In this episode from the Rachel Maddow Presents: Déjà News podcast, revelations emerge about dysfunction and careless document handling under the Trump administration. Transcripts reveal contradictions and lies surrounding the movement of classified boxes, as well as hints of pardons being dangled to obstruct investigations.
The Biden administration's efforts to support Black entrepreneurship and investment in underserved areas are also explored. As the 2024 election cycle kicks into gear, the episode examines Biden's active campaigning contrasted with Trump's more leisurely approach, as the Republican party faces an unprecedented rebellion against the former president's bid for re-election.
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Records were routinely taken from the Oval Office to the residence without process, indicating careless document handling. An individual wasn't aware of Trump declassifying records besides specific cases, suggesting no standing declassification order existed. Despite multiple attempts, Trump remained noncommittal about returning records like the Kim Jong-un letters.
While previously claiming ignorance, Nauta admitted to moving boxes before their return, contradicting earlier statements. A juror confirmed Pine Hall, where boxes were moved, wasn't secure. Nauta's testimony differed from FBI statements, suggesting lies about his awareness of moved boxes.
According to Person 16, Nauta was told the probe was politically motivated and assured of a future 2024 pardon if charged with lying to the FBI, highlighting the precarious position of Trump associates. Weissmann notes pardons obstruct DOJ investigations and public corruption cases.
VP Harris has encouraged Black entrepreneurs to seek loans despite historical disparities, noting studies show hesitancy. She emphasizes ambition shouldn't be impeded by disparities. The administration routes funds to community banks and pushes major banks to invest in underserved areas.
O'Donnell says Biden's campaign is reaching out to Nikki Haley's anti-Trump voters, who may be crucial in swing states.
The GOP is seeing an insurrection against Trump, with former VPs, nominee, chair, and cabinet members refusing to support his reelection bid - signaling a potential existential threat.
While details aren't provided, Biden's active campaigning with allies like VP Harris contrasts Trump's more leisurely approach, often perceived as "sticking to the golf cart."
1-Page Summary
The indictment and recent reports highlight a pattern of dysfunctional record keeping and careless document handling within the Trump administration.
The report points out that records were frequently taken from the Oval Office to the residence without any formal process. This indicates a lax attitude toward the handling of sensitive documents.
Furthermore, an individual referred to as Person 16, who was involved with the administration, was not aware of the former President declassifying any records other than crossfire hurricane documents and believed there was no standing order for declassification in the White House. The assertion that possibly only Person 24 would testify to the existence of such an order, while being described as "unhinged and crazy," further illustrates the chaotic approach to crucial security processes.
Person 16 discovered that certain records had yet to be returned to the National Archives, such as the Kim Jong-un letters, the Obama letter, and the hurricane map. Despite multiple attempts by various individuals, including Person 16, to persuade the former President to return the records, he remained noncommittal and questioned how they knew about the documents.
Walt Nauta’s grand jury testimony sheds light on the disarray within Trump’s orbit concerning document security.
While Nauta previously claimed ignorance about the contents and security of certain boxes, he admitted under oath to moving boxes around before they were returned to the government, contradicting earlier statements. ...
Dysfunction in the Trump administration
The Trump criminal investigation has surfaced allegations regarding the dangled possibility of a presidential pardon, potentially aimed at obstructing the investigation.
The narrative unfolds with Person 16 communicating that Walt Nauta was informed by Trump’s associates that the investigation was merely politically motivated, hinting at triviality. Further implications suggest that Nauta was assured of a pardon if he was charged with lying to the FBI – a promise allegedly scheduled for a future date in 2024.
Person 16 acknowledged a significant personal risk within the Trump circle for engaging in voluntary interviews with the FBI. This circumstance outlines the precarious position of insiders caught between the loyalties to their associates and the legal ramifications of their choices.
Weissmann comments on the problem this scenario poses for public corruption cases, whereby the possibility of a presidential pardon obstructs the Depa ...
Trump criminal probe
The Biden-Harris administration is working on economic policies to aid Black-owned businesses, with Vice President Kamala Harris leading efforts to offer capital, financial literacy, and support for these entrepreneurs.
Vice President Harris has been meeting with small business owners to emphasize the availability of resources intended for their growth and development. During these engagements, she has encouraged Black entrepreneurs to apply for loans despite the historical trend where they're less likely to do so due to fear of rejection.
The commitment to support Black-owned businesses includes more than just financial assistance. Harris has reinforced that historical disparities should not hinder ambition. She has highlighted the Biden administration's efforts to route federal funds to community banks and prompt major banks to invest in communities unfamiliar to them. Furthermore, Harris has underscored the administration's pledge to heighten financial literacy to empower individuals to start and sustain businesses.
Understanding that despite national conversations, which sometimes undermine diversity, equity, and inclusion, these efforts are crucial for the nation's progress. The administration prioritizes these initiatives as a means to invest in the country's strength through acknowledgment and support of diverse communities.
Studies have indicated that Black business owners are often less likely to seek loans than their counterparts. Harris has advised them to overcome this reluctance and utilize available resources for business support and development.
The economic strategies under the current administration have led to historically low unemployment rates among Black Americans. The administration's policies are directe ...
Economic policies to support Black-owned businesses
The political landscape is rapidly evolving as the 2024 United States presidential election approaches. Notably, shifts within the Republican Party and distinct campaign strategies are characterizing the race.
Lawrence O'Donnell points out that President Joe Biden's re-election campaign is actively reaching out to voters who support Nikki Haley, indicating that they may play a crucial role as a constituency in battleground states. These Haley supporters have shown a pattern of voting against Donald Trump in Republican primaries, suggesting a possible opening for Biden's campaign to appeal to these voters in a general election.
The Republican Party is experiencing a notable insurrection against Donald Trump, with influential figures such as two former vice presidents, a former party nominee, a former party chair, and several leaders from his own administration openly refusing to support his bid for reelection. This internal rebellion presents an existential threat to Trump's candidacy, as it indicates a significant division within the party. A substantial portion of the GOP is not aligned with the MAGA movement and is uncertain about continuing to su ...
2024 Election Dynamics
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