Anthony Scaramucci Trump Can't Drain The D.C. Swamp

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UNDRAINABLE SWAMP
CBS

Anthony Scaramucci keeps spilling White House tea in the 'Big Brother' house, and he says there's no way President Trump is going to be able to deliver on one of his biggest campaign promises ... draining the swamp.

Anthony, who worked in Trump's White House for 10 days before being fired, says the Prez won't be able to drain the swamp in D.C. ... and ya gotta hear his reason why.

The Mooch started talking politics with comedian Tom Green on Tuesday's episode of "Celebrity Big Brother" ... and they touched on a range of topics, from Scaramucci's potential return to the Trump administration to the government shutdown.

Watch ... the Mooch doesn't have a lot of good things to say about his brief stint in Washington.

Indigenous People's March Smirking MAGA Hat Student Responds To Accusations of Harassment

1/20/19 -- The student who came face-to-face with Nathan Phillips has released a statement to the media about what he claims actually happened Friday. Nick Sandmann, a junior at Covington Catholic High School, says he and his classmates were waiting for their busses to arrive at the Lincoln Memorial when a handful of African-American protesters began shouting "hateful things" at the group of boys. Sandmann says that he and his classmates were given permission by their adult chaperones to sing their school spirit chants in response. At some point during this chanting, Sandmann says a separate group of protesters from the Indigenous People's March approached his group, and claims that Nathan Phillips then "waded" into the crowd with his drum. Other videos that have surfaced online appear to show Phillips doing exactly that.

Sandmann says Phillips singled him out for some reason and walked right up to him ... and the clip that has since gone viral is what happened shortly after. Sandmann says he did not provoke Phillips, nor did he block him from going anywhere. He says he only smiled because he sensed Phillips and his group were trying to incite a larger confrontation, and he wanted to communicate that he wouldn't engage. Sandmann says he respects Phillips for his service as a Marine vet, but does not approve of his methods -- namely, getting in people's personal spaces. Sandmann also says he will be cooperating with his school's investigation into the matter. His full statement can be read below.

5:56 PM PT -- A spokesperson for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington says the confrontation between a horde of Catholic high school boys and the Native American war vet is under investigation, adding that students could be expelled. In a statement, the spox says ... "We condemn the actions of the Covington Catholic High School students towards Nathan Phillips specifically, and Native Americans in general, Jan. 18, after the March for Life, in Washington, D.C. We extend our deepest apologies to Mr. Phillips. This behavior is opposed to the Church’s teachings on the dignity and respect of the human person."

A mob of MAGA hat-wearing teenagers swarmed around a Native American man to harass and drown out his peaceful demonstration -- and the scene was tense.

The face-off went down Friday at the D.C. National Mall -- near Arlington National Cemetery -- where Omaha elder Nathan Phillips was drumming and singing toward the tail end of the Indigenous People's March. Phillips was a marine during the Vietnam War, though he was never deployed.

According to local reports, a large group of men -- including many young boys who were wearing MAGA gear -- descended upon Phillips and began mocking him ... with one student getting right up in his face as he peacefully tried reciting his song.

What's depicted here is alarming ... many of the boys are mimicking Phillips' singing in a demeaning manner as they surround him and a few lingering marchers. As you can see, one of the boys stands face-to-face with Phillips with a smug grin on his face as he continues to drum.

Phillips addressed the altercation afterward in an emotional explanation of why he was singing, and how he internalized what had just happened to him. He explains how youth used to interact with elders, and how times have changed for the worse.

Fortunately, there are no reports of violence breaking out ... but it appears these kids were on the verge of something nefarious. Some of the boys have been reported as Covington Catholic High School students in Park Hills, KY. It's unclear why they were in D.C., but it's possible they were there in support of the March for Life, which took place the same day.

Covington's website temporarily crashed Saturday as tons of people demanded answers from Principal Bob Rowe and other faculty. A communications rep for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington released a statement on the matter saying, "We are just now learning about this incident and regret it took place. We are looking into it."

Ironically, CCHS' mission statement reads ... "At Covington Catholic, our primary purpose is to embrace the gospel message of Jesus Christ in order to educate young men spiritually, academically, physically, and socially. With this focus, we are Building Minds and Living Faith."

We've reached out to Covington Catholic High School for comment ... it appears their phone line is busy, as calls are not going through.

Originally Published -- 1/19 at 11:06 AM PST

Rosie O'Donnell Trump Will Be Arrested ... Before the 2020 Election!!!

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JUST A MATTER OF TIME
TMZ.com

Rosie O'Donnell thinks Donald Trump has a snowball's chance in hell of being reelected in 2020 ... because it's really hard to run for office when you're sitting in prison.

We got the comedian Wednesday in NYC, and asked if she had any thoughts on Trump's chances to be a two-term President. Rosie says there's no way in hell that's happening and adds ... the American people won't let it happen.

She makes it clear she has faith citizens will bounce back from what she describes as Trump's "tyranny," and -- to borrow one of his fave phrases -- lock HIM up.

Watch ... Rosie also has some fiery thoughts on Trump's chances of getting his beloved border wall.

President Trump Clemson's Coming To White House ... And I Can't Wait!!!

President Trump is congratulating the Clemson Tigers for winning the national championship ... because he's just announced that Dabo Swinney's football team will visit the White House next week, and it's a big win for the Prez.

POTUS announced Friday he's hosting the Tigers in our nation's capital Monday, the second time in three years Clemson will visit 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Dabo's squad also shook hands with Trump in June 2017 after winning it all.

Getting Clemson to the White House is huge for Trump. It's no longer an automatic for major sports champions to visit the President.

Remember, team visits to the White House became routine in the 1980s ... until the NBA champion Golden State Warriors started a trend last summer by making clear they wouldn't visit Trump.

The Philadelphia Eagles threatened to boycott the White House after winning last year's Super Bowl, and they never showed.

The Villanova Wildcats didn't visit the White House after winning last year's NCAA men's basketball tournament. Ditto for the NHL's Washington Capitals.

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BIG FAN
TMZSports.com

Like Clemson, the World Series champion Boston Red Sox accepted Trump's invitation, and pitcher Heath Hembree famously told us he f*cks with Trump. The Sox will visit sometime during the upcoming MLB season.

We're guessing Clemson's visit will keep Sen. Lindsey Graham in a great mood!

Danny Trejo Trump's Wall Idea Sucks ... It's 'Throwing Money Away'

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WALLS WON'T WORK
TMZ.com

Danny Trejo's got a big problem with Donald Trump's master plan to build a big beautiful wall along America's southern border ... he doesn't think it will work.

We got the "Machete" star at Los Angeles Mission Friday helping serve food to the homeless, and asked for his take on the President's demand for border wall funding and the government shutdown.

Danny tells us Trump's wall plan is futile, because no matter how high it is ... he's not accounting for how far below ground it needs to go. The actor also suggests POTUS has delusions of grandeur ... and just wants his name on something rivaling China's famous landmark.

Trejo's not against more border security, though ... he just believes there are much smarter ways to use funding for it.

BTW, Trump revealed an interesting potential design for his border wall Friday ... it definitely doesn't address Danny's concerns.

As for the government shutdown -- which Trump declared "The Democrats now own" -- Machete calls BS on that too.

VP Mike Pence Staying Away from Trump & Mueller For Good Reason, Says NY Rep.

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FEELIN' THE HEAT
TMZ.com

President Trump insists he's not feeling any impeachment heat, but his Veep Mike Pence is in prepare-for-the-worst mode ... according to Congressman Gregory Meeks.

We got the distinguished gentleman from NY on Capitol Hill and he tells us he sees similarities between Mueller's Trump investigation and the one that eventually forced Richard M. Nixon out of office.

Meeks believes Robert Mueller's court filing last week was devastating for POTUS because it revealed Cohen told the special counsel's office it was Trump who directed payments to 2 women -- Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal. Meeks says Pence is paying close attention as the info trickles out.

Case in point, during Tuesday's fireworks at the White House, Trump railed on Rep. Schumer and Rep. Pelosi ... while Pence sat silently.

Bottom line -- Rep. Meeks thinks Pence will have very little to say about his pal, the Prez, in coming weeks because he's busy reading writing on walls. And, no ... he ain't talking graffiti.

Trump Organization Sued You're Bad Hombres ... For Running Crappy Ice Rink!!!

The Trump Organization's got legal trouble unrelated to Robert Mueller ... this time it's a guy pissed off about an ice skating rink he considers a virtual death trap.

Philip Kassai is suing President Trump's organization over the Lasker Rink it operates in Central Park. According to Kassai's attorney, Marc Freund, his client was injured during a March skate outing with his 9-year-old son. After just one lap, he claims he noticed the rink had dangerous areas of slush, crevices and bumps.

As he was leaving the ice, his skate got caught in a crevice, he fell and dislocated and fractured his shoulder ... according to Freund. He says the injury still hasn't fully healed.

According to the suit, filed by Freund's firm Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman ... Kassai wants Trump's co. to fork over damages for negligence in properly inspecting and maintaining the ice rink.

We've reached out to the Trump Organization but, so far, no word back.

Boston Red Sox Support Trump & Visit White House ... Says Ex-MLB Star

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CAN'T PASS IT UP
TMZSports.com

The Red Sox should ABSOLUTELY take their championship trip to the White House ... so says ex-MLB star Brad Penny, who says the team needs to support Donald Trump regardless of their opinions of him.

It's up in the air whether Boston will make its post-World Series visit to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave ... especially after manager Alex Cora publicly criticized the President in September.

But, Penny says it would be a huge mistake to not go ... telling TMZ Sports the team should be there.

"You gotta go," the ex-star pitcher says ... "You support the President whether you voted for him or not ... I think they just gotta go."

Penny knows a thing or two about those trips ... the 2-time All-Star went to George W. Bush's White House after his Marlins won it all back in 2003.

He says the trip was unforgettable ... and Red Sox players would regret not making it.

In fact -- Brad tells us he thinks Boston can send a strong message to those protesting Trump by going.

"All those protests and stuff, to me, we want everybody who's in office to do good ... I feel like a lot of people want Trump to fail and it's unfortunate."

Unclear whether Red Sox players will listen to Brad ... but we know at least one of their pitchers is on board.

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BIG FAN
TMZSports.com

Kelsey Grammer & Wife Stand w/ Trump on Climate Change ... 'It's a Myth!!!'

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NOT CONVINCED
TMZ.com

Kelsey Grammer all but said there's no need to worry about a potentially catastrophic impact on climate change ... 'cause it's all BS.

We got the "Frasier" star leaving a party Saturday night in Brentwood, and wanted to get his take on President Trump holding out at the G-20 summit on signing a deal to tackle climate change.

Kelsey -- with some help from his wife, Kayte -- said climate change is just science's way of keeping everyone on their toes. Kayte was more adamant ... straight-up saying it's all a myth.

We also tell Kelsey about Trump not believing his own administration's report -- involving 13 federal agencies and more than 300 climate scientists -- that said brace for the worse if nothing's done about climate change.

Kelsey didn't flinch ... he's not worried.

U.S.-Mexico Border Crisis Tear Gas Thrown at Migrants, Kids As San Ysidro Crossing Closes

4:34 PM PT -- CBP San Diego says pedestrian bridges between Tijuana and San Diego are now open again in both directions, heading north and south.

Tensions are at a boiling point at the U.S.-Mexico border in California, where migrants have started to clash with border agents ... who've also begun throwing tear gas at them and their children.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection closed the San Ysidro border crossing outside of San Diego Sunday, as hundreds of migrants trying to enter the U.S. -- many of whom are seeking asylum -- gathered at the border and demanded entry. Some of them even started throwing rocks at agents, and U.S. agents reportedly responded by throwing tear gas into the crowd.

The move is drawing heavy criticism, as there are children among the migrants. No shots have been fired, but remember ... President Trump essentially gave the green light for retaliation a few weeks ago as the migrant caravan made its way north.

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ROCK IN A HARD PLACE
Fox News

Needless to say, it's an intense scene. As for a possible solution ... the Trump administration reportedly struck a deal with the incoming Mexican government to keep asylum seekers south of the border as their cases are heard in court.

Unclear what a short-term fix might look like, though, as run-ins between authorities and migrants continue to escalate.

Mexican Singer Paulina Rubio 'We Love You, Donald Trump' ... Flip-Flopping At Women's Empowerment Concert?

Paulina Rubio threw many fans for a loop at a concert for women when she blurted out "We love you, Donald Trump" -- but it appears to have been purely for literary effect.

The Mexican pop star was performing Saturday in L.A. during the 'K-Love Live: Las Que Mandan' concert when, at one point, she coupled her shout-outs to women with a seemingly random plug for the President ... which got a lot of boos from the crowd.

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The lines about Trump didn't have much context, but in an interview after the show ... Paulina seemed to imply her "love" for Trump was nothing but sarcasm and an attempt at irony. When the host asks her if she had a message for 45, Paulina says (in Spanish) that Hispanics have been here long before DT became the Prez, and that her mom had told her she wasn't going anywhere in the Trump times. Translation ... she's not team MAGA.

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Besides, Paulina's been quoted many times bashing President Trump, calling him a "pendejo" among other insults. So, it's unlikely she'd do a hard flip-flop in such a public way ... or so it seems, anyway.

We've reached out to her camp for further elaboration, but they had no comment.

Marlon Wayans Trump's 'The Devil' Blames Prez For Deadly Wildfires

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HE'S IN HIS ELEMENT
TMZ.com

Marlon Wayans tells us Donald Trump should feel right at home at the scene of the destructive California wildfires ... because the comedian thinks the President is "the devil."

We got Marlon on Saturday at LAX ... and he tells our photog it's ironic Trump is visiting areas devastated by the Camp Fire because he feels POTUS is ultimately responsible for the deadliest fire in California history.

Check out the clip ... Marlon paints a picture of how he imagines Trump, and it's really dark.

Trump arrived in Northern California on Saturday and he's surveying fire recovery efforts and inspecting the damage.

When the wildfires started scorching California last week, Trump blamed the flames on poor forest management and threatened to cut federal funding.

After seeing the damage first-hand Saturday, Trump told reporters it's "very sad to see."

Bill Maher Trashes Stan Lee He Made Adults Stupid and Is Responsible for Trump

Bill Maher thinks Stan Lee is partly to blame for the dumbing down of America.

Bill wrote an essay on his blog, saying he has nothing against comic books, but they're for kids ... and when you grow up you should "move on to big-boy books without the pictures."

He mused that around 20 years ago, adults had a revelation ... "They didn't have to give up kid stuff. And so they pretended comic books were actually sophisticated literature."

He pulls back slightly and says, "I'm not saying we've necessarily gotten stupider." But, then he bores in ... "The problem is, we're using our smarts on stupid stuff."

And, then he goes in for the kill ... "I don't think it's a huge stretch to suggest that Donald Trump could only get elected in a country that thinks comic books are important."

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NOBODY COOLER THAN STAN
TMZ.com

Mike Judge, the creator of "Beavis and Butt-Head" and co-creator of "King of the Hill" and "Silicon Valley," had a very different view of Stan.

Stan Lee died Monday at age 95.

George Lopez Shocked Jim Acosta's Back at White House

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CAN'T STAY AWAY
TMZ.com

George Lopez was positive Donald Trump would let D.L. Hughley in the White House press room before Jim Acosta would ever be invited back, so imagine his SHOCK when he learned from us Jim's back in action!

Don't get George wrong ... he stands with Acosta. But, the Trump/Acosta fiery relationship makes George's attacks on Trump look like a pillow fight ... hence his surprise.

As for whether George thinks Trump will ever call on Acosta again during a news conference ... he seems to think Acosta growing up Latino will serve him well at 1600 Pennsylvania.

CNN's Jim Acosta Back at White House ... After Court Victory

10:14 AM PT -- Trump just addressed the situation, and he issues a stern warning to reporters like Acosta ... follow the rules or end up back in court.

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NO MORE SHENANIGANS
CNN

9:49 AM PT -- Acosta hit the ground running, and is already back at the White House just hours after his victory.

9:20 AM PT -- Sounds like the White House fully intends to challenge the judge's ruling. Sarah Sanders said, "In response to the court, we will temporarily reinstate the reporter's hard pass."

"Temporarily" being the keyword there.

Sanders added, "We will also further develop rules and processes to ensure fair and orderly press conferences in the future. There must be decorum at the White House."

Translation: They're not done battling Acosta.

President Trump had it out for CNN White House Correspondent Jim Acosta ... so says a federal judge who has just ordered The White House to give Acosta his press credentials back.

The judge didn't buy the White House party line, because it shifted from Acosta making contact with a W.H. intern as the basis for its decision, to Acosta's "general conduct."

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BACK IN ACTION
CNN

The judge did not base his core ruling off the First Amendment but rather the Due Process clause of the 5th Amendment. The judge said the decision to revoke the pass was "so shrouded in mystery that the government could not tell me ... who made the decision."

The judge went on to say Trump has no obligation to call on Acosta during White House news conferences but Acosta has a right to due process before his hard pass can be revoked.

CNN and its chief White House reporter, Jim Acosta, sued Trump Tuesday after Acosta's hard pass was yanked following aggressive questioning last week during a press conference ... Trump and Co. pulled his pass after he made contact with a White House intern, who was trying to take the mic away from him.

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QUICK HANDS

CNN argued in court Trump was infringing on Acosta's 1st and 5th Amendment rights by pulling his press pass, adding the real reason behind the move is his extreme hatred for CNN.

For his part, Trump's White House lawyers responded by saying the Prez can pick and choose who gets on White House grounds to cover his administration.

Originally Published -- 7:28 AM PT

Omarosa Trump Plotted to Boot CNN's Acosta

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THIS WAS PLANNED
MEGA

President Trump put in years of secret planning to get CNN's White House correspondent kicked off his detail ... at least according to Omarosa.

Trump's former aide was in D.C. Wednesday when a photog asked her about Jim Acosta and CNN suing POTUS for revoking his press pass. Omarosa was pretty nonchalant about it, because she claims the Prez held "private meetings" about Acosta back when she was still in the White House.

Omarosa claims booting Acosta, in particular, has been on Trump's agenda for a long time.

For his part, Acosta walked into a federal courthouse in D.C. on Wednesday, seeking an emergency order that would grant him immediate White House access. The court hasn't ruled yet.

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QUICK HANDS

Omarosa's got an opinion on how the battle will play out for CNN and Acosta.

Granted, she has plenty of beef with 45 about how she was 86'd, but IF Omarosa's right about the alleged "private meetings," it confirms the media's biggest fears: That the President is trying to crush Freedom of the Press if he doesn't like your reporting.

Game on.