This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/01/us/politics/donald-trump-administration.html

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
Trump to Senate Majority Leader: ‘Go Nuclear’ to Confirm Gorsuch Two G.O.P. Senators to Oppose DeVos as Education Secretary, Imperiling Her Confirmation
(about 2 hours later)
■ President Trump tells Senator Mitch McConnell: “Go nuclear” if Democrats block his Supreme Court nominee. ■ With two Republican senators now opposed, Betsy DeVos’s nomination to be education secretary is in trouble.
■ The nominations of Steven Mnuchin to be Treasury secretary and Tom Price to head the Department of Health and Human Services cleared their committees. ■ After scrutiny of his ties to a Chinese conglomerate, the hedge fund titan Anthony Scaramucci will not be getting his promised White House job after all.
■ President Trump, meeting with African-American supporters, said Frederick Douglass “has done an amazing job.”■ President Trump, meeting with African-American supporters, said Frederick Douglass “has done an amazing job.”
President Trump had a blunt message for Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader: If Democrats follow through on threats to filibuster his pick for the Supreme Court, Neil M. Gorsuch, Mr. McConnell should “go nuclear.” Two Republican senators on Wednesday said they would vote against Ms. DeVos, the nominee to head the Education Department, raising the real prospect that Ms. DeVos could fail to garner the votes necessary to be confirmed.
“Yes, if we end up with the same gridlock we’ve had in Washington for longer than eight years, in all fairness to President Obama, a lot longer than eight years. If we end up with that gridlock, I would say, ‘If you can, Mitch, go nuclear,’” Mr. Trump told reporters at the White House on Wednesday morning. to “go nuclear” refers to a Senate rules change that would allow the Republican majority to close debate and call for an up-or-down floor vote without a 60-vote threshold. Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said on the floor of the Senate that they would vote against Ms. DeVos.
“It’s up to Mitch, but I’d say go for it,” Mr. Trump said of the maneuver which would require a simple majority vote to instead of the 60 needed to stop a Democratic filibuster. “I will not, I cannot vote to confirm her as our nation’s next secretary of education,” Ms. Collins said.
Senate Democrats pulled the so-called nuclear option to confirm President Barack Obama’s judicial and executive branch nominations but left in place the 60-vote hurdle for Supreme Court justices. So far, Mr. McConnell has said he was not ready to tear down that last barrier for presidential nominations. Both senators, who voted to advance her selection out of committee, said they had serious reservations about her lack of familiarity with public schools. “I think that Mrs. DeVos has much to learn about our nation’s public schools,” Ms. Murkowski said.
Mr. Trump has never been one to hold back, and Democrats are in a tough spot. Liberals are pressuring Democratic leadership to fight Mr. Gorsuch’s nomination, after Mr. McConnell refused to even hold confirmation hearings for Appeals Court Judge Merrick Garland, Mr. Obama’s choice to succeed late Justice Antonin Scalia. Senator Al Franken, Democrat of Minnesota, has said he believes every Democrat will vote against Ms. DeVos. If that is the case, the defections by Ms. Collins and Ms. Murkowski would bring the number of votes against her to 50, setting up a tie in the Senate that Vice President Mike Pence, in his capacity as president of the Senate, might need to come in to settle.
But obstruction could force the rules change. Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary, said he had no worries.
“It’s a false choice,” said Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader, who has signaled he would demand, under Senate rules, that Mr. McConnell muster 60 votes for the nomination. He has urged Mr. Trump to select a less conservative jurist than Mr. Gorsuch whose views would put him on the right edge of the court, with Mr. Scalia’s frequent ally Justice Clarence Thomas. “I am 100 percent confident she will be the next secretary of education,” he said.
Senate Finance Committee Republicans suspended their rules of operation and approved the nominations of Representative Tom Price to be secretary of health and human services and financier Steven Mnuchin to be Treasury secretary — with no Democrats present. Anthony Scaramucci, a hedge fund founder and Republican donor, won’t be assuming the role of director of the White House office of public liaison, as previously announced, a senior administration official said.
The unanimous votes for confirmation are a bit misleading. Democrats had tried to delay the finance committee votes, demanding answers from both nominees about recent news reports of insider-trading allegations involving Mr. Price and roughshod treatment of homeowners by Mr. Mnuchin’s Southern California bank — as well as his evasive and incomplete answers about both. Mr. Scaramucci on Wednesday was told by Reince Priebus, the chief of staff to President Trump, and by the chief strategist, Stephen K. Bannon, that someone else would have to be given the job. However, the official said, the two men plan to find another role for Mr. Scaramucci in the West Wing down the road.
Republicans decided enough was enough. Committee rules require a quorum that includes at least one member from the minority party. But Senator Johnny Isakson, Republican of Georgia, moved to suspend the rules, and with no Democrat present to object, the committee chairman, Senator Orrin G. Hatch of Utah, gaveled it done, invoking the Democrats’ Tuesday boycott: At issue is Mr. Scaramucci’s sale of his firm, SkyBridge Capital, to a division of HNA Group, a politically connected Chinese conglomerate that will become the investment firm’s majority owner. The sale has not been completed, and West Wing officials said that the White House Counsel’s Office predicted it would take up to 90 days for Mr. Scaramucci to be cleared of potential ethics conflicts.
Of course, “unprecedented” is in the eyes of the beholder. Senate Republicans’ blockade of Mr. Obama’s nominee to the Supreme Court appears to have given Democrats a reason to obstruct pretty much however they choose. The White House is currently operating without a functioning Office of Public Liaison and Intergovernmental Affairs, the formal name for the office which Mr. Scaramucci would have led, at a moment when protests are sweeping the country over the president’s ban on travel for immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries.
Senator Ron Wyden, the ranking Democrat on the committee, emerged in the hallway after the vote and lamented the breaking of a tradition that required a member of the minority party to be in attendance for a vote. Mr. Scaramucci could get an ambassadorship, but that would require Senate confirmation, which is another lengthy process.
He said that revelations about Mr. Price and Mr. Mnuchin that came to light in recent days raised serious questions about their nominations. Mr. Scaramucci had been expected to be sworn in on Jan. 22 with other White House personnel, but it was delayed amid questions related to the business transaction.
While it appeared that there were no additional moves that Democrats could make to slow the nominations, Mr. Wyden said that they would continue ask questions. This is not the first time that a West Wing aide has been announced for a role that they ultimately didn’t fill. Mr. Trump has no communications director and lost a National Security Council senior staff member after questions about whether she’d plagiarized portions of her book.
“What we’re going to do, and it may sound like a quaint idea, is to follow up,” Mr. Wyden said. “We’re going to keep pushing to get the facts.”
Senate Democrats on Wednesday pulled the same stunt with another one of President Trump’s cabinet nominees, Scott Pruitt, who was nominated to head the Environmental Protection Agency.
Democrats boycotted Mr. Pruitt’s scheduled confirmation vote by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, saying Mr. Pruitt had declined to adequately answer their questions and address their concern about how he would run the agency charged with protecting the environment. As attorney general of Oklahoma, Mr. Pruitt has led or taken part in 14 lawsuits against the E.P.A., aimed at blocking or weakening existing environmental regulations.
Yes, that Frederick Douglass, former slave, abolitionist and statesman who died in 1895.Yes, that Frederick Douglass, former slave, abolitionist and statesman who died in 1895.
Meeting with African-American supporters at the White House on Wednesday, the president let it be known that Mr. Douglass, an important figure in American history, had come to his attention.Meeting with African-American supporters at the White House on Wednesday, the president let it be known that Mr. Douglass, an important figure in American history, had come to his attention.
“Frederick Douglass is an example of somebody who has done an amazing job and is being recognized more and more, I notice,” Mr. Trump said. “Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks and millions more black Americans who made America what it is today. A big impact.”“Frederick Douglass is an example of somebody who has done an amazing job and is being recognized more and more, I notice,” Mr. Trump said. “Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks and millions more black Americans who made America what it is today. A big impact.”
Yes, he said that.Yes, he said that.
Mr. Trump’s hope for relative peace and calm this weekend at Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Palm Beach, Fla., may be disrupted.Mr. Trump’s hope for relative peace and calm this weekend at Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Palm Beach, Fla., may be disrupted.
Emboldened by demonstrations across the country, and the White House’s decision to scotch a trip to Milwaukee rather than face angry opponents, protesters are planning a march outside the club as it hosts the annual American Red Cross gala. Emboldened by demonstrations across the country, and the White House’s decision to skip a trip to Milwaukee rather than face angry opponents, protesters are planning a march outside the club as it plays host to the annual American Red Cross gala.
The gala has been held at the club in previous years, and Mr. Trump has attended. It is unclear whether he will this year. The gala has been held at the club in previous years, and Mr. Trump has attended. It is unclear whether he attend will this year.
But the protests will paint an untimely tableau for a president whose last five days have been spent facing fallout from his executive order banning travel over the next few months from seven Muslim-majority nations. The protests will paint an untimely tableau for a president whose last five days have been spent facing fallout from his executive order temporarily banning travel from seven Muslim-majority nations.
Their action may have been encouraged by the White House itself. The decision to cancel President Trump’s trip to Milwaukee for a Harley-Davidson factory visit on Thursday was sure to have repercussions for the already energized activists opposing Mr. Trump’s presidency. Their action may have been encouraged by the White House itself. The decision to cancel President Trump’s trip to Milwaukee for a visit to a Harley-Davidson factory on Thursday was sure to have repercussions for the already energized activists opposing Mr. Trump’s presidency.
Harley-Davidson was worried about the protests likely to greet Mr. Trump and the possible harm to its popularity, just as Peyton Manning was last week when he dashed out the back door of a Republican retreat in Philadelphia rather than risk the cameras. Harley-Davidson was worried about the protests and the possible harm to its popularity, just as Peyton Manning was last week when he dashed out the back door of a Republican retreat in Philadelphia rather than risk the cameras.
The Democratic National Committee is already mocking the decision.The Democratic National Committee is already mocking the decision.
“Donald Trump is a real tough guy when it comes to locking up a scared 5-year-old boy trying to find his mother,” said Zac Petkanas, Democratic National Committee senior adviser. “But as soon as he has to face the American people to defend his illegal anti-Muslim ban, he chickens out. What a profile in courage.”“Donald Trump is a real tough guy when it comes to locking up a scared 5-year-old boy trying to find his mother,” said Zac Petkanas, Democratic National Committee senior adviser. “But as soon as he has to face the American people to defend his illegal anti-Muslim ban, he chickens out. What a profile in courage.”
First, President Trump called his hard stop on refugees and visas to seven Muslim nations a ban.First, President Trump called his hard stop on refugees and visas to seven Muslim nations a ban.
Then his press secretary, Sean Spicer, stood at the White House podium on Tuesday and said it was not a ban, a position he held to, even after reporters quoted his boss.Then his press secretary, Sean Spicer, stood at the White House podium on Tuesday and said it was not a ban, a position he held to, even after reporters quoted his boss.
Now Mr. Trump has asked, “What’s in a name?”Now Mr. Trump has asked, “What’s in a name?”
Glad that’s settled.Glad that’s settled.
Plans for President Trump’s state visit to Britain are all coming a cropper.Plans for President Trump’s state visit to Britain are all coming a cropper.
When British Prime Minister Theresa May invited Mr. Trump last week to pay a state visit to Britain, a call on Queen Elizabeth II was part of the invitation. But royal visits tend to involve more than just the queen, and the Prince of Wales has made clear that he intends to give Mr. Trump a piece of his mind about the urgent need to address climate change.When British Prime Minister Theresa May invited Mr. Trump last week to pay a state visit to Britain, a call on Queen Elizabeth II was part of the invitation. But royal visits tend to involve more than just the queen, and the Prince of Wales has made clear that he intends to give Mr. Trump a piece of his mind about the urgent need to address climate change.
American officials have made clear that Mr. Trump has no intention of being lectured by Prince Charles and instead, he wants to be greeted by Prince Charles’s much cuter children, including Prince William, his attractive wife, Kate Middleton, and their young children.American officials have made clear that Mr. Trump has no intention of being lectured by Prince Charles and instead, he wants to be greeted by Prince Charles’s much cuter children, including Prince William, his attractive wife, Kate Middleton, and their young children.
Of course, this 2012 post on Twitter might make that a tad awkward as well:Of course, this 2012 post on Twitter might make that a tad awkward as well:
But Prince Charles, who has been denied a kingship most of his life because of his mother’s decision to hang onto the crown into her 90s, has made clear that he does not intend to be passed over by Mr. Trump.But Prince Charles, who has been denied a kingship most of his life because of his mother’s decision to hang onto the crown into her 90s, has made clear that he does not intend to be passed over by Mr. Trump.
The royal snag is one of several that have cropped up over Mr. Trump’s visit. British Prime Minister Theresa May thought her own visit to the White House had gone swimmingly, only to discover that shortly after she left, Mr. Trump had signed an executive order barring refugees and the entry of anyone from seven countries, which caused a firestorm in Britain.The royal snag is one of several that have cropped up over Mr. Trump’s visit. British Prime Minister Theresa May thought her own visit to the White House had gone swimmingly, only to discover that shortly after she left, Mr. Trump had signed an executive order barring refugees and the entry of anyone from seven countries, which caused a firestorm in Britain.
Ms. May was accused of appeasement by a former British diplomat. Protesters gathered outside 10 Downing Street on Monday night, and more than 1.5 million signatures collected on an internet petition demanding that Mrs. May rescind her invitation for Mr. Trump to visit Queen Elizabeth II.Ms. May was accused of appeasement by a former British diplomat. Protesters gathered outside 10 Downing Street on Monday night, and more than 1.5 million signatures collected on an internet petition demanding that Mrs. May rescind her invitation for Mr. Trump to visit Queen Elizabeth II.
Mrs. May has insisted that her invitation remain in force, but the initial bloom of her visit has decidedly faded. And now Prince Charles has promised to give it a royal tarnish.Mrs. May has insisted that her invitation remain in force, but the initial bloom of her visit has decidedly faded. And now Prince Charles has promised to give it a royal tarnish.
The Obama administration’s efforts to regulate the once flourishing for-profit university system did not get a lot of attention, but they had big consequences.The Obama administration’s efforts to regulate the once flourishing for-profit university system did not get a lot of attention, but they had big consequences.
Critics of the universities saw fake diploma mills that recruited students with advertising on buses, on subways and even in homeless shelters, and then helped them get guaranteed student loans from the federal government. Money in hand, the for-profits often left the students to their own devices. If they dropped out, or got degrees that proved worthless in the work world, so be it: The taxpayer would pay off the loans if the students couldn’t.Critics of the universities saw fake diploma mills that recruited students with advertising on buses, on subways and even in homeless shelters, and then helped them get guaranteed student loans from the federal government. Money in hand, the for-profits often left the students to their own devices. If they dropped out, or got degrees that proved worthless in the work world, so be it: The taxpayer would pay off the loans if the students couldn’t.
The Obama-era regulations tightened up recruiting rules and tied loans to the schools’ records of getting their students the jobs they were promised. Many for-profit universities went under.The Obama-era regulations tightened up recruiting rules and tied loans to the schools’ records of getting their students the jobs they were promised. Many for-profit universities went under.
Now, President Trump — who just settled a fraud suit against his Trump University — has asked Liberty University’s president, Jerry Falwell Jr., a stern critic of accreditation rules, to head a White House task force on higher education, assigned to focus on “overregulation and micromanagement,” a Liberty spokesman told NBC News.Now, President Trump — who just settled a fraud suit against his Trump University — has asked Liberty University’s president, Jerry Falwell Jr., a stern critic of accreditation rules, to head a White House task force on higher education, assigned to focus on “overregulation and micromanagement,” a Liberty spokesman told NBC News.
“The goal is to pare it back and give colleges and their accrediting agencies more leeway in governing their affairs,” Mr. Falwell, an evangelical Christian, told The Chronicle of Higher Education.“The goal is to pare it back and give colleges and their accrediting agencies more leeway in governing their affairs,” Mr. Falwell, an evangelical Christian, told The Chronicle of Higher Education.
The pendulum could be swinging back fast.The pendulum could be swinging back fast.
Whether former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. will actually run for president in 2020 at age 78 is still uncertain, but some of his plans for life after 44 years of public service became a bit more clear on Tuesday after he announced the formation of the Biden Foundation.Whether former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. will actually run for president in 2020 at age 78 is still uncertain, but some of his plans for life after 44 years of public service became a bit more clear on Tuesday after he announced the formation of the Biden Foundation.
And not surprisingly, Mr. Biden used one of his father’s favorite aphorisms to mark the occasion.And not surprisingly, Mr. Biden used one of his father’s favorite aphorisms to mark the occasion.
“My dad used to have an expression, ‘It’s a lucky person who gets up in the morning, puts both feet on the floor, knows what they’re about to do and thinks it still matters,’” Mr. Biden said in a statement. “We look forward to this new chapter.”“My dad used to have an expression, ‘It’s a lucky person who gets up in the morning, puts both feet on the floor, knows what they’re about to do and thinks it still matters,’” Mr. Biden said in a statement. “We look forward to this new chapter.”
Mr. Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, intend to use the foundation to advance some of their dearest foreign and domestic policy priorities, including their cancer initiative, combating violence against women, and supporting U.S. military service members and their families, according to the announcement.Mr. Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, intend to use the foundation to advance some of their dearest foreign and domestic policy priorities, including their cancer initiative, combating violence against women, and supporting U.S. military service members and their families, according to the announcement.
Several of the Bidens’ closest friends and family members will serve on the board of the charity, including former Senator Ted Kaufman and Valerie Biden Owens, Mr. Biden’s sister.Several of the Bidens’ closest friends and family members will serve on the board of the charity, including former Senator Ted Kaufman and Valerie Biden Owens, Mr. Biden’s sister.