The Daily Brief: Monday, July 31, 2017

The Daily Brief: Monday, July 31, 2017 (Short Form)

1. Putin expels 755 diplomats in response to US sanctions - Fox News

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday that 755 U.S. diplomats will be expelled from Russia by Sept. 1, according to an interview on Russian television.

The expulsions had been announced Friday in response to a new law passed in Congress that expanded sanctions, but Sunday's statement was the first time a large number of Americans were confirmed as involved.

Russia's Foreign Ministry said it is ordering the U.S. Embassy to reduce the number of embassy and consular employees in the country to 455.

"It is our policy to not comment on the number of individuals serving at our missions abroad," a U.S. State Department official told Fox News. (Read more)
- Father, as the relations between the United States and Russia continue to deteriorate, we speak shalom peace into the situation. We ask for a smooth path internationally and that all crooked areas be made straight. We especially pray for the hearts of Mr. Putin and Mr Trump.

"The king's heart if in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes." (Proverbs 21:1)

2. Scaramucci removed as White House communications director - Fox News

White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci has been removed, Fox News is told. A Republican source close to the White House and a current White House official confirmed the development. The news comes just over a week after Scaramucci was first hired, which resulted in then-press secretary Sean Spicer resigning in protest. Chief of staff Reince Priebus soon followed. But The New York Times reported that the new chief of staff, John Kelly, made the request to remove Scaramucci.

A day prior to Priebus' announced departure last week, Scaramucci made headlines for a scathing, profanity-laced critique of the chief of staff as well as disparaging remarks about Steve Bannon to a reporter with The New Yorker. (Read more)
- Lord, we praise You that he is moving on, due to his vile profanity-laced remarks toward other White House staff.

- "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is set among out members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell." (James 3:6)

3. John Kelly takes command as Trump slams back at accusations of 'White House chaos'- Fox News

Kelly's reputation as a straight shooter has many in the Oval Office and Republican Party optimistic as he takes the reins as chief of staff. They see Kelly, who had led the Department of Homeland Security, as the ideal candidate to dial back the drama that's plagued the White House in recent weeks.

"He will do a spectacular job, I have no doubt, as chief of staff," Trump said minutes after Kelly was sworn in Monday morning. "What he's done, in terms of homeland security, is record shattering. You look at the border, you look at the tremendous results we've had and you look at the spirit. And with a very controversial situation, there has been very little controversy which is pretty amazing by itself."

Trump, though, earlier Monday downplayed the palace intrigue behind the selection and said his White House is not in "chaos." (Read more)
- Thank You, Lord for a level-headed General who understands discipline and restraint. We pray that You will help him to know You, and that his influence will help the President accomplish his agenda more quickly. With everyone reporting to him, it should begin to change the atmosphere in the White House staff.

- "You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance." (Psalm 32:7)

4. As Trump steams, Senate Republicans consider new repeal effort - POLITICO

Senate Republicans' party-line attempts to repeal Obamacare aren't dead just yet - at least not if President Donald Trump has anything to say about it. Trump, increasingly impatient with the long-stalled repeal effort, met with three Senate Republicans about a new plan to roll back the health care law on Friday, signaling some lawmakers - as well as the president - are not ready to ditch their seven-year campaign promise.

The group is trying to write legislation that could get 50 Republican votes, according to multiple administration and Capitol Hill sources. The proposal from Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) would block grant federal health care funding to the states and keep much of Obamacare's tax regime. White House officials also met with House Freedom Caucus chairman Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) to brainstorm how to make the idea palatable to conservatives, according to two sources familiar with the meeting.

The White House-health care huddle came just hours before Trump savaged Senate Republicans in a series of Saturday tweets for failing to repeal Obamacare. If the Senate doesn't pass a bill soon, Trump warned, he may halt Obamacare payments subsidizing health plans for low-income individuals - an idea adamantly opposed by Republicans and Democrats alike. Trump also appeared to take a personal shot at lawmakers, seemingly warning that he could revoke their own health benefits on the exchanges. "If a new HealthCare Bill is not approved quickly, BAILOUTS for Insurance Companies and BAILOUTS for Members of Congress will end very soon!" Trump tweeted Saturday afternoon. (Read more)
- Lord, we have often wondered why Congress gets a "sweetheart" healthcare plan while the rest of us must struggle to pay medical bills. We ask that You will grant President Trump wisdom, that Your perfect will be done in this situation.

- "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding." (Proverbs 4:7)

5. Republicans move to tax reform, but fight feared similar to Obamacare repeal - Washington Times

After their health care bill collapsed in spectacular fashion last week, Republican congressional leaders insist they won't make the same mistakes with tax reform, the other big-ticket promise they made to voters, and to which they will turn next. But there are enough similarities between the two issues that lawmakers are worried.

Republicans go into the debate with only vague principles, have struggled to pique Democrats' interest and have received conflicting signals from the White House about priorities. Still searching for their first major legislative win under President Trump, Republican leaders said they have to surmount those problems and deliver reform.

"We looked at health care and said, 'Let's make sure we do tax reform better and differently,'" House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, Wisconsin Republican, said in an interview that aired Sunday on Fox News. (Read more)
- Father, we pray for tax relief for all Americans. We call forth Your power over this issue, and ask that no one be able to defeat what You have ordained by lies, subterfuge, or leaks.

- "Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten rulers of the city." (Eccl 7:19)

6. Congressman handcuffed by police after refusing to leave ICE office - The Hill

Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) was handcuffed by federal police Monday after refusing to leave an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Chicago. Gutierrez, a staunch advocate of immigration reform, was at a meeting between ICE officials and immigration lawyers, activists, community leaders and other elected officials, NBC Chicago reported.

"They were asking about specific cases and about the general conduct of ICE and deportations," said Gutierrez's director of communications, Doug Rivlin. Gutierrez refused to leave the office after the meeting and was briefly handcuffed. "The congressman has decided that he did not get the answers he was looking for from the ICE regional director and he's going to be staying inside until he gets answers, even if that means risking arrest," said Rivlin, according to NBC.

In a statement later, Rivlin said: "There has been no dialogue, no transparency, no consultation, and no accountability - just like every other aspect of how this White House does business. It is heavy-handed government in secret all to make the new strongman President look tough and to satisfy the cravings of his coliseum audience for some immigrants to sacrifice."

ICE spokeswoman Gail Montenegro told The Hill that police took action after Gutierrez made demands of ICE that officials were unable to agree to and then refused to leave the premises. (Read more)
- Lord, we take authority over this "resistance" that threatens our security at the border, and bind it up tightly in the name of Jesus.

- "No one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house." (Mark 3:27)

7. Former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio found guilty of contempt - CNN

Former Maricopa County, Arizona, Sheriff Joe Arpaio has been found guilty of criminal contempt, court records show. Arpaio was accused of violating a court order in a racial profiling case by continuing patrols targeting immigrants. US District Court Judge Susan Bolton handed down her ruling in court papers signed on Monday.

US District Court Judge G. Murray Snow first issued a temporary injunction in 2011, barring Arpaio from detaining people solely based on their immigration status. Snow issued a permanent order two years later. Arpaio has contended the order wasn't clear and he didn't intend to violate it. Federal prosecutors alleged his defiance was deliberate, and something he believed he could get away with.

The 85-year-old, who once called himself "America's toughest sheriff," could face up to six months in jail when he is sentenced on October 5. His eight-day trial wrapped up earlier this month. (Read more)
- Father, Sheriff Joe has done his best to enforce immigration laws. This action against him was started under Obama when they refused to let local law enforcement enforce the law. We pray for Your mercy over this man, and for an awakening of Your Presence in his life.

- "The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them." (Psalm 34:7)

8. Media sympathizes with MS-13, lambasts Trump - Fox News

President Trump gave an impassioned speech on Friday, vowing to "destroy the vile criminal cartel" MS-13 -- but some in the media lambasted him for talking tough about the brutal gang, and instead presented sympathetic coverage of the group known for carrying out gruesome murders. Trump's Friday speech on Long Island, where MS-13 gang members have wreaked havoc, highlighted his plan to crack down on gang violence and enforce immigration policies to prevent criminals from illegally entering the United States.

"[MS-13 has] transformed peaceful parks and beautiful quiet neighborhoods into blood-stained killing fields. They're animals. We cannot tolerate as a society the spilling of innocent, young, wonderful vibrant people," Trump said to an audience of law enforcement officials, who mostly cheered in approval. But despite the president's pledge to stop the killings and keep Americans safe from gang members, several left-leaning outlets asserted Trump was making the gang "stronger" with his rhetoric.

CNN claimed Trump's speech was "emboldening" MS-13, allowing the group to more easily recruit members because, the network said, the president and his policies were instilling fear in illegal immigrants. CNN's Dan Lieberman even went so far as to interview two gang members who complained "murders from MS-13 don't only hurt one family, but hurt both." (Read more)
- Lord we have seen so much bias in the news media that it's hard to understand. Anyone who would sympathize with this vicious evil gang is not serving the American people. We pray that You will continue to tear down the idols and falsehoods that have made the mainstream media so powerful.

- "I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity. I will halt the arrogance of the proud, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible."
(Isaiah 13:11)

9. Jewish summer camp hit for flying Palestinian flag in 'teachable moment' - Fox News

Camp Solomon Schechter in Olympia was forced to apologize after including a Palestinian flag as part of its daily flag-raising ceremony on Thursday and Friday while hosting a group of 14 children from the Israeli organization Kids4Peace. The group included Christian and Muslim Palestinian boys and girls from Jerusalem.

The backlash came from Jews who said the Palestinian flag did not belong at a Jewish summer camp, according to reports. "Has your camp's administration lost their mind recently with the flag incident?!??" Alex Ginzburg wrote, according to the Jerusalem Post.

The camp, affiliated with the Conservative Movement, acknowledged the controversy in an email to parents. "For the sake of a teachable moment, we did raise the Palestinian flag as a sign of friendship and acceptance," the email said. "It was met with uncertainty by some campers and staff, especially the Israeli's [sic], but all understood that the message of hope for peace by flying the Israeli flag alongside helped develop empathy." (Read more)
- Father, we ask that You show these administrators and students the truth about the Palestinians. In America, we are far removed from the horror and death that has been visited upon Your people. We ask for revelation, truth, and life to come!

- "Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?" (Amos 3:3)

10. Sydney terror plot to blow up flight with 'meat mincer bomb' foiled - News.au

A SCRAP of paper found at a home raided in connection with a Sydney terror plot could give police more information about the plan a would-be terror team had to bring down a flight. The small piece of evidence was found in a wheelie bin outside the Lakemba home raided by police over the weekend over the suspected terror plot by four men to bomb a plane departing Australia, possibly using a meat mincer.

While searching the address on Monday, police uncovered a flight release slip, which featured a flight code for a Jakarta to Sydney route inside a wheelie bin outside the home the Daily Telegraph reports. According to the Telegraph, a letter addressed to another property that was raided was also collected as evidence by police. (Read more)
- Father, thank You that these terrorists were caught before anyone was hurt. We pray that You will expose any other plots worldwide before people are harmed, and that governments and security forces will heed the warnings before it's too late.

- "Make the guard strong, set up the watchmen." (Jeremiah 51:12b)