Ten Former NFL Players Charged in Alleged Nationwide Fraud on Health Care Benefit Program for Retired NFL Players
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/ten-former-nfl-players-charged-alleged-nationwide-fraud-health-care-benefit-program-retired
Trump Lawyer Calls Impeachment a 'Direct Attack Against Our Constitution'
On Tuesday, Democrats announced two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Jenna Ellis, a constitutional lawyer and senior legal advisor to the Trump campaign, told PJ Media the articles are "a pathetically weak and thinly veiled attempt to save face for their impeachment scam." She warned that the second article, "obstruction of Congress," could undermine the separation of powers.
"The two articles brought forward by the Democrats are a pathetically weak and thinly veiled attempt to save face for their impeachment scam," Ellis told PJ Media in an interview Wednesday night. "They have no evidence, no witnesses, and no constitutional grounds. This is more than an embarrassment to the Democratic Party. It’s a direct attack against our Constitution and foundation of our government system."
"They are weaponizing the power of impeachment that was never intended to provide the opportunity to oust a sitting president for sheer political hatred," she said. The Democrat articles of impeachment did not accuse Trump of "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors" as stipulated in the Constitution.
In a previous interview, the constitutional lawyer noted that the Founders debated the appropriate venue for impeachment, and they limited the subject matter for impeachment because "the Founders never wanted it to be political."
In Federalist 65, Alexander Hamilton wrote that since impeachment involves "the abuse or violation of some public trust," the proceedings "may with peculiar propriety be denominated political, as they relate chiefly to injuries done immediately to the society itself. The prosecution of them, for this reason, will seldom fail to agitate the passions of the whole community, and to divide it into parties more or less friendly or inimical to the accused. In many cases it will connect itself with the pre-existing factions, and will enlist all their animosities, partialities, influence, and interest on one side or on the other; and in such cases there will always be the greatest danger that the decision will be regulated more by the comparative strength of parties, than by the real demonstrations of innocence or guilt" (emphasis added).
In this case, impeachment has become the very thing Hamilton wanted to prevent. Democrats are pushing forward with the process even though they know that not one Republican in the House of Representatives will vote to impeach Trump. In fact, the vote to formalize the impeachment inquiry was bipartisan — in opposition to impeachment!
Ellis debunked each of the Democrats' articles, and warned that the second one might undermine America's constitutional system.
"There is no evidence for abuse of power. In fact, the evidence shows precisely the opposite—that President Trump was acting within his constitutional authority to set foreign policy, to ensure foreign aid was not used for corrupt purposes, and to ensure compliance with our national security interests," she said. "Further, the evidence shows that he was acting in the interests of the United States."
https://pjmedia.com/trending/trump-lawyer-calls-impeachment-a-direct-attack-against-our-constitution/
Trump secures 50th appellate court appointment, with another 9th Circuit judge confirmed
The Republican-controlled Senate on Wednesday afternoon confirmed Lawrence VanDyke to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, marking President Trump's 50th successful appellate court appointment in just three years in office, and his second to the historically liberal 9th Circuit in as many days.
By contrast, President Barack Obama nominated a total of 55 circuit judges who were confirmed over eight years – and Obama's nominees were, on average, approximately ten years older. The White House has dramatically transformed the 9th Circuit, a powerful court with jurisdiction over nine states and Guam that has long been a thorn in the president's side.
Of the 30 active seats on the 9th Circuit, 10 have now been appointed by Trump, and 14 by Republican presidents. Only nine of the court's 19 semi-retired "senior status" judges were appointed by Democrats, with 10 by Republicans. That's a major change from early last year, when only six of the active judges on the 9th Circuit were chosen by Republicans.
"FIFTY CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES!" tweeted Carrie Severino, the conservative Judicial Crisis Network's chief counsel and policy director. "Despite unrelenting Democratic obstruction and smear campaigns," she wrote, Trump and his Senate allies "have answered the call of the American people."
VanDyke's confirmation, by a 51-44 vote, came just 24 hours after Patrick Bumatay, an openly gay Filipino man, was also seated on the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit. Both nominees were fiercely opposed by Democrats, including the senators from their home states – Nevada Sens. Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto for VanDyke, and California Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris for Bumatay.
More
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/two-trump-ninth-circuit-nominees-confirmed-over-objections-of-california-senators
Houthis Repel Large-Scale Saudi Attack In Northern Yemen, Respond With Missile Strike
The Houthis announced on December 12 that they had repelled a large-scale attack by the Saudi-led coalition and its proxies on their positions in the northern Yemeni province of al-Jawf.
A spokesman for the Yemeni group, Brig. Gen. Yahya Sari, said that coalition troops attacked for more than 16 hours, with Saudi warplanes conducting more than 30 airstrikes to support them. Despite this, they failed to advance.
The Houthis’ missile force helped repel the attack by launching a Qasim ballistic missile at Saudi reinforcements in al-Jawf.
“The strike was accurate … Dozens in the enemy’s ranks were killed or injured,” Brig Gen. Sari said.
Qasim missile was first used by the Houthis last August. However, the Yemeni group is yet to provide any information about it.
The situation in Yemen witnessed unusual calmness in the last few months. Now, it seems that the tension between the Houthis and Saudi forces is heating up again. This could endanger the ongoing peace efforts.
https://southfront.org/houthis-repel-large-scale-saudi-attack-in-northern-yemen-respond-with-missile-strike/
The Deep State Holds a Public Brain Storm About Their Plans for Syria - It Is Alarming
At a recent meeting of the congressionally-mandated Syria Study Group at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the participants outlined Washington's agenda for Syria, particularly a forward-looking examination of the diplomatic and military components of America's long-standing efforts in Syria. The discussion entitled "Syria in the Gray Zone" focused on what is termed "gray zone competition" in Syria, a concept that we will look at in this posting.
Let's start by taking a quick look at CSIS. Here, in their own words, is what we need to know about CSIS to put their influence over Washington into perspective:
"Established in Washington, D.C., over 50 years ago, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization dedicated to providing strategic insights and policy solutions to help decisionmakers chart a course toward a better world.
Founded in 1962 by David M. Abshire and Admiral Arleigh Burke, CSIS is one of the world’s preeminent international policy institutions focused on defense and security; regional study; and transnational challenges ranging from energy and trade to global development and economic integration. For the past eight years consecutively, CSIS has been named the world’s number one think tank for defense and national security by the University of Pennsylvania’s “Go To Think Tank Index.”
The Center’s over 240 full-time staff and large network of affiliated scholars conduct research and analysis and develop policy initiatives that look to the future and anticipate change. CSIS is regularly called upon by Congress, the executive branch, the media, and others to explain the day’s events and offer recommendations to improve U.S. strategy." (my bold)
With that background, let's look at key takeaways from the recent CSIS discussion on Syria and the use of gray zone tactics. According to Melissa Dalton, the director of the Cooperative Defense project at CSIS, gray zone competition is defined as:
"Gray zone competition is the area between conventional warfare and day-to-day statecraft, whereby the United States, along with other significant actors across the globe, are using a range of coercive tools - from information operations, to economic levers, to the use of proxy forces, as well as in the cyber and space domains - to extend their influence and their interest."
Gray zone tools are generally considered to be nonmilitary in nature and to me, would be considered coercive means used to win a conflict.
Let's look at the opening remarks by Dana Stroul, the Democratic co-chair of the Syria Study Group and a Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy in which she outlines Russia's use of the "gray zone" in its activities in Syria. It is important to keep in mind that Ms. Stroul is a staff member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and spent many years in the Department of Defense:
More
https://russia-insider.com/en/deep-state-holds-public-brain-storm-about-their-plans-syria-it-alarming/ri28015
Turkish Forces Establish 41 Checkpoints In Northeast Syria
The Turkish military has established 41 checkpoints between the border towns of Ras al-Ayn and Tell Abyad in northeast Syria, the Turkish Ministry of National Defence announced on December 12.
In an official statement, the ministry said that Turkish commandos are manning the checkpoints, registering vehicles’ chassis numbers, engine numbers and the personal IDs of the owners.
“Road checks are being carried out 24-7 in order to prevent incursions by PKK/YPG and ISIS terrorists, mainly their car-bomb attacks. Additionally, our commandos are also preventing smuggling thanks to the in-depth search and sweep operations being conducted,” the statement reads.
According to the Ministry of National Defence, 8,272 vehicles have been checked and tagged on Turkish checkpoints, so far. Work is ongoing to establish even more checkpoints in the region.
In the last two months, a series of bombings claimed the lives of dozens of militants and civilians in the Turkish-occupied part of northeast Syria. Ankara claims that Kurdish forces are behind these attacks.
By establishing these checkpoints and many other military posts in northeast Syria, Turkey is apparently working to solidify its military presence in the area.
https://southfront.org/turkish-forces-establish-41-checkpoints-in-northeast-syria-video/
Indian government sends troops to Assam after violent protests against citizenship bill (VIDEO)
Protests over a bill giving fast track Indian citizenship to non-Muslims have engulfed the state of Assam. The government responded with a redeployment of troops, curfews, and a suspension of internet services.
The protests in the northeastern state turned violent on Wednesday night after the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) was passed by the Indian parliament – now one presidential signature short of becoming law. People targeted the homes of high-ranking members of the ruling BJP party, who they accuse of discriminating against Muslims.
The government introduced of a 24-hour suspension of mobile internet services in some parts of Assam, which was ordered on Wednesday to prevent attempts to “inflame passions” through social media.
New Delhi says the CAB is necessary to protect persecuted minorities from Muslim-majority Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan - Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jain, and Parsis. It offers them an easy way to obtain Indian citizenship. The bill does not include Muslims in the six religious groups – the fact that prompted Muslims in Assam to voice their anger.
Tensions in Assam have grown rapidly over the week, with protesters switching from burning copies of the loathed piece of legislation to burning tires and cars. After the Wednesday night outburst, which happened in defiance of a curfew, the government in New Delhi sent troops from other parts of India. The troops restored order in the state capital, Guwahati, but protests continued on Thursday in other places.
The volatile situation also caused a disruption in traffic after several airlines canceled their Thursday and Friday flights to and from cities in Assam, including Guwahati, Dibrugarh, and Jorha. Similar cancelations were announced by train services in the state.
Prime Minister Modi addressed the disgruntled residents of Assam, saying they have nothing to worry about. “No one can take away your rights, unique identity and beautiful culture. It will continue to flourish and grow,” he tweeted.
https://www.rt.com/news/475650-india-protests-citizenship-law/
More Vulnerable House Democrats Spooked, Privately Abandon Pelosi’s Sinking Impeachment Ship
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is marching her caucus right off a cliff with this bogus impeachment charge against President Trump.
More and more vulnerable House Democrats are getting spooked and worried they will be sent to the unemployment line if they vote in favor of impeachment so House leadership is bracing for more defections.
As The Gateway Pundit reported on Wednesday — at least 9 House Democrats are already waffling — and now the number is reportedly as high as a dozen defectors, according to various reports.
There are 31 House Democrats in Trump districts who are at risk of losing their seats if they vote in favor of impeachment.
There are 233 Democrats, and 1 Independent (Justin Amash) who caucuses with the Dems, and 197 Republicans in the House.
To be clear, Pelosi can lose 17 Democrat votes and still impeach President Trump.
According to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, the Dems don’t even plan to “whip the votes” and they are losing more support as time passes.
According to lawmakers and aides who spoke to the Washington Post, the number of House Dems who will vote against impeachment is growing, however, as of Thursday, the leadership still has the votes to impeach.
As many as a half a dozen or more (up to a dozen so far) are planning on going rogue to save their seats.
House Democratic leaders are bracing for some defections among a group of moderate Democrats in swing districts who are concerned a vote to impeach President Trump could cost them their seats in November.
Lawmakers and senior aides are privately predicting they will lose more than the two Democrats who opposed the impeachment inquiry rules package in late September, according to multiple officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to talk frankly. Two senior Democratic aides said the total could be as many as a half-dozen, while a third said the number could be higher.
Predictions about some defections come as a core group of centrists from districts Trump won in 2016 are having second thoughts. While many knew impeachment would never be popular in their GOP-leaning districts, some have been surprised that support hasn’t increased despite negative testimony about Trump from a series of blockbuster hearings last month.
There’s more bad news for the Democrats.
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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will reportedly move to acquit President Trump if the House of Representatives impeaches him, not just dismiss the charges with a motion.
The Democrats launched impeachment against Trump after a Brennan CIA plant-turned-whistleblower filed a complaint based on third-hand knowledge alleging Trump threatened to withhold military aid from Ukraine unless they investigated the Biden crime family.
The entire hoax unraveled and Speaker Pelosi walked her caucus off the cliff only to watch as the Senate acquits Trump and clears him of all charges.
Here again is the list of the Endangered 31 Dems:
Via Paul Sperry
Tom O’Halleran (D-Ariz.)
Lucy McBath’s (D-Ga.)
Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.)
Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.)
Abby Finkenauer (D-Iowa)
Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa)
Cindy Axne’s (D-Iowa)
Jared Golden (D-Maine)
Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.)
Haley Stevens (D-Mich.)
Angie Craig (D-Minn.)
Collin Peterson (D-Minn.)
Susie Lee’s (D-Nev.)
Chris Pappas’s (D-N.H.)
Jefferson Van Drew (D-N.J.)
Andy Kim (D-N.J.)
Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.)
Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.)
Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.)
Max Rose (D-N.Y.)
Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.)
Antonio Delgado (D-N.Y.)
Anthony Brindisi (D-N.Y.)
Kendra Horn(D-Okla.)
Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.)
Conor Lamb (D-Pa.)
Joe Cunningham (D-S.C.)
Ben McAdams (D-Utah)
Elaine Luria’s (D-Va.)
Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.)
Ron Kind (D-Wis.)
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/12/more-vulnerable-house-democrats-spooked-privately-abandon-pelosis-sinking-impeachment-ship/
Tens Of Thousands Of Foreign Nationals On Temporary Visas Are Giving Birth In The US Every Year, Study Finds
A newly-released study estimates that are tens of thousands births annually in the United States by foreign nationals on temporary visas, highlighting the robust “birth tourism” industry.
The Center for Immigration Studies, a Washington, D.C. think tank that advocates for decreased immigration, released a study that estimates there are about 39,000 births annually to guest workers, foreign students, and others staying on long-term temporary visas. An additional 33,000 births a year, the study found, take place by tourists — bringing this total to 72,000.
“Our analysis makes clear that the number of children born to visitors is not trivial; and over time the numbers are substantial,” Steven Camarota, the CIS director of research and the study’s lead author, said in a statement. “It seems doubtful that the framers of the Fourteenth Amendment could have anticipated that tens of thousands of people each year would automatically be granted citizenship simply because their parents were on a temporary visit to the United States at the time of their birth.”
The new study — which relied on birth certificate and Census Bureau data — places a focus on what is known as “birth tourism,” the occurrence of foreign, pregnant women traveling to the U.S. shortly before their due dates so their children will be awarded U.S. citizenship upon birth.
https://dailycaller.com/2019/12/12/birth-tourism-study-finds-372000-births/
‘FBI is involved in Jeffrey Epstein cover-up’
A former US police officer who fled to Russia and claims to have hundreds of hours of video from Jeffrey Epstein’s properties has said that the FBI may be helping to cover up Prince Andrew’s alleged role in the sexual abuse scandal.
MI6 sources fear that John Mark Dougan, a former US Marine and Florida deputy sheriff, may have passed compromising information about the prince to Russian authorities.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/fbi-is-involved-in-jeffrey-epstein-cover-up-x6b3fxgm9