Today’s edition of quick hits:
* Huge news breaking at the Justice Department: “Rachel L. Brand, the No. 3 official at the Justice Department, plans to step down after nine months on the job as the country’s top law enforcement agency has been under attack by President Trump, according to two people briefed on her decision.”
* White House scuttlebutt: “John F. Kelly, the White House chief of staff, told officials in the West Wing on Friday that he was willing to step down over his handling of allegations of spousal abuse against Rob Porter, the staff secretary who resigned in disgrace this week over the accusations, according to two officials aware of the discussions.”
* On a related note: “President Donald Trump, frustrated by his staff’s handling of the abuse allegations against Rob Porter, is increasingly venting about Chief of Staff John Kelly and speculating about potential replacements, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.”
* This guy: “House lawmakers celebrated themselves this week for passing a bill that cracks down on sexual harassers in Congress. But they have an alleged harasser in their midst who is trying to quietly slip by: Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas).”
* Hmm: “The FBI was monitoring Carter Page when the former Trump campaign adviser says he spoke with Trump adviser Steve Bannon about Russia in January 2017, raising the strong possibility that the FBI intercepted a conversation between the two men.”
* Devin Nunes: “Last month, an attorney expressed his outrage with leaders of the House Intelligence Committee: He demanded to know why a committee official shared his client’s secret testimony with another lawyer, a blatant violation of the panel’s rules.”
* A sensible choice: “Ethics experts were over the moon with President Donald Trump’s selection to lead the Office of Government Ethics, Emory Rounds.”
* Speaking of executive-branch picks: “President Trump’s nominee to lead the Internal Revenue Service is a longtime tax lawyer who has specialized in defending people and companies against the tax agency in court.” * Zinke isn’t making friends: “A bipartisan group of 19 Western governors said Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke did not consult with them about major plans for reorganizing the agency, and have asked him to delay implementing the proposal until he speaks with them.” * Another one: “An Oregon state senator said Thursday he was resigning after an investigation determined he had harassed women in the Capitol building with prolonged hugging, groping and other unwelcome physical contact. Sen. Jeff Kruse, in a statement, remained defiant, indicating he was deprived of his rights and proclaiming his innocence.” Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MS NOW political contributor. He's also the bestselling author of "Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent Past." Recommended
