Trump’s War On Oversight Claims Another Victim

APRIL 7, 2020

"The president has abruptly removed Glenn Fine, who had been tasked with overseeing the $2 trillion rescue package, just days after he fired Michael Atkinson for his handling of the Ukraine whistleblower report.

Donald Trump continued his raid on government watchdogs Tuesday, abruptly removing the inspector general who had been tasked with overseeing the $2 trillion coronavirus rescue package signed into law late last month. The move, which came days after the president fired Michael Atkinson over his role in the impeachment proceedings, raises significant concerns about the sweeping relief bill—and signals an escalation in Trump’s assault on inspectors general, oversight officials that his allies have convinced him are part of a “deep state” effort to undermine him.

“Inspectors General are charged with doing independent oversight and exposing corruption,” House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff tweeted Tuesday. “Their job is to uncover the truth. Exactly why Trump fears them.”

Acting Pentagon watchdog Glenn Fine had been tapped by a group of inspectors general to lead an oversight panel of the coronavirus relief bill, the largest in United States history. But Fine was removed from his post at the Pentagon on Tuesday, effectively barring him from his position at the panel, as only sitting inspectors general are allowed to fill the role. Sean O’Donnell, the inspector general of the Environmental Protection Agency, will also serve as the acting Pentagon IG, while Fine will serve as the principal deputy. “Mr. Fine is no longer on the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee," Dwrena Allen, a spokeswoman for the Pentagon inspector general’s office, told Politico, which first reported the shakeup."

moar:

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/04/trumps-war-on-oversight-claims-another-victim

Marathon talks over EU virus rescue package stall

42 minutes ago

"EU talks on how to help southern Eurozone countries badly affected by the coronavirus epidemic have stalled after 16 hours.

The European Central Bank says the bloc may need up to €1.5tn ($1.6 trillion; £1.3tn) to tackle the crisis.

European finance ministers were close to a deal, but the talks broke down amid a dispute between Italy and the Netherlands over how to apply the recovery fund.

Negotiations will resume on Thursday.

The coronavirus pandemic has exposed deep divides in Europe, where Italy and Spain have accused northern nations - led by Germany and the Netherlands - of not doing enough.

The row comes as the EU's top scientist, Mauro Ferrari, resigned citing Brussels' "disappointing" response to the pandemic.

The Italian, who was head of the European Research Council for less than four months, said in his resignation statement that a special programme he tried to set up to combat the virus had been rejected out of hand.

The European Commission has not commented on the criticism, but a leading MEP, Christian Ehler, accused Mr Ferrari of conducting a "window-dressing public relations stand on the coronavirus crisis".

Why did the EU talks break down?"

moar:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52211650

Behind the scenes, an LDP power struggle over record-size economic package

April 8, 2020

"As the Cabinet approved on Tuesday a record-breaking ¥108 trillion emergency stimulus package in response to COVID-19 ravaging the nation’s economy, the deep-seated rivalries it has amplified within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party were hidden from view.

The fundamental elements of the government’s plan come from proposals made within the party, spearheaded by the LDP’s policy research council chairman Fumio Kishida, who is also seen as a viable successor to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

But the lead-up to the massive proposal, put forward on March 31, was shaped by behind-the-scenes political maneuvers, amid an internal struggle between LDP forces backing Kishida and those plotting to deflate his rising influence. Some members were still showing displeasure over the proposal at a party meeting this week.

As Kishida seeks to seize momentum, and gain wider appeal by demonstrating leadership abilities and making media appearances, multiple hurdles have stood in his way as was demonstrated in the compilation of the party’s coronavirus response.

The difference between the two sides manifested itself most significantly in the proposal’s centerpiece: the cash handout. It was initially discussed on a much larger scale, to total around ¥12 trillion — or ¥100,000 per person."

moar:

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/04/08/national/politics-diplomacy/ldp-power-struggle-record-economic-aid-package/

Chaos rocks Trump White House on virus' most tragic day

Updated 3:31 AM ET, Wed April 8, 2020

"(CNN)The chaos and confusion rocking President Donald Trump's administration on the most tragic day yet of the coronavirus pandemic was exceptional even by his own standards.

Trump set out Tuesday to cement his image of a wartime leader facing down an "invisible enemy" at a dark moment as the country waits for the virus to peak and with the economy languishing in suspended animation.

"What we have is a plague, and we're seeing light at the end of the tunnel," the President said, on a day when a record number of Americans succumbed to the wicked respiratory disease.

But instead of putting minds at rest, Trump's wild performance instead put on a display many of the personal and political habits that have defined his tumultuous presidency. It was a troubling spectacle coming at such a wrenching chapter of national life, the kind of moment when Presidents are called to provide consistent, level leadership.

To begin with, Trump sparked concern that he will prevent oversight of the disbursement of economic rescue funds by removing a watchdog official responsible for overseeing the $2 trillion package. The move, coming after Trump ousted an intelligence community inspector general last week, was yet another sign that an already impeached President is using the cover of the worst domestic crisis since World War II to further erode constraints on his power.

Trump's acting Navy secretary quit after an episode in which he called an aircraft carrier captain dismissed for raising the alarm about virus infections among his crew "stupid.""

moar:

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/08/politics/donald-trump-coronavirus/index.html

muh sleepy kek

>>8720963

tee hee

I said TEE HEE!

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Imagine considering yourself Qanon yet allowing your panties to wad up your ass when you see a post filled with your enemies negative thoughts about Qanon/you.

If you cannot handle that shit I do not think you are going to weather the storm very well and one of us will probably have to help you as if you were a fuckin' normie.

All of this is the Water.

Watch all of it or stop pretending to be Qanon.

Battle hardened anons can smell your concerns from miles away and it smells like deep state shit….

>>8721208

Right! It is like they are primed and ready to go straight fascist dictator on their neighbors. Why does this not surprise me? kek!

>>8721209

Interesting yet I lost track of where we are on the days of darkness theories. I always thought it meant days Q team would not drop.

>>8721212

awww shit anons going biblical on us!

no worries as this happens at last 300 times per day here :D

Go on with your bad self, Anon!

>>8721214

shit did not bother me at all yet glad anons will hopefully stfu about it now! kek

>>8721218

here is an example of how you can cut yourself with Occam's razor. If we think that anything they take down is the good stuff most of us would be following alex jones right about now. Understand?

>>8721219

POTUS was aware and concerned about this. Our enemies want it to happen as its all part of their little shit plan.

>>8721224

No! You!

You're! kek!

Music!

Why can't you normies trip like we do?