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So, Did a Trump Joke Prompt Russia to Hack Hillary Clinton?

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By Daily Wire. On Friday, the Mueller investigation handed down 12 indictments against members of the Russian government for hacking Hillary Clinton’s emails, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and the Democratic National Committee, among other crimes. There wasn’t much regarding Trump campaign involvement with these Russian agents. The strongest material linked the agents to Roger Stone, a Trump campaign ally who may not have been aware that they were Russian agents at all: he repeatedly tweeted out his support for Guccifer 2.0, who turned out to be a front for the Russians.

With that said, one specific allegation has inflamed the imaginations of those in the media and on the Left: the supposed linkage between then-candidate Donald Trump’s July 27 campaign comments, and the GRU’s attempts to hack Hillary Clinton’s personal email address. . .

It seems clear from the language used in the indictment that the DOJ is trying to connect Trump’s comments with the Russian interference in this case – “after hours” and “for the first time” suggest that something prompted this action. But even if Trump openly called for Russia to hack Hillary and she was hacked, that’s not collusion in any real sense – it’s just nasty, inexcusable jabbering followed by Russian criminality. For there to be collusion, there would have to be planning or a quid pro quo, and there’s no evidence of any of that right now. (Read more from “So, Did Trump Prompt Russia to Hack Hillary Clinton?” HERE)

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White House: Trump-Putin Summit ‘Is on’ After Hacking Indictment

By BBC. A summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin will go ahead as planned despite tension over Moscow’s alleged election meddling, the White House says.

The pair will meet for talks in the Finnish capital, Helsinki, on Monday.

“It’s on,” White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters.

But there are calls for the meeting to be cancelled after the US charged 12 Russian intelligence officers with election interference on Friday.

For its part, Russia said it was looking forward to the meeting. (Read more from “White House: Trump-Putin Summit ‘Is on’ After Hacking Indictment” HERE)

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Ignore the Protesters: This Is How the British Really Feel About Trump

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Thanks to the exaggerated outrage of the mainstream media and the attention-seeking protests of London leftists, a narrative seems to have set in that the vast majority of British people oppose this week’s visit of President Trump. As a Brit myself, however, I am delighted to confirm this lazy slur could not be further from the truth.

In reality, the vast majority of British conservatives (and a good chunk of floating voters too) are coming to admire Trump. His unmistakable approach to politics – straight-talking, honest and completely fearless – is increasingly viewed with envy by British voters tired of backsliding career politicians. Brits look over the Atlantic and see a leader who actually puts his money where his mouth is – and gets results for it too.

To fully understand Trump’s popularity, you have to look at the current state of British politics. Over two years since the country voted to leave the European Union, we have seen virtually zero progress at delivering on the result of the referendum. Rather than battling with Brussels to return our sovereignty, end uncontrolled immigration, and give a better deal to British business, Theresa May’s government has been paralyzed by infighting, trying desperately to scrap together compromises which keep the establishment forces on side. Earlier this year, a British political journalist revealed that Trump often begins his calls with the Prime Minister by asking “are you out yet?” – and you can see why.

It’s no surprise that Brits are increasingly frustrated with the government’s mishandling of Brexit. What’s more interesting is that when you ask them what kind of leader they want to get us out of this mess, an increasing number are saying the same thing: someone like Trump. Brexit supporters observe how he deals with similar rubbish deals (the Iranian nuclear fiasco, for one) and they realize how much more can be achieved when leaders actually show some muscle.

Then there’s the fact that Trump remains the only international leader to publicly suggest offering Britain a new trade deal – something which is wildly popular with mainstream voters. While Brexit’s critics may paint the vote as insular and backwards, they forget that our biggest motivation for leaving Europe was to strike better trade deals elsewhere. As a businessman, Trump respects this. He has made loud and clear overtures in support of a big deal (unlike President Obama, who famously warned the Brits they would be “at the back of the queue” if they left the EU). (Read more from “Ignore the Protesters: This Is How the British Really Feel About Trump” HERE)

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Bombshell Interview: Trump Unleashes on British Leader – and It’s Really Bad

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By The Blaze. President Trump criticized British Prime Minister Theresa May’s handling of Brexit negotiations — and says a US trade deal with the UK may be now be off the table. . .

Trump noted that recent cabinet resignations in May’s administration stemmed from opposition to her plan, which is seen by critics as keeping the government too closely aligned with the EU — after Brits voted to operate their own independent economy starting eight months from now.

Speaking about the prime minister’s strategy, President Trump said, “I would have done it much differently. I actually told Theresa May how to do it, but she didn’t listen to me.”

He added, “If they do a deal like that, we would be dealing with the European Union instead of dealing with the UK, so it will probably kill the deal,” and, “if they do that, then their trade deal with the US will probably not be made.”

While insisting that he thinks May is a nice person, President Trump dismissed a report from The Washington Post that he thinks of the prime minister as “a bossy schoolteacher.” (Read more from “Trump Unleashes on British Leader – and It’s Really Bad” HERE)

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In Explosive Interview, Trump Says Theresa May’s Brexit Plan Will ‘Kill’ a U.S.-UK Trade Deal

By Business Insider. President Donald Trump has said British Prime Minister Theresa May’s proposed Brexit plan will “probably kill” off any chance of a UK-US trade deal.

Trump’s remarks, made in a bombshell interview with The Sun published Thursday during his first visit to Britain as US president, are an explosive intervention into British politics that seem likely to cause political chaos and imperil the prime minister as she attempts to negotiate Britain’s exit from the European Union.

May’s proposal was finalized Friday and quickly sparked a slew of high-profile political resignations from her Cabinet, including Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Brexit Secretary David Davis, over concerns the plans would leave the UK too closely linked to the EU. (Read more from “In Explosive Interview, Trump Says Theresa May’s Brexit Plan Will ‘Kill’ a U.S.-UK Trade Deal” HERE)

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Leftist Activist Blames Trump for Racist ‘White Mother’ Attacking Elderly Man. That’s Not What Happened.

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By The Daily Wire. . .According to KABC News, Rodolfo Rodriguez passed a woman who looked upset while walking down the street. “The woman pushed him and dropped him. She took the block of concrete and hit him in his head many times,” said one witness. Several other men joined in and helped beat Rodriguez, too, “at times using what appeared to be a brick or a piece of concrete,” the witness added.

The heartbreaking story instantly went viral, and leftists were quick to blame President Donald Trump for the attack. In one glaring example, leading leftist activist and president of The New Agenda Amy Siskind boldly stated that the unidentified assailant was a “white mother,” adding that the attack was a direct result of the man in the White House. “This is Donald Trump,” she declared.

“A white mother beat a 92-year-old Hispanic man with a brick in the face on Independence Day,” she wrote in a tweet that has since been deleted. “He has legitimized the worst of us: ‘Go back to your country, why are you here, bad things.’ F*** racist [White House advisor] Stephen Miller and his $80 sushi.”

But Siskind’s crafted and politically-motivated narrative is false. It turns out that the suspect is a 30-year-old black woman identified by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as Laquisha Jones. Not a “white mother.”

Curiously, Siskind deleted her tweet without explanation. The Daily Wire’s Ryan Saavedra asked the activist about the deletion, but did not receive an answer. He was, however, blocked by Siskind in roughly seven minutes time.

(Read more from “Leftist Activist Blames Trump for Racist ‘White Mother’ Attacking Elderly Man. That’s Not What Happened.” HERE)

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Arrest Made in Beating of 91 Year Old Who Reportedly Was Told to ‘Go Back to Mexico’

By CNN Wire. A week after a 91-year-old Mexican man says he was beaten with a concrete block in Southern California, a woman has been arrested in connection with the assault, authorities said.

Laquisha Jones, 30, was arrested Tuesday night in Los Angeles on suspicion of beating Rodolfo Rodriguez last week, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said.

She was being held on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon, with bail set at $200,000.

The 91 year old was discharged from the hospital so he could recover at home. That’s where he spoke to reporters about being attacked by a group of people while going for a walk on the Fourth of July.

“I can’t walk anymore,” Rodriguez said in Spanish. “I’m in so much pain.” (Read more from “Arrest Made in Beating of 91 Year Old Who Reportedly Was Told to ‘Go Back to Mexico’” HERE)

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Trump Pardons Hammond Ranchers

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By NPR. President Trump signed full pardons on Tuesday for Oregon cattle ranchers Dwight Hammond Jr. and son Steven Hammond, whose long-running dispute with the federal government ended with prison sentences for arson — and later inspired the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupation.

In its statement announcing the pardon, the White House said, “The Hammonds are devoted family men, respected contributors to their local community, and have widespread support from their neighbors, local law enforcement, and farmers and ranchers across the West.”

It added: “Dwight Hammond is now 76 years old and has served approximately three years in prison. Steven Hammond is 49 and has served approximately four years in prison. They have also paid $400,000 to the United States to settle a related civil suit.” (Read more from “Trump Pardons Hammond Ranchers” HERE)

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Oregon Ranchers Pardoned by Trump Arrive Home

By CBS News. Father and son ranchers, who were the focus of a battle about public lands and were freed from prison after receiving a presidential pardon, were welcomed home Wednesday in Oregon by relatives and horseback riders carrying American flags. A crowd of 100 people, including supporters who drove from all over the West Coast, also helped welcome the Hammonds home — proudly displaying Americans flags on their trucks and signs praising President Trump, CBS Portland affiliate KOIN reports.

“We’re going to do a lot of decompressing and get back to our families,” Steven Hammond told reporters and well-wishers after he and his father Dwight stepped from a private jet and into the arms of family members in the high-desert town of Burns.

Just 25 miles away is Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, which was taken over in 2016 by armed protesters angered by the five-year prison sentences given to the Hammonds after they were convicted of setting fires on federal land. The standoff lasted 41 days, ending when occupation leaders Ammon and Ryan Bundy were arrested and LaVoy Finicum was killed by authorities.

The occupiers, who believe federal control of public lands violates the Constitution, insisted the Hammonds were victimized by federal overreach. (Read more from “Oregon Ranchers Pardoned by Trump Arrive Home” HERE)

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Trump Breaks NATO: Leaders Pledge ‘Unwavering Commitment’ to Boost Defense Spending

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By The Daily Wire. Leaders of member nations that belong to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) pledged their “unwavering commitment” to increasing their defense funding of the organization after President Donald Trump slammed the group for treating the United States unfairly.

The commitment from European leaders came after Trump publicly embarrassed NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg during a meeting early on Wednesday morning. . .

“So, we’re protecting Germany, we’re protecting France, we’re protecting all of these countries,” Trump said. “And then numerous of the countries go out and make a pipeline deal with Russia where they’re paying billions of dollars into the coffers of Russia. So, we are supposed to protect you against Russia.”

“You tell me if that is appropriate.” Trump continued. “This has been going on for decades. This has been brought up by other presidents, but other presidents never did anything about it.” (Read more from “Trump Breaks NATO: Leaders Pledge ‘Unwavering Commitment’ to Boost Defense Spending” HERE)

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NATO Pledges to Boost Defense Spending After Stern Words From Trump

By Fox News. . .The U.S. and European allies signed a declaration stating they are “committed to improving the balance of sharing the costs and responsibilities of alliance membership.”

The declaration comes after confrontational and testy discussions between Trump and other NATO leaders.

Since the election, Trump has criticized NATO countries for not paying their fair share, while suggesting he would only come to the defense of NATO nations that fulfilled their financial obligation.

Trump also has pressed NATO countries to fulfill their goal of spending 2 percent of their gross domestic products on defense by 2024. NATO estimates that 15 members, or just over half, will meet that benchmark based on current trends. . .

Via Twitter, he called for members to meet the 2 percent commitment immediately. And in a statement Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Trump, at the summit, “suggested that countries not only meet their commitment of 2 percent of their GDP on defense spending, but that they increase it to 4 percent. Trump wants to see our allies share more of the burden and at a very minimum meet their already stated obligations.” (Read more from “NATO Pledges to Boost Defense Spending After Stern Words From Trump” HERE)

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Mueller Reveals Tenuous Link Between Manafort Charges and Trump

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It’s often been observed that special counsel Robert Mueller, assigned to investigate alleged Trump-Russia collusion in the 2016 presidential campaign, has yet to charge anyone with a crime involving Trump-Russia collusion in the 2016 presidential campaign.

The biggest of Mueller’s indictments, that of one-time Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, has no connection at all to collusion. And until a few days ago, it appeared to have no connection to Donald Trump, either.

Now, though, Mueller has revealed why he believes the Manafort prosecution is related to the 2016 Trump campaign. It’s a small part, a very small part, of the overall charges against Manafort. And it has nothing to do with any actions by the candidate — now the president — himself.

Mueller’s revelation came in an argument he is having with the Manafort defense over what subjects can and cannot be discussed in front of jurors in Manafort’s upcoming trial. (Manafort is charged in both Virginia and the District of Columbia with various counts of bank fraud, tax evasion and failure to register as a representative of foreign interests; the Virginia trial is scheduled to begin later this month.)

Manafort doesn’t want the jurors to hear about any theories of collusion between Trump and Russia. Beyond that, Manafort doesn’t even want the jurors to hear about his connection with Donald Trump. Given the degree of anti-Trump feeling in the heavily Democratic District of Columbia and in northern Virginia — the Manafort filing dryly notes that jurors are “likely to have strong views about President Trump” — that’s an understandable feeling. (Read more from “Mueller Reveals Tenuous Link Between Manafort Charges and Trump” HERE)

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‘Children’ at Border Included Murderers, Rapists

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Official government incident reports obtained by Judicial Watch after three years of delay provide a clearer profile of the “unaccompanied alien children” who flooded the U.S. border during the Obama administration and continue to arrive, documenting that among them were admitted murderers, rapists, drug smugglers, prostitutes and human traffickers. . .

Significantly, he said, the incident reports “also support the Trump administration’s contention that the UAC crisis, which continues, includes murderers, rapists, drug smugglers and human traffickers being routinely allowed into the United States.”

Trump – who has faced fierce criticism for enforcing a policy in effect under Presidents Bush and Obama requiring that children of parents being prosecuted for illegal entry be temporarily put in the custody of HHS – has argued gangs such as MS-13 have “exploited the loopholes in our laws to enter the country as unaccompanied alien minors.”

Judicial Watch began investigating the matter in 2014 when a wave of “unaccompanied alien children,” or UACs, overwhelmed the government’s capacity at the southwest border. The documents from the Health and Human Services Department’s Administration for Children and Families were submitted to the Office of Refugee Resettlement from May to November 2014.

Judicial Watch filed a Freedom of Information Act request Nov. 12, 2014, but only now has received the documents. (Read more from “‘Children’ at Border Included Murderers, Rapists” HERE)

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U.S. Embassy in London Alerts Americans of Possible Violence During Trump Visit

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By The Blaze. . .Widespread protests are being planned across Britain to take place while the US president is in the country. In an effort to prepare and warn Americans ahead of the demonstrations, the US Embassy is encouraging its citizens to take extra precautions.

With tens of thousands of Brits signed up to take part in the protests of President Trump’s policies, the embassy further warned that “several of the events are expected to attract large crowds and there will be road closures in connection with these events.” . . .

It’s all about “the resistance.” Environmentalist groups, trade unions, refugee advocates and other interest groups are teaming up to try and make the president’s visit as uncomfortable as possible. . .

Shabbir Lakha, organizer for Together Against Trump — a coalition representing several groups — said, “We want to show our opposition to Donald Trump and everything that he represents.”

News editor Gordon Robertson of The Daily Record said, “We have a great respect for the office of the president and affection for American presidents, but not the incumbent.” Robertson called President Trump “a threat to international stability,” and added that “he has a tenuous relationship with the truth. We want to let him know that we don’t appreciate what he stands for.” (Read more from “U.S. Embassy in London Alerts Americans of Possible Violence During Trump Visit” HERE)

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President Donald Trump Talks of UK ‘Turmoil’ Ahead of Visit

By BBC. The UK is in “turmoil” and “it is up to the people” whether Theresa May stays as prime minister, Donald Trump has said ahead of his first visit to the country as US President.

Mr Trump told reporters before leaving Washington there were “a lot of things going on” in the UK at the moment.

He said he got on well with Mrs May and had “always liked” Boris Johnson, who quit as foreign secretary on Monday.

Mr Trump arrives on Thursday after attending the Nato summit.

The US President is set to arrive in the UK on the same day as the government publishes its White Paper setting out in more detail Mrs May’s controversial offer to the EU on future relations after Brexit. (Read more from “President Donald Trump Talks of UK ‘Turmoil’ Ahead of Visit” HERE)

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Trump’s Supreme Court Pick Sends Three Messages

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In picking Brett Kavanaugh for the U.S. Supreme Court, President Trump sent three messages.

1) Contrary to his pledge during the presidential debates, appointing judges that will overturn Roe v. Wade is not a top priority for President Trump — or at least not right now. Kavanaugh could very well pleasantly surprise us and be such a vote. Provided the pro-life movement puts a credible challenge to Roe before the Court, which it hasn’t done since Casey a quarter century ago. However, it’s guess-work either way. Amy Barrett, on the other hand, was a moral certitude to be such a vote (which is why the base wanted her). Kavanaugh, like his predecessor Anthony Kennedy (whom Kavanaugh used to clerk for) is a risk appointment for conservatives. Not necessarily a risk to be another Kennedy, as much as a risk to not turn out to be the game-changing upgrade we were hoping for. Think more John Roberts than Antonin Scalia.

2) President Trump is not interested in a prolonged ideological battle with Democrats, like Barrett would’ve ignited for months. Trump is much more comfortable with political guerrilla warfare. Like riffing at his rallies to fawning crowds, or condemning low-lying fruit like NFL kneelers and media hacktavists most of America already loathes. But here, for the first time in his presidency, he was presented the chance to truly go to war with the Left on something that really matters and determines the future, and there’s no way to spin it. He punted. Even in an election year when energizing his base, while triggering the alt-Left to public insanity, would’ve clearly helped him — he punted. Remember this missed opportunity later, should Democrats capture the House this fall and mire the president in impeachment next year.

3) The opinions of the conservative legal community, which loves Kavanaugh, matter greatly to Trump. While that’s inarguably better than anything that would’ve come from a President Hillary or any other Democrat, it also means you’re less likely to get choices that will push back on bad precedents like Roe, Kelo, etc. once on the High Court. Because this is pretty much what we see from these folks on the federal bench, too. They’re usually pretty good against new bad stuff, no threat at all against the old bad stuff. Kavanaugh is the consummate beltway legal beagle insider. He’s pretty much the same kind of pick you would’ve gotten from a Jeb Bush or any other conventional Republican had they won the presidency. He’s Team GOP, not MAGA.

Though conservative fundraising groups will send out their hosanna emails claiming otherwise, which they would’ve done had the president nominated a yellow dog, and Democrat groups will claim he’s a modern-day Moses come to re-impose Leviticus, this is all just political theater that will now be ignored out here in the cheap seats.

This is not a pick that will inspire the base to do anything other than yawn, and return to their summer. In 48 hours, he’ll largely be forgotten by most voters until his formal confirmation process begins.

It does Trump no harm, but not much good, either. Since Kavanaugh is likely to give the typical canned answers we’ve come to expect from GOP judicial nominees at confirmation hearings, he won’t have a chance to do anything that potentially pleases Trump’s base until after the midterm elections are over. Which he very well may do, but he won’t be doing it in time to alter the trajectory of the 2018 elections.

This is a political single that drives in a run, but it could’ve been a walk-off homer.

(For more from “Trump’s Supreme Court Pick Sends Three Messages” please click HERE)

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