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Politics

Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C., questions Mylan CEO Heather Bresch on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016, as she testifies before the House Oversight Committee hearing on EpiPen price increases. Bresch defended the cost for life-saving EpiPens, signaling the company has no plans to lower prices despite a public outcry and questions from skeptical lawmakers. (Photo: AP)

Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C., questions Mylan CEO Heather Bresch on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016, as she testifies before the House Oversight Committee hearing on EpiPen price increases. Bresch defended the cost for life-saving EpiPens, signaling the company has no plans to lower prices despite a public outcry and questions from skeptical lawmakers. (Photo: AP)

The U.S. Senate narrowly voted 51 to 49 to confirm Rep. Mick Mulvaney as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The now-OMB director has a reputation in Congress for being a budget hawk, co-authoring the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act, which aimed to slow the growth of current spending and cap future spending in the federal budget.

Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., who is a neoconservative war hawk rather than a conservative, voted “No” on the nomination because Mr. Mulvaney had expressed support for cuts to the defense budget.

“My decision to oppose this nomination is not about one person. It is not about one Cabinet position. This is not personal. This is not political. This is about principle,” Sen. McCain said in a statement. “This is about my conviction as Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee that providing for the common defense is our highest constitutional duty, and that rebuilding our military must be the number one priority of the Congress and the White House.”

Of course, Sen. McCain has clashed with President Trump on a number of issues, including the senator’s propensity to use military force.

“The days of the White House producing massive, ridiculous budgets that are dead on arrival on Capitol Hill are over,” said Club for Growth president David McIntosh, who praised President Trump for the nomination. “Mick Mulvaney is a leader among economic conservatives, and the Trump Administration’s selection is a major victory for taxpayers and for all who want to see the downsizing of the federal government.”

The U.S. Senate narrowly voted 51 to

Politics

Vice President Mike Pence, right, swears in Jeff Sessions, left, as the next U.S. Attorney General under President Donald J. Trump, second from the right. (Photo: Courtesy of the White House)

Vice President Mike Pence, right, swears in Jeff Sessions, left, as the next U.S. Attorney General under President Donald J. Trump, second from the right. (Photo: Courtesy of the White House)

President Donald J. Trump fired back on Twitter Thursday pledging to root out the officials leaking classified information obtained illegally to he media. Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn resigned following leaks that contradicted an account of a telephone conversation he had with a Russian ambassador during the transition, which he relayed to Vice President Mike Pence.

A chorus of Democratic voices, including Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings, have either flat-out claimed or raised the possibility Lt. Gen. Flynn violated the Logan Act. As fact-check has explained, this is not only factually false but was knowingly used incorrectly to overhype one element to a story and distract from the illegalities of another.

The White House will soon announce a significant review of the intelligence agency by Steven Feinburg. Taking a few questions from reporters, the president added to the

“We are going to find the leakers,” he said. “They are going to pay a big price.”

House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, also said Wednesday night that he would ask the Justice Department’s inspector general to investigate the leaks of classified, stating “no matter where you are on the political spectrum, you cannot have classified information migrating out into a non-classified setting.”

In the letter to Inspector General Michael Horowitz, which was also signed by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., Rep. Chaffetz said he had “serious concerns about the potential inadequate protection of classified information” and asked that Mr. Horowitz’s “office begin an immediate investigation into whether classified information was mishandled.”

Meanwhile, The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) is pushing back hard on a story published by the Wall Street Journal claiming officials are holding back information from President Donald J. Trump. was published only days after the firing of Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, whom sources tell People’s Pundit Daily was just “the first victim in a political coup by members of the permanent government.”

“It appears to me there has been a concerted effort to try to discredit not only General Flynn, but obviously, the entire Trump administration through him,” D.W. Wilber, who has over 30 years of experience with the CIA and the Defense Department, told The Daily Caller. “He just happened to be the first scalp.”

President Donald J. Trump fired back on

Politics

President Donald J. Trump visits the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) on Saturday, January 21, 2017. (Photo: Screenshot)

President Donald J. Trump visits the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) on Saturday, January 21, 2017. (Photo: Screenshot)

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) is pushing back hard on a story published by the Wall Street Journal claiming officials are holding back information from President Donald J. Trump.

“Any suggestion that the U.S. intelligence community is withholding information and not providing the best possible intelligence to the President and his National Security team is not true,” the Office of the Director of National Intelligence Public Affairs Office said in a statement.

The story alleged some in the intelligence community are too concerned with the White House ties to Russia, a claim that is unproven despite rigorous investigation. The story was published only days after the firing of Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, whom sources tell People’s Pundit Daily was just “the first victim in a political coup by members of the permanent government.”

Now, other publications also are being told to expect many more stories just like this from the mainstream media, which is a willing participant in an effort by Obama loyalists in the permanent government to undermine an elected president.

“It appears to me there has been a concerted effort to try to discredit not only General Flynn, but obviously, the entire Trump administration through him,” D.W. Wilber, who has over 30 years of experience with the CIA and the Defense Department, told The Daily Caller. “He just happened to be the first scalp.”

Former intelligence officials who understand spy craft say Flynn’s resignation had everything to do with a “disinformation campaign” and little to do with the December phone conversation he had with the Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak.

Politics, Donald Trump, Office of the Director

Politics

An adorable child is held up before Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump attends a campaign rally in at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida, on November 5, 2016. (Photo: REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)

An adorable child is held up before Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump attends a campaign rally in at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida, on November 5, 2016. (Photo: REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)

President Donald J. Trump will hold a rally in Melbourne, Florida on Saturday Feb. 18 to rally support for his agenda at a time he may need it more than ever. The event at the Melbourne International Airport will be held in the AeroMod International Hanger as he seeks renewed energy for tax reform, trade and healthcare reforms.

With the media in a frenzy over systemic leaking by the intelligence community, which revealed illegal wiretapping of his ousted National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, congressional Republicans are getting weak in the knees and calling for investigations into aides’ potential ties to Russia.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) cleared Lt. Gen. Flynn of any wrongdoing in January and has thus far found no illegal activity or collusion with the Russia government to influence the election. The White House announced Steven Feingold will conduct a review of the intelligence community and Rep. Devon Nunes, R-Calif., the chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said Wednesday he will hold hearings on the leaking of classified information to reporters.

The date has yet to be set for the hearings.

President Trump carried the Sunshine State, which is the largest battleground state in the country, in his electoral victory upset over Hillary Clinton in November.

President Donald J. Trump will hold a

Video

Piers Morgan said the mainstream media is fueling “hysterical” attacks on President Donald J. Trump in a “frenzied attempt to delegitimize and destroy his administration. Morgan said it’s fundamentally “un-American.”

“There is an absolutely frenzied and concerted attempt to delegitimize, sabotage and destroy the Trump presidency before it’s even started,” Morgan said. “I think that is un-American.”

Piers Morgan said the media is fueling

US

Markeith Loyd, 41, appears in court after being accused of killing Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton on Jan. 9 and his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon, in December.

Markeith Loyd, 41, appears in court after being accused of killing Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton on Jan. 9 and his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon, in December.

A grand jury indicted accused Orlando cop-killer Markeith Loyd for 1st-degree murder, the killing of unborn child, attempted 1st degree murder and attempted felony murder. Loyd, 41, was accused of murdering his pregnant girlfriend Sade Dixon in December and a warrant had been issued for his arrest before he shot Orlando police Master Sgt. Debra Clayton.

He appeared in court previously and lashed out at the judge with profanity-laced comments.

Loyd was arrested after a nine-day manhunt and authorities announced they increased the reward for his capture to $125,000. The U.S. Marshals Service added him to its top 15 most-wanted fugitives and along with the FBI, Homeland Security and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement assisted local agencies to find Loyd.

Orlando police Master Sgt. Debra Clayton was allegedly shot and killed by Markeith Loyd, 41, right, on Monday. Orange County motorcycle Sheriff Deputy Jerry Demings was also killed in a traffic accident during the effort to capture the suspect. (Photos: Courtesy of the Orlando Police Department and Orange County Sheriff's Office)

Orlando police Master Sgt. Debra Clayton was allegedly shot and killed by Markeith Loyd, 41, right, on Monday. Orange County motorcycle Sheriff Deputy Jerry Demings was also killed in a traffic accident during the effort to capture the suspect. (Photos: Courtesy of the Orlando Police Department and Orange County Sheriff’s Office)

On the morning of the murder, a shopper had tipped off Master Sgt. Clayton — who was putting bags in the trunk of her vehicle — that Loyd was in the Walmart waiting to check out. As the officer walked towards the store, the suspect barged out and fired at least 12 shots.

He has a long wrap sheet, meaning an extensive criminal history. On Nov. 30, he wrote on his Facebook page, “Goals!!!! To be on Americas most wanted.”

On Dec. 13, Loyd had gone to his girlfriend’s home on Long Peak Drive and began banging on the door. When Dixon answered, he shot her and her 26-year-old brother, Ronald Steward. He was critically wounded and five other people were home at the time of the shooting, including Dixon’s 5- and 7-year-old children.

A grand jury indicted accused cop-killer Markeith

Economy

President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with retail industry leaders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017. From left are, Trump, Jo-Ann Craft Stores CEO Jill Soltau, Gap Inc. CEO Art Peck, and Jeremy Katz, an adviser to National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn.

President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with retail industry leaders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017. From left are, Trump, Jo-Ann Craft Stores CEO Jill Soltau, Gap Inc. CEO Art Peck, and Jeremy Katz, an adviser to National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn.

U.S. markets again hit new record-highs on Wednesday after President Donald J. Trump sat down with top U.S. retail CEOs at the White House to talk tax reform.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX:.DJI) rose 0.52% to end at 20,611.86, while the Nasdaq Composite (INDEXNASDAQ:.IXIC) tacked on 0.64% to close at 5,819.44. The S&P 500 (INDEXSP:.INX) climbed 0.50% to 2,349.25, marking a seven-session winning streak.

“My administration remains very focused on the issues that will encourage economic growth, that’s what we’re all about,” he said during the meeting. “We have a lot of, a lot of companies moving back in, coming back into the country, bringing the jobs with them. We’re cutting regulations big league. We’re really cutting them by massive amounts.”

The meeting included JC Penney Company Inc (NYSE:JCP) CEO Marvin Ellison and Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) CEO and Chairman Brian Cornell. The latter closed 0.15% higher to 65.75, while the former was up 0.55% to 7.31.

President Donald Trump arrives for a meeting with retail industry leaders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017. From left are, Gary Cohn, director of the National Economic Council; J.C. Penney CEO Marvin Ellison and Jo-Ann Craft Stores CEO Jill Soltau.

President Donald Trump arrives for a meeting with retail industry leaders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017. From left are, Gary Cohn, director of the National Economic Council; J.C. Penney CEO Marvin Ellison and Jo-Ann Craft Stores CEO Jill Soltau.

The healthcare index gained the most climbing 1.17%, fueled by anticipation and optimism over Congress and the president vowing to move forward with the repeal and replace of ObamaCare. The nation’s largest healthcare providers announced they would withdraw either partially or altogether from the government-run marketplaces.

Financial stocks, which benefit from higher rates, rose 0.74 percent. The utilities and real estate sectors, both of which do worse in high-rate environments, fell 0.39 percent and 0.30 percent respectively.

U.S. markets again hit new record highs

Politics

President Donald J. Trump, left, with Andrew Puzder, right.

President Donald J. Trump, left, with Andrew Puzder, right.

Andrew Puzder, the fast-food chain leader and President Donald J. Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Labor, has withdrawn on the eve of his scheduled Senate hearing.

“After careful consideration and discussions with my family, I am withdrawing my nomination for Secretary of Labor,” Mr. Puzder said in the statement.

“I am honored to have been considered by President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Labor and put America’s workers and businesses back on a path to sustainable prosperity. I want thank President Trump for his nomination. I also thank my family and my many supporters – employees, businesses, friends and people who have voiced their praise and hopeful optimism for the policies and new thinking I would have brought to America as Secretary of Labor.”

Democrats have sought to tarnish nearly everyone of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees, calling them unfit for office and even corrupt. The result has been the longest period in U.S. history that a minority party has been able to hold up the confirmation of a president’s cabinet, in some instances putting the national security of the nation at risk.

“It is extremely unfortunate that the confirmation process has resulted in a qualified and dedicated man withdrawing from the Labor Secretary nomination,” Leslie Shedd, a spokeswoman for the National Restaurant Association, said in a written statement. “Andy Puzder would have made a great Labor Secretary.”

Mr. Puzder is the CEO of CKE Restaurants, which franchises the fast food chains Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. On the campaign trail, then-candidate Trump promised to appoint the best and the brightest from the private sector, rather than “political hacks.”

The left, getting help from establishment Republicans, wanted to drum up his divorce, specifically resurfacing an interview his ex-wife did with Oprah Winfrey decades ago. But his ex-wife Lisa Fierstein has long-retracted those claims.

Mr. Puzder marks the second to withdraw their nomination following Vincent Viola for Secretary of the U.S. Army. Three Cabinet picks withdrew for President Barack Obama; two did under George W. Bush; and 5 withdrew for Bill Clinton.

Andrew Puzder, the fast-food king and President

Politics

President Donald J. Trump, left, signs an executive order and, right, Vice Admiral Robert S. Harward.

President Donald J. Trump, left, signs an executive order and, right, Vice Admiral Robert S. Harward.

President Donald J. Trump has offered Vice Admiral Robert Harward the role of National Security Adviser, the job vacated by Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn. Multiples sources are now confirming a Reuters report earlier Wednesday.

As People’s Pundit Daily previously reported on Tuesday, Vice Admiral Harward, a former Navy SEAL, was the leading contender for the job among two others including Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg and Gen. David Petraeus. Lt. Gen Kellogg worked with the Trump transition team, the White House team and is currently serving as the acting national security advisor.

He formerly served as the Deputy Commander of the United States Central Command, under the leadership command of Gen. James Mattis. It was known that Gen. Mattis, who now serves as President Trump’s Defense Secretary of the Defense Department, was pushing for Vice Admiral Harward.

The native Rhode Islander went to school in Tehran, Iran before the U.S.-backed Shah was toppled in 1979 by the Islamic Revolution. He also served as the Deputy Commander of U.S. Joint Forces Command and previously commanded Combined Joint Interagency Task Force 435.

President Donald J. Trump has offered Vice

Politics

President Donald J. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold in a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House on Wednesday Feb. 15, 2017.

President Donald J. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold in a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House on Wednesday Feb. 15, 2017.

In a friendly joint press conference in the East Room on Wednesday, President Donald J. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed the relationship between the two nations has never been stronger.

The president opened up the press conference by welcoming the prime minister to the White House and referring to him as “my friend.”

“I’ve known the President and I’ve known his family and his team for a long time,” Prime Minister Netanyahu said. “There is no greater supporter of the Jewish people or the Jewish state than President Donald Trump. I think we should put that to rest.”

President Trump raised the issue of anti-Israeli bias at the United Nations (UN), and the prime minister called on the two nations to seize the opportunity to rollback the rising tide of radical Islam.

“Our alliance is based on a deep bond of common values and common interests. Increasingly, those common values and common interests are under assault by a single enemy. Mr. President, you’ve shown great clarity and courage in confronting this challenge head on.”

The press conference stood in stark contrast to prior visits to the White House by the Israeli prime minister under former President Barack Obama, which were often cold. The two didn’t agree on every issue, including Israeli settlements in the West Bank, but the Mr. Netanyahu even noted that no alliance ever will. President Trump told Prime Minister Netanyahu he’d like to see him “hold back on settlements for now” until negotiations for a Middle East peace agreement can begin.

President Trump also said the U.S. is actively “looking at” moving U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, which would fulfill a 21-year old promise by the U.S. to Israel. However, as People’s Pundit Daily previously reported, the Trump Administration has in fact made the move a priority item.

The president chose David Friedman as the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, who is a longtime advocate of relocation.

Republican Sens. Ted Cruz (TX), Marco Rubio and Dean Heller (Nev.), introduced a bill in early Jan. that would move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The Jerusalem Embassy and Recognition Act recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and mandates the relocation of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem in order for it to “remain an undivided city in which the rights of every ethnic and religious group are protected as they have been by Israel since 1967.”

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at

People's Pundit Daily
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