Not every FBI agent is "Untouchable"

From the moment President Trump came down the escalator at the

Trump Tower in New York and pronounced he was running for the 

presidency he was met with every imaginable response accept the 

belief he could actually become our forty-fifth president.

Yet, eighteen months after his June 16, 2015 announcement he won 

the presidency!

Since than we have seen President Trump keep his campaign promises 

while all around him his enemies, within both parties, have been snipping 

at his heels to undermine his agenda.

The most dogged snipping came from the FBI which began investigating

"Russia" attempts to influence our election, but curiously, only with

Trump benefiting. 

The investigation began in earnest six months prior to Trump taking the 

oath of office, which was long enough for him to observe the landscape to

take note of the key 'players', upper level FBI executives that planned to

take him out, either before, or boldly after the election, if he was the victor.

As the investigation moved forward the FBI requested but was denied
a FISA warrant to broaden its scope.  This is quite illuminating since the
approval  rate such requests  has been 99.97% between 1979 and 2012! 

But, in October, one month prior to the election FBI requested a FISA
warrant again, bringing in new information that gained approval.  The
timing of the second request should raise curiosity since it came one
month prior to the election.  Such occurrences are usually called an
"October Surprise", so often used to bring down a candidate.

It has been said President Trump plays chess against opponents
playing checkers. The FBI-Russia investigation could prove Trump
is a grand master!

Consider the following: 

With candidate Trump able to observe the FBI pattern of behavior prior to becoming its boss, he may have seen enough to strategize with Sen. Jeff 

Sessions, who would be his Attorney General, how to give prejudiced, 

partisan corrupted agents enough latitude to destroy a fraudulent 

investigation themselves, from within!

Start with Jeff Sessions recusing himself which had everyone who supported Trump outraged, many even saying Sessions needed to be replaced. 

Considering how many people President Trump fired in his first year, its 

curious he did not fire Sessions who he said should have stepped away 

from the investigation,  allowing the FBI to continue his oversight. His

 recusal may have been a planned 'chess move' orchestrated by Trump.

With Sessions 'stepping aside' Deputy Rod Rosenstein would oversee the investigation, without either Sessions or Trump interceding.

Rosenstein also suggested to Trump that FBI James Comey be fired, 

which I found odd considering he headed the six month old Russia 

investigation.  Trump did, the decision on Rosenstein recommendation. 

The 'firing' may have been telegraphed to Comey before it was suggested 

to the president.

Immediately, Rosenstein named Comey's successor, Christopher Wray, 

who surprisingly kept the investigation alive without even questioning 

the FBI's lack of evidence. Wray should have entered the FBI with a fresh perspective, noting the overreach by the FBI, but he did not. 

Next, in late May Rosenstein authorized a Special Council, Robert 

Mueller, to investigate 'alleged Russian involvement'.  This meant 

we would have TWO investigating bodies, the FBI and Mueller's.

The playing field was now changed, Comey, Sessions and Trump are on the  'outside' while Rosenstein, Wray, Mueller and FBI players investigating

from the beginning are still dutifully performing to find a Russian connection

to Trump.

All the while Congress which has oversight of the Justice Dept. held hearings to better understand the investigation. They brought to light the source that prompted the FBI to investigate and for Rosenstein to appoint Mueller was  'spurious', and should not have even been considered. 

The Holy Grail, of the investigation, the "dossier", nothing more than a 

'bunch of  papers' was found to be lacking any evidence Trump was in 

collusion with Russia and in fact showed a true connection with Hillary

Clinton, the Democrat Party and even FBI agents assigned to the

investigation based on their internal communications about Trump.

We need to remember neither Trump or Sessions had any involvement, so

don't expect to find either of their 'fingerprints' on this investigation.  

All attention goes towards the integrity of the Justice Dept (Rosenstein) 

and the FBI (Wray).

With the latest revelations by the oversight committee, Congress may take

the next step, authorize a special prosecutor to  investigate the FBI itself, 

and even Rosenstein for his role.

What I offer may be consider fantasy, but if President Trump and Attorney General Sessions have been working covertly to ferret out corruptible members

of the FBI, it was a masterful effort.

President Trump may have been  unknowingly running the Russian collusion investigation all along from afar, to demonstrate to the American people that

even within the highly  vaunted FBI we will find people undeserving of the public's trust.

Let's hope we are close to saying "checkmate"

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What you need to know about President Trump

What are we to make of President Trump's comments

during the White House meeting with Congress to

discuss the immigration issue?  And why did he use

words that get many cackling with concern?

Since the president has been so roundly criticized it

might indicate he is doing something right.

Most Americans don't know anymore about Trump

then what they learn from the media.  

I have heard even those who know him, advised him

in the past, and should understand him also fret 

Trump will become "just another politician".

I differ and remain confident President Trump will 

not renege on his major campaign promise, which 

includes border security,  without evidence he would!

And, to put a comical spin on Trump's commitment,

this photo speaks volumes.   Can anyone actually say

the president is not serious?

But, what also must be considered when trying to reconcile

what we hear and what President Trump does is the name

dropping of those who have his "ear" and influence decision.  

Those concerned need to remember Trump has had more 

people attempt to influence him than anyone who has served

as president, meaning he cannot be easily dissuaded. In his 

life he have been "battle tested".

Curious with all the names 'dropped' there is no mention 

of his two closest advisors,  Chief of Staff  John Kelly and  

political counselor,  Kellyanne Conway.  Neither would

advance a narrative to weaken his presidency and call 

out the media for stating otherwise. As long as they serve

President Trump, I remain  confident in him serving us 

as promised.

There is also another thought which entered my mind as

I watched members of Congress advance their opinions

on what must be done on immigration related issues.

As I listened to the suggestions and Trump's response

its easy to see why some concluded the president was

'caving' on his campaign promise of  improved border 

security.

To put those of little faith minds at ease I offer the 

following, from the "Godfather"

Did you think that could fool a Corleone?  

Michael Corleone to his brother in law, Carlos Rizzi.

Put aside all you hear and read, all that matters

is what immigration legislation is presented

and whether or not President Trump signs it!

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President Trump Meets Senate on Immigration

The following are my thoughts on the two hour meeting President Trump held

with members of Congress on immigration, one hour which was broadcast live

and available on YouTube at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fc5tIKFDy1s

Although it was reported as a meeting on immigration, a single issue, the 'Deferred

Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) that allows individuals who illegally entered

our country as minors to receive a renewable two-year period of 'deferred action' 

from deportation and eligible to work, got the most attention.

If you not aware, DACA is an Executive Order of  President Obama who defended

it stating "This is a temporary stopgap measure that lets us focus resources wisely 

while giving a degree of relief and hope to talented, driven, patriotic young people."

For a president to offer a 'stopgap measure' without asking Congress to offer

legislation shows he is not serious, proven by the fact Congress has done nothing,

until Trump arrived and stated he is 'ending DACA', and left it up to Congress to

authorize a lawful replacement.

What DACA did was open the door to an avenue that further complicates 

addressing illegal entry, special treatment for children coming across

our border. 

President Trump opened the meeting by saying he wants to see the estimated 

800,000 DACA eligible children, now adults, stay as an "act of love", but also

stated he wants to end the extension to their relatives, known as 'chain migration'

and end the 'lottery system' used to select immigrants to apply for entry/ Both

are essential in any comprehensive immigration overhaul. 

As I watched the entire one hour video it was easy to see the differences between

Democrat and Republican approaches to immigration.

Democrats, not surprisingly, used their time to focus on DACA, pointing to

the many who have contributed since arriving, even going so far as ignoring 

Trump's opening remarks and saying we should extend this program now

and address border security"later" as Sen. Feinstein has been pushing.  

Some Republicans, such as Sen. Tom Cotton, took issue with Feinstein suggestion

saying border security now is essential, as it has been the decades old forgotten

promise, and he reminded everyone what President Trump said at the outset.

This influx of children migrating here was not unintended consequences

of DACA, it was deliberate and coordinated effort to overwhelm even further 

an overwhelmed broken immigration system.

DACA was the brilliantly planned and coy move to once again use the Democrat 

'ace in the hole', empathy, to misdirect attention from immigration.

DACA also sent a signal to Mexico and Central America by President Obama, 

"send us your children", they will be allowed to stay, and led to thousands

coming unaccompanied for almost a decade!

My assessment of the event differs from the many conservatives I respect.

While they point to comments of Trump as troubling as "act of love", 

"comprehensive" and "I will sign the bill" as a signal the president will 

not hold his campaign promises, I take exception.

My take, President Trump will strengthen not only the border, but the 

entire immigration system.  "Merit based" was never mentioned prior 

to Trump saying in on the campaign trail. Now, we hear it is essential

for our country to have the 'best and brightest' from around the world.

Also, Trump's "act of love" remark took away the Democrats 'empathy 

card' so he cannot be portrayed as heartless, even as he insisted ending

on 'chain migration'.

Take note President Trump had ample opportunity to shame the 

invited members of Congress for their failures but did not, aside

from mentioning "ear marks" used by Congress to fund projects

without legislating, which received some laughter.

In closing, President Trump has set the table and let the American people

see for themselves and listen in on the conversation.

Don't be dissuaded by what others say about President Trump, most

were wrong in the past and probably are now.

A contrast in Leadership

If the anti-Trump 'agents' at the establishment media want to begin 2018

as they ended 2017, attacking President Trump, its appropriate to do

likewise, offer serious and honest opinions of his leadership.

This is first offering of the New Year and may signal how international

relations will be administered by an "America First" president!

A contrast in Leadership....

The media relish any opportunity to compare presidents, especially when

it can bolster a partisan viewpoint of one over another. But, even objective 

comparisons are unfair as circumstances and issues influence the decisions

presidents make.

Today, there is a rare opportunity for a legitimate comparison as the same

problem persists that clearly demonstrates the difference in leadership 

styles between two men, one who led our nation and the other who leads

our country now.

This opportunity presents itself in the problems in Iran and the recent 

uprising  against a despotic regime that claims to be a legitimate govt.

The recent headline read, "Iran Rocked By Anti-Government Protests" as

protesters took to the streets of several cities to challenge Islamist tyranny 

that has ruled since 1979.

For a comparison in American presidential leadership we need to go back

to 2009 when Iranians last protested its government. It was called the
'Green Revolution',  in response to the election of President Ahmadinejad
that protesters believed had been stolen, leading to violence in the streets.

It took several days before President Obama made a statement and when he 

did, his clarity was murky at best, as he said,

"I think it would be wrong for me to be silent about what we’ve seen on the 

television over the last few days, I would say to those people who put so 

much hope and energy and optimism into the political process."

"I would say to them that the world is watching and inspired by their 
participation, regardless of what the ultimate outcome of the election was."

"And they should know that the world is watching and up to Iranians to 
make decisions about who Iran’s leaders will be.”

“We respect Iranian sovereignty and want to avoid  the United  States
being the issue inside of Iran.”

"My understanding is, is that the Iranian govt. says they are going to look

into the irregularities that have taken place."

"We weren't on the ground, we did not have observers, we did not have international observers on hand, so I can't state definitively one way or 
another what happened"

I can sum up what President Obama said as, 'Psychobabble', empty rhetoric 
with little if any foundation, proven with his next statement a week later,

Obama condemned Iran for its "oppressive behavior."

That was the end of Obama's concern, doing anything to prevent him from going forward with the nuclear agreement that now makes Iran 
the most threatening force towards its Arab neighbors.

Now, lets compared what President Obama said then to the response  

President Trump offers now, almost immediately,  as he 'tweeted' to forty million followers, many around the world:

Many reports of peaceful protests by Iranian citizens fed up with regime’s
corruption & its squandering of the nation’s wealth to fund terrorism abroad.
Iranian govt should respect their people’s rights, including right to express 
themselves. The world is watching! 

There can be no confusion how President Trump feels about the Iranian  
government, he does not vacillate about 'not having observers on the ground', 
or 'understanding' Iran would look into 'irregularities'.  

Nor, did Trump recycle the "world is watching" baloney.  It did not take 
Trump a week before he condemned Iran as Obama did nearly a decade 
ago, then proceeded with a nuclear agreement that "dealt" a lethal blow 
to the entire Arab world!

One decade ago Iranians protested its government the same year our 

country elected a new president, Barack Obama.  Perhaps the Iranians 

believed the first American president with a greater insight into the 
Muslim world would be their best chance to bring down an oppressive
regime, masquerading as a legitimate government!

The Iranians hopes quickly faded then but now these hopes will  be fulfilled, thanks to President Trump sharp criticism now, which
I suspect will be much more than Obama's hollow words, even 
condemnation!

Your  views are always welcome.

Have a great 2018!

Feedback appreciated. Feel free to enter in comments section below, or email, ajbruno14@gmail.com "Point of View" blog http://ajbruno14.blogspot.com/

Christmas came early this year....

Today is the day, and to some, Christmas "arrived"early.

The Senate  will do it part and join the House before the 

day is over and pass the promised tax reform legislation

that will benefit over 125 million American households!

It has been more than thirty years since this last occurred,

an event to be celebrated by all Americans, income earners 

and retirees alike.  

The American people will receive a long overdue and well 

deserved reduction in their tax rates that will increase take

home pay and pension checks beginning Feb. 1, 2018.

And for good measure corporate tax rates will be lowered 

to finally make American businesses more competitive

with those of foreign companies. 

We can thank President Trump for pushing his party to do

what it campaigned on but refused to do for three decades,

even when it had majorities in Congress and the presidency.

Trump campaigned on tax cuts and worked tirelessly for 

eleven months to get Congress to pass legislation so most 

Americans will finally received the long promised tax relief. 

Not everyone is pleased.  Partisans naturally protested.

repeating it worn out mantra the "rich" will benefit on the 

backs of the middle class not factoring the tremendous 

amount the 'rich' already pay.

Also, there will be complaints from high taxed states such

as California, New Jersey and New York that ending their

state and property taxes deductions will hurt them most. 

This is understandable, but it brings to light the failure of 

these states to compete with low tax rate states even as 

they have been losing populations to ones with lower tax 

burdens.

No longer will fingering point towards Washington work, 

state legislatures will have to become more prudent and

cut tax burdens on their constituents, not seek relief from

federal tax breaks!

This may be an unexpected 'silver lining' if high taxed

states do what they should have always been doing all

along, keeping taxes as low as possible. No longer can

they look to the federal tax code to mask the gouging 

of their taxpayers with high and burdensome state and

property taxes.

Finally, this tax reform package changes the 'dynamics' 

of our tax code as revenue generated, competitiveness, 

ending subsidies to states and corporations, individual 

and  business spending, 3%-4% economic  growth, not 

seen since 2004 will be the result. 

This will all occur at the same time taxes collected will 

increase and annual deficits will drop from $1 trillion 

to less than $150 billion annually. 

Thanks again to President Trump for dragging a reluctant

Congress across the 2017 finish line so 2018 can be the

first year real prosperity returns the the United States

in over two decades. 

Feedback welcome and appreciated

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