Democrats ask for hearings involving Trumpa s smartphone security

President Trump’s purportedly lax security practices are the subject of a letter sent from more than a dozen congressional Democrats this week to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Rep. Ted Lieu, California Democrat, urged committee leadership this week to investigate “troubling reports” that have emerged recently with respect to Mr. Trump’s operational security, including his apparent use of a consumer-grade Android smartphone to communicate over Twitter, among other items of concerns.

CBS: Petraeus out of running to replace Flynn

Down goes another option to replace Michael Flynn as national security adviser, CBS News reports , and from a rather surprising source. After a speech overseas that apparently angered the White House, David Petraeus is no longer in the running for the spot – and that comes from sources close to Petraeus rather than the White House: Sources close to retired Gen.

Trump Blames Media, Judges, Democrats In Chaos Theory Tour-De-Force

Upending decades of U.S. policy on Israel-Palestinian conflict, he told the Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu that he “could live with” either a one state or a two state solution “that both parties want”. “To be honest, I inherited a mess at home and overseas”, he claimed as he spoke of jobs fleeing the country, instability in West Asia and the nuclear threat posed by North Korea.

Roundup: Trump’s tax returns, immigration, Dakota pipeline

In a blatant display of partisanship that disregards the wishes of a majority of Americans, House Republicans have rejected an attempt to use their legal power to obtain tax returns for President Trump, who has consistently refused to release them on his own. Under a rarely invoked federal law, House and Senate tax committees can order the Treasury Department to release individual tax returns.

Rep. Darin LaHood remembers Bob Michel

When you think of the late Bob Michel, you think of bipartisanship, the kind favored by other Illinoisans, like Everett Dirksen and Ray LaHood. The incumbent Congressman from the 18th District, Darin LaHood, says maintaining the same standards today is easier said than done.

US reassures Europe on Nato and Russia, again

“Be assured: president Trump and the American people are fully devoted to our transatlantic union,” US vice president Pence said in Munich. US vice-president Mike Pence crowned a week of American diplomacy in Europe on Saturday by promising to stick by Nato and to take a tough line on Russia.

Our Views: Declaring a La. disaster once again

Harold Baldwin, a disabled veteran, holds his grandson Blake Baldwin, 5 months, while waiting to apply for FEMA, Federal Emergency Management Agency, disaster recovery assistance at the East New Orleans Public Library, 5641 Read Blvd. in New Orleans, La. Monday, Feb. 13, 2017 near the path of Tuesday’s tornado.

Former N.J. man who made Obama death threats sought mental help before

MEDFORD LAKES — The ex- South Jersey resident accused of posting an online death threat against former President Barack Obama is not competent to stand trial — a fact his family has argued all along given the man’s decade-long mental health struggle. According to a Feb. 6 order in U.S. District Court, in Pennsylvania, 33-year-old William Peterman’s evaluation required by Magistrate Judge Carol Sandra Moore Wells found that he “at the current time he is not competent to stand trial.”

An adult voice amid pandemic childness

In his 72 years, Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, who was raised in segregated Richmond, Virginia, acknowledges that he has seen much change, often for the better, including advances in the 1960s. But in his elegant new memoir, “All Falling Faiths: Reflections on the Promise and Failure of the 1960s,” he explains why today’s distemper was incubated in that “burnt and ravaged forest of a decade.”

Sedgwick County Jail, ICE resolve dispute on detentions

It’s good that the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement appear to have resolved their dispute about detaining people suspected of being illegal immigrants. When ICE wants a jail inmate held for an additional 48 hours, it will now provide the sheriff’s office with a federal warrant.

Eight Years Ago, on Instapundit: Politico: a Revolving Door?…

POLITICO: A REVOLVING DOOR? “In three months since Election Day, at least a half-dozen prominent journalists have taken jobs working for the federal government. Journalists, including some of those who’ve jumped ship, say it’s better to have a solid job in government than a shaky job – or none at all – in an industry that’s fading fast.

Trump’s Sons Eric And Donald Jr. in Dubai to Open Golf Club

Two of U.S. President Donald Trump’s sons are in the United Arab Emirates for an invitation-only ceremony to open the Trump International Golf Club in Dubai. Eric and Donald Jr. attended a private luncheon Saturday afternoon with business partners of Hussain Sajwani, the billionaire who runs DAMAC Properties, the developer that partnered with Trump on the golf course.

Electronic media searches at border crossings raise worry

Watchdog groups that keep tabs on digital privacy rights are concerned that U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents are searching the phones and other digital devices of international travelers at border checkpoints in U.S. airports. The issue gained attention recently after at least three travelers, including a Canadian journalist, spoke out publicly about their experiences.

School Celebrates 90th Birthday With Para-Educator

At Manchester High School, Betty Tracy has served her students as a living witness to the Great Depression and other momentous events in American history. Far and away the oldest school district employee, the para-educator said at her 90th birthday party Friday that she also listens in on lessons in science and other subjects.

Millions targeted for possible deportation under Trump rules

Millions of people living in the United States illegally could be targeted for deportation – including people simply arrested for traffic violations – under a sweeping rewrite of immigration enforcement policies announced Tuesday by the Trump administration. Any immigrant who is in the country illegally and is charged or convicted of any offense, or even suspected of a crime, will now be an enforcement priority, according to Homeland Security Department memos signed by Secretary John Kelly.

Police citizenship bill clears Senate

It’s one thing to allow non-citizens help defend the United States outside of the country, but it’s something else entirely to have them enforcing laws on citizens within the nation, Republican senators said Friday. In debating a bill that would require all Colorado law enforcement members to be U.S. citizens, Republicans said that should be a no-brainer basic requirement.

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Sandigo Otero, wh… . Nora Sandigo Otero, right, and several of the children under her legal guardianship, arrive at the Miami-Dade County immigration hearing, Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, in downtown Miami.

Editorial: Cheers and more cheers

Cheer: Two Florida lawmakers, for introducing legislation to exonerate four black men accused of raping a white woman in 1949.  Charles Greenlee, Walter Irvin, Samuel Shepherd and Ernest Thomas were accused of raping Norma Padgett.

VP’s wife aims to raise awareness about art therapy

The wife of Vice President Mike Pence has been a passionate advocate of art therapy for many years, including during her service as first lady of Indiana. Now, she hopes to use her new and loftier public profile to raise awareness of the mental health profession and help change the public’s perceptions about what art therapists actually do.

McCain slams Trump in Munich speech without using his name

Republican Sen. John McCain delivered a withering critique of President Donald Trump in a speech Friday that highlighted fractures within the GOP as the new administration struggles to overcome a chaotic start. Speaking in Germany at the Munich Security Conference, McCain didn’t mention the president’s name, according to the prepared text, while he lamented a shift in the United States and Europe away from the ”universal values” that forged the Western alliance seven decades ago.

Trump Set to Hold Campaign Rally in Florida Today

The last presidential election ended three months ago and the next one is not for almost four years, but President Donald Trump is set to travel to Orlando today for what the White House has termed “a campaign event.” The event, which is listed on Trump’s campaign website, will take place at a hangar at the Orlando-Melbourne International Airport, the site of a previous Trump campaign rally in September.