Scoop: Trump tried to block Pence national security appointment

[DonViejo]

Source: Axios




Jonathan Swan 1 hour ago

The White House kept it quiet until now, but on Friday the President nearly blocked the Vice President from getting his chosen national security adviser.

Why this matters: It's a highly unusual event, as Trump typically gives Pence a long leash on personnel appointments. This is the first time the President has tried to block Pence from filling a senior staff position. The scene also highlights — once again — the extraordinary importance Trump places on personal loyalty.

Inside the West Wing: Trump was furious when he learned Pence was bringing on Nikki Haley's deputy Jon Lerner, according to three sources familiar with the events. The President believed Lerner was a card-carrying member of the "Never Trump" movement because Lerner crafted brutal attack ads for Club for Growth's multimillion-dollar anti-Trump blitz during the Republican primaries.

"Why would Mike do that?" Trump wondered aloud about Pence's decision, according to two sources briefed on the President's private conversations.

Read more: https://www.axios.com/trump-pence-block-national-security-lerner-haley-1256a68a-718e-42e2-a4d5-e52b7d86b402.html

[displacedtexan]

1. Looks like Pence is covering his bases for a prez run.

Equal parts Trumpers and Never Trumpers would play in all wingnut time zones.

[marble falls]

16. I hope he does his run from a prison cell.

[Whiskeytide]

2. Trump probably needs to start looking...

... over BOTH shoulders. Meuller’s not the only one coming for him.

[marble falls]

17. Mueller AND Elmer Fudd?

[Hekate]

3. President Pence, that's why

[sandensea]

5. Exactement!

Karen pence must dream with White House drapes by now.

[Beartracks]

6. Even if Trump is impeached and resigns, Republicans still...

... control the branches of government, and still pursue the policies and values that produced Trump in the first place.

Republicans en masse need to go.

========

[Bernardo de La Paz]

8. RepubliCons must not be rewarded with Pence; he is part of Putin's team. Purge Pence first or simul.

[Hekate]

11. I know. That's why I am so concerned that we have heard nothing about Pence's connections...

...from anyone.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

12. Unfortunately the DU post on that today overstated it and made an egregious erroneous claim

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10029892213

[sandensea]

4. "Why would Mike do that?"

Why do you think Karen Pence measures the White House drapes in her head every waking moment, you ninny.

[Me.]

7. HaHa

Looks like Pence isn't going to make it to the oval after all

[onecent]

9. Pence isn't going to be the next president........

[paleotn]

10. When is he ever going to learn....

..if you want a friend, much less a loyal friend, in DC, get a dog.

[irisblue]

19. The Pences have a cat, dog & bunny.

From usatoday.com, January 14, 2018.

[herding cats]

13. Trump learned about it while Pence was off to play diplomat at the Summit of the Americas.

Which is where Trump should have been.

Pence is playing his hand and Trump is too stupid to see what's right unde his nose. All you have to do is pat Trumps head and feed his ego and you can walk all over him apparently.

[Scarsdale]

14. Well, Ivanka and Kushner

were at that meeting along with Pence. She is practicing for her transformation into the first female president. Maybe God told Mikey to hire the anti tRump guy? Either God or Mommy!!

[tblue37]

15. The SNL opened has Pence saying he will be president in a couple of months. I hope Trump saw

it. Trump must know things about Pence's involvement in the Russia collusion, even though Pence and his handlers have tried to maintain distance and plausible deniability for him. If he thinks Pence is aiming for POTUS, he will take him down

[xxqqqzme]

18. In his

increasingly paranoid pee brain, he also know Haley is setting the stage for her run for president.