Juanita Broaddrick @atensnut
Joe’s hometown of Scranton PA was not exactly welcoming.
Apr 18, 2024
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https://x.com/atensnut/status/1780945085401641240
Janet Yellen’s (INSANE) Ukraine mission
The Treasury secretary is trying to rally fellow finance ministers gathering in Washington to get behind the idea of seizing billions in Russian assets.
By Zachary Warmbrodt 04/17/2024 10:52 AM EDT
The Biden administration is making a new push this week to rally reluctant allies behind the idea that billions in immobilized Russian assets should be tapped to support Ukraine.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will spend the coming days laying the groundwork as fellow finance ministers gather in Washington for the IMF-World Bank spring meetings. It’s expected to be an agenda item at Wednesday afternoon’s meeting of G7 finance leaders and in other discussions on the sidelines.
“Our goal is to try to get it done as soon as possible,” said a Treasury official granted anonymity. “And if that is this summer, that’s as soon as possible.”
The challenge for Yellen is two-fold. The idea is bipartisan but political resistance is emerging at home from a key ally of former President Donald Trump. The U.S. is also facing unease in Europe, where most of the assets are located. The U.S. Congress has struggled for months to agree on fresh aid to support Ukraine more than two years after Russia launched a full-scale invasion.
Officials are considering a menu of options. They include seizing Russia’s sovereign assets outright as well as structuring a loan backed by windfall profits from the assets. The goal is to advance discussions so top G7 leaders can make a decision when they gather in June.
U.K. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said in an interview Tuesday that the loan idea is “intriguing” and that he wants to talk with Yellen more about it.
“We’re very supportive of ways to make Russia pay the price for the appalling crimes that they’ve committed in Ukraine,” Hunt said. “Our starting point is to look at these proposals, particularly the recent proposal from Secretary Yellen, and say, what would it take to make it work?”
In the U.S., Speaker Mike Johnson has signaled that the House may act in the coming days on legislation that would give President Joe Biden explicit authority to seize the assets. It comes as Johnson’s job is potentially on the line, with far-right members opposing a related plan to send aid to Ukraine.
The proposal to grant seizure authority for Russian assets is bipartisan — and not envisioned as a substitute for more direct financial assistance for Ukraine — but it’s also facing some pushback from the right.
Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, a Republican close to former President Donald Trump, is rallying opposition. He said in a memo to GOP lawmakers that it poses “potentially dire consequences for the Western financial system and could hinder a future President’s ability to negotiate an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.”
House Foreign Affairs Chair Michael McCaul, whose committee approved the “REPO Act” legislation, said in a statement that “Senator Vance’s memo repeats many of the same arguments that I’ve heard previously from the Biden Administration as reasons to not enact this policy.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/04/17/janet-yellens-ukraine-mission-00152739
2/2
McCaul said “financial markets understand that this is not a signal that the United States will begin to seize assets from other countries at will.” (Vance said McCaul is “explicitly pushing a priority of the Biden administration and I’m opposing it.”)
Rep. French Hill of Arkansas, one of the Republicans who has been most actively involved in driving the REPO Act, is trying to shore up support. In a letter to fellow lawmakers on Friday, he said the plan would not negatively impact the dollar or violate the U.S. Constitution, and he made the case that it’s consistent with international law.
“The speaker is supportive of including the REPO Act in his legislative proposal,” Hill told reporters Tuesday. “I think it strengthens the bill. I think it would encourage more Republican yes votes, because of the opportunity to use Russian sovereign assets as collateral as a source of earnings or directly to benefit Ukraine and have less reliance today or in the future on American or French or German taxpayers.”
What may be a bigger problem is international buy-in. Europe is home to the bulk of the assets — around $200 billion, compared to the $5-8 billion in the U.S. — and it’s also where there is deep concern about the legal ramifications, economic fallout and potential Russian retaliation that could arise from tapping the money. European leaders have instead opted to claw back profits from the Russian assets.
“There is a high degree of unity amongst G7 countries that we need to do everything possible within international law,” Hunt said. “We are also conscious of the fact that the reason that we are so concerned about what Russia did in Ukraine was because it broke international law, and we are trying to uphold the international system. So when it comes to financial sanctions, we want to make sure that we stay on the right side of the line. But we also want to do everything we can to make sure that Russia picks up the tab for the terrible damage that they’ve caused.”
Yellen acknowledged the concerns in a press conference Tuesday.
“Of course, there could be retaliation, and we are looking at the risks that are associated with using these assets and evaluating different strategies that we might present to the G7 leaders,” she said. “Evaluating the risks is part of that. But overall I believe there are ways of managing the risks, particularly if the G7 acts together in unison, and that it’s important for us to do so.”
In related news, Bank of America and USAID are set to announce Wednesday that the lender will assign a senior capital markets executive to advise Ukraine’s government on how to finance the country’s rebuilding effort, according to sources briefed on the plan. Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan first floated the idea with U.S. officials last year.
The move is expected to be discussed at a Ukraine House event in Washington that will feature U.S. and Ukrainian government officials as well as private sector leaders. The gathering will also highlight Nasdaq’s recent announcement that it will waive listing fees for Ukrainian companies, another initiative that was rolled out with USAID.
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/04/17/janet-yellens-ukraine-mission-00152739
(McCarthy determined to destroy Trump, MAGA republicans, it's really about Trump)
McCarthy-aligned group running ads against Republicans who triggered his speaker ouster
The American Prosperity Alliance, a nonprofit which does not have to disclose its donors, is running an immigration-focused TV ad in several districts.
Ally Mutnick 04/17/2024
A political group with ties to former Speaker Kevin McCarthy is going on air against some of the Republicans who ousted him from leadership.
The American Prosperity Alliance, a nonprofit which does not have to disclose its donors, is running an immigration-focused TV ad in several districts, including those held byReps. Bob Good (R-Va.), Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) and Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), where members deposed McCarthy last year.
Brian O. Walsh, a longtime McCarthy ally, is a senior adviser to the group. Walsh is spearheading an effort funded by McCarthy ==allies to defeat the eight House Republicans– who joined with Democrats to boot him from the speakership. Some of those members have already announced they plan to retire. Good, Crane and Mace are among the top targets seeking reelection.
One version of the 30-second TV spot from the American Prosperity Alliance hits Crane for voting "against funding our border security" and opposing money for border agents, ICE and a border wall. It urges constituents to call their representative to urge him to change course.
Good has a primary challenge from state Sen. John McGuire in his Virginia district. In South Carolina, Mace will go up against Catherine Templeton, a former gubernatorial candidate. And Crane, the lone freshman to vote against McCarthy, will face former Yavapai County Supervisor Jack Smith in Arizona. All three have been elected with significant support from groups that McCarthy helped fund, including the Congressional Leadership Fund and the House GOP campaign arm.
This is likely an opening salvo for McCarthy allies. The seven-figure buy will run in 12 districts total, but only some will see TV advertising and other will get only digital ads. The full list includes seats held by Reps. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) — all of whom also voted out McCarthy — and Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Jared Golden (D-Maine), Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.), Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.).
So far in the second half of April, the American Prosperity Alliance has spent nearly $330,000 against Mace, nearly $160,000 against Good, roughly $218,000 against Crane and $150,000 against Kaptur, according to data from AdImpact, a media tracking firm.
https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2024/04/17/congress/mccarthy-group-ads-immigration-outside-republicans-00152863
Someone needs to come out with the crimes McCarthy committed in Congress, and anything that will reveal what a complete incompetent snake he's been forever.
Andrew Giuliani: “Trump Is Getting to People Republicans haven’t Resonated With in 25 years”He’s winning over the people. The jurors are lying to get on the jury. There is no person that can be believed. Hopefully some neutral get through
11:43
https://rumble.com/embed/v4nly1u/?pub=4
Croatia is Moving Further to the RightYES
The ruling centre-right HDZ won the elections comfortably, while Eurosceptic, patriotic parties also had a strong showing.
• Zoltán Kottász — April 18, 2024
The centre-right ruling Croatian Democratic Union(HDZ) won its fourth parliamentary elections in a row on Wednesday, April 17th,but it will likely have to rely on the conservative, patriotic Homeland Movement to form a government. The EU and NATO member Croatia is moving further to the Right, according to Croatian journalist Goran Andrijanić, who says patriotic forces are gaining in strength not only in the opposition but also within the ruling HDZ party.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković’s HDZ party—a member of the centre-right-liberal European People’s Party—gained 34% of the votes and 61 seats of the 151 seats available in parliament, according to almost final results published on Thursday. This is not enough for the party to secure a majority, and it will have to rely not only on the backing of the ethnic minority candidates (to whom eight seats are allocated), but also one other party.
This could be theright-wing nationalist Homeland Movement, which came third, increasing its number of seats by two to 14. “I hope that we shall tailor the fate of Croatia in the days ahead,” party leader Ivan Penava said, adding the party’s main condition is not to join a government that would include the Serb minority party (3 seats), or the green Možemo party (10).
Speaking to The European Conservative after the elections, reelected MP Stjepo Bartulica of the Homeland Movement said he expects coalition talks between HDZ and his party to begin next week, because “there is no realistic possibility of a new majority without our support.” He added:
We will have specific demands about new policies on how we would like to see Croatia develop in the future. One of these points is less government interference in the economy. When you look at foreign policy in the EU, we will be asking for much more sovereigntist policies, which means not following the Brussels line. We are not interested in the green agenda, and we’re supporting the farmers’ movement.
Stjepo Bartulica describes PM Andrej Plenković as a “Euro-enthusiast,” someone who is very close to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and whose party clearly belongs to the moderates within the European People’s Party. The MP added:
Plenković’s main principles are to follow the EU line. He’s convinced that these so-called European values are in the interests of Croatia. This is where we disagree. We are not willing to sacrifice Croatia’s interests on the altar of Brussels’ green agenda, climate ideology or gender ideology agenda. We’re very much opposed to this and I expect difficult negotiations.
Another possible coalition ally could be the Eurosceptic-conservative alliance ofThe Bridge party and the Croatian Sovereignists party, who gained 11 seats. Their leader, Božo Petrov, however, ruled out working with the HDZ as they had campaigned for the ruling party to be “sent into opposition.”
HDZ has dominated Croatian politics since the country gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, and its current stint in power dates back to 2016. It took credit for Croatia entering the EU’s Schengen area and the euro zone last year and denied opposition allegations of authoritarianism and corruption. Andrej Plenković said the HDZ could guarantee
Croatia’s stability in a challenging geopolitical environment:
The global security situation has never been more tense and more dangerous … so we need to have very responsible people running Croatia in the next four years.
Despite no major visible changes occurring in the Croatian political scene, journalist Goran Andrijanić believes the country is significantly moving to the Right. Speaking to The European Conservative, he said the Homeland Movement, a strongly patriotic, anti-immigration party, which supports traditional values and is critical of the Brussels elite and gender ideology, will likely join in a coalition with the HDZ, and influence the direction of the government.
The Bridge/Sovereigntists also had a strong showing at the election and they, too, are to the right of HDZ on the political spectrum. But the governing party itself is going through a transformation, according to Goran Andrijanić, who says Defence Minister Ivan Anušić, who represents the more conservative faction of the HDZ, is even more popular within the party than the prime minister.
https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news/croatia-is-moving-further-to-the-right/
Last Paragraph:
The party’s main political opponent, the Social Democratic Party, came second with 25.4% of the votes and 42 seats. Previous prime minister and current president of the country Zoran Milanović announced his surprise bid for prime minister and openly campaigned for the party, despite the constitutional court prohibiting him from doing so.Milanović has criticised the EU’s military backing for Ukraine and opposed the training of Ukrainian soldiers in Croatia. He argued he was protecting Croatian interests by preventing the country from being “dragged into war.”
https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news/croatia-is-moving-further-to-the-right/
Gavin Wax: “Instead Of Going After Criminals They Go After Law Abiding Citizens” I love it when Trump interacts with people and the love they have for him, is heart warming. The opening with Stephen A Smith condemning the left for doing this again to Trump, just because you can’t beat him, is great.
Must Watch!
20:03
https://rumble.com/embed/v4nlyxq/?pub=4
The Bodaga owner with his young son: They are both are standing up straight waiting to see President Trump, (father looks tense until PDJT comes through). Trump says hi, and the man tentatively stick out his hand and PDJT grabs it, then says to the boy, “you are gonna be a Movie Star, a Movie Star” and shakes his hand.
When Trump walks away, look at the last picthe boy turns around and looks at his dad, in AWE. Both of them were so happy, God Trump emits love and respect to all he meets.
If you only watch this video to see this, it will make your day!
seriously I love that boy's look, its like meeting the President. KEK
‘Smiling his ass off’: How Trump used the New York bodega visit to return to form
(Politico is so respectful… they couldn’t come up with a better headline)
Trump is campaigning locally. It’s almost like a “Trump for governor” or “Trump for mayor” campaign that never was. By David Siders 04/17/2024 06:22 PM
There was Donald Trump, the former president,back in his element and enjoying himself in a crowd, posing for photographs, overstating his standing in the polls and suggesting that he is serious — truly — about winning an impossibly Democratic state.
Maybe it was calculated. The setting, a bodega where a man was fatally stabbed in 2022, certainly was. And maybe Trump’s freewheeling performance was, too. But not far from where he rode down the escalator on his way to the White House in 2015, Trump’s appearance on Tuesday was a reminder of Trump’s ability not only to manufacture a sideshow, but to turn it into the main act — more Trump the thirsty tabloid character than Trump the former president or Trump the accused.
And if the opening two days of Trump’s criminal trial exposed the cost to his presidential campaign of his confinement to a New York courtroom,his bodega visit laid bare the opportunities.
“There’s something to be said for him believing that this trial — andthe timing of this trial — could have a reverse effect on silencing him,” said Alice Stewart, a Republican strategist and veteran of past presidential campaigns. “Hours on end in a courtroom are tiring and excruciating. But once he’s outside the courtroom, he’s able to make up for lost time.”
On Tuesday, Trump said he will “campaign locally” during the trial. And the bodega visit was likely just the first of many such appearances. His advisers have said, even on some trial days, to expect in-person and virtual events. This week, it was almost like a “Trump for governor” or “Trump for mayor” campaign that never was — the whole episode barely connected to the idea of the presidency.
“Everything is screwed up in New York,” Trump said, “and the whole world is watching.”
It was a stretch for Trump to say that he will “make a heavy play for New York,” a state that has not voted for a Republican for president since 1984, and one where Trump lost to now-President Joe Biden by more than 23 percentage points in 2020.
But as he spoke with reporters in New York, a bastion of Democratic politics, Trump’s read of the news landscape — if not the political one — seemed spot on. In the media capital of the world, Trump said he suspected there was “more press here than there is if I went out to some nice location.”
“He’s right,” said Dave Catalfamo, a Republican consultant in New York.Trump’s prosecutors had given Trump a “platform,” Catalfamo said, and the former president “takes advantage of his masterfully.” “The way we consume our news now, and the way that he gets covered,he’s utilizing the stage that’s before him,” Catalfamo said.
The substance of Trump’s visit was a throwback to Trump’s messaging in the 2020 campaign, when, following the anti-police protests in the wake of George Floyd’s murder — and in an effort to replicate the Nixonian “law and order” rhetoric of half a century ago — he laced into Democrats for crime in the nation’s largest, Democratic-run cities.
But on Tuesday afternoon? Outside the Sanaa Convenient Store, the Harlem bodega where clerk Jose Alba fatally stabbed a customer who was attacking him — and who was initially charged with murder, before the charges were later dropped — Trump was back on familiar ground.
He said, “We’re way ahead in the polls against Biden,” even though the race is much closer than he describes. He said that, trial or not, he will be doing rallies “all over the place.”
Supporters whistled and cheered, breaking into chants of “Trump, Trump, Trump,” and “U.S.A., U.S.A.” Trump, who was neither dozing off nor muttering, told people in the crowd to “have a good time.”
The visit, said Hank Sheinkopf, a longtime Democratic strategist based in New York, was a signature example of Trump using “national television coverage as an advertising tool without having to pay for the gross rating points.”
“He’s very smart,” Sheinkopf said. “Anybody who understates his capacity to use PR as opposed to normative political techniques is wrong. He’s very good at it, and what it does … it wipes away the things that people are trying to do to undercut his capacities.”
It’s hard to paint Trump as overburdened by the legal system, or absent from the campaign trail, or asleep in a courtroom, he said, when he is on a street in New York “smiling his ass off.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/04/17/trump-trial-new-york-bodega-00152892