| | | | Space Force 2020! and other big headlines this week | | This week, White House news revolved around the three S's: sanctions, space and special (special election and special counsel investigation). The Trump administration reimposed US sanctions on Iran, which went back into effect Tuesday. A day later, the State Department announced that the US will impose sanctions on Russia under a chemical and biological warfare law after the poisoning of a former Russian agent and his daughter in the United Kingdom earlier this year.
Then came #spaceforce. As CNN's Ryan Browne reported, "Vice President Mike Pence called Thursday for the establishment of a Space Force by 2020, while also announcing immediate steps the Department of Defense would take to reform how the military approaches space." BTW, Trump's re-election team is already planning on selling "Space Force" merch.
And although Republicans should be worrying about the House (read more of CNN's analysis from Tuesday's special election here), the President seemed to be in good spirits about the results: 'RED WAVE!" he tweeted Wednesday.
Meanwhile, per Rudy Giuliani, one of Trump's lawyers, the President's legal team has responded to the special counsel. It's the latest effort in negotiations over a possible interview. Now we just wait and see what's to come in special counsel Robert Mueller's probe.
Below, 14 big headlines -- rounded up by The Point's Brenna Williams -- from this week at the White House.
--Saba
Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: | | "One giant leap in the right direction. #SpaceForce."
-Retired astronaut Buzz Aldrin in a tweet endorsing a the Trump administration's proposed Space Force | | | President Donald Trump, who is on a "working vacation" in New Jersey, took to Twitter on Thursday to rail against NFL players who protested at Thursday night's preseason games.
From CNN's Betsy Klein: "On Thursday, as the preseason games officially kicked off, several players took a knee, raised a fist, or did not take to the field while the National Anthem was played before a dozen preseason games across the country."
Trump tweeted: "The NFL players are at it again - taking a knee when they should be standing proudly for the National Anthem. Numerous players, from different teams, wanted to show their 'outrage' at something that most of them are unable to define. They make a fortune doing what they love."
Read more in CNN's story here. | | | Happy Friday! Get your weekend started with Spotify's "Songs to Sing in the Shower" playlist. | | | Today's topic, tackled by Brenna: The White House doesn't like Omarosa's book, and it isn't even out yet. That makes it even more intriguing. | | Michael Avenatti isn't shying away from showcasing his political ambition.
The cable television staple and combative lawyer who represents adult film star Stormy Daniels is speaking tonight at an Iowa Democratic fundraising dinner, a frequent stop for potential presidential candidates, CNN's Dan Merica reports. Yes, you read that correctly: IOWA. Avenatti has previously suggested he was considering a 2020 bid.
Wednesday, Avenatti said: "I'm here to listen to the great people of Iowa, explore the fair and see whether it makes sense to run for the presidency or not. I'm serious about considering it. I haven't made a decision as to what I'm going to do. I'll make a decision in the coming weeks. Maybe a bit longer than that."
Read more in CNN's full story here. | | 'UNITE THE RIGHT' RALLY HEADED TO DC | | White nationalists and other right-wing groups will gather along the lawns and brick paths of Lafayette Square in the shadow of the White House on Sunday for a controversial "white civil rights rally," CNN reported.
The rally takes place one year after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, which left a counterprotester dead. The city of Charlottesville announced earlier this week it is declaring a state of emergency. This year, the organizer expects a maximum of 400 attendees, according to the permit application.
Read more in CNN's story about the rally here. | | 'NOTORIOUS' RBG MARKS 25 YEARS ON THE BENCH | | Brenna writes: "She's 'notorious.' She's fit. And on Friday she celebrated a milestone work anniversary. Ruth Bader Ginsburg marked 25 years as a Supreme Court justice -- that's a quarter-century on the nation's top court." Here are some things to know about RBG. - Ginsburg was born in Brooklyn during the Great Depression.
- Before teaching Ivy Leaguers at Columbia law -- the first woman hired at the law school with tenure -- she was a student at Cornell and Harvard.
- She is a two-time cancer survivor.
- Ginsburg, now one of the court's most reliable liberal voices, was recommended as a nominee by Republican stalwart Sen. Orrin Hatch.
- During her confirmation hearing, she declined to answer some questions that she thought might indicate how she would rule in future cases, now referred to as the Ginsburg Rule.
- She was confirmed 96-3 by the Senate a week prior to her swearing-in.
- Upon being sworn in, Ginsburg became the court's second female justice, its first Jewish member since 1969 and the first nominee by a Democratic president in more than two decades.
- Ginsburg, 85, recently said she hopes to stay on the Supreme Court for another five years.
For more on RBG, check out Brenna's full #tbt; and this story by CNN's Joan Biskupic. | | MAKING MARINE CORPS HISTORY | | Some historic news on this Friday: For the first time in Marine Corps history, a woman is in charge of an infantry platoon. CNN's AJ Willingham writes:
"First Lt. Marina Hierl is making Marine history... again. Last year, Lt. Hierl became the first woman to pass the Marine Corps Infantry Officer Course, a physically and mentally demanding 13-week program in Quantico, Virginia.
"Now, Hierl is the first and only woman to lead an infantry platoon in the Marines. Hierl, 24, leads about 35 men in the Third Platoon of the 4th Marines' Echo Company, Second Battalion. They are currently in Northern Australia, where they are in the middle of several months of training."
Read more in CNN's story here. | | | From Brenna: "Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell visited a Kentucky business during his short break from DC. But also it looked like he was told a story about a very cool roller coaster. Tell your friends to follow along with political ups and downs by subscribing to The Point." | | We'd love to share our other newsletters with you. Follow this link for daily coverage of the world's top stories, savvy market insights, an insider's look into the media and more. Our authors for The Point are Chris Cillizza and Saba Hamedy. Send your tips and thoughts via email to Chris or Saba. Follow on Twitter: Chris and Saba.
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