Tuesday, December 4, 2018

President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Personnel to Key Administration Posts

POTUS was the only member of the quartet wearing an overcoat. Melania was wearing a two-piece black suit; Laura Bush was wearing a forest green dress. 
 
The two presidents shook hands first, both smiling warmly. Then Laura Bush reached out to Melania and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Melania then gave President Bush a two-cheek kiss. Trump did not apear to kiss Laura Bush. The foursome went inside promptly - Laura led the way by a couple of steps, followed by the other three. Trump had his hand on Bush's back at one point and also repeated the friendly gesture as they walked up the 10 steps into Blair House. The only chill was in the air; the mood was totally convivial.
 
The Bushes did not walk the Trumps back to the curb, making their departures inside against the increasingly brisk weather. Before entering his limo the President waved to the press but did not take any questions.
 
Unclear if other Bush family members participated but the schedule suggested that this was a four-way visit.
 
The print pool was situated across Pennsylvanias Avenue so it was impossible to see, much less hear, anything. Much of this detail is courtesy of the incomparable Doug Mills of the NYTimes.

POTUS AND FLOTUS VISIT BUSH FAMILY AT BLAIR HOUSE

Tuesday, December 4, 2018 5:12 PM
 Pool Report   - Blair House

The President and First Lady  drove by motorcade the 250 yards to Blair House. They arrived ar 4:33 pmThey were met at the curb by George and Laura Bush. President Trump was the only member of the quartet wearing an overcoat. Melania was wearing a two-piece black suit; Laura Bush was wearing a forest green dress. 

The two presidents shook hands first, both smiling warmly. Then Laura Bush reached out to Melania and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Melania then gave President Bush a two-cheek kiss. Trump did not apear to kiss Laura Bush. The foursome went inside promptly - Laura led the way by a couple of steps, followed by the other three. Trump had his hand on Bush's back at one point and also repeated the friendly gesture as they walked up the 10 steps into Blair House. The only chill was in the air; the mood was totally convivial.

The Bushes did not walk the Trumps back to the curb, making their departures inside against the increasingly brisk weather. Before entering his limo the President waved to the press but did not take any questions. They departed at 4:56 pm.

Unclear if other Bush family members participated but the schedule suggested that this was a four-way visit.

The print pool was situated across Pennsylvanias Avenue so it was impossible to see, much less hear, anything. Much of this detail is courtesy of the incomparable Doug Mills of the NYTimes.

 
Tom DeFrank - National Journal

Statement by the President

Office of the Press Secretary
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

 
    Today, I have signed into law S. 140, the "Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018" (the "Act").  The Act authorizes appropriations for the Coast Guard and for the Federal Maritime Commission through Fiscal Year 2019, reauthorizes the Department of Commerce's hydrographic services program administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through Fiscal Year 2023, and provides for the establishment of uniform standards for the management of vessel discharge.

    Several provisions of this Act, however, raise constitutional concerns.  One provision, section 319, purports to require the Secretary of the respective department in which the Coast Guard is operating to notify the Congress and then wait 18 months before closing, ceasing operations, or significantly reducing personnel at a Coast Guard air facility.  I reiterate the longstanding understanding of the executive branch that these types of provisions encompass only actions for which such advance notification is feasible and consistent with the President's exclusive constitutional authorities as Commander in Chief.

    Two provisions, sections 317 and 508, purport to require executive branch officials under my supervision to recommend legislative measures to the Congress.  My Administration will treat those provisions consistent with Article II, section 3 of the Constitution, which provides the President the discretion to recommend to the Congress only "such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient."

    Finally, the reference in section 709(a)(2) of the Act to the "antitrust laws" should not be interpreted to give the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) the authority to construe the antitrust laws in the first instance, which is a responsibility traditionally within the province of the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice.  Importantly, section 709(b)(1) provides that nothing in section 709(a)(2) "shall be construed to limit the authority of the Department of Justice regarding antitrust matters."  I will interpret section 709(b)(1) to indicate that the FMC should defer to the Department of Justice regarding interpretations of the Federal antitrust laws, including when the FMC applies its section 709(a)(2) authority.



                             DONALD J. TRUMP



THE WHITE HOUSE,
    December 4, 2018.
 


 
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President Donald J. Trump will sign S. 140, the “Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018

December 4, 2018
From the White House
Pool, National Review
Tom DeFrank 
Today, President Donald J. Trump will sign S. 140, the “Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018,” into law. This legislation authorizes funding for the United States Coast Guard through fiscal year 2019 and supports its plans to recapitalize and modernize its assets to carry out its critical missions. Specifically, the bill authorizes $7.9 billion for Coast Guard operating expenses and $2.6 billion for procurement, construction, renovation, and facilities improvement in fiscal year 2019. For fiscal year 2018, $12.1 billion was appropriated to the Coast Guard, a $1.7 billion increase from fiscal year 2017. President Trump and his Administration remain committed to prioritizing policies that strengthen and ready our military.

The following individuals are expected to attend:

The White House
President Donald J. Trump
General John Kelly, Chief of Staff
Derek Lyons, White House Staff Secretary
Shahira Knight, Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs
Doug Fears, Deputy Assistant to the President and Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Advisor
Paul Miller, Deputy Senior Director for Legislative Affairs, National Security Council

Trump Administration
Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, Department of Homeland Security
Chad Wolf, Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security

Members of Congress
Sen. Roger Wicker, MS
Rep. Frank LoBiondo, NJ
Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, MO
Rep. Brian Mast, FL
Rep. Mike Rogers, AL
Rep. Bill Shuster, PA
Rep. Jason Smith, MO
Rep. Don Young, AK
Rep. Peter DeFazio, OR

United States Coast Guard
Admiral Karl Schultz, Commandant of the Coast Guard
Master Chief Jason Vanderhaden, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard
CDR Michael R. Sinclair, Legal, USCG
CDR Jessica Styron, Congressional Affairs, USCG
Mr. Nicholas Resendes, Legislative Counsel, USCG
LCDR Luke Petersen, Congressional Affairs, USCG
Scott Austin, Military Fellow, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs
Justin Smith, Aide to Commandant

POTUS Meets with Foreign Automakers

December 4, 2018
The White House

Automakers Meeting

The President had a brief meeting at the White House with German Automakers including - Herbert Diess, Volkswagen, Dieter Zetsche, Daimler and Oliver Zipse, BMW. 
 
“President Trump met with three German automakers today at the White House. The President shared his vision of all automakers producing in the United States and creating a more friendly business environment. Members of the President’s Cabinet and economic team also met individually with each of the three companies.”
 
A list of the participants is below:

Daimler
Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars
Markus Schäfer, Member of the Divisional Board of Mercedes-Benz Cars
Eckart von Klaeden, Vice President, External Affairs
 
Volkswagen
Dr. Herbert Diess, CEO
Dr. Thomas Steg, General Representative, Head of Public Affairs
Peik von Bestenbostel, Head of Communication
 
BMW
Dr. Nicholas Peter, CFO, Board of Management
Dr. Thomas Becker, VP, Global Head of Government Affairs
Bryan Jacobs, VP, Government and External Affairs


From pool
Lindsay Walters 
The National Journal

‘.

Bush Family Arrive at Blair House

December 4, 2018
The Blair House

Photo credits The GoldFish Report

Photo credits The GoldFish Report

Under very high security, the Bush family envoy arrived at The Blair House in Washington, D.C. yesterday. Larger than the White House inside, the Blair house is one of four buildings combined to serve as the President’s private guest house for foreign dignitaries and other guests. President Trump is expected to visit the Bush family later today. The President tweeted today that the former First Lady will come to the White House to be given a tour of the Christmas decorations by Melania. 

Story by Louisa @ The GoldFish Report



More from NEC Director Larry Kudlow

December 4, 2018
The White House

NEC Chairman Larry Kudlow, who was on the White House grounds on his way to attending a Dow Jones CEO Meeting, offered additional comments to the press regarding the recent G20 meetings  with President Trump and President Xi Jinping. “ I say this with respect and optimism” , with respect to President Xi’s willingness to to act of this agreement, “that President Xi said Yes without hesitation, and that’s the first yes I’ve heard in a while.”

Chairman Kudlow added, “ and another point, “ President Trump asked President Xi if the Chinese would reconsider the Qualcomm deal if it comes up again and President Xi said if it comes up again he said yes and he said it without hesitation”. But Kudlow added that, “two items like that doesn’t make a large trade deal but i just want to tell you that its the first Yes’s i’ve heard, and I think it does reflect the relationship between the two presidents and it does reflect the more positive nature of these talks. I think its a great omen.”

In response to a question about his meeting with Steven Schwartzman and why the President would want him to attend Kudlow responded, “ we may talk about a lot of subjects that may impact China and one of the topics is Artificial Intelligence, AI is going to be on the list, its a very big deal, how fast China is growing and how fast the U.S. is growing”.

Chairman Kudlow referred to himself as a Schumpeterian when it comes to economics. Offering an early morning history lesson on economics, Kudlow referred to the  philosophy of Austrian Economist Joseph Schempeter’s classic book “Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy” who describes that “ The Gales of Creative Destruction” described entreprenurship as the best model for economics,  that things change, the new replace the old, and innovation is critical”. Kudlow also mentioned that he suggested using the Schumpeter model at the 5G, AI Conference. Kudlow stated that the Schumpeter Entrepreneurial Business Model, has a very positive effect in his opinion. “That’s why we have the best technological innovation and best technological apparatus in the world”.

Chairman Kudlow acknowledged his meeting today with European auto makers but declined to comment about it. When asked how he expects talks will progress with China he responded, “ I don’t think they (Trump and Xi) will meet again (within the 90 days) but said its possible”, but added, “ I think phone calls will probably be more important. I can’t say specifically but I think the two teams will be meeting, we have much work to do, but we don’ know when”.

Lastly, Kudlow added, “ Bob Lighthiser is the best guy in the business for this. We have to make sure that there is enforcement on any so called agreement, that is so imprtant. I don’t want to throw a damper into this, but China has discussed these things with the U.S. throughout the years and the results have not been very good. So this time around I am hopeful, we are covering more groundwork than ever, they are more cooperative than ever, I am sure the team will be meeting”.

Story by Louisa @ The GoldFish Report