Justice Dept Investigating Obama-Era Spying – US Attorney General Bill Barr said his agency is investigating possible unauthorized surveillance by members of the Obama administration on then-candidate Trump. Several tidbits of information picked up during those alleged spying activities served as the basis for the recently closed Special Counsel investigation.
US Designates Iran Revolutionary Guard A Terror Group – President Trump said his administration would be designating the Iran Revolutionary Guard, a paramilitary group that serves as the armed forces for Iran’s Supreme Leader, a foreign terrorist organization. The Guard has been used by Iran to prop up the mullah’s preferred leaders and terror groups in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and of course terror groups in Gaza.
Nielson Resigns – Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielson resigned her post, reportedly due to irreconcilable differences between her policies and the interests of the Trump administration. Nielson had been at odds with President Trump’s severe policies regarding separating families at the US-Mexico border, although she had been enforcing his policies as much as possible. Current US Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan will serve as Acting Secretary until a suitable replacement is found and confirmed.
Trump Fires Secret Service Director – Following a major scandal involving a possible Chinese intelligence agent penetrating the president’s personal club at Mar-a-Lago, President Trump chose to fire the Secret Service Director Tex Alles. The firing comes amid major shakeups in the security arena in the Trump administration. Longtime Secret Service official James Murray was chosen by Trump to replace Alles, effective next month.
Obama White House Counsel Arrested – Prosecutors indicted President Obama’s first White House Counsel Greg Craig on charges of lying in an investigation into lobbying for a foreign government. Craig allegedly hid material facts regarding foreign lobbying work he did on behalf of the Ukrainian government. His indictment was precipitated by Robert Mueller’s investigation in which these allegations were brought up.