Tag: Duncan Hunter

The Story: Duncan Hunter, who represents California's 50th district in the US House of Representatives, announced Friday, December 5, that he will resign from that...

GOP Rep. Duncan Hunter is facing backlash for pretending to cross the U.S.-Mexico border — something his Democratic opponent says would have violated the terms of the congressman's parole stemming from federal charges of misusing campaign funds. The California lawmaker posted a video on social media on Thursday claiming to be "15 meters" from the U.S.-Mexico border before walking over to a fence he alleged was the only thing separating migrants seeking asylum from entering the U.S. by foot. “It looks pretty tough to cross. Let me see if I can do it,” Hunter said in the video, before hopping over the waist-high fence, which serves as a vehicle barrier. “That’s how easy it is to cross the border here in Yuma, Arizona.” But his suggestion was quickly debunked. Border Patrol officials told The Times of San Diego that the official border is the Colorado River, which is further away from the vehicle barrier Hunter crossed. “Congressman Hunter said on video that he was 15 meters from Mexico, then proceeded to walk over to the border in what appeared to be, by his own admission, crossing into Mexico," he said. Margaret Hunter was released on $10,000 bond. Michael Harrison, a spokesman for Hunter, told The Times of San Diego that the accusation of him violating his parole by leaving the U.S. is a "non-issue typical of someone desperate for a headline as opposed to focusing on the real issue" of border security. “I would encourage others to look and review a map, spend time with the Border Patrol and understand what structures are in place and where they are with regards to the international border,” Harrison added.

Indeed, much like Virginia’s gubernatorial contest from last year, Democrats won big in highly educated urban/suburban areas up and down the ballot. And what we are seeing is a further realignment of our politics — with urban/suburban going Democratic, and with rural and red areas going more Republican. Also, how important is party in this realignment? The uncalled House races (14) The uncalled Senate races (3) Dems left gains on the table With CT-GOV still undecided (though Democrat Ned Lamont is ahead here), Democrats will have gained a net seven governorships: Illinois, Kansas, New Mexico, Michigan, Maine, Nevada and Wisconsin. In 2016, it went 63 percent to 33 percent for Clinton. Last night, it went 60 percent to 40 percent for Gillum. And of the 30 House seats picked up by Democrats so far (for a net of 28), 19 were won by women. Bill Clinton ran against a sitting speaker of the House to win re-election in 1996.

Duncan Hunter's campaign released a terrible ad attacking his House opponent, but the only thing less shocking than the ad itself is the lack of outrage around it. » Subscribe to MSNBC: http://on.msnbc.com/SubscribeTomsnbc About: MSNBC is the premier destination for…

Duncan Hunter and other politicians who served are not above the law. Most Americans correctly believe that military service is deserving of respect and gratitude, especially in time of war. The “thank you for your service” acknowledgment heard when someone in uniform is encountered by fellow passengers on a plane or by a supermarket checkout clerk may seem small recognition, but it does suggest a public awareness that something more than a token greeting is called for. At the same time, military service, however ennobling, does not confer lifetime immunity from obedience to the laws of the land. The latest sad example is Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., a former Marine who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He now stands accused of massive fraud that includes using campaign funds for personal expenses — everything from foreign travel to his wife’s cosmetics. We have a tendency to impute to people who have served their country valiantly a kind of moral perfection, that heroism in combat must surely have its counterpart in other areas of their lives. Veterans are accountable like everyone else Still, both political parties view military service as an asset — a stamp of character— in a candidate. Our support for them is a token not merely of our identification with their party or the issues that they champion, but also of our respect and gratitude for their service. Even so, respect them as we do, we must hold them to the same standards as any other elected official.

CNN chief legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin discusses President Trump's tweet that blasted Attorney General Jeff Sessions over the Justice Department's decision to bring charges against two GOP congressmen.

Donald Trump has mounted another extraordinary attack on his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, blaming him for charges against two congressmen that he said jeopardised Republican chances in the forthcoming midterm elections. Two easy wins now in doubt because there is not enough time. Good job Jeff...... But last month Duncan Hunter, a California representative, was charged with misuse of campaign funds while Chris Collins of New York was indicted for insider trading – over a share tip alleged to have been made in 2017, when Trump was in power. The two men were Trump’s first supporters in the House. Sessions made that call after it was revealed he did not disclose to senators meetings with the Russian ambassador during the election campaign. “These two men have been charged with crimes because of evidence, not because of who the president was when the investigations began.” Trump’s positive remarks about supporters charged with criminal wrongdoing echoed his comments about the case of Paul Manafort, his former campaign chairman who was convicted last month on eight counts of tax and bank fraud brought by Mueller’s team. Trump’s implication that the Department of Justice runs politically motivated investigations is contrary to stated DoJ policy. Really sick!” The firing of Comey, which led to the appointment of Mueller, is one aspect of the special counsel’s investigation of whether Trump has attempted to obstruct justice in the Russia affair. Every Day is Extra review: John Kerry on Vietnam, Syria, Paris, Iran … and Trump Read more Many election models predict that the Democrats will take back the House in November, with the votes of supporters eager to see Trump impeached.

President Donald Trump takes a jab at US Attorney General Jeff Sessions in a tweet over the indictments of two Republican congressmen.

One of our nation’s guiding principles is that those tasked with enforcing the law would do so in an unbiased manner, allowing evidence to lead any investigation. This is not the case today. The fact is that there is a culture operating within our Justice Department that places a higher value on politics than the rule of law. After two years of investigating, the Justice Department waited to file an indictment against me until right before my election. During this time, I have made myself available to cooperate with this investigation in any manner, but I have not been given even one opportunity to answer any questions, address any issue, or counter any allegations against me. Consider this: Overwhelming evidence indicated that Hillary Clinton took direct action to circumvent investigations into her campaign, she was interviewed and no action was taken. I am looking forward to taking this to court. I fight for my constituents in the halls of Congress. I will fight this in the same manner and with the same level of determination because I believe in what I am fighting for and still have faith that evidence and the rule of law will trump political agendas and bias. Rep. Duncan Hunter, a Republican, represents California’s 50th District.

Duncan and Margaret Hunter were both indicted on campaign finance charges this week, but the congressman is trying to place the blame squarely on his wife. » Subscribe to MSNBC: http://on.msnbc.com/SubscribeTomsnbc About: MSNBC is the premier destination for in-depth analysis…