The Swamp Is Coming From Inside Trump's Campaign

WASHINGTON — The chief executive of the arms-maker Raytheon, under pressure to overcome a congressional hold on major sales in the fall of 2018, wanted to sit down with one of the few people who could solve the problem — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

It is not known precisely what Pompeo discussed with the Raytheon executive, but in a few months, the State Department had issued an emergency waiver that circumvented the congressional hold on the arms deals, allowing billions of dollars in Raytheon missiles and bombs to be sold to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Those eight have been paid a total of nearly $120 million through their firms to influence the U.S. government from the beginning of 2017, as Trump prepared to take office, to the end of March, according to an analysis of congressional and Justice Department filings. Also recently added to the campaign team was Jason Miller, who set up meetings in 2017 for Wall Street executives with Cabinet officials, and briefly registered this year as a lobbyist for other companies before joining the campaign’s payroll.

There is a long tradition of Washington lobbyists and consultants in both parties assisting campaigns, which helps ensure their continued access to the corridors of power. Ballard, who has known Trump for 30 years and had lobbied for the Trump Organization in Florida, has been hired by a host of major companies seeking to deal with scrutiny from Trump or his administration, including General Motors, Boeing, Amazon and the Turkish state-owned bank Halkbank.

But few lobbyists consistently have more influence than Urban, who is known as the master of the subtle nudge, often delivered in private discussions. Urban declined to comment. Pompeo invited Urban, as well as the chief executives of two companies for which Urban lobbies — Raytheon and the convenience store chain 7-Eleven — to exclusive dinners in the State Department’s Diplomatic Reception Rooms.

During a segment on the network last year, Urban suggested the possibility of a proportional military response against Iran in retaliation for the country’s downing of a crewless U.S. drone. “If I were a betting man, I’d bet that there’d be some sort of a Tomahawk missile strike on the site that launched this,” Urban said, referring to one of Raytheon’s products. Trump had approved a retaliatory strike against Iran in that case but pulled back at the last minute.

Trump is the swamp

On the upside. He can repeat the same promises he made in 2016

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Australia to shut state border as Melbourne infections surgeAustralian authorities are preparing to close the border between the country’s two largest states, as the country’s second-largest city, Melbourne, recorded two deaths and its highest-ever daily increase in infections on Monday Ah, i love how you people shifted from “Covid deaths” to “Covid cases”. Guess you have to help Dems distance from their deliberate murders of nursing home patients. youwillbeheldaccountabletoo Are the Roos wearing masks
Source: ABC - 🏆 471. / 51 Read more »

Australia closes state border for first time in 100 years after COVID-19 spikeThe border between Australia's two most populous states will close from Tuesday for an indefinite period as authorities scramble to contain an outbreak of the coronavirus in the city of Melbourne. Looking for Logo , Business card, Banner, flyer? Order me or contact me for your design. We’re experiencing the effect of COVID-19. It’s an opportunity for us to see the message in this from Mother Nature. Maybe we can learn to live more lightly regardless of our differences. We are intertwined in this space together with all beings. 🌎🌍🌏
Source: Reuters - 🏆 2. / 97 Read more »

Australia to shut state border as Melbourne infections surgeAuthorities are preparing to close the border between Australia's two largest states, as Melbourne, the country's second-largest city, recorded 127 new cases, its highest-ever daily increase in infections. PRAY for KANYE WEST! MENTAL ILLNESS does not discriminate! Many TALENTED artists/celebrities, OTHER well-known folk, etc. are NOT immune from MENTAL ILLNESS..Jeffrey Epstein, Harvey Weinstein ..Orange dude (45)....and on and on and on.....! YAWN
Source: AP - 🏆 728. / 51 Read more »

China needs a bull market to build strength: state mediaIn a world reshaped by coronavirus, China needs further share market gains to fund a rapidly developing digital economy and strengthen its hand in intensifying power rivalries, state media said on Monday. Let them die. BaldingsWorld I see that they are relying upon Miracles again. Im mean yeah obviously
Source: Reuters - 🏆 2. / 97 Read more »

UK Treasury, British Business Bank reviewing access to state-backed loan schemes - TelegraphBritain's Treasury and British Business Bank officials are reviewing access to state-backed loan schemes after the European Union relaxed state aid rules, The Daily Telegraph reported. Welfare for Billionaire Banker's, the tab for working people and small business. Capitalism Enjoy The entire uk banking system it’s a ponzi scheme..... Loans backed by a state with a lower credit rating than the company that needs the loan... Is that support?
Source: Reuters - 🏆 2. / 97 Read more »

Australian state closes borders and orders lockdowns as coronavirus cases riseThe coronavirus pandemic has brought countries to a standstill. In many places, as countries reopen, Covid-19 cases are on the rise. Follow here for the latest. Good idea
Source: CNN - 🏆 4. / 95 Read more »