| | | | | White House communications director and presidential adviser Hope Hicks arrives at the Capitol Visitors Center Tuesday before testifying in a House Intel Committee hearing. Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images | | | Trump Land Meets DC Land: The administration's slow (and awkward) integration into Washington social circles
Jared Loses Security Clearance: J-Kush has had his clearance downgraded
Hope Hicks Admits She's Told White Lies: What she told the House Intel Committee | | | What the White House is Talking About:
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump headed to the Capitol this morning to pay their respects to the late Rev. Billy Graham. Later, the President meets with a bipartisan group of lawmakers to discuss gun control.
What the White House Press Corps is Talking About:
Palace intrigue in the wake of yesterday's security clearance downgrades. Also, Russia investigation continuing to heat up. Sarah Sanders is set to do the briefing at 2 p.m.
Trump Honors Graham:
The Trumps presented a wreath and the President said Graham "carried his message around the world, but his heart ... was always in America." | | Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
But First, Tweets:
Immigration on the brain this morning with a series of tweets from POTUS. Plus another tasty jab at his Attorney General Jeff Sessions: | | Jared Loses Security Clearance, Media Goes Bananas:
Today's that sort of day-after day when it's clear no one really knows what's going to happen with Jared Kushner, but everyone has a take. I call it any day that ends in "day." Yesterday's news that Kushner's clearance was being downgraded spurred all sorts of stuff, from John Kelly "winning" the battle of wills between the two, to Kushner being stripped of his ability to do things like, well, negotiate Middle East peace. It's all pretty crazy when you think about it from a global perspective, but who didn't think this would happen when Trump made his son-in-law so important? Oh, other countries have been watching the Kushner drama unfold too.
Mueller Taking it Back to the Way Back:
Last night CNN had a scoop about Robert Mueller's investigators digging back into Trump's dealings with Russia, even before the 2016 campaign. Witnesses are even being asked about the trip Trump took to Russia in 2013 for the Miss Universe pageant.
Manafort Trial Date Set:
Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort popped into the DC courthouse this morning, pleaded not guilty to new charges, and zipped on out. A judge set his trial date for September 17th.
Trump Land Meets DC Land:
Roxanne Roberts with the strong long read about the Trump administration's slow (and awkward) integration into Washington social circles -- worth your time, and chortle.
How Do You Even Spend $31,000 on a Table?:
As I tweeted last night, I used to be editor in chief of a few luxury publications back in the day and even I had to rack my brain to think of a $31,000 dining room table that would fit in a government office building. But that's what HUD Secretary Ben Carson wanted, and got, for his office suite -- at the same time HUD is planning cuts to public services. It's, quite honestly, pretty gross. Raffi Williams, a HUD spokesman, told the New York Times' Glenn Thrush that Carson "didn't know the table had been purchased," but he didn't think it was too expensive and has no plans to return it. People. Did we not learn anything from the sad tale of Aaron Schock?
My friend Van had a decent suggestion -- this $26,385 Ralph Lauren Home model: | | Credit: @dappervan/Twitter
"Most Millennial Job Ever":
I have yet to visit that Shaw bar that changes its theme every few months, but I love this Jessica Sidman story about it for the Washingtonian. The decoration budget has billowed to between $20,000-30,000 each time the trendy watering hole decides on a new theme (past ones include Christmas, David Bowie, haunted forest, and Game of Thrones). Tomorrow it reopens with a cherry blossom theme and some 90,000 (fake) blossoms, and 1,300 butterflies (also fake). There's now someone who oversees all the pop-up designs and decoration. The woman, Adriana Salame-Aspiazu, calls her gig the most millennial job ever.
Sometimes When I Get My Roots Done I See Stephen Curry:
Golden State's in town; yesterday they didn't go to the White House and instead nobly took some kids to the museum (see Hunter below). But today they rolled out of the Four Seasons Hotel in sweats and headphones to their bus, en route to practice for tonight's game with the Wizards. I snapped this because I get my color done at the salon at the hotel (see Ismail or Ibo -- endorse!) and its windows face the side entrance, and it's hard to miss a line of insanely tall dudes, even with tin foil in my hair. | | Credit: Kate Bennett
I'm Off For a Few:
Fam, I'm off to warmer climes for a few days to chill and celebrate my birthday. I'll see you back here on Tuesday! | | What Washington is Talking About:
Billy Graham will lie in honor today at the Capitol, only the fourth private citizen and first religious figure to be honored that way, following Rosa Parks in 2005 and two Capitol police officers in 1998. Over at the Supreme Court, justices will hear a case about a Minnesota man who was prohibited from voting because he wore a "Don't Tread On Me" shirt with a tea party logo to his polling place in 2010.
What America is Talking About:
Barbra Streisand's clone dogs. She told Variety her dogs Miss Violet and Miss Scarlett are clones of her dog Samantha, who died in 2017.
Poll of the Day:
America's favorite federal agency is the US postal service, which has an 88% favorable rating, according to a Pew poll. The Department of Education is the least popular, with a 53% approval rating. | | Credit: Pew
Questions About Foreign Influence on the Trump Fam:
There's been a lot of news this week, so let's step back for a second and look at the bottom line: there is concern from US officials -- and questions from the special counsel -- about whether foreign countries sought to influence the President of the United States and his family in part through their business dealings.
Here's what we know this week: - The special counsel's team has recently begun asking witnesses about the timing of Donald Trump's decision to run for president, "and how that coincided with his business ventures."
- They have also begun asking questions about the then-Trump owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant which was held in Moscow, how it was paid for, and about meetings Trump had with Russian officials and business leaders while in Moscow.
- NSA Director Mike Rogers told the Senate Armed Services Committee Trump has not authorized any new authority to retaliate against Russian efforts to meddle in US campaigns and that Russia has "not paid a price that is sufficient to change their behavior."
- US officials told the Washington Post that officials in at least four countries -- the United Arab Emirates, China, Israel and Mexico -- have privately discussed how they can manipulate Trump's son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner "by taking advantage of his complex business arrangements, financial difficulties and lack of foreign policy experience.
- J-Kush's security clearance has been downgraded.
- The Trump Organization has not disclosed how much it has made from foreign government patronage at its properties or from what countries that patronage came, but said it donated those profits to the US Treasury Department. "We have nothing further to share at this time," Amanda Miller, a Trump Organization spokeswoman, told the Washington Post.
Hope Hicks Admits She's Told White Lies:
White House communications director Hope Hicks was asked during her closed-door testimony before the House Intelligence Committee yesterday whether she's ever lied for Trump. She said she's told essentially white lies, lawmakers on the committee said.
Dick's Sporting Goods to Stop Selling Assault-Style Rifles:
The retailer says it will not sell assault-style rifles or high-capacity magazines, and will set an age limit to buy firearms at 21 years old. CEO Edward Stack told "New Day":
"These kids talk about 'enough is enough.' We concluded if these kids are brave enough to organize and do what they're doing, we should be brave enough to take this stand."
Dwayne Wade Honors Shooting Victim:
The Miami Heat star had "Oliver" written on his shoes for last night's game against the Philadelphia 76ers, in honor of Joaquin Oliver, who was fatally shot at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and was buried in a Wade Heat jersey.
Warriors in Washington:
Steph Curry posted shots of his teammates and young students at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture yesterday. "We're here checking out our history and culture," he said in an Instagram story video. | | Credit: @stephencurry30/Instagram story
Klay Thompson told the New York Post the Warriors were going there because they didn't feel comfortable going to the White House for the traditional NBA champions visit.
The Reason Oprah Isn't Running for President:
She told People it's because she didn't get an answer when she prayed about whether she should. "I went into prayer," she said. "'God, if you think I'm supposed to run, you gotta tell me, and it has to be so clear that not even I can miss it.' And I haven't gotten that."
It's Cherry Blossom SZN:
Mark your calendars: Capital Weather Gang predicts Washington will reach peak bloom between March 23 and 27.
The Trump Campaign's Newest MAGA Hat:
It's blue, it says "AMERICAN DREAMER" on the front, "#MAGA" on the back, and it's $50. | | Credit: shop.donaldjtrump.com
Street Art Sighting:
Spotted at 24th and Bryant Street in San Francisco by Andrew Notes: this #DefendDACA mural: | | Credit: @anoyes/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 | | | | | | |
