CAFE Insider 2/11: Presidential Payback!

In this episode of the CAFE Insider podcast, “Presidential Payback!” Preet and Anne break down the aftermath of Trump’s acquittal, including:

— President Trump’s sudden dismissal of Lieutenant Colonel Vindman and Ambassador Sondland, two witnesses who testified in the House impeachment hearings.

— Attorney General Bill Barr’s internal DOJ memo, which outlines a new policy that would require his personal approval of any presidential campaign investigations. 

— The stand-off between the Trump administration and the state of New York over “sanctuary” laws designed to protect undocumented immigrants from deportation. 

We hope you’re enjoying CAFE Insider. Email us at Insider@cafe.com with your suggestions and questions for Preet and Anne.

REFERENCES & SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS

IMPEACHMENT / VINDMAN DISMISSAL

• Deputy Sec. of Defense David Norquist’s letter to Sen. Schumer, 12/16/20
• Clip: Romney explains vote in favor of impeachment, 2/5/20
• “Trump Fires Sondland and Vindman in Post-Acquittal Rage,”  The New York Times, 2/7/20
• “Republican Senators Tried to Stop Trump from Firing Impeachment Witnesses,” The New York Times, 2/8/20
• “GOP Senators incensed by Schiff’s ‘head on a pike’ comment,” NBC News, 1/25/20
• “Trump singles out Romney in post-acquittal Twitter rant,” Politico, 2/9/20

DOJ / GIULIANI "PROCESS"

• Clip: Sen. Lindsey Graham on Face the Nation, 2/9/20
• “Giuliani is giving Biden info the government, Barr confirms,” Los Angeles Times, 2/10/20

BARR MEMO

•  AG Bill Barr’s memo outlining new restrictions on opening politically sensitive investigations, 2/5/20
• “Attorney General Bill Barr issues new rules for politically sensitive investigations,”  NPR, 2/6/20
• Barb McQuade tweet on Barr’s memo, 2/8/20
• “Paul Manafort Sentencing: What You Need to Know,” NPR, 3/6/19
• “Alaska Senator Stevens Found Guilty of Accepting Gifts From Oil Executive,” The Guardian, 10/27/08

EMOLUMENTS

• DC Circuit Court of Appeals decision, 2/7/20
• “Individual members of Congress barred from suing Trump over business dealings,” Washington Post, 2/7/20

TRUMP V. NY

• DHS press release on “Trusted Traveler” programs action, 2/6/20
• “Trump officials threaten to expand retaliation for ‘sanctuary’ policies to more states as N.Y. residents are kicked out of global entry,” Washington Post, 2/6/20
• “President Trump, Gov. Cuomo battle over Global Entry,” CBS, 2/8/20

ANNE LAUGHING CHALLENGE

• Marco Rubio / Nicole Wallace Twitter thread, 2/8/20