Jul 31, 2017 - Politics & Policy

Sanders briefs reporters following Scaramucci's ouster

Alex Brandon / AP

Sarah Sanders, who will soon replace Sean Spicer as Press Secretary, stated Monday that White House Communications Director, Anthony Scaramucci, "does not have a role [at the White House] at this time." She later added that President Trump "certainly thought Anthony's comments [to The New Yorker] were inappropriate for a person in that position." Other highlights from Monday's press briefing:

  • Is new Chief of Staff John Kelly responsible for Scaramucci's ouster? "We all serve at the pleasure of the president," but in this instance it was a "mutual agreement."
  • Hierarchy of reporting to Kelly: "Gen. Kelly has the full authority to operate in the White House and all staff will report to him."
  • What will happen to Spicer now? "I am not aware of any changes on that front."
  • On Attorney General Sessions: "The president has 100 percent confidence in every member of his Cabinet."

Earlier, Treasury Secretary Mnuchin and National Security Advisor McMaster announced new sanctions on Venezuela.

Go deeper

Dion Rabouin, author of Markets
7 mins ago - Economy & Business

Why the stimulus delay isn't a crisis (yet)

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

If the impasse between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the White House on a new stimulus deal is supposed to be a crisis, you wouldn't know it from the stock market, where prices continue to rise.

  • That's been in no small part because U.S. economic data has held up remarkably well in recent months thanks to the $2 trillion CARES Act and Americans' unusual ability to save during the crisis.
Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow
Barak Ravid, author of from Tel Aviv
17 mins ago - World

Israel's secret embassy in Bahrain

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

This story is from Barak Ravid's new weekly newsletter, Axios from Tel Aviv, which launches today. Sign up here.

Israel has been conducting undercover diplomacy in Bahrain for more than a decade through a front company listed as a commercial consulting firm.

Why it matters: The existence of the covert diplomatic mission in the Bahraini capital Manama shows the depth of a secret relationship that came out into the open with a White House ceremony last month.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow
Stef W. Kight, Sara Fischer
32 mins ago - Politics & Policy

QAnon conspiracy theory explodes ahead of the election

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

The QAnon conspiracy theory is growing — and being weaponized to boost President Trump ahead of the election.

Why it matters: What began as a single conspiracy theory linking Hillary Clinton to child trafficking four years ago is now part of a convoluted web of falsehoods being spread to undermine Joe Biden.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow