Breaking: Buzz Brewing Over Pete Hoekstra As President Trump's New Director Of National Intelligence

Hoekstra (Peter Dejong / AP)

By Brandon Hall
(Email Him At WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

Two of West Michigan's own are being prominently mentioned for top positions in President Trump's administration, Ambassador Pete Hoekstra for Director of National Intelligence, and Ambassador Richard Grenell as National Security Adviser. 

Hoekstra, from Holland, is currently the President's top diplomat in the Netherlands, while Grenell, from Jenison, is in Germany.

President Trump mentioned Hoekstra while talking with reporters about the DNI position a little over a month ago.

According to the Detroit News:

"President Donald Trump on Friday indicated that he's considering former Michigan congressman Pete Hoekstra among his possible picks to be the next director of national intelligence to succeed Dan Coats. Asked by a reporter about a replacement for Coats, Trump mentioned Hoekstra, former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee...

"I'm working together with Sen. Burr and the whole intelligence committee. I want to get someone that everybody can really come together with. I like Pete Hoekstra a lot. He's great. He's doing a fantastic job in the Netherlands right now." 

According to John Solomon, writing today in The Hill, Grenell should take over for the recently departed John Bolton, and Hoekstra should replace Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats.

"Trump has two candidates — both confirmed by the Senate to other jobs on his watch — who can rival Barr’s and Pompeo’s contributions by stepping into the vacant, critical roles of national security adviser (NSA) and director of national intelligence (DNI).

The first is Richard Grenell, the U.S. ambassador to Germany, who has shown remarkable competence in downsizing the once-giant European Union lioness Angela Merkel on the world stage and achieving numerous strategic wins for America from Berlin.

Almost immediately upon his arrival in Berlin, Grenell punched like a heavyweight when he finally got the reluctant Germans to extradite a 95-year-old Nazi labor camp guard who had sought safe haven in New York City for decades.

Multiple U.S. administrations had vowed to get the job done. Trump and Grenell were the ones who succeeded.

Grenell also:

• galled the Europeans to up the ante on their anemic NATO spending — a key strategic goal for Trump;
• persuaded the Germans to open new liquid natural gas facilities for U.S. exports;

• relentlessly pressured the Germans to resist a new Russian gas pipeline known as Nord Stream 2; and

• successfully forced the Germans to block an Iranian airline from servicing the country.

Like Grenell, another ambassador in Europe, former Congressman Peter Hoekstra, who is America’s top diplomat to the Netherlands, could help fill an essential void as the DNI.

Coats never really clicked with Trump and slow-walked important transparency opportunities that would have exposed problems with the Russia probe, including the declassification of important congressional interviews.

Hoekstra was respected by both parties as the former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, understands the intelligence community well and enjoys the president’s confidence. And he brings a commonsense Midwesterner’s approach to getting things done without the need for personal glory.

>>>Read The Full Piece HERE 

Stay tuned!

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com
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Michigan Trump Republicans Host Joel Langlois Monday At Brann's

Joel Langlois (Cory Morse/Mlive)

By Brandon Hall
(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

The Michigan Trump Republicans are hosting a meet and greet with Congressional candidate Joel Langlois on Monday, September 9 at the Leonard St. Brann's in Grand Rapids.

The event begins at 6, light apps will be served for free.

Langlois, who owns the DeltaPlex, The Intersection, and properties across Kent County,  is running for the seat current held by Justin Amash, who left the Republican Party earlier this year after calling for President Trump's impeachment.

Langlois was an early supporter of President Trump, hosting him at the Deltaplex in December of 2015.

Other candidates include former Sand Lake Village President Tom Norton, State Representatives Lynn  Afendoulis and Jim Lower, as well as Pete Meijer. 

Meijer was recently the subject of controversy after initially allowing a drag show performance featuring individuals with down syndrome at one of his properties.
According to a press release:

"Joel will be joined by top Trump leaders in Michigan, including 2016 Trump State Director Scott Hagerstrom and leaders of the Michigan Trump Republicans to speak on the importance of defeating Justin Amash and replacing him with a strong supporter of our president.

Light appetizers will be provided. We hope you'll be able to attend and support Joel as we work to Make Congress Great Again!" 

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com
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Meet Whittney Williams, The Boxer, Model, Trump Republican, And Former Illegal Running For Congress Against Haley Stevens

By Brandon Hall
(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com

Republicans are excitedly buzzing about one of the most interesting candidates to run for Congress in recent memory, Canton's Whittney Williams.

Williams is college educated, a model, a boxer, and a former illegal immigrant who was brought to America at the age of 10 from Taiwan.

She would be the 3rd former illegal elected to Congress, but the first Republican-and the first Trump supporter.

Williams campaign is being run by Vets of President Trump's 2016 Michigan campaign, Scott Hagerstrom, and Tim Lineberger.

Hagerstrom, left, Lineberger, right (DarKen Photography)

>>>Check out the press release below:

"Whittney Williams of Canton, Michigan (has) officially announced her campaign for Congress in Michigan’s 11^th Congressional District.  Whittney most recently served as the Director of Diversity for the 11^th Congressional District Republican Committee.

“I am running for Congress because I love our country, believe in the American Dream, and want to fight back against the radical left’s socialist agenda,” said Whittney Williams. “This country has given me everything, and I hope to have the opportunity to give back by defending the Constitution and our fundamental American values.” 

“The people of Michigan’s 11^th Congressional District deserve a representative who shares their values and fights for common sense solutions, not a phony moderate like Haley Stevens who votes lock-step with the liberal ‘Squad’ and Speaker Pelosi nearly 100 percent of the time,” said Scott Hagerstrom, Chief Strategist for the Whittney Williams for Congress campaign and former Michigan State Director for the 2016 Trump campaign. 

“Whittney's story epitomizes the true American experience of hard work and optimism, and her authenticity and diligence will enable her to build a robust campaign that will be fully capable of flipping the district," Hagerstrom said.

>>>About Whittney

Whittney Williams is a resident of Canton, Michigan and currently serves as the Director of Diversity for the 11^th Congressional District Republican Committee. She was also elected as a Canton Township Precinct Delegate in 2018.

Whittney is a first-generation immigrant from Taiwan, having moved to the United States at the age of ten without knowing any English. She went on to spend the next sixteen years of her life living in the shadows as an illegal immigrant before marrying the love of her life, Brian.  Three years later, she proudly became a U.S. citizen. This experience significantly shaped Whittney’s love for her country, belief in the American dream, and conservative values.

A veteran of the automotive industry, Whittney has spent the last several years traveling the country working as an U.S. auto show product specialist. She also enjoys a professional acting and modeling career.

Whittney has appeared in commercials and advertisements for Haworth, Bed Bath & Beyond, Jeep, Chevy, Lincoln, Ford, Mopar, Gardner White, and the Pure Michigan Campaign. In addition, she has been on stage with the American Ballet Theater and has performed in annual Nutcrackers and other dance productions with local ballet companies. 

Whittney holds a Master of Science degree in Strategic Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations from Purdue University. She also holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet Performance from the University of Utah. Whittney is fluent in Mandarin-Chinese and Taiwanese Hokkien and enjoys boxing and spending time with her husband and their three rescue dogs." 

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com
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Republican Legislators Want To Eliminate Public Election Of The State Board Of Education, Let The Governor Choose An Appointee

By Brandon Hall
(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com

A bill is on the move in Lansing to amend the state constitution by eliminating the public's ability to choose the state Board of Education, stripping Michiganders' power at the ballot box, and instead turning it over to the Governor.

The proposal, "to eliminate the state board of education, superintendent of public  instruction, and state board for public community and junior  colleges" and turn the reigns over to an appointee of the Governor, would be sent to the ballot in November 2020 if passed.

It also says:

"The governor shall appoint a director of the state department of education. The director shall be the principal executive officer of the state department of education, which shall have powers and duties provided by law."

The bill was "introduced by Reps. Hornberger, Calley, Meerman, Allor, Yaroch, Paquette, Mueller, Bellino, Bollin, Farrington, O'Malley, LaFave, Eisen, Wozniak, Hall, Crawford and Marino," all Republicans...

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com
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MIRS Features WMP's "Cash For Lansing Dirt" Program

By Brandon Hall
(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com

WMP's forthcoming tip incentive program was recently featured in MIRS!

Check out the MIRS bit below:

West Michigan Politics Pledges 'Cash' For 'Lansing Dirt'

The political blog West Michigan announced this week that it will pay for tips on "Lansing dirt," essentially tips of "corruption and hypocrisy of the Lansing swamp." Editor Brandon HALL said information will be paid on a case-by-case basis. 

"Proof a major politician covering up a juicy scandal would be worth far more than an uncorroborated tip about a low-level lobbyist," he said. 

Hall said "This isn't a place for scammers to try to get paid for BS, or start false flag fantasies. This is a safe space for people who have information they want to share about rampant corruption."

Stay tuned for more information!

_________________________________________________________________

Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com
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Whiteford Resigns After Allegan GOP Refers Jason Watts Controversy To MIGOP For Investigation

Kevin Whiteford

By Brandon Hall

Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com

Allegan County Republican Party Chair Kevin Whiteford resigned Thursday night after a tense, dramatic, two and a half hour Allegan GOP Executive Committee meeting.

Problems have been brewing after Whiteford discovered a series of financial discrepancies Allegan GOP Secretary Jason Watts has been unable to clear up.

Fireworks flew from the jump as Whiteford and Watts sparred over minutes to a previous meeting for over half an hour.

Whiteford wanted information about creating a membership list, as well as thanking members for their support via phone call or email, included. Watts initially objected, demanding the question be divided in two, but later acknowledged Whiteford's changes had some merit. Whiteford won both votes.

Jason Watts

Allegan County Commissioner Jim Storey subsequently moved to take the removal of Watts from the committee off the agenda, saying that the party needs to work together and unite for 2020. 

In a passionate speech objecting to the motion, Whiteford laid out a series of issues with Watts over the last 9 months, as well as his success as Chair.

The motion passed.

It was then decided the Allegan GOP would ask the Michigan Republican Party to investigate and audit the problems with Watts raised by Whiteford, as well as mediate the dispute.

MIGOP Chair Laura Cox and the party's top lawyer, Stu Sandler, will evidently decide what-if any-action will be taken by the state party to clean up the mess in Allegan.

The Allegan GOP itself also then voted to form a special committee to concurrently investigate. 5 members were chosen to serve, led by Sheriff Mark Evans.

As Whiteford was going around the room asking for final comments to end the meeting, someone mentioned they had a membership list. This was news to Whiteford, who has been trying to obtain one.

Whiteford asked where the list came from, and Watts exclaimed it was approved by party officers. He said he did not have minutes because it wasn't a meeting, whatever that means. This caused Sheriff Evans to tell Watts he needed to keep minutes of meetings.

Whiteford then resigned, saying he "can't have anything to do with" the situation, as it could put his CPA license in danger. "This has been a living nightmare. I have never witnessed what I have witnessed here."

The audience of about 2-3 dozen was visibly and solidly behind Whiteford, who will remain a member of the executive committee. Whiteford owns Whiteford Wealth Management, a highly successful accounting firm, along with his wife Mary.

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com
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***Turn Your Lansing Dirt Into CASH****

***Turn Your Lansing Dirt Into CASH****

The corruption and hypocrisy of the Lansing swamp is as astounding as it is sickening.

I'm BEYOND sick and tired of so much self righteous, hypocritical bullshit.

They'll scheme and scam the public, legislative staff, and constituents every which way you can imagine, then play innocent, play the hero...

Stay tuned for an announcement about how you can turn your dirt on legislators, lobbyists, and other power players into cash from West Michigan Politics! :)

It's sad the good people around town, of which there are many, get tainted by the TRASH...