Benton, Donald M. From: Benton, Donald M. Sent: Friday. December 14. 2018 2:28 PM To: Subject: important note to POTUS from the Director of the US Selective Service importance: High Dear Ms. Westerhout. Federal code requires me to report directly to the President Below is my ?rst report for his eyes only. I have also mailed a copy but the iniormation in it is timely 59% Also, I am travelling on of?cial business Sunday and then home to WA for the holidays on Wednesday. if he needs to see me concerning the C05, I can be available until noon Sunday or I will change my am; iust let me know. The Boss knows me as Big Don from Washington state. Please put this note in his folder. Also, the Boss knows me personally and it is important for him to know that - (Exemption 6 and have discussed it and have agreed to be available for consideration for the (:05 position. I need him to at the very least know that i would make the commitment if he needed me. He should he made aware of all 0 tions. i will forward pertinent data via private email.Con?dentially, please let him know. My personal cei {Exemption 6) Thank you. Don Senator Donald M. Benton Director United States Selective Service System The Honorable Donald J. Trump President of the United States 1600 Avenue Washington DC. 20000 December 12. 2018 Dear Mr. President. First. thank you for asking me to come to DC to help your administration Make America Great Again. As you know. I managed WA State with a huge victory in the primaries. the convention ?oor in Cleveland to successfully block the roll call on the rules. and then managed 6 states for the General election. You may recall my meeting with you in your suite at the Westin in Cleveland. I also managed a seamless transition for you at EPA, prior to Pmitt's arrival. have been the Director here at Selective Service since you appointed me in April of last year. The 'Military Selective Service Act of 1948' requires that I report directly to the President. therefore, this is my ?rst report. I am happy to report that the agency is fully mbte of executing its mission it called upon by you to do so. (Exemption 1) That has been correctegl In just a year and a half we have completely reorganized our lT department and our HR department resulting in cost savings. greater ef?ciency. and proficient personnel. I am using your Executive Order on modernization to upgrade IT system hardware. as well as signi?cantly streamlining the processes and downsizin of man ement (Exemption 5) I would appreciate your help and support on a couple things: 1. Would you please ask White House staff to include the Selective Service. whenever appropriate. in WH that involve any Department of Deiense or Veterans Atiairs issues (bill signings. visits to American LegionNFW conventions. pub?c forums. This will help us raise general public awareness of our agency to the American people which is greatly needed to promote the federal requirement of Selective Service registration. Sir, 3331?s I'eporL We have done enormous work to improve the return on the taxpayer dollars. the response time of the agency in a crisis, as well as agency modemization. The agency is fully capable now of performing its duty ifyou and Congress ever call upon us to do so. I want to matl alarm Ere to help Now that have a trusted Deputy Director and Chief of Staff on board, I have more bandwidth to implement the policies and priorities of your administration. I am available for any special project that you need, including the opportunity to be your Chief of Staff. I believe my quali?cations. competence. and loyalty far outwaigh anyone you are currently considering. aiscussed it and we are willing to commit at least two more years to help you achieve your goals. Please let me know how i may be of more service to you and our nation. Sincerely your friend, Big Don from Washington State Donald Benton Director United States Selective Service Benton, Donald M. From: Benton. Donald M. Sent: Tuesday. December 11. 201 3:38 PM To: Doocey. Sean E. Subject: one more PPO appt. Sean, Jennifer used to be my PPO appointment contact but she left to help on the midterms. ls she back and still assigned to me? The career EA (assigned to the Director) that was here when I arrived ls retiring. have one additional Schedule appointment have kept vacant in hopes of ?lling that slot with a loyalist after she retires. There are a few good people that will be losing their jobs on the hill that I plan to interview (some worked with us in 2016). Can you verify that I have one additional Sched slot and that have your blessing to fill it come January. No additional cost to agency as I am not ?lling the career EA slot. Merry Christrnasl Hope you get some time with the family. Don Senator Donald M. Benton Director United States Selectlve Service System 703-605-4010 1? Benton, Donald M. From: Benton, Donald M. Sent: Monday, December 10, 2018 7:09 PM To: Jared.c.kushner@who.eop.gov Subject: First Step enhancement Attachments: Letter to Chuck Grassley - 12-10-2018.docx Importance: High Dearlared, I hope all is well and that your family is having a wonderful holiday season. First, great work getting the FIRST STEP Act through the House and hopefully the Senate before the end of the 115th Congress. As you are aware, those required to register with Selective Service, who fail to register by age 26, face a lifetime of denled bene?ts such as denial of federal student ald, denial of federal job training under the Workforce Investment Act, denial of federal employment, etc. Many states have enacted similar restrictions for those who fail to register with Selective Service, as well as private corporations such as FedEx, who require their employees to be registered Selective Service, if applicable. As such, Selective Service is requesting that Congress include language requiring federal inmates to register with Selective Service. This will help prepare inmates for success post-prison, and thus help reduce recidivism. Without it they may not be able to get a job. i have attached a copy of the letter we are submitting to Chairman Grassley later today. Let me know if you have any questions, and keep up the good workl Also, on another I do have the capacity to help on other projects or temporarily run other agencies. Now that have a trusted Deputy and C05 I have more As true rock solid loyalists are rare, I am happy to step up wherever the Boss may need a strong leader that's got his back! Love my Job, but feel like I could do more! Sincerely, Don Senator Donald M. Benton Director Unlted States Selective Service System 703-605-4010 . 4" 9" futc 9 45, December I0, 2018 The Hon. Chuck Grassley Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee 135 Hart Senate Of?ce Building Washington, DC. 20510 Dear Chairman Grassley: I am writing in regard to the FIRST STEP Act, also known as HR. 5682 and S. 2795, which seeks to reduce recidivism by preparing people to come home from prison job-ready and able to succeed outside of the federal prison system. As you are aware, failure to register with Selective Service prior to reaching the age of 26 results in a lifetime of denied bene?ts, such as denial of federal student aid, denial of federal job training under the Workforce Investment Act, denial of federal employment, etc. Many states have enacted similar restrictions for those who fail to register with Selective Service, as well as private corporations such as FedEx, who require their employees to be registered with Selective Service, if applicable. In other words, inmates required to register with Selective Service, who fail to register, will be denied many post-prison opportunities that could help them succeed outside of prison. As such, we respect?rlly request that the following language is added to TITLE IV - MISCELLANEOUS CRIMINAL JUSTICE: Sec. 415. Selective Service Registration Beginning no later than 90 days alter the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Bureau of Prisons shall require all inmates, who are required to registration under Section 3 of the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.), as amended, to register with the Selective Service System. Inclusion of this language will help prepare inmates for success outside the federal prison system and thus contribute to the reduction of recidivism. Sincerely, Donald M. Benton CC: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell The White House Benton. Donald M. From: Benton. Donald M. Sent: Thursday. December 6, 2018 5:53 PM To: Doocey. Sean E. Subject: National Appeals Board HI Sean, Hope everything is exemption 6) I sent you an email 2 weeks ago with a recommendation for National Appeals Board Chairman, - from Oregon. He just contacted me and asked to withdraw his application. Sorry about that. I will continue to search for and locate several possible replacements. I should get you a list by the 2"?1 week in January, unless you have to have it earlier. Let me know. On another note, I have capacity if you need me to manage another agency that I want more work, but if the Boss needs a trusted soul to hold things together or to clean house somewhere, I am happy to do it. I don?t really care what the press writes about mel I am a good utility hitter and can still manage this agency quite well! Let me know if I can helpl Have a Very Merry Christmasl Don Senator Donald M. Benton Director United States Selective Service System 703-605-4010 PS: Did Jennifer come back to PPO from FL effort? 3.1