Jose Garcia
Jose Garcia's JournalPentagon confirms weekend drone strikes under Trump
Source: The Hill
The Pentagon confirmed Monday that it conducted three drone strikes in Yemen against al Qaeda militants over the weekend.
The strikes were the first since President Donald Trump was sworn in to office, but the Pentagon said the strikes did not require authorization from him or Defense Secretary James Mattis.
"Those authorities are delegated," Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said at a briefing.
Davis said one strike was conducted in al Bayda, Yemen each day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/defense/315669-pentagon-confirms-weekend-drone-strikes-in-yemen-against-al-qaeda-militants
Trump Signs Measure Granting Mattis Waiver To Serve As Defense Secretary
Source: The Associated Press
President Donald Trump has signed legislation that clears the way for his defense secretary pick — retired Marine Gen. James Mattis — to run the Pentagon, if confirmed by the Senate.
A vote on Mattis is expected Friday.
There’s a law that bars former service members who’ve been out of uniform for less than seven years from holding the top Pentagon job. The restriction is meant to preserve civilian control of the military.
The measure signed by Trump soon after his took office grants Mattis a one-time exception.
Read more: http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2017/01/20/trump-signs-measure-granting-mattis-waiver-to-serve-as-defense-secretary/
Trump said to elevate Ajit Pai to FCC chairman
Source: Politico
President Donald Trump will tap Ajit Pai as his pick to lead the FCC in the new administration, elevating the sitting GOP commissioner to the top spot overseeing the nation's communications industry, according to two industry sources familiar with decision.
The announcement could come as soon as this afternoon, the sources said. Pai, a Barack Obama nominee who has served as the senior FCC Republican for more than three years, could take the new role immediately and wouldn't require approval by the Senate because he was already confirmed to serve at the agency.
A spokesman for Pai declined to comment and the Trump transition team did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
Pai, who met with Trump in New York on Monday, had been seen by many as a top contender for the job given his reputation as a telecom law expert who’s comfortable in front of the camera. But his selection is also somewhat of a departure for the incoming administration, which has tapped people outside of Washington for many top positions.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/blogs/donald-trump-administration/2017/01/ajit-pai-fcc-chairman-233905
Assange lawyer: Manning commutation doesn't meet extradition offer's conditions
Source: The Hill
The attorney for Julian Assange said President Obama's commutation of Chelsea Manning’s sentence does not meet the conditions of the WikiLeaks head's offer to be extradited to the United States if Manning were pardoned.
Obama on Tuesday commuted Manning’s sentence for leaking classified information to WikiLeaks, leading many to wonder whether that meant Assange was ready to surrender to the Department of Justice.
“Mr. Assange welcomes the announcement that Ms. Manning's sentence will be reduced and she will be released in May, but this is well short of what he sought,” said Barry Pollack, Assange’s U.S.-based attorney, via email.
“Mr. Assange had called for Chelsea Manning to receive clemency and be released immediately.”
Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/314783-assange-lawyer-conditions-not-met-for-assange-manning-extradition-offer
Vietnam vets group asks Obama to also pardon veterans
Source: The Hill
A veteran service organization is asking President Obama to also pardon veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder who received a less-than-honorable discharge, after he pardoned former Army private Chelsea Manning.
"As pardons are being issued to people who have been convicted of serious felonies, veterans who served their country in combat wait to be offered the same clemency," said John Rowan, national president of Vietnam Veterans of America.
With four days left in office, the administration announced Tuesday that it was commuting Manning's sentence, in addition to 208 others, and pardoning 64. Manning was serving a 35-year prison sentence for leaking classified information to Wikileaks. He will be released May 17, seven years after entering prison.
Manning, who is transgender, has reportedly struggled with mental health issues during her incarceration and solitary confinement, including two suicide attempts.
Read more: http://www.thehill.com/policy/defense/314817-vietnam-vets-group-asks-obama-to-also-pardon-veterans
Italian Tajani wins run-off vote for presidency of European Parliament
Source: Deutsche Welle
Long-time Italian commissioner to the EU Antonio Tajani has won the run-off vote to become the new president of the European Parliament. He beat Gianni Pittella in a final run-off vote.
The political leadership of the European Parliament changed on Tuesday as Antonio Tajani was elected president of the European Parliament.
Ahead of the run-off, in the third round ballot, Tajani won 291 votes compared to 199 for the center-left Socialists and Democrats' (S&D) Gianni Pittella. Flemish nationalist Helga Stevens from the European Conservatives and Reformers was third with 58 and her group then gave its backing to Tajani.
Antonio Tajani had been elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) four times. Ahead of the vote he was one of 14 vice-presidents of the European Parliament.
Read more: http://www.dw.com/en/italian-tajani-wins-run-off-vote-for-presidency-of-european-parliament/a-37168596
The Beach Boys will headline the Black Tie and Boots inaugural ball
Source: The Washington Post
“The Beach Boys,” that prototypical all-American boy band founded in 1961, will perform at the Texas State Society’s “Black Tie and Boots” inaugural ball on Jan. 19, according to several people close to the planning of the quadrennial bash.
“Everyone loves the Beach Boys, right?” said one individual, adding that the headliners, who it had been previously reported were mulling over an offer to appear in Washington during President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration festivities, were a “great act.”
Last December, a representative for the band, which since 2012 officially includes original member Mike Love and longtime member Bruce Johnston, told Billboard magazine that the group had been asked to perform but “no decision has been made at this point as to how or whether they will participate.”
That hesitation has become old hat in regards to this year’s inauguration. So far, the 2017 festivities have been a tough sell for those entertainers seeking to juggle an increasingly, er, opinionated fan base and any perceived political affiliations. Most recently Broadway star Jennifer Holliday backed out of singing at the official welcome concert due to swift backlash from her fans following the announcement that she’d be participating. And the B-Street Band, a Bruce Springsteen cover band, backed out of performing at Thursday’s Garden State Inaugural Gala.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/reliable-source/wp/2017/01/17/the-beach-boys-will-headline-the-black-tie-and-boots-inaugural-ball/?utm_term=.e56a88d2a7c1
Franken to vote against Sessions
Source: The Hill
Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) says he opposes making Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) President-elect Donald Trump’s attorney general.
“I’m going to vote against Senator Sessions,” he said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Friday. "I just don’t feel comfortable that he would protect all Americans’ rights.”
Franken joins Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) in opposing Sessions as the nation’s top law enforcement official.
“After reviewing his record and giving careful consideration to his answers during the hearing, I am not confident in Senator Sessions’ ability to be a defender of the rights of all Americans, or to serve as an independent check on the incoming administration,” Schumer said in a statement announcing his opposition Thursday.
Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/314157-franken-to-vote-against-sessions
Kaine to vote for Mattis, oppose Tillerson
Source: The Hill
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) announced Friday that he will support President-Elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon but not his secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
The former Democratic vice presidential nominee said he will support James Mattis to the lead the Defense Department because he thinks he is "well prepared" and could provide Trump with "wise and strategic counsel."
"In his testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee yesterday, he demonstrated a clear-eyed view of our current national security environment and a deep appreciation for the challenges facing U.S. servicemembers and their families," he said in a statement.
Kaine on Thursday voted to give Mattis a waiver which will allow him to bypass the requirement that defense secretaries be out of uniform for at least seven years.
Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/314152-kaine-to-vote-for-mattis-oppose-tillerson
Fox News analyst running for DNC chair
Source: The Hill
Democratic strategist and Fox News analyst Jehmu Greene is entering the race for chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
Greene announced her candidacy late Thursday in an email to DNC members, Politico reported.
“After a historic year and devastating losses up and down the ballot, it is women who are stepping up to protect the rights of every American,” she wrote.
“We are organizing, taking action, and marching to demonstrate our opposition to the next administration’s hurtful, hateful policies. Like so many women across the country, I am stepping up and putting myself out there. I am running for DNC chair.”
Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/314138-fox-news-analyst-joins-dnc-race-report
Profile Information
Member since: Fri Dec 2, 2016, 01:17 PMNumber of posts: 2,612
