Feb 19, 2019

Bernie Sanders taps ACLU political director as campaign manager

Sen. Bernie Sanders. Photo: Mandel Ngan/Getty Images

Sen. Bernie Sanders has enlisted ACLU national political director Faiz Shakir to serve as his 2020 campaign manager, reports The Daily Beast.

Why it matters: Shakir, who announced his departure from the ACLU Tuesday afternoon, has a progressive resume that includes stints as senior adviser to Democratic leaders Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi. He also served as editor of ThinkProgress, the news outlet associated with the Center for American Progress. Shakir is presumed to be the first Muslim to manage a major presidential campaign, according to the Beast.

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Jonathan Swan

35 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Inside Trump's antifa tweet

President Trump at Cape Canaveral on May 30. Photo: Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

As recently as Saturday night, senior administration officials told me that the designation of a violent cohort of far-left activists, antifa, as a terrorist organization was not being seriously discussed at the White House. But that was Saturday.

Behind the scenes: The situation changed dramatically a few hours later, after prominent conservative allies of the president, such as his friend media commentator Dan Bongino, publicly urged a tough response against people associated with antifa (short for "anti-fascist").

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Orion Rummler

1 hour ago - Politics & Policy

U.S. enters 6th day of nationwide protests over George Floyd's killing

A protest in Philadelphia on May 31. Photo: Mark Makela/Getty Images

Protests continued across the country for the sixth day in a row on Sunday, as demonstrators called for justice in response to the deaths of George Floyd, EMT Breonna Taylor, jogger Ahmaud Arbery and countless other black Americans who have suffered at the hands of racism and police brutality.

What's happening: Protestors in D.C. broke one police barricade outside the White House on Sunday evening after reportedly demonstrating for several hours. The atmosphere was still largely peaceful as of 6pm ET.

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Jonathan Swan

1 hour ago - Politics & Policy

Trump privately scolded, warned by allies

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images

Over the past couple of days, numerous advisers both inside and outside the White House have urged the president to tone down his violent rhetoric, which many worry could escalate racial tensions and hurt him politically.

Behind the scenes: The biggest source of internal concern was Trump's escalatory tweet, "when the looting starts, the shooting starts." Some advisers said it could damage him severely with independent voters and suburban women.

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