- Social:
Brookings Institution
Visiting fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution; former Chief White House Ethics Lawyer for President Obama (20090-2011); former US Ambassador to the Czech Republic (2011-2014)
PROFILE
Norman Eisen
Guest
FROM Norman Eisen
To the Point
Trump brings legal, business complications to the White House In San Diego today, Gonzalo Curiel held a hearing in the ongoing civil fraud case against Trump University. He's the federal judge Trump called biased because of his Mexican ancestry. That's one of dozens of lawsuits facing the President-Elect and his global network of business interests. Photo by Patrick T. Fallon/Reuters Norman Eisen was chief White House Ethics Lawyer in the first two years of the Obama Administration. A former diplomat, now at the Brookings Institution, Eisen has more on what the legacy of a businessman who boasts having never held political office will mean when he's in the White House.
To the Point
A presidential campaign as a personal investment When he was a candidate for the GOP presidential nomination some years ago, billionaire Steve Forbes carefully separated his personal businesses from his campaign. As New York Mayor, Michael Bloomberg followed the same practice. Donald Trump is doing what no rich White House contender has done before: freely and openly mixing business and politics. When he first announced, Trump boasted that he could make money running for president -- and he's making good on his promise. Trump's campaign has bought travel on his plane, rented his facilities, bought his steaks and paid his personal staff — all for more than $8 million. Nobody says that's illegal, but the Trump Foundation may have violated civil law by using other peoples' donations to finance Trump's personal lifestyle. We compare Trump's campaign to those of past billionaire candidates — and hear about potential conflicts of interest if he takes charge of federal policies.
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To the Point
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.
Left, Right & Center
The week that wouldn't quit Will next week get even weirder? (Special one-hour episode)
To the Point
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.
To the Point
Venezuela spirals into economic and political chaos Venezuela, a country whose potential for prosperity is unmatched, finds itself on the verge of civil war. What sustains the repressive government? With time running out, guest host León Krauze looks at what the international community can do to pull the country from the edge of collapse.