Politics
Florida Republicans loyal to Donald Trump demand investigation, arrest of Barack Obama
Florida lawmakers loyal to President Donald Trump want the Justice Department to investigate — or even arrest — former President Barack Obama.
U.S. Rep. Randy Fine, an Atlantic Coast Republican, took to social media to call for the Democratic President’s arrest.
“All criminals should be arrested. Obama is no different,” Fine posted. “He once said no one is above the law. If he truly believes that then let justice be served.”
The comments came after Trump’s Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, released a report suggesting Obama pushed intelligence agencies to accuse Russia of meddling in the 2016 Presidential Election without evidence. That prompted the Justice Department to assign a task force to look at the allegations, according to The New York Times.
Trump has alleged that Obama committed “treason.” Obama’s office released a statement pushing back on the allegation.
“Out of respect for the office of the presidency, our office does not normally dignify the constant nonsense and misinformation flowing out of this White House with a response. But these claims are outrageous enough to merit one. These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction,” the statement reads.
“Nothing in the document issued last week undercuts the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election but did not successfully manipulate any votes. These findings were affirmed in a 2020 report by the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee, led by then-Chairman Marco Rubio.”
That’s true. Rubio, a Miami Republican and Florida’s senior Senator at the time, signed off on a Senate Intelligence Committee report that backed up findings that Russia was trying to influence the U.S. election and favored Trump.
The report did also heavily criticize the FBI for treating seriously allegations in a memo produced by former British intelligence spy Christopher Steele, at the behest of Democrat Hillary Clinton’s campaign, that alleged that Trump colluded with Russia.
“We can say, without any hesitation, that the Committee found absolutely no evidence that then-candidate Donald Trump or his campaign colluded with the Russian government to meddle in the 2016 election,” Rubio, now Trump’s Secretary of State, said in a video statement in 2020.
“What the Committee did find however is very troubling. We found irrefutable evidence of Russian meddling. And we discovered deeply troubling actions taken by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, particularly their acceptance and willingness to rely on the ‘Steele Dossier’ without verifying its methodology or sourcing.”
But some Republicans now representing Florida in Congress are jumping on Gabbard’s findings.
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, a Naples Republican and candidate for Governor, said he didn’t buy Obama’s response.
“1–Barack Obama’s statement is flimsy at best,” he posted. “2–Obama’s admin used fake intel to concoct a multi-year lawfare coup & derail the Trump presidency. 3–They did this because they couldn’t stand an outsider who put the American People First. 4–There must be further FBI-DOJ action.”
U.S. Rep. Jimmy Patronis, a Fort Walton Beach Republican, also criticized Obama.
“When there’s smoke, there’s fire,” he posted. “The most powerful Democrat in the world stood to lose more than anyone else with a 2016 Trump Presidency. Obama built eight years of infrastructure he was willing to do anything to protect. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.”
U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, a Sarasota Republican, also issued a lengthy thread on Gabbard’s report and said the Justice department should consider charges.
“This report proves that Russiagate was nothing more than a conspiracy by Obama administration officials to weaponize the intelligence community against the incoming president. All they had were lies and falsehoods,” Steube posted. “And they still tried to take down President Trump. The DOJ must investigate and prosecute all those responsible for this brazen coup attempt against President Trump.”
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, asked on Fox News about the issue, said he wants to see what further investigation finds.
“Is anybody surprised that Obama and (Joe) Biden and the people around them were trying to destroy Trump forever?” Scott said. “I’m not surprised. What’s surprising is that finally we’re going to hold them accountable. So what I hope is that all the facts come out. The truth is completely exposed, and if anybody did anything wrong, they are held accountable. That’s what needs to happen.”
But the Senator also stopped short of a demand for arrests.
“Instead of the way they’ve treated Trump, why don’t we get the facts out first and find out what exactly what people did?” Scott said. “If somebody did something wrong, they’re held accountable.”
Of note, Trump endorsed Fine and Patronis in recent Special Elections where both won their seats in Congress. Trump has also publicly backed Donalds’ campaign for Governor. He was reportedly considering Steube for a role in his administration earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Democrats from Florida waved off any seriousness behind Trump’s assertions about his predecessor in office.
U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a Parkland Democrat, scoffed at the suggestion that an investigation would result in what Republicans want.
“Obama is not going to be arrested,” he posted.
Post Views: 0
The horrific shooting in Australia that claimed at least 16 lives during a Hanukkah celebration has prompted an expression of sympathy from Florida lawmakers.
The Florida Jewish Legislative Caucus issued a statement of condemnation of the violence during the Jewish observance on Sydney’s Bondi Beach. The Caucus published its statement Sunday afternoon.
“The Florida Legislative Jewish Caucus unequivocally condemns the horrific and senseless killing that occurred during Hanukkah in Australia. An act of violence against Jews celebrating their faith is an attack not only on a single community, but on the fundamental values of freedom, religious liberty, and human dignity,” the Florida Legislative Caucus said in a news release.
“We stand in unwavering solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia, with the victims’ families, and with Jewish communities around the world who are once again forced to confront hatred simply for being who they are. The State of Florida’s Jewish legislators join in mourning, remembrance, and resolve.”
The Florida LegislativeJewish Caucus has a dozen members from the House of Representatives and two State Senators.
Hundreds of people had gathered Sunday at the beach for an event to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah, when gunmen opened fire. At least 38 others were injured in the attack.
New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park said the death toll had risen from 12 to 16 overnight, including a 12-year-old child. Three other children are being treated in hospital, he said.
“This is absolutely horrendous for the community broadly, but particularly the Jewish community. … What we saw last night was the worst of humanity, but at the same time, the very best of humanity,” Park said.
The massacre at one of Australia’s most popular beaches followed a wave of antisemitic attacks that have roiled the country over the past year, although the authorities didn’t suggest those and Sunday’s shooting were connected. It is the deadliest shooting in almost three decades in a country with strict gun control laws.
One gunman was fatally shot by police and the second was arrested and in critical condition, authorities said. Police said one gunman was known to security services, but there was no specific threat.
At least 29 people were confirmed wounded, including two police officers, said Mal Lanyon, police commissioner for New South Wales state, where Sydney is located.
“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community,” New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said.
The violence erupted at the end of a summer day when thousands had flocked to Bondi Beach, including hundreds gathered for the Chanukah by the Sea event celebrating the start of the eight-day Hanukkah festival.
___
Material from The Associated Press was used in this report with permission.
Behavioral health officials have a list of precautions for Floridians to deal with anxieities heading into Christmas and New Year’s Day.
While the holidays can bring a lot of comfort and joy, the can also be a stressful time and Florida’s health management entities are providing some helpful tips to deal with yuletide anxiety.
There are seven behavioral health managing entities in the state and all of them are aware that stress heading into Christmas and New Year’s Day can seem overwhelming at times. They’re advising balance may be one of the key elements in dealing with the holidays.
“The holidays are a time of joy, but they can also be a time of stress, sadness and triggering situations,” said Natalie Kelly, CEO of the Florida Association of Managing Entities. “Florida’s behavioral health Managing Entities remind Floridians that behavioral health services are available, even to those who are uninsured or underinsured.”
The state’s behavioral health professionals are also providing a list of tips to help come to grips with any holiday tension including:
— Get plenty of exercise. Exercising boosts your mood and combats depression.
— Limit alcohol intake. Alcohol is a depressant that can cause feelings of anxiety, sadness and depression.
— Set healthy boundaries and don’t overextend yourself. Setting realistic expectations can help reduce stress.
— Seek the help of a counselor for mental health needs. If you feel overwhelmed or the need to get help to address your feelings, contact a counselor.
— Call 2-1-1 if needed to connect with resources in your community.
— Call 9-8-8 if you or a loved one is having suicidal thoughts.
A mental-health treatment network has been established in the state for providers who deliver services to residents needing help. Those services extend to parents and children, veterans and the homeless.
Providers serve patients for not only mental health needs, but substance use, housing, transportation and employment help. Those managing entities are often overseen by community organizations and administrators and are accountable to state and federal funds.
NWSL Owners Are Looking For Team 18
Taylor Swift Plays Aunt to Travis Kelce’s Nieces While Chiefs Are Eliminated From Playoffs
Attacker who killed US troops in Syria was a recent recruit to security forces
-
Politics8 years agoCongress rolls out ‘Better Deal,’ new economic agenda
-
Entertainment8 years ago
New Season 8 Walking Dead trailer flashes forward in time
-
Politics8 years ago
Poll: Virginia governor’s race in dead heat
-
Entertainment8 years ago
The final 6 ‘Game of Thrones’ episodes might feel like a full season
-
Entertainment8 years ago
Meet Superman’s grandfather in new trailer for Krypton
-
Politics8 years ago
Illinois’ financial crisis could bring the state to a halt
-
Business8 years ago
6 Stunning new co-working spaces around the globe
-
Tech8 years ago
Hulu hires Google marketing veteran Kelly Campbell as CMO