The Daily Brief: Monday, October 30, 2017

The Daily Brief: Monday, October 30, 2017 (Short form)

1. Paul Manafort, Rick Gates indicted by federal grand jury in Russia probe - Fox News

Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his associate Rick Gates have been indicted by a federal grand jury Monday on 12 counts, according to the special counsel's office.

The special counsel's office told Fox News that the counts include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading Foreign Agent Registration (FARA) statements, false statements and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign banks and financial accounts.

Manafort and Gates will appear before Magistrate Judge Deborah Robinsonat 1:30pm on Monday for an initial appearance and arraignment, the special counsel's office said.

In addition, a guilty plea by former Trump campaign policy adviser George Papadopolous was announced by Mueller. He admitted to making false statements to FBI agents as part of the investigation. (Read more)
- Father, with all the money that has been spent here, it appears that these charges did not require a special prosecutor and had nothing to do with any Russian meddling in the election. We ask Your wisdom to prevail over this investigation, that people will not be distracted from the real Russian collusion.

- "You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up." (Psalm 18:35a)

2. REPORT: Pentagon Plans "National Blackout Drill During Antifa Protests In November" - Teaparty.org

The U.S. Department of Defense will carry out a blackout drill during the national Antifa protests in November. The executive order mandating the drill states, "Space weather has the potential to simultaneously affect and disrupt health and safety across entire continents. Successfully preparing for space weather events is an all-of-nation endeavor that requires partnerships across governments, emergency managers, academia, the media, the insurance industry, non-profits, and the private sector." (Read more)
- Lord this is a planned exercise so many of the parts are supposed to be "simulated," not entirely real. We speak peace to all plans, from the Pentagon to the Communist-Anarchist "protests" across the country. Let no one do anything outside Your perfect will and mercy over America.

- "His truth shall be your shield and buckler." (Psalm 91:4c)

3. US Antifa and other Leftist groups met in Germany with al-Qaeda and ISIS to plot Trump's destruction - Jihad Watch

These hard-Leftist groups, although they claim to be against fascism, are fascist to the core, wanting to shut down, violently if necessary, anyone who disagrees with them. They claim to be against hate, but are more hateful than anyone, and so they see natural allies in al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Both hate the West, both hate the U.S., both hate the Judeo-Christian tradition, so they see each other as kindred spirits. (Read more)
- Lord, we pray that You will destroy these plots in every corner of the world where they have arisen, from Islamists to Federal employees involved in the "Deep State."

- "Evil shall slay the wicked" (Psalm 34:21a)

4a. DOJ: Yes, IRS targeted tea party - One News Now

An attorney whose law firm defends liberty cases says it was satisfying to learn the U.S. Justice Department has admitted wrongdoing by the Obama-era Internal Revenue Service.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced Oct. 26 that the DOJ has settled lawsuits with conservative organizations that claimed they were unfairly targeted by the IRS.

In a statement that can be read here, Sessions said it was "clear" that the Obama administration used "inappropriate criteria" to screen 501(c) applications using words such as "Tea Party," "Patriots," and "9/12." The allegations aren't new - after first denying wrongdoing, the IRS claimed it made innocent mistakes - but the DOJ's actions vindicate claims that the IRS "weaponized" itself, during the height of the tea party movement, to single out and illegally scrutinize conservatives. (Read more)

4b. Conservatives Targeted by IRS Celebrate Settlement - Washington Free Beacon

The group that led a lawsuit against the IRS for illegally targeting conservative non-profit organizations celebrated the Justice Department's multi-million dollar settlement on Thursday.

Mark Meckler, president of Citizens for Self-Governance, hailed the $3.5 million settlement that came "after years of stonewalling." Citizens for Self-Governance spearheaded a lawsuit brought by a coalition of conservative groups that were subjected to enhanced scrutiny from the IRS delaying their approval for non-profit status. The plaintiffs asserted that the agency unconstitutionally policed their freedom of speech and harmed their chances of raising money in order to punish the Obama administration's political opponents.

"We all know the IRS unconstitutionally target tea party groups to shut down their political speech in a violation of the First Amendment. That has been unequivocally proven by the statements of IRS employees," he said in a statement. "After years of stonewalling by the federal government, the litigation against the IRS for their unconstitutional behavior has been settled and the targeted groups will receive substantial payments." (Read more)
- Lord, we ask for justice for those targeted unfairly by the IRS during the Obama administration. We pray that You would cause any persons directly connected to that situation to be removed or converted.

- "So I will drive you out of your office, and from your position he will pull you down." (Isaiah 22:19)

- Thank You, Lord, for this settlement. We also pray that no agency or entity of any kind will ever be able to target Americans like this again.

"He raises the poor out of the dust." (Psalm 113:7a)

5. Jeff Sessions slams 'activist' judges for ruling against Trump - Washington Examiner

Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Thursday blasted federal judges for making decisions against President Trump's executive orders, and said those rulings represent an unacceptable level of interference. "This is especially problematic when district courts take the dramatic step of issuing activist nationwide injunctions - orders that block the entire United States government from enforcing a statute or a presidential policy nationwide," Sessions said in remarks to the Heritage Foundation. He was referring to rulings against Trump's travel ban executive order, and nationwide injunctions issued by Washington, Maryland and Hawaii courts.

Sessions said he feels "strongly" about judges acting strictly "because of a political agreement. Today, more and more judges are issuing nationwide injunctions and in effect single judges . . . are making themselves super-legislators for the entire United States," he said.

"A single judge's decision that can enjoin the entire federal government from acting is an extreme step, and too often, district court judges are doing it without following the law." Sessions noted that the U.S. Constitution does not allow for judges to "veto a president's action because they disagree with him on policy grounds." (Read more)
- Father, we thank you for a strong stand from Attorney General Sessions in what we've all seen as partisanship in the rulings of activist judges. We pray that You will correct this problem quickly, and that new judges will replace the ones set by Obama.

- "Do not envy the oppressor and choose none of his ways." (Proverbs 3:31)

6. How Team Hillary played the press for fools on Russia - New York Post

Hillary Clinton's campaign didn't just pay for the Kremlin-aided smear job on Donald Trump before the election; she continued to use the dirt after the election to frame her humiliating loss as a Russian conspiracy to steal the election. Exhibit A is the book "Shattered: Inside Hillary Clinton's Doomed Campaign," by Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes. In light of this week's revelation that Hillary's campaign funded the dirty anti-Trump "Steele" dossier, the book takes on a new significance.

It reveals: "Within 24 hours of her concession speech, [campaign chair John Podesta and manager Robby Mook] assembled her communications team at the Brooklyn headquarters to engineer the case that the election wasn't entirely on the up-and-up. For a couple of hours, with Shake Shack containers littering the room, they went over the script they would pitch to the press and the public. Already, Russian hacking was the centerpiece of the argument."

The plan, according to the book, was to push journalists to cover how "Russian hacking was the major unreported story of the campaign," and it succeeded to a fare-thee-well. After the election, coverage of the Russian "collusion" story was relentless, and it helped pressure investigations and hearings on Capitol Hill and even the naming of a special counsel, which in turn has triggered virtually nonstop coverage. (Read more)
- Lord, we praise You that the truth is coming out, and that the mainstream media is finally being called out for their bias. You are the God of truth, so we ask that every ounce of truth, as horrid as it may appear, be revealed.

- "And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another." (Matthew 24:10)

7. Trump to bypass U.N. and send aid directly to persecuted Christians in Middle East - Washington Times

Vice President Mike Pence announced Wednesday night that President Trump has ordered the State Department to shut off funding for "ineffective" United Nations programs to help persecuted Christians in the Middle East, saying the administration will take over those efforts directly. "From this day forward, America will provide support directly to persecuted communities through USAID," Mr. Pence said at the In Defense of Christians annual solidarity dinner in Washington.

"We will no longer rely on the United Nations alone to assist persecuted Christians and minorities in the wake of genocide and the atrocities of terrorist groups."

Saying Christians have been victims of a genocide at the hands of the Islamic State across the Middle East, Mr. Pence said the "sad reality" is that the U.N. spends about $1 billion per year on humanitarian aid in the region that doesn't help Christians enough.

"While faith-based groups with proven track records and deep roots in these communities are more than willing to assist, the United Nations too often denies their funding requests," Mr. Pence said. "My friends, those days are over. This is the moment. Now is the time. And America will support these people in their hour of need."

The vice president said the U.S. will "stand with those who suffer for their faith because that's what Americans have always done because the common bond of our humanity demands a strong response." (Read more)
- Lord, thank You for this bit of good news! We pray that Your power and encouragement will flow through our brothers and sisters, granting them hope.

- "We know that we have passed form death to life, because we love the brethren."
(1 John 3:14a)

8. Editorial: The Richmond Times-Dispatch endorses Ed Gillespie for governor - Richmond Times Dispatch

Despite the occasional nasty campaign flier or 30-second TV spot, this year's race for governor of Virginia is a cause for at least modest celebration. The two major-party candidates are both admirable men - able, honest, and well-qualified to execute the high office they seek. Not so long ago, this might have seemed unremarkable. But in the 2013 gubernatorial election, The Times-Dispatch decided that no candidate was worthy of endorsement. And last year, after careful consideration, we endorsed the Libertarian candidate for president, much to the chagrin of many readers.

This year poses no such dilemma. Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, the Democratic nominee for governor, is an honorable man, with a long record of service to country and commonwealth. He is fit for the job of governor. But he is the second-best choice to lead Virginia, not so much because of any defects on his part, but because of the abundant strengths of his opponent. Republican Ed Gillespie has run an energetic, inclusive, moderate-conservative, solutions-oriented campaign. His detailed, in-depth proposals reflect a refreshing respect for the intelligence of the voters. (Read more)
- Lord, we ask that You choose who to lead the state of Virginia. We pray for a move of Your Spirit among the people and the leadership, leading them into Your Light.

- "Come and let us walk in the light of the Lord." (Isaiah 2:5)

9. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince: We Will Return To Moderate Islam And 'Destroy Extremist Ideas' - Daily Wire

Saudi Arabia's crown prince, Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, told an investment conference in Riyadh Tuesday that he plans to move the country toward a more moderate form of Islam, and will do more to combat extremist Islamic elements who have taken refuge in his country. "We want to go back to what we were, the moderate Islam that is open to the world, open to all the religions," Prince bin Salman said. "We will not waste 30 years of our lives dealing with extremist ideas, we will destroy them today."

The 32-year-old Prince bin Salman officially became heir to the Saudi throne earlier this year, and is responsible for a handful of shocking reforms inside the country, including a recent decision to allow women to obtain drivers' licenses and operate cars in public without fear of retribution from religious police - a ban that has been in place more than six decades. Apparently, Millennials can make big changes - or, at least, suggest them.

Women in Saudi Arabia are still required to wear a headscarf, and must be under the guardianship of a male family member at all times. And although Prince bin Salman has been outspoken about reforms, the changes don't sit well with the country's Wahhabi clerics, who define the Islamic religion for the government. (Read more)
- Lord, we see the dichotomy between what this leader of Saudi Arabia says and the realities of living in the country. We ask for a move of Your Holy Spirit there, changing the direction of their nation and the thoughts of their minds.

- "Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." (Matthew 23:28)

10. Actor Corey Feldman Has A Plan To Expose Hollywood Pedophiles, Sex Abusers [VIDEO] - Daily Caller

Actor and singer Corey Feldman stated in a YouTube video published Wednesday that he wants to make a documentary film to name and expose abuse and pedophilia in Hollywood.

Feldman said, "Right off the bat I can name six names one of them who is still very powerful today, and a story that links all the way up to a studio. It connects pedophilia to one of the major studios. I am very afraid to do this, it's not easy. I've been living in fear and living with this my entire life. As most victims have, I've been made to feel awkward, misunderstood, and I've been degraded at great levels."

He continued, "Rumors have been told, stories have been made up about me, I've been insulted and degraded in ways that are unimaginable to me, all because they fear what I know as the truth. I'm not alone. I know that there's thousands others that have experienced what I have experienced in the entertainment industry." (Read more)
- Lord, in repentance for the sexual sins of America, we ask that You will have mercy upon us and change the lives of these people who seem to be obsessed with disgusting acts upon the children of our nation.

- "Thus they were defiled by the own works." (Psalm 106:39a)