Emily Goodin, Joe Theismann, Rep. Pete Hoekstra, John Roberts and guest host Tom Fitton joined WMAL on Friday!
Mornings on the Mall
Friday, February 3, 2017
Hosts: Brian Wilson and Tom Fitton
Executive Producer: Heather Hunter
5am – A/B Under Trump, astronauts might chart a new path to a familiar place: The moon. A return to the moon is gaining traction. A trip to an asteroid looks iffy. And Mars is still the ultimate destination. The space program did not get much attention in last year’s presidential race. But President Trump’s promise to “Make America Great Again” will likely include a refocus on — if not a return to — to the moon, which astronauts last visited in 1972. Expect also more partnering with private firms on space activities and missions and a reduction in NASA’s role monitoring Earth’s rising temperatures and sea levels.
5am – C 87-Year-Old Buzz Aldrin Slays The Runway At New York Fashion Week
Some might say his look was out of this world. Buzz Aldrin took to the catwalk Tuesday in a New York Fashion Week debut he said was “as easy as walking on the moon.” The 87-year-old astronaut ― who in 1969 became the second person to walk on the moon ― sported a metallic bomber jacket in designer Nick Graham’s show, aptly titled “Life on Mars.” Aldrin couldn’t have looked cuter in his pants, sneakers and self-designed “Get your ass to Mars” shirt. Only the show’s finale tripped him up: “I wasn’t sure what side (of the runway) to get on,” he told the Los Angeles Times, adding, “I’m always calculating time and distance.”
5am – D TRUMP’S FOREIGN POLICY
President Trump refusing to lift sanctions on Russia and imposing new ones on Iran
WH to impose additional sanctions on Iranian entities in response to Iran’s ballistic missile test, sources say.
Donald Trump supports a two-state solution and is warning #Israel to cease settlement announcements.
Referencing reports on combative Australia call, Trump says the US has been “taken advantage of” and that it must be “tough” with allies.
Sen. McCain Intervenes in Trump Australia Dispute, Calls Ambassador to Send ‘Support’
Tillerson Calms Foreign Allies’ Nerves on First Day as Trump’s Top Diplomat. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spent his first day on the job reassuring rattled allies and his new employees that U.S. foreign policy is in steady hands.He then spent his first night watching as President Donald Trump’s White House kept the world on its toes. By nightfall Thursday, news emerged of an imminent round of tougher sanctions on Iran, an unexpected statement cautioning Israel and a hasty effort to mend ties with Australia.
5am – E Miami-Dade mayor orders jails to comply with Trump crackdown on ‘sanctuary’ counties. Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez ordered the county jail to comply with federal immigration detention requests, effectively undoing the county’s position as a “sanctuary.” Fearing a loss of millions of dollars for defying immigration authorities, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez on Thursday ordered county jails to comply with federal immigration detention requests — effectively gutting the county’s position as a “sanctuary” for immigrants in the country illegally. Gimenez cited an executive order signed Wednesday by President Donald Trump that threatened to cut federal grants for any counties or cities that don’t cooperate fully with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Since 2013, Miami-Dade has refused to indefinitely detain inmates who are in the country illegally and wanted by ICE — not based on principle, but because the federal government doesn’t fully reimburse the county for the expense. “In light of the provisions of the Executive Order, I direct you and your staff to honor all immigration detainer requests received from the Department of Homeland Security,” Gimenez wrote Daniel Junior, the interim director of the corrections and rehabilitation department, in a brief, three-paragraph memo.
6am – A/B/C Donald Trump Pledges to ‘Destroy’ Johnson Amendment Blocking Political Activity by Churches. (ABC News) — President Donald Trump today pledged to “destroy” the six-decade-old Johnson Amendment, which bars churches from engaging in political activities. “It was the great Thomas Jefferson who said, ‘The God who gave us life gave us liberty.’ Jefferson asked, ‘Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?’ Among those freedoms is the right to worship according to our own beliefs,” Trump said at the National Prayer Breakfast this morning. Trump added, “That is why I will get rid of and totally destroy the Johnson Amendment and allow our representatives of faith to speak freely and without fear of retribution.” He said freedom of religion is “a sacred right” and is “under threat all around us.” “I’ve never seen it so much and so openly as since I took the position of president,” he added. The Johnson Amendment, enacted in 1954, prohibits tax-exempt organizations from engaging in political campaign activities at the risk of losing that exemption. A draft executive order on “religious freedom,” obtained Wednesday by ABC News, contains provisions that would curtail the law, although the White House said it has no plans to act on such an executive order today.
6am – D Q & A with TOM FITTON – President of Judicial Watch – discuss the latest events in Congress and the Supreme Court.
6am – E Trump vs the Obama Holdovers:
Lawsuit demands EPA say if employees using encrypted messages to evade open-records laws. (Washington Times) — A conservative watchdog group filed an open-records request with the EPA on Thursday demanding the agency explain whether its employees are using encrypted messaging apps to communicate about President Trump’s environmental agenda outside of regular government channels.
6am – F Lady Gaga Says Her Super Bowl Halftime Show Will be About ‘Inclusion’ and ‘Equality.’ It’s been reported that Lady Gaga has been asked not to get political or talk about President Donald Trump during her Super Bowl halftime show, but that’s not going to stop her from trying to send her message. This morning at a press conference, she was asked, “I know you spoke about kind of taking this moment to unify America a little bit. Are you going to do that at all? Are you going to make any kind of statements during the performance?” She answered, “Well, I don’t know if I will succeed in unifying America. You’ll have to ask America when it’s over. But the only statements that I’ll be making during the halftime show are the ones that I’ve been consistently making throughout my career.”
7am – A Interview – EMILY GOODIN – Managing Editor, RealClearPolitics – discussed the latest on Trump’s confirmations and thoughts on Trump’s second week as president:
On nominations DeVos faces procedural vote Friday. But McConnell sets up queue on next nominations in this order: Sessions, Price, Mnuchin
McConnell says Senate will meet at 6:30 am et Friday. 2 votes. 2nd vote (closer to 7 am et) is procedural vote on DeVos nomination. DeVos needs 51 yeas on early Friday am vote to break filibuster. She could face trouble w/confirmation as 2 GOP senators oppose her.
Gorsuch to meet with top Judiciary Cmte Dem Feinstein Monday. Most likely his biggest mtg yet.
7am – B Latest on Trump’s Handling of Australia and Russia:
Spicer on Australia Call: Trump’s ‘Extremely Upset’ With Refugee Deal and ‘How Poorly it Was Crafted.’ During today’s White House press briefing, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer was asked about the call President Donald Trump had with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and the president’s subsequent tweet about the “dumb deal” made with the country regarding refugees. Spicer described the call as a “cordial conversation” before shifting to comment about Trump’s disappointment with the agreement between the two countries. “The president is unbelievably disappointed in the previous administration’s deal that was made and how poorly it was crafted and the threat to national security it put the United States on,” the press sec remarked. In case it wasn’t clear how much Trump dislikes the deal, Spicer continued to hammer the point home.
Sen. McCain Intervenes in Trump Australia Dispute, Calls Ambassador to Send ‘Support.’ On Thursday morning, Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, inserted himself into the dispute between President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull over refugees from Australia with a phone call to Australia’s ambassador, Joe Hockey.
President Trump refusing to lift sanctions on Russia and imposing new ones on Iran. WASHINGTON — President Trump, after promising a radical break with the foreign policy of Barack Obama, is embracing some key pillars of the former administration’s strategy, including warning Israel to curb settlement construction, demanding that Russia withdraw from Crimea and threatening Iran with sanctions for ballistic missile tests. In the most startling shift, the White House issued an unexpected statement appealing to the Israeli government not to expand the construction of Jewish settlements beyond their current borders in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Such expansion, it said, “may not be helpful in achieving” the goal of peace. At the United Nations, Ambassador Nikki R. Haley declared that the United States would not lift sanctions against Russia until it stopped destabilizing Ukraine and pulled troops out of Crimea.
7am – C McDonald’s bringing Chocolate Shamrock Shake to its menu. (Fox 5 DC) — Saint Patrick’s Day is drawing near, which means it will soon be McDonald’s Shamrock Shake season. This year, though, you can get a chocolate Shamrock Shake. Until now, you had to ask a McDonald’s staffer to add chocolate to the classic green dessert. But now, it will be a regular menu item during Saint Patrick’s season. McCafe’s Shamrock Chocolate Shake is the original Shamrock Shake mixed with chocolate syrup. It’s topped off with minty sprinkles, whipped topping and a cherry.
7am – D/E Interview – JOE THEISMANN – Legendary former Washington Redskins quarterback – previewed the Super Bowl, defended Tom Brady, Peyton Manning on politics and shared his thoughts on Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins.
8am – A Interview – REP. PETE HOEKSTRA – (HOOK STRA) – former House Intel Chair – discussed Trump’s foreign policy.
President Trump refusing to lift sanctions on Russia and imposing new ones on Iran
WH to impose additional sanctions on Iranian entities in response to Iran’s ballistic missile test, sources say.
Donald Trump supports a two-state solution and is warning #Israel to cease settlement announcements.
Referencing reports on combative Australia call, Trump says the US has been “taken advantage of” and that it must be “tough” with allies.
Sen. McCain Intervenes in Trump Australia Dispute, Calls Ambassador to Send ‘Support’
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spent his first day on the job reassuring rattled allies and his new employees that U.S. foreign policy is in steady hands.
8am – B Driving In DC and VA:
D.C. scraps plan for $1,000 speeding ticket. It’ll only cost you $500. Remember the $1,000 fine the District wanted to impose on drivers who exceed city speed limits by more than 25 miles per hour? The proposal is officially dead. Now it will only cost you $500. That’s one of several revisions to the District Department of Transportation’s plan establishing tougher penalties for traffic infractions to deter dangerous road behaviors– chiefly speeding. The new proposal sets more modest increases to current traffic fines, but in some cases still more than doubling penalties. It also adds new and higher fines for bicyclists and pedestrians. If approved, the new rules could go into effect as early as this spring. Under the revised proposal, going more than 25 mph over the posted limit on city streets could cost you $500, up from the current $300 fine; drivers going 25 mph over the limit on highways would face $400 tickets. Rolling through a right-turn-on-red will cost you $100, compared to the current $50; and the fine for overtaking another vehicle that is stopped at a crosswalk or intersection to give pedestrians the right of way will double to $500.
Virginia could adopt law to fine slow drivers in passing lanes. Motorists sound off on the hazards of inattentive drivers. Lawmakers in Virginia are proposing a bill that would make it illegal to drive too slowly in the left-hand passing lane. It would be punishable by up to a $250 fine. Florida already passed a law like that a few years ago. The fines vary from county to county. In Hillsborough County, it’s $153. The law states unless you’re passing another car or avoiding something in the road way, you have to drive on the right side of the road. If a car is coming up behind you in the left lane, you have to get over for it–even if you’re driving the speed limit.
8am – C Metro News:
Taking Metro to a Super Bowl party? These 6 stations will be closed. Metro will run shuttle buses between Foggy Bottom and Eastern Market, but you should add 45 minutes of extra travel time. Metro station closures to cut off sports bars, fans on Super Bowl weekend. Sports bars and football fans in downtown Washington have a reason to lament the Super Bowl on Sunday. Besides another big game without the home team, Metro is closing six downtown subway stations for track maintenance this weekend. The Orange, Blue and Silver line stations from Eastern Market to Foggy Bottom will be closed Saturday and Sunday as crews install cellphone and radio infrastructure, fix ceiling tiles in tunnels and repair tracks, among other maintenance. Super Bowl Sunday typically is one of the transit agency’s least busy days, with ridership dropping by about 3 percent compared to other Sundays in the past four years.
Deer struck by Metro train causing delays on Blue Line this morning. Trains are no longer sharing a track on the Blue Line. A Metro train struck a deer along the Blue Line, causing delays. Trains are sharing a track between the Franconia and Van Dorn stops.
8am – D Interview – JOHN ROBERTS – Fox News Chief White House Correspondent
Recap Trump’s Week 2 and look ahead to week 3
Feud with Australia and Mexico… Iran sanctions coming Friday – WH to impose additional sanctions on Iranian entities in response to Iran’s ballistic missile test, sources say.
Trump’s slow moving confirmations in the Senate: Sessions, Price, Mnuchin… looming SCOTUS fight coming
Betsy DeVos’ nomination to be education secretary clears Senate hurdle; showdown vote next week. Betsy DeVos has cleared a major hurdle in the Senate to become the next education secretary, despite vigorous opposition from Democrats. Senators voted 52-48 to cut off debate before dawn Friday morning, setting the stage for a final confirmation vote next week.
8am – E Trump News:
Schwarzenegger responds to Trump’s ‘prayer’ dis. NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) – President Donald Trump asked the guests at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington Thursday to “pray” for actor and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger because of poor TV ratings of his show, ‘The Apprentice.’ “They hired a big movie star, Arnold Schwarzengger, to take my place and the ratings went right down the tubes,” said Trump. “It’s been a total disaster. I just want to pray for Arnold and those ratings.” Schwarzenegger now hosts the NBC reality competition that Trump starred in before running for President of the United States.
Aide confirms first lady Melania Trump plans to move to DC this summer. (NEW YORK) — An aide to Melania Trump on Wednesday confirmed that the first lady will move to the White House starting at the beginning of the summer. “Mrs. Trump will be moving to D.C. and settling into the White House at the end of the school year, splitting her time between New York and D.C. in the meantime,” Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, senior adviser to the first lady told ABC News. “Mrs. Trump is honored to serve this country and is taking the role and responsibilities of the first lady very seriously.” The confirmation comes after a rumor sparked by tabloids early Wednesday morning that the first lady and her 10-year-old son Barron Trump were not considering a move to Washington, D.C. from New York City.