This administration will go down as the most qualified of all time. #SaidNooneEver

[MASTERBAKER]

SEE IT: Trump's pick for district court judge fails to answer basic legal questions during cringe-worthy hearing
BYJESSICA CHIA
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Friday, December 15, 2017, 4:59 AM

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Matthew Petersen during the meeting of the Federal Election Commission to elect a chairman and vice chairman.
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Sheldon Whitehouse✔@SenWhitehouse
MUST WATCH: Republican@SenJohnKennedyasks one of@realDonaldTrump’s US District Judge nominees basic questions of law & he can’t answer a single one. Hoo-boy.

8:44 PM - Dec 14, 2017

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Petersen then choked when Kennedy went on and tested him on several legal terms in a cringe-inducing exchange.

White House pulls controversial judicial appointment of Ala. man

When Kennedy asked him about a “motion in limine,” Petersen fumbled and said, “Yes ... my background is not in litigation.”

Kennedy patiently listened as Peterson rambled on about his career path before returning his attention back to the motion, which is used to bar an opposing party from introducing certain evidence.

“I would probably not be able to give you a good definition right here at the table,” Petersen finally conceded.


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When asked about the Younger abstention doctrine, or the Pullman abstention doctrine, both grounds for a federal court to abstain from hearing a case, Petersen said, “I’ve heard of it” and shook his head.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) shared the video of the hearing on Twitter, writing, “MUST WATCH:


Republican @SenJohn asks one of @realDonaldTrump’s US District Judge nominees basic questions of law & he can’t answer a single one. Hoo-boy.”

Jared Walczak, a senior analyst at the Tax Foundation tweeted, “This is one of the most painful exchanges I’ve ever watched, and Sen. Kennedy’s calm questioning only makes it more brutal.”

Twitter user @Lecternonthelam wrote, “I can’t even. This is a joke. I was more qualified than this ‘nominee’ when I was a law clerk before I even passed the bar. Thank you for exposing this farce.”

Trump has already decided not to pursue two district court nominees after Brett Talley, who was in the running for a district court post in Alabama, came under fire for lack of experience,Politicoreported.

Jeff Mateer’s nomination was reportedly being dropped due to his statements regarding transgender children.

 

[MASTERBAKER]

This is just painful to watch.

Learn more here: http://bit.ly/2BugVWf

 

[MASTERBAKER]

 

[PAYNE]

Crime boss cornerstone tactic 101 -- It's a must to buy-off, or appoint in this case, as many judges and law enforcement officials as possible to aid in future operations.

 

[PAYNE]

....and now his ass is outa there!

 

[MASTERBAKER]

Matthew Petersen's letter to Trump withdrawing his judicial nomination
Updated 3:23 PM ET, Mon December 18, 2017

Washington (CNN)In Matthew Petersen's letter to President Donald Trump withdrawing his judicial nomination, Petersen says he is "no stranger to political realities" and did not wish to be a "continued distraction" to the President's or Administration's work.

He bemoaned his performance at his confirmation hearing, saying "I had hoped that my nearly two decades of public service would carry more weight than my worst two minutes on television."
Read his nomination withdrawal letter below.




December 16, 2017

President Donald J. Trump

1600 Ave.
Washington, DC. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

I write to inform you that I am withdrawing from consideration to be a United States District
Judge for the District of Columbia. While I am honored to have been nominated for this
position, it has become clear to me over the past few days that my nomination has become

a distraction?and that is not fair to you or your Administration.

The United States District Court for the District of Columbia is unique, and I was looking
forward to applying my experience in administrative and constitutional law on this court where
regulatory matters and cases challenging agency action?rather than trials?dominate this docket
within our nation?s capital. As you know, I have practiced law for almost two decades?both in
private practice and in public service. I have worked as an attorney in both bodies of Congress?
and rose to the position of Chief Counsel to one of the most prominent Committees in the United
States Senate. Nine years ago, I was unanimously con?rmed by that body to serve as a
Commissioner on the Federal Election Commission, where I also served as its Chairman. I
believe that the hallmark of my tenure on the FEC has been and remains the fair treatment of all
who have come before me and rigorous, well-reasoned opinions involving complex areas of
administrative and constitutional law?similar to the kinds of cases that often come before
judges of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. On that record, I was
unanimously rated ?quali?ed? to serve as a judge on this court by the American Bar Association,
which rendered its decision based on my integrity, professional competence, and judicial
temperament.

I had hoped that my nearly two decades of public service might carry more weight than my two
worst minutes on television. However, I am no stranger to political realities, and I do not wish to
be a continued distraction from the important work of your Administration and the Senate.

Accordingly, at this time, the best decision for me and my family is to withdraw from
consideration. Until the time is otherwise appropriate, I look forward to returning to my duties at
the Federal Election Commission. Thank you again for this tremendous honor.

Matthew Spencer Petersen

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[MASTERBAKER]

This administration will go down as the most qualified of all time. #SaidNooneEver



Trump replaces H.R. McMaster as national security adviser with John Bolton

By Zachary Cohen, CNN



Updated 6:48 PM ET, Thu March 22, 2018

National security adviser H.R. McMaster waves as he walks into the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Friday, March 16, 2018.

Washington (CNN)National security adviser H.R. McMaster has agreed to resign and will be replaced by former US ambassador and Fox News analyst John Bolton, President Donald Trump announced in a tweet on Thursday.

"I pleased to announce that, effective 4/9/18, @AmbJohnBolton will be my new National Security Advisor. I am very thankful for the service of General H.R. McMaster who has done an outstanding job & will always remain my friend. There will be an official contact handover on 4/19."

"The two have been discussing this for some time. The timeline was expedited as they both felt it was important to have the new team in place, instead of constant speculation," a White House official said. "This was not related to any one moment or incident, rather it was the result of ongoing conversations between the two."

Bolton is a stalwart of Republican national security circles known for his hawkish views.


"After 34 years of service to our nation, I am requesting retirement from the U.S. Army effective this summer after which I will leave public service. Throughout my career it has been my greatest privilege to serve alongside extraordinary servicemembers and dedicated civilians," McMaster said in a statement released by the White House.

"I am thankful to President Donald J. Trump for the opportunity to serve him and our nation as national security advisor. I am grateful for the friendship and support of the members of the National Security Council who worked together to provide the President with the best options to protect and advance our national interests," the statement said.

 

[QueEx]

This administration will go down as the most qualified of all time. #SaidNooneEver

#HowRightYouAre:

Behind the chaos: Office that vets Trump appointees plagued by inexperience


An obscure White House office responsible for recruiting and vetting thousands of political appointees has suffered from inexperience and a shortage of staff, hobbling the Trump administration’s efforts to place qualified people in key posts across government, documents and interviews show.

At the same time, two office leaders have spotty records themselves: a college dropout with arrests for drunken driving and bad checks and a Marine Corps reservist with arrests for assault, disorderly conduct, fleeing an officer and underage drinking.

The Presidential Personnel Office (PPO) is little known outside political circles. But it has far-reaching influence as a gateway for the appointed officials who carry out the president’s policies and run federal agencies.

Under President Trump, the office was launched with far fewer people than in prior administrations. It has served as a refuge for young campaign workers, a stopover for senior officials on their way to other posts and a source of jobs for friends and family, a Washington Post investigation found. One senior staffer has had four relatives receive appointments through the office.

PPO leaders hosted Happy Hours last year in their offices that included beer, wine and snacks for dozens of PPO employees and White House liaisons who work in federal agencies, White House officials confirmed. In January, they played a drinking game in the office called “Icing” to celebrate the deputy director’s 30th birthday. Icing involves hiding a bottle of Smirnoff Ice, a flavored malt liquor, and demanding that the person who discovers it, in this case the deputy director, guzzle it.

The White House confirmed that PPO officials played the Icing game but said it and the happy hours are not unique to the PPO and are a way to network and let off steam.

The PPO is ultimately responsible for recruiting and vetting candidates for more than 4,000 jobs, more than 1,200 requiring Senate approval.

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https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wa...e31a1a-28a3-11e8-ab19-06a445a08c94_story.html

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