Amid trade fight, President Trump says China will do the 'right thing'

WASHINGTON — Amid global fears of an escalating trade dispute between the U.S. and China, President Donald Trump suggested that Beijing will ease trade barriers "because it is the right thing to do" and that the economic superpowers can settle the conflict that has rattled financial markets, consumers and businesses.But fostering more uncertainty, the president's top economic advisers offered mixed messages Sunday as to the best approach with China, which has threatened to retaliate if Washington follows through with its proposed tariffs, even as President Trump emphasized his bond with Chinese President Xi Jinping."President Xi and I will always be friends, no matter what happens with our dispute on trade," President Trump wrote. "China will take down its Trade Barriers because it is the right thing to do.

North Korea tells US that Kim Jong Un ready to discuss nukes

WASHINGTON — North Korea's government has communicated with the United States to say that leader Kim Jong Un is ready to discuss his nuclear weapons program with President Donald Trump, officials said Sunday, increasing the likelihood that the unprecedented summit will actually occur.The confirmation from Pyongyang directly, rather than from third countries like South Korea, has created more confidence within President Trump's administration about the wisdom of holding such a meeting, as U.S. officials make secretive preparations.

Members of migrant caravan protest in Mexico City after Pres. Trump deploys National Guard

MEXICO CITY — Central American immigrants traveling through Mexico in a caravan that drew the attention of President Donald Trump protested in front of the U.S. Embassy on Saturday in Mexico City.Mexico's capital was the final planned stop of the migrant caravan that left from the Mexico-Guatemala border late last month to draw attention to policies toward immigrants and refugees.Caravan organizer Irineo Mujica said at Mexico City's Angel of Independence monument that what remains of the caravan would visit the basilica of Mexico's patron saint later Saturday and seek meetings with representatives of the United Nations and Organization of American States."We are looking for some reaction, some change in the policies," Mujica said.Last Tuesday, as the caravan camped at a sports complex in southern Mexico, President Trump tweeted that "The big Caravan of People from Honduras, now coming across Mexico and heading to our "Weak Laws" Border, had better be stopped before it gets there."Later in the week President Trump announced that National Guard soldiers would be deployed to bolster the security presence along the U.S.-Mexico border, a move also made during the presidencies of George W.

White House sends mixed signals on trade fight; markets dive

WASHINGTON — The trade clash between President Donald Trump and China's government is escalating, with Beijing pledging to "counterattack with great strength" if President Trump follows through on threats to impose tariffs on an additional $100 billion in Chinese goods.President Trump made his out-of-the-blue move when China threatened to retaliate for the first round of tariffs planned by the United States.

President Trump: 2,000-4,000 troops needed for Mexico border security

PHOENIX — President Donald Trump said Thursday that he wants to send between 2,000 and 4,000 National Guard members to the U.S.-Mexico border to help federal officials fight illegal immigration and drug trafficking, but it wasn't clear who would be called up or if they would even be allowed to carry guns.President Trump's comments to reporters on Air Force One were his first estimate on guard levels he believes are needed for border protection.

Tossing aside his 'boring' prepared remarks, Pres. Trump unleashes on immigration at tax cut event

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- Tossing his "boring" prepared remarks into the air, President Donald Trump on Thursday unleashed a fierce denunciation of the nation's immigration policies, calling for tougher border security while repeating his unsubstantiated claim that "millions" of people voted illegally in California.President Trump was in West Virginia to showcase the benefits of Republican tax cuts, but he took a big and meandering detour to talk about his tough immigration and trade plans.

'No choice but to act:' Pres. Trump signs order to send troops to US border

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation directing the National Guard to be deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border.President Trump says Wednesday in a memorandum to his secretaries of defense and homeland security and to his attorney general that the "situation at the border has now reached a point of crisis."The document orders the Secretary of Defense to support the Department of Homeland Security in securing the southern border to stop the flow of drugs and people.And it orders the agency heads to submit a report within 30 days outlining what other steps can be taken.President Trump says that "lawlessness" at the southern border is "fundamentally incompatible with the safety, security, and sovereignty of the American people." And he says his administration "has no choice but to act."

President Trump scales back US goals in Syria, leaves future to others

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is dramatically scaling back U.S. goals in Syria as he pushes for a quick military withdrawal, Trump administration officials said Wednesday, abandoning plans to stay long-term to stabilize the country and prevent the Islamic State group from re-emerging.President Trump has given no formal order to pull out the 2,000 U.S. troops currently in Syria, nor offered a public timetable, other than to say the United States will pull out just as soon as the last remaining IS fighters can be vanquished.

President Trump wants military to do border control 'until we can have a wall'

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- President Donald Trump said Tuesday he wants to use the military to secure the U.S.-Mexico border until his promised border wall is built.Speaking during a visit with Baltic leaders, President Trump said he's been discussing the idea with his Defense Secretary, Jim Mattis."We're going to be doing things militarily.

State to pay $30,000 to settle sign theft lawsuit

MADISON — State taxpayers will pay $30,000 to settle a federal lawsuit filed against a lawmaker who stole a sign from a protester referring to President Donald Trump as "sadistic," ''racist" and a "serial groper."State Rep.

Pres. Trump declares mid-40s 'perfect weather' for Easter Egg Roll

WASHINGTON — With overcast skies and temperatures in the 40s, President Donald Trump declared it was "perfect weather" on Monday for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll.

President Trump calls for border legislation using 'nuclear option'

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- President Donald Trump demanded Monday that Congress pass new border legislation using the "Nuclear Option if necessary" to muscle it through the Senate — a drastic change in rules the Republican leader has previously dismissed.President Trump tweeted that the U.S. must build a border wall, but argued that "Democrats want No Borders, hence drugs and crime!" He also said that a deal to help "Dreamer" immigrants is "dead because the Democrats didn't care or act."President Trump has previously called for the "nuclear option" — changing Senate rules to end the filibuster.

President Trump on deal for 'Dreamer' immigrants: 'NO MORE'

PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump on Sunday declared "NO MORE" to a deal to help "Dreamer" immigrants and threatened to pull out of a free trade agreement with Mexico unless it does more to stop people from crossing into the U.S. He claimed they're coming to take advantage of protections granted certain immigrants."NO MORE DACA DEAL!" President Trump tweeted one hour after he began the day by wishing his followers a "HAPPY EASTER!"He said Mexico must "stop the big drug and people flows, or I will stop their cash cow, NAFTA.

Pres. Trump fires VA Secretary David Shulkin, tweets White House Dr. Ronny Jackson is nominee

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump fired Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin on Wednesday and nominated White House doctor Ronny Jackson to replace him in the wake of a bruising ethics scandal and a mounting rebellion within the agency.A Navy rear admiral, Jackson is a surprise choice to succeed Shulkin, a former Obama administration official and the first non-veteran ever to head the VA.

Pres. Trump floats using military budget to pay for border wall

WASHINGTON — Still angry about the budget deal he signed last week, President Donald Trump has floated the idea of using the military's budget to pay for his long-promised border wall with Mexico, despite the fact that such spending would likely require approval from Congress.President Trump raised the funding plan with House Speaker Paul Ryan at a meeting at the White House last Wednesday, according to a person familiar with the discussion who spoke on condition of anonymity.And he's publicly tweeted that building "a great Border Wall" is "all about National Defense," and called to "Build WALL through M!", meaning the military.Departments, however, have limited authority to reprogram funds without congressional approval.

Stormy Daniels files defamation lawsuit against Pres. Trump attorney Michael Cohen

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Adult film star Stormy Daniels is now suing President Donald Trump's personal attorney Michael Cohen for defamation.The new allegation is part of a revised complaint filed Monday by Daniels' lawyer Michael Avenatti.

Adult film star Stormy Daniels describes threat over alleged 2006 Donald Trump encounter

WASHINGTON — Adult film star Stormy Daniels says she was threatened to keep silent about an alleged sexual encounter with Donald Trump in 2006, telling her story in a highly anticipated interview with CBS' "60 Minutes" broadcast Sunday, March 25.Daniels said she was threatened by an unidentified man in Las Vegas to keep quiet about her alleged relationship with Trump, an incident that she said happened while she was with her young daughter.

President Trump defends $1.3T spending plan, points to military gains

PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump on Sunday defended his decision to sign a $1.3 trillion federal spending bill despite his misgivings, pointing to billions in new funding for the military and national security.President Trump said on Twitter from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida that because of the military funding, "many jobs are created and our Military is again rich." He said building his signature border wall "is all about National Defense."Since grudgingly signing the bill on Friday after threatening a veto, President Trump has faced fierce criticism from conservatives who have accused him of caving to congressional Democrats.

Pres. Trump order would ban most transgender troops from serving

PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump released an order Friday night banning most transgender troops from serving in the military except under "limited circumstances," following up on his calls last year to ban transgender individuals from serving.The White House said retaining troops with a history or diagnosis of "gender dysphoria" — those who may require substantial medical treatment — "presents considerable risk to military effectiveness and lethality."President Trump surprised the Pentagon's leadership in a 2017 tweet when he declared he would reverse an Obama-era plan to allow transgender individuals to serve openly.