Caroline Cox  //  1/18/18  //  Daily Update

The Chief of Staff recently told lawmakers that President Trump was not sufficiently informed of the facts when he promised a border wall during the campaign. Senator Chuck Schumer announced that Senate Democrats are seeking a vote to prevent the FCC from repealing net neutrality. Numerous members of the National Parks System Advisory Board have quit in protest of the way in which the Trump Administration has handled the park system.

IMMIGRATION

White House Chief of Staff General John Kelly “deserves more scrutiny and more condemnation” for his influence in the immigration debate, writes Charles M. Blow in The New York Times.

The Chief of Staff recently told lawmakers that President Trump was not sufficiently informed of the facts when he promised a border wall during the campaign (NYT).

The Department of Homeland Security’s promise to prosecute officials who support sanctuary cities is unconstitutional, argues Cody Wofsy at the ACLU.  

CIVIL RIGHTS

The nominee for Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division at the Justice Department is unfit for the position and has failed to disavow discriminatory policies, writes Lambda Legal.

DEMOCRACY

Polling suggests that the majority of Americans believe that the government does not sufficiently guard against corruption (Project on Government Oversight).

JUSTICE & SAFETY

Arguments in favor of stricter national security measures are a step toward destrective protectionism policies, argues Colin Grabow at Cato at Liberty.

Jared Kushner’s work on a bipartisan criminal justice reform deal have stalled due to Attorney General Jeff Sessions (Vice News).

A new case argues that the 2001 authorization for the use of military force has expired, which the petitioners argue means that their Guantanamo Detention cannot continue (Lawfare).  

The United States Navy announced that it will prosecute commanding officers involved in the collision of two Naval destroyers in the Pacific last year (NYT).

United States spies have voiced concern that the man arrested for exposing sources in China will not face justice (WaPo).

REGULATION

Donald Trump has sought to undermine President Obama’s legacy at every turn, argues Justin George at The Marshall Project.

The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau announced that it is seeking comments on its enforcement, supervising, rulemaking, and educational work (Consumer Finance Monitor).

Senator Chuck Schumer announced that Senate Democrats are seeking a vote to prevent the FCC from repealing net neutrality (The Hill).

CHECKS AND BALANCES

Recently passed legislation would restore a State Department office focused on cybersecurity policy over Secretary Tillerson’s objections (The Hill).

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

A photographer for the Department of Energy claims that he was fired after a photographer he took suggested that the coal industry had influence with Secretary Rick Perry (NYT).  

Numerous members of the National Parks System Advisory Board have quit in protest of the way in which the Trump Administration has handled the park system (NYT).

REMOVAL FROM OFFICE

Outside experts warn that President Trump’s physical examination raises serious heart concerns (NYT).

RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE

Steve Bannon has agreed to be interviewed in Mueller’s investigations and will not go in front of a grand jury (NYT).

Facebook announced that it is investigating whether Russian interference played a role in the Brexit campaign on the site (The Hill).