ProPublica has obtained the names of more than 400 people who have been hired quietly by President Trump's administration to fill various jobs at federal agencies. Several people are lobbyists, a group who Trump has promised to keep out of the government.
Thirty-two people have gotten beachhead positions within the Department of Health and Human Services. Many of those hires have worked as aides or directors for Vice President Mike Pence and Tom Price, who leads the agency as secretary. A handful of people previously were health care industry lobbyists and are now serving as senior advisers to Price:
Another Health and Human Services hire, Matthew Bowman, appears to have worked for the conservative Alliance Defending Freedom, which opposes abortion and same-sex marriage.
Politico has the scoop that former Gov. Jon Huntsman, who was ambassador to China under President Obama, has been offered the gig in Moscow by President Trump.
Why it matters: Ambassadors require Senate confirmation, and this is a sign that Trump is willing to turn to someone likely to clear confirmation without much fuss, particularly when Democrats are likely to seize on the hearing as an opportunity to talk Trump-Russia.
Business Insider has a look inside the events leading up to Breitbart's savaging of the American Health Care Act and the steps taken by the White House to keep the publication's Washington editor, Matt Boyle, on their side.
Tensions between Boyle and Steve Bannon ratcheted up after Breitbart published articles critical of Reince Priebus. After Bannon asked Boyle to let up on Priebus, Boyle began telling people that Bannon was guilty of "treason," per BI's sources.
The spat led the White House to offer Boyle increased access, including a radio interview with Sean Spicer and an Oval Office interview with President Trump.
It didn't work. Boyle to Breitbart staffers in a Slack message yesterday as the website began unloading on the AHCA, "We are Breitbart. This is war. There are no sacred cows in war."
Senators Lindsey Graham and Sheldon Whitehouse, the top Republican and top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, have asked the FBI and Department of Justice to turn over any warrant applications or court orders for wiretaps on President Trump, Trump Tower or the Trump campaign:
NEW: Sens. Graham and Whitehouse formally request DOJ and FBI provide any documents related to wiretapping allegations made by Pres. Trump. pic.twitter.com/Ymj98lbjc6— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) March 8, 2017
By the numbers: Hillary has just a 35% favorable rating against a 55% unfavorable rating. Trump's much nearer to break-even — 45% favorable to 47% unfavorable.
But losing never looks good, as WaPo notes that Mitt Romney's numbers remained underwater for years after his 2012 loss.
Spicer opened his daily briefing with a nod to International Women's Day, adding that we should be celebrating women 365 days of the year. When asked if WH staffers participated in the women's strike, Spicer laughed and said, "I'm not aware of any that are not here..." More highlights below.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai found himself answering for President Trump's media bashing at a Wednesday Senate hearing, less than 24 hours after the president renominated him as the top regulator.
The top line: The chairman wouldn't say directly whether he agreed with President Trump's statements that certain media outlets are the "enemy of the American people" because he didn't want to "wade into the larger political debate." He did, however, express support for the First Amendment. He responded similarly when asked about White House adviser Steve Bannon's declaration that the media should "keep its mouth shut." Pai said that he had "not made comments like that."
The details: Pai also said he hasn't spoken with anyone in the administration about AT&T's proposed $85 billion purchase of Time Warner, which the president has criticized. He also generally reiterated that the FCC would act independently of the White House.
Why it matters: The exchange underscores how Trump's continued attacks on the media raise questions for Pai. Telecom giants regulated by the FCC have expanded their push into news content, from the AT&T deal to Comcast's investment in multiple digital media outlets to Verizon's purchase of Huffington Post owner Aol.
Note: Comcast's NBC is an investor in Axios and Andy Lack is a member of the Axios board.
Today is International Women's Day, and women across the country are striking. "A Day Without Women" was planned by the organizers of the Women's March on Washington, which took place after Trump's inauguration. Here are some of the effects of the strike so far:
China has given its preliminary approval for 38 new Trump trademarks, reports the AP, which presents a new abundance of opportunity for Trump branded businesses — such as spas, golf clubs, hotels and restaurants — in the country. Trump's lawyers in China applied for the trademarks last April, and have now received provisional approvals. If no one objects, the marks will be formally registered after 90 days.
Why this matters: Many critics are questioning whether the marks pose as a conflict of interest. If it's learned that Trump received any special treatment in securing the marks, he would be in violation of the Constitution.
