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We begin this week celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We will end this week watching the first African American president turn over the reins to Donald J. Trump. For perspective, we begin today’s read with this…
Trump v. Lewis and Atlanta (and everybody else)
The president-elect not only slammed Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) after he challenged the legitimacy of Trump’s upcoming presidency, but he also threw major shade towards Atlanta. "Congressman John Lewis should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (I also mention crime infested) rather than falsely complaining about the election results,” the president-elect tweeted. None of this is true, by the way. He tried it. And the dirty South clapped back. Along with everyone else. More here.
Trump at the Blacksonian? Nah!
Reports surfaced saying that the president-elect is expected to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture today. However, it was later reported that he will not be attending due to scheduling conflicts. More here.
GOP Senator Names New CoS
Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) has named Brennen Britton as his Chief of Staff, bringing the number of African American CoS in the Senate to two -- both serving in Republican offices. Britton was previously Moran’s state director. Britton received a bachelor’s in political science and religion, as well as a law degree from Duke University.
Cubs Coming to Town
Today, President Obama will welcome the Chicago Cubs to the White House to honor the team and their 2016 World Series victory. The Cubs, who memorably won their first title in 108 years last November, rushed this trip so they could pose for pictures with Obama instead of Donald Trump after he becomes president. Trump has chosen Cubs co-owner Todd Ricketts as his deputy Commerce Secretary. More here. Final Presser
On Wednesday, President Obama will hold his last press conference as president. Sigh.
MBK Gets New Name
On Friday, President Obama signed a memorandum for the heads of executive departments and agencies on "Continuing to Expand Opportunity for All Young People." In it, he gives My Brother’s Keeper a new name: Task Force on Improving the Lives of Boys and Young Men of Color and Underserved Youth. See the memorandum here.
With Days Left in Office, President Obama Ushers in Dozens Of Policies. But Will They Stay in Place?
In the past week, the Obama administration overturned a decades-old policy favoring Cuban immigrants, forged two major agreements to address racial bias in big-city police departments, and approved an unexpected cut in mortgage insurance premiums for hundreds of thousands of low-income and first-time home buyers. In the final days before POTUS leaves office, administration officials are rushing to complete dozens of tasks that will affect millions of lives and solidify the president’s imprint on history. But in many cases, their permanence is uncertain, and president-elect Trump is already pledging to undo some of them after taking office. More here.
The Painting Comes Down
After a week-long tug of war between Congressman Lacy Clay (D-MO) and House Republicans, a painting depicting the aftermath of Ferguson that had been on display in the Capitol complex since last June is coming down for good. For some reason, the narrative among some in the press has been “the painting displaying police officers as pigs,” while in reality the painting shows both police and protesters displayed as animals in an Orwellian take on the social unrest. No word yet on any plans to remove the statues of Confederate leaders Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis, who as a slave owner famously once said, “African slavery, as it exists in the U.S., is a moral, social, and political blessing.” More here.
Speaking of Controversial Art…
George Caleb Bingham’s “The Verdict of the People” from 1855, which historians say depicts public reaction to a likely pro-slavery candidate’s election victory, was chosen as the painting that will be displayed behind the president’s table at the inaugural luncheon. It was painted just as Congress passed the disastrous Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which put a future of slavery in Kansas to a popular vote. Thugs from Missouri got in the fray, crossing the border to attack abolitionist settlers. One of the state’s senators at the time, David Atchison, called on his supporters “to kill every goddamned abolitionist” if necessary to secure Kansas as a slave state. More here.
Trump Team Meets with Obama Team
On Friday, the WH convened a transition exercise with members of the president-elect's team, Cabinet picks, and current senior White House, Cabinet, and agency leaders. The exercise provided a high-level perspective on a series of challenges that the next administration may face, and introduced the key authorities, policies, capabilities, and structures that are currently in place to respond to major domestic incidents. Members of President Obama's team shared experiences and lessons from incident responses they experienced, and both sides discussed a number of response scenarios together. Participants agreed that the exercise was productive and advanced the shared goal of conducting the most professional and seamless transition possible.
Head of DC National Guard to Be Removed During Inauguration Events
The Army general who heads the DC National Guard and has an integral part in overseeing the inauguration is going to be removed from command effective at 12:01 p.m. Jan. 20th, just as Donald Trump is sworn in as president. Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz’s departure will come in the middle of the presidential ceremony while thousands of his troops are deployed to help protect the nation’s capital during an inauguration he has spent months helping to plan. More here.
Nah. We’re Busy.
Here are the MoCs not planning to attend the inauguration this Friday: John Lewis (GA), Barbara Lee (CA), Ted Lieu (CA), Mark Takano (CA), Luis Gutiérrez (IL), Adriano Espaillat (NY), Lacy Clay (MO), John Conyers (MI), Judy Chu (CA), Yvette Clark (NY), Nydia Velázquez (NY), José Serrano (NY), Raúl Grijalva (AZ), Pramila Jayapal (WA), Marcia Fudge (OH), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ), Kurt Schrader (OR), Earl Blumenauer (OR), Katherine Clark (MA), Mark DeSaulnier (CA), Jared Huffman (CA), Zoe Lofgren (CA), Mark Pocan (WI), and Jerrold Nadler (NY). We expect this list to grow, and we'll update you on Wednesday. More here. Many More Bus Permits Requested For Women’s March than Inauguration
Members of Congress aren't the only ones skipping the inauguration. According to reports, there have been three times as many bus parking permits requested for the Women's March in DC on Saturday than for President-elect Trump's inauguration on Friday. As of last Thursday, 393 charter bus permits had been requested for the inauguration on Jan. 20th. In comparison, a week before President Obama’s inauguration in 2012, about 900 bus permits had been requested. More here.
Brown and Lewis Inauguration Event
NFL legends Jim Brown and Ray Lewis are headlining a Donald Trump pre-inauguration party where guests can pay $2,500 to talk to the two in private. Held in conjunction with Brown’s near 30-year-old Amer-I-Can empowerment program, the early day event is scheduled for Jan. 19th, the day before Trump is slated to be sworn-in as the nation’s 45th president. The $1,000 event will be held at the law of office of K&L Gates. The “private VIP briefing” with Brown and Lewis is being offered to the first 25 people willing to fork over the additional $2,500. More here. WH Press May be Shown the Door
President-elect Trump's team is reportedly considering evicting the press corps from the White House. Instead, the press corps may work out of the White House Conference Center, near Lafayette Square, or in the Old Executive Office Building, next door to the White House. More here.
Press Secretary Candidate Suggested Drug Testing the WH Pres Corps
David Martosko, the U.S. political editor of Mail Online, suggested to Donald Trump’s incoming administration that members of the White House press corps be subject to random drug tests. BuzzFeed reports that the suggestion for twice-yearly drug tests was among 13 ideas Martosko wrote in a confidential memo to the transition team’s executive committee last November as part of an application to become the president-elect’s press secretary. More here. Will Rubio Vote for Tillerson
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) has lawmakers in both parties wondering whether he’ll break with Donald Trump and vote against the president-elect's pick to lead the State Department. If Rubio votes against Rex Tillerson in the Foreign Relations Committee, it would prevent the GOP from moving the nomination to the floor with a favorable recommendation. More here.
Not All The Same
During the Tillerson hearing, an Asian American woman snapped a photo. Internet trolls assumed it was the Washington Post homepage editor Doris Truong taking a photo of Tillerson's notes. Truong, who wasn't even at the hearing, was harassed by right-wing bloggers and Twitter trolls. She received emails and voicemail messages from people calling her “pathetic” and a “sneaky thief.” More here.
Castro Says Comey Better Than Alternative
Congressman Joaquín Castro (D-TX), a member of the House Intelligence Committee, said he wouldn't call on FBI Director James Comey to resign over his actions in the election, for fear of the alternative. "I still trust his judgement and his independence from the incoming president and the incoming administration more than I would trust anybody who Donald Trump appoints to take that job right now," he said. More here.
Greene Joins DNC Chair Race
Democratic strategist and Fox News analyst Jehmu Greene is entering the race for chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Greene’s entrance into the race expands the field to seven candidates. Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN) and outgoing Labor Secretary Tom Pérez are widely considered the race’s front-runners. South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Jaime Harrison, New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley, Idaho Democratic Party executive director Sally Boynton Brown and South Bend (IN) Mayor Pete Buttigieg are also running. All DNC Candidates
DNC Chair isn’t the only race. Here’s a list of declared candidates so far who are vying for other leadership positions within the party. Candidates for Vice Chair: New York state Assemblyman Michael Blake; Melissa Byrne, Former National GOTV Digital Director for Bernie 2016; Mitchell Ceasar, Former Broward County (FL) Democratic Party Chair; New York Congresswoman Grace Meng; Elizabeth Jaff, Head of Business Development and Campaigns for Crowdpac, Inc.; Lorna M. Johnson, Honorary Consul for Jamaica in Los Angeles; Latoia Jones, Assistant Director of Human Rights, American Federation of Teachers and Co-Founder of Black & Engaged; Rick Palacio, Colorado Democratic Party Chair; Adam Parkhomenko, DNC National Field Director.
Candidates for Vice Chair of Civic Engagement and Voter Participation: Karen Carter Peterson, Louisiana Democratic Party Chair; Melissa Fazli, Executive Board Member and Delegate for the California Democratic Party for Assembly District 55.
Candidates for Secretary: Ana Cuprill, Wyoming Democratic Party Chair; Roberta Lange, Nevada Democratic Party Chair; Jason Rae, DNC Youth Council Chair; Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, DNC Secretary and former Baltimore Mayor.
Candidates for Treasurer: Joyce Amico, President of JPCM Incorporated; William Derrough, Managing Director of Moelis & Company.
Candidates for National Finance Chair: Henry Muñoz III, DNC National Finance Chair.
Lady Liberty is Black Gold
The US Mint will release a commemorative gold coin in April which features Lady Liberty as a black woman, marking the first time that she has been depicted as anything other than white on the nation’s currency. The one ounce, 24-karat coin will go on sale April 6th, and will have a face value of $100. It is part of a series of commemorative coins which will be released every two years. Future ones will show Lady Liberty as Asian, Hispanic, and Indian, “to reflect the cultural and ethnic diversity of the United States,” the Mint said in a statement. More here.
Loretta Lynch Delivers Finals Speech as AG
Just days from the end of her tenure, Loretta Lynch took the stage Sunday at a historic Baptist church in Birmingham, AL, to deliver her final speech as U.S. attorney general. She said she has seen the concerns that the progress made by King and others during the civil rights movement will be undone, "that with the turn of the electoral wheel, we will be seen as children of a lesser god." More here.
Muslim Girl: A Coming of Age
On Wednesday, Amani Al-Khatahtbeh, founder and editor of MuslimGirl.com, will discuss her book, "Muslim Girl: A Coming of Age",at 6:30P, at the National Press Club in downtown DC. Al-Khatahtbeh will talk about how Islamophobia after the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks affected her childhood and how her blog turned into a cultural phenomenon. Her appearance comes just two days before the inauguration of President-elect Trump, who has pledged to ban Muslims from entering the U.S. The event will feature an author discussion, a Q & A session, and book signing. More here. DC Council Member Opens Office to Marchers
DC councilmember Mary Cheh is offering up her office to participants in the Women’s March on Washington that is taking place the day after Trump's inauguration. Her office issued a statement on Friday saying that walkers in the Jan. 21st event would be welcomed into her office to “warm up” and use public restrooms. More here.
Amazon Sells Out Of Lewis Bio After Trump Attacks
As further evidence of the widespread backlash to Trump’s insults, Amazon is now sold out of Congressman John Lewis’ biography. Walking with the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement, first published 16 years ago, is completely sold out on the bookseller’s website and now has a wait list of a month or longer. The tome is a series of graphic novels about the congressman's time in the civil rights movement. Lewis’ other book Across That Bridge, is available. More here.
Spotted
WaPo Editor Chris Jenkins joined friends to host his quarterly supper club in Northeast DC on Sunday evening. Spotted: CNN’s Athena Jones, Rick Wade, Tetiana Anderson, and about 30 other faces The Beat didn’t have time to get because of another event happening blocks away…
Robert Raben hosted his annual MLK Day card party where people populated multiple tables playing both spades and bid whist. The menu (prepared by Raben himself) was an orgiastic feast for the senses complete with fried chicken, collard greens, ham hocks, tomato salad, and key lime pie. Other guests brought four different types of pound cake, carrot cake, chocolate cake, and an apple crumble. Your Beat pooler tried them all. Spotted: Valerie Jarrett, Marie Johns, Chanelle Hardy, Anthony Coley, Nick and Marilyn Mosby, David Johns, Brickson Diamon, Kaya Henderson, Jamal Simmons, Kimberly Tignor, Christina Weaver with fiancée Indianapolis Colts linebacker D’Qwell Jackson, Nadia Garnett, A’Lelia Bundles, Joanne Irby, a very pregnant Deputy Mayor Courtney Snowden with son Malik in tow, Alaina Beverly, and a very sweet June Raben -- Robert’s mother -- who came up from Miami for the event and encouraged everyone to indulge in the amazing food.
Your Beat pooler failed to make it out to Maryland where yet another festivity convened at the home of Josh and Michelle DuBois as guests gathered to watch The President In His Own Words, a History Channel special executive produced by the husband and wife duo. Spotted: David Johns, Paul Monteiro, Albert Sanders, Alicia Criado, and about 20 others.
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| Digital Download
Jeff Ballou
Newly sworn-in President of The National Press Club.
Twitter: @jpballoujourn1
Instagram: jpballou
Facebook: facebook.com/jpballou
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Videos of the Day
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 | POTUS delivers his final weekly address. | |
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 | Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) speaks with NBC News. | |
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 | President Obama tells NBC's Lester Holt, "Yes we did." | |
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 | The WaPo's Doris Truong discusses being harassed by some Trump supporters after being mistaken for another Asian American woman at the confirmation hearings for Rex Tillerson. | |
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Congressman Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL) speaks on the House floor about why he's skipping the inauguration. | |
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Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz, who has played an integral role in planning the inauguration, will be removed from command just after noon on Inauguration Day. (Video: WUSA9) | |
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Steve Harvey describes the president-elect as a “genuine” person, after meeting with him to discuss inner city issues. | |
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Fellow Kings of Comedy star, DL Hughley, weighs-in on Trump's recent parade of celebs at Trump Tower. | |
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Pic of the Day
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 | Former Attorney General Eric Holder paused during the wedding ceremony of Jonathan Capehart and Nick Schmit to wipe his tears. The couple were married in Washington after moving up their wedding so that they could be married under the Obama administration.
Photo Credit: Becky Harlan for The New York Times. | |
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 | Joshua and Michelle Dubois host a gathering to watch the History Channel's The President in His Own Words. The duo are executive producers of the program narrated by John Legend. | |
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 | Spades partners Nick and Marilyn Mosby taking a breather between games at Robert Raben's annual card party. | |
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 | Kaya Henderson chats with Brickson Diamond at Robert Raben's annual card party. | |
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Thousands rallied in DC on Saturday to make clear their opposition to Trump's policies on immigration and social justice. | |
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NUL's Marc Morial, NAACP's Cornell William Brooks, and NCLR's Janet Murguía at Saturday's immigration rally in DC. | |
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 | The men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. celebrate Jeff Ballou being sworn-in as the first African American male president of the National Press Club. | |
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 | New $100 Coin Features First African American Lady Liberty. | |
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 | Congressional Black Caucus Foundation staff paid homage to the late Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones on Friday, January 13th -- the day Delta Sigma Theta Sorrority, Inc. was founded in 1913. | |
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 | Dr. Avis Jones Deweever (center) poses for a photo with fellow sorors while celebrating Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Founder's Day on Saturday. | |
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George Caleb Bingham’s “The Verdict of the People” from 1855, which historians say depicts public reaction to a likely pro-slavery candidate’s election victory, was chosen as the painting that will be displayed behind the president’s table at the inaugural luncheon. | |
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Top Five In five days, Donald J. Trump will be sworn-in as the 45th President of the United States. The president-elect will opt to use his personal Twitter account instead of the official presidential account once he takes office, according to a report. Here are five tweets from him over the weekend.
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| | He attacks civil rights icon Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) with falsehoods.
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| | Then he doubles down on his insult.
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| | He attacks Saturday Night Live.
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| | He attacks Hillary Clinton, her team, and the FBI.
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Today, 2P: The Washington Cathedral hosts A Tribute to Dr. King: Sanctuary, Witness, Covenant. More info here. Tuesday, Jan. 17th: The Beat and The Raben Group presents Rising Tide: Celebrating What Makes America Great. Invite only.
Wednesday, January 18th, 7:30P: A Salute to African American Leaders: Celebrating the 58th Presidential Inauguration will honor African Americans who have been appointed to Trump’s administration, the presidential transition team and the presidential Inaugural staff. The event will take place Wednesday, January 18th, from 7:30P to 11:30P at The Watergate Hotel. RSVP here.
Thursday, Jan. 19th-22nd: The American Indian Society of Washington, DC is hosting the 13th American Indian Inaugural Celebration. RSVP here.
Thursday, January 19th, 6P: PETA hosts an inaugural celebration with actress Pamela Anderson.
Friday, January 20th, 7P: The United States of Women along with Sara and Derek Lemke-von Ammon, Michele and Zoë Taylor, for the Empowerment Party host an evening of drinks, dancing and empowering women at Malmaison, 3401 Water St NW. Click here for ticket information.
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