Appeals Court Rules Against Trump Attempt To Hide Tax Returns

Donald Trump has ordered US military forces to the Middle East following an Iranian attack on Saudi oil facilities

Donald Trump has ordered US military forces to the Middle East following an Iranian attack on Saudi oil facilities CNBC reports that Donald Trump has lost in a second attempt to block a Congressional subpoena requesting his tax returns. What is this guy hiding?

A federal appeals court in a split ruling Friday rejected President Donald Trump’s bid to block a House committee subpoena for his income tax returns. The subpoena was issued earlier this year to Trump’s accountants at Mazars USA by the Democrat-controlled House Committee on Oversight and Reform for his tax returns.

A federal judge in Manhattan had denied Trump’s effort to block the subpoena. Trump then appealed that ruling to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit.

That appeals court, in a 2-1 decision, upheld the lower court’s ruling on Friday. The dissent came from Judge Neomi Rao, who was appointed by Trump to that Manhattan-based appellate court.

Trump Skips Out On Cinco De Mayo Event Third Year In A Row

Donald Trump

For the third year in a row, Donald Trump has skipped the Cinco de Mayo celebration at the White House.

White House acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney was scheduled to attend, but cancelled at the last minute leaving the Mexican Ambassador, Martha Bárcena, with mid-level administration officials.

Both Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush attended/hosted large Cinco de Mayo celebrations at the White House during their administrations.

However, it is good to know that the Trumpster does at least enjoy a taco bowl every now and then.

The White House issued this statement:

I send my greetings and best wishes to all those celebrating Cinco de Mayo.

On this day 157 years ago, the Mexican people valiantly defended their freedom and prevailed in the Battle of Puebla. Facing a French army equipped with more men and better weapons, the tenacious Mexican forces, under the command of General Ignacio Zaragoza, rose to the daunting challenge and emerged victorious on May 5, 1862.

As we honor the anniversary of this historic victory, we celebrate the courage and patriotism the Mexican soldiers exemplified in defeating the invading army of Napoleon III. We also acknowledge the remarkable achievements of Mexican Americans and the many contributions they have made, and continue to make, to our Nation.

Melania and I hope those who are celebrating enjoy today’s festivities. Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

French President Shades Trump: “Nationalism Is A Betrayal Of Patriotism”

At a ceremony on today commemorating the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a direct slap at Donald Trump’s “America first” approach to international affairs.
French President Emmanuel Macron

At a ceremony on today commemorating the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a direct slap at Donald Trump’s “America first” approach to international affairs.

“Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism,” said Macron. “By saying, ‘Our interests first, who cares about the others,’ we erase what a nation holds dearest, what gives it life, what gives it grace and what is essential: its moral values.”

Trump, along with 80 other world leaders, was sitting just feet away from Macron at the time.

The Trumpster famously declared himself a “nationalist” recently as he campaigned for the midterm elections.

The video below shows the world’s leaders gathering for the ceremony, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom Trump beamed at seeing, as well as part of Macron’s speech.

This comes just a day after Trump decided to skip a ceremony at an American cemetery honoring fallen WWI soldiers because of a light fall of rain.

The Twitterverse was more than happy to show off tons of photos of President Obama at past Memorial Day events in the rain.

(h/t JoeMyGod)

Anti-Gay Kentucky County Clerk Kim Davis Loses At 6th Circuit Court Of Appeals

Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis (R)

Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis lost today at the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in her request for a stay regarding a lower court’s ruling which compels her to issue marriage licenses to her constituents.

The lower court issued a temporary stay on it’s ruling to give Davis time to request the stay at the Sixth. That temporary ruling is set to expire on August 31st.

There is virtually no chance that SCOTUS will even take the request, let alone grant it.

See the full ruling here.

“The injunction operates not against Davis personally, but against the holder of her office of Rowan County Clerk.

“In light of the binding holding of Obergefell, it cannot be defensibly argued that the holder of the Rowan County Clerk’s office, apart from who personally occupies that office, may decline to act in conformity with the United States Constitution as interpreted by a dispositive holding of the United States Supreme Court.

“There is thus little or no likelihood that the Clerk in her official capacity will prevail on appeal.”

The day after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage, Davis stopped issuing marriage licenses in her county. No one, straight or gay, can obtain a marriage license in her county today.

Davis refuses to issue marriage licenses to gay or lesbian couples based on her ‘deeply held religious beliefs.’

It should be noted that her ‘religious beliefs’ don’t seem to affect her ability to marry and divorce. Davis is currently on her 4th marriage.

Yeah, she’s really worried about the “sanctity of marriage.”

Another Company Dumps Trump – Perfumania “Winding Down” Business With The Donald

Another large company has decided to end it’s business dealing with Donald Trump as his controversial campaign statements continue to inflame customers and voters.

From Forbes:

It hasn’t been a great few weeks for Brand Trump. In recent days, companies and groups including Macy’s, NBC, Nascar, Serta, the PGA and clothing manufacturer PVH PVH +0.99% Corp. have all cut ties with The Donald following his controversial comments on Mexican immigrants.

Now, the country’s largest fragrance retailer has decided to stop working with the Republican presidential candidate following days of internal discussions.

“Perfumania is winding down its retail business with the Trump fragrance brand,” said a spokesperson for the Bellport, NY-based firm.

The publicly-listed company, best known for its mall stores, had marketed two separate scents inspired by the real estate mogul: Success by Trump, which retails at $49.60 for a 3.4 oz eau de toilette, and Empire by Trump.

Billboard of the day: Loser keeps Bieber

The billboard, owned by Command Transportation, features pop star Justin Bieber sandwiched by Blackhawks stars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews with the message “Loser keeps Bieber.”

Kane and Toews play for Teams USA and Canada, who face off Friday at 11 a.m. in an Olympics men’s hockey semifinal.

I have to laugh out loud at this.  Little Bieber has grown more and more of an annoyance with his bratty behavior wherever he goes.

I guess it’s “loser gets the loser.”

(via DNAinfo)