Trump falsely claims 'millions of people who voted illegally' cost him popular vote

By now, we all have probably heard of or seen Trump's tweets about how illegal votes cost him the popular vote in the election. This is the first time he's blamed voter fraud on his own victory, even though there is no evidence. He has also stated that the recount efforts, led by the Green Party, are a scam, and he has had contradictory views on the Electoral College. It is undeniable that Trump is active on Twitter, and that he is very responsive on the app.

What do you think about Trump's tweeting habits, and what do they say about the future president? Do you think his tweets have any kind of influence over his supporters? Do you think his tweeting will change once he's in office? Why or why not?

Voting rights advocates brace for ‘biggest fight of our lifetime’ during Trump administration

This article is about the effect Donald Trump has left on voting rights advocates, and how his recent tweets and statements have angered advocates into wondering if Trump's new administration will make it harder for certain groups of people to vote. They have already had to fight numerous battles concerning certain states revoking voter eligibility for reasons such as voter inactivity and proof of I.D. Advocates are frustrated and worried that with all the claims of voter fraud in the country, laws could be put into place to  make voting more difficult.

Are voter rights advocates right to worry about the future of voting in elections? What can they do to prevent laws from going into place that restrict voting? Do you think that they can win the battle against voter fraud alarm in America?

After Democrats' Losses, Nancy Pelosi Becomes a Symbol of What Went Wrong

Nancy Pelosi Becomesa Symbol of What Went Wrong

This article addresses the concerns surrounding Nancy Pelosi's place as Democratic minority leader in the House. She has held the position for ten year (2003-2007, 2010-present) and has also served as House Minority Whip and Speaker of the House. Pelosi, a progressive from San Francisco, is being challenged by Tim Ryan from northeastern Ohio. Some politicians feel that it's time for new blood to recapture the working-class voters and regain Congressional dominance, but most feel Ryan isn't the person to do so. What are the benefits and disadvantages of keeping Pelosi? Which person will ultimately strengthen the Democratic party in Congress? Does it say anything that there's opposition for this title?

Steven Mnuchin is Donald Trump's Expected Choice for Treasury Secretary

Steven Mnuchin is Donald Trump's Expected Choice for Treasury Secretary

It's been rumored that Mnuchin, the national finance chairman for the Trump campaign, will be the Treasury secretary. He could play a role in enacting economic policy changes, such as a large amount of tax cuts, changes to foreign trade agreements, and the fulfillment of a huge new infrastructure spending program. He's a Washington outsider but has a history with Trump. His hedge fund was sued by Trump in 2008, not to mention the fact that he started out with Goldman Sachs, an organization Trump publicly denounced during the election. Do you think Steven Mnuchin is a smart choice after reading about his past experience? What does Trump's consideration of someone who works for a company that "robbed our working class" show about his own judgement and character? 

Trump on Flag Burning

Trump: Burn the flag, go to jail

President-elect Donald Trump proposed a penalty for those who burn the American Flag, which could include jail time or possibly even a loss of citizenship. Regardless of two US Supreme Court rulings protecting the act as a form of freedom of speech, Trump still believes anyone who burns the flag must be punished. Trump supports the first amendment which grants citizens freedom of speech but he believes there to be a huge difference between burning the flag and freedom of speech.mTrump tweeted early this morning, "Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag - if they do, there must be consequences - perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail!" This tweet acquired a lot of mainstream support as it gained several thousand retweets in the matter of a day. Do you agree with Donald Trump? Do you think Trump will make an attempt to implement a law in regards to burning the American flag?

Trump Plans to Repeal Obamacare

Tom Price, Obamacare Critic, Is Trump’s Choice for Health Secretary

President-elect Donald Trump intends to repeal Obamacare as one of his first acts in office. As a result, Trump says he plans to nominate Georgia Representative Tom Price, an Obamacare opponent who has been prepared for six years, as head of the Department of Health and Human Services. Being an orthopedic surgeon, Price has always been strongly opposed to Obamacare, claiming it has hiked premiums and limited access to doctors. The legislation Price has proposed, the Empowering Patients First Act, would repeal the Affordable Care Act and offer age-adjusted tax credits for the purchase of individual and family health insurance policies. Price has also favored legislations to bar federal funds for planned parenthood. Many democrats feel that the ideas proposed by Tom Price strongly favor the wealthy and do a disservice to the poor. Do you think it's a good idea to repeal Obamacare? Why or why not? Do you think Trump will follow through with this?

Meet Tim Ryan, the Ohio Democrat challenging Nancy Pelosi to lead House Democrats

This article concerns the leadership and direction of the Democratic Party going forward. Ohio Democratic Representative Tim Ryan plans to run against current House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi for her position. Although he did not plan to originally run against her, he changed his mind after Donald Trump won his home town in Ohio (and generally swept Democratic strongholds in the Midwest as a whole). Ryan is clearly not expected to win his bid, as only a few Democrats have publicly supported him. Still, he says he is withing "striking distance."


During the recent election date, Democrats under performed expectations in House and Senate races, as well as the Presidency. Obama prevailed in Ryan's home county of Trumbull County by 23 points, while Trump recently won by 7. Do you think it is time for the Democrats to turn to new leadership to give the party a new face (that is more relatable to a broader base)? Or are you of the belief that now is the time for Democrats to stay united in the face of crushing defeats? Would substantial support for Ryan, even if he loses, signify a division in the Democratic Party?

Texas Presidential Elector can’t Vote for Donald Trump, Resigns

This article discusses the decision by an Electoral College voter to resign from his post. Art Sisneros, a welding supply salesman, was chosen to be one of 38 electors to represent the Texas Republican slate during the Republican state convention in May. Although he signed a pledge to support the Republican nominee with his vote, Mr. Sisneros has decided that he would rather resign from his post. He cites his belief that "voting for Trump would bring dishonor to God," as justification for his decision. He also believes it to be an alternative to becoming a "faithless elector," who is a person who votes for another candidate rather than their party's nominee.

In class we discussed the pros and cons of the electoral college system currently in place. Do you believe that Mr. Sisneros has an obligation to vote for Mr. Trump, or do you believe resigning is justified? Keep in mind that the remaining electors are almost certain to choose a supporter or Mr. Trump as a replacement for Mr. Sisneros. To take things farther, should Mr. Sisneros respond to calls from many voters who cite Secretary Clinton's lead in the popular vote and vote for a candidate besides Mr. Trump? Finally, what do you expect the public's reaction to this decision to be? 

Romney said to be serious about secretary of state job
Donald Trump is considering Mitt Romney as a possible candidate for the Secretary of State position.  Trump and Romney met at Trump's Golf Retreat to discuss the possibility of him getting the position,  and since then it has been confirmed by Mike Pence that Romney is under active consideration for the position. What do you think about Mitt Romney being the possible Secretary of State? Remeber, Trump and Romney have not always had the best relationship this year, having verbal disputes over the course of the campaign.

Donald Trump blasts recount as "ridiculous" and "a scam"

Donald Trump is heavily criticizing Jill Stein in her effort to raise money for a recount in the state of Wisconsin for the presidential election, which should take place next week. Trump is calling this a scam that is raising money for her party that will not even go towards a recount, although she has stated that all of the money raised is going to an account soley for the purpose of the recount. Stein has already raised $5 million for the recount. He is also saying it is a waste, as Clinton has already conceeded the election to him. What do you think about this? What do you think about Trump's opinion? Is there a reason for this recount?

'Hamilton' boos at Mike Pence

https://www.google.com/amp/amp.usatoday.com/story/94113080/?client=safari

In this article, they give videos, quotes and tweets referencing the Hamilton show where the audience had yelled things at the new Vice President Mike Pence. These tweets and quotes are of Trump saying the cast needs to apologize to Pence. He has sent out various tweets saying how the behavior there was in aprpriate and made a theater unsafe where it should be a "special and safe place" to go. While Trump is demanding for apologies, Pence is saying it's their right to express their opinions. What do you think about the audience booing Pence, is it the casts' fault? Is Trump overreacting or getting too involved? How do you think Pence is reacting?

Obama Reacting To Trump In Office

https://www.google.com/amp/townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2016/11/21/obama-once-i-leave-office-im-probably-going-to-help-democrats-oppose-trump-n2248559%3Famp%3Dtrue?client=safari


This article talks about Obama's reaction to Donald Trump being elected as the new President of the United States. After finishing his final term, Barack Obama says he's going to help and encourage democrats to oppose Trump as their president as best he can. He feels as though he needs to stay within the race because he failed his party, promising to help Hillary win. Are you sirpised by your current president's reaction? Do. You think his actions are inappropriate as a future ex-president?

Trump Adviser Kris Kobach Accidentally Shows Immigration Ideas

"Trump adviser accidentally reveals border wall, immigrant-tracking"

Recently, a photo of Trump and Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach was taken in which the documents in Kobach's hand can be read by looking closely. These documents contained notes on a meeting between Kobach and Trump discussing immigration. Among the notes were mentions of deportation, the patriot act, refugees, and of course, the wall. There were rumors floating around that the wall wouldn't be built and that Trump isn't really that strict on immigration, but this photo gives evidence against those rumors. The policies and ideas represented in the documents show very strict immigration policies and live up to exactly what Trump was campaigning for. How do you think people who may have thought he wasn't being completely serious will react to this? Do you think this is concrete evidence of the wall, or may he still change his mind? How do you think the public will react since the documents had mention of the controversial patriot act? Do you think his ideas are too extreme to get support, or are they just extreme enough?

Protecting Trump Costs Over $1 Million a Day

"Protecting Donald Trump costs New York City more than $1 million a day"

This article discusses how protecting Donald Trump, while he continues to live in Trump Tower, is costing NYC over $1 million a day. Until inauguration, Trump plans to continue living in NYC, where his children and grandchildren also live, who are also receiving protection. This is the first time a president has been in a big city so often, so the costs are unprecedented. Trump even plans on splitting time between DC amd NYC during his presidency, which will naturally raise the costs even higher. What effect do you think this will have on Trump beginning his presidency? Do you think people will understand his need to be at home, or is the White House supposed to be the new home for the president? How do you think Trump will try to fix this, or will he just ignore it?

Donald Trump Met Privately With Network Executives And Anchors

This article discusses how president elect Donald Trump has placed "unprecedented constraints" on how the press will work during his presidency, likely similar to those he placed on the press during his campaign. The exact conversation was off the record, so no journalists could report exact quotes of what happened, but the article basically discusses how strange it is that a president who hasn't even been inaugurated yet is already meeting "both network bosses and top on-air talent", when it was revealed that Mr. Trump hasn't even held a press conference since the summer. 

Trump, as we've discussed in these blogs, has been called the next Hitler, a dictator, and all sorts of things. Do you think this idea of limiting the press contributes to that idea? Furthermore, is Mr. Trump even allowed, by law, to limit people. We live in the United States of America, where free speech is listed in our first ammendment. If people are so up in arms (no pun intended) already about gun rights possibly being altered, how do you supposse they'll react to possibly limited speech/even more limited information? 

San Antonio police say attacker who killed officer was targeting ‘the uniform’

San Antonio police say attacker who killed officer was targeting 'the uniform'

 "2016 'has been an especially dangerous year for police officers, with a significant increase in the number of officers killed in the line of duty since Jan. 1.'"

This article discusses multiple recent shootings in which police were targeted, one of them while standing outside writing a parking ticket, the others while sitting in their cars. These shootings occured just hours apart, and relatively close to one another. Authorities are currently debating whether or not these incidents were at all linked, or if the shooter had any motive for his targets, besides their being police officers. However,the title of the article comes from one of the targeted officers, McManus, who remarked, “I think the uniform was the target, and anyone, the first person who happened along, was the person that he targeted." The he in this case was "a black man in his 20s". 

I believe that the current state of affairs between police and citizens is awful. Reflect on this. First, do you think it was simply the "uniform" that was targeted, or do you think it was something more? Additionally, you may choose to respond to the idea that "The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence said that the shootings illustrated a need for stronger background checks to “to keep guns out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them” as a way to keep officers safe." Personally, I agree that we need stronger background checks, but for more than just keeping our officers safe. Whether or not you agree with this campaign's sentiment, suggest what reforms you think our law enforcemnt should adopt in an attempt to end this citizen/police struggle. Do you think its necessary that our law enforcement changes its ways before we, the citizens, change ours?