News on Youtube Feb 21 2019

As of right now, 16 different states have filed a lawsuit against Donald Trump and the

Trump administration over there phoning national emergency declaration that Donald Trump made

last week, and we all expected these lawsuits to happen.

We knew there were coming, people had been threatening to sue since before he even made

the announcement.

If he did make the announcement, and that's what we're seeing now.

Even Trump himself admitted when he gave his little speech, he said, and then they're going

to sue me, and then it's going to go to the ninth circuit and then it's going to go to

the supreme could, and that's exactly what's going to happen.

Everybody knew this was gonna happen, but here's the thing.

Trump already screwed himself over in his potential defense for these lawsuits because

it his announcement, he said, I could do the wall over a longer period of time.

I didn't need to do this, but I'd rather do it much faster.

I'd rather do it much faster.

That little statement that I just read there, which is the exact quote from the president

of the United States.

That quote alone shows that this was not actually an emergency.

The fact that border crossings or a at a near 45 year low also shows that this is not a

national emergency.

Now the only question that this point is, do the courts get to determine what constitutes

a national emergency?

And that's where we're probably gonna run into a little bit of problems.

Cause technically, yes, according to the laws, the president can declare a national emergency

when he wants to.

There's not necessarily any justification that they have to give.

And that is a problem with the law itself.

And hopefully these lawsuits might be able to reign that in.

But nonetheless, Trump's admitted this is not actually a national emergency.

These lawsuits are being filed and we're going to challenge these powers in court.

And if these courts decide to limit the powers of the president of the United States, that

is a good thing.

Not just for Donald Trump, but for anyone who comes after him.

Because we do not need a president trying to abuse the power of their office because

the laws are written so vaguely that they can do whatever the hell they want.

In fact, I believe that's actually why the laws were written so vaguely.

Hopefully we can correct that.

Hopefully most of these right wing courts in this country aren't going to screw us over

and grant dictator like powers to the president of the United States, but unfortunately that's

going to be something that we're going to have to wait and see as these lawsuits make

their way through our court system.

For more infomation >> 16 States File Lawsuits Against Trump Over His Fake National Emergency - Duration: 3:02.

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ALERT: Rescheduled Elections Could Encounter Setback In 13 States Due To INEC Staff Shortage - Duration: 6:18.

ALERT: Rescheduled Elections Could Encounter Setback In 13 States Due To INEC Staff Shortage

The rescheduled 2019 elections may suffer yet another setback as no fewer than 13 states are battling with a shortfall of critical field staff, SaharaReporters can report.

Adamawa, Anambra, Cross Rivers, Delta, Enugu, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Osun and Taraba are some of the states already on the red alert, according to investigations.

Our checks show that 205 staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), all playing crucial roles, have been interdicted by the commission for the past 22 months.

 The affected officials are either Electoral Officers (EOs) or Heads of Department (HoDs) saddled with logistics and operational duties at all levels.

Sources within the commission have raised the alarm about another possible flop, saying, "Saturday's rescheduled presidential and National Assembly elections may still suffer another setback, due to the huge gap of experience created by the interdiction.

One source expressed certainty that INEC Electoral Officers and other critical field officials from 13 states, all numbering 205, will not be participating in the exercise.

Worse still, the commission has not competently replaced the loss of manpower, thereby exposing the process to a plethora of problems as witnessed last week.

It was gathered that Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) from the affected 13 states have made several appeals about shortfall of staff, but to no avail.

For instance, Kashim Gaidam, REC of Adamawa State, was said to have cried out the loudest about "manpower shortfall". SaharaReporters gathered that majority of those currently handling both professional and technical roles were drawn from menial staff, like security and cleaners.

In Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa, the current Electoral Officer was recruited as a guard by the commission. The situation is virtually the same in a good number of other places.

Jada is both hometown and local government origin of Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

As to how and why the 205 were interdicted, SaharaReporters further learnt that about 1,000 INEC staff across the country were implicated in the alleged Diezani Alison-Madueke $90 billion loot.

One of the interdicted staff told SaharaReporters: "For us, the hullabaloo about INEC staff accepting gratification from the alleged Diezani loot was the Chairman's invented way of conducting the elections with incompetent hands.

"The allegation is that we accepted gratification from proceeds of Diezani's loot through West Africa Network on Observer (WANO), an accredited election monitoring organisation.

"Yes, WANO partnered INEC in 2015 and they were domiciled right within INEC office, where they gave all of us cash grants for logistics support. This was done in the open, there was nothing hidden about it.

"Later, we were summoned to Abuja and asked to refund the money, that it was from the Diezani loot, and we did.

Afterwards, we received letters of interdiction from INEC headquarters that we had been found guilty of an offence we were neither investigated nor queried about.".

It is curious, however, that the interdiction has now lasted for 22 months. What is more disturbing is that the commission is faced with acute manpower needs at this critical time.

Also, some staff of the commission, who are currently standing trial, in connection to various scandals have not been interdicted.

This, SaharaReporters can report based on facts available, seeing the Admin Secretary in Bauchi and Anambra have both been indicted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the Diezani saga but have not been interdicted.

Another interdicted staff member said: "Also curious is how the staff remained suspended despite confirmation by EFCC, that the 205 staff were not liable to prosecution regarding the matter at hand.

When contacted to react on the matter, Gaidam admitted to having made spirited efforts for the reinstatement of the interdicted staff from his Adamawa office. However, he refuted claims that the interdiction could jeopardise the polls.

"If Gaidam falls down right now elections will go on hitch-free," he maintained. Asked for how long the staff would remain suspended, Gaidam said: "The issue is before the National Chairman, please direct the question to him.

He also alluded to the fact that justice needed to be done on the matter, saying: "Without justice any system of government will collapse.

For more infomation >> ALERT: Rescheduled Elections Could Encounter Setback In 13 States Due To INEC Staff Shortage - Duration: 6:18.

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Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx Recuses Self From Jussie Smollett Investigation NBC Chicago - Duration: 4:26.

Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx Recuses Self From Jussie Smollett Investigation NBC Chicago

Tip That Smollett, 2 Brothers Were Together Unfounded: Cops

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Chicago police say they hope TV star Jussie Smollett will cooperate in questioning. The Empire actor said he was the victim of a hate crime, but investigators are considering whether the entire account was fabricated. NBC 5s Ash har Quraishi reports.

Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx recused herself from the investigation into the alleged attack into "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett.

First Assistant States Attorney Joseph Magats will be the acting states attorney for the matter, a spokesperson said in an emailed statement Tuesday. No further explanation was given as to why Foxx recused herself.

"Out of an abundance of caution, the decision to recuse herself was made to address potential questions of impartiality based upon familiarity with potential witnesses in the case," the spokesperson said in an email.

Chicago police still want to re interviewabout the night he says he was attacked, but its unclear if or when the "Empire" actor will comply.

Chicago police want to re interview Jussie Smollett about the night he says he was attacked, but its unclear if or when the Empire actor will comply. Lauren Petty reports.

A representative for Smollett said he had no plans to speak with detectives on Monday, despite their requests. A source close to the situation said Smollett had not met with police as of Tuesday afternoon and would not be meeting with them later that day.

Chicago police with Smollett after they said of the reported attack on the actor and singer.

Detectives about the attack but , Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said Saturday. Police said they had gleaned new information from their interrogation of the two men and they were no longer suspects.

A source familiar with the investigation told NBCs Andy Blankstein the investigation has shifted to whether Smollett paid the two men to fake the attack.

Guglielmi declined to comment on published reports that police believe Smollett staged the assault or that a grand jury may hear evidence in the case.

"Were not confirming, denying or commenting on anything until we can talk to him and we can corroborate some information that weve gotten," he said.

Last week, police said reports that the attack against Smollett was a hoax.

Smollett, who is black and gay, as he was returning home from an early morning stop at a Subway restaurant in downtown Chicago. He said two masked men shouted racial, anti gay slurs and "This is MAGA country!" as they looped a rope around his neck and poured an "unknown chemical substance" on him before running away.

Smolletts lawyers said late Saturday that the actor felt "victimized" by reports that he played a role in the assault, adding that, "nothing is further from the truth and anyone claiming otherwise is lying." The statement from attorneys Todd Pugh and Victor P. Henderson also said Smollett would continue cooperating with police.

Police said they combed surveillance video in the heavily monitored area where Smollett said the attack occurred but were unable to find any footage of the incident. They did obtain images of two people they said they wanted to question.

On Wednesday, Chicago police picked up the brothers at OHare International Airport as they returned from Nigeria. They described them as "suspects" in the assault, questioned them and searched their apartment.

One of the men is Smolletts personal trainer, whom the actor hired to help get him physically ready for a music video, Smolletts attorneys said in their statement.

Jussie Smollett has no plans to speak with police in Chicago Monday, a representative for the Empire star said, despite authorities requests for a follow up interview. NBC 5s Ash harQuraishi reports.

"It is impossible to believe that this person could have played a role in the crime against Jussie or would falsely claim Jussies complicity," the attorneys said.

Police have said they were investigating the attack as a possible hate crime and considered Smollett a victim. Reports of the assault from some politicians and celebrities. Smolletts account of what happened also has been met with skepticism, particularly in the wake of the latest developments.

Smollett, who is also a musician, during a Feb. 2 concert in West Hollywood, California, saying he went ahead with the show because he couldnt let his attackers win.

He also that aired Thursday in which he said he was "pissed" at people who did not believe he was attacked.

"Ive heard that it was a date gone bad, which I also resent that narrative," he said. "Im not gonna go out and get a tuna sandwich and a salad to meet somebody. Thats ridiculous. And its offensive."

"I respect too much the people who I am now one of those people who have been attacked in any way," Smollett told Roberts, adding, "You do such a disservice when you lie about things like this."

The investigation into an alleged attack on TV star Jussie Smollett took another turn this weekend, as the CPD wants to speak to the actor. NBC 5s Trina Orlando has more details.

Producers of the Fox television drama have supported Smollett, saying his character on "Empire," Jamal Lyon, was not being written off the show.

Smollettthat police said were not sufficient for a criminal investigation.

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