Eric Holder defends special counsel Robert Mueller

This week former US Attorney General Eric Holder Thursday defended special counsel Robert Mueller via Twitter after President Trump said Mueller was leading an investigation riddled with conflicts of interest.

Mueller is looking into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

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There is NO basis to question the integrity of Mueller or those serving with him in the special counsel's office. And no conflicts either

— Eric Holder (@EricHolder) July 21, 2017

Trump cannot define or constrain Mueller investigation. If he tries to do so this creates issues of constitutional and criminal dimension.

— Eric Holder (@EricHolder) July 21, 2017

NAACP issues statement on Trump refusing invite to NAACP Convention

The NAACP issued the following statement after President Trump announced that he will not attend the NAACP’s 108th Annual Convention in Baltimore, Maryland.

“It’s extremely unfortunate that during these pressing and urgent times, the President has chosen to turn his back on the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization – though I must admit, his refusal to attend our convention is not totally unexpected,” said Leon Russell, Board Chairman of the NAACP.

“As a nonpartisan civil rights organization, we’ve hosted President Obama, Clinton, Bush Jr., and Reagan, to name a few. This is a historic departure from past presidents’ engagements with the Association.

“During his campaign, President Trump asked us ‘what do you have to lose?’ This is the second time President Trump has refused an offer to speak at our annual convention. We get the message loud and clear. The President’s decision today underscores the harsh fact: we have lost – we’ve lost the will of the current Administration to listen to issues facing the Black community.

“The NAACP fights to make sure democracy is real for all communities. We fight to end racism, hatred and discrimination in the United States. Our branches fight for real issues like access to healthcare, a fair justice system, equal opportunity to education, an end to police brutality and the right to vote. When President Trump is ready to listen to us and the people we serve, we will be here. Until then, the NAACP will continue to strive for an America free from racism and continue to speak truth to power.”

Why Donald Trump refused to attend the NAACP Convention

Trump declines invitation to speak at NAACP convention

UPDATE: NAACP issues statement on Trump refusing invite to NAACP Convention

The White House said Tuesday that President Donald Trump has declined an invitation to speak at the NAACP's annual convention next week in Baltimore, leading the nation's oldest civil rights organization to question the president's commitment to his African American constituents.

"During his campaign, President Trump asked us 'what do you have to lose?'" NAACP Board Chairman Leon Russell said. "We get the message loud and clear. The president's decision today underscores the harsh fact: we have lost - we've lost the will of the current administration to listen to issues facing the black community."

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders made the announcement to reporters that the president declined the NAACP's invitation to speak at its 108th annual convention. Trump also did not speak to the NAACP convention last year, citing scheduling conflicts with the Republican National Convention.

The NAACP found out from reporters that Sanders had announced that Trump would not attend.

Sanders said while the president had declined the invitation, "certainly the invitation for dialogue with that group would happily take place and we'd certainly like to continue to do that."

Russell called Trump's decision a "historic departure from past presidents' engagements with the association," saying former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan all addressed the NAACP.

"When President Trump is ready to listen to us and the people we serve, we will be here," Russell said. "Until then, the NAACP will continue to strive for an America free from racism and continue to speak truth to power."

Why Donald Trump refused to attend the NAACP Convention

[SOURCE: ABC NEWS]

Democratic donors buzzing about Kamala Harris

The Democratic donor class is abuzz about Kamala Harris possibly running for president in 2020 after the freshman California senator was feted this weekend at an event in the Hamptons surrounded by top fundraisers.

The Bridgehampton event, where Harris mingled with top donors and supporters of Hillary Clinton, was the ultimate signal that Harris is “thinking much bigger” than the Senate, one top bundler said.

“She’s running for president. Take it to the bank,” another fundraiser said. “She’s absolutely going to run.” Donors say Harris is giving them a glimmer of hope when they need it the most.

They see the former prosecutor-turned-California attorney general as embodying the qualities a Democratic presidential candidate would need to win the White House in 2020.

They also see the 52-year-old African-American woman as a fresh face.

“People are looking for champions. … She’s in that category. There are people who might not know her real well but want to like her. What little they know, they like.”

Since November, Harris has become one of her party’s biggest draws: She has raised upwards of $600,000 for Senate candidates in recent months, and she recently raised $227,000 in an email for MoveOn.Org, according to sources close to Harris.

Read more: Dem donors buzzing about Kamala Harris

Black Ministers Demand Fair Equitable Budget From Congress

Rev. Raphael Warnock of historic Ebenezer Baptist Church will lead a group of African American clergy from across the nation on Capitol Hill Tuesday, July 18th to demand a fair and equitable budget from Congress .

The group is demanding Congress to reject both the immoral budget proposed by the Trump Administration and the equally unjust health care bill that the Senate may have a procedural vote on in the coming weeks. A vote initially scheduled for Tuesday has been postponed.

Faith leaders will address the many ways the proposed budget will negatively impact African American families and communities, including deep cuts to education, Medicaid, civil rights, community development block grants and housing vouchers. The budget will also likely create an environment for predatory lending to increase.

Some of the clergy assembled will participate in direct social action on Tuesday afternoon 2 p.m. following scheduled meetings with lawmakers.

Faith leaders will also debut an aggressive social media campaign to amplify calls for Congress to withdraw the controversial healthcare bill that could strip life-saving health coverage from millions of Americans. #BlackClergyUprising #BlackClergyVoices

What:  News Conference

News Conference:

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

10:30 a.m. – 11:30am: U.S. Capitol Building / East Front of the U.S. Capitol (across from the Supreme Court and First Street)

Noon: Closed door meeting with Senators

2:00 p.m.: Social Action Demonstration / Russell Building Rotunda

Who:

Rev. Dr. Raphael Warnock, Rev. Dr. Teresa Hord Owens, Rev. Jimmie R. Hawkins, Rev. Dr. Barbara Williams Skinner, Rev. Dr. Leslie Copeland Tune, Bishop Frank Madison Reid, Rev. Dr. Cynthia Hale, Rev. Dr. Donald Gillett,Rev. Aundreia Alexander, and Rev. Dr. Willie Gable.

Contact
Tenisha Bell
***@perfectpitchmediagroup.com