Archives for August 2017

Lawsuit Alleges Fox News Conspired on Fake Story

August 1, 2017 at 8:58 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

NPR: “The Fox News Channel and a wealthy supporter of President Trump worked in concert under the watchful eye of the White House to concoct a story about the murder of a young Democratic National Committee aide… The explosive claim is part of the lawsuit filed against Fox News by Rod Wheeler, a longtime paid commentator for the news network.”

“Wheeler alleges Fox News and the Trump supporter intended to deflect public attention from growing concern about the administration’s ties to the Russian government. His suit charges that a Fox News reporter created quotations out of thin air and attributed them to him to propel her story.”

Quote of the Day

August 1, 2017 at 8:38 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Looking forward to serving alongside John Kelly as we work for the American people.”

— Ivanka Trump, on Twitter, notably not suggesting she’ll work under Kelly.

Who Loses If Trump Cuts Off Health Insurer Payments?

August 1, 2017 at 8:35 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Axios: “They’re heavily concentrated in red states, and especially in the south.”

Kelly Thinks He Talked Trump Out of a Border Wall

August 1, 2017 at 7:34 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Ryan Lizza: “A hint of Kelly’s potential influence on Trump emerged two weeks ago, in Aspen, Colorado, when Kelly made a startling revelation. According to several sources who attended a private briefing that included some of the nation’s most senior current and former national-security officials, Kelly sought to ease their minds about one of the most controversial and famous Trump proposals: the border wall with Mexico. Many of the current and former officials were deeply skeptical of Trump, and surprised that Kelly, a respected Marine Corps general, would even take a job working for him.”

“Kelly explained that he had spent a great deal of time talking through the issue with Trump, and he believed he had convinced the President that he didn’t actually need to build a physical wall along the entire nineteen-hundred-mile-long border between the United States and Mexico. Instead, the use of sophisticated monitoring technology, air surveillance, and fencing could secure the border with what Trump could start calling a ‘barrier.'”

Obama’s Inner Circle Wants Deval Patrick to Run

August 1, 2017 at 7:13 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Politico: “Obama strategist David Axelrod has had several conversations with Patrick about running, and eagerly rattles off the early primary map logic: small-town campaign experience from his 2006 gubernatorial run that will jive perfectly with Iowa, neighbor-state advantage in New Hampshire and the immediate bloc of votes he’d have as an African-American heading into South Carolina.”

“Obama himself—who is personally close to Patrick, and counts him among the very small group of people whom he thinks has actual political talent—has privately encouraged him to think about it, among others.”

From One Chief of Staff to Another

August 1, 2017 at 7:11 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

John Podesta: “As a former White House chief of staff, the best advice I could have given Gen. John F. Kelly has been overtaken by events: Don’t take the job.”

“To have any chance of succeeding, he will have to accomplish three extraordinary tasks, all at odds with President Trump’s instincts.”

Most Think White House Is In Chaos

August 1, 2017 at 7:09 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

A new Politico/Morning Consult poll finds 60% of Americans say the Trump administration is running somewhat or very chaotically, compared to only 33% who say it is running well.

The survey was conducted entirely prior to the ouster of Anthony Scaramucci as White House communications director, and was already in the field when Reince Priebus left the chief of staff position.

Who’s Next at Homeland Security?

August 1, 2017 at 7:03 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Playbook: “Republican sources said that the White House’s focus is on getting the West Wing in order before turning to fill Kelly’s slot at DHS. It’s unclear whether Trump will want to continue with a military official in the position, or turn to a more political operator. Either way, multiple sources said Trump’s operation wants someone who can be easily confirmed.”

“House Homeland Security Chairman Mike McCaul (R-TX) is on the shortlist for Kelly replacements. He’s got the experience and political chops. Others in the mix include: ICE acting director Thomas Homan and Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, though Kobach would likely have a hard time getting confirmed.”

Is Trump’s White House Governable?

August 1, 2017 at 7:00 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Jonathan Swan: “Kelly is an almost perfect lab test of whether a Trump White House can be functional. He has all the ingredients to succeed: He’s been granted unprecedented authority (for Trump), he’s revered by all internally and has no dog in the factional wars in the West Wing. If he fails, we’ll know this White House is truly ungovernable.”

Politico: “White House officials said Kelly is planning to lock down the Oval Office, restricting the number of aides and outside visitors who can wander in. One aide said Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner have agreed to follow Kelly’s rules when it comes to visiting the Oval and sharing information with the president.”

Why Tax Reform Isn’t Coming Anytime Soon

August 1, 2017 at 6:48 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Playbook: “When the White House tells us — as they did yesterday — that tax reform is going to be done by September or October, remember that neither chamber has passed a budget resolution. Tax reform is very hard without reconciliation instructions… And, if you’ve watched the squirming on, well, everything on the Hill, you wouldn’t be surprised to hear that passing a budget isn’t easy. This seems to be a bit lost on the White House. Oh, and by the way, in September and October, Congress also has to fund the government and lift the debt ceiling. This won’t be quick and painless.”

Kelly Not Afraid to Stand Up to Trump

August 1, 2017 at 6:30 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Associated Press: “Raised voices could be heard through the thick door to the Oval Office as John Kelly — then secretary of Homeland Security — offered some tough talk to President Donald Trump. Kelly, a whip-cracking retired general who was sworn in as White House chief of staff on Monday, had demanded to speak to the president alone after Trump complained loudly that the U.S. was admitting travelers from countries such as Afghanistan, Iran and Haiti.”

“Kelly first tried to explain to Trump that the admissions were standard — some people had legitimate reasons to visit the country — but the president insisted that it was making him look bad, according to an administration official familiar with the exchange about a month ago. Kelly then demanded that other advisers leave the room so he could speak to the president frankly. Trump refused at first, but agreed when Kelly insisted. It was an early indication that Kelly, a decorated retired Marine general who served three tours in Iraq, is not afraid to stand up to his commander-in-chief.”