Former intel chiefs slam Trump for revoking Brennan’s security clearance

The president wants to revoke more clearances, despite the outcry No Images? Click here   By Paul Vale     Friday, August 17  INTEL CHIEFS SLAM TRUMP OVER BRENNAN CLEARANCE A dozen of the nation’s leading former intelligence officials have slammed President Donald Trump’s decision to revoke former CIA Director John Brennan’s security clearance, claiming the president is trying to “stifle free speech.” Trump admitted Thursday that he revoked Brennan’s clearance for his part in the Russia investigation — which could mark the start of a new White House tactic of using the office of the president to punish anyone associated with the probe. Trump is reportedly hoping to revoke additional clearances, believing the revenge makes him look strong. [HuffPost] [Tweet | Share on Facebook] TRUMP’S TANK PARADE GETS CANNED Trump’s North Korea-style military parade has been postponed until 2019, according to the Pentagon. The president’s celebration of American military might was slated for Nov. 10 — Veteran’s Day weekend. The postponement comes amid reports that the cost of the parade was running over budget by $80 million. [HuffPost] CHINA TRAINING PILOTS TO HIT U.S. China is developing its fleet of long-range bombers and "likely" training its pilots for missions to target the U.S., according to a new Pentagon report. [CNN] MANAFORT JURORS ASK WHAT ‘REASONABLE’ DOUBT MEANS Jurors in the trial of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort ended their first day of deliberations by asking the judge a set of questions regarding the defense, including for a definition of “reasonable doubt.” [The Washington Post] OMAROSA WAS OFFERED HUSH MONEY TO PLAY NICE Omarosa Manigault Newman has unveiled a new secret recording featuring Lara Trump, Eric Trump’s wife, discussing details of a job offer on the Trump campaign that would require the former White House aide to remain publicly “positive” about the president. For that, Omarosa would have received 12 consecutive monthly payments of $15,000. According to The New York Times, Manigault Newman may have as many as 200 tapes. [HuffPost] BOOK PUBLISHER DISMISSES TRUMP THREATS The publisher behind Newman’s new book has dismissed “hollow threats” by Trump’s lawyers, saying being embarrassed by a book does not amount to a legal claim. [HuffPost]         FOX FLUBS ARETHA’S DEATH Fox News honored the life and career of the late Aretha Franklin with an image of singer Patti LaBelle. Rupert Murdoch’s outfit then flubbed the apology by lying about the mixup. [HuffPost] GOP RUSHING THROUGH TRUMP SCOTUS PICK Republicans are circumventing the normal vetting process for Supreme Court nominees in order to confirm Trump’s high court pick Brett Kavanaugh by Oct. 1, the start of the new term. [HuffPost] MIGRANT CHILDREN ARE NOT BEING RETURNED TO THEIR FAMILIES A total of 565 migrant children, including 24 who are younger than 5, remain in government-contracted shelters, separated from their parents, according to a status update from the Trump administration. [HuffPost] MAN CONFESSES TO PREGNANT WIFE’S MURDER A Colorado man has confessed to killing his pregnant wife and their two young daughters, according to local media. [HuffPost] FOX NEWS HAILS DEFEAT OF ‘COMMUNIST JAPAN’ Ainsley Earhardt, the one stuck between the two potted plants on the “Fox & Friends” sofa, has delivered a Churchillian rallying cry for America, reminding the country of the republic’s glorious defeat of “communist Japan.” [HuffPost] U.S. WARNS TURKEY OVER PASTOR The U.S. is threatening to slap more sanctions on Turkey if it continues to detain American pastor Andrew Brunson, who is being held of terrorism charges. [BBC]       Rihanna And Donald Glover were spotted together in Cuba, and fans are flipping out. Omarosa’s new book says Ivanka hated the “SNL” satirical ad for her fragrance “Complicit.” Ariana Grande and The Roots delivered a soaring tribute to Aretha Franklin to open “The Tonight Show.” This woman got her contact lens stuck in her eye for 28 years. Foods with added collagen? Why it’s a complete waste of your time. Michael B. Jordan surprised a teen who brought a cardboard cutout of him to prom. A Georgia police chief is defending the use of a Taser on an 87-year-old grandmother after she was seen walking around with a knife near her home, which her family says was for cutting flowers. Here are 21 tweets that explain why “Crazy Rich Asians” matters so much to so many people. Supporters of the Satanic Temple wheeled a statue of Baphomet, a winged, goat-headed creature, onto the grounds of the Arkansas state capitol on Thursday in a protest about religious freedom. Catholics on Twitter are calling for drastic reform after a damning Pennsylvania report detailed decades of child sexual abuse. A Missouri health clinic sent emails to multiple women job applicants, turning them down because they have “ghetto names.” A 39-year search for a missing Michigan teen has ended in a grave 765 miles from his home. Our guest writer explain why Democrats should finally end having superdelegates. Here are 32 pictures of dogs dutifully helping their owners tie the knot. And we explain how Hurricane María has renewed Puerto Rico’s fight against coal ash. And love this newsletter? Share it with a friend!      HuffPost is now a part of Oath and a part of Verizon. On May 25, 2018 we introduced a new Oath Privacy Policy which will explain how your data is used and shared. Learn More. Start your workday the right way with the news that matters most — all with a dash of signature Morning Email snark. Does somebody keep forwarding you this email? Get your own copy. It's free! Sign up here. Check out HuffPost Politics for more of the good stuff. ©2018 HuffPost | 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 You are receiving this email because you signed up for updates from HuffPost Feedback | Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe     - - Preferences  |  Unsubscribe