1. The Assange-Trump axis
In two morning tweets, Donald Trump took the side of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on the key question of whether election-related emails published by Assange came from Moscow (which happens to be the CIA’s opinion).
Summary
Julian Assange said "a 14 year old could have hacked Podesta" - why was DNC so careless? Also said Russians did not give him the info!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2017
Summary
Where does the president-elect’s apparent sympathy for an erstwhile public enemy come from? No saying – but Trump pal Sean Hannity has for months given Assange favorable coverage for WikiLeaks’ subversion of Democrats.
2. Republicans gag
House speaker Paul Ryan called Assange “a sycophant for Russia” on a conservative radio show and GOP senator Tom Cotton told MSNBC that he had “a lot more faith in our intelligence officers serving around the world … than I do in people like Julian Assange”.
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4. Obamacare smackdown
Barack Obama visited Capitol Hill to urge Democrats to fight for his healthcare law, as Republicans sharpen their knives to gut it. “It will literally begin on day one,” said vice president-elect Mike Pence, on his own Hill visit.
5. Trump warns GOP on healthcare
“Republicans must be careful in that the Dems own the failed ObamaCare disaster,” Trump tweeted. “Don’t let the Schumer clowns out of this web ... It will fall of its own weight - be careful!”
6. Tillerson in trouble?
Republican senator John McCain was asked whether he will support secretary of state nominee Rex Tillerson, whose ties with Russia are under scrutiny. “Sure,” McCain said. “There’s also a realistic scenario that pigs fly.”
Tillerson nets $180m retirement package
7. Senators meet cabinet nominees
.@GovernorPerry is an outstanding pick to lead the Dept of @ENERGY, and I have no doubt he will work hard to bring jobs back to the US. pic.twitter.com/oahWqVyg54
— Leader McConnell (@SenateMajLdr) January 4, 2017
... And another thing:
Sanders blows up Trump tweet to press him on Medicaid, Social Security cuts https://t.co/4VGNq1C1En pic.twitter.com/zDgapuQTbz
— Talking Points Memo (@TPM) January 4, 2017
... And another thing:
Five new GPK Disgrace to the White House stickers & things get "unpresidented." Gallery >> https://t.co/Af6qqz6qMw #collect @rickklein pic.twitter.com/jpqQTIswZi
— BlowoutBuzz (@BlowoutBuzz) January 4, 2017
