The Presidential Daily Brief

Spain to Suspend Catalonia’s Autonomy

The clock’s run out. Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont had until 10 a.m. today to give the Spanish government a clear answer on whether Catalonia plans to secede — and he stayed silent. Now federal officials are meeting to decide how to enact Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution, which would suspend the region’s autonomous governance. After a disputed referendum on Oct. 1, Puigdemont declared a mandate for independence — but immediately suspended it. He now says if Article 155 is triggered he’ll launch an outright push for secession via a vote in Catalan Parliament.

Trump Ignites Firestorm Over Condolence Calls

There’s history here. When President Donald Trump called Myeshia Johnson, whose husband was killed serving in Niger, both Johnson’s mother-in-law and Democratic Rep. Frederica Wilson reported that he made insensitive remarks. Trump tweeted that he had “proof” he didn’t make them. Later the White House admitted he did make them, but blamed others for politicizing a tragedy. Trump has attacked Gold Star families before, notably during the campaign. Meanwhile, White House chief of staff John Kelly — whose son was killed in Afghanistan — voiced his support for the president and criticized Wilson.

Socialite to Challenge Putin for Russian Presidency

Lights, camera, factions. Ksenia Sobchak, the socialite daughter of Vladimir Putin’s political mentor, has announced she’ll run in March’s presidential election. The 35-year-old journalist has been unofficially banned from state television since joining anti-Putin protests in 2012. Sobchak’s independent run might split the already weak liberal opposition — leading some, including imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny, to suggest it’s a Kremlin-backed scheme. Putin, who’s been in power for nearly 18 years, hasn’t officially declared his candidacy, though he’s widely expected to run — and win.

GOP Senators Rally to Unilaterally Push Tax Reform

One step at a time. The Senate approved a budget resolution today that would allow them to pass tax reform with a simple majority vote, rather than the usual 60-vote threshold, which would require bipartisan compromise and likely fail. An independent think tank estimates that 80 percent of the plan’s benefits will go to the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans. Meanwhile, congressional Republicans are worried that President Trump will attempt to withdraw from NAFTA, which could further jeopardize tax reform by alienating pro-trade lawmakers.

Abortion Rights, New Zealand’s Leadership and Bad Dogs

Know This: A federal judge yesterday ordered the U.S. government to stop denying an undocumented 17-year-old an abortion, after hearing arguments that she should be forced to choose between leaving the country and terminating her pregnancy. Jacinda Ardern, 37, will be New Zealand’s new prime minister. And several Iditarod sled dogs have tested positive for banned substances for the first time in the race’s history.

Read This: An 83-year-old man in Canada has buried 42 schoolbuses underground, creating a massive nuclear shelter he calls Ark Two that can ostensibly hold 350 people.

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