Medill on the Hill

WASHINGTON — Moral courage is not something easily taught in the newsroom nor critiqued by an editor. Medill alumnus James Foley proved the extent of his moral courage when he was abducted and killed by ISIS while reporting during the Syrian civil war, becoming the first American to be killed by the Islamic State.

On Saturday, a half dozen Medill students joined a group of more than 40 journalists, media professionals, military members, students and supporters of James and his legacy at the Foley Freedom Run. Thousands participate in the 5K run/walk in cities across the globe each year, which was created to support “all Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms,” according to the foundation’s website.

At the Washington run in Rock Creek Park, Foley’s brother, John, encouraged runners to remember his brother’s legacy before the race began.

“He was my big bro,” John said. “If my mom were here, she would say, ‘Thank you for your moral courage to stand with The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation.’”

Foley reported in Libya, Afghanistan and Syria, where he was taken hostage in 2012 in northwestern Syria and was killed by ISIS in August 2014 following the U.S. air strikes in Iraq.

John Foley said the foundation has three goals.

“Number one: we’re going to bring all American hostages home. Number two: we are going to protect our journalists. And number three: we are going to protect the freedom of the press for the future generation,” he said. “In moving forward, I can guarantee that our foundation will directly engage in government, to make sure that those who don’t have a voice, do have a voice. We’re already creating curriculum for journalists and funding training to protect those who go overseas.”

WASHINGTON – As the President continues to describe negotiations with North Korea as “useless,” one organization said it believes Dennis Rodman is our only hope for peace.

 “Trump is failing. Tillerson is failing. Nobody seems to be reaching this guy. But Dennis Rodman can.” said Rocky Twyman, founder of Pray at the Pump movement, a group that organizes protests and prayer rallies, The group got heir start in 2008 during the gasoline crisis.

At a protest outside of the White House on Tuesday, organizers pleaded for the President to “give Dennis Rodman a chance.”

“The whole world is trying to figure out if President Trump was referring to North Korea when recently said at a military gathering that we are witnessing the calm before the storm,” he said.

Led by Twyman, who referred to Rodman as a “weird guy,” the protest affirmed that the Hall-of-Famer is the only connection that is on good terms with both sides, and his “unique basketball diplomacy represents the only critical communication that the U.S. has with Kim Jong-Un.”

Aimee Kim, a protestor from South Korea, said Trump has to “shut off his mouth and we need to sign a peace treaty with North Korea.”

On Monday, the President tweeted, “Our country has been unsuccessfully dealing with North Korea for 25 years, giving billions of dollars & getting nothing. Policy didn't work!”

Trump, who’s been critical of the NBA revoked his last month offer for NBA champions Golden State Warriors to visit the White House after they did not immediately accept the offer, remains on good terms with Dennis Rodman. Rodman appeared on Trump's NBC show, "Celebrity Apprentice," in 2013, and their friendship extended outside the boardroom.

By Eric Englert

WASHINGTON—China, in its quest to create a modern version of Marco Polo’s fabled Silk Road, is developing a massive Eurasian infrastructure project that seeks to unite Eurasian transportation and commerce from Beijing to Lisbon.

As China pursues the trillion dollar project, known as the Belt and Road Initiative, analysts say the Chinese government is balancing its investment and its desire for political influence with a measured advertising plan that avoids overtly political overtones while still honoring President Xi Jinping’s grand vision of Chinese greatness.

(Keep reading for the rest of this article and an interview with the reporter, Eric Englert.)

Our reporters tasted the veggies dogs to see how the taste compares to their meatier counterparts: 

Kaylah Jackson: "I was surprised at the texture and taste of the veggie dog. It reminded of eating a black bean burger and wasn't actually that bad. Once you add ketchup and toppings like onions and tomatoes, I totally ignored the fact that I was eating a meatless product. I don't think I would necessarily consider going vegan but I wouldn't pass up having a veggie dog now and then."

Stephanie Rothman: “It was different but good. I really liked the texture; it was thicker and had a lot more variety than a traditional meat based hot dog. It was made primarily of wheat protein and veggies, which sounds interesting but was very tasty! I would definitely do it again-- I actually would switch over to veggie dogs altogether.”

Today, Medill reporters covered a national tenant march protesting the Trump administration’s decision to cut nearly $7 billion in funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

Reporters Lauren Baker, Jane Bodmer, Angel Idowu, Fatemeh Jamalpour, Yarilet Perez and Beixi “Bessie” Xu share their reporting experiences in a Q&A with web producer Katherine Lee.

What is the Tenant March?

Fatemeh Jamalpour: Many housing organizations from all over the U.S. organized the Tenants March to protest Trump’s housing plans and ask Congress to stop cutting over $7 billion in funding to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

What made you pursue this story?

Yarilet Perez: This is a story about people. It's about an issue that affects families, communities and their livelihoods.

(Photo: Yarilet Perez / MEDILL)

What were some of the things you first noticed when you arrived at the scene of the march?

Angel Idowu: There were so many people. Just when you thought all who were planning to attend were there, another 5 buses would pull up. It was beyond  crowded, it was packed. 

Jane Bodmer:  I noticed there were all kinds of people, and everyone was very friendly and relaxed. People were all sitting around eating and sharing food, having just gotten off the buses from New York.

Who did you meet or interview while you were reporting the story?

Beixi “Bessie” Xu: I interviewed Dianne Enriquez, one of the organizers of this event. I also spoke to three people who were each visiting from three different states.

(Photo: Beixi “Bessie” Xu / MEDILL)

What did you learn about the story that you hadn’t realized before? 

Beixi “Bessie” Xu: I talked to people who are homeless and disabled, and I was surprised by the huge numbers of homeless people. It's meaningful to do this story and give them a chance to speak out.

Angel Idowu: This housing issues impacts children in particular. Of course there are parents and other family members. But no one, in my opinion, is really thinking about the number of small children who would be put out of their homes. You think of the families they're apart of. But never just the children themselves. Once I realized that, I saw the issue in a completely different light. 

(Photo: Angel Idowu / MEDILL)

What were some challenges you encountered as you were reporting on the Tenant March, and how did you overcome them?

Jane Bodmer: THE HEAT. It was so hot and sweaty. We just had to push through it. On a more serious note, one thing we were concerned about was fairly representing all the different demographics who attended and who would be effected by the budget cuts to HUD. We tried to get people of different races, ages, able-bodied vs. not, etc. One thing we paid special attention to was asking about people's jobs and professional lives to combat the assumption that people only face housing issues because of unemployment (not true!).

Fatemeh Jamalpour: It was hard to find organizers and people from different cities.

Lauren Baker: One of the biggest challenges I encountered today was people's lack of awareness of my shooting. Many people bumped me, asked my questions while I was filming and even stood directly in my shot while filming. I also dealt with a lot of other reporters who were not as willing to share their space with me. Some reporters are not as welcoming as others and it is difficult to shoot the same shot in a tight space with large cameras. 

(Photo: Jane Bodmer / MEDILL)

What medium are you using to tell this story? What about that particular medium helps this story?

Lauren Baker: I am using a broadcast camera and broadcast television style to tell this story. I think what makes these mediums important to telling this story is because broadcast television is a focused on the people. People aren't watching the news because of some cool technical video. They are watching to see not only how other people are impacted by the news, but more importantly how they personally will be impacted by the news.

Yarilet Perez: I covered this story for Spanish broadcasting stations in New York. I interviewed people in Spanish, and many of the groups that showed up to the march for tenants were from my Bronx (which is my home in New York), so it was easy to connect with them, and ask the questions that mattered to them. Visual storytelling helps people relate because they can actually the impact of why is being done in the first place.

By Fatemeh Jamalpour

@CoryBooker speaks at the protest at the Capitol Building against the proposed #healthcare bill

D.C. is the first U.S. jurisdiction to offer gender-neutral drivers’s licenses

Qatari foreign minister Al Thani speaks at Arab Center Washington about resolving the Gulf Crisis in light of Arab nations boycotting Qatar for state-sponsored terrorism

The Trump administration’s 2018 budget proposal puts basic science research on the chopping block. On Wednesday, scientists from some of the country’s top research labs and universities told a House committee that the U.S. stands to lose its science edge to China and India

WASHINGTON-- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell delayed a vote on the bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act until after July 4. Lawmakers from both parties expressed their reactions on Twitter.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, Independent from Vermont, tweeted early Monday night before the announcement of the delay.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Democrat from California, joined Sanders late this afternoon relaying the Majority Leader’s announcement.

House Speaker Paul Ryan deviated from the Health Care discussion, congratulating his party and supporters on the withdrawal of the Waters of the United States rule.

McConnell,  one of the authors of the bill, used the hashtag “Better Care” to argue in favor of his legislation around the time of the delay announcement.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, released an official statement through Twitter in opposition to the Republican health care bill and encouraged by the delay.

WASHINGTON - Karl Golovin wants justice for JFK.  

He and a half dozen others gathered on the north terrace of the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts center Tuesday afternoon, the 53rd anniversary of Kennedy’s assassination, wearing small buttons inscribed with a quote from the late president:  “One person can make a difference and everyone should try.” Golovin, who said he was a former US Customs special agent and 9/11 first-responder, wants the federal government to release unredacted documents he believes show that Kennedy’s assassination - and 9/11 - were perpetrated by the government agencies to justify foreign wars.

Despite multiple official investigations concluding that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in killing Kennedy, the conspiracies around his death continue to swirl. But while the anniversary has provided another opportunity for theorists to assemble, it’s also has created a space to think and reflect as the memory of arguably the most iconic world leader of the post-World-War-Two-era begins to fade.

Fifty-three years to the day after Lee Harvey Oswald shot Kennedy from the 6th floor of a Dallas book depository, the world is mostly silent about his death. Arlington National Cemetery, where he is buried beneath an Eternal Flame, said they are holding no special ceremony. The John F. Kennedy library in Massachusetts said they have nothing in particular planned. No national paper took notice.

But in east Texas, the Tyler Morning Telegraph reprinted their 1963 editorial on Kennedy’s assassination, a venerating piece at odds with the vitriol now surrounding the nation’s highest office.

With their mayor and Democratic congressman Richard Neal in attendance, a Springfield cemetery held their annual ceremony, placing three red roses and a wreath at the feet of the JFK Eternal Flame.

On Twitter, presidential historian Michael Beschloss tweeted where the Kennedy’s were every hour of the day. Among his tweets was a picture of the text Kennedy had drafted for his speech that night, a call for unity at a time when the nation seemed at crisis.

As our fall quarter in Washington, D.C. nears its end, we take a look back at some of our favorite photos of the week. 

Protesters gather in front of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to raise awareness for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. (Rishika Dugyala/MNS) 

Ohio Gov. John Kasich at the White House. (Ross Krasner/ MNS) 

First Lady Michelle Obama and Democratic Presidential Nominee Hillary Clinton enter the arena to thunderous applause. (Rishika Dugyala/MNS) 

Clinton and Obama embrace before the first lady begins her speech. (Rishika Dugyala/MNS)

Margaret Rozelle, 71, "I studied architectural engineering, and my classes were almost all just boys," Rozelle said. "People don't expect women to be able to do the things men do. It would be such a good thing to have a woman as president and show people that woman can do this too." (Anna Waters/MNS) 

Arlette Remy, 82, "My great granddaughter is five years old, and I look forward to her being a great, successful woman one day," Remy said. "Maybe even president." (Anna Waters/MNS) 

President-elect Donald Trump walks on stage in New York after winning the election in a stunning upset. (David Fishman/MNS) 

Obama congratulates Kassey Rocha, 18 from Screen It!, an Austin, Tex. program dedicated to teaching students about art and culture. "These are the exact skills that are critical to success," Obama said (Kelly Norris/MNS).

As the transition continues, we will continue to provide updates from the president-elect press pool.

[UPDATE] 2:17 p.m. The President-elect is back at Trump Tower.

[UPDATE] 12:49 p.m. Security staff in The New York Times lobby announce Trump has already arrived, tell crowds waiting for Trump to move along. 

[UPDATE] 12:20 p.m. Trump departs Trump Tower in motorcade; on his way to The New York Times.  

[UPDATE] 10:35 a.m. Vice President Elect Mike Pence arrives at Trump Tower.

It’s almost two weeks after the election and the president-elect is in the process of forming his Cabinet. Expect updates throughout the day of the going ons (and ins and outs) at Trump tower.

[UPDATE] 4:08 - Newt and Calista Gingrich enter Trump tower together, no comment to the press.

[UPDATE] 3:33 - Former Labor Secretary Elaine Chao arrives.

[UPDATE] 3:32 - Steve Mnuchin, Trump’s new national finance chairman, enters Trump tower.

[UPDATE] 2:18 - Kellyanne Conway comes down to the lobby to speak to the press. She addressed reporters’ questions about the concerns of many Americans for what a Trump presidency means for them. She said, “He'll be the president for all Americans. But honestly he respectfully he can use your help in that. The election is over. A lot of Americans are having a hard time accepting the results of the election...I think it's incumbent upon all of, the Trump team, certainly the press, and others, the Democratic party, in following President Obama's lead, following Vice President's lead...in telling Americans this is your president, this is your vice president-elect, you should respect them and work with them.”

In response to criticism on the lack of diversity in Trump’s appointed Cabinet members, she said, “His nominees so far have been all qualified to do the job they’re being asked to do.”

[UPDATE] 2:04 - David Muir leaves the building.

[UPDATE] 1:10 - Sean Spicer, RNC Communications Director since 2011, enters Trump tower.

[UPDATE] 12:30 - Media executives from NBC, CNN, FOX and CBS arrive for an off-the-record meeting with the Trump transition team. Representatives include: Deborah Turness, Jeff Zucker, Wolf Blitzer, Bill Shine, Jack Abernethy, Jay Wallace, Suzanne Scott, John Dickerson and Charlie Rose. They are accompanied by fellow TV executives and on-air personalities including: Norah O’Donnell, Gayle King, George Stephanopoulos, David Muir, Martha Raddatz, Lester Holt and Chuck Todd.

[UPDATE] 12:30 - Former Texas Governor Rick Perry leaves the building without speaking to reporters.

[UPDATE] around 12:00 - Scott Brown exits the elevator and addresses reporters, hopeful he will be appointed to the VA position.

Brown said, “We obviously spoke about my passion and his passion which are veterans and veterans issues. Obviously its I think the toughest job in the cabinet is to lead the VA, because it has, while it has so many angels working there, it has so many great problems as well. So he’s obviously going to take my application, or interest, under consideration.” He believes the Trump transition team will make an announcement regarding his potential role in the administration after Thanksgiving.

[UPDATE] 11:40 - Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin leaves Trump tower, tells reporters: “We discussed a wide range of issues and his plan and agenda for America and how I might be able to help. It was a wonderful discussion and I really enjoyed it.”

11:07 - Former Texas Governor Rick Perry, also rumored potential Cabinet member, enters Trump tower without comment.

10:37 - Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin arrives at Trump Tower, rumored to be a potential candidate for interior secretary. In April, Trump considered adding Fallin to his ticket as vice presidential nominee.

9:26 - Eli Miller (C.O.O. for Trump campaign, former deputy finance director for Senator Marco Rubio) and Brad Parscale (Trump campaign data guru) join Ivanka in the tower.

Throughout his campaign, Donald Trump was outspoken against the media and several specific outlets. At one time, Trump banned news organization whose reporting about him he deemed unfair, including The Washington Post, Politico and Buzzfeed. 

Although stated that he will continue the ‘protected pool’ while President, Trump has already angered many of the White House transition pool. 

Last night after the pool was told it was done for the day, the President-elect went out to the 21 Club in New York without the press. Outside the club around 9:05 p.m. police divided reporters into two groups: Those with New York City press passes and those without. Local reporters were allowed to stay while many members of Trump's press pool were told to move down the block. 

Trump's motorcade arrived back at Trump Tower at 9:41 p.m. The transition pool responded to the event with the following statement.

As a continuation of our coverage yesterday, we will be posting updates throughout the day about the various leaders and possible appointees visiting Trump Tower in New York. Updates on the visitors are from the White House transition press pool.

[UPDATE] 5:06 pm - Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani came to Trump Tower shortly after 5:00pm. As he waited for the elevator reporters shouted questions at him including whether he will be Secretary of State and if he thinks Gov. Christie did a good job with the transition. Mayor Giuliani said he might speak to the press when he comes back downstairs. 

[UPDATE] 4:41 pm- Sean Spicer came into Trump Tower at 4:41 pm. He did not respond to questions about whether he will be press secretary. A minute later a camera crew came in and went upstairs. They said they were with Fox News. Another reporter noted Eric Bolling was here earlier today as well. 

[UPDATE] 4:30 pm - Rep. Tom Price departed Trump Tower at about 4:25 pm He did not respond to shouted questions about whether he spoke to Trump and whether he is interested in joining the administration. Around the same time, Peter Thiel departed Trump Tower. When asked if he is "going to shut more media outlets." He did not respond.

[UPDATE] 4:05 pm - Ray Washburne came into Trump Tower and went upstairs. He did not answer questions about whether he will be picked for Commerce secretary. 

[UPDATE] 3:22 pm - Rep. Tom Price, a possible HHS pick, walked into Trump a tower and went upstairs. Shortly before Price entered, Gen. Michael Flynn walked out of Trump Tower with Trump's security director Keith Schiller. Schiller walked back in a minute later. Steve Mnuchin also just left.  

[UPDATE] 3:14 pm - New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft departed Trump Tower. He was by himself and did not answer shouted questions from reporters about what he discussed with President-elect Trump. 

[UPDATE] 3:09 pm - Here are the highlights from the questions New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio took from reporters following his meeting with President-elect Trump. 

A reporter said de Blasio's initial statement made it sound as though he had been "lecturing" the president-elect and asked the mayor to characterize Trump's response.

"This was a respectful meeting, and a substantive meeting, and a very candid meeting. I don't think lecturing is at all the right word to use. I told him what I believe and I told him what I was hearing from my fellow New Yorkers and there was a give and take. My job is to make crystal clear what's happening out there in this city. ... I said on Wednesday, even though I have very real differences with the president-elect, he is a New Yorker. I do think he loves this city, but I thought it was very important to hear what people are feeling."

De Blasio was also asked if he believes the president-elect is "to blame" for a recent rise in anti-Semitic incidents. "We've had a problem with anti-Semitism, as you know. I've talked about it previously, well before this campaign we've seen a rise in anti-Semitism, certainly in other parts of the world, and we've seen a worrisome increase in some parts of this country as well. Part of why I think it's so important to remind the president-elect and his team that there are deep fears and concerns out there is because the wrong messages can encourage hateful acts. So, I certainly made clear that I think sending a message of unity is crucial," de Blasio said.  

[UPDATE] 2:04 pm - Steve Mnuchin and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft just walked in to Trump Tower at about 1:52 pm. They briefly talked to each other by the elevators before going upstairs. It was not clear if they came here together or just arrived at the same time coincidentally.

[UPDATE] 1:30 pm - Conway said Trump will pick the next Supreme Court justice from the previously circulated list of prospects.“You’ve seen the list of 21. The list has not changed. President elect Trump has committed to choosing his Supreme Court justices, particularly the vacancy created by the untimely death of Justice Scalia, he’s committed to choosing from that list of 21.”

She noted that about one-fifth of voters in exit polls listed Supreme Court as a top, or one of the top, issues.

[UPDATE] 12:10 pm - Eric Trump walked out of the elevators and passed the reporters. He did not say anything. 

[UPDATE] 12:01 pm - Communications director for the President-elect, Jason Miller, spoke to reporters briefly today before entering the elevators of Trump Tower.  How serious a contender is Ted Cruz for attorney general?

“Obviously I am a big fan of Senator Cruz’s and whether there is something within the administration or whether it’s as an ally on Capitol Hill, I think Senator Cruz is happy that we’re going to have a president who’s going to push for conservative reforms, who’s going to make sure that we’re appointing the right kind of Supreme Court choices, and I think Senator Cruz will be a strong ally for President-elect Trump.”

[UPDATE] 11:00 am - Gen. Flynn arrived at Trump Tower at approximately 10:59 am. He did not respond to questions from the reporters. Staffers from the mayor's office are outside the building and have set up a podium for Mayor de Blasio to make remarks following his meeting with President-elect Trump. 

[UPDATE] 10:42 - NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio arrives at Trump Tower. He confirmed that he was meeting with Trump to talk “about what the people of New York City are feeling and what we need.”

[UPDATE] 10:07 - Kellyanne Conway arrived at Trump Tower. She declined to talk to the press but she waved and gave a thumbs up. 

10:02 am - Sen. Jeff Sessions arrived at Trump Tower toting a rolled suitcase. Sessions said he doesn’t expect any announcements to be made today, countering Eric Trump’s previous statement. 

9:45 am - Steve Mnuchin, a member of the transition team executive committee and possible pick for treasury secretary arrived  and spoke to reporters. Mnuchin said he and Trump had "talked about taxes." Below is a video courtesy of the White House transition pool. 

9:40 am - Trump advance team director George Gigicos arrived at the tower. Reporters asked what he's doing today. “I don’t know I’m just getting here," Gigicos said.

8:49 am - Eric Trump arrived at Trump Tower. He shot a thumbs up to the pool. Asked if any positions will be named today he said: "Likely."

Last night Trump tweeted about the transition: