From Hurd on the Hill to New Chi Town Obama Office
A busy week awaits and Monday is kicking off with a lot. FBI Director James Comey heads to the Hill to testify before the House Intelligence Committee to face skeptical Dems -- and maybe even some Republicans -- who will have pointed, innumerable questions about Trump's unfounded wiretapping claims. Also today, the Senate Judiciary Committee begins its four-day confirmation hearings for SCOTUS nominee Neil Gorsuch. And on Thursday, the Obamacare repeal vote happens -- a full seven years to the day that President Barack Obama signed the ACA into law. In these divisive and polarizing political times, we begin today’s Beat with some bipartisanship. Here’s your Monday morning read…
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CBC to Meet with Trump Next Week
When the Irish migrated to America, they faced ubiquitous prejudice and discrimination because they were considered poor, uneducated, less skilled, and were Catholics in a land of Protestant dominance. Many didn’t want the new immigrants “stealing jobs” so “No Irish Need Apply” signs were common. Of course, that was long before border walls and executive orders. Nonetheless, Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Here’s what's happening -- fallout continues from the WH’s proposed budget. The CBC meets with Trump next week. The USHCC spent Thursday meeting with senior officials at the WH. And today, the president will hold a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. If yesterday’s WH press briefing is any indication, you’ll want to be sure and tune in. But first, the CHC has a press conference of their own. Here’s your Friday read…
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Tri-Caucus Members Intro Bill on Fake News
Either snow enough to shut down the city OR let the sun shine. This in between slush under cloudy skies is killing our whole “spring in the winter time” vibe. Trump's tax returns, the Obama's global book launch, beefs between Rubio and Snoop AND WaPo and NYT, we've got a lot to get to. Here’s your Wednesday read...
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Dems Tap Hidden Figures
Good morning! We have officially sprung forward readying ourselves for the spring. But not so fast. Consistent with the political climate, the weather has also opted to throw out the rule book. While we enjoyed nearly 80 degree days in February, we’re bracing for a monster snowstorm that's set to hit the DMV tonight. Farewell cherry blossom seedlings. But on the bright side -- a potential snow day in mid March? We'll take it. Welcome to the new DC. Here’s your Monday morning read…
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Notorious BIG in the House Literally
It appears the sunshine and warm weather have gone on recess. There’s a lot to get to today! Here’s your Friday read…
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WCW
Trump signed a new executive order on Monday which has a number of changes, including dropping Iraq from the list of countries with travel restrictions. It also explicitly does not apply to green card or existing visa holders. Members from the conservative wing of Congress are not happy with the replacement for ACA, throwing major shade on the GOP’s plan not even 24 hours after it was released. And lastly, on this International Women’s Day, we tout the social, economic, cultural, and political successes of women while urging more gender equality on a day without women. We begin this Wednesday's read with Lady Liberty herself who decided to join the movement in solidarity...
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The Red Herring
Donald Trump has offered no proof to his claims that former President Obama wiretapped his phones during the campaign. This prompted FBI Director James Comey to ask the DOJ to publicly rebuke what he called a false assertion. Meanwhile, Trump is expected to sign a revised version of his executive order that restricted travel from seven Muslim-majority nations today. Domestic hate crimes continue to rise. Global threats certainly warrant the executive branch’s attention as North Korea fired four ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan over the weekend. Millions of undocumented immigrants await policy as their lives and livelihood hang in the balance. A replacement for the ACA faces numerous obstacles. Policies that greatly, and disproportionately, impact communities of color continue to advance on Capitol Hill. And the investigation into Trump's ties to Russia continue. But let’s first address the president’s very serious accusations against President Obama that he launched via Twitter...
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Hot Off the Press and Cold As Ice
Remember in the 80’s when all the villains in the movies were Russian? History is most certainly a loop. But this time the movies have been replaced by cable news and the villains may be in cahoots with some members of our own government. One thing is for sure -- this story is not going away anytime soon. Yet for many of our most vulnerable citizens, danger does not show up in the form of a Russian spy. Danger appears wearing an ICE uniform. So we begin Friday’s read with this…
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A President A Dreamer and the Obama Memoirs
After intimating a desire for bipartisan immigration reform, Trump addressed a joint session of Congress last night, sparking both praise and criticism down party lines. We get some more insight from an HBCU president who attended the WH listening session. The Obamas signed a lucrative book deal. And it could actually reach 80 today! But we begin this first day of Women’s History Month with Astrid Silva, a DREAMer who spoke for millions last night. Here’s your Wednesday morning read...
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And the Winner Is
Congress is back today. Tomorrow, Trump will address a joint session of Congress for the first time since being elected president. And Emma Stone has been elected as new chair of the DNC. Whoops! Sorry. Someone gave The Beat the wrong envelope. Let's get to the actual winners from the weekend. Here's your Monday morning read...
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Obama Presidential Library
Anyone else send an email to the work team this morning that they're feeling "under the weather" (pun intended) and won't be coming into the office, but really you're headed to find a cocktail and a rooftop on this unseasonably warm Friday? With a high of 75 expected -- in February(!!!) -- enjoy! But fair warning, you may be "spotted" in Monday's Beat. Happy Friday! We've got info on the DNC votes happening tomorrow, an update on Obama's Presidential Library, and some disturbing stories about ICE. Let's get started. Here's your read for the weekend...
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Asylum Seekers
CNN is hosting a live DNC Chair debate tonight. Trump toured the NMAAHC on Tuesday. Asylum seekers are leaving the U.S. for Canada. NAACP named a new chair of their board. Constituents in MoC home districts are not playing. And did you guys know that Beyoncé’s husband is starting a venture capital firm? Read all of this and more in your Wednesday morning read. But first, this...
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Presidents Day
The media are part of the Bill of Rights. Innumerable journalists, including many of color, have died separating falsehood from truth. Facts are not partisan. The Beat salutes the thousands of members of the media who comprise the content of this tipsheet. You illuminate impartial truth in our global community. We thank you. This President’s Day marks one month since Donald J. Trump assumed office. Here’s your Monday morning read...
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First Latino Cabinet Pick
There's a lot to get to. Here's your weekend read...
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From Russia With Love
Though National Security Advisor Michael Flynn is out, the questions are just beginning for the Trump administration. Who knew what when? Sean Spicer’s Tuesday afternoon press briefing was the first public confirmation by the White House that Trump was aware of the allegations against Flynn engaging the Russians before they were reported last week. Needless to say, it was not a good Valentine’s Day for the Trump administration. And this fuels the fire among those who think Vladimir Putin was instrumental in securing a Trump presidency peppering U.S. news feeds with fake news from Russia…with love. Here’s your midweek read:
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The Queen The Prince and A Tribe
Yes, we saw Bey's baby bump, her phenomenal performance, and Adele's amazing voice followed by her own homage to the queen. And yes, we saw Bruno's tribute to Prince--those of us old enough to remember thank you for sharing the stage with Morris Day. We clapped as Chance the Rapper made Grammy history and cheered as A Tribe Called Quest made their resistance clear. Now that the Queen, the Prince, and the Tribe have spoken, it's time to make the donuts. WH Senior Adviser Steven Miller doubled down on allegations of massive voter fraud despite offering no evidence. National Security Adviser Michael Flynn won't denythat he spoke about sanctions against Russia with the Russian ambassador before Trump took office. And whoever handles the Twitter account for the Department of Education can either use a lesson in spelling or Black history or both. But we begin this Monday morning read with this...
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See You In Court
The Trump administration felt the stone fist of the judiciary branch when a federal appeals court on Thursday knocked out the request to restore the controversial executive order restricting refugees and travel by immigrants from a number of Muslim-majority countries. After the ruling, Trump tweeted, “See you in court.” He forgot to add "again." Kellyanne Conway was "counseled" after promoting the clothing line of Ivanka Trump on Fox News. Melania Trump's legal team intimated she planned to profit from being FLOTUS. And many on both sides of the aisle continue to question the ethics and honesty of the president. These are not normal times. Here’s your Friday read…
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No Silence During Conflict
The Trump team had their day in court -- and they had better get used to it. After three federal judges sparred with Trump’s DOJ in a telephone hearing, a ruling is expected in a few days. But likely, this ban will travel all the way to the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, though the Dems were not successful in stopping the confirmation of Betsy DeVos as Education Secretary, that didn’t stop them from pulling another all nighter where Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) was silenced while trying to read a letter from the late Coretta Scott King. Speak truth to power. No time to be silent. Lastly, it was 70 degrees on Tuesday and snow flurries are expected on Thursday. DC is consumed with conflict -- even in our weather. There’s a lot to get to today. Here’s your midweek read...
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The Real Patriots
The drive back to Atlanta from Houston down I-20 won't be nearly as much fun today as many Super Bowl fans thought in the first half of last night’s game, but the New England Patriots may have given America's real patriots-- those who defend liberty, justice and equality-- some hope for the future. Down by a historic margin, the Pats came back to win in the second half of the Big Game. A Tom Brady fan or not, it was inspiring. For the real American patriots, this is not a game. We can never give up...
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The Road to Greatness
Despite two Republicans saying they are voting no on Betsy DeVos, the Education Secretary nominee appears to be closer to being confirmed. A committee vote this morning cleared the way for a final vote on Monday or Tuesday, where Vice President Pence may have to cast the deciding vote. The president continues to govern 140 characters at a time. This morning he is tweeting about everything from Iran to Australia. He continues his attacks on the media and looped protesters with anarchists and thugs. See here. Yesterday, he threatened to pull federal funding from UC Berkeley after students protested an appearance by Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos. And Kellyanne Conway continues to tout alternative facts. This time it was on a Bowling Green Massacre that never happened. Are we great again yet? On a positive note, we hear there’s some sort of football game this weekend. But the big news? Bey is having TWO bey beys. Here's your Friday read...
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