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| Democrats Widen Leadership Tent as Trump Holds Off on Cabinet Picks | Democrats Widen Leadership Tent as Trump Holds Off on Cabinet Picks |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| All eyes may be on Trump Tower as the presidential transition team holds off on nominations for crucial cabinet posts, but the Democrats have made their first move to rebuild after their surprise electoral defeats. | All eyes may be on Trump Tower as the presidential transition team holds off on nominations for crucial cabinet posts, but the Democrats have made their first move to rebuild after their surprise electoral defeats. |
| Stung by last week’s defeat, Senate Democrats on Wednesday elected a new slate of leaders. With Senator Chuck Schumer of New York as the incoming minority leader, they projected a “big tent” that paired the progressive folk heroes Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts with the centrist Mark Warner of Virginia and the blue-collar conservative Joe Manchin of West Virginia. | Stung by last week’s defeat, Senate Democrats on Wednesday elected a new slate of leaders. With Senator Chuck Schumer of New York as the incoming minority leader, they projected a “big tent” that paired the progressive folk heroes Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts with the centrist Mark Warner of Virginia and the blue-collar conservative Joe Manchin of West Virginia. |
| Democrats re-elected some familiar faces: Richard J. Durbin of Illinois will be minority whip, and Patty Murray of Washington will serve in the No. 3 spot as assistant Democratic leader. | Democrats re-elected some familiar faces: Richard J. Durbin of Illinois will be minority whip, and Patty Murray of Washington will serve in the No. 3 spot as assistant Democratic leader. |
| But the core team was expanded from seven members to 10, and the entire team will be invited to all leadership meetings. | But the core team was expanded from seven members to 10, and the entire team will be invited to all leadership meetings. |
| That indicates Mr. Schumer’s desire to hear from a broader, more ideologically diverse group when making strategic decisions. Whether such diverse views can be melded into a cohesive plan of action is yet to be determined. | That indicates Mr. Schumer’s desire to hear from a broader, more ideologically diverse group when making strategic decisions. Whether such diverse views can be melded into a cohesive plan of action is yet to be determined. |
| Representative Nancy Pelosi of California sent a message on Wednesday to any House Democrats considering a play for her leadership perch: Bring it on. | Representative Nancy Pelosi of California sent a message on Wednesday to any House Democrats considering a play for her leadership perch: Bring it on. |
| Ms. Pelosi, a San Francisco progressive who has been in charge since 2003, faces some grumbling, especially from Democrats who feel that Rust Belt losses in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania, plus Wisconsin, call for a shake-up in a leadership slate dominated by septuagenarians from the coasts. At least one member, Representative Tim Ryan of the consummate Rust Belt region around Youngstown, Ohio, is considering running against Ms. Pelosi. | Ms. Pelosi, a San Francisco progressive who has been in charge since 2003, faces some grumbling, especially from Democrats who feel that Rust Belt losses in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania, plus Wisconsin, call for a shake-up in a leadership slate dominated by septuagenarians from the coasts. At least one member, Representative Tim Ryan of the consummate Rust Belt region around Youngstown, Ohio, is considering running against Ms. Pelosi. |
| Ms. Pelosi distributed a letter to House Democrats making it clear that any challenger would face an uphill battle. | Ms. Pelosi distributed a letter to House Democrats making it clear that any challenger would face an uphill battle. |
| “It is with both humility and confidence that I write to request your support for House Democratic leader,” she wrote. “As of this writing, I am pleased to report the support of more than two-thirds of the caucus.” | “It is with both humility and confidence that I write to request your support for House Democratic leader,” she wrote. “As of this writing, I am pleased to report the support of more than two-thirds of the caucus.” |
| Mr. Trump pushed back on the headlines Tuesday night, insisting that there is a: | Mr. Trump pushed back on the headlines Tuesday night, insisting that there is a: |
| Then came word on Wednesday morning that another senior transition official had been shown the door: Kevin O’Connor, who was leading the Justice Department transition team, according to current and former government officials close to the transition. | Then came word on Wednesday morning that another senior transition official had been shown the door: Kevin O’Connor, who was leading the Justice Department transition team, according to current and former government officials close to the transition. |
| Mr. O’Connor, a former senior Justice Department official under President George W. Bush, is respected by career law enforcement officials and has a reputation as a centrist Republican who knows the department well. But he is close to Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, whose allies have been removed in recent days. It is not clear who will replace him. | Mr. O’Connor, a former senior Justice Department official under President George W. Bush, is respected by career law enforcement officials and has a reputation as a centrist Republican who knows the department well. But he is close to Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, whose allies have been removed in recent days. It is not clear who will replace him. |
| Reached in Connecticut, where he lives, Mr. O’Connor had no comment. | Reached in Connecticut, where he lives, Mr. O’Connor had no comment. |
| The visit by Senator Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas, to Trump Tower on Tuesday prompted speculation that he may also be under consideration for attorney general. Mr. Cruz has no prosecutorial experience, although he served as Texas solicitor general before his election to the Senate. | The visit by Senator Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas, to Trump Tower on Tuesday prompted speculation that he may also be under consideration for attorney general. Mr. Cruz has no prosecutorial experience, although he served as Texas solicitor general before his election to the Senate. |
| During the primary campaign, Mr. Trump dubbed Mr. Cruz “Lyin’ Ted” and suggested without evidence that Mr. Cruz’s father was linked to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. And Mr. Cruz’s refusal to endorse Mr. Trump in his speech at the Republican National Convention — instead telling people to vote their consciences — enraged Mr. Trump’s supporters. | During the primary campaign, Mr. Trump dubbed Mr. Cruz “Lyin’ Ted” and suggested without evidence that Mr. Cruz’s father was linked to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. And Mr. Cruz’s refusal to endorse Mr. Trump in his speech at the Republican National Convention — instead telling people to vote their consciences — enraged Mr. Trump’s supporters. |
| Still, Mr. Cruz endorsed Mr. Trump in September. Moreover, Robert Mercer, a New York hedge fund billionaire, and his daughter, Rebekah, donated millions to a “super PAC” supporting Mr. Cruz’s presidential campaign and later became backers of Mr. Trump; Ms. Mercer is on the Trump transition committee. | Still, Mr. Cruz endorsed Mr. Trump in September. Moreover, Robert Mercer, a New York hedge fund billionaire, and his daughter, Rebekah, donated millions to a “super PAC” supporting Mr. Cruz’s presidential campaign and later became backers of Mr. Trump; Ms. Mercer is on the Trump transition committee. |
| The president-elect dined at the 21 Club in Manhattan on Tuesday night out of reporters’ earshot. But what did he say? He was promising a group of well-heeled patrons that he would lower their taxes. | |
| Some patrons laughed. | Some patrons laughed. |
| Mr. Trump, who lives on Fifth Avenue, campaigned as a champion of the middle class. | Mr. Trump, who lives on Fifth Avenue, campaigned as a champion of the middle class. |
| Steve Mnuchin, a member of the transition team executive committee and possible pick for Treasury secretary, fleshed out that agenda, telling reporters on Wednesday morning that he and Mr. Trump had “talked about taxes.” | Steve Mnuchin, a member of the transition team executive committee and possible pick for Treasury secretary, fleshed out that agenda, telling reporters on Wednesday morning that he and Mr. Trump had “talked about taxes.” |
| “I think the other thing — very big focus — is regulatory changes, looking at the creation of an infrastructure bank to fund infrastructure investments,” he said. “So, there’s a lot of things to do, and I’d say the economic priorities are clearly taxes, regulatory, trade and infrastructure.” | “I think the other thing — very big focus — is regulatory changes, looking at the creation of an infrastructure bank to fund infrastructure investments,” he said. “So, there’s a lot of things to do, and I’d say the economic priorities are clearly taxes, regulatory, trade and infrastructure.” |
| Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama, a key Trump ally and likely cabinet member, was asked on Wednesday morning if personnel announcements would be coming during the day. | Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama, a key Trump ally and likely cabinet member, was asked on Wednesday morning if personnel announcements would be coming during the day. |
| “I don’t think so,” Mr. Sessions said. | “I don’t think so,” Mr. Sessions said. |
| Chinese climate change negotiators in Marrakesh, Morocco, delivered a response to Mr. Trump’s 2012 Twitter post that claimed: | Chinese climate change negotiators in Marrakesh, Morocco, delivered a response to Mr. Trump’s 2012 Twitter post that claimed: |
| Liu Zhenmin, China’s deputy minister of foreign affairs and lead negotiator at this United Nations summit meeting, told reporters, “Climate change is not, as rumored, a hoax created by the Chinese.” | Liu Zhenmin, China’s deputy minister of foreign affairs and lead negotiator at this United Nations summit meeting, told reporters, “Climate change is not, as rumored, a hoax created by the Chinese.” |
| “If you look at the history of climate change negotiations, it was initiated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change with the support of Republicans in both the Reagan and Bush administrations in the late ’80s and early ’90s,” Mr. Liu added. “So I hope that Republicans will continue to support this process.” | “If you look at the history of climate change negotiations, it was initiated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change with the support of Republicans in both the Reagan and Bush administrations in the late ’80s and early ’90s,” Mr. Liu added. “So I hope that Republicans will continue to support this process.” |
| The Marrakesh negotiations are a follow-up to the passage of last year’s Paris Agreement, committing nearly 200 countries to take action to curb global warming. President-elect Trump has slammed the deal and suggested that he would withdraw the United States from it. | The Marrakesh negotiations are a follow-up to the passage of last year’s Paris Agreement, committing nearly 200 countries to take action to curb global warming. President-elect Trump has slammed the deal and suggested that he would withdraw the United States from it. |
| China is emerging in Mr. Trump’s wake as a new leader in efforts to curb global warming. | China is emerging in Mr. Trump’s wake as a new leader in efforts to curb global warming. |
| “Whatever position the U.S. puts forth, China will continue to support the Paris agreement,” Mr. Liu said. | “Whatever position the U.S. puts forth, China will continue to support the Paris agreement,” Mr. Liu said. |
| A senior Republican House staff member says the Trump transition team is looking to fill many lower- and midlevel national security and counterterrorism jobs with Capitol Hill staffers who already have the security clearances that can otherwise take months to obtain. | A senior Republican House staff member says the Trump transition team is looking to fill many lower- and midlevel national security and counterterrorism jobs with Capitol Hill staffers who already have the security clearances that can otherwise take months to obtain. |
| While this happens to some extent after every election, this aide says poaching is likely to be even greater this time around because Team Trump has blacklisted so many Republicans who signed “Never Trump” letters during the campaign season. | While this happens to some extent after every election, this aide says poaching is likely to be even greater this time around because Team Trump has blacklisted so many Republicans who signed “Never Trump” letters during the campaign season. |
| The hunt on Capitol Hill could strip valuable expertise from House and Senate foreign relations, armed services, intelligence and homeland security committees — panels that figured to be a check on Trump administration policies in these areas. | The hunt on Capitol Hill could strip valuable expertise from House and Senate foreign relations, armed services, intelligence and homeland security committees — panels that figured to be a check on Trump administration policies in these areas. |
| Mr. Trump has always had an unconventional relationship with the news media. Why would he let being elected president of the United States change that? | Mr. Trump has always had an unconventional relationship with the news media. Why would he let being elected president of the United States change that? |
| By tradition — and ostensibly to satisfy the public’s right to know its leader’s doings — a president-elect has a small pool of reporters monitoring his whereabouts, mainly in case of emergencies. You never know. But at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, about 45 minutes after a Trump spokeswoman, Hope Hicks, said that the president-elect was calling it a night, reporters noticed what was described as “a massive motorcade” leaving Trump Tower with at least a dozen vehicles and an ambulance, lights blaring. | By tradition — and ostensibly to satisfy the public’s right to know its leader’s doings — a president-elect has a small pool of reporters monitoring his whereabouts, mainly in case of emergencies. You never know. But at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, about 45 minutes after a Trump spokeswoman, Hope Hicks, said that the president-elect was calling it a night, reporters noticed what was described as “a massive motorcade” leaving Trump Tower with at least a dozen vehicles and an ambulance, lights blaring. |
| At 7:36 p.m., a Twitter post notified the world (falsely) where Mr. Trump was. Actually, he was at the 21 Club. | At 7:36 p.m., a Twitter post notified the world (falsely) where Mr. Trump was. Actually, he was at the 21 Club. |
| But it was not until 8:20 p.m. that the reporters who were supposed to be with Mr. Trump saw that message and hopped in a cab to Keene’s, then realized he was at 21 Club and rerouted. | But it was not until 8:20 p.m. that the reporters who were supposed to be with Mr. Trump saw that message and hopped in a cab to Keene’s, then realized he was at 21 Club and rerouted. |
| More than an hour after the president-elect had left his apartment, the news media arrived, only to be pushed back out of view of the restaurant. | More than an hour after the president-elect had left his apartment, the news media arrived, only to be pushed back out of view of the restaurant. |
| The Trump family returned to Trump Tower at 9:41 p.m., again without the president-elect’s pool. | The Trump family returned to Trump Tower at 9:41 p.m., again without the president-elect’s pool. |
| Mr. Trump’s dinnertime escape from the news media on Tuesday night prompted renewed criticism of the president-elect on Wednesday from the White House Correspondents’ Association, the independent organization that advocates for journalists who cover the president. | Mr. Trump’s dinnertime escape from the news media on Tuesday night prompted renewed criticism of the president-elect on Wednesday from the White House Correspondents’ Association, the independent organization that advocates for journalists who cover the president. |
| Ms. Hicks said last week that his aides “fully expect to operate a traditional pool” and would do so soon. | Ms. Hicks said last week that his aides “fully expect to operate a traditional pool” and would do so soon. |
| Mr. Trump appears to have woken up unhappy with the portrayal of his transition in disarray. | Mr. Trump appears to have woken up unhappy with the portrayal of his transition in disarray. |
| First came: | First came: |
| The transition has let it be known that any requests for such security clearance must have come from low-level staff members uncleared to make that demand. | The transition has let it be known that any requests for such security clearance must have come from low-level staff members uncleared to make that demand. |
| Then came: | Then came: |
| The Times never said Mr. Trump hadn’t spoken to foreign leaders. On the contrary, the report said that he had, but that some allies were having to reach him by calling the switchboard at Trump Tower. | The Times never said Mr. Trump hadn’t spoken to foreign leaders. On the contrary, the report said that he had, but that some allies were having to reach him by calling the switchboard at Trump Tower. |
| That first Twitter post against The Times was followed by another: | That first Twitter post against The Times was followed by another: |
| Concluding with: | Concluding with: |