White House in transition

Donald Trump is threatening German automakers with a hefty import tax if they plan to sell cars in the U.S. that are built in other countries, repeating a claim that has shaken the global automotive industry. The German newspaper Bild quoted Trump as saying: "If you want to build cars in the world, then I wish you all the best. You can build cars for the United States, but for every car that comes to the USA, you will pay 35 percent tax. … I would tell BMW that if you are building a factory in Mexico and plan to sell cars to the USA, without a 35 percent tax, then you can forget that."

Monica Crowley, who had been selected just weeks ago to serve in a high-profile post on Donald Trump's National Security Council, has decided against taking the position after allegations that she plagiarized key passages in a book she published with HarperCollins and in her doctoral dissertation. She said she had decided to "remain in New York to pursue other opportunities."

Some of the biggest names in the GOP national security firmament say they are being blacklisted by Trump. Their transgression was signing one or both of two public "Never Trump" letters during the campaign. One letter, with 122 names, was published by War on the Rocks, a website devoted to national security commentary, during the primary. The other, with 50 names, including some repeat signatories, was published by the New York Times during the general-election campaign.

Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., will not attend the inauguration, saying he will not "celebrate a man who preaches a politics of division and hate." Ellison made the announcement on Martin Luther King Jr.'s holiday and cited that he was standing with Rep. John Lewis in his decision. Lewis said last week he didn't consider Trump a "legitimate president," which prompted the president-elect to take to Twitter to criticize Lewis, saying he was "talk, talk, talk" and that he should work more on his district, which he called in "horrible shape" and "falling apart." Since Trump's tweets, more than 15 members of Congress have said they will boycott Friday's events in Washington. Lewis and Ellison are both members of the Congressional Black Caucus. The other 10 Minnesota delegation members – three Republicans and seven Democrats – confirmed plans to attend the inauguration, including both Democratic Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken. Ellison is vying to be elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee. He says he will resign his House seat if chosen in February.

News services, staff