Category: John McCain

Trump: ‘Very Early’ to Talk About Lifting Sanctions Against Russia

His comments came a day ahead of a planned phone call between Trump and Russian President Putin on Saturday. “As far as the sanctions, very early to be talking about that but we look to have a great relationship with all countries ideally,” Trump said at a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Theresa May. “If we can have a great relationship with Russia and with China, and with all countries, I’m all for that.”

Trump signals changes to US interrogation, detention policy

President Donald Trump’s renewed embrace of torture in the fight against Islamic extremism sets up a heated dispute with a long line of opponents both at home and abroad of Bush-era interrogation policies and CIA-run “black site” prisons. “We have to fight fire with fire,” Trump told ABC in an interview aired Wednesday after The Associated Press and other news organizations obtained a copy of a draft executive order that signals sweeping changes to U.S. interrogation and detention policy.

Draft White House order calls for review of both CIA interrogation…

The CIA could potentially restart an interrogation program that was dismantled in 2009 after using methods widely condemned as torture. An executive order drafted by the Trump administration calls for a policy review that could authorize the CIA to reopen “black site” prisons overseas and potentially restart an interrogation program that was dismantled in 2009 after using methods widely condemned as torture.

If Trump ends America’s world leadership, who will step up?

President Donald Trump’s pursuit of an “America first” foreign policy is raising questions about who, if anyone, will fill the void if the U.S. relinquishes its traditional global leadership role. China and Russia are among the aspirants for greater economic and military influence, while an ambivalent Germany could emerge as the West’s moral compass.

Trump’s Withdrawal From Asia Trade Deal Viewed as Boon for China

Shoppers walk past lanterns displayed at an ornament market in the Yuyuan district ahead of the Lunar New Year in Shanghai, China, on Jan. 22, 2017. President Donald Trump’s formal withdrawal from a long-planned trade deal with Pacific Rim nations creates a political and economic vacuum that China is eager to fill, offering a boost for beleaguered U.S. manufacturing regions while damaging American prestige in Asia.

Woody Harrelson Confirms Role in “Young Han Solo” Movie

The bill set… – At least 19 people have died over the last 48 hours due to tornadoes, as a violent system of storms made its way across the South from Mississippi to the Flo… — Sen. John McCain praised President Donald Trump’s cabinet picks and revealed he will vote in favor of Rex Tillerson, Trump’s pick to lead the State Department, d… INDIANAPOLIS – For almost 40 years, Bill Stagg has shared the story of agricultural education and FFA throughout the countr… Lincoln – Michigan snapped a five-game losing streak to Nebraska and achieved just its second all-time victory in the 13-game series with the Huskers by rolling to an 84-51 … – Here are the latest scores and winners: NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONGolden State 118, Orlando 98Dallas 122, LA Lakers 73Phoenix 115, Toronto 103Minnesota… – If recent promises are any indication, President Trump is poised for a very busy … (more)

Tillerson Probably Has The Votes For Confirmation

ExxonMobil Chairman and CEO Rex Tillerson speaks during the IHS CERAWeek 2015 energy conference in Houston, Texas April 21, 2015. REUTERS/Daniel Kramer/File President Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, will likely be confirmed by the Senate, after Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham announced their intentions to vote for him.

Rubio faces moment of truth on secretary of state vote

All eyes are on Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida as a Senate committee is poised to vote on President Donald Trump’s nominee to be secretary of state. The nomination of Rex Tillerson got a boost on Sunday after two influential Republican senators – John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina – offered tepid endorsements of the former Exxon Mobil chief.

Trump nominee wins key Senate support

Two senior Republican lawmakers have said they would vote to approve Rex Tillerson, President Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of state. Senators John McCain of Arizona, and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, said they would support the former ExxonMobil chief’s nomination, despite their concerns over his relationship with Russia’s president.

Trump’s pick for Secretary of State gets key backing

Former President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton, talk to Secretary of State-designate Rex Tillerson on Capitol Hill in Washington during the inaugural luncheon. Photo / AP Former ExxonMobil chief executive Rex Tillerson’s bid to be the next secretary of state received a major boost when a pair of Republican senators who had expressed consternation about him announced they will vote to confirm him, a move that effectively clears the way for him to win confirmation.

Reporter’s Notebook: Trump Fans Get Kickoff Night They Want

At the big concert a day before the mogul’s swearing-in: Lots of country artist background music, little visible protest activity and many people very happy Trump is “Making America Great Again.” “Why are we not going now? We’re going to see this thing finished out and then go back to whatever we’re going to do next week,” a Trump supporter named Frank tells me.

McCain slams China for ‘bullying’ Korea over THAAD

US Senator John McCain slammed China on Thursday for “bullying” South Korea for its decision to host the US THAAD missile defense system aimed at defending against North Korea, urging Beijing to use its “considerable influence” to rein in Pyongyang. McCain, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also said that Chinese bullying of the Asian ally is “unacceptable” and said he hopes the incoming administration of Donald Trump ensures US security commitments.

Christopher Steele, the ex-MI6 agent behind the Trump dossier

The building housing the offices of Orbis Buiness Intelligence where former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele works, is in central London. Christopher Steele, who wrote reports on compromising material Russian operatives allegedly had collected on U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, is a former officer in Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service, according to people familiar with his career.

Trump, McCain take aim at F-35 program

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a news conference at Trump Tower in New York City. In his first press conference since winning the presidential election in November, Donald Trump again took aim at Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

Trump, McCain take aim at F-35 program

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a news conference at Trump Tower in New York City. In his first press conference since winning the presidential election in November, Donald Trump again took aim at Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

U.S. Senate Committee Backs Montenegro’s Bid To Join NATO

The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a resolution supporting Montenegro’s membership in NATO on January 11,sending it to the full Senate for a vote. The committee backed the small Balkan nation’s bid to join the military alliance last year, but it did not come up for a vote in the full Senate, where a two-thirds majority is required for approval of new NATO members.

U.S. Senate Committee Backs Montenegro’s Bid To Join NATO

The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a resolution supporting Montenegro’s membership in NATO on January 11,sending it to the full Senate for a vote. The committee backed the small Balkan nation’s bid to join the military alliance last year, but it did not come up for a vote in the full Senate, where a two-thirds majority is required for approval of new NATO members.

Homes are evacuated after a man took a World War I bomb to Swansea pub

The most expensive homes in the WORLD in 2016: The Playboy Mansion, a Park Avenue penthouse and a huge Dallas mansion are ALL beaten by palatial mansion in Hong Kong that sold for $270m Trump calls Buzzfeed ‘a failing pile of garbage’ for publishing ‘Russian hotel sex blackmail dossier’ and refuses to let CNN ‘fake news reporter’ ask a question at press conference ‘I did what any citizen should do’: Sworn Trump enemy John McCain admits HE handed smear dossier to FBI – because he had no idea if it was credible Democrats’ Senate leader Chuck Schumer hints at intelligence revenge plot on Trump as he says ‘they have six ways from Sunday to get back at you’ Donald says he was NEVER briefed on fake dirty dossier and NEVER shown it by intelligence chiefs and ridicules its claim he was taped with Moscow hookers by confessing he’s a ‘germophobe’ Did a 4chan user make up the most salacious parts … (more)

TripAdvisor review spars comeback from Yorkshire landlord over clamping row

Trump denies ‘fake news’ Kremlin blackmail smear: Donald says he has NO DEAL, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING with Russia as Moscow ridicules the dirty dossier report as a Democrat conspiracy theory How Trump’s nemesis John McCain kicked off ‘Kremlin memo’ scandal by handing dossier to the FBI after sending an emissary abroad to collect it from mysterious British former spy The Kremlin DENIES claims it kept a blackmail dossier on Trump saying reports of compromising files are ‘no more than fiction’ ‘I never miss a golden opportunity’: Cringeworthy ad for Trump Tower Mumbai sweeps the web in light of The Donald’s alleged Russian sex acts Kellyanne Conway doubles down on Trump’s denial of Russian blackmail note on Seth Meyers saying Donald was ‘NEVER briefed on it’ Obama’s sting in the tail: Barack takes aim at Trump in emotional farewell speech urging Americans to rise up and fight racism – and … (more)

U.S. senators seek Russia sanctions over hacking, Ukraine, Syria

Jan 10 Senior U.S. Republican and Democratic senators will introduce legislation on Tuesday seeking to impose a wide range of sanctions on Russia over its cyber activities and actions in Syria and Ukraine. The legislation is sponsored by Republican Senator John McCain and Democrats Ben Cardin and Robert Menendez, all influential legislators on foreign policy matters.

Streep, Trump trade barbs amid actress’ Globes speech

Meryl Streep’s acceptance speech after receiving a lifetime achievement award at the Golden Globes turned out to be the opening volley in a war of words with President-elect Donald Trump. The actress never mentioned Trump by name, but it was clear who her target was in pointedly saying that a performance from the past year that stunned her came from the campaign trail.

Congressman: Obama not creating Grand Canyon monument

President Barack Obama has decided against creating a national monument covering areas of public land around Grand Canyon National Park, an Arizona congressman said Friday. Democratic Rep. Raul Grijalva said White House Council on Environmental Quality officials told him of the decision during a meeting earlier this week.

Why is Donald Trump resisting the Russian hack findings? Michael Flynn may hold the answer

Trump doesn’t want to know about Russia. The unhinged alt-right views of Michael Flynn and Steve Bannon may be why In anticipation of the release of a report commissioned by President Obama, the top brass of the United States intelligence community appeared before Congress on Thursday to testify that the Russian government interfered in the election campaign last year.

Intel chiefs: Trump is wrong, Russia behind 2016 hacks

Old school Republicans in the Senate aren’t sitting idly by as their party’s new leader Donald Trump bashes the intelligence community and questions findings that Russia hacked American entities and operatives in order to influence the 2016 election. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., used his power as Senate Armed Services Committee chairman on Thursday to launch a probe of Russia’s role in the hacking.

Top intelligence official says Russia undoubtedly meddled in US election

The nation’s top intelligence official said Thursday that Russia undoubtedly interfered in America’s 2016 presidential election but stopped short of using the explosive description “an act of war,” telling lawmakers such a call isn’t within the purview of the U.S. intelligence community. In a joint report that roiled the presidential campaign last fall, the Homeland Security Department and the intelligence community said the U.S. was confident of foreign meddling, including Russian government hacking of Democratic emails.

Top US intelligence officials to testify on Russian hacking

Senior U.S. intelligence officials face questions at a Senate hearing that will be dominated by the intelligence community’s assessment that Russia meddled in the presidential election to help Donald Trump win. The Armed Services Committee’s cyber threats hearing on Thursday comes a day before the president-elect is to be briefed by the CIA and FBI directors – along with the director of national intelligence – on the investigation into Russia’s alleged hacking efforts.

Commentary: Trump should target defense waste

Donald Trump has an opportunity to chart a new course for Republicans on defense spending — a course that would combine GOP hawkishness with a budget-cutter’s approach to Pentagon waste. Although falling as a percentage of the federal budget, defense is still the federal government’s largest single non-entitlement spending item — about 16 percent of the budget in 2016.

Obama Using Russia as Cudgel Against Trump

The Republican establishment is being stampeded by the Obama Administration into unwittingly supporting the false narrative that “Russia hacked the elections” – and therefore President-elect Trump’s victory is illegitimate. By extension, Republican victories from Trump’s “coattails” in the Senate and House are also illegitimate, an argument the Left and their media allies are also sure to make.

2017 to be year of massive change in Washington

Washington is bracing for a year of breakneck change as President-elect Trump and a new Congress take office with a jam-packed agenda ahead. “Look, I can tell you what I got out of Donald Trump today is, this is a man of action,” said House Speaker Paul Ryan after a post-election meeting.

How to Get People to Vote

I have proposed a reform of the Electoral College that would return power back to state legislatures, would end the myth of “popular vote” for president, and would end voter fraud in presidential elections in every state chose this reform: place the selection of presidential electors back where it was in the first decades of the republic and have those electors chosen directly by state legislatures. As folks commenting on my article noted, we ought also to repeal the 17th Amendment and have state legislatures again reclaim the power to pick United States senators.