Obama Tapped My Phone During Campaign – Trump

President Donald Trump on Saturday accused his predecessor Barack Obama of “tapping” his phone during last year’s White House campaign, without providing evidence of the explosive charge.

“I’d bet a good lawyer could make a great case out of the fact that President Obama was tapping my phones in October, just prior to Election!” Trump wrote on Twitter.

“How low has President Obama gone to tapp my phones during the very sacred election process. This is Nixon/Watergate. Bad (or sick) guy!,” he wrote in another tweet.

Breaking!!! Trump Fires Sally Yates After She Declines To Defend Travel Ban

Trump fires acting AG after she declines to defend travel ban

By Evan Perez and Jeremy Diamond, CNN 

January 31, 2017

Story highlights

Yates is an Obama appointee

She is serving until Trump nominee Sessions is confirmed.

Washington (CNN)President Donald Trump fired acting Attorney General Sally Yates Monday night for "refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States," the White House said.

"(Yates) has betrayed the Department of Justice," the White House statement said.

Dana Boente, US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, the White House said, and was sworn in at 9 p.m. ET, per an administration official.

Trump didn't call Yates to dismiss her, she was informed by hand-delivered letter, according to a different administration official.

The dramatic move came soon after CNN reported Yates told Justice Department lawyers not to make legal arguments defending Trump's executive order on immigration and refugees.

The move set up a clash between the White House and Yates, who was appointed by President Barack Obama and was set to serve until Sen. Jeff Sessions, Trump's nominee for attorney general, is confirmed.

"My responsibility is to ensure that the position of the Department of Justice is not only legally defensible, but is informed by our best view of what the law is after consideration of all the facts," she said in a letter. "In addition, I am responsible for ensuring that the positions we take in court remain consistent with this institution's solemn obligation to always seek justice and stand for what is right."

Trump's executive order, signed Friday, bars citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States for the next 90 days, suspends the admission of all refugees for 120 days and indefinitely suspends the Syrian refugee program. Yates' decision came amid a flood of protests against the executive order nationwide and after four federal judges ruled against Trump's order, staying its impact on people who were detained at US airports over the weekend.

Trump tweeted his response shortly after the news broke, saying Democrats have stymied Sessions' confirmation, enabling Yates.

"The Democrats are delaying my cabinet picks for purely political reasons. They have nothing going but to obstruct. Now have an Obama A.G.," he said.

"At present, I am not convinced that the defense of the executive order is consistent with these responsibilities nor am I convinced that the executive order is lawful," Yates wrote.

Yates' decision was always likely to be extremely short-lived as Sessions is scheduled for a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

White House policy director Stephen Miller, who helped craft the executive order, called Yates' decision "a further demonstration of how politicized our legal system has become."

The US ban: Why these 7?

"It's sad that our politics have become so politicized, that you have people refusing to enforce our laws," Miller said Monday night on MSNBC.

Miller also defended the executive order's legality, insisting that the Immigration and Nationality Act gives the President "the ability to exclude any class of would-be visitors or immigrants to our country based on our national security interests."

But the decision didn't face the same criticism from Rep. Pete Sessions, a top House Republican, who said Yates' decision was likely similar "to an evaluation that we made."

"And that was it did not appear to be specific in nature," Sessions said referring to the executive order. "So it may be a matter of clarity it may be a matter of illegality to him, it may be a matter of several things. It did not look as complete and succinct as what I think I would've wanted."

Rep. Elijah Cummings, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, praised Yates for standing up "on principle."

"In all my years as a member of Congress, which now is 21, I've met so many very principled people who truly believe in the Constitution and doing what is right," Approaching said. "There comes a time when people, no matter who may be their boss, they stand upon their principles, so at the end of the day they can look them selves in the mirror and say 'I synchronized my conduct with my conscience.' And Yates is such a person."

Currently, there are cases filed in at least five states including Virginia, New York, Massachusetts, Washington and California that are challenging Trump's order.

The decision effectively grounds the executive order for the next few days until Sessions is sworn in.

"This will be moot. Then we will very much see the Trump Justice Department led by Jeff Sessions defend this executive order pretty vigorously. And then it will be up to the courts," said Steve Vladeck, a CNN contributor and law professor at the University of Texas School of Law.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told CNN's Erin Burnett Monday the Justice Department decision reflects poorly on the Trump administration.

"When you do something as important as this, it can't be a Twitter-type of activity," Schumer said. "This has to be thoroughly vetted ... and it's a very bad omen for this presidency."

Activists who have led the fight against Trump's immigration ban lauded Yates' action Monday night.

"We took to the court room, people took to the streets and now principled federal officials are drawing a hardline on this shameful and unconstitutional act by President Trump. This is what we rely on the Department of Justice for, to uphold the rule of law no matter how the political wind is blowing," said Karen Tumlin, the National Immigration Law Center's legal director.

Lee Gelernt, the American Civil Liberties Union lawyer who argued against the immigration ban in court in New York, praised Yates' decision and called on the next attorney general to "continue with that policy."

"This ban will do irreparable damage to real people and to American values," he said.

CNN's Kevin Liptak and Theodore Schleifer contributed to this report.

Trump To Ban 2-Year Visa For Nigerians

Except the federal government takes a proactive visa policy review, Nigerians will no longer be issued with American entry visas which have two-year validity following the Executive Order signed on Friday by President Donald Trump, TheCable can report.

Also, Nigerians who hold dual nationality will be affected if their other passport is from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen — the seven Muslim-majority countries “of concern”.

A lot of attention has been on the temporary visa ban on citizens of the seven Muslim-majority countries, but the impact on Nigerians is far more than previously thought.

An analysis of the Executive Order by TheCable editors shows that at least two sections will affect Nigerians directly.

Nigeria currently only issues one-year multiple-entry visa to Americans, which is a non-reciprocation of the two-year visa the country issues to Nigerians.

Section 9 of the Executive Order states: “The Secretary of State shall review all nonimmigrant visa reciprocity agreements to ensure that they are, with respect to each visa classification, truly reciprocal insofar as practicable with respect to validity period and fees, as required by sections 221(c) and 281 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1201(c) and 1351, and other treatment. If a country does not treat United States nationals seeking nonimmigrant visas in a reciprocal manner, the Secretary of State shall adjust the visa validity period, fee schedule, or other treatment to match the treatment of United States nationals by the foreign country, to the extent practicable…”

By this provision, except the federal government quickly moves to extend the validity of Nigerian visa to Americans, Nigerians too will be issued with one-year visas.

Given that the Trump order takes immediate effect, Nigerians holding valid two-year US visa are most likely going to be affected.

Nigeria is also not reciprocating the fees charged by the American government — despite shorter visa validity.

While the US charges Nigerians $160 for a typical visit visa, Nigeria charges $180, in addition to a $35 “processing fee”.

The section on dual nationality involving seven Muslim-majority countries is not expected to affect a significant number of Nigerians because a second citizenship of Syria, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen is not common.

Many Nigerians, including government officials, hold dual nationality with either the US or Europe.

However, Nigerians who have been to Syria, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen in recent times may be subjected to extra immigration control with possible deportation.

Donald Trump Revokes U.S Pro-Abortion Law

U.S. President Donald Trump has revoked the Presidential Memorandum on Mexico City Policy and Assistance for Voluntary Population Planning, which allowed voluntary abortion in the U.S.

Mr. Trump, who made anti-abortion policy one of his campaign promises, announced the revocation on Monday, according to a statement issued by the White House.“I hereby revoke the Presidential Memorandum of January 23, 2009, for the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (Mexico City Policy and Assistance for Voluntary Population Planning), and reinstate the Presidential Memorandum of January 22, 2001, for the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (Restoration of the Mexico City Policy).

“I direct the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to the extent allowable by law, to implement a plan to extend the requirements of the reinstated Memorandum to global health assistance furnished by all departments or agencies.

“I further direct the Secretary of State to take all necessary actions, to the extent permitted by law, to ensure that U.S. taxpayer dollars do not fund organisations or programmes that support or participate in the management of a program of coercive abortion or involuntary sterilisation.”

Mr. Trump said “the memorandum was not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person”.

“The Secretary of State is authorised and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register,” the statement read.

With the revocation, Mr. Trump has barred U.S federal funding for foreign NGOs that support abortion, relaunching a battle that has long divided Americans.

The White House’s LGBT Rights Page Has Disappeared

And so the transition of power begins. First up is the WhiteHouse.gov site where several pages are now changing or altogether disappearing — including a page on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights.

It’s just been over an hour since Trump took office and whitehouse.gov/lgbt has now been replaced by a Trump “transition splash” page.

The Obama administration introduced the White House LGBT page to highlight major legislative achievements, historic court victories and important policy changes for gay and transgender people. The page also shined a spotlight on certain campaigns for gay rights such as the “It Gets Better” campaign to help those in the LGBT community struggling with thoughts of suicide.

That campaign, as of this writing, still redirects to an archived “Strengthening Civil Rights” page. But, of course, all of that is subject to change. However, any mention of LGBT is now gone.

Is this just part of the transition and will we see a new page with Trump’s stamp of approval? Who knows. Trump has been praised by the Republican group the Log Cabin Republicans as the “most pro-LGBT nominee in the history of the Republican party.” Though those same Log Cabin Republicans also refused to endorse him as a candidate.

The LGBT community has expressed concern over a Trump presidency, especially given Vice President Pence, in his role as Indiana governor, opposed laws protecting the LGBT community.

In related news, it appears all mentions of climate change have also been erased throughout the site.

You can read more about the Obama administration’s work on gay and transgender rights in this archived press release here. We’ve reached out to Trump’s transition team for information but have not heard back. In the meantime, we will be sure to keep you in the loop if we do happen to see a new page pop up.

Donald Trump Sworn In As 45th US President (Watch video)

Donald Trump becomes 45th president as protests turn violent in Washington DC.

Donald Trump has been officially sworn in as the 45th president of the United States.

The inauguration took place outside US Capitol in Washington, DC on Friday, ushering in a new political era.

"Together we will determine the course of America and the world for many, many years to come," Trump said in his inaugural speech.

"We will face challenges, we will confront hardships, but we will get the job done."

He added: "For too long a small group in our nations capital has reaped the rewards of government. Washington flourished, but the people did not share in its wealth."

He also pledged to unite the world against "radical Islam".

After finishing his inaugural speech, Barack Obama, the outgoing president, tapped his shoulder and said, "Good job, good job".

Trump, a 70-year old businessman, has no previous political experience. He is a former reality TV star whose campaign dominated headlines over his shocking comments on minorities, women and rival politicians.

During the run up to the November 8 election, he promised to ban Muslims from entering the US. He also called for a wall to deter Mexicans from travelling to America. Later, a recording of him saying that he grabs women's genitals when the mood takes him was leaked.

Speaking at the inauguration, Chuck Shumer, a senator from New York, said that America is now living in a "challenging and tumultuous time" ahead of the oaths.

"Faith in our government, our institutions and even our country can erode," he said. "Today we celebrate one of democracy's core attributes: the peaceful transfer of power." 

Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath of office, which was witnessed by Trump's wife, the First Lady Melania Trump. 

Mike Pence, vice president, was also sworn in ahead of a crowd of an estimated 900,000 people.

Clashes and protests

About 28,000 security personnel, kilometres of fencing, street barricades, and trucks laden with sand were part of the security cordon around eight-square kilometres of central Washington for the ceremony.

In Washington, DC, anti-Trump protesters were pepper-sprayed by police officers in sporadic clashes.

Black-clad activists protesting Trump's inauguration smashed shop and car windows in the capital on Friday and fought with police in riot gear who responded with pepper spray and stun grenades.

About 500 people, some wearing masks and kerchiefs over their faces, marched through the city's downtown, breaking the windows of a Bank of America branch, a McDonald's outlet and a Starbucks shop, all symbols of the American capitalist system.

The crowd, which carried at least one sign that read "Make Racists Afraid Again", also vandalised several cars and hurled trash cans and newspaper vending boxes into the streets before being largely dispersed by police.

"The message I want to send is that Trump does not represent this country. He represents the corporate interests," said Jessica Reznicek, a 35-year-old Catholic aid worker from Des Moines, Iowa, who participated in a peaceful march.

Not far from the White House, protesters scuffled with police, at one point throwing aluminum chairs at an outdoor cafe.

Earlier, liberal activists with a separate group called Disrupt J20 intermittently blocked multiple security checkpoints leading to the largest public viewing area for the ceremony. Several were led away by police.

Disrupt J20 protest organiser Alli McCracken, 28, of Washington, said the group was voicing opposition to Trump's discriminatory comments about women, undocumented immigrants and Muslims.

"We have a lot of people of diverse backgrounds who are against US imperialism and we feel Trump will continue that legacy," McCracken said on a gray morning with light rain.

Trump supporters also flooded into the capital, many sporting shirts and hats bearing his "Make America Great Again" campaign slogan.

Other protests and demonstrations took place across the country, and in the rest of the world.

Goodluck Jonathan Writes To Congratulate Trump On His Inaguaration (See What He Wrote)

Goodluck Jonathan

January 20th 2017

Dear Donald J. Trump ,

By the grace of God, President of the United States of America.

As the United States of America opens a new chapter today, many around the world, myself inclusive, are optimistic that the success you have achieved in your career as one of the world's foremost entrepreneurs will be translated to your life as a public servant and custodian of the trust of the American people.

For over four decades, you have consistently created wealth and opportunities for yourself, your family, your country and its citizens.

The city of New York, host to the United Nations Headquarters, thus the world's most prominent city, bears the hallmark of your signature through your real estate developments.

You have also left your footprints in politics, media, education, sports, entertainment and the arts.

From this backdrop, I am very hopeful that the United States of America and indeed the rest of the world will be witnessing great, worthy and positive frontiers under the Trump Presidency.

I congratulate you, the 45th President of the United States, as you begin your tenure today. I pray that God will bless your tenure and enable you actualize your vision and commitment to building a better and more secured America and the world.

Let me seize this opportunity to express my hope and desire that your administration will work with Africa to help her people realize their achievable great future and harness the God given potential domiciled in the land and people of Africa from Cairo to Cape Town.

May God bless the United States of America. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria and may God bless the world.

Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR

Chairman of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation.

Source: culled from his facebook timeline. 

US Vice President Joe Biden Advised Donald Trump To “Grow Up”

United States Vice President Joe Biden has advised incoming President Donald Trump that it is time for him to “grow up” and begin to act like the next president. In an interview with PBS NewsHour on Thursday, Biden was asked about Trump’s tweets, specifically one where he called Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer “the head clown”. He was also asked about another tweet in which Trump wrote, “Doing my best to disregard the many inflammatory President O statements and roadblocks. “Thought it was going to be a smooth transition – NOT!” The vice-president responded it was time for Trump to “be an adult”. “Grow up, Donald. Grow up. Time to be an adult. You’re president. You’ve got to do something. Show us what you have. You’re going to propose legislation. We’re going to get to debate it. Let the public decide. Let them vote in Congress. Let’s see what happens. “It’s going to be much clearer what he’s for and against, and what we’re for and against, now that it’s going to get down to actually discussing in detail these issues that affect people’s lives,” Biden said. Biden also said it is “dangerous” for the President-elect to be skeptical of U.S. intelligence agencies. “I think it’s dangerous. “For a President not to have confidence in, not to be prepared to listen to the myriad of intelligence agencies from defence intelligence, to the CIA, et cetera, is absolutely mindless. It’s just mindless,” the outgoing vice-president said. It was not the first time Biden has been outspoken against Trump. In an interview with CNN in October before the 2016 election, Biden slammed Trump, saying that the Republican presidential nominee “lacks any sensibilities about the American people. “He’s not a bad man but his ignorance is so profound, so profound,” Biden said at that time.

source: Vanguard Ng

GM, Chrysler have more workers in Mexico than Ford - Donald Trump

President-elect Donald Trump has a huge problem with American jobs going to Mexico, especially when it comes to car manufacturing.

His favorite target: Ford. Trump repeatedly slammed Ford (F) on the campaign trail for its "horrible" decision to invest billions in Mexico.

He has rarely mentioned its two other large competitors: GM and Chrysler. But among America's "Big 3" auto companies, Ford actually has the fewest number of workers in Mexico.

Ford employs 8,800 people in Mexico, according to the company and data from the Mexican government.

Fiat Chrysler has 12,800 workers and GM (GM) has 15,000 in Mexico.

This week, Ford announced it had canceled plans to build a $1.6 billion new factory in Mexico and would instead create 700 new jobs in Michigan. CEO Mark Fields called it a "vote of confidence" in Trump's economic vision for America.

 chart mexico jobs

Trump's next target: GM or Chrysler?

Trump thanked Ford and is already shifting his ire to another Michigan giant.

On Tuesday, Trump went after GM, tweeting: "General Motors is sending Mexican-made model of Chevy Cruze to U.S. car dealers-tax free across border. Make in U.S.A. or pay big border tax!"

All last year Trump threatened Ford with massive taxes -- as high as 40% -- on cars made in Mexico and sold in the U.S. even though experts don't think Trump has the legal power to put a tariff on one U.S. company.

The CEOs of America's top car companies say Trump only has half the story. Yes, they have all built plants in Mexico. But most of those factories work on smaller, cheaper cars that the American public doesn't even like to buy.

That appears to be backed up by the latest trade data. Auto exports from Mexico to the U.S. fell 14% this fall (September through November) compared to the year before, according to Panjiva, a company that tracks trade flows in and out of the U.S.

There are still far more U.S. auto workers

The workers in Mexico earn far less than the employees in the U.S.

"U.S. workers get $28 an hour versus about $5.50 in Mexico," says Bernard Swiecki, a senior automotive analyst at the Center for Automotive Research.

But the big car companies argue they are investing heavily in the U.S. too. This isn't a story of shutting down in the U.S. and moving to Mexico.

GM employs 97,000 people in the U.S. Chrysler employs 56,900 and Ford employs 85,000, according to company spokespeople.

"Since 2009, GM has invested more than $20 billion in our U.S. manufacturing and engineering operations," GM said in a statement to CNNMoney.

Fiat Chrysler, a company Trump hasn't gone after, actually has the worst track record of employing the largest share of Mexican workers compared to U.S. workers. Fiat Chrysler has also increased its Mexico-to-U.S. vehicle shipments by 139% in the past three months, according to Panjiva.

Overall, car and truck sales have been booming in the U.S. in recent years. It looks almost certain that 2016 will set another new record for sales. That has helped fuel growth in factories and hires across North America.

American car companies are also not alone in shifting some production to Mexico. Foreign car makers Nissan and VW also both employ 15,000 or more workers in Mexico, according to Mexico's economic ministry.