Beltway Insider: Trump/Pardons; Spicer Resigns; McCain/Cancer; Minneapolis; Illegals Suffocate; Grenfall Tower; John Heard

President Donald Trump spent this past week researching the possibility of presidential pardons for himself and his family sending prognosticators into overdrive as what many believe is inevitable appears on the horizon and clearly in the President's thought.

According to Gallup, President Trump's job approval, over the past week, decreased one percentage point to 38% of those polled who approve of his effectiveness as President and those who disapprove of his effectiveness as President remained consistent at 56%. 

Trump Researches Presidential Pardons For Family; Self; Readies the Hill For HealthCare Vote

President Donald J. Trump surprised many with the announcement that he was researching his power to bestow a Presidential pardon on himself and after discussing with his core council announced via twitter he has the ultimate power.

The President, who hears every message through his paranoia filters, is researching a topic which all those around him are telling him there believe is senseless and useless.

The second key discussion of the week was of course the failure of his much touted HealthCare bill. With three needed GOP Senators backing out at the last minute made its passage impossible and Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) pushed the repeal vote up. If he can gather some additional support the Senator will have the floor and vote on Tuesday.

Senators have been lobbying and meeting throughout the week in an effort to secure enough votes to pass the legislation.

"I think the President has been clear that what he wants is repeal and replace.  That's what he said during the transition, that's what he has said ever since.  He has mentioned that, if Republicans cannot find consensus on what the replacement plan is, then we should at least deliver on a promise to repeal," said Marc Short, the President's Director of Legislative Affairs.

He added, "As you probably saw in the opening remarks from the President, he made the case to the American people and to the members attending the lunch that inaction is not an option.  That Obamacare has continued to implode.  That promises of reductions in premiums of $2,500 have not proven true, and instead insurance premiums, on average, have increased by roughly $3,000.  That in fact, premiums are so high that today 6.5 million Americans chose last year not to sign up for a plan on the insurance exchange and instead just pay the penalty to the IRS."  

The vote is scheduled for this week with many believing it is a lip service vote so GOP Senators can appear loyal to President Trump. The bill is not expected to pass.

Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary, Resigns

Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary, has resigned effective August, according to a recent statement the Trump spokesman indicated his resignation was due, in part, to the appointment of former Hedge Fund Manager and Trump Fundraiser, Anthony Scaramucci.

President Trump's statement on Sean Spicer's resignation: I am grateful for Sean's work on behalf of my administration and the American people. I wish him continued success as he moves on to pursue new opportunities.  Just look at his great television ratings. Sean will continue to serve the administration through August." 


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The President hired Scaramucci as Director of Communications, and indicated Spicer would report to him, an idea Spicier took issue with and rejected.

Spicer, who has fueled the latest rounds of late night comedy intro's and been lampooned, parodied, and caricatured on Saturday Night Live as his brand of Press Secretary and his boss's often out of control tweet triggers have made him somewhat of an icon.

He finally stood for something and made a decision to leave the sinking ship.

Anthony Scaramucci

Anthony Scaramucci, Trump's new Communication Director, is well known among republicans. He earned a nickname of Gucci Scaramucci by former President George W. Bush for his distinctive well-dressed appearance and impeccable styling.

Scaramucci, a former New York Hedge Fund Manager and Trump Fundraiser, is also a published author writing three books on various financial themes.

Trump had indicated Scaramucci was on his short list for appointment in his cabinet. Scaramucci's finances came under scrutiny and each appointment was delayed. He was hired as Communications Director effective August 2017.

He holds a Harvard JD degree and attended Tufts undergrad. He was born in Port Washington, on Long Island. Scaramucci brings to the White House, a solid education, skill, talent, and the attitude that cause many to detest Wall Street and finance profession.  

Trump, a man who is all about visuals, believes the world will accept the message with more authority if delivered by someone with a greater visual presence.

GOP Senator John McCain Diagnosed with Brain Cancer

Republican Senator John McCain was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer, this week, after having a blood clot removed he had additional tissue pathology and the tests revealed that a primary brain tumor known as a glioblastoma was associated with the blood clot. 

McCain, who represents the state of Arizona, released the following statement:

"Senator McCain appreciates the outpouring of support he has received over the last few days. He is in good spirits as he continues to recover at home with his family in Arizona. He is grateful to the doctors and staff at Mayo Clinic for their outstanding care, and is confident that any future treatment will be effective. Further consultations with Senator McCain's Mayo Clinic care team will indicate when he will return to the United States Senate."

McCain has served the people of Arizona for more than forty years. McCain, who survived the infamous Hanoi Hilton, where he was held Prisoner of War for more than five years. McCain was released by his captors and returned to the United States.

The prognosis for Senator McCain is daunting and many believe that if anyone can beat the odds it is Senator McCain. McCain's physician has indicated his underlying health is excellence and they are developing a plan for treatment.

Of course as the shark filled waters of politics go, his chief rival Kelli Ward is now calling for his resignation and has expressed interest in taking over the seat.

"Kelli Ward, who is a doctor, said in a statement that the 80-year-old McCain's diagnosis is grim and that his cancer, glioblastoma, "is both devastating and debilitating." As a doctor, I've counseled patients in similar situations and these end-of-life choices are never easy. I usually advise terminal patients to reduce stress, relax and spend time laughing with loved ones," Ward wrote. The Senate has complicated and difficult problems to deal with and Arizona deserves to be represented by someone who can focus on those challenges," she added, The Associated Press reported.

Minneapolis Police Chief Forced to Resign Over Aussie Shooting; ME Classifies Death as Homicide

Minneapolis Police Chief, Janee Harteau, has been forced to resign as the unrest and upheaval increases over the police shooting death of an unarmed Australian bride-to-be, due to marry in August, by a Somali born police officer.

Harteau said: "I've decided I am willing to step aside to let a fresh set of leadership eyes see what more can be done for the MPD to be the very best it can be," as reported in USAToday.com.

Angry, concerned and scared citizens arrived at the Mayor Betsy Hodges were she explained she would not be resigning. At this time officials have not ruled out criminal charges for the police officer who sot Ms. Damond.

With protestors calling for her release and Officer Mohammad Noor, who fired from the passenger seat striking Ms. Damond, killing her the Major and city officials are finding the national and now international scrutiny something that while, they managed to handle the police involved shooting one year ago, the circumstances have become a rallying cry for concerned citizens and public officials.


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Is it possible that Noor is somehow involved with the crimes called in by Damond? Is it possible that Officer Noor may be a corrupted member of the Minneapolis Police Force? His quick trigger response, pulling his weapon and discharging it across his partner seems makes motive key in the investigation. He has refused to participate in the investigation. Officers have announced they have a secure a witness who appeared in the alley after the fatal shot.

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner has released his report which ruled Justine Damond died of a single gunshot to the abdomen and ruled the death a homicide.

Illegals Seeking Entry Into US Suffocate; Nine Dead

Nine illegals looking to enter the United States suffocated and died during the smuggling attempt with thirty others hospitalized after the human cargo was discovered in a Wal-Mart parking lot in San Antonio, Texas.  .

The illegals, originating from all areas South of the Border, had survived the treacherous and extremely dangerous journey that got them to the final leg of their journey where they would be driven across the border in a semi-tractor trailer.

Details surrounding the length of time the cargo was loaded and the time it took to make the crossing have not been made public.

What is known is the semi-tractor trailer was discovered in a San Antonio Wal-Mart parking lot. The driver of the truck carrying them left the vehicle with the human cargo inside the box, unlocked, without water.

The human trafficking ring was discovered after a Wal-Mart employee was approached by one of the cargo survivors who appeared disoriented. When police arrived they found the semi-trailer full of victims. About fifty of the original 100 believed to have been in the truck when it originated in Mexico,  had fled.

Those who barely survived the journey seventeen were taken to San Antonio Trauma center with life threatening injuries, 13 others were taken to local hospitals and treated for dehydration, heat exhaustion and monitored for medical conditions associated with water depravation and heat exposure.

The driver, whose name was not released, was arrested on site. The remaining illegals that escaped have reportedly been appended.

Grenfall Tower Investigation Update

It has been six weeks since the world watch the horrifying late night Grenfell Tower inferno in London's North Kensington neighborhood, leaving images in its wake that will never be erased as a community and further were shocked by the devastation.

Immediately following the shock and horror was met with community, people-to-people support, neighbors helping each other, without paperwork in triplicate or requests for documents burned. It was an outpouring that became a balm on the wounds.

Now, six weeks later the truths are settling in, the shock of that night, horrors beyond imagination and as one survivor, Rukayet Mamundu said "After 70 years, I got my phone and my son." Her life was destroyed, although she lived in one of the less damaged apartments on the lower floors she has not been allowed to return to sift through charred photographs of a lost son or the few trinkets that make life bearable.

Justice. In the early days after Grenfell the world cried for justice for the 80 or more lost lives, who were instructed to stay within their units and wait for rescue. We cried. Justice is illusive and futuristic. Although it will arrive, the survivors, those suffering with Post Traumatic Stress (all of us), need assistance now.

Stories are filtering out of round robin shuffling, of the specially appointed liaisons and social workers hired for this single specific tasks going on vacation without a replacement and worse having someone who knowns nothing except you survived.

The Scotland Yard investigation is examining the "actions and inactions" that led to the fire's spread and consumption of the tower block, which not only killed people but consumed their bodies to such an extent they may never be formally identified," as reported in the Guardian.

So the investigative is in the well-equipped hands of Scotland Yard. Someone, from The Kensington and Chelsea Management Company, who took a shortcut, and accepted a bribe or not, will be faced with 80 counts of manslaughter.

John Heard Found Dead

Home Alone Dad actor John Heard was found dead this week in a Palo Alto, California Hotel where he was recovering from a minor back procedure on Wednesday. He was 72.

Police were called when housekeeping entered and found the actor, known for many memorable roles, unresponsive. Foul Play is not suspected although his death is under investigation.

John Heard had an illustrious career playing opposite Tom Hanks as, the career driven toy executive Paul, in Big; in the Home Alone Franchise as Peter McCallister; in the ultimate chick film Beaches opposite Bette Midler as her love interest John Pierce, and as FBI Agent Gavin Vereek, opposite Julia Roberts, in The Pelican Brief.

His bio states, "John established himself with roles in the movies Between the Lines (1977), Chilly Scenes of Winter (1979) (a.k.a. "Head Over Heels"), and Heart Beat (1981) (in which he played Jack Kerouac to Nick Nolte's Neal Cassady and Sissy Spacek's Carolyn Cassady), before giving a tour de force performance as a hideously wounded (both physically and psychologically) Vietnam veteran in Cutter's Way (1981) (a.k.a. "Cutter and Bone") opposite Jeff Bridges. He also shined as Reverend Dimmesdale (one of America's first religious hypocrites) in the 1979 PBS version of Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter (1979)."

His career spans more than forty years with roles on Television, film and theater. His strong performances and ability to be every man made him a favorite among directors. He died July 21, 2017.

 

To donate to the London Community Foundation: https://artistsforgrenfell.com/

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

Sources: Whitehouse.gov, Wikipedia.com, 

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