WASHINGTON – Connecticut lawmakers on Monday were on the front lines of Democratic opposition to President Trump’s executive order regarding Muslim immigrants, fashioning legislation and participating in protests aimed at derailing the new policy.
Donald Trump
Posted inPolitics
Roger Stone and the Trump phenomenon
If anyone is familiar with the inner workings of President Donald Trump’s political campaign, it is Connecticut native and author Roger Stone. In this Sunday conversation, he talks about Trump’s rise to power and dismisses as “nonsense” a recent New York Times report that intelligence agencies are investigating him and two other Trump political operatives for alleged ties to the Kremlin.
Posted inHealth, Politics
ACA architect talks about ‘bad GOP math,’ uncertain replacement
WASHINGTON —Jonathan Gruber, an architect of the Affordable Care Act, predicts shakier insurance exchanges with the repeal of the law. In this interview he doubts congressional Republicans can find a reasonable, effective replacement.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
CT gets good news for now on its EPA grants
At least for the near term, the major EPA grants to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will keep flowing despite a freeze and review of contracts and grants by the Trump administration.
Posted inPolitics
CT a likely target of Trump’s new immigration policy
Washington – With its policy of not turning over all undocumented aliens requested by federal officials, Connecticut is likely to be in the cross hairs of President Donald Trump’s new immigration policy, outlined in twin executive orders issued Wednesday.
Posted inPolitics
Trump’s claims of voter fraud an issue for Connecticut’s Merrill
President Donald J. Trump’s repeated and unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud in the popular vote for president promises to complicate the tenure of Connecticut’s Denise Merrill as president of the National Association of Secretaries of State.
Posted inPolitics
Unlike other Trump picks, McMahon sails through confirmation hearing
WASHINGTON — Introduced by two Connecticut senators who crushed her political hopes in Connecticut, Linda McMahon on Tuesday sailed through a confirmation hearing, placing her a step closer to becoming the next head of the Small Business Administration.
Posted inPolitics
Murphy sees common cause with Trump on ‘Buy American’
As U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy’s political allies denounced a Trump cabinet nominee and built on the momentum of the mass protests led by women’s groups over the weekend, Murphy reversed field and outlined an effort at constructive engagement with the new GOP administration on its call to “Buy American.”
Posted inPolitics
CT marchers join national protest in rebuke to Trump
Thousands of marchers from Connecticut joined a massive protest the day after President Donald Trump took the oath of office, saying they have to protect the environment, health care, women’s rights and a wide range of issues they say are under attack in the new administration.
Posted inPolitics
Hartford rally draws 10,000: ‘Complacency is over’
Sharlene Kerelejza was awestruck when she looked out at the crowd gathering Saturday outside the north steps of the State Capitol in Hartford, a throng that Capitol police say reached 10,000. Kerelejza, the chief organizer of the Women’s March in Hartford, who had seen interest in the rally grow on Facebook in recent days, said what she saw meant one thing: “Hope.”
Posted inPolitics
CT friends and foes of Trump give inauguration mixed reviews
WASHINGTON – With a light rain falling, President Trump took the oath of office Friday and gave an inaugural address painting a dark picture of America that was panned by many Democrats but praised by his supporters. Trump promised to stand up for “forgotten” Americans and “put America first.”
Posted inPolitics
Justin Clark named to White House staff
Justin Clark, a Republican lawyer from West Hartford who was deputy national political director of Donald J. Trump’s presidential campaign, was named Thursday as a deputy assistant to the president and the White House director of intergovernmental affairs.
Posted inPolitics
West Hartford’s McGurk to help Trump in transition
WASHINGTON — Former West Hartford resident Brett McGurk, who under the Obama administration helped coordinate the war against the Islamic State, has been asked to stay in his position after President-elect Donald Trump takes office, one of about 50 Obama appointees who will remain in their posts to maintain “continuity” until Trump’s picks are confirmed.
Posted inPolitics
Thousands from CT heading to D.C. to celebrate – and protest – inauguration
WASHINGTON — The inauguration of President-elect Donald J. Trump and related events may bring a record number of Connecticut residents to Washington, both to support the swearing in of the 45th president and to protest policies they expect him to implement.
Posted inPolitics
In Avon, a feeling of unease lingers as inauguration nears
AVON — For some, the anxiety is driven by the uncertainty surrounding Trump. But for others, it is the circumstances they have endured over the last eight years that drive it – and they hope Trump will bring solutions. Fourth in a series of visits to Connecticut towns leading up to the inauguration.