“Whether by strategy or ineptitude or both, the Trump administration is starving them of the expertise they need to fulfill their essential functions.” More …
Executive Branch
The executive branch personnel (White House) including the president, the cabinet and advisors.
The Danger of President Pence
“Trump’s critics yearn for his exit. But Mike Pence, the corporate right’s inside man, poses his own risks.” More …
How Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump, Jr., Avoided a Criminal Indictment
” … But, less than six months after the D.A.’s office dropped the case, Trump’s lawyer, Kasowitz, made an even larger donation to Vance’s campaign, and helped raise more from others—eventually, a total of more than fifty thousand dollars.” More …
Why the Head of the EPA Built Himself a Secret Phone Booth
“As colorful as the Trump administration has been, few officials have drawn more incredulous attention than EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. The boyish Oklahoman is one of Trump’s favorites — he played a key role in persuading Trump to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, against the advice of dozens of other advisers — and it’s easy to see why. In many ways, Pruitt is a more concentrated and effective version of Trump: just as tribal, just as paranoid, but with a genial manner, a smiling face, and enough focus to avoid pointless controversies.” More …
Interior Watchdog Opens Investigation into Ryan Zinke’s Travel
“The secretary has flown on government-owned or -chartered aircraft several times this year, including one $12,000 trip from Las Vegas to an airport near his hometown in Montana and another trip in the Caribbean.” More …
Evidence Mounts that White House Anticipates Damaging Results from Russia Investigation
“As the Russia investigations by special counsel Robert Mueller and Congress plow ahead, are there telltale signs that the White House is worried about the eventual findings? According to an assortment of news reports, several signs suggest that President Donald Trump’s inner circle is increasingly concerned about where the Russia investigations could lead. The signs include the preparation of contingency plans, like the resignation of Jared Kushner in anticipation of revelations of the June 9, 2016 meeting with Russians and the need for support from Republican senators if the investigation goes south for Trump. Earlier signs included Trump’s desire to fire Mueller and his contemplating sweeping pardons, including for himself.” More …
The Charter Flights of Price, Mnuchin, Pruitt Are the Tip of the Corruption Iceberg
“The pervasive abuse of taxpayer money—and trust—will make our democracy harder to repair.” More …
Ryan Zinke: President Trump’s Interior Secretary Makes His Staff Raise a Special Flag When He’s Around
“Zinke has revived an obscure military tradition, according to the Washington Post, that involves staffers raising and lowering a special secretarial flag whenever he enters or leaves the building.” The Queen is in … More …
Ryan Zinke: Trump’s Interior Chief ‘hopping around from campaign event to campaign event’
“Ryan Zinke has met with big donors or political groups more than a half-dozen times while on department-paid trips, including a March visit to the U.S. Virgin Islands.” More …
How Trump’s Trade Agenda Would Send Auto Jobs to China
“His call for strict ‘rules of origin’ requirements would encourage carmakers to produce outside the U.S.” More …