memeorandum: Kushner defends himself ahead of Senate intel meeting: ‘I did not collude’ (Annie Karni/Politico)

8:45 AM ET, July 24, 2017

Top Items:

CNN:

READ: Jared Kushner's statement on Russia to congressional committees — Bolding below included as submitted in statement — STATEMENT OF JARED C. KUSHNER TO CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES — I am voluntarily providing this statement, submitting documents, and sitting for interviews in order …

Discussion: The Atlantic, Mediaite, Business Insider, Washington Post and The Week

New York Times:

‘I Did Not Collude,’ Kushner Says in Prepared Remarks to Senators — WASHINGTON — President Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, said on Monday that he had been unaware that a June 2016 meeting he attended at Trump Tower was set up in hopes that a Russian lawyer would provide the Trump campaign …

Discussion: Mediaite and Political Wire

CNN:

Kushner: No additional contacts with Russians — (CNN)Jared Kushner, the President's son-in-law and senior adviser, said in a statement Monday to the Senate and House intelligence committees that he had no additional contacts with individuals who were or may have been Russian government representatives …

Discussion: Business Insider, The Week and Raw Story

Annie Karni / Politico:
Kushner defends himself ahead of Senate intel meeting: ‘I did not collude’

Discussion: ABC News and The Resurgent

Associated Press:
The Latest: Kushner denies any improper contacts with Russia

Discussion: ABC News

Mike Allen / Axios:
Jared Kushner tells Congress: “I did not collude”

Discussion: ABC News

Steven Perlberg / BuzzFeed:

Anthony Scaramucci On Hot Mic: I Called On CNN To Send A Message To Jeff Zucker — “I have to call on CNN and send a message to Zucker that we are back in business,” Scaramucci said on a hot mic Sunday in between morning show appearances. — Anthony Scaramucci is already working to smooth …

Discussion: Raw Story, more at Mediagazer »

Jonathan Swan / Axios:

Trump wishes Reince would take the hint — A much-discussed question at the top of the White House: just what magnitude of indignity would it take for Chief of Staff Reince Priebus to resign? — President Trump knew that appointing Anthony Scaramucci as communications director would humiliate Reince, who fought hard against it.

Discussion: Politico, Washington Post, The Gateway Pundit, The Hill, Daily Kos, Political Wire and The Week

John King / CNN:

A chill emanating from the White House reaches State Department — STORY HIGHLIGHTS — Washington (CNN)Talk of a potential “Rexit” at Foggy Bottom, new tests for President Trump on immigration, tax reform and media relations and a big challenge for the nation's oldest civil rights organization …

Maggie Haberman / New York Times:
Anthony Scaramucci, New Communications Chief, Woos Trump on TV

Discussion: The Week

Tara Palmeri / Politico: Priebus sidelined as Washington outsiders' power grows

Josh Dawsey / Politico:
GOP despairs at inability to deliver

Discussion: Political Wire

Fox News:
Scaramucci vows to take ‘drastic action’ to stop White House leaks

Discussion: The Last Tradition

Chuck Schumer / New York Times:

A Better Deal for American Workers — Americans are clamoring for bold changes to our politics and our economy. They feel, rightfully, that both systems are rigged against them, and they made that clear in last year's election. American families deserve a better deal so that this country works …

Discussion: Washington Post

Associated Press:

Democrats attempt rebranding with populist new agenda — Democratic leaders believe they lost to President Donald Trump partly because voters don't know what the party stands for. So they're trying to rebrand themselves with a new slogan and a populist new agenda as they look ahead to the 2018 midterms.

Discussion: Politico, ABC News and Axios

Mike Lillis / The Hill:
Dems to unveil ‘better deal’ messaging campaign Monday

Discussion: Washington Post and Pirate's Cove

The Daily Beast:
Schumer Rips Hillary: Don't Blame Comey or Russia, ‘Blame Yourself’

Discussion: Washington Monthly, Washington Post and Politico

Elana Schor / Politico:
Democrats launch economic agenda ahead of 2018 campaign

Discussion: Washington Post and The Week

Byron York / Washington Examiner: Why are Republicans trouncing Democrats in fundraising?

Sean Sullivan / Washington Post:

Republicans are in full control of government — but losing control of their party — Six months after seizing complete control of the federal government, the Republican Party stands divided as ever — plunged into a messy war among its factions that has escalated in recent weeks to crisis levels.

Discussion: Balloon Juice

Wall Street Journal:
Senate Republicans Unsure of What Health-Care Measure They Will Vote On

Discussion: The Week and Political Wire

Olivia Nuzzi / New York Magazine:

Joe and Mika (and Donald): A Beltway Love Story — Joe, Mika, and their star-crossed relationship with the president. — It was Joe Scarborough's 53rd birthday, April 9, 2016, and his youngest child, an 8-year-old boy named Jack, was trying to tell him something. “Dad, look at the birthday cake,” he said.

Discussion: Raw Story

The Guardian:

Jared Kushner sealed real estate deal with oligarch's firm cited in money-laundering case — Donald Trump's son-in-law bought part of old New York Times building from Soviet-born tycoon, Guardian investigation into Russian money in NYC property market finds

New York Post:

Homeless booted from subways so de Blasio could have ‘clean’ ride — Mayor de Blasio ventured into the city's decrepit subway system on Sunday — but didn't have to face the foul-smelling and often crazy vagrants that ordinary New Yorkers are forced to contend with every day.

Discussion: Washington Free Beacon and The Last Tradition

David Durenberger / USA Today:

Former GOP senator: Resist the bullying. Don't vote for a mystery health care bill. — There will be no do-overs on this. Take it from me: a no vote this week is the only one that will be defensible in the years to come. — CONNECT — What do you do when you are a U.S. senator …

USA Today:

Poll: Americans split 42%-42% on impeaching Trump — WASHINGTON — Just six months after his inauguration, Americans already are split down the middle, 42%-42%, over whether President Trump should be removed from office, a new USA TODAY/iMediaEthics Poll finds.

Rosie Gray / The Atlantic:

The Man McMaster Couldn't Fire — Just 24 days into his tenure as Donald Trump's national-security adviser, Michael Flynn was forced to resign, having reportedly misled Vice President Mike Pence about his contacts with Russian officials. When Flynn departed, the men and women he'd appointed …

Greg P. / twitchy.com:

IT'S HAPPENING! New poll has Kid Rock up by 4 over Debbie Stabenow — He's going to win: — New MI-Sen poll: Kid Rock 30%, Debbie Stabenow 26%, undecided 44%http://politicalwire.com/ ... — Taegan Goddard (@politicalwire) July 23, 2017 — The poll was conducted by Delphi Analytica from July 14-18 of 668 Michigan residents:

Discussion: Politico