thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-13--Trump favorite Hope Hicks returning to White House

Hope Hicks , President Trump ’ s former aide who followed him from the Trump Organization to the White House , is returning in a new role to work on projects led by Jared Kushner .
She left the administration two years ago and become chief communications officer at Fox , but her departure left a hole that insiders say was never filled by a president who places a high value on loyalty and the small circle of officials who were with him from the start his election campaign .
His role will be counselor to the president and senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary Stephanie Grisham , who described Hicks , 31 , as “ one of the most talented and savvy individuals I have come across.
” “ She has always impressed me with her quiet confidence , loyalty and expertise and I am beyond thrilled to welcome Hope back to the White House , ” Grisham said .
Hicks had told confidants that she would only considering coming back to the White House once the various federal and congressional investigations into the president and his election campaign were complete .
Her return comes shortly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rehiring Johnny McEntee , Trump 's former body man .
It means the president has two closely trusted aides back in place as the 2020 election campaign heats up .
Hicks was the first person Trump 's campaign hired in 2015 .
She was employed by Ivanka Trump ’ s fashion brand at the time , after working for a public relations firm .
She rose to become White House communications director and was Trump 's longest serving political aide when she resigned .
“ There is no one more loyal , talented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House press secretary Sarah Sanders wrote on Twitter .
“ Not only is she brilliant she is an amazing friend and will be a tremendous asset to the President and his team.
” Although she largely avoided the spotlight , Hicks was pulled into the scandal surrounding former White House staff secretary Rob Porter ’ s domestic abuse allegations .
The two had reportedly been dating at the time , and she was involved in drafting the White House ’ s initial response to Porter ’ s past .
She announced her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day after she acknowledged to the House Intelligence Committee that she occasionally told “ white lies ” for Trump .
Since last fall , she has been based in Los Angeles , working as a chief of communications officer at Fox , the spinoff company started by Lachlan Murdoch .

Hope Hicks, President Trump’s former aide who followed him from the Trump Organization to the White House, is returning in a new role to work on projects led by Jared Kushner.
She left the administration two years ago and become chief communications officer at Fox, but her departure left a hole that insiders say was never filled by a president who places a high value on loyalty and the small circle of officials who were with him from the start his election campaign.
His role will be counselor to the president and senior adviser, according to White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham, who described Hicks, 31, as “one of the most talented and savvy individuals I have come across.”
“She has always impressed me with her quiet confidence, loyalty and expertise and I am beyond thrilled to welcome Hope back to the White House,” Grisham said.
Hicks had told confidants that she would only considering coming back to the White House once the various federal and congressional investigations into the president and his election campaign were complete.
Her return comes shortly after it emerged the White House was rehiring Johnny McEntee, Trump's former body man. It means the president has two closely trusted aides back in place as the 2020 election campaign heats up.
Hicks was the first person Trump's campaign hired in 2015. She was employed by Ivanka Trump’s fashion brand at the time, after working for a public relations firm.
She rose to become White House communications director and was Trump's longest serving political aide when she resigned.
“There is no one more loyal, talented or fun than Hope,” former White House press secretary Sarah Sanders wrote on Twitter. “Not only is she brilliant she is an amazing friend and will be a tremendous asset to the President and his team.”
Although she largely avoided the spotlight, Hicks was pulled into the scandal surrounding former White House staff secretary Rob Porter’s domestic abuse allegations. The two had reportedly been dating at the time, and she was involved in drafting the White House’s initial response to Porter’s past.
She announced her decision to leave the White House a day after she acknowledged to the House Intelligence Committee that she occasionally told “white lies” for Trump.
Since last fall, she has been based in Los Angeles, working as a chief of communications officer at Fox, the spinoff company started by Lachlan Murdoch.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-13--John Kelly praises Vindman: 'Did exactly what we teach them to do'

Former White House chief of staff John Kelly unloaded on President Trump on a litany of issues , ranging from his policies to the decision to remove Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman from his post .
During a speech at Drew University on Wednesday night , Kelly suggested it was wrong for Trump to remove Vindman from the National Security Council after he testified in the impeachment hearings .
The retired Marine four-star general claimed Vindman did what he was trained to do when he reported concerns about Trump ’ s phone call with Ukraine 's leader to his boss .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to do from cradle to grave , ” Kelly said .
“ He went and told his boss what he just heard.
” Kelly argued that Vindman was right to report that Trump asked for information on Joe Biden on the condition of withholding aid because it would lead to a major shift in policy in the region , which Vindman ’ s boss would need to know .
“ Through the Obama administration up until that phone call , the policy of the U.S. was militarily to support Ukraine in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ And so , when the president said that continued support would be based on X , that essentially changed .
And that ’ s what that guy [ Vindman ] was most interested in.
” Kelly also claimed Vindman ’ s report on Trump ’ s conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was akin to hearing an “ illegal order ” from a superior .
He noted that members of the military are trained to not follow orders that break U.S. law .
“ We teach them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order .
And if you ’ re ever given one , you ’ ll raise it to whoever gives it to you that this is an illegal order , and then tell your boss , ’ ” Kelly explained .
Vindman , who was also an impeachment witness , was escorted out of the White House along with his brother Yevgeny , a senior lawyer on the NSC who had no role in the impeachment investigation , on Friday .
Trump was acquitted of two Ukraine-related articles of impeachment by the Senate two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , any disciplinary action taken against Vindman , whom he described as `` insubordinate , '' will be up to the military .
Vindman wasn ’ t the only subject of Kelly ’ s speech , he also condemned Trump for his treatment of illegal immigrants and the media .
Kelly asserted that the press was not “ the enemy of the people ” and maintained that most illegal immigrants are “ overwhelmingly good people.
” He also addressed the case of Eddie Gallagher , a Navy SEAL who had been convicted of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several others .
on the charge of taking a photograph with the corpse of an ISIS fighter .
Kelly said Trump should not have intervened in the decision as to whether Gallagher should keep his Trident pin after being pardoned , saying , “ The idea that the commander in chief intervened there , in my opinion , was exactly the wrong thing to do .
Had I been there , I think I could have prevented it.
” Kelly worked in Trump ’ s administration from July 2017 to January 2019 after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corps .
After Kelly resigned from the White House , he admitted that .

Former White House chief of staff John Kelly unloaded on President Trump on a litany of issues, ranging from his policies to the decision to remove Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman from his post.
During a speech at Drew University on Wednesday night, Kelly suggested it was wrong for Trump to remove Vindman from the National Security Council after he testified in the impeachment hearings. The retired Marine four-star general claimed Vindman did what he was trained to do when he reported concerns about Trump’s phone call with Ukraine's leader to his boss.
“He did exactly what we teach them to do from cradle to grave,” Kelly said. “He went and told his boss what he just heard.”
Kelly argued that Vindman was right to report that Trump asked for information on Joe Biden on the condition of withholding aid because it would lead to a major shift in policy in the region, which Vindman’s boss would need to know.
“Through the Obama administration up until that phone call, the policy of the U.S. was militarily to support Ukraine in their defensive fight against … the Russians,” he said. “And so, when the president said that continued support would be based on X, that essentially changed. And that’s what that guy [Vindman] was most interested in.”
Kelly also claimed Vindman’s report on Trump’s conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was akin to hearing an “illegal order” from a superior. He noted that members of the military are trained to not follow orders that break U.S. law.
“We teach them, ‘Don’t follow an illegal order. And if you’re ever given one, you’ll raise it to whoever gives it to you that this is an illegal order, and then tell your boss,’” Kelly explained.
Vindman, who was also an impeachment witness, was escorted out of the White House along with his brother Yevgeny, a senior lawyer on the NSC who had no role in the impeachment investigation, on Friday. Trump was acquitted of two Ukraine-related articles of impeachment by the Senate two days prior.
Trump said this week, any disciplinary action taken against Vindman, whom he described as "insubordinate," will be up to the military.
Vindman wasn’t the only subject of Kelly’s speech, he also condemned Trump for his treatment of illegal immigrants and the media. Kelly asserted that the press was not “the enemy of the people” and maintained that most illegal immigrants are “overwhelmingly good people.”
He also addressed the case of Eddie Gallagher, a Navy SEAL who had been convicted of one war crime after being cleared of several others. Trump pardoned Gallagher on the charge of taking a photograph with the corpse of an ISIS fighter.
Kelly said Trump should not have intervened in the decision as to whether Gallagher should keep his Trident pin after being pardoned, saying, “The idea that the commander in chief intervened there, in my opinion, was exactly the wrong thing to do. Had I been there, I think I could have prevented it.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-13--Eight Republicans vote to restrict Trump's military power against Iran

Enough Republicans joined Democrats in order to restrict the commander in chief 's military power against Iran .
Eight Republican senators signed off on Democratic Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine 's resolution Thursday to restrict Trump 's power , including Sens .
Lamar Alexander of Tennessee , Bill Cassidy of Louisiana , Susan Collins of Maine , Mike Lee of Utah , Jerry Moran of Kansas , Lisa Murkowski of Alaska , Rand Paul of Kentucky , and Todd Young of Indiana .
The theme that united them was the constitutional responsibility of Congress to declare war .
Paul argued that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disagreement .
Rather , he insisted that Congress is the only branch of the government with the constitutional authority to declare war .
`` For me this debate is not about party .
I have supported the Constitutional mandate that Congress must declare war under both Democrat and Republican Presidents and I will continue .
For me this debate is not a dry and esoteric debate , it is a debate about life and death , '' he said in a tweet .
Lee also invoked similar reasons for his support of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a demonstration of strength to the rest of the world .
“ What the American people and the entire world will see from the debate we ’ re about to have in the Senate is that there is abundant support for the United States taking tough positions with regard to Iran , ’ ’ Lee said Wednesday .
“ And as part of that we want to make sure that any military action that needs to be authorized is in fact properly authorized by Congress .
That doesn ’ t show weakness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Collins also joined with Democrats in support of the resolution so that Congress would not `` abdicate '' its responsibility to declare war .
`` Although the president as commander in chief has the power to lead and defend our armed force and respond to imminent attacks , no president has the authority to commit our military to a sustained conflict , '' she said .
However , Trump 's allies have pushed back on their reasoning , saying that the War Powers Act , which limits sustained military conflict as ordered by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve had a long-standing opposition to the War Powers Act .
I think it ’ s an unconstitutional intrusion on the ability of any commander in chief to defend the nation , '' said Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham .
Neither chamber is likely to garner the two-thirds majority needed to override the president 's veto , so the future of the bill remains uncertain .
[ Opinion : Nancy Pelosi is right about Congress 's war powers ]

Enough Republicans joined Democrats in order to restrict the commander in chief's military power against Iran.
Eight Republican senators signed off on Democratic Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine's resolution Thursday to restrict Trump's power, including Sens. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Mike Lee of Utah, Jerry Moran of Kansas, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Todd Young of Indiana. The theme that united them was the constitutional responsibility of Congress to declare war.
Paul argued that his vote was not because of partisan disagreement. Rather, he insisted that Congress is the only branch of the government with the constitutional authority to declare war. "For me this debate is not about party. I have supported the Constitutional mandate that Congress must declare war under both Democrat and Republican Presidents and I will continue. For me this debate is not a dry and esoteric debate, it is a debate about life and death," he said in a tweet.
For me this debate is not about party. I have supported the Constitutional mandate that Congress must declare war under both Democrat and Republican Presidents and I will continue.
For me this debate is not a dry and esoteric debate, it is a debate about life and death. — Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) February 12, 2020
Lee also invoked similar reasons for his support of the resolution, asserting that the vote would be a demonstration of strength to the rest of the world.
“What the American people and the entire world will see from the debate we’re about to have in the Senate is that there is abundant support for the United States taking tough positions with regard to Iran,’’ Lee said Wednesday. “And as part of that we want to make sure that any military action that needs to be authorized is in fact properly authorized by Congress. That doesn’t show weakness. That shows strength.’’’
Collins also joined with Democrats in support of the resolution so that Congress would not "abdicate" its responsibility to declare war. "Although the president as commander in chief has the power to lead and defend our armed force and respond to imminent attacks, no president has the authority to commit our military to a sustained conflict," she said.
However, Trump's allies have pushed back on their reasoning, saying that the War Powers Act, which limits sustained military conflict as ordered by the president, is unconstitutional.
“I’ve had a long-standing opposition to the War Powers Act. I think it’s an unconstitutional intrusion on the ability of any commander in chief to defend the nation," said Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Neither chamber is likely to garner the two-thirds majority needed to override the president's veto, so the future of the bill remains uncertain.
[Opinion: Nancy Pelosi is right about Congress's war powers]


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-13--'Can't hold grudges': Biden says he is still friends with Lindsey Graham despite 'hurtful' Hunter at

'Can't hold grudges': Biden says he is still friends with Lindsey Graham despite 'hurtful' Hunter attacks

Joe Biden is n't giving up on his friendship with Sen. Lindsey Graham despite the South Carolina Republican criticizing his son and being a close ally of President Trump .
`` It is hurtful , particularly when guys like Lindsey Graham , who is a friend of mine , do these things , '' the 2020 Democrat said Thursday on The View about Graham 's attacks on his son Hunter .
`` He 's still a friend ? ''
host Joe Behar responded .
`` Well , you know , look ...
I plan on being president .
Presidents ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heal , '' Joe Biden said .
`` And I just do n't want to let myself get into the mood . ''
Graham has attacked Hunter Biden for being on the board of the Ukrainian gas company Burisma while his father was still vice president .
`` As to the Bidens , I can promise you no one has looked at whether or not there was a conflict of interest , and no one has taken the time to explain how Hunter Biden got rich in the Ukraine , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I like Joe Biden , if it were Lindsey Graham or Mike Pence or Donald Trump , you would be looking . ''
Hunter admitted in an interview last fall that his decision to join the board of Burisma was `` poor judgment . ''
He went on to compare his position on the board to `` a swamp in many ways . ''
[ Related : 'He 's changed ' : Jill Biden says family no longer friends with Lindsey Graham ]

Joe Biden isn't giving up on his friendship with Sen. Lindsey Graham despite the South Carolina Republican criticizing his son and being a close ally of President Trump.
"It is hurtful, particularly when guys like Lindsey Graham, who is a friend of mine, do these things," the 2020 Democrat said Thursday on The View about Graham's attacks on his son Hunter.
"He's still a friend?" host Joe Behar responded. "Well, you know, look ... I plan on being president. Presidents can't hold grudges. You gotta heal," Joe Biden said. "And I just don't want to let myself get into the mood."
Graham has attacked Hunter Biden for being on the board of the Ukrainian gas company Burisma while his father was still vice president.
"As to the Bidens, I can promise you no one has looked at whether or not there was a conflict of interest, and no one has taken the time to explain how Hunter Biden got rich in the Ukraine," he said last month. "As much as I like Joe Biden, if it were Lindsey Graham or Mike Pence or Donald Trump, you would be looking."
Hunter admitted in an interview last fall that his decision to join the board of Burisma was "poor judgment." He went on to compare his position on the board to "a swamp in many ways."
[Related: 'He's changed': Jill Biden says family no longer friends with Lindsey Graham]


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-13--AOC pledges allegiance 'to the drag' in teaser for drag show appearance

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez teased an appearance for a TV drag show by saying she is pledging allegiance `` to the @ @ @ @ @ clip was posted on Twitter by the verified account for RuPaul 's Drag Race .
@ @ @ @ @ '' the New York Democrat said in the promotional video on Thursday .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ I pledge allegiance to the drag . ''
In November , the 30-year-old congresswoman had @ @ @ @ @ , a star from the show .
`` The revolutionary of our time , '' @ @ @ @ @ .
In December , Ocasio-Cortez tweeted out that she wanted to make a predictions bracket @ @ @ @ @ `` If Obama released NCAA tournament predictions , does that mean I can do the @ @ @ @ @ ? ''
she said .

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez teased an appearance for a TV drag show by saying she is pledging allegiance "to the drag."
The 10-second clip was posted on Twitter by the verified account for RuPaul's Drag Race. "Join the Ruvolution!" the New York Democrat said in the promotional video on Thursday. "I am Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and I pledge allegiance to the drag."
In November, the 30-year-old congresswoman had also met with Sasha Velour, a star from the show. "The revolutionary of our time," Velour said about the congresswoman.
Tonight THE most honored special guest came to see “Smoke & Mirrors” in Washington D.C. @AOC 💖 The audience gave her a standing ovation too! pic.twitter.com/XzHYGTuDb0 — Sasha Velour (@sasha_velour) November 12, 2019
In December, Ocasio-Cortez tweeted out that she wanted to make a predictions bracket for the upcoming season. "If Obama released NCAA tournament predictions, does that mean I can do the same for RPDR #AllStars4?" she said.
If Obama released NCAA tournament predictions, does that mean I can do the same for RPDR #AllStars4? 🤔 — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) December 15, 2018
RuPaul's Drag Race premieres Feb. 28 on VH1.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-13--House passes measure repealing deadline to ratify dormant ERA

The House on Thursday passed a resolution that would revive the dormant Equal Rights Amendment by repealing the 1982 deadline states failed to meet to ratify it .
The measure passed 232-183 , with five Republicans in support and no Democrats opposing it .
But it is likely never to become law .
Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he did not support the measure and that it faced legal challenges .
The measure , H.J .
Res .
79 , would permanently reopen the ratification process for the amendment by striking the 1982 deadline .
“ If Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remove a deadline , ” House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler , a New York Democrat , said .
Republicans who opposed the resolution said it would promote abortion by expanding access , making it impossible to install limits , and requiring taxpayer funding for the procedure .
`` It would permanently allow abortion until birth for any reason throughout the nation , ” said Rep. Carol Miller , a West Virginia Republican .
“ We can not allow that.
” Democrats said the measure ensures that the Constitution guarantees women equal rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protections in the workforce .
The Justice Department has ruled it would be unconstitutional to remove the deadline retroactively .
The Office of Legal Counsel ruled in January that House lawmakers must start over if they wish to ratify the ERA .
“ Congress may not revive a proposed amendment after a deadline for its ratification has expired , ” the OLC wrote .
“ Should Congress wish to propose the amendment anew , it may do so through the same procedures required to propose an amendment in the first instance.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago but did not gain traction until the 92nd Congress in 1972 , when it cleared both chambers with the required two-thirds supermajority .
The amendment states , “ Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.
” Congress imposed a seven-year deadline for the required 38 states to ratify it .
That deadline was eventually extended to 1982 , but the amendment failed to win ratification , falling short by three states .
Since the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ withdrawn their support for the amendment , while three others , Nevada , Illinois , and Virginia , have voted to ratify it .
The Democrat-led Virginia General Assembly passed the amendment on Jan. 15 .
Proponents of the amendment have ignored the five states that withdrew support and pronounced Virginia to be the 38th state , the final one required to ratify the amendment .
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg weighed in on the resolution this week during a Georgetown Law event .
She said Congress should restart the process , rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ginsburg said even though additional states had ratified the amendment since the deadline has passed , five states have withdrawn their support .
House Democrats nonetheless celebrated the resolution and questioned why anyone would oppose an amendment that guarantees equality to both genders .
“ How can you have a problem with that ?
” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said .
She said the bill “ has nothing to do with the abortion issue ” and called the GOP claim “ an excuse ” for opposing the measure .
Rep. Pramila Jayapal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House Progressive Caucus , said the vote would send a positive signal to women .
“ What a glorious day this is , ” Jayapal said .
“ With our vote today and Virginia ’ s historic vote , little girls , their moms , and women across this great nation will now say that yes , our Constitution can , will , and must enshrine a ban on discrimination on the basis of sex .
”

The House on Thursday passed a resolution that would revive the dormant Equal Rights Amendment by repealing the 1982 deadline states failed to meet to ratify it.
The measure passed 232-183, with five Republicans in support and no Democrats opposing it. But it is likely never to become law. Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he did not support the measure and that it faced legal challenges.
The measure, H.J. Res. 79, would permanently reopen the ratification process for the amendment by striking the 1982 deadline.
“If Congress can set a deadline, Congress can remove a deadline,” House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, a New York Democrat, said.
Republicans who opposed the resolution said it would promote abortion by expanding access, making it impossible to install limits, and requiring taxpayer funding for the procedure.
"It would permanently allow abortion until birth for any reason throughout the nation,” said Rep. Carol Miller, a West Virginia Republican. “We cannot allow that.”
Democrats said the measure ensures that the Constitution guarantees women equal rights, such as equal pay and other protections in the workforce.
The Justice Department has ruled it would be unconstitutional to remove the deadline retroactively.
The Office of Legal Counsel ruled in January that House lawmakers must start over if they wish to ratify the ERA.
“Congress may not revive a proposed amendment after a deadline for its ratification has expired,” the OLC wrote. “Should Congress wish to propose the amendment anew, it may do so through the same procedures required to propose an amendment in the first instance.”
The amendment was first introduced nearly a century ago but did not gain traction until the 92nd Congress in 1972, when it cleared both chambers with the required two-thirds supermajority.
The amendment states, “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.”
Congress imposed a seven-year deadline for the required 38 states to ratify it. That deadline was eventually extended to 1982, but the amendment failed to win ratification, falling short by three states.
Since the time the deadline passed, five states have withdrawn their support for the amendment, while three others, Nevada, Illinois, and Virginia, have voted to ratify it.
The Democrat-led Virginia General Assembly passed the amendment on Jan. 15.
Proponents of the amendment have ignored the five states that withdrew support and pronounced Virginia to be the 38th state, the final one required to ratify the amendment.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg weighed in on the resolution this week during a Georgetown Law event. She said Congress should restart the process, rather than try to reset the deadline retroactively. Ginsburg said even though additional states had ratified the amendment since the deadline has passed, five states have withdrawn their support.
House Democrats nonetheless celebrated the resolution and questioned why anyone would oppose an amendment that guarantees equality to both genders.
“How can you have a problem with that?” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. She said the bill “has nothing to do with the abortion issue” and called the GOP claim “an excuse” for opposing the measure.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Washington state Democrat and head of the House Progressive Caucus, said the vote would send a positive signal to women.
“What a glorious day this is,” Jayapal said. “With our vote today and Virginia’s historic vote, little girls, their moms, and women across this great nation will now say that yes, our Constitution can, will, and must enshrine a ban on discrimination on the basis of sex.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-13--Ilhan Omar proposes new foreign policy plan to 'advance peace' and taper 'US militarism'

Rep. Ilhan Omar introduced a new proposal that seeks to change how the United States conducts its foreign policy .
The proposal , dubbed the Pathway to PEACE , is a conglomeration of seven bills and resolutions that aim for a more humanitarian-based foreign policy focused on human rights and global migration .
`` The plan takes into account the experiences of people directly affected by conflict and the long-term consequences of U.S. militarism , acknowledges the damage done when we fail to live up to international human rights standards and is sincere about our values regardless of short-term political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement Wednesday .
The initiatives include building a $ 5 billion wartime fund called the Global Peacebuilding Fund , giving Congress more oversight over sanctions , distancing the U.S. from allies that commit human rights abuses , forcing the U.S. to participate in the International Criminal Court , ratifying the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child , and creating a global agreement on migration .
`` I know that it is deeply rooted in justice , in wanting to advance peace and in fighting for a more democratic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know and see and hear and have experienced how the outside world reacts to our foreign policy , '' the freshman congresswoman said about her proposal , adding that the U.S. is seen by the rest of the world as having a foreign policy `` deprived of our values and of our principles . ''
If passed , the new foreign policy plan would become `` a new progressive baseline , '' according to former President Barack Obama 's foreign policy adviser Ben Rhodes .

Rep. Ilhan Omar introduced a new proposal that seeks to change how the United States conducts its foreign policy.
The proposal, dubbed the Pathway to PEACE, is a conglomeration of seven bills and resolutions that aim for a more humanitarian-based foreign policy focused on human rights and global migration.
"The plan takes into account the experiences of people directly affected by conflict and the long-term consequences of U.S. militarism, acknowledges the damage done when we fail to live up to international human rights standards and is sincere about our values regardless of short-term political convenience," the Minnesota Democrat said in a statement Wednesday.
The initiatives include building a $5 billion wartime fund called the Global Peacebuilding Fund, giving Congress more oversight over sanctions, distancing the U.S. from allies that commit human rights abuses, forcing the U.S. to participate in the International Criminal Court, ratifying the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, and creating a global agreement on migration.
"I know that it is deeply rooted in justice, in wanting to advance peace and in fighting for a more democratic and open society, but I also uniquely know and see and hear and have experienced how the outside world reacts to our foreign policy," the freshman congresswoman said about her proposal, adding that the U.S. is seen by the rest of the world as having a foreign policy "deprived of our values and of our principles."
If passed, the new foreign policy plan would become "a new progressive baseline," according to former President Barack Obama's foreign policy adviser Ben Rhodes.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-13--Trump: Slashing regulations boosted economy more than tax cuts

President Trump declared today that his war on Obama-era regulations has done more than his tax cuts have to fuel the booming economy .
In an interview with Geraldo Rivera , Trump boasted , “ I will tell you , a big part of our recovery , bigger even than the tax cuts , were the regulation cuts.
” During the 2016 presidential campaign , Trump promised to cut two Obama-era regulations for every new one he proposed .
In fact , the administration has done far better than that goal .
The latest Competitive Enterprise Institute audit of regulations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than two for every new one .
What ’ s more , CEI ’ s Clyde Wayne Crews reported that the administration issued the fewest new rules since the government began counting them in 1975 .
“ It is a notable achievement that all three of the lowest-ever annual rule counts belong to Trump .
This an even more significant development given that some of Trump ’ s 'rules ' are rules written to get rid of or replace other rules , ” Crews said , explaining that rules are “ any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 's not a law from Congress as it often should be .
”

President Trump declared today that his war on Obama-era regulations has done more than his tax cuts have to fuel the booming economy.
In an interview with Geraldo Rivera, Trump boasted, “I will tell you, a big part of our recovery, bigger even than the tax cuts, were the regulation cuts.”
And he's right, said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, which has advocated for tax cuts and regulatory reform. He told Secrets: “Trump is correct that his deregulation policy has driven jobs, growth, and new investment. He joined Ronald Reagan in understanding the power of deregulation in helping create new opportunities for all Americans.”
During the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump promised to cut two Obama-era regulations for every new one he proposed.
In fact, the administration has done far better than that goal. The latest Competitive Enterprise Institute audit of regulations found that the administration has cut far more than two for every new one.
What’s more, CEI’s Clyde Wayne Crews reported that the administration issued the fewest new rules since the government began counting them in 1975.
“It is a notable achievement that all three of the lowest-ever annual rule counts belong to Trump. This an even more significant development given that some of Trump’s 'rules' are rules written to get rid of or replace other rules,” Crews said, explaining that rules are “any federal agency action affecting the public, that's not a law from Congress as it often should be.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-13--‘Not sure’ third in latest 2020 Democratic poll, ahead of Bloomberg

His strong showings in Iowa and New Hampshire have further pushed Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders into the lead for the @ @ @ @ @ as evidence that voters are puzzled with their choices , “ not sure ” is @ @ @ @ @ Economist/YouGov survey , 30 % of Democratic voters expect Sanders to win the nomination .
@ @ @ @ @ Vice President Joe Biden , at 23 % .
Then , “ not sure “ @ @ @ @ @ , followed by former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg at 11 % .
“ No @ @ @ @ @ as an anticipated winner of the eventual nomination , ” said the survey analysis .
@ @ @ @ @ Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg has also done well in the two early contests , @ @ @ @ @ the voters polled aren ’ t as sure .
The survey said that some voters @ @ @ @ @ as young as Buttigieg , and those who do not want to vote for a @ @ @ @ @ who do .
The former mayor is 38 and gay .

His strong showings in Iowa and New Hampshire have further pushed Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders into the lead for the 2020 Democratic nomination, but as evidence that voters are puzzled with their choices, “not sure” is third.
In the latest Economist/YouGov survey, 30% of Democratic voters expect Sanders to win the nomination. He is followed by former Vice President Joe Biden, at 23%.
Then, “not sure“ comes in at 17%, followed by former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg at 11%.
“No other candidate reached double digits as an anticipated winner of the eventual nomination,” said the survey analysis.
While former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg has also done well in the two early contests, and leads in delegates, the voters polled aren’t as sure.
The survey said that some voters have difficulty with presidential candidates as young as Buttigieg, and those who do not want to vote for a gay candidate edge out those who do. The former mayor is 38 and gay.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-13--Service workers union nonendorsement dampens Sanders Nevada chances

Despite his dedication to higher wages and increasing union membership , one of the largest organized labor groups in Nevada has repeatedly warned its members against supporting Bernie Sanders in the upcoming Nevada caucuses .
The announcement came Thursday afternoon at a press conference hosted by the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 , a group representing 60,000 workers in Las Vegas from restaurants , hotels , and other businesses .
Hours before , the CWU told the press it planned on announcing its endorsement but refrained from backing any candidate at the last minute .
“ We ’ re going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s what we ’ re doing , ” Geoconda Arguello-Kline , the 226 ’ s secretary-treasurer .
“ We ’ re not going to endorse a political candidate .
We respect every single political candidate right now .
They ’ re great people.
” In the days leading up to the endorsement , the CWU has subtly jabbed at the Vermont senator over his support for `` Medicare for All , '' saying his healthcare plan would result in its members losing their hard-earned benefits .
`` It ’ s disappointing that Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Culinary Union and working families in Nevada simply because our union has provided facts on what certain healthcare proposals might do to take away the system of care we have built over eight decades , '' said Arguello-Kline on Wednesday .
[ Read more : Bernie Sanders once slammed tourism industry for providing 'low-paying , menial jobs ' ] At numerous events throughout the campaign season , the relationship between Sanders and the CWU has been tense .
During a campaign stop at one of the union 's lodges in December , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Medicare for all '' pitch .
In the past , Sanders has avoided citing his support for a government-run healthcare system at union events .
During his remarks at an AFL-CIO convention in Iowa last August , Sanders omitted his healthcare plan entirely .
Many unions , such as the International Association of Firefighters , which has endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden , has called backing `` Medicare for all '' a nonstarter .
A central feature of the former vice president 's campaign has been attacking Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthcare .
Although the CWU 's jabs at Sanders , who remains the Democratic front-runner , is a setback for his campaign , the lack of an endorsement highlights the difficulty the party faces in finding an opponent to compete against him .
The CWU 's endorsement of Hillary Clinton helped secure her win in the 2016 primary against Sanders , but the divided field may hand a win to him this cycle .
Polling out of Nevada remains scarce , with the latest taken a month ago .
That survey showed Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders ( 19 % and 18 % , respectively ) , with Warren in third with 11 % .

Despite his dedication to higher wages and increasing union membership, one of the largest organized labor groups in Nevada has repeatedly warned its members against supporting Bernie Sanders in the upcoming Nevada caucuses.
The announcement came Thursday afternoon at a press conference hosted by the Culinary Workers Union Local 226, a group representing 60,000 workers in Las Vegas from restaurants, hotels, and other businesses. Hours before, the CWU told the press it planned on announcing its endorsement but refrained from backing any candidate at the last minute.
“We’re going to endorse our goals. That’s what we’re doing,” Geoconda Arguello-Kline, the 226’s secretary-treasurer. “We’re not going to endorse a political candidate. We respect every single political candidate right now. They’re great people.”
In the days leading up to the endorsement, the CWU has subtly jabbed at the Vermont senator over his support for "Medicare for All," saying his healthcare plan would result in its members losing their hard-earned benefits.
"It’s disappointing that Sen. Sanders’s supporters have viciously attacked the Culinary Union and working families in Nevada simply because our union has provided facts on what certain healthcare proposals might do to take away the system of care we have built over eight decades," said Arguello-Kline on Wednesday.
[Read more: Bernie Sanders once slammed tourism industry for providing 'low-paying, menial jobs']
At numerous events throughout the campaign season, the relationship between Sanders and the CWU has been tense. During a campaign stop at one of the union's lodges in December, Sanders was interrupted by protesters during his "Medicare for all" pitch.
In the past, Sanders has avoided citing his support for a government-run healthcare system at union events. During his remarks at an AFL-CIO convention in Iowa last August, Sanders omitted his healthcare plan entirely.
Many unions, such as the International Association of Firefighters, which has endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden, has called backing "Medicare for all" a nonstarter. A central feature of the former vice president's campaign has been attacking Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts over their positions on healthcare.
Although the CWU's jabs at Sanders, who remains the Democratic front-runner, is a setback for his campaign, the lack of an endorsement highlights the difficulty the party faces in finding an opponent to compete against him. The CWU's endorsement of Hillary Clinton helped secure her win in the 2016 primary against Sanders, but the divided field may hand a win to him this cycle.
Polling out of Nevada remains scarce, with the latest taken a month ago. That survey showed Biden holding a slim, 1-point lead over Sanders (19% and 18%, respectively), with Warren in third with 11%.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-13--Where are all the Never Bernie Democrats?

Around this time four years ago , as Donald Trump was looking more likely to be the Republican nominee , a loose collection of conservative pundits and Republican elites rallied around the description : Never Trump .
But now , with Sen. Bernie Sanders having arguably won the first two Democratic contests heading into Nevada , where he ’ s favored , a similar movement has not taken hold among elite Democrats or liberal opinion-makers .
Sure , there are plenty of liberals panicking about the prospect of a Sanders nomination .
But the arguments are primarily focused on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never pass through the Senate .
Nobody is arguing , as Never Trumpers did , that they would refuse to vote for Sanders were he the nominee .
It was a big deal for many of the 2016 Never Trumpers who followed through on their threat and refrained from voting for Trump .
The Democratic nominee was not only a liberal but one of the most corrupt politicians in the United States .
Hillary Clinton had , for decades , been one of the most disliked figures among conservatives .
Yet many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand against Trump , even if it meant losing friends and influence , and opposing a candidate who was promising to appoint conservative judges and cut taxes .
What ’ s important is that conservative Never Trumpers did not merely base their discontent on their suspicions that Trump might move left once in office , given his history of taking liberal stances on healthcare , abortion , and guns earlier in his career .
Though that was certainly a part of the critique , Never Trumpers also made a case against Trump based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office , his lies , his abrasive statements that at times crossed into sexism , and the way his rhetoric portrayed immigrants as disproportionately violent .
And yet the criticisms of Sanders from within the tent are more focused on pragmatism .
There is no movement among liberals declaring that Sanders is so beyond the pale that they could never vote for him .
Former Bill Clinton adviser James Carville has been in a war of words with Sanders , calling him a `` and lamenting that Democrats were going too far left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re losing our damn minds , ” Vox .
Yet the crux of his fear was that were Sanders the nominee , Democrats would be unable to retake the Senate .
“ If Bernie is the nominee , I ’ ll vote for him , ” he said .
“ No question.
” Jonathan Chait has been one of the foremost critics of Sanders among liberal pundits , trying to urge his side to avoid veering off of the cliff .
Chait is essentially a traditional liberal who advocates a party that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a strategy of achieving incremental policy gains .
And he ’ s been more or less freaking out about the prospect of a Sanders nomination , which he says would be an “ .
” But the crux of his argument has been that Sanders would be a risky bet electorally .
Chait also felt compelled to write a post about the things he likes about Sanders , in which he he had “ zero qualms about voting for him should he win the nomination , ” and explained , “ There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earn my vote against Donald Trump , and nothing he could do to lose it.
” It ’ s worth keeping in mind that Sanders is not a run of the mill Democrat .
He is a socialist , who would seek not just to make policy changes , but to destroy the U.S. system .
Sanders is a particularly odd fallback candidate for those concerned about the erosion of democratic norms .
He has a history of promoting authoritarians .
He praised Fidel Castro ’ s .
In the 1980s , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-American .
Sanders honeymooned in the USSR in 1988 and came back parroting out propaganda that promoted the collapsing regime , praising the transit system and its “ .
” He also has championed the most bigoted figures on the left , including Linda Sarsour and Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar , by making them surrogates for his campaign .
When Omar accused Jews of using their nefarious influence to push lawmakers to declare “ allegiance to a foreign country , ” Chait criticized her for trafficking `` ugly stereotypes , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faith she deserved last time should be gone now.
” One can only expect that any Sanders administration would be rife with hateful figures , just as his campaign has been .
As he does with authoritarians , Sanders is willing to treat bigotry differently when it comes from his own side .
Many Never Trump conservatives grew up hating Clinton for decades .
Even if they didn ’ t vote for her , many of them just simply could not in good conscience pull the lever for Trump .
But the prospect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been an apologist for authoritarian regimes and who has elevated bigots on his campaign is somehow not weighing on the conscience of prominent liberals .

Around this time four years ago, as Donald Trump was looking more likely to be the Republican nominee, a loose collection of conservative pundits and Republican elites rallied around the description: Never Trump. But now, with Sen. Bernie Sanders having arguably won the first two Democratic contests heading into Nevada, where he’s favored, a similar movement has not taken hold among elite Democrats or liberal opinion-makers.
Sure, there are plenty of liberals panicking about the prospect of a Sanders nomination. But the arguments are primarily focused on his electability or about how his plans would never pass through the Senate. Nobody is arguing, as Never Trumpers did, that they would refuse to vote for Sanders were he the nominee.
It was a big deal for many of the 2016 Never Trumpers who followed through on their threat and refrained from voting for Trump. The Democratic nominee was not only a liberal but one of the most corrupt politicians in the United States. Hillary Clinton had, for decades, been one of the most disliked figures among conservatives. Yet many of them still rose up and took a stand against Trump, even if it meant losing friends and influence, and opposing a candidate who was promising to appoint conservative judges and cut taxes.
What’s important is that conservative Never Trumpers did not merely base their discontent on their suspicions that Trump might move left once in office, given his history of taking liberal stances on healthcare, abortion, and guns earlier in his career. Though that was certainly a part of the critique, Never Trumpers also made a case against Trump based on his character, his fitness for office, his lies, his abrasive statements that at times crossed into sexism, and the way his rhetoric portrayed immigrants as disproportionately violent.
And yet the criticisms of Sanders from within the tent are more focused on pragmatism. There is no movement among liberals declaring that Sanders is so beyond the pale that they could never vote for him.
Former Bill Clinton adviser James Carville has been in a war of words with Sanders, calling him a "communist" and lamenting that Democrats were going too far left to compete in November. “We’re losing our damn minds,” Carville told Vox. Yet the crux of his fear was that were Sanders the nominee, Democrats would be unable to retake the Senate. “If Bernie is the nominee, I’ll vote for him,” he said. “No question.”
Jonathan Chait has been one of the foremost critics of Sanders among liberal pundits, trying to urge his side to avoid veering off of the cliff. Chait is essentially a traditional liberal who advocates a party that can appeal to the center and pursue a strategy of achieving incremental policy gains. And he’s been more or less freaking out about the prospect of a Sanders nomination, which he says would be an “act of insanity.” But the crux of his argument has been that Sanders would be a risky bet electorally.
Chait also felt compelled to write a post about the things he likes about Sanders, in which he declared he had “zero qualms about voting for him should he win the nomination,” and explained, “There is nothing Sanders would need to do to earn my vote against Donald Trump, and nothing he could do to lose it.”
It’s worth keeping in mind that Sanders is not a run of the mill Democrat. He is a socialist, who would seek not just to make policy changes, but to destroy the U.S. system.
Sanders is a particularly odd fallback candidate for those concerned about the erosion of democratic norms. He has a history of promoting authoritarians. He praised Fidel Castro’s oppressive Cuban revolution. In the 1980s, he was a fan of the tyrannical and anti-American Marxist Sandinista movement in Nicaragua. Sanders honeymooned in the USSR in 1988 and came back parroting out propaganda that promoted the collapsing regime, praising the transit system and its “programs for youth and workers.”
He also has championed the most bigoted figures on the left, including Linda Sarsour and Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, by making them surrogates for his campaign. When Omar accused Jews of using their nefarious influence to push lawmakers to declare “allegiance to a foreign country,” Chait criticized her for trafficking "ugly stereotypes," and wrote, “Whatever presumption of good faith she deserved last time should be gone now.”
One can only expect that any Sanders administration would be rife with hateful figures, just as his campaign has been. As he does with authoritarians, Sanders is willing to treat bigotry differently when it comes from his own side.
Many Never Trump conservatives grew up hating Clinton for decades. Even if they didn’t vote for her, many of them just simply could not in good conscience pull the lever for Trump. But the prospect of voting for an avowed socialist who has been an apologist for authoritarian regimes and who has elevated bigots on his campaign is somehow not weighing on the conscience of prominent liberals.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-13--Don Trump Jr. accuses Bloomberg of buying 'phony endorsements'

Donald Trump Jr. went after Mike Bloomberg for having fake endorsements the same day his father also attacked the former New York City mayor on Twitter .
`` Good for everyone to see the Bloomberg playbook , '' Trump Jr. said Thursday on Twitter , sharing a thread with his followers about how Bloomberg buys support and silences critics .
`` Being willing and able to spend billions can surely circumvent a lot of criticism and buy you a lot of phony endorsements . ''
The thread Trump Jr. shared from Blake Zeff accused Bloomberg of `` using his fortune @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politics . ''
Zeff pointed out in his Twitter thread that the former mayor spent millions on ads , catered food at events , and donations , which led to endorsements .
President Trump targeted the former New York City mayor Thursday on Twitter , calling him a `` mass of dead energy . ''
`` Mini Mike is a 5 ’ 4 ” mass of dead energy who does not want to be on the debate stage with these professional politicians , '' he said .
`` No boxes please .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough money , possibly stop him .
Bernie ’ s people will go nuts ! ''
Bloomberg responded by saying people think the president is a `` carnival barking clown . ''
`` They know you inherited a fortune & squandered it with stupid deals and incompetence , '' he said .
`` I have the record & the resources to defeat you .
And I will . ''
Bloomberg has surged in the polls the last couple of weeks and currently sits at third place in the polls , according to RealClearPolitics @

Donald Trump Jr. went after Mike Bloomberg for having fake endorsements the same day his father also attacked the former New York City mayor on Twitter.
"Good for everyone to see the Bloomberg playbook," Trump Jr. said Thursday on Twitter, sharing a thread with his followers about how Bloomberg buys support and silences critics. "Being willing and able to spend billions can surely circumvent a lot of criticism and buy you a lot of phony endorsements."
The thread Trump Jr. shared from Blake Zeff accused Bloomberg of "using his fortune to fundamentally alter & manipulate U.S. politics." Zeff pointed out in his Twitter thread that the former mayor spent millions on ads, catered food at events, and donations, which led to endorsements.
Great thread. Good for everyone to see the Bloomberg playbook. Being willing and able to spend billions can surely circumvent a lot of criticism and buy you a lot of phony endorsements. https://t.co/pmKTL7fyyV — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) February 13, 2020
President Trump targeted the former New York City mayor Thursday on Twitter, calling him a "mass of dead energy." "Mini Mike is a 5’4” mass of dead energy who does not want to be on the debate stage with these professional politicians," he said. "No boxes please. He hates Crazy Bernie and will, with enough money, possibly stop him. Bernie’s people will go nuts!"
Mini Mike is a 5’4” mass of dead energy who does not want to be on the debate stage with these professional politicians. No boxes please. He hates Crazy Bernie and will, with enough money, possibly stop him. Bernie’s people will go nuts! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 13, 2020
Bloomberg responded by saying people think the president is a "carnival barking clown." "They know you inherited a fortune & squandered it with stupid deals and incompetence," he said. "I have the record & the resources to defeat you. And I will."
.@realDonaldTrump - we know many of the same people in NY. Behind your back they laugh at you & call you a carnival barking clown. They know you inherited a fortune & squandered it with stupid deals and incompetence.
I have the record & the resources to defeat you. And I will. https://t.co/fO4azmZaUg — Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) February 13, 2020
Bloomberg has surged in the polls the last couple of weeks and currently sits at third place in the polls, according to RealClearPolitics.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-13--Is AOC too extreme for Bernie Sanders?

Is AOC too extreme for Bernie Sanders?

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders are ideological allies , but it seems they disagree on how to convince voters to join them .
Sanders ’ s campaign has been growing more and more frustrated with the New York representative , who endorsed Sanders back in October , lending her political stardom to his presidential bid while he recovered from a heart attack .
While the Vermont senator was stuck in Washington , D.C. , for the Senate ’ s impeachment trial , Ocasio-Cortez campaigned on his behalf in Iowa .
The problem was that she didn ’ t really campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for herself and her ideas , pushing policies the Sanders team considered too extreme given the tight margin that separates Sanders from his moderate opponents .
She denounced comedian Joe Rogan ’ s unofficial endorsement , encouraged Iowa voters to work against immigration authorities , and even refused to mention Sanders by name at one event .
It ’ s not that Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez don ’ t see eye-to-eye .
They do .
On immigration , for example , Sanders ’ s plan would dismantle Immigration and Customs Enforcement , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his rallies .
But Sanders ’ s team understands something Ocasio-Cortez , who represents a deep-blue district , does not : To win a national election , you must win swing districts , and to win swing districts , nuance is somewhat necessary .
Sanders is by no means a moderate , and he has no interest in becoming one .
He is not ashamed of his liberal policies , and he does not intend to change them , even if that means losing the Democratic nomination .
But he can at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isolate moderate and independent voters .
There ’ s no doubt Ocasio-Cortez has helped generate enthusiasm for Sanders ’ s campaign .
But if he ’ s going to win the Democratic nomination , he ’ ll need to appeal to a wide swathe of voters , many of whom could be turned off by Ocasio-Cortez ’ s radical rhetoric .

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders are ideological allies, but it seems they disagree on how to convince voters to join them.
Sanders’s campaign has been growing more and more frustrated with the New York representative, who endorsed Sanders back in October, lending her political stardom to his presidential bid while he recovered from a heart attack. While the Vermont senator was stuck in Washington, D.C., for the Senate’s impeachment trial, Ocasio-Cortez campaigned on his behalf in Iowa.
The problem was that she didn’t really campaign for Sanders. Instead, she campaigned for herself and her ideas, pushing policies the Sanders team considered too extreme given the tight margin that separates Sanders from his moderate opponents. She denounced comedian Joe Rogan’s unofficial endorsement, encouraged Iowa voters to work against immigration authorities, and even refused to mention Sanders by name at one event.
It’s not that Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez don’t see eye-to-eye. They do. On immigration, for example, Sanders’s plan would dismantle Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is exactly what Ocasio-Cortez called for during one of his rallies. But Sanders’s team understands something Ocasio-Cortez, who represents a deep-blue district, does not: To win a national election, you must win swing districts, and to win swing districts, nuance is somewhat necessary.
Sanders is by no means a moderate, and he has no interest in becoming one. He is not ashamed of his liberal policies, and he does not intend to change them, even if that means losing the Democratic nomination. But he can at least avoid discussing controversial policies that might isolate moderate and independent voters.
There’s no doubt Ocasio-Cortez has helped generate enthusiasm for Sanders’s campaign. But if he’s going to win the Democratic nomination, he’ll need to appeal to a wide swathe of voters, many of whom could be turned off by Ocasio-Cortez’s radical rhetoric.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-13--Sanders won House seat by running to right of GOP opponent on guns

Bernie Sanders has long blamed support for gun control measures on his loss in his first House race in 1988 .
But two years later , he ran to the right of his Republican opponent on the gun issue , first-term Rep. Peter Smith , winning Vermont 's lone House seat with National Rifle Association 's backing .
The dichotomy in Sanders 's approach to gun control in the largely rural state reflects his , often , calculating political sense , though the now-senator and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate 's campaign likes to tout his purity and unwillingness to compromise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vermont House 's seat came open , with 14-year GOP Rep. James Jeffords , successfully running for Senate .
Sanders , the outgoing Burlington , Vermont , mayor , ran and lost against GOP state lawmaker Peter Smith .
In 1990 , running again as an independent , Sanders challenged Smith again , contending he was out of touch on multiple issues , including gun control .
Specifically , Smith 's support for a federal ban on `` assault '' style weapons , which would become law for 10 years starting in 1994 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ban , saying he was `` turning [ his ] back on the 30 percent who believe in no gun control . ''
`` In the last year , polling in Vermont has shown that 65 to 70 percent support some kind of gun control , so it is not a great act of courage to adopt a position supported by 70 percent of the population , '' Sanders said .
`` Clearly , this was a very pointed political strategy , in which you turn your back on the 30 percent who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then turn to the 70 percent who support your new position .
I think people will see through that . ''
Sanders won the rematch .
Once in Congress , he repeatedly voted against a number of Democratic-sponsored gun legislation .
In 1991 and in 1993 , Sanders voted against a mandatory waiting period for gun purchases .
In 1993 , he also opposed the Brady Bill , which was enacted by Congress and President Bill Clinton , requiring waiting periods and background checks .
More than a decade later , with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2003 and 2005 voted for a bill that granted partial immunity to gun manufacturers in certain civil lawsuits .
He also twice voted against the assault weapon ban in 1994 and 2013 .
Sanders 's Democratic rivals have highlighted this history on the campaign trail , most notably former Vice President Joe Biden .
In his defense , Sanders points to his presidential platform , which calls for stringent gun control measures .
`` Until the last — two years ago — we had virtually no gun control legislation at all , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said during February 's Democratic debate .
`` The world has changed , and my views have changed .
And my view is right now , we need universal background checks .
We end the gun show loophole .
We end the so-called strawman provision .
We make certain that we end the sale and distribution of assault weapons in this country . ''

Bernie Sanders has long blamed support for gun control measures on his loss in his first House race in 1988.
But two years later, he ran to the right of his Republican opponent on the gun issue, first-term Rep. Peter Smith, winning Vermont's lone House seat with National Rifle Association's backing.
The dichotomy in Sanders's approach to gun control in the largely rural state reflects his, often, calculating political sense, though the now-senator and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate's campaign likes to tout his purity and unwillingness to compromise on principle.
In 1988, the Vermont House's seat came open, with 14-year GOP Rep. James Jeffords, successfully running for Senate. Sanders, the outgoing Burlington, Vermont, mayor, ran and lost against GOP state lawmaker Peter Smith.
In 1990, running again as an independent, Sanders challenged Smith again, contending he was out of touch on multiple issues, including gun control. Specifically, Smith's support for a federal ban on "assault" style weapons, which would become law for 10 years starting in 1994.
Sanders attacked Smith for supporting the ban, saying he was "turning [his] back on the 30 percent who believe in no gun control."
"In the last year, polling in Vermont has shown that 65 to 70 percent support some kind of gun control, so it is not a great act of courage to adopt a position supported by 70 percent of the population," Sanders said. "Clearly, this was a very pointed political strategy, in which you turn your back on the 30 percent who believe in no gun control, and then turn to the 70 percent who support your new position. I think people will see through that."
Sanders won the rematch. Once in Congress, he repeatedly voted against a number of Democratic-sponsored gun legislation.
In 1991 and in 1993, Sanders voted against a mandatory waiting period for gun purchases. In 1993, he also opposed the Brady Bill, which was enacted by Congress and President Bill Clinton, requiring waiting periods and background checks.
More than a decade later, with the House under Republican control, Sanders in 2003 and 2005 voted for a bill that granted partial immunity to gun manufacturers in certain civil lawsuits. He also twice voted against the assault weapon ban in 1994 and 2013.
Sanders's Democratic rivals have highlighted this history on the campaign trail, most notably former Vice President Joe Biden. In his defense, Sanders points to his presidential platform, which calls for stringent gun control measures.
"Until the last — two years ago — we had virtually no gun control legislation at all, and I represented that perspective," Sanders said during February's Democratic debate. "The world has changed, and my views have changed. And my view is right now, we need universal background checks. We end the gun show loophole. We end the so-called strawman provision. We make certain that we end the sale and distribution of assault weapons in this country."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-13--Bernie Sanders endorses Chicago top prosecutor who dropped Jussie Smollett charges

Bernie Sanders endorsed the top Chicago prosecutor responsible for dropping charges against actor Jussie Smollett .
The Vermont senator , who is running for the Democratic presidential nomination , told Politico he endorses a number of liberal candidates running for state positions , including Kim Foxx , who is seeking reelection as state 's attorney for Cook County , Illinois .
Other endorsements were given to Kane County , Illinois , state ’ s attorney candidate Junaid Afeef ; Travis County , Texas , district attorney candidate Jose Garza ; and Harris County , Texas , district attorney candidate Audia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to endorse these progressive leaders for the important offices of state and district attorney , ” Sanders said in a statement .
“ Now is the moment to fundamentally transform our racist and broken criminal justice system by ending mass incarceration , the failed war on drugs and the criminalization of poverty , and that ’ s exactly what they ’ ll do.
” Foxx has faced backlash regarding her handling of the alleged hate crime that victimized former Empire actor Smollett .
The actor initially claimed Make America Great Again hat-wearing Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noose around his neck in January 2019 , but as the investigation went on , the police accused Smollett of orchestrating and faking the entire incident .
Chicago prosecutors charged the actor with 16 felonies related to the fake hate crime , but Foxx dropped the charges , calling them `` excessive , '' in a move that was met with criticism by police and the mayor .
Foxx then recused herself from the case .
A special prosecutor , Dan Webb , was appointed to investigate , and earlier this week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disorderly conduct .
Webb said a grand jury found that Smollett `` planned and participated in a staged hate crime attack , and thereafter made numerous false statements to Chicago Police Department officers on multiple occasions , reporting a heinous hate crime that he , in fact , knew had not occurred . ''
Foxx `` has been unable to provide the [ special prosecutor ] with documentary evidence that shows that , in dismissing the Smollett case on the terms presented in court on March 26 , 2019 , the [ state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar cases prior to the Smollett case that would justify this disposition , '' the statement said .
`` This issue was important to the [ special prosecutor ] because on the day the Smollett case was resolved in court , March 26 , 2019 , the [ state attorney ] issued a written press release in which it told the public that the Smollett case was being resolved under the same criteria that would be available for any defendant with similar circumstances . ''
Foxx and her office could still face charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Bernie Sanders endorsed the top Chicago prosecutor responsible for dropping charges against actor Jussie Smollett.
The Vermont senator, who is running for the Democratic presidential nomination, told Politico he endorses a number of liberal candidates running for state positions, including Kim Foxx, who is seeking reelection as state's attorney for Cook County, Illinois.
Other endorsements were given to Kane County, Illinois, state’s attorney candidate Junaid Afeef; Travis County, Texas, district attorney candidate Jose Garza; and Harris County, Texas, district attorney candidate Audia Jones.
“I’m proud to endorse these progressive leaders for the important offices of state and district attorney,” Sanders said in a statement. “Now is the moment to fundamentally transform our racist and broken criminal justice system by ending mass incarceration, the failed war on drugs and the criminalization of poverty, and that’s exactly what they’ll do.”
Foxx has faced backlash regarding her handling of the alleged hate crime that victimized former Empire actor Smollett. The actor initially claimed Make America Great Again hat-wearing Trump supporters beat him up and put a noose around his neck in January 2019, but as the investigation went on, the police accused Smollett of orchestrating and faking the entire incident.
Chicago prosecutors charged the actor with 16 felonies related to the fake hate crime, but Foxx dropped the charges, calling them "excessive," in a move that was met with criticism by police and the mayor. Foxx then recused herself from the case.
A special prosecutor, Dan Webb, was appointed to investigate, and earlier this week, he charged Smollett with six counts of disorderly conduct.
Webb said a grand jury found that Smollett "planned and participated in a staged hate crime attack, and thereafter made numerous false statements to Chicago Police Department officers on multiple occasions, reporting a heinous hate crime that he, in fact, knew had not occurred."
Foxx "has been unable to provide the [special prosecutor] with documentary evidence that shows that, in dismissing the Smollett case on the terms presented in court on March 26, 2019, the [state attorney] relied on other dispositions of similar cases prior to the Smollett case that would justify this disposition," the statement said. "This issue was important to the [special prosecutor] because on the day the Smollett case was resolved in court, March 26, 2019, the [state attorney] issued a written press release in which it told the public that the Smollett case was being resolved under the same criteria that would be available for any defendant with similar circumstances."
Foxx and her office could still face charges from the special prosecutor's investigation.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-13--Oracle chief Larry Ellison to host Trump event during California fundraising swing

President Trump will attend a fundraiser hosted by software billionaire Larry Ellison at his Coachella Valley estate , part of a two-day fundraising sweep through California on the way to a Phoenix Keep America Great rally in must-win Arizona .
The Oracle chairman will host supporters at his $ 42.9 million Rancho Mirage home on Feb. 19 , with high-dollar contributors netting such prizes as a golf outing and photo with the president ( $ 100,000 ) , or a golf outing , photo , and participation in a round-table meeting ( $ 250,000 ) , the Palm Springs Desert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 249-acre golf course .
Trump will attend an earlier Trump Victory fundraiser in Beverly Hills on Feb. 18 and an event in Bakersfield on Feb. 19 before heading to Phoenix for a rally that evening .
Republicans fear losing Arizona , an emerging swing state where the president 's struggle with suburban voters is on display .
In 2016 , Trump won Arizona with the lowest margin for a winning Republican nominee since 2000 , 48.7 % to George W. Bush 's 51 % .
Ellison has given approximately $ 9.5 million to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has not donated to Trump 's campaign , per the latest Federal Election Committee records .
He bet on Sen. Marco Rubio in the 2016 presidential race , giving as much as $ 4 million through super PACs supporting the Florida senator .
The event at Ellison 's home with be a joint fundraiser for the Trump campaign and the Republican Party .
According to the invitation , large contributions will go toward funding the president 's reelection efforts , the RNC , state parties , and the party 's August convention .

President Trump will attend a fundraiser hosted by software billionaire Larry Ellison at his Coachella Valley estate, part of a two-day fundraising sweep through California on the way to a Phoenix Keep America Great rally in must-win Arizona.
The Oracle chairman will host supporters at his $42.9 million Rancho Mirage home on Feb. 19, with high-dollar contributors netting such prizes as a golf outing and photo with the president ($100,000), or a golf outing, photo, and participation in a round-table meeting ($250,000), the Palm Springs Desert reports. Ellison's property boasts a 249-acre golf course.
Trump will attend an earlier Trump Victory fundraiser in Beverly Hills on Feb. 18 and an event in Bakersfield on Feb. 19 before heading to Phoenix for a rally that evening. Republicans fear losing Arizona, an emerging swing state where the president's struggle with suburban voters is on display. In 2016, Trump won Arizona with the lowest margin for a winning Republican nominee since 2000, 48.7% to George W. Bush's 51%.
Ellison has given approximately $9.5 million to political candidates and causes since 1993 but has not donated to Trump's campaign, per the latest Federal Election Committee records. He bet on Sen. Marco Rubio in the 2016 presidential race, giving as much as $4 million through super PACs supporting the Florida senator.
The event at Ellison's home with be a joint fundraiser for the Trump campaign and the Republican Party. According to the invitation, large contributions will go toward funding the president's reelection efforts, the RNC, state parties, and the party's August convention.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-13--Stop-and-frisk questions don't limit new Bloomberg endorsements from House members

Michael Bloomberg , facing increasingly aggressive questioning over his crime-fighting tactics as the New York City mayor , nonetheless , scoops up a fresh batch of endorsements by lawmakers .
Democratic Florida Rep. Ted Deutch , 53 , whose national profile was raised after the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting that rocked his community , on Thursday announced he was endorsing Bloomberg , 77 , for his work advocating for stricter gun control , as well as his environmental activism .
`` We need to take immediate action before another mass tragedy unfolds , and tomorrow is too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make gun safety a national priority and he has a plan that could actually prevent these atrocities from happening , ” Deutch said in a statement .
Bloomberg , this week , also added members of the Congressional Black Caucus to his team as his candidacy for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination , yet to be tested on a debate stage , comes under scrutiny for his record on criminal justice issues .
Democratic Reps. Lucy McBath of Georgia and Gregory Meeks of New York , and Del .
Stacey Plaskett of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House bid as audio emerged of the billionaire former New York City mayor saying in 2015 , that `` 95 % of murders — murderers and murder victims — fit one M.O . ''
The trio are members of the Congressional Black Caucus .
Deutch is white .
`` You can just take a description , Xerox it , and pass it out to all the cops .
They are male minorities , 16 to 25 , '' Bloomberg said at the time .
“ The way you get the guns out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to throw them up against the wall and frisk them … And then they start … ‘ Oh , I don ’ t want to get caught , ’ so they don ’ t bring the gun .
They still have a gun , but they leave it at home . ''
The media mogul and philanthropist has apologized for introducing and defending stop-and-frisk policies in New York City , the crux of which detained individuals for a short period of time to check if they had illegal weapons or other contraband .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect on the black and Latino community .
Then , on Thursday , a 2008 video of Bloomberg resurfaced in which he linked the nixing of “ redlining , '' a discriminatory housing practice , to the financial crisis .
Bloomberg is campaigning based on a `` Super Tuesday '' strategy and has n't appeared on a debate stage because , as a self-funder , he has n't met the Democratic National Committee 's grassroots fundraising requirements , though those thresholds have been dropped for the upcoming rounds .
But as March 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ microscope more and more as he builds out a formidable ground game , he spends hundreds of millions of dollars on advertising , and as his main rival Joe Biden falters , even among the African American community .
`` I guess when you have over $ 60 billion , you think you can do about anything , '' Biden told MSNBC this week .
`` I 'm looking forward to debating Mike Bloomberg about his tenure as mayor . ''
Other members of Congress who have backed Bloomberg include Reps. Stephanie Murphy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Haley Stevens of Michigan , Max Rose of New York , and Harley Rouda of California .

Michael Bloomberg, facing increasingly aggressive questioning over his crime-fighting tactics as the New York City mayor, nonetheless, scoops up a fresh batch of endorsements by lawmakers.
Democratic Florida Rep. Ted Deutch, 53, whose national profile was raised after the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting that rocked his community, on Thursday announced he was endorsing Bloomberg, 77, for his work advocating for stricter gun control, as well as his environmental activism.
"We need to take immediate action before another mass tragedy unfolds, and tomorrow is too late to start. Mike Bloomberg will make gun safety a national priority and he has a plan that could actually prevent these atrocities from happening,” Deutch said in a statement.
Bloomberg, this week, also added members of the Congressional Black Caucus to his team as his candidacy for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, yet to be tested on a debate stage, comes under scrutiny for his record on criminal justice issues.
Democratic Reps. Lucy McBath of Georgia and Gregory Meeks of New York, and Del. Stacey Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands endorsed Bloomberg's juggernaut White House bid as audio emerged of the billionaire former New York City mayor saying in 2015, that "95% of murders — murderers and murder victims — fit one M.O."
The trio are members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Deutch is white.
"You can just take a description, Xerox it, and pass it out to all the cops. They are male minorities, 16 to 25," Bloomberg said at the time. “The way you get the guns out of the kids’s hands is to throw them up against the wall and frisk them … And then they start … ‘Oh, I don’t want to get caught,’ so they don’t bring the gun. They still have a gun, but they leave it at home."
The media mogul and philanthropist has apologized for introducing and defending stop-and-frisk policies in New York City, the crux of which detained individuals for a short period of time to check if they had illegal weapons or other contraband. Critics complain the approach had a disproportionate effect on the black and Latino community.
Then, on Thursday, a 2008 video of Bloomberg resurfaced in which he linked the nixing of “redlining," a discriminatory housing practice, to the financial crisis.
Bloomberg is campaigning based on a "Super Tuesday" strategy and hasn't appeared on a debate stage because, as a self-funder, he hasn't met the Democratic National Committee's grassroots fundraising requirements, though those thresholds have been dropped for the upcoming rounds.
But as March 3 nears, he's coming under the microscope more and more as he builds out a formidable ground game, he spends hundreds of millions of dollars on advertising, and as his main rival Joe Biden falters, even among the African American community.
"I guess when you have over $60 billion, you think you can do about anything," Biden told MSNBC this week. "I'm looking forward to debating Mike Bloomberg about his tenure as mayor."
Other members of Congress who have backed Bloomberg include Reps. Stephanie Murphy of Florida, Scott Peters of California, Haley Stevens of Michigan, Max Rose of New York, and Harley Rouda of California.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-13--Trump blasts Bloomberg: 'Mini Mike is a 5’4” mass of dead energy'

President Trump tore into 2020 Democrat Michael Bloomberg , poking fun at his height and slamming him for not participating in the Democratic primary debates .
`` Mini Mike is a 5 ’ 4 ” mass of dead energy who does not want to be on the debate stage with these professional politicians , '' the president tweeted Thursday .
`` No boxes please .
He hates Crazy Bernie and will , with enough money , possibly stop him .
Bernie ’ s people will go nuts ! ''
Bloomberg welcomed the criticism from Trump , saying it shows the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat .
`` If he doesn ’ t mention ya , ya got a big problem , '' the former New York City mayor said at a campaign stop .
He also responded to the president on Twitter , writing , `` We know many of the same people in NY .
Behind your back they laugh at you & call you a carnival barking clown .
They know you inherited a fortune & squandered it with stupid deals and incompetence .
I have the record & the resources to defeat you .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has risen rapidly in the polls , the president has begun targeting him with attacks .
In addition to claiming the presidential contender wants a box to stand on during debates , Trump sent and then deleted a tweet earlier this week about leaked audio from 2015 in which Bloomberg praised stop-and-frisk policy .
`` Wow , Bloomberg is a total racist ! ''
he said in the tweet , which included audio of the former mayor 's comments .
Pundits were quick to point out , however , that the president had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
Bloomberg has risen to 14 % support nationally in the Democratic primary , according to RealClearPolitics .
His rise came as former Vice President Joe Biden performed poorly in the two first-in-the-nation voting states and has dipped in the polls .

President Trump tore into 2020 Democrat Michael Bloomberg, poking fun at his height and slamming him for not participating in the Democratic primary debates.
"Mini Mike is a 5’4” mass of dead energy who does not want to be on the debate stage with these professional politicians," the president tweeted Thursday. "No boxes please. He hates Crazy Bernie and will, with enough money, possibly stop him. Bernie’s people will go nuts!"
Mini Mike is a 5’4” mass of dead energy who does not want to be on the debate stage with these professional politicians. No boxes please. He hates Crazy Bernie and will, with enough money, possibly stop him. Bernie’s people will go nuts! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 13, 2020
Bloomberg welcomed the criticism from Trump, saying it shows the president was starting to consider him a threat.
"If he doesn’t mention ya, ya got a big problem," the former New York City mayor said at a campaign stop.
Now in Greensboro, NC - @MikeBloomberg notes this & another tweet from the President this morning. “If he doesn’t mention ya, ya got a big problem.” Bloomberg speculates that Trump might be looking at his polling & that he might be scared. https://t.co/4e4uXDGVRy — Maura Barrett (@MauraBarrettNBC) February 13, 2020
He also responded to the president on Twitter, writing, "We know many of the same people in NY. Behind your back they laugh at you & call you a carnival barking clown. They know you inherited a fortune & squandered it with stupid deals and incompetence. I have the record & the resources to defeat you. And I will."
.@realDonaldTrump - we know many of the same people in NY. Behind your back they laugh at you & call you a carnival barking clown. They know you inherited a fortune & squandered it with stupid deals and incompetence.
I have the record & the resources to defeat you. And I will. https://t.co/fO4azmZaUg — Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) February 13, 2020
As Bloomberg has risen rapidly in the polls, the president has begun targeting him with attacks. In addition to claiming the presidential contender wants a box to stand on during debates, Trump sent and then deleted a tweet earlier this week about leaked audio from 2015 in which Bloomberg praised stop-and-frisk policy.
"Wow, Bloomberg is a total racist!" he said in the tweet, which included audio of the former mayor's comments. Pundits were quick to point out, however, that the president had praised stop and frisk during the 2016 election.
Bloomberg has risen to 14% support nationally in the Democratic primary, according to RealClearPolitics. His rise came as former Vice President Joe Biden performed poorly in the two first-in-the-nation voting states and has dipped in the polls.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-14--ANALYSIS: Hope Hicks return part of Trump embrace of loyalists as he rebuilds post-impeachment

President Trump ’ s early White House was characterized by competing power centers : the generals , such as Michael Flynn ; the anti-establishment radicals led by Steve Bannon ; the Republican apparatchiks , including Reince Priebus and Sean Spicer ; staff from the Trump Organization ; and a core of family members .
Three years later , the return of Hope Hicks demonstrates how Trump is running his administration like he ran his business , rewarding longtime loyalists with key positions at the heart of his empire .
If anything , his experience with the Robert Mueller investigation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tendency as he builds a team to win reelection .
“ He ’ s endured what he feels were multiple attempts to weaponize the government against him , so , the people who you know and trust become extremely valuable , ” said a former White House official .
“ I think he ’ s really reeling from these experiences and wants people around him that he feels that he can count on.
” It is a far cry from the early days , when the administration was marked by internecine warfare .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ heads over competing plans for tackling immigration , how to replace Obamacare , and whether to intervene in Syria .
The generals , from Flynn , who lasted less than a month , to national security adviser H.R .
McMaster and chief of staff John Kelly , were often cited as the grown-ups in the room , able to bring their global experience to bear on debates .
Then , they were ousted one by one .
Priebus and Spicer , who had both arrived from the Republican National Committee , left after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a month later by Bannon .
His departure was seen as a victory for Kelly , newly installed as chief of staff , as part of an effort to impose order on a fractious West Wing before he , in turn , fell from favor .
Through it all , Trump ’ s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner grew in influence , expanding their portfolios to include some of the president ’ s signature issues , such as immigration and Middle East peace .
Meanwhile , the likes of Dan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at its 2015 launch from the Trump National Golf Club Westchester , show how the president values the presence of people who backed his unlikely tilt at power .
Today , Scavino is the White House director of social media with an office just outside the Oval Office in an administration where , as in any other , proximity is power .
Hicks was another early campaign hire , arriving from Ivanka Trump ’ s clothing line and rising to become White House communications director before leaving in early 2018 .
For three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s message , and their close relationship meant many insiders viewed her as something of a surrogate daughter .
When she left in 2018 after getting sucked into Mueller ’ s Russia investigation , Trump said he hoped she would return .
“ I will miss having her by my side , but , when she approached me about pursuing other opportunities , I totally understood , ” he said .
“ I am sure we will work together again in the future . ''
Her return comes shortly after the rehire of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former body man , who joined the Trump campaign in 2015 as a volunteer .
He left Trump 's orbit three years later amid reports that his frequent gambling meant he could not get the necessary security clearance for his role as personal assistant .
He returns to run the presidential personnel office , or the PPO , a crucial role in an administration that has often struggled to fill vacancies .
Officials said more staffing changes may be coming in the weeks ahead .
The appointments were applauded by Jason Miller , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign .
“ @ realDonaldTrump deserves to have his Administration staffed by individuals who are supportive of the policies he campaigned on and was elected to enact , ” he tweeted .
However , some former aides wonder whether loyalty was the best way to pick staff .
“ The problem with that is , the people who meet that test with him , in some cases , are fundamentally unqualified for the job of helping run a country , ” said one former official .
“ For example , why is someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a well-established gambling problem , up for running PPO ?
PPO exists to weed people like that out .
”

President Trump’s early White House was characterized by competing power centers: the generals, such as Michael Flynn; the anti-establishment radicals led by Steve Bannon; the Republican apparatchiks, including Reince Priebus and Sean Spicer; staff from the Trump Organization; and a core of family members.
Three years later, the return of Hope Hicks demonstrates how Trump is running his administration like he ran his business, rewarding longtime loyalists with key positions at the heart of his empire.
If anything, his experience with the Robert Mueller investigation and the impeachment trial has amplified that natural tendency as he builds a team to win reelection.
“He’s endured what he feels were multiple attempts to weaponize the government against him, so, the people who you know and trust become extremely valuable,” said a former White House official.
“I think he’s really reeling from these experiences and wants people around him that he feels that he can count on.”
It is a far cry from the early days, when the administration was marked by internecine warfare. Different factions dizzied each other by butting heads over competing plans for tackling immigration, how to replace Obamacare, and whether to intervene in Syria.
The generals, from Flynn, who lasted less than a month, to national security adviser H.R. McMaster and chief of staff John Kelly, were often cited as the grown-ups in the room, able to bring their global experience to bear on debates. Then, they were ousted one by one.
Priebus and Spicer, who had both arrived from the Republican National Committee, left after six turbulent months.
They were followed a month later by Bannon. His departure was seen as a victory for Kelly, newly installed as chief of staff, as part of an effort to impose order on a fractious West Wing before he, in turn, fell from favor.
Through it all, Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner grew in influence, expanding their portfolios to include some of the president’s signature issues, such as immigration and Middle East peace.
Meanwhile, the likes of Dan Scavino, who joined the Trump campaign at its 2015 launch from Trump National Golf Club Westchester in New York, show how the president values the presence of people who backed his unlikely tilt at power. Today, Scavino is the White House director of social media with an office just outside the Oval Office in an administration where, as in any other, proximity is power.
Hicks was another early campaign hire, arriving from Ivanka Trump’s clothing line and rising to become White House communications director before leaving in early 2018. For three years, she helped shape Trump’s message, and their close relationship meant many insiders viewed her as something of a surrogate daughter.
When she left in 2018 after getting sucked into Mueller’s Russia investigation, Trump said he hoped she would return. “I will miss having her by my side, but, when she approached me about pursuing other opportunities, I totally understood,” he said. “I am sure we will work together again in the future."
Her return comes shortly after the rehire of John McEntee, the president’s former body man, who joined the Trump campaign in 2015 as a volunteer. He left Trump's orbit three years later amid reports that his frequent gambling meant he could not get the necessary security clearance for his role as personal assistant.
He returns to run the presidential personnel office, or the PPO, a crucial role in an administration that has often struggled to fill vacancies.
Officials said more staffing changes may be coming in the weeks ahead.
The appointments were applauded by Jason Miller, a former communications adviser to the 2016 campaign. “@realDonaldTrump deserves to have his Administration staffed by individuals who are supportive of the policies he campaigned on and was elected to enact,” he tweeted.
However, some former aides wonder whether loyalty was the best way to pick staff.
“The problem with that is, the people who meet that test with him, in some cases, are fundamentally unqualified for the job of helping run a country,” said one former official.
“For example, why is someone with no political or management experience, with a well-established gambling problem, up for running PPO? PPO exists to weed people like that out.”