The Morning Briefing: Orange Man Says 'Bye' to Sessions, Acosta and Much, Much More

Good Thursday morning.

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

- The president and first lady participate in a meet and greet with Supreme Court justices
- The president and first lady attend the investiture of the Honorable Brett Kavanaugh
- President Trump meets with the secretary of state

ALERT: Shooting in a California bar

Authorities are reporting the shooter is dead.

This is a breaking story and it is developing as of 4:00 a.m. EST.

Multiple people were injured late Wednesday when a gunman opened fire at a bar in Southern California, authorities told ABC News.

“About a half a dozen” patrons and a sheriff’s deputy were among the injured, according to an officer with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office

Police said they responded to the Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks, California, about 40 miles west of Los Angeles, just before midnight local time after multiple shots were fired.

At the Borderline Bar and Grill, Thursday is “country night.” Make of that what you will.

“The gunman was throwing smoke grenades all over the place,” a different witness told KABC. “I saw him point to the back of the cash register … and he just kept firing. I ran out the front door.

“There was probably three or four [shots]. I hit the ground. I look up — the security guard is dead. Well, I don’t want to say he was dead, but he was shot. He was down.”

Smoke grenades?!?! Yikes. Developing…

Sessions out

President Trump did not waste one second post-midterm elections and asked Attorney General Sessions to GTFOoDOJ.

The Democrats are going wild. They barely had time to quack and strut about all the investigations they are queuing up into CheetoTrump now that they control the House before Trump cold-cocked them with a new (acting) head of the DOJ who isn’t crippled and recused. It’s like when someone hands you a warm, freshly-baked chocolate- hip cookie from the oven and, just as you reach for it, yanks it away, throws it on the floor and stomps all over it.

The new acting attorney general is Matthew Whitaker. “We are pleased to announce that Matthew G. Whitaker, Chief of Staff to Attorney General Jeff Sessions at the Department of Justice, will become our new Acting Attorney General of the United States. He will serve our Country well…,”

“So I could see a scenario where Jeff Sessions is replaced with a recess appointment … and that attorney general doesn’t fire Bob Mueller, but he just reduces his budget to so low that his investigation grinds to almost a halt,” Whitaker said during an interview with CNN in July 2017 — just months before he became Sessions’ chief of staff, according to The Washington Post. Fantastic, let’s shut this sh!t show down.

Naturally the Dems are trying to find a way to make him recuse:

Matthew Whitaker, the acting Attorney General, clearly wants to limit the Mueller investigation. He must recuse himself and legislation should be brought to the Senate floor to ensure Mueller’s investigation is protected.

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) November 7, 2018

Given his record of threats to undermine & weaken the Russia investigation, Matthew Whitaker should recuse himself from any involvement in Mueller’s investigation. Congress must take immediate action to protect the rule of law and integrity of the investigation. #FollowTheFacts

— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) November 7, 2018

Matthew Whitaker, who is taking over for Sessions and will oversee the Mueller investigation, is on the record pushing to limit the Special Counsel’s probe. He must recuse himself immediately, and McConnell must allow a vote on the bipartisan bill to protect the Special Counsel. https://t.co/1rTabbgPOl

— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) November 7, 2018

Given his previous comments advocating defunding and imposing limitations on the Mueller investigation, Mr. Whitaker should recuse himself from its oversight for the duration of his time as acting attorney general.

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) November 7, 2018

NOPITY NOPE NOPE.

Sad sack Schiff: ‘Abundantly clear’ Sessions was forced out for not ending Mueller probe

Rep. Trey Gowdy Rips Chuck Schumer For Sessions/Whitaker Comments

Let’s get it on Trump Opens Door To Declassifying Russia Docs, And His Acting Attorney General Could Be On Board

LOL Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi under consideration to replace Sessions

HAHAHA Democrats are sounding every alarm now that Trump has forced Jeff Sessions to resign

OH THE HUMANITY Richard Nixon’s White House counsel says Jeff Sessions’ ousting ‘like a planned murder’

Acosta belligerent at WH presser, has credentials yanked

Yesterday, little baby bitch Jim Acosta was a snarky little brat in the WH presser, refusing to give up the microphone after pooping out his vicious question for the camera and his audience of Twitter harpies. He made a scene because the media loves itself so, so much and loves to be the story and Jim is no exception. Everyone was tweeting about Jim’s behavior, how Trump is a monster, how the media is so awesome — the usual drill when one of these garbage people puts on a burlesque show during a press conference.

OMG! Is Jim okay? Was he hospitalized? https://t.co/VCOIMgpQjI

— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) November 8, 2018

I thought that was the end of it. But no, it gets better. The WH suspended Acosta’s credentials. Finally.

The media is going crazy!

Jim Acosta is not entitled to WH media credentials. It’s difficult to get a hard pass into the WH pressers and it’s hard to get a temporary one. If you don’t believe me, show up at the WH and try to attend a presser. Tell them you have a First Amendment right to be there and to interrogate Sarah Sanders.

It is a privilege and an honor to attend the WH press conferences and if you cannot conduct yourself like a lady or a gentleman, you should not be there. Of course these poor, victimized “journalists” will say it’s because they are asking hard questions of the bad orange man, but that’s nonsense. They are nasty, accusatory brats. Did you ever see them behave in a disrespectful manner when Obama was president?

I don’t know why they didn’t yank his creds earlier and also those of that awful April Ryan. There are plenty of other media outlets to cover the WH and the president. No need for Jim Acosta to be there and no danger to the First Amendment.

White House doubles down on decision to pull press pass from CNN’s Acosta

Historical picture of the day:

Willie Smith holds four copies of the Chicago Sun-Times, each with a different headline, Wednesday morning, Nov. 8, 2000, reflecting a night of suspense, drama and changes in following the presidential race between Vice President Al Gore and Texas Gov. George W. Bush. (AP Photo/Charles Bennett)

Other morsels:

AWFUL Mob chants threats outside Tucker Carlson’s DC home

Trump to make asylum changes as soon as Friday

U.S. senator adds to pressure on Pentagon to clean up military housing

Why is this a news story? This guy took a public tour but The Hill wants to hype it up. White nationalist leader posts photos at White House

Federal judges toss Maryland congressional map for partisan gerrymandering

Of course Beto’s consolation prize: Running for president

‘I don’t regret a thing’: Democrats aim to keep small-donor boom going in 2020

YES. Nancy, come back! Why Democrats may be stuck with Pelosi as House speaker again

What?!? Zookeeper accused in murder-for-hire plot also accused of killing tigers, selling cubs

Georgia Voters File for ‘Emergency’ Restraining Order Against Brian Kemp

WOMP WOMP Man who destroyed Trump’s star with ax has to pay nearly $10,000, sentenced to probation