Monday, August 21

á       Three more Palm Beach charities canceled plans to hold gala events at President Donald TrumpÕs Mar-a-Lago Club following the presidentÕs remarks on the march of neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups in Charlottesville. http://tinyurl.com/yb4ee95m

á       The Washington Post reported that, so far this year, Trump-owned companies have earned revenue of nearly $1.3 million from the Republican National Committee for parties, golf, rent, and legal consulting. http://tinyurl.com/y79lefrz

á       The Los Angeles Times reported that Republican Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee said the president has yet to show the ÒstabilityÓ and ÒcompetenceÓ needed to achieve success. http://tinyurl.com/yb8p3tt6

á       NPR News reported that the US State Department decided to temporarily stop issuing nonimmigrant visas to Russians in response to Moscow's decision to force the US to slash its diplomatic and technical staff in Russia. http://tinyurl.com/y9bjqrh2

á       According to Daily Intelligencer, TrumpÕs travels have broken the Secret Service budget which covers the cost of protecting Trump, his family, and an unprecedented number of cabinet staff. http://tinyurl.com/ycdy4yyf and http://tinyurl.com/ycvsupe3

á       Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus urged cancellation of a meeting next month between White House officials and leaders of the nationÕs black colleges, and considered backing Democratic efforts to impeach Trump saying ÒWe donÕt think you [Trump] understand us at all.Ó http://tinyurl.com/y8p9rmvl

á       According to TalkingPointsMemo, the Trump administration is preparing to roll back the Obama-era free birth control mandate, a move legal groups say would be unconstitutional and subject to a court challenge. http://tinyurl.com/ya9757pg

Tuesday, August 22

á       The Washington Post reported that the Treasury Department placed sanctions on Chinese and Russian individuals and firms for conducting business with North Korea that advanced the countryÕs missile and nuclear weapons program. http://tinyurl.com/ybh2zwp6

á       Trump unveiled a new strategy for the war in Afghanistan after much deliberation with military advisors. According to The Washington Post, his advisors convinced him to take Òa more conventional route.  He tilted toward the generals who now dominate his inner circle and had urged a large-scale troop expansion, although he did not opt for the tens of thousands of troops they advocated initially.Ó http://tinyurl.com/ybr42evm

á       The Washington Post reported that two legal complaints were filed by the Justice Department seeking the forfeiture of $11 million from two of the sanctioned North Korean companies believed to have been laundering money in the US on behalf of North Korea. http://tinyurl.com/ybh2zwp6

á       The Washington Post reported that the Interior Department ordered the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine to halt a study of health risks for residents near surface coal mining sites in the Appalachian Mountains. http://tinyurl.com/ycd9m4ns

á       Attorneys, who represent Trump in the Russia investigation and now represent Energy Transfer Partners, sued Greenpeace for tactics used in protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline. http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/41743-trump-s-lawyers-sue-greenpeace-over-dakota-pipeline

á       According to Breitbart, Trump flip-flopped between his campaign, when he criticized the Afghan war as a wasteful folly, and in his address to the nation today, when he announced plans to send more troops to Afghanistan. http://tinyurl.com/ybukfo92

á       Trump at a speech in Arizona said that heÕd shut down the government if his border wall was not funded, that NAFTA is likely to be terminated, and that he would pardon former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio. http://tinyurl.com/y9mcz495

á       The Iraqi army with the help of US airstrikes broke ISIS forces to reclaim Tall Afar, a major ISIS stronghold in northern Iraq. http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-iraq-mattis-20170822-story.html#nws=mcnewsletter

Wednesday, August 23

á       According to ProPublica and an analysis by Ben Nimmo, a fellow with the Digital Forensic Research Lab, revealed there were hordes of automated bots generating Twitter posts — and much more — last week to help make right-wing conspiracy theories and rallying cries about Charlottesville go viral. ItÕs impossible to tell how much of the traffic originates from Russia or from mercenary sources. http://tinyurl.com/y8xaq69k

á       China demanded that the US immediately withdraw new sanctions on companies and individuals trading with North Korea to maintain mutual trust and cooperation. http://tinyurl.com/y8y8jskr

á       The UN expressed deep concern over reports from Syria that 78 civilians died in Raqqa city during US-coalition led airstrikes. http://tinyurl.com/ydz3ax9q

á       A White House memo provided guidance to the Pentagon about how to implement a ban on transgender people in the military and rules for how to remove them from the military. http://tinyurl.com/yb8nxn77

á       A UN committee charged with tackling racism has warned the US over racism and urged the Trump administration to reject discrimination. http://tinyurl.com/y7w7qjxk

á       The New York Times reported that Trump has clashed with Senator Mitch McConnell for not doing more to shield him from Special Counsel Muellers investigation. http://tinyurl.com/ya3bbojy

á       Federal judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos rejected a Texas voter ID law as discriminatory because the law specifies types of ID most likely possessed by Anglo voters and not by Hispanics and African-Americans. http://tinyurl.com/yb6tx7py

Thursday, August 24

á       Special counsel Mueller has expanded his investigation of Paul Manafort into whether he may have evaded taxes or engaged in any money laundering schemes. http://tinyurl.com/y8y4vynb

á       Chris Barker, an Imperial Wizard of the KKK, claimed the KKK has grown at record pace since TrumpÕs election. http://tinyurl.com/y848etzu

á       TrumpÕs threat to shut down the federal government over border wall funding has escalated his rift with Congressional Republicans and Democrats over the upcoming budget agenda. http://tinyurl.com/y9c8et52

á       Trump blamed Senator McConnell and House Leader Ryan for what he predicts will be a mess to raise the debt ceiling. http://tinyurl.com/yaucc69x

á       The National Institutes of Health removed references to Òclimate change" from its website. http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/45407-another-government-agency-has-removed-references-to-climate-change-from-its-website

á       CIA director Mike Pompeo may be in conflict of interest regarding the CIAÕs involvement in the Russia investigation demonstrated by PompeoÕs support of Trump and in playing down the investigation. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/at-cia-a-watchful-eye-on-mike-pompeo-the-presidents-ardent-ally/2017/08/24/18c1d716-7ed0-11e7-9d08-b79f191668ed_story.html?undefined=&utm_term=.f6ca42e512fa&wpisrc=nl_most&wpmm=1

á       A federal judge ruled that Internet service provider DreamHost must provide email addresses and other information to the Justice Department about people who visited an anti-Trump website. However, the court limited how and with whom the Justice Department is allowed to use the data, and the data will be overseen by the court. http://lists.readersupportednews.org/ss/link.php?M=68384&N=25422&C=587bb1249d465d9d8c86566eaf4d0277&L=34279

Friday, August 25

á       Comments from attendees at the Federal Reserve conference in Wyoming challenged TrumpÕs policies: president of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi warned that Òopenness to trade is under threat.Ó US Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen defended tightening of financial regulations. http://blogs.marketwatch.com/capitolreport/2017/08/25/jackson-hole-fed-conference-live-blog-yellen-draghi-on-tap/?mod=MW_story_latest_news?siteid=bnbh

á       The New York Times reported that TrumpÕs use of his power to pardon former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio may be unconstitutional because it violates the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment as Arpaio was charged with depriving citizens of their constitutional rights. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/24/opinion/trump-arpaio-pardon-arizona-sheriff.html

á       Senator Tammy Duckworth implored Congress to oppose the proposed ban on transgenders in the military saying Òwhen I was bleeding to death in my Black Hawk helicopterÉI didnÕt careÓ about their sexual preference. http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/45413-senator-duckworth-on-trumps-trans-ban-when-i-was-dying-it-didnt-matter-who-saved-my-life

á       House Representative Lou Barletta and several Trump advisers have ties to Federation for American Immigration Reform, described by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a hate-group. Others with ties include Jeff Sessions, Kris Kobach, Kellyanne Conway, and Stephen Miller. http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/45411-gop-congressman-refuses-to-cut-ties-with-extremist-anti-immigrant-group

á       A US coalition airstrike killed at least a dozen people, including six children, in Yemeni capital Sanaa. http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/45410-us-backed-saudi-coalition-strike-in-yemen-kills-at-least-a-dozen-including-six-children

á       Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke recommended to Trump to shrink at least three protected national monuments. http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/45409-department-of-interior-recommends-trump-shrink-national-monuments-protected-area

á       Trump slammed Senator Bob Corker -- who, last week, questioned TrumpÕs stability and competence -- by tweeting, ÒStrange statement by Bob Corker considering that he is constantly asking me whether or not he should run again in Õ18. Tennessee not happy!Ó https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/08/25/trump-slams-another-republican-senator-warning-bob-corker-that-tennessee-not-happy/?undefined=&utm_term=.a567eed72781&wpisrc=nl_most&wpmm=1

á       Gary Cohn, Trump's chief economic adviser, said Trump must condemn white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and the KKK and implied that he might resign. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/08/25/mutiny-trumps-top-economic-adviser-just-issued-an-unprecedented-rebuke-of-his-boss/?utm_term=.95f90c6691cd&wpisrc=nl_most&wpmm=1

á       The Trump administration imposed sanctions on the Venezuelan government that bar selling Venezuelan- and state oil company-issued bonds and stocks. http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/10453681.365679/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL25ld3Mvd29ybGQvd3AvMjAxNy8wOC8yNS90cnVtcC1hZG1pbmlzdHJhdGlvbi1zbGFwcy1uZXctZmluYW5jaWFsLXBlbmFsdGllcy1vbi10aGUtdmVuZXp1ZWxhbi1nb3Zlcm5tZW50Lz93cGlzcmM9YWxfYWxlcnQtQ09NQk8td29ybGQlMjUyQm5hdGlvbiZ3cG1rPTE/58b0dd73e9a8a20d708b4740C63c80345

á       In his first weeks in office, Trump announced he would hire 5,000 new Border Patrol agents. So far, this has not happened, and the number of agents has shrunk. http://latimes.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f089ecc9238c5ee13b8e5f471&id=26d0604294&e=f4c24e771b

á       North Korea launched what seems like a ballistic missile. http://link.washingtonpost.com/click/10458457.365712/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL25ld3Mvd29ybGQvd3AvMjAxNy8wOC8yNS9ub3J0aC1rb3JlYS1oYXMtbGF1bmNoZWQtd2hhdC1tYXktYmUtYW5vdGhlci1iYWxsaXN0aWMtbWlzc2lsZS1zb3V0aC1rb3JlYW4tbWlsaXRhcnktc2F5cy8_d3Bpc3JjPWFsX2FsZXJ0LUNPTUJPLXdvcmxkJTI1MkJuYXRpb24md3Btaz0x/58b0dd73e9a8a20d708b4740Cb0e06c9e

á       Trump pardoned former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio.

á       In a possible violation of the Code of Conduct for US Judges, Judge Linda Reade, chief judge of the Northern District of Iowa, prosecuted immigrants rounded up in raids while her husband bought stock in prisons. http://www.motherjones.com/crime-justice/2017/08/a-federal-judge-put-hundreds-of-immigrants-behind-bars-while-her-husband-invested-in-private-prisons/

á       Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington have been investigating Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and his wifeÕs use of a government plane to travel to Kentucky. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/steve-mnuchin-louise-linton-travel-kentucky-ethics-watchdog-crew/

á       According to Inequality.org, predatory lending practices have resurfaced in communities that experienced high rates of foreclosure during the subprime recession. Called Òcontract for deed,Ó this practice does not transfer home ownership until a mortgage is fully paid. http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/41720-loan-sharks-were-meant-to-be-eradicated-now-they-re-back

á       Congress, with the support of the Department of Interior, has introduced the Sportsmen's Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act that prevents the National Park Service from regulating commercial and recreational fishing, and the hunting of bears and wolves in Alaska wildlife preserves. http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/277-75/45425-freedom-means-shooting-bear-cubs-while-theyre-hibernating

á       TrumpÕs proposed budget for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) cuts over $7 billion, about 15%, of HUDÕs annual budget and may push thousands of poor families into homelessness. http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/45423-secretary-carsons-hud-budget-may-push-thousands-of-poor-families-into-homelessness

á       A Somalian deputy governor claimed a US-backed raid killed ten civilians including three children. http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/45420-10-civilians-including-kids-dead-in-us-backed-somalia-raid

á       Trump signed a presidential memo that bans new transgender recruits from the military. http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/45432-trump-officially-bans-transgender-people-from-military

á       Special Counsel Mueller issued subpoenas to two Washington lobbying firms that did public relations work for Paul Manafort, TrumpÕs former campaign chairman. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/washington-lobbying-firms-receive-subpoenas-as-part-of-russia-probe/2017/08/25/55e547de-89c2-11e7-a50f-e0d4e6ec070a_story.html?undefined=&utm_term=.bdc1d029825d&wpisrc=nl_most&wpmm=1

á       Gary Cohn, TrumpÕs economic adviser, publicly criticized TrumpÕs comments about violence in Charlottesville for not condemning white supremacists, neo-Nazis and the KKK. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cohn-trump-charlottesville-20170825-story.html#nws=mcnewsletter

Saturday, August 26

á       Sebastian Gorka, TrumpÕs counterterrorism adviser, walked out of the White House, resigning from his job. http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/45430-sebastian-gorka-follows-steve-bannon-out-the-white-house-door

á       TrumpÕs pledge to abolish NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, has been replaced with a plan to modernize it. http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/277-75/45429-the-nafta-consensus-war-on-workers

á       Last week the Wall Street Journal reported Attorney General Sessions urged Trump to nominate a tough-on-crime prosecutor nicknamed ÒHang ÔEm HighÕ Henry Hudson to oversee sentencing guidelines on the US Sentencing Commission. http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/277-75/45435-focus-qhang-em-highq-henry-hudson-to-oversee-sentencing-guidelines

á       Rick Dearborn, TrumpÕs deputy chief of staff, sent an email last year when he was a campaign aide about a person who sought to connect Trump officials with Putin. http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/45441-top-trump-aides-email-draws-new-scrutiny-in-russia-inquiry

á       According to a ThinkProgress investigation, the White House Council on Environmental Quality has no members. http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/45437-trumps-council-on-environmental-quality-has-no-members-at-all

á       North Korea fired short-range missiles into the sea. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_KOREAS_TENSION_ASOL-?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2017-08-26-04-19-54

Sunday, August 27

á       Washington Post reported Trump asked Attorney General Sessions last spring if the government could drop the criminal case against Joe Arpaio, and Sessions advised it would be inappropriate. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-asked-sessions-about-closing-case-against-arpaio-an-ally-since-birtherism/2017/08/26/15e5d7b2-8a7f-11e7-a94f-3139abce39f5_story.html?undefined=&utm_term=.684cef73fb09&wpisrc=nl_most&wpmm=1