“We’ve got to make sure that we are not the party of big business, big banks, big Wall Street bailouts, big corporate loopholes, big anything.” —Louisiana Governor and future presidential candidate Bobby Jindal, in an interview with Politico.
Don’t believe the rumors: Trump and Giuliani are still pals (though it’s unclear if Trump is paying his legal fees)
When Rudolph W. Giuliani was treating his efforts to carry out President Trump’s wishes to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election as a payment opportunity — he proposed a daily retainer of $20,000 for his legal services from the burgeoning Trump campaign legal fund — the president dismissed it and responded by demanding to personally approve each expense.
Nine weeks and another impeachment later, Mr. Trump began the day on Thursday by asking aides to erase any sign of a rift. Stripped of his Twitter account, Mr. Trump conveyed his praise through an adviser, Jason Miller, who tweeted: “Just spoke with President Trump, and he told me that @RudyGiuliani is a great guy and a Patriot who devoted his services to the country! We all love America’s Mayor!”
White House officials are universally angry with Mr. Giuliani and blame him for both of Mr. Trump’s impeachments. But the president is another story.
Even as he complains about Mr. Giuliani’s latest efforts as fruitless, the president remains unusually deferential to him in public and in private. “Don’t underestimate him,” Mr. Trump has told advisers.
But only up to a point. While Mr. Trump and his advisers balked at the $20,000 request weeks ago, it is unclear whether the president will sign off on Mr. Giuliani being paid anything other than expenses.
An ambitious plan out of the gate
Murkowski doesn’t exactly sound like a “no”
Jaime Harrison, who proved his fundraising prowess in his race against Lindsey Graham, will be the next DNC chair
President-elect Joe Biden has chosen former Senate candidate Jaime Harrison of South Carolina as the next chair of the Democratic National Committee, as he moves to remake the national party infrastructure to better compete with Republicans.
Harrison, 44, a former chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, raised more than $130 million in his effort to defeat Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R) last year, making himself a well-known name among Democrats nationwide. His candidacy for the DNC chairmanship had been promoted by Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.), a close Biden ally who played an instrumental role for Biden during the Democratic primary contest. Harrison’s selection was confirmed by two Democrats familiar with Biden’s decision.
The mark of a healthy society
Dr. Harold Bornstein, Trump’s eccentric former doctor, has died
Dr. Harold N. Bornstein, who for a time was President Donald J. Trump’s personal physician and who had attested that Mr. Trump would be “the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency,” died on Friday. He was 73.
His death was announced on Thursday in a paid notice in The New York Times. The notice did not give a cause or say where he died.
Representative Adriano Espaillat is quarantining after testing positive for COVID-19
I received the second dose of the #COVID19vaccine last week and understand the affects take time. I have continued to be tested regularly, wear my mask and follow the recommended guidelines. I will continue my duties representing New York’s 13th congressional district remotely until I have received clearance from my doctor. I encourage all residents to follow public health guidelines for the safety of our #NY13 community.
After Republicans ignore metal detectors at entrance to House floor, Pelosi imposes fines
… [Pelosi] announced Wednesday night that members who don’t comply with the screening policy would be fined $5,000 for a first offense and $10,000 for a second. Congressional officials will deduct the fines straight from the lawmaker’s paycheck. Democrats will offer a rules change on the House floor soon to formalize the policy.
“The House will soon move forward with a rule change imposing fines on those who refuse to abide by these protections,” Pelosi said in a statement. “The fine for the first offense will be $5,000 and $10,000 for the second offense. The fines will be deducted directly from Members’ salaries by the Chief Administrative Officer.”
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