Trump campaign to allies: Put a sock in it

• Sources who talk often with the leading GOP presidential candidate told Axios in its exclusive Behind the Curtain column that Trump would build a Cabinet and White House staff based mainly on two imperatives: pre-vetted loyalty to him and a commitment to stretch legal and governance boundaries.
• He'd turn to loyalists who share his zeal to punish critics, purge non-believers, and take controversial legal and military action, the sources told Axios' Mike Allen and Jim VandeHei.

What they're saying: "Let us be even more specific, and blunt," the statement from Wiles and LaCivita continues: "People publicly discussing potential administration jobs for themselves or their friends are, in fact, hurting President Trump … and themselves. These are an unwelcomed distraction."

• "Second term policy priorities and staffing decisions will not — in no uncertain terms — be led by anonymous or thinly sourced speculation in mainstream media news stories."

Zoom out: A Wall Street Journal poll finds Trump leads President Biden among registered voters, 47% to 43%, in a national head-to-head matchup (margin of error: ±2.5 points.)

• "Trump's lead expands to 6 points, 37% to 31%, when five potential third-party and independent candidates are added to the mix. They take a combined 17% support, with Democrat-turned-independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. drawing the most, at 8%."

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