The White House-2017 Washington RP

[Prolieum]

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The White House
Washington Political RP

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""The White House is the finest prison in the world."

Harry S. Truman

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I IC I 115th Congress I
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1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The most famous address in the world. This is the hub of power, home to the leader of the free world-and perhaps his prison as well. The daily life of the world's most important man, and the daily tasks of the world's most stressful job all take place here-but the President is not on his own. The cabinet, the staff, the arms of the head make their rounds, a constant fight against the struggles the nation faces, and perhaps fights among themselves as well. Who will gain favor, who will gain power, who will succeed, and who will fail, within and without, the most recognizable home in the world is perhaps the most covered in the webs of intrigue.

This is the White House, home to the actions of the President, Vice President, their staff, and any looking to curry their favor-and it's Camp David as well. If you have business with the Executive or his branch, you have found your home here.

[Prolieum]

White House Press Room

Eric was, for the moment, absent a Press Secretary, a position that he would seek to fill quickly-regardless, this was a matter that required a direct statement, and thus, one was not necessary: the actual behind-the-scenes duties were being taken care of by various members of his staff.

The press had been briefed that Eric would make his announcement, then take three to five questions on the direct topic of that announcement. Video and camera had been permitted, and a fairly diverse collection of major news networks were present, TNS, Fox, CNN, and others. ANN had not been invited.

Stepping up to the platform, nodding solemnly, Eric began his address.

"As many of you now know, earlier today, Albert Winston was found dead in front of his California home, with the cause of death being a gunshot wound to the head, a suicide. We now know that Mr. Winston likely killed himself at least twenty-four hours before his body was found.

This is what we do know. What we do not, and may never, know, is what motivated this man to take his own life. Whether his motivations were noble or ignoble, it is not my, nor our, place to speculate. What is our place is to decide how to respond.

Winston was a criminal convicted and removed from office for crimes against the United States and her people. This does not change that. But it does not mean that he deserved to die, or that his family deserved to suffer through this. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

It is for them that I make this decision now. By my authority as the President of the United States, Albert Winston will be granted a full state funeral. The date will be organized by discussion with his family, and flags at all government buildings, offices, schools, and military establishments will be flown at half-staff on that day.

We do not honor what Albert Winston did, the crimes that led to his impeachment. But we can still respect the office he held, and show kindness to the loved ones he left behind."

Concluding, and taking a drink of water, a staffer of the President quickly re-explained the rules to the assembled press, then opened the conference for questioning.

[Alozia]

"Mr. President, Bradley Mould, CNN, do you feel that you or any of your party colleagues were responsible in any way for former President Winston's death?"

[Prolieum]

White House Press Room

"Absolutely not. The final vote on conviction was wholly bipartisan. Senators of all parties, and Independents, viewed the facts, and delivered the verdict. Albert Winston took his own life. Now is a time for support for his family, not playing the blame-game."

[United Christian]

"Mr. President, Ana Smith, TYT, do you believe that the former president was suffering from Mental Health issues resulting from his impeachment?"

[Prolieum]

White House Press Room

"I am not a doctor, and do not believe I am qualified to make those kind of judgements."

[Vaquas]

A woman raises her hand.

"Mr. President, Jeanette White, Breitbart News, would you mind giving us some insight into the decision to reward Albert Winston with a state funeral? Do you not think this is somewhat inappropriate given his conviction for crimes against the United States of America?"

[Prolieum]

White House Press Room

"I would not consider it a 'reward'. A major part of any funeral is for the family of the deceased. The decision was made to grant a state funeral, and the lowering of flags to half-staff, out of both concern and sympathy for Winston's family, and out of respect for the office Winston held. A national day of mourning will not be declared, as with previous Presidents, and the flags will only be at half-staff for the day of the funeral. I considered this a proper way to show respect for the office, if not the man himself."

[Prolieum]

White House Press Room

With the questions answered, Eric departed the stage with a nod, cameras still flashing.

[Prolieum]

The White House
Interim Office of the Press Secretary

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For Immediate Release

December 21, 2016

President Eric Announces Recess Appointment to Vacant Secretary of State Position

WASHINGTON-President Eric announced today his intent to recess appoint a nominee to a Cabinet post left vacant for an extended period of time.

"The lack of a Secretary of State, after the removal of Jay Garestaer, and the disqualifying acts committed by the previous nominee of Henry Cain, has left a significant weakness in United States foreign policy. This recess appointment will help to begin the process of repairing American foreign relations, before the permanent confirmation of the nominee of the coming President." President Eric said. "The appointment of experienced Ambassador Ronald Lee is a step towards greater stability, and a return to normalcy."

The President announced his intent to recess appoint the following nominee:

Ronald Lee, nominee for Secretary of State

Ronald Lee most recently served as Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs. From 2005-2007, Lee served as the Deputy National Security Advisor. Prior to that, he served as Ambassador to China, and Ambassador to Singapore. Lee was a member of Congress in Washington's 3rd District from 1977 to 1983. Previous to that, Lee worked in the legal profession for approximately a decade. Mr. Lee has a L.L.B. from the University of Washington School of Law.

[Prolieum]

Oval Office

Gene Eric gently wrapped his hands around the corners of the Resolute Desk, felt the wood between his fingers. This felt right. This was something he had never realized he wanted, never gone for when he had the chance. He wondered what it would have been like if it had been the Senator from Oklahoma, not Arizona, who challenged the rising Winston. But he had not. This feeling he had would be temporary, just a brief interlude, a seatwarmer, almost, ephemeral. Perhaps he could try for it. But no, too late. He doubted he would be around when he next had the chance. For now, at least-things were where they should be.

Time to get to work.

He summoned in his secretary, and gave him the short set of orders.

"Send word to the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Defense. Tell each separately that I would like an audience with them at their earliest convenience, here, if it is not too burdensome, on matters of some importance."

Of course, when dealing with the President "at earliest convenience" rather meant "now". Gene nodded, and the secretary turned to go, before he stopped him with a brief word. "Oh-and its first-come, first-served."

The secretary nodded, and left the room. Eric sighed, and leaned back before he felt a wetness on his leg.

He looked over behind him to see his labrador nuzzling up to him. He smiled, and scratched her behind the ears, the dog turning up her head in appreciation and thumping her tail.

"Glad to see you like it here too, Bella."

[Democratic Peoples republic of Kelvinsi]

Rodham made haste to the Oval Office from the Pentagon after getting the call from the President. The past month of intensive military planning and sorting out through the minute of logisitics(his least favorite part of warfare) has clearly taken a toll on the man evident from the bags under his eyes and his sagging skin. Rather than the pristine suit that Rodham normally wears his outfit was a complete mess, a symptom of sleep deprivation from working 100 hour weeks to prepare the United States invasion of ISIS. Rodham approached the White House showed the guard his authorization badge and was let in. He waited to be let in to meet President Eric.

[Prolieum]

Oval Office

"Mr. Secretary." Eric greeted the man with a simple, study handshake. There was a chair sitting opposite the desk, and Eric gestured to it, while siding in behind his own ancient piece of furniture.

"Please, have a seat. This won't take long."

[Democratic Peoples republic of Kelvinsi]

Oval Office

"Mr. Secretary." Eric greeted the man with a simple, study handshake. There was a chair sitting opposite the desk, and Eric gestured to it, while siding in behind his own ancient piece of furniture.

"Please, have a seat. This won't take long."

Rodham gave a quick nod of his head, and obeyed the order by his new commander in chief.

"So why have you called me here today?"

[Prolieum]

Oval Office

"In short, Mr. Secretary, to update you on the changes this administration is putting into effect. I am aware that the previous holder of this office bound you very tightly in what you could put together. I won't be. I am authorizing a full mobilization of our forces for the purpose of fighting this war, land, air, and sea. We will be working out the timing on bringing carrier battle groups in the Mediterranean and Gulf. I know that your specialty is in land forces. This is, however, a buildup only, not an engagement. If combat operations can be settled where they are, that's for the best."

"I will be contacting the Joint Chiefs as well, this is going to be a team effort. Delegate wherever you can, but your position of course puts you over all of this. It's a massive endeavor, but I'm sure you're well-suited for it. Do you have any questions?"

[Democratic Peoples republic of Kelvinsi]

Oval Office

"In short, Mr. Secretary, to update you on the changes this administration is putting into effect. I am aware that the previous holder of this office bound you very tightly in what you could put together. I won't be. I am authorizing a full mobilization of our forces for the purpose of fighting this war, land, air, and sea. We will be working out the timing on bringing carrier battle groups in the Mediterranean and Gulf. I know that your specialty is in land forces. This is, however, a buildup only, not an engagement. If combat operations can be settled where they are, that's for the best."

"I will be contacting the Joint Chiefs as well, this is going to be a team effort. Delegate wherever you can, but your position of course puts you over all of this. It's a massive endeavor, but I'm sure you're well-suited for it. Do you have any questions?"

'Sir, just one question, for such a large deployment we will need a father large HQ in Iraq to direct the efforts more efficiently. I am just wondering where do you want the HQ to be based out of?

[Prolieum]

Oval Office

"In a month, I don't think deployments will have gotten to the point where we'll need a new headquarters in Iraq proper. I'm expecting it'll take some time to get everyone sorted, loaded, and sent before that, and what we've got can handle the first bits. For now, Qatar's going to be the main point for staging. I'll be speaking with the Secretary of State about how we're going to make the last little hop from there to the war zone."

[Democratic Peoples republic of Kelvinsi]

Oval Office

"In a month, I don't think deployments will have gotten to the point where we'll need a new headquarters in Iraq proper. I'm expecting it'll take some time to get everyone sorted, loaded, and sent before that, and what we've got can handle the first bits. For now, Qatar's going to be the main point for staging. I'll be speaking with the Secretary of State about how we're going to make the last little hop from there to the war zone."

"Very well Mr. President, so I believe that our first order of priority would be to mobilize the XVIII Airborne Corps. There still remains the matter who should be appointed commander of the corps and the divisions, do you have a particularly skilled officer you would like to appoint or would you life me to decide?"

[Prolieum]

Oval Office

"The chain of command is already there. I don't see any reason to change it at the division and Corps level unless the current commanders end up being incompetents. If you are talking about the commanders for the operation as a whole, I'll trust that decision to the Joint Chiefs."

[Democratic Peoples republic of Kelvinsi]

Oval Office

"The chain of command is already there. I don't see any reason to change it at the division and Corps level unless the current commanders end up being incompetents. If you are talking about the commanders for the operation as a whole, I'll trust that decision to the Joint Chiefs."

"I was indeed talking about commanders of the operation as a whole. Very well Mr. President, I will begin the immediate mobilization of the XVIII Airborne Corps at this very moment. Goodbye Mr. President/"

[Prolieum]

Oval Office

"Godspeed, Mr. Secretary." Eric idly petted Bella while awaiting the next arrival.

[Prolieum]

Oval Office

Some while later, Eric, now idly flipping through papers, began to wonder if the new Secretary was even in Washington. He's thought it's go unsaid that he'd make his way there after his appointment and all, but maybe not-that'd be a thorn in his side if he was still up in Washington.

He finished off writing up an order for HHS to drop its district appeals on unappropriated funding, and picked up the next legal item on the backlog list, the executive-privileged documents from that ATF gunrunning disaster. After that, he had some business with embassies to work out, and more of something or other after that.

At least he didn't have to worry about being overcome with idleness while he waited for Lee, he thought, as he put the pen to paper again.

[Uttland]

West Wing, White House, Washington D.C.

Lee was overcome with surprise as he entered. He'd had only known he was Secretary of State two days ago, not by the press release, but by a phone call.

Jet lagged from the quick plane trip, Lee entered the Oval Office, flanked by Eric advisors. He walked himself to the front of the desk where the interim leader sat.

"Mr. President."

[Prolieum]

Oval Office

"Mr. Secretary, I am glad you could make it." Gene gestured to the chair across from the desk with his hand. "Please, have a seat."

[Uttland]

Oval Office

"Mr. Secretary, I am glad you could make it." Gene gestured to the chair across from the desk with his hand. "Please, have a seat."

Oval Office

[list]Lee adjusted himself in his seat, and afterwards, the elderly man said, "Might I say, Mr. President, this appointment came as an abrupt surprise to me and my wife. But I'm glad to serve, even it's a few months.["/list]