President Trump’s eighth week in office continues to bring more challenges as we wait to hear on the travel ban and the arrival of Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany.
Trump paid 38 million in taxes in 2005.
Monday, March 13, 2017, the President signed into law:
H.R. 609, which designates the Department of Veterans Affairs health care center in Center Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, as the Abie Abraham VA Clinic.
Monday, March 13, President Donald J. Trump welcomed to the Roosevelt Room individuals who have experienced significant hardship as a result of Obamacare’s poor coverage and rising prices.
President Donald J. Trump today announced his intent to nominate key additions to his Administration.
James Donovan of Virginia will serve as Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. Mr. Donovan is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Virginia School of Law and a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs. He earned a BS in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a master’s degree in management from the MIT Sloan School of Management, and his JD from Harvard Law School. His career at Goldman Sachs has included work on a corporate strategy for the firm, investment banking, and investment management. For the past eight years, Mr. Donovan has also taught classes on corporate strategy and team management to law and business students at UVA. Mr. Donovan has long been involved in efforts supporting medical research and cancer treatment and prevention, serving on the Board of Directors of the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health and the Board of Trustees of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
J. Christopher Giancarlo of New Jersey will serve as Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Mr. Giancarlo was confirmed to be a Commissioner at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission by unanimous consent of the Senate on June 3, 2014. He was designated as Acting Chairman of the Commission on January 20, 2017. Before entering public service, Mr. Giancarlo served as the Executive Vice President of GFI Group Inc., a financial services firm. Prior to joining GFI, he was Executive Vice President and U.S. Legal Counsel of Fenics Software and was a corporate partner in the New York law firm of Brown Raysman Millstein Felder & Steiner. He attended Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa with Government Department Honors. Mr. Giancarlo received his law degree from the Vanderbilt University School of Law where he was an associate research editor at the Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law and President of the Law School’s International Law Society.
Eric D. Hargan of Illinois will serve as Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services. Mr. Hargan is a shareholder of Greenberg Traurig, LLP in its Health & FDA Business practice, based in Chicago. He earned a BA cum laude in philosophy from Harvard University, and a JD from Columbia University Law School. Mr. Hargan previously served the Department from 2003-2007 as Deputy General Counsel, as Principal Associate Deputy Secretary and as Acting Deputy Secretary. In 2014-2015, he served as Co-Chair and Convener of the Healthcare and Human Services Transition Committee for Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner. In 2016-2017, he served on President Trump’s transition team for HHS. He is a previous recipient of the HHS Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service. He and his wife currently reside in the Chicago suburbs with their two sons.
Adam Lerrick of Wyoming will serve as Deputy Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Finance and upon confirmation will be designated as an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Finance. Mr. Lerrick is a Visiting Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. From 2001 to 2010, he was the Friends of Allan H. Meltzer Professor of Economics at Carnegie Mellon University. From 2001 to 2007, Mr. Lerrick served as Advisor on International Economic Policy to the Joint Economic Committee of Congress. He was also an Advisor on International Economic Policy to the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives. He was awarded a PhD and Institute Scholar, in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. A Phi Betta Kappa, he graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University in Economics.
Andrew K. ”Drew“ Maloney of Virginia will serve as Deputy Under Secretary of the Treasury for Legislative Affairs and upon confirmation will be designated as an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Legislative Affairs. Mr. Maloney is a recognized government affairs expert with over 25 year of experience. Prior to his nomination, he was Vice President of Global Government and External Affairs for the Hess Corporation. Mr. Maloney also served as CEO of Ogilvy Government Relations, a prominent bipartisan government affairs firm. In addition to his professional experience, Mr. Maloney has served as a senior advisor to several presidential campaigns and counseled on presidential legislative transition efforts. He also held senior positions in the U.S. House of Representatives, including working for members of the House Leadership. Maloney originally from Rockingham County, Virginia earned his BA from Randolph-Macon College where he is a member of the Board of Trustees, and his JD from Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law.
David Malpass of New York will serve as Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs. Mr. Malpass returns to the Treasury after an extensive career in government and international finance. He served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Developing Nations in the Reagan Administration and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the George H. W. Bush Administration. Mr. Malpass was also a Senior Tax Analyst on the Senate Budget Committee during the preparations for the 1986 Tax Act and Republican Staff Director of Congress’s Joint Economic Committee. He was founder of Encima Global, an economic research firm. Mr. Malpass served as Senior Economic Advisor for President Trump’s campaign. He has appeared in the media as a commentator and columnist on issues focusing on growth policies, the Federal Reserve, tax reform, and international monetary policy. Mr. Malpass holds a BA from Colorado College and an MBA from University of Denver.
Sigal Mandelker of New York will serve as Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. Ms. Mandelker is currently a partner at Proskauer Rose LLP. She previously served in senior law enforcement and national security positions at the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. As Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice, Sigal oversaw four major sections and a number of significant cross-border prosecutions. Prior to that position, she served as Counselor to the Secretary of Homeland Security. She also previously worked on counterterrorism and national security issues as Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General. Sigal was also an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Sigal served as a law clerk to the Honorable Clarence Thomas, U.S. Supreme Court, and to the Honorable Edith H. Jones, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Sigal received her JD from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and her BA from the University of Michigan.
Brent James McIntosh of Michigan will serve as General Counsel for the Department of the Treasury. Mr. McIntosh is a partner in the law firm of Sullivan & Cromwell. He was born and raised in Michigan, and he earned degrees from the University of Michigan and Yale Law School. After law school, he was a law clerk to Judge Dennis Jacobs of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and to Judge Laurence H. Silberman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. From 2004 until 2006, he served in the Office of Legal Policy at the U.S. Department of Justice, including as a Deputy Assistant Attorney General. He served in the White House from 2006 until 2009, first as Associate Counsel to the President and then as Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Staff Secretary.
March 14, President Donald J. Trump spoke today with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany to postpone the Chancellor’s planned visit to the White House on March 14, due to inclement weather in the northeast region of the United States. Both leaders agreed to reschedule Chancellor Merkel’s visit for Friday, March 17. The President and the Chancellor look forward to reaffirming their shared determination to stand together in confronting mutual challenges.
Travel Ban is denied again. This time with HawaiianU.S. District Judge Derrick Watson.
HONOLULU (AP) — Hours before it was to take effect, President Donald Trump’s revised travel ban was put on hold Wednesday by a federal judge in Hawaii who questioned whether the administration was motivated by national security concerns.
U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson also said Hawaii would suffer financially if the executive order blocked the flow of students and tourists to the state, and he concluded that Hawaii was likely to succeed on a claim that the ban violates First Amendment protections against religious discrimination.
“The illogic of the government’s contentions is palpable,” Watson wrote. “The notion that one can demonstrate animus toward any group of people only by targeting all of them at once is fundamentally flawed.”
The judge issued his 43-page ruling less than two hours after hearing Hawaii’s request for a temporary restraining order to stop the ban from being put into practice.
The ruling came as opponents renewed their legal challenges across the country, asking judges in three states to block the executive order that targets people from six predominantly Muslim countries. Federal courts in Maryland, Washington state and Hawaii heard arguments about whether it should be allowed to take effect early Thursday as scheduled.
In all, more than half a dozen states are trying to stop the ban.
Watson made it clear that his decision applied nationwide, ruling that the ban could not be enforced at any U.S. borders or ports of entry or in the issuance of visas.
Nominated to the federal bench by President Barack Obama in 2012, he is currently the only Native Hawaiian judge serving on the federal bench and the fourth in U.S. history. He received his law degree from Harvard in 1991.
In Maryland, attorneys told a federal judge that the measure still discriminates against Muslims.
Government attorneys argued that the ban was revised substantially to address legal concerns, including the removal of an exemption for religious minorities from the affected countries.
“It doesn’t say anything about religion. It doesn’t draw any religious distinctions,” said Jeffrey Wall, who argued for the Justice Department.
Attorneys for the ACLU and other groups said that Trump’s statements on the campaign trail and statements from his advisers since he took office make clear that the intent of the ban is to ban Muslims. Trump policy adviser Stephen Miller has said the revised order was designed to have “the same basic policy outcome” as the first.
The new version of the ban details more of a national security rationale. It is narrower and eases some concerns about violating the due-process rights of travelers.
It applies only to new visas from Somalia, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya and Yemen and temporarily shuts down the U.S. refugee program. It does not apply to travelers who already have visas.
“Generally, courts defer on national security to the government,” said U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang. “Do I need to conclude that the national security purpose is a sham and false?”
In response, ACLU attorney Omar Jadwat pointed to Miller’s statement and said the government had put out misleading and contradictory information about whether banning travel from six specific countries would make the nation safer.
The Maryland lawsuit also argues that it’s against federal law for the Trump administration to reduce the number of refugees allowed into the United States this year by more than half, from 110,000 to 50,000. Attorneys argued that if that aspect of the ban takes effect, 60,000 people would be stranded in war-torn countries with nowhere else to go.
Chuang made no immediate ruling.
In the Hawaii case, the federal government said there was no need to issue an emergency restraining order because Hawaii officials offered only “generalized allegations” of harm.
Jeffrey Wall of the Office of the Solicitor General challenged Hawaii’s claim that the order violates due-process rights of Ismail Elshikh as a U.S. citizen who wants his mother-in-law to visit his family from Syria. He says courts have not extended due-process rights outside of a spousal relationship.
Neal Katyal, a Washington, D.C., attorney representing Hawaii, called the story of Elshiskh, an Egyptian immigrant and naturalized U.S. citizen, “the story of America.”
In Washington state, U.S. District Judge James Robart — who halted the original ban last month — heard arguments in a lawsuit brought by the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, which is making arguments similar to the ACLU’s in the Maryland case.
Yesterday at the White House, President Donald J. Trump and Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reaffirmed their support for a strong, broad, and enduring strategic partnership based on a shared interest and commitment to the stability and prosperity of the Middle East region. They directed their teams to explore additional steps across a broad range of political, military, security, economic, cultural, and social dimensions to further strengthen and elevate the United States-Saudi strategic relationship for the benefit of both countries. U.S. and Saudi officials intend to consult on additional steps to deepen commercial ties and promote investment, and to expand cooperation in the energy sector. The President and the Deputy Crown Prince noted the importance of confronting Iran’s destabilizing regional activities while continuing to evaluate and strictly enforce the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The President expressed his strong desire to achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to continue the two countries’ consultations to help reach solutions for regional issues. More broadly, the President and Deputy Crown Prince noted the ongoing security and military cooperation between the two countries in confronting Daesh/ISIS and other transnational terrorist organizations that pose a threat to all nations.
The two countries announced their determination to strengthen their cooperation in the economic, commercial, investment, and energy fields, with the aim of realizing growth and prosperity in the two countries and the global economy. President Trump provided his support for developing a new United States-Saudi program, undertaken by joint U.S.-Saudi working groups, and its unique initiatives in energy, industry, infrastructure, and technology worth potentially more than $200 billion in direct and indirect investments within the next four years. The President also provided his support for United States investments in Saudi Arabia and the facilitation of bilateral trade, which will result in sizable opportunities for both countries. On energy, the two countries affirmed their desire to continue bilateral consultations in a way that enhances the growth of the global economy and limits supply disruption and market volatility.
The two countries highlighted that expanded economic cooperation could create as many as one million direct American jobs within the next four years, millions of indirect American jobs, as well as jobs in Saudi Arabia. The Deputy Crown Prince reviewed Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 program for the President and agreed to put in place specific bilateral programs to help both countries benefit from new opportunities created by the Kingdom’s implementation of those new economic plans.
___________________________________
Wednesday, March 15, Vice President Mike Pence will be honored and deliver remarks at the Irish Fund’s 25th Annual National Gala in Washington, D.C.
President Donald J. Trump appreciates the support from both the Senate Armed Services Committee and the full Senate for his nomination of General H.R. McMaster to continue to serve in the United States Army at the rank of Lieutenant General while also serving as his National Security Advisor. General McMaster’s distinguished career has included multiple overseas tours in the service of our country, experiences that will be invaluable as he provides President Trump with advice on the many challenges facing the United States around the globe. The Senate’s broad, bipartisan support for General McMaster affirms that he is the right person for this job.
___________________________________
Thursday, March 16, White House Budget to increase military spending by 54 billion. President wants to increase active duty army to 90,000 increasing the United States Navy to 350 naval ships.
Budget Cuts Coming for:
- State Department proposed budget cut 28%
- The National Endowment Of the Arts.
- The Corporation for National and Community Service: This includes such services as Meals On Wheels for the elderly or sick.
- The Corporation for Public Broadcasting
- The Woodrow Wilson International Center for scholars.
Domestic cuts to build up military
Department of Homeland Security increase
Department of education increase
President’s Budget Plan Must Be Approved By Congress
Some GOP Senators Say They’re Concerned About The Wall
Chancellor Angela Merkel will be arriving Friday, March 18 due to the weather she had to postpone her trip to Washington D.C.
Mick Mulvaney White House Budget
We can not fund programs just because they sound good.
We only support school programs where we see results.
Budget to give 54 Billion to military spending to build up our military for national security.
State Department Budget some U.S. Embassies require more security than others.
Meals on Wheels for the elderly is funded through the states or community service.
Press Secretary Sean Spicer
Senate Intel CMTE: Says no wiretapping proved at Trump Tower.
Spicer: The Press was clear that wiretapping meant surveillance.
Spicer brings proof that the OBAMA Administration seeks FISA warrant on Trump in October.His intentions are there.
Spicer: DOJ Has asked for another week to produce findings on wiretapping.
Spicer: There was a ton of reporting on surveillance
Spicer: it will take a little bit of time to tackle the national debt.
Spicer: The President is committed to Healthcare reform.
________________________________________
Friday, March 18, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany visits the White House. They discuss NATO and America’s involvement over the years seeing to the regrowth of Germany. Angela Merkel is facing an upcoming re-election and hoping she can pull more votes in where there isn’t a Germexit.
Source: Whitehouse.gov
Source: Breitbart
Travel Ban Halted Again!
2,466 Vetted Refugees from Muslim Ban Countries Have Entered U.S. Since Trump Took Office. In fact, 2,466 refugees from those six countries: Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen have entered the United States since Trump took office a Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. State Department data revealed this week.
President Trump’s Cabinet Update:
The nominee for deputy defense secretary, Patrick M. Shanahan, boasts long-time business experience at Boeing, one of the largest defense contractors in the country. He was personally recommended by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.
President Donald J. Trump has formally announced that the 24 people listed below will be serving with him on his Cabinet.
Vice President Michael R. Pence
Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson
Secretary of the Treasury Steven T. Mnuchin
Secretary of Defense James Mattis
Attorney General Jeff Sessions
Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke
Secretary of Agriculture-designate Sonny Perdue (announced)
Secretary of Commerce Wilbur L. Ross, Jr.
Secretary of Labor-designate Alexander Acosta
Secretary of Health and Human Services Thomas Price
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Benjamin S. Carson, Sr.
Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao
Secretary of Energy James Richard Perry
Secretary of Education Elisabeth Prince DeVos
Secretary of Veterans Affairs David J. Shulkin
Secretary of Homeland Security John F. Kelly
White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus
U.S. Trade Representative-designate Robert Lighthizer
Director of National Intelligence-designate Daniel Coats
Representative of the United States to the United Nations Nikki R. Haley
Director of the Office of Management and Budget Mick Mulvaney
Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Mike Pompeo
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Scott Pruitt
Administrator of the Small Business Administration Linda E. McMahon
I Heart America 