#this will be my last post for a few days

Here’s your dose of “What the Fuck Is Going On” news (Thursday, May 18th 2017)

It has been found that the Trump campaign has at least 18 undisclosed contact with Russian officials and others tied with the Kremlin during the election. Six of these contacts were phone calls between former national security adviser Michael Flynn and Sergei Kislyak, Russia’s ambassador to the U.S. The interactions are being reviewed by the FBI and congressional investigators. (source)
Roger Ailes, the founder and former chief executive of Fox News and regular sexual harasser has died. (source)
The White House issued a level-headed statement over the special counsel being appointed to head the Russian investigation. Trump took to Twitter and offered a different approach calling the move “the single greatest witch hunt of a politicians in American history.” (source) Later, at a luncheon Trump said that the special counsel “hurts the country terribly, because it shows we’re a divided, mixed-up, not-unified country.” (source)
The administration claimed that those being arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would only be targeting criminals. However, records are showing that over 100 immigrants without criminal records are being arrested every day. (source)
Press secretary Sean Spicer is expected to have a more limited public role after Trump’s supposed dissatisfaction with him through his scandals. After Trump’s trips abroad, Spicer is no longer expected to do daily, on-camera briefings and deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders will likely appear more often in the role. However, officials also said there will likely be less on-camera briefings in general as the administration scales back communication with the press. (source)
Former national security adviser Michael Flynn is not cooperating with the Senate Intelligence Committee, which has issued a subpoena for documents related to his interactions with Russian officials. The SIC chairman told reporters that Flynn’s lawyers haven’t turned over any documents and there’s only a day or two left for them to do so. (source)
Rep. Jason Chaffetz, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee is likely going to announce that he is leaving office before the end of his term. June 30th will probably be his last day. Chaffetz had already announced in April that he would not seek reelection in 2018. (source)
On Monday (May 22nd), Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is expected to offer details about the administration’s vision for a federal investment in school choice. The proposal will likely divert funding from public schools in favor and more funding towards private and religious schools. (source)
Former Sen. Joe Lieberman is currently the most likely pick to replace the recently fired FBI Director James Comey. Trump is hoping to announce his new FBI pick before he departs for his nine-day trip abroad. (source)
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took the first formal step toward dismantling net neutrality rules. The commission voted 2-1 to roll back the rules that require internet service providers like Verizon and Comcast to treat all web traffic equally. This does not immediately undo the Open Internet Order, instead it kicks off a public commenting period that will last for several months. During this time you can file your thoughts with the FCC which they are supposed to take into account. (source) (masterpost on what net neutrality is and how to file a report)
A new bill in Iowa that defunded abortion providers is now causing 4 clinics out of 12 to close. This will affect the clinics in the Quad Cities, Burlington, Keokuk and Sioux City and 14,600 patients will now be left without family planning clinics. (source)
Trump gave formal notice that he will be renegotiating NAFTA, the free trade deal between the US, Canada and Mexico. A letter was sent to Congress that now triggers a 90-day consultation period among the administration, Congress and business. This means that negotiations can begin by August. (source)
And here’s a new story about how Trump supporters are ignoring scandals.

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