Welcome to Friday’s edition of Washington Secrets. Who says August has to be dull in politics? We bring you our regular look at the White House week, plus more evidence of Abdul el Sayed’s links to the Democratic Socialists of America.This week brought a new Iran strategy, a catering truck ruse, and signs that key White House figures are getting out while the going is good.Donald Trump appeared to step back from negotiations with Iran last Sunday. He told Axios: “We are low-keying it.” Instead, he signaled he was content to let sanctions and economic pressure do the work, even as Houthi rebels, an Iranian proxy, claimed an attack on Saudi Aramco’s refinery.
At the same time, there was another setback for another plank of his Middle East policy. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a 15-point plan for Gaza, which required Israel to withdraw as Hamas gave up its weapons. The president took a lap of honor on Monday, swearing in Todd Blanche as attorney general after a protracted confirmation battle with the Senate. The big event was an executive order signing ceremony to upend vaccine policy and promote a spread-out schedule for children. Trump used the occasion to repeat a discredited theory linking vaccines to autism.That night brought one of the most embarrassing stories of the year so far. The Washington Post reported that the president had been smuggled off Air Force One to a backup plane when he left Turkey last month to evade worries about an Iranian assassination attempt. The president was hidden in a catering truck to make the switch, leaving Cabinet secretaries, most of his aides, and the traveling press pool aboard what became a decoy plane.On Wednesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said she was leaving at the end of the month. Trump said Leavitt wanted to spend more time with her family but would remain a key figure as an outside adviser. The announcement kicked off wild speculation about the identity of her successor. (Secrets‘ view? Trump is in no hurry to find a replacement.)The tariffs story flared again on Thursday. Canadian trade officials threatened to leave USMCA trade talks if Washington pushed ahead with 50% tariffs on products from Canada.By the end of the week, the focus was turning back to politics and economics. Trump was due in New York later Friday to campaign on crime ahead of the midterm elections. But the morning brought news of another key departure: Andy Baker, who is leaving his role as White House deputy national security adviser to join a think tank.So what did our two political strategists make of it all?Jed Babbin: Grade C-
