Jose Garcia
Jose Garcia's JournalCordray: No change for consumer bureau under Trump
Source: The Hill
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray is showing little signs of stepping off the gas as the Trump administration takes hold.
Cordray, how has helmed the CFPB as its first and only director, said Tuesday that he has no intention of stepping down early, despite pressure from Republicans eager to overhaul the five-year old agency.
“It really shouldn’t change the job at all,” said Cordray of Trump assuming power. “We have an independent mandate to do what we do and we’ll continue to work to protect consumers.”
Cordray made his comments at an event hosted by The Wall Street Journal.
Read more: http://www.thehill.com/policy/finance/315822-cordray-no-change-for-consumer-bureau-under-trump
Report: Conway punched a man 3 times at inaugural ball
Source: The Hill
Top Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway punched a man after stepping in to try to stop a fight at an invite-only inaugural ball on Friday, according to a new report Tuesday.
The New York Daily News reported that witnesses saw Conway punch a man in the face at least three times at the exclusive Liberty Ball in Washington just hours after President Trump was sworn in to office.
A Trump spokesman did not respond immediately for a request for comment.
Conway reportedly stepped between two men who were fighting and punched one of them when they wouldn’t stop. Fox Business correspondent Charlie Gasparino recounted the event on Monday in a Facebook post.
Read more: http://www.thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/315811-conway-allegedly-punched-a-man-three-times-at-inauguration-ball
Israel approves construction of new settlement units, ignoring UN resolution
Source: http://www.thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/ne
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday approved the expansion of settlement blocs in the West Bank despite international pressure to halt construction in the occupied territories.
Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman announced the development of 2,500 new housing units, with most located within settlement blocs.
“We are building — and will continue to build,” Netanyahu said, according to Israeli media.
Today's news follows reports from Monday that Netanyahu has also ordered the lifting of restrictions on construction in East Jerusalem, with hundreds of new units already in the planning stage.
Read more: http://www.thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/315812-israel-approves-construction-of-new-settlement-units-ignoring
Sessions: No plan to recuse from DOJ Trump probes
Source: The Hill
Sen. Jeff Sessions, President Trump's nominee for attorney general, does not plan to recuse himself from potential Justice Department investigations connected to Trump, Politico reported.
Sessions said in written responses to members of the Senate Judiciary Committee he is "not aware of a basis to recuse myself" from investigations into incidents involving the president, such as Russian meddling in the presidential race or issues relating to conflicts of interest.
During his confirmation hearing, Sessions said he would recuse himself from any possible investigations related to Hillary Clinton if he was confirmed as attorney general.
He said the politically charged comments he made about the Clintons during the presidential campaign would give the appearance he is not impartial in potential probes of the private email server she used while secretary of State.
Read more: http://www.thehill.com/homenews/administration/315813-sessions-not-aware-of-a-basis-to-recuse-myself-from-doj-trump-probes
Trump to advance Keystone, Dakota Access pipelines: report
Source: The Hill
President Trump will sign orders Tuesday to advance construction of the controversial Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines, Bloomberg reports.
It’s unclear what exactly the orders would do and whether they would fully approve the pipelines or take some other steps in that direction.
The orders would fulfill campaign promises Trump made to approve both pipelines, which face strong opposition from Democrats and environmentalists, but ardent support from the oil industry and the GOP.
The White House said Trump plans to sign executive orders at 11 Tuesday morning, but did not provide more details, nor did it respond to the Bloomberg report.
Read more: http://www.thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/315819-trump-to-advance-keystone-dakota-access-pipelines-report
Pentagon confirms weekend drone strikes under Trump
Source: The Hill
The Pentagon confirmed Monday that it conducted three drone strikes in Yemen against al Qaeda militants over the weekend.
The strikes were the first since President Donald Trump was sworn in to office, but the Pentagon said the strikes did not require authorization from him or Defense Secretary James Mattis.
"Those authorities are delegated," Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said at a briefing.
Davis said one strike was conducted in al Bayda, Yemen each day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/defense/315669-pentagon-confirms-weekend-drone-strikes-in-yemen-against-al-qaeda-militants
Trump Signs Measure Granting Mattis Waiver To Serve As Defense Secretary
Source: The Associated Press
President Donald Trump has signed legislation that clears the way for his defense secretary pick — retired Marine Gen. James Mattis — to run the Pentagon, if confirmed by the Senate.
A vote on Mattis is expected Friday.
There’s a law that bars former service members who’ve been out of uniform for less than seven years from holding the top Pentagon job. The restriction is meant to preserve civilian control of the military.
The measure signed by Trump soon after his took office grants Mattis a one-time exception.
Read more: http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2017/01/20/trump-signs-measure-granting-mattis-waiver-to-serve-as-defense-secretary/
Trump said to elevate Ajit Pai to FCC chairman
Source: Politico
President Donald Trump will tap Ajit Pai as his pick to lead the FCC in the new administration, elevating the sitting GOP commissioner to the top spot overseeing the nation's communications industry, according to two industry sources familiar with decision.
The announcement could come as soon as this afternoon, the sources said. Pai, a Barack Obama nominee who has served as the senior FCC Republican for more than three years, could take the new role immediately and wouldn't require approval by the Senate because he was already confirmed to serve at the agency.
A spokesman for Pai declined to comment and the Trump transition team did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
Pai, who met with Trump in New York on Monday, had been seen by many as a top contender for the job given his reputation as a telecom law expert who’s comfortable in front of the camera. But his selection is also somewhat of a departure for the incoming administration, which has tapped people outside of Washington for many top positions.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/blogs/donald-trump-administration/2017/01/ajit-pai-fcc-chairman-233905
Assange lawyer: Manning commutation doesn't meet extradition offer's conditions
Source: The Hill
The attorney for Julian Assange said President Obama's commutation of Chelsea Manning’s sentence does not meet the conditions of the WikiLeaks head's offer to be extradited to the United States if Manning were pardoned.
Obama on Tuesday commuted Manning’s sentence for leaking classified information to WikiLeaks, leading many to wonder whether that meant Assange was ready to surrender to the Department of Justice.
“Mr. Assange welcomes the announcement that Ms. Manning's sentence will be reduced and she will be released in May, but this is well short of what he sought,” said Barry Pollack, Assange’s U.S.-based attorney, via email.
“Mr. Assange had called for Chelsea Manning to receive clemency and be released immediately.”
Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/314783-assange-lawyer-conditions-not-met-for-assange-manning-extradition-offer
Vietnam vets group asks Obama to also pardon veterans
Source: The Hill
A veteran service organization is asking President Obama to also pardon veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder who received a less-than-honorable discharge, after he pardoned former Army private Chelsea Manning.
"As pardons are being issued to people who have been convicted of serious felonies, veterans who served their country in combat wait to be offered the same clemency," said John Rowan, national president of Vietnam Veterans of America.
With four days left in office, the administration announced Tuesday that it was commuting Manning's sentence, in addition to 208 others, and pardoning 64. Manning was serving a 35-year prison sentence for leaking classified information to Wikileaks. He will be released May 17, seven years after entering prison.
Manning, who is transgender, has reportedly struggled with mental health issues during her incarceration and solitary confinement, including two suicide attempts.
Read more: http://www.thehill.com/policy/defense/314817-vietnam-vets-group-asks-obama-to-also-pardon-veterans
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