Hundreds of people of color are handed "assignment restrictions" due to concerns over split loyalties or being susceptible to foreign influence.One former diplomat subject to restrictions was Rep. Andy Kim, who said he was "banned from working on anything related to the Korean Peninsula" while serving at the State Department.As the United States recoils over the murders of six Asian American women in Atlanta and a wave of violence against wider Asian American communities, there’s another reckoning gathering momentum in Washington, in the cloistered diplomatic circles of Foggy Bottom.Asian...…Hundreds of people of color are handed "assignment restrictions" due to concerns over split loyalties or being susceptible to foreign influence.One former diplomat subject to restrictions was Rep. Andy Kim, who said he was "banned from working on anything related to the Korean Peninsula" while serving at the State Department.As the United States recoils over the murders of six Asian American women in Atlanta and a wave of violence against wider Asian American communities, there’s another reckoning gathering momentum in Washington, in the cloistered diplomatic circles of Foggy Bottom.Asian...WW…

The Trump administration is using its last weeks in office to carry out a slew of changes at the Pentagon. The new president can cancel all of them on Day One.President Donald Trump participates in a full honors welcome ceremony for former Defense Secretary Mark Esper on July 25, 2019 in Arlington, Virginia. | Mark Wilson/Getty ImagesTroop drawdowns. Advisory board firings. Navy budget overhauls.The Trump administration is using its last weeks in office to carry out a slew of changes at the Pentagon. But they all have one thing in common: The new president can cancel them on Day One.Under...…The Trump administration is using its last weeks in office to carry out a slew of changes at the Pentagon. The new president can cancel all of them on Day One.President Donald Trump participates in a full honors welcome ceremony for former Defense Secretary Mark Esper on July 25, 2019 in Arlington, Virginia. | Mark Wilson/Getty ImagesTroop drawdowns. Advisory board firings. Navy budget overhauls.The Trump administration is using its last weeks in office to carry out a slew of changes at the Pentagon. But they all have one thing in common: The new president can cancel them on Day One.Under...WW…

Republicans and Democrats are unwilling to bend to Trump's demand to repeal legal protections for social media companies.House Armed Services Chair Adam Smith speaks during a July 9 committee hearing. | Michael Reynolds-Pool/Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump is on a collision course with congressional Republicans and Democrats over the annual defense policy bill, setting up what will likely be the first and only veto override of Trump’s presidency.Trump, who has said he will veto the defense bill because it does not contain a repeal of legal protections for social media companies, has...…Republicans and Democrats are unwilling to bend to Trump's demand to repeal legal protections for social media companies.House Armed Services Chair Adam Smith speaks during a July 9 committee hearing. | Michael Reynolds-Pool/Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump is on a collision course with congressional Republicans and Democrats over the annual defense policy bill, setting up what will likely be the first and only veto override of Trump’s presidency.Trump, who has said he will veto the defense bill because it does not contain a repeal of legal protections for social media companies, has...WW…

Chris Krebs is in the White House's crosshairs in part because of a website he created to debunk election-related misinformation.Chris Krebs, the director of DHS' Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, speaks during a news conference on election cybersecurity. | Evan Vucci/AP PhotoThe U.S. government’s top cybersecurity official has told people that he expects the White House to fire him, three people familiar with the situation told POLITICO, as the Trump administration continues a purge of officials deemed disloyal to the president.Chris Krebs, the director of the Department of...…Chris Krebs is in the White House's crosshairs in part because of a website he created to debunk election-related misinformation.Chris Krebs, the director of DHS' Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, speaks during a news conference on election cybersecurity. | Evan Vucci/AP PhotoThe U.S. government’s top cybersecurity official has told people that he expects the White House to fire him, three people familiar with the situation told POLITICO, as the Trump administration continues a purge of officials deemed disloyal to the president.Chris Krebs, the director of the Department of...WW…

In Duluth, Minn., the recklessness of the president’s campaign fell plainly into view.President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Duluth International Airport on Sept. 30, 2020, in Duluth, Minn. | AP Photo/Alex BrandonIn retrospect, it was an ominous scene — the vapor in Donald Trump’s breath visibly condensing as he spoke at the rally in Duluth, Minn., a wisp of exhalant hanging in the frigid air.In a region where coronavirus cases are surging, a mask-less Trump stood before several thousand supporters on Wednesday, most of them mask-free themselves, pumping his fists and tossing...…In Duluth, Minn., the recklessness of the president’s campaign fell plainly into view.President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Duluth International Airport on Sept. 30, 2020, in Duluth, Minn. | AP Photo/Alex BrandonIn retrospect, it was an ominous scene — the vapor in Donald Trump’s breath visibly condensing as he spoke at the rally in Duluth, Minn., a wisp of exhalant hanging in the frigid air.In a region where coronavirus cases are surging, a mask-less Trump stood before several thousand supporters on Wednesday, most of them mask-free themselves, pumping his fists and tossing...WW…

Unlike in 2016, he lacks a clear message or line of attack against his opponent. What remained was bullying, interruptions and ad hominem provocations.President Donald Trump is finding it difficult to construct a message to frame his campaign around. | Olivier Douliery/Pool vi APYes, that debate was everything everyone has already said it was: “a disgrace,” (Jake Tapper), “a s---show” (Dana Bash), “a train wreck” (Ari Fleischer), “The clusterf--- in Cleveland” (a POLITICO colleague).But why? Why did Trump, and facing his last chance to turn things around, come into the first debate against...…Unlike in 2016, he lacks a clear message or line of attack against his opponent. What remained was bullying, interruptions and ad hominem provocations.President Donald Trump is finding it difficult to construct a message to frame his campaign around. | Olivier Douliery/Pool vi APYes, that debate was everything everyone has already said it was: “a disgrace,” (Jake Tapper), “a s---show” (Dana Bash), “a train wreck” (Ari Fleischer), “The clusterf--- in Cleveland” (a POLITICO colleague).But why? Why did Trump, and facing his last chance to turn things around, come into the first debate against...WW…

Warren on Monday condemned the decision to install Tata in the Pentagon without Senate consent.Sen. Elizabeth Warren arrives at the U.S. Capitol. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesDemocratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren sharply criticized Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Monday after the administration installed an embattled nominee in a senior Pentagon post amid opposition on Capitol Hill, accusing the Pentagon chief of doing President Donald Trump’s “dirty work.”Retired Army Brig. Gen. Anthony Tata’s nomination to be undersecretary of defense for policy was upended on Thursday when the Senate Armed...…Warren on Monday condemned the decision to install Tata in the Pentagon without Senate consent.Sen. Elizabeth Warren arrives at the U.S. Capitol. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesDemocratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren sharply criticized Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Monday after the administration installed an embattled nominee in a senior Pentagon post amid opposition on Capitol Hill, accusing the Pentagon chief of doing President Donald Trump’s “dirty work.”Retired Army Brig. Gen. Anthony Tata’s nomination to be undersecretary of defense for policy was upended on Thursday when the Senate Armed...WW…

POLITICO spoke to 10 National Guardsmen who have taken part in the protest response across the country since the killing of George Floyd while in police custody.Members of the South Carolina National Guard arrive and walk through demonstrators protesting the death of George Floyd near the White House in Washington. | Alex Brandon/AP PhotoPvt. Si’Kenya Lynch, a member of the D.C. National Guard, was on duty at Lafayette Square near the White House last Monday when U.S. Park Police cleared the area of protesters ahead of President Donald Trump’s now-infamous photo op.Lynch said she supports...…POLITICO spoke to 10 National Guardsmen who have taken part in the protest response across the country since the killing of George Floyd while in police custody.Members of the South Carolina National Guard arrive and walk through demonstrators protesting the death of George Floyd near the White House in Washington. | Alex Brandon/AP PhotoPvt. Si’Kenya Lynch, a member of the D.C. National Guard, was on duty at Lafayette Square near the White House last Monday when U.S. Park Police cleared the area of protesters ahead of President Donald Trump’s now-infamous photo op.Lynch said she supports...WW…

The former Defense secretary blasts military leaders.Former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. | Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP PhotoFormer Defense Secretary Jim Mattis broke his silence on the conduct of President Donald Trump on Wednesday, blasting him and top military leaders and saying he is “angry and appalled” with the events of the past week.“Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people — does not even pretend to try. Instead he tries to divide us. We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort. We are...…The former Defense secretary blasts military leaders.Former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. | Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP PhotoFormer Defense Secretary Jim Mattis broke his silence on the conduct of President Donald Trump on Wednesday, blasting him and top military leaders and saying he is “angry and appalled” with the events of the past week.“Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people — does not even pretend to try. Instead he tries to divide us. We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort. We are...WW…

“He’s doing a good job,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham. “There’s no reason to let him go."Defense Secretary Mark Esper. | Alex Brandon/AP PhotoSenate Republicans have a clear message for President Donald Trump: Do not fire Defense Secretary Mark Esper.GOP senators reaffirmed their support for Esper on Wednesday, hours after he broke with the president on sending in active-duty troops to quell unrest nationwide, after the killing of George Floyd by a Minnesota police officer.“He’s doing a good job,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who spoke to the president recently and doesn’t think Esper’s...…“He’s doing a good job,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham. “There’s no reason to let him go."Defense Secretary Mark Esper. | Alex Brandon/AP PhotoSenate Republicans have a clear message for President Donald Trump: Do not fire Defense Secretary Mark Esper.GOP senators reaffirmed their support for Esper on Wednesday, hours after he broke with the president on sending in active-duty troops to quell unrest nationwide, after the killing of George Floyd by a Minnesota police officer.“He’s doing a good job,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who spoke to the president recently and doesn’t think Esper’s...WW…