Trump has nominated Neil Gorsuch as his pick to serve on SCOTUS. A Senate panel voted to advance Trump’s pick for Education Secretary, Betsy DeVos, sending her nomination to the full Senate for final approval. Democrats delay confirmation votes for Sessions, Price and Mnuchin. There are still thousands of people in limbo as a devastating consequence of Trump’s executive order targeting immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries. And it will be very interesting to see how this White House acknowledges or "celebrates" its first Black History Month. Despite the president's limited view of the African American community and his affinity for shameless self promotion, we'd like to remind him that Orange is Not the New Black.  Here's your Wednesday read...

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"After working as an interpreter for an American security company in Iraq and enduring years of background checks after applying for a U.S. visa, Labeeb Ali’s hopes of moving to the United States ended abruptly in Qatar’s international airport on Saturday, when officials prevented him from boarding a flight to Texas…" Denied entry.

On Sunday, Trump issued a statement denying his executive order is a Muslim ban saying, "America has always been the land of the free and home of the brave. We will keep it free and keep it safe, as the media knows, but refuses to say." The full text of the executive order can be foundhere. For the second time in just over a week since Trump’s inauguration, worldwide protests have erupted against him. Week two of his presidency begins with this... 

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A number of top officials at the State Department have either resigned or been fired. Trump and Putin have a call scheduled for tomorrow. According to WaPo, Trump pressured the National Park Service to back up his false claims about crowd size. His senior advisor, Steve Bannon, said the media should just “keep their mouth shut.” It looks like taxpayers will be paying for a useless wall. Four gag orders were issued. “Alternative facts” is now part of our lexicon. And that’s not even the half of it. The New Edition miniseries is over!  This is only week one. Here’s your Friday read. 

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There have been a plethora of infractions on American democracy and we haven't even made it past the first week. This administration seems bent on writing a New Edition of American values. Is this the end? We hope not. Can we stand the rain? Yes. But never trust a big mouth and a scowl. Alt-facts are Poison. Here’s your Wednesday read…

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Congress reflects the diverse population of this country both at the elected and staff level. Michelle Obama was very excited to greet the Trumps. A Muslim registry will bring all religious extremism and terrorism to a halt. The Women’s March was sparsely attended with crowds paling in comparison to Trump’s Inauguration. Trump’s Cabinet appointees are all well qualified to lead their respective agencies. Mexico will pay for that wall.  And the Green Bay Packers will face the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl. Now that we’ve gotten the alternative facts out of the way, back to real life.  Here’s your Monday read... 

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Today, Donald J. Trump will be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. According to polls, Trump is the least liked incoming president in modern times. This upset was a devastating blow to many on both sides of the political aisle. On the right, some fell in love. Others have simply fallen in line. On the left, some search for common ground. Others are grounded in the resistance. Regardless of where you fall on that spectrum, watching President Barack Obama turn over the country to Donald Trump will stir emotion in us all. As the transition of power commences, we say to President Obama: Thank you. Your historic administration brought an inclusive spirit to this city, the country, and the world. Your family exhibited nothing but grace and dignity. Your presidency changed the narrative of politics forever. You made the country proud. And now, a new era begins...

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With two days to go before the transfer of power, it appears that Trump will assume the office without most of his Cabinet. He continues to hurl insults at the intelligence community, news outlets, and Congressman John Lewis (D-GA). President Obama is leaving office with a 60% approval rating, while 52% of Americans say they disapprove of the way the president-elect has handled his transition and preparations for the presidency. For perspective, Obama's approval rating was 71% before he took the oath of office in January 2009, George W. Bush's earliest approval rating was at 57%, and Bill Clinton's was 77% in December 1992. Friday’s weather is calling for rain, But we, the rising tide, stand ready to weather the storm.  Here’s your midweek read... 

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We begin this week celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We will end this week watching the first African American president turn over the reins to Donald J. Trump. For perspective, we begin today’s read with this…  

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POTUS has had a busy week solidifying his legacy by advancing policy, designating national monuments, and paying homage to his team. The president-elect also had a busy week being showered with questions from his golden tower in New York. One week from today, Donald J. Trump will be sworn in as the 45th president of these United States. Let that sink in. Here’s your Friday read... 

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President Barack H. Obama delivered his heartfelt and thoughtful farewell address to the nation last night. It was a message of hope charged with orders to impact and create change.  The president was tearful. So were we.  Regardless of where you fall on the political divide, this historic administration changed the face of American politics and shaped policy that benefit the underrepresented.  President Obama encouraged the country to unite, he encouraged diversity of thought, and touted a legacy that leaves the country and the globe in a different place. We expect a very different tone from President-elect Donald Trump who will deliver his first press conference today at 11AM. On the heels of questionable reports that Russia had collected compromising and salacious personal information about Mr. Trump, the president-elect has innumerable other questions to answer about conflicts of interest and address concerns surrounding how he plans to govern the country in just nine days.  Here’s your midweek read.

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POTUS is set to deliver his farewell address to the nation from Chicago tomorrow evening. Meanwhile on the same day, confirmation hearings will begin for John Kelly -- Trump’s pick to lead Homeland Security, and Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL), who is hoping to become the next attorney general.  On Wednesday, confirmation hearings continue. However, cable news will have to decide on split screens to cover that and the president-elect’s long-awaited press conference where Trump will have the opportunity to address a litany of challenges facing his incoming administration, including the now confirmed Russian hacks, his businesses and the many conflicts of interests, the GOP’s plan to replace Obamacare, and questions concerning his ability to start governing the country in just ten days when he will officially become the 45th president of the United States. He's already preparing for the highest office in the land by sending insulting tweets to Meryl Streep after her speech at last night's Golden Globes. It’s going to be a busy week and, undoubtedly, an eventful four years. Here’s your Monday read… 

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Hello Friday! We’re all so glad to see you. We made it through the first week. But with confirmation hearings kicking off next week, the real work has only just begun.  Here it is…your Friday read.  

 

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It’s official. The 115th Congress convened yesterday and Capitol Hill was flooded with friends, fans, government relations professionals, members of the media, and rain! POTUS heads to the Hill today to save the Affordable Care Act while the vice president-elect is there to try and kill it. Meanwhile, Donald Trump chastised the GOP over a plan to eliminate an ethics body -- a rant that halted them in their tracks -- and he's in a real live Twitter beef with his own intelligence team. In just 16 days, he will become the country's next commander-In-chief. Many folks on the left side of the political divide are making plans to skip town that week, leaving the nation’s capital in the hands of those on the right. Brace yourselves for the trumped-up partisan politics of 2017. Here’s your midweek read... 

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Welcome to 2017! We’ve got a lot to cover so let’s get started. Congress convenes tomorrow. There are multiple swearing-in ceremonies, celebrations, and most MoCs are hosting open houses. POTUS and the First Family return from their Hawaii holiday vacation to spend their last several weeks as residents of the White House. And on January 20th, Donald Trump will be sworn-in as the 45th president of the United Sates. No matter where you fall on the political divide, a new DC awaits. Here’s your first read of 2017…

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It’s our last Beat for 2016. We launched during the Democratic National Committee Convention in July, and since then we've averaged more than 700 new subscribers a month! We want to thank you for finding value in this platform. In 2017, we will continue to harness the collective voices from the communities to stand against policies and practices that seek to take this country backward. And we will keep celebrating the diversity that makes America great. Enjoy a wonderful holiday season, and we will see you in 2017. Until then, here’s your last read of the year… 

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For months we heard winter is coming.  Today, my friends, winter is here. Shout out to all the Game of Thrones fans (and to the official first day of winter). Here’s your Wednesday read...   

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On Saturday, the president-elect tweeted: “China steals United States Navy research drone in international waters -- rips it out of water and takes it to China in UNPRESIDENTED act.” (Our caps) Then he tweeted, "We should tell China that we don't want the drone they stole back.- let them keep it!!" Foreign policy by misspelled tweets? Today, the Electoral College is expected to confirm his succession to the White House. Here’s your Monday morning read… 

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The past election cycle has highlighted just how influential the media can be and the real world consequences it can bring.  Certainly the ubiquitous fake news that can frequently flood our timeline is a challenge. However, at times, the “real” news can be inaccurate and disappointing due to a lack of perspective and diversity in newsrooms. Take for instance the innumerable outlets that cover DC. Many of these outlets frequently bypass the politics, policy, and social comings and goings of people of color simply because we're not on their radar. This is why The Beat is such an important platform at this time. At a certain point, we stopped asking for a seat at the table and built our own. And in this polarizing political climate, a diverse lens should be an integral part of any news outlet. So we begin today’s Beat with some disappointing news from The New York Times…

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President-elect Trump has selected former presidential candidate and ex-Texas Governor (and former Dancing with the Stars contestant) Rick Perry to head the Department of Energy. A few short years ago, Perry said that he planned to eliminate the department (once he eventually remembered its name). The transition team has requested the EPA turn over names of employees who work on climate change leaving many in the department feeling "unsettled." We’re not sure if Mr. Trump found time to attend a security briefing yesterday, but he definitely made time to meet with Kanye West, who has said he "fully intends" to run for president in 2020. Meanwhile, work in the Beltway continues.  Here’s your Wednesday morning read…  

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President Barack Obama has directed the intelligence community to conduct a “full review” of Russian hacking efforts during the U.S. presidential campaign. President- elect Donald Trump calls the CIA conclusion that Russia interfered "ridiculous" as he continues to fill his cabinet. This morning he announced his intention to nominate retired Marine Corps Gen. John Kelly to lead the Department of Homeland Security. 
Back in the Legislative branch, the Senate averted a government shutdown on Friday with only two hours to spare.  And a runoff in Louisiana was finally called, officially giving Republicans 52 seats in the Senate. Meanwhile, we're 39 days away from inauguration and people on both sides of the divide continue to prepare for 2017 and the battles the year is sure to bring. Here’s your Monday read...  

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