Wednesday, June 21st

(Adapted from Rogan's List)

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has indicated that he would like to work directly with the Russians on issues of cybersecurity – even after the Russians used cyber methods to influence our election: http://www.newsweek.com/russia-us-cyber-security-tillerson-627379  

Russia has orchestrated many kinds of cyberattacks on other nations. As reported in Wired this week, "In a public statement in December, Ukraine’s president, Petro Poroshenko, reported that there had been 6,500 cyberattacks on 36 Ukrainian targets in just the previous two months. International cybersecurity analysts have stopped just short of conclusively attributing these attacks to the Kremlin, but Poroshenko didn’t hesitate: Ukraine’s investigations, he said, point to the “direct or indirect involvement of secret services of Russia, which have unleashed a cyberwar against our country.” (The Russian foreign ministry didn’t respond to multiple requests for comment.)"

The Trump Administration needs to get the message: Russia is not a friendly partner.

Action You Can Take Today

Let Tillerson know that we do not need to invite the fox to the henhouse: 

• Write to him at: US Department of State, 2201 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20520
• Fill out a "Contact Us" request form online: https://register.state.gov/contactus/
• Call the US Department of State: 1 (202) 647-6575

Thursday, June 8th

(Adapted from Rogan's List, Variety, and other sources)

For those who can watch, former FBI Director James Comey is testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee today. The LA Times has a helpful synopsis on the events that have led up to this hearing, as well as what to expect from the hearing itself: http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-what-to-know-comey-20170606-htmlstory.html

All of the cable news networks will carry the hearing live, while the broadcast networks will air Comey’s testimony during their morning shows.

Most of the networks will be streaming coverage on their respective news websites and apps.

Viewers can also watch the hearing unfold via Twitter, via the platform’s partnership with Bloomberg News. 

Today, a smorgasbord of actions on ethics investigations.

1. Attack on the press corps: “A national coalition of press groups urged a congressional ethics panel on Friday to consider disciplinary action against Montana's newly elected congressman, who is charged with throwing a reporter to the ground during a confrontation a day before the election.”  (Read more.)
   
   Write to the Office of Congressional Ethics and tell them that you agree and want a recommendation sent to the House Ethics Committee to enforce disciplining Rep. Gianforte.  We cannot normalize our legislators as assaulters.  Contact them here:  https://oce.house.gov/contact-us/.
   
   
2. Private prison profits, Trump and Sessions: GEO Corrections Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of the private prison company GEO Group, donated to a pro-Trump super PAC during the 2016 election; a move which was arguably illegal, as federal contractors cannot make political donations (Read more). 
   
   A complaint was filed in November of 2016 by the Campaign Legal Group, a nonpartisan campaign finance watchdog, yet there seems to be no word of any progress being made since the filing. The GEO Group stands to profit immensely through the Trump Administration, with Jeff Sessions' reinstatement of the "War on Drugs" where people will be convicted and placed in prison for lesser crimes, ICE's rounding up of immigrants to be placed in detention facilities, and Trump's stated focus on "law and order."  Remember also that when Trump was elected, stocks in private prison companies surged on the expectation that Trump would rescind the Obama administration's decision to phase out use of private prisons, paving the way for more private prison profits. (Read more.)
   
   Send a message to the Federal Elections Commission that you expect them to follow through on Campaign Legal Group's complaint, and investigate the GEO Group. Email them at [email protected] and then sign Color of Change's petition to the FEC Commissioners: https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/no-pay-for-play/
   
   
3. Deflection on Russia: In a very unconventional move, “White House press aides since (last) Tuesday have been directing all reporters asking about any of the (Russia) probes to contact the president’s New York-based outside counsel, Marc Kasowitz.” In doing so, “They’re saying both that the government is no longer responsible for addressing these issues and someone who the president pays privately is. That’s new territory.” (Read more.)
   
   Tell the Office of Government Ethics that you do not think this is appropriate.
   
   Contact them here: https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/Organization/Contact%20Us?opendocument
   
   
   

Saturday, May 20th

(Adapted from The  Progress Report)

When every day brings new information about who is involved in this Russia web it can be hard to keep things straight. Luckily, our friends at The Moscow Project straightened things out for us. Read this complete timeline of who knew what about Russia and when. Key points: VP Mike Pence has a strange habit of claiming to only be aware of major issues when they become public; Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Speaker Ryan were briefed on Russia as early as summer 2015; and Rep. McCarthy—the one who said he thinks Putin pays Trump—had already seen reports on Russian hacking when he made that comment.

Action You Can Take Today

#ThinkingCAP. The first episode of the Center for American Progress’ podcast, Thinking CAP is live—and just in time for maybe the busiest news week of all time. On the first episode of Thinking CAP, Michele and Igor talk with Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) about the growing calls for impeaching President Donald Trump and Booker’s moving speech on Tuesday at CAP’s 2017 Ideas Conference. Also on is hear from Ben Wikler, Washington Director of MoveOn.org, who tells the story of MoveOn and online activism and shares how you can sustain the Resistance. Listen here and rate the podcast on iTunes to help other people find it!

Thursday, May 18th

(Adapted from Rogan's List)

Yesterday, the Department of Justice took a step in the right direction by appointing former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election and ties between Russia and the Trump administration. (Read more.)

Let’s thank Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein for taking this crisis seriously and doing the right thing.  We can reach him at:  U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20530-0001 or here:  https://www.justice.gov/doj/webform/your-message-department-justice

Tuesday, May 16th

(Adapted from Rogan's List)

Trump continues to make his actions more and more indefensible, and the Republican leadership keeps defending him. Our voices rejecting this inaction must be heard loud, clear, and ceaselessly.

Action You Can Take Today

Write a postcard, fax, or call Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan. Contact info is below the letters.

Long form:

Dear _____,

I am an American citizen who loves our country. I am not sure what Donald Trump’s goal is, but the result of whatever he is doing is that he is offending reason, convention, ethics, respect for his constituents—and maybe even the law. Over the past week, he fired the person investigating him, lied about his reasons for the firing, admitted he did so because of the investigator’s lack of loyalty, and then threatened the subject of his actions on social media. As if that weren't enough, it turns out he also gave highly sensitive intelligence information to the Russians while they were in the Oval Office. I cannot express to you enough how concerned I am about his judgment, mental health and suitability for his role, and, more to the point, for the safety of the country in his hands.

Why do you continue to support him? From down here in regular Americaland, you look awfully bad—either more craven and greedy than can believed or profoundly clueless. And I know you’re not clueless.

Where is your humanity? Where is your love of country? Checks and balances only work if all three branches participate. Do your job. You are putting us all in danger.

Short form:

Dear _____,

I am an American citizen who loves our country. Over the past week, Donald Trump fired the person investigating him, lied about his reasons for the firing, admitted he did so because of the investigator’s lack of loyalty,  threatened the subject of his actions on social media, and gave highly sensitive intelligence information to the Russians while meeting with them in the Oval Office. I cannot express to you enough how concerned I am for the safety of the country in his hands.

Why do you continue to support him? Checks and balances only work if Congress participates. Do your job. You are putting us all in danger.

Tweet/quick postcard form:

Checks and balances only work if Congress participates. Do your job. You are putting us all in danger.

Contact info:

Mitch McConnell
317 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2541 or (502) 582-6304 or (859) 224-8286 or (859) 578-0188 or (606) 864-2026
Fax: (202) 224-2499 – or use Resistbot

Paul Ryan
H-232 The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-0600 or (608) 752-405 or (262) 654-1901 or (262) 637-0510
Fax: (202) 225-2012 or (608) 752-4711 or (262) 654-2156 or (262) 637-5689 – or use Resistbot

Wednesday, May 10th

Yesterday, Trump fired FBI chief James Comey, purportedly over his investigation of Hillary Clinton. We're not fooled - Comey was fired because he was investigating Trump and the Trump Administration.  Now, more and more members of Congress, including some Republicans, are calling for an independent investigation of Trump and his Russia ties.

According to today's New York Times, however, there is no clear path to an independent investigation of #TrumpRussia.  The post-Nixon law creating a "special prosecutor" or "independent counsel" expired in 1999.  A "special counsel" would still be under the control of the newly appointed Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who showed yesterday that he and Attorney General Jeff Sessions are in no way interested in finding the truth.  A "special congressional commission" could investigate and create a report, but nothing beyond that.

As a result, it looks like it is up to state officials such as New York's Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who cannot be fired by the President or the President's men, to actually perform that independent investigation. As noted in the Daily News in March, "Schneiderman, a frequent Trump critic, has repeatedly said his office will sue the administration if necessary to protect New Yorkers' and the state's interests."

Action You Can Take Today

Tell AG Schneiderman that you support investigations by his office into Trump's ties to Russia, potential violation of the emoluments clause, and any other Trump or Trump associate activity that may violate our laws.

Call: 1-800-771-7755
Write:
Office of the Attorney General
The Capitol
Albany, NY 12224-0341

Send an email: https://ag.ny.gov/questions-comments-attorney-general-eric-t-schneiderman

Tuesday, May 2nd

(Adapted from Jen Hoffman's Action Checklist for Americans of Conscience)

Action You Can Take Today

Continue to advocate for a special commission to investigate 45-Russia ties.

Newly-confirmed Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein can approve a special prosecutor or commission, but has previously hedged on this action. (Read more.)

It's time to speak up.

• Call the Department of Justice comment line: 202-353-1555
  
  
• Send a postcard: Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, US Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20530-0001

Script: I am among the 58% of Americans who want an independent commission to investigate Trump-Russia ties. Trust in the four current investigations is compromised, and the Attorney General’s credibility is tarnished. Only an independent commission or special prosecutor will restore confidence.  Thank you.

Sunday, April 30th

(Adapted from Rogan's List)


© Donkey Hotey, used by Creative Commons license.

There seem to be at least a couple of reasons why the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is not moving as quickly on its efforts to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

First, Senator Richard Burr, (R-NC) the chairman of the panel, has refused to cooperate with the information requests of Democrats on the committee (read more).

Second, Reuters reports there are currently only 7 staffers working on the case, a number that pales with similar big-time probes of the recent past (there were 46 staffers on the Benghazi probe) (read more).

Action You Can Take Today

Call Senator Burr's offices, send a fax, send a postcard, and ask him, "Why the slowdown?
Ask him why he won't sign his colleagues' letters requesting more information, and why his committee is so understaffed?  

You can also use Twitter or Facebook:

Twitter: @SenatorBurr · Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SenatorRichardBurr

Office locations and contact information:

Washington, DC
217 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-3154
Fax (202) 228-2981

Asheville
Federal Building 1
51 Patton Avenue, Suite 204
Asheville, NC 28801
Phone: (828) 350-2437
Fax (828) 350-2439

Rocky Mount
100 Coast Line Street, Room 210
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
Phone: (252) 977-9522
Fax (252) 977-7902

Wilmington
201 North Front Street, Suite 809
Wilmington, NC 28401
Phone: (888) 848-1833
Phone: (910) 251-1058
Fax (910) 251-7975

Winston-Salem
2000 West First Street
Suite 508
Winston-Salem, NC 27104
Phone: (800) 685-8916
Phone: (336) 631-5125
Fax (336) 725-4493

Tuesday, April 11th

(Adapted from Jen Hofmann's Weekly Checklist for Americans of Conscience)

Tell the White House you believe in a government led by qualified, trustworthy representatives,
not the President's son-in-law.

Action for Today: Protest Jared Kushner’s dishonesty.

Call: White House Comment Line: 202-456-1111
White House Switchboard: 202-456-1414
Email: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Tweet: @realdonaldtrump, @potus
Write: The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500 **

What to say? Here's one suggestion:

To receive a security clearance, Jared Kushner had a responsibility to report seven years of meetings with foreign officials. He lied by omission by not including recent meetings with a Russian bank owner and Russian ambassador. His security clearance should be revoked, and he should step down from his role in the White House. Let the President know that Americans will not tolerate dishonesty.

Bonus action: Call your Members of Congress and tell them the same thing!! (Philipstown MoCs here, lookup others here).

** Instructions from the White House on letter writing (really):

If you write a letter, please consider typing it on an 8 1/2 by 11 inch sheet of paper. If you hand-write your letter, please consider using pen and writing as neatly as possible.