THREAD: A lot of chatter on here about tonight’s #DesignatedSurvivor. As White House Cabinet Secretary from 2009-13, I helped select who sat out 7 Obama speeches (#SOTU, joint addresses, inaugurations). Here are some of the factors that went into the decision:

1 of 6 First, the #DesignatedSurvivor has to be in the presidential line of succession. That means one of the 15 secretaries of an executive department. And the person has to be a natural-born citizen (not naturalized), so they’re actually eligible to serve as president.

2 of 6

THREAD: Today, Trump accused the Supreme Court of attacking Americans with "shotgun blasts."

By riling up his base, Trump increases the risk of violence for all judges, who he often delegitimizes when he doesn't like their decisions. 1/4 In March, when Schumer criticized conservative justices and said they would "pay the price" for "awful decisions," Chief Justice Roberts called him out and said statements like this were "dangerous"

The next day, Schumer said he "should not have used the words [he] used." 2/4

THREAD: As Trump issues a new threat to suspend immigration, let's remember that immigrants are on the front lines of treating #COVID19 patients

Immigrants make up 28% of doctors, 24% of nurses and home health aides, and 50% of geriatric specialists. 1/6 vox.com/2017/2/1/14470… Foreign-born doctors are more likely to work in underserved areas, such as inner cities and rural areas. In fact, these immigrant doctors make up a majority of the doctors in Detroit and Miami, two of the areas hardest hit by #COVID19. 2/6

THREAD: 29,000 DACA recipients are healthcare workers, many helping #COVID19 patients. All could be deported if Trump prevails in Supreme Court

It's just one of his immigration policies that create shortage of doctors, nurses, aides to fight #COVID19. 1/7
washingtonpost.com/immigration/dr… Background: U.S. faces projected shortage of 122,000 doctors by 2032

Yet, Trump wants to make it harder for immigrants to come to U.S. That's a big problem because immigrants comprise 28% of doctors, 24% of nurses/aides, 50% of geriatric specialists. 2/7 vox.com/2017/2/1/14470…

BREAKING: A week before Inauguration Day 2017, Trump team participated in a tabletop exercise with outgoing Obama team about preparing for a "major domestic incident"

One incident discussed was a pandemic. I participated in that exercise.

THREAD 1/6 politico.com/news/2020/03/1… There were 3 role-playing scenarios: hurricane, pandemic and cyber incident. Obama team discussed need to anticipate requirements, stay ahead of challenges and provide resources quickly

The goal was to acquaint Trump officials with how to coordinate around major incidents. 2/6

Budgets are a reflection of our values

In anticipation of Trump’s budget rollout this week, a thread looking back at his previous budgets. Time and time again, he’s advocated for cuts that hurt those in need, including his own supporters

These are not American values. 1/10 In 2017, Trump proposed cutting funding for Meals on Wheels, which delivers food to 2.5 million Americans, including 500,000 veterans. The program reduces loneliness and prevents falls, saving $34 billion per year in hospital bills. 2/10 bbc.com/news/world-us-…

Short thread on #Anonymous book:

Whatever you think of the book, it's extraordinary that it was written. Can't imagine anyone writing something like this in a previous WH. That's because previous presidents operated within a range of acceptable conduct. This one doesn't. 1/x As for the author staying #anonymous, let's remember the vicious way that Trump goes after anyone who criticizes him. He and his allies are trying to unmask a whistleblower whose rights are protected by federal law, and he’s accused his opponents of "treason.” 2/x

THREAD: How current GOP senators viewed Clinton impeachment

McConnell: "Time after time, the President came to a fork in the road....Time after time, he chose the path of lies and lawlessness for the simple reason that he did not want to endanger his hold on public office" 1/9 Sen. Grassley on Clinton impeachment in 1999: "We are here because the President did wrongful acts and he admits to that....This President is in this predicament because of his own private wrongdoing and because of public policy he pursued. There is no conspiracy" 2/9

THREAD: Trump official in charge of Medicare, Medicaid and Obamacare spent millions to hire GOP-connected consultants to "polish her brand." Some observations on why this is so problematic and why oversight is needed (@adamcancryn @ddiamond) 1/8 politico.com/story/2019/03/… Verma's agency spent millions on consultants who were paid $185 to $200 an hour - far more than what almost any federal employee is able to earn. She spent this money, even though her agency has a large communications shop, including two dozen people who deal with the press. 2/8

Thread: in honor of the 10-year anniversary of Obama's inauguration, here are 10 of my favorite Obama moments that might inspire you, bring a smile to your face or make you shed tear.

Funeral for Rev. Pinckney, Charleston, June 26, 2015
1/10 Thread: in honor of the 10-year anniversary of Obama's inauguration, here are 10 of my favorite Obama moments that might inspire you, bring a smile to your face or make you shed tear.

Democratic National Convention, Boston, July 27, 2004
2/10

THREAD: Newly produced documents by @CommerceGov show that Wilbur Ross sought to add citizenship question to Census on his own initiative for political reasons, not at DOJ's request to help enforce the Voting Rights Act. This directly contradicts Ross' testimony to Congress. /1 In a 3/26/18 memo, Ross claimed that DOJ "requested that the Census Bureau reinstate a citizenship question on the decennial census to provide...citizenship voting age population...to permit more effective enforcement of [Voting Rights Act]" /2 commerce.gov/sites/commerce…