TRUMP TRANSITION WATCH: Yes, Jared Kushner can work at the White House
Could Trump put his son-in-law at the center of his White House? Pete Williams looks at the legal parameters of how Jared Kushner could fill a big role. “Can Donald Trump bring his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, into the White House? And could Kushner get a security clearance? The answers, according to several legal experts, are yes and yes.”
More, from the Wall Street Journal: “Mr. Kushner is regarded as Mr. Trump’s eyes and ears inside the evolving presidential transition. He is weighing formally joining his father-in-law in the White House, people familiar with the transition say. The 35-year-old Mr. Kushner would have a role in the White House along the lines of senior adviser or special counsel. He also is weighing the option of maintaining an influential role informally, without an official White House post, according to people familiar with his thinking.”
The New York Times delves into the charges of racism that sank Jeff Sessions’ nomination to be a federal district court judge.
The Washington Post lists Trump’s inner circle and Washington operators, writing that “Trump is presiding over concentric spheres of influence, designed to give him direct access to a constellation of counselors and opinions. Such an approach also risks bringing confrontation or even paralysis as feuding factions work to further their own goals, edge out adversaries or distract Trump — as happened more than once during his presidential campaign.”
The New York Times looks at Trump’s relationship with the press and the fault lines that appear to be deepening.
From NBC’s Amanda Sakuma: “The man who helped write the book on creating a federal Muslim registry in the name of national security now has Donald Trump's ear as a top member of his transition team.”
Trump’s team is setting broader limits on lobbying.
And they are still battling back against charges of turbulence in the transition, notes the AP.
TRUMP AGENDA: What Trump can do -- and can’t -- without Congress
Perry Bacon Jr. lays out what Trump can – and can’t – do without Congress.
Melania Trump’s official biography now no longer claims that she received a college degree.
Drain the swamp? Bankers are celebrating Trump’s election, writes POLITICO. “Former Goldman Sachs banker Steven Mnuchin has been seen at Trump Tower amid rumors that he’s the leading candidate for Treasury secretary. Billionaire investor Wilbur Ross appears headed to the Commerce Department. Steve Bannon, another Goldman alum, will work steps from the Oval Office. If Mnuchin drops out, as some rumors suggest he may, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon remains a possibility as Treasury secretary, and will serve as an outside adviser if he doesn't get the job. It’s a restoration of Wall Street power — and a potential flip in the way the industry is regulated — perhaps unparalleled in American history.”
Some GOP governors are still a bit nervous about a Trump presidency, notes the Washington Examiner.
POLITICO, on how Republicans in Congress are aiming for a swift repeal of Obamacare. “Republicans say repeal efforts will start in January. They are considering whether to swiftly repeal the biggest pieces of the law through a complex budget process called reconciliation that Democrats cannot block. If they go that route, Republicans would likely pass the repeal — but delay the effective date for a year or two until a replacement could theoretically be enacted. That would shield the GOP from an immediate backlash from taking away insurance.”
DEM WATCH: Embracing some of Trump’s proposals?
From the New York Times: “Congressional Democrats, divided and struggling for a path from the electoral wilderness, are constructing an agenda to align with many proposals of President-elect Donald J. Trump that put him at odds with his own party. On infrastructure spending, child tax credits, paid maternity leave and dismantling trade agreements, Democrats are looking for ways they can work with Mr. Trump and force Republican leaders to choose between their new president and their small-government, free-market principles. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, elected Wednesday as the new Democratic minority leader, has spoken with Mr. Trump several times, and Democrats in coming weeks plan to announce populist economic and ethics initiatives they think Mr. Trump might like.”
And then there’s this, from the Wall Street Journal: “President-elect Donald Trump is making overtures to Democrats as his transition efforts ramp up, meeting with New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and signaling support for a public-works building program similar to one his partisan opponents have long favored.”
Hillary Clinton urged supporters last night to “stay engaged” but admitted that “There have been a few times this past week when all I wanted to do is just to curl up with a good book or our dogs and never leave the house again.”
From Alex Seitz-Wald: “Bernie Sanders flatly rejected the idea that he played any role in costing Hillary Clinton last week's election, telling an audience in Washington, D.C. Wednesday night that he actually made her a better candidate and possibly could have beat Donald Trump himself.”