Federal judge delays sentencing for former national security adviser Michael Flynn
WASHINGTON — A federal judge abruptly postponed the sentencing of President Donald Trump's first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, on Tuesday, saying he could not hide his disgust for Flynn's crime of lying to the FBI and warning that he could send the retired Army lieutenant general to prison.Lawyers for Flynn, who pleaded guilty last year to lying to the agency about his Russia contacts, requested the delay during a stunning hearing in which U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan gave Flynn a blistering rebuke."Arguably you sold your country out," Sullivan told Flynn, who was flanked by his attorneys.The judge added: "I can't hide my disgust, my disdain."Sullivan's harsh words raised the prospect that he could send Flynn to prison — an unexpected development since prosecutors have recommended against prison time, citing his cooperation in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe.The hearing came amid escalating legal peril for President Trump, who was implicated by federal prosecutors in New York this month in hush-money payments to cover up extramarital affairs.
WASHINGTON — A federal judge abruptly postponed the sentencing of President Donald Trump's first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, on Tuesday, saying he could not hide his disgust for Flynn's crime of lying to the FBI and warning that he could send the retired Army lieutenant general to prison.Lawyers for Flynn, who pleaded guilty last year to lying to the agency about his Russia contacts, requested the delay during a stunning hearing in which U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan gave Flynn a blistering rebuke."Arguably you sold your country out," Sullivan told Flynn, who was flanked by his attorneys.The judge added: "I can't hide my disgust, my disdain."Sullivan's harsh words raised the prospect that he could send Flynn to prison — an unexpected development since prosecutors have recommended against prison time, citing his cooperation in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe.The hearing came amid escalating legal peril for President Trump, who was implicated by federal prosecutors in New York this month in hush-money payments to cover up extramarital affairs.
James Comey calls GOP silence to Pres. Trump's attacks on Justice Dept. 'shameful'
WASHINGTON — Former FBI Director James Comey had harsh words for House Republicans on Monday, saying their silence in response to President Donald Trump's attacks on the Justice Department is "shameful."Comey said Republicans "have to have the courage to stand up and speak the truth, not be cowed by mean tweets or fear of their base."He was on Capitol Hill for a second closed-door interview with two Republican-led committees investigating what they say was bias at the Justice Department before the 2016 presidential election.
WASHINGTON — Former FBI Director James Comey had harsh words for House Republicans on Monday, saying their silence in response to President Donald Trump's attacks on the Justice Department is "shameful."Comey said Republicans "have to have the courage to stand up and speak the truth, not be cowed by mean tweets or fear of their base."He was on Capitol Hill for a second closed-door interview with two Republican-led committees investigating what they say was bias at the Justice Department before the 2016 presidential election.
President Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani: 'Over my dead body' will Mueller interview the president
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's attorney is categorically ruling out the possibility of a presidential interview with special counsel Robert Mueller.Rudy Giuliani told "Fox News Sunday" that an interview would happen "over my dead body."The special counsel, who is investigating possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, has continued to ask for an interview with the president.Last month, the White House sent written answers in response to the special counsel's questions about possible collusion.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's attorney is categorically ruling out the possibility of a presidential interview with special counsel Robert Mueller.Rudy Giuliani told "Fox News Sunday" that an interview would happen "over my dead body."The special counsel, who is investigating possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, has continued to ask for an interview with the president.Last month, the White House sent written answers in response to the special counsel's questions about possible collusion.
Trump administration pushes government closer to shutdown over border wall dispute
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Sunday pushed the federal government closer to the brink of a partial shutdown later this week, digging in on its demand for $5 billion to build a border wall as congressional Democrats stood firm against it."We will do whatever is necessary to build the border wall to stop this ongoing crisis of immigration," said White House senior adviser Stephen Miller.Asked if that meant having a government shutdown, he said: "If it comes to it, absolutely."President Trump said last week he'd be "proud" to have a shutdown to get Congress to approve a $5 billion down payment to fulfill his campaign promise to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Sunday pushed the federal government closer to the brink of a partial shutdown later this week, digging in on its demand for $5 billion to build a border wall as congressional Democrats stood firm against it."We will do whatever is necessary to build the border wall to stop this ongoing crisis of immigration," said White House senior adviser Stephen Miller.Asked if that meant having a government shutdown, he said: "If it comes to it, absolutely."President Trump said last week he'd be "proud" to have a shutdown to get Congress to approve a $5 billion down payment to fulfill his campaign promise to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.
'I am done with the lying:' Michael Cohen claims President Trump knew hush money payments wrong
WASHINGTON — Shaken and facing a prison term, President Donald Trump's longtime personal lawyer said Friday that President Trump directed him to buy the silence of two women during the 2016 campaign because he was concerned their stories of alleged affairs with him "would affect the election." He says President Trump knew the payments were wrong.Michael Cohen — who for more than a decade was a key power player in the Trump Organization and a fixture in President Trump's political life — said he "gave loyalty to someone who, truthfully, does not deserve loyalty." Cohen spoke in an interview with ABC that aired Friday on "Good Morning America."Cohen said that "of course" President Trump knew it was wrong to make the hush-money payments, but he did not provide any specific evidence or detail in the interview.
WASHINGTON — Shaken and facing a prison term, President Donald Trump's longtime personal lawyer said Friday that President Trump directed him to buy the silence of two women during the 2016 campaign because he was concerned their stories of alleged affairs with him "would affect the election." He says President Trump knew the payments were wrong.Michael Cohen — who for more than a decade was a key power player in the Trump Organization and a fixture in President Trump's political life — said he "gave loyalty to someone who, truthfully, does not deserve loyalty." Cohen spoke in an interview with ABC that aired Friday on "Good Morning America."Cohen said that "of course" President Trump knew it was wrong to make the hush-money payments, but he did not provide any specific evidence or detail in the interview.
'We're out of time:' President Trump considers next move on border wall as government shutdown looms
WASHINGTON — Congress is racing to avoid a partial government shutdown next Friday over President Donald Trump's border wall.
WASHINGTON — Congress is racing to avoid a partial government shutdown next Friday over President Donald Trump's border wall.
'Get it done!' President Trump pushes Congress for new health law after court rules Obamacare 'unconstitutional'
WASHINGTON — After a federal judge ruled that the Obama-era health overhaul was "invalid," President Donald Trump is looking to congressional leaders to come up with a replacement even as the White House says the current law will remain in place for now."Get it done!" the president instructed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Rep.
WASHINGTON — After a federal judge ruled that the Obama-era health overhaul was "invalid," President Donald Trump is looking to congressional leaders to come up with a replacement even as the White House says the current law will remain in place for now."Get it done!" the president instructed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Rep.
President Trump names Mick Mulvaney acting chief of staff
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump announced Friday, Dec. 14 that budget director Mick Mulvaney will be his next chief of staff.Trump tweeted Friday that Mulvaney "has done an outstanding job" in his administration and would take over next year.Trump deemed Mulvaney his "acting chief of staff" but it was not immediately clear what that meant for the length of his tenure.
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump announced Friday, Dec. 14 that budget director Mick Mulvaney will be his next chief of staff.Trump tweeted Friday that Mulvaney "has done an outstanding job" in his administration and would take over next year.Trump deemed Mulvaney his "acting chief of staff" but it was not immediately clear what that meant for the length of his tenure.
In plea deal, Russian woman admits to being a secret agent
WASHINGTON — A Russian gun-rights activist admitted Thursday that she was a secret agent for the Kremlin who tried to infiltrate conservative U.S. political groups as President Donald Trump rose to power.Maria Butina, 30, agreed to plead guilty to a conspiracy charge as part of a deal with federal prosecutors."Guilty," Butina said in a slight accent when asked how she wanted to plead.
WASHINGTON — A Russian gun-rights activist admitted Thursday that she was a secret agent for the Kremlin who tried to infiltrate conservative U.S. political groups as President Donald Trump rose to power.Maria Butina, 30, agreed to plead guilty to a conspiracy charge as part of a deal with federal prosecutors."Guilty," Butina said in a slight accent when asked how she wanted to plead.
Federal judge orders Stormy Daniels to pay Pres. Trump after defamation suit dismissed
LOS ANGELES — Porn star Stormy Daniels must pay President Donald Trump nearly $293,000 for his attorneys' fees and another $1,000 in sanctions after her defamation suit against him was dismissed, a federal judge in Los Angeles ordered Tuesday, Dec. 11.President Trump's attorney, Charles Harder, had requested nearly $390,000 in fees and equal amount in sanctions as a deterrent against a "repeat filer of frivolous defamation cases."Judge S.
LOS ANGELES — Porn star Stormy Daniels must pay President Donald Trump nearly $293,000 for his attorneys' fees and another $1,000 in sanctions after her defamation suit against him was dismissed, a federal judge in Los Angeles ordered Tuesday, Dec. 11.President Trump's attorney, Charles Harder, had requested nearly $390,000 in fees and equal amount in sanctions as a deterrent against a "repeat filer of frivolous defamation cases."Judge S.
President Trump escalates shutdown threat over border wall
WASHINGTON -- Bickering in public with Democratic leaders, President Donald Trump threatened repeatedly on Tuesday to shut down the government if Congress doesn't provide the money he says is needed to build a wall at the Mexican border.President Trump's comments came as he opened a contentious meeting with Democratic Senate and House leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, with a partial shutdown looming on Dec. 21 when funding for some agencies will expire.
WASHINGTON -- Bickering in public with Democratic leaders, President Donald Trump threatened repeatedly on Tuesday to shut down the government if Congress doesn't provide the money he says is needed to build a wall at the Mexican border.President Trump's comments came as he opened a contentious meeting with Democratic Senate and House leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, with a partial shutdown looming on Dec. 21 when funding for some agencies will expire.
Democrats: President Trump's illegal payments are 'impeachable offense' if proven
WASHINGTON — The incoming Democratic chairman of the House Judiciary Committee said Sunday it would be an "impeachable offense" if it's proved that President Donald Trump directed illegal hush-money payments to women, stressing a need for continuing investigations and a deeper look by Congress into the extent of presidential misconduct.Rep.
WASHINGTON — The incoming Democratic chairman of the House Judiciary Committee said Sunday it would be an "impeachable offense" if it's proved that President Donald Trump directed illegal hush-money payments to women, stressing a need for continuing investigations and a deeper look by Congress into the extent of presidential misconduct.Rep.
President Trump says chief of staff John Kelly to leave at year's end
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says chief of staff John Kelly will leave his job at the end of the year.President Trump isn't saying immediately who will replace Kelly, a retired Marine general who has served as chief of staff since July 2017.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says chief of staff John Kelly will leave his job at the end of the year.President Trump isn't saying immediately who will replace Kelly, a retired Marine general who has served as chief of staff since July 2017.
Wisconsin farm groups say Trump administration trade deal won't affect profits
MADISON — Wisconsin agriculture organizations are applauding President Donald Trump's signing of a revised North American trade pact with the leaders of Canada and Mexico, but agricultural industry members said they don't expect it to have an impact on prices.Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation President Jim Holte told Wisconsin Public Radio that the new U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement won't be transformative."While it's a positive move, it certainly isn't the big change we're going to need for dairy farmers across Wisconsin and across this country to return to a more profitable level," said Holte.The agreement will create "a return to the status quo," said John Holevoet, the government affairs director for Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative."When the initial agreement was announced, there was some slight reaction in the market for milk price," he said. "Since then, that small gain has been eroded away again in the intervening time period."Dairy groups said the deal does include protections for the export of some Wisconsin cheeses.
MADISON — Wisconsin agriculture organizations are applauding President Donald Trump's signing of a revised North American trade pact with the leaders of Canada and Mexico, but agricultural industry members said they don't expect it to have an impact on prices.Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation President Jim Holte told Wisconsin Public Radio that the new U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement won't be transformative."While it's a positive move, it certainly isn't the big change we're going to need for dairy farmers across Wisconsin and across this country to return to a more profitable level," said Holte.The agreement will create "a return to the status quo," said John Holevoet, the government affairs director for Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative."When the initial agreement was announced, there was some slight reaction in the market for milk price," he said. "Since then, that small gain has been eroded away again in the intervening time period."Dairy groups said the deal does include protections for the export of some Wisconsin cheeses.
For first time, prosecutors connect President Trump to a federal crime
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department says that President Donald Trump directed illegal payments to buy the silence of two women whose claims of extramarital affairs threatened his presidential campaign, the first time prosecutors have connected President Trump to a federal crime.In a court filing , prosecutors said former President Trump lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen arranged the secret payments at the height of the 2016 campaign "in coordination with and at the direction of" President Trump.
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department says that President Donald Trump directed illegal payments to buy the silence of two women whose claims of extramarital affairs threatened his presidential campaign, the first time prosecutors have connected President Trump to a federal crime.In a court filing , prosecutors said former President Trump lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen arranged the secret payments at the height of the 2016 campaign "in coordination with and at the direction of" President Trump.
President Trump names State spokeswoman Heather Nauert for UN ambassador
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Friday he's nominating State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert to be the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations."She's very talented, very smart, very quick, and I think she's going to be respected by all," President Trump said Friday before departing the White House for an event in Kansas City, Missouri.If she is confirmed by the Senate, Nauert, a former Fox News Channel reporter who had little foreign policy experience before becoming State Department spokeswoman, will replace Nikki Haley.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Friday he's nominating State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert to be the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations."She's very talented, very smart, very quick, and I think she's going to be respected by all," President Trump said Friday before departing the White House for an event in Kansas City, Missouri.If she is confirmed by the Senate, Nauert, a former Fox News Channel reporter who had little foreign policy experience before becoming State Department spokeswoman, will replace Nikki Haley.
President Trump says he'll nominate Barr for attorney general
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Friday he will nominate William Barr, former President George H.W. Bush's attorney general, to serve in the same role.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Friday he will nominate William Barr, former President George H.W. Bush's attorney general, to serve in the same role.
Special counsel Robert Mueller notes Michael Flynn's cooperation, recommends no prison time
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The special counsel's office is calling Michael Flynn's cooperation "substantial" and is recommending no prison time for the former national security adviser to President Donald Trump.Prosecutors on Tuesday filed a sentencing memorandum in the case of Flynn, who pleaded guilty last year to lying to the FBI regarding conversations about sanctions with the Russian ambassador.The court filing provides the first details of Flynn's cooperation with special counsel Robert Mueller's team.It was filed ahead of Flynn's Dec. 18 sentencing.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The special counsel's office is calling Michael Flynn's cooperation "substantial" and is recommending no prison time for the former national security adviser to President Donald Trump.Prosecutors on Tuesday filed a sentencing memorandum in the case of Flynn, who pleaded guilty last year to lying to the FBI regarding conversations about sanctions with the Russian ambassador.The court filing provides the first details of Flynn's cooperation with special counsel Robert Mueller's team.It was filed ahead of Flynn's Dec. 18 sentencing.
US, China reach 90-day ceasefire in trade dispute
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — The United States and China reached a 90-day ceasefire in a trade dispute that has rattled financial markets and threatened world economic growth.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — The United States and China reached a 90-day ceasefire in a trade dispute that has rattled financial markets and threatened world economic growth.