The Morning Briefing: SOTU Day, 'Andy's Office' is Empty and Much, Much More

Good Tuesday morning.

Here is what’s on the president’s agenda today:

This evening, the president will deliver the State of the Union.

SOTU and chill

Tonight President Trump will deliver his first State of the Union. It will begin at 9:10 pm ET so get some snacks ready, a blanket, a fine bottle of wine, Jagermeister, or benzos — whatever your poison. The best parts of the SOTU are the after parties and by after parties, I mean the spectacle of hysteria that will be on display at the cable news stations from swamp sympathists.

Yesterday, the White House released the list of SOTU guests. “These individuals usually have performed an act of heroism or achieved an impressive milestone that illustrates an important theme in the president’s speech,” according to the Congressional Research Service. “At the appropriate time, the president acknowledges the guests seated adjacent to the first lady and identifies their particular contribution.”

Are you excited? The Democrats sure are. Presidential hopeful Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) is bringing the wacky Mayor of San Juan. Some politicians will be bringing members of the DACA crew. Some will not show up at all. The left will also offer no less than six different responses to Trump’s speech.

I’ll probably fall asleep before the fireworks begin since I get up so early to write the Briefing.

Free the Memo

The House Intelligence Committee (HPSCI) voted to release a memo detailing the abuse of the FISA court system to surveil Americans. The Democrats argue, simultaneously, that the memo release is “extraordinarily reckless” and full of lies but also a “nothing mustard.” The White House now has the ball and can quash the release or give it the green light. It’s expected Trump will green light the memo.

Suspected Intel Committee leaker Rep. Adam “I’m ready for my close-up” Schiff (D-CA) said, “Today this committee voted to put the president’s personal interests, perhaps their own political interests, above the national interests.” Democrat Rep. Ted Lieu, another of California’s finest, described the memo as “nothing mustard.” What’s the big deal with the release and why can’t the filthy casuals see the memo? Why no transparency?

Yet another California political celebrity, Nancy Pelosi, got snippy about it on CNN’s Chris Cuomo last night.

“Christopher Wray, the director of the FBI obviously recently selected by President Trump, he got the memo. He could have come out and said ‘This is reckless, don’t release it,’” Cuomo said.

“Let me just say this with all due respect, you really don’t know what you’re talking about right now,” Pelosi replied.

“But did Christopher Wray look at it or no?”

Pelosi said, “I can’t say whether he did or not but he did not, he did not–in order to redact, you have to have the people who know…”

“I’m not saying redact, I’m saying if these concerns are so sharp and obvious…” Cuomo interjected.

Has Nancy read the memo yet? Only 15 Democrats have read it so far.

Liar, suspected leaker, and former Director of National Intelligence James Tapper (typo and it stays) says releasing the memo is just about protecting Trump. We get a real sense of the perverted noblesse oblige from the left as they fight to keep information about the abuse of government power out of the hands of the public. The fact that a former, powerful intelligence community bureaucrat has the nerve to say that informing the public about government abuse of power is merely partisan defies credulity. Is there any instance in which the unwashed masses should be informed their government is abusing the power the people have granted it? Or is that privilege only for the Democrats? Say, where is the ACLU on the FISA abuse? Where are the civil rights groups constantly shrieking about misconduct from law enforcement?

“Andy’s office” is empty

McCabe down.

The day after FBI director Chris Wray read the HPSCI “nothing mustard” memo on FISA abuse, Andrew McCabe was removed from his job. If you don’t think the memo had anything to do with McCabe’s firing, I remind you that only a week ago, Wray was “pushing back” on Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ “pressure” to fire McCabe. McCabe will be taking “terminal leave” using up vacation time until he can officially retire and collect his fat cat retirement pension package courtesy of the American taxpayer.

A source confirmed to Fox News that McCabe is taking “terminal leave” – effectively taking vacation until he reaches his planned retirement in a matter of weeks. As such, he will not be reporting to work at the FBI anymore.

Among the many questionable deeds ascribed to McCabe is that his wife accepted $700K in cash money campaign loot from former Virginia governor and Clinton fam member Terry McAuliffe, and then he subsequently conducted an investigation into Hillary Clinton. Seems legit.

A motley crew of bad actors came forward to hype for McCabe. First up we have the only Attorney General in United States history to be held in contempt of Congress for ~~hiding~~ refusing to turn over documents to the Congressional committee with oversight of the Justice Department. Obama’s wingman Eric Holder tweeted:

FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe is, and has been, a dedicated public servant who has served this country well. Bogus attacks on the FBI and DOJ to distract attention from a legitimate criminal inquiry does long term, unnecessary damage to these foundations of our government.

— Eric Holder (@EricHolder) January 29, 2018

Next up we have the holier-than-thou James Comey, who tweeted:

Special Agent Andrew McCabe stood tall over the last 8 months, when small people were trying to tear down an institution we all depend on. He served with distinction for two decades. I wish Andy well. I also wish continued strength for the rest of the FBI. America needs you.

— James Comey (@Comey) January 30, 2018

Your institution needs to be burned down because it is corrupt and has turned against its citizens and their duly elected president. Reminder: Comey leaked classified memos to his friend-lawyer in order to foment for an independent counsel to investigate the President.

Finally, we have “Republican” Anna Navarro, who likened McCabe’s resignation to the Holocaust. Lady, I’m Jewish and the only thing like the Holocaust IS THE HOLOCAUST. Stop trying to denigrate the Holocaust with your partisan sniveling. Was McCabe sent to the ovens after being imprisoned and starved on account of his religious beliefs? No? Then shut up with the Holocaust analogies. That goes for all the #resistance who insist Trump is like Hitler. Only Hitler is like Hitler.

Bonus: Carl Bernstein calls McCabe’s firing a Monday Night Slaughter.

Back to McCabe, CNN is reporting that the coming Inspector General’s report on the handling of Hillary Clinton’s email matter may have played a role in McCabe’s removal.

FBI Director Chris Wray hinted to FBI staff in an all-employee email that a government watchdog investigation played a role in FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe’s departure Monday, sources who have seen the memo told CNN.

CNN also takes the opportunity in their article to soften the McCabe blow by characterizing his exit as the result of Wray building his own team. It’s important to remember there is more Justice Department oversight coming and much to learn.

For those keeping count — the following people have been fired, retired or demoted in the orbit of the Trump/RUSSIA “investigation” so far: James Comey, Andrew McCabe, James Rybicki, James Baker and Peter Strzok. These folks are/were senior law enforcement officials. Something sure looks like it stinks.

Your daily WTF

Man dies after being sucked into MRI machine, police say

Historical picture of the day: