The Morning Briefing: Strzok Grilled on the Hill Today and Much, Much More

Good Thursday morning.

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

The president participates in a multilateral meeting of the North Atlantic Council with Georgia and Ukraine
President Trump participates in a multilateral meeting of the North Atlantic Council with Resolute Support operational partner nations
The president departs the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Headquarters en route to Melsbroek Air Base
President Trump and the first lady participate in a meet and greet at the U.S. Embassy in London
The president and the first lady depart London, England, United Kingdom en route to Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom
President Trump and the first lady attend a gala dinner, Oxfordshire, England

Trump SCOTUS pick Kavanaugh scandals surface

We made it through the second day of the post-Kavanaugh SCOTUS announcement event and the media have been hard at work destroying the new nominee. They have unearthed two “scandals” for your consideration.

The first is that the degenerate judicial nominee described himself as the treasurer of the “Keg City Club — 100 Kegs or Bust” club in high school. (I was secretary of the strawberry Boone’s Farm club and co-founder of the Bartles & Jaymes wine cooler alliance so I know about such organizations.)

AND IT GETS WORSE. “Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s entry also included references to the ‘Beach Week Ralph Club’ and ‘Rehoboth Police Fan Club.'”

“He was more mature than the rest of us,” childhood friend Scott McCaleb said of Kavanaugh in high school. “He was always the guy who was going home to do his homework.” He sounds like a monster.

The second scandal is that Kavanaugh blew cash money on baseball and went into debt to do so.

Brett Kavanaugh’s financial disclosure forms that are available for review show he reported up to $200,000 in debt he piled up on three credit cards — Chase, Bank of America and USAA — and a loan by the year 2016.

The Washington Post quoted White House spokesman Raj Shah as saying that Kavanaugh built up the debt by buying Washington Nationals season tickets and also attending playoff games for himself and a “handful” of friends. Shah said some of the debts were also for home improvements, the Post reported.

Kavanaugh’s financial disclosures show that he either paid off the debt or that the amount he owed fell below federal financial reporting guidelines. Shah told the Postthat Kavanaugh’s friends reimbursed him for their share of the baseball tickets and that the judge has since stopped buying season tickets.

Horrifying stuff, simply horrifying.

Trump admin tightens asylum threshold

The Trump administration has released new asylum guidelines “that will result in potentially thousands of asylum seekers being turned away before they can plead their case in court.”

According to CNN, “Under new guidance given Wednesday to the officers who interview asylum seekers at the US’ borders and evaluate refugee applications, claims based on fear of gang and domestic violence will be immediately rejected. In addition, the guidance tells officers they should consider whether an immigrant crossed the border illegally and weigh that against their claim, potentially rejecting even legitimate fears of persecution if the immigrant crossed illegally.”

“Claims based on … the members’ vulnerability to harm of domestic violence or gang violence committed by non-government actors will not establish the basis for asylum, refugee status, or a credible or reasonable fear of persecution,” the guidance states.

Obviously, this is going to cause a freakout from the left.

Trump administration misses court deadline to reunite separated children with their parents

Border Patrol agents apprehend gang members, convicted sex offenders over 4-day span

FBI/DOJ’s hottest “it” couple back in the headlines

Peter Strzok, partisan activist and coup participant, will be testifying today in an open hearing before the House Judiciary and the House Oversight committees. Lisa Page, the other half of the treasonous former couple, ignored her subpoena to appear before the Committees yesterday. She has 48 hours to comply or else…something bad will happen?

“She was a part of the mess that we have uncovered over at DOJ. She has an obligation to come and testify. If she wants to come and plead the Fifth, that’s her choice. But a subpoena to testify before Congress is not optional. It’s mandatory. She needs to comply,” Speaker of the House Paul Ryan said after a regular House GOP conference meeting. Ryan went on to say, “I am very disturbed by this. Congressional subpoenas for testimony are not optional.” He threatened to “do what we need to do to protect this branch of government.” Right.

Meanwhile Strzok, who promised in a text message to lover Page that he would “stop” Trump from becoming president, said the House Republicans have a “disdain for the truth.” Tune in today to watch the clown show that this hearing promises to be.

Your daily WTF:

Giant squirrel art installation in Kazakhstan sparks backlash over $67G cost

Historical picture of the day:

U.S. President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan walk to the waiting presidential helicopter on the South Lawn of the White House, in Washington, on July 12, 1986, en route to spend the weekend at Camp David, Maryland. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

Other morsels:

Former Ohio State wrestling coach says he never talked with Jim Jordan about team doctor

Antifa Groups Faced With Possible ‘Unmasking’ Law

Justice Department announces task force to deter fraud, avoid ‘piling on’

America speaks: The greatest president of our lifetimes was … Barack Obama?

US Navy dedicates ship to McCain

Flake Stops Obstructing Trump Judicial Nominees, Paves Way For Crucial Circuit Court Confirmations

Bannon hosts Europopulists in London ahead of Trump’s visit

Stealth? McCarthy launches stealth campaign for speaker

Judge orders Manafort be moved from jail giving him ‘VIP’ treatment

Stormy Daniels arrested while performing at Ohio strip club

I would flip out Lena Dunham is ‘happy, joyous and free’ after gaining 24 pounds