President Trump says US team in North Korea planning summit with Kim
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump said Sunday a U.S. team was in North Korea to plan a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jon Un, raising expectations that the on-off-on meeting would indeed take place.The State Department said earlier that a team was in Panmunjom, which straddles the border inside the demilitarized zone, or DMZ, separating the North and South Korea.
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump said Sunday a U.S. team was in North Korea to plan a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jon Un, raising expectations that the on-off-on meeting would indeed take place.The State Department said earlier that a team was in Panmunjom, which straddles the border inside the demilitarized zone, or DMZ, separating the North and South Korea.
President Trump cancels summit, citing 'open hostility' by North Korea
WASHINGTON — In a dramatic diplomatic turn, President Donald Trump on Thursday called off next month's summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, calling the cancellation a "tremendous setback" for peace and stressing that the US military was ready to respond to any "foolish or reckless acts" by the North.President Trump first announced his decision in a letter to Kim released by the White House, in which he cited "tremendous anger and open hostility" in a recent statement by the North, adding that it was "inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting."Speaking at the White House later, President Trump said a "maximum pressure campaign" will continue against North Korea and that he was "waiting" should Kim choose to engage in "constructive" actions.He added that it was "possible that the existing summit could take place or a summit at some later date."
WASHINGTON — In a dramatic diplomatic turn, President Donald Trump on Thursday called off next month's summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, calling the cancellation a "tremendous setback" for peace and stressing that the US military was ready to respond to any "foolish or reckless acts" by the North.President Trump first announced his decision in a letter to Kim released by the White House, in which he cited "tremendous anger and open hostility" in a recent statement by the North, adding that it was "inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting."Speaking at the White House later, President Trump said a "maximum pressure campaign" will continue against North Korea and that he was "waiting" should Kim choose to engage in "constructive" actions.He added that it was "possible that the existing summit could take place or a summit at some later date."
Foreign media depart on train for North Korean nuclear site
WONSAN, North Korea — A group of foreign journalists departed by train Wednesday to watch the dismantling of North Korea's nuclear test site after eight reporters from South Korea received last-minute permission to join them.The remote site deep in the mountains of the North's sparsely populated northeast interior is expected to have a formal closing ceremony in the next day or two, depending on the weather.
WONSAN, North Korea — A group of foreign journalists departed by train Wednesday to watch the dismantling of North Korea's nuclear test site after eight reporters from South Korea received last-minute permission to join them.The remote site deep in the mountains of the North's sparsely populated northeast interior is expected to have a formal closing ceremony in the next day or two, depending on the weather.
Secretary of State Pompeo: Fate of US-North Korea summit rests with Kim Jong Un
WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday he's "very hopeful" that a planned U.S.-North Korean summit will proceed but laid the fate of the historic meeting squarely with Kim Jong Un, who won't be reassured by U.S. demands for "rapid denuclearization."The decision about whether the June 12 meeting in Singapore between Kim and President Donald Trump happens is "ultimately up to Chairman Kim," Pompeo told the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday he's "very hopeful" that a planned U.S.-North Korean summit will proceed but laid the fate of the historic meeting squarely with Kim Jong Un, who won't be reassured by U.S. demands for "rapid denuclearization."The decision about whether the June 12 meeting in Singapore between Kim and President Donald Trump happens is "ultimately up to Chairman Kim," Pompeo told the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Judge: President Trump can't block critics on Twitter
NEW YORK — A federal judge in New York says President Donald Trump violates the First Amendment by blocking critics on Twitter for political speech.Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald in Manhattan issued the written decision Wednesday.In ruling, she said no government official — including the president — is above the law.The case was brought last July by the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University and seven individuals blocked by President Trump after criticizing the Republican president.After a hearing this year, the judge had suggested that President Trump mute rather than block some of his critics.
NEW YORK — A federal judge in New York says President Donald Trump violates the First Amendment by blocking critics on Twitter for political speech.Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald in Manhattan issued the written decision Wednesday.In ruling, she said no government official — including the president — is above the law.The case was brought last July by the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University and seven individuals blocked by President Trump after criticizing the Republican president.After a hearing this year, the judge had suggested that President Trump mute rather than block some of his critics.
President Trump suggests summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un could be delayed
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that a planned historic meeting with North Korea's Kim Jong Un could be delayed.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that a planned historic meeting with North Korea's Kim Jong Un could be delayed.
President Trump praises new CIA director; 'No one in this country better qualified'
LANGLEY, Va. — President Donald Trump praised new CIA Director Gina Haspel at her swearing-in ceremony Monday, saying there was "no one in this country better qualified" for the job.Striking a different tone than in his previous visit to the Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in Northern Virginia, President Trump hailed the agency staffers, calling them the "most elite intelligence professionals on the planet" and promised them the "the tools, the resources and the support they need."
LANGLEY, Va. — President Donald Trump praised new CIA Director Gina Haspel at her swearing-in ceremony Monday, saying there was "no one in this country better qualified" for the job.Striking a different tone than in his previous visit to the Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in Northern Virginia, President Trump hailed the agency staffers, calling them the "most elite intelligence professionals on the planet" and promised them the "the tools, the resources and the support they need."
Pres. Trump to demand DOJ review claims of FBI spy on campaign
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Sunday that he will "demand" that the Justice Department open an investigation into whether the FBI infiltrated his presidential campaign, an extraordinary order that came hours before his legal team said that the special counsel indicated its investigation into the president could be concluded by September.President Trump tweeted: "I hereby demand, and will do so officially tomorrow, that the Department of Justice look into whether or not the FBI/DOJ infiltrated or surveilled the Trump Campaign for Political Purposes - and if any such demands or requests were made by people within the Obama Administration!"President Trump's pressure on the Justice Department —it asked its watchdog later Sunday to expand an existing probe of FBI actions — reached a new intensity with the demand, and came amid a White House strategy to combat the threat posed by special counsel Robert Mueller's ongoing investigation into potential ties between Russia and President Trump's campaign.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Sunday that he will "demand" that the Justice Department open an investigation into whether the FBI infiltrated his presidential campaign, an extraordinary order that came hours before his legal team said that the special counsel indicated its investigation into the president could be concluded by September.President Trump tweeted: "I hereby demand, and will do so officially tomorrow, that the Department of Justice look into whether or not the FBI/DOJ infiltrated or surveilled the Trump Campaign for Political Purposes - and if any such demands or requests were made by people within the Obama Administration!"President Trump's pressure on the Justice Department —it asked its watchdog later Sunday to expand an existing probe of FBI actions — reached a new intensity with the demand, and came amid a White House strategy to combat the threat posed by special counsel Robert Mueller's ongoing investigation into potential ties between Russia and President Trump's campaign.
Pres. Trump welcomes wife home in tweet that misspells her name
WASHINGTON — Melania Trump returned to the White House in "high spirits" on Saturday following a weeklong hospitalization for kidney treatment, a lengthy stay that raised questions about whether the first lady's condition may have been more complicated than first revealed.President Donald Trump heralded her homecoming with a tweet that referred to her as "Melanie" instead of "Melania.""Great to have our incredible First Lady back home in the White House.
WASHINGTON — Melania Trump returned to the White House in "high spirits" on Saturday following a weeklong hospitalization for kidney treatment, a lengthy stay that raised questions about whether the first lady's condition may have been more complicated than first revealed.President Donald Trump heralded her homecoming with a tweet that referred to her as "Melanie" instead of "Melania.""Great to have our incredible First Lady back home in the White House.
Pres. Trump on anniversary of Mueller appointment: If FBI spied on my campaign, 'bigger than Watergate!'
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump lent credence Thursday to reports that FBI informants had infiltrated his presidential campaign, saying that "if so, this is bigger than Watergate!"President Trump made the comment on the anniversary of Robert Mueller's appointment as special counsel to head the Justice Department investigation into possible coordination between Russia and President Trump campaign officials.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump lent credence Thursday to reports that FBI informants had infiltrated his presidential campaign, saying that "if so, this is bigger than Watergate!"President Trump made the comment on the anniversary of Robert Mueller's appointment as special counsel to head the Justice Department investigation into possible coordination between Russia and President Trump campaign officials.
House OKs expansion of private care at VA, fix budget crisis
WASHINGTON — The House voted Wednesday to give veterans more freedom to see doctors outside the Veterans Affairs health system, a major shift aimed at reducing wait times and improving medical care despite the concerns of some Democrats who cast it as a risky step toward dismantling the struggling agency.The plan seeks to fulfill President Donald Trump's promise to expand private care to veterans whenever they feel unhappy with VA health care.The long-awaited bill would change how veterans receive their medical treatment by allowing them to go to a private physician when they felt government-run VA medical centers couldn't provide the care they needed, with the approval of a VA health provider.
WASHINGTON — The House voted Wednesday to give veterans more freedom to see doctors outside the Veterans Affairs health system, a major shift aimed at reducing wait times and improving medical care despite the concerns of some Democrats who cast it as a risky step toward dismantling the struggling agency.The plan seeks to fulfill President Donald Trump's promise to expand private care to veterans whenever they feel unhappy with VA health care.The long-awaited bill would change how veterans receive their medical treatment by allowing them to go to a private physician when they felt government-run VA medical centers couldn't provide the care they needed, with the approval of a VA health provider.
Senate intelligence committee endorses CIA nominee Haspel; GOP pushes for speedy confirmation vote
WASHINGTON — Republicans are pushing for a speedy confirmation vote as early as Thursday after the Senate intelligence committee endorsed President Donald Trump's CIA nominee Gina Haspel to lead the spy agency.But opponents concerned about Haspel's role in CIA covert detention sites after 9/11 could delay a vote by the full Senate until next week.The committee voted 10-5 in Haspel's favor on Wednesday, paving the way for her expected confirmation to become the first woman to lead the CIA.
WASHINGTON — Republicans are pushing for a speedy confirmation vote as early as Thursday after the Senate intelligence committee endorsed President Donald Trump's CIA nominee Gina Haspel to lead the spy agency.But opponents concerned about Haspel's role in CIA covert detention sites after 9/11 could delay a vote by the full Senate until next week.The committee voted 10-5 in Haspel's favor on Wednesday, paving the way for her expected confirmation to become the first woman to lead the CIA.
Pres. Trump: US hasn't been notified about threat to cancel summit
WASHINGTON — Amid fresh uncertainty over his planned summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, President Donald Trump Wednesday said that he is committed to pressing for the country to abandon its nuclear program as part of any meeting.North Korea threatened earlier in the day to scrap the historic summit between President Trump and Kim, saying it has no interest in a "one-sided" affair meant to pressure the North to abandon its nuclear weapons.
WASHINGTON — Amid fresh uncertainty over his planned summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, President Donald Trump Wednesday said that he is committed to pressing for the country to abandon its nuclear program as part of any meeting.North Korea threatened earlier in the day to scrap the historic summit between President Trump and Kim, saying it has no interest in a "one-sided" affair meant to pressure the North to abandon its nuclear weapons.
Pres. Trump disclosure of Cohen payment raises new legal questions
NEW YORK — President Donald Trump made no mention in his financial disclosure report Wednesday of a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an alleged affair, but said in a footnote that he "fully reimbursed" his personal attorney for as much $250,000 for unspecified "expenses."The head of the nation's ethics office questioned why President Trump didn't include this in last year's disclosure and passed along his concerns to federal prosecutors."I am providing both reports to you because you may find the disclosure relevant to any inquiry you may be pursuing," Office of Government Ethics Acting Director David Apol wrote to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.Apol wrote that he considers President Trump's payment to Cohen as a payment on a loan, and that it was required to be disclosed in President Trump's June 2017 disclosure.
NEW YORK — President Donald Trump made no mention in his financial disclosure report Wednesday of a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an alleged affair, but said in a footnote that he "fully reimbursed" his personal attorney for as much $250,000 for unspecified "expenses."The head of the nation's ethics office questioned why President Trump didn't include this in last year's disclosure and passed along his concerns to federal prosecutors."I am providing both reports to you because you may find the disclosure relevant to any inquiry you may be pursuing," Office of Government Ethics Acting Director David Apol wrote to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.Apol wrote that he considers President Trump's payment to Cohen as a payment on a loan, and that it was required to be disclosed in President Trump's June 2017 disclosure.
Donald Trump Jr. during congressional questioning: Can't recall discussing Russia probe with father
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump Jr.
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump Jr.
President Trump pays tribute to fallen officers in emotional ceremony; 'We will protect those who protect us'
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump paid emotional tribute Tuesday to fallen law enforcement officers and the loved ones who carry on without them, saying those who wore the uniform "were among the bravest Americans to ever live.""They made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could live in safety and in peace," President Trump said.President Trump made a rare showing of public empathy near the end of his speech by bringing onstage the elderly mother and other loved ones of a slain police officer from his native New York City.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump paid emotional tribute Tuesday to fallen law enforcement officers and the loved ones who carry on without them, saying those who wore the uniform "were among the bravest Americans to ever live.""They made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could live in safety and in peace," President Trump said.President Trump made a rare showing of public empathy near the end of his speech by bringing onstage the elderly mother and other loved ones of a slain police officer from his native New York City.
Pres. Trump offers US aid to penalized Chinese telecom company
WASHINGTON — In a surprising overture to China, President Donald Trump says he would help a Chinese telecommunications company get "back into business," saying too many jobs in China are at stake after the U.S. government cut off access to its American suppliers.At issue is the Commerce Department's move last month to block the ZTE Corp., a major supplier of telecom networks and smartphones based in southern China, from importing American components for seven years.
WASHINGTON — In a surprising overture to China, President Donald Trump says he would help a Chinese telecommunications company get "back into business," saying too many jobs in China are at stake after the U.S. government cut off access to its American suppliers.At issue is the Commerce Department's move last month to block the ZTE Corp., a major supplier of telecom networks and smartphones based in southern China, from importing American components for seven years.
Pres. Trump welcomes N. Korea plan to blow up nuke-site tunnels
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea said Saturday that it will dismantle its nuclear test site in less than two weeks, in a dramatic event that would set up leader Kim Jong Un's summit with President Donald Trump next month.
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea said Saturday that it will dismantle its nuclear test site in less than two weeks, in a dramatic event that would set up leader Kim Jong Un's summit with President Donald Trump next month.
Report: AT&T paid Pres. Trump's lawyer to advise on Time Warner deal
WASHINGTON — AT&T paid President Donald Trump's personal attorney, Michael Cohen, $600,000 for advice on its proposed purchase of Time Warner shortly after Trump's election, according to a report published Thursday by The Washington Post.The ties between AT&T and Cohen had previously been revealed, but the telecommunications company had only said it agreed to pay the attorney to gain a better understanding on how the incoming Trump administration might approach a wide range of issues, including antitrust issues.The Justice Department is seeking to block AT&T's $85 billion purchase of Time Warner on the grounds that it would stifle competition.
WASHINGTON — AT&T paid President Donald Trump's personal attorney, Michael Cohen, $600,000 for advice on its proposed purchase of Time Warner shortly after Trump's election, according to a report published Thursday by The Washington Post.The ties between AT&T and Cohen had previously been revealed, but the telecommunications company had only said it agreed to pay the attorney to gain a better understanding on how the incoming Trump administration might approach a wide range of issues, including antitrust issues.The Justice Department is seeking to block AT&T's $85 billion purchase of Time Warner on the grounds that it would stifle competition.
President Trump to greet North Korea detainees upon return to US
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump is set to greet three Americans who were detained in North Korea when they return to the U.S. early Thursday.President Trump is promising "quite a scene" at a middle-of-the-night arrival ceremony outside Washington.
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump is set to greet three Americans who were detained in North Korea when they return to the U.S. early Thursday.President Trump is promising "quite a scene" at a middle-of-the-night arrival ceremony outside Washington.