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PBC News & Comment: Full Podcast, Parts 1 and 2

In first news conference since July, Trump previews years of incoherent, self-serving commentary filled with lies and exaggerations, slams media….–dodging questions, slinging insults and confessing germaphobia, Trump’s first news conference of the year is pretty bizarre

unverified political intel report—paid for by Republicans, then Democrats—tends to confirm CIA “assessment” of Russian interference, plus golden shower scene!

–corporate media has varying “explainers” of the dossier, how it surfaced, and lack of proof….NY Times, Vice, And Guardian

–Glenn Greenwald notes Trump’s battle with the Deep State, and blasts Dems for suing the CIA to derail Trump

–last Friday’s release of the redacted intel “assessment” was evidence-free, and included inaccurate info about Russia Today and its actual influence

–Trump uses Nixon tactic to pretend that he is stepping aside from his businesses, and his claim of exemption from emoluments clause is specious

–China raises tensions with Taiwan, deploying its only aircraft carrier to Taiwan Strait

Part 2:

While Dems and some Republicans ask challenging questions of Trump’s Wrecking Crew in confirmation hearings, any actual rejections are unlikely….

–hearings for 4 nominees delayed due to incomplete disclosure filings

–CIA pick Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) will be dancing around his differences with Trump on Russia

–Jeff Sessions gets rare opposing testimony from fellow senator, Corey Booker

–SecState nominee, oilman Rex Tillerson, gets pointed questions from GOP’s Marco Rubio, offering best prospect for rejection

–many Dems slip into rapture watching Obama’s farewell address in Chicago, and our pal Dr. Justin Frank has some frank observations