Maxine Waters reacts to flag burning demonstration outside her office this week

People chant slogans as they burn a U.S. flag outside the Los Angeles office of U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, Thursday, July 19, 2018, in Los Angeles.  (AP)

U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters said that the counterprotesters who burned and stomped on an American flag outside her California office this week, while exercising their right to express themselves, were also acting to further “their own agenda."
Waters issued a statement Saturday saying that the protesters who appeared outside her Los Angeles office Thursday did so despite her calls to “steer clear” of a planned protest by a far-right group, the Oath Keepers.
“Many people from within the community heeded my advice and steered clear of the event, but there were groups of individuals who felt compelled to participate and show their support for me despite my request,” her statement read.
The Oath Keepers event did not materialize.

People in a counter-protest try to open the door of a pickup truck occupied by two men outside the Los Angeles office of U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, Thursday, July 19, 2018, in Los Angeles.  (AP)

Waters said a group of nonpeaceful demonstrators, not necessarily  from her congressional district, participated in the counterprotests “not so much in support of me, but to seek press attention in furtherance of their own agendas.”
During Thursday’s protest, a vehicle with an American flag on the back approached and was stopped by the crowd. Some individuals opened the car doors while others grabbed the flag as the vehicle drove off. The flag was then stepped on and set ablaze. A few people cheered and someone yelled, "This is not the American flag, this is their flag."
“While I do not agree with torching the flag as a form of protest, I understand the Constitution guarantees everyone the right to this form of free expression,” Waters said.

“While I do not agree with torching the flag as a form of protest, I understand the Constitution guarantees everyone the right to this form of free expression.”
- U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif.

The Democratic lawmaker said she does not support any forms of violence, but stands by her “respect for the Constitution.”
Waters recently sparked anger among conservatives after she called on the public to "push back" on Trump administration officials spotted in public.

Democratic Version of the Wall Cartoons

House To Vote On $5 Billion Border Wall

In this June 8, 2006, file photo, members of the National Guard work on construction of a border wall at the U.S.-Mexico border next to San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico. (AP Photo/David Maung, File)

A House panel is set to advance legislation that would provide $5 billion worth of funding for a southern border wall.
The House Appropriations Committee will vote next Wednesday on the 2019 Homeland Security fiscal bill.
The proposed bill would provide funding for an additional 200 miles worth of a new physical barrier.
It allocates over $300 million for nearly one thousand additional ICE and border patrol agents.
It also establishes a plan to secure total scanning of the border within five years.
The bill will likely advance out of the Republican-led committee, but will likely face strong Democrat opposition on the floor.

Congress Abandons Effort To Impose Harsher Restrictions On ZTE

In this May 8, 2018, file photo, Chinese men pass by a ZTE building in Beijing, China. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

Congress will not be blocking the Trump administrations deal with Chinese telecom giant ZTE.
Negotiators from both chambers have agreed not to include a provision to ban American firms from doing business with the company in next year’s Defense Authorization Act, according to reports.
Instead of a complete ban in the bill, lawmakers will reportedly just prohibit government contracts from going to the company.
This means the Trump administration’s deal with ZTE, allowing it to resume business in the country, will largely remain in place.
Votes in both chambers on the legislation are expected to take place in the near future.

Pres. Trump Blasts NFL Over Nat’l Anthem Policy Flip-Flop

President Donald Trump boards Air Force One, Friday, July 20, 2018, in Andrews Air Force Base, Md., en route to Morristown Municipal Airport, in Morristown, N.J., and on to Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

UPDATED 5:01 PM PT — Fri. July 20, 2018

President Trump suggests a penalty for NFL players who protest during the national anthem, as he blasts the league over its policy flip-flop.
In a fiery tweet Friday, the president said the national anthem debate is alive and well again and questions if it’s in a player’s contract that they must stand for the anthem.
He also calls on commissioner Roger Goodell to take a stand on the issue.
The president gave his own opinion on how the league should handle player protests, saying first time kneelers are out for the game and second time kneelers are out for the season without pay.
This comes after the league paused its new policy penalizing players for protesting, after the Miami Dolphins received backlash over its stance on the issue.

Pentagon Sends $200 Million To Ukraine

FILE – The Pentagon is seen in this aerial view in Washington, in this March 27, 2008 file photo. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 8:12 PM PT — Fri. July 20, 2018

The Pentagon is sending $200 million to Ukraine to assist the country with its self-defense capabilities.
The Defense Department issued a statement Friday, saying the move reaffirms the country’s relationship with Ukraine.
The funds bring the total aid to Ukraine up to $1 billion since the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said the U.S. must take action against Russia’s destabilizing activities, including its illegal occupation of Ukraine.
The latest allocations of funds comes as President Trump has been criticized for being too lenient on Russia.
However, the additional resources are an effort to defend the territorial integrity of Ukraine against Russian aggression.

Whoopi Goldberg Cartoons

The ongoing feud between Fox News host Judge Jeanine Pirro and “The View” co-host Whoopi Goldberg spilled into its second day on Friday, with each telling her version of Pirro’s headline-grabbing appearance on the ABC News talk show.

Judge Jeanine Pirro, Whoopi Goldberg dispute from 'The View' spills into second day

The ongoing feud between Fox News host Judge Jeanine Pirro and “The View” co-host Whoopi Goldberg spilled into its second day on Friday, with each telling her version of Pirro’s headline-grabbing appearance on the ABC News talk show.
Pirro appeared on “The View” Thursday morning to promote her new book, “Liars, Leakers & Liberals,” and the heated exchange occurred when the Fox News host accused Goldberg of suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” A visibly angry Goldberg ended the segment by shouting, “Say goodbye. I’m done.”
A verbal disagreement occurred off-camera following Pirro’s appearance on the program.
Pirro has appeared on both “Hannity” and “Fox & Friends” to tell her side of the story, while Goldberg offered her rebuttal at the opening of Friday’s episode of “The View.”
Pirro called the backstage altercation “abuse.” Goldberg has admitted to using profanity – while also accusing Pirro of using inappropriate language – during the intense exchange.
Pirro has denied doing anything to provoke the liberal panel before the chaos ensued – but Goldberg claims she was upset that CNN’s Ana Navarro was a guest co-host, filling in for Joy Behar.

Pirro didn’t deny that she was peeved over the swap – but blamed ABC News for a lack of transparency.
“’The View’ was disingenuous in not telling us who was hosting,” Pirro told Fox News. “They didn’t tell anyone that one of the most rabid anti-Trump, anti-Fox people was going to be sitting next to me and interviewing me.”
Pirro said during her “Fox & Friends” appearance that an ABC News producer called her after the incident. Fox News has confirmed that ABC News attempted to speak with Pirro to no avail.
“I haven’t had a chance to return the call,” Pirro said. “I’ve always liked you, Whoopi, and I don’t understand where the anger comes from. I went to have a conversation and I wasn’t allowed to have a conversation. I didn’t deserve to be thrown out. We can’t treat people like that.”
ABC News declined comment.

California State Breakup Cartoons

Pres. Trump Signs Executive Order On Job Training

President Donald Trump holds up an Executive Order he signed that establishes a National Council for the American Worker, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, July 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 4:08 PM PT — Thurs. July 19, 2018

President Trump signs an executive order promoting job training at a Pledge to America’s Workers event at the White House Thursday.
The executive order establishes a national council for U.S. workers and aims to equip students and workers with skills they need to thrive in the modern economy.
The council will help ensure Americans have access to affordable and relevant job training.
A number of company representatives at the event, including General Motors and Lockheed Martin, signed a pledge to help advance workforce development.
The president says the pledge will help provide nearly four million new job opportunities to American students workers over the next five years.