“As the Russia investigations by special counsel Robert Mueller and Congress plow ahead, are there telltale signs that the White House is worried about the eventual findings? According to an assortment of news reports, several signs suggest that President Donald Trump’s inner circle is increasingly concerned about where the Russia investigations could lead. The signs include the preparation of contingency plans, like the resignation of Jared Kushner in anticipation of revelations of the June 9, 2016 meeting with Russians and the need for support from Republican senators if the investigation goes south for Trump. Earlier signs included Trump’s desire to fire Mueller and his contemplating sweeping pardons, including for himself.” More …
Corruption
The Charter Flights of Price, Mnuchin, Pruitt Are the Tip of the Corruption Iceberg
“The pervasive abuse of taxpayer money—and trust—will make our democracy harder to repair.” More …
Ryan Zinke: Trump’s Interior Chief ‘hopping around from campaign event to campaign event’
“Ryan Zinke has met with big donors or political groups more than a half-dozen times while on department-paid trips, including a March visit to the U.S. Virgin Islands.” More …
7 Trips Steven Mnuchin Took on Government Planes for $811,800
“A probe of Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin’s use of government planes found no evidence of wrongdoing — but said the Trump administration cut corners in approving the trips.” More …
FEMA Is Spending Billions, and Some Questionable Companies Are Getting Work
A surge in disaster contracts from hurricanes has put the agency under pressure to bypass the usual competitive bidding process. More …
Trump’s VA Secretary Is the Fourth Cabinet Member to be Caught in a Travel Expense Scandal
“Overshadowed by Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price’s resignation Friday afternoon, Veterans Affairs chief David Shulkin is the latest Trump cabinet member to be found mixing personal trips and expenses with government travel. The VA secretary cruised the Thames, took in sight-seeing at Westminster Abbey, and watched a Wimbledon tennis match during a 10-day European trip with his wife, according to an itinerary obtained by The Washington Post.” More …
Jetsetters! The Trump Officials Caught Splurging on Luxury Travel Paid for by Taxpayers
So far five and counting: Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, EPA Administration Scott Pruitt, HHS Secretary Tom Price, VA Secretary David Shulkin, and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. More …
Jetsetters! HHS Price’s Private-Jet Travels Included Visits with Colleagues, Lunch with Son
“The HHS secretary sometimes combined official travel and meetings with friends and family.” More …
Jetsetters! Trump’s HHS Secretary Took Military Jets to Europe, Asia for Over $500K
“Accompanied by his wife, HHS secretary Price journeyed to Geneva, Berlin, Beijing, Tokyo and other cities for events.” More …
Trump’s Business of Corruption
“What secrets will Mueller find when he investigates the President’s foreign deals?” More …