#ShootTheMessenger #NotFrighteningAtAllđł
#shootthemessenger
Trump Just Removed the IG Investigating Elaine Chao. Chaoâs Husband, Mitch McConnell, Already Vetted the Replacement
In yet another assault on checks and balances, President Trump abruptly removed the Department of Transportationâs (DOT) independent watchdog late Friday â the same night he announced plans to fire the State Department Inspector General (IG). At DOT, the acting IG was overseeing a high profile investigation of Secretary Chaoâs alleged favoritism benefiting her husband Senator Mitch McConnellâs political prospects, but has now been replaced with a political appointee from within the agency. The acting IGâs ouster calls into question the future of the Chao-McConnell investigation, other critical oversight, and whether the watchdog was dismissed for unearthing damaging information.
This move is the latest salvo of Trumpâs assault on oversight. And it looks like the President made sure to cover all his bases to block accountability, not only nominating an IG to succeed the experienced watchdog who held the post, but also demoting the acting IG who was investigating Chao, and installing a political appointee to serve in his place while the Senate considers a permanent replacement. To make matters worse, Trumpâs pick to be the new acting IG, Howard âSkipâ Elliott, already has a job overseeing the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), an office he will now also be in charge of policing.
Trumpâs decision to sideline DOT acting IG Mitch Behm (who has 17 years of experience with OIG) was lost in the shuffle of outrage following the announcement that Trump planned to fire the State Department IG, but potential conflicts of interest abound. The most high profile is the DOT OIGâs review of allegations that Secretary Chao gave Senator McConnellâs constituents special treatment and helped steer millions of federal dollars to Kentucky as he is facing low approval ratings and a tough reelection bid. ...
#politics #USPolitics #TheOrangeTurd #Trump #ShootTheMessenger #FridayNightMassacre #MoscowMitch #MitchMcConnell #ElaineChao #Corruption #RetaliatoryFiring #DepartmentOfTransportation #InspectorGeneral #GOP #MitchBehm #Kentucky #vote
Modly Resigns As Acting Navy Chief After Firing Warship Skipper And Calling Him Stupid
(NPR) April 7, 2020
Five days after firing the commander of a coronavirus-crippled U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, and a day after apologizing for calling that skipper naive and stupid in heated remarks to that warship's crew, acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly has called it quits. Defense Secretary Mark Esper has accepted his resignation.
Modly resigned amid public outrage over his handling of the COVID-19 crisis aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt and growing demands from congressional Democrats for his removal. ...
Modly's departure as the Navy's top civilian official comes two weeks after the drama of the Roosevelt began, when the warship confirmed its first three cases of COVID-19 among more than 5,800 crew members after making port calls in Vietnam.
An impassioned memo emailed to superior officials and dated March 30 from the carrier's commander, Capt. Brett Crozier, described an "accelerating" crisis aboard and pleaded for swift removal of its crew to adequate quarantine housing in Guam, where the warship is currently docked.
A fair start.
#USNavy #BrettCrozier #ThomasModly #MarkEsper #USSTheodoreRoosevelt #ShootTheMessenger #DonaldTrump #Covid19
Over 120,000 sign online petition to reinstate U.S. Navy carrier commander
(Reuters) April 3, 2020
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - More than 120,000 people have signed a petition calling on the U.S. Navy to reinstate the captain of a coronavirus-stricken aircraft carrier a day after he was relieved of his command for a letter sent to superiors urging stronger measures to halt the outbreak.
Captain Brett Crozier was relieved of his command of the USS Theodore Roosevelt on Thursday after a scathing letter in which he called on the Navy to take âdecisive actionâ to halt the spread of the virus aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was leaked to the media.
âHis actions possibly saved many lives,â the online petition said. âAlthough he was fired, his plan to safely remove crew members was still implemented. He is a hero who should be rewarded.â ...
Previously: You want Death Ships? This is how you get Death Ships..
You want Death Ships? This is how you get Death Ships.
"U.S. Navy relieves aircraft carrier commander who wrote letter urging coronavirus action"
(Reuters) April 2, 2020
... The dismissal, two days after the commanderâs letter leaked, was a dramatic example of how the coronavirus is challenging U.S. institutions, even those accustomed to dangerous and complex missions like the U.S. military.
The move could have a chilling effect on others in the Navy looking to speak up about issues they are facing at a time when the Pentagon is withholding some of the more detailed data about coronavirus infections for fear of undermining the perception of U.S. military readiness for a crisis or conflict. ...
A carrier, or cruiser, or destroyer, or ballistic missile sub, or attack sub, with no one to operate it, in the midst of a mission.
These are individually substantial shares of the US military capability, representing tens of billions of dollars in capital expense, ordnance, crew, and technology, and intelligence. And a prime prize for any who might choose to recover it.
At a time of crisis, one must have accurate information. Accurate communication is possible only in a non-punishing situation.
