District Sentinel Radio

Chip Gibbons joins us for another edition of Chip Chat. We break down the latest news around the AUMF, including how the Trump administration is trying to use it to go to war with Iran, and the congressional effort to repeal it before that happens. Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-Yet another shady attack blamed on Iran, without any sort of evidence or proof -Normally boring bureaucracy watchdog urges White House to fire Kellyann Conway -New ethics concern in the Trump era: legal fundraising for officials -Freddie Mac backing of Kushner deal questioned by Warren, in wake of Jared offshore investment expose -GAO: tobacco tax rate disparity costs government billions Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-Sanders leans heavily on New Deal, FDR to articulate views on democratic socialism and the fight against Trump -The Two Sams break down Bernie’s talk after attending the speech at GWU Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-Speaker claims caucus doesn’t back impeachment inquiry amid news she’s thwarting a Judiciary Committee majority from proceeding -Lindsey Graham holds hearing on ending asylum and increasing length of child detention limits, stench of corporate prison profit motive in the air -Just drop out, Cory. Sen. Booker, floundering in 2020 polls, does disgusting flip-flop on anti-BDS bill -GAO: Government agencies still dragging feet on years-old climate change recommendations Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-After being known for getting embarrassed by Anthony Scaramucci, Reince Priebus joined the Navy to become a weekend warrior bureaucrat. He was honored by Mike Pence today. -WH gives key immigration role to hardliner Ken Cuccinelli; predecessor forced out by white nationalist Stephen Miller -One of the SCOTUS libs (not Breyer) didn’t want to relitigate Gitmo indefinite detention -Trump threatens more tariffs on China ahead of possible G-20 sideline meeting -House Democrats shamed into reversing ban on free public tax filing services Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-DHS watchdog random inspection of ICE facilities turns up horrific conditions: rotten food, moldy housing, nooses in cells -Trump brags his sanctions are ruining Iran, while claiming he’s open to talks -(for subscribers) Honor Can: Vox Workers get placed on the pedestal for standing up to union busting managers -(for subscribers) Garbage Can: 2020 Bottom-feeders Delaney and Hickenlooper for trying to undercut single-payer Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-Republicans looking forward to making money off global ecological disasters, while bashing refugees -Bernie Sanders introduces labor-board member resolution at Walmart shareholders meeting -Fed could cut interest rates if trade disputes harm economy; major banks could see revenue slashed -Congress attempting to thwart Trump administration efforts to jam through weapons deals to Saudi Arabia, UAE Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-President says Britain’s public health system should be on the table after Brexit, in US-UK trade deal -GAO raises privacy alarm over FBI facial recognition database with 640 million photos -More economic warfare: Trump admin restoring Cuba sanctions in support of Venezuela regime change operation -Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross was told Census citizenship question would help “white Republicans” Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-Ginsburg joins conservative justices in 5-4 decision tightening supervised release rules -All about the green: Congress on verge of legalizing cannabis banking -NYT: Emails show Elaine Chao was planning meeting with shipping CEO sister -Half the country struggles with medical bills, 1 in 5 put off career moves for insurance coverage Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-Mckayla Wilkes joins us to discuss her primary campaign against a member of the Washington elite, Number Two House Democrat Steny Hoyer Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-Whistleblower says Bureau of Land Management no longer enforcing anti-graizing laws -Special Counsel points out that it’s Pelosi’s job to bring charges against a sitting President; Speaker responds with more cowardice -FDIC data shows banks making more quarterly profit, taking on riskier loans -They aren’t even trying: Department of Energy calling natural gas “freedom gas” Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-Chip Gibbons on the Espionage Act charges against Assange -Daniel Hale, likely source of drone reporting, also hit with an Espionage Act indictment -Intelligence Identities Protection Act….Also a bad law -Chip is also not a UFO guy Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-Trump admin whines about trade war it started -DHS chief admits every kid in immigration custody doesn’t have access to a pediatrician -Totally fabricated Iran “threat” to see 10,000 troops dispatched to Middle East -Justice Department reportedly rejects FCC conclusion on T-Mobile/Sprint merger

-Treasury Secretary explains decision to conceal Trump’s tax returns in light of IRS memo, advised by Rep. Tlaib to seek counsel -Acting DHS Chief outraged at charge that migrant deaths are deliberate. Isn’t this the cruel “deterrence” Republicans want? -National Labor Relations Board rules in favor of VW at Chattanooga plant; dissent and UAW decry legitimization of VW delay tactics -Pelosi admits she wanted to help President Trump pass a signature infrastructure plan, is going to get us all killed Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-Behind closed doors, administration leans on political hot air to justify heightened tension with Iran -Don McGahn no-show, Pelosi’s vapid “patriotism” excuse, pushes needle toward impeachment -Treasury Dept. financial crimes guy didn’t read the NYT report alleging Deutsche Bank quashed Trump, Kushner suspicious activity filings -Ex-fossil fuel lawyer, climate science crank, confirmed as appellate circuit judge for-life Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-Ajit Pai greenlights T-Mobile/Sprint merger; critics say conditions amount to window-dressing -Teen dies in CBP custody; five minors have now died in immigration detention this year alone -SCOTUS declines to hear challenge of Postal Service-Amazon deal -Lindsey Graham snaps to support an Iran War, like the dog he is, after personally hearing from blood-lusting John Bolton Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-Power seizure has failed miserably in Venezuela, but anti-coup forces removed from Venezuela Embassy in DC, with help from cops -Watchdog says EPA should consider recouping $123,000 on Pruitt’s lavish travel expenses; agency says “no.” -Telecoms giants claim they stopped selling location data, with FCC investigation underway -Normal, functioning, country: Student loan servicer/debt collector now one the largest corporations Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

Chip Gibbons updates us on what has been going down at the Venezuelan embassy Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-CO2 level in atmosphere now at 415 ppm -SCOTUS allows antitrust lawsuits against Apple in 5-4 decision; Kavanaugh joins all four liberal justices -Top court also approves of Tennessee execution; Sotomayor calls test for challenging method of execution “perverse” -Trump smears yet another Muslim congresswoman as an anti-semite before praising and welcoming Hungary’s anti-semitic leader Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-The US government’s attack on journalists’ sources continues, ramped up by Trump -AOC and Bernie propose putting the payday loan industry in the dirt, where it belongs -Guaido coup supporters just straight up attacking people in Washington with support of feds -North Korean ship seized amid questions of detente falling apart -We did the math. Nate Silver was nominated for the Garbage Can this week. Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-We spoke to Joshua Collins, who is trying to do an AOC, targeting an establishment Dem in Washington State

-This sucks, but people are gonna have to register as Democrats -CFPB under Trump okays debt collection harassment via text and email -Confusion on Capitol Hill over NSA phone record surveillance program -Trump pardons US soldier who killed Iraqi detainee, in blatant endorsement of war crimes Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-House threatening to hold Barr in contempt, even though they’re cowering from impeachment fight -Public comment period starts on petition to EPA to make stricter glyphosate rules -Another Flint coming? Trump budget takes an axe to clean water programs -Tiger Woods medal ceremony brings more questions of Trump self-dealing Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-A Massachusetts Judge accused of letting a defendant get away from ICE is a hero -Trump admin Atlantic offshore drilling plans are on hold -Report: US sanctions against Venezuela responsible for 40,000 deaths -The F-35 doesn’t have the parts it needs to fly like 30 percent of the time -How do you say waterboy for the rich in Norwegian? Pete Buttigieg is nominated for the Garbage Can Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-Facebook stock up after disclosing expectations for Cambridge Analytica fine amid quarterly earnings -Mnuchin says Treasury won’t hand over Trump tax return to Congressional Dems -Top banking Dem tells FDIC to fill vacancies before proceeding on BB&T-SunTrust merger -Trump admin ramping up classifications, hindering regular Afghanistan War oversight report -Plus, Mumia Abu Jamal’s appeal is advancing. Ted Kelly gives us an update

-AFL-CIO leader says capitalism was kept in check during Cold War -SCOTUS considers Census citizenship question, despite sketchy voter suppression effort -Dad of Federalist weirdo Ben Domenech, Meghan McCain’s fail-husband, is subject of an Interior Dept. ethics investigation -New study: Greenland ice melt has caused global sea levels to rise 0.25 inches in eight years

-Sanders trying to get Congress to override Trump veto on Yemen peace resolution -Roberts Court set to hear two cases on homophobic and transphobic workplace discrimination -President tries to stop subpoenas of accounting firm at heart of Trump Org fraud allegations -GAO: Federal regulators ramming through pipelines are failing American Indian communities Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-No huge surprises. Stories about administration crookedness and incompetence are kinda funny -Steny Hoyer takes impeachment off the table….again -Garbage Can nominees this week include Neera...and her mom

-Rob Rousseau on Crenshaw deserving internet vitriol after whipping up Islamophobic hatred -Plus, a discussion on how to handle a problem like Fox News -Also, we definitively prove that the “AR” in “AR-15” stands for “Assault Rifle”

-White House practically begging Herman Cain to withdraw from Fed nomination after GOP Senators tell Trump “no” for once -Talk to Bolton: Kudlow says hawkish aide running point, on question about rewarding Ecuador for Assange arrest -Emerging EPA rule could threaten millions with flooding, drinking water contamination -Trump admin to try to allow lawsuits against foreign companies doing business in Cuba -Here come the Department of Interior IG investigations against Bernhardt

-Chip Gibbons on how Julian Assange won't get a fair trial in the Eastern District of Virginia, if he's extradited

-DOJ arrest of Wikileaks founder sets a terrible precedent for press freedom -Trump admin proposed tightening of food stamp rules an attack on the rural poor -Not even Joe Manchin could save him: Senate Republicans voicing opposition to Herman Cain Fed nomination -Zinke replacement Bernhardt confirmed with “ethics typhoon” brewing at Interior Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-CEO of JP Morgan, the biggest funder of fossil fuels, says climate change not a threat to financial markets in Congressional testimony -Win for Net Neutrality in House, though Presidential veto looms -Even our nerd Attorney General is urging Congress to end the federal prohibition on weed -Possible for-profit college/debt relief grift brewing at Betsy DeVos’ Department of Ed. Subscribe at Patreon.com/DisrictSentinel

-House passes tax reform that bars the IRS from creating a public filing portal -Mnuchin acknowledges convo between Treasury, White House about Trump’s tax returns -GOP invites Hitler defender and anti-Muslim bigot to hearing about white nationalism -Courtroom battle over unredacted Mueller report brewing -Also, preview of the preliminary Worst Tweet Tournament bracket Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-State Dept. labels Iran’s Revolutionary Guard “terrorist.” Iran replies by doing same for US military, which….where’s the lie? -Obama worst on whistleblowers no longer: criminal prosecution of leaks spike under Trump admin -Fed watering down more regulations with focus on Central Bank, industry hacks Herman Cain and Stephen Moore joining board. -Cruel morons in Trump administration reverse deal allowing Cuban baseball players to join MLB teams. Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-House and Senate pass same resolution ending US involvement with disastrous Saudi war in Yemen -Trump expected to veto, won’t be overridden, though lawmakers, especially Bernie, deserve credit for trying -Energy Department power plant, fossil fuel research lacking scientific integrity -Three Democrats join Republicans to advance scandal-plagued Interior Secretary nominee -Guam has legalized weed Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-Dem’s shouldn’t rollback GOP senate rule-change, if they ever take back power -More Oversight Cmte subpoenas: Mueller report order passed, Mazars USA order coming -Most Americans don’t believe in Have/have-not divide, though that will go up when the next recession hits -FDA investigating vaping teens on some bullshit but who cares subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-Commerce, DOJ ordered to come clean on Census citizenship question -Ex-White House security official subpoenaed to testify on sketchy security clearances -Another whistleblower: FAA ordered to turn over info on safety inspectors after insider tip -Bernie crushing it after campaigns (minus Beto) report first quarter donations -Trump not backing off threat to shut down US-Mexico border Subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel Music by Adam Fligsten www.adamfligsten.com

-Whistleblower says White House gave 25 security clearances over objection of career officials -Brett Kavanaugh deciding vote on SCOTUS approving execution described as torture by doctors -OCC approves Wells Fargo anti-money laundering plan -GAO: Mental healthcare in the United States is woefully inadequate and expensive Subscribe for more newscasts at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-Republican congressman says Democrat practicing “big lie theory,” first coined by Hitler to malign Jews as deceptive -House Oversight demands files from company at heart of Trump fraud allegations -Secretary Pompeo will only discuss drug trafficker tied to US ally in classified setting -Costs of climate change racking up, Pentagon asks Congress for $5 billion extra for storm, flood repairs

-Democrats cower, abandon left as Senate Republicans force vote on Green New Deal -House fails to reach two-thirds override threshold on Border Wall emergency declaration -Betsy DeVos stammers in defense of effort to roll back anti-discrimination directive on school punishment -FCC accused of faking data on improved broadband access -CFTC proposes relaxing limits on derivatives in banking industry

-Pence at AIPAC calls for criminalization of free speech, barring critics of Israel from key Congressional committee -No surprise about Mueller--too bad Dem leaders hinged impeachment on his report -Bernie getting tens of thousands at rallies. Maybe they’d get coverage if he stood on a table.

Garbage Can at the end of the show! Subscribe: Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

-Rubio, Haitian President meet amid report tying the latter to arrested US mercenaries, plot to take $80 million from Haitian Central Bank -Trump administration oil drilling give-away in Wyoming stopped by federal court -Senate Republicans look to alter standing rules to ram through federal judge nominees -Department of Transportation won’t publicly report on impact of antitrust exemptions for airlines -Clarence Thomas says something at SCOTUS for the first time in three years. It was bad.

-Trump ties Venezuela coup plot to ‘twilight of socialism” in US -White House entertains fellow reactionary, Jair Bolsonaro refuses to publicly discuss Brazilian support for possible US war in Venezuela -Department of Interior being run in darkness, eight non-appointed officials making key decisions -SCOTUS rules 5-4 to make it easier for ICE to detain non-citizens with criminal records -Department of Transportation to probe Boeing 737 debacle For more content like this, subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

Today's news. For more content like this, subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

We chatted with reporter Alex Yablon about decreasing oversight of US gun sales abroad in a newly unlocked episode. For exclusive bonus content, subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

JAKE JOHNSTON WITH CEPR'S HAITI: RELIEF AND RECONSTRUCTION WATCH JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT A BIZARRE STORY IN HAITI. HIS REPORT: http://cepr.net/publications/reports/our-boss-will-call-your-boss-an-investigation-into-the-events-in-haiti-on-february-17th For more content like this, subscribe at Patreon.com/DistrictSentinel

An Interview with Gloria La Riva on the situation in Venezuela.

Sentinel News Dump 3/12/19 by District Sentinel Radio