Trump Administration Will No Longer Issue Visas To Same-Sex Partners Of Diplomats

United Nations Plaza (image via Flickr/AC Moraes)

 In reversing a nine-year policy begun by then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Trump administration continues to demonstrate hostility to same-sex couples.

Beginning Monday (October 1), the U.S. State Department will require same-sex partners of staff of international organizations based in the U.S. to be married in order to qualify for a proper visa.

The policy change will affect foreign employees of organizations like the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

From the State Department’s website on G-4 visas: “Effective immediately, U.S. Embassies and Consulates will adjudicate visa applications that are based on a same-sex marriage in the same way that we adjudicate applications for opposite gender spouses.”

The State Department issued a statement saying the policy change is meant to “help ensure and promote equal treatment” between straight and gay couples. In order to obtain a G-4 visa, straight couples are required to be married.

The difference for same-sex couples, however, is that in many of their native countries same-sex marriage, or even homosexuality, is illegal.

And, as Fabrice Houdart, a human rights official at the United Nations told NBC News, “The policy seems to presume that same-sex partners should be able to easily visit the United States on a tourist visa where they could get married.

"But for people in many countries, particularly poor and conservative countries like the ones that do not permit same-sex marriage, obtaining a tourist visa to visit the United States is extremely difficult," he added.

Under the new policy, the partners of United Nations workers, for example, that are not legally married will have 30 days after the new year to either get married or exit the United States.

So, what do these couples do? The choices available to them are abandon their careers here in the U.S. or try to marry and face possible severe penalties back home.

Of the 193 United Nations member states, only a few dozen have recognized same-sex marriage. And then there are countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran which have death penalties for being gay.

Former Ambassador to the U.N., Samantha Power, called the move “needlessly cruel & bigoted” on Twitter.

Needlessly cruel & bigoted: State Dept. will no longer let same-sex domestic partners of UN employees get visas unless they are married. But only 12% of UN member states allow same-sex marriage. https://t.co/MjZpRVLYcf

— Samantha Power (@SamanthaJPower) September 28, 2018

And the Human Rights Campaign followed up Powers’ tweet saying the policy change “reflects the hostility of the Trump-Pence administration toward LGBTQ people and our friends and allies.”

“It is hatred, and it is unacceptable,” the HRC added.

This is an unconscionable, needless attack on some LGBTQ diplomats around the world, and it reflects the hostility of the Trump-Pence administration toward LGBTQ people and our friends and allies. It is hatred, and it is unacceptable. https://t.co/Vn8Qkz93gl https://t.co/mtDuzYjZpU

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) October 2, 2018

(h/t NBC News)

Rumors Fly Sarah Huckabee Sanders Planning Early Departure From White House

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders

According to CBS News, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and deputy press secretary Raj Shah could be planning their departures from the Trump administration in the coming weeks.

Press secretary Sarah Sanders and principal deputy press secretary Raj Shah are both heading for the exits, according to sources inside the White House and close to the administration. Sanders, who has become a confidante of President Trump since the departure of former communications director Hope Hicks, has told friends that she plans to leave the administration at the end of the year.

Shah is also considering his exit, but he has not yet settled on an exact date. Neither Sanders nor Shah responded to repeated requests for comment before this story was published. When reached Wednesday evening, both declined to comment on the record, and Sanders tweeted that she is "honored to work for @POTUS."

Sanders took to Twitter last night to address the issue without denying an impending exit.

Does @CBSNews know something I don’t about my plans and my future? I was at my daughter’s year-end Kindergarten event and they ran a story about my “plans to leave the WH” without even talking to me. I love my job and am honored to work for @POTUS

— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) June 14, 2018

As has been noted by several outlets, the turnover for the Trump White House has been unusually high for so early in an administration, particularly in the communications shop.

Former communications director Hope Hicks, a close confidante of Trump, left her post earlier this year.

CNN: Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin Is Next To Be Fired From Trump Administration

Donald Trump may like being in Apprentice-mode these days.

Right on the heels of firing his Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, CNN is reporting that President Trump is looking to dismiss embattled Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin and replace him with Energy Secretary Rick Perry.

Shulkin has butted heads in recent months with conservative White House officials over the expansion of government-subsidized private health care for veterans, outside the government-run V.A. health system.

Additionally, Shulkin drew negative attention for a trip to Britain and Denmark last year where it appears he spent much of the time sight-seeing with his wife.

Rick Perry reportedly had lunch at the White House yesterday but no confirmation if the subject of moving to the VA came up.

Watch the report from CNN below.

JUST IN: President Trump has grown irritated with his embattled Veterans Affairs secretary, David Shulkin, and is eyeing Energy Secretary Rick Perry as a possible replacement, sources tell CNN https://t.co/g5hfC0JgK7 pic.twitter.com/bd4S1r2c8y

— CNN (@CNN) March 13, 2018

Trump Administration Refuses To Sign Court Ruling Supporting Marriage Equality & Trans Rights

In January, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights issued an advisory opinion reiterating that sexual orientation and gender identity are protected classes under the American Convention on Human Rights.

That's great, right?

Except, all member countries didn't sign the statement showing support of the court's opinion.

Seven countries signed the statement. Those were Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay.

Who's missing from that list?

Mmm, that would be the United States.

According to the Human Rights Campaign, the Trump administration chose not to support the opinion.

Even Chile, which doesn't yet have marriage equality, signed its support.

But Trump says he's "better for the gays" than Hillary.

Yeah...

CDC Issued "Banned Words" List By Trump Administration: Transgender, Diversity, Science-Based

The Center for Disease Control has been issued a list by the Trump administration of banned words in official documents in preparation for next year’s budget.

• Fetus
• Transgender
• Diversity
• Vulnerable
• Entitlement
• Science-based
• Evidence-based

How does a health agency not use the words evidence-based?

Or science based?

From The Washington Post:

The question of how to address such issues as sexual orientation, gender identity and abortion rights — all of which received significant visibility under the Obama administration — has surfaced repeatedly in federal agencies since President Trump took office. Several key departments — including HHS, as well as Justice, Education, and Housing and Urban Development — have changed some federal policies and how they collect government information about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.

In March, for example, HHS dropped questions about sexual orientation and gender identity in two surveys of elderly people.

HHS has also removed information about LGBT Americans from its website. The department’s Administration for Children and Families, for example, archived a page that outlined federal services that are available for LGBT people and their families, including how they can adopt and receive help if they are the victims of sex trafficking.

White House On Transgender Protections: "This Is A States' Rights Issue"

Yesterday, I posted about a possible change in direction from the Federal government regarding the rights of transgender students to use public bathrooms that match their gender identity.

Today, The Washington Blade's White House correspondent, Chris Johnson, asked White House press secretary Sean Spicer if the Trump administration would rescind Obama era guidance on the issue.

Spicer told reporters, "The president has maintained for a long time that this is a states' rights issue, and not one for the federal government."

So, somehow, whether or not you can use the bathroom you identify with depends on what state you live in?

Spicer also said there would be weighing in further with new guidance on the issue as well as "the case that's in front of the Supreme Court," referring to transgender Virginia student, Gavin Grimm.

Spicer on transgender bathroom guidance: The President maintains that "this is a states' rights issue" https://t.co/kaE9HxyBRa

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) February 21, 2017

9th Circuit Court Of Appeals Rules Against Trump Administration On Immigration Policy

Bad news as the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rules against the Trump administration's immigration policy.

From the Washington Post:

A federal appeals court has maintained the freeze on President Trump’s controversial immigration order, meaning previously barred refugees and citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries can continue entering the U.S.

A panel with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit upheld the ruling of U.S. District Judge James Robart, who had decided Friday that Trump’s temporary travel ban should be put on hold. The Department of Homeland Security soon suspended all enforcement of Trump’s controversial directive.

The Justice Department, representing the Trump administration, could now ask the Supreme Court — which often defers to the president on matters of immigration and national security — to intervene. The Supreme Court, though, remains one justice short, and many see it as ideologically split 4-4. A tie would keep in place whatever the appeals court decides.

Judge Michelle Taryn Friedland, who was appointed by President Barack Obama, asked a Justice Department lawyer if the government had “pointed to any evidence connecting these countries with terrorism.”

Judge Richard Clifton, a President George W. Bush appointee, noted that the government already had processes in place to screen people coming from those countries and asked, “Is there any reason for us to think that there’s a real risk or that circumstances have changed such that there’s a real risk?”

While most expect Trump to head to the Supreme Court (his ego couldn't handled anything less), lots of legal experts say Trump should take the time to rewrite the policy in a way that passes legal muster.

I should add that the ban was intended to be temporary - only 90 and 120 days. So, while this takes time to be worked out, I'm assuming Team Trump is still going about the business of evaluating immigration processes, yes? If the point was to hit 'pause' temporarily to figure out how to vet immigrants more precisely, then that work should still be going on.

UPDATE - Trump took little time rushing to Twitter:

SEE YOU IN COURT, THE SECURITY OF OUR NATION IS AT STAKE!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 9, 2017

Health & Human Services Nominee Tom Price Dodges Question Whether People Might Lose Coverage Under Trump Plan

Congressman Tom Price of Georgia, President Trump's nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, couldn't give a clear answer today during his confirmation hearing regarding how strenuously he would implement Trump's executive order to pull back on the Affordable Care Act.

He also couldn't promise that Americans wouldn't lose health coverage in repealing the ACA.

From Politico:

Price, Trump’s pick to run Health and Human Services, dodged questions from lawmakers Tuesday about whether Trump’s order would force people from their current Obamacare coverage, despite promises from many Republicans they want to ensure the 20 million people insured through the law wouldn’t be hurt by efforts to replace it.

He also wouldn’t say whether HHS would wait until Congress readies a replacement plan before taking steps to dismantle the health care law. Price told the Senate Finance Committee, which will vote on his nomination, that he would promise to put “patients at the center of health care,” declining to tackle the questions directly.

And according to USA Today, Price answered practically every question with some version of, “Every single American will have access to coverage that is affordable.”

To be honest, I have access to buying a million dollar home, but I can't afford one.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Votes 11-10 For Rex Tillerson Sec. Of State Nomination

Voting straight down party lines 11-10, the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee advanced the nomination of Exxon-Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State.

The only possible stray vote might have been Republican Sen. Marco Rubio who leaned in tough on Tillerson about civil rights violations around the world during confirmation hearings.

According to sources, Rubio says he voted for Tillerson because he didn't want to "create unwarranted political controversy."

The nomination now goes to the floor of the full Senate. It's pretty clear Tillerson will be confirmed.

JUST IN: Senate committee votes in favor of Rex Tillerson for secretary of state https://t.co/Oy0VUeolkq https://t.co/gGpOfMXvth

— CNN (@CNN) January 23, 2017

Dan Rather: "These Are Not Ordinary Times"

Dan Rather

Iconic journalist Dan Rather shared an essay this weekend via Facebook addressing his concerns regarding the nascent Trump administration's loose relationship with the truth and the newly coined term "alternative facts."

Here's the full post which has now gone viral:

These are not normal times. These are extraordinary times. And extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures.

When you have a spokesperson for the president of the United States wrap up a lie in the Orwellian phrase "alternative facts”…

When you have a press secretary in his first appearance before the White House reporters threaten, bully, lie, and then walk out of the briefing room without the cajones to answer a single question…

When you have a President stand before the stars of the fallen CIA agents and boast about the size of his crowds (lies) and how great his authoritarian inaugural speech was….

These are not normal times.

The press has never seen anything like this before. The public has never seen anything like this before. And the political leaders of both parties have never seen anything like this before.

What can we do? We can all step up and say simply and without equivocation. "A lie, is a lie, is a lie!" And if someone won't say it, those of us who know that there is such a thing as the truth must do whatever is in our power to diminish the liar's malignant reach into our society.

There is one group of people who can do a lot - very quickly. And that is Republicans in Congress. Without their support, Donald Trump's presidency will falter. So here is what I think everyone in the press must do. If you are interviewing a Paul Ryan, a Mitch McConnell, or any other GOP elected official, the first question must be "what will you do to combat the lying from the White House?" If they dodge and weave, keep with the follow ups. And if they refuse to give a satisfactory answer, end the interview.

Facts and the truth are not partisan. They are the bedrock of our democracy. And you are either with them, with us, with our Constitution, our history, and the future of our nation, or you are against it. Everyone must answer that question.

Trump Merchandise At The Inauguration

Dominic Holden of Buzzfeed News tweets this pic of Trump merchandise from the inauguration.

You'll never guess where the stuff was made.

UPDATE: And then came this tweet from the newly sworn in president. How ironic...

We will follow two simple rules: BUY AMERICAN & HIRE AMERICAN!#InaugurationDay #MAGA🇺🇸

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2017

Tweet Of The Day

U.S. agencies are examining intercepted communications for links between Trump associates and Russiahttps://t.co/20naPzZlad

— The New York Times (@nytimes) January 20, 2017

I'm just going to leave this right here.

Happy Inauguration Day!

#AndSoItBegins

Donald Trump's Proposed Cabinet

Here's a breakdown of Donald Trump's proposed cabinet:

• 18 men, 2 women (Obama had 5, George W. had 4)

• 18 white, 1 African-American, 1 Asian- American (Obama had 8 non-white, George W. had 6)

• 0 Democrats (the past 3 administrations all had members from the opposing party)

This will be the first cabinet since Reagan to not have a single Hispanic cabinet member.

The first cabinet since George H.W. Bush to not have a member of the opposing party.

I expect all of these to be confirmed, except a possible upset over Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State. Sen. Marco Rubio asked tough questions at Tillerson's confirmation hearing, and could possibly vote against him. If that happens, it could open the door for John McCain and one or two others to follow suit.

Florida AG Pam Bondi To Be Rewarded With Trump White House Position

Donald Trump with Florida AG Pam Bondi

As it turns out, not only did Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi get $25,000 for her reelection coffers from Donald Trump for refusing to investigate Trump University on her state's behalf, her support will garner another reward: an appointment to a plum role in the new Trump administration.

From the Tampa Bay Times:

Immediately after Donald Trump was elected president, one Florida name was floated above the rest for a job in his administration: Attorney General Pam Bondi.

About two weeks out from Trump's inauguration, the Tampa Republican still has not been appointed to any job.

But an announcement could be coming soon, reports Bloomberg's Jennifer Jacobs.

In a tweet, she wrote, "NEW: Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi will be named to a post in the Trump White House, sources tell me. Trump aides finalizing her role."

Asked Thursday, the Trump transition provided no new information about whether Bondi was even still in consideration for an administration job.

"We have no additional announcements at this time," said Sean Spicer, who will be Trump's White House press secretary, on a conference call with reporters. "I don't want to get ahead of any announcements that may or may not come."

Bondi has been mum, too. Asked Thursday morning, she would not comment on whether she was being considered for a new job in the administration.

"I'd never discuss anything confidential," she said, echoing previous statements.

You just gotta love that swamp.

NEW: Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi will be named to a post in the Trump White House, sources tell me. Trump aides finalizing her role.

— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) January 5, 2017

Trump Names Kellyanne Conway 'Counselor To The President,' Sean Spicer Tapped For Press Secretary

Kellyanne Conway

Via The Hollywood Reporter:

President-elect Donald Trump picked his trusted adviser Kellyanne Conway to serve as counselor to the president and named Sean Spicer as press secretary on Thursday.

Conway, who is described as "the Trump whisperer," has been serving as a senior member of Trump's transition team after successfully running his presidential campaign as campaign manager. She became Trump's third campaign manager after Trump won the Republican nomination and is the first female campaign manager of either major party to win a presidential general election.

Conway will be the highest-ranking female in Trump's White House. In her position, she will continue her role as a close adviser to the president and will work with senior leadership to effectively communicate and execute the administration's legislative priorities and actions, according to the statement.

Later on Thursday, Trump also announced the senior members of his communications team, naming Spicer press secretary, Hope Hicks, who has served as his spokeswoman, as director of strategic communications, Jason Miller as director of communications and Dan Scavino as director of social media.

“Sean, Hope, Jason and Dan have been key members of my team during the campaign and transition," said Trump in a statement. "I am excited they will be leading the team that will communicate my agenda that will Make America Great Again."

Spicer has served as chief strategist and communications director for the Republican National Committee since 2011.

According to reports, Scavino was formerly a golf caddie that Trump met on one of his golf courses.