Trump administration plans to bypass Congress on weapon sales

This administration has no respect for Congressional oversight.

Trump Officials Prepare to Bypass Congress to Sell Weapons to Gulf Nations – The New York Times https://t.co/3EdPMP7IB2
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) May 23, 2019

Thing is, this is not a partisan point. Trump is clearly and intentionally going around congress here because he knows it wouldn’t approve. As he did with wall money. You can defend or oppose the move but you can’t deny the fact. https://t.co/4myDvPW1sX
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) May 24, 2019

Background on Congressional subpoena power

This is a good backgrounder: https://t.co/xQtBkchD01
— Nick Schwellenbach (@schwellenbach) April 25, 2019

Subpoenas? Court Cases? Contempt of Congress? Things may soon get legally messy as House Democrats fight the Trump administration. @charlie_savage masterfully walks through what to expect. https://t.co/KJXVycjRN3
— Nicholas Fandos (@npfandos) May 2, 2019

More McConnell hypocrisy

1) The Trump administration lifts election-meddling sanctions on a Russian oligarch’s company

2) When Dems object, McConnell accuses them of trying to “politicize” the sanctions

3) The oligarch’s company invests $200M in a plant in McConnell’s home statehttps://t.co/cbwlKhoqif
— Public Citizen (@Public_Citizen) April 16, 2019

Do we need a more obvious example of quid pro quo? Just a shameful new display of Mitch McConnell & the GOP benefiting from its dirty dealing with Russia. https://t.co/2aZAvaWKFv
— Steven Beschloss (@StevenBeschloss) April 16, 2019

In January, the White House unilaterally lifted sanctions on Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska's company. Now, the company is making a huge investment in an aluminum plant in Mitch McConnell's home state.https://t.co/ISqhrA03GI
— The Moscow Project (@moscow_project) April 15, 2019

Individual 1 (Trump) should be prosecuted

I completely agree. Lock him up!

NEW COVER STORY: @RepAdamSchiff says "Individual 1" Donald Trump should be prosecuted—and he’s not giving up https://t.co/ATW2nQH5g6 pic.twitter.com/OYZC1VnIA6
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) April 16, 2019

I support Representative Omar

I don’t agree with everything she has said but I defend her against the attacks from Trump. His video distorts her message by showing only parts of what she said. She’s already getting death threats and will get more thanks to Trump.

Republicans will do nothing to defend her and Democrats haven’t done enough. This is a strategic move by Trump to divide the Democratic Party and I am sure he will attack people who defend her.

He’s the bigot and should be ashamed of his disgraceful behavior.

As a Jew, I’ve defended some of @IlhanMN’s comments while being deeply bothered by others. Having said that, the attack on her by the UNDENIABLY antisemitic, Islamophobic, xenophobic, misogynistic and generally racist President of the United States is horrifying. #IStandwithIlhan
— Charles Gaba (@charles_gaba) April 13, 2019

This sums up where I am very well.

Ilhan Omar never downplayed the events of 9/11. She is a cosponsor of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund.

Meanwhile, Mitch McConnell tried to defund the medical assistance for 9/11 first responders. Where's the outrage?
— Denizcan James (@MrFilmkritik) April 13, 2019

Donald Trump, chief respecter of 9/11:

1. Went on TV on 9/11 and bragged he now had the tallest building in lower Manhattan

2. Spent years falsely claiming that Muslims in New Jersey celebrated as towers fell

3. Collected 150K in recovery funds meant to assist small business
— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) April 13, 2019

“Be civil! When they go low, go high.”

Is basically—

“When they attack and incite until you are silenced or dead, we will celebrate what an honorable martyr you were while doing nothing to stop the violence that silenced you .” @IlhanMN needs support and protection. NOW.
— Karen Attiah (@KarenAttiah) April 13, 2019

Going high has failed. We have to fight back. There’s no bottom for how low Trump and his cult will go.

Our country is made better by Rep. Ilhan Omar’s voice and leadership in Congress. I am thankful for her courage and praying for her safety.

All Americans of good conscience must stand with the Muslim community & speak up against anti-Muslim bigotry stoked by inciteful rhetoric.
— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) April 13, 2019

As a Senator who represents 9/11 victims, I can't accept any minimizing of that pain. But Trump's dangerous rhetoric against @IlhanMN is disgusting. It’s a false choice to suggest we can’t fight terrorism and reject Islamophobic hate at once—a president should do both.
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) April 13, 2019

An important point: is any Republican or conservative critical of Omar willing to acknowledge Trump is inciting violence against a political opponent? Or will they deny the obvious, as in other examples of him inflaming racial resentment, and thus enable him as he does so? https://t.co/XF7HTvpdTZ
— Ronald Brownstein (@RonBrownstein) April 13, 2019

The President’s hateful, anti-Muslim attack on Congresswoman Omar is disgusting & dangerous.

Those enabling him ought to be ashamed. They are using 9/11 as a political ploy & it is just plain wrong. But they will not divide us. We have your back, @Ilhan.
— Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) April 13, 2019

President Trump targets Rep. Ilhan Omar with a video of Twin Towers burning https://t.co/XnGctbMKmZ
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) April 13, 2019

The President’s posting of an edited video of my colleague @Ilhan is beyond disgusting. His, and the New York Posts, use of out of context quotes to further divide our nation goes past uncivilized to dangerous.
— Albio Sires (@RepSires) April 13, 2019

Dan Crenshaw faked outrage over @IlhanMN's totally benign comments to spark a news cycle on Fox News and whip up his base. Now that base is bombarding her with death threats, and he wants to play dumb. Cannot overstate how rotten modern Republican politics have become. https://t.co/rymA8mpU25
— Carlos Maza (@gaywonk) April 13, 2019

In fact, @IlhanMN, has been outspoken in trying to call Saudi Arabia to account for the global violence that its extremist ideologies have played a role in.

Meanwhile, Trump refuses to reign in Saudi Arabia’s repression and terror 18 years after 9/11.
— Karen Attiah (@KarenAttiah) April 13, 2019

“A search for Omar’s name on Twitter reveals a host of recent death threats, including some lobbied at her and follow Democrats Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Rashida Tlaib.”#IStandWithIlhan https://t.co/WUwmevTAb4
— Kimberley Johnson (@AuthorKimberley) April 13, 2019

Shabbat shalom to @IlhanMN and our Black & Muslim family.

The attacks on you from the President are violent and unconscionable.

Our Jewish community has your back. We will not be silent. We will keep fighting for a world where your faith & your leadership are respected.
— Bend the Arc: Jewish Action (@jewishaction) April 13, 2019

Nearly 3,000 treasured lives were taken on 9/11. They should never be turned into pawns on a political chess board. Nor should a fellow American and public servant’s life be placed in danger by those appealing to hate rooted in Islamophobia.
— Antonio Delgado (@DelgadoforNY19) April 13, 2019

Bills passed by the House

There’s more to politics than Trump. Democrats have passed important bills that would improve our country. This doesn’t get anywhere near enough attention in the media.

Republicans have blocked more than a 100 bills from being voted on. Perhaps focusing on the senate might be a worthwhile idea. https://t.co/XvVAvisVOZ
— Molly Jong-Fast (@MollyJongFast) June 5, 2019

The narrative that Dems are obsessed with investigating rather than legislating is doubly stupid. First, they're doing a lot of legislating. Second, nothing can pass given R opposition – investigating is the only real power they have https://t.co/euYSRg43e8
— Paul Krugman (@paulkrugman) May 28, 2019

Actually the Dems in the House have passed dozens of bills but your bestie @senatemajldr has blocked them from coming to a vote in the Senate (just so you could tweet your lie). https://t.co/QLv4UrK62L
— Pete Souza (@PeteSouza) May 27, 2019

Wow. Reflecting on the past 100 days, I feel like we’re off to a really solid start as a Democratic majority in the people’s House. #ForThePeople pic.twitter.com/SFr9l3Mv2Y
— Rep. Andy Levin (@RepAndyLevin) April 12, 2019

Republicans attack AOC

She’s their new Hillary Clinton on Nancy Pelosi. Notice how they attack women. Their chant last night is frightening.

I think she’s very smart and have been impressed by her public remarks and questions at hearings. I don’t agree on everything but she knows the issues and background.

"AOC sucks!": Donald Trump Jr. points his father’s followers to a new villain, and a new rallying cry https://t.co/iwdWt7MXSr
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) March 29, 2019

The GOP's terrifying tale of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezhttps://t.co/YBw6RP5YR3 pic.twitter.com/5mgNa3GE1S
— Chris Cillizza (@CillizzaCNN) March 29, 2019

"Our progress in degeneracy appears to me to be pretty rapid."
— A. Lincoln, Aug. 24, 1855. https://t.co/UOvEob5e99
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) March 29, 2019

It’s almost as though there is a directed + concerted far-right propaganda machine with a whole cable news channel, and a dark-money internet operation propped up by the Mercers et al dedicated to maligning me & stoking nat’l division, reported on by @JaneMayerNYer or something https://t.co/HChBp04c8W
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 29, 2019

.@AOC says a GOP member of Congress confronted her on the House floor, accusing her of pocketing $10 million from Netflix. Quite an imagination! https://t.co/W8hyrMV7YW
— Marlow Stern (@MarlowNYC) March 22, 2019

The reason FOX News + Breitbart attack @AOC, @IlhanMN, @RashidaTlaib so much is because Rupert Murdoch and Robert Mercer want older, white voters to feel they have nothing in common with black & brown people who want to tax billionaires like them and provide health care to all.
— Waleed Shahid (@_waleedshahid) March 21, 2019

TIME’s new cover: “Change is closer than we think.” Inside Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s unlikely rise https://t.co/qV0hB6qDRd pic.twitter.com/L0RUIvuC3U
— TIME (@TIME) March 21, 2019

In order to understand @aoc, you have to look at what she experienced— and what she didn’t. Red Scare, Reaganomics & prosperous 90s were all before her time. Her adulthood was defined by financial crisis, debt & climate change. No wonder she and her peers are moving left
— Charlotte Alter (@CharlotteAlter) March 21, 2019

You know what’s amusing about this whole thing?

Our leg staff (who help w Qs) *also* worked in restaurants, grew up in Appalachian trailer parks, and come from immigrant families.

Wait until they find out I actually PAY them to do their jobs, coach them myself,& offer feedback. https://t.co/sd888Uxx0M
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 21, 2019

Critics of @AOC focus on silly things and it always backfires. Here Kilmeade is saying someone is writing her questions for her (which means he thinks they're good questions). I have a hard time believing he would say this about a man…and yes, staff help their members prepare! https://t.co/t66k991FjE
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) March 21, 2019

Paul Waldman is right that the right-wing hate machine will be turned on any Democrat. But I do think there's something special about AOC: she plays into their deepest insecurities, even more than Obama did 1/ https://t.co/pVER1mmYGR
— Paul Krugman (@paulkrugman) March 15, 2019

That’s okay – I’ll fight for their right to healthcare anyway. https://t.co/xvp76xoPVT
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 29, 2019

Trump and Republicans make unfounded attacks on Schiff

You know what? I'd rather stick my neck out, and be criticized by this president

than bury my head in the sand, and be judged by history.

If only more of my GOP colleagues could find the courage to do the same. https://t.co/vTRptPzIRD
— Adam Schiff (@AdamSchiff) March 29, 2019

They’re the liars. It’s pathetic how congressional Republicans just fall in line with Trump’s baseless attacks.

Trump’s the one loves Putin, our enemy. Schiff is a patriot.

I support Adam Schiff.

I say this to the President, and his defenders in Congress:

You may think it’s okay how Trump and his associates interacted with Russians during the campaign.

I don’t.

I think it’s immoral. I think it’s unethical. I think it’s unpatriotic. And yes, I think it’s corrupt. pic.twitter.com/nTdgRVfssQ
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) March 28, 2019

Trump is saying that it's okay for him to lie, but not for Schiff to lie.

This isn't hypocrisy that Trump inadvertently lapsed into by sloppily accusing someone else of something he does constantly. The declaration that the rules are different for him is *the whole point.* https://t.co/MCeipZo6ov
— Greg Sargent (@ThePlumLineGS) March 28, 2019

Dem. Rep. Jackie Speier reacts to Republicans calling for House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff to resign: “I think that what happened today was a scripted program by the President of the United States who tweeted this morning about Mr. Schiff” https://t.co/TSghdWmL5t pic.twitter.com/I9FIvq61Qr
— CNN (@CNN) March 28, 2019

It's really very shocking to see someone like Will Hurd, who typically conducts himself with great deal of integrity, go along with signing a letter like this. https://t.co/Yvtcpj7EQ4
— Susan Hennessey (@Susan_Hennessey) March 28, 2019

I agree. I thought Hurd was better than this.

It takes remarkable bad faith to pretend to want to return to bipartisanship, after Rs weaponized this committee in a profound betrayal of the public trust, solely to harass a legitimate law enforcement investigation into an attack on our democracy, all to shield a GOP president. https://t.co/GtwMEotzB2
— Greg Sargent (@ThePlumLineGS) March 28, 2019

The typically soft-spoken Schiff responded angrily after Republicans called on the House intel chairman to step down, accusing them of ignoring evidence that the Trump team tried to accept Russia's help in 2016 https://t.co/wohWUaDOc9
— POLITICO (@politico) March 28, 2019

Adam Schiff goes off, lists the Trump Tower meeting, sharing of polling data, call to hack Clinton, Kushner back channel, and more: "You might say that's all OK … I think it's unpatriotic. And yes, I think it's corrupt and evidence of collusion." pic.twitter.com/ak4XxM6cvF
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 28, 2019

GOP on House Intel bashing Schiff at hearing, with all nine GOP signing letter saying he's "damaged the integrity" of committee and they have "no faith" in him

Schiff cites Trump Tower meeting, Manafort mtgs, Stone/WikiLeaks: "You might say that's OK .. I don't think that's OK"
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) March 28, 2019

Barr auditioned for the job with a memo saying a president cannot obstruct justice.

Last weekend, Barr did the job he was hired to do, and attempted to exonerate the President on obstruction.

The American people must see the full Mueller Report, not a biased summary. https://t.co/vXGPGEtNX3
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) March 27, 2019

McConnell’s hypocrisy on Russian election meddling

McConnell blames Obama for not doing enough when he blocked the release of a bipartisan statement on Russian election interference. Trump’s team met with the Russians but I guess that’s alright with Mitch.

McConnell, speaking on Senate floor, used Mueller report (or more specifically Barr's summary of it) to attack Obama admin for being too soft on Russia. That might remind some of you of this… https://t.co/if5PLSyUHX
— Bryan Lowry (@BryanLowry3) March 25, 2019

sometimes you see something so shameless you don’t actually have a response https://t.co/kEye7jpdK8
— b-boy bouiebaisse (@jbouie) March 26, 2019

As Mitch McConnell blocks the release of the full Mueller report, remember that in Sept. 2016, US intel briefed him on Russia's interference in our election — but instead of warning voters, he threatened to portray the intelligence as a partisan attack if Obama made it public. https://t.co/XtrGE25ej7
— Caroline Orr (@RVAwonk) March 25, 2019

Every time McConnell opines about Russia's attack on our democracy in 2016, this is the key point to remember. https://t.co/AacN1BoE2h
— Ned Price (@nedprice) March 26, 2019

The Obama administration didn't miss the Russian meddling

Barack Obama tried to warn people

Mitch McConnell watered down that warning and refused to join a bipartisan statement condemning Russia's interference campaign https://t.co/hEdl01NZTd
— Edward Hardy (@EdwardTHardy) March 26, 2019

That’s funny because I remember this: https://t.co/nPORKtrHdC
— Stefanie, M.S. (@stanc1ss) March 26, 2019

McConnell blocks bill calling for public release of Mueller report

If it’s all good for Trump, why hide it?

I just asked for the Senate to pass a resolution to make public the full Mueller report.

This same resolution passed the House 420-0.

But @SenateMajLdr McConnell just objected.

What are they trying to hide?
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) March 25, 2019

You know, because the report is a TOTAL EXONERATION of Trump. https://t.co/zAD301puPj
— Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) March 25, 2019

NEW: Mitch McConnell has blocked a non-binding resolution to make Mueller's full report public that passed unanimously in the Househttps://t.co/AkUp4FhOkI
— Axios (@axios) March 25, 2019

If the report clears Trump, why are you blocking its release to the American people? https://t.co/Q18mtg3298
— Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) March 25, 2019