Apr 7, 2017

New sanctions on Syria and a trade plan with China announced

Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP

Three pieces of news came out of a briefing with pool reporters in Florida Friday afternoon:

  1. Syria sanctions: Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said the U.S. will announce new sanctions on Syria soon "as part of our ongoing effort to stop this kind of activity."
  2. China trade plan: Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross also announced there is a 100-day action plan on trade with China, which he said would include "weigh-stations of accomplishment." Ross added it "may be ambitious, but it's a very big sea change in the pace of discussion."
  3. Trump will visit China this year. But the dates aren't announced yet.

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Jonathan Swan
22 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
54 mins 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
57 mins 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.

Go deeper (3 min. read)Arrow