Dec 12, 2017

3. How Trump came to love Roy Moore

Photo: Alex Brandon / AP

Following the allegations of sexual harassment, President Trump said via Sarah Sanders that if the allegations were true, Moore should withdraw.
In late November, Trump began promoting Moore by harping on how bad it would be to have a Democratic senator in Alabama.
Trump gave a full endorsement on Dec. 4 when he tweeted: "Democrats refusal to give even one vote for massive Tax Cuts is why we need Republican Roy Moore to win in Alabama. We need his vote on stopping crime, illegal immigration, Border Wall, Military, Pro Life, V.A., Judges 2nd Amendment and more. No to Jones, a Pelosi/Schumer Puppet!"
Trump called Moore following the endorsement, calling him a "fighter" and ending with "go get 'em, Roy," according to Moore campaign officials.
On Monday morning, a robocall of Trump went out to Alabama voters encouraging them to vote for Moore.
Barack Obama countered Trump's robocall with his own pre-recorded phone messages encouraging Alabama voters to reject Roy Moore, saying: "This one's serious. You can't sit it out."

Go deeper

Supreme Court to hear Philadelphia case over same-sex foster parents

Photo: Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images

The Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear a high-profile case that could reshape the bounds of First Amendment protections for religion.

Why it matters: The direct question in this case is whether Philadelphia had the right to cancel a contract with an adoption agency that refused to place foster children with same-sex couples. It also poses bigger questions that could lead the court to overturn a key precedent and carve out new protections for religious organizations.

Go deeper25 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Axios

Situational awareness

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the Taj Mahal. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

Catch up on today's biggest news:

Keep ReadingUpdated 26 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Ina Fried

Why Apple may move to open iOS

Photo illustration: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Apple may finally allow iPhone owners to set email or browsing apps other than Apple's own as their preferred defaults, according to a Bloomberg report from last week.

The big picture: Customers have long clamored for the ability to choose their preferred apps, and now Apple, like other big tech companies, finds itself under increased scrutiny over anything perceived as anticompetitive.

Go deeper1 hour ago - Technology