Saturday's politics & policy stories

Priebus claims he resigned yesterday before Trump tweet
Trump announced Friday afternoon on Twitter that he was replacing Reince Priebus with John Kelly, who has been serving as Trump's Homeland Security Secretary. But Priebus told CNN's Wolf Blitzer this evening that "ultimately, I resigned yesterday," he denied Trump asked him to resign and said Trump involved him deciding who to pick as a replacement.
- He wouldn't answer questions about whether he's the WH leaker.
- His bottom line: He's "on team Trump." He stressed several times that he thinks bringing in a fresh face is a good thing for the White House and that he still wants to help Trump achieve his agenda for the American people. He also praised Steve Brannon's role in the White House.
- His biggest letdown: Not getting healthcare passed. "Obviously the Republicans have to try harder."

Trump's MS-13 speech takes a dark turn
In a raucous, often dark speech to law enforcement officials on Long Island about the government's response to MS-13, President Trump obliquely addressed the palace intrigue swirling around his White House staff. "John Kelly is one of our great stars," he said while singling out the head of Homeland Security, who is rumored to replace Reince Priebus as chief of staff.
Some of Trump's darker rhetoric:
- To "every gang member and criminal alien" — "We will find you. We will arrest you. We will jail you. And we will deport you."
- On MS-13: "They have turned peaceful parks and beautiful, quiet neighborhoods into blood-stained killing fields…We are liberating our towns. I never thought I'd be standing up here talking about liberating towns on Long Island, where I grew up."
- Addressing police brutality: "Please don't be too nice. Like, when you put somebody in a car and you're protecting their head…I said, 'You can take the hand away, okay?'"

Trump’s business dealings face full scrutiny under Russia probe
USA Today front page, "Mueller's investigators could delve deeply into president's million-dollar real estate transactions," by Nick Penzenstadler and Steve Reilly:
- "Since Election Day, President Trump's businesses have sold at least 30 luxury condos and oceanfront lots for about $33 million. That includes millions of dollars in properties to secretive shell companies."
- "Federal investigators are expected to delve into records revealing some of the President's most closely guarded secrets, including how much money he makes, who he does business with and how reliant he is on wealthy, politically-connected foreigners."
- Why it matters: "Mueller's sweeping mandate means his investigators can get, or may already have, The Trump Organization's phone records, e-mail and contracts."

Russia retaliates against U.S. sanctions bill
Russia's Foreign Ministry announced Friday that they plan to seize two U.S. properties and order the State Department to reduce its American embassy staff in Russia in retaliation to the financial sanctions bill Congress approved last night, per The Washington Post.
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the American Embassy in Moscow and consulates in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok should reduce their staff to 455, reportedly the same number of Russian diplomatic employees in the U.S. The Ministry also announced its plans to seize a Russian warehouse and dacha complex currently used by the U.S. Embassy.
Why it matters: The U.S. sanctions bill is still awaiting signature from President Trump, but he's likely to sign it given its popularity among Congress and the likelihood that lawmakers will have the votes to override a potential veto.



