Schiff Mulls Daily $25,000 Fine for Trump Officials Who Defy Subpoenas

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) is considering using a rarely-invoked Congressional power to fine Trump-administration officials up to $25,000 per day for evading subpoenas. Schiff told the attendees at an Axios event that he would prefer hefty fines to jail time for Trump-administration officials who fail to comply with requests from Democrat-led committee investigations in the House of Representatives. “One thing we are considering … is whether we need to revive Congress’s inherent contempt power, such that we would have our own adjudication of the Congress and we would levy fines on those who are not cooperating until they produce what they are compelled to produce,” Schiff said, according to The Hill. “I think it’s much more practical to consider levying individual fines on the person, not the office, until they comply,” he added. “You could fine someone $25,000 a day until they comply and that would probably get their attention.” Congressional contempt powers are rarely invoked and allow for the detention of an individual at the Capitol or the issuance of fines.

Schiff is one of several Democratic committee chairmen who have issued subpoenas to Trump administration officials as wells the president’s associates and family members. On May 9, Schiff issued a subpoena to Attorney General William Barr requesting the full unredacted report by special counsel Robert Mueller and the foreign intelligence and counterintelligence information gathered during the course of Mueller’s investigation. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) would have the ultimate word on whether to invoke contempt powers to fine Trump officials, Schiff said. Doing so would be a “big step,” he added.

“We are looking through the history and studying the law to make sure we’re on solid ground,” Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said. “That’s a big step but, look, if we’re going to consider other big steps like impeachment, we have to consider steps like inherent contempt that will allow us to get the information we need.” “If there is going to be this across the board stonewalling, we are going to have to consider extraordinary remedies,” he added.

On May 8, Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee voted to recommend that the full House find Barr in contempt for defying a subpoena for the full Mueller report. Republicans unanimously opposed the move and criticized Democrats using the contempt proceeding as a way to discredit Barr as the attorney general looks into whether the spying on Trump’s campaign during the 2016 election was politically motivated. In response to the Democrats’ move and a request from Barr, the White House asserted executive privilege over the Mueller report. Presidents can exercise the executive privilege to prevent the disclosure of internal deliberations within the executive branch. The Justice Department, to which the special counsel answers, is part of the executive branch.

Mueller finished a 22-month investigation in March, concluding there is no evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. Mueller also decided against charging Trump with obstruction of justice. Barr and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein reviewed Mueller’s findings on obstruction and determined there is not enough evidence to bring a case.

The White House also asserted executive privilege to prevent former White House Counsel Don McGahn from testifying. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) threatened McGahn with contempt proceedings if the former White House Counsel does not appear in response to the subpoena by May 21.

https://www.theepochtimes.com/schiff-mulls-daily-25000-fine-for-trump-officials-who-defy-subpoenas_2916103.html

1 Marine Killed, 6 Hurt in California Training Crash

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.—One Marine is dead and six others have been injured after their light armored vehicle rolled over during training at Camp Pendleton in Southern California. Authorities say the cause of the Thursday morning rollover at the sprawling camp north of San Diego is under investigation.

The military says the six injured Marines were taken to a hospital and they weren’t seriously hurt. The name of the Marine who was killed wasn’t immediately released. The Marines are from the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division.

In April, the military identified a Marine Raider who died at a hospital the day after an MRZR tactical vehicle he was driving rolled over at Camp Pendleton during training. Authorities said at the time that 29-year-old Staff Sgt. Joshua Braica was from Sacramento and had a wife and son. He was a critical skills operator with the 1st Marine Raider Battalion and was an 8-year veteran. Two other Marines had minor injuries after the crash, which was also under investigation.

https://www.theepochtimes.com/1-marine-killed-6-hurt-in-california-training-crash_2915997.html

Italian Ferry With 250 on Board Has Problems in Adriatic

ZAGREB, Croatia—An Italian ferry carrying 250 passengers and 92 crew members experienced technical problems while on its way to the Croatian port of Split on the Adriatic coast. The SNAV company’s office in Split said Thursday that mechanics onboard the Aurelia are doing everything to fix the problem and bring the passengers to shore.

The company gave no other details, but Croatian media reported that one of the ferry’s engines has malfunctioned and that the vessel has been drifting in the northern Adriatic. The reports said two tugboats have been sent toward the stranded ferry, which is about 10 nautical miles (11.5 statute miles) offshore from a cluster of islands in Croatia’s Kornati archipelago. Strong winds are hampering the operation, the reports said.

The reports quoted passengers as saying there was no panic among them. The ferry was traveling from the Italian port of Ancona. Croatia’s public broadcaster HRT says no damage or casualties have been reported. It says the ferry was due in Split around 0500 GMT (1 a.m. EDT) on Thursday.

https://www.theepochtimes.com/italian-ferry-with-250-on-board-has-problems-in-adriatic_2915984.html

>>6462557

Marie Harf leaving Fox News to join 2020 Democratic campaign

Former Obama administration spokeswoman-turned-Fox News pundit Marie Harf is giving up her role as a favorite liberal among conservatives to join the fledgling presidential campaign of Massachusetts congressman Seth Moulton.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/marie-harf-leaving-fox-new-to-join-2020-democratic-campaign

>>6462728

There has to be more to this…very strange decision..indeed.

>>6462783

Indeed clowns need those fishing ports, among other things….in that state.

She'll use her spin doctor skills to try and push him through..Thinking she also might out herself during this process.

>>6462868

Agreed, She has a much to hide as the rest of the bunch from the Obama state department and others.

US Warns Merchant Ships of Possible Attacks by Iran

Commercial ships and oil tankers sailing under the American flag in major Middle East waterways could be targeted by Iran, according to an advisory by the U.S. Maritime Administration. The United States sent a carrier strike group and B-52 bombers to the Middle East in response to what the Trump administration called “clear indications” of an imminent threat from Iran. The Islamist regime called the American claims “fake intelligence.”

The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) said in an advisory on May 9 that there had been an increased possibility of attack by of Iran or its regional proxies on the United States and its allies. The targets may include oil production infrastructure after Iran threatened to block the key Strait of Hormuz maritime passage where one-third of the world’s maritime oils exports flow, according to MARAD.

“Iran or its proxies could respond by targeting commercial vessels, including oil tankers, or U.S. military vessels in the Red Sea, Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, or the Persian Gulf,” MARAD said. “Reporting indicates heightened Iranian readiness to conduct offensive operations against U.S. forces and interests.” Millions of barrels of oil pass daily through the various bottlenecks from Middle East oil producers to markets across the globe.

Tensions have risen between Tehran and Washington since the Trump administration withdrew a year ago from a 2015 international nuclear deal with Iran and began ratcheting up sanctions to throttle Tehran’s economy. Vice Admiral Jim Malloy, commander of the U.S. Navy’s Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet, said on May 9 that its forces were on a heightened state of readiness, although the U.S. military was not seeking or preparing for war with Iran. MARAD added that U.S.-flagged ships were encouraged to contact the Fifth Fleet–which is tasked with protecting commercial shipping in the area–at least two days before sailing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Washington further tightened sanctions on Iran this month–eliminating waivers that had allowed some countries to buy its oil–with a goal of reducing Tehran’s crude exports to zero. The Trump administration also declared Iran’s Revolutionary Guards a foreign terrorist group. On May 8, the White House sanctioned Iran’s iron, steel, aluminum, and copper exports. The four metals are the regime’s second largest source of export revenue after oil and petrochemicals.

Iran has responded by scaling back some curbs on its nuclear program concerning material stockpiles though it remains compliant with commitments to restrict its uranium enrichment activity. The United States put forth 12 demands for Iran upon quitting the Iran nuclear deal, asking the regime to shut down its nuclear program, stop enriching plutonium, allow full access to international observers, and halt the development of nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, among other requests.

Tehran’s rulers have vehemently resisted pressure from the United States. In January, the regime carried out a failed satellite launch, defying a direct warning from Trump. In February, Iran tested a new ballistic missile. The United State considers Iran an “outlaw regime,” blaming it for malign activity around the world. Washington accuses Iran’s leaders of being the biggest funders of radical Islamic terrorism.

https://www.theepochtimes.com/us-warns-merchant-ships-of-possible-attacks-by-iran_2916177.htm

No Nation is Immune to Tyranny, Says Lt. Col. Allen West

California’s gun laws remain some of the strictest in the nation. According to the CATO institute’s Freedom in the 50 States Index, California is ranked 49th in the nation in firearms freedom followed by Hawaii. The state has restrictive assault weapons laws, mandatory background checks, waiting periods, red flag laws, a minimum 21-year age requirement to purchase firearms, and until recently, a limit on high capacity magazines.

In March 2019, a federal district court judge, Roger T. Benitez, permanently enjoined the 10-round restriction on magazines for the state, citing its unconstitutionality. It is currently being appealed by the state’s attorney general, Xavier Becerra. With two members of Congress running for president on a strong anti-gun platform hailing from California, many outside of the state seem to view the body politic in its entirety as reflective of its restrictive policies. This however, doesn’t seem to be entirely the case, as conservative youth organizations across the state push for fewer restrictions on their second amendment rights on college campuses.

One such organization, Young Americans for Freedom, hosted Lt. Col. Allen West to speak at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, Calif., about the topic of gun rights and restrictions. The event on May 1 drew roughly 300-400 attendees. Lt. Col. West was deployed to Iraq during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was later elected to the US House of Representatives in 2010 for Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, serving one term from 2011 to 2013. He now serves on the board of Directors for the National Rifle Association.

With a number of prominent politicians in California proposing more stringent firearms restrictions, West explained the danger of gun confiscation and how no nation is immune to tyranny. “Turn on your TV and look at what’s happening in Venezuela right now. In 2011, 2012 Hugo Chavez banned private gun ownership for the reasons of ‘gun violence.’ Look at the violence that’s being enacted upon the people,” he told The Epoch Times. Referring to Sen. Kamala Harris and Rep. Eric Swalwell, West warned about the rhetoric that is becoming mainstream amongst California Democratic politicians. “You have in California a senator that is running for president that said if she was elected she would use an executive order to eliminate the second amendment. You also have a representative here in California, Eric Swalwell, who has said that he will have a mandatory gun buyback program, and if you don’t participate in it, you’ll be criminalized and have your guns confiscated. So, [tyranny] can happen here.”

West was asked about the spark in youth activism against gun violence following the Parkland shooting last year and whether the movement’s goals are justified or misled. “Parkland High School is in the district that I represented, so I know it very well. I spoke there. I think there are a people, much like Rahm Emmanuel, that believe you shouldn’t let a good crisis go to waste,” West said.

West believes that the main issue isn’t the lack of laws restricting crime-prone individuals from obtaining firearms, but a failure on behalf of law enforcement to enforce existing laws. “The real failure that happened down [in Parkland] was the FBI and the Broward County Sheriff’s Department received 36 call outs and complaints on Nikolas Cruz. They did not respond appropriately. You also have the Broward Super Intendant’s office and the Obama era ‘Promise Program.’ The actions of Nicholas Cruz were never reported because they did not want to lose any funding for the school with disciplinary issues.” The Promise Program was an education policy set in place by the Obama Administration’s Department of Education, which issued school guidelines to not suspend children of color that are “disproportionately impacted” by suspensions and expulsions, a situation they said leads to a “school to prison” pipeline that discriminates against minority and low-income students. “I think that young people need to make sure they get all the facts and not just get manipulated by people that have an ideological agenda,” said West.

https://www.theepochtimes.com/no-nation-is-immune-to-tyranny-says-lt-col-allen-west_2912266.html

>>6463141

https://www.theepochtimes.com/us-warns-merchant-ships-of-possible-attacks-by-iran_2916177.htm

Not sure why you are experiencing this issue..I checked 2x it works..

>>6463232

Interesting..FF gone bad or averted.

>>6463222

Try this and see if you can get to the site itself.

https://www.theepochtimes.com

>>6463261

weird.. you should be able to view it from there. Sometimes you have to find "a work around" a filter.