News from the note…
A round up of the day’s news that might be of interest to you.
This is an OPEN THREAD, folks. Chat about any of the stories listed, share links to stories that caught your eye today, and generally have a good time discussing whatever you want.
Trump admin proposes rule to block visas, green cards for those likely to use certain public benefits
The Trump administration on Saturday revealed its plan to make it harder for immigrants to come to or stay in the United States if they or their family may use certain public benefits.
The proposed rule announced by the Department of Homeland Security could make immigrants seeking to enter the United States ineligible for visas or green cards if they are deemed likely to receive certain public benefits once they come to the country.
Immigrants could also be denied a change in legal status once in the US if they received or are likely in the future to use public benefits, such as public housing and food stamps equivalent to a certain monetary threshold.
The rule is a vast expansion of existing interpretations of what is considered a “public charge,” or someone dependent or likely to become dependent on government. The “public charge” concept has a long history in immigration law, DHS noted, though the proposal would be a much broader take on it.
CNN
Iran blames U.S. after attack on military parade
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said Sunday that an unnamed U.S.-allied country in the Persian Gulf was behind an attack on a military parade that killed 25 people and wounded nearly 70.
Rouhani did not identify those behind Saturday’s attack, which was claimed by an Arab separatist group. He could have been referring to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates or Bahrain — close U.S. military allies that view Iran as a regional menace over its support for militant groups across the Middle East.
Politico
“All of those small mercenary countries that we see in this region are backed by America. It is Americans who instigate them and provide them with necessary means to commit these crimes,” Rouhani said.
3D gun advocate accused of sex with minor is jailed in US
The owner of a Texas company that sells plans to make untraceable 3-D printed guns was back in the U.S. Sunday after being arrested in Taiwan, where police say he flew after learning he was being investigated for allegedly having sex with an underage girl.
The U.S. Marshals Service said 30-year-old Cody Wilson was booked into Harris County Jail in Houston early Sunday and was being held on $150,000 bond. It wasn’t immediately clear if he had an attorney yet.
He was arrested Friday at a hotel in Taiwan by local police. He is facing sexual assault charges in Austin, according to a statement from the U.S. Marshals service.
AP
Here’s how Michael Cohen might be helpful to prosecutors
Michael Cohen has been making the rounds since his late-August guilty plea in federal court, offering himself up to a number of offices that are investigating him or other aspects of the Trump orbit.
And on Friday, Cohen set off fresh speculation when he made an unexpected appearance in Manhattan federal court, where defendants typically sit for interviews before their sentencing.
But it’s not clear what President Donald Trump’s former personal attorney can provide prosecutors or others probing these matters — and it’s uncertain Cohen will receive any benefit in return.
He has met with prosecutors from the office of special counsel Robert Mueller, where he provided “critical information” to that investigation, an attorney and adviser to Cohen, Lanny Davis, said Thursday night on Twitter.Prosecutors from the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, who charged Cohen in August, had been seeking to arrange for him to sit down with them, according to a person with knowledge of the matter, and former prosecutors familiar with the process said it was likely that those from the US attorney’s office would have participated in Cohen’s sessions with the Mueller team, given that the two sets of prosecutors have different investigative interests and different areas of expertise.
CNN
Bill targets ‘Kushner loophole’ allowing false filings
A New York City councilman plans to introduce a bill to close the “Kushner loophole” that fails to check up on landlords if they file false documents with the city.
The move follows an Associated Press report earlier this year that Jared Kushner’s family real estate company filed dozens of false documents with the city claiming it had no rent-regulated tenants in many of its buildings. That allowed it to avoid strict oversight of construction that critics say was used to drive out low-paying tenants.
Councilman Ritchie Torres says his bill would require the city’s buildings department to check with tax records to validate such claims. If any false submission is discovered, the landlord’s entire portfolio of buildings would be subject to an audit.
“We refuse to stand by idly while real estate companies like the Kushner Cos. play Russian roulette with the safety of the residents and the affordability of rent,” Torres said. “Kushner Cos. is a poster child for a systemic problem.”
AP
Gosar responds to siblings’ attack ad: ‘To the six angry Democrat Gosars — see you at Mom and Dad’s house!’
It’s no longer all in the family. Republican Rep. Paul Gosar is slamming his Democrat opponent in his Arizona reelection race for capitalizing on “family political differences” after his opponent launched a TV campaign ad that featured six of the incumbent’s siblings urging people not to vote for him.
“Those of my siblings who chose to film ads against me are all liberal Democrats who hate President Trump,” Gosar told CNN in a statement Saturday, responding to the ad. “These disgruntled Hillary suppporters (sic) are related by blood to me but like leftists everywhere, they put political ideology before family. Lenin, Mao and Kim Jung Un (sic) would be proud.”
Born in Wyoming, Gosar is the oldest of 10 children — 7 Democrats, 2 Republicans and 1 independent, according to his congressional website. He told CNN in his statement that none of his siblings live in Arizona.
CNN
“You can’t pick your family. We all have crazy aunts and relatives etc and my family is no different. I hope they find peace in their hearts and let go all the hate,” Gosar said.
The GOP’s great fear
Be smart: A former administration official said Republicans are “walking the tightrope of making sure not to piss off women for the midterms yet not alienating the base by ditching Kavanaugh.”
And one top Republican texted: “Most Republicans know the party has already lost college women, alienated by Trump’s style and behavior. Cannot lose them twice.”
Axios