Just when you didn’t think some DC muckraking “journalist” could fill a column with more manure than the elephant barn at the zoo, along comes “Politicrap” (Politico) with an attempted hit job on an Embassy Jerusalem staffer. It’s a “swing and a miss” that reminds us all why we hold the media in complete contempt as they display a new low in TDS and justifies @realDonaldTrump for giving the more reckless dishonest “news” outlets the bums rush.
In this case the swings resemble a small child wildly flailing at a mosquito while screaming like he’s going to be devoured by a dragon.
The “target” of this 5 Alarm Fire is David Milstein, Senior Advisor at the Embassy. He is a brilliant policy wonk who was assigned to Embassy Jerusalem having served in President Trump’s first term in a similar role and with great distinction. (I didn’t know him then, and only after he was named to return in a Senior role in this administration.)
The “bombshell” report is more like a wet cap gun—somehow speculating that a wedding invitation sent about David’s upcoming wedding is a “NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT!” Makes the “RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA” hoax look real. What a load! Those of us who actually know David and appreciate him wanted to know how best to celebrate his upcoming wedding. We are genuinely excited for him and thrilled that he found enough time away from his obsession with work that he met a beautiful young lady, proposed, was told yes, and has a date set for the occasion.
If there is a “scandal!” blame me and his actual friends for wanting some direction on how to honor him (okay, mostly to honor his soon to be bride) with something better than 13 can openers or a blender that they will never use. I thought it was a great idea for him to “help us help them.” My God—who but the keyboard coward who penned this drivel to think it’s a “security risk.”
Of course there is a roundup of the usual “anonymous” sources who aren’t named because they either don’t exist or don’t have the courage or courtesy to make the scurrilous allegations so they can be held accountable. The anonymous writer of this fiction and his, hers or its sources are bottom feeders trying to smear an exceptionally decent young man.
If there is anyone I’ve worked with presently or over the past 50 years of my adult life which I’ve had absolute confidence in as one with impeccable integrity, it’s David Milstein. He has NEVER—NEVER—brought up who his stepfather is or that his mother is a respected attorney in her own right. He has made his own way on sheer hard work and a deep knowledge of Middle East policy issues that no one I’m acquainted with can match. Yes, he is intense and I sometimes I have to remind him to give me ONE PAGE and not 30 pages and encourage him not to send long cables to the entire State Department because they do have to consider 195 nations and not just the one we’re posted in. But no one would ever mistake his intensity for a lack of integrity!
He is as trustworthy as anyone I’ve ever worked with. Too bad people who can get a job at “Politi-Smear” would never be able to get a real security clearance as David has. He earned his by having passed a very strenuous process of background checks. The writer of this hit piece seems to have only one real qualification for the job, and he probably has had it since he was 5 years old. He likes to play in the mud!
Whoever the so-called “member of the intel community” is (if in fact they actually exist) should be the REAL concern of the State Department. Leaking out of an intel agency is MORE than a lack of ethical behavior or just being a jerk—it’s an actual CRIME.
Adding the canard that Jonathan Pollard visited the embassy is another real warm pile of bovine droppings. David had nothing to do about the visit or that I approved it. The purpose of it, which was at Pollard’s request, was to thank me for showing kindness and respect to his late wife during when I met her at a public event. And contrary to reports that it was a “secret” meeting, there is NOTHING secret about a visit to a US Embassy! There are cameras EVERYWHERE, a person checks in with an extensive security registry and there are no “secret entrances or exits.”
I’m glad Milstein is on our team. He is of great value to the President’s policy initiatives and to Embassy Jerusalem. I’m glad he’s getting married to a most delightful young lady. And my wife and I will be glad to do something that the writer seems to find objectionable—we will try to find some meaningful gift because we are fond of the couple, want them to stay married at least as long as we have (52 1/2 years) and hope our gift is something they need or like. I speculate that he, she, or it who wrote this pathetic story is jealous because either he, she, or it has never found a person willing to marry them, or perhaps this person lacks any real friends who would be moved to joyfully extend a wedding gift to him, her or it.
I've put my name on the ballot and expect the political sewage I've experienced for decades. It really doesn't phase me. But when decent, honorable and hard-working public servants I work with are attacked, I have a responsibility to stand with them. I'm grateful to work with a team of dedicated professionals at Embassy Jerusalem and will not let them be smeared without a fight!
President Trump was right to ban Politico from the White House. And I want to tell you why, and about a specific situation this morning involving my stepson, David Milstein.
David is a young man who is about to get married in Israel in October. He works for Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee. In the first Trump term, David worked for David Friedman, the former ambassador to Israel. David is earnest and, hard working. Today, on Yom Kippur, my family and I awakened to one of the most outrageous and disgusting hit pieces written by Politico's Adam Wren. And I must briefly respond to this character-assassination..
First, if David wasn't my stepson, I've no doubt he wouldn't be treated like this. Attacking him like Wren did this morning, weeks before his wedding and on Yom Kippur is truly contemptible. Second, David is not controversial. He does his job professionally, carrying out the administration's policies in his support position to Ambassador Huckabee. He has been accused of multiple lies over the last 17-months, including about a meeting with Pollard -- in which David had no role whatsoever but was asked to attend. And he has been targeted by some of the most reprehensible individuals on the Internet and elsewhere.
Third, David did not "solicit cash gifts from Israeli citizens to celebrate his upcoming wedding." David was asked by family members, who live all over the world and throughout the country, about gifts for his upcoming wedding and if he was registered anywhere. David responded to requests by sending an email-message that there was no registration for gifts and suggested an alternative option. The email-message was intended for family and close friends but went to the larger email list of guests. As soon as he realized it went to the larger list, literally in less than 48-hours, he sent another email making clear he would not and could not accept gifts of any kind from the larger group. It is that simple. He was not soliciting cash gifts from Israelis, as Wren sought a hook for his story.
Wren then went to cherry-picked anonymous sources to create an entirely false narrative and impression to promote a non-existent controversy about David's clearance, etc. It is a truly unconscionable thing to do, and he did it to further embellish his story, Wren also claims people are afraid of David because I'm his stepfather -- according to more anonymous sources. This is pathetic like the rest of his hit piece.
I've been around a long time. I've dealt with the press for decades. This has to be the most appalling and dishonest story of all. Wren knows exactly what he's doing, and he's doing it to one of the most honorable and decent people I know -- my stepson -- who has more integrity in his pinky than Wren will ever have.
WOW 🚨: President Trump just stunned the world and brought the mastermind behind the Bengazi attack to American soil‼️
He is getting the justice that Hillary Clinton refused to get for our fallen heroes. Finally, we have a leader who delivers accountability.
This is what REAL leadership looks like . GOD BLESS 47.!🇺🇸👊🏻
Last year on this day, Charlie Kirk was murdered in cold blood. Such a wonderful, brilliant, decent young man, wise beyond his years, who inspired a generation of people to love and appreciate our great country. Assassinated. It’s still incomprehensible. He is greatly missed. But always remembered. A legacy that knows no bounds.
Our hearts continue to go out to his beautiful family, for whom Charlie’s loss is felt every minute of everyday. May God bless them and look over them.
@marklevinshow I hope she is no longer in the UK, maybe she moved to America, I hope... The way things are going there in UK she night get arrested for "hate speech" she is brave, that should be contagious in her country, good luck
@Erin_Molan I hope you are no longer in the UK, maybe you moved to America, I hope... The way things are going there in UK you night get arrested for "hate speech" you are brave, that should be contagious in your country, good luck