Latest news with #OnBalance
The Hill
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Bolton dismisses Gabbard's Obama allegations: ‘She's imagined evidence that doesn't exist'
Former national security adviser John Bolton, a frequent critic of President Trump, dismissed the allegatio n Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard leveled against former President Obama, arguing she 'imagined evidence that doesn't exist.' 'She's strung together a series of things that aren't necessarily related, she's exaggerated what actual congressional reports have said, she's imagined evidence that doesn't exist,' Bolton, a foreign policy hawk, said during his Friday appearance on NewsNation's 'On Balance.' 'So, if anybody really gets into it, it collapses pretty quickly, but as a campaign to save her job, I think it actually worked out pretty successfully for her.' 'Whether it succeeded in distracting from the Jeffrey Epstein affair, I don't know,' Bolton added, referring to the ongoing controversy regarding the administration's handling of the late convicted sex offender's case. 'But there is, in substance, nothing to it and certainly no justification for the Justice Department to launch a criminal investigation.' Gabbard on Wednesday released a previously classified 2020 House Intelligence Committee report that cast doubt on Russia's President Vladimir Putin's interest in the 2016 presidential election and his willingness to help out then-candidate Donald Trump. The report said the CIA 'did not adhere to the tenets' of analytical standards and the takeaway that the Kremlin leader acted to aid Trump was based on 'one scant, unclear, and unverifiable fragment of a sentence from one of the substandard reports.' Gabbard said the report exposed 'the most egregious weaponization and politicization of intelligence in American history.' Still, numerous other intelligence assessments have said that Moscow tried to influence the Oval Office race and that Putin favored Trump. Last week, Gabbard also released a report accusing top Obama administration officials of manipulating intelligence regarding Russia's interference in the 2016 White House race, citing Obama specifically as well as CIA director John Brennan, former FBI director James Comey and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. Trump on Tuesday accused Obama of committing treason and that he should be investigated by the DOJ. Gabbard sent criminal referrals to the department over the report. Still, on Friday, Bolton said Gabbard's effort has not produced any new information about the 2016 elections and warned against any criminal probe, pointing out past reports did 'take issue' with how the Obama administration handled 'certain assessments.' 'But nothing that goes to the level of anything of a predicate for a legitimate criminal investigation,' Botlon told guest host Chris Cillizza
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Feuding governors of Texas, California may be heading for showdown
(NewsNation) — There is no love lost between California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, and Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas. If Abbott tries to redraw congressional districts in Texas, Newsom says he may respond in kind in California. Meantime, both could be potential presidential candidates in the 2028 election cycle. Political journalist Chuck Todd joins 'On Balance' to talk about how all of this may play out. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Boebert on call for Epstein special counsel: 'People are frustrated'
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), a fierce ally of President Trump's, stressed the need for a special counsel to investigate the administration's handling of files related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, saying the American people are 'frustrated' and want answers. Boebert, one of the first people to call for an independent probe, said it's important to devote the necessary time and resources to the investigation without losing sight of the president's victories. 'People are frustrated. We want to know if there's more information,' Boebert said in an interview Wednesday on NewsNation's "On Balance." 'I don't know exactly what [Attorney General] Pam Bondi has seen or what she hasn't seen,' she continued. 'I've seen just as much that has been released from her as you have. And so I'm saying maybe someone else needs to take a look at this.' 'But also, we can walk and chew gum at the same time,' the Colorado Republican told host Leland Vittert. 'We can also celebrate our secure border. We can celebrate that we are putting America first, that we are putting American energy dominance ahead as a priority.' Boebert warned against letting the Epstein files distract from what she views as more important priorities coming from the White House. 'People want information on this. This is a big deal. And like you mentioned, President Trump, this wasn't the main thing that he ran on,' Boebert said. 'I would much rather have a secure border than a list from a dead pedophile at this time.' 'Do I think this is something that should be ignored? Absolutely not,' she added. A number of prominent Republicans have also called for greater transparency since the Justice Department and FBI released a joint memo last week concluding Epstein died by suicide — refuting theories of foul play involved — and that the convicted sex offender did not keep a 'client list' to blackmail high-profile individuals implicated in his alleged crimes. Trump's backers, including some now serving in his administration, have for years espoused conspiracy theories around Epstein's death and suggested the government was covering up information that connected prominent Democrats to the case. Trump has resisted calls for more information and, in recent days, has appeared exasperated by the fascination with Epstein. The president said Attorney General Pam Bondi can release 'credible' evidence related to the case but has otherwise questioned why some of his followers are fixated on the issue. Trump, during an Oval Office meeting with the crown prince of Bahrain on Wednesday, repeated his claim that the documents connected to Epstein were a 'hoax' started by Democrats. Epstein was arrested on sex trafficking charges and died by suicide in 2019, during Trump's first term. 'Some stupid Republicans and foolish Republicans fall into the net, and so they try and do the Democrats' work,' the president said.
Int'l Business Times
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Bill O'Reilly Fact Checked on Live TV After Falsely Claiming Epstein Was 'Convicted' by Biden Admin: 'Yeah, So?'
Journalist and conservative commentator Bill O'Reilly was fact-checked on live TV after falsely claiming that sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in 2019, was "convicted" by the Biden administration. The former Fox News host's mix up came while he was rallying against House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies during a Monday appearance on NewsNation's "On Balance." Jeffries had questioned if the Trump administration was "hiding" something following the latest report on the Epstein files. "Jeffries knew the Biden administration had exactly the same thing the Trump administration has on Epstein. Exactly, because Epstein was convicted during the Biden administration," O'Reilly declared. Moments after O'Reilly's assertion, NewsNation anchor Leland Vittert jumped in and interrupted the journalist. "Wait, hold on, hold on, hold on Bill," the anchor started. "Bill, hold on, you said Epstein was convicted during the Biden administration. Epstein committed suicide during the Trump administration." "Yeah, so? Am I wrong on that?" O'Reilly questioned, leading Vittert to eagerly nod. "He was arrested in 2019, and committed suicide in 2019. He died August 10, 2019. So, the Biden administration was not involved in a conviction or a trial of him. They were [with] Ghislaine Maxwell," Vittert clarified. O'Reilly went on to insist that Epstein was arrested and indicted under Merrick Garland, who served as U.S. attorney general during the Biden administration, which Vittert quickly declared was false. "Epstein was arrested, indicted and committed suicide under Trump. In 2019, Trump was president. Merrick Garland was not the attorney general," the anchor reiterated. The Department of Justice and FBI have come under intense scrutiny over the last week after a memo released July 6 concluded that Epstein killed himself, had "no client list" and that there was no evidence of blackmail. Critics on both sides of the aisle have called for continued review and increased clarity into how officials came to the conclusion. In addition to Jeffries, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin and California Rep. Ro Khanna have also called for the full release of the files, questioning if the administration was "covering up" for anyone. Originally published on Latin Times Donald trump Department of justice Joe biden
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bolton on Russian sanctions threat: Trump laying the groundwork to say ‘I'm done with it'
Former national security adviser John Bolton said Monday that President Trump could soon retreat from efforts to resolve Russia's war with Ukraine. The Trump administration has been engaged with both Kyiv and Moscow in search of peace, while GOP lawmakers have pushed for secondary sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin. 'He didn't get what he wanted, which was a quick ceasefire from his friend Vladimir. He tried for six months, it's not going anywhere,' Bolton said of Trump during a Monday appearance on NewsNation's 'On Balance.' 'So now he's justifying taking steps against Putin, but I think it also lays the groundwork for him to say, 'I'm done with it, it's Europe's war, that's what I said in the beginning, I'm done with it,'' he added. On Monday, the president threatened to impose tariffs on the Kremlin if Russia continues to reject ceasefire proposals. 'We're very, very unhappy with [Russia], and we're going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal in about 50 days,' Trump said during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office. Bolton said the increased pressure comes after Putin has outwitted Trump for months by prolonging the peace process. 'I think he believed Putin was his friend — I think he still believes Putin was his friend. But you know, you can have arguments with your friends, they don't last forever,' Bolton told anchor Leland Vittert. 'I think what was really going on today was that he was saying, 'this is not my war, this is Biden's war', and in 50 days, he may put secondary sanctions on Russia or he may not. I think he's trying to walk away from this,' he added. Last week, NATO leaders struck a deal with the Trump administration outlining the organization's purchase of U.S. weapons to be sent to Ukraine in an effort to support the defense of their sovereign borders. Trump said Monday the systems would include Patriot missile defense batteries to increase Ukraine's air surveillance, providing more warning of incoming strikes from Russia. 'Look, a number of American commanders in Europe, former commanders in the European combatant command, have said they think Ukraine could win the war. And I think what the U.S. could do uniquely to help the Ukrainians out is give them a strategy to do that, and then give them the weapons systems that they need,' Bolton told NewsNation. 'And I understand it's three years into this thing, but the fact is Putin thinks he's on a roll now, he thinks he's doing well in Ukraine militarily. I don't understand how he believes that, but that's what he believes. And a real defeat on the battlefield would have implications not just for what Russia's done in Ukraine, but for Russia's threat to all the former parts of the Soviet Union and to China watching America stand up to this aggression.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
