Document mpkwYmaRjMdpBNV0yYVJxZwrk

months with the other aide, Carter Page, who was also under F.B.I. scrutiny for his ties to Russia." https://nyti.ms/2rUtSSw ****** a message from Delta Air Lines: At Delta, we're committed to donating 1% of our net profits to charitable organizations around the world. Delta contributed over $40 million to charities and nonprofits in 2017, and we look forward to continuing our support for years to come. For more information about Delta, visit www.delta.com. ****** THE ADMINISTRATION ... WAPO'S JULIET EILPERIN: "A perk for friends of the Zinkes: Guided tours through National Park Service sites": "A personalized visit to Joshua Tree National Park. A spin through the West Wing, guided by White House staffers. And a trip to the top of the Lincoln Memorial, which is closed to the public. "Such VIP tours of National Park Service sites, some at the height of the tourist season, came at the request of either Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke or his wife, Lola, according to records obtained under the Freedom of Information Act. Several excursions were scheduled specifically for friends and acquaintances. "Under both Democratic and Republican presidents, top Interior officials have long given lawmakers and White House officials tours of Park Service sites and other courtesies at the agency's disposal. Several Obama administration officials -- including Vice President Joe Biden -- stayed for free at the Brinkerhoff Lodge in Grand Teton National Park, only to reimburse the government later when their visits came under fire after a FOIA disclosure. "Zinke and his aides have offered similar opportunities , while his wife has pressed for such access as well, the records and interviews with current and former Interior employees show." https://wapo.st/2s1MLmH BEIJING PLEDGES TO BUY ... "U.S., China make progress on trade, but talks to continue," by Doug Palmer, Ben White and Andrew Restuccia: "The United States and China have made progress on a deal aimed at boosting U.S. exports to the Asian giant by about $200 billion in coming years, but do not have a final agreement, two administration officials said late Friday. ... 'This deal is not going to fall apart. POTUS has blessed it now,' one senior administration official said late Friday afternoon. "In exchange for taking steps to increase purchases of U.S. goods and liquefied natural gas, China wants Trump to back off his threat to impose tariffs on $50 billion to $150 billion worth of Chinese goods and to restrict Chinese investment in certain sectors of the U.S. economy." https://politi.co/2IuUcOh TRUMP LASHES OUT AT AMAZON - "Trump personally pushed postmaster general to double rates on Amazon, other firms," by WaPo's Damian Paletta and Josh Dawsey: "President Trump has personally pushed U.S. Postmaster General Megan Brennan to double the rate the Postal Service charges Amazon.com and other firms to ship packages, according to three people familiar with their conversations, a dramatic move that probably would cost these companies billions of dollars. Brennan has so far resisted Trump's demand, explaining in multiple conversations occurring this year and last that these arrangements are bound by contracts and must be reviewed by a regulatory commission, the three people said. "She has told the president that the Amazon relationship is beneficial for the Postal Service and gave him a set of slides that showed the variety of companies, in addition to Amazon, that also partner for deliveries. Despite these presentations, Trump has continued to level criticism at Amazon. And last month, his critiques culminated in the signing of an executive order mandating a government review of the financially strapped Postal Service that could lead to major changes in the way it charges Amazon and others for package delivery." https://wapo.st/2KF4tnF HEATHER CAYGLE and ELANA SCHOR: "Cotton jolts prison reform negotiations": "Multiple law enforcement groups say Sen. Tom Cotton's office approached them about opposing a bipartisan prison reform bill -- a key legislative priority for President Donald Trump -- according to emails reviewed by POLITICO. "Cotton's office says it made no direct request for groups to oppose the bill. But the outreach from the Arkansas Republican, one of Trump's closest allies in Congress, has left supporters of the prison reform effort suspicious that he is trying to tank the Trump-backed legislation before it reaches the Senate. "Cotton is a stalwart critic of broader criminal justice overhaul proposals but has yet to publicly come out against the narrower, prison-focused approach that Trump is backing. However, the emails reviewed by POLITICO show at least two leading law enforcement groups discussing a call by Cotton's office this week for letters of opposition on prison reform ahead of a White House summit Friday on the issue." https://politi.co/2rT9dii