The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) was created as an outcome of the 911 Commission Report to work as a hub of intelligence sharing amid all of the intelligence agencies.  The primary function of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) is to ensure all agencies are working with the same information.
After a senate confirmation vote yesterday (85-12), today Senator Dan Coats accepted his commission; and with the swearing in by Vice-President Mike Pence, becomes President Trump’s Director of National Intelligence.

AMERICA FIRST

Beginning a New Chapter of American Greatness

A MESSAGE TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES: The American people elected me to fight for their priorities in Washington, D.C. and deliver on my promise to protect our Nation.
I fully intend to keep that promise.
One of the most important ways the Federal Government sets priorities is through the Budget of the United States. Accordingly, I submit to the Congress this Budget Blueprint to reprioritize Federal spending so that it advances the safety and security of the American people.
Our aim is to meet the simple, but crucial demand of our citizens—a Government that puts the needs of its own people first.
When we do that, we will set free the dreams of every American, and we will begin a new chapter of American greatness. A budget that puts America first must make the safety of our people its number one priority— because without safety, there can be no prosperity.
That is why I have instructed my Budget Director, Mick Mulvaney, to craft a budget that emphasizes national security and public safety. That work is reflected in this Budget Blueprint. (more…)

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer delivers a press briefing from the Brady room on March 16th 2017. Start time approximately 2:00pm:
Update: Video Added

During President Trump’s visit to Michigan auto-workers, Trump sat down with Fox News host Tucker Carlson for an extensive interview. The interview aired in two segments, with more scheduled for broadcast tomorrow. Thanks again to Fox News for their upload:

President Donald Trump delivers remarks recognizing the 250th anniversary of  President Andrew Jackson’s birth.  Using prepared remarks to draw parallels, President Trump noted the anti-elitism within Jackson’s presidency and the misfit nature of his administration.   This speech is exceptional; one of the best and very touching.
Comparing the criticism levied upon Jackson to the criticism levied upon his own presidency, President Trump’s off-the-cuff remarks were done with humor, well delivered and very well received.
Well Worth Watching:

It’s really interesting to read the financial presentation of Reuters in their article outlining the Fed, Chair Janet Yellen, decision to raise interest rates a quarter point (.25).  Keep in mind that Reuters traditionally slants left (globally) on all economic presentations.
Those Treepers who have followed our economic analysis will note the disparity between Yellen’s justification and the inconsequential impact therein.   The Stock Market never even flinched today.  Part of the reason is the disconnected (traditional) view of economics within the current Yellen justifications.  It ain’t just us who sees this “new dimension“.

Emphasis in citations are all mine.

(Reuters) The U.S. Federal Reserve raised interest rates on Wednesday for the second time in three months, a move spurred by steady economic growth, strong job gains and confidence that inflation is rising to the central bank’s target.
The decision to lift the target overnight interest rate by 25 basis points to a range of 0.75 percent to 1.00 percent marked one of the Fed’s most convincing steps yet in the effort to return monetary policy to a more normal footing.

{define “normal”}
(more…)

President Donald Trump is holding a rally tonight in Nashville, Tennessee at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium.  The venue doors open at 3:30pm CST / 4:30pm EST and the event starts at 6:30pm CST / 7:30 EST.
RSBN Live Stream Link – Alternate Live Stream #1 – Alternate Live Stream #2

It’s 37 degrees in Nashville, but that doesn’t stop thousands of deplorables from showing up for a Trump rally tonight.
President Donald Trump is holding the Nashville, Tennessee rally at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium. The venue doors opened at 3:30pm CST / 4:30pm EST and the event starts at 6:30pm CST / 7:30 EST. We will have a separate live stream link.
(more…)

A Morning Consult national online survey polled 1,983 registered voters from March 9th-13th and found overall optimism continues to increase, and with it the approval rating of President Trump.

(Poll and Data Link Details)

Tucked away from the attention of almost all of the Western media has been the quiet forward, front, visible and back channel communications playing out amid a very narrow pathway.   CTH continues to monitor these precarious -albeit optimistic- quiet steps because they are converging to form a very specific picture.  [Tweet Link]

(The Hill) Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met with an envoy from President Trump on Tuesday and told him that a peace deal is possible under the new president.
The meeting between Abbas and Jason Greenblatt, Trump’s Special Representative for International Negotiations, took place in Ramallah.
“President Abbas told Mr. Greenblatt that he believes that under President Trump’s leadership a historic peace deal is possible, and that it will enhance security throughout the region,” according to a statement from the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem.  (read more)

We have continued to express optimism for a confluence of events, people and activity that is happening quietly, and could stun the geo-political world.  The timing is right, because we view these activities through a different prism.  We review against the backdrop of President Obama’s mid-east failure, equitable misery.
(more…)