By Miriam Raftery

February 7, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – For the first time in history, the Vice President had to cast the deciding vote on a cabinet nominee.  Betsy DeVos was confirmed 51-50 as Secretary of Education, with all Democrats voting no, along with two Republicans (Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska). 

By Miriam Raftery

February 3, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – Decisions made this week are drawing criticisms over President Donald Trump’s handling of sensitive foreign policy and military decisions—and who is involved in making those decisions.

Top officials for past Republican and Democratic presidents have spoken out against Trump’s executive order giving political advisor Steve Bannon a full seat on the principals committee of the National Security Council, while limiting the Director of National Intelligence and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from attending National Security Council meetings except when it considers issues in their direct areas of responsibilities, the New York Times reports.

Bannon’s last job was publishing Brietbart news, a mouthpiece for alt-right, white supremacist, anti-immigrant and conspiracy theory stories as well as conservative news.  Bannon is also an ex-Navy surface warfare officer who has  worked as an investment banker and Hollywood producer.

Two East County representatives oppose measure; Anderson attacks immigrants as criminals despite actual data on crime rates  

By Miriam Raftery

February 2, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) — Two local legislators have taken stands against SB 54, a measure that would prevent state and local authorities in California from cooperating with federal efforts to deport undocumented immigrants.

By Miriam Raftery

February 1, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – Following through on his campaign promise to reduce government regulations, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that would require federal agencies to eliminate two existing regulations for every new rule that they introduce.

Military Residency Choice Act allows families to establish consistent residency

January 27, 2017 (San Diego) — San Diego Congressmen Darrell Issa (CA-49) and Rob Wittman (VA-01) have introduced legislation aimed at easing the tax burden on military families by allowing them to establish one consistent state of residency.

By Miriam Raftery

January 31, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – President Donald Trump has fired Acting Attorney General Sally Yates after she refused to defend his executive order banning entry into the U.S. for refugees worldwide and citizens of 11 Muslim nations. Yates said she was not convinced the order was lawful and that as head of the Justice Dept., her duty is to assure that the department’s position is “legally defensible” and “consistent with this institution’s solemn obligation to always seek justice and stand for what is right.”

East County News Service

January 31, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Ben Kalasho is the newest elected Councilman representing El Cajon residents. He will host a town hall meeting on Thursday, February 9 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. to hear the concerns and questions from his community & neighbors.   The meeting will be held at the El Cajon Police Station community room, 100 Civic Way in El Cajon.

By Miriam Raftery

Protest planned at 5 p.m. tonight at Lindbergh Field; immigrant attorneys warn demonstrators could be detained, caution non-citizens not to participate due to “grave” risks

January 29, 2017 (San Diego)—Multiple federal courts have issued orders temporarily blocking deportation of  legal residents detained at airports following President Trump’s executive order Friday, including a New York federal judge ruling on an ACLU suit that applies nationwide. While some remain detained and denied access to counsel per the ACLU, others were allowed to meet with immigration attorneys  and were soon set free at airports across the U.S., where large crowds gathered and greeted the arriving immigrants with cheers to welcome them to America (View video).

The court orders thus far protect only those already at U.S. airports or in transit. Other lawsuits are set to be filed Monday by civil rights and Arab-American groups seeking to overturn as unconstitutional the broader ban on admitting refugees as from seven mostly Muslim nations (Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Somalia, Syria, Syria, Libya and Yemen)  listed as countries of concern by the State Department. 

The order also applies to  an estimated half million legal U.S. residents with green cards from those countries, as well as people who hold dual citizen in any of the seven nations as well as citizenship in U.S. ally nations including Canada and Great Britain.

“The public’s access to its government and its employees is dying.” –Lynn Walsh, Society for Professional Journalists.

By Miriam Raftery

January 27, 2017 (Washington D.C.) -- First Amendment advocates are sounding the alarm over a gag order on federal agencies imposed by Donald Trump’s administration.   The agencies have been ordered not to communicate with the press or public, including press releases, social media, and more.  

By Mike Allen

Photo:  Eight finalists in Santee council appointment await questions from council.

January 26, 2017 (Santee) -- Brian Jones, a former state Assemblyman and ex-Santee Councilman, is returning to his old job again. He was appointed by the City Council after a five-hour interview process that began last night and stretched into the early morning hours

By Miriam Raftery

January 25, 2017 (San Diego) – President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to cancel the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact with 12 Pacific Rim nations.

The action is being hailed by even many Trump opponents who did not support the trade deal, but has drawn criticism from others, particularly in the business community.

By Miriam Raftery, East County News Service

January 24, 2017 (San Diego) – State Senator Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and East County’s new Assemblyman Randy Voepel (R-Santee) today shared their reactions to Governor Jerry Brown’s State of the State address

By Miriam Raftery

January 24, 2017 (Washington D.C.) - In his book, 1984, George Orwell wrote, “The very concept of objective truth is fading out of the world. Lies will pass into history.”

Recent actions by the Trump administration to discredit journalists over truthful reports and stifle public comments have alarmed First Amendment supporters, constitutional scholars, journalists, and government watchdog groups.

By Miriam Raftery

January 25, 2017 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Democratic Party has elected Jessica Hayes to serve as the new party Chair, replacing Francine Busby, who held the leadership post from 2013-2016.

Busby told ECM, "I recruited Jessica, endorsed her early and fully support this change."

Reprinted from Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Network

January 22, 2017 (San Diego) - San Diego businesses reported a moderately optimistic outlook at the close of 2016, with two-thirds expecting the new Donald Trump administration to have a positive impact.