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Who The Fuck Has Left The Trump Administration

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#302

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Super hard to believe…and that there is absolutely no muscle put into the election probe is beyond all of us, right?!

I subscribe to WSJ (when there are the super deals) and am putting their article into this response, because they have a paywall. However, they are speculating as well. The timing of this Electoral task force - started in January, 2018, and McCabe was fired in 3.16.18, with Christopher Wray taking over 6.18 it might seem that FBI was in a bit of turmoil too.

WSJ article

By Dustin Volz
July 14, 2018 10:00 a.m. ET
42 COMMENTS

A senior FBI official overseeing a government task force that addresses Russian attempts to meddle in U.S. elections has left the government for a job in the private sector, a departure that comes just months ahead of the 2018 midterm contests.

Jeffrey Tricoli had been coleading the FBI foreign influence task force until June, when he left government work for a senior vice president job at Charles Schwab Corp. , the company confirmed.

Mr. Tricoli, an 18-year veteran of the FBI who became a section chief of the bureau’s cyber division in December 2016, didn’t respond to requests for comment sent to his personal email and LinkedIn account. An FBI spokeswoman declined to comment on Mr. Tricoli’s status, saying the Bureau doesn’t discuss personnel matters.

The reason for Mr. Tricoli’s departure wasn’t clear. But it adds to questions among some tech companies and lawmakers about how much the administration, and the task force in particular, are doing to protect future elections from Russian meddling.

This comes as the potential threat from foreign interference was underscored by a new indictment Friday from Special Counsel Robert Mueller, charging 12 Russians with a widespread conspiracy to steal thousands of emails from Democratic Party organizations and then ensure they became public in ways that would embarrass the Clinton campaign.

Clint Watts, a former FBI agent and author of a book about information wars on social media, said the Trump administration has shown little interest in addressing Russian meddling, leaving the FBI’s efforts to tackle foreign influence “reactive” instead of anticipatory.

The FBI, in a statement, said the task force has been forging ahead since it was created last year by Director Christopher Wray, though the Bureau declined to provide details.

“The FBI takes any effort to interfere with our democratic institutions extremely seriously,” it said. “For that reason, last year, Director Wray announced the Foreign Influence Task Force. Since its creation, the FITF has been an active, forward-looking task force.”

By bringing in representatives of FBI units and coordinating with state, federal and private organizations, the task force allows the Bureau “to share information and protect our democratic institutions from foreign influence,” the FBI said.

It wasn’t clear if a replacement for Mr. Tricoli has been selected. In January, Mr. Tricoli said publicly he was leading the task force alongside an unnamed counterpart in the FBI’s counterintelligence division.

Consider that Chris Wray’s role at the bureau was a tumultuous time at the FBI.

Is that the right kind of person to take on the most fraught job in Washington? If confirmed, Wray would become director at a tense time for the bureau. Trump has called the probe into possible collusion between his campaign and Russia “fake news” and “a witch hunt.” Critics say it’s anything but, while rank-and-file FBI agents are frustrated that their work is now perceived wrapped up in politics, not only because of the Russia investigation but also because of the FBI’s probe into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server. Then there are the usual stressors of serving as the nation’s top law enforcement official, overseeing some 35,000 employees and 50,000 investigations each year, most of which do not involve the 2016 election.

Despite his sterling reputation, Wray risks getting involved in the most intractable political fight in decades. “There’s an element of, Wow, what is he getting into?” says Jim Franco, a former college friend and roommate.

Or, as Roth puts it: “Would I do it [become FBI director]? Not at all. Would I recommend that anybody do it? No.”

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#303

Resignations today over the immigration issue and separating families.

Richard Jeffrey Danzig (former Navy)
David Martin Obama-era official
Rep. Elizabeth Holtzman (D-NY)
Matthew Olsen Director of the National Counterterrorism Center

Several members of the Homeland Security Advisory Council reportedly resigned over the Trump administration’s controversial immigration policies.

Four members of the advisory group, which is tasked with conducting research on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policies, announced their resignation in a letter to DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen on Monday, according to a Washington Post article published Tuesday.

The resignation letter reportedly said the administration failed to consult with the council before carrying out Trump’s zero-tolerance immigration policy, which was introduced by Attorney General Jeff Sessions in May. The policy resulted in the separation of hundreds of migrant families before Trump signed an executive order in June ending the separations.

“Were we consulted, we would have observed that routinely taking children from migrant parents was morally repugnant, counter-productive and ill-considered," the group wrote in the letter obtained by the Post. "We cannot tolerate association with the immigration policies of this administration, nor the illusion that we are consulted on these matters.”

Richard Jeffrey Danzig, who served as the secretary of the Navy under former President Clinton, was reportedly one of the four advisory council members who announced his resignation. He was joined by former Rep. Elizabeth Holtzman (D-N.Y.), according to the Post.

The letter was reportedly signed by **Obama-era officials David Martin,**who previously served as principal deputy general counsel at DHS, and former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center Matthew Olsen.

There are reportedly 24 members on the advisory council, each appointed by the Homeland Security secretary for two-year terms. The council normally meets no more than two times a year, the Post reported.

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#304

Beck Dorey-Stein, who worked as a stenographer for the White House

A White House stenographer says she resigned over the Trump administration’s lack of respect for her office after President Trump reduced the roles of the White House position.

Beck Dorey-Stein, who worked as a stenographer for the White House during the second half of the Obama administration, told CNN’s New Day on Wednesday that Trump’s refusal to allow stenographers in the room for meetings and interviews with some journalists crossed a line.

“I quit because I couldn’t be proud of where I worked anymore,” Dorey-Stein said. “I felt like President Trump was lying to the American people, and also … not even trying to tell the truth. He wasn’t even going the extra mile to have the stenographers in the room”

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#305

Trump loyalist preferred and weeding out longstanding personnel is the goal in forming the new VA.

Ummmm…

Ahead of Robert Wilkie’s likely confirmation to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, Trump loyalists at the agency are taking aggressive steps to purge or reassign staff members perceived to be disloyal to President Trump and his agenda for veterans, according to multiple people familiar with the moves.

The transfers include more than a dozen career civil servants who have been moved from the leadership suite at VA headquarters and reassigned to lower-visibility roles. The employees served agency leaders, some dating back more than two decades, in crucial support roles that help a new secretary.

None said they were given reasons for their reassignments.

The moves are being carried out by a small cadre of political appointees led by Acting Secretary Peter O’Rourke who have consolidated power in the four months since they helped oust Secretary David Shulkin.

The reshuffling marks a new stage in a long estrangement between civil servants and Trump loyalists at VA, where staff upheaval and sinking morale threaten to derail service to one of the president’s key constituencies, according to current and former employees.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-loyalists-at-va-shuffling-purging-employees-before-new-secretary-takes-over/2018/07/18/a4462aae-892d-11e8-8aea-86e88ae760d8_story.html?utm_term=.b497bd27cc9c

#306

Michael Barry’s departure is not yet a done deal – we’ll have to keep an eye on developments over the next few days.

This is a well-researched article – it includes a recap of recent departures from the NSC:

In just the last few weeks, there have been a slew of departures from the NSC. They include Richard Hooker, senior director for Russia; Jennifer Arangio, senior director for international organizations; Michael Bell, the top Middle East adviser; and Joel Rayburn, senior director for Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. James Sindle, director for Lebanon, and Air Force Colonel Kris Bauman, senior director for Israeli-Palestinian issues, have also left since Bolton’s arrival. The senior director for counterterrorism is currently filled by Chris Miller, who is serving in an acting capacity since retired Col. Christopher Costa left months ago.

What a shame. We are losing years of accumulated wisdom, experience and expertise. Furthermore, based on this administration’s abysmal staffing track record, I shudder to consider the caliber of the Trump cronies who will make up the replacements – or, in line with the way Trump has gutted other agencies, there’s a chance these experts won’t be replaced at all.

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#307

:face_with_raised_eyebrow:

Three of the top cybersecurity officials at the Federal Bureau of Investigation are retiring from government service, according to people familiar with the matter—departures that come as cyberattacks are a major concern for the country’s security agencies.

Senior U.S. intelligence officials warn that the country is at a “critical point” facing unprecedented cyberthreats, including Russia’s ongoing attacks on the American political system. The retirements also come as the FBI is facing regular criticism from President Donald Trump and his supporters, and is working to attract and retain top cyber talent.

Scott Smith, the assistant FBI director who runs the Bureau’s cyber division, is leaving this month. His deputy, Howard Marshall, also left in recent weeks. Mr. Marshall has accepted a job at Accenture , a consulting firm that is expanding its cybersecurity portfolio. Mr. Smith is also expected to move to the private sector.

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Day 546
#308

Searing letter from Rep. Elizabeth Holtzman (D-NY) from the advisory council. Rep Holtzman was also an atty who also worked on the Watergate Hearings.

Trump%20Resignation%20Letter%20Holtzman%20NHS
Trump%20Resignation%20Letter%20Holtzman%20NHS1296×1667 228 KB

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#309

Interesting turn of events. . . Is Kelly showing some spine? Or is there some other interpretation?

The Trump White House has moved quickly to force out a trio of staffers loyal to former, scandal-plagued Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.

At least one of the axed Pruitt aides, spokesman Lincoln Ferguson, had planned to leave the EPA prior to Pruitt’s departure. But the White House Presidential Personnel Office, overseen by senior Trump aide Johnny DeStefano, expedited his resignation.

Senior EPA communications adviser Jahan Wilcox, who frequently clashed with the press and served as a top enforcer for his chronically-embattled former boss, was also asked to tender his resignation at PPO’s request. Hayley Ford, the EPA’s deputy White House liaison, was also pushed out earlier this month following Pruitt’s ouster.

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Who The Fuck Has Sued The Trump Administration
#310

Spotted

Trump advisers quietly begin thinking about ‘life after Sarah’

Bill Shine, the newly appointed White House deputy chief of staff for communications, has quietly begun asking friends and associates for their opinions about who could succeed Sanders if she leaves in the coming months, according to two people familiar with those conversations.

Shine, in a brief interview, denied having such conversations. “I have not had a meeting or discussion about this,” he said last week, noting he had been on the job for only a short time. Shine praised Sanders and called her a “total team player."

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#311

GOP doesn’t care about families, look st the border issues🤷‍♂️.

#312

Not part the Trump aministration but glad to see this guy resigning.

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#313

Rumored

A favorite of Trump’s since last winter’s federal shutdown and the earlier unsuccessful effort to repeal Obamacare, Mulvaney has emerged as one of the two leading candidates to succeed John Kelly as Trump’s chief of staff, according to interviews with a dozen current and former administration officials and Republicans close to the administration.

Long rumored to be on his way out, Kelly has no clear plans to resign — but Mulvaney has been discreetly lobbying for the job, asking Republicans outside the White House to put in a good word on his behalf with the president.

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#314

One of the White House’s top attorneys plans to leave the administration by the end of the summer, according to four people familiar with his plans.

The departure of Stefan Passantino, the deputy White House counsel responsible for policing ethics for Trump officials, will leave a huge hole in the White House’s legal operation, where the 51-year-old has operated as the number two to top attorney Don McGahn.

The White House’s reaction: “Ethics, schmethics. We don’t need no ethics lawyers.”

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#315

Ximena Barreto — a Donald Trump political appointee who used social media to spread conspiracy theories about a supposed pizza shop sex ring and made other inflammatory remarks — was escorted from Health and Human Services Department headquarters Friday, according to an individual with knowledge of the situation.

Another one of Trump’s “Best People”:

Before joining HHS as a deputy communications director in December 2017, Barreto spread conspiracy theories on social media and through online videos — among them that Hillary Clinton was engaged in a child-sex ring at a Washington pizza shop, involved in the murder of Democratic National Committee aide Seth Rich and employed pedophiles in her campaign. Barreto also repeatedly insulted Islam as a “cult” and shared a post suggesting that “our forefathers would have hung” Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton for treason . . .

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#316

Where do they find these nuts?

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#317

They take whomever they can get.

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#318

Since none of this has actually happened yet, it falls under the heading of “put a pin in it.” However, it’s interesting to see how specific the predictions for hirings and firings are here – it sounds like Wilkie has “put up a trial balloon” with the press.

Pardon my skepticism, but this looks like more flailing around by the Trump Administration in a desperate attempt to salvage veterans’ votes before the mid-terms. To me, it amounts to an admission by Republicans that they got caught trying to gut the VA under the guise of “streamlining” it. Many veterans have wised up to the ruse and will not be so amenable to voting the Republican ticket in November.

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#319

Good analysis…and that the top heavy T loyalists will soon be ‘reassigned’ does mean Wilkie means business and can get the VA working. The idea to privatize the whole organization is definitely what the R’s donor class would like, but perhaps Wilkie has a vision to get the place working better, overhaul the inefficiencies.

The Vets vote is important.

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#320

After just six months on the job, first lady Melania Trump’s top policy aide has left the White House, according to multiple people familiar with the matter.

Reagan Hedlund, a 28-year-old former executive assistant at the National Security Council who recently helped the first lady launch the “Be Best” anti-bullying initiative, departed last week, leaving already-skeletal East Wing staff even smaller.

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#321

I hear she’s returning to grammar school.

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