Hope Hicks Resigns From Top White House Communications Role, And Other Trump News From Wednesday
Wednesday, February 28th — Year 2, Day 38
Hope Hicks Resigns As White House Communications Director
White House Communications Director and Trump campaign adviser Hope Hicks resigned from her role Wednesday after months of speculation about her potential departure, according to The New York Times. The decision came after Hicks testified in-front of House investigators Tuesday that she told white lies for the President as part of her job.
President Trump reportedly blamed Hicks for the fallout from the Rob Porter domestic abuse scandal. Hicks, who was dating Porter at the time, reportedly played a major role in crafting the White House's initial defensive response to the allegations of abuse.
Mueller Exploring Trump's Involvement In Hacked Democratic Emails
Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is leading the investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election, is reportedly asking witnesses whether or not Donald Trump knew about stolen Democratic emails before they were released to the public via WikiLeaks, and exploring the possibility that he was involved in their release. Julian Assange, the leader of WikiLeaks, reportedly corresponded with members of the Trump campaign and told followers that WikiLeaks supported Trump because he stood to destabilize the world's popular political system.
Trump Criticizes Attorney General Jeff Sessions On Twitter
President Trump took to Twitter Wednesday morning to publically criticize Attorney Jeff Sessions once again. On Tuesday, Sessions told reporters that the inspector general would investigate the FBI's handling of surveillance applications in the wake of a memo drafted by Republicans alleging that the wiretapping of former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page was approved based on misleading information. Trump criticized Sessions' decision to hand off the issue.
Ben Carson To Drop Six Figures On HUD Office Furniture While Facing $6.8 Billion Budget Cut
The Department of Housing and Urban Development will spend $165,000 on new furniture for its office in addition to a $31,000 on a dining set for Ben Carson despite a proposal to cut the office's budget by $6.8 billion, according to The Guardian. The spending first came to light when a HUD employee complained that she was demoted after refusing to spend over a $5,000 spending limit for the furniture.
Jared Kushner's Security Clearance Downgraded
The Washington Post reports that Jared Kushner's security clearance was downgraded last week amid fears that his previous business practices opened him to manipulation. Talking to multiple international officials, The Post learned that at least four countries have explored ways to manipulate Kushner through his business ties.
Additionally, four Commerce Department appointees were fired Tuesday after they failed to meet the standards required to receive a basic security clearance.
