The Daily Brief: Wednesday, August 2, 2017

The Daily Brief: Wednesday, August 2, 2017

1. John Kelly, Trump's new chief of staff, 'won't suffer idiots and fools' - Washington Post

Twelve days after Donald Trump's election victory, the president-elect asked John Kelly to meet with him at the stately Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., to discuss the roles of secretaries of State and Homeland Security.

It was a small gathering. Present was Reince Priebus, the Republican Party chair who later became White House chief of staff, a post that he resigned this week. Also attending was Steve Bannon, Trump's chief strategist. Kelly, like other retired generals, impressed the president-elect, enough so that soon he'll leave his post atop the Department of Homeland Security to replace Priebus in the West Wing.

That meeting last November launched what has become one of the president's most important relationships within his beleaguered administration. He likes Kelly. He trusts Kelly. But what remains to be seen is whether Trump will listen to him as Kelly seeks to bring order to a White House beset by chaos. (Read more)
- Father, we pray Your blessing over incoming Chief of Staff, John Kelly. We pray You will use him to bring order and discipline to the White House and the entire Trump Administration.

- "But the noble man devises noble plans; and by noble plans he stands."
(Isaiah 32:8)

2. Lock up the leakers? Sessions to unveil crackdown, as Kelly gets White House staff in line - Fox News

Attorney General Jeff Sessions is set to announce a major crackdown on leakers this week, in the latest sign the administration is pushing to run a tighter ship as John Kelly seizes the reins as White House chief of staff. One of the first tasks facing the retired general and former Homeland Security boss will be plugging the leaks at the White House that his predecessor struggled to stanch. "If Reince [Priebus] couldn't control those leaks . . . then he was the one who was ultimately responsible, and General Kelly was brought in to make sure those leaks do not continue," former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski told "Fox & Friends" on Tuesday.

Kelly, with his apparent role in Monday's removal of Anthony Scaramucci as communications director, already has demonstrated he'll oust staff members he thinks are causing problems. But beyond the White House effort to halt nettlesome leaks about behind-the-scenes feuding, Sessions is expected to go further with an announcement on criminal leak investigations -- specifically, concerning news reports that published sensitive intelligence material, according to officials who have been briefed on the matter. Sessions plans to hold a press conference on leaks on Friday. The announcement may provide more of an overview of what the DOJ hopes to accomplish rather than specific prosecutions at this stage, Fox News is told. (Read more)
- Father, we pray Jeff Sessions will be successful in removing leakers from our federal bureaucracy. We pray each federal employee will be loyal to our nation or be removed.

- "The wicked are punished in place of the godly, and traitors in place of the honest." (Proverbs 21:18)

3. Christopher Wray confirmed as new FBI director - CNN

The Senate voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to confirm Christopher Wray to be the new FBI director. The vote was 92-5.

Wray succeeds James Comey, who was fired by President Donald Trump ostensibly for his handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton's email practices, though the President later said he had the Russia investigation on his mind when he axed Comey.

Wray, who is now a private lawyer, was a top Justice Department official during the George W. Bush administration. He was recommended unanimously by the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 20. (Read more)
- Father, we pray Cristopher Wray will serve the American people faithfully. Help him be effective and lead with integrity and honor.

- "But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you." (1 Samuel 12:24)

4. Republicans move to tax reform, but fight feared similar to Obamacare repeal - Washington Times

After their health care bill collapsed in spectacular fashion last week, Republican congressional leaders insist they won't make the same mistakes with tax reform, the other big-ticket promise they made to voters, and to which they will turn next. But there are enough similarities between the two issues that lawmakers are worried. Republicans go into the debate with only vague principles, have struggled to pique Democrats' interest and have received conflicting signals from the White House about priorities.

Still searching for their first major legislative win under President Trump, Republican leaders said they have to surmount those problems and deliver reform. "We looked at health care and said, 'Let's make sure we do tax reform better and differently,'" House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, Wisconsin Republican, said in an interview that aired Sunday on Fox News. (Read more)
- Father, we pray for the success of tax reform and the whole of President Trump's agenda in Congress. Help them put the needs of the American people first.

- "Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive." (Titus 3:14)

5. Trump's Border Security Success 'Is Nothing Less Than Miraculous,' Agents' Union Says - CNS News

"What President Trump has done in such a short time as it pertains to border security is nothing less than miraculous," the president of the Border Patrol union tells CNSNews.com. Brandon Judd, President National Border Patrol Council, attributes President Donald Trump's unparalleled success to his strong rhetoric, but tells CNSNews.com that now it's up to Congress to back Trump up with action:

"What President Trump has done in such a short time as it pertains to border security is nothing less than miraculous. No other president has been able to cut the number of illegal border crossings as President Trump has, and it's been strictly due to his rhetoric. As the numbers steadily increase, however, it is time for Congress to act." (Read more)
- Father, truly You are our fortress and shield, a mighty help in these times of trouble!

- "I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!"
(Psalm 91:2)

6. Gov. Greg Abbott: How George Soros is helping Obama Democrats buy their way back to power - Washington Examiner

Liberals are trying to mess with Texas. And they don't plan on stopping there. Still reeling from nearly a decade of devastating losses in statehouses across the nation as well as in the 2016 presidential election, Democrats in Washington, D.C. are plotting to pour hundreds of millions of dollars in state and local elections across the country. With the help of hedge fund billionaire George Soros, the National Democratic Redistricting Committee hopes to wrest control from voters of congressional re-districting in 2021 when booming conservative states such as Texas will gain seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. All for the benefit of their special-interest donors. That the first fundraisers for this self-described "super group" were held in San Francisco and Los Angeles reveals one of their goals: to reinstate Rep. Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House. But they aren't stopping there.

Headed by former Attorney General Eric Holder, the tax-exempt 527 political action committee plans a three-pronged attack to flood state-level races with outside money, to leverage activist courts to wrest control of state redistricting plans, and finally, with the formidable community organizing prowess of former President Barack Obama, to fund astroturfed ballot initiatives in the guise of "fairness." (Read more)
- Father, we pray any and all initiatives funded directly or indirectly by George Soros, a Hungarian, You will mark "null and void". Help us overcome the enemies of our nation and secure our electoral process.

- "You have made his sword useless and refused to help him in battle." (Psalm 89:43)

7. Sen. Lankford Confronts ABC Over Calling Alliance Defending Freedom a 'Hate Group' - Townhall

Senator James Lankford (R-OK) sent a letter to the president of ABC News, James Goldston, Monday expressing "serious concern" over an ABC article that labeled the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a nonprofit legal organization dedicated to protecting religious freedom, a "hate group."

"The July article covering Attorney General Sessions' speech, classified a religious liberty non-profit, the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), as a hate group using a standard set by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)," Lankford writes. "I found it odd that ABC would designate ADF as a hate group not based on any actual crime or action, but apparently based on their belief in religious liberty or traditional marriage." (Read more)
- Father, we thank You for exposing the Southern Poverty Law Center as the true "hate group" in this confrontation. We pray for reform within the SPLC, and if that is not possible, closure.

- "The godly will see these things and be glad, while the wicked are struck silent." (Psalm 107:42)

8. White House Drug Commission Implores Trump To Declare A State Of Emergency - Daily Caller

The White House commission created to tackle America's opioid addiction crisis is imploring President Donald Trump to immediately declare a national state of emergency. The commission, headed by Republican Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, delivered its interim recommendations Monday on what the Trump administration can do to tackle the worsening epidemic. The report provides a litany of early actions the administration should take, including granting waivers to states to eliminate barriers to treatment for everyone struggling with addiction, and boosting funding for state supplies of the opioid reversal drug Narcan, reports The New York Times.

The "most urgent recommendation," however, is to declare an immediate state of emergency for the nation. The commission said Monday the president is the "only person who can bring this type of intensity to the emergency and we believe you have the will to do so and to do so immediately. With approximately 142 Americans dying every day, America is enduring a death toll equal to September 11th every three weeks," the commission said in the interim report Monday. "Your declaration would empower your cabinet to take bold steps and would force Congress to focus on funding and empowering the Executive Branch even further to deal with this loss of life. It would also awaken every American to this simple fact: if this scourge has not found you or your family yet, without bold action by everyone, it soon will." (Read more)
- Father, help us restore these brothers and sisters, neighbors and friends. Set our nation free from addiction and draw us to You.

- "Then we will never abandon you again. Revive us so we can call on your name once more." (Psalm 80:18)

9. US detects North Korea committing 'highly unusual' submarine activity: Report - Washington Examiner

The U.S. military has detected "highly unusual" North Korean submarine activity, just days after the rogue nation conducted its second test of an intercontinental ballistic missile. CNN said the submarine activity was evidence of an "ejection test," which examines a missile's "cold-launch" system. An ejection test uses high-pressure steam to propel a missile out of the launch canister into the air before its engines ignite, CNN reported. This prevents damage to the submarine launching the missile. This would be North Korea's third ejection test this month, and demonstrates that Pyongyang is making progress in developing its submarine launch skills.

The latest test comes after Friday's intercontinental missile launch by North Korea that traveled about 600 miles before falling in the Sea of Japan. Experts say the test showed a capability of reaching the U.S. (Read more)
- Father, we continue to lift up North Korea and pray You will neutralize this threat and bring freedom to her people.

- "He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord's favor has come." (Luke 4:18b-19)

10. Saudi Arabia says that calls for internationalization of holy sites 'a declaration of war' - Reuters

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister called what he said was Qatar's demand for an internationalization of the Muslim hajj pilgrimage a declaration of war against the kingdom, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television said on Sunday, but Qatar said it never made such a call. "Qatar's demands to internationalize the holy sites is aggressive and a declaration of war against the kingdom," Adel al-Jubeir was quoted saying on Al Arabiya's website. "We reserve the right to respond to anyone who is working on the internationalization of the holy sites," he said.

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said no official from his country had made such a call. "We are tired of responding to false information and stories invented from nothing," Sheikh Mohammed told Al Jazeera TV. Qatar did accuse the Saudis of politicizing hajj and addressed the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion on Saturday, expressing concern about obstacles facing Qataris who want to attend hajj this year. (Read more)
- Father, we ask for a move of Your Spirit over the Islamic world, pulling apart the threads of the 10-40 window in Your Power and for Your Glory. Only You are holy, only in Your Presence is holy ground.

- "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His Glory!"
(Isaiah 6:3)

1. John Kelly, Trump's new chief of staff, 'won't suffer idiots and fools' - Washington Post

Twelve days after Donald Trump's election victory, the president-elect asked John Kelly to meet with him at the stately Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., to discuss the roles of secretaries of State and Homeland Security.

It was a small gathering. Present was Reince Priebus, the Republican Party chair who later became White House chief of staff, a post that he resigned this week. Also attending was Steve Bannon, Trump's chief strategist. Kelly, like other retired generals, impressed the president-elect, enough so that soon he'll leave his post atop the Department of Homeland Security to replace Priebus in the West Wing.

That meeting last November launched what has become one of the president's most important relationships within his beleaguered administration. He likes Kelly. He trusts Kelly. But what remains to be seen is whether Trump will listen to him as Kelly seeks to bring order to a White House beset by chaos. (Read more)
- Father, we pray Your blessing over incoming Chief of Staff, John Kelly. We pray You will use him to bring order and discipline to the White House and the entire Trump Administration.

- "But the noble man devises noble plans; and by noble plans he stands."
(Isaiah 32:8)

2. Lock up the leakers? Sessions to unveil crackdown, as Kelly gets White House staff in line - Fox News

Attorney General Jeff Sessions is set to announce a major crackdown on leakers this week, in the latest sign the administration is pushing to run a tighter ship as John Kelly seizes the reins as White House chief of staff. One of the first tasks facing the retired general and former Homeland Security boss will be plugging the leaks at the White House that his predecessor struggled to stanch. "If Reince [Priebus] couldn't control those leaks . . . then he was the one who was ultimately responsible, and General Kelly was brought in to make sure those leaks do not continue," former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski told "Fox & Friends" on Tuesday.

Kelly, with his apparent role in Monday's removal of Anthony Scaramucci as communications director, already has demonstrated he'll oust staff members he thinks are causing problems. But beyond the White House effort to halt nettlesome leaks about behind-the-scenes feuding, Sessions is expected to go further with an announcement on criminal leak investigations -- specifically, concerning news reports that published sensitive intelligence material, according to officials who have been briefed on the matter. Sessions plans to hold a press conference on leaks on Friday. The announcement may provide more of an overview of what the DOJ hopes to accomplish rather than specific prosecutions at this stage, Fox News is told. (Read more)
- Father, we pray Jeff Sessions will be successful in removing leakers from our federal bureaucracy. We pray each federal employee will be loyal to our nation or be removed.

- "The wicked are punished in place of the godly, and traitors in place of the honest." (Proverbs 21:18)

3. Christopher Wray confirmed as new FBI director - CNN

The Senate voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to confirm Christopher Wray to be the new FBI director. The vote was 92-5.

Wray succeeds James Comey, who was fired by President Donald Trump ostensibly for his handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton's email practices, though the President later said he had the Russia investigation on his mind when he axed Comey.

Wray, who is now a private lawyer, was a top Justice Department official during the George W. Bush administration. He was recommended unanimously by the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 20. (Read more)
- Father, we pray Cristopher Wray will serve the American people faithfully. Help him be effective and lead with integrity and honor.

- "But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you." (1 Samuel 12:24)

4. Republicans move to tax reform, but fight feared similar to Obamacare repeal - Washington Times

After their health care bill collapsed in spectacular fashion last week, Republican congressional leaders insist they won't make the same mistakes with tax reform, the other big-ticket promise they made to voters, and to which they will turn next. But there are enough similarities between the two issues that lawmakers are worried. Republicans go into the debate with only vague principles, have struggled to pique Democrats' interest and have received conflicting signals from the White House about priorities.

Still searching for their first major legislative win under President Trump, Republican leaders said they have to surmount those problems and deliver reform. "We looked at health care and said, 'Let's make sure we do tax reform better and differently,'" House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, Wisconsin Republican, said in an interview that aired Sunday on Fox News. (Read more)
- Father, we pray for the success of tax reform and the whole of President Trump's agenda in Congress. Help them put the needs of the American people first.

- "Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive." (Titus 3:14)

5. Trump's Border Security Success 'Is Nothing Less Than Miraculous,' Agents' Union Says - CNS News

"What President Trump has done in such a short time as it pertains to border security is nothing less than miraculous," the president of the Border Patrol union tells CNSNews.com. Brandon Judd, President National Border Patrol Council, attributes President Donald Trump's unparalleled success to his strong rhetoric, but tells CNSNews.com that now it's up to Congress to back Trump up with action:

"What President Trump has done in such a short time as it pertains to border security is nothing less than miraculous. No other president has been able to cut the number of illegal border crossings as President Trump has, and it's been strictly due to his rhetoric. As the numbers steadily increase, however, it is time for Congress to act." (Read more)
- Father, truly You are our fortress and shield, a mighty help in these times of trouble!

- "I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!"
(Psalm 91:2)

6. Gov. Greg Abbott: How George Soros is helping Obama Democrats buy their way back to power - Washington Examiner

Liberals are trying to mess with Texas. And they don't plan on stopping there. Still reeling from nearly a decade of devastating losses in statehouses across the nation as well as in the 2016 presidential election, Democrats in Washington, D.C. are plotting to pour hundreds of millions of dollars in state and local elections across the country. With the help of hedge fund billionaire George Soros, the National Democratic Redistricting Committee hopes to wrest control from voters of congressional re-districting in 2021 when booming conservative states such as Texas will gain seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. All for the benefit of their special-interest donors. That the first fundraisers for this self-described "super group" were held in San Francisco and Los Angeles reveals one of their goals: to reinstate Rep. Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House. But they aren't stopping there.

Headed by former Attorney General Eric Holder, the tax-exempt 527 political action committee plans a three-pronged attack to flood state-level races with outside money, to leverage activist courts to wrest control of state redistricting plans, and finally, with the formidable community organizing prowess of former President Barack Obama, to fund astroturfed ballot initiatives in the guise of "fairness." (Read more)
- Father, we pray any and all initiatives funded directly or indirectly by George Soros, a Hungarian, You will mark "null and void". Help us overcome the enemies of our nation and secure our electoral process.

- "You have made his sword useless and refused to help him in battle." (Psalm 89:43)

7. Sen. Lankford Confronts ABC Over Calling Alliance Defending Freedom a 'Hate Group' - Townhall

Senator James Lankford (R-OK) sent a letter to the president of ABC News, James Goldston, Monday expressing "serious concern" over an ABC article that labeled the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a nonprofit legal organization dedicated to protecting religious freedom, a "hate group."

"The July article covering Attorney General Sessions' speech, classified a religious liberty non-profit, the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), as a hate group using a standard set by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)," Lankford writes. "I found it odd that ABC would designate ADF as a hate group not based on any actual crime or action, but apparently based on their belief in religious liberty or traditional marriage." (Read more)
- Father, we thank You for exposing the Southern Poverty Law Center as the true "hate group" in this confrontation. We pray for reform within the SPLC, and if that is not possible, closure.

- "The godly will see these things and be glad, while the wicked are struck silent." (Psalm 107:42)

8. White House Drug Commission Implores Trump To Declare A State Of Emergency - Daily Caller

The White House commission created to tackle America's opioid addiction crisis is imploring President Donald Trump to immediately declare a national state of emergency. The commission, headed by Republican Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, delivered its interim recommendations Monday on what the Trump administration can do to tackle the worsening epidemic. The report provides a litany of early actions the administration should take, including granting waivers to states to eliminate barriers to treatment for everyone struggling with addiction, and boosting funding for state supplies of the opioid reversal drug Narcan, reports The New York Times.

The "most urgent recommendation," however, is to declare an immediate state of emergency for the nation. The commission said Monday the president is the "only person who can bring this type of intensity to the emergency and we believe you have the will to do so and to do so immediately. With approximately 142 Americans dying every day, America is enduring a death toll equal to September 11th every three weeks," the commission said in the interim report Monday. "Your declaration would empower your cabinet to take bold steps and would force Congress to focus on funding and empowering the Executive Branch even further to deal with this loss of life. It would also awaken every American to this simple fact: if this scourge has not found you or your family yet, without bold action by everyone, it soon will." (Read more)
- Father, help us restore these brothers and sisters, neighbors and friends. Set our nation free from addiction and draw us to You.

- "Then we will never abandon you again. Revive us so we can call on your name once more." (Psalm 80:18)

9. US detects North Korea committing 'highly unusual' submarine activity: Report - Washington Examiner

The U.S. military has detected "highly unusual" North Korean submarine activity, just days after the rogue nation conducted its second test of an intercontinental ballistic missile. CNN said the submarine activity was evidence of an "ejection test," which examines a missile's "cold-launch" system. An ejection test uses high-pressure steam to propel a missile out of the launch canister into the air before its engines ignite, CNN reported. This prevents damage to the submarine launching the missile. This would be North Korea's third ejection test this month, and demonstrates that Pyongyang is making progress in developing its submarine launch skills.

The latest test comes after Friday's intercontinental missile launch by North Korea that traveled about 600 miles before falling in the Sea of Japan. Experts say the test showed a capability of reaching the U.S. (Read more)
- Father, we continue to lift up North Korea and pray You will neutralize this threat and bring freedom to her people.

- "He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord's favor has come." (Luke 4:18b-19)

10. Saudi Arabia says that calls for internationalization of holy sites 'a declaration of war' - Reuters

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister called what he said was Qatar's demand for an internationalization of the Muslim hajj pilgrimage a declaration of war against the kingdom, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television said on Sunday, but Qatar said it never made such a call. "Qatar's demands to internationalize the holy sites is aggressive and a declaration of war against the kingdom," Adel al-Jubeir was quoted saying on Al Arabiya's website. "We reserve the right to respond to anyone who is working on the internationalization of the holy sites," he said.

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said no official from his country had made such a call. "We are tired of responding to false information and stories invented from nothing," Sheikh Mohammed told Al Jazeera TV. Qatar did accuse the Saudis of politicizing hajj and addressed the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion on Saturday, expressing concern about obstacles facing Qataris who want to attend hajj this year. (Read more)
- Father, we ask for a move of Your Spirit over the Islamic world, pulling apart the threads of the 10-40 window in Your Power and for Your Glory. Only You are holy, only in Your Presence is holy ground.

- "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His Glory!"
(Isaiah 6:3)