Questions about Russia chase President Trump during first Israel visit

JERUSALEM — President Donald Trump solemnly placed a note in the ancient stones of Jerusalem's Western Wall on Monday, May 22nd, sending a signal of solidarity to an ally he's pushing to work harder toward peace with the Palestinians.

$193 billion: Huge cuts to food stamps part of President Trump's budget proposal

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's budget would drive millions of people off of food stamps, part of a new wave of spending cut proposals that already are getting panned by lawmakers in both parties on Capitol Hill.President Trump's blueprint for the 2018 budget year comes out Tuesday, May 23rd.

In Saudi Arabia, Pres. Trump urges Mideast nations to drive out 'Islamic extremism'

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — President Donald Trump on Sunday, May 21st implored Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries to extinguish "Islamic extremism" emanating from the region, describing a "battle between good and evil" rather than a clash between the West and Islam.In a pointed departure from his predecessor, President Trump all but promised he would not publicly admonish Mideast rulers for human rights violations and oppressive reigns."We are not here to lecture — we are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship," President Trump said, speaking in an ornate room in the Saudi capital. "Instead, we are here to offer partnership — based on shared interests and values — to pursue a better future for us all."The president's address was the centerpiece of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, his first overseas trip since his January swearing-in.

President Trump's wife keeps her head bare during Saudi Arabia visit

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Ignoring President Donald Trump's past admonition, U.S. first lady Melania Trump did not cover her head Saturday when they arrived in Saudi Arabia on the opening leg of his first international tour since taking office.Two years ago, then-citizen Trump criticized then-first lady Michelle Obama's decision to go bare-headed on a January 2015 visit with her husband."Many people are saying it was wonderful that Mrs.

President Trump basks in lavish Saudi welcome, escaping troubles in DC

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — President Donald Trump basked in Saudi Arabia's lavish royal welcome Saturday as he left behind, at least temporarily, the snowballing controversies dogging him in Washington.

New York Times: Pres. Trump tells Russians James Comey was a 'nut job'

WASHINGTON — During his meeting with Russian officials last week, President Donald Trump said recently fired FBI Director James Comey was a "nut job" whose ouster relieved "great pressure" on him, according to a report Friday in The New York Times.The Times cited notes from a May 10 Oval Office meeting, the day after Pres.

White House says Pres. Trump will hold off on naming FBI director

WASHINGTON — The White House says the president will not announce his pick for FBI director before leaving Friday on his first foreign trip.President Donald Trump has been narrowing a short list and interviewing candidates to replace FBI Director James Comey, whom Pres.

President Trump says he's 'very close' to naming a new FBI director

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Thursday that he is "very close" to naming a new FBI director to replace the one he fired more than a week ago and that former Connecticut Sen.

President Trump claims 'witch hunt'; GOP puts hope in special counsel

WASHINGTON — Brimming with resentment, President Donald Trump fervently denied on Thursday that his campaign had collaborated with Russia or that he'd tried to kill an FBI probe of the issue, contending that "even my enemies" recognize his innocence and declaring himself the most unfairly hounded president in history.Asked point-blank if he'd done anything that might merit prosecution or even impeachment, he said no and then added concerning the allegations and questions that have mounted as he nears the four-month mark of his presidency: "I think it's totally ridiculous.

Senators: Deputy AG Rosenstein knew of Comey firing before memo

WASHINGTON — Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein knew President Donald Trump was going to fire FBI Director James Comey before he wrote a memo justifying the ouster of the law enforcement chief, Democratic senators said Thursday, May 18th.Illinois Sen.

Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke to resign, says he's joining Trump administration

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke said Wednesday, May 17th that he will resign in June so he can accept a position in President Donald Trump's administration.Clarke, who has been one of President Trump's strongest supporters, will leave behind multiple investigations into deaths at the Milwaukee County Jail and a harassment complaint filed against him.

Special counsel: Former FBI Director Mueller to lead President Trump-Russia probe

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Justice Department on Wednesday, May 17th appointed former FBI Director Robert Mueller as a special counsel to oversee a federal investigation into potential coordination between Russia and now-President Donald Trump's campaign during the 2016 presidential election."I accept this responsibility and will discharge it to the best of my ability," Mueller said in a brief statement.In a statement released by the White House, President  Trump said: "As I have stated many times, a thorough investigation will confirm what we already know — there was no collusion between my campaign and any foreign entity.

Speaker Ryan: "It is appropriate for House Oversight Committee to request (Comey) memo"

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- House Speaker Paul Ryan is supporting a powerful fellow Republican lawmaker’s request for former FBI Director James Comey’s memo regarding President Donald Trump’s efforts to have a federal investigation shut down.“We need to have all the facts, and it is appropriate for the House Oversight Committee to request this memo,” said AshLee Strong, a spokeswoman for Ryan.Several national news outlets have reported on the memo, which allegedly shows President Donald Trump asking Comey to quash an investigation into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.

President Trump talk with Russians 'wholly appropriate,' adviser says

WASHINGTON — The White House on Tuesday, May 16th defended President Donald Trump's disclosure of classified information to senior Russian officials as "wholly appropriate," as President  Trump tried to beat back criticism from fellow Republicans and calm international allies increasingly wary about sharing their secrets with the new president.The highly classified information about an Islamic State plot was collected by Israel, a crucial source of intelligence and close partner in the fight against some of the America's fiercest threats in the Middle East.

Report: President Trump asked Comey to shut down Flynn investigation

WASHINGTON — The White House disputed a report Tuesday, May 16th that President Donald Trump asked former FBI Director James Comey to shut down an investigation into ousted national security adviser Michael Flynn.The New York Times reported that President Trump made the request during a February Oval Office meeting.

Wisconsin Republicans want answers about President Trump meeting

MADISON — House Speaker Paul Ryan and other Republicans from Wisconsin called Tuesday for President Donald Trump to report to Congress about what he said during a private meeting with senior Russian officials last week.President Trump defended his right to share "facts pertaining to terrorism" and airline safety with Russia, saying in a pair of tweets Tuesday he has "an absolute right" as president to do so.

Russia denies President Trump shared classified secrets

Russia's foreign ministry spokesman has denied reports that President Donald Trump revealed classified information to senior officials during the Russian minister's visit to the Oval Office last week.The Washington Post reported on Monday that the revelation put a source of intelligence on the Islamic State at risk.Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry, on Facebook on Tuesday described the reports as "yet another fake."The reports came several days after the White House faced criticism for a possible security breach after it allowed a Russian news service photographer into the Oval Office to snap photos of Trump with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak last week.

Report: President Trump shared secret info about IS with Russians

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump revealed highly classified information about Islamic State militants to Russian officials during a meeting last week, The Washington Post reported Monday, May 15th.

President Trump honors fallen police officers, vows to reduce violence

WASHINGTON — Decrying violence against police, President Donald Trump honored the "brave souls" of law enforcement on Monday, May 15th and vowed his administration would look for ways to reduce violence against police.President Trump addressed law enforcement and family members of the fallen at the 36th annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service outside the U.S. Capitol, reaffirming his campaign promises to restore justice and end attacks on police."Every drop of blood spilled from our heroes in blue is a wound inflicted upon the whole country," President Trump said. "And every heartache known by your families in law enforcement is a sorrow shared by the entire family of the American nation."