Feb 19, 2019

Former Sessions spokeswoman to join CNN as 2020 political editor

Jeff Sessions. Photo: Zach Gibson/Getty Images

Sarah Isgur, the former leading spokeswoman for then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions, will join CNN as a political editor for the 2020 presidential campaign despite the fact that she has not previously worked in a newsroom, reports Politico.

Flashback: Isgur, who will not oversee news coverage that relates to the Justice Department, drafted the statement that announced Rod Rosenstein's departure, written in the voice of then-AG Sessions.

Go deeper: The history of how Trump turned on Sessions

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Courtenay Brown

California's "woman quota" law seems to be working

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

When California passed its boardroom law requiring public companies based there to have at least one female director, there were concerns it would spark a gold rush for the same handful of well-known women — but that hasn’t happened.

Why it matters: Of the 138 women who joined all-male California boards last year, 62% are serving on their first company board, per a study by accounting firm KPMG. That means a majority of companies aren't contributing to so-called overboarding in corporate America.

Go deeper8 mins ago - Economy & Business

Axios

House warned of Russian effort to re-elect Trump

Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Trump meet at the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, last June. Photo: Susan Walsh/AP

The nation's top election-security official warned the House Intelligence Committee last week that Russia is interfering in the 2020 election to help President Trump get re-elected, continuing to attempt to sow discord among the American electorate, the AP reports.

Why it matters: The warning raises questions about the integrity of the presidential campaign and whether Trump's administration is taking the proper steps to combat the kind of interference that the U.S. saw in 2016.

Go deeper38 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Rashaan Ayesh

U.S. and Taliban announce first step in Afghanistan peace process

Photo: Karim Jaafar/AFP/Getty Images

The State Department confirmed Friday morning the U.S. and Taliban have "reached an understanding" that starts a 7-day "reduction of violence" to be followed by a signed U.S.-Taliban agreement.

Why it matters: The Afghanistan war is the longest war in U.S. history. President Trump has previously pulled out of talks at the last minute, only to restart them.

Go deeperUpdated 1 hour ago - World