OnPolitics Today: How Trump's tweets could aid New York City attack suspect

Trump wants the death penalty. His tweeting might not help.

with Josh Hafner OnPolitics Today: How Trump's tweets could aid New York City attack suspect The president of the United States wants Sayfullo Saipov dead.  Late Wednesday, Donald Trump tweeted that the 29-year-old man suspected of killing eight in Tuesday's New York City attack "SHOULD GET THE DEATH PENALTY." But as defense lawyers and ex-prosecutors told USA TODAY, Trump's comment virtually convicts Saipov before his trial even begins. And given Trump's massive platform through the presidency and Twitter, his tweets could count as an attempt to influence the judiciary. "There's no question that the defense will be using that, I imagine, to great effect," said Raha Wala, a director at the legal advocacy group Human Rights First. It's OnPolitics Today, the daily politics roundup from USA TODAY. Subscribe here. Republicans just rolled out their tax plan. Here's what we know. House GOP lawmakers dropped a major tax overhaul on Thursday, one met with objections from conservative groups and the admission from some Republicans that their constituents might pay more. But the average family would save money, GOP leaders said. They claimed businesses would spur job creation, thanks to lower rates and extra write-offs - enough to hopefully balance out the plan's $1.5 trillion in lost government revenue. Also tucked into the plan's pages: An end to the 60-year-old ban on religious clergy endorsing political candidates. Trump wants plum government jobs for patrons of his private clubs Ambassador to the Dominican Republican is not a bad gig, one with prestige and a setting in the sunny Caribbean. But Trump's nomination of Florida insurance executive Robin Bernstein to the post is raising eyebrows, not least of all because Bernstein is a founding member of Trump's private club, Mar-a-Lago. A USA TODAY review found Trump has placed at least five current or previous members of his clubs into senior administration roles. Meanwhile, one of Trump's USDA nominees, Sam Clovis, dropped out after documents linked him to the Russia investigation. Oh, and Trump nominated a Fed chair, too: Meet Jerome Powell.  Elsewhere in politics • Senators threaten Facebook, Twitter, Google with rules • Lamar Smith: Another Republican quits Congress • Trump heads to Asia to talk trade, North Korea • Trump's influence in Va. governor race • Paul Manafort: Would you even recognize him? • Manafort readies his Russia response   MOST SHARED USA TODAY STORIES Paul Manafort indictment: Read the full document Many of the charges against Paul Manafort and Rick Gates are based... Read more Continued after advertisement Trump again tweets NYC terror suspect should get death penalty, but backs off GITMO The president is backing off prior suggestions the suspect should be... Read more House Financial Services Chairman Jeb Hensarling announces he won't run for re-election Hensarling noted that his post as the head of the Financial Services... Read more Awkward: Sen. Luther Strange avoids Roy Moore on Capitol Hill A series of photos shows Strange glancing at Moore while he's paying,... Read more DNC chair Tom Perez calls GOP response to Trump campaign aide indictments 'appalling' DNC Chair Perez called 'appalling' the GOP response to revelations... Read more FOLLOW US Thank you for subscribing to On Politics. © 2017 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22102 Unsubscribe from On Politics Why did I get this? Update my subscription preferences