Awww, he canceled. That might be one of the most disappointing things I’ve heard all day. 
Updated today with the latest happenings in Congress & beyond… 
Don Jr’s testimony is confirmed for this Thursday.
Yeah I’m not sure I would be a happier person for seeing his nonanswers (at best).
1 Like
I’m still patiently awaiting the day this release the Fusion GPS transcript. THAT is going to be pure gold 
…
1 Like
lol speaking of Fusion GPS dossier:
Original source was CNN, but Gizmodo’s headline was way more WTF appropriate.
1 Like
Calendars post has been updated with upcoming events – most notable additions/updates are to upcoming congressional hearings!
1 Like
Senate Judiciary Committee has sent Jeff Sessions a letter on 9/20/17 with concerns about the Justice Department’s progress on implementing whistleblower protections at the FBI.
While this will be a “routine” DOJ oversight meeting, questions about Sessions’ and Trump’s interactions, conduct, and related events could potentially arise.
Sessions is scheduled to testify in front of the Senate panel on October 18, 2017.
Note: according to the article below, the hearing is not related to the Russia investigation.
1 Like
Update for your “Miscellaneous” calendar events:
After Trump’s travel ban 3.0 was announced, the Supreme Court has cancelled oral arguments and removed the hearing from their October 10 schedule. Both sides have to submit briefs as to whether they believe the “Muslim ban” and “refugee ban” are now, or soon will be, moot.
Tomorrow, 10/3!
Supreme Court will begin to hear arguments in the Wisconsin gerrymandering case (Gill v. Whitford)
- “Can the Supreme Court Fix American Politics?” (NYT Editorial Board)
- A great explainer, which encompasses links to several useful articles: “The New Front in the Gerrymandering Wars: Democracy vs. Math” (NYT Magazine)
- Interesting article about Wisconsin’s defense: “Wisconsin Is Misusing My Research to Defend Gerrymandering” (TIME)
What’s most interesting is that ending partisan gerrymandering, is a non-partisan effort. Amicus briefs were submitted by top ranking politicians of both parties. The Brennan Center breaks down the details here.
“If our party loses the majority because of independent redistricting, we didn’t deserve it in the first place”
(Parpharsed qoute from either Arnold Schwarzenegger or my congressman Alan Lowenthal - can’t remember which!)
3 Likes
Tomorrow at 10am EST!
5 Things to Know Before the Hearing (USA Today):
- This is Sessions’ first committee hearing since June.
- This is a routine oversight hearing, but topics relating to Trump are likely to come up.
- Other likely topics: DOJ’s budget, DACA, Civil forfeiture regulations, LGBTQ protections (or lack thereof)
Here is the Committee’s livestream Link.
Also, the main calendars post has been updated with upcoming events!
3 Likes
The calendars post has been updated with upcoming happenings!
1 Like
I might start including a link to this at the bottom of the daily newsletter.
1 Like
I’ve been doing what I can to keep it up-to-date and as current as possible (I typically only post letting people know it’s updated when there are notable updates).
Also, I’ve been posting reminders with “what to know” info for any major happenings – I can keep up with that if people find it useful?
Today at 2:30pm EST 
Senate Judiciary Sub-Committee Hearing: Extremist Content and Russian Disinformation Online - Working with Tech to Find Solutions
This will be the social media companies lawyer’s first appearance on the hill this week. Clint Watts (founder of Hamilton 68) will also be testifying.
What You Should Know
- PBS: Hearing Overview & Livestream Link
- NYT: Meet the People Who Will Defend Google, Facebook and Twitter Before Lawmakers
- NYT: What to Watch for as Facebook, Twitter and Google Executives Testify on Capitol Hill
Securing Democracy’s overview of Russia’s disinformation war
Updated: Here is an update of what we learned during today’s hearing
2 Likes
Wednesday is a double header for Congressional #TechHearings with the social media companies!
- 9:30am EST / 6:30am PST: Senate Intelligence Committee Hearing on Social Media Influence in the 2016 U.S. Elections
- 2:00pm EST / 11:00am PST: Russia Investigative Task Force (House Intelligence Committee) Hearing with Social Media Companies
Watch both hearings via C-SPAN 3’s website, C-SPAN Facebook Live or listen on C-SPAN Radio app
What You Should Know
- Learnings & Notes from Tuesday’s hearing:
- Facebook ended up being the primary focus of the questioning during the hearing
- Russian activity on Facebook after the election was aimed at “fomenting discord about the validity of election”
- Facebook admitted that political ads bought by Russia were being paid for in rubles, that they probably should have caught
- Hearing featured the first look at the fake Russian ads that were handed over to Congress
- Twitter found 2,752 accounts associated with the known Russian troll farm, more than 10 times the number originally disclose
- Securing Democracy’s quick reference guide to Russia + Social media
- More about Tuesday’s hearing can be found here
Things to Watch For 
Senator Mark Warner, who is the top Democrat on the Senate committee and former tech executive, wants to know the following:
- How did Russia use social media & search platforms to influence the 2016 election?
- How susceptible are these platforms to future disinformation campaigns waged by a small group of foreign hackers, trolls & bots?
- How do they plan to work with Congress to make sure this doesn’t happen again? (Specifically on legislation like the #HonestAds Act, which they have been hesitant on)
Edit: Here is an update of what we learned during today’s hearing(s)
- The Atlantic’s 15 Things We Learned From the Tech Giants at the Senate Hearings
- Senate Intelligence Committee: Recode’s In-Depth Coverage and Analysis
-
The House Intelligence Committee released the ads, etc received from the tech companies:
- Facebook ads/events posted by fake Russian accounts: ads and metadata for ads
- Russian Twitter bots used during the Election: a 65 page list
4 Likes
I know there are plenty of good reasons to keep hearings closed, but hot damn I wish these were all open. I need catharsis! Even tho I know it would in all actuality only make me more ragey.
2 Likes
I love this section of the WTForum! This should be part of a daily briefing / on tap sort of thing.
2 Likes