President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend one of the most time-honored and hallowed Japanese traditions: a sumo tournament.  As honored guests of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Madame Akai Abe the president and first lady visit Ryōgoku Kokugikan Stadium in the capital.
With more than 11,500 people in the arena seated on mats, the Trumps and the Abes were seated in a VIP section next to the sumo ring, also called ‘sacred mound’. At the end of the tournament, President Trump and Prime Minister Abe wear slippers to enter the sacred mound and Trump presents the “President’s Cup” trophy; a 5 foot 7-inch custom designed U.S. Trophy emblazoned with an eagle and weighing more than 60 pounds.  Fun stuff:

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In an effort to keep the Daily Open Thread a little more open topic we are going to start a new daily thread for “Presidential Politics”. Please use this thread to post anything relating to the Donald Trump Administration and Presidency.

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President Trump Twitter @POTUS / Vice President Pence Twitter @VP

Sarah H Sanders Twitter @SHSanders45

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †

There is cool; there is really cool; and then there is landing at Mobara Country Club on a Marine-One chopper for a round of golf cool… just sayin’.
[Pool] Barely a cloud in the sky as POTUS landed in Marine-One at 9:05 am (10:05pm EDT) where at least 13 golf carts awaited.  Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, dressed in a blue blazer and white pants, rolled up to Marine-One in a golf cart to meet POTUS, who is wearing a red jacket and carrying a red hat in his hand. The two shook hands and walked together. The president waved at the pool. He did not respond to shouted questions. The duo got into the golf cart. Prime Minister Abe was driving…

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Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham appears on Fox News to discuss his relationship with President Trump; the upcoming declassification of documents; and the possibility of Senate committee hearings to follow the IG report on FISA abuse.
Graham gives an explanation for his change in disposition. However, his decision not to call Robert Mueller to task highlights he’s still paddling in the shallow water of the deep state…

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Earlier this month, the Japanese people welcomed the new Imperial Era of “Reiwa,”which means “beautiful harmony.  Many of the activities over the next few days will happen in the overnight hours as Tokyo Japan is 13 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern timezone.
Today President Trump and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will play golf; and then they will be joined by their spouses to attend a sumo wrestling cultural event and couples dinner.

8:10am (Tokyo, Local / 7:10pm (U.S. Eastern) THE PRESIDENT departs the Palace Hotel Tokyo route to Hardy Barracks Landing Zone, Tokyo, Japan
8:20am (Tokyo) / 7:20pm (U.S. Eastern) THE PRESIDENT arrives at Hardy Barracks Landing Zone, Tokyo, Japan
8:30am (Tokyo) / 7:30pm (U.S. Eastern) THE PRESIDENT departs Tokyo, Japan, en route to Chiba, Japan
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When President Trump announced the futility of attempting an infrastructure bill with Pelosi and Schumer as they simultaneously tried to impeach him, the president certainly knew he was going to issue a declassification memo within hours.
The declassification directive to AG Bill Barr creates a dynamic ensuring Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer will align with the former intelligence officials and further attack the offices of the President and Attorney General; they have few options.
Those who participated in the creation of Russia-Gate or Spy-Gate have few options except to manufacture a narrative shield and accuse the President of unethical, immoral and criminal conduct.  See: Pelosi’ recent “cover-up” charge.
By advancing even stronger attacks against the president, the ‘small group’ position any investigation into their wrong-doing as political retaliation.  Their best defense is to build a deeper foundation for their political retaliation claim.  Therefore a House impeachment investigation, in some manner or form, is more likely than ever.
The legal risk for participants in ‘Russia-Gate’/’Spy-Gate’ seems very real.  The best defense against that risk is political.  Speaker Pelosi and Senator Schumer know how to lead the defense by saying any evidence discovered by AG Barr is merely weaponized retaliation from the Trump DOJ.  The media are already supporting that cause.
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President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend a reception at the residence of Ambassador William F. Hagerty, U.S. Ambassador to Japan. [Note: see the Japanese guest to understand how twitchy Ambassador Hagerty is.]
Accompanying the President and First Lady are: chief of staff Mr. Mick Mulvaney, USTR Robert Lighthizer and Asst to President Mr. Rob Blair (helps Mulvaney).

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The funniest thing about this video is how President Trump (not a politician) is sizing up the room based on executive business acumen; and simultaneously the room is sizing up  Donald Trump based on his status as President Trump.
Japanese Guest List (below):
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With a 13-hour time zone difference, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived in Tokyo shortly after 4:00am EDT this morning (5:00pm Tokyo).
The President was greeted by Taro Kono, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Mrs. Kaori Kono
Spouse of Taro Kono; U.S. Ambassador to Japan William F. Hagerty, and several Japanese representatives from the Suite of Honor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
As they were coming down the stairs, stunning Melania laughed when POTUS noted she almost had a Marilyn Monroe moment.

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In an effort to keep the Daily Open Thread a little more open topic we are going to start a new daily thread for “Presidential Politics”. Please use this thread to post anything relating to the Donald Trump Administration and Presidency.

This thread will refresh daily and appear above the Open Discussion Thread.

President Trump Twitter @POTUS / Vice President Pence Twitter @VP

Sarah H Sanders Twitter @SHSanders45