Subject: Playbook PM: Kelly joins Nielsen on Trump’s chopping block
From: "Anna Palmer Jake Sherman Daniel Lippman" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2018 12:00:02 -0600
List-Id: <1376319.xt.local>

Presented by Delta Air Lines: Playbook is POLITICO's must-read briefing on what's driving the day                Nov 13, 2018 View in browser                   
 By Anna Palmer, Jake Sherman, Daniel Lippman and Garrett Ross 
         
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AT THE WHITE HOUSE ... NBC'S CAROL LEE, KRISTEN WELKER, HALLIE JACKSON and COURTNEY KUBE: "After clashes with first lady and others, Kelly may soon exit White House": "[Q]uestions about [chief of staff John Kelly's] future in the White House recently became more serious after his repeated clashes with national security adviser John Bolton and his deputy, Mira Ricardel.

"Kelly has also gotten on the wrong side of first lady Melania Trump over staffing issues and travel requests. Some of the disputes with the East Wing have escalated to the president, the seven people familiar with the clashes said. ...

"Melania Trump raised concerns with her husband earlier this year, amid the height of the controversy over his alleged affair with porn actress Stormy Daniels, that Kelly had repeatedly denied her requests to promote some of her aides, two White House officials told NBC News." NBC 

-- REMEMBER the White House said over the summer that John Kelly was going to stay until 2020?

THE INVESTIGATIONS ... CBS' NORAH O'DONNELL (@NorahODonnell): ".@PaulaReidCBS reports: 'I've spoken with many sources with knowledge of the Special Counsel investigation, and we do expect new indictments to be coming as soon as today.'"

AMAZON COMES TO ARLINGTON ... The company's announcement ... Amazon's agreement with Arlington ... The memorandum of understanding

-- OF INTEREST ... BRIDGE FROM AMAZON TO DCA ... "[T]he Commonwealth commits its best efforts, in collaboration with local officials in the Eligible County, to expeditiously evaluate and implement opportunities to improve safety, accessibility, and the pedestrian experience crossing Rt. 1, as well as to help secure the various approvals required to design and construct a connector bridge to Reagan National Airport (DCA) from National Landing (Crystal City) at a location that is mutually agreeable to the property owners, the Eligible County, the Commonwealth, and the Company."

-- ERIC ENGLEMAN and STEVEN OVERLY: "How will Trump take Amazon move? 'He will think Bezos made this decision to stick it to him.'" 

-- AND IN NEW YORK ... LAURA NAHMIAS: "Ocasio-Cortez lashes out at Amazon's plan to locate HQ2 in Queens": "The Democrat's response puts distance between her and some of the state's top Democrats ... who have been involved in negotiations over the deal. Ocasio-Cortez's position on Amazon may further cement her status as an outsider among New York's establishment Democrats. ...

"In a series of tweets, Ocasio-Cortez criticized the tax breaks reported as being offered by the state's economic development arm Empire State Development. She suggested they may come at the expense of critical pieces of the city's infrastructure, like its mass transit and public housing, which face billions of dollars in repair needs." POLITICO 

-- WAPO'S ROBERT MCCARTNEY: "Amazon HQ2 to benefit from more than $2.8 billion in incentives from Virginia, New York and Tennessee" 

ZUCKER VS. TRUMP ... MICHAEL CALDERONE, JASON SCHWARTZ and MATTHEW CHOI: "CNN sues Trump to get Jim Acosta's press pass restored": "'While the suit is specific to CNN and Acosta, this could have happened to anyone,' CNN said in announcing the lawsuit, which asks for a restraining order requiring that the press pass be returned. 'If left unchallenged, the actions of the White House would create a dangerous chilling effect for any journalist who covers our elected officials.' ...

"CNN sent Acosta to cover Trump's trip to Paris over the weekend, but the reporter was told he would not be allowed to cover events held by the president, including a planned visit to an American military cemetery that was ultimately canceled. Acosta was granted press credentials by the French government, but the Secret Service still refused him access to Trump's events, according to the complaint, which names Trump, [chief of staff John] Kelly, communications director Bill Shine, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Secret Service as defendants." POLITICO ... The lawsuit

-- WH PRESS SECRETARY SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS in a statement said: "This is just more grandstanding from CNN, and we will vigorously defend against this lawsuit. ... The First Amendment is not served when a single reporter, of more than 150 present, attempts to monopolize the floor. If there is no check on this type of behavior it impedes the ability of the President, the White House staff, and members of the media to conduct business."

-- MAGGIE HABERMAN (@maggieNYT): "Ted OLSON, who Trump praised in one of his Fla tweets and who Trump tried repeatedly to hire for his own personal legal team (Olson said no), is repping CNN in suit against the White House re Acosta hard pass."
       
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Good Tuesday afternoon. THE LATEST ON RBG: "Justice Ginsburg will not be on the Bench this morning for the non-argument session. She continues to improve and is working from home this morning," according to Kathy Arberg, the Court's public information officer.

THE GOP AUTOPSY ... SCOTT BLAND and ELENA SCHNEIDER: "Republicans used redistricting to build a wall around the House. Trump just tore it down. GOP gerrymandering did not envision the upending of the Republican coalition."

WHAT'S ON THE PRESIDENT'S MIND -- @realDonaldTrump at 6:50 a.m.: "Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the U.S., China and Russia. But it was Germany in World Wars One & Two -- How did that work out for France? They were starting to learn German in Paris before the U.S. came along. Pay for NATO or not!"

... at 8:07 a.m.: "On Trade, France makes excellent wine, but so does the U.S. The problem is that France makes it very hard for the U.S. to sell its wines into France, and charges big Tariffs, whereas the U.S. makes it easy for French wines, and charges very small Tariffs. Not fair, must change!"

... at 8:17 a.m.: "The problem is that Emmanuel suffers from a very low Approval Rating in France, 26%, and an unemployment rate of almost 10%. He was just trying to get onto another subject. By the way, there is no country more Nationalist than France, very proud people-and rightfully so!........"

... at 8:18 a.m.: "......MAKE FRANCE GREAT AGAIN!"

... at 8:30 a.m.: "By the way, when the helicopter couldn't fly to the first cemetery in France because of almost zero visibility, I suggested driving. Secret Service said NO, too far from airport & big Paris shutdown. Speech next day at American Cemetary [sic] in pouring rain! Little reported-Fake News!"

... at 11:32 a.m.: "When will Bill Nelson concede in Florida? The characters running Broward and Palm Beach voting will not be able to 'find' enough votes, too much spotlight on them now!"

... at 12:07 p.m.: "The story in the New York Times concerning North Korea developing missile bases is inaccurate. We fully know about the sites being discussed, nothing new -- and nothing happening out of the normal. Just more Fake News. I will be the first to let you know if things go bad!" The NYT story 

WAPO'S MATT VISER and SEUNG MIN KIM: "For Trump, even disaster response is colored in red and blue": "A president who prizes and craves loyalty more than any other attribute, Trump has divided states into ones that voted for him and the ones that didn't, and found that last group wanting. In California, that has meant state officials are having to fight not only killer fires but also the combustible rhetoric coming from Oval Office." WaPo 

ON THE WORLD STAGE ... WAPO'S JOSH ROGIN: "Pence: It's up to China to avoid a cold war": "In addition to trade, Pence said China must offer concessions on several issues, including but not limited to its rampant intellectual property theft, forced technology transfer, restricted access to Chinese markets, respect for international rules and norms, efforts to limit freedom of navigation in international waters and Chinese Communist Party interference in the politics of Western countries.

"If Beijing doesn't come up with significant and concrete concessions, the United States is prepared to escalate economic, diplomatic and political pressure on China, Pence said. He believes the U.S. economy is strong enough to weather such an escalation while the Chinese economy is less durable." WaPo 

WSJ'S NIHARIKA MANDHANA in Hong Kong: "U.S. Embarks on Tortoise vs. Hare Investment Race With China": "The U.S. has launched a new strategy aimed at ramping up investment in Asia to vie with Chinese President Xi Jinping's overseas infrastructure-building spree, as Beijing grapples with setbacks to its sprawling program.

"But China has a head start-and a state-led model that makes it easier to finance and build on a large scale. Mr. Xi's Belt and Road initiative has offered hundreds of billions of dollars for railways, bridges and ports in dozens of countries, expanding its strategic influence along the way." WSJ 

-- WSJ'S JAKE MAXWELL WATTS in Singapore: "Bolton Warns China Against Limiting Free Passage in South China Sea": John "Bolton's remarks served as a warning to Southeast Asian leaders, who are preparing for a regional summit in Singapore this week, and particularly for the Philippines, which is now in talks with Beijing about jointly exploring natural resources in the contested area. ...

"In meetings to develop a code of conduct this year for the South China Sea, China has tried to secure a veto over Southeast Asian nations hosting military exercises with other countries in the disputed waters. ... Security analysts say Southeast Asian countries are unlikely to accept any proposal that would preclude them from exercises with the U.S." WSJ 

         
THE FRESHMEN ... ROLL CALL'S KATHERINE TULLY-MCMANUS: "New Members of Congress Hit the Books in DC": "A new addition in 2018 is a training on workplace rights and responsibilities, led by the director of the Office of Employee Advocacy. That office was created this year as the House attempted to tackle the problem of sexual harassment on Capitol Hill.

"What about those tight races that haven't been called yet? While both candidates in those cases are invited to orientation, it's not yet clear who will be featured in Wednesday's freshman class photo. Chris Collins' Democratic challenger, Nate McMurray, is expected to be on hand as the upstate New York race awaits a final call. Eyes will be peeled for other candidates in tight races too, like Republican Young Kim in California's 39th District or Maine Democrat Jared Golden." Roll Call 

-- "Ocasio-Cortez, youth protesters storm Pelosi office to push for climate plan," by Anthony Adragna and Zack Colman: "More than 200 youth activists, flanked by Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, flooded House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's office this morning urging Democrats to act more decisively on climate change. ...

"Pelosi said she welcomed the protest and called on the police 'to allow them to continue to organize and participate in our democracy.' Ocasio-Cortez, who left before the arrests began, said she was there to support the protesters and encourage Pelosi to listen to them. Ocasio-Cortez has not made clear yet whether she'll back Pelosi for speaker when Democrats hold leadership elections later this month, though noted today she's 'looking forward to us working together.'" POLITICO 

THE ATLANTIC'S ELAINA PLOTT ... "Why Young, Talented Democrats Flee the House: The lack of young challengers to Nancy Pelosi as the next House speaker is both a symptom and a cause of her leadership."

2020 WATCH -- NATIONAL JOURNAL'S HANNA TRUDO: "The 2020 Case for 2018's Biggest Losers: They won't all run for president. But progressive Democrats who fell short in 2018 could reemerge in new ways in 2020." NJ 

FROM MORNING MEDIA -- "RAHM TO CABLE NEWS? Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel may finally get paid for a job he's been doing for free for years: offering opinions on national politics," reports The Daily Beast's Maxwell Tani. Emanuel, he writes, has recently met with CNN and MSNBC executives."

-- Michael Friedenberg will be president of Reuters. He previously was global CEO of IDG Communications.

-- Jay Newton-Small, a TIME alum, and Michael Alison Chandler, a WaPo alum, have launched a news site, MemoryWell: News for the Ages.

TRANSITIONS -- Stacy Kerr will be a partner at Hamilton Place Strategies. She previously founded Kerr Strategies and is a Pelosi alum. ... Jerri Ann Henry is now executive director of Log Cabin Republicans and the Liberty Education Forum. She previously was director of APCO Worldwide. ... 

... Lizzie Litzow is joining FEMA as press secretary. She most recently was communications director for Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas). ... Thomas Clees is now VP of public policy at the Recording Industry Association of America. He was previously a senior policy adviser and counsel for Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.).

SPOTTED at a party last night at Hilary Rosen's house to celebrate Carol Melton and her new VC Adeft Capital hosted by Rosen, Niki Christoff, Heather Podesta, Juleanna Glover and Tammy Haddad: Susan Molinari, Charles Rivkin, Dr. Elena Allbritton, Pam Wasserstein, Philippe Bourguignon, Matt Kelly, Rita Braver, Susan Molinari, Genny Ryan, Ruth Marcus, Richard Levy, Adrienne Arsht, Joe Hassett, Meredith and Matt Hassett, Anita McBride, Gloria Borger, Sam Feist and Michael Duffy.

WEEKEND WEDDINGS -- Ross Branson, deputy assistant secretary of Commerce for legislative affairs, on Saturday married Lexi Pursley, a political affairs staffer for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The ceremony and reception took place at the Hilton Marco Island, Fla. The couple first met in Cleveland while working for the Committee on Arrangements for the 2016 Republican National Convention. Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.), who Branson worked for as his COS, attended. Pic of 2016 GOP Convention team attendees with the couple 

-- Jason Pray, executive director of congressional relations at BlueCross and BlueShield Association, married Madison Smith, who works at Epiphany Productions.

                        
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