March 15, 2019 | by Lauren Dezenski

Donald Trump's week of the veto

President Donald Trump has notched something historic in his presidency: This afternoon, he vetoed his first piece of legislation.

But before Friday's veto, there was another one, of sorts.

The decision to nix Boeing's 737 Max planes from the nation's skies -- for now.

The plane sort-of veto came after nations around the world halted use of the Boeing planes after a second one crashed on Sunday -- killing all 157 on board. While bans in Europe and Asia began being instituted early in the week, it took the Trump administration until Wednesday to act, when officials said they had received "new information" that led them to the decision. That came after Trump on Tuesday questioned the amount of technology needed to fly airplanes on Twitter.

Trump's actual veto struck a bit close to home.

In true Trumpian fashion, the bill had something to do with him -- the Democratic-sponsored resolution sought to fell Trump's declaration of a national emergency at the southern border. After it passed the House, the Senate on Thursday also passed it, with 12 Republicans voting with the Democrats.

Trump doubled down on his veto power (complete with a camera-filled event to mark the occasion Friday). Even after the Senate vote Thursday, Trump left no mystery as to what he planned to do next, tweeting: "VETO!"

The Point: For the first time, Trump exercised his official power of veto.

And now, the week in 20 headlines:

Monday:

Tuesday:

Wednesday:

Thursday:

Friday:

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"It's hard to beat a sitting president, but to have a conversation about what it is to be a conservative, I think it's important."

-- Jeb Bush saying President Trump should have a 2020 primary challenge, adding that "Republicans ought to be given a choice."

OUCH!

Bernie Sanders had his own run-in with the health care system before he attended a health care roundtable in South Carolina this morning.

The senator from Vermont cut his forehead on a glass shower door this morning, with the injury requiring seven stitches at a walk-in health clinic. It was covered with a large gauze bandage for Sanders' day of subsequent events.

LAUREN'S GOOD READS

Imagine a woman saying the things Beto O'Rourke does

Who gets to be Barack Obama's political heir?

Of COURSE there's a 2020 connection to the college admission scandal

How Trump's brand of grievance politics played in Pennsylvania, from The New York Times' Astead Herndon

Minnesota hockey hair is so important

MUSICAL INTERLUDE

Starship's "We Built This City" is my Friday MOOD.

THIS IS WHAT AN UNENDORSEMENT LOOKS LIKE

Sen. Cory Gardner's hometown newspaper, The Denver Post, has snatched back its 2014 endorsement of the Colorado Republican.

Now, the editorial board says Gardner "has been too busy walking a political tight rope to be a leader."

The decision came after Gardner did not vote against Trump's emergency declaration, with the editorial board calling Thursday's vote "the last straw. We no longer know what principles guide the senator and regret giving him our support in a close race against Mark Udall."

LAUREN'S 2020 LATEST

Bernie Sanders: Has announced his presidential campaign be the first-ever with a unionized workforce. His staff will be represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 400.

Howard Schultz: Is not fazed by Democratic backlash over his potential independent presidential bid. In fact, he's encouraged by it, New York magazine reports.

Bill Weld: Is headlining Nashua's "Wild Irish Breakfast" in New Hampshire this weekend as he continues to explore a primary challenge to President Trump.

Kamala Harris: Has called for a "federal moratorium" on executions.

Elizabeth Warren: Is leaning into surprise phone calls and "selfie lines" in her grassroots fundraising efforts.

Amy Klobuchar: Defends her staff treatment, saying that toughness is needed when dealing with Putin.

Beto O'Rourke: Was involved in an early internet hacking group called "Cult of the Dead Cow" while in high school, Reuters reports.

🎂HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RUTH BADER GINSBURG 🎂

Hope she likes people planking in her honor, because fans did so on the Supreme Court steps today to mark the justice's 86th birthday.

Ginsburg is getting her plank on as well -- she was back to working out with her trainer the day after she got home from cancer surgery.

YOUR DAILY GIF

From Brenna: "That feeling when you suddenly realize it's Friday and it blows your dang mind. Cory Booker is on your level. Share The Point with someone you're spending the weekend with!"

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