The government in action

Monday, Feb. 26

· The U.S. Supreme Court declined to consider the “dreamers” case out of order, after the Trump administration requested immediate review of lower court orders to not let the DACA program expire March 5 but keep it in operation while the courts considered the merits of lawsuits. : https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts_law/supreme-court-declines-trump-request-to-take-up-daca-controversy-now/2018/02/26/4fb2e528-132f-11e8-9570-29c9830535e5_story.html?undefined=&utm_term=.fc7edc2f04b6&wpisrc=nl_most&wpmm=1

· President Donald Trump refused to endorse any of the legislative proposals to strengthen gun restrictions in the wake of the Feb. 14 attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla, instead saying he believed the NRA would “do something” to respond and adding “They’re on our side. https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/trump-stops-short-of-full-endorsement-of-gun-proposals/2018/02/26/3265c252-1b30-11e8-9de1-147dd2df3829_story.html?utm_term=.748edc36fdf3&wpisrc=nl_politics&wpmm=1

Tuesday, Feb. 27

· The New York Times reported that Jared Kushner has been stripped of his top-secret security clearance, and will no longer have access to the most highly classified national security information and will be limited to the secret level. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/27/us/politics/jared-kushner-security-clearance-trump.html?emc=edit_ne_20180227&nl=evening-briefing&nlid=75999791&te=1

· Trump formally announced he will seek re-election in 2020. http://bit.ly/2BTATcN

· Roll Call published its review of congressional wealth, indicating a total wealth of at least $2.43 billion when this congress began, a jump of 20 percent over the previous congress. http://bit.ly/2BTyD5h The top five are Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Rep. Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.), Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.), Rep. Dave Trott (R-Mich.), and Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas). http://bit.ly/2BRWUc2

Wednesday, Feb. 28

· Hope Hicks, the White House communications director, announced her intention to resign. Hicks, 29, is one of the longest serving aides to President Trump. The announcement came a day after she testified before the House Intelligence Committee, while declining to answer questions about events during the 2016 campaign. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/28/us/politics/hope-hicks-resign-communications-director.html

· Judge Amy Berman Jackson set a Sept. 17 trial date for former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort on charges including money laundering and failing to register as a foreign agent. http://politi.co/2t3PW0I

Thursday, March 1

· Trump said he would impose tariffs of 25 percent on steel imports and 10 percent on imports of aluminum, promising to sign the order “next week.” His statement, which satisfies a central campaign promise, shook stock markets as the prospect of a trade war came into focus. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/01/business/trump-tariffs.html?emc=edit_ne_20180301&nl=evening-briefing&nlid=75999791&te=1&mtrref=undefined

· In a belligerent state-of the-union type address, Russian president Vladimir Putin threatened the U.S. and its allies with what he said was a new generation of nuclear weapons, including an “invincible” intercontinental cruise missile that is powered by a nuclear reactor and a nuclear torpedo that could evade U.S. antimissile and submarine defenses. Putin’s presentation included animated videos showing warheads aimed at Florida, where President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort is located. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/01/world/europe/russia-putin-speech.html?emc=edit_nn_20180302&nl=morning-briefing&nlid=8162136620180302&te=1

Friday, March 2

· The European Union said it is considering applying 25 percent tariffs on around $3.5 billion of imports from the United States if Trump carries out his plan to apply global duties to steel and aluminum, saying it would join others in a challenge at the World Trade Organization. http://money.cnn.com/2018/03/02/news/economy/europe-steel-tariff-retaliation-trump/index.html

· The Daily Beast reported that the Kremlin-backed troll farm at the center of Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election has suffered a security breach. Leaked documents include names of American activists who were targeted and login information for troll farm accounts, among other things. http://thebea.st/2F9RSGD

· The Intercept reported that representatives of Kushner Companies, including Jared Kushner’s father, Charles Kushner, met with Qatari Finance Minister Ali Sharif Al Emadi in New York in April in a bid to secure Qatari financing for the firm’s distressed signature property, 666 5th Avenue. http://bit.ly/2FLavSl

Saturday, March 3

· NBC reported that investigators on Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller’s team have been asking whether any of Jared Kushner’s business discussions with foreigners during the presidential transition period later shaped White House policies, specifically focusing on discussions with Qatar and Turkey, but also Russia, China and the UAE. http://nbcnews.to/2oObFnZ

· In the closed-door remarks, a recording of which was obtained by CNN, Trump praised China’s President Xi Jinping for recently consolidating power and extending his potential tenure, musing he wouldn't mind making such a maneuver himself. https://edition.cnn.com/2018/03/03/politics/trump-maralago-remarks/index.html

Sunday, March 4

· Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said Sunday on ABC News’ “This Week with George Stephanopoulos that “if it’s true” White House senior adviser Jared Kushner swayed U.S. foreign policy against Qatar for personal financial reasons, he “has to go.” https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/chris-murphy-jared-kusher-has-to-go_us_5a9c0672e4b0a0ba4ad444b7

· Amid ongoing discussions on gun control, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” “Propose something, Mr. President. And I think Republicans have an obligation to work with Democrats to make it law if we can.” He added that both parties would suffer if congress does not pass some sort of gun legislation. http://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/376655-gun-control-advocates-keep-the-pressure-on-republicans-for-action?userid=280231