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FCC expected to repeal net neutrality rules

Federal regulators are expected to vote to allow Internet providers to speed up service for some apps and websites — and block or slow down others — in a decision repealing landmark, Obama-era regulations for broadband companies such as AT&T and Verizon.

Expand

Federal regulators are expected to vote to allow Internet providers to speed up service for some apps and websites — and block or slow down others — in a decision repealing landmark, Obama-era regulations for broadband companies such as AT&T and Verizon.

promo
LIVE

FCC expected to repeal net neutrality rules

Federal regulators are expected to vote to allow Internet providers to speed up service for some apps and websites — and block or slow down others — in a decision repealing landmark, Obama-era regulations for broadband companies such as AT&T and Verizon.

Expand

(Video: Dalton Bennett, John Parks, Jesse Mesner-Hage, Tom LeGro/Post; photo: AP; illustration by Nick Kirkpatrick/Post)
Related: Obama’s secret struggle to punish Russia for Putin’s election assault
Putin says Trump would improve ties with Russia if his foes would let him
Nearly a year into his presidency, Trump continues to reject the evidence that Russia waged an unprecedented assault on a pillar of American democracy and supported his run for the White House. Interviews with more than 50 U.S. officials show that the personal insecurities of the president have impaired the government’s response to a national security threat, with Trump resisting or attempting to roll back efforts to hold Moscow to account as he tries to forge a partnership with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Fix: Trump’s deep insecurity about Russian interference, in stark relief
The Post Report at a Glance
••••••••
Scoffing at notions of Russian interference
Told that members of his incoming Cabinet had already publicly backed the intelligence report on Russian election meddling, President-elect Trump shot back, “So what?” Admitting that the Kremlin had hacked Democratic Party emails, he said, was a “trap.”
••••••••
Grudging pronouncement, immediate regret
On Jan. 11, Trump came as close as he ever would to acknowledging that Russia had influenced his win. “As far as hacking, I think it was Russia,” he said. But Trump regretted the words almost immediately. “It’s not me,” he said to aides afterward. “It wasn’t right.”
••••••••
‘More than worth the effort’
U.S. officials said the Kremlin believes it got a staggering return on an operation that by some estimates cost less than $500,000 to execute and was organized around two main objectives — destabilizing U.S. democracy and preventing Hillary Clinton, who is despised by Russian President Vladimir Putin, from reaching the White House.
••••••••
‘The last administration had it exactly backwards’
Trump administration officials defend the approach with Russia, insisting that their policies and actions have been tougher than those pursued by President Barack Obama. “Our approach is that we don’t irritate Russia, we deter Russia,” a senior administration official said.
••••••••
An informal offer to the Kremlin
With Trump’s apparent approval, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson floated plans to return two Russian compounds in the United States that the Obama administration seized in retaliation for Moscow’s election meddling. A senior administration official said Tillerson later sweetened the deal, offering to return one with full diplomatic privileges. State Department officials disputed that account, saying that no such offer was ever contemplated.
••••••••
‘He was raging. He was raging mad.’
Even before Trump was sworn in, a group of senators had begun drafting legislation to impose further sanctions on Russia. Trump saw the bill as validation of the case that Russia had interfered and a potentially fatal blow to his aspirations for friendship with Putin. When it passed 98 to 2, Trump was “apoplectic,” an adviser recalled. It took four days for aides to persuade him to sign the bill.
••••••••
An aversion to intelligence reports, a dilemma for spies
Current and former officials said that Trump’s intelligence update — known as the president’s daily brief, or PDB — is often structured to avoid upsetting him. “If you talk about Russia, meddling, interference — that takes the PDB off the rails,” said a former senior U.S. intelligence official.
••••••••
‘A good relationship with Russia is a good thing’
Some officials close to Trump explain his aversion to the intelligence findings in more psychological terms. The president sees the Russia inquiry as a conspiracy to undermine his election accomplishment — “a witch hunt,” as he often calls it. “If you say ‘Russian interference,’ to him it’s all about him,” one said. “He judges everything as about him.”
Read the story 
FCC poised to repeal net neutrality rules
Internet providers would be able to speed up service for some apps and websites — and block or slow down others — in the expected repeal of Obama-era regulations for broadband companies such as AT&T and Verizon.
Farenthold won’t seek reelection amid allegations of sexual harassment
Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas), who settled a complaint with his former communications director but has denied engaging in improper behavior, plans to serve out the rest of his term, according to three Republicans familiar with his plans.
Disney buys much of Fox in major deal that resets the Hollywood power grid
The Walt Disney Company will pay $52.4 billion for the majority of assets from rival 21st Century Fox, the studio behind juggernauts such as the “X-Men” series, “The Simpsons,” FX Networks and National Geographic. Fox plans to spin off its broadcast networks, including the Fox News Channel, leaving them in the hands of chairman Rupert Murdoch.
Merger gives ESPN a local strategy to combat its financial woes
Under the deal, Disney would acquire Fox Sports Regional Networks, giving it and ESPN access to a massive amount of new content from the collection of cable channels broadcast to local subscribers.
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The suburban revolt against Trump continued in Alabama
Democratic strength in counties won by President Trump alarms Republicans because many of their most vulnerable House members are in suburban districts near places like Minneapolis.
The Finance 202
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Wall Street may not get absolutely everything it wants in GOP tax package
As negotiators tweak provisions to ensure the cost of the package doesn't top $1.5 trillion, the fine print threatens to eat into the benefits that many are taking for granted.
‘I cannot handle it any longer’: Suicide suspected in death of Ky. lawmaker accused of molesting teen
The body of Kentucky state Rep. Dan Johnson — who was accused of molesting a member of his church when she was 17 — was found with one gunshot wound to the head.
Omarosa Manigault blames person with ‘personal vendetta’ for report that she was escorted off the White House grounds
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Comparing the ‘Trump economy’ to the ‘Obama economy’
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders bragged on Twitter about the “booming Trump economy” but most of the upward economic trends began in the Obama-era.
The most germ-infested places you encounter every day — and how to avoid getting sick
Even as you get dressed for the day, you may be coming in contact with germs. And it's all downhill from there.
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Last Updated:12:07 PM 12/14/2017
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