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:

Paris Man Who Rammed Car of Explosives into Police Vehicle Was on Terror Watch List

Yesterday, a man rammed a car full of explosives into a police vehicle, although he only ended up killing himself. The incident is being investigated as a terror attack. It took place on the historic Champs-Elysees. In April, the famous avenue saw another attack, when a man shot a police officer. Authorities had previously flagged the perpetrator, who was identified as Adam Dzaziri, 31, for potential extremism. There were also knives, pistols, and an assault rifle inside the vehicle.

Guns are not easily accessible in Europe and this morning Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said he is “dismayed” that someone on a terror watch list had so many weapons. “Nobody can be satisfied–and certainly not me–that someone who had been flagged as radicalized had not been stripped of his right to own a gun,” he said. France has remained under a state of emergency since 2015 following a string of terror attacks. For many Europeans, these terror attacks have become the new normal.

Suspect’s family members detained after Champs-Elysees attack in Paris https://t.co/w8TZQneypO pic.twitter.com/gBMikNzhVX

— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) June 20, 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: June 20, 2017 appeared first on Law Street.

A few minutes past 9 a.m. on Wednesday, President Donald Trump sent out a tweet that had much of the world on the edge of its seat:

I will be announcing my decision on the Paris Accord over the next few days. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2017

Soon after Trump posted that tweet, the New York Times reported that he is expected to pull out of the 195-nation climate pact, according to three U.S. officials. One senior official told the Times that the decision was not final, and that specifics had yet to be hammered out.

But still, if the president makes good on one of his signature campaign pledges–he said he would “cancel” the agreement–the government’s commitment to combating climate change would essentially vanish–a symbolic blow that could lead other countries to withdraw.

The climate accord–an effort spearheaded by President Barack Obama and signed in Paris in December 2015–has split many of the key actors in Trump’s orbit; Congress has also taken opposing sides on the matter largely, but not exclusively, among party lines.

Leading the charge to abort the accord is Steve Bannon, Trump’s chief strategist. Bannon, a highly influential force in Trump’s ascendance to the White House, sees it as making good on a central campaign promise. Despite reports that Bannon was losing sway with the president in recent weeks, his “don’t forget who got you here” line seems to resonate with Trump.

Scott Pruitt, the EPA director, has also lobbied Trump to withdraw from the pact. In an interview on “Fox & Friends” in April, Pruitt said: “It’s a bad deal for America. It was an America second, third, or fourth kind of approach.”

But there are competing voices as well, with some of Trump’s aides arguing to remain in the agreement or to work on re-tooling it. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Ivanka Trump have argued that leaving the climate deal could jeopardize relationships with allies–like Europe–and leave the U.S. in a less powerful position in setting the rules for the global climate change discussion in the future.

Tillerson is expected to meet privately with Trump on Wednesday afternoon–perhaps to deliver a final plea to remain in the pact.

Several major corporations–including oil and natural gas giants like ExxonMobil–support remaining in the agreement. Darren Woods, Exxon’s CEO, recently wrote a letter to Trump, saying that the U.S., by being part of the accord, “will maintain a seat at the negotiating table to ensure a level playing field so that all energy sources and technologies are treated equitably in an open, transparent and competitive global market so as to achieve economic growth and poverty reduction at the lowest cost to society.”

Congress, like the White House, is breaking along a few different fault lines–some GOP representatives and senators have urged Trump to remain in the agreement, while dozens of others have implored him to withdraw. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) is one of the more vocal Republican voices supporting the pact. In a letter to Trump earlier this month, co-signed by Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), she wrote:

Climate change is a significant environmental challenge that requires global solutions to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and to address the effects already being seen worldwide. For international climate efforts to advance, is is essential that the United States keep a seat at the table.

Lindsey Graham and Bob Corker, GOP Senators from South Carolina and Tennessee, respectively, have also argued that staying in the accord would benefit the United States. Graham recently said leaving it “would be bad for the party, bad for the country.”

Other Republican senators have either remained mum on the subject, or have lobbied Trump to exit the deal. A letter sent last week to Trump, signed by 22 GOP members of the Senate, argued that remaining in the agreement “would subject the United States to significant litigation risk that could upend your Administration’s ability to fulfill its goal of rescinding the Clean Power Plan,” an Obama-era initiative that has yet to go into effect.

“Accordingly,” the senators wrote, ” we strongly encourage you to make a clean break from the Paris Agreement.”

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 Where Do the Trump Team and Congress Stand on the Paris Climate Accord? 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:

Trump is Getting Rid of Michelle Obama’s “Let Girls Learn”

Michelle Obama’s signature initiative for girls’ education, “Let Girls Learn,” will exist no longer. The program started in 2015 and focuses on education for girls in developing countries. White House officials have leaked that the program’s operations will end right away. Some aspects of the program will continue, but the name will no longer be used and it will cease to be a standalone program.

Tina Chen, Michelle Obama’s chief of staff, said that it was a disappointment considering the global recognition the initiative had. It also had bipartisan support and several years of funding already in place. Also yesterday, the new agriculture secretary, Sonny Perdue, announced changes to another one of Michelle’s initiatives–healthy school lunches. Perdue claimed that kids don’t like the healthier food with less sodium. “If kids aren’t eating the food, and it’s ending up in the trash, they aren’t getting any nutrition, thus undermining the intent of the program,” he said.

How is this moving the country forward and “Making America Great Again”? #trump100days https://t.co/0ijsKBj1LZ

— Delal Pektas (@delalpektas) May 1, 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: May 2, 2017 appeared first on Law Street.

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.

The post Is Steve Bannon in Trump’s Dog House? 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:

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.

Imagine taking this test: can you speak English? Can you code? Do you have a college degree? Do you have money saved away? For each “yes,” you get 10 points. If you score enough points, congratulations, you can become a legal resident of America. If not? Sorry, your merits are not up to snuff, and you must return to your home country. This is a crude example of what a “merit-based” immigration system, the kind President Donald Trump mentioned in his Tuesday speech to Congress, would look like.

The idea is hardly new–Congress almost reached a deal to implement such a system in 2007–but with Trump’s comments, it has been brought back to fore of the immigration conversation. Currently, most legal migrants come to the U.S. with immediate family members already living, legally, in the country to sponsor them. This so-called “family-based” system has been in place since the 1960s. Trump, in his remarks on Tuesday, suggested this system is an economic hindrance.

In championing a more “merit-based” system, Trump said “those seeking to enter a country ought to be able to support themselves financially, yet in America, we do not enforce this rule, straining the very public resources that our poorest citizens rely upon.” He said a “merit-based” model would “save countless dollars, raise workers’ wages and help struggling families, including immigrant families, enter the middle class.”

Traditionally politicians are split: some, mostly Democrats, see a shift to a more “merit-based” system as exclusionary and potentially discriminatory against poor people and people of color. Many Republicans support such a system, and say that wages for low-skilled jobs–like kitchen or agricultural work–that are often filled by migrants would increase. Instead of immigrants without high school diplomas filling those jobs, it would be Americans without high school diplomas.

Could Trump Change the System?

Lawmakers, for years, have agreed that the immigration system needs a make-over. But Trump’s tone on immigration, both legal and illegal, has been toxic and incendiary: he has called Mexicans “rapists” and “murderers.” He tried, and failed after a federal court stymied the effort, to enforce a temporary ban on visitors from seven largely Muslim countries. He has ordered a wall to be built on the Mexican border. And his chief strategist, Steve Bannon, sees the West as being “at war” with Islam.

And then there are Trump’s actions on illegal immigration. His administration recently issued an executive order to “take the shackles off” federal agents in deporting people in the U.S. illegally. While President Barack Obama deported record numbers of undocumented immigrants, he focused on high-level criminals, whereas Trump’s order broadens the scope to any lawbreaker–which could apply to all immigrants in the country illegally.

Has “Merit-Based” Been Tried Before?

In 2014, according to data from the Migration Policy Institute, 64 percent of legal immigrants living in the U.S. had been allowed in based on a family member’s sponsorship. Fifteen percent received employment-based preference, and 13 percent were refugees. So in Trump’s view, the weight of legally admitted immigrants to the U.S. would shift from “family-based” to “merit-based.” Such a shift has been attempted before.

President George W. Bush tried to reach a deal with Congress in 2007 to reform the immigration system to prioritize merits over family ties. In exchange for a system overhaul, to placate Democrats, his administration offered to create a legal path to citizenship for the roughly 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. at the time. The legislation was defeated in the Senate. Republicans have intermittently introduced similar bills in subsequent years but, perhaps until now, have not had sufficient political capital to make real progress.

The Australia Example

In the U.S., where about one million immigrants are granted legal status each year, the economic benefits of a “merit-based” system are unclear. But in Australia, a country that Trump pointed to, along with Canada, as having a “merit-based” system, immigration has a “profound positive impact not just on population growth, but also on labour participation and employment, on wages and incomes, on our national skills base and on net productivity,” according to a recent Migration Council Australia report. 

But comparing the immigration models of the U.S. and Australia is comparing apples to oranges. The U.S. lets in about a million legal immigrants each year. Australia on the other hand let in around 262,000 in 2016. Over half of those were highly skilled; the rest are a hybrid of temporary workers, refugees, asylum-seekers, or people sponsored by family members already in the country legally.

As of today, Trump’s stance on legal immigration is foggy, as is the case with many of his views. Is Bannon or Stephen Miller, a highly influential voice in Trump’s policy proposals, running the show? Do Trump and his team really want more highly skilled immigrants in the U.S., to better its future and the future of other people, no matter their faith or cultural background? Or is it a shrouded attempt at limiting all immigration? These are questions that will take time to answer, but one thing is for sure: changing America’s immigration system is no easy feat, and will not happen overnight.

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 What Would a “Merit-Based” Immigration System Look Like? appeared first on Law Street.

After the ouster of Michael Flynn last week, President Donald Trump on Monday chose another highly decorated general as his National Security Adviser: Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster. The appointment was met with widespread approval; McMaster is as respected for his battlefield strategy as he is for his intellectual rigor.

McMaster was not Trump’s first choice to replace Flynn, however. Robert Harward, also a general, declined the post last week. Flynn resigned after reports surfaced that he misled Vice President Mike Pence about the content of his phone calls with the Russian ambassador during the transition period.

At a press conference on Monday, Trump called McMaster, 54, a “man of tremendous talent and tremendous experience.” He added that McMaster “is highly respected by everyone in the military, and we’re very honored to have him.” Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), a vocal critic of Trump over the past few weeks, said the president made an “outstanding choice,” and called McMaster a “man of genuine intellect, character, and ability.”

Congratulations to our new National Security Advisor, General H.R. McMaster. Video: https://t.co/BKn9r225Kk pic.twitter.com/VBXcJ1b6Pv

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 21, 2017

But despite his qualifications and reputation, McMaster is set to lead a national security apparatus that is largely dismayed by Trump’s first month in office, and is trying to navigate the outsize influence of Trump’s Chief Strategist Steve Bannon. Unlike Flynn, and others in Trump’s orbit, McMaster does not see the West as being in a “clash of civilizations” with Islam. In fact, while serving in the Iraq War, he allied his forces with Islamic militants who had killed Americans in order to defeat al-Qaeda. Instead of vilifying all of Islam, he sought to turn Muslims against the more radical, jihadist strains. He also forbid his troops from using derogatory terms for Muslims.

Time will tell if McMaster, known for being an independent-minded leader who is unafraid to stand up to his superiors, will advise the president on national security issues, as his post is meant to, or if he will be forced to yield to the vision of Bannon and Trump. For his part, McMaster said he is “grateful” for the opportunity. Sitting with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach on Monday, McMaster said he will do “everything I can to advance and protect the interests of the American people.”

Though he is lauded for his battlefield exploits–he earned a Silver Star during the Persian Gulf war in 1991–his 1997 book “Dereliction of Duty” was widely acclaimed, and serves as a sort of blueprint for his views. The book was an in-depth critique of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for failing to stand up to President Lyndon Johnson during the Vietnam War.

“The war in Vietnam was not lost in the field, nor was it lost on the front pages of the New York Times or the college campuses,” he wrote. “It was lost in Washington, D.C.” McMaster will now be plunging deep into the place and the system he has previously critiqued, at a time when its leader, Trump, has not shown much deference to his appointees, no matter their experience or expertise.

But for now, McMaster is a welcome maven of stability for an administration that has been anything but. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), the highest ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, tweeted his approval of McMaster on Monday: “McMaster is solid choice, bright & strategic. Wrote the book on importance of standing up to POTUS. May need to show same independence here.”

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 Meet the New National Security Adviser: H.R. McMaster appeared first on Law Street.

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.

]]> https://legacy.lawstreetmedia.com/blogs/rantcrush/rantcrush-top-5-january-27-2017/feed/ 0 58474 https://legacy.lawstreetmedia.com/blogs/politics-blog/steve-bannon-criticizes-media-backlash/ https://legacy.lawstreetmedia.com/blogs/politics-blog/steve-bannon-criticizes-media-backlash/#respond Mon, 21 Nov 2016 17:52:58 +0000 http://lawstreetmedia.com/?p=56991

Can he defend himself?

The post Steve Bannon Tries to Clear Up his Image appeared first on Law Street.

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"Steve Bannon" courtesy of DON IRVINE; LICENSE:  (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Steve Bannon, the chief strategist for President-elect Donald Trump, faced heavy criticism last week, with many calling him an alt-right white nationalist–a label he denied in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.

In the interview, Bannon said:

I’m an economic nationalist. I am an America first guy. And I have admired nationalist movements throughout the world, have said repeatedly strong nations make great neighbors. I’ve also said repeatedly that the ethno-nationalist movement, prominent in Europe, will change over time. I’ve never been a supporter of ethno-nationalism.

Despite his denial, Twitter exploded as many suggested that the former Breitbart executive should accept the title.

Steve Bannon is a WHITE NATIONALIST. Call him one. He’s earned it. https://t.co/FY0kaHUAfM

— Lauren Duca (@laurenduca) November 20, 2016

STEVE BANNON IS A WHITE NATIONALIST
STEVE BANNON IS A WHITE NATIONALIST
STEVE BANNON IS A WHITE NATIONALIST

— DigitalBridget (@BridgetMarie) November 14, 2016

Bannon said the political attacks against him and Breitbart News are “just nonsense.” According to CNN, Bannon has been associated with Breitbart since 2007.

Breitbart was vehemently pro-Trump throughout his presidential campaign. Described by The Wall Street Journal as an “attack machine against Democrats and ‘establishment’ conservatives,” the site has faced criticism for pushing conspiracy theories and for articles that have been labeled racist, sexist, and anti-Semitic.

Bannon dismissed the alt-right’s appeal to racists as a mere coincidence in an interview with Mother Jones.

“Look, are there some people that are white nationalists that are attracted to some of the philosophies of the alt-right? Maybe,” he said. “Are there some people that are anti-Semitic that are attracted? Maybe. Right? Maybe some people are attracted to the alt-right that are homophobes, right? But that’s just like, there are certain elements of the progressive left and the hard left that attract certain elements.”

Like Trump, Bannon has criticized establishment politicians and the GOP. In the wake of the election, he plans to usher in a “new political movement,” one that he hopes could allow the GOP to hold its reign over the government for some 50 years.

President-elect Trump will assume office on January 20, and in the meantime, he continues to fill his future cabinet.

Bryan White

Bryan is an editorial intern at Law Street Media from Stratford, NJ. He is a sophomore at American University, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism. When he is not reading up on the news, you can find him curled up with an iced chai and a good book. Contact Bryan at BWhite@LawStreetMedia.com.

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]]> https://legacy.lawstreetmedia.com/blogs/politics-blog/steve-bannon-criticizes-media-backlash/feed/ 0 56991 https://legacy.lawstreetmedia.com/elections/what-we-know-so-far-about-trumps-cabinet/ https://legacy.lawstreetmedia.com/elections/what-we-know-so-far-about-trumps-cabinet/#respond Thu, 17 Nov 2016 14:53:06 +0000 http://lawstreetmedia.com/?p=56980

Who will he pick?

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Reince Priebus Courtesy of  Gage Skidmore : License (CC BY-SA 2.0)

All eyes are on President-elect Donald Trump as he begins to build his Cabinet and staff other key positions essential to his administration. While his rumored short list varies, one thing is certain: it’s definitely aimed at “shaking up” Washington. Here are a few of the biggest highlights so far:

Dr. Ben Carson Turned Down Secretary of Health and Human Services

On Tuesday it was reported that Dr. Ben Carson rejected Trump’s offer to serve as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Carson’s business manager and personal confidant Armstrong Williams told “The Hill”:

Dr. Carson feels he has no government experience, he’s never run a federal agency. The last thing he would want to do was take a position that could cripple the presidency.

That’s pretty awkward given that Carson thought he was qualified to run the entire country just a few months ago.

Rudy Giuliani Favored to be Secretary of State

After reportedly shooting down rumors that he’d be the next Attorney General, New York’s former mayor and Trump loyalist, Rudy Giuliani, is now considered to be the top pick for Trump’s Secretary of State. Giuliani is being considered alongside former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton, a hawkish conservative who advocated for the U.S. to bomb Iran to halt the country’s nuclear program.

Jeff Sessions as Possible Attorney General or Secretary of Defense

Originally it was speculated that Chris Christie would be Trump’s first choice for leader of the Department of Justice, but the New Jersey Governor has been losing steam in the Trump camp as of late. On Friday he was replaced abruptly by Vice President-elect Pence as head of the transition team. With Giuliani probably out, Sen Jeff Session [R-AL] is the new leading contender for Attorney General, and is being considered for Secretary of Defense as well. Sessions is known for his hardline positions on immigration, and supported Trump’s proposed wall along the Mexico border.

What About His Non-Cabinet Positions?

Unlike Cabinet positions, these positions don’t require confirmation from the Senate, but they’re still important.

Reince Priebus Will Be Chief of Staff

On Sunday, Trump named RNC chairman Reince Priebus as his Chief of Staff. Priebus will be in charge of the day-to-day operations in the White House. This was probably one of Trump’s safest decisions, given that it’s clearly an olive branch to establishment Republicans. During the election Priebus criticized Trump’s proposed Muslim ban, but later helped rally support for the party nominee during the campaign’s final weeks.

Steve Bannon Will Be Chief Strategist

However, Trump’s next pick was much more controversial. On Sunday Trump also named Breitbart News’ executive chairman, Steve Bannon, as his Chief Strategist. The alt-right media exec has been called racist, anti-Semetic, and a White Nationalist, and has supported Trump wholeheartedly through the election. Bannon even took a leave of absence from his Breitbart role to help manage Trump’s campaign.

On Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid delivered a speech before Congress denouncing Bannon. Reid pleaded for trump to rescind his nomination, adding: “Rise to the dignity of the office – president of the United States – instead of hiding behind your Twitter account.”

When Will We Learn More?

Other recognizable Republicans rumored to be on Trump’s short list include: Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Alaskan governor Sarah Palin, and Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, just to name a few. There are predictions galore for the rest of Trump’s Cabinet, but it may be several more days, or weeks even, before he announces his picks.

Alexis Evans

Alexis Evans is an Assistant Editor at Law Street and a Buckeye State native. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a minor in Business from Ohio University. Contact Alexis at aevans@LawStreetMedia.com.

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]]> https://legacy.lawstreetmedia.com/elections/what-we-know-so-far-about-trumps-cabinet/feed/ 0 56980 https://legacy.lawstreetmedia.com/blogs/rantcrush/rantcrush-top-5-november-14-2016/ https://legacy.lawstreetmedia.com/blogs/rantcrush/rantcrush-top-5-november-14-2016/#respond Mon, 14 Nov 2016 17:25:53 +0000 http://lawstreetmedia.com/?p=56942

Election hangover edition.

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Image courtesy of paz.ca; License:  (CC BY 2.0)

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:

Facebook Questions Its Role in The Election

It’s a question that we’ve all asked ourselves this past week: what could I have done differently to change the outcome of this psycho election? While individuals have little to no impact, the media is realizing it may have some blood on its hands.

Facebook executives recently held a private chat where they discussed their role and influence on the election, as well as the ethics involved.

According to the New York Times, Facebook has been accused of helping spread misinformation and fake news stories that “influenced how the American electorate” voted.
Even though Facebook continues to defend itself as nonpartisan, the idea that Facebook had a direct role in the election is, to quote Zuckerberg, “a pretty crazy idea.”

via GIPHY

It just goes to show that there’s nothing good about getting all your news from Facebook.

Rant Crush

RantCrush collects the top trending topics in the law and policy world each day just for you.

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]]> https://legacy.lawstreetmedia.com/blogs/rantcrush/rantcrush-top-5-november-14-2016/feed/ 0 56942 https://legacy.lawstreetmedia.com/elections/trump-campaign-hires-breitbart-chief/ https://legacy.lawstreetmedia.com/elections/trump-campaign-hires-breitbart-chief/#respond Wed, 17 Aug 2016 20:36:21 +0000 http://lawstreetmedia.com/?p=54925

The latest shakeup in the Trump campaign.

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"Trump Tower" courtesy of [Brad via Flickr]

Less than three months before the election, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump appointed two new employees to top posts in his campaign staff–Steve Bannon from Breitbart and Kellyanne Conway, an experienced Republican pollster.

Paul Manafort will maintain his role as campaign chairman despite recent accusations of receiving large cash payments from the Ukrainian government.

Steve Bannon, conservative media executive at Breitbart News and former investment banker, is the new chief executive of the Trump campaign. The campaign has always had a positive relationship with the Breitbart, which has published a lot of Trump-friendly news coverage over the past year. When Trump’s former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski was arrested for assaulting Breitbart reporter Michelle Fields earlier this year, Breitbart and Bannon didn’t do much to support her. Then-editor Ben Shapiro quit in protest and has since called Bannon a bully that “has shaped the company into Trump’s personal Pravda.”

That is just one of many things Shapiro has to say about Bannon:

I Know Trump’s New Campaign Chairman, Steve Bannon. Here’s What You Need To Know. https://t.co/nTZ2GpGJnnpic.twitter.com/qJrOQyRv9t

— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) August 17, 2016

Now that Bannon is the formal campaign executive for the Republican nominee, he will step down from his position at Breitbart, at least, until the campaigning is over.

Kellyanne Conway was first hired by Trump in July, before then she worked for a super PAC that supported Ted Cruz and was not exactly a fan of Trump. She has been in the media spotlight before for some of her past statements, like when she said that women should be more feminine rather than feminist, or that conservatives need to stop talking about rape (she preferred to call it “the four letter word”). She once said that there’s an alternative for liberal women “constantly thinking about abortion, contraception, being a victim of the patriarchy,” and that conservatives present “an alternative of fun, engaging accomplished women.”

She has now been upgraded to Trump’s campaign manager. A statement published on the campaign’s website said:

I have known Steve and Kellyanne both for many years. They are extremely capable, highly qualified people who love to win and know how to win. I believe we’re adding some of the best talents in politics, with the experience and expertise needed to defeat Hillary Clinton in November and continue to share my message and vision to Make America Great Again. I am committed to doing whatever it takes to win this election, and ultimately become President because our country cannot afford four more years of the failed Obama-Clinton policies which have endangered our financial and physical security.

The news about the Trump campaign’s reshuffling comes after weeks of negative headlines and rising tension from news about Manafort. Roger Ailes, the Fox News founder and anchor who had to leave his post because of sexual harassment allegations, was appointed as campaign adviser earlier this week as well.

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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