June 16, 2015 - Pensito

— Donald Trump, quoted by Politico.

He’s been a perennial presidential campaign chump,
But lo, into the political fray he’s finally jumped.
And with his penchant for self-branding,
We could soon find ourselves standing
In the registered trademarked “United States of Trump.”

Warren Remains Skeptical of Trade Deal

June 16, 2015 Buck Banks

I don’t doubt President Obama’s sincerity when he claims that this trade deal is going to be tough, that it’s going to have unprecedented protections for workers, or for the environment. The problem is that we have heard nearly identical promises about trade agreements for more than 20 years now — from President Clinton, from President Bush and from President Obama himself.

— Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), quoted by the Huffington Post.

Clinton was for Trade Deal Before She was Against It

June 16, 2015 Buck Banks

45

Number of instances when Hillary Clinton “approvingly invoked the trade bill about which she is now expressing concerns,” CNN reports.

Kirk Apologizes — But Not to Graham

June 16, 2015 Buck Banks

I apologize to the people of Illinois for my inappropriate remarks last week.

— Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL), apologizing in a brief statement issued by his office four days after touching off a firestorm of criticism by describing fellow Sen. Lindsey Graham as a “bro with no ho,” the Chicago Tribune reports. Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who is challenging Kirk for his Senate seat, told the Chicago Sun Times: “I think every woman in Illinois needs to hear an apology from Senator Kirk personally.”

Day: June 16, 2015

Trump Vows to Create Jobs

I will be the greatest jobs president God ever created.

— Donald Trump, quoted by Politico.

The Donald’s Running

Warren Remains Skeptical of Trade Deal

— Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), quoted by the Huffington Post.

Clinton was for Trade Deal Before She was Against It

45

Number of instances when Hillary Clinton “approvingly invoked the trade bill about which she is now expressing concerns,” CNN reports.

Kirk Apologizes — But Not to Graham

I apologize to the people of Illinois for my inappropriate remarks last week.

Poetic Justice

Verbatim

“The man is afraid of the voice of the people and that the people understand and know what he’s doing. He’s trying to stifle the ability of journalists to let the people of America know what’s really going on with their government.”

— “Kamala Harris called President Donald Trump’s ban of CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House ‘absolutely abhorrent,’” The Wrap reports.

“Not one of them is trained in technical skills. Not one research PhD, as opposed to China, where half the cabinet is science and technology PhDs. We’re led by grifters and fools.”

— Columbia professor Jeffrey Sachs, on X, on President Trump’s 35-person cabinet.

“Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far… The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.”

— Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), breaking with President Trump in a direct-to-camera video.

Numerati

1,000

10%

“The unprecedented spate of mid-decade redistricting for the U.S. House has changed the congressional districts for one-tenth of Americans and significantly altered the makeup of at least one-fifth of districts, according to a new study,” the Associated Press reports.

71%

A new Fox News Poll finds 71% of voters think the Trump administration lacks a clear strategy for ending the Iran War, including 95% of Democrats, 83% of independents, and 43% of Republicans. Sixty percent say U.S. military action against Iran was the wrong decision, while just 37% say it was right.

$9.5 billion

“The Trump administration last year spent $9.5 billion on paid administrative leave for federal workers as part of its plan to shrink the government and save taxpayers money, according to a new estimate by a congressional watchdog,” CNN reports.

470

Reuters has documented at least 470 targets of retribution under Trump’s leadership – from federal employees and prosecutors to universities and media outlets. The list illuminates the sweeping effort by the president and his administration to punish dissent and reshape the government.