| | | | | Students participate in a "lie-in" demonstration supporting gun control reform outside the White House Monday. Credit: Zach Gibson/Getty Images | | | Russia Investigation Heating Up: A new indictment today
It's Almost Spring, So Christmas Ornament Buying Time: The WHHA is out with the 2018 ornament
"Auctioning Off Access to the First Family in a Foreign Land": What one ethicist said about DJTJ's India trip | | | What the White House is Talking About:
President Trump today hosts a Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor ceremony in the East Room of the White House.
What the White House Press Corps is Talking About:
The Russia investigation heating up. And Trump's tweetstorm, which is ongoing.
But First, Tweets:
Looks like POTUS got his Twitter groove back this weekend -- and that he watched a lot of TV while down at Mar-a-Lago. And he's still tweeting strong today. His major complaints seem to fall into three main categories: Russia; Russia with a hint of Obama; and mainstream media.
The President is also squaring off against Rachel Crooks, one of at least 15 women, by CNN's reporting, whose allegations against Trump range from sexual misconduct to sexual assault -- the Washington Post has a front page Crooks story today. | | Credit: @realDonaldTrump/Twitter
But, Back to the Russia Investigation:
Robert Mueller and his team are making moves over the past few days, including news CNN broke Monday that the special counsel's office is looking into Jared Kushner and some of his business dealings during the transition. However, the Kushner dealings that have piqued Mueller's interest aren't necessarily with Russia, but with other countries, including China.
Mueller has also gone after a lawyer, Alex Van Der Zwaan, for lying about his involvement with former Trump campaign aide Rick Gates. (I know, it's hard to keep up.) Van Der Zwaan is expected to plead guilty in US District Court this afternoon.
It's Almost Spring, So Christmas Ornament Buying Time, Fam:
I love the tradition the White House Historical Association has of announcing this year's official White House ornament in February, so you have almost one year to buy it. This year's ornament honors Harry S. Truman, who -- in addition to his presidential duties -- also accomplished an extensive renovation of the White House, including the famous Truman Balcony, which overlooks the South Lawn. Truman also redid the Blue Room on the State Floor. The ornament is two-sided (below), with one side honoring the balcony, and another, a drawing, nodding to the revamped Blue Room. The WHHA sells about 1 million White House ornaments a year, and at $22.95 a pop, that's a lot of coin, part of which the association puts toward maintaining the White House and the executive residence.
There's an awesome story -- with photos! -- on the WHHA website right now, detailing the Truman-era renovation. Here's a pic by photographer Abbe Rowe from 1950 of the demolition of the White House: | | Credit: whitehousehistory.org
And here's the front and back of the ornament: | | Credit: whitehousehistory.org
Dress Like the First Lady:
I honestly think Melania Trump's travel look yesterday from Palm Beach to Washington is my favorite casual look of hers to date -- probably because it's the one I can most relate to. (I'm currently obsessing combat boots and have seriously been contemplating going into a tiiiiny bit of debt for these -- please help me decide whether to buy them, thanks.)
Melania was wearing an all-black look, but the shoes are major: Christian Dior Lace-Up Calfskin boots, available here for $1,590. | | Credit: Getty Images, dior.com
Also, Trump's a Float in France:
Carnival season is happening in Nice, France, where over the weekend this float, entitled "US Space Programme" went down the main drag in front of thousands of revelers. Have a great week! | | | Credit: Valery Hache/AFP/Getty Images | | What Washington is Talking About:
A bipartisan Senate gun bill co-sponsored by Dem Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Repub John Cornyn of Texas that was introduced Friday. Murphy, who's been an especially outspoken voice on gun regulations since the Newtown shooting, said the bill is proof the politics on guns is "shifting rapidly" and that the bill alone is not an "adequate" response.
What America is Talking About:
"Black Panther." The film had the fifth highest domestic opening weekend of all time, with an estimated $235 million in box office ticket sales in the US and Canada over four days. And also Fergie's rendition of the National Anthem at the NBA All-Star game.
Poll of the Day:
The percentage of Americans who think Congress isn't doing enough to try to prevent mass shootings in the country: | | Credit: Washington Post-ABC News poll
The poll also found 62% think President Trump is not doing enough to prevent mass shootings, 57% think mass shootings are more a reflection of problems identifying and treating people with mental health issues, and 28% think they're more a reflection of inadequate gun control.
What PyeongChang is Talking About:
The women's hockey gold medal match will be the US vs. Canada Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Unified Korean women's hockey team ended the Games with zero wins. | | Credit: AFP/Getty Images
Ivanka's PyeongChang Plans:
The first daughter's trip next week to attend the Closing Ceremony will include discussions with South Korea about mutual interests, said South Korea's foreign ministry spokesman Noh Kyu-duk. Noh said the main purpose of her visit will be to celebrate the Games and "emphasize the empathy of the ROK (Republic of Korea)-US alliance."
"They Are Auctioning Off Access to the First Family in a Foreign Land":
That's what Norman Eisen, chair of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, told CNN about Donald Trump Jr.'s visit to India, where he's having dinner in at least two cities for buyers at Trump properties. Eisen said:
"What is to stop a foreign national with interests before the US government from asking Don Junior to raise some issue or concern with his father? We know that father and son talk all the time, and discuss business."
Last Week's Russia Indictments:
On Friday, Mueller indicted 13 Russians and three Russian entities, including troll farm the Internet Research Agency, in connection with meddling in the 2016 campaign. You can read the full doc here, which details exactly how they pulled it off.
We already know the basics of how they created fake accounts pretending to be Americans. The indictment specifically alleges the troll campaign included support for Trump's candidacy and opposition for Hillary Clinton's, including paying for an American to dress up as Clinton in a prison uniform and stand in a cage in the back of a flatbed truck at a "Florida Goes Trump" rally.
Trump Endorses Romney:
I did not see this coming. Trump tweeted that Mitt Romney would be a "great Senator and worthy successor" to outgoing Sen. Orrin Hatch from Utah, and that Romney has his "full support and endorsement." Romney tweeted his thanks.
Jenny Wilson, a Dem Salt Lake County Council member also running for the seat, hit Romney for accepting Trump's endorsement with this RT. | | Credit: @JennyWilsonUT/Twitter
Bon Iver vs. Real World in Wisconsin House Race:
Bon Iver manager Kyle Frenette is expected to announce his candidacy for US House in Wisconsin against Repub Rep. Sean Duffy, who, you may know, was on the Boston season of "The Real World," according to NPR. Amazing.
Trump's Going to the Gridiron Dinner:
The Gridiron Club announced Monday that Trump will be at next month's dinner after declining to go to last year's. OK, but will he come to the White House Correspondent's Dinner this year?
Street Art Sighting:
A plane was spotted above Miami Beach, Florida, in the aftermath of the Parkland school shooting, carrying a banner that read, "Shame on you Marco Rubio & NRA." | | Credit: @cnn/Instagram
If you spot political street art, I'd love to see it. Here's how you can reach me:
1. Tweet me @hunterschwarz
2. Tag me on Instagram @hunterschwarz
3. Email me at coverlinehunter@cnn.com | | | | | | |
