INTERVIEW — SENATOR BEN CARDIN – (D-Maryland)
- Ben Cardin: I will not support Tillerson for secretary of state. Washington (CNN)Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Maryland, said he does not support Donald Trump’s secretary of state pick, Rex Tillerson, hours before a Senate committee is set to vote on his confirmation, citing Tillerson’s potential conflicts of interest and his position regarding Russian aggression. “I will not be supporting his confirmation for secretary of state,” Cardin said on CNN’s “New Day.” “During the confirmation hearings he raised me many questions as to whether his business interests would compromise his ability to speak out for US leadership on human rights and good governance.” Cardin also noted a number of his Democratic colleagues have shared similar views on the nomination.
- TRUMP HIRING FREEZE – Federal workers fume over Donald Trump’s vows to freeze hiring and shrink the government. President Donald Trump is setting himself up for a messy clash with the country’s 2.1 million federal employees as his administration quietly preps plans to cut the size of the government workforce.