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Why Trump's wedding crashing got so much attention

Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP

President Trump and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took off Friday for a golfing weekend at Mar-a-Lago. While they were there, North Korea launched a ballistic missile test into the Sea of Japan.

Trump and Abe were at dinner when they were briefed — right then and there — on the situation. CNN reported that the meal suddenly turned to international conversations and decision making, all while the other wealthy guests looked on.

Aides had to use their phones to shed light on documents, as the dinner was candlelit.

This posed an additional security threat, as phones can easily record, pass on secret information or get hacked, as the Washington Post points out.

Abe and Trump proceeded to hold a rushed press conference. And then, instead of looking over details or discussing plans for dealing with North Korea, Trump crashed a wedding taking place at Mar-a-Lago, grabbed the mic and spoke to the guests.

Not just any wedding: The groom came from a wealthy Ohio family. His father is co-CEO of American Financial Group and gave $100,000 toward Trump Super PACs last fall, according to New York Magazine.

Why it matters: In one evening, Trump off-handedly dealt with a possible international crisis, while raising both security concerns and conflicts of interest concerns.

Go deeper

Rebecca Falconer
45 mins ago - Politics & Policy

In photos: Protests outside fortified capitols draw only small groups

Armed members of the far-right extremist group the Boogaloo Bois near the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing on Jan. 17. About 20 protesters showed up, AP notes. Photo: Seth Herald/AFP via Getty Images

Small groups of protesters rallied outside fortified statehouses over the weekend ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration Wednesday.

The big picture: Some protests attracted armed members of far-right extremist groups but there were no reports of clashes, as had been feared. The National Guard and law enforcement outnumbered demonstrators, as security was heightened around the U.S. to avoid a repeat of the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riots, per AP.

See photos (<1 min. read)Arrow
Alayna Treene, author of Sneak Peek
4 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Trump to issue at least 100 pardons and commutations before leaving office

Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

President Trump plans to issue at least 100 pardons and commutations on his final full day in office Tuesday, sources familiar with the matter told Axios.

Why it matters: This is a continuation of the president's controversial December spree that saw full pardons granted to more than two dozen people — including former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort, longtime associate Roger Stone and Charles Kushner, the father of Trump's senior adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

  • The pardons set to be issued before Trump exits the White House will be a mix of criminal justice ones and pardons for people connected to the president, the sources said.
  • CNN first reported this news.

Go deeper: Convicts turn to D.C. fixers for Trump pardons

Stef W. Kight, Kadia Goba
5 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Schumer's m(aj)ority checklist

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Capitalizing on the Georgia runoffs, achieving a 50-50 Senate and launching an impeachment trial are weighty to-dos for getting Joe Biden's administration up and running on Day One.

What to watch: A blend of ceremonies, hearings and legal timelines will come into play on Tuesday and Wednesday so Chuck Schumer can actually claim the Senate majority and propel the new president's agenda.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow