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Imagine if the Warriors and the Cavs all wore the same uniform. The players would not immediately know who was on what team. Well ... that’s likely what White House staffers feel this morning after Donald Trump and his Twitter fingers just, once again, threw his own team under the bus. After Sean Spicer chastised the “fake news” media for calling Trump’s EO a travel ban, saying it’s not, his boss tweeted this morning, “People, the lawyers and the courts can call it whatever they want, but I am calling it what we need and what it is, a TRAVEL BAN!” It’s pandemonium in that White House, people. Cue the fan fight now. Welcome back! Recess is over as Capitol Hill braces for James Comey, who is set to testify on Thursday, and a string of intel officials are set to testify on Wednesday. Meanwhile, despite the disastrous House bill that passed, repealing the ACA does not look promising, as the GOP in the Senate can’t even get on the same page to set a timeline. There is no quiet before this coming storm. Here’s what we’ve got on this cloudy Monday morning:- BFFs Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) and Congressman Trey Gowdy (R-SC) pen a book together.
- The Obama Presidential Center names a Director.
- A challenger for Congressman Rubén Gallego (D-AZ)?
- The Leadership Conference's Vanita Gupta sets her agenda. Want to meet her and ask her a question? RSVP below in FOMO.
- LA chooses a new representative tomorrow.
- CBS names a new VP of News Operations.
- The Obamas dine with Alonzo Mourning on Saturday night.
- While the world lends support, Trump chastises London's Muslim mayor.
- England isn't the only country that faced terrorism last week
- Oscar López Rivera backs out of Puerto Rican Day parade.
- WaPo stands up for displaced Haitians.
- Eric Holder and the California State Assembly press pause.
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Women warriors gathered in Washington on Friday for the Native Action Network's 13th Annual Native Women's Forum. Buried in the back center wearing a crown is Kendall Bautista, Miss Alaska 2016. | |  |
WaPo's Abby Phillip learning to eat crawfish on Saturday. | |
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The Obamas Dine with Alonzo Mourning on Saturday
Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama were spotted enjoying dinner with former Georgetown University and NBA great (and occasional golf buddy) Alonzo Mourning at the hot new French restaurant Mirabelle on Saturday night. The WaPo reports that the couple looked casual -- he was in slacks and a button-down (top two undone; it wasn’t his full vacation plunge) and Michelle wore a chic black jumpsuit. Once again, when the trio stood to leave, diners broke out into applause, which seems to be getting to be a thing. #ThanksObama. More here from the Post.
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GOP Wants to Impose Five-Year Prison Sentence for Undocumented Who Enter Twice
Republicans are going on the offensive with “Kate’s Law,” seeking to fulfill one of Trump’s most high-profile promises while putting Democrats on defense over illegal immigration. During the presidential campaign, Trump highlighted the murder of 32-year-old Kathryn Steinle, who was shot by a Mexican immigrant who had unlawfully re-entered the country after being convicted of a separate crime and deported. Now, Republicans are working on legislation to impose a mandatory five-year minimum prison sentence for immigrants who have twice been charged with illegally re-entering the country or who have prior aggravated felony convictions. More here from The Hill Latino.
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Tim Scott Writing a Book with Trey Gowdy
Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) and Congressman Trey Gowdy (R-SC) are best friends in DC. Now the two are preparing to pen the story of their bond in a book they are writing together. Their working title is “Indivisible,” though Scott told reporters that other names are under consideration, including “Cotton, Courtrooms and Congress.” He said he and Gowdy weren’t aware that “Indivisible” also happens to be the name of an anti-Donald Trump advocacy group.“We’re still in the middle of developing chapters,” he said, adding that they are getting some help from professional writers. Scott said the project began with “Trey wanting me to write an autobiography. I didn’t want to write an autobiography.” The compromise was to write something together. “We’re two very different people -- two different styles, a lot of things that are polar opposites except we happen to have core principles which make the friendship work very well,” he said. More here.
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Omarosa with husband John Allen Newman at NASA on Saturday for the launch of Space X. The WH budget request for NASA includes cuts across most of the space agency’s programs. Hope they enjoyed the show! | |  |
HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson kicked off Homeownership Month at the department on Thursday. | |
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Obama Names Museum Director for Obama Presidential Center
A luminary among the nation's museums devoted to African American history was named the museum director at the future Obama Presidential Center, the foundation planning the center. Louise Bernard, outgoing director of exhibitions at the New York Public Library, will be charged with presenting the narrative of the Obama presidency and sustaining the legacy of the first African American president. Bernard previously was a member of the design team that helped develop the NMAAHC, aka the Blacksonian. She also serves as a key advisor for the International Museum of African American History in Charleston, SC, which is scheduled to break ground at the end of this year. “I look forward in bringing President and Mrs. Obama's remarkable story to the broadest possible audience," the Yale graduate said, "and to highlighting the crucial role of civic engagement in a way that is meaningful to local South Side residents." More here.
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CBS News Names New Leadership
Rick Jefferson has been named Vice President of News Operations at CBS News. Jefferson is an Emmy Award-winning executive who has been Director of Production at CBS News since March 2016. Jefferson has more than three decades of television production experience in broadcast and cable news. In his new position, Jefferson will be responsible for the division’s technical personnel and facilities worldwide, including Hard News, Prime Time and Public Affairs. Jefferson will oversee CBS News’ bureaus and operations for coverage of such events as conventions, elections, and presidential trips. He’ll also be responsible for exploring the latest technologies and lead the design of advanced broadcast technology for CBS News. Previously, Jefferson served as Director of Production for CBS This Morning, the network’s award-winning morning news broadcast, from December 2012 to March 2016. He joined CBS News in 2012 after holding multiple key positions at MSNBC. More here.
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Purpose, Urgency, Vision: Fighting for Civil and Human Rights in These Crucial Times
In her first piece as President and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Vanita Gupta acknowledges the uphill battle that civil rights groups face against this administration. “I come to this role more determined than ever to advance the civil and human rights of all people in our country. In this critical moment, that mission requires a firm purpose, urgency, and an affirmative vision of an America that is inclusive, fair, and just ... We’re working to make America as good as its ideals. I plan to be aggressive.” Read the full piece.
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Congressman Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) supporting National Gun Violence Awareness Day on Friday. | |  |
Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA) posing with his district staff, all wearing orange for National Gun Violence Awareness Day, on Friday. | |
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Potential Challenger for Gallego
Congressman Rubén Gallego (D-AZ) may face a challenger in 2018. Arizona State Sen. Catherine Miranda has been hinting that she may faceoff with the junior congressman. Though Miranda hasn’t yet announced, she’s been dropping some not-so-subtle hints on social media. She posted a profile photo of her wearing a black cap with the letters "DC" written on it and a picture of the Capitol. But in a call with a reporter, Miranda says she happened to be in DC to fight for policies combating climate change and insisted that she’s keeping her options open. More here.
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Tomorrow: Decision Day in LA
Tuesday’s election in California’s 34th District, which is centered in Los Angeles, has been dominated by a fight over which candidate is a “true progressive” change agent. But it has also touched on a key question facing Democrats: whether to fight or work with the Republicans who control government. State Assemblyman Jimmy Gómez and former Los Angeles City Planning Commissioner Robert Lee Ahn are facing off to replace former Democratic Congressman Xavier Becerra, who resigned in January to become the Golden State’s Attorney General. Gómez, who is backed by Becerra, party leaders and liberal groups, is considered the front-runner. But Ahn is looking for an upset to become the only Korean American in Congress. See more about this race here.
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Will Dem Latinos Unseat Hurd in 2018?
A Texas congressional redistricting case could create opportunities for Democrats looking to win back the House -- but also challenges if they must quickly find formidable candidates in newly competitive races. One of the districts at the center of the Texas case is the 23rd district, the largest in the state, spanning much of the state’s border with Mexico. The seat, represented by Congressman Will Hurd (R-TX), is a top Democratic target in 2018. Hurd narrowly won re-election last year by one point, while Hillary Clinton carried the district by three points. Federal judges invalidated the 2011 lines for this district, writing in their ruling that its configuration “denied Latino voters equal opportunity and had the intent and effect of diluting Latino voter opportunity.” Michael Li, senior counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice, expects the district to be redrawn to include more Latino voters. “That probably is a Latino-controlled seat, which would be a Democratic-controlled seat,” Li said. National Democrats have heard from candidates interested in Hurd’s seat, and while they expect strong challengers to emerge, none have so far. More here.
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Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) meeting with doctors, nurses, and patients at an LA outpatient opioid addiction center on Friday. | |  |
Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) at the West Sacramento Chamber of Commerce last week. Pictured with her young constituent Leah. *Our apologies for mistyping the congresswoman's first name on Friday! | |
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Susan Rice Emerges to Call Putin a Liar
On Sunday, President Obama's National Security Advisor, Susan Rice, gave a “boy bye” dismissal of Russian President Vladimir Putin's denials that Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election. "Frankly, he's lying," Rice said on ABC's This Week. "The reality is -- as all of our intelligence agencies have come together to affirm with high confidence -- the Russian government at the highest levels was behind the very unprecedented effort to meddle in our 2016 presidential election." Putin last week conceded that "patriotic minded" private Russian hackers unconnected to the government could be behind major hacks that interfered in other nations' elections. More here.
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WTF Bill Maher?
HBO host Bill Maher must have smoked a little too much ganja before his show on Friday. Maher is under fire for using a racial slur on a live broadcast of his show Real Time with Bill Maher. During an interview with Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE), the two were discussing adults who dress up for Halloween. Sasse said that happened less often in Nebraska, where the practice is "frowned upon." "I've got to get to Nebraska more," said Maher. To which Sasse earnestly replied, "You're welcome. We'd love to have you work in the fields with us." Maher narrowed his brow. "Work in the fields?" he said, raising his palms. "Senator, I'm a house [N-word]." Maher later apologized in a statement saying, "Friday nights are always my worst night of sleep because I'm up reflecting on the things I should or shouldn't have said on my live show. Last night was a particularly long night as I regret the word I used in the banter of a live moment. The word was offensive, and I regret saying it and am very sorry." More here.
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On Saturday, members of the CHC traveled to Tijuana to meet with deported U.S. veterans. | |  |
Congressman Juan Vargas (D-CA) addressed the media during the CHC trip to Mexico to visit deported U.S. veterans on Saturday. | |
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Oscar López Rivera Steps Aside As Puerto Rican Day Parade Honoree
A Puerto Rican nationalist at the center of a growing controversy over his role as an honoree in New York's iconic Puerto Rican Day Parade next Sunday has stepped aside and will instead participate in the event as a "humble Puerto Rican." In an editorial in New York's Daily News, Oscar López Rivera wrote, "I will be on Fifth Ave. not as your honoree but as a humble Puerto Rican and grandfather who at 74 continues to be committed to helping raise awareness about the fiscal, healthcare and human rights crisis Puerto Rico is facing at this historic juncture." López Rivera is a former member of the group FALN, the Spanish acronym for the Armed Forces of National Liberation. In the 1970s and 1980s, FALN claimed responsibility for a campaign of bombings in New York City, Chicago, and other cities. In New York City, FALN was linked to the 1975 blast at Fraunces Tavern, which killed four people and wounded many others. López Rivera was never accused of participating in any bombings and has always maintained he never did. Read his full piece here.
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WaPo Editorial Board Makes Plea to Trump Admin for 50K Haitians
“Last week, on the very day the State Department cautioned Americans on the dangers of traveling to Haiti, the Trump administration warned more than 50,000 Haitians living legally in the United States that they may be forced to return home en masse next January because conditions in their native country had improved so markedly. The timing of the two announcements was merely coincidental, but it was a telling coincidence,” the WaPo editorial board wrote on Saturday. “To this country, already home to more than 600,000 Haitian immigrants, the additional 50,000 are a blip. To Haiti, wracked by natural disasters, their arrival en masse would be a new, man-made hardship. Why would the hemisphere’s richest nation do that to the poorest?” Read the entire piece here.
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Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (D-CA) speaks with the media on Saturday during the CHC trip to Mexico to visit with deported U.S. veterans. | |  | Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) in Mexico posing with a deported U.S. veteran on Saturday. | |
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Eric Holder and the California Assembly Are Still Seeing Each Other ... Just Not Officially
The California Assembly will not renew its contract with Covington and Burling, the law firm of former Attorney General Eric Holder, who Democratic legislative leaders enlisted earlier this year to help craft a legal strategy to oppose Trump administration policies. But the relationship is not over. “We have received valuable guidance from Covington & Burling over the past four months. We will continue to seek their guidance as the need arises,” Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendón said in a statement last Thursday. Rendón and Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León announced the $25,000-a month contract with Holder’s firm in January. Dan Reeves, de León’s CoS, said the Senate will maintain a contract with Covington and Burling. “Covington’s advice and guidance has been very valuable to the Senate in responding to the Trump’s administration’s sustained attack on California’s policies and values,” Reeves said. “We currently have a number of ongoing projects with Covington and plan to continue that valuable relationship.” More here.
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Discrimination in Texas is Nothing New
When Texas leaders approved the immigration enforcement law known as SB4, they did so in a state that has had a long, continuing and sometimes unacknowledged struggle for equity by the state's residents of Mexican descent. NBC Latino reports that the struggle has existed since before Texas became a state and has ranged from mob violence and massacres -- some perpetrated by the Texas Rangers -- to voting and employment discrimination and school and housing segregation. More recently, courts have declared the state's voter ID law and redistricting maps discriminatory. Additionally, Texas' voter ID law, enacted in 2013, has been struck down in a series of court decisions that found it discriminatory. Also, Texas' education board only added Mexican American Studies as an elective course to its public school curriculum in 2014. Latinos make up 40 percent of the state population and are of overwhelming Mexican descent. More here.
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Clinton Addresses Cummings Group Today in Baltimore
With her first public appearance in Baltimore since the Democratic primary last year, Hillary Clinton returns to a city and state that overwhelmingly supported her candidacy. Today, Clinton will address the Elijah Cummings Youth Program which was founded to build ties between the African American and Jewish communities. Organizers said the sold-out fundraiser will raise some $200,000. The program created nearly two decades ago by Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD) accepts a dozen Baltimore students each year for a course in leadership and multiculturalism. Cummings meets with those who participate and donates honoraria he receives for speeches to the group. It's not yet clear whether the congressman will attend the event today. He recently underwent what aides described as minimally invasive heart surgery. More here.
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WaPo's Jonathan Capehart posed with actors Steven Levenson, Cynthia Nixon, and Ben Splatt after interviewing the trio in NYC on Saturday. | |  |
Two Wonder Women: Conservative commentator Tara Setmayer and Wonder Woman enthusiast checking out the film on Friday. | |
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Manchester and London Are Not the Only Terrorist Attacks the Media Should Report
Terrorist attacks are, sadly, nothing new. Lately, they seem to be ubiquitous. But you wouldn't know that watching cable news. In a terrifying and heartbreaking string of attacks in London on Saturday night, terrorist launched a string of attacks that left seven people dead. Just a week prior, a suicide bomber detonated explosives at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester. The breaking news banners decorated cable news outlets consistently for days following each incident. However, what wasn’t considered breaking news was the terrorist attack by Boko Haram in villages near Chibok, Nigeria last week which left at least 21 people dead. Witnesses say Boko Haram members came in the evening and started firing at everyone in sight. “They burnt many houses. Those who were fortunate ran away, but those who couldn’t escape were attacked,” one witness said. Two days after the attack on Kaya, “attackers returned to a village close to Gumsri, a Borno community, where 14 persons were allegedly killed.” What makes one terrorist attack “breaking news” worthy while others go unreported? More on this attack here.
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Groups Stop Sending Supplies to Venezuela
After several years of sending shipments of medicine and food to hospitals and needy persons in Venezuela, philanthropic organizations in the U.S. have stopped, saying their shipments have been opened and searched in Venezuela, and the contents in some cases disappear. Recently the Venezuelan government banned the import of a series of items they consider to be “war material,” placing many medical and first aid supplies in that category. Government officials in Venezuela accuse opposition groups of using international courier services to send materials to equip protestors. As is usually the case, the neediest are caught in the middle. More here from NBC Latino.
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Trump Tweets (and Misrepresents) London’s Muslim Mayor’s Comments
Donald Trump’s first courses of action Sunday morning, following the Saturday terror attacks in London that killed seven and injured 48, was to go after the mayor of that city. In a series of tweets early Sunday morning the president laid into and misrepresented what Mayor Sadiq Khan (pictured) said to Londoners in an attempt to calm them down. “At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is “no reason to be alarmed!” Trump tweeted. What Khan actually said what that there was “no reason to be alarmed” by the increased police presence they will see over the next few days. He also vowed that “we will never let them win.” Khan added that he has "more important things to do" than respond to "ill-informed" Trump tweets. More here from The Grio.
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Black Boy Joy: Obama alumnus David Johns spending time with baby Max and Malik (both sons of Courtney Snowden). | |  |
Activist José Antonio Vargas with his family in front of the White House on Saturday. | |
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NABJ Searching for ED
The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is officially searching for an Executive Director. The search is being led by a NY-based firm, Harris Rand Lusk. Since October 2015, the NABJ has filled the responsibilities of the vacant executive director position by contracting the consulting services of Drew Berry. Under the leadership of NABJ President Sarah Glover, Berry worked closely with NABJ staffers, and the NABJ board and members, to oversee a financial turnaround at the organization. Berry will continue to provide consulting services to the NABJ until June 30th. Former NABJ Executive Director JoAnne Lyons Wooten, who has led NABJ's fundraising efforts the past two years as a consultant, will be NABJ's point of contact until a permanent executive director is hired. More here.
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HACR's Cid Wilson and Juan Cartagena of LatinoJustice PRLDEF pose with a local leader at the LatinoJustice Southeast Regional Reception on Thursday in South Beach honoring Florida leaders. | |  |
Congresswoman Mia Love (R-UT) addressed Roseman University grads on Saturday. | |
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CNN Host Assumed Indian American Spelling Bee Champ Could Read Sanskrit
A CNN anchor became the target of rebuke for assuming that the 2017 National Spelling Bee champion, a California resident who’s of South Asian descent, is “used to using” Sanskrit. On Friday, CNN’s Alisyn Camerota and Chris Cuomo were talking to 12-year-old Ananya Vinay on New Day after Ananya’s Thursday victory at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Toward the end of the interview -- and after several awkward seconds of asking the sixth-grader to spell “covfefe” -- Camerota joked about the origin of the gibberish that Donald Trump conjured on Twitter last week. “It’s a nonsense word. So, we’re not sure that its root is actually in Sanskrit, which is what you’re probably, uh, used to using, so, I don’t know. Anyway,” Camerota said. Huh? Vinay, an Indian American, is from Fresno, CA. More here.
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American Students Lagging in Languages
Speaking of students and languages ... Despite a growing population of Americans who speak a language other than English at home, the U.S. education system is still unable to produce multilingual graduates to meet the increasing demands of employers that seek candidates with language skills. The American Councils for International Education directed a major data collection effort to track foreign language enrollments across all 50 states and DC. The survey is the first of its kind to collect and publish comprehensive data on K-12 language learning for education policymakers. While several scholarships and initiatives to promote language learning provide students with resources and opportunities to study foreign languages, the outlook in the classroom remains grim. Only 20 percent of the total U.S. school-age population is enrolled in a foreign language course. By the time these students reach the workforce, less than seven percent will have studied a critical world language in a university setting. More here.
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| FOMOWednesday, June 7th, 5:30P: Latino Magazine sponsors the 2017 Latino 100 Networking Reception. Capitol Hilton. RSVP at: ajestrada@latinomagazine.com
Thursday, June 8th, 7P: STARZ sponsors the DC premiere of Season 4 of the series Power. Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. By invitation only.
Friday, June 9th, 6P: BET Farewell DC party. 1235 W Street, NE. By invitation only.
Monday, June 12th, 6:30P: Author Sheryll Cashin reads from her new book, Loving: Interracial Intimacy in America and the Threat to White Supremacy. Busboys & Poets, 14th & V streets, NW. Click here for more information.
Wednesday, June 14th, 9A: The Raben Group sponsors a policy breakfast with Vanita Gupta, incoming President and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. Click here to RSVP.
Wednesday, June 14th, 5:30P: Celebrate the release of Season Five of Orange is the New Black, and support Lesley López, candidate for the Maryland General Assembly, at Orange is the New Black Trivia Night with host Jillian Rubino. Penn Social, 801 E Street, NW. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Thursday, June 15th, 8A: The Hill sponsors a Latina Leaders Summit. Participants include Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Linda Sánchez (D-CA), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), and Jennifer Korn, Sarita Brown, Alejandra Castillo, Nina Vaca, Geisha Williams, and Mónica Gil. Click here to RSVP.
Wednesday, June 21st, 6P: Reception and fundraiser for Kia Hamadanchy for Congress. 408 East Capitol Street, NE, RSVP at: info@KiaForOrangeCounty.com
Wednesday, June 21st, 6:30P: Reception and fundraiser for David Min for Congress. Rooftop at Steptoe and Johnson, 1330 Connecticut Avenue, NW. Click here to RSVP.
Thursday, June 22nd, 6P: MALDEF hosts its 2017 Chicago Awards Gala honoring Carlos Tortolero, President and Founder of the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago, and Mary Meg McCarthy, Executive Director of the National Immigrant Justice Center. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Thursday, June 22nd - Saturday, June 24th: NALEO holds its 34th-annual conference in Dallas. Click here to register.
Saturday, June 24th, 4P: The DC chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) hosts its annual BBQ and fundraiser. Click here to purchase tickets.
Wednesday, July 26th - Friday, July 28th: ColorComm, Women of Color in Communications, holds its 2017 conference in Miami, FL, featuring keynote speaker Whoopi Goldberg. Click here to register.
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