Axios

In a tense two-hour meeting in the White House Situation Room earlier this month, President Trump argued that the U.S. was "losing" the War in Afghanistan and suggested that Gen. John Nicholson, the U.S. commander in Afghanistan be fired, NBC News reports. Per the report, Trump left the room without making a decision on U.S. strategy. A decision was expected about two months ago.

The tension: Trump's national security team proposed a strategy, as well as alternatives, but Trump wasn't satisfied and left without a decision. The advisers were reportedly "stunned," with Secretary of Defense James Mattis notably upset.

The FAA has issued a Notice to Airmen guideline over Bedminster, New Jersey from August 4 until the early hours of August 21 for VIP movement, indicating that President Trump will likely be taking a lengthy summer vacation at his Trump National Golf Club there.

For comparison: Trump, who often complained about the length of President Obama's vacations, will likely be away from DC during the August doldrums for approximately the same amount of time as Obama's 16-day trip to Martha's Vineyard last summer.

The White House did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Sarah Sanders said Wednesday that President Trump supports the Russia sanctions bill, and stated that he did not speak to Vladimir Putin before signing the legislation earlier today. Other highlights from the press briefing:

• On Trump inaccurately saying he had spoken by phone with the Mexican president and head of Boy Scouts: "I wouldn't say it was a lie. That's a pretty bold accusation. The conversations took place. They just didn't take place over a phone call."
• On GOP Sen. Flake's jabs at Trump: "I think Sen. Flake would serve his constituents much better if he was less focused on writing a book and attacking the president."

Trump's senior policy advisor, Stephen Miller, on President Trump's latest push to reduce legal immigration:

• "The most important question when it comes to the U.S. immigration system is who gets a green card... [that's] the golden ticket of U.S. immigration."
• Basis of Cotton-Perdue immigration bill: "Switching to a skills-based system and ending unfettered chain migration... over time you will cut net migration in half... public support is so immense on this."
• When NYT reporter Glenn Thrush asked for statistics proving low skilled workers are a detriment to the economy: "Maybe we'll make a carve-out in the bill that says NYT can hire all the low skilled... workers they want... and see how you feel then."
• When CNN's Jim Acosta asked if the bill would favor people from English-speaking countries: "Your cosmopolitan bias is showing."
• Will the new immigration bill affect Trump properties? "This legislation deals with green cards with permanent immigration.. those are separate categories from the guest worker visas."
• On DACA: "Whatever we do is going to prioritize the interests of American citizens and workers."

A veteran WH correspondent's impression of today's briefing:

President Trump is considering making Energy Secretary Rick Perry his new Homeland Security chief, reports Bloomberg, citing "three people familiar with the deliberations." They added that the administration is also considering others to fill the position left vacant by John Kelly, who became White House chief of staff on Monday.

Bloomberg points out that during his 2012 presidential campaign, the Texas native criticized his GOP opponents about not having "heart" when it comes to immigration. Perry also supported a bill that let undocumented children of immigrants to pay in-state tuition for college.

Perry might not even want the job. Robert Haus, director of public affairs at the energy department said that although Perry is "honored" to be mentioned, he loves his current job.

President Trump, along with Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton and Georgia Sen. David Perdue, introduced new legislation at the White House this morning designed to significantly reduce the level of legal immigration into the United States, bringing it in line with what they call the "historic" average.

The plan: The proposed legislation aims to reduce legal immigration by 50% over the next decade by prioritizing skilled workers and cutting back on certain lottery visas and permanent residency for refugees. Perdue and Cotton argue that this approach would help lower-wage American workers find jobs without competition from immigrants.

Cotton: "For some people, they may think that [America's traditional immigration system] is a symbol of America's virtue and generosity. I think it's a symbol that we're not committed to working-class Americans. And we need to change that."

President Trump has signed a bill that sanctions Russia, Iran, and North Korea, and limits the executive branch's ability to alter sanctions regarding Russia.

Trump also issued a signing statement along with the bill — legal written commentary from the president on how he views the legislation — which mostly attacks the bill's constitutionality. But Trump also issued a written statement beside his signing statement, which decries the bill because of "the many ways it improperly encroaches on Executive power, disadvantages American companies, and hurts the interests of our European allies."

From Trump's statement: "[D]espite its problems, I am signing this bill for the sake of national unity. It represents the will of the American people to see Russia take steps to improve relations with the United States."

Elizabeth "Betsy" Southerland, a senior official at the Environmental Protection Agency, issued a memo Tuesday explaining her resignation from the agency, where she had worked for more than 30 years, per E&E News.

In the exit memo, released by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), Southerland said the EPA had been "the guiding light to make the 'right thing' happen for the greater good, including public health and safety" throughout her career. That was until President Trump and Scott Pruitt took over, whose actions Southerland says have led to "the temporary triumph of myth over truth."

Why it matters: Southerland stated that "there is no question" the administration is damaging the EPA's mission, and the long-term effects could force "our children and grandchildren" to live with increased safety risks and a degraded environment.

In just the past few weeks:

• Iran launched a rocket carrying a satellite into space. It also announced it is creating a new missile production line, and said it would continue with its missile program..
• The U.S. Navy fired warning shots at an Iranian vessel that came dangerously close to them in the Persian Gulf.
• Iran signed a military cooperation deal with Iraq, and it has been downplaying the U.S. role in the efforts to liberate Mosul from ISIS.

Top of N.Y. Times front page, "Trump Loyalist Quits Lobbying To Be 'Adviser': Lewandowski Mixing Business and Access," by Nick Confessore and Ken Vogel:

• "Three months ago, Corey Lewandowski, President Trump's first campaign manager, quit a new Washington lobbying firm he had helped start after the election, amid scrutiny over his firm's clients and his extraordinary access to Mr. Trump. But Mr. Lewandowski's departure from the influence business did not last long."
• "About a week after leaving his old firm... Lewandowski started a new consulting business... [A]s he takes on an increasingly broad role as an unofficial White House adviser, he is building a roster of clients with major interests before the Trump administration, including an Ohio-based payday lender."
• "Though he was fired by Mr. Trump during the 2016 campaign... Lewandowski remains close to Mr. Trump. The two talk regularly... and Mr. Lewandowski enjoys frequent access to the White House and his former boss."