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Trump in the White House: Meeting the President and the Press Donald Trump in the White House: Will He Bring Steve Bannon With Him?
(about 1 hour later)
Welcome to the new Trump Transition Briefing, a rundown of notable events in Washington’s changing of the guard from President Obama to President-elect Donald J. Trump. Here are the things we are watching for on Thursday.Welcome to the new Trump Transition Briefing, a rundown of notable events in Washington’s changing of the guard from President Obama to President-elect Donald J. Trump. Here are the things we are watching for on Thursday.
Mr. Trump, a man who once questioned the birthplace of the president, and Mr. Obama, who scorched Mr. Trump as unfit for the Oval Office, met the press in that esteemed room, and at least for public consumption, let bygones and bygones. Steve Bannon, the conservative provocateur and Mr. Trump’s campaign chief, is now a leading candidate to become White House chief of staff, but he’d have to beat out another campaign veteran in the running, Reince Priebus, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, according to two people with knowledge of the discussions.
”We talked about some of the organizational issues in setting up the White House. We talked about foreign policy. We talked about domestic policy,” the president said. “As I said last night, my No. 1 priority in the coming two months is to try to facilitate a transition that ensures our president-elect is successful. And I have been very encouraged by the, I think, interest in President-elect Trump’s wanting to work with my team around many of the issues that this great country faces. And I believe that it is important for all regardless of party and regardless of political preferences to now come together, work together to deal with the many challenges we face.” Mr. Bannon, the executive chairman of the conservative website Breitbart News, who took a leave to help manage the final weeks of Mr. Trump’s campaign, is well liked among Mr. Trump’s circle of overlapping advisers, who see him as a favorable influence on the president-elect.
As Mr. Trump watched his former adversary, a bust of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr visible over his shoulder. But Mr. Priebus is said to be viewed favorably by two people especially close to Mr. Trump: his daughter Ivanka and son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Mr. Priebus is personally close to both Speaker Paul D. Ryan and Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana, the vice president-elect, and he could serve as a helpful bridge to crucial elements of the Republican Party.
“Most of all,” Mr. Obama continued, “I want to emphasize to you, Mr. President-elect, that we now are going to do everything we can to help you succeed because if you succeed then the country succeeds.” Corey Lewandowski, Mr. Trump’s first campaign manager, has also been mentioned for chief of staff, despite having been fired by the campaign in June. But Mr. Trump’s children, who feuded publicly with him during the campaign, may resist.
Two other names being discussed: Kellyanne Conway, Mr. Trump’s campaign manager, and David Bossie, a veteran conservative operative who became Mr. Trump’s deputy campaign manager.
Mr. Trump, a man who once questioned the birthplace of the president, and Mr. Obama, who scorched Mr. Trump as unfit for the Oval Office, met the news media in that esteemed room, and at least for public consumption, let bygones and bygones.
Mr. Trump, who often labeled Mr. Obama the worst president in history during the campaign, this time called him a “very good man.”Mr. Trump, who often labeled Mr. Obama the worst president in history during the campaign, this time called him a “very good man.”
For a full account, read here.
Tens of thousands of Americans are rushing to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act after Mr. Trump’s victory as revitalized Republicans vow to repeal the law.
Sylvia Mathews Burwell, the secretary of health and human services, reported that more than 100,000 people selected health plans on Wednesday through HealthCare.gov. It was, she said on Twitter Thursday, the “best day yet” in the current open-enrollment period, which began Nov. 1 and ends Jan. 31.
Even though premiums on the Affordable Care Act exchanges have increased sharply in many parts of the country, federal officials say most consumers can still find coverage for less than $100 a month, after subsidies help defray the cost.
Mr. Trump has said he will “completely repeal Obamacare,” but has not said in detail how he would replace it. Instead of the subsidies now available to most people buying insurance through the online marketplace, Mr. Trump wants to allow people to take tax deductions equal to their premiums.
Kris Kobach, the Kansas secretary of state and an ardent opponent of immigration, has been added to Mr. Trump’s transition team, according to local news reports.Kris Kobach, the Kansas secretary of state and an ardent opponent of immigration, has been added to Mr. Trump’s transition team, according to local news reports.
Mr. Kobach, who provided guidance on immigration policy to Mr. Trump during the campaign, will help the president-elect in the weeks before he takes office, according to the Wichita Eagle. Mr. Kobach, who provided guidance on immigration policy to Mr. Trump during the campaign, will help the president-elect in the weeks before he takes office, according to The Wichita Eagle.
He told the paper he did not expect to get an offer to serve in the Trump administration, but just having him in a formal role in the New Washington could send shudders through the nation’s immigrants. Mr. Kobach has been one of the loudest anti-immigration voices in the Republican Party for years. He added Mr. Trump’s call for a border wall along the southern tier into the Republican Party platform over the summer. He told the paper he did not expect to get an offer to serve in the Trump administration, but just having him in a formal role in the new Washington could send shudders through the nation’s immigrants. Mr. Kobach has been one of the loudest anti-immigration voices in the Republican Party for years. He added Mr. Trump’s call for a border wall along the southern tier into the party’s platform over the summer.
Mr. Trump and Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain spoke by telephone on Thursday, affirming the “special relationship” between the two countries and agreeing to work closely together, according to a readout of the call provided by the British Embassy.Mr. Trump and Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain spoke by telephone on Thursday, affirming the “special relationship” between the two countries and agreeing to work closely together, according to a readout of the call provided by the British Embassy.
It was a meeting of the “Brexits”: the prime minister ushered into power after Britons voted to exit the European Union and a president-elect who has proudly proclaimed himself “Mr. Brexit” — as big a political shock as the British vote.It was a meeting of the “Brexits”: the prime minister ushered into power after Britons voted to exit the European Union and a president-elect who has proudly proclaimed himself “Mr. Brexit” — as big a political shock as the British vote.
“The Prime Minister and President-elect Trump agreed that the U.S.-U.K. relationship was very important and very special, and that building on this would be a priority for them both,” said Laura Palts, an embassy spokeswoman. “President-elect Trump set out his close and personal connections with, and warmth for, the U.K.” “The prime minister and President-elect Trump agreed that the U.S.-U.K. relationship was very important and very special, and that building on this would be a priority for them both,” said Laura Palts, an embassy spokeswoman. “President-elect Trump set out his close and personal connections with, and warmth for, the U.K.”
Mr. Trump encouraged Brexit and has been supportive of Mrs. May. Earlier this year he clashed with David Cameron, Britain’s former prime minister, and Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, after they criticized his proposal to bar Muslims from entering the United States. Mr. Trump encouraged Brexit and has been supportive of Mrs. May. This year he clashed with David Cameron, Britain’s former prime minister, and Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, after they criticized his proposal to bar Muslims from entering the United States.
But on Thursday Mr. Trump told Mrs. May that Britain is a “very, very special place for me and for our country” and invited her to pay him a visit as soon as possible. But on Thursday Mr. Trump told Mrs. May that Britain was a “very, very special place for me and for our country” and invited her to pay him a visit as soon as possible.
Republican congressional leaders have confirmed what might seem obvious with Mr. Trump’s triumph: Mr. Obama’s far-reaching trade agreement with 11 Pacific Rim nations is dead.Republican congressional leaders have confirmed what might seem obvious with Mr. Trump’s triumph: Mr. Obama’s far-reaching trade agreement with 11 Pacific Rim nations is dead.
The Senate majority leader, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, said flat-out “No” when reporters asked on Wednesday if the pending Trans-Pacific Partnership — the largest regional trade deal in history — would be considered in the lame duck Congress that convenes next week.The Senate majority leader, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, said flat-out “No” when reporters asked on Wednesday if the pending Trans-Pacific Partnership — the largest regional trade deal in history — would be considered in the lame duck Congress that convenes next week.
“I think the president-elect made it pretty clear he was not in favor of the current agreement,” Mr. McConnell said. Mr. Trump has the authority “to negotiate better deals, as I think he would put it,” Mr. McConnell added, but that prospect is unlikely given the difficulty of renegotiating a pact at least seven years in the making among a dozen countries.“I think the president-elect made it pretty clear he was not in favor of the current agreement,” Mr. McConnell said. Mr. Trump has the authority “to negotiate better deals, as I think he would put it,” Mr. McConnell added, but that prospect is unlikely given the difficulty of renegotiating a pact at least seven years in the making among a dozen countries.
One of the agreement’s strongest and best-placed Republican advocates, Representative Kevin Brady of Texas, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, echoed the Senate leader.One of the agreement’s strongest and best-placed Republican advocates, Representative Kevin Brady of Texas, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, echoed the Senate leader.
“This important agreement is not ready to be considered during the lame duck and will remain on hold until President Trump decides the path forward,” he said.“This important agreement is not ready to be considered during the lame duck and will remain on hold until President Trump decides the path forward,” he said.
The office of Representative Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday that Mike Pence, the vice president-elect, had reached out on a phone call, and she congratulated him on his win. They agreed to meet in the coming weeks to talk more. Ms. Pelosi, the Democratic leader from California, is acquainted with Mr. Pence from his days in the House, where he was something of a rebel before joining the Republican leadership. The office of Representative Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday that Mr. Pence had reached out on a phone call, and she congratulated him on his win. They agreed to meet in the coming weeks to talk more. Ms. Pelosi, the Democratic leader from California, is acquainted with Mr. Pence from his days in the House, where he was something of a rebel before joining the Republican leadership.
Rudolph W. Giuliani, the former mayor of New York, expressed interest on Thursday morning in being attorney general, telling CNN, “I certainly have the energy, and there’s probably nobody who knows the Justice Department better than me.”Rudolph W. Giuliani, the former mayor of New York, expressed interest on Thursday morning in being attorney general, telling CNN, “I certainly have the energy, and there’s probably nobody who knows the Justice Department better than me.”
The next question: Would he actually make good on Mr. Trump’s promise to put Hillary Clinton in jail?The next question: Would he actually make good on Mr. Trump’s promise to put Hillary Clinton in jail?
Mr. Trump’s campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, left the door open on Wednesday. So did Mr. Giuliani on Fox News when he said Mr. Obama should not pardon Mrs. Clinton for alleged mishandling of classified information on her private server. Ms. Conway, the Trump campaign manager, left the door open on Wednesday. So did Mr. Giuliani on Fox News when he said Mr. Obama should not pardon Mrs. Clinton for allegedly mishandling classified information on a private server as secretary of state.
“I don’t like to see America become a country in which we prosecute people, you know, about politics,” he said. “On the other hand, there are deep and disturbing issues there in which if you don’t investigate them — ”“I don’t like to see America become a country in which we prosecute people, you know, about politics,” he said. “On the other hand, there are deep and disturbing issues there in which if you don’t investigate them — ”
The Fox News hosts finished the sentence: “They’re going to continue.”The Fox News hosts finished the sentence: “They’re going to continue.”
Legal analysts say that a Trump attorney general would wield the power to open a new investigation, even with a special prosecutor. But he could not guarantee the outcome.Legal analysts say that a Trump attorney general would wield the power to open a new investigation, even with a special prosecutor. But he could not guarantee the outcome.
Of course, maybe Mr. Giuliani won’t be in the Trump administration. He told The Times’s Matt Apuzzo on Wednesday that he was “not interested in returning to government.” Instead, he and his friend Michael B. Mukasey, the former attorney general, would advise Mr. Trump on potential nominees. “Between us, we can locate a lot of really good people.”Of course, maybe Mr. Giuliani won’t be in the Trump administration. He told The Times’s Matt Apuzzo on Wednesday that he was “not interested in returning to government.” Instead, he and his friend Michael B. Mukasey, the former attorney general, would advise Mr. Trump on potential nominees. “Between us, we can locate a lot of really good people.”
Mr. Trump’s already hectic schedule on Thursday got a new meeting. Besides Mr. Obama and the House speaker, Paul D. Ryan, he and Vice President-elect Mike Pence will break bread with Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, in the Capitol at 1:30. Mr. Trump’s already hectic schedule on Thursday got a new meeting. Besides Mr. Obama and Mr. Ryan, he and Mr. Pence will break bread with Senator McConnell in the Capitol at 1:30.
Happily for Mr. Trump, Mr. McConnell had nary a negative word about the head of his party during the campaign.Happily for Mr. Trump, Mr. McConnell had nary a negative word about the head of his party during the campaign.
The White House will also begin putting into effect the plans it has been working on since spring to bring the president-elect and his team up to speed. “Landing teams” at each federal agency will begin working with aides designated by Mr. Trump to hand over key operations, some of them via iPads loaded with vital information, others through cloud-based systems or internal websites. Mr. Trump will also gain access to a new personnel tracking interface created by the Obama administration to handle the vast array of documents and data that is involved in hiring 4,000 political appointees in a short time. The White House will also begin putting into effect the plans it has been working on since the spring to bring the president-elect and his team up to speed. “Landing teams” at each federal agency will begin working with aides designated by Mr. Trump to hand over key operations, some of them via iPads loaded with vital information, others through cloud-based systems or internal websites. Mr. Trump will also gain access to a new personnel tracking interface created by the Obama administration to handle the vast array of documents and data that is involved in hiring 4,000 political appointees in a short time.
As the losing vice-presidential candidate, Mr. Kaine will no doubt take some time to mourn what might have been. But he remains a senator from Virginia, and that will provide him a platform to challenge a President Trump. As the losing vice-presidential candidate, Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia will no doubt take some time to mourn what might have been. But he remains in the Senate, and that will provide him a platform to challenge President Trump.
Mr. Kaine will have some competition for the anti-Trump mantle in several of his Senate colleagues: Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who ran against Hillary Clinton in the Democratic presidential primary; Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who emerged as a fierce, populist fighter on the trail; and Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the chamber’s new Democratic leader. Mr. Kaine will have some competition for the anti-Trump mantle in several of his Senate colleagues: Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who ran against Hillary Clinton in the Democratic presidential primary; Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who emerged as a fierce, populist fighter on the trail; and Chuck Schumer of New York, the chamber’s new Democratic leader.
But keep an eye on Mr. Kaine, who delivered Virginia for Mrs. Clinton and has two years before he faces re-election. Like House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, who emerged as the leader of the Republican opposition after losing as the 2012 vice-presidential nominee, Mr. Kaine may become someone Democrats rally around. And who knows? Democrats will need a candidate to challenge Mr. Trump in 2020. But keep an eye on Mr. Kaine, who delivered Virginia for Mrs. Clinton and has two years before he faces re-election. Like Mr. Ryan, who emerged as the leader of the Republican opposition after losing as the 2012 vice-presidential nominee, Mr. Kaine may become someone Democrats rally around. And who knows? Democrats will need a candidate to challenge Mr. Trump in 2020.
Fans of HBO’s “Game of Thrones” may have a new show to watch for the next 10 weeks: the jockeying and backbiting as Mr. Trump begins building out his administration. And Mr. Trump’s attacks on the Washington establishment, including Republicans, mean the pool of talent that he might draw from is much murkier.Fans of HBO’s “Game of Thrones” may have a new show to watch for the next 10 weeks: the jockeying and backbiting as Mr. Trump begins building out his administration. And Mr. Trump’s attacks on the Washington establishment, including Republicans, mean the pool of talent that he might draw from is much murkier.
There’s already talk, of course, that Mr. Trump may reward those who were very loyal to him. And the campaign operatives who engineered his victory are certain to have first dibs. There’s already talk, of course, that Mr. Trump may reward those who were loyal to him. And the campaign operatives who engineered his victory are certain to have first dibs.
But the process of filling those jobs is never tidy, and there’s every reason to believe it will be even less so for Mr. Trump. So watch for the inevitable trial balloons that go nowhere and the opposition research from Democrats that scuttles at least a few of Mr. Trump’s first picks.But the process of filling those jobs is never tidy, and there’s every reason to believe it will be even less so for Mr. Trump. So watch for the inevitable trial balloons that go nowhere and the opposition research from Democrats that scuttles at least a few of Mr. Trump’s first picks.