Puzder Withdraws as Labor Nominee Amid GOP Doubts and More In Politics Today

It’s difficult to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in this country and to break through the clutter, so we’re here to make it easier. Here’s what we at Countable are reading today:

1. "Andrew Puzder withdraws from consideration as Labor Secretary"

"The fast food executive Andrew F. Puzder withdrew his nomination to be President Trump’s labor secretary on Wednesday amid growing doubts among Republican senators that he can be confirmed."

"The chief executive of the CKE Restaurants fast-food chain, owner of Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr., had come under intense fire from Democrats and liberal groups who accused him of mistreating his workers, opposing the minimum wage and supporting automation in the workplace. The attacks on his policy views were compounded by intense scrutiny of his personal life, including allegations that he abused his ex-wife in the 1980s."

Read more at the New York Times.

2. "Trump offers national security adviser post to Vice Admiral Harward: sources"

"The Trump administration has offered the job of White House national security adviser, vacated by former U.S. intelligence official Michael Flynn, to Vice Admiral Robert Harward, said two U.S. officials familiar with the matter on Wednesday."

"It was not immediately clear if Harward, a former deputy commander of U.S. Central Command who has Navy SEAL combat experience, had accepted the offer, according to sources. A White House spokesperson had no immediate comment. Flynn resigned on Monday after revelations that he had discussed U.S. sanctions on Russia with the Russian ambassador to the United States before President Donald Trump took office."

Read more at Reuters.

3. "Trump calls on Netanyahu to ‘hold back’ on West Bank settlements"

"President Trump directly called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday to curtail Jewish home building in the West Bank, as he predicted that he can help broker an end to the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

"In his most extensive remarks as president about the chances for peace in the Middle East, Trump said he “could live with" either a separate Palestinian state or a unitary state as a peaceful outcome. “I want the one that both parties want,” he said.”

Read more at the Washington Post.

4. "House intel chairman dismisses call for expanded Russia probe"

"House Republicans are dismissing reports that Trump campaign staffers were in contact with Russia’s intelligence agency during the election and downplaying calling for a select committee to investigate the matter."

"House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes, in a Wednesday morning interview with POLITICO, reacted angrily to calls for a new probe following a New York Times bombshell report about such communications. The California Republican vowed to continue his panel’s ongoing probe of Russia, but accused Democrats of politicizing the issue."

Read more at Politico.

5. "Tribe, Dakota Access developer face off at House hearing"

"Representatives from the company building the Dakota Access Pipeline and the tribe opposing it each told a House committee Wednesday that the government is responsible for the tense debate over the project. But the officials found time to point fingers as one another, as well."

"At a hearing on energy infrastructure improvements, an Energy Transfer Partners official said political appointees in the Obama administration were behind the push to slow down the process. He said it was a “political decision" to withhold an easement allowing construction at a controversial river crossing in North Dakota.”

Read more at The Hill.

— Erin Wright

(Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore* via Flickr / Creative Commons)*