Daily Update | April 5, 2018
Helen Marie Berg, Kate Berry // 4/5/18 //
The DOJ asks a federal court to halt its order stopping government officials from preventing unaccompanied immigrant minors in custody from getting abortions. President Trump signs proclamation to send National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border. A new report from the Government Accountability Office found that black students are punished more severely than their peers. H.R. McMaster, in one of his last public comments as national security advisor, criticized lack of action from the Trump Administration in response to alleged Russian election interference. The Trump Administration will sanction several Russian oligarchs in retaliation for alleged interference in the 2016 election.
IMMIGRATION
The DOJ asks a federal court to halt its order that stopped government officials from preventing unaccompanied immigrant minors in custody from getting abortions (The Hill).
President Trump signs proclamation to send National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border (WaPo).
- The LA Times proposes that states may refuse to deploy National Guard troops.
- The Washington Post suggests that the President’s urgent action is unwarranted.
President Trump said that troops have not been deployed to the border before but that is not true, explains Alex Horton at The Washington Post.
- Cato at Liberty provides examples of troops deployed to the border in the past.
- Just Security breaks down the President’s proposal.
- The Wall Street Journal notes that the President has asked the military to build walls for a base along the border.
President Trump should offer to continue DACA in exchange for a border wall, suggests Mark A. Thiessen at The Washington Post.
DEMOCRACY
President Trump’s frequent attacks on the press sends a dangerous message to the rest of the world (NYT).
JUSTICE & SAFETY
In amicus briefs for Trump v. Hawaii, ex-military and foreign policy officials argue that the travel ban will weaken national security (Just Security).
President Trump has instructed the military to prepare to withdraw troops from Syria (WaPo, WSJ).
China proposes tariffs on U.S. products with intent to affect U.S. farmers (NYT,WSJ).
- The Wall Street Journal notes that the tariffs will hit Trump voters the hardest.
Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats promises to declassify parts of CIA Director nominee Gina Haspel’s record in response to pressure from senators (Politico).
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt confessed to being “dumbfounded” at the controversy regarding his rental from a high profile lobbyist (The Hill).
- The Washington Post traced his living situation for August 2017.
- A series of interviews by Pruitt and his allies suggest a campaign to try to save his job (Politico).
- White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders would not comment on President Trump’s confidence in Pruitt (The Hill).
REGULATION
A new report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence shows a continued decline in the number of individuals with security clearance (Project on Government Oversight).
- ODNI report available here.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued its semi-annual report (Consumer Finance Monitor).
- CFPB report available here.
House Democrats requested rationale from the Trump Administration for its decision to inquire about citizenship on the 2020 census (The Hill).
A new report from the Government Accountability Office found that black students are punished more severely than their peers (The Hill, NYT).
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’s meetings regarding a school discipline policy from the Obama Administration suggest that the department is considering their repeal (WSJ).
The Union of Concerned Scientists accused Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue of prioritizing industry interests over science (The Hill).
The Federal Drug Administration called for internet companies to play a larger role in preventing online opioid sales (WSJ).
The United States engages in significant spending related to health care administration (The Incidental Economist).
CHECKS & BALANCES
One year into his position, Justice Neil Gorsuch brings a new dynamic to the Supreme Court (The Hill).
RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE
The Trump Administration will sanction several Russian oligarchs in retaliation for alleged interference in the 2016 election (WaPo, The Hill).
H.R. McMaster, in one of his last public comments as national security advisor, criticized lack of action from the Trump Administration in response to alleged Russian election interference (LA Times).
The federal judge in Paul Manafort’s criminal case questioned whether Manafort’s civil case against Robert Mueller retains a sound basis (WaPo, The Hill, Politico).
George Nader, witness in the Mueller investigation, has ties to both the UAE and Russia (NYT).
Tags:
Immigration Conflicts Checks & Balances Regulation Democracy Justice & Safety Russian Interference