The Daily Brief: Tuesday, July 18, 2017

The Daily Brief: Tuesday, July 18, 2017

1. Susan Rice no longer planning to testify Tuesday before House panel - Fox News

Susan Rice is no longer expected to visit Capitol Hill on Tuesday for a meeting with the House committee probing allegations she "unmasked" President Trump associates in Russian meddling probes.

Rice had been expected to face tough questions on her role in the matter while serving as then-President Barack Obama's national security adviser. Trump alleges Rice may have committed a crime by asking government analysts to disclose the names of his associates documented in intelligence reports.

Fox News was initially told Rice would be giving closed-door testimony Tuesday before the Republican-led House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

But that session has apparently been postponed. (Read more)
- Father God, only You know all the details of this report. We ask that all hidden and subversive agendas be exposed, and that the facts be known in truth, in Your name, amen.

- "For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth." (2 Corinthians 13:8)

2. Russia suspected of using Bermuda shell company to exploit American anti-fracking activists - Washington Times

Russia's propaganda schemes and shell companies are so complex that investigators call them "matryoshkas" for the Russian nesting dolls that hide one inside the other. Capitol Hill lawmakers say they are now wrestling with one that appears to have twisted American oil and gas policy in Moscow's favor.

Adding fresh intrigue to the multiple Russia probes underway across Washington, top Republican lawmakers are demanding that the Trump administration immediately investigate a Bermuda-based shell company with suspected Kremlin ties that is accused of working in the shadows to move millions of dollars to anti-fracking activists across the U.S.

Capitol Hill investigators say the Bermuda fracking case underscores the complexity of recent Russian influence operations that attempt to use Americans as pawns in money laundering or propaganda schemes.

"If you connect the dots, it is clear that Russia is funding U.S. environmental groups in an effort to suppress our domestic oil and gas industry, specifically hydraulic fracking," Rep. Lamar Smith, Republican Texas, said in a statement. (Read more)
- Father we pray that Your power would break these plots. We loose Your Holy Spirit into the entire situation, from environmentalists to Russians.

- "He delivers me from my enemies." (Psalm 18:48a)

3. Sources: Cohn is Trump's top candidate to replace Yellen at Fed - Politico

President Donald Trump is increasingly unlikely to nominate Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen next year for a second term, four people close to the process said. National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn is now the leading candidate to succeed Yellen as the world's most important central banker, these people said. Yellen begins two days of congressional testimony on Wednesday, and her own future in the job may come up in questioning.

If Trump taps Cohn for the Fed, it could enrage economic nationalists in the White House and some staunchly conservative Republicans on Capitol Hill who don't like the former Goldman Sachs president's background as a Democrat who generally favors free trade.

And it would spur a backlash from progressive lawmakers who have blasted the president for picking multiple Goldman alums to run economic policy. But sources on Capitol Hill and inside the White House and the Treasury Department said that, at least as of now, if Cohn decides he wants the job, he is likely to get it. (Read more)
- Father of the world, we trust You with this major decision that President Trump has to deal with. We pray You protect him and guide him to vote according to Your perfect will. Strengthen him, Lord God, to stand firm on his convictions and confidence in Gary Cohn to be the next Federal Reserve Chair. In the Name of Jesus we pray.

- "Surely the Lord shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall over you with his feathers, and under His wings shall you trust: His truth shall be your shield and buckler." (Psalm 91:3-4)

4. Sherman Introduces Article of Impeachment Against Trump - Washington Free Beacon

Rep. Brad Sherman (D., Calif.) announced on Wednesday that he introduced an article of impeachment against President Donald Trump. Sherman was joined by Rep. Al Green (D., Texas) as a co-sponsor on the measure. They have both publicly called for Trump's impeachment in the past, as has Rep. Maxine Waters (D., Calif.).

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) has cautioned against impeachment talk, despite her own criticism of Trump. Republicans control the House of Representatives and many Democrats are hesitant to go as far as calling anything done by Trump "impeachable," fearing political backlash.

Sherman's argument of impeachment is focused on claiming Trump has committed obstruction of justice regarding the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. "I am pleased that Congressman Al Green has joined me in filing Articles of Impeachment against Donald J. Trump," Sherman said in a statement.

"We now begin the effort to force the House Judiciary Committee to hold hearings on Obstruction of Justice and Russian interference in our election. As the investigations move forward, additional evidence supporting additional Articles of Impeachment may emerge," Sherman's statement said. "However, as to Obstruction of Justice, as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 1512 (b)(3), the evidence we have is sufficient to move forward now. And the national interest requires that we do so." (Read more)
- Father in heaven, we stand before Your throne of authority and produce our prayers of deep conviction that Messrs. Sherman, Green and any others who have introduced an article of impeachment against President Trump be stricken from existence and have no power or authority to move forward with this measure of hatred and underminings of the past administration. Blow upon them with Your holy breath and see the papers dissolve and turn to sawdust in the wind. We pray and trust in the Name of Jesus the Christ. "God is my strength and power: and He makes my way perfect. I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them: and turned not again until I had consumed them.

- "For God has girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me have You subdued under me." (II Samuel 22:33,38,40)

5. Supreme Court gives Hawaii until Tuesday to answer Trump travel ban motion - Reuters

The U.S. Supreme Court has asked the State of Hawaii to respond by Tuesday at noon to President Donald Trump's motion to block a judge's ruling that prevented his travel ban from being applied to grandparents of U.S. citizens and refugees already being processed by resettlement agencies, the court's public information office said on Saturday.

In a court filing on Friday, the administration asked the justices to overturn Thursday's decision by a U.S. district judge in Hawaii, which limited the scope of the administration's temporary ban on refugees and travelers from six Muslim-majority countries.

The latest round in the fight over Trump's March 6 executive order, which he says is needed to prevent terrorism attacks, began when the Supreme Court intervened last month to partially revive the two bans, which had been blocked by lower courts.

The Supreme Court said then that the ban could take effect, but that people with a "bona fide relationship" to a U.S. person or entity could not be barred. The administration had narrowly interpreted that language, saying the ban would apply to grandparents and other family members, prompting the state of Hawaii to ask Hawaii-based U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson to expand the definition of who could be admitted. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-court-idUSKBN1A00PO
- Lord we pray that You will preserve the protections in the Travel Ban and stop these continual blockages by the courts, especially in Hawaii.

- "And now shall my head be lifted up above my enemies all around me." (Psalm 27:6a)

6. Popular Christian Author Retracts Support of Same-Sex Marriage - NBC

Eugene H. Peterson, a retired Presbyterian minister and award-winning author, backtracked Thursday after his public affirmation of same-sex marriage generated a bitter backlash from some Christian supporters.

The 84-year old, recognized most for his contemporary translation of the Bible, "The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language," clarified his comments regarding same-sex marriage, upholding a traditional Christian view on marriage.

"To clarify, I affirm a biblical view of marriage: one man to one woman," Peterson said in a lengthy statement to The Washington Post. "I affirm a biblical view of everything." (Read more)
- Father, Your people must not be compromised by the norms of the world. We pray for a refreshing of Your Word and Truth to all who call themselves by Your Name.

- "O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the year make it known; in wrath remember mercy." (Habakkuk 3:2)

7. U.S. doctor examines baby Charlie Gard in hopes of saving his life - LifeSite News

LONDON, England, July 17, 2017 (LifeSiteNews) - An American doctor who previously testified that Charlie Gard's chances of improvement are up to 50 percent is examining the 11-month-old today and tomorrow. The doctor's name wasn't made public at first, but then the Associated Press revealed his name is Dr. Michio Hirano of Columbia University.

The judge will examine Dr. Hirano's findings and likely make a decision by or around July 25.

"We're just thrilled that Dr. Hirano has arrived in London and is examining Charlie and we're fully confident that when he presents his report to Justice Francis, that Charlie will be allowed to come to America for this new cutting-edge treatment," Rev. Patrick Mahoney told LifeSiteNews. (Read more)
- Father, we do thank You for this breakthrough in the case of determining the future of this precious child's life. We ask that You would bear down upon the heart of this judge as he prepares to release his decision on or about July 25th. In Your Name, amen.

- [For Charlie] "(He) will not die, but live, And tell of the works of the Lord."
(Psalm 118:17)

8. Aid groups bypass UN in joint call to prevent mass starvation - Fox News

As disease outbreaks raise the danger for as many as 20 million people faced with famine and mass starvation in a clutch of strife-torn African and Middle Eastern countries, some of the world's largest non-government aid organizations are issuing a rare collective call for private relief donations over the next two weeks, alongside a longer-range, multibillion-dollar United Nations appeal that is so far less than half funded.

Without immediate help, the aid organizations warns, "1.4 million severely malnourished children will die." In effect, the new campaign is an attempt to put some humanity back into the world's overwhelming humanitarian relief crisis, where intractable conflicts, tidal waves of refugees and debates about fusing development and humanitarian aid have sometimes blunted the traditional heart-strings appeals that galvanize American private generosity.

(Read more)
- Lord we ask that You provide for these people in the famine stricken countries according to Your Name. We pray that they - and the aid groups -will seek Your face in the midst of this disaster.

- "And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You." (Psalm 39:7)

9. Clinton Foundation Witness Found Dead - WND

Klaus Eberwein, a former Haitian government official who was expected to testify against alleged Clinton Foundation corruption and malpractice next week, has been found dead in Miami via gunshot wound to the head. The death was ruled a suicide. Eberwein was 50 and reportedly told acquaintances he feared for his life for his fierce criticism of the Clinton Foundation.

Eberwein was due to appear next Tuesday before the Haitian Senate Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission where he was widely expected to testify that the Clinton Foundation misappropriated Haiti earthquake donations from international donors. He had served as director general of the Haitian government's economic development agency, Fonds d'assistance économique et social, for three years. (Read more)
- Father, we pray that ALL hidden secrets be revealed with regard to the Clintons. If there be any wrongdoing on their part or, we ask that it be revealed so strongly that there will be no doubts.

- "While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage." (2 Peter 2:19)

10. Details emerge in suicide of GOP activist Peter W. Smith who sought Hillary Clinton emails - Market Watch

Peter W. Smith, a Republican political activist and financier from Chicago who mounted an effort to obtain former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's emails from Russian hackers, died on May 14 after asphyxiating himself in a hotel room in Rochester, Minn., according to local authorities. He was 81 years old.

Smith's body was found by a hotel clerk in the Aspen Suites hotel, located across the street from the Mayo Clinic, according to a Rochester Police Department report. An associate of Smith said that he had recently visited the clinic. A representative for the facility wouldn't confirm if Smith was a patient.

Smith died about 10 days after an interview with The Wall Street Journal in which he recounted his attempts to acquire what he believed were thousands of emails stolen from Clinton's private email server. (Read more)
- Lord if there be any dark secret in this case also, we pray that You would bring it to light.

- "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things or darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts." (1 Corinthians 4:5)