Trump declassification order allows for release of Obama admin surveillance materials

Late Thursday, the president issued a declassification order to Attorney General William Barr, granting him the authority to declassify any information concerning the Obama administration’s surveillance activities during the 2016 election.

The declassification order will hopefully provide more clarity on the Obama intelligence chiefs’ efforts to thwart then-candidate Trump’s presidential aspirations, in addition to the FBI’s and CIA’s rogue surveillance operations and abuses of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) processes.

“Today’s action will help ensure that all Americans learn the truth about the events that occurred, and the actions that were taken, during the last Presidential election and will restore confidence in our public institutions,” read a statement from White House press secretary Sarah Sanders.

The president’s supporters largely applauded the order.

“Outstanding—President Trump authorizing the Attorney General to declassify documents related to surveillance during the 2016 election. Americans are going to learn the truth about what occurred at their Justice Department,” replied Rep. Mark Meadows on Twitter.

“This is going to change everything. Trump’s order to declassify and AG Barr’s investigation is the beginning of the truth for the American people,” wrote journalist Sara Carter.

Police-staters lash out at Trump transparency efforts

The president’s declassification order — which is largely an effort to be fully transparent with the American people about abuses of power — is actually one big cover-up, if you accept the puzzling logic of the Left.

“Trump and Barr conspire to weaponize law enforcement and classified information against their political enemies,” Rep. Adam Schiff commented, describing the transparent declassification efforts and release of information to the public as a “coverup” and “un-American.”

Short-lived former FBI employee Asha Rangappa, who left the FBI before completing her first assignment but who poses as an intelligence expert at CNN, called the declassification effort a “disabling of our intelligence capabilities” to the advantage of Russia.

Fox News contributor Dan Bongino mocked the Democrat talking points. He wrote on Twitter:

“Insane Democrats to Barr: We MUST declassify documents or it’s a coverup!

Same Insane Democrats to Trump: If you declassify documents you are undermining our democracy!”

Trump admin deploys additional military assets to MidEast to counter Iran threat

President Trump has approved an additional deployment of missile defense batteries and reconnaissance aircraft into the Middle East to step up U.S. preparedness against threats posed by the regime that rules Iran.

The Pentagon is reportedly drafting plans to send more American troops to the region, but the president remains undecided on the issue.

“We'll see what happens with Iran," President Trump said of a potential additional deployment Friday morning. "I don't think we're going to need them, I really don't, but we're going to have a meeting on it in about an hour. I would certainly send troops if we need them."

North Korea says it won’t talk to US until Trump admin lifts disarmament demand

The regime that rules North Korea will not resume nuclear talks with the U.S. until the Trump administration essentially takes the nuclear issue off of the table.

“Unless the United States puts aside the current method of calculation and comes forward with a new method of calculation, the DPRK-U.S. dialogue will never be resumed and by extension, the prospect for resolving the nuclear issue will be much gloomy," read part of a statement from North Korea’s foreign ministry.

Sen. Lindsey Graham calls for invasion of Venezuela

Senator Lindsey Graham, who has developed a reputation as a consistent advocate for foreign intervention, appears ready to endorse a deployment of American troops to Venezuela.

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Graham called for American military intervention in the country, with the goal to drive Cuban forces away from socialist dictator Nicolas Maduro.

“I think the military option has to be real, I think the ultimate solution is getting Cuba out,” Graham told McClatchy on Thursday. “If Cuba goes, Maduro goes and we have a history of standing up to Cuban intervention in the past and this is a defining moment for the Trump presidency in terms of how they deal with Cuba.”

Author’s note: This post originally appeared in Blaze Media’s The Dossier newsletter. For foreign policy news and views delivered to your inbox twice a week, subscribe here.