What to Know
- A major winter storm is expected to drop more than a foot of snow across large swaths of the Northeast
- Rep. Tom Price is expected to be confirmed as health secretary despite Democratic opposition
- Trump has been attacking judges deliberating his immigration and refugee executive order; his Supreme Court nominee called it "demoralizing"
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Winter Storm Hits Tri-State, Northeast
A densely populated swath of the Northeast was preparing for winter's harshest thump yet, a fast-moving storm that could bring more than a foot of snow, strong winds and coastal flooding, and cripple air and ground travel. "This is going to be a big punch," said Benjamin Sipprell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Airlines were bracing for a troublesome day: As of Thursday morning, more than 2,700 flights were canceled. Snow began falling across the tri-state area around 4 a.m. and heavy flakes were cascading down from New Jersey to Long Island by 6 a.m. Storm Team 4 says up to 15 inches of snow could fall Thursday morning and afternoon. Get up to date with the latest forecast, school closings and commuter conditions. Check school closings and weather alerts or scenic snow photos.
Trump Health Secretary Nears Confirmation
Republicans are ready to overpower Democrats and push another of President Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees through the Senate, the man who will help lead the GOP drive to erase and replace the health care law. The Senate voted 51-48 Wednesday to short-circuit Democratic delaying tactics against Rep. Tom Price, Trump's choice for health secretary. Final approval of Price seemed certain. The debate over Price was coming in a week that has so far seen Democrats, eager to show liberal constituents that they are taking a stand against Trump, ferociously but unsuccessfully opposing two nominees for top administration jobs.
Sessions Confirmed, Senate in Turmoil
Local
The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Sen. Jeff Sessions to be attorney general in the Trump administration despite fierce Democratic opposition to the Alabama Republican over his record on civil rights and immigration. The 52-47 nearly party-line vote capped weeks of divisive battles over Sessions, an early supporter of Trump. Democratic senators fighting to derail Sessions' nomination repeatedly challenged Republicans by reading aloud from a critical letter from Martin Luther King Jr.'s widow, a day after the Republicans silenced Sen. Elizabeth Warren for doing the same. The late-night dust-up quickly spawned the hashtag #LetLizSpeak that was trending on Twitter early Wednesday.
Trump Attacks Judges
President Trump on Wednesday slammed the court that is deliberating his immigration and refugee executive order for having motivations he described as "so political." Speaking to a group of police chiefs and sheriffs, Trump honed in on the language used in a provision detailing his presidential powers. "It was written beautifully," Trump told the attendees, asserting that even "a bad high school student would understand this." U.S. Appeals Court Judge Neil Gorsuch, Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court, has called the president's recent criticism of the judiciary "disheartening" and "demoralizing."
Pentagon Wants to Rent at Trump Tower
The United States military is looking to rent space at Trump Tower for use when President Trump returns to his longtime home in New York City. A Pentagon spokesman said Wednesday that the Department of Defense was looking for the space "in order to meet official mission requirements." Two U.S. officials said that the space will likely be rented from a third party, and not from the president or members of his family. It was not clear how much it would cost the Pentagon to rent space in the 58-story Midtown Manhattan tower, which is owned by the Trump Organization.
Hundreds Indicted on Rioting Charges
A grand jury has indicted more than 100 Inauguration Day protesters on rioting charges in Washington, D.C. In total, 209 people have now been indicted. The indictment, handed up D.C. Superior Court on Wednesday, charged 146 additional protesters with felony rioting — meaning they face a fine of up to $25,000 and a maximum of 10 years in prison. Police arrested 230 people during Trump’s inauguration.
