At this weekend’s Gridiron Club Dinner, President Trump joked that he was late for the event because “Jared could not get through security.” While it is true that the First Son-In-Law recently had his security clearance downgraded, it may be no laughing matter.

The Washington Times reports that the anti-Trump “Deep State” bureaucrats are causing major problems when it comes to approving security clearances for key administration personnel. 

Sean Bigley, a lawyer representing several administration officials, said, “The security clearance process is being weaponized … not only to thwart the president’s agenda but to prevent him from installing appointees who will execute it.” Bigley went on to complain about the “hostility” and “institutional arrogance” of career bureaucrats who are stalling dozens of security clearances. 

In other news, more than a dozen members of Congress have written to Attorney General Jeff Sessions demanding the appointment of a second special counsel to investigate the FBI’s abuse of the FISA court to spy on the Trump campaign and its botched investigation of Hillary Clinton’s mishandling of classified material.

The Justice Department inspector general is expected to release a very critical report soon. But speaking on Fox News Sunday, Rep. Trey Gowdy noted that the inspector general does not have jurisdiction over more than 20 potential witnesses!

Left-Wing Anti-Semitism

Loyal readers know that I am not a fan of CNN, but I have to give credit to Jake Tapper. Last week, Tapper called out Louis Farrakhan for a disgusting anti-Semitic speech he gave recently in which he declared that “powerful Jews are my enemy." 

Tapper also called out Tamika Mallory, co-president of the Women’s March, who attended Farrakhan’s speech. Rapper Mysonne took to Twitter to defend Mallory. But it seems that Mysonne has a history of making anti-Semitic statements. Linda Sarsour, another heroine of the Women’s March, came to Mallory’s defense. 

Attempting to defend herself, Mallory tweeted this: "If your leader does not have the same enemies as Jesus, they may not be THE leader! Study the Bible and u will find the similarities.”

Mallory is resorting to a disgusting blood libel. Christians once routinely accused Jews of being “Christ killers.” Just so we are clear, it was the sin of all men, including my sin, that led to Christ’s crucifixion. 

The people who marched in the streets of Charlottesville last year chanting “Jews Will Not Replace Us” were vile. But they are insignificant. Thank God. The neo-Nazi movement in America has been marginalized and will never achieve power. 

But there is growing anti-Semitism on the cultural and political Left, and it is far more dangerous. The leaders of the Women’s Movement and the professors on our college campuses have a lot of influence in our culture. The deputy chairman of the Democrat National Committee has a lot of power and influence.

It is scandalous that left-wing senators and representatives have entertained Louis Farrakhan. It is scandalous that the media covered it up then and refuse to talk about it now.

Trump & Tariffs

I’m sure you have heard that President Trump is thinking of imposing tariffs on foreign aluminum and steel. Our steel industry has almost been destroyed by unfair competition from countries like China, which heavily subsidizes its steel industry. 

There has been a lot of criticism from the Left and the Right about the president’s decision. Many pundits fret that the price of a car might go up $37 or a can of beer might go up a penny.

These commentators were virtually in tears that Trump might start a trade war and end free trade. Well, “free trade” is anything but free. Other countries protect their industries and we don’t.

I grew up in a blue-collar town. I don’t remember anyone crying for my dad when he lost his job to cheap foreign imports. There are hundreds of thousands of hardworking American men and women who have experienced similar struggles.

A great nation is more than just the sum of its consumers. Great nations produce things. Not everyone can work in Silicon Valley or on Wall Street. America needs thriving manufacturing industries and the good-paying jobs they sustain.

I know conservatives are divided over the concept of tariffs. My view is that if other countries are defending their industries (and they are) then we are fools not to respond.

Tariffs are one way to leverage the strength of our economy to get the attention of our competitors. 

What struck me this weekend was the over-the-top outrage of the media and even some within the GOP. One of the themes was, “Europe will retaliate.” We have a 2.5% tariff on European cars. Europe has a 10% tariff on U.S. cars. It already treats us unfairly.

The people screaming now about how outrageous Trump’s tariffs are should be screaming at China and Europe. 

By the way, Reagan imposed tariffs on Japan to save Harley-Davidson. He also imposed tariffs on Japanese electronics. George W. Bush imposed tariffs on foreign steel too. 

Yet our elites are furious that President Trump is trying to stand up for American workers. Where was their outrage when one U.S. manufacturing industry after another was destroyed by unfair foreign competition? 

Who cried for Pittsburgh? 

Who wept for Wheeling? 

Who stood up for guys like my father as their jobs were shipped to China and Mexico? 

There were no tears for the American workers. Instead, they were written off as “bitter clingers,” “deplorable and irredeemable.”

Hollywood Hypocrisy

The Oscars were on Sunday night. If you didn’t watch, don’t worry. Early ratings suggest a lot of Americans are tuning Hollywood out. And that’s a good thing. Host Jimmy Kimmel said he was going to avoid politics. Well, he didn’t avoid politics; he avoided humor. 

In one “joke,” Kimmel said, “We don’t make films like ‘Call Me By Your Name’ to make money. We make them to upset Mike Pence.” The audience roared with laughter. 

That movie is about an adult man who seduces a teenage boy. That used to be called pederasty. Shouldn’t that upset everybody and not just Mike Pence? How many more childhood male actors need to come forward, claiming #MeToo?

Here’s another example of Hollywood’s hypocrisy. While the stars were calling for gun control and standing with illegal immigrants, the Oscars were held under massive security with huge gates and 500 armed police officers. 

Many of the attendees are hypocrites who live in gated communities and have armed private security. Walls are okay for A-list celebs. Guns too. Just not for the rest of us.