White House News
The Daily Signal provides coverage of the White House agenda, press briefings, and policy decisions affecting the country at large.
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- News
Trump White House Recognizes 100 Years of Victims of Communism
The White House issued a statement Tuesday commemorating the National Day for the Victims of Communism, on the 100th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution that led to decades of a murderous totalitarian regime in the Soviet Union. The statement came the same day that President Donald Trump visited South Korea, which is facing a nuclear…Fred Lucas -
- News
White House Chief of Staff Speaks Out Against Civil War Monuments Removal
White House chief of staff John Kelly condemned the removal of Civil War monuments as “dangerous” and referred to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee as an “honorable man” on the Monday night debut of “The Ingraham Angle.” Chief of Staff John Kelly praises Robert E Lee as "honorable man," says "lack of an ability to…Jack Crowe -
- News
White House Dismissive of 2 Indictments, Guilty Plea in Russia Probe
Even though Paul Manafort was indicted Monday on charges that weren’t connected to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, some legal experts think prosecutors are pursuing leverage for more information. Further, the guilty plea by a low-level campaign adviser could be a more direct link. “If I were [Manafort’s] lawyer, I would advise him to plead guilty…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
Why Trump’s Executive Order on Health Care Is a Positive Step
President Donald Trump signed a new executive order on Thursday that moves health care a step in the right direction. The executive order instructs the secretaries of treasury, labor, and health and human services to propose regulatory changes that would increase choice and competition in health insurance. This is the right course of action. In…Marie Fishpaw -
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White House Rebuts Attacks by Democrats, New York Times on Catholic Court Nominee
The White House, saying Congress should support religious freedom, came to the defense of a judicial nominee who has been attacked by Democrat senators and The New York Times because of her Catholic faith. “We certainly support religious freedom and would ask that Congress also support that as well,” @PressSec says. The Daily Signal asked…Fred Lucas -
- News
White House: No to Permanent Jones Act Exemption for Puerto Rico
Despite granting three waivers from a 1920 shipbuilding law to hurricane-ravaged areas, President Donald Trump isn’t considering a permanent repeal of what’s known as the Jones Act, the White House says. Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Mike Lee of Utah have proposed a permanent exemption for Puerto Rico from the law, formally known…Fred Lucas -
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As GOP Senators, Governors Pitch Plan to Save Obamacare, White House ‘Can’t Imagine’ Backing Bailout
The White House says it “can’t imagine” supporting an Obamacare bailout, even as some Republican senators and governors are urging boosting federal subsidies to insurance companies to stabilize the endangered Obamacare exchanges. “I can’t imagine that would be something we would want to be involved in,” @PressSec says. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions…Fred Lucas -
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As Surplus Military Equipment Is Used in Houston, White House Changes Policy Enacted After Ferguson
Flat bottom boats were part of the Texas rescue efforts after the weekend flooding, after Hurricane Harvey, noted Ron Hosko, president of the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund. The same is true of rescue helicopters formerly used by the military and high axle vehicles that can drive through water, Hosko added. All are examples of…Fred Lucas -
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Steve Bannon Out at White House
Steve Bannon, White House chief political strategist and adviser to President Donald Trump, was fired from his post Friday afternoon, according to the Drudge Report. The political strategist reportedly submitted his resignation to the president on Aug. 7, The New York Times reports. While it was scheduled for Monday, Bannon’s resignation was delayed in the aftermath…Robert Donachie -
- Opinion
New White House Chief of Staff Is Up to the Task
Retired Marine Gen. John Kelly is now the new White House chief of staff. Known as the gatekeeper to the president, the chief of staff is a powerful but often thankless job. If the president does not have a good chief of staff, the entire administration’s agenda is at risk, as is the ultimate well-being…Steven Bucci -
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White House Drug Commission Implores Trump to Declare a State of Emergency
The White House commission created to tackle America’s opioid addiction crisis is imploring President Donald Trump to immediately declare a national state of emergency. The commission, headed by Republican Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, delivered its interim recommendations Monday on what the Trump administration can do to tackle the worsening epidemic. The report provides a litany…Steve Birr -
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Anthony Scaramucci Out as White House Communications Director
Just 11 days after President Donald Trump appointed him, White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci is out of that job, the latest in a string of pell-mell staff shake-ups. “Mr. Scaramucci felt it was best to give chief of staff John Kelly a clean slate,” @PressSec says. Early indications Monday afternoon were that retired Marine…Fred Lucas -
- News
Scaramucci and Sanders New Voices for Trump’s White House After Shake-Up
President Donald Trump has two chief spokespersons with political and campaign experience, after a long-anticipated shake-up that saw the resignation of White House press secretary Sean Spicer. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has been conducting the bulk of White House briefings for months, and will likely have a seamless transition into her job as new White House…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
White House Procurement Priorities for Renegotiating NAFTA Do Not Advance Free Trade
On Tuesday, the Trump Administration released its list of objectives for renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement. In the section on government procurement, the 20-page document included priorities such as “increasing opportunities for U.S. firms to sell U.S. products and services in to the NAFTA countries,” “keep in place domestic preferential purchasing programs,”…Tori K. Smith -
- Opinion
Congress Bucks White House Budget Proposal, Shows Commitment to Rebuilding the Military
Congress has rejected President Donald Trump’s defense budget proposal. Both the Senate and the House armed services committees have authorized more resources for the Department of Defense than what the Trump administration asked for. These are great developments that show Congress is taking seriously the problems that plague our armed forces. Both committees got within…Frederico Bartels -
- News
Trumps Spend $5 Million Less Than Obamas on White House Salaries
An analysis of White House salary data reveals that President Donald Trump’s administration is spending $5 million less of taxpayer money on his staff than his predecessor. Trump employs 377 people at the White House, with a total of $35.8 million, while former President Barack Obama paid $40.9 million for 476 employees in 2015, according to data analyzed by Open the…Thomas Phippen -
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White House Pushes Trump Priorities Before Congressional Recess
As some Republicans in Congress are calling on leadership to allow the legislative branch to work through the August recess, the White House touted President Donald Trump’s priorities that Congress should move on. “We’ll go as quick as Congress wants,” @PressSec says. White House press secretary Sean Spicer deferred to congressional leadership on scheduling, in…Fred Lucas -
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Kellyanne Conway Reveals the ‘Biggest Misconception’ About the Trump White House
White House counselor Kellyanne Conway was ready to bust some myths about the Trump White House in remarks Friday at the Road to Majority Conference. “What is [President Donald Trump] like in private?” asked Ralph Reed, founder and chairman of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, addressing Conway. “Does he listen to advice?” he added. “The…Christine Roe -
- News
Spicer Outlasts Stephanopoulos in White House Press Room
Critics said he was out of his element in conducting White House press briefings, but he steadily continued for nearly five months into the new presidential administration, frequently having a rocky ride and clashes with the press. Finally, the president ordered a shakeup, and moved him to another job. “He just got clobbered,” @georgecondon says….Fred Lucas -
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US Intelligence Leaks Are Threatening National Security. Here’s What the White House Can Do.
Classified information leaks to the media have often been framed as clash between the so-called “deep state” and President Donald Trump. However, Britain’s threat to stop intelligence sharing information with the United States demonstrates the larger problem. “The president has made it very clear going back months that leaks threaten national security,” @PressSec says. The…Fred Lucas