Tennessee state lawmaker introduces resolution condemning CNN and Washington Post as 'fake news

A GOP Tennessee state representative introduced a resolution labeling both CNN and the Washington Post as "fake news" while also condemning them for "denigrating our citizens." The resolution, written by Micah Van Huss, was introduced to the House floor on Wednesday. It begins by citing examples of alleged bias against President Trump and his supporters and suggested the news organizations are engaged in "a classic case of psychological projection" because "accusing someone's perceived opponent of exactly what one intends to do is a very old tactic."

Van Huss, in a Facebook post announcing the resolution, explained that he filed it "on behalf of a constituency that's tired of fake news and Republicans who don't fight." The resolution concludes, "The State of Tennessee recognizes CNN and the Washington Post as fake news and part of the media wing of the Democratic Party … We condemn them for denigrating our citizens and implying that they are weak-minded followers instead of people exercising their rights that our veterans paid for with their blood." Republicans hold a significant majority in the state's House of Representatives with 73 of the 99 seats. CNN and the Washington Post did not respond to requests for comment.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/tennessee-state-lawmaker-introduces-resolution-condemning-cnn-and-washington-post-as-fake-news

Michael Flynn claims he 'never lied' to federal investigators

Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn claims he "never lied" to federal investigators, more than two years after he pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI. "In truth, I never lied,” President Trump's former national security adviser wrote in a court filing to the United States District Court in D.C. on Wednesday. Flynn, 61, pleaded guilty in December 2017 for lying to investigators about his conversations with then-Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak regarding U.S. sanctions and a U.N. Security Council vote. He was interviewed because he was one of a handful of people connected to the Trump campaign targeted by the FBI's counterintelligence investigation, Crossfire Hurricane, which began in July 2016.

But Flynn said on Wednesday he "never would have pled guilty" if his first team of attorneys from the Washington law firm Covington & Burling had informed him that the FBI agents who interviewed him in January 2017 did not see signs that Flynn was lying to them. Flynn wrote of a "sudden and intense" pressure campaign in November 2017 to get him to plead guilty, including threats of a "long-term" prison sentence and charges against his son, Michael Flynn Jr., related to their Turkey business dealings. “I tried to 'accept responsibility' by admitting to offenses I understood the government I love and trusted said I committed,” Flynn wrote, adding: “I am innocent of this crime." Flynn said he does not recall speaking of sanctions with Kislyak, as has been alleged by the FBI, or the details of a U.N. vote on Israel.

As part of his plea deal, Flynn agreed to cooperate with special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation, admitting and then reaffirming his guilt in 2017 and 2018. The defense team that negotiated the plea deal was fired last summer, and, since taking over Flynn’s defense, former federal prosecutor Sidney Powell has argued “there never would’ve been a plea to begin with” if Flynn knew how much information the Justice Department was reportedly hiding from him. Flynn filed to withdraw his guilty plea earlier this month after the Justice Department asked Judge Emmet Sullivan to sentence Flynn to up to six months in prison in a reversal of its previous request that the former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency receive probation and no time behind bars. The U.S. attorney’s office for D.C. reasoned that the “complete record” showed actions by Flynn that “negate the benefits of much of the defendant’s earlier cooperation."

Prosecutors, led by U.S. Attorney Jessie Liu, wrote in a filing Wednesday that they stand by the zero-to-six-months recommendation but also noted that "probation is a reasonable sentence" and that they would not oppose it. Last week, Sullivan said Flynn may have to testify under oath in order to withdraw his plea deal. Flynn is tentatively scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 28.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/michael-flynn-claims-he-never-lied-to-federal-investigators

Trump set to make record fourth CPAC appearance: ‘I’m coming’

President Trump is set to make his historic and record-breaking fourth appearance at the annual CPAC conference next month in a bid to shore up his base for his 2020 reelection bid. While there has been no official announcement of his plan to attend the fast-selling Conservative Political Action Conference 2020, which is from Feb. 26 to 29, its boss, Matt Schlapp, indicated Wednesday that Trump wouldn’t miss it and his chance to talk directly to the audience of conservative youths the convention attracts.

Interviewed by the Washington Examiner’s Larry O’Connor during his daily show on WMAL and KABC, Schlapp, president of the American Conservative Union, said that Trump has told him that he is coming. Clearly, CPAC fans are expecting Trump to speak, as well as his top advisers and conservative stars, such as Dan Bongino, since it is selling out faster than ever.

“The ticket sales are going at an outrageous rate, three times the rate last year, which was a previous record,” said Schlapp. “This thing is going to be a sellout,” he added. CPAC is one of the few groups that Trump won’t miss a chance to address. His 2019 speech was considered epic and lasted two hours. One other is the National Rifle Association. Like CPAC, he has addressed all of their conventions as president.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/washington-secrets/trump-set-to-make-record-4th-cpac-appearance-im-coming