INTELLIGENCE/RUSSIA INVESTIGATION/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “In the same chamber that wields vast oversight power over his office, President Donald Trump decried ‘ridiculous partisan investigations,’ during his second State of the Union address on Tuesday [2-12-19] night. Speaking to a joint session of a divided Congress, Trump called for an end to any investigations into his administration…Democrats retook a majority in the House of Representatives during last year’s midterms and could present a significant risk to Trump’s presidency as they take control of committees with sweeping investigative power. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., has vowed to use the full power of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence to fully investigate Trump’s past financial ties. Trump’s remarks come just a day after his inaugural committee was subpoenaed by federal prosecutors for financial documents. Since taking office, the Trump administration has been under scrutiny for the president’s past financial dealings, including his charity foundation, which was dissolved after prosecutors found the organizations had been self-dealing for years.”
–Kirk A. Bado, “Trump at State of the Union: Stop ‘ridiculous partisan investigations’,” USA Today, February 15, 2019 3:21 pm