1 Trump Unimpressed As Record Audience Watches Nevada Democratic Debate
The contentious Democratic presidential debate Wednesday night is a hit with viewers. A record audience tuned in to watch former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg face five rivals for the first time. Nielsen Fast National Data claims nearly 20-million watched that candidates debate in Las Vegas just days before the Nevada caucuses. That's the highest ever for a Democratic debate. The first 2016 Republican debate holds the record for biggest ever with 24 million tuning in. Meanwhile, President Trump is taking aim at Democrats at a Colorado rally. Speaking in Colorado Springs, the President slammed what he called hoaxes and witch hunts designed to overturn the 2016 election. But what about those after his job? With regard to the debate in Nevada, he’s derided the Democratic candidates as "choking."
2 Defense Department Agency Suffers Data Breach
A Defense Department agency reportedly suffered a data breach that potentially compromised Social Security numbers. The Defense Information Systems Agency, or DISA, sent letters to individuals who may have been affected by the breach last year. The agency has offered free credit monitoring to victims and noted it would add security protocols to prevent future data breaches. DISA provides information technology and communications support to the President, the military and any individual or system contributing to the Defense of the United States. By the way, this isn’t the first such breach. Don’t forget that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) was hit in 2015, which led to sensitive information of more than 21-million people to be stolen, which included Social Security numbers.
3 Trump: Stone Has "Very Good Chance At Exoneration"
Is President Trump moving closer to pardoning his longtime ally Roger Stone? It sure sounds like it. Speaking at an even in Las Vegas, Trump noted that Stone has a "very good chance at exoneration." Still...he’s not tipping his hand quite yet. "I'm not going to do anything in terms of the great powers bestowed upon a president of the United States, I want the process play out, I think that's the best thing to do," Trump offered. "Because I'd love to see Roger exonerated...because I personally think he was treated very unfairly." That process includes an appeal. Stone was sentenced to 40 months in prison after being convicted of seven felony counts involving obstruction, lying to Congress and witness tampering. To that end, Trump suggested that Stone was convicted by a "bad" and "tainted" jury. The case, of course, was linked to the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Trump called it "unbelievable" and insisted that Stone played no role in his campaign. A longtime friend of Trump’s, Stone was hired onto the campaign in 2015, but terminated him later that year.