justsomeantifas:

Here’s your dose of “What the Fuck Is Going On” news (March 17th, 2017 edition)

• A Fox News commentator, Andrew Napolitano, suggested on Fox and Friends that the British intelligence agency GCHQ aided in Obama’s wiretapping of Trump Tower – again a claim Trump continues to tout with no evidence. The administration repeated these comments about GCHQ and when Trump was questioned about these allegations he blamed it on Fox News. Trump claimed that his administration actually didn’t say anything, instead they just quoted what they heard on Fox News and since he didn’t make an opinion on the statement it doesn’t count as saying anything. He then went on to tell the press You shouldn’t be talking to me. You should be talking to Fox.” (source)
• Fox News then responded: “Fox News cannot confirm Judge Napolitano’s commentary. Fox News knows of no evidence of any kind that the now-president of the United States was surveilled at any time, any way. Full stop.” (source) GCHQ also released a statement saying that the comments are “utterly ridiculous.” (source)
• Senate Intelligence Committee leaders also released a joint statement today saying that they didn’t find any evidence to back up Trump’s claims about Trump Tower being wiretapped by Obama. Trump still isn’t backing away from his claim, however he did say that he didn’t necessarily mean “wiretapping,” despite using those exact fucking words.  (source)
• Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that the administration is going to break away from diplomatic efforts to talk North Korea out of a nuclear confrontation. This move signals that a military response might become an option. (source) Tillerson also cut his visit to South Korea short today, citing “fatigue,” skipping out a dinner with South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn. (source)
• A laptop computer containing sensitive intelligence was stolen from a Secret Service agent’s vehicle. However, the Secret Service made a statement saying that the laptop contains multiple layers of security and encryption and they’re not permitted to have classified information on their laptops. (source) 
• The House Budget Committee advanced the American Health Care Act (Trumpcare/GOPcare) The vote was 19-17 meaning three conservatives voted against the bill. The White House is now working hard to make sure that this bill will pass in the House, because they republicans cannot afford to lose more than 21 votes. (source) However, the GOP Freedom Caucus still opposes the bill. (source)
• It has been exposed that former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, who was removed from his post by the Trump administration last week, was overseeing an investigation into stock trades made by the president’s health secretary, Tom Price. During Price’s confirmation hearings there were major concerns regarding the investments he made while serving in Congress. (source)
• Two employees at the National Institutes of Health have forwarded emails to the press to show that the Department of Health and Human Services, Tom Price is sending them (what they call) propaganda. (source)
• The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy did extensive research on areas in the U.S. where women have limited access to publicly funded clinics that offer birth control, and where Planned Parenthood is the ONLY full-service reproductive health clinic. According to their research, 105 counties fall into this category and would be affected by the defunding of Planned Parenthood. (source + full list of counties)
• Here’s an article I would suggest reading about multiple scientist’s fears when it comes to the cuts to medical and science research that Trump is proposing and how it will hurt future generations.

• Oklahoma Sen. Ralph Shortey turned himself in yesterday after the Cleveland County district attorney filed three felony charges against the lawmaker, including e”ngaging in child prostitution, engaging in prostitution close to a church, and transporting a minor for prostitution.” Shortey has been a major advocate of “family values.” (source)
• The federal government has approved a $100 million in emergency funding for Flint, Michigan as part of recovery efforts following the city’s drinking water crisis. Funding will go toward replacing lead service lines in the city and improving corrosion controls there. (source)
• George Conway is being considered by Trump to be the head of the Justice Department’s civil division. Conway was previously considered for the role of solicitor general but the job went to another. Conway is also Kellyanne Conway’s husband. (source)
• Trump cited a satirical article to promote his health care bill because it was titled “Trump’s budget makes perfect sense and will fix America, and I will tell you why.” Too bad he didn’t read the rest of the article where it said things like “America has been soft and weak for too long. ‘BUT HOW WILL I SURVIVE ON THIS BUDGET?’ you may be wondering. ‘I AM A HUMAN CHILD, NOT A COSTLY FIGHTER JET.’ You may not survive, but that is because you are SOFT and WEAK, something this budget is designed to eliminate.” (source)
• Jason Hairston is set to serve as an Interior liaison for the White House. Hairston is a former NFL player and close friend of Trump. (source)
• One of Mike Pence’s top political allies is an investor in the conservative news organization that was granted exclusive access to cover Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s latest overseas. The ally, Nick Ayers, is part owner of the Independent Journal Review. (source)
• Trump met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel today where he appears to ignore her request for a handshake. He also ignored her pleas regarding immigration and refugees. 
• And now your daily reminder that: Flint, Michigan still doesn’t have clean water. Standing Rock still needs your support. The American infrastructure report card still averages poorly with the rating of a “D+”

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