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Archives for August 2017

Chuck Todd Announces He Will Ignore Any Subpoena from Department of Justice’s Leak Investiation

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NBC International Information Bureau. Photo courtesy Jeff Maurone via Flickr.

NBC’s “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd said he would ignore any subpoena issued from the Department of Justice to him in the agency’s recently-announced investigation of White House leaks.

On Friday, Todd stated on Twitter that:

“If DoJ media source threat is real (I assume it’s not; just a show presser to please WH) then I look forward to ignoring that subpoena”


Attorney General Jeff Sessions said earlier on Friday that the Department of Justice was reviewing policies regarding media subpoenas.  “We respect the role that the press plays and will give them respect, but it is not unlimited.  They cannot place lives at risk with impunity.”

Todd followed up his tweet with another: “The worst way to stop leaks: threats”

Israel Makes Moves to Ban Al Jazeera

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Al Jazeera English Newsdesk. Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

Over the weekend, the nation of Israel joined other Middle Eastern nations in moving to ban the news network Al Jazeera from operations within the country and also the occupied Palestinian territories.

Israeli communications minister Ayoob Kara announced Saturday that press cards for the network’s reporters would be revoked, and the network’s Jerusalem bureau closed with cable and satellite transmissions shut down.

These actions follow four Arabic nations in the region — Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain — demanding Al Jazeera close, following diplomatic strains with the nation of Qatar, which is accused of promoting terrorism in the region.  Al Jazeera Media Network receives significant funding from the ruling royal family in Qatar.

“Lately, almost all countries in our region determined that al-Jazeera supports terrorism, supports religious radicalization,” said Kara. “And when we see that all these countries have determined as fact that Al Jazeera is a tool of the Islamic State, Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran, and we are the only one who have not determined that, then something delusional is happening here.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote in a Facebook post that tensions with the network centered over a holy site in Jerusalem.

“The Al-Jazeera channel continues to incite violence around the Temple Mount,” he wrote.  “I have appealed to law enforcement agencies several times to close the Al Jazeera office in Jerusalem… If this is not possible because of legal interpretation, I am going to seek to have the necessary legislation adopted to expel Al Jazeera from Israel.”

The networked denounced the announcement, saying Israel could not substantiate their allegations by referring to “a single news bulletin or situation” to defend their actions.  They called the actions “undemocratic.”

Al Jazeera said it would take all necessary legal measures, and would continue to cover “news and events in the occupied Palestinian territories in a professional and objective manner in accordance with the common journalistic standards set by the relevant international organizations, such as the British Broadcasting Code of Ofcom.”

Fox News Suspends Anchor Eric Bolling

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Fox News building on 6th Avenue in NYC. Photo courtesy Jim Henderson via Wikimedia Commons.

Over the weekend, Fox News confirmed it has suspended anchor Eric Bolling after allegations emerged he sent unsolicited, explicit text messages to female co-workers.

In a statement Saturday, the news channel stated that:

“Eric Bolling has been suspended pending the results of an investigation, which is currently underway.”

Citing a dozen anonymous sources, reporters at HuffPost revealed Bolling had sent explicit photos to two employees at Fox Business Network and an additional co-worker at Fox News.

Several personalities at Fox News had been accused of inappropriate activity recently, including Bill O’Reilley, then the network’s top anchor, who was forced out of his prime time slot.  Former network chief Roger Ailes was also removed following allegations of impropriety.

The Paul Weiss law firm will investigate Bolling’s activities for the network.

Attorney General Announces Review of Policy Regarding Subpoenaing Reporters in Leak Crackdown Efforts

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By U.S. Customs and Border Protection (160120-H-NI589-0103) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced a government-wise, comprehensive effort to crackdown on government “leakers,” including a review of the Justice Department’s policies toward media outlets that publish information that is considered sensitive.

Joined by Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, the attorney general said agencies will direct additional resources into investigations of leaks, and would focus on prosecuting individuals that relay sensitive information to the media or foreign agents.

“We respect the important role the press plays and we’ll give them respect, but it’s not unlimited,” Sessions said. “They cannot place lives at risk with impunity. We must balance the press’ role with protecting our national security and the lives of those who serve in the intelligence community, the Armed Forces and all law-abiding Americans.”

Sessions declined to elaborate on specific investigations, but noted that four individuals have already been charged with the unlawful release of government information.

Sean Spicer Turns Down “Dancing With The Stars”

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Daniel Lippman, Tammy Haddad, Sean Spicer. Photo courtesy of Haddad Media.

The next season of “Dancing With The Stars” will be a bit less Spicy, as outgoing White House staffer Sean Spicer has turned down an offer to compete on the dance floor.

While Spicer reportedly was flattered by the offer, he rejected it due to “an overwhelming number of commitments in the Fall.”

Friends and colleagues also say that the former press secretary would be challenged with appearing on the show.  “He’s not a good dancer,” one source told the online Hollywood and entertainment news blog TMZ.

Spicer is in contact with most major TV and cable news networks for interview opportunities once he leaves the White House.  He also has been in contact with Hollywood agencies, in hopes of securing some television appearances, along with pursuing a book deal and several speaking arrangements.

“Dancing With The Stars” is scheduled to air its 25th season on ABC starting September 18.

 

UPDATED: Former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci Cancels Live Stream Event

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Photo courtesy Pixabay.

UPDATE:  Former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci has cancelled his plan for a live stream event on Friday, citing family and work.

Original Story:

After being fired by newly-installed White House chief of staff John Kelly, former communications director Anthony Scaramucci told CNN he will hold an online forum on Friday.

Scaramucci served as White House communications director for only ten days, before being removed by Kelly on Monday.

The event will be available on several public outlets throughout the day, with the help of former Fox News executive Bill Shine.

The former White House staffer told CNN he believes his tenure was a success.  Both former press secretary Sean Spicer and chief of staff Reince Priebus resigned during his time on staff.

After Friday’s event, “the Mooch” expects to step back from the public spotlight until after Labor Day, as he evaluates his next venture.