We’re back and we’re reading – everything from the “New York Times” to the “Wall Street Journal.” We’re trying to help you keep up with the rapid pace of politics and policy. Today we’ve got sanctions on Venezuelan officials, Rosenstein’s scheduled meeting with Trump, and tech companies testifying before the Senate.
Trump criticizes United Nations
After arriving late to the United Nations General Assembly, President Donald Trump criticized international organizations and alliances as unaccountable.
Since taking office, Trump has revised and even withdrawn the U.S. from several international agreements. His policies have raised the question of how a globalized economic world will adapt to a protectionist U.S.
In the roughly 35-minute address, Trump said his administration is renegotiating “broken and bad” trade deals for “fair and reciprocal” ones, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Trump accuses Democrats of trying to derail Kavanaugh confirmation
As Republicans try and muster GOP support for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, despite allegations of sexual misconduct, President Trump accused Democrats of using “con-games” to thwart his nomination.
According to the Associated Press, Trump tried to downplay the accusations of Kavanaugh’s first accuser Christine Blasey Ford who accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her back in the 1980’s when the two were in high school.
Some Republicans have tried to downplay the accounts of Ford and other women who have come forward accusing Kavanaugh of sexual assault. Not all are waging a full-on war in Kavanaugh’s defense perhaps in fear of alienating female voters with the election only six weeks away.
Trump administration sanctions Venezuelan president, cabinet
The Trump administration issued financial sanctions on four members of Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro’s cabinet.
According to CNBC, the sanctions were issued on allegations of corruption.
The sanctioned officials include First Lady Cilia Flores, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino.
The U.S. has also sanctioned Maduro himself as part of a campaign to force him from office.
Rosenstein to meet with Trump about fate at Justice Department
After Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein’s job security drowned out headlines ahead of President Donald Trump’s address to the United Nations General Assembly, Trump tried to downplay the uncertainty, CNN reports.
“I am meeting with Rod Rosenstein Thursday,” Trump said entering UN Headquarters.
Rosenstein met with Trump Monday at the White House and remains at his post. The two have a face to face meeting scheduled for Thursday that could decide Rosenstein’s fate.
Tech companies set to testify before Senate
A Google executive will testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee to address company mistakes on privacy issues.
“We acknowledge that we have made mistakes in the past, from which we have learned, and improved our robust privacy program,” Google chief privacy officer Keith Enright said.
According to Reuters, Enright will testify alongside executives from AT&T, Amazon, Apple and other companies amid growing concerns about data privacy.
House begins issuing subpoenas over McCabe, Rosenstein memos
House Republicans have begun the process of issuing a subpoena to the Justice Department for memos written by former FBI director Andrew McCabe.
According to Politico, the memo’s contents suggest that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein began to privately record President Trump, following his decision to fire FBI Director James Comey.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman, Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) has faced growing calls from conservative Republicans in the House to call Rosenstein to testify.
House Freedom Caucus Republicans are leading the charge to compel Rosenstein to testify this week or demand his resignation.
That’s all we have for today. Check back tomorrow for more.
