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President Donald Trump defended his decision to fire the FBI Director on Tuesday, telling reporters at the White House that James Comey was not doing a good job, as on Capitol Hill, most GOP lawmakers backed the Presidents decision, while Democrats once more demanded a special prosecutor to probe any ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump Campaign. Asked why he had fired Comey, the President said in his first public remarks about the surprise decision that it boiled down to a basic evaluation. He wasnt doing a good job. Very simply. He was not doing a good job, Mr. Trump said, during a meeting with former Nixon Secretary of State Henry Kissinger in the Oval Office. Q: Mr. President, why did you fire Director Comey? Trump: 'He wasn't doing a good job. Very simply. He was not doing a good job. Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) May 10, 2017 Earlier on Capitol Hill, Vice President Mike Pence made clear his strong support for Mr. Trumps decision to fire the FBI chief. The President made the right decision at the right time, Pence told reporters, as he emphasized a main argument from the White House in recent days. Pence: Trump based his choice 'solely and exclusively on his commitment to the best interest of the American people' https://t.co/kGHo73OhRa CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) May 10, 2017 There is no evidence of collusion between our campaign and any Russian officials, the Vice President added, even though a formal investigation into that question remains underway. In Congress, most Republicans stuck with the President. President Trump acted decisively and within his authority, and I stand behind him, said Sen. David Perdue (R-GA). It was the right thing to do, said Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK), who said Comey has changed his position so many different times, on everything. His politicization of the Clinton email scandal made it hard for him to run the FBI, said Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) of Comey. But there were other Republicans who felt the timing and the appearance of the Comey decision with an ongoing FBI investigation that seems to be touching the White House did not make for a good appearance. Sen Marco Rubio R-FL on Comey firing: 'I do have questions about why he was dismissed at this time' Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) May 10, 2017 A little surprised in the timing, said Sen. James Lankford (R-OK), who told me he was trying to find out why this was the moment that Comey needed to be fired. I believe the White House should provide a fuller explanation regarding the Presidents rationale, said Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH). BREAKING: AP sources say in days before Comey firing, FBI chief told lawmakers he asked Justice Dept for more resources for Russia probe AP Politics (@AP_Politics) May 10, 2017 As for Democrats, they hammered on their call for a special counsel investigation, and raised direct questions about whether the President had something to hide. What is happening now is the beginning of the appearance of a cover up, said Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), as Democrats made clear they dont believe Comey was booted because of how he handled the Hillary Clinton email scandal. Sen Ben Cardin D-MD on Trump: 'He wanted to fire Comey, because Comey is investigating, causing problems for him' Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) May 10, 2017 I dont think anyone out there is going to believe that Donald Trump rose to the defense of Hillary Clinton in firing Director Comey, said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT). But without some support from Republicans to force votes on a special counsel probe and more, Democrats could only voice their frustration and concern over what will happen to the probe of possible Trump-Russia ties. This is an obstruction of justice by the Trump administration masquerading as a personnel decision, said Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA). Meanwhile at the White House, the President met today with top Russian officials, including the foreign minister, and the Russian Ambassador to the U.S., whose phone calls caused trouble for ex-National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. Ambassador Kislyak and President Trump / . . pic.twitter.com/Ckkx2YL9KX Russia in USA (@RusEmbUSA) May 10, 2017 One note about the pictures from the Oval Office of these meetings no reporters of photographers who cover the White House were allowed in, as the only pictures came from Russia thats why this tweet came from the Russian embassy.

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Rev. Al Sharpton visits Tulsa in rally for Terence Crutcher - KRMG

WASHINGTON Rev. Al Sharpton, host of Politics Nation on MSNBC, told PJM that President Trumps proposal to lower the corporate tax rate to 15 percent would not reap a lot of jobs or help average Americans who voted for the businessman.

Sharpton said a poor person in the Rust Belt who voted for Trump wants to see that his priority is me.

Sharpton, the president of the National Action Network, was asked if he supported Trump's proposal to bring down the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 15 percent.

I mean, I think its good for corporations, but what about the average person that he promised help for? They get a minimal decrease, and a huge increase for those that benefit from the corporate tax rate going down a huge benefit for investment and those that benefit from the tax breaks of passing on their, lets say, the taxes that they were getting, a higher bracket tax, in terms of if youre [getting] an inheritance, thats the word Im looking for. I think when you balance it, its much more beneficial to corporations and the wealthy than it is the minimal middle-class tax for people that really need a real break, Sharpton said at the recent White House Correspondents Dinner.

When asked if he thinks the corporate tax rate is too high or not, Sharpton replied, I thinkbringing it down some may be good, but you should have it a middle-class tax cut that is much more substantive. Theres no evidence that lowering the corporate tax is going to reap a lot of jobs.

Sharpton was asked if he agreed with Trumps plan for across-the-board cuts for the individual tax rates.

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Al Sharpton: Trump Voters Want to See His 'Priority Is Me' - PJ Media

Rev. Al Sharpton returning to Tulsa for prayer rally on Wednesday

The Rev. Al Sharpton will return to Tulsa on Wednesday for a rally in support of Terence Crutcher.

Sharpton confirmed through his Twitter account that he will be attending the Citywide Prayer and Call for Justice from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday. Theevent will be held at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, 5 S. Boston Ave.

Also expected to attend are Benjamin Crump, an attorney for Crutchers family; Tiffany Crutcher, Terence Crutchers sister; and Etan Thomas, a former Booker T. Washington and NBA basketball player. A flier for the event, which is organized by the Justice4Crutch movement, asks attendees to bring their own signs.

This will be Sharptons second trip to Tulsa since Tulsa Police Officer Betty Shelby fatally shot an unarmed Crutcher outside his vehicle in September. The reverend first appeared at a National Prayer Call for Justice rally in Tulsa on Sept. 26. He spoke to protesters before leading them on a march from the Greenwood Cultural Center to City Hall in downtown.

Black Lives Matter in attendance

Mareo Johnson, pastor at Seeking the Kingdom Ministries in north Tulsa, and a few others representing the local Black Lives Mattermovement attended the first day of the Shelby trial. Johnson said he plans to be present as much as he can.

We are here saying that justice should be served, and we believe that justice will be served, he said. Were the voice and eyes for the community, as well.

Johnson has been involved in several rallies and protests since September, including one that occurred outside the courthouse less than a week afterCrutcher wasfatally shooting by Shelby.

All lives should matter, but if black lives mattered, if all lives truly mattered, we wouldnt be here today, he said. An unarmed man wouldnt have been shot dead in the street like a dog if all lives mattered.

Activists ordered to turn shirts inside out

A few people wearing Black Lives Matter T-shirts were told Monday to turn their shirts inside-out if they wanted to enter the courtroom.

Shelby's attorneys have asked District Judge Doug Drummond to bar people from either side from wearing attire that calls attention to which side they support, as it could improperly influence the jury.

As of April 28, Drummond took the request under advisement and gave his approval Monday.

Black Lives Matter activist Monroe Padillow said he chose to wear the shirt as a way to represent his community and to make the movement's presence known to those observing the trial.

Although he questions whether having to turn his shirt inside-out violates his First Amendment rights, Padillow said the request is not worth pressing.

"It doesn't bother me," he said. "At the end of the day, our presence is known. Our presence is here. That's what's important to us. Regardless of what we're wearing, we're still here for the community, and that point is still being made."

'Its our job to secure the courthouse'

There were a lack of demonstrations or protesters outside the courthouse on day one.

Tulsa County Undersheriff George Brown said Sheriffs Office officials assessed the agencys scheduling and increased its presence of uniformed deputies and some plainclothes deputies in and around the courthouse for the duration of the trial.

Were just business as usual, and its our job to secure the courthouse, and were doing that, Brown said.

Because of apparent space constraints, reporters were not allowed in Drummond's fourth-floor courtroom to observe as jurors were sworn-in and received questionnaires. Typically, that process is open to the public.

Among other procedure changes, the area designated for news cameras was adjusted. Tulsa County sheriff's deputies placed blue tape with the words "CAMERA LINE" in capital letters about 20 feet away from the normal press area. After concerns were expressed about the arrangement, about a half-hour later two deputies removed the barrier and put new blue tape about 10 feet closer to the standard press line.

Authorities also have closed Fifth Street between the courthouse and the Tulsa City-County Library until the trial concludes.

World staff writer Samantha Vicent contributed to this report.

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The Rev. Al Sharpton says he's returning to Tulsa for prayer rally during Betty Shelby trial - Tulsa World

National Legal and Policy Center

Trump Aide Omarosa Manigault's Speech to Sharpton Crowd: A Misadventure National Legal and Policy Center While Al Sharpton and Donald Trump aren't quite ready to make face-to-face nice, they are communicating through an intermediary, Omarosa Manigault, director of communications for the White House Office of Public Liaison. A black woman, Manigault, ... and more »

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Trump Aide Omarosa Manigault's Speech to Sharpton Crowd: A Misadventure - National Legal and Policy Center

By Naeisha Rose

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Civil rights leader Al Sharpton, state Sen. Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) and Assemblyman Clyde Vanel (D-Cambria Heights) will be among the many mourners expected at the funeral Saturday for four of the five victims who died April 23 in a fast-moving house fire in Queens Village.

Managing the funeral is family member Sheener Bailey-Briggs.

Everything happens for a reason, but I dont know about this one, Bailey-Briggs said.

A three-alarm fire took the lives of four family members and a friend on a quiet Sunday afternoon in Queens Village when the frame house at 112-16 208th St. burst into flames. No calls were made from the house and the Fire Department was alerted by a passing motorists six minutes after the fire first broke out. The cause of the blaze was still under investigation.

Bailey-Briggs chose to have the funeral service at New Greater Bethel Ministries at 215-32 Jamaica Ave. in Queens Village not just to accommodate many family members, but because it was a place close to her heart, like her nephews and cousins who perished in the blaze.

Bailey-Briggs was related to all four victims who will be remembered Saturday: Jada Foxworth, 20; Destiny Dones, 16; Rashawn Matthews, 10 and Chayce Lipford, 2. Sisters Jada and Destiny were her first cousins, once removed. Rashaw was her great nephew and Chayce her great-grandnephew.

Bethel Ministries has served the extended family in difficult times before.

I joined over 20 years ago, Bailey-Briggs said. When my mom died, and my cousin died in a motorcycle accident, I used this church.

Planning this funeral has been the toughest thing she has ever done in her life, she said. For the past 12 days she has barely been sleeping or eating.

I dont believe that it is true, Bailey-Briggs said. Everyday I drive past just to see if its true. I dont let my sister (Gwen) know. I drive pass the house. What a nightmare. Just pray for us to get through this.

As she reads through the obituaries for her four relatives, she recalls her fondest memories of them.

Chayce, his smile. That baby was too cute. Destiny, from the time that she was a baby, that girl walked with joy. If you think that God takes the best, he really did. That kid right there all four of them where joyful. They were rays of sunshine. Im not kidding.

Despite the tragedy that has befallen her family, Bailey-Briggs is working diligently to put on a funeral that befits the family.

This is going to be a beautiful funeral. It is going to be excellent. Just pray for us. Its a lot.

The wake will be from 9 a.m. to 11.am. followed by the funeral from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A repast will be held at 4 p.m.

The four young people will be buried at Pinelawn Cemetery in Farmingdale in L.I.

The fifth victim, Melody Edwards, 17, was laid to rest Wednesday at Mount Moriah AME Church in Cambria Heights.

Reach reporter Naeisha Rose by e-mail at nrose@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 2604573.

Posted 12:00 am, May 4, 2017

2017 Community News Group

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Al Sharpton to attend burial for Queens Village fire victims - TimesLedger