Politico - 03 09 2020

2020·4.2 MB·English

VOL. 14 • NO. 65 | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020 | POLITICO.COM
Dems spend millions to hammer Senate Trump to restart foreign deals, Matt
Perdue, Loeffler on stock trades bottlenecks breaking a post-presidency norm Wuerker
Republicans dismiss the effectiveness of Biden races to fill lower- A return to overseas deal-making The cartoonist’s
the attacks and argue that the issue has been level jobs that don’t raises new ethical issues no ex-president daily take on the
litigated for months. ‘It’s just not a new issue.’ require confirmation. has ever confronted. world of politics.
PAGE 4 PAGE 8 PAGE 9 PAGE 18
Snags complicate
massive $1.4T
spending deal
The longer talks drag out, the more likely extra
time will be necessary to close out an agreement
BY CAITLIN EMMA
AND HEATHER CAYGLE
The renewed push for corona-
virus relief and unresolved budget
issues is complicating the massive
$1.4 trillion spending deal, with
lawmakers saying they need to
reach an agreement in the coming
days in order to pass the measure
by next week’s deadline.
House and Senate aides close to
PHOTOS BY GETTY IMAGES AND AP the talks insist that appropriators
Donald Trump has the unyielding support of (clockwise from top left ) Sens. Josh Hawley, Rick Scott and are inching closer to a deal and
Lindsey Graham, and Rep. Matt Gaetz if he were to run in 2024. “I think he would win,” said Sen. Marco Rubio. remain optimistic that legislation
will come together to keep the gov- TOM WILLIAMS-POOL/GETTY
ernment open past Dec. 11. Senate Majority Leader Mitch
Republicans cheer on
But the longer talks drag on, the McConnell plans to revive and
SPENDING on page 11 tweak his Covid relief package
a Trump 2024 run
Congress shoots down Trump
veto threat of defense bill
Even in defeat, GOP lawmakers are
loath to break with the president
BY ANDREW DESIDERIO, Republicans also made clear they
CONNOR O’BRIEN weren’t going to bend to Trump.
BY BURGESS EVERETT remains strong. ment. “He can sell the things he AND MARIANNE LeVINE Senate Armed Services Chair
AND MELANIE ZANONA “If he were to run in 2024, I accomplished.” Congress is moving forward on Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) said that while
Congressional Republicans think he would be the nominee. In a series of interviews a must-pass defense policy bill he agrees with Trump on Section
were slow to embrace Donald And I would support him doing Wednesday, House and Senate without repealing a legal shield 230, the provision “has nothing to
Trump’s White House campaign that,” said Sen. Josh Hawley (R- Republicans made clear that the for social media companies, reject- do with the military.”
in 2016. But the ousted president Mo.). “He’d have a lot of support GOP has no intention of turn- ing a last-minute veto threat from “You can’t do it in this bill.
will have plenty of support on out in the country.” ing its back on Trumpism — or President Donald Trump. That’s not a part of the bill,” Inhofe
Capitol Hill should he run again “It’d be great if he ran. He’s Trump himself. That’s in part The fi nal version of the National said, adding that he has conveyed
in 2024. done a good job. I think he ought because Trump remains an ex- Defense Authorization Act that will his thinking to Trump.
Trump is even being cheered on to run if he wants to run. Who ceedingly popular figure in his soon be considered by the House In a pair of tweets Tuesday eve-
publicly by some of the very Re- knows what’s going to happen party, far more than most con- and Senate won’t include Trump’s ning, Trump threatened to veto the
publicans who could seek higher in ’24?” said Sen. Rick Scott (R- gressional Republicans. Some long-sought repeal of the legal bill if it does not include a full re-
offi ce in the future. Even in de- Fla.), who said he is not focused Republicans declined to discuss immunity for online companies, peal of Section 230, which he has
feat, Trump’s hold on the party on a presidential run at the mo- 2024 on page 10 known as Section 230, according criticized as an unfair protection
to lawmakers and aides. NDAA on page 13
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020 | POLITICO | 3
FORTY FIVE
A daily diary of the Trump presidency
McEnany incorrectly
amid poor polling numbers and
credits Trump with White
lackluster attendance at Trump’s
House AIDS ribbon
comeback campaign rally in
The press secretary made the Tulsa, Okla.
false assertion while defending During his Tuesday interview,
the administration for its Parscale cut off MacCallum when
omission of LGBTQ people in a she said he had left the campaign,
World AIDS Day statement. curtly saying: “I was removed.”
White House press secretary “I didn’t get a warning sign,”
Kayleigh McEnany on Parscale said, adding that he was
Wednesday falsely attributed “hurt” by the switch-up. “No
the genesis of the towering red one asked me to change my plan.
ribbon displayed in front of I don’t know exactly why I was
the White House in honor of removed, and all of a sudden we
World AIDS Day to the Trump had to challenge the plan.”
administration. Parscale said he loved the
McEnany pointed to the Trump campaign and is still
two-story ribbon hung from the deeply loyal to the president.
White House’s North Portico as But he added that he disagreed
part of a defense of the Trump with Trump’s approach to the
administration’s omission coronavirus pandemic, saying
of any reference to LGBTQ voters — particularly the
people in its offi cial statement suburban families the Trump
commemorating World AIDS campaign ardently hoped to
Day. court — were scared and looking
“The president honored World for “empathy” from their leader.
AIDS Day yesterday in a way that Focusing instead on bullishly
no president has before, with Masks vs. no masks EVAN VUCCI/AP reopening the economy, Parscale
the red ribbon there, and I think said, was the biggest policy error
he commemorated the day as of the campaign.
he should have,” McEnany told White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Wednesday presides over a news briefi ng at which her “A young family with a young
reporters during a news briefi ng. husband, Sean Gilmartin, appeared without a mask and declined to cover his face aft er being asked to do child who are scared to take them
The ribbon was fi rst hung in so by New York Times photographer Doug Mills. At the outset of her briefi ng, McEnany showed video clips back to school wanted to see an
2007 under former President of Democratic politicians violating local coronavirus restrictions or contradicting their own public health empathetic president. And an
George W. Bush and has become guidance — describing the footage as “images of Democrat hypocrisy playing on loop.” empathetic Republican Party,”
an annual feature in the years Parscale said. “And I said this
since, including under both multiple times, and he chose a
Presidents Barack Obama diff erent path. I don’t think he
and Donald Trump. The idea was wrong, I love him, but we
was the brainchild of Steven McEnany, who generally does McEnany, who tested positive Jenkins, who said “we must never had a diff erence on this. I thought
Levine, a member of the Bush not wear a mask at the briefi ng for Covid-19 in October, has question the sincerity of another’s we should have public empathy.”
communications shop, who is room podium, conducted a refused to wear a mask while faith.” Parscale also dished out on
gay. 24-minute news conference. The briefi ng reporters throughout Trump will bestow the “D-level” people around the
The White House similarly episode was initiated by New the coronavirus pandemic, citing Presidential Medal of Freedom president, whom he didn’t
excluded mentioning these York Times photographer Doug the distance between her and on Thursday, according to the name but accused of steering
LGBTQ groups in the previous Mills, who “politely pointed the press corps when she stands White House. The president has the campaign away from a clean
three years under Trump. It is out” to Gilmartin, a professional at the briefi ng room podium. shown a fondness for awarding victory. Responding to reports
a stark departure from Obama, baseball pitcher, rules mandating She was one of numerous the honor to high-profi le backers that the president yelled at him
who in his 2016 proclamation that masks be worn in White administration offi cials to be like conservative radio host Rush amid declining poll numbers,
noted the disproportionate House press areas. infected across three separate Limbaugh and GOP megadonor Parscale said he was not a “yes
impact of HIV/AIDS on “gay White House pool reporter White House outbreaks in recent Sheldon Adelson’s wife, Miriam, man” like others in the campaign
and bisexual men, transgender Chris Johnson of The months. as well as sports fi gures like golf who curried the president’s favor
people, youth, black and Latino Washington Blade reported At the outset of her briefi ng on legend Tiger Woods, Hall of Fame by telling him what he wanted to
Americans, people living in the that “a White House staff er Wednesday, McEnany showed quarterback Roger Staubach and hear.
Southern United States, and who was with Gilmartin said video clips of Democratic basketball great Bob Cousy, among Parscale was still holding out
people who inject drugs.” incredulously, ‘Kayleigh’s politicians violating local others. Trump has also awarded a hope that Trump could retake
The Trump administration husband?’” The staff er and coronavirus restrictions or posthumous Medal of Freedom to the White House this year, even
has worked to increase religious Gilmartin then exited the contradicting their own public baseball icon Babe Ruth. though election offi cials in key
liberties, oft en outraging LGBTQ briefi ng room together as Mills health guidance — describing the Holtz, 83, tested positive for states across the country have
organizations that see the moves “restated the mask rules and said footage of “images of Democrat Covid-19 in November. called the vote for President-
as coming at their expense. it doesn’t matter who [Gilmartin] hypocrisy playing on loop.” — Nick Niedzwiadek elect Joe Biden. When asked for
Trump has rolled back anti- is,” Johnson recounted. — Quint Forgey hypothetical scenarios under
discrimination protections for Mills confi rmed to Johnson Brad Parscale opens up about which Trump could have won,
LGBTQ patients implemented that Gilmartin was maskless Trump to award Medal of final days in Trump campaign Parscale said: “He can still win
during the Obama administration, for the entirety of the briefi ng, Freedom to Lou Holtz He wants to clear the air this.”
and earlier this year issued an adding that he did not know President Donald Trump will about his fall from the Trump He also said he still had
executive order banning the Gilmartin was McEnany’s award former football coach Lou campaign. confi dence that Trump attorney
government from working with husband when he informed him Holtz the nation’s highest civilian During an interview with Fox Rudy Giuliani, who is leading
contractors that conduct “race about the mask rules. award this week, the White News’ Martha MacCallum that the legal battle to overturn the
or sex stereotyping” — including McEnany did not immediately House announced Wednesday. aired Tuesday, President Donald election, can possibly land the
diversity training. reply to an email seeking Holtz is best known for Trump’s former campaign election for Trump. Giuliani’s
LGBTQ advocacy groups in comment on why her husband winning a national championship manager opened up about his public events around his legal
November sued to invalidate declined to wear a mask at at Notre Dame in the 1988 confl icts with other members of eff orts have frequently descended
those restrictions, arguing the Wednesday’s briefi ng. White season — the most recent in the the reelection team, saying he was into farcical spectacles, but
order violates their freedom of House Correspondents’ school’s history — and his long “removed” from his leadership Parscale said they didn’t detract
speech and is overly vague about Association President Zeke subsequent career working as a position in a move that left him from his respect for the former
what conduct is prohibited. Miller, a reporter for The college football analyst on TV. feeling hurt and excluded. It New York mayor.
— Nick Niedzwiadek Associated Press, also did not He was inducted to the College was his fi rst public interview “Sometimes I watch them
immediately respond to a request Football Hall of Fame in 2008. since leaving the campaign on TV, and I’m like, ‘Whoa,’”
McEnany’s husband for comment on the exchange. Holtz has been a vocal Trump altogether in September aft er an Parscale said. “But at the same
attends White House press Mills, a veteran White supporter and has long been altercation with police related to time, I mean, the guy has done so
briefing without mask House photojournalist, is one affi liated with Republican allegations of abuse against his many things in his life.”
White House press secretary of President Donald Trump’s politics, including fl irting with a wife. (His wife later retracted the Parscale said he and Trump
Kayleigh McEnany’s husband, favorite members of the media. congressional run in 2009. allegation.) haven’t had any contact recently
Sean Gilmartin, appeared Trump has previously referred to Holtz spoke at the 2020 Parscale served as campaign — a silence that left Parscale
without a face mask in the him as a “genius” and “the No. 1 Republican National Convention, manager until July, when he emotional during Tuesday’s
White House briefi ng room on photographer in the world.” where he denigrated the faith of was replaced by Bill Stepien and interview.
Wednesday and declined to cover Also present at McEnany’s now-President-elect Joe Biden assigned to serve as a senior “It is pretty hurtful, but it’s
his face aft er being asked to do so briefi ng was Chad Gilmartin, and other politicians as “Catholics campaign adviser. The campaign probably just as much my fault as
by a reporter. a White House assistant press in name only” for their position denied at the time that the move his,” Parscale said. “I love that
The exchange between secretary who is a cousin of Sean on abortion. Holtz’s rhetoric was a demotion for Parscale, but family. And I gave every inch of
Gilmartin and the White Gilmartin. He, too, was not drew an admonishment from he had come under increasing my life to him. Every inch.”
House press corps came aft er wearing a mask. Notre Dame’s president, Fr. John scrutiny within the campaign — Matthew Choi
4 | POLITICO | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020
Ad blitz slams Perdue, Loeffler over stock trades
The GOP says its an
old issue and that
investigations have
cleared the senators
BY MARIANNE LeVINE
AND JAMES ARKIN
Democrats are putting a lot of
stock into Sen. David Perdue’s
controversial financial transac-
tions in their fight to win the Sen-
ate majority.
As the Georgia Republican con-
tinues to face an onslaught of news
stories about the timing of his
stocks trades amid a high-profile
runoff, super PACs run by allies of
Minority Leader Chuck Schumer
are flooding the airwaves in the
state. The Georgia Way and Geor-
gia Honor — two newly formed
super PACs affiliated with Senate
Majority PAC — have spent more
than $10 million since Nov. 3 on
ads hammering Perdue and Sen.
Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) over their
portfolios.
And they’re adding two new ads
totaling an additional $5.5 million
to their TV buys this week, the third
straight week they’ve hit on the
issue, according to details shared
first with POLITICO.
“The dam is just beginning to
break and we plan to fully expose
their unethical and potentially il-
legal behavior in the weeks ahead,”
said J.B. Poersch, president of Sen-
ate Majority PAC. “Georgians sim-
ply can’t trust David Perdue and
Kelly Loeffler when they’re knee- ALYSSA POINTER/ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION VIA AP
deep in the swamp and profiting at Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue flank Vice President Mike Pence in Marietta, Ga., on Nov. 20. Democrats Raphael Warnok and Jon Ossoff have
their expense.” criticized Loeffler and Perdue, whom they will face in Jan. 5 runoffs, over stock trades that have drawn scrutiny from federal investigators.
The ads highlight the tactics be-
ing used, as well as the vast sums
of money both sides are willing to The first ad features news clips as the coronavirus was beginning even called his opponent a “crook” completely.” Perdue went on the
spend, in the run-up to the Janu- about Loeffler’s stock trades, which to take hold in the U.S. The second during a debate. In a news confer- airwaves again this week with an
ary 5 runoffs, which will determine first received scrutiny shortly after ad highlights recent reporting from ence Monday, Ossoff characterized ad accusing Ossoff’s allegations
control of the Senate. she was appointed to the Senate and The New York Times about the De- Perdue’s actions as “repeated and into his stock trades of being “to-
partment of Justice’s investigation flagrant.” tally false.” A narrator in the ad
into Perdue’s stock trades, includ- “The standard for conduct for repeats that Perdue was “totally
ing that Perdue received an email a U.S. senator needs to be higher exonerated.” Democrats, however,
from the CEO of a company, and than that he wasn’t criminally are publicly questioning Perdue’s
subsequently instructed his wealth prosecuted,” Ossoff said. “This claims of exoneration and calling
manager to sell shares of the stocks. conduct is obviously deeply un- for documentation.
Robert L. Allbritton The Times reported that investiga- ethical and his lies all year that he John Burke, a spokesman for
tors closed DOJ’s probe into Perdue doesn’t personally direct his stock Perdue, highlighted t Times report,
PUBLISHER & EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN over the summer. The ad accuses trades have been exposed as lies.” which said the investigations were
Patrick Steel Perdue of “looking out for himself, Loeffler faced earlier scrutiny dropped, and accused Ossoff of ly-
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER not you.” than Perdue, but pushed back on it ing in his attacks. Burke said in a
Republicans, however, are dis- over the summer by highlighting statement that Ossoff is “twisting
Matthew Kaminski
missing the effectiveness of the that the Department of Justice, the truth to further deceive Georgia
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF attacks and argue that the issue Securities and Exchange Com- voters.”
Carrie Budoff Brown has been litigated for months. mission and Senate Ethics Com- Democrats’ ads have played up
New information, they say, is un- mittee dropped investigations different aspects of the trading, and
EDITOR
likely to sway voters in the next into her stock trades. Raphael a raft of new stories from various
NEWSPAPER STAFF five weeks. Warnock, Loeffler’s opponent, outlets has created a cascading
BILL KUCHMAN NEWSPAPER EDITOR SUSHANT SAGAR COPY DESK CHIEF “It’s just not a new issue,” said reiterated calls this week for Loef- effect of information about the
M. SCOTT MAHASKEY DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY ANDY GOODWIN, JESSE NARANJO, former Sen. Saxby Chambliss, fler to put her stock portfolio in a stocks. But it’s unclear so far from
MATT WUERKER EDITORIAL CARTOONIST FERNANDO RODAS COPY EDITORS who previously held Perdue’s seat. blind trust. public polling whether it will move
CONGRESSIONAL STAFF “People are more worried about the “The people of Georgia deserve voters, or simply help increase
economy, how it’s going to get back to know that when we send some- turnout from either side.
BEN WEYL CONGRESS EDITOR HEATHER CAYGLE, KYLE CHENEY,
DAVID KIHARA SENIOR EDITOR ANDREW DESIDERIO, CAITLIN EMMA, to normal. … As far as it being the one to the Senate, that person is not “There’s no such thing as a per-
JOHN BRESNAHAN CONGRESSIONAL BUREAU CHIEF BURGESS EVERETT, SARAH FERRIS, deciding factor, I just don’t think focused on their business, they’re suadable voter,” said one Georgia
MARIANNE LeVINE, MELANIE ZANONA REPORTERS it’s going to be that.” focused on the people’s business,” Republican, who requested ano-
Perdue and Loeffler both faced Warnock said. nymity to speak candidly on the
For corrections or questions regarding the newspaper, negative ads about their stock Stephen Lawson, a spokesper- issue. “The Dems all believe [Per-
email [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected]. portfolios consistently through- son for Loeffler, said she was “to- due] had inside information. The
POLITICO serves the United States Senate and DECEMBER PUBLISHING SCHEDULE out the general election. But the tally exonerated” because she did Republicans, even if they believe
House of Representatives, the White House issue has taken on heightened in- nothing wrong and accused War- that, don’t give a s---. I just think
afinentddee roreafsfli tac gegrseo noucfp itseh,s et, hethex eem cSeuudtpiivaree, mabireral iCnnocehu a,r ntC,d al obrabinible yptia sdstessp eaannrgdtem srpesen, cptsiaa aild n d S M T1 W2 3T 4F S5 ttehnes titwyo i ns erencaetnotr sw aeerek st bheec oaunslye naboocukt o Sf e“npaetdodr lLinoegf af ldeer btou ndiksetdra lciet iitt dmooevsnes’t t dhoe a nneyetdhlien.g”. I don’t think
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written permission of the publisher. POLITICO is nonideological Democrats need to win both seats issues Republicans have attacked betting that voters will keep a
and nonpartisan. 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 to hold a 50-50 majority, with Vice him on. broader goal in mind: GOP control
PCOonLgITrIeCsOs iiss ipnu sbelissshieodn ,T auneds doany W therdonuegshd Tahyu wrshdeany C wohnegnre ss is in 27 28 29 30 31 President-elect Kamala Harris as Perdue first announced he of the Senate.
recess for one week or less, by POLITICO LLC. Subscriptions are the tiebreaker. had been investigated in a TV ad “The issue is probably going to be
$an2d0 0$ 6p0e0r ypeearr y oera $r 3o5ve0r fsoera tsw. oP OyeLaITrsIC fOor i sd opmrinetsetdic astu Ebvsecrrgibreeersn, POLITICO.com Jon Ossoff, who is running in September in which a narra- the majority,” said Senate Majority
Printing and Publishing Co. Inc., Bellmawr, N.J. POSTMASTER: PHONE [phone] • FAX [phone] against Perdue, continues to use the tor said the DOJ, SEC and Senate Whip John Thune (R-S.D.). “That’s
S10e9nd2 0ch-0a0n3ge6 .o ©f a dPdOrLeIsTsIC tOo PLOLCL,I T2I0C1O8, .P.O. Box 36, Congers, NY 1000A WRLILINSGOTNO BNL,V VDA. , 282T2H0 F9LOOR stock issue against the senator and Ethics Committee “cleared him what people are voting on.”
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6 | POLITICO | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020
Feinstein
supports
Padilla for
Harris seat
BY ANDREW DESIDERIO
AND JEREMY B. WHITE
Sen. Dianne Feinstein publicly
threw her weight behind Califor-
nia Secretary of State Alex Padilla
to fill Sen. Kamala Harris’ soon-
to-be-vacant seat, signaling that
Padilla remains a favorite of the
Democratic establishment.
The jostling over the seat has
intensified in recent weeks, as
President-elect Joe Biden’s victory
has ensured Gov. Gavin Newsom
will appoint a replacement for Har-
ris when she steps aside to take on
vice presidential duties.
Padilla has long been perceived
as the frontrunner, and Feinstein’s
imprimatur —
first reported
by HuffPost on
Wednesday —
lends additional
momentum to
his bid. The two
elected officials GRAEME JENNINGS/AP
have a long- Sen. Mark Kelly and his wife, former Rep. Gabby Giffords, reenact his swearing-in on Wednesday with Vice President Mike Pence in the Old Senate
Padilla standing rela- Chamber. Kelly will finish the final two years of the late Sen. John McCain’s term. He will be up for reelection in 2022.
tionship that
stretches back to a young Padilla
Arizona Dem Kelly sworn in as senator
working for Feinstein in the Senate.
“I have given him my support.
I did that quite a while ago. He
worked for me at one point, so I The former astronaut and U.S. Navy captain
know him,” Feinstein said in an and Kelly’s arrival essentially kills family to reenter public life and
interview. “And my sense is that defeated Martha McSally in a special election Judy Shelton’s nomination to the public service.”
he’s going to represent California Federal Reserve. Kelly will serve the remainder of
very well. He’s someone I would be Senate Minority Leader Chuck the late GOP Sen. John McCain’s
very happy to work with, and also BY MARIANNE LeVINE mer Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.), Schumer (D-N.Y.) welcomed Kelly final two years, and immediately
bring Hispanic representation to Democrat Mark Kelly of Ari- who is now an advocate for stricter to the Senate ahead of his swear- run again for re-election in 2022.
the Senate for the first time.” zona was sworn in Wednesday as gun laws after surviving a 2011 as- ing in. Throughout his Senate campaign
Padilla sits at the top of Newsom’s the newest member of the Senate, sassination attempt. “It may not be the role he ex- against McSally, Kelly proved him-
short list for multiple reasons. The bringing the GOP majority down The Arizona Democrat’s arrival pected for himself earlier in his self to be a prolific fundraiser.
Democrat is a longtime Newsom to 52-48. in the Senate during the lame duck life,” Schumer said. “As Mark Kelly’s swearing in marks the
ally; he would make history by Kelly, a former astronaut and session comes as Senate Republi- likes to say, his wife Gabby was first time in nearly 70 years that
becoming California’s first Latino U.S. Navy captain, beat GOP Sen. cans are aiming to confirm a series already the member of the family Arizona will have two Democratic
senator, a fitting milestone for a Martha McSally in a special elec- of executive and judicial branch ap- in Congress. But tragedy upended senators, a sign of the state’s new-
state where Latino residents are a tion this November. While Kelly pointees who will outlast President both of their lives, and changed found status as a battleground. He
plurality at 40 percent of the popu- has never held public office before, Donald Trump’s term. Republicans’ so many of their plans. Everyone will join Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-
lation; and he has raised his profile he was widely viewed as a star re- slightly smaller majority leaves continues to be inspired by Gab- Ariz.), who beat McSally in 2018.
both in California and nationally cruit for the Democratic party this them little room for error on any by’s recovery, by Mark’s devotion, Both Kelly and Sinema ran as mod-
through his work to expand voter election cycle. He is married to for- potential controversial nominees and the courage it took for their erates during their campaign.
registration and mail balloting as
California’s top elections official.
Feinstein said Newsom was
Iowa results to be challenged directly in the House
“aware of” her support for Padilla
to become the state’s junior senator.
The Los Angeles Democrat also
has benefited from a push by the BY SARAH FERRIS trigger a rarely used congressional rule on the matter, a timeline the full House, which would decide by a
AND ALLY MUTNICK
Congressional Hispanic Caucus’ process, which was memorably de- Hart campaign suggested would simple majority vote whom to seat.
campaign arm, BOLD PAC, which A Democratic candidate who ployed to settle an election in the be insufficient. The process that played out
underscored the imperative for fell six votes short of holding an mid-1980s. But the stakes are high: “With a margin this small, it is under this act after the 1984 elec-
Newsom to choose a Latino can- open battleground congressional Speaker Nancy Pelosi has a severely critical that we take this next step tion was exceedingly bitter. The
didate in endorsing Padilla. district in Iowa is planning to chal- diminished majority, which could to ensure Iowans’ ballots that were Democratic-controlled House un-
But Newsom is also facing pres- lenge those results directly with the be as small as five votes after sus- legally cast are counted,” said der Speaker Tip O’Neill refused to
sure from various California elect- House, placing the chamber in the taining unexpected losses last Zach Meunier, Hart’s campaign seat Republican Richard McIntyre,
ed officials, donors and advocacy highly unusual position of poten- month. manager. even after Indiana’s secretary of
groups to appoint a Black woman tially determining the outcome of But some Democrats question Many operatives in both parties state certified McIntyre as the
to replace Harris, who is Black and the race. the optics of challenging certi- thought Hart would exhaust all winner over incumbent Demo-
South Asian. After what appears to be the fied election results, as President state methods of challenging the cratic Rep. Frank McCloskey .
While Feinstein’s endorsement tightest congressional election in Donald Trump still refuses to con- election before seeking relief from McCloskey objected to what he
lends Padilla more institutional decades, Rita Hart, a state senator, cede and makes baseless claims of the House of Representatives, in said were a rushed certification
credibility, it is unlikely to sway pro- has decided to forgo a legal battle widespread election fraud, despite part because it will force the new, and inconsistent standards for
gressive groups that have soured on in her home state and will instead losing by much larger margins than smaller Democratic majority to counting ballots, and McIntyre
the centrist Feinstein and are push- contest the election directly with the Iowa race. wade into a state election. was not seated in the House.
ing Newsom to elevate a represen- the House Administration Com- Hart faced a deadline Wednes- The process for contesting an The nonpartisan General Ac-
tative of the party’s left wing, like mittee. Iowa election officials day to appeal the recount results election with the House is complex. counting Office conducted a re-
Reps. Barbara Lee or Ro Khanna. certified Republican Mariannette through state channels. Under Iowa If Hart challenges the results un- count and found McCloskey the
California Democratic Party ac- Miller-Meeks as the winner on law, Hart’s challenge would trigger der the Federal Contested Elections winner by four votes. The House
tivist RL Miller tweeted, “what a Monday after a recount diminished the formation of a tribunal, which Act of 1969, the case would be re- voted to seat him, triggering a
friggin’ surprise: an out of touch her initial victory margin from 47 would include the chief justice of ferred to the House Administration walkout protest from Republicans.
centrist backs her own protege,” votes to just six. the state Supreme Court and four Committee, which could conduct At the time, Democrats had a larger
in response to Feinstein’s public The move, whose aggressiveness other district court judges. That an investigation of its own before majority and did not need the extra
endorsement. has stunned some Democrats, will panel would have until Dec. 8 to making a recommendation to the seat as badly as they do now.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020 | POLITICO | 7
Biden is told to ‘step it up’ on Cabinet diversity
Lawmakers, advocates
of color put pressure
on president-elect
for more inclusion
BY MEGAN CASSELLA,
LAURA BARRÓN-LÓPEZ
AND ALICE MIRANDA OLLSTEIN
The faces of the economic team
President-elect Joe Biden unveiled
publicly Tuesday included an Afri-
can American woman, a man born
in Nigeria, an Indian American
woman and just one white man.
The response from Asian Ameri-
can, Black and Latino Democrats:
It’s not enough.
They want more representation,
particularly in the Cabinet. And
after Rep. Jim Clyburn, the most
senior Black member of Congress
and a key Biden ally, spoke out last
week about the need for more di-
versity in Biden’s burgeoning ad-
ministration, more Black, Latino
and Asian American lawmakers are
joining the chorus.
“We’re very, very concerned as
a community, as a Latino com-
munity,” said Texas Rep. Vicente
Gonzalez, who called last week for
at least five Latinos to be appointed
to Cabinet-level positions.
Asian American and Pacific Is-
lander advocates and officials are
warning the Biden administration,
in writing, it will be “deeply disap-
pointing if several AAPIs are not
nominated” to Cabinet positions. GERALD HERBERT/AP
They’re growing increasingly con- Rep. Jim Clyburn, the most senior Black member of Congress and a key ally of Joe Biden, spoke out last week about the need for more diversity in a
vinced the president-elect will not Biden administration. The criticism highlights challenges the transition team is facing in satisfying expectations for a historically diverse Cabinet.
match President Barack Obama’s
total of three Asian Americans in
his first Cabinet. Biden’s core White House team diverse White House appointments an active pressure campaign. Latino lawmakers support either
Meanwhile, the Congressional will be mostly white, including and Cabinet nominees.” He ap- In phone calls and letters, the DNC Chair Tom Perez or California
Black Caucus is urging Biden to his chief of staff, communications pointed an all-female senior com- lawmakers pointed out the tran- Attorney General Xavier Becerra to
choose a Black Defense secretary director, press secretary, legisla- munications team, for example, as sition’s agency review teams are lead the Justice Department. Ruiz’s
and up the number of African tive affairs director and one of his well as the first woman of color to roughly 11 percent Latino and their name has also been floated by some
Americans leading departments top economic advisers. And two lead the Office of Management and COVID-19 Advisory Board is about members of the Hispanic Caucus as
overall. of the so-called Big Four Cabinet Budget and the first female nominee 15 percent Latino — each less than a potential addition to a Biden ad-
Together, the criticism high- positions — the State, Treasury, for Treasury secretary. the roughly 20 percent share of the ministration, given his health care
lights the challenges the Biden Justice and Defense Departments But in 2020, the bar for diversity U.S. population Latinos represent. background as a physician.
transition faces in satisfying ex- — have already been filled by white has been raised well beyond the And though they cheered the Members of the Congressional
pectations for a historically di- candidates. seven women and 10 nonwhite of- nomination of Cuban American Black Caucus have been pressur-
verse Cabinet. And it underscores “A true way for Biden to make ficials in President Barack Obama’s Alejandro Mayorkas to run Home- ing Biden’s transition team on
the growing demands for equal history would be to nominate a first Cabinet. land Security — the first immigrant an individual level, according to
representation after a presidential person of color for one or more of Senior AAPI officials highlight and first Latino to hold the position, multiple members. Many take
election in which Asian Americans those ‘Big Four’ positions, and now huge increases in voter turnout if confirmed — it does not come their cues from Clyburn, who
were difference-makers in Georgia, they’re down to just two,” said Ja- among Asian American voters in close to representing the breadth is pushing for Ohio Democratic
Latinos boosted Biden in Arizona, net Murguía, the president of Uni- the 2020 election — including in of Latinos across the country, they Rep. Marcia Fudge to be selected
and Black voters propelled him dosUS and a former adviser to Pres- crucial battleground states Biden say. as the first Black female Agricul-
to the nomination and ultimate ident Bill Clinton. “So there will be won, such as Georgia and Arizona “When we talk about diversity, ture secretary.
victory. enormous scrutiny from both the — as one reason they should be we also need to talk about diversity Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Mis-
But appeasing everyone may be Black and Latino community for well-represented throughout the within the Hispanic community,” souri said he’s keeping a close eye
a nearly impossible task, especially the remaining two jobs — DOD and administration. Early and absen- said California Democratic Rep. on whom Biden names to lead the
given the zero-sum reality of Cabi- Justice — and rightfully so.” tee voting among AAPI voters rose Raul Ruiz. “The vast majority of Department of Housing and Urban
net jockeying and the limited slate A Black House lawmaker, who nearly 300 percent in battleground Hispanics in the U.S. are Mexican Development, pointing out that
of top-tier positions. requested anonymity to speak states this year, according to the Americans, so it would be im- Democrats have not nominated a
Latino lawmakers and outside more freely as Biden fills posi- Democratic data firm Catalist. portant and helpful to have them Black man to lead HUD since 1965,
groups, for example, are pushing tions, put it more bluntly. “He’s The Biden transition announced represented in nominations. The when the department was created
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan got to step it up,” the lawmaker Monday that Neera Tanden, an Puerto Rican and Cuban American by President Lyndon Johnson. And
Grisham for Health and Human said, noting that Kamala Harris’ Indian American woman, will and Dominican American experi- he echoed other CBC members who
Services secretary — but tap- selection as vice president doesn’t be nominated to lead the Office ences are also important and should are saying former Homeland Secu-
ping her over former U.S. Surgeon give Biden an excuse to appoint of Management and Budget. But also be reflected.” rity Secretary Jeh Johnson’s “name
General Vivek Murthy, who is In- fewer African Americans to head some AAPI officials said they still Gonzalez, the Texas Democrat, needs to be in the mix” for Defense
dian American, could anger Asian key departments. fear Biden is unlikely to meet the said he’s warned Democrats about Secretary.
American advocacy groups. The Biden transition team says benchmark set by Obama, who the surge in support for Republi- “I’m not ready to panic,” Cleaver
“It’s no secret that as you look the president-elect will have a appointed three AAPI candidates cans among Mexican American said of representation within the
at the number of people that have diverse administration when all to Cabinet positions at the start of communities in South Texas and administration, adding that mem-
been appointed … we don’t see too is said and done. “His success in his term. other battleground states. bers see Biden as someone who un-
many Asian Americans there, do finding diverse voices to develop “We just want to make sure that “When Republicans are coming derstands their demands and the
we?” said Bel Leong-Hong, chair and implement his policy vision to the Biden administration — and into our districts saying, ‘What “delicacy” of keeping a diverse
of the Democratic National Com- tackle our nation’s toughest chal- we’ve conveyed this from day one have the Democrats done for you?’ party happy.
mittee’s AAPI caucus. lenges will be clear when our full — has a diverse representation, and And we have a Democratic presi- “The philosophy of those of
Those lobbying the transition slate of appointees and nominees that diversity includes AAPIs,” dent with a low showing or low us who’ve been in the civil rights
team say there is still time for Biden is complete,” a Biden-Harris tran- said New York Rep. Grace Meng, representation of Latinos in his movement is that even if it’s
to meet his lofty diversity goals. But sition official said in a statement. vice chair of the DNC. “That’s not Cabinet and government, it is a friends, you know, you don’t let
some Democrats are pessimistic af- It’s true that, as the transition always fully understood.” tough response,” Gonzalez said. “I up in your expressions of anticipa-
ter seeing the first rounds of per- official pointed out, Biden has The influential Congressional don’t want to have to defend that.” tion,” said Cleaver. “We’re antici-
sonnel picks. “announced several historic and Hispanic Caucus has also mounted In addition to Lujan Grisham, pating that he does the right thing.”
8 | POLITICO | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020
Sensing Senate snags move Biden to fill agency jobs
He’s lining up appointees to fill positions that
majority after the Georgia runoff
don’t require running the confirmation gantlet elections, Majority Leader Mitch
McConnell will play an outsize role
in the confirmation process.
BY NAHAL TOOSI, The Biden transition team is also GOP leaders already have indi-
TYLER PAGER
considering asking former gov- cated they intend to abide by the tra-
AND ANDREW DESIDERIO
ernment officials, such as retired ditional protocol with presidential
Now that he’s chosen a big chunk diplomats, to come in and fill key nominees, though certain picks such
of his Cabinet nominees, President- positions on an acting basis until as Neera Tanden, Biden’s choice to
elect Joe Biden’s transition team is the nominees for those jobs are run the Office of Management and
focusing increasingly on selecting confirmed by the Senate, accord- Budget whom Republicans consider
candidates for government posi- ing to a fourth person familiar with to be outside the “mainstream,”
tions that do not require Senate the situation. That could prove would face an uphill battle.
confirmation. legally complicated, but it’s not “I’m not disqualifying anybody,
Concerned about Republicans impossible, some foreign service but I do think that it gets a lot harder
slow-walking confirmation hear- veterans said. (A person involved obviously if they send folks from
ings for Cabinet appointees and in the transition noted that retired their progressive left that are kind
hollowed-out federal agencies, officials are welcome to throw in of out of the mainstream,” Senate
Biden and his aides are eager to their hats for jobs beyond those Majority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.)
place mid- to lower-level officials that require confirmation.) ANDREW HARNIK/AP said.
across the federal government, par- “For months, the transition Filling slots that don’t require Senate confirmation will ensure those hired “I would hope that they could
ticularly in national security roles, focused on identifying critical can obtain security clearances by the time Joe Biden is inaugurated. consult with us so that if they
to ensure his administration can positions for the immediate and send somebody up here it’s some-
begin to enact his agenda imme- successful execution of the Biden- body that we can get confirmed,”
diately, according to three people Harris agenda, analyzing each fed- verse group of people, and that com- to Gautam Raghavan and Stepha- Thune added.
familiar with the situation. eral agency from the ground up,” mitment will extend to the mid- and nie Valencia, according to another Some of Biden’s nominees are al-
By quickly selecting candidates Andrew Bates, a spokesperson for lower-level ranks, one of the people person involved in the transition. ready getting a positive reception
for slots that don’t require Senate the transition, said in a statement. familiar with the situation said. The Biden has yet to select nominees from Republican senators.
confirmation, such as deputy as- “We are working with both parties person added that Biden and his for director of the CIA and secre- For example, Sen. John Cornyn
sistant secretaries, the transition in Congress to confirm qualified, aides are keenly aware that many tary of Defense, despite rolling out (R-Texas) said he has “philosophi-
team also can try to ensure that experienced nominees while hiring career civil servants — who were ac- other senior members of his nation- cal” differences with Biden’s pick
many of those hired can obtain senior agency leaders to be ready on cused by the Trump administration al security team. The leading can- for Treasury secretary, Janet Yellen,
security clearances by the time Day One to overcome the pandemic of being members of a disloyal “deep didate for the Pentagon job, Michèle but said he has “no problem” with
Biden takes office. and the recession while safeguard- state” — are eager to be considered Flournoy, previously served as an her and could see no reason to op-
The shift in focus to filling po- ing American national security.” for promotions and will be weighing undersecretary for policy there. pose her nomination.
sitions that do not require confir- Two runoff elections in Geor- those desires as well. In an interview posted earlier “My attitude is that, absent con-
mation reflects the urgency with gia will determine who controls Even within the transition team, this year with the Transition Lab flicts of interest or other — lack of
which the Biden team sees its the Senate, though those results many of the decisions on hiring are podcast, Flournoy said hiring un- temperament, and uber-partisan-
staffing conundrum — especially won’t be known until on or after treated on a confidential basis, derlings was a top priority when she ship — beyond those, that [Biden]
in the realm of national security, Jan. 5. The Biden team appears to with only a few people involved. A arrived at the Pentagon in the first should get the people who he wants
where there’s little room for error. be planning ahead as if Republicans “staffing unit” has been set up to months of the Obama administra- to serve him,” Cornyn said. “Ob-
It also signals Biden’s anxiousness will prevail and keep the chamber. vet candidates, and a person famil- tion, and that she was fortunate to viously, we’re going to have dif-
to replace Trump appointees and The heightened sense of urgen- iar with the situation described it get confirmed early because she had ferences of opinion on policy, and
fill long-empty positions as soon as cy follows a weekslong period in as a “black box.” That’s partly by the “pick of the litter” in building that’s fine.”
possible so he can enact his agenda. which the Trump administration design because of the sensitivities her team. While Cabinet nominees may
The strategy is an explicit effort refused to recognize Biden’s vic- that surround any hiring process. “At every free moment — and at get relatively speedy hearings, the
to overcome a common hurdle of tory, a process known as “ascer- One person familiar with the situ- night — I was looking at résumés Senate is likely to take its time with
the early months of a new adminis- tainment.” Foreign policy experts ation noted, however, that it also and trying to make decisions,” she numerous other posts that require
tration: The middle tier of political had expressed alarm over the delay, eases awkwardness given that so said. “The easiest thing was to hire confirmation. Much of that simply
appointees often don’t take up their warning it could have dangerous many people volunteering for or the deputy assistant secretaries and comes down to logistics, such as
posts until well into the first year. consequences. otherwise on the transition team below because they did not require being able to schedule hearings.
“You get into this weird situation The Biden team is aiming to re- are competing against one another Senate confirmation. … So you have The coronavirus pandemic
where a lot of times you’ll have the place “every political appointee of for jobs. your sort of more junior staff in might add delays to the process.
top people confirmed and in place Trump immediately,” with a par- Lisa Monaco and Suzy George, place first. And then, six months, So could the Georgia runoff races
basically right away and the non- ticular emphasis on national secu- both veterans of the Obama ad- 12 months [later], as the assistant if the results are close and take
confirmed people at a whole lower rity positions, said a former U.S. ministration’s national security secretaries start rolling in through days or weeks to certify, leaving
level,” said Richard Fontaine, CEO official involved in the transition. teams, play key roles in overseeing the confirmation process, you have open the question of who controls
of the Center for a New American “They have people identified all the personnel decisions, according to a to figure out how to make room for the Senate.
Security. Those in between “can way down to the [deputy assistant person involved in the transition. them and really leverage their tal-
take literally months to get through secretary] level.” Yohannes Abraham is also heavily ents as well.” Lara Seligman contributed to this
the confirmation process.” Biden has promised to hire a di- involved in personnel in addition If Republicans retain the Senate report.
Biden supports Tanden as GOP attacks her tweets
BY QUINT FORGEY couple of people just to fight [over] said her intended nomination by moderates.
President-elect Joe Biden sug- no matter what.” Biden is “really a misstep by the Supporters of Sen. Bernie Sand-
gested in an interview published Reports emerged over the week- administration.” ers (I-Vt.) have also been upset by
Wednesday that outrage from end that Biden planned to nominate “It’s pretty crazy to me to think Tanden’s selection, casting her as
Senate Republicans over his pick Tanden, a former senior policy ad- that she can go back and … elimi- a Clinton loyalist who helped tank
for White House budget director is viser to Barack Obama and Hillary nate all the tweets that she’s sent his presidential ambitions.
hypocritical and insincere, defend- Clinton’s presidential campaigns, out over the last, whatever, months, Biden’s transition team is antici-
ing Neera Tanden amid an outcry as director of the Office of Man- years,” Cornyn said. pating fierce confirmation battles
from the lawmakers whose votes agement and Budget. The presi- In formally unveiling his eco- over his Cabinet picks, and prepar-
she will need for confirmation. dent-elect introduced Tanden as nomic team on Tuesday, Biden ing for the possibility Republicans
The remarks from Biden came in his OMB director-designate on praised Tanden as “a brilliant will slow-walk his nominees by ANDREW HARNIK/AP
an interview with Thomas Fried- Tuesday at an event in Delaware. policy mind with critical practical focusing on naming candidates Joe Biden suggested GOP’s outrage
man of The New York Times, dur- Since her initial announce- experience across government.” For for government roles that do not over Neera Tanden’s nomination
ing which the president-elect was ment, Senate Republicans have her part, Tanden expressed her be- require Senate approval. is insincere and hypocritical.
asked whether “nasty tweets” — protested Biden’s pick to lead the lief that government should “serve Of course, the fate of the presi-
Tanden has been sharply critical powerful executive branch agency, all the American people — Republi- dent-elect’s Cabinet and likely that
of Republican officials on social complaining about old social me- cans, Democrats, and independents of his legislative agenda is depen- done with [him]. I was able to get
media — should be disqualifying dia posts from Tanden. A prolific alike.” dent on Senate Majority Leader them to, you know, raise taxes on
for potential nominees to his in- Twitter user, Tanden is president of Tanden has received markedly Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), with the wealthy,” Biden told the Times.
coming administration. the Center for American Progress, a more public pushback than the oth- whom Biden has boasted about be- “I think there are trade-offs, that
“That disqualifies almost every prominent liberal think tank. er intended nominees announced ing able to strike deals in the past. not all compromise is walking away
Republican senator and 90 percent Sen. John Cornyn of Texas , by Biden in recent days, who have “There are a number of things from principle,” he added. “He
of the administration,” Biden said. one of Tanden’s more outspoken been mostly regarded as neither too that when McConnell controlled knows me. I know him. I don’t ask
“But by the way, she’s smart as hell. Republican opponents, described centrist by Democratic progressives the Senate that people said couldn’t him to embarrass himself to make
Yeah, I think they’re going to pick a her this week as “radioactive” and nor too left-leaning by the party’s get done, and I was able to get them a deal.”
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020 | POLITICO | 9
Post-White House, Trump to restart foreign deals
Overseas deal-making
raises ethical issues no
former president has
ever confronted
BY ANITA KUMAR
After he leaves the White House,
Donald Trump is expected to do
something no president before him
has done: cut multimillion-dollar
deals with foreign governments and
companies for his private business.
Trump’s namesake company
plans to resume foreign real estate
projects, likely luxury hotels, as it
grapples with a tarnished brand
in the United States and the need
to pay off hundreds of millions of
dollars of debt, according to three
people familiar with the plans, not
to mention past public statements
from Trump’s children. Company
officials have already vowed to
look into more developments in
India and will be expected to give
a second look to projects they had
considered in China, Turkey, Co-
lombia and Brazil before Trump
entered office.
The arrangement is already being
criticized as one that could be used
to pay back Trump for his policies
as president or to influence U.S.
policy through a former president
— and possibly a future presidential
candidate.
Other former presidents have
faced allegations they were mon-
etizing the presidency with their
post-presidency ventures, includ- EVAN VUCCI/AP
ing paid speeches abroad, seven- “What Trump is doing,” historian Douglas Brinkley said, “is trying to make a vast fortune, which has never been tried before, parlaying his presidency
figure book advances and foreign into massive amounts of money abroad. I’ve never seen anything like it.” If Donald Trump runs in 2024, he will likely have dizzying conflicts of interest.
donations to presidential libraries.
Most recently, Bill Clinton raised
millions of dollars from foreign to include financial allegations of After winning the presidency need a financial boon after leaving bringing in millions of dollars in
governments and foreign donors wrongdoing in articles of impeach- in 2016, Trump ignored calls to the White House. new sales.
for his family’s global charity. ment against Trump in 2019. fully separate from his company. The Trump Organization is “After politics, we would cer-
But Trump’s return to overseas Now, as he prepares for his post- His holdings were placed in a trust presumed to have lost millions tainly look at India and other
deal-making as a private business- presidency, Trump, like every mod- from which he can withdraw money of dollars during the coronavirus markets,” Trump Jr. told the In-
man raises a new set of ethical is- ern president, will have to decide at any time, without the public’s outbreak, and Forbes estimates dian newspaper Mint in 2019. But
sues no former president has ever how to balance a political past with knowledge. Trump’s net worth dropped $1 India, he said, “would be a big focus
confronted. The Trump Organiza- a desire to make money. When Trump became president, billion during the global pandemic. of mine. Frankly, it would be easier
tion, is sprawling and extensive — it “I don’t think he’d be the first he pledged his company would Meanwhile, Trump has to pay for me to get going in India because
comprises more than 500 business- former president to do those press pause on any new foreign back $421 million in loans that he of the relationships we have built
es, including hotels, resorts and things,” said Andy Card, former deals. has personally guaranteed, much up in the last decade.”
golf clubs around the globe. And chief of staff to President George But the Trump Organization has of it to foreign creditors, most due Despite Trump’s pledge not to
since it’s not a charity or publicly W. Bush. “He’ll be a citizen who continued to promote and profit in the next four years, according engage in foreign deals while he
held, it has fewer financial disclo- was a former president. He’d have from existing foreign properties. to a New York Times examination was president, Trump received
sure requirements. To cap it off, stature from the past. He wouldn’t Trump has properties and of Trump’s personal and business more than $200 million in income
few American financial firms are have stature at that time.” branding deals in countries around tax returns. The investigation also from his interests in foreign coun-
still willing to lend Trump money, Trump lost his bid for a sec- the world — from Turkey and the found Trump attempted to secure tries since 2016, according to an
meaning he increasingly has had to ond term to Joe Biden but has yet United Arab Emirates to the Phil- a $72 million refund from the IRS analysis by OpenSecrets, which
go abroad to seek financing. to concede, falsely asserting the ippines and South Korea to Ire- in 2010 by claiming $1.4 billion in tracks money in politics. And, the
“There are some boundaries that election was stolen through voter land and Scotland. He’s building losses in 2008 and 2009, trigger- group found, Trump held up to $150
didn’t exist before, and I have no fraud. Still, he has told allies he is properties in Indonesia and the Do- ing a yearslong audit that could cost million in foreign assets at the end
doubt that he will blow past those considering running for president minican Republic. In some coun- him millions in back taxes. of 2019.
boundaries and not respect any of again in 2024, which means any tries, Trump’s company partnered Trump’s family has made no se- Trump’s finances are also tied up
them,” said Rep. Gerry Connolly foreign deals could lead to poten- with state-owned companies on cret about its desire to pursue new in potential court cases.
(D-Va.), a member of the House tial conflicts of interest for him the construction. In others, gov- overseas business ventures. The New York Attorney Gener-
Oversight Committee, which both as a former president, trav- ernments are spending their own The president’s sons, Donald al’s Office is investigating whether
launched an investigation into eling around the globe with a Secret money on roads and other infra- Jr. and Eric, have repeatedly said Trump and his company misre-
whether Trump is violating the Service entourage, and as a possible structure around Trump-branded the company has lost significant ported assets on financial state-
Constitution by profiting from future president. properties. amounts of money because of their ments used to seek loans, tax breaks
foreign governments. Presidential historian Douglas “He’ll do what he does. He’ll father’s presidency and vowed they and economic benefits. Manhattan
Trump’s decision to maintain his Brinkley said all former presidents license his name, and he will do would be back developing proper- District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. is
grip on his real estate empire while have faced controversy with their Trump towers in different cities ties once their dad leaves office. looking into whether Trump paid
president — he handed over day- post-presidential activities, espe- — Moscow, Seoul, who knows? It’s Eric Trump told an Argentine off two women to keep them quiet
to-day operation to his children cially after former President Ronald going to generate more money for news site in January 2019 that about extramarital affairs as well
but retained ownership — created Reagan traveled to Japan to deliver him,” said Barbara Res, a longtime they will start looking at foreign as possible tax crimes and bank
a vast web of potential conflicts a $1 million speech. But Trump’s executive in Trump’s real estate business ventures when his father and insurance fraud, according to
of interest that prompted accusa- ventures, Brinkley said, go far be- company who recently released a leaves office. court filings.
tions Trump’s business interests yond that. book about Trump called “Tower “We will consider the options,” “The president does not feel
were driving policy decisions and “What Trump is doing is trying of Lies.” “There are two things that he said. “Every day we have many bound by actual legal prohibitions
that the arrangement could break to make a vast fortune, which has make him run — ego and money. offers.” In June, he told The Wall much less merely ethical or moral
the law. never been tried before, parlay- Looking at it from the point of the Street Journal the company wants ones,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-
Yet Trump managed to skirt sig- ing his presidency into massive money, he’s going to have people to focus on overseas luxury hotels Md.), a member of the House Over-
nificant accountability for what amounts of money abroad,” he said. who give him money to build after Trump’s presidency. sight Committee. “We can expect
critics called an abuse of power. “I’ve never seen anything like it.” Trump towers.” In 2018, Donald Trump Jr. spent that he will continue to operate his
Congress failed to secure Trump’s The Trump Organization did not Despite Trump’s frequent boasts several days in India promoting the business in conjunction with for-
financial records and then declined respond to requests for comment. about his exorbitant wealth, he may family’s existing developments, eign businesses and governments.”
10 | POLITICO | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020
If he runs again, Trump will be ‘very tough to beat’
2024 from page 1
hypotheticals,” said Sen. John
the 2024 race, however, deeming Cornyn (R-Texas). “It’s going to be
it too speculative. a crowded field, I assume, unless
The political calculus is also he clears the field. I don’t know.”
clear. While he will soon lose the “We’re so far away from that. I
Oval Office, he’ll still have his will tell you this. If he runs, I think
Twitter handle and will still be in he would clearly be the favorite. I
firm control of his base. Repub- think he would win,” said Sen.
licans are loath to get cross with Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who ran
Trump, who could play a central against Trump in 2016 and has
role in Senate and House prima- mulled another run in the future.
ries in 2022 and create trouble for “I know it’s an interesting story, but
incumbents who break with him. I have no idea.”
Future GOP presidential candidates While Senate Majority Whip
will also be eager to court his sup- John Thune (R-S.D.) predicted
porters if he ultimately passes on Trump would have many GOP
another campaign. supporters, Hawley guessed that
Still, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), some Republican senators would
one of Trump’s fiercest allies on be dismayed if Trump ran again: “I
Capitol Hill, said Trump “should personally suspect that Republican
run and would have the support of senators would gnash their teeth
the party.” and wail and hate it.”
“The president is very popular in Some Republicans have tired of
the Republican Party, and he would being asked about Trump’s various
be very tough to beat,” added Rep. tweets and controversies, including
Jim Banks of Indiana, the incoming this week’s threat to veto a popu-
chair of the conservative Republi- lar defense bill and reports that he
can Study Committee. may pardon members of his inner
As it slowly sinks in for Trump circle. But many of the newer GOP
that he’s being replaced by Joe senators, particularly those from
Biden, the president is starting to red states, are openly supportive
publicly toy with a comeback bid of Trump’s potential third run for
four years from now. And Repub- president.
licans show little interest in defy- “The country benefited tremen-
ing the president who has rapidly dously from the first four years of
transformed their party. Many have President Trump and it would
refused to recognize Biden as the benefit tremendously by a second
president-elect, and few have con- four-year term from President
demned Trump’s baseless claims of Trump,” said Sen. Marsha Black-
election fraud. burn of Tennessee, who said she
The president may freeze the hopes Trump’s effort to overturn
field as long as he weighs another the results of the 2020 election is
presidential run, despite more successful. “People in Tennessee
than a dozen Republicans posi- are very enthusiastic about a sec-
tioning themselves as potential ond Trump term.”
candidates in 2024. Trump told If Trump does launch another
Republican National Committee SCOTT OLSON/GETTY IMAGES bid, it could force other Repub-
members on Tuesday that if his bid Sen. Josh Hawley said he would support a 2024 run by Donald Trump, but that some Republican senators would licans who have been waiting in
to challenge the 2020 election re- be dismayed: “I personally suspect that Republican senators would gnash their teeth and wail and hate it.” the wings to put their presidential
sults ultimately fails: “I’ll see you ambitions on hold for yet another
in four years.” four years. The idea of Trump as
“I would encourage him to keep he’s come off a tough election,” said won in 2016 and then in 2020, he the matter after five years of the GOP nominee for three cycles
that option open. I would person- Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), who not only outperforms, but overper- Trump’s dominance over the party. straight could stymie the ambi-
ally support him if he did,” said added that most congressional Re- forms by 15 million votes? That’s Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin said tions of an entire generation of
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), publicans would be likely to back unheard of,” said conservative Rep. he doesn’t talk about those kinds of Republicans.
who ripped Trump while running Trump. Paul Gosar of Arizona, who noted hypotheticals. Sen. Tom Cotton of “I’m from Indiana, and I want
in the 2016 GOP primary and then Republicans also said they have Trump won a larger share of Black Arkansas, a potential presidential to see my guy, Mike Pence, in the
became a close ally. “Most Repub- few reservations about putting voters than he did in 2016. Trump, candidate, declined to comment. White House one day,” Banks said.
licans believe he’s done a very good their faith in a freshly defeated of course, also bled support in the Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said “And hopefully, [in] 2024, we’ll
job and that his presidency from a candidate to win back the White suburbs — including in Arizona and she hasn’t “thought at all about have Mike Pence on the ballot one
conservative’s point of view has House, arguing Trump has defied Georgia, states Democrats hadn’t 2024,” and Sen. Chuck Grassley way or another.”
been very consequential.” the odds — and the polls — once won in decades. of Iowa said it was “too specula-
“If President Trump runs in ’24, I before. Still, not every Republican in tive” a topic. Marianne LeVine contributed to
support it. That will be his decision; “Here you have a gentleman that Congress felt like chatting about “I am going to try not to answer this report.
CDC recommends postponing holiday
travel as Covid surges in the U.S.
BY BRIANNA EHLEY seven days, the agency said. The CDC, as previously re-
The Centers for Disease Con- The agency released simi- ported, also said it was shorten-
trol and Prevention on Wednes- lar guidance against travel over ing the recommended quarantine
day urged Americans to post- Thanksgiving, but officials said times for people who have been
pone holiday travel after a busy travel volume remained high. exposed to the virus from 14 days
Thanksgiving weekend that likely “Even if only a small percentage to 10 days if the individual is not
led to a further surge in corona- of those travelers were asymptom- exhibiting any symptoms. If some-
virus cases. atically infected, this can translate one has tested negative, the CDC
“Cases are rising, hospitaliza- into hundreds of thousands of ad- recommends quarantining for
tions are increasing and deaths are ditional infections moving from seven days, though officials say 14
increasing,” said Henry Walke, the one community to another,” said days is still the best way to reduce
CDC’s Covid-19 incident manager Cindy Friedman, chief of the CDC’s transmission.
during a press briefing. “We’re ask- Travelers’ Health Branch. The U.S. has reported 13.7 mil-
ing Americans to help prevent these The Thanksgiving guidance was lion cases and more than 270,000
increases and avoid travel.” at odds with messaging from the deaths so far. CDC officials said
People who do travel should be White House but tracked with state they expect an uptick in cases from
NAM Y. HUH/AP tested one to three days before and restrictions that are being imple- the Thanksgiving holiday to show
“Cases are rising, hospitalizations are increasing and deaths are three to five days after their trips, mented in response to the worsen- up in case counts in the next week
increasing,” said Henry Walke, the CDC’s Covid-19 incident manager. while avoiding public activities for ing pandemic. or two.