Second Democratic Senator Comes Out in Support of Haspel

Sen. Joe Donnelly (D., Ind.) released a statement on Saturday that announced his support for President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the CIA, Gina Haspel.

"I will support Ms. Haspel's nomination to lead the agency to which she has dedicated her career," Donnelly's statement reads.

Donnelly is running for re-election in a state that Trump won by more than 19 points. Mike Braun, Donnelly's Republican opponent, pressured the incumbent senator to vote for Haspel. Donnelly was one of the first Democrats to announce his support for Mike Pompeo's confirmation as secretary of state, but he has already voted against seven of Trump's nominees, according to a tracker kept by the New York Times.

Haspel, who has the support of several intelligence officials from the Obama administration, is facing opposition from Democrats because of her involvement with the CIA's controversial interrogation program during the early 2000s after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

In his statement, Donnelly said he talked to Haspel about her involvement with the interrogation program.

"I had a tough, frank, and extensive discussion with Ms. Haspel on a wide range of topics, including her vision for the agency and how she would approach the job, as well as issues of detention and interrogation," the statement reads. "I have also reviewed her record and testimony before Congress. I believe that she has learned from the past, and that the CIA under her leadership can help our country confront serious international threats and challenges."

Donnelly is the second Democrat to come out in favor for Haspel. Sen. Joe Manchin (D., W.V.) announced his support shortly after Haspel testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

http:// freebeacon.com/politics/second-democratic-senator-comes-support-haspel/

>>1399533

I agree, all this will change the dynamic's completely within our political system, and it's about time, breathe of fresh air!

Reminder Q's Crumb

Green Beret livestreams himself being waterboarded to support Gina Haspel's nomination as CIA director

Green Beret and former UFC fighter Tim Kennedy livestreamed a video of himself Saturday voluntarily being waterboarded by his friends to illustrate that the practice could not be compared to real torture tactics.

The more than 40-minute-long video, Kennedy said, was meant to show support for President Trump’s nomination of Gina Haspel for CIA director.

Many Democrats and some Republicans in the Senate oppose Haspel because she oversaw in 2002 a CIA black site that tortured terror suspects. However, Haspel's confirmation seems likely as at least two Democrats who are vulnerable in the 2018 midterms say they'll vote in her favor.

Between sessions of being waterboarded, Kennedy would answer questions posed by those watching the live stream, reiterating that this was an enhanced interrogation method of question and not torture, adding that it was simply an uncomfortable experience.

“The reason we are doing this … is for us to have a conversation. Right now, an amazing hero has been appointed to be director of the CIA and because of that, some of the things she has done are being attacked,” Kennedy said.

The homemade waterboarding station was set up in a backyard where Kennedy laid on a collapsible plastic table propped up on one side by Yeti coolers.

https:// www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/green-beret-livestreams-himself-being-waterboarded-to-support-gina-haspels-nomination-as-cia-director

Video is here:

Tim Kennedy http://www. mixedmartialarts.com/forums/UnderGround/Tim-Kennedy-videos-himself-get-waterboarded:2719666-1?update=1&pc=18#last-post

Trump on working out a trade deal with China: 'Be cool, it will all work out!'

President Trump tweeted Sunday that people have to be patient on trade talks with China because he wants to make a deal that will benefit the U.S. as much as it benefits China.

“China and the United States are working well together on trade, but past negotiations have been so one sided in favor of China, for so many years, that it is hard for them to make a deal that benefits both countries,” Trump tweeted Sunday afternoon. “But be cool, it will all work out!” he added.

China and the United States are working well together on trade, but past negotiations have been so one sided in favor of China, for so many years, that it is hard for them to make a deal that benefits both countries. But be cool, it will all work out!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 13, 2018

In the past few months, Beijing and Washington have threatened higher trade tariffs on one another as Trump boasted that he could win in a trade war against China’s superpower economy.

Trump has reiterated that past administrations' trade deals with China have been one-sided and have allowed China to benefit more from the deal than the U.S.

https:// www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/foreign/trump-on-working-out-a-trade-deal-with-china-be-cool-it-will-all-work-out

Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner arrive in Jerusalem ahead of US embassy opening

President Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump, son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner, and other members of the U.S. delegation arrived in Israel on Sunday where they will celebrate the relocation of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The Trump administration officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel last year and the move of the embassy will be marked Monday by an opening ceremony that Ivanka, Kushner and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin will attend. Dozens of U.S. lawmakers will also be part of the American delegation, including Sens. Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz.

Trump will be addressing those in attendance of the event via video message.

"President Trump promised to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and he did so. He promised to move the American Embassy to Israel and he is doing so. Of course we will all celebrate this day, a real celebration, tomorrow," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at his weekly Cabinet meeting.

I am honored to join the delegation representing @POTUS, his Admin & the American people at this momentous ceremony commemorating the opening of our new US Embassy in Jerusalem, Israel. We will pray for the boundless potential of the US-Israel alliance & we will pray for peace. pic.twitter.com/ulYbJAfTcL

— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) May 12, 2018

In a preview of the embassy opening, senior Trump administration officials said the embassy will have an initial staff of at least 50 people, which will include Ambassador David Friedman’s aides and U.S. consular officers who were already working at the pre-existing visa and passport site where the embassy will now be included, NBC News reported.

Many European nations that oppose the decision are expected to skip the celebratory events Sunday and Monday

Meanwhile, the Israeli military is doubling the number of troops stationed in the Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank in anticipation of Palestinians protesting the opening ceremony. Police are expected to handle protests in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.

https:// www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/foreign/ivanka-trump-jared-kushner-arrive-in-jerusalem-ahead-of-us-embassy-opening