Thank God for whistleblowers. That’s bravery. That’s patriotism.
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Michelle Kosinski
@MichLKosinski
Writer, host, storyteller. I’ve covered the White House, State Dept, and the world, for news. Now I make things I’d watch.
Washington, DCJoined May 2011
Michelle Kosinski’s posts
The greatest thing I have heard all day is that my 83-year-old father in law got suspended from Twitter for saying he hopes “a coyote grabs Ted Cruz’s ass” while cruising the Rio Grande.
NEW: Official source: Bethesda Bicycle Biff (actual name to come) is under arrest.
Being processed in the jail as we speak.
BREAKING: Maryland-National Park Police are now moving on an arrest warrant, three counts of 2nd-degree assault.
Covering State, I had an entire file titled "Pompeo being a d***," detailing the uncalled-for garbage he would regularly spout to members of Congress, etc. It got so big I could barely keep up-- since there was so much else to cover.
Perhaps time to open the archives...
NEW: The State Department has just had to cancel its big international conference on BORDER SECURITY and preventing WMD across borders... due to the shutdown over...yes, BORDER SECURITY
Carl Bernstein on calls for WH Chief of Staff John Kelly to resign, and testify to Congress on evidence he has seen that Trump is unfit to lead America.
Elon Musk scandalously spotted bare-armed and braless at World Cup.
NEW: Official source: The true identity of the Bethesda suburban spandex Enforcer issss.....
Anthony Brennan III, age 60 of Kensington, Maryland
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They were putting up signs to commemorate the death of George Floyd. He wasn't having it.
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American Airlines tells the US govt to "immediately refrain" from using them to transport migrant children.
This is at least the third time now we have seen a sr member of State try to say “now we need to be off the record so I can irrationally berate you.” Pro tip: Off-the-record is for the exchange of information + insight. Not to shield the world from your bad behavior.
Music teacher comes to our house. Gives our kid a significant, noticeable haircut. Tells no one. Then leaves. !!!
The State Dept is holding a special informational call today. But the State Dept press corps wasn’t invited. Being told it’s for “faith-based media only”...
Source: State Dept folks caught "completely off guard" by Trump's cancelling Pompeo's trip to NKorea; they had been "briefing allies’ embassies about their objectives for the trip like ten minutes before!"
Source: Trump headed to the G20 in a "terrible mood," "spooked and completely distracted." Has downgraded some bilateral meetings that he didn't want to do in the first place, feeling "there's nothing in them for him."
Source with familiarity of discussions: Pompeo trip to NKorea went "as badly as it could have gone." North Koreans were just "messing around."
When we asked SecState Pompeo if he had anything to say --anything-- on the violence in Israel right now... he turned his back, and walked away.
Now Macron urges the world to STOP making trade agreements with countries that don't support the Paris Climate Deal....which is... the US.
I don't care if the president wears a Rolex or an Apple watch or a knotted string.
I don't care what they like to drive or do on the weekend.
Don't care if they're gay or straight, wealthy or poor.
Just someone who is a good person and knows what the f*** they are doing, cool?
Now: The State Department won't release any transcript of Pompeo's briefing with "faith-based media only," nor a list of who was invited, who attended, and whether a range of faiths was included.
NEW: Official source: Arrest was calm.
He was taken in without even a wrist-grab or a paper-snatch.
New Secretary of State Pompeo welcomes reporters to his first press conference...then takes no questions...
NEW: John Kerry’s spokesman responds to Trump’s accusations: "Everything President Trump said today is simply wrong, end of story. He's wrong about the facts, wrong about the law, and sadly he's been wrong about how to use diplomacy to keep America safe.”
To review:
* Anthony Brennan III was arrested tonight.
* He IS NOT/ WAS NOT a cop.
* Twitter did not find him.
* 3 counts of 2nd-degree assault, which are misdemeanors.
* The people in his rage video were teenagers.
* He has been fired from his job.
As an American journalist, you never expect:
1. Your own govt to lie to you, repeatedly
2. Your own govt to hide information the public has a right to know
3. Your own govt to spy on your communications
Trump's unAmerican regime did all of these.
No one should accept this.
Sr. European diplomat, on dealing with State Dept today re Iran: “All is a shambles there. Total incoherence between State and NSC. Plus, no one has any clue on the day after. There is no strategy.”
Apology from Bethesda ragebiker Anthony Brennan III:
“I am sick with remorse for the pain and fear I caused the victims on the trail, and online....I am committed to making amends by addressing, through counseling, the underlying issues that led to my abhorrent behavior.”
BREAKING: Source: Arrest of Bethesda’s Bicycle Biff is imminent. Happening today. Stay tuned.
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He gets extra points for looking lovely in his family tartan at our wedding.
The State Dept. just called NKorea's military parade a "dog and pony show." Sooooo...
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He lives in Trump country confederate-flag land and is a fearless badass.
NEW: A US university has been ready and waiting to charter a flight to get American students out of Cusco, Peru, where they've been stranded... but source says State Dept must sign off, and has been unresponsive.
When I would spend time in Moscow frequently, not a single Russian I ever encountered supported Putin. They were horrified by the dictatorship. From taxi drivers to academics.
The only cities where I've met actual Putin-supporting Russians have been in America. In NY. Florida.
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Your classic fiery Scotsman (tempered with some Creek) with a red-haired daughter and a crazy, unrelenting sense of humor.
He’s your Twitter offender of the day. 👍🏻
Already aging more poorly than cocaine residue spread across a CPAC nightstand.
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Fake news. Not ours.
We’ll win bigger. twitter.com/MichLKosinski/…
The last FB post of N. Ogden mayor and soldier Brent Taylor, killed today serving in Afghanistan: "I hope everyone back home exercises their right to vote.... We have far more as Americans that unites us than divides us. United we stand, divided we fall. God Bless America."
The State Dept isn't holding a press conference on the Lavrov-Trump-Tillerson meetings today...but the Russians are.
50 US mayors pledge to uphold Paris Climate Agreement commitments on their own-- including Washington DC.
Looks like the pen is back in style at the White House, sorry Sharpie. 😭
Source: Expecting a coordinated annoucement between US and multiple European countries tomorrow, expelling Russian diplos in droves. A "significant number" likely getting the boot.
Don't forget: both Justices Gorsuch and Thomas have also called for a "review" of NYT v. Sullivan, a ruling that bolsters the First Amendment.
Autocracy comes at you quick.
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Now retired, he volunteered to work deep in Trump country for the Democratic party, but they didn't really respond. Dumb on their part, because he is very, very smart.
Instead, he wrote letters to his local newspaper. And....Tweeted. :)
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Now forced to send traditional old emails from the lonely pain of Twitmo, he says he will be set free on Saturday and plans to behave accordingly.
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His name is and he grew up on a farm in Maryland to very strict parents. He went to college and wrote for the AP before working in county government.
People like to say the phrase "p***ing match,"
Especially in Washington.
But you have no idea what that means, in the literal sense
Until you let a friendly neighborhood cat inside your home to hang out because it's cute
And you already have a cat.
This is so typical, and repulsive. Pompeo and his team, from the start, have felt bullying is the way to stop the press from pressing.... Guess what, it doesn’t work.
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“He used the F-word in that sentence and many others. He asked if I could find Ukraine on a map. I said yes, and he called out for aides to bring us a map of the world with no writing. I pointed to Ukraine. He put the map away.” twitter.com/rebeccaballhau…
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He married his college sweetheart and moved to Fort Washington, a diverse community where he was loved for being an anti-racist who let everyone--regardless of background or "story"-- play basketball in the hoop he installed outside his house.
After TWELVE HOURS at the State Department, the Mexican foreign minister says he's wrapping things up, a deal with the US has indeed been reached, and he'll come out and brief the press soon.
Queen Elizabeth never sent an angry tweet
Never took a cheesy selfie
Never aimed for sexy poses or showing off
Never interviewed with a glossy magazine
Never played on public emotions
Kept her feelings to herself
Tried to serve her country
Not perfect, but didn't pretend to be.
Nothing says "I've got something to hide" like removing the watchdog; eliminating the checks and balances.
NEW: Official source: The true identity of the Bethesda suburban spandex Enforcer issss.....
Anthony Brennan III, age 60 of Kensington, Maryland
A THOUSAND TIMES YES t.co/rYfELpIhbN
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Gen. James Mattis: "I think the only person in the military that Mr. Trump doesn’t think is overrated... that’s Colonel Sanders.”
Remember when Russian intelligence tried to spread the conspiracy theory that it was UKRAINE that meddled in 2016 election?
Pompeo refused to disavow it-- instead, said it should be taken seriously. "We have a duty to chase that down..."
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Mike Pompeo tells Chris Wallace Trump just needed four more years to get tough on Russia, and defends the Trump administration's human rights record (Jamal Khashoggi is unavailable for comment)
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After NINE days, those 12 kids and their soccer coaches have been found ALIVE in the Thai cave!
Sen. Jeff Flake at Harvard: Congress "is utterly supine in the face of the moral vandalism that flows from the White House daily." Trump has "debased" the presidency.
Countries that have rejected the right-wing populist in the last leadership election:
Brazil!
Colombia
France
Austria
Chile
Slovenia
Australia
US
Iceland
Imagine if you were just growing up-- and THIS was your first consciousness of American politics. Your 1st experience of what it's all about
Are Republicans listening to any of this. How is it possible to not find it all deeply important? How can any intelligent human look away from these actions?
Pres Obama: “I don’t have to make the case against (Trump) because every time he talks, he makes the case against his own candidacy.”
Auschwitz sweatshirt are two words never meant to go together
This is how your government responds to unfavorable news coverage: facebook.com/plugins/post.p
Think of your company's CEO. Imagine if they started repeatedly tweeting out insults to company executives. And to clients. Wow, imagine.
Fired SecState Rex Tillerson calls for a "fierce defense of the truth and a common set of facts." (However this is the guy who didn't want us on his plane)
At the (largely deserted) Wharf, here in DC, every day at noon someone comes out and does THIS: #ElmoAtTheWharf
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Person. Woman. Man. Camera. TV.
In the end, they all came for him.
Miami is full of lightning and heat, with talk of Dorian in the air...
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US Amb. to the UN Nikki Haley SQUARELY blames Russia for UK nerve agent attack, calls for "immediate concrete measures" to hold Russia accountable.
Sounds like that darn ramp really grabbed him by the p****.
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Trump blamed walking three blocks, saluting, the sun, his shoes, making a speech and the ramp itself for why he couldn’t walk down a ramp. #TrumpMeltdown #TulsaTrumpRally #TrumpRally2020
politicususa.com/2020/06/20/tru via @politicususa
Trump calls Kim Jong Un's letter to him a "very interesting letter." Then, after a few minutes, says he hasn't opened it yet, and that he could be in for a "big surprise."
NEW: Source close to White House acknowledges that this is indeed a public shaming of Tillerson. Plan is to get him to "punch out." "The clock is ticking."
And here is a politician and hypocrite who preferred to go around Congress--and protocol--and law--to cater to the Saudis again and again; who expected Americans to foot his family's bills in secrecy; who was known as "a screamer" that needed coddling, by his own security detail.
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.@XiyueWang9 was conducting historical research in 2016 when the Iranian regime arrested him, convicted him of espionage, and sentenced him to 10 years in prison. We pressed for his freedom until the regime released him in 2019 – with no pallets of cash in return. #AmericansFirst
Shoutout to the MNCP investigator who worked LONG hours on this...
Detective Crystal Lopez!
One of those people who inspires good people, to want to be officers.
Not long ago she took down an entire crime ring.
You can hear of her badassery here:
aarp.org/podcasts/the-p
So the president accused of fraud, sexual assault, abuse of power, obstruction, incitement, etc etc etc has now been impeached twice.
Yet still holds office.
Congratulations, America...
Once again, fmr. SecState Mike Pompeo chooses to blame BIDEN-- over Putin's endless nuclear threats.
The same Putin he called “savvy,” "elegantly sophisticated," "talented," and so many other unnecessary compliments.
Disgusting and pathetic.
Melania Trump heads for Texas to meet migrant kids... Wearing a jacket with "I really don't care. Do U?" scrawled in huge letters across the back of it. Now her office angrily wonders why people are asking about that. okayyyyy......
Gonna be one remarkable first hello between two leaders who have called each other "Little Rocket Man" and a "lunatic mean old trickster and human reject."
NEW: Source: Ahead of deadline, the Trump admin is expected to "double down on defending" the Saudi crown prince, and repeat that there is "no smoking gun" linking him directly to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
And after all this....SecState Pompeo refuses to take a single question
Went to DC with an assault rifle, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and ideas of what he wanted to do, who he wanted to kill.
Any GOPer whining about “unity” needs to reckon with this first. All of this. Straight up to the top. twitter.com/SeamusHughes/s
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The end of my street, in Georgetown, just erupted in the sound of gunfire. Loud, multiple shots. I asked someone at the scene if those were rubber bullets-- they said no, it was real, and told me not to leave my house.
TWO elections yesterday where the far right/populist did not win:
* France, where Marine le Pen tried to sell herself as better than the far-far-far-right
* Slovenia, where the pro-Orban, pro-Trump prime minister lost to a non-politician from a brand new party
Says the fool who continued to gut the State Department of experience and diligence, replacing many with political tools, sycophants, and liars.
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Voice of America CEO Accused Of Fraud, Misuse Of Office All In One Week npr.org/2021/01/08/953
Back in 2008, in Knoxville, it was this guy who entered a church with a gun and started killing.
In his manifesto, he wrote how he hated gay people, other races, and "damned left-wing liberals"--
though he survived on welfare and food stamps.
A chronic drunk, and Fox News fan.
State Department's communications advisor RC Hammond: “WE don’t think you’re SMART ENOUGH to HANDLE our information!!!!!”
Trump calls Iran Deal "decaying, rotten" and withdraws... though Iran has been in compliance.
In our tiny French-speaking village, the radio plays “Stars and Stripes Forever” followed by Bob Marley’s “One Love” to honor Biden’s win.
AP: Who do you believe? Russia or US intel on Russian hacking? Trump: DOES NOT ANSWER QUESTION. But: Where is the (DNC) server?? Where are Clinton's emails??
Richard A. Clarke, fmr Nat'l Coordinator for Counter Terrorism, to @camanpour: Trump is acting like a "controlled asset."