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After trying to go-it-alone on a failed health care repeal, the White House is cozying up to the outside conservative groups that many in the Administration distrust or feel were insufficiently supportive during the 2016 campaign. If President Trump is going to prevail on his other goals, like tax reform, he will need this kind of boost from potential allies.

On Friday, the White House plans to announce it is sending Vice President Mike Pence to a major gathering of tea party-minded activists in Richmond, Va., on Aug. 19. Organized by Americans for Prosperity, the Defending the American Dream confab is one of the largest public-facing events linked to the political and policy network convened by billionaires Charles and David Koch. The conference tends to set the tone for the year among the more than 2 million grassroot activists who push for lower taxes, less regulation and fewer subsidies.

The announcement comes on the heels of this week's summit that brought together Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, White House legislative affairs chief Marc Short and Americans for Prosperity president Tim Phillips to talk about rewriting the tax code . With that looming on the fall's legislative agenda, the White House is trying to do a better job of listening to conservatives' ideas than it did on health care , as well as to give the very voters who helped Trump a legislative victory.

As it was, the health care debacle split the White House from conservative organizations. Leaders at places like Americans for Prosperity, FreedomWorks and the Heritage Foundation all thought the plans being considered in Congressand cheered by the Presidentwere insufficient at rolling back the law they call Obamacare. Instead, they wanted an absolute repeal. In the case of the Koch network, officials said they would provide television ads defending lawmakers who voted against the scaled-back repeal measure.

In the end, only the House passed any legislation aimed at the health care law. Three Senate Republicans publicly said the measure was too draconian, and others privately were glad to see the proposal fail.

Stung by that defeat, Shorta former chief of the Koch flagship group Freedom Partners Chamber of Commercehas sought to build a broader coalition on taxes. One potential land mine: the Koch-backed groups loathe carve-outs in the tax code, and finding a way to address that without spooking the rank-and-file activists will be incredibly difficult.

More than six months into Trump's first term in office, the White House has yet to land a meaningful legislative accomplishment. To turn that tide, the White House needs to leverage the conservative base of the party that was always an uneasy fit for Trump. After all, the New York real estate developer and a mom-and-pop grocery from Indiana didn't have much in common.

The deep-pocketed conservative donors , meanwhile, were rightfully apprehensive about how Trump would conduct himself as President. Charles and David Koch, especially, were no fans of Trump or the people around him. Trump returned the favor by calling Koch and their buddies puppeteers who pull politicians' strings for personal enrichment. In the end, the Koch organizations pretended the presidential race wasn't taking place and instead focused on down-ballot contests.

This explains why Pence , a favorite of the Koch brothers, is a natural bridge between the White House and this conference of small-government activists later this month. It also helps Pence's political profile should he seek the Presidency on his own terms, as he's expected to do one day.

Pence also has been one of the most valuable voices for the White House when dealing with Congress. A former member of the House Leadership team, Pence has deep relationships with its most conservative members and has done a remarkable job of keeping the daily churn of drama coming from the Oval Office away from his team. Pence dutifully pushed for the failed health care proposal, but it was clear to many Republican lawmakers he was doing so out of deference to the President and not out of any strong belief that the plans being considered were the answer.

On taxes, it's a different story. As Indiana Governor, Pence dramatically cut taxes, including zeroing out inheritance taxes and reducing corporate rates from 7.5% to 4.9%. In his telling, he cut $3.5 billion in taxes. For the conservative activistsand their Koch patronsthat is exactly what they like to hear and what they need to motivate in support of Trump-backed efforts to accomplish similar cuts.

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Mike Pence to Headline KochBrothers Summit | Time.com - TIME

Vice President Mike Pence has turned over emails from private AOL.com accounts he used to conduct official business while he was Indiana's governor.

The state's public records law generally requires state officials to preserve and make available correspondence or documents related to state business, with some exemptions. But Pence waited months to hand over the records and only did so after his use of the private accounts was widely reported.

Attorneys for the vice president notified current Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb's office in July that an electronic database containing the emails was handed over, Holcomb spokeswoman Jane Jankowski said.

"We delivered to you a complete electronic production of state records that were in the custody of Vice President Pence from during the time that he served as governor," attorney Karoline E. Jackson wrote in an email to the Republican governor's office. The email states that Pence's attorneys also provided guidance on emails and documents they believe could be withheld from release.

Pence has touted himself as a champion of a free press and the First Amendment, though he repeatedly stonewalled public records requests as governor, often delaying their release if not denying them outright.

Pence's AOL account was subjected to a phishing scheme in spring 2016, before Trump chose him to join the Republican presidential ticket. Pence's contacts were sent an email falsely claiming that the governor and his wife were stranded in the Philippines and needed money.

The hacking of Pence's private emails have led some to raise questions of hypocrisy after he frequently attacked Hillary Clinton on the campaign trail over her own email use. He argued Clinton's use of a private server when she was secretary of state could have jeopardized national security if her emails got into the wrong hands.

But Pence spokesman Marc Lotter has said charges of hypocrisy are unfair because there is a big difference between the Secretary of State's correspondence about sensitive national matters and business conducted by a governor through a private email address.

Holcomb's office for months has been grappling with a backlog of roughly 50 public records requests from activists, political groups and news organizations, including The Associated Press. Some are more than a year old and most are seeking emails from Pence's private accounts.

Pence provided 13 boxes containing paper copies of the emails in March when news of his use of the AOL.com accounts first drew scrutiny. But Holcomb's office said at the time that there were more emails that had yet to be provided. And Holcomb's office also sought electronic access to the emails, so they could be searched and reviewed much more easily.

The state hired the Indiana law firm McNeely Stephenson in May to handle the crush of requests, entering a contract that could cost taxpayers as much as $100,000.

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Pence hands over AOL emails from time as Indiana's governor - Chicago Tribune

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's team accused Vice President Mike Pence of stoking a "primitive" fear of the Kremlin in eastern Europe, after the vice president condemned President Vladimir Putin's use of force in the region.

"Pence made another series of anti-Russian statements in Podgorica, scaring leaders of Western Balkan states with a mythic Russian threat,' " the Russian Foreign Ministry said late Thursday.

Pence, while traveling for a summit hosted by new NATO member Montenegro, faulted Russia for "seek[ing] to redraw international borders by force." Moscow noted that Russia annexed Crimea and sent special forces to eastern Ukraine at the request of the ethnic Russians in the region.

"We have to state with regret that Washington is sliding more deeply into using primitive ideology-driven clichs of the Cold War era, which are totally out of touch with reality," the Foreign Ministry said.

Pence was speaking at the Adriatic Charter Summit, a gathering of leaders from the western Balkans. The host country, Montenegro, joined NATO in June. The accession to NATO was controversial among Montenegrins and Russia opposed the move, to the point of backing a coup against the nation's pro-Western leadership, according to authorities.

"Russia's intentions were laid bare over the past year when Moscow-backed agents sought to disrupt Montenegro's elections, attack your parliament and even attempt to assassinate your prime minister to dissuade the Montenegrin people from entering our NATO alliance," Pence said. "The United States of America rejects any attempt to use force, threats or intimidation in this region or beyond. The Western Balkans have the right to decide your own future, and that is your right alone."

Russia countered that the United States is forcing eastern Europe into "a blatantly destructive choice of being either with the West or with Russia,' " and inducing their neighbors to join NATO.

"We urge our American colleagues to stop demonising Russia and its foreign policy, which has always been based on respect for partners, readiness for joint constructive work, and mutual consideration of interests," the Foreign Ministry said.

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Russia rips Mike Pence over 'primitive' criticism - Washington Examiner

Brynn Tannehill

Rank/branch of military: Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy. In the reserves until July 1, 2017 Hometown: Phoenix, AZ Proudest moment: All the years of training and dedication came together for me in those moments where I was there for my shipmates when they needed me the most. They survived because we were there. Biggest misconception: The idea that its too expensive to retain transgender service members is laughable to me. It costs more to replace two highly trained transgender service members than to provide health care for every last one of them.

Photograph by Justin Bishop.

Rank/branch of military: Captain, U.S. Army Hometown: Scranton, PA Proudest moment: Taking command of my first platoon after I graduated from West Point. Leading American soldiers is the single greatest honor Ive ever received. Biggest misconception: People often assume I joined the Army to make a man out of myself. I didnt. I joined the Army out of a sense of gratitude for all Id been given by this country.

Photograph by T.J. Kirkpatrick.

Rank/branch of military: Senior Chief, U.S. Navy SEALs Hometown: Wellsville, NY Proudest moment: I saved the life of an Afghanistan man in the middle of chaos. I also saw him later on and was able to have tea with him. Biggest misconception: The idea that this is a new issue. Transgender people have been serving since the Revolutionary war, and most of us dont cost a thing.

Photograph by T.J. Kirkpatrick.

Rank/branch of military: Active Duty Navy Lieutenant Commander Hometown: St. Louis, MO Proudest moment: The day I qualified in submarines and was pinned with my dolphins. Biggest misconception: We are obsessed with transitioning and cannot function or do our jobs. Many transgender service members are at the top of their game and they only get better when they are allowed to transition.

Photograph by T.J. Kirkpatrick.

Rank/branch of military: Army Sergeant Major, retired in 2012 Hometown: Jersey City, NJ Proudest moment: My service in Afghanistan in 20102011. I was awarded the French National Defense Medal, the first American to receive that medal since World War II. Biggest misconception: Expensive, complicated surgeries would make them non-deployable or [reduce their] effectiveness.

Photograph by Justin Bishop.

Rank/branch of military: Colonel, U.S. Army. Retired December 4, 2004, after 35 years of service. Hometown: Manitowoc, WI Proudest moment: I was the first woman to (legitimately) wear an infantry uniform after my DD 214 was changed to reflect my authenticity. I wore that uniform at [a] Pentagon Pride Event and [the] White House Pride month reception in June 2015. Biggest misconception: Some people, particularly the older generation, believe trans individuals are mentally ill. Being transgender is a medical condition, no different than someone suffering from diabetes or heart disease. All medical conditions are deserving of treatment.

Photograph by Kevin Miyazaki.

Rank/branch of military: Active Duty Army Soldier, Intelligence Officer Hometown: Houston, TX Proudest moment: The day I took command of a company. It was something I had given up hope on ever doing after deciding to transition, assuming that my career would be over. Biggest misconception: I think what it all comes down to is this stereotype people have of who trans people are. Once you work with someone and know someone personally, it breaks those stereotypes down.

Photograph by Robbie McClaran.

Rank/branch of military: Retired Army Corporal, worked as a Health-care Management Administration Specialist Hometown: Waipahu, HI What is your proudest moment in the service? Knowing that the solider was going to be able to go home to their family was and is always the most satisfying part of my career. What is the biggest misconception youd like to correct? The most common one in my opinion is that transgender people are incapable of fulfilling a duty because they are mentally unstable. In order to serve in these roles, you have to be mentally sound.

Photograph by T.J. Kirkpatrick.

Rank/branch of military: Captain, Kentucky National Guard. Currently serving in the 198th Military Police Battalion as the Senior Human Resources Officer Hometown: Lexington, KY Proudest moment: Being selected as T.A.C. (Teach, Assess, Counsel) officer of the year. It meant a lot to me to know that both my soldiers and command thought so well of my work, even as the Army was processing me for involuntary discharge due to being transgender. Biggest misconception: That being transgender is the most important part of who we are. I am proud to be a transgender man, but when it comes down to it, I am a commissioned officer in the United States Army.

Photograph by Jacob Roberts.

Rank/branch of military: Active Duty Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force Hometown: Flower Mound, TX Proudest moment: To be fortunate enough to see the policy change for transgender military members like myself. To see my brothers and sisters no longer have to serve in silence is a humbling experience. Biggest misconception: We only want to serve in the military to have our transitions paid for. At no point is my military service about me; its about those who came before me.

Photographed by Matthew Mahon.

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Is Mike Pence Measuring the White House Drapes Yet? - Vanity Fair

Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the Department of Justice is reviewing its policy on media subpoenas as part of an effort to combat leaks. (The Washington Post)

Remember Judith Miller? She is the former New York Times reporterwho in 2005spent almost three months in jailbecause she refused to identify the government source who leaked the name of CIA operative Valerie Plame.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Friday raised the prospect that more journalists will have to make the same decision Miller did out the source or go to jail when he said the Justice Department is reviewing policies affecting media subpoenas as part of the Trump administrations effort to crack down on leaks.

Ive listened to our career investigators, FBI agents and others and our prosecutors about how to most successfully investigate and prosecute these matters, Sessions said at a news conference. At their suggestion, one of the things we are doing is reviewing policies affecting media subpoenas. We respect the important role that the press plays and will give them respect, but it is not unlimited. They cannot place lives at risk with impunity.

[Sessions says the media cannot place lives at risk with impunity. Are leaks really that dangerous?]

Sessions has come under harsh criticism from President Trump, who accuses him of (among other things) not doing enough to plug leaks. It's ironic, then, thatjournalists top defender against subpoenas that would require them to reveal sources was once Vice President Pence, who as a congressman took an interest in Miller's case and in 2007 proposed a federal shield law to protect journalists.

A quick review of the Miller episode:

A grand juryinvestigating whether the leak of Plames nameviolated a federal law against disclosing the identities of covert agents issued a subpoena demanding that Miller reveal her source. The probe sought to determinewhether the leak was a retaliation against Plames husband, former diplomatJoseph C. Wilson IV, who had publicly criticized the George W. Bush administrations justification for invading Iraq.

Miller was not in danger of prosecution. The landmark Pentagon Papers Supreme Court case established the right of reporters to publish classified information provided to them. But the person on the giving end of the leak was in legal jeopardy, and the grand jury wanted to know who that person was.

The White House is pledging to crack down on "leakers," but there are ways to blow the whistle and disclose information lawfully. (Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post)

Miller refused to comply with the subpoena and was held in contempt of court for 85 days. Hersource, I. Lewis Scooter Libby, Vice President Richard B. Cheneys chief of staff, ultimately released her from their confidentiality agreementand wasconvicted in 2007on charges related to the leak.

Miller, now a Fox News contributor,wrote last yearabout how Pence, then a Republican congressman from Indiana, invited her to his office upon herrelease from jail and promised to pushfor a shield law:

True to his word, Mr. Penceintroduced the Free Flow of Information Actwith Democratic Rep. Rick Boucher of Virginia. As a conservative who believes in limited government, he said after reintroducing the legislation, which failed the first time he proposed it, I believe the only check on government power in real time is a free and independent press.

Pences bill was far from perfect. The language describing when reporters would be forced to reveal sources on national security grounds was far broader than I would have liked. First Amendment purists attacked it then and now as being too loose, noting that most politically sensitive cases ensnaring reporters and classified information involve national security information.

Yet writing in The New Yorker, even Steve Coll, the dean of the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University who is no fan of Mr. Pences, called the legislation politically plausible and much, much better than the status quo. The bill was also endorsed by the Society of Professional Journalists.

In 2007, the Columbia Journalism Review called Pencejournalisms best ally in the fight to protect anonymous sources.

In the end, however, Pence failed to secure passage of his shield law, and there is still none in place. That is one reason that Sessions now has the power to subpoena journalists.

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Jeff Sessions might subpoena journalists to reveal leakers. Mike Pence once fought against that. - Washington Post