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| Harry Reid condemns Steve Bannon appointment on Senate floor – live | Harry Reid condemns Steve Bannon appointment on Senate floor – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 10.00pm GMT | |
| 22:00 | |
| Graham: I don't know Bannon | |
| Here’s further from senator Lindsey Graham, on Donald Trump and his chief strategist Steve Bannon, via the Guardian’s Sabrina Siddiqui: | |
| Lindsey Graham tells reporters he wants to focus on "common ground" with Trump but will continue to make it known when he disagrees. | |
| “When President-elect Trump mentions infrastructure, count me in,” Lindsey Graham says. | |
| “Clearly I was not on the Trump train, but he won.” -- @GrahamBlog | |
| Graham: “From a conservative point of view, one of the benefits of his win is to put people in the Supreme Court.” | |
| Lindsey Graham on immigration under Trump: “I will not vote for a bill that quite frankly treats a grandmother and a drug dealer the same.” | |
| Asked @GrahamBlog about Bannon. "I don't want to accuse a man of being anti-Semitic or racist whom I've never met," he says. | |
| He adds that Breitbart was “friendly to the alt-right. I don’t like them, and they don’t like me, and I’m glad.” | |
| Lindsey Graham: “I think Jeff Sessions has earned the right to serve Donald Trump in the highest levels.” | |
| 9.54pm GMT | |
| 21:54 | |
| Assad says Trump could be 'natural ally' | |
| Syrian president Bashar al-Assad sees Trump as a potential “natural ally” alongside the Russians and Iranians: | |
| “If...he is going to fight the terrorists, of course we are going to be ally, natural ally in that regard with the Russian, with the Iranian, with many other countries,” Mr Assad told Portugal’s RTP state television. | |
| Further, via Sky News: | |
| “Can he go in that regard? What about the countervailing forces within the administration, the mainstream media that were against him? How can he deal with it? | |
| “That’s why for us it’s still dubious whether he can do or live up to his promises or not. That’s why we are very cautious in judging him, especially as he wasn’t in a political position before.” | |
| Updated | |
| at 9.55pm GMT | |
| 9.48pm GMT | 9.48pm GMT |
| 21:48 | 21:48 |
| Ted Cruz ambition update. | Ted Cruz ambition update. |
| Lindsey Graham reiterates Donald Trump should nominate Ted Cruz to Supreme Court: "I think he'd get a lot of votes." | Lindsey Graham reiterates Donald Trump should nominate Ted Cruz to Supreme Court: "I think he'd get a lot of votes." |
| 9.40pm GMT | 9.40pm GMT |
| 21:40 | 21:40 |
| From the long-suffering transition pool: Marla Maples update: | From the long-suffering transition pool: Marla Maples update: |
| After a visit that lasted less than 25 minutes, Marla Maples came back to the lobby at 4:24pm and very quickly rushed to the exit, waving to reporters but not stopping to chat. A reporter asked how Tiffany is doing and she replied: “She’s doing great, thank you.” Other questions went unanswered. Within seconds, she was gone. | After a visit that lasted less than 25 minutes, Marla Maples came back to the lobby at 4:24pm and very quickly rushed to the exit, waving to reporters but not stopping to chat. A reporter asked how Tiffany is doing and she replied: “She’s doing great, thank you.” Other questions went unanswered. Within seconds, she was gone. |
| Marla Maples is Trump’s second wife and mother of his second daughter Tiffany and a singer-songwriter: | Marla Maples is Trump’s second wife and mother of his second daughter Tiffany and a singer-songwriter: |
| 9.36pm GMT | 9.36pm GMT |
| 21:36 | 21:36 |
| Say what you will about Ted Cruz, he’s always there to help – especially if you just got elected president. | Say what you will about Ted Cruz, he’s always there to help – especially if you just got elected president. |
| Ted Cruz is @ Trump Tower today, per @VaughnHillyard. Transition aide says he's not being considered for a post but "came by to offer aid" | Ted Cruz is @ Trump Tower today, per @VaughnHillyard. Transition aide says he's not being considered for a post but "came by to offer aid" |
| 9.23pm GMT | 9.23pm GMT |
| 21:23 | 21:23 |
| On the floor of the US senate: | On the floor of the US senate: |
| Reid quotes Bannon divorce records, saying Bannon didn't like how Jews raise kids & Bannon didn't want his kids going to school with Jews | Reid quotes Bannon divorce records, saying Bannon didn't like how Jews raise kids & Bannon didn't want his kids going to school with Jews |
| Here’s the AP in August: | Here’s the AP in August: |
| In a sworn court declaration following their divorce, Piccard said her ex-husband had objected to sending their twin daughters to an elite Los Angeles academy because he “didn’t want the girls going to school with Jews”. | In a sworn court declaration following their divorce, Piccard said her ex-husband had objected to sending their twin daughters to an elite Los Angeles academy because he “didn’t want the girls going to school with Jews”. |
| “He said he doesn’t like Jews and that he doesn’t like the way they raise their kids to be ‘whiney brats,’” Piccard said in a 2007 court filing. | “He said he doesn’t like Jews and that he doesn’t like the way they raise their kids to be ‘whiney brats,’” Piccard said in a 2007 court filing. |
| 9.15pm GMT | 9.15pm GMT |
| 21:15 | 21:15 |
| Outgoing Senate minority leader Harry Reid is speaking on the senate floor about Donald Trump. He notes that hate crimes have spiked since Trump’s election – there have been 315 reports, he says. Now he tells the story of a friend threatened while dining in Las Vegas. And a similar story about two incidents at a staffer’s daughter’s middle school. And a similar story from Spokane, Washington. | Outgoing Senate minority leader Harry Reid is speaking on the senate floor about Donald Trump. He notes that hate crimes have spiked since Trump’s election – there have been 315 reports, he says. Now he tells the story of a friend threatened while dining in Las Vegas. And a similar story about two incidents at a staffer’s daughter’s middle school. And a similar story from Spokane, Washington. |
| “Those are only a few examples of what people close to me have related, but those kinds of disturbing accounts have been reported across America.” He submits multiple lists of “hundreds of incidents” to the congressional record. | “Those are only a few examples of what people close to me have related, but those kinds of disturbing accounts have been reported across America.” He submits multiple lists of “hundreds of incidents” to the congressional record. |
| Here’s a live stream. | Here’s a live stream. |
| 9.12pm GMT | 9.12pm GMT |
| 21:12 | 21:12 |
| From the long-suffering transition pool: | From the long-suffering transition pool: |
| Spotted at Trump Tower: Marla Maples, Donald Trump’s second wife and the mother of his daughter, Tiffany. | Spotted at Trump Tower: Marla Maples, Donald Trump’s second wife and the mother of his daughter, Tiffany. |
| 9.04pm GMT | 9.04pm GMT |
| 21:04 | 21:04 |
| McCain skeptical of Putin's goodwill | McCain skeptical of Putin's goodwill |
| Senator John McCain is not impressed by new expressions of goodwill from Russian president Vladimir Putin. | Senator John McCain is not impressed by new expressions of goodwill from Russian president Vladimir Putin. |
| Trump released a statement Tuesday saying he looked forward to a “strong and enduring relationship” with Russia. | Trump released a statement Tuesday saying he looked forward to a “strong and enduring relationship” with Russia. |
| McCain points out that Putin has “plunged his country into tyranny” and “murdered his political opponents” and “invaded his neighbors” and “threatened America’s allies, and attempted to undermine America’s elections.” | McCain points out that Putin has “plunged his country into tyranny” and “murdered his political opponents” and “invaded his neighbors” and “threatened America’s allies, and attempted to undermine America’s elections.” |
| Partial McCain statement on Trump's talk with Putin pic.twitter.com/1UHpOqDq6z | Partial McCain statement on Trump's talk with Putin pic.twitter.com/1UHpOqDq6z |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.05pm GMT | at 9.05pm GMT |
| 9.01pm GMT | 9.01pm GMT |
| 21:01 | 21:01 |
| Trump transition team hits rocky patch | Trump transition team hits rocky patch |
| David Smith | David Smith |
| Donald Trump’s transition to the White House appeared to be in disarray on Tuesday after the abrupt departure of a top national security adviser and amid continuing questions over the role of his three children and son-in-law. | Donald Trump’s transition to the White House appeared to be in disarray on Tuesday after the abrupt departure of a top national security adviser and amid continuing questions over the role of his three children and son-in-law. |
| Former Republican congressman Mike Rogers stepped down from the president-elect’s transition team without explanation, but one report attributed it to a “Stalinesque purge”. | Former Republican congressman Mike Rogers stepped down from the president-elect’s transition team without explanation, but one report attributed it to a “Stalinesque purge”. |
| A week after his election, Trump and Vice-President-elect Mike Pence were huddled at Trump Tower in New York to work on key appointments as the US Senate was due to resume business in a still shellshocked Washington. | A week after his election, Trump and Vice-President-elect Mike Pence were huddled at Trump Tower in New York to work on key appointments as the US Senate was due to resume business in a still shellshocked Washington. |
| Rogers chaired the House intelligence committee and is a former army officer and FBI special agent. He said he was proud of the work his team had done to produce policy and personnel guidance “on the complex national security challenges facing our great country”. | Rogers chaired the House intelligence committee and is a former army officer and FBI special agent. He said he was proud of the work his team had done to produce policy and personnel guidance “on the complex national security challenges facing our great country”. |
| The departure offered the latest clue that the transition is going to be every bit as bumpy as feared. Last week the president-elect ditched the head of the team, New Jersey governor Chris Christie, who is mired in political scandal, and replaced him with Pence. | The departure offered the latest clue that the transition is going to be every bit as bumpy as feared. Last week the president-elect ditched the head of the team, New Jersey governor Chris Christie, who is mired in political scandal, and replaced him with Pence. |
| NBC News quoted a source as saying Rogers was the victim of a “Stalinesque purge” of people close to Christie. “Two sources close to the situation described an atmosphere of sniping and backbiting as Trump loyalists position themselves for key jobs,” the network reported. | NBC News quoted a source as saying Rogers was the victim of a “Stalinesque purge” of people close to Christie. “Two sources close to the situation described an atmosphere of sniping and backbiting as Trump loyalists position themselves for key jobs,” the network reported. |
| Some Republicans who previously ostracised Trump are returning to the fold but not always with success. Eliot Cohen, a senior state department official under George W Bush, launched a stinging attack on the transition effort. He tweeted: | Some Republicans who previously ostracised Trump are returning to the fold but not always with success. Eliot Cohen, a senior state department official under George W Bush, launched a stinging attack on the transition effort. He tweeted: |
| “After exchange [with] Trump transition team, changed my recommendation: stay away. They’re angry, arrogant, screaming ‘you LOST!’ Will be ugly.” | “After exchange [with] Trump transition team, changed my recommendation: stay away. They’re angry, arrogant, screaming ‘you LOST!’ Will be ugly.” |
| A few days ago, Cohen had encouraged the suspicious Republican foreign policy establishment to rally around the president-elect. | A few days ago, Cohen had encouraged the suspicious Republican foreign policy establishment to rally around the president-elect. |
| Read further: | Read further: |
| 7.58pm GMT | 7.58pm GMT |
| 19:58 | 19:58 |
| Rand Paul: I oppose Rudy Giuliani or John Bolton for secretary of state | Rand Paul: I oppose Rudy Giuliani or John Bolton for secretary of state |
| Senator Rand Paul reiterated his opposition to either former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani or former UN ambassador John Bolton as secretary of state in an interview with the Guardian on Tuesday. | Senator Rand Paul reiterated his opposition to either former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani or former UN ambassador John Bolton as secretary of state in an interview with the Guardian on Tuesday. |
| The interview follows an op-ed in Rare, an online conservative publication, where Paul condemned Bolton as “out of touch”. | The interview follows an op-ed in Rare, an online conservative publication, where Paul condemned Bolton as “out of touch”. |
| The Kentucky senator grounded his opposition in the importance that Donald Trump “pick people who agree with his foreign policy”. Trump repeatedly argued on the campaign trail that the Iraq war was a mistake and condemned what he saw as an overly interventionist foreign policy from Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. As Paul phrased it, Trump was “standing up not just to Woodrow Wilson and a whole line of neocons in both parties and thought it was a big part of what Trump ran on”. | The Kentucky senator grounded his opposition in the importance that Donald Trump “pick people who agree with his foreign policy”. Trump repeatedly argued on the campaign trail that the Iraq war was a mistake and condemned what he saw as an overly interventionist foreign policy from Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. As Paul phrased it, Trump was “standing up not just to Woodrow Wilson and a whole line of neocons in both parties and thought it was a big part of what Trump ran on”. |
| Paul, who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, insisted “there is no way I could vote for someone who is an unrepentant supporter of the Iraq war and regime change. I think that is a disaster for the country, it has made us less safe and so categorically I can’t support anybody that supports regime change.” | Paul, who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, insisted “there is no way I could vote for someone who is an unrepentant supporter of the Iraq war and regime change. I think that is a disaster for the country, it has made us less safe and so categorically I can’t support anybody that supports regime change.” |
| He noted in particular that Bolton, who wrote an op-ed in support of bombing Iran in 2015, was one of the biggest cheerleaders for the Iraq war and pointed out that Giuliani agrees with the former UN ambassador on Iran. | He noted in particular that Bolton, who wrote an op-ed in support of bombing Iran in 2015, was one of the biggest cheerleaders for the Iraq war and pointed out that Giuliani agrees with the former UN ambassador on Iran. |
| Instead, Paul suggested Senate Foreign Relations Committee chair Bob Corker as an alternative. He’s “much more of a realist, not likely to be loading the bombs to go to Iran tomorrow”. In contrast, he suggested that Bolton’s hawkish stance was perhaps because he was trying to “assuage guilt” over “not serving in combat”. | Instead, Paul suggested Senate Foreign Relations Committee chair Bob Corker as an alternative. He’s “much more of a realist, not likely to be loading the bombs to go to Iran tomorrow”. In contrast, he suggested that Bolton’s hawkish stance was perhaps because he was trying to “assuage guilt” over “not serving in combat”. |
| 7.25pm GMT | 7.25pm GMT |
| 19:25 | 19:25 |
| Three makes a trend... | Three makes a trend... |
| Just called a Republican congressional office I deal with often and was told the press relations staff is no longer speaking to reporters. | Just called a Republican congressional office I deal with often and was told the press relations staff is no longer speaking to reporters. |
| .@SenatorBurr is walking around with photos of reporters he won't talk to. I'm on it. | .@SenatorBurr is walking around with photos of reporters he won't talk to. I'm on it. |
| 7.17pm GMT | 7.17pm GMT |
| 19:17 | 19:17 |
| Obama wants to 'facilitate a good transition' to Trump presidency | Obama wants to 'facilitate a good transition' to Trump presidency |
| Video: During his visit to Greece, Barack Obama said he would do everything possible to ensure a smooth transition to president-elect Donald Trump. | Video: During his visit to Greece, Barack Obama said he would do everything possible to ensure a smooth transition to president-elect Donald Trump. |
| “I still don’t feel responsible for what the president-elect says or does,” he said, during a joint press conference with Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras. “But I do feel responsibility as president of the United States to make sure that I facilitate a good transition.” | “I still don’t feel responsible for what the president-elect says or does,” he said, during a joint press conference with Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras. “But I do feel responsibility as president of the United States to make sure that I facilitate a good transition.” |
| 7.01pm GMT | 7.01pm GMT |
| 19:01 | 19:01 |
| House Republicans unanimously renominate Paul Ryan as speaker | House Republicans unanimously renominate Paul Ryan as speaker |
| After a rousing opening to a press conference this morning in which House speaker Paul Ryan welcomed America “to the dawn of a new unified Republican government,” House Republicans unanimously renominated the Wisconsin congressman for a second term as speaker of the House. | After a rousing opening to a press conference this morning in which House speaker Paul Ryan welcomed America “to the dawn of a new unified Republican government,” House Republicans unanimously renominated the Wisconsin congressman for a second term as speaker of the House. |
| The vote is a huge boon to Ryan’s leadership after the election of president-elect Donald Trump, particularly after Trump’s skepticism of Ryan’s support during the campaign led some Republicans to float the idea of throwing Ryan over for a new speaker in the event of Trump’s loss. | The vote is a huge boon to Ryan’s leadership after the election of president-elect Donald Trump, particularly after Trump’s skepticism of Ryan’s support during the campaign led some Republicans to float the idea of throwing Ryan over for a new speaker in the event of Trump’s loss. |
| Ryan will still need to win a vote from the full House membership in January to officially serve a second term, but with a unanimous vote of nomination from the Republican caucus - which controls the House - that vote is, at this point, nearly assured to go his way. | Ryan will still need to win a vote from the full House membership in January to officially serve a second term, but with a unanimous vote of nomination from the Republican caucus - which controls the House - that vote is, at this point, nearly assured to go his way. |
| 6.30pm GMT | 6.30pm GMT |
| 18:30 | 18:30 |
| Adam Gabbatt | Adam Gabbatt |
| Donald Trump’s name will be permanently removed from a series of New York City buildings on Wednesday, in an apparent repudiation of his divisive presidential campaign. | Donald Trump’s name will be permanently removed from a series of New York City buildings on Wednesday, in an apparent repudiation of his divisive presidential campaign. |
| The name “Trump” has been displayed prominently on 140, 160 and 180 Trump Place, in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, for more than a decade. Trump developed the apartment buildings in the 1990s. | The name “Trump” has been displayed prominently on 140, 160 and 180 Trump Place, in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, for more than a decade. Trump developed the apartment buildings in the 1990s. |
| But Equity Residential, which owns the building, told the Guardian that the Trump signage would be removed – and the actual street names changed – because it would make the apartments more appealing to renters. | But Equity Residential, which owns the building, told the Guardian that the Trump signage would be removed – and the actual street names changed – because it would make the apartments more appealing to renters. |
| “We are in the process of rebranding the buildings using their street addresses as the property names,” said Marty McKenna, a spokesman for Equity Residential. | “We are in the process of rebranding the buildings using their street addresses as the property names,” said Marty McKenna, a spokesman for Equity Residential. |
| “The goal is to assume a more neutral building identity that will appeal to all current and future renters.” | “The goal is to assume a more neutral building identity that will appeal to all current and future renters.” |
| An employee at the leasing office at 140 Trump Place said the work would begin on Wednesday – just eight days after Trump won the presidential election. | An employee at the leasing office at 140 Trump Place said the work would begin on Wednesday – just eight days after Trump won the presidential election. |
| The move comes after hundreds of residents signed a “Dump the Trump name” petition calling for “Trump” to be removed from the buildings. | The move comes after hundreds of residents signed a “Dump the Trump name” petition calling for “Trump” to be removed from the buildings. |
| 6.19pm GMT | 6.19pm GMT |
| 18:19 | 18:19 |
| Accuser: Trump has pulled 'the biggest con possible' with election win | Accuser: Trump has pulled 'the biggest con possible' with election win |
| Lucia Graves | Lucia Graves |
| Donald Trump has pulled off “the biggest con possible”, and may leave many in the United States like “roadkill”, one of the first women to accuse him of sexual assault has told the Guardian. | Donald Trump has pulled off “the biggest con possible”, and may leave many in the United States like “roadkill”, one of the first women to accuse him of sexual assault has told the Guardian. |
| Jill Harth, a former business partner of Trump’s, claims the incoming president cornered her in 1993 during a purported “tour” of his Mar-a-Lago estate, pushing her up against the wall in one of the children’s rooms and groping her. Her lawsuit against him alleging “attempted rape” has been on the books since she filed it in 1997, and though she later dropped the charges, she has always stood by her story. | Jill Harth, a former business partner of Trump’s, claims the incoming president cornered her in 1993 during a purported “tour” of his Mar-a-Lago estate, pushing her up against the wall in one of the children’s rooms and groping her. Her lawsuit against him alleging “attempted rape” has been on the books since she filed it in 1997, and though she later dropped the charges, she has always stood by her story. |
| “I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that the man who used to get annoyed at me for being so respectful and friendly to ‘the help’ and who introduced me to people by how many millions they were worth is now the president of the United States,” Harth told the Guardian. “I watched him judge women solely on their youthful looks and attractiveness to him whether they were in a beauty contest or not. He was elected by hard-working, blue-collar workers and women: the same people he showed utter disdain for when I worked with him and spent time with him on a personal level. | “I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that the man who used to get annoyed at me for being so respectful and friendly to ‘the help’ and who introduced me to people by how many millions they were worth is now the president of the United States,” Harth told the Guardian. “I watched him judge women solely on their youthful looks and attractiveness to him whether they were in a beauty contest or not. He was elected by hard-working, blue-collar workers and women: the same people he showed utter disdain for when I worked with him and spent time with him on a personal level. |
| “Trump will always be a cartoon character to me,” she continued, “all show and no go. He pulled off the biggest con possible. Now time will tell what happens next. I’m hoping for the best, I really am, but afraid he will leave many of us as roadkill.” | “Trump will always be a cartoon character to me,” she continued, “all show and no go. He pulled off the biggest con possible. Now time will tell what happens next. I’m hoping for the best, I really am, but afraid he will leave many of us as roadkill.” |
| She added that she was “saddened” that voters had fallen for “his superficial tough guy act”, explaining that the biggest laugh to her was how “loyal” Trump is supposed to be, misinformation she said the media had helped spread. “I personally witnessed and experienced the opposite from him. He promised big things and never delivered. He turned on and hurt me and other friends and colleagues who were good to him, helped him, did what they promised they would do and were loyal and supportive to him. He used me [and] my colleagues for his own purpose and is now using the American people to get the power and adulation he always craved.” | She added that she was “saddened” that voters had fallen for “his superficial tough guy act”, explaining that the biggest laugh to her was how “loyal” Trump is supposed to be, misinformation she said the media had helped spread. “I personally witnessed and experienced the opposite from him. He promised big things and never delivered. He turned on and hurt me and other friends and colleagues who were good to him, helped him, did what they promised they would do and were loyal and supportive to him. He used me [and] my colleagues for his own purpose and is now using the American people to get the power and adulation he always craved.” |