Tipsheet: Tillerson tries to find voice in Trump administration

View in your browser     Tillerson tries to find voice in Trump administration By Morgan Chalfant   After appearing sidelined for months, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has shown a more independent streak in recent weeks, asserting authority over an agency targeted for budget cuts by President Trump and suffering from low morale. Tillerson made headlines on Sunday by saying that Trump “speaks for himself” on values when asked to respond to the president’s defense of his controversial comments about both sides being to blame for violence in Charlottesville before Nazis and other far-right groups and counter-protestors. He earlier had spoke of the need for greater diversity within the State Department, and condemned racism and bigotry. Within the administration, Tillerson appears to be on the rise. Read the full story here     Five public health crises facing Houston after Harvey By Peter Sullivan and Nathaniel Weixel Texas is reeling from Hurricane Harvey, with thousands of residents displaced by flood waters and a climbing death toll. But the dangers go beyond the rising waters, as the storm brings an array of public health dangers, from mosquitoes to mold. Read the full story here     Businesses focusing less on Trump, says study By Niv Elis Businesses are talking less and less about President Trump, according to Hamilton Place Strategies. Read the full story here     2020 begins with the book tours By Amie Parnes Former Vice President Joe Biden will release a new book this fall that could also serve as a test for whether the country is interested in seeing him run for president. Read the full story here       Trump’s growing economy faces fall obstacles By Alexander Bolton An ebullient President Trump on Wednesday touted the U.S. economy’s 3 percent growth in the second quarter and boasted that the best is yet to come. Read the full story here     Trump launches 'once-in-a-generation' effort to sell tax reform By Naomi Jagoda and Jonathan Easley President Trump on Wednesday launched his efforts to sell tax reform, urging both Republicans and Democrats in Congress to get behind his plans for an overhaul of the code. Read the full story here     Federal judge temporarily halts Texas sanctuary city ban By Julia Manchester and Reid Wilson A federal district judge on Wednesday ruled to temporarily block a new Texas law that would have banned sanctuary cities in the state, just two days before the law was set to take effect. Read the full story here     Kamala Harris to co-sponsor single-payer healthcare By Brooke Seipel California Senator Kamala Harris (D) announced during a town hall on Wednesday that she would support Sen. Bernie Sanders's (I-Vt.) "Medicare for All" bill, which would institute a single-payer health insurance system. Read the full story here     Pentagon: 11,000 US troops in Afghanistan, more than previously reported By Ellen Mitchell The Pentagon on Wednesday acknowledged that there are about 11,000 U.S. troops currently serving in Afghanistan, thousands more than what it had previously reported. Read the full story here     Federal watchdogs looking into Trump DC hotel lease By Max Greenwood Two federal offices are looking into leases of federal properties to private businesses, including the Trump Organization's lease of the Old Post Office building in Washington, D.C. Read the full story here     The Washington Post: With a drama-filled White House, Mattis has shown deft political touch By Greg Jaffe and Dan Lamothe The defense secretary has maintained an air of independence without directly provoking President Trump. Read the full story here     The Associated Press: In Trump, local law enforcement sees a steadfast ally By Sadie Gurman When Attorney General Jeff Sessions told local police departments they could once again have access to free grenade launchers and large-caliber weapons cast off from the U.S. military, law enforcement groups checked another item off their wish lists. Read the full story here     The New York Times: Trump administration wants to stabilize health markets but won’t say how By Robert Pear An administration official refused to say what, if anything, the government would do to encourage people to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Read the full story here     The Wall Street Journal: Paul Manafort’s overseas political work had a notable patron: A Russian oligarch By Brett Forrest Efforts by the former Trump campaign chairman to advance interests in Ukraine, Georgia and Montenegro were often connected to Oleg Deripaska. Read the full story here     Reuters: US bombers drill over Korean peninsula after latest North Korea launch By Jack Kim and Kaori Kaneko South Korea said its air force conducted an exercise with two U.S. nuclear-capable bombers above the Korean peninsula on Thursday, two days after a North Korean missile fired over Japan sharply raised tensions. Read the full story here         Did a friend forward you this email? 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