that every single person denied a visa could file a legal claim because they could not enter the U.S. He said such people who fall into this category enjoy no legal benefits.
"The immigration orders were drafted by a team of some of the most qualified, talented lawyers in the USA," Miller said on Monday"s edition of Tucker Carlson Tonight on the FOX News Channel. "I am proud to have the opportunity tonight to stand up for President Trump"s order and to defend the action as lawful, necessary and important."
Miller said the decision to fire acting Attorney General Sally Yates further shows Trump"s cabinet nominees need to be confirmed, namely U.S. Attorney General designate Jeff Sessions.
"It was a betrayal of her office and [Sally Yates] is being replaced with somebody who will enforce the laws of the U.S," Miller announced.
Professor who called Trump election now predicts impeachment
Even as Donald Trump took the oath of office on Jan. 20 and the national conversation turned to foreboding interpretations of his inaugural address, a very different story was unfolding. Two public interest nonprofits launched a campaign to begin an impeachment investigation into the new president.
At issue are Trumps businesses, both at home and abroad, which may result in payments from foreign governments or from the U.S. or state governments. Thats something many legal scholars believe is explicitly forbidden by a clause in the U.S. Constitution that reads:
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.
The two groups, Free Speech for People and RootsAction, have a website (impeachdonaldtrumpnow.org) with model legislation they want to see introduced in Congress, as well as a petition and a host of other ways to take action. I spoke with John Bonifaz, co-founder and president of Free Speech for People, to learn more about the campaign. Bonifaz is an attorney and political activist specializing in constitutional law and voting rights. Hes based in Amherst, Massachusetts.
James Trimarco: Whats the emoluments clause?
John Bonifaz: There are two emoluments clauses in the U.S. Constitution. The Foreign Emoluments Clause makes clear that the president or any other elected official shall not receive any gifts or payments from foreign governments. Thats there because we want our elected officials, including the president, to be beholden to the people of the United States and not to foreign governments.
Its clear with Donald Trumps business empire all over the world144 businesses in 25 countries that he either owns or receives licensing income fromthat he has foreign payments coming to his business on a regular basis. He also has debts to many of those foreign countries. He has a nearly $1billion debt to the Sovereign Bank of China, the state-owned bank of China.
He has a nearly $1billion debt to the Sovereign Bank of China.
The second emoluments clause is the Domestic Emoluments Clause, which applies solely to the president and makes clear that he or she shall not benefit from any gifts from the federal government or from state governments and that the salary alone is what the president shall receive. Thats because we do not want a president whos serving his or her own personal financial interests in carrying out the duties of the presidency.
Trump is in violation of that one, too. For example, he has received $885million in tax breaks since 1980 from the New York state government for his businesses there. If he continues to get those and other tax breaksand he willthose are essentially gifts from the states to the president.
And then, when he makes decisions on behalf of the federal government that benefit his business, hes created a conflict of interest.
If he decides, as has been reported, to overhaul the executive order that the Obama administration issued on overtime pay, that will directly benefit the bottom line profit of his businesses at the expense of workers. That is an example of a policy that is clouded by a conflict of interest.
The emoluments clauses are anti-corruption provisions in the Constitution and this new president is in direct violation of them. These violations are impeachable offenses.
Trimarco: Is there any historical precedent for a president being in violation of these clauses?
Bonifaz: There have been findings in the past of presidents who have taken gifts and been seen as in violation of the Foreign Emoluments Clausebut not in recent times. This is an unprecedented situation in modern American history, where we have someone so flagrantly violating both of these clauses in the Constitution.
The reason is that for decades, before they took the oath of office, presidents have divested from their businesses and put those assets in a blind trust. Jimmy Carter famously sold his peanut farm. And this president has been warned repeatedly that he, in fact, needed to do that before he took the Oval Office, or he would be in violation of the Foreign Emoluments Clause on day one. And yet, he decided not to.
His refusal to fully divest from his business means hes on the road to an impeachment investigation.
Hes come up with a so-called plan to address it, which involves his two sons running the company. But he still owns the company. So this has not been remedied in any way whatsoever. What is happening here is we have a president who is treating the office of the presidency like a profit-making enterprise. The president is a public servant, and Mr. Trump does not seem to understand that basic concept.
At this point, he can either resign the office of the presidency and resume his role as a businessman, or he can face impeachment. But his refusal to fully divest from his business means hes on the road to an impeachment investigation.
Trimarco: When it comes to the campaign that your group, Free Speech for People, is doing together with RootsAction, what steps have you taken so far?
Bonifaz: We launched this campaign with RootsAction on the day Trump took office. Were already past the 200,000 point in petition signatures. I expect those numbers to grow exponentially as people learn about this campaign and learn about these direct violations of the Constitution.
We anticipate that a member of Congress will step forward and have the courage to introduce our proposed resolution, which formally starts the impeachment process with the call for an impeachment investigation.
That resolution will have to be approved by members of Congress. And we recognize that there are Republicans who will need to come on board with this resolution. But as time goes forward, and more and more evidence comes forward as to the defiance that this president exhibits toward the Constitution, I think there will be Republicans who are willing to step forward.
Trimarco: I saw a story on Breitbart that claimed that there were connections between this campaign and George Soros Open Society Foundation. How do you respond to that criticism?
Bonifaz: Theres no connection whatsoever. It is a fiction. Free Speech for People has received a total of $25,000 from the Open Society Fund, which we received in 2015 to support a symposium we were doing on money in politics at Loyola Law School. Free Speech for People is not a major recipient of funding from the Open Society Foundation; that is the only grant we have received from them. I am not aware of RootsAction being a major recipient of Open Society funding. Im not talking to staff at the Open Society Foundation. I have no idea whether they support this or not.
Trimarco: If there are readers who want to get involved in this, what are some of the steps you would suggest?
Bonifaz: We have on our Take Action page on the website a number of ways for people to get involved. The first way is to sign the petition. Then share it with friends and networks to spread the word about this campaign, to post it on Facebook and Twitter, to send it around to your friends and neighbors. We also are urging people to call their members of Congress and urge that they introduce this resolution oronce its already been introducedto support the impeachment investigation.
Right now our strategy is to get this moving right away.
We have on our website in that section a draft model resolution that we urge people to get passed in their local communities. Go before your city council, or county commission, or state government, and get your community on record calling for this impeachment investigation to begin in the House of Representatives. We need the support financially of people from around the country to help lift up this campaign, to do this organizing, legal, and communications work.
Trimarco: Do you feel this would be more likely to pass through the Judiciary Committee if the House were to flip to the Democrats in 2018? Is that part of your strategy?
Bonifaz: Right now our strategy is to get this moving right away. Waiting two years is not acceptable. This is a president who is flagrantly in violation of the Constitution from day one. He needs to face these impeachment charges now, not two years down the road.
I have to say that, with respect to the skeptics who say theres no way this could get through the House of Representativesthere were plenty of people who thought there was no way Donald Trump would be the nominee for the Republican Party. There were plenty of people in this country who thought there was no way he could win the election. So we are living in unprecedented times. For people who care about our democracy and our Constitution and want to defend our republic, at this point that means moving forward with impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump.
James Marsden"s scary horseback riding moment in "Westworld"
Excitement is building for Green Lantern Corps, a movie that promises to give us not one but two Green Lanterns in what"s been teased as "Lethal Weapon in space". In terms of casting the most famous Green Lantern, Hal Jordan, fans are tossing around names like Tom Cruise, Joel McHale, Armie Hammer, Jake Gyllenhaal, and even Ryan Reynolds! But one report indicates a veteran superhero actor could well be in for the role...
Meet James Marsden
A seasoned actor, #JamesMarsden made his superhero debut in 2000"s X-Men, where he was cast as Cyclops. He played the role through the first #XMen trilogy, but it"s not really viewed as his best work; he was only really given a chance to show his acting skills in the last film, when Jean Grey"s resurrection brought the repressed Cyclops"s emotions to the surface. Unfortunately for Marsden, that was also the scene where his character was killed off!
The problem, you see, was that like Bryan Singer himself Marsden had been drawn to another project: Superman Returns. This was really Marsden"s breakout role, as he played Lois Lane"s fiance, who had to deal with the return of the Man of Steel - and the fact his fiance was in love with Superman! He was soon taking on major roles in films like Hairspray and Enchanted.
A very different James Marsden in "Enchanted". [Credit: Disney]
#Westworld has given Marsden"s career another boost. Marsden played Teddy Flood, a major figure in the sci-fi drama, and right now the sun is shining on all things Westworld. Superhero fans may not have been impressed with marsden"s performance in x-men, but in the years since, he"s proven himself to have real star caliber. Personally, I think he"d play a great Hal Jordan.
How Likely is This?Hal Jordan. [Credit: DC Comics]
Warner Bros. is undoubtedly considering a whole range of options for the role of Hal Jordan, one of the two stars of Green Lantern Corps. Trying to confirm the initial reports about the casting shortlist from The Wrap, We Got This Covered reached out to sources inside Warner Bros. - and they named James Marsden.
"Ive heard one more name, too. Ever since Westworld Marsden has been pretty hot around here. Theyve discussed him for Hal as well."
Now, it"s worth noting that this is one unconfirmed report, and that according to this, Marsden"s name is only being "discussed". In truth, Warner Bros. will only be at the first stage of casting right now throwing out names to see which ones fit. What"s more, the studio won"t just be considering actors in isolation; Green Lantern Corps has two stars, not just the one, and the dynamic between these two actors is what will really sell the role.
Green Lantern John Stewart. [Credit: DC Comics]
This is where I think Marsden shines. He"s proven that he can build strong rapport with his co-stars Superman Returns, Enchanted and Westworld all demonstrated that. His star is on the ascendant after Westworld, and he"d pretty much be a perfect fit for this kind of partnership movie.
See also:
Of course, right now this is only an interesting rumor. In my view, James Marsden is easily due for a return to the superhero genre; although his experience with the X-Men franchise wasn"t the best, he"s an actor of far greater caliber than that role demonstrates. He proved that on Westworld, and I for one hope he gets the chance to prove it as Hal Jordan as well!
Do you want James Marsden to play Hal Jordan in "Green Lantern Corps"?
(Source: We Got This Covered; Poll Image Credit: DC Comics)
MOSQUE SHOOTING - QUEBEC CITY - 5 DEAD - TRUDEAU IMMIGRATION - TRUMP MUSLIM BAN
QUEBEC CITY (AP) A shooting at a Quebec City mosque during evening prayers left six people dead and eight others wounded in an attack that Canadas prime minister called an act of terrorism. Police arrested two suspects.
More than 50 people were at the Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre when the shooting erupted Sunday night. Some of the wounded were gravely injured, Quebec provincial police spokeswoman Christine Coulombe said early Monday. The dead ranged in age from age 35 to 70, she said, and 39 people were unharmed.
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One suspect was arrested at the scene and another nearby in dOrleans, and police said they did not believe there were other suspects. Police didnt release names of the suspects or give a possible motive.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard both characterized the attack as a terrorist act, which came amid heightened tensions worldwide over President Donald Trumps travel ban on several Muslim countries.
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We condemn this terrorist attack on Muslims in a center of worship and refuge, Trudeau said in a statement. It is heart-wrenching to see such senseless violence. Diversity is our strength, and religious tolerance is a value that we, as Canadians, hold dear.
Boston police boost security around mosques
No known threat has been issued against Boston mosques in the wake of the terror attack in Quebec City.
Muslim-Canadians are an important part of our national fabric, and these senseless acts have no place in our communities, cities and country, he said.
Canada is generally very welcoming toward immigrants and all religions, but the French-speaking province of Quebec has had a long-simmering debate about race and religious accommodation.
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The previous separatist government of the province called for a ban on ostentatious religious symbols such as the hijab in public institutions.
In the summer of 2016 a pigs head was left on the doorstep of the Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre in the middle of Ramadan, when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. Practicing Muslims do not eat pork.
The Muslim community was the target of this murderous attack, Couillard said at an early morning news conference. He said solidarity rallies would be held across Quebec on Monday.
Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume, appearing shaken, said, No person should have to pay with their life, for their race, their color, their sexual orientation or their religious beliefs, Labeaume said.
Cultural Centre President Mohamed Yangui said the shooting in occurred in the mens section of the mosque. He said he wasnt at the center when the attack occurred, but he got some details from people on the scene.
Ali Hamadi said he left the mosque a few minutes before the shooting and said a friend, Abdelkrim Hassen was killed. He said Hassen, who worked in information technology for the government, had three daughters and a wife, whom he had to notify of the death.
quebec city police spokesman Constable Pierre Poirier said the mosque had been evacuated and the situation was under control.
Trudeau had earlier reacted to Trumps visa ban for people from some Muslim-majority countries by tweeting Saturday: To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada.
Trudeau also posted a picture of himself greeting a Syrian child at Torontos airport in late 2015. Trudeau oversaw the arrival of more than 39,000 Syrian refugees soon after he was elected.
The mayor of Gatineau, Quebec, near Canadas capital of Ottawa, said there would be an increased police presence at mosques around his city following the attack.
The New York Police Department also said it was stepping up patrols at mosques and other houses of worship.
NYPD is providing additional protection for mosques in the city. All New Yorkers should be vigilant. If you see something, say something, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Twitter.
Our prayers tonight are with the people of Quebec City as they deal with a terrible attack on a mosque. We must stand together, de Blasio said in another tweet.
Canadas public safety minister, Ralph Goodale, said on Twitter Sunday that he was deeply saddened by the loss of life. His office said no motive had been confirmed.
Francois Deschamps, an organizer of a refugee-support group in Quebec City, said the motive for Sundays attack was unknown, but right-wing groups are very organized in Quebec City, distributing fliers at the university and plastering stickers around town.
Deschamps said he has received death threats after starting a refugee support group on Facebook and people have posted his address online.
Im not very surprised about the event, Deschamps said. The Canadian Council of Imams said in a statement that Islamophobia has killed innocent Canadians.
We ask all decent people to stand against hatred of Islam and Muslims in any forum, the statement read. Our message to anyone in the Canadian Muslim community who may experience Islamophobia is not to suffer in silence.
Andre Pichette/EPA
Police hung up paper to cordon off the crime scene at the mosque.
Rob Gillies reported from Toronto. Associated Press writer Sean Farrell in Montreal contributed to this report.
Donald Trump mocks Chuck Schumer for crying "fake tears"
"If the nominee is out of the mainstream, we will do our best to keep the seat open," Schumer, D-New York, told CNN"s Jake Tapper on "State of the Union" of the Supreme Court vacancy that Trump will get a shot at filling after majority Republicans blocked former President Barack Obama"s nominee for a year.
"I"m hopeful that President Trump may nominate someone who is mainstream and could get bipartisan support," Schumer said. "But if they don"t, yes, we will fight it tooth and nail, as long as we have to."
Schumer also said he"ll oppose eight or nine of Trump"s Cabinet nominees, and potentially more.
He specifically said he opposes Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, Trump"s pick for attorney general, and Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, Trump"s nominee to helm the Environmental Protection Agency.
"We certainly feel that we have to bring to the American people how different this Cabinet is -- how hard-right, how many conflicts of interest, billionaires," schumer said.
his comments come the same day Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham announced they will vote to confirm Trump"s pick for secretary of state, former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson.
"Listen, this wasn"t an easy call. But I also believe that when there"s doubt the president, the incoming president, gets the benefit of the doubt, and that"s the way I"ve treated every president that I"ve had the obligation to vote for or against as a member of the United States Senate," McCain said on ABC"s "This Week."
Graham tweeted shortly after: "I will vote to confirm Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State."
That decision could mean Democrats won"t have the votes to stop Tillerson"s nomination. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio has also been on the fence, but Democrats would likely have needed all three -- McCain, Graham and Rubio -- to block Tillerson"s confirmation.
Democrats alone do not have enough votes to sink any of Trump"s nominees, and Schumer noted it will be up to Republican opposition to actually block picks.
Schumer also said he"s worried Trump is "using populist rhetoric to cover up a hard-right agenda."
He criticized Trump"s actions over his first 36 hours as president, complaining to the CIA of media coverage of the size of his inauguration crowd.
"President Trump is now president. He"s not campaigning anymore," Schumer said. "And instead of talking about how many people showed up at his inauguration, he ought to talk about how many people he"s going to bring into the middle class."
John Lynch Is 49ers GM! Free Agents are Next & draft picks, 49ers Fans Weekly meeting
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) The San Francisco 49ers made a surprise hire to fill their general manager void Sunday, hiring former NFL safety and Fox television analyst John Lynch to replace Trent Baalke.
Lynch comes into the job with no front-office experience, having gone straight from the playing field to the broadcast booth. But after a lengthy search that included interviews with nine other publicly identified candidates, team CEO Jed York settled on Lynch.
ESPN first reported the deal, saying Lynch had gotten a six-year contract.
After playing for former Niners coach Bill Walsh in college at Stanford, Lynch went on to have a stellar 15-year career with Tampa Bay and Denver that included three All-Pro selections and one Super Bowl title with the Buccaneers. He"s a finalist this year for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Since retiring in 2008, Lynch has been an analyst at Fox.
Now he will be tasked to rebuild a once-proud franchise that has fallen from NFC champions in 2012 to a 2-14 record this past season that matched the worst in franchise history. That led to the firing of Baalke and coach Chip Kelly as York set to overhaul the operation after the struggles the past few years.
The 49ers made three straight trips to the NFC title game from 2011-13 under coach Jim Harbaugh, but got rid of him after an 8-8 season in 2014, in part because of a rift with Baalke. Jim Tomsula lasted one year as coach and then Kelly was also fired after one season, leading to this current search.
York said he was open to hiring either the coach or general manager first. He said the primary goal in the search is finding a coach and general manager who can work well together.
All signs point to Atlanta offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan getting the head coach job. He had a second interview with York this weekend and is the only remaining candidate. He can"t sign a contract with San Francisco until after the Falcons play the Super Bowl next Sunday against New England.
Lynch played for Shanahan"s father, Mike, for four seasons in Denver.
York also gave second interviews this weekend to the two other general manager candidates: Minnesota assistant GM George Paton and Arizona vice president of player personnel Terry McDonough.
But after meeting with them and Shanahan, York decided to go with Lynch for the job. Lynch played the final four years of his career in Denver, where Shanahan"s father, Mike, was head coach.
Lynch will need to rebuild a depleted roster that has few building blocks and holes at nearly every position. The biggest void is at quarterback where Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert both struggled this past season and can leave as free agents in March.
San Francisco has the No. 2 overall draft pick and plenty of salary cap room to make additions.
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