This morning, President Trump had calls with the leaders of Germany, Australia, France, Japan, and Russia. The calls were characterized as positive, and, outside of the readouts, there was little disclosure by the White House on what specific issues were addressed.
Throughout the day protests grew at airports around the country as immigrants holding green cards and visas were denied entry to the United States as a result of yesterday’s executive order. In a Saturday evening hearing, Federal judge Anne Donnelly granted a stay for certain individuals facing deportation, although the exact scope and impact of the stay remain to be seen.
President Trump signed three executive actions in the Oval Office today. The first order, containing an ethics pledge, instructed all executive branch appointees to refrain from lobbying activities related to their specific agency for five years upon leaving government. It also restricts appointees from lobbying on behalf of foreign governments for life and provides guidelines for appointees with lobbying backgrounds.
Another action authorized the reorganization of the National Security Council, enumerating the members of a Principals Committee and a Deputies Committee. In a departure from precedent, the Director of National Intelligence and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are no longer permanent members and are invited to participate when “issues pertaining to their responsibilities and expertise are to be discussed.”
Finally, a third order instructs the Secretary of Defense, in collaboration with other agency heads, to develop a plan to combat ISIS and present it to the President within 30 days. The order requests a multi-faceted plan with cyber, diplomatic, and traditional military components.
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Throughout the day protests grew at airports around the country as immigrants holding green cards and visas were denied entry to the United States as a result of yesterday’s executive order. In a Saturday evening hearing, Federal judge Anne Donnelly granted a stay for certain individuals facing deportation, although the exact scope and impact of the stay remain to be seen.
President Trump signed three executive actions in the Oval Office today. The first order, containing an ethics pledge, instructed all executive branch appointees to refrain from lobbying activities related to their specific agency for five years upon leaving government. It also restricts appointees from lobbying on behalf of foreign governments for life and provides guidelines for appointees with lobbying backgrounds.
Another action authorized the reorganization of the National Security Council, enumerating the members of a Principals Committee and a Deputies Committee. In a departure from precedent, the Director of National Intelligence and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are no longer permanent members and are invited to participate when “issues pertaining to their responsibilities and expertise are to be discussed.”
Finally, a third order instructs the Secretary of Defense, in collaboration with other agency heads, to develop a plan to combat ISIS and present it to the President within 30 days. The order requests a multi-faceted plan with cyber, diplomatic, and traditional military components.
Continue reading...