Trump-Free Friday Politics Roundup
Take a break from Trump-related news and see what else is happening in the world of politics, including some prime ministers writing some letters.
Planned Parenthood Video Recorders Get All The Felony Charges
That is to say, they are now facing 15 felony charges each. David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt, the two anti-abortion activists currently charged, are being prosecuted for filming confidential conversations without consent. Those conversations took place with a Planned Parenthood official, who was discussing Planned Parenthood’s methods of donating fetal tissue for research.
Daleiden and Merritt claimed that this was evidence of the organization selling said tissue, though subsequent investigations found nothing illegal. Of course, that may or may not have mattered to your most conservative relative on Facebook. However, it appears to matter very much to the California Department of Justice and State Attorney General Xavier Becerra.
ACA Drama Still Not Over – It’s Just Gone Quiet
It’s all well and good to celebrate the end of the terrible, no-good American Health Care Act. However, now’s the time to get back to reality. There are still plenty of ways the current presidential administration can mess with Obamacare, including a variety of state-level interventions and some truly sneaky backdoor measures. Activists may have won this battle, but the health care war is far from over.
Seriously, What Is Going On With Devin Nunes?
Devin Nunes (R-CA) is the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. That’s fine on its own, but things start to get really sticky when you pay attention to Nunes’ recent behavior. He’s apparently been communicating intelligence information with White House officials, while at the same time denying Democratic committee members access to the same. He has so far refused to disclose his sources, which may either be an intelligent move (allowing others to approach the committee) or a corrupt one. It’s hard to tell.
And, wouldn’t you know it, the Intelligence Committee is currently trying to investigate ties between the current presidential administration and Russia. Nunes’ actions and the identity of his sources have bred much confusion and distrust, further muddying already uncertain waters.
Britain Formally Starts Its Brexit
On Wednesday, the United Kingdom formally began its exit from the European Union with a letter from Prime Minister Theresa May. Over six pages, May laid out Britain’s plan for the breakup. It also touched off what will surely feel like an endless round of negotiations on immigration, trade, financial agreements, and a looming existential crisis for the EU.
Scotland Says Yes To Independence Referendum
Meanwhile, Scotland wants none of this. On Tuesday, just before Prime Minister May’s Brexit letter, Scotland’s Parliament voted yes on holding another independence referendum. A 2014 referendum resulted in Scotland’s remaining in the U.K., with 55.3% voting to stay and 44.7% voting to leave. First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon wrote her own letter to May, in which she stated that “there appears to be no rational reason for you to stand in the way of the will of the Scottish Parliament.”
The Prime Minister has previously stated that such a request would be “conclusively” rejected.
U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley Warns UN About “Wave of Populism”
Haley warned the United Nations about the “wave of populism” sweeping world politics. Huh. Okay. It’s an important sentiment, to be sure. Still, it’s strange to hear this coming from someone who gained her position thanks to populist politics in her own country.
Park Geun-hye Jailed
Park Geun-hye, the newly impeached President of South Korea, was arrested this Friday. She will be the first leader in democratic South Korea to be jailed. Park’s administration was plagued by corruption scandals, leading to current legal charges of bribery and extortion, among others.
Park had been voted out by the national assembly and removed from office on March 10. A conviction could mean a prison sentence anywhere between 10 years to life for Park.
Michael Flynn Might Become A Turncoat For Immunity
Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn has offered to speak to Congressional committees in exchange for immunity. However, officials have been reportedly wary of this idea, given that inquiries into ties with Russia have just begun. Flynn’s information, therefore, may be either incredibly helpful or a complete waste of time. His lawyers, meanwhile, are likely crossing their fingers and hoping that Flynn evades prosecution for his own misleading comments and connections with Russian officials.
Next: Full Frontal: Government Worked, Schoolhouse-Rock Style
Palate Cleanser: The Trump And Dump Bot
This robot prints a certain Twitter account’s missives, then immediately burns them.
It is a beautiful and pure creation, worthy of your attention.