this declaration "I believe that construction and operation of lawfully permitted pipeline infrastructure serve the national interest."

With the statement President Trump has resurrected the Pipeline construction pursuant to the completion of several directives including those which allow for, in an expedited manner to the extent permitted by law and as warranted, all prior reviews and determinations.

Essentially, all Studies, Assessments, consultations, reviews, requirements, examinations of the Mineral Leasing Act, the Clean Water Act, the Rivers and Harbors Act, the memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works (12/04/16) and to make the determination if all proposed notices should be withdrawn, so essentially, all victories and supported documentation and determinations that resulted in the Dakota Pipeline construction stopping will be reviewed and it is expected construction will continue and be completed.

In his opening statements regarding the Construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline Memorandum

"The Presidential permits for the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance, at the borders of the United States, of facilities for the exportation or importation of petroleum, petroleum products, coal, or other fuels to or from a foreign country, and to issue or deny such Presidential permits. As set forth in those Executive Orders, the Secretary of State should issue a Presidential permit for any cross-border pipeline project that "would serve the national interest."

With a belief the Keystone Pipeline serves the National interest, President Trump wrote in the directive surrounding the Keystone XL Pipeline: "I hereby invite TransCanda Keystone Pipeline, L.P. (TransCanada), to promptly resubmit for the construction and operation of the Keystone XL Pipeline, a major pipeline for the importation of petroleum for Canada to the United States."

Trump Ends Gun Control Stopping Sales to Mentally Ill Persons

In a move seen as payback, the house voted this week to begin the process repealing legislation of the Obama Administration leading up to the repeal of the signature bill ObamaCare.

The Republican lead house  voted to overturn the Obama rule restricting gun sales to the severely mentally ill.

"The House charged ahead with an extreme, hastily written, one-sided measure that would make the American people less safe," Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-Conn., said, as reported in The Hill.

Esty represents Newtown, Conn., where a mentally ill man shot and killed 20 6- and 7-year-olds and six adults shooting his way into Sandy Hook Elementary School December 14, 2012.

 

Queen Elizabeth Becomes Longest Reigning Monarch

Queen Elizabeth, Britain longest reigning monarch, celebrated her Sapphire Jubilee, seemingly without notice as the 90-year-old observed the historical moment quietly, as is her tradition, at her Sandringham estate.

Marking 65 years on the throne, the Queen has agreed to slow her schedule at her recent birthday, she still maintains a robust calendar allowing the younger royals to shoulder more responsibility. 

Eight new coins, of various value including one at £50,000., have been minted commemorating the Sapphire Jubilee. The event was also honored with an official stamp, a recommissioned portrait and the two military salutes; a 41-gun followed by a 62-gun salute.

Queen Elizabeth is the only monarch to ever reign for 65 years.

Britain’s newly elected Prime minister released this statement: "It is a testament to her selfless devotion to the nation that she is not marking becoming the first monarch to reign for 65 years with any special celebration, but instead getting on with the job to which she has dedicated her life." 

Brit’s Join Anti-Trump Movement; Plan Massive Protests in London Over Scheduled Visit

Londoners took to the streets demanding Parliament rescind the invitation extended by Prime Minister May at her recent White House visit on behalf of the Queen, to President Trump and his wife, First Lady Melania Trump.

The first wave of protests saw 30,000 people outside 10 Downing Street, the residence of the Prime Minster, and similar demonstrations across the U.K.

Political and labour leaders, musicians, singers, artists, journalists have all called for the people to respond by joining them in what is being billed as London's biggest protest in history. The Stop Trump Coalition is also targeting newly elected Prime Minster May for normalizing Trump's agenda and the Muslim Ban.

The Stop Trump Coalition has planned an initial day of protest for February 20, 2017 gathering signatures from more than 1.8 million people demanding the invitation be withdrawn.

Trump Nominates Gorsuch For SCOTUS Position

Donald Trump moved to nominated a successor for the vacated Supreme Court Justice position left in the wake of the death of Associate Justice Antonin Scalia, a well-liked and equally well thought of originalist, who died nearly one year ago.

The Honorable Neil M. Gorsuch, Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, has been chosen by President Trump to fill the seat vacated by the untimely death of the late Justice Antonin Scalia who died while on vacation.

Gorsuch, has the pedigree of most justices, graduate of Columbia, Harvard, and Oxford, and was a member of former President Obama graduating class at Harvard. He is no stranger to the Supreme Court having clerked for Justices Byron White and Anthony Kennedy from 1993 to 1994. He also clerked in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in the early 1990's.

Former President George Bush nominated Gorsuch for the tenth Circuit Court of Appeals and were confirmed on July 20, 2006.  The tenth Circuit includes Colorado, Kansa, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, and Wyoming.

Born in 1967, at 49, Gorsuch would be the youngest member of the Supreme Court. While some would consider his opinions based on his 1970's childhood, the nominee is a traditionalist when it comes to the interpretation of the United States Constitution, which translates to strict interpretation or an "originalists" point of view.

As the confirmation and vetting process has just begun Gorsuch can conclude that many of his statements, either met with dissent or concurring opinions from his fellow justices, will be dissected to determine if his opinions fit into the make-up of the current court and honestly, politically, will a fact-finding inquiry be sufficient instead of an all-out nuclear strike.

New England Patriots Stun Atlanta Falcons with 34-28 Overtime Win

Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, one of the greatest Quarterbacks in Pro Football and the Coach who found his team, pulled a win out of a sure loss, broke football records, rewrote playoff history, shocked the world, and stunned the opposition all in three minutes.

Patriots were down by 21 at the half as the Falcons continued to dominate scoring again to secure what all would have said was a sure win with a sealing third quarter touchdown bringing the all Falcons game to 28-3 with eight minutes and 30 seconds left in the third.

With 8:30 left the kick off landed the ball in Tom Brady’s lap who, shut down for the first three quarters, decided it was time to play ball. Marching down the field, the four-time Super Bowl Champion, threw bullet after bullet, perfect text book spirals, hitting his receivers with precision.

Belichick, watching from the sidelines, remained calm with his team following his lead. Brady, just kept completing passes. No mistakes, no pass interceptions, no last-minute flags costing them precious yardage and running the clock out.

With eyes on the clock, the pressure for the world and the Atlanta Falcons who dominated the game, shutting down the Pat’s, living the dream, for the first half and 8 minutes of the third quarter mounted. The Falcon defense, either frustrated or simply in shock as the victory seemed to evaporate right before their eyes, were unable to maintain the momentum that kept Brady on the sidelines for the majority of the game.

Keeping every option in play, Belichick made the decision to tie and head into overtime praying, as it was the only unpredictable variable, for the toss that lands them the ball first and as fate would have it the Pat’s called the toss and the rest was pro ball history.

The Patriot’s victory was one for the record books, a stunning and shocking upset for the dominating Falcons, sending Brady and Belichick into the history as the winningest combination with five Super Bowl wins. 

For more information on President Donald Trump: www.whitehouse.gov

Sources: Whitehouse.gov, Wikipedia.com,