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Donald Trump made it clear at the beginning of his campaign that he wasn’t going to follow the normal rules or tone of politics. We’re keeping track of all the ways his presidency veers from the norm in terms of policy and rhetoric.

“Moral clarity” was one of the promises Donald Trump made during his keynote at an event hosted by the Family Research Council, a conservative group known for its virulently anti-LGBTQ, anti-abortion, anti-Islam agenda.

Kicking off the three-day conference of conservatives, Trump said the “nation’s religious heritage would be cherished, protected and defended like you have never seen before” under his leadership, and that the country was “changing back again” — a statement that met with loud applause.

Another big reaction came in response to his holiday-themed comments:

The Family Research Council condemns LGBTQ people as sick, perverted, pedophilic, violent, and predatory — and makes no secret of its views. Its website states: “Family Research Council believes that homosexual conduct is harmful to the persons who engage in it and to society at large, and can never be affirmed. It is by definition unnatural.”

The organization also believes in abstinence until marriage between a man and woman, which they describe as “the expected context for sexual behaviors.”

Trump’s participation in the event — he’s appeared there twice before, too — comes a week after Attorney General Jeff Sessions launched a double-pronged attack on LGBTQ rights, first by rolling back Obama-era workplace protections for transgender employees, and second by issuing “religious liberty” guidelines that could sanction firing someone just because they’re gay.

Included in the “swag bag” received by guests was a pamphlet titled “The Hazards of Homosexuality.”

Meanwhile, some of the organization’s opponents shelled out for protest Snapchat filters.

In addition to Trump, former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon and former advisor Sebastian Gorka will also speak at three-day conference, dubbed “a rogues’ gallery of the radical right,” by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Other speakers include Tony Perkins, the president of the Family Research Council, who says that homosexuality leads to “eternal damnation.” Roy Moore, the Republican candidate vying for Sessions’ empty Alabama Senator seat, will also speak. Moore has previously said same-sex parents were “detrimental” to children, and asserts that Islam is a “false religion.”

—Tess Owen

White House Chief of Staff John Kelly said during a surprise press appearance on Thursday that he was not hired to control President Donald Trump’s Twitter habits.

“I was not brought to this job to control anything but the flow of information to the president,” Kelly said while addressing rumors of his status in the administration. “The job of the chief of staff is to staff the president, give him the best advice or go get the best advice I can give him, help him consume advice, help him work through the decision-making process in an informed way. But that’s my job.”

He immediately denied a question about whether Trump’s tweets make his job harder. Kelly has only been on the job for about two months after replacing Reince Preibus late July, but articles in Washington Post and Vanity Fair this week indicated that his relationship with the president has already soured.

“I’m not quitting today,” Kelly clarified at the beginning of his speech. “I just talked to the president, I don’t think I’m being fired today.”

Kelly also said of Trump’s social media habits that president “has a right to defend himself.”

“Let me just say that when members of Congress say things that are unfair or critical, the president has a right to defend himself,” Kelly said in response to questions about Trump’s recent feud with Sen. Bob Corker.

Trump “is a straightforward guy,” Kelly said.

— Diamond Naga Siu

Puerto Rico could lose federal relief resources, President Trump threatened in a Thursday morning tweet, as the storm-ravaged U.S. territory faces a staggering humanitarian crisis.

“Congress to decide how much to spend,” he wrote at the end of his second 140-character missive. “We cannot keep FEMA, the Military & the First Responders, who have been amazing (under the most difficult circumstances) in P.R. forever!” He’s repeatedly praised the work of the federal responders even as residents in some areas say they still haven’t received any aid.

Trump’s message comes hours before the House votes on a $36.5 billion disaster relief package for the nation, to cover the still-raging Northern California wildfires, Texas flooding from Hurricane Harvey, hurricane-ravaged Florida, and the Puerto Rico recovery.

The bill allocates $4.9 billion to the island to ensure government operations continue running, but the U.S. territory would ultimately have to repay this loan — adding onto the $72 billion debt it already owes the government. Three weeks after Hurricane Maria hit, electricity still hasn’t returned to 85 percent of the island, 40 percent of those still there do not have running water, and the death toll is 45 and still climbing.

“Puerto Rico survived the Hurricanes, now a financial crisis looms largely of their own making,” Trump wrote Thursday morning, quoting investigative journalist Sharyl Attkinsson who interviewed Puerto Rico governor Ricardo Rossello for a clip. He further claimed the governor blamed the problem on “a total lack of accountability.”

A few days after the hurricane made landfall, Trump had tweeted in praise of Rossello, calling him “a great guy and leader who is really working hard.” That same day, Sept. 30, he advocated for continued support to the territory.

“We must all be united in offering assistance to everyone suffering in Puerto Rico and elsewhere in the wake of this terrible disaster,” Trump wrote. “The military and first responders, despite no electric roads, phones, etc., have done an amazing job. Puerto Rico was totally destroyed.”

Although Trump suggested an unwillingness to continue helping Puerto Rico and again highlighted the island’s weak infrastructure — even before Hurricane Maria hit — the vote in Congress is expected to pass with bipartisan support. And it seems FEMA is prepared to defy Trump. In response to his threatening tweet, FEMA spokeswoman Eileen Lainez tweeted that the agency will be “with Puerto Rico, USVI, every state, territory impacted by a disaster every day, supporting throughout their response & recovery.”

Trump felt the need to reassure his Twitter followers on Wednesday morning that White House Chief of Staff General John Kelly isn’t going to be fired.

Responding to rumors of friction between the president and his top White House staffer, Trump posted, “The Fake News is at it again,” adding that the “story is totally made up by the dishonest media.”

“The Chief is doing a FANTASTIC job,” he wrote.

Trump did not specify which “story” about “The Chief” stirred him into action. On Tuesday, however, Vanity Fair suggested a “widening rift” had developed between Trump and his enforcer.

Kelly “doesn’t love this job,” a person close to Kelly told Vanity Fair. “He’s doing it as a duty for the country.”

Last month, Kelly was caught facepalming when Trump threatened to “totally destroy North Korea” during a General Assembly speech at the United Nations.

He took over the role after Reince Priebus was pushed out of the White House in July.

— Paul Vale

The NFL wants President Trump to keep reading after the first sentence.

Trump tweeted on Wednesday that the Roger Goodell, commissioner of the NFL, was “finally demanding” players stand for the national anthem, but according to the league, that’s wrong.

“Commentary this morning about the Commissioner’s position on the Anthem is not accurate,” the NFL told ESPN.

Goodell sent a memo to all 32 teams on Tuesday, ESPN reported, urging players to stand for the anthem, but also recognizing their motivations for not doing so.

“Like many of our fans, we believe that everyone should stand for the National Anthem,” the statement reads. “We also care deeply about our players and respect their opinions and concerns about critical social issues. The controversy over the Anthem is a barrier to having honest conversations and making real progress on the underlying issues.”

NFL owners will meet to discuss the ongoing anthem controversy next week, which reignited Sunday after Vice President Mike Pence walked out of an Indiana Colts game in pre-planned political stunt.

— Josh Marcus

Since taking office, Trump has lied to or mislead the country more than five times a day on average, according to the latest tally from a Washington Post project. He’s now up to 1,318 falsities.

Some truth-stretching highlights from just the last four days:

• Claiming Puerto Rico had winds over 200 mph during Hurricane Maria, when sustained winds actually topped out at 155mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
• Saying he was opposed to invading Iraq, even though he previously supported the decision.
• Arguing, as he often does, the United States is the most taxed nation in the world, even though it usually clocks in between 31st and 17th when compared to other OECD nations.
• Promising his tax plan will be the largest tax cut ever, even though there’s nothing in it to suggest that’s true, according to the Post’s analysis

And if Trump disagrees with all this, as he surely will, he will probably label it as “fake news,” a term he claimed invented. That, of course, is also not true.

— Josh Marcus

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson reportedly called President Donald Trump a “moron” — but Trump thinks that, actually, he’s smarter than Tillerson.

In a long, rambling interview the President gave to Fortune magazine — which touched on the president’s legislative successes and the economy as well as a new bill to punish corporations that choose to do business abroad — Trump addressed his running spat with Tillerson. The Secretary of State has reportedly considered resigning and called Trump a “moron” in front of senior White House officials, sources toldNBC News last week.

“I think it’s fake news,” Trump said. “But if he did that, I guess we’ll have to compare IQ tests. And I can tell you who is going to win.”

After the NBC story was published, Trump denied the claims.

And so did Tillerson. In a press conference the day the story was published, he restated his “commitment” to the White House and characterized NBC News’ story as “petty nonsense.” Tillerson’s spokesperson also denied he called Trump a moron. “The secretary does not use that type of language,” she said.

Trump and Tillerson are scheduled to have lunch on Tuesday at the White House with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

— Alex Lubben

White House aides repeatedly try to distract and delay Donald Trump from enacting far-reaching and potentially disastrous policy decisions on a whim, senior White House staff and others close to the president told Politico.

Even former chief of staff Reince Priebus, according to the sources, had to handle Trump, who’s volatile, easily irked, and quick to make decisions from his gut.

Since telling Trump “no” didn’t usually work, Priebus — who was pushed out of the White House in July — often told Trump “next week” in the hope that White House staff or external advisers could talk the president out of it by then.

Trump is especially susceptible to making policy decisions after being irritated by TV coverage or chatting with TV host Sean Hannity or White House aide Stephen Miller, according to Politico.

On Sunday, Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker accused Trump of acting like a toddler and noted the “tremendous amount of work that it takes by people around him to keep him [Trump] in the middle of the road.”

Although the White House dismissed Corker’s broadside, administration officials confirmed to Politico that White House staffers spend entire days trying to distract the leader of the free world.

— Paul Vale

Who’s the true first lady of the United States?

In an interview with “Good Morning America,” Trump’s first wife, Ivana Trump, suggested she was the real first lady. Explaining she has a “direct number to the White House,” Ivana said she tries not to use it because it would make Melania jealous.

“I don’t really want to call him there because Melania is there and I don’t want to cause any kind of jealousy or something like that,” she said, adding, “Because I’m basically first Trump wife, OK? I’m [the] first lady.”

Through a spokesperson, Melania offered a firm rebuttal: “Mrs. Trump has made the White House a home for Barron and the President. She loves living in Washington, D.C., and is honored by her role as first lady of the United States. She plans to use her title and role to help children, not sell books … There is clearly no substance to this statement from an ex. This is unfortunately only attention-seeking and self-serving noise.”

Muddling the issue further is that, historically, at least, the first lady is traditionally but not required to be the president’s wife. First lady duties include championing causes and acting as a hostess at the White House. So, who’s the most legit first lady?

The front-runner: Melania Trump

PROS: As the president’s current wife, Melania would seem the most natural heir to the FLOTUS seat. She’s selected a cause — anti-bullying — and she wore a FLOTUS hat that matched Trump’s MAGA hat on a trip to survey damage done by Hurricane Harvey.

CONS: While Melania has warmed up to the role, she initially didn’t appear to be thrilled with it. There was the red-carpet hand-slap felt ’round the world; she delayed her move to D.C. by several months; and she still hasn’t hired a full White House staff.

The challenger: Ivana Trump

PROS: Ivana is the first wife, and mother of Trump’s three favorite children — Ivanka, Eric and Donald Jr. She and Trump have remained on good terms since their divorce, and she defended him when the “Access Hollywood” “grab ’em by the pussy” video was released a few weeks before the 2016 election.

CONS: She told ABC News she hates Washington and is glad it’s Melania, and not her, who has to live there.

The wild card: Ivanka Trump

PROS: Like Melania, she has an issue: TK. She already has an office in the White House, and she exercises her “walk-in privilege” to just about any Oval Office meeting she wants to attend.

CONS: She and husband Jared Kushner appear to be in the thick of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, not least for using private emails for government business.

Unavailable for comment: Marla Maples

N/A

The designated survivor: Tiffany Trump

PROS: She is one of the few Trump siblings not currently under investigation.

CONS: Ostensibly she’d like to keep it that way.

Happy to step in: Hope Hicks

PROS: She’s one of the few campaign members still left standing.

CONS: For how much longer, though?

— Gabrielle Bluestone

Republican Sen. Bob Corker savaged the White House Sunday in one of the most pointed attacks since Donald Trump took office.

Responding to one of the president’s Sunday morning Twitter tirades, Corker, a former Trump ally, accusedTrump of turning the White House into “an adult day care center” and putting the U.S. “on the path to World War III.”

The Tennessee senator, who announced in September that he wouldn’t seek re-election, later gave an explosive interview to the New York Times, in which he called Trump’s “volatility” a concern shared by the “vast majority” of congressional Republicans.

“I don’t know why the president tweets out things that are not true,” Corker told the Times. “You know he does it, everyone knows he does it, but he does.”

The senator also accused Trump of treating the presidency like “a reality show” with reckless threats toward North Korea that could put the U.S. on “the path to World War III.”

“He concerns me,” Corker told the Times. “He would have to concern anyone who cares about our nation.”

Earlier, Trump tweeted that Corker had “begged” him for an endorsement before the congressman decided to retire at the end of his term in 2018.

“He also wanted to be Secretary of State, I said ‘NO THANKS,’” Trump blustered.

Trump’s outburst could have significant political consequences. Corker is a powerful voice in the Republican hierarchy, and the White House can’t afford to lose GOP backers as it pushes for tax cuts.

— Paul Vale

Members of the Trump administration keep traveling on private jets, and government watchdogs have had enough.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s office of the inspector general is widening its investigation into administrator Scott Pruitt’s travel to include his use of private and military aircraft, Reuters reported Friday. Originally, the office was only looking into Pruitt’s extensive travel to his home state of Oklahoma, where he spent nearly half of his first three months in office — but now, it’s investigating whether Pruitt actually needed to take at least four flights on non-commercial planes.

EPA spokesperson Liz Bowman told Reuters that EPA lawyers had cleared the flights, but the inspector general will now determine if “EPA’s policies and procedures are sufficiently designed to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse with the Administrator’s travel.”

Read: All the Trump officials who took private jets and still have jobs

Pruitt is now the second member of the Trump administration under investigation for his jet-setting. The inspector general for the Interior Department is also looking at Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s multiple flights on government and private jets.

In other private jet news, Energy Secretary Rick Perry hopped on a $11,000 chartered flight last Thursday, Reuters reported, just one day before Tom Price resigned as Health and Human Services secretary over the eye-popping $500,000 price tag on his own travel bills.

— Carter Sherman

Rumors have been floating around for months that former coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler was up for the job of deputy administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and on Friday he was officially nominated.

Wheeler was a registered lobbyist for Murray Energy — the coal giant run by outspoken climate denier Robert Murray — until August 11 of this year. Prior to that, he was a legislative aide to Republican Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma, who famously brought a snowball onto the Senate floor to “disprove” climate change.

Despite his qualifications, Wheeler might need a waiver from the Trump administration in order to do his job at EPA. That’s because in January, President Trump signed an executive order that barred lobbyists from participating in “any particular matter involving specific parties that is directly and substantially related to my former employer or former clients, including regulations and contracts.”

But luckily, Trump put a back door in the order: He can issue waivers, which don’t have to be disclosed to the public.

— Alex Lubben