Welcome to RantCrush Top 5, where we take you through today’s top five controversial stories in the world of law and policy. Who’s ranting and raving right now? Check it out below:

Jared Kushner Releases Remarks, Denies Collusion

Today, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and close adviser, Jared Kushner, released his prepared remarks to the Senate Intelligence Committee. The meeting will be behind closed doors and Kushner will not be under oath when he testifies–although it is illegal to lie to Congress regardless. According to the prepared remarks Kushner released prior to his testimony, he will be claiming that he was in no way involved with any sort of Russian collusion during the 2016 election.

At particular issue is the 2016 meeting between Kushner, Donald Trump Jr., and a Kremlin-connected lawyer, among others. Emails released by Trump Jr. reveal that the lawyer claimed to have information about Trump’s opponent Hillary Clinton; Kushner claims that he had no idea what the meeting was going to be about. Kushner also claimed in his prepared remarks that his failure to disclose certain meetings and information on his SF-86–a security form–was based on inexperience and miscommunication with his staff. But not everyone is buying Kushner’s excuses.

Just because Jared Kushner tried to set up a back channel with the Russians doesn’t mean he tried to set up a back channel with the Russians

— Jim Gaffigan (@JimGaffigan) July 24, 2017

Anneliese Mahoney

Anneliese Mahoney is Managing Editor at Law Street and a Connecticut transplant to Washington D.C. She has a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the George Washington University, and a passion for law, politics, and social issues. Contact Anneliese at amahoney@LawStreetMedia.com.

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Jared Kushner will attempt to re-ignite peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians while on his trip to Jerusalem and Ramallah this week. He would be laying the groundwork for what President Donald Trump calls the “ultimate deal.” The trip is Kushner’s first to the region in his capacity as Trump’s chief envoy for the peace process.

For over two decades, American diplomats have been flummoxed by the peace process. Successful mediation of a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians has eluded even the most experienced and well-respected diplomats. Evidently, experience alone has not worked, leading some experts to believe Kushner’s inexperience could be beneficial.

Immediately upon landing in Israel on Wednesday, Kushner visited the parents of Hadas Malka, a 23-year-old Israeli police officer who was stabbed to death by a Palestinian last Friday.

Kushner arrives in Israel, visits family of slain border guard https://t.co/14UkeWSkxj

— The Times of Israel (@TimesofIsrael) June 21, 2017

 Later, Kushner met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his office in Jerusalem. He was joined by Jason Greenblatt,Trump’s other envoy for the peace push, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer, and his American counterpart David Friedman. Greenblatt has been particularly exhaustive in his efforts, speaking with representatives from both sides of the conflict. He also regularly live tweets his endeavors in the region:

Spending time w/families who r breaking the #Ramadan fast at Pediatric Cancer Ward @ Makassed Hospital. I pray for the kids’ quick recovery. pic.twitter.com/xHIggTxPuk

— Jason D. Greenblatt (@jdgreenblatt45) June 20, 2017

Back at the Kotel for much needed prayer. Inspired by the constant stream of warm wishes for success in bringing peace from others praying. pic.twitter.com/bPTMXVEOeT

— Jason D. Greenblatt (@jdgreenblatt45) June 20, 2017

According to the Associated Press, before the meeting began Netanyahu told Kushner it was “an opportunity to pursue our common goals of security, prosperity, and peace.”

On Thursday, Kushner is expected to travel to Ramallah in the West Bank to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and other Palestinian officials.

Deep divisions exist between the negotiating parties, including the status of East Jerusalem and the nearly 500,000 Israeli settlers living in the West Bank. The Palestinians are adamant that East Jerusalem be the capital of their future state, which would largely exist in the West Bank. Israel captured both areas, along with the Golan Heights and the Gaza Strip, which is governed by the terrorist group Hamas, during the 1967 Six-Day War.

Trump’s ascendence to the White House initially overjoyed the far-right elements of Netanyahu’s governing coalition. His embrace of Israel, a far warmer public posture than former President Barack Obama, led many to believe his administration would be a blank check for settlement building. But he has since made it clear that he thinks settlements are, at least in part, an impediment to peace.

Could Trump’s flexibility–his ignorance and inexperience, critics might say–benefit him in a realm that has proven intractable for decades?

“President Trump is at his point of maximum leverage,” Daniel Shapiro, the former U.S. ambassador to Israel under Obama, told The Washington Post. “He has gained respect in the region. He is seen as serious. Add to that, his known streak for being unpredictable. This might make it very difficult to say no to him or to a member of his family.”

But still, Shapiro warned, “This creates an opening. Not more than an opening. One shouldn’t be irrationally exuberant. But the opening is real.”

Alec Siegel

Alec Siegel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. When he’s not working at Law Street he’s either cooking a mediocre tofu dish or enjoying a run in the woods. His passions include: gooey chocolate chips, black coffee, mountains, the Animal Kingdom in general, and John Lennon. Baklava is his achilles heel. Contact Alec at ASiegel@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post Kushner Heads to Israel, West Bank for First Crack at Peace appeared first on Law Street.

After over a year in the spotlight as an important member of Donald Trump’s family, son-in-law Jared Kushner has finally made his first public remarks since becoming an adviser to his father-in-law. So, after plenty of speculation, the world now knows what his voice sounds like.

Kushner, Ivanka Trump’s husband, has gained unprecedented access to the White House for an in-law. Since President Donald Trump took office, Kushner has been given access to the National Security Council and confidential information. He has also been tasked with brokering a peace deal in the Middle East and acting as a diplomat in talks with Mexico, according to the Washington Post.

Yet America was still left wondering what Kushner sounded like. Even “SNL” made fun of Kushner’s silence in this clip from April.

Comedian John Oliver joined the fun on one of his shows: “For someone with the amount of power that he has, have you ever heard him speak? Seriously, what does his voice sound like? You don’t know, do you?”

On Monday, Kushner made his first recent public speech at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Behind a podium, Kushner spoke about the Trump Administration’s commitment to technological modernization. Two months ago Kushner was tapped to head the Office of American Innovation, which attempts to use the private sector to modernize government, according to the Washington Post.

As Kushner spoke on technological modernization, some people on Twitter joked that Kushner’s voice itself should be a bit more futuristic.

Kind of disappointed. Jared Kushner’s making his first public remarks and he hasn’t been hiding a cool Darth Vader voice. At all.

— Karen DaltonBeninato (@kbeninato) June 19, 2017

Others on Twitter compared his voice to actor Michael Cera, who is often mocked for his young, high-pitched voice.

In the tragicomedy film version of the Trump era, Jared Kushner will be played by Michael Cera.

— Brian Beutler (@brianbeutler) June 19, 2017

Many had fun at his expense, but others took note that the disparaging comments about Kushner’s voice may come from him not fitting a “masculine” ideal. There was plenty of fodder to criticize as people mocked Kushner’s “feminine” voice on Twitter.

There is so much that’s fair to critique Kushner on that’s fair. But, making fun of his voice hurts so many men and boys for no reason.

— Brianna Wu (@Spacekatgal) June 19, 2017

But does how Kushner’s voice sound actually matter? In the first few months of his presidency, Trump has incorporated his family into more power positions than prior administrations, so Kushner’s actions matter more than his voice. What really matters is how Kushner can use his powerful platform to influence his wife and father-in-law when it comes to technological advancement or whatever other important issue he’s tasked with.

Josh Schmidt

Josh Schmidt is an editorial intern and is a native of the Washington D.C Metropolitan area. He is working towards a degree in multi-platform journalism with a minor in history at nearby University of Maryland. Contact Josh at staff@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post The World Finally Gets to Hear Jared Kushner’s Voice appeared first on Law Street.

Welcome to RantCrush Top 5, where we take you through today’s top five controversial stories in the world of law and policy. Who’s ranting and raving right now? Check it out below:

Angela Merkel Implies that Europe Can No Longer Rely on the U.S.

After his recent trip, some European leaders seem a little sick of President Donald Trump. German Chancellor Angela Merkel recently hinted, without specifically mentioning Trump’s name, that European countries can no longer consider the U.S. a reliable ally. During a rally held inside a Bavarian beer tent on Sunday, she said, “The times in which we can fully count on others are somewhat over, as I have experienced in the past few days.” She added that Europe “really must take our fate into our own hands.”

Frmr CIA Dir McLaughlin: Trump creating rift w/ Germany and Europe “is one of the most damaging things I have seen in…years and years.”

— Steve Peoples (@sppeoples) May 30, 2017

During his visit to Europe, Trump said he might pull the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement–the most unified effort to combat climate change to date. Trump has also expressed support for Brexit and encouraged other countries in the European Union to explore leaving the coalition. As a result, many Europeans see Trump as a potential threat to regional stability. But now it seems like his recent comments and behavior in Europe could actually unite Europe–even Merkel’s rivals in the upcoming national elections have supported her response. This morning, Trump hit back against Germany with a tweet (of course).

We have a MASSIVE trade deficit with Germany, plus they pay FAR LESS than they should on NATO & military. Very bad for U.S. This will change

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2017

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.

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Storm clouds are gathering over the White House, and its resident lightning rod, Steve Bannon, might be in trouble. The first signs of a building storm popped up last week when Bannon, President Donald Trump’s chief strategist, was removed from the National Security Council. And then, reports of infighting began seeping out of the giant doors of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Bannon’s ideological and stylistic differences with Jared Kushner, Trump’s increasingly influential son-in-law, have led to a number of behind-closed-doors confrontations. And in an interview with the New York Post published on Tuesday, Trump indicated a personnel shake-up could be looming.

“I like Steve, but you have to remember, he was not involved in my campaign until very late,” Trump said in an interview with the Post’s Michael Goodwin. “I had already beaten all the senators and all the governors, and I didn’t know Steve. I’m my own strategist, and it wasn’t like I was going to change strategies because I was facing crooked Hillary.”

Bannon was largely responsible for reviving Trump’s sinking campaign last fall, and his ethos has been evident in a number of Trump’s governing decisions: the doom-and-gloom “American carnage” speech on Inauguration Day; the executive order banning refugees and visitors from seven (then six) predominantly Muslim countries; the combative press conferences with the media–a.k.a. “America’s enemy.” Bannon has infused the Trump doctrine with his distinct flavor; Trump’s anti-elite message comes straight from Bannon’s playbook.

Meanwhile Kushner, a quiet, media-shy 36-year-old who grew up with a millionaire father (not to mention has a billionaire father-in-law), is gaining influence in Trump’s orbit. Bannon reportedly told Kushner that the reason the two can’t reach a compromise on certain issues is because “you’re a Democrat.” After the spat attracted media attention–an unwanted distraction at a time when Trump is dealing with rising conflicts with Syria and North Korea–the president told his two aides to figure things out.

Many attribute Bannon’s waning influence not only to his arguments with Kushner, but with his governing vision, which proved effective during the campaign, but has not resulted in many legislative successes. Bannon’s anti-immigrant, anti-establishment leanings certainly influenced the travel ban, which is now held up in court for the second time. And the failed health care attempt–too populist for hard-right conservatives and too cheap for moderates–was also smothered in Bannon’s fingerprints.

Kushner, on the other hand, has long been viewed as a moderating force, a check on Bannon’s more unsavory tendencies. For weeks, the tension between the two, if there was any, was hidden behind a host of distractions and the media-sucking gaffes of press secretary Sean Spicer and counselor Kellyanne Conway. But  the Bannon-Kushner feud is spilling into the public eye, and the image-conscious president has taken notice. As Trump succinctly put it in his interview with the Post: “Steve is a good guy, but I told them to straighten it out or I will.”

Alec Siegel

Alec Siegel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. When he’s not working at Law Street he’s either cooking a mediocre tofu dish or enjoying a run in the woods. His passions include: gooey chocolate chips, black coffee, mountains, the Animal Kingdom in general, and John Lennon. Baklava is his achilles heel. Contact Alec at ASiegel@LawStreetMedia.com.

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Welcome to RantCrush Top 5, where we take you through today’s top five controversial stories in the world of law and policy. Who’s ranting and raving right now? Check it out below:

Steve Bannon Removed From the National Security Council

One of President Trump’s closest advisers, former Breitbart News chairman Steve Bannon, was removed from his seat on the National Security Council yesterday. The new national security adviser Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster, who replaced Michael Flynn, reportedly orchestrated the move. According to a White House source, Bannon was so upset that he threatened to resign altogether, but publicly, his spokespeople said that it was all part of the natural evolution of his role. The White House claims that Bannon was put on the council to keep an eye on Flynn, and now that Flynn is gone, Bannon has other priorities.

HOWEVER, Bannon’s removal from National Security Council doesn’t indicate any erosion of his influence in White House, the official told me. https://t.co/994bUUZ0Sf

— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) April 5, 2017

But critics of Bannon say it was a very bad idea to put him on the NSC in the first place. Now, there are rumors that Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, played an important role in Bannon’s removal. It’s pretty safe to say that the drama in the White House is far from over.

Sen Cardin on Bannon being off the NSC: “If that is true..I’d be very pleased…my hope is that he has no role in government at all.”

— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) April 5, 2017

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post RantCrush Top 5: April 6, 2017 appeared first on Law Street.

Welcome to RantCrush Top 5, where we take you through today’s top five controversial stories in the world of law and policy. Who’s ranting and raving right now? Check it out below:

Senate Intelligence Committee to Question Jared Kushner

The Senate Intelligence Committee investigation into the relationship between the Trump campaign and Russia is still ongoing and investigators now plan to question Trump’s son-in-law and close adviser Jared Kushner. The Senate Intelligence Committee reportedly wants to ask Kushner about meetings that he organized with Russian ambassador Sergey I. Kislyak. Apparently one of the meetings involved the boss of Russia’s state-owned development bank, a fact that was previously unreported.

According to White House sources that spoke to the New York Times, Kushner met the head of the bank on Kislyak’s request even though the U.S. had placed the bank on its sanctions list after President Putin’s invasion of Crimea and conflict with Ukraine. According to White House spokeswoman Hope Hicks, there was nothing unusual about this meeting. But the news of Kushner’s impending questioning has still raised eyebrows–he’s the first from Trump’s inner circle to be questioned about this issue.

Before he fixes the Middle East and remakes the US Government, first Jared Kushner has to explain the meetings with all them Russians! https://t.co/zIsEMnfdAC

— Eric Garland (@ericgarland) March 27, 2017

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.

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The hands on the Doomsday clock are now closer to midnight than they have been since 1953, when Russia and the U.S. were testing hydrogen bombs during the Cold War. If you don’t know what we’re talking about, read our piece on it. Happy Friday–check out today’s rants and raves!

Welcome to RantCrush Top 5, where we take you through today’s top five controversial stories in the world of law and policy. Who’s ranting and raving right now? Check it out below:

U.S. Border Patrol Chief Forced to Resign

Just one day after President Donald Trump’s announcement that the border wall is happening (at least, so he says) Border Patrol Chief Mark Morgan was forced out of his job, according to a U.S. official who spoke to the AP. Morgan told senior Border Patrol agents over a video link that he had been asked to leave. He didn’t fight the decision.

Morgan is a former FBI agent. He was named to the post in June and took office in October, as the first “outsider” to lead the agency since it was created in 1924. He has reportedly clashed with the Border Patrol union, which supported Donald Trump, especially after Trump said in December that he would like to see a major immigration policy overhaul.

#BREAKING: Chief of the Border Patrol leaves agency that’s in charge of securing America’s borders with Mexico and Canada pic.twitter.com/ixFCMZ1lXa

— 10News WTSP (@10NewsWTSP) January 26, 2017

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post RantCrush Top 5: January 27, 2017 appeared first on Law Street.

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Ethics experts are divided.

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Image courtesy of Michael Vadon; License: (CC BY 2.0)

Jared Kushner will be a senior advisor in the White House, President-elect Donald Trump’s team announced on Monday. The appointment of Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, raises some questions about the legality of hiring family members for public positions. Ethics experts are split on whether or not the appointment will hold. Some claim it breaches a federal anti-nepotism law, while others say that law does not apply to White House appointments.

After being elected president in 1960, John F. Kennedy appointed his brother, Robert, as the U.S. attorney general. The appointment of a family member to a top cabinet post stirred up a national debate on nepotism. In 1967, that debate was, for the time being, settled with a federal law that barred public officials from employing family members to serve in public posts. The law states:

A public official may not appoint, employ, promote, advance, or advocate for appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement, in or to a civilian position in the agency in which he is serving or over which he exercises jurisdiction or control any individual who is a relative of the public official.

Trump’s appointment of Kushner, who Trump called “a tremendous asset and trusted adviser throughout the campaign and transition” in a statement on Monday, poses a challenge to the anti-nepotism statute. But some ethics experts say that a 1978 law narrowed the purview of the anti-nepotism law, and effectively allows White House officials, including the president, to appoint family members to a role within the administration.

A previous case involving a former foe of Kushner’s father-in-law, Hillary Clinton, also bodes well for Kushner. In 1993, President Bill Clinton selected his wife to head a health care initiative. The appointment was challenged in a federal court. D.C. Circuit Judge Laurence Silberman ruled in favor of the Clintons, saying he doubts “Congress intended to include the White House or the Executive Office of the President” in the anti-nepotism law. “So, for example, a President would be barred from appointing his brother as Attorney General, but perhaps not as a White House special assistant,” he added.

Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner says the President-elect didn’t believe the conspiracy theories he pushed https://t.co/qotveI7KAg pic.twitter.com/dkxNpnTJ0v

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) January 9, 2017

Kushner, 36, has business entanglements in the U.S. and abroad that some worry could compromise his ability to work in the White House. But Jamie Gorelick, Kushner’s lawyer, confirmed that Kushner will divest from his holdings and step-down from various real estate and publishing positions. Kushner is a lifelong Democrat and offers liberals, including New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, who called him a “very reasonable person,” on Monday, a moderating voice in the Trump Administration.

Kushner is expected to have an equal role to Trump’s Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and Chief Strategist Steve Bannon. His focus will be on free trade, forging private-public partnerships, and issues involving the Middle East and Israel. Gorelick, who served as the deputy attorney general in the Clinton Administration, is confident that her client will have no problem in his new post. “I am not saying there’s no legal argument on the other side,” she said on Monday. “I’m just saying we have the better argument and will prevail.”

Alec Siegel

Alec Siegel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. When he’s not working at Law Street he’s either cooking a mediocre tofu dish or enjoying a run in the woods. His passions include: gooey chocolate chips, black coffee, mountains, the Animal Kingdom in general, and John Lennon. Baklava is his achilles heel. Contact Alec at ASiegel@LawStreetMedia.com.

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Birthdays, Barack, and Billy Eichner.

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"Grilled Cheese Olympics" courtesy of Mack Male; License: (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Today is Jared Kushner’s birthday, and apparently he got quite the gift from his father-in-law! Read our rants of the day to find out exactly what that was, and have a great Tuesday! Welcome to RantCrush Top 5, where we take you through today’s top five controversial stories in the world of law and policy. Who’s ranting and raving right now? Check it out below:

Trump Names His Son-In-Law as an Adviser

Yesterday, President-elect Donald Trump’s aides said that he would make his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, a White House adviser. Trump himself didn’t confirm this news explicitly, but told reporters who asked him, “We’ll talk about that on Wednesday,” when he is scheduled to hold a news conference. “The president has the right to appoint who he wants if you look at the law,” said Kellyanne Conway.

Best News of the Day. Trump Son-in-Law Jared Kushner to Be Named Senior White House Adviser https://t.co/GGmpeUq2oA

— Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) January 9, 2017

Kushner is only 36 years old, and has been married to Ivanka Trump since 2009. This move could create some conflicts of interest, as Kushner is a media mogul and real estate developer. He also has no experience in foreign policy. It’s not entirely clear what exactly the law says about the situation, as it is formulated vaguely, but it is sure to be analyzed closely in the coming weeks. And there have already been a lot of strong reactions:

Jared Kushner, a moron, has been hired to explain things to Donald Trump, who is even dumber in a game of telephone that ends in apocalypse.

— Matt Christman (@cushbomb) January 9, 2017

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.

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