8chan/8kun QResearch Posts (25)
#13393305 at 2021-04-09 22:32:17 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #16965: It's a Beautiful Day in QResearch Edition
https://www.deseret.com/2021/4/7/22353618/evan-mcmullin-miles-taylor-new-third-party-gop-republican-founding-ideals-trump-vision
Evan McMullin Twists In Fear, Hosts A Swivit Summit
On a cold Friday morning in February, 120 well-known conservatives gathered via Zoom. The meeting was unadvertised and invite-only, and under Chatham House Rule, attendees agreed to not publicly reveal the identity of others outside of that setting.
…
A swath of conservatives helped remove Trump from office two months previous, and organizations like McMullin's Stand Up Republic and Taylor's RePAIR (The Republican Political Alliance for Integrity and Reform) were instrumental in that movement.
…
The Jan. 6 insurrection on the Capitol struck both McMullin and Taylor as eerily familiar - even reminiscent of the 9/11 attacks. "Jan. 6 was significant because the attack didn't come from outside - it came from within," Taylor said. McMullin concurred: "I look at that Jan. 6 insurrection as an incident of similar proportions. It was a violent insurrection led by a sitting president, who sought to overturn a free and fair election, in order to retain power unto himself illegally and illegitimately. And that is a direct threat to our republic as I could possibly imagine."
…
Recent polling from Reuters/Ipsos suggest that half of Republicans believe the Jan. 6 attack was largely nonviolent or sparked by left-wing activists, a false theory promulgated by comments from Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, among others. Others in the Republican Party, like Sens. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., have been vocal in criticizing Trump for his role in the violence at the Capitol. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, who supported Trump's reelection, told me in February the insurrection was "a very, very bad thing that happened, and one of many examples of what can occur when people feel passionately about their cause but don't bother to look at, or care about, what the text of the Constitution says."
…
McMullin and Taylor invited some 200 people to the February meeting, and about two-thirds showed up. The discussions swirled around a return to truth and decency, and a recommitment to founding American principles. Attendees, including staunch Trump detractors (like Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger and former Pennsylvania Rep. Charlie Dent) and disillusioned members of the Trump White House (like John Mitnick and Elizabeth Neumann), all had the opportunity to share their thoughts on what principles needed to be emphasized and salvaged.
…
"If, for example, Mark Kelly in Arizona, a unifying Democrat, is facing Kelli Ward, an extremist Republican in Arizona, in his next race, then in that case, choosing between a unifying Democrat and an extremist on the right, we would back Mark Kelly," he said.
…
Several members of Congress, like Sens. Richard Burr and Susan Collins and Rep. Liz Cheney, were censured by their states' Republican Party for opposing Trump in his impeachment trial this year. As Utah Gov. Spencer Cox recently elaborated in a podcast with Daily Beast columnist Matt Lewis, "It seems we've (Republicans) just defined ourselves in opposition to whatever it is the left is doing. We've lost whatever moral high ground we had."
…
>Watch Utah
#13390377 at 2021-04-09 13:16:44 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #16962: Call to Meme #ImpeachCuomo for #Senicide
https://www.deseret.com/2021/4/7/22353618/evan-mcmullin-miles-taylor-new-third-party-gop-republican-founding-ideals-trump-vision
Evan McMullin Twists In Fear, Hosts A Swivit Summit
On a cold Friday morning in February, 120 well-known conservatives gathered via Zoom. The meeting was unadvertised and invite-only, and under Chatham House Rule, attendees agreed to not publicly reveal the identity of others outside of that setting.
…
A swath of conservatives helped remove Trump from office two months previous, and organizations like McMullin's Stand Up Republic and Taylor's RePAIR (The Republican Political Alliance for Integrity and Reform) were instrumental in that movement.
…
The Jan. 6 insurrection on the Capitol struck both McMullin and Taylor as eerily familiar - even reminiscent of the 9/11 attacks. "Jan. 6 was significant because the attack didn't come from outside - it came from within," Taylor said. McMullin concurred: "I look at that Jan. 6 insurrection as an incident of similar proportions. It was a violent insurrection led by a sitting president, who sought to overturn a free and fair election, in order to retain power unto himself illegally and illegitimately. And that is a direct threat to our republic as I could possibly imagine."
…
Recent polling from Reuters/Ipsos suggest that half of Republicans believe the Jan. 6 attack was largely nonviolent or sparked by left-wing activists, a false theory promulgated by comments from Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, among others. Others in the Republican Party, like Sens. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., have been vocal in criticizing Trump for his role in the violence at the Capitol. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, who supported Trump's reelection, told me in February the insurrection was "a very, very bad thing that happened, and one of many examples of what can occur when people feel passionately about their cause but don't bother to look at, or care about, what the text of the Constitution says."
…
McMullin and Taylor invited some 200 people to the February meeting, and about two-thirds showed up. The discussions swirled around a return to truth and decency, and a recommitment to founding American principles. Attendees, including staunch Trump detractors (like Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger and former Pennsylvania Rep. Charlie Dent) and disillusioned members of the Trump White House (like John Mitnick and Elizabeth Neumann), all had the opportunity to share their thoughts on what principles needed to be emphasized and salvaged.
…
"If, for example, Mark Kelly in Arizona, a unifying Democrat, is facing Kelli Ward, an extremist Republican in Arizona, in his next race, then in that case, choosing between a unifying Democrat and an extremist on the right, we would back Mark Kelly," he said.
…
Several members of Congress, like Sens. Richard Burr and Susan Collins and Rep. Liz Cheney, were censured by their states' Republican Party for opposing Trump in his impeachment trial this year. As Utah Gov. Spencer Cox recently elaborated in a podcast with Daily Beast columnist Matt Lewis, "It seems we've (Republicans) just defined ourselves in opposition to whatever it is the left is doing. We've lost whatever moral high ground we had."
…
>The fear is palpable
#13389737 at 2021-04-09 10:48:24 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #16961: Hot Summer Inc. Edition
https://www.deseret.com/2021/4/7/22353618/evan-mcmullin-miles-taylor-new-third-party-gop-republican-founding-ideals-trump-vision
Swivit Party Spook Evan McMullin Twists In Fear
On a cold Friday morning in February, 120 well-known conservatives gathered via Zoom. The meeting was unadvertised and invite-only, and under Chatham House Rule, attendees agreed to not publicly reveal the identity of others outside of that setting.
…
A swath of conservatives helped remove Trump from office two months previous, and organizations like McMullin's Stand Up Republic and Taylor's RePAIR (The Republican Political Alliance for Integrity and Reform) were instrumental in that movement.
…
The Jan. 6 insurrection on the Capitol struck both McMullin and Taylor as eerily familiar - even reminiscent of the 9/11 attacks. "Jan. 6 was significant because the attack didn't come from outside - it came from within," Taylor said. McMullin concurred: "I look at that Jan. 6 insurrection as an incident of similar proportions. It was a violent insurrection led by a sitting president, who sought to overturn a free and fair election, in order to retain power unto himself illegally and illegitimately. And that is a direct threat to our republic as I could possibly imagine."
…
Recent polling from Reuters/Ipsos suggest that half of Republicans believe the Jan. 6 attack was largely nonviolent or sparked by left-wing activists, a false theory promulgated by comments from Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, among others. Others in the Republican Party, like Sens. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., have been vocal in criticizing Trump for his role in the violence at the Capitol. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, who supported Trump's reelection, told me in February the insurrection was "a very, very bad thing that happened, and one of many examples of what can occur when people feel passionately about their cause but don't bother to look at, or care about, what the text of the Constitution says."
…
McMullin and Taylor invited some 200 people to the February meeting, and about two-thirds showed up. The discussions swirled around a return to truth and decency, and a recommitment to founding American principles. Attendees, including staunch Trump detractors (like Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger and former Pennsylvania Rep. Charlie Dent) and disillusioned members of the Trump White House (like John Mitnick and Elizabeth Neumann), all had the opportunity to share their thoughts on what principles needed to be emphasized and salvaged.
…
"If, for example, Mark Kelly in Arizona, a unifying Democrat, is facing Kelli Ward, an extremist Republican in Arizona, in his next race, then in that case, choosing between a unifying Democrat and an extremist on the right, we would back Mark Kelly," he said.
…
Several members of Congress, like Sens. Richard Burr and Susan Collins and Rep. Liz Cheney, were censured by their states' Republican Party for opposing Trump in his impeachment trial this year. As Utah Gov. Spencer Cox recently elaborated in a podcast with Daily Beast columnist Matt Lewis, "It seems we've (Republicans) just defined ourselves in opposition to whatever it is the left is doing. We've lost whatever moral high ground we had."
…
>The fear is palpable, enjoying the show.
#13386814 at 2021-04-08 23:05:21 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #16957: EBake in D minor
https://www.deseret.com/2021/4/7/22353618/evan-mcmullin-miles-taylor-new-third-party-gop-republican-founding-ideals-trump-vision
Mormon-Mafia Spook Evan McMullin is back
Apr 7, 2021
~
On a cold Friday morning in February, 120 well-known conservatives gathered via Zoom. The meeting was unadvertised and invite-only, and under Chatham House Rule, attendees agreed to not publicly reveal the identity of others outside of that setting.
…
Taylor, the well-known author of an anonymous 2018 New York Times op-ed titled "I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration," left DHS in 2019 and has been a candid Trump critic since. But for many, McMullin's name is more recognizable. The CIA operations officer-turned-presidential candidate ran his campaign based on opposition - and a principled alternative - to Trump. That effort has continued.
…
Others in the Republican Party, like Sens. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., have been vocal in criticizing Trump for his role in the violence at the Capitol. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, who supported Trump's reelection, told me in February the insurrection was "a very, very bad thing that happened…"
…
"I look at that Jan. 6 insurrection as an incident of similar proportions. It was a violent insurrection led by a sitting president, who sought to overturn a free and fair election…"
…
Attendees, including staunch Trump detractors (like Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger and former Pennsylvania Rep. Charlie Dent) and disillusioned members of the Trump White House (like John Mitnick and Elizabeth Neumann), all had the opportunity to share their thoughts…
…
Even in Utah, where McMullin found the most success in 2016, gaining traction for a new party would be a hard sell. While Trump received 45% of the state's vote in 2016, he improved to 58% in 2020. In mid-January of this year, 36% of Utahns believed Trump legitimately won the election (as well as 44% of Utah Latter-day Saints). The well of anti-Trump center-right voters McMullin tapped into in 2016 seems to be drying up rapidly, if not already.
…
>The perpetually panicked are all in a swivet…
#12888145 at 2021-02-11 04:17:02 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #16450: Mike Lee - The Prima Donna Who Can Dish It Out But Can't Take It Edition
Grifters unite
https://globalnews.ca/news/7633929/republicans-new-party-trump/
The early stage discussions include former elected Republicans, former officials in the Republican administrations of Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush and Trump, ex-Republican ambassadors and Republican strategists, the people involved say.
More than 120 of them held a Zoom call last Friday to discuss the breakaway group, The plan would be to run candidates in some races but also to endorse center-right candidates in others, be they Republicans, independents or Democrats, the people say.
Evan McMullin, who was chief policy director for the House Republican Conference and ran as an independent in the 2016 presidential election, told Reuters that he co-hosted the Zoom call with former officials
Among the call participants were John Mitnick, general counsel for the Department of Homeland Security under Trump; former Republican congressman Charlie Dent; Elizabeth Neumann, deputy chief of staff in the Homeland Security Department under Trump; and Miles Taylor, another former Trump homeland security official.
#12887391 at 2021-02-11 03:00:32 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #16449: When They Least Expect It - NCSWIC Edition
U.S. NEWS
FEBRUARY 10, 20219:39 PM UPDATED 13 MINUTES AGO
Exclusive: Dozens of former Republican officials in talks to form anti-Trump third party
By Tim Reid
5 MIN READ
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-party-exclusive/exclusive-dozens-of-former-republican-officials-in-talks-to-form-anti-trump-third-party-idUSKBN2AB07P
(Reuters) - Dozens of former Republican officials, who view the party as unwilling to stand up to former President Donald Trump and his attempts to undermine U.S. democracy, are in talks to form a center-right breakaway party, four people involved in the discussions told Reuters.
Evan McMullin, who was chief policy director for the House Republican Conference and ran as an independent in the 2016 presidential election, told Reuters that he co-hosted the Zoom call with former officials concerned about Trump's grip on Republicans and the nativist turn the party has taken.
Three other people confirmed to Reuters the call and the discussions for a potential splinter party, but asked not to be identified.
Among the call participants were John Mitnick, general counsel for the Department of Homeland Security under Trump; former Republican congressman Charlie Dent; Elizabeth Neumann, deputy chief of staff in the Homeland Security Department under Trump; and Miles Taylor, another former Trump homeland security official.
The talks highlight the wide intraparty rift over Trump's false claims of election fraud and the deadly Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol. Most Republicans remain fiercely loyal to the former president, but others seek a new direction for the party.
#12217964 at 2020-12-29 03:51:44 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #15599: Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania Electors Are Belong To Us Edition
>>12217940
https://www.defendingdemocracytogether.org/national-security/
James Kunder
Fmr Deputy Administrator, USAID
Amb. Frank Lavin
Fmr Under Secretary of Commerce
Rep. Jim Leach
Fmr Member of Congress
Bruce Lemkin
Fmr Dep Under Secretary of the Air Force
Michael Leiter
Fmr Director, National Counterterrorism Ctr
Peter Lichtenbaum
Fmr Asst Secretary of Commerce
Amb. Winston Lord
Fmr US Ambassador
James Loy
Fmr Dep Secretary of Homeland Security
Peter Madigan
Fmr Dep Asst Secretary State
Amb. Steven Mann
Fmr Prin Dep Asst Secretary of State
Col. John McDonald
Fmr Dep Under Secretary of the Army
Bryan McGrath
Former US Navy Officer
Amb. Michael McKinley
Fmr US Ambassador
Christopher Mellon
Fmr Dep Asst Secretary of Defense
David Merkel
Fmr Dep Asst Secretary of State
John Mitnick
Fmr General Counsel, Department of Homeland Security
Allen Moore
Fmr Under Secretary of Commerce
Alberto Mora
Fmr Gen Counsel, Dept of the Navy
Holly Morrow
Fmr Director, NSC Staff
Kenneth Mortensen
Fmr Assoc Dep Attorney General
Virginia Mulberger
Fmr Special Asst to the President
Alden Munson
Fmr Dep Director of National Intelligence
Amb. John Negroponte
Fmr Director of National Intelligence, and Fmr Deputy Secretary of State
Elizabeth Neumann
Fmr Asst Secretary of Homeland Security
Sean O'Keefe
Fmr Secretary of the Navy and NASA Administrator
Douglas Paal
Fmr Senior Director, NSC Staff
Larry Pfeiffer
Fmr Chief of Staff, CIA
#10374581 at 2020-08-21 20:32:27 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #13276: Engage The Target Edition
The 74 RINOs Who've Come Out In Open Defiance Of PDJT
http://archive.is/1IVv8
(Do the chickenshits think being out of gov will protect them from treason charges??)
Adm. Steve Abbot Fmr Dep Homeland Security Advisor
Mary Catherine Andrews Fmr Special Asst to the President
Richard Armitage Fmr Deputy Secretary of State
Christopher Barton Fmr Director, NSC Staff
John Bellinger Fmr Legal Adviser, Dept of State
Adm. Kenneth Bernard Fmr Special Asst to the President
Amb. Robert Blackwill Fmr Deputy National Security Advisor
Linton Brooks Fmr Under Secretary of Energy
Kara Bue Fmr Dep Asst Secretary of State
Amb. Richard Burt Fmr US Ambassador to Germany
Victor Cha Fmr Director, NSC Staff
Thomas Christensen Fmr Dep Asst Secretary of State
Eliot Cohen Fmr Counselor of the Dept of State
Joseph Collins Fmr Dep Asst Secretary of Defense
Heather Conley Fmr Dep Asst Secretary of State
Chester Crocker Fmr Asst Secretary of State
Patrick Cronin Fmr Asst Administrator, USAID
Amb. Sada Cumber Fmr US Special Envoy to the OIC?
Mike Donley Fmr Secretary of the Air Force
Raymond DuBois Fmr Acting Under Secretary of the Army
Amb. Eric Edelman Fmr Under Secretary of Defense
Gary Edson Fmr Deputy National Security Advisor
Richard Falkenrath Fmr Dep Asst to the President
Aaron Friedberg Fmr Dep Asst to the Vice President
Janice Gardner Fmr Asst Secretary of the Treasury
Amb. James Glassman Fmr Under Secretary of State
David Gordon Fmr Director, State Dept, Policy Planning
Colleen Graffy Fmr Dep Asst Secretary of State
Michael Green Fmr Senior Director, NSC Staff
Sen. Chuck Hagel Fmr Secretary of Defense and US Senator
Gen. Michael Hayden Fmr Director of the CIA and the NSA
Amb. Carla Hills Fmr US Trade Representative
Ash Jain Fmr Member, State Dept Policy Planning
James Kelly Fmr Asst Secretary of State
Rep. Jim Kolbe Fmr Member of Congress
David Kramer Fmr Asst Secretary of State
Stephen Krasner Fmr Director, State Dept Policy Planning
Ken Krieg Fmr Under Secretary of Defense
Amb. Frank Lavin Fmr Under Secretary of Commerce
Rep. Jim Leach Fmr Member of Congress
Bruce Lemkin Fmr Dep Under Secretary of the Air Force
Michael Leiter Fmr Director, National Counterterrorism Ctr
Peter Lichtenbaum Fmr Asst Secretary of Commerce
James Loy Fmr Dep Secretary of Homeland Security
Peter Madigan Fmr Dep Asst Secretary State
Bryan McGrath Fmr US Navy Officer
David Merkel Fmr Dep Asst Secretary of State
John Mitnick Fmr General Counsel, Department of Homeland Security
Holly Morrow Fmr Director, NSC Staff
Amb. John Negroponte Fmr DNI, and Fmr Deputy SoS
Elizabeth Neumann Fmr Asst Secretary of Homeland Security
Sean O'Keefe Fmr Secretary of the Navy and NASA Administrator
Daniel Price Fmr Dep National Security Advisor
Paul Rosenzweig Fmr Dep Asst Secretary of Homeland Security
Nicholas Rostow Fmr NSC Legal Adviser
Kori Schake Fmr Prin Dep Director, State Dept Policy Planning
Wayne Schroeder Fmr Dep Under Secretary of Defense
Robert Shanks Fmr Dep Asst Attorney General
Rep. Christopher Shays Fmr Member of Congress
John Simon Fmr Senior Director, NSC Staff
Stephen Slick Fmr Senior Director, NSC Staff
Amb. William Taft Fmr Deputy Secretary of Defense
Shirin Tahir-Kheli Fmr Special Asst to the President
Miles Taylor Fmr Chief of Staff, Dept of Homeland Security
William Tobey Fmr Dep Administrator, Nat Nuclear Security Admin
Amb. Robert Tuttle Fmr US Ambassador to the United Kingdom
John Veroneau Fmr Dep US Trade Representative
Michael Vickers Fmr Under Secretary of Defense
Ken Wainstein Fmr Homeland Security Advisor
Sen. John Warner Fmr US Senator
Matthew Waxman Fmr Prin Dep Director, State Dept Policy Planning
William Webster Fmr Director of the CIA and FBI
Dov Zakheim Fmr Under Secretary of Defense
Philip Zelikow Fmr Counselor of the Dept of State
#10360469 at 2020-08-20 19:05:27 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #13258: Deep State Was Warned Edition
They are coming out of the woodwork now
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/aug/20/73-former-republican-national-security-officials-e/
A group of more than 70 former national security officials spanning the last four Republican administrations endorsed presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden, arguing that President Trump is "dangerously unfit" to serve another term.
Among the group's members include former National Security Agency and Central Intelligence Director Gen. Michael Hayden, former Deputy Secretary of State and Director of National Intelligence Amb. John Negroponte, and former CIA and FBI Director William Webster.
Four former Trump administration officials also signed the statement including former Department of Homeland Security Chief of Staff Miles Taylor, former DHS Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Neumann, former General Counsel of the Peace Corps Robert Shanks and former General Counsel of DHS John Mitnick.
"While we - like all Americans - had hoped that Donald Trump would govern wisely, he has disappointed millions of voters who put their faith in him and has demonstrated that he is dangerously unfit to serve another term," the 73 Republican former officials wrote in a joint statement.
"In contrast, we believe Joe Biden has the character, experience, and temperament to lead this nation," they said of the former vice president.
The group cited 10 reasons behind their decision to support Mr. Biden in the upcoming election and said that Mr. Trump "has disgraced America's global reputation and undermined our nation's moral and diplomatic influence," "demonstrated far greater concern about the fate of his reelection than the health of the American people," and "disparaged our armed forces, intelligence agencies, and diplomats."
"While some of us hold policy positions that differ from those of Joe Biden and his party, the time to debate those policy differences will come later," the former officials wrote. "For now, it is imperative that we stop Trump's assault on our nation's values and institutions and reinstate the moral foundations of our democracy."
#8093675 at 2020-02-10 19:01:15 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #10360: Q Dropping Bombs! Edition
Bolton was removed on September 10, 2019.
DHS Gen Counsel John Mitnick Fired on September 18, 2019
Jason Green resigns in September of 2019 as the Special Envoy to the Middle East
Kevin McAleenan resigns as acting homeland security secretary on October 11, 2019
Rick Perry resigns on October 17, 2019 Dept. of Energy
Richard Spencer resigns on November 24, 2019 as the Navy Secretary
Dan Walsh fired as chief of white house operations November 25, 2019
December 23, 2019 Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg is ousted.
#6143865 at 2019-04-12 00:19:26 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #7857: "The 'Server' Brings Down The House" Edition
U.S. airport-security head named as No. 2 Homeland Security official
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The new chief of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) named the United States' top airport-security official, David Pekoske, his acting deputy on Thursday, as President Donald Trump overhauls the leadership of the domestic-security agency. The move, by Acting DHS Secretary Kevin McAleenan, who took office on Wednesday, temporarily fills a leadership vacuum at the top of DHS, which is responsible for everything from border protection to disaster response. But it also places further strains on an agency of 240,000 employees, many of whose top leadership posts were unfilled even before Trump's management shakeup.
McAleenan remains in charge of U.S. Customs and Border Protection even as he assumes responsibility for all of DHS. Likewise, Pekoske will continue to head the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, which screens airline travelers, while he serves as the No. 2 official at DHS. Both men are serving on a temporary basis.
In recent weeks, Trump has interviewed several candidates for DHS secretary, an appointee who must be confirmed by the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate. Trump has forced out top DHS officials over the past week as the agency tries to stem rising numbers of immigrants arriving at its southern border, many of them families fleeing violence and poverty in Central America. DHS said it arrested or denied entry to more than 103,000 people along the border last month, more than double the figure for March 2018. Trump has grown increasingly frustrated as DHS officials have told him that dramatic immigration changes he wants are not possible under current law, several sources say.
DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen announced her departure on Sunday after clashing with Trump over border security. Her deputy, Claire Grady, stepped down on Tuesday. Trump is trying to force out L. Francis Cissna, who oversees legal immigration programs as director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, as well as John Mitnick, the top DHS lawyer, according to a source familiar with White House deliberations. Leadership is also in flux at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Secret Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Ten other top positions are either vacant or filled on a temporary basis.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-homeland-leadership/u-s-airport-security-head-named-as-no-2-homeland-security-official-idUSKCN1RN25B?il=0
#6125740 at 2019-04-10 21:49:30 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #7834: Open Barr of Justice Edition
Acting ICE director resigns after Trump pulls nomination
By Rafael Bernal - 04/10/19 04:48 PM EDT
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/438308-acting-ice-director-resigns
The acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Ron Vitiello, has resigned amid an agency-wide restructuring of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Vitiello had originally been nominated to take over the post permanently, but his nomination was abruptly pulled last week by President Trump, who said he wanted to go in a "tougher" direction.
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Outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen announced the news of Vitiello's departure on Wednesday, praising his "knowledge and expertise as a seasoned law enforcement professional."
Nielsen said in a statement that Vitiello "has left a legacy of excellence as our Department has expanded and refined our efforts to curb illegal immigration and secure our borders."
Vitiello's last day at ICE will be Friday. Nielsen, whose own departure from the helm of DHS was announced over the weekend, is leaving Wednesday.
The moves come amid a White House shakeup affecting virtually all senior leadership at DHS that has seen the exit this week of Nielsen, Vitiello, Secret Service Director Randolph "Tex" Alles and Acting Deputy Homeland Secretary Claire Grady.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Francis Cissna, USCIS policy and strategy head Kathy Nuebel Kovarik and General Counsel John Mitnick are also reportedly due to resign.
A number of lawmakers from both parties have pushed back on plans to oust senior officials, while even some Trump allies on immigration have expressed concerns that the shakeup may be going too far.
Andrew Arthur, a research fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), a think tank that favors reduced immigration, wrote that "these moves raise the question whether the president is irrationally looking for scapegoats on whom to blame for [the border] situation."
"[Trump] must reject purported efforts to remove U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Francis Cissna," Arthur wrote this week.
The lone survivor at the top of DHS so far is incoming Acting Secretary Kevin McAleenan, who until Wednesday served as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) commissioner.
Vitiello, a former Border Patrol chief, served as McAleenan's deputy at CBP from 2017 to 2018, before moving on to head ICE in an acting capacity.
With Vitiello's resignation, almost all senior Obama-era border and immigration holdovers are now out at the department.
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) told The Washington Post on Monday that Trump is "pulling the rug out from the very people" working to accomplish his agenda on immigration.
"The president has to have some stability and particularly with the number one issue that he's made for his campaign, throughout his two and a half years of presidency," Grassley said.
The shakeup has also drawn attention to White House adviser Stephen Miller, a key voice within the administration on immigration issues who is seen as a driving force on pushing the president's agenda concerning the border.
Senate Republicans have openly warned in recent days of Miller's outsize influence in the DHS decision-making process in the wake of recent departures at the agency.
"I hope that [Trump's] got more voices than that one in his ear on these issues, because, yeah, I think it's important that he get a whole perspective and range of opinions," said Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.).
#6116849 at 2019-04-10 04:21:44 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #7822: Barr Meeting Huber & OIG Edition
Former Trump official: Nielsen was 'obstructionist' who wouldn't fire 'deep state' employees in DHS
Outgoing Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen triggered her own demise by refusing to fire a pair of agency officials that were slow-walking President Trump's immigration agenda, says a former administration official who worked with all three people. "I think she was an obstructionist to getting rid of the bad people," the official, who asked to speak on background in order to speak openly, said in a phone call with the Washington Examiner Tuesday. The official specially mentioned the department's General Counsel John Mitnick and Citizenship and Immigration Services Director L. Francis Cissna - both of whom have been reported to be next on Trump's chopping block. Their departures would follow what's already been nearly a week of upheaval at DHS. In addition to getting rid of Nielsen, Trump rescinded the nomination of acting ICE Director Ronald Vitiello and terminated Secret Service Director Randolph Alles from his position.
Mitnick and Cissna are under scrutiny for not aggressively pursuing Trump's approach to stopping illegal immigration along the U.S.-Mexico border. Both are holdovers from the DHS of John Kelly, who headed the department for the Trump administration's first six months or so, before becoming the president's chief of staff. "When Kelly left, they never took the bad people with them. Everyone makes bad hiring decisions, [but] you don't leave them on." The former official named Mitnick as the "reason why most of the immigration policies from DHS never came to fruition." Mitnick, in particular, is getting blame from Trump allies for details implementing a 2015 court ruling mandating that children who arrive at the border with parents cannot be held more than 20 days in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.
A DHS official slammed the allegations. "Outside voices criticizing the department's general counsel for working to assiduously to follow the law while implementing the president's security first agenda likely know little about the law, and less about homeland security," the official said. Trump administration officials contend the court ruling is the reason why record-high numbers of Central American families have traveled to and illegally entered the country at the U.S.-Mexico border. That's because DHS lacks the space and legal ability to hold people for the duration of their asylum hearings.
The official said Mitnick's office is sorting through comments and making small changes to the language, but that it should not take two years to do. "John Mitnick got really good at letting this career and bureaucracy overwhelm him. You need someone that's going to be a fierce defender of what we're doing in the Trump administration, not someone who's gong to let the deep state run everything," the official said.
Cissna, meanwhile, likely hurt his own cause by having his office issue permits for those who illegally entered the U.S. to obtain work documents while they await asylum decisions, 90 percent of which are denied. "He's part of the reason we have a flood at the border," the official added.
But the DHS official broke with the rogue official again. "Director Cissna has restored USCIS' focus on national security, economic prosperity, and protecting U.S. workers. He has taken numerous steps to end illegal or inappropriate benefit programs and brought integrity to the immigration application process. He has wide support from conservatives on the Hill and in the homeland security community," the DHS official said. USCIS referred the Washington Examiner to a March list that cites 10 examples of how the agency is "improving the integrity" of the immigration system. The agency's list touted ways it says it has enhanced fraud detection among visa applicants and transparency among employment-based visa applicants."
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/former-trump-official-nielsen-was-obstructionist-who-wouldnt-fire-deep-state-employees-in-dhs
#6116569 at 2019-04-10 03:50:57 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #7822: Barr Meeting Huber & OIG Edition
Purge continues: Acting DHS Deputy Secretary Claire Grady resigns
Outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen announced Tuesday night her acting deputy secretary is resigning. Claire Grady, who was next in line after it was announced by President Trump over the weekend that Nielsen was resigning, was reportedly pushed out of the position to make room for Trump's pick, Kevin McAleenan, the chief of Customs and Border Protection. The resignation is the latest in a massive shakeup at the department. Trump announced over Twitter on Sunday that Nielsen was leaving after a tense meeting on immigration and the border. Soon after, Nielsen shared her letter of resignation and said she would officially depart Wednesday after helping with the transition.
Randolph "Tex" Alles, director of the Secret Service, left the White House on Monday after reports that he was told he had 10 days to exit. Trump picked Secret Service assistant director of the Office of Protective Operations, James Murray, to take over May 1.
Two other immigration officials who are reportedly expected to leave the Trump administration soon are L. Francis Cissna, the head of Citizenship and Immigration Services, and John Mitnick, a senior member of Nielsen's team. Nielsen announced Grady's resignation in a string of tweets.
"Acting Deputy Secretary Claire Grady has offered the President her resignation, effective tomorrow. For the last two years, Claire has served @DHSgov w excellence and distinction. She has been an invaluable asset to DHS - a steady force and a knowledgeable voice, "Claire has led the men and women of DHS who support our operational staff. Her sound leadership and effective oversight have impacted every DHS office and employee and made us stronger as a Department. Clair has had a remarkable career in public service," she added. "- 28 years at the Departments of Homeland Security & Defense - that is coming to a close. I am thankful for Claire's expertise, dedication & friendship & am filled w gratitude for her exemplary service to DHS & to our country. I wish her all the best in her future endeavors."" Nielsen said.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/acting-dhs-deputy-secretary-resigns
#6111942 at 2019-04-09 21:23:39 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #7816: I Thought FISA Dealt With Espionage Edition
U.S. Secret Service Director Randolph "Tex" Alles was fired Monday, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Lee Cissna, DHS undersecretary for management Claire Grady and DHS general counsel John Mitnick are also leaving the administration. The officials' departures are part of a system-wide purge of senior management at DHS as top Trump adviser Stephen Miller looks to overhaul immigration-related policy and personnel.
#6109270 at 2019-04-09 16:56:02 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #7813: Spoiler Alert: Unicorns Aren't Real Edition
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/former-trump-official-nielsen-was-obstructionist-who-wouldnt-fire-deep-state-employees-in-dhs
Outgoing Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen triggered her own demise by refusing to fire a pair of agency officials that were slow-walking President Trump's immigration agenda, says a former administration official who worked with all three people.
"I think she was an obstructionist to getting rid of the bad people," the official, who asked to speak on background in order to speak openly, said in a phone call with the Washington Examiner Tuesday. The official specially mentioned the department's General Counsel John Mitnick and Citizenship and Immigration Services Director L. Francis Cissna - both of whom have been reported to be next on Trump's chopping block.
Mitnick, in particular, is getting blame from Trump allies for details implementing a 2015 court ruling mandating that children who arrive at the border with parents cannot be held more than 20 days in Immigration and Customs Enforcement Custody.
Cissna, meanwhile, likely hurt his own cause by having his office issue permits for those who illegally entered the U.S. to obtain work documents while they await asylum decisions, 90 percent of are denied.
#6104938 at 2019-04-09 04:16:03 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #7807: I Bake Two Breads In Time Of Peace, And Two In Time Of War Edition
Donald Trump's Enemies, Friends Praise Embattled USCIS Chief
Supporters and opponents of President Donald Trump are rushing to defend Trump's deputy at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Lee Francis Cissna.
Sen. Chuck Grassley tweeted in support of Cissna, who is facing immediate firing as Trump cleans house at the Department of Homeland Security, according to a wide series of media reports. Commissioner McAleenan will do gr8 job @ DHS. Has gr8 support from 1 of smartest immigration policy minds I know: US Citizenship & Immigration Services Dir Cissna who worked w me for 2yrs on judic cmte & is doing an excellent job leading USCIS- ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) April 8, 2019
Trump has already fired Kirstjen Nielsen and replaced her with Kevin McAleenan, the commissioner of the Customs and Border Protection agency within DHS. Many media reports say Trump also plans to fire the DHS's acting deputy leader Claire Grady, and DHS general counsel John Mitnick. Cissna is also on the chopping block, even though Trump's critics say Cissna has done a very good job for Trump.
Cissna's agency handles a vast amount of tasks - including curbing fraud by migrants, developing and implementing asylum reforms, overseeing the citizenship process, and tracking the visa worker programs, which keep a population of more than 1.5 million white-collar workers in U.S. jobs. "Cissna is the best thing that has happened to that agency since was created," said Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform. Under President Barack Obama, "it was taken over by people who thought it was their job to rubber-stamp [work] visa applications, to [always] 'Get to Yes' .., [but now] Cissna is applying the law," said Stein.
Cissna is also backed by Mark Krikorian, the director of the Center for Immigration Studies, which favors Trump's "Hire American" policy. Moreover, Krikorian's argument in favor of Cissna is backed by an advocate for cheap labor immigration, Alex Nowrasteh at the Cato Institute, who bitterly opposes Trump's pro-American immigration policies. Cissna's implementation of Trump's pro-American policies also got a backward endorsement from Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a pro-migration advocate at the immigration lawyers' advocacy group, the Immigration Council. "None of this makes any sense," Reichlin-Melnick wrote. "Cissna has been an extremely effective advocate for the administration's restrictionist priorities, and his agency has little to do with the current border issues. Why fire him?" Via Twitter, Krikorian argued that Cissna is vital for Trump's"Hire American" policy, which has raised wages for Americans since 2017 - and promises to keep raising those wages before the 2020 elections. Firing Cissna "would not be 'cleaning house', it would be burning the house down. Cutting off your nose to spite your face. Throwing out the baby with the bathwater ... There's no one else who is committed to "Hire American" AND capable of implementing it," he wrote. Cissna is a former immigration lawyer who has worked for DHS and on the Hill. Cissna knows what regulations need to be changed before Trump's "Hire American" policy can be fully implemented, and he also knows how to change those rules, a Hill source added.
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/04/08/donald-trumps-enemies-friends-praise-embattled-uscis-chief/
#6102817 at 2019-04-09 01:08:02 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #7805: I Bake Two Breads In The Mornin I Bake Two Breads At Night Edition
Daily Mail is reporting 3 administration members quit on the heels of Nielsen and Alles:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6900151/Trump-fires-Secret-Service-director-amid-Homeland-Security-bloodbath-ousted-Nielsen.html
"U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Lee Cissna is also leaving, according to CBS News. So are DHS undersecretary for management Claire Grady and general counsel John Mitnick."
Claire Grady, per Newsweek, was by law the next in line to take Nielsen's place.
Anon here is curious about just who Cissna, Grady and Mitnick are. Were they Obama holdovers? Time for a dig.
Lee Cissna
Son of a father who immigrated from Peru, and a mother who immigrated from Palestine
B.S. in physics from MIT
M.A. in international affairs from Columbia
J.D. from Georgetown
Prior to this administration, was immigration lawyer at Kaufman & Canoles in Richmond, VA.
Sauce: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Cissna
Claire Grady:
B.S. Trinity University (Texas)
M.B.A. Univ. of Maryland College Park
M.S. National Defense University
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-claire-grady-kevin-mcaleenan-kirstjen-nielsen-immigration-dhs-1388558
https://heavy.com/news/2018/11/claire-grady/
"Grady has been working as under secretary since August 2017. She has also become acting deputy secretary at DHS, taking over the responsibilities of the vacant position. Before that, she worked in procurement and acquisition at the Department of Defense, as well as other positions at the DHS.
She is reportedly not willing to make life easy for the president. According to anonymous colleagues quoted by the Times, Grady said she had no intention of stepping aside to clear a path for McAleenan to take over Nielsen's job. As such, the president could be forced to push Grady out.
If Trump manages to install McAleenan, the 47-year-old will be tasked with implementing a tougher approach to border security, something Trump reportedly believed Nielsen was unable or unwilling to do. CBS News reported that Nielsen's Sunday meeting with the president was widely expected to mark the end of her DHS tenure, during which time she faced regular criticism from Trump over a perceived lack of action on immigration."
John Marshall Mitnick
B.A. Emory University
J.D. Univ of Virginia
Oxford University (Rhodes Scholar?)
Prior to Trump administration, he had been general counsel at the Heritage Foundation, and before that, general counsel and V.P. at Raytheon.
Of note, Mitnick was also in George W. Bush's administration, first as Deputy Counsel at Homeland Security and then as Associate Counsel to the President.
Wife Carol Deane is a rheumatologist at Georgetown University Hospital.
Sauces:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Mitnick
https://www.law.virginia.edu/static/uvalawyer/html/alumni/uvalawyer/f12/80s.htm
#6100104 at 2019-04-08 21:00:35 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #7801: April Sleuths Edition
>>6099859
>Alles's firing was part of a "purge" at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following Nielsen's resignation, saying Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Frances Cissna and the Office of the General Counsel's John Mitnick would also likely depart soon.
NOW that's a [H]ousecleaning at [H]omeland.
#6099859 at 2019-04-08 20:31:40 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #7801: April Sleuths Edition
Trump replaces Secret Service director
By Zack Budryk - 04/08/19 01:47 PM EDT
https://thehill.com/homenews/437866-trump-fires-secret-service-director-report
President Trump is removing U.S. Secret Service Director Randolph "Tex" Alles from his position.
"United States Secret Service director Randolph 'Tex' Alles has done a great job at the agency over the last two years, and the President is thankful for his over 40 years of service to the country," White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement Monday. "Mr. Alles will be leaving shortly and President Trump has selected James M. Murray, a career member of the [United States Secret Service], to take over as director beginning in May."
CNN first reported that Trump was firing Alles, citing multiple administration officials.
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Alles reports directly to Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, who resigned Sunday effective April 10, reportedly due to her resistance against White House directives to resume separating migrant children from their families.
The Secret Service recently came under scrutiny for its handling of an incident in which a Chinese national was allowed to enter President Trump's Mar-a-Lago club. The woman, who alternately claimed to be there to swim and attend an event for Chinese-American business leaders, was eventually determined to be carrying two Chinese passports and a device containing malware.
The Secret Service and White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill.
An administration official told CNN that Alles's firing was part of a "purge" at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following Nielsen's resignation, saying Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Frances Cissna and the Office of the General Counsel's John Mitnick would also likely depart soon.
Top Trump adviser Stephen Miller, an immigration hard-liner, has become Trump's point man on immigration and border policy in recent weeks and is determined to replace DHS leadership with likeminded officials, according to the official.
The Associated Press, however, reported that Alles's departure is "unrelated" to other exits from DHS.
#6098444 at 2019-04-08 18:28:24 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #7799: April Shake Up Edition
Moar shake-ups
MORE: Two other top officials, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Francis Cissna and Office of the General Counsel's John Mitnick, are also expected to depart soon, according to one official.
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/secret-service-director-24-hours-dhs-secretary-resigns/story?id=62254656
#6098216 at 2019-04-08 18:12:55 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #7799: April Shake Up Edition
Trump is removing US Secret Service director
United States Secret Service director Randolph "Tex" Alles is being removed from his position, multiple administration officials tell CNN.
President Donald Trump instructed his acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, to fire Alles. Alles remains in his position as of now but has been asked to leave.
The Secret Service director reports directly to the Secretary of Homeland Security, Kirstjen Nielsen, who resigned on Sunday amid growing pressure from the President. The director oversees the Secret Service's work on both protection and investigations.
"There is a near-systematic purge happening at the nation's second-largest national security agency," this official says.
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services director Francis Cissna and Office of the General Counsel's John Mitnick are expected to be gone soon, and the White House is eyeing others to be removed.
The President in recent weeks empowered Stephen Miller to lead the administration's border policies "and he's executing his plan" with what amounts to a wholesale decapitation or the Department of Homeland Security leadership, the official says.
Neither the USSS nor the White House immediately responded to CNN's request for comment.
Alles previously served in Customs and Border Protection leadership and also led that agency's Air and Marine Operations. He is a 35-year veteran of the Marine Corps.
It was not immediately clear what prompted his firing, but the Secret Service recently came under scrutiny after a Chinese woman illegally entered the President's Mar-a-Lago club carrying Chinese passports and a flash drive containing malware.
https://www.wxyz.com/news/national/trump-is-removing-us-secret-service-director
#6098082 at 2019-04-08 18:01:37 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #7799: April Shake Up Edition
Trump Fires Head Of Secret Service
Following former Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen's Sunday resignation due to her "abysmal failure" to curb the crisis at the southern border (indeed, the number of migrants and asylum seekers pouring into the US has reached unprecedented levels this year), President Trump appears to be embarking on a purge of all Nielsen's allies and direct reports - starting with Secret Service Director Randolph "Tex" Alles.
According to CNN, Trump has asked Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney to fire Alles. Alles is reportedly aware that he will soon be pushed out, but his departure hasn't yet been made official. One of CNN's sources described Alles' ouster as part of a "near systematic purge" as Stephen Miller, who has been charged with running the administration's immigration policy, consolidates power. One official described Miller's purge as a "wholesale decapitation" of DHS.
"There is a near-systematic purge happening at the nation's second-largest national security agency," one senior administration official says. And Alles's likely won't be the last head to roll at DHS. Two other top officials are reportedly on their way out. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services director Francis Cissna and Office of the General Counsel's John Mitnick are expected to be gone soon, and the White House is eyeing others to be removed.
Notably, Alles firing may also be related to an embarrassing episode for the secret service after a Chinese woman illegally entered the President's Mar-a-Lago club carrying four cell phones, two passports, electronic devices and a thumb-drive containing malware. Whatever the reason, the White House and DHS declined to comment to CNN on the matter.
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-04-08/trump-reportedly-firing-head-secret-service
#6097968 at 2019-04-08 17:54:10 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #7798: Mack Pleads Guilty. Was 'Missguided 'Edition
Trump is removing US Secret Service director
United States Secret Service director Randolph "Tex" Alles is being removed from his position, multiple administration officials tell CNN.
President Donald Trump instructed his acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, to fire Alles. Alles remains in his position as of now but has been asked to leave.
The Secret Service director reports directly to the Secretary of Homeland Security, Kirstjen Nielsen, who resigned on Sunday amid growing pressure from the President. The director oversees the Secret Service's work on both protection and investigations.
"There is a near-systematic purge happening at the nation's second-largest national security agency," this official says.
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services director Francis Cissna and Office of the General Counsel's John Mitnick are expected to be gone soon, and the White House is eyeing others to be removed.
The President in recent weeks empowered Stephen Miller to lead the administration's border policies "and he's executing his plan" with what amounts to a wholesale decapitation or the Department of Homeland Security leadership, the official says.
Neither the USSS nor the White House immediately responded to CNN's request for comment.
Alles previously served in Customs and Border Protection leadership and also led that agency's Air and Marine Operations. He is a 35-year veteran of the Marine Corps.
It was not immediately clear what prompted his firing, but the Secret Service recently came under scrutiny after a Chinese woman illegally entered the President's Mar-a-Lago club carrying Chinese passports and a flash drive containing malware.
https://www.wxyz.com/news/national/trump-is-removing-us-secret-service-director
#6095452 at 2019-04-08 13:34:01 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #7795: Thank You POTUS Edition
>>6095435
https://twitter.com/jaketapper/status/1115243352214126593
Trump administration officials also say WH adviser Stephen Miller wants the president to get rid of the Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Lee Cissna and DHS general counsel John Mitnick.