This Lame Duck GOP Senator’s Excuse for Blocking Trump Judges Will Set Your Hair on Fire
By The Daily Caller. Outgoing GOP Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona is blocking votes on all of President Donald Trump’s appeals court nominees to secure concessions from Republican leaders on tariffs and Cuban travel restrictions.
Flake, a Trump antagonist who is not seeking reelection amid floundering popularity with Arizona Republicans, has not openly addressed the matter, though his seat on a closely divided Senate Judiciary Committee gives him significant leverage over judgeships.
Roll Call first reported that Flake halted a committee vote on Georgia Supreme Court Justice Britt Grant’s nomination to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the federal appeals court based in Atlanta. CNN confirmed late Wednesday that the senator will block all appeals court nominees to prompt discussions on relations with Cuba and the president’s escalating trade war with much of the industrial world.
Flake is one of 11 Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which issues recommendations on judicial nominees before a final confirmation vote. The GOP has a one-vote majority on the panel, making Flake’s cooperation essential if Republicans wish to process candidates.
As of this writing, there are 10 appeals court nominees pending before the committee, including a candidate for the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, a regular target of conservative scorn and has jurisdiction over Flake’s home state. (Read more from “This Lame Duck GOP Senator’s Excuse for Blocking Trump Judges Will Set Your Hair on Fire” HERE)
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At Rally in Minnesota, Trump Says Border Will Stay “Tough”
By CBS News. President Trump was in his element Wednesday night at a rally in Duluth, Minn., where supporters cheered him on as he blasted illegal immigration, praised his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, promoted his new “Space Force” and mocked protesters.
In the roughly one-hour rally, the president jumped from topic to topic, as he often does, lightly touching on his decision earlier in the day to temporarily end family separation at the border. Mr. Trump said the U.S. will still be “tough” at the border, despite that policy change by executive order, a policy change Mr. Trump had said only days ago couldn’t be done by executive order.
Mr. Trump also reiterated his claim that he will halt foreign aid to countries from which people immigrate illegally.
“They’re not sending their finest,” Mr. Trump said. “We’re sending them the hell back. That’s what we’re doing.” (Read more from “At Rally in Minnesota, Trump Says Border Will Stay “Tough” HERE)
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