TRUMP AGENDA: Harward turns down NSA job
Retired Navy Vice Adm. Robert Harward has turned down an offer to become President Donald Trump's national security adviser.
From the Washington Post last night: “Former national security adviser Michael Flynn denied to FBI agents in an interview last month that he had discussed U.S. sanctions against Russia with that country’s ambassador to the United States before President Trump took office, contradicting the contents of intercepted communications collected by intelligence agencies, current and former U.S. officials said. The Jan. 24 interview potentially puts Flynn in legal jeopardy. Lying to the FBI is a felony offense. But several officials said it is unclear whether prosecutors would attempt to bring a case, in part because Flynn may parse the definition of the word “sanctions.” He also followed his denial to the FBI by saying he couldn’t recall all of the conversation, officials said.”
NBC: “The creation of a 9/11-style commission to investigate Russian interference in the presidential election has won bipartisan support, according to a senior Democratic lawmaker. In an interview with MSNBC's Chris Hayes, Rep. Elijah Cummings said that such a committee was necessary ‘to really get into how all of this happened, what was the relationship between the Trump campaign and the Russians, and try to figure out how to make sure that this does not happen again.’”
NBC News confirms that Mike Dubke, the founder of Crossroads Media, will be the White House communications head.
NBC’s Ali Vitali wraps yesterday’s press conference.
The New York Times: “[H]is 77-minute news conference was dominated by an extraordinarily raw and angry defense of both his administration and his character. At times abrupt, often rambling, characteristically boastful yet seemingly pained at the portrayals of him, Mr. Trump kept summoning the spirit of his successful campaign after a month of grinding governance to remind his audience, again, that he won.”
The Wall Street Journal reports that Trump told aides Thursday morning that he wanted to have the press conference because “my message is being filtered.”
The AP goes there on historical comparisons, with this headline: “Remember Nixon? There's history behind Trump's press attacks”
The Washington Post reports on the “logistical nightmare” and high costs of the Trump family lifestyle.
“Donald J. Trump redrew the electoral map with his rousing economic nationalism and evocation of a lost industrial age. It was a message that drew many union members to his cause. And now it is upending the alliances and tactics of the labor movement itself,” writes the New York Times.
Trump is planning a new immigration order next week, writes the Wall Street Journal.
Don’t miss POLITICO’s interview with Mark Sanford, who is not holding back about the president of his own party.
The Washington Post asks: “If Trump can’t arrange his own meeting with the Congressional Black Caucus, how does he unite the country?”
No, Trump’s election victory was not “the biggest electoral college win since Ronald Reagan.”
CONGRESS: Paul Ryan’s tough tax-reform sell
POLITICO writes that Paul Ryan is having a tough time selling his tax reform plan to fellow Republicans.