Today in executive orders
“Hire American, Buy American,” which kickstarts a review of economic visa programs and procurement policies, with the eventual goal of favouring U.S.-made people and products. “Hypocrite,” shouts anyone who’s ever seen the label on a Trump suit, shirt, tie or hat. The president announced his new order in Wisconsin, and used the opportunity to make common cause with Canadian economists and commentators. His rhetorical target: cows and chickens, or at least the supply management system that limits imports from U.S. and other producers.
That was then, this is now
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Ambassador Chris Stevens’ tragic death in Libya sparked conspiracy theories and GOP Congressional investigations galore. It even inspired a Michael Bay movie. But after Trump repeatedly sniped at Hillary Clinton over the issue on the campaign trail, he’s left the State Department position responsible for diplomat protection unfilled.
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The best people
Recognizing that their boss doesn’t always have the strongest grasp on the wider world, Team Trump reportedly turned to buccaneer Erik Prince for foreign policy counsel. The Betsy DeVos brother and founder of the Firm Formerly Known as Blackwater, who has denied serving any role in the presidential transition, was supposedly nattering on about defence and intelligence programs. Presumably no one from Mercenaries ‘R’ Us was available.
For 10% of your first border wall, go to donaldjtrump.com/build
Podcasts aren’t just for the subway-riding coastal elites. Breitbart-backed “The Green Line” is run by members of the U.S. Border Patrol union, and they’re fans of the new president. Finally, someone is listening. (Immigrants and travellers who must unquestioningly and deferentially obey on pain of being held or denied entry don’t count).
Dinner for you, intellectual property protection for me
Ivanka Trump Marks LLC reportedly got three shiny new trademarks in China the same day the First Daughter dined with president Xi Jinping at the family spread in Florida. The fashion and lifestyle business totally operates at arms length, though, so it’s probably just a complete coincidence.