Shifting explanations from White House alarm some in GOP
WASHINGTON — The shifting White House explanation for President Donald Trump's decision to withhold military aid from Ukraine drew alarm Friday from Republicans as the impeachment inquiry brought a new test of their alliance.Pres.
Democratic voters concentrate on candidates, not impeachment
AMES, Iowa — In the liberal strongholds of Des Moines' west side and the Iowa State University campus in Ames, not once was South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg asked by voters recently about the impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump.It's not that the investigation into the president's request for foreign help in his reelection effort is an afterthought for Democrats whose votes in Iowa will start the nominating process.
Pres. Trump outstripping Obama on pace of executive orders
WASHINGTON — It wasn't too long ago that Pres.
US hails Turkish cease-fire; Kurds must vacate border area
ANKARA, Turkey — The U.S. and Turkey agreed Thursday to a cease-fire in the Turks' deadly attacks on Kurdish fighters in northern Syria, requiring the Kurds to vacate the area in an arrangement that largely solidifies Turkey's position and aims in the weeklong conflict.
GM and union reach tentative deal that could end strike
DETROIT — Bargainers for General Motors and the United Auto Workers reached a tentative contract deal on Wednesday that could end a monthlong strike that brought the company's U.S. factories to a standstill.The deal, which the union says offers "major gains" for workers, was hammered out after months of bargaining but won't bring an immediate end to the strike by 49,000 hourly workers.
President Trump urges Italy's leader to increase defense spending
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump urged Italy on Wednesday to increase its defense spending as he welcomed Italian President Sergio Mattarella to the White House.President Trump says Italy is only spending 1.1 percent of its gross domestic product on defense, short of a goal set by NATO allies of spending 2 percent.
Wisconsin spice company peppers Facebook with anti-President Trump ads
MADISON — The nation's largest independent spice retailer is peppering Facebook with ads calling for the impeachment of President Donald Trump.Wisconsin-based Penzeys Spices spent nearly $100,000 on Facebook ads last week calling for President Trump's impeachment, making it one of the largest social media spenders on impeachment to date.Facebook says Penzeys spent nearly $96,000 on ads supporting impeachment between Oct. 4 and Oct. 10.
US troops scramble for the exits in Syria
WASHINGTON — U.S. troops scrambled for Syria's exits Monday while the Trump administration threatened economic penalties on Turkey for an invasion that opened the door to a resurgence of the Islamic State group -- the fighters who were the reason U.S. forces came in the first place.The Turks began attacks in Syria against the Kurds, longtime U.S. battlefield allies against IS, after President Donald Trump declared U.S. troops would stay out of the fight.American troops consolidated their positions in northern Syria and prepared to evacuate equipment in advance of a full withdrawal as Turkish forces pressed an offensive against the Kurds, a U.S. defense official said.The preparations, triggered by President Trump's decision Saturday to expand a limited troop pullout into a complete withdrawal, came as President Trump's national security team considered imposing what he called "big sanctions" on NATO ally Turkey.The U.S. pullout raised many questions, including how and whether the Trump administration would continue putting military pressure on the Islamic State in Syria without a troop presence on the ground.
Joe Biden's son Hunter stepping down from Chinese board
NEW YORK — Facing intense scrutiny from President Donald Trump and his Republican allies, Hunter Biden says he will step down from the board of directors of a Chinese-backed private equity firm at the end of the month as part of a pledge not to work on behalf of any foreign-owned companies should his father win the presidency.Biden, the 49-year-old son of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, revealed his plan Sunday in an internet post written by his attorney, George Mesires, who outlined a defense of the younger Biden's work in Ukraine and China, which has emerged as one of President Trump's chief lines of attack against Hunter's father despite no proof of impropriety."Hunter makes the following commitment: Under a Biden Administration, Hunter will readily comply with any and all guidelines or standards a President Biden may issue to address purported conflicts of interest, or the appearance of such conflicts, including any restrictions related to overseas business interests.
Pres. Trump says he's an 'island of 1' on Syria
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Saturday that he is an "island of one" for removing U.S. forces from northeastern Syria.But he remained steadfast and defended a move that drew widespread bipartisan criticism that he has endangered stability in the Middle East and risked the lives of Syrian Kurdish allies who helped the U.S. bring down the Islamic State group in Syria.Turkey, however, regards those Kurdish fighters as a terrorist threat and has launched a military operation against them.Pres.
Impeachment dominates, but much other work awaits Congress
WASHINGTON — Impeachment may have leapfrogged to the top of the national agenda, but members of Congress still have their day jobs as legislators, and they're returning to Washington this coming week with mixed hopes of success.It's a volatile, difficult-to-predict time in Washington as lawmakers end a two-week break.
Defense Secretary: Pres. Trump orders US troops to leave northern Syria
WASHINGTON — Amid growing chaos in Syria, President Donald Trump has ordered all U.S. troops to withdraw from the country's north to avoid an "untenable" conflict between Turkey and U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Sunday.The approximately 1,000 U.S. troops in Syria are not leaving the country entirely, Esper told CBS' "Face the Nation."Esper said he spoke to Trump on Saturday night amid growing signs that the Turkish invasion, which began Wednesday, is growing more dangerous."In the last 24 hours, we learned that they (the Turks) likely intend to expand their attack further south than originally planned — and to the west," Esper said.Trump, in a tweet Sunday, said: "Very smart not to be involved in the intense fighting along the Turkish Border, for a change.
Judges block green card denials for immigrants on public aid
NEW YORK — Federal judges in three states on Friday temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's policy to deny green cards to many immigrants who use Medicaid, food stamps and other government benefits, dealing a setback to one of the president's most aggressive moves yet to cut legal immigration and make it more based on employment skills than family ties.The rulings in California, New York and Washington came in quick succession four days before the new rules were set to take effect.
Pelosi calls Pres. Trump 'potty-mouth' after his remarks on Biden
WASHINGTON — Speaker Nancy Pelosi says President Donald Trump has become a "potty-mouth," but that's not why House Democrats are pursuing impeachment.In a conference call Friday, Pelosi told her House Democratic colleagues to stay focused on their "just the facts, ma'am," impeachment probe.Pres.
President Trump: Kevin McAleenan out at Homeland Security
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says Kevin McAleenan is out as the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and says he will be announcing a new acting secretary in the next week.President Trump says on Twitter that McAleenan has done an outstanding job and border crossings are down.But the president says McAleenan wants to "spend more time with his family and go to the private sector.'President Trump says he has "Many wonderful candidates" to fill the position.
US appeals court skeptical of Pres. Trump's Medicaid work rules
WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court on Friday sharply questioned the Trump administration's work requirements for Medicaid recipients, casting doubt on a key part of a government-wide effort to place conditions on low-income people seeking taxpayer-financed assistance.All three judges on a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit lobbed hard questions at a Justice Department lawyer defending the policy at a hearing.
Vice President Mike Pence to talk trade policy in Pleasant Prairie visit on Oct. 17
PLEASANT PRAIRIE -- Vice President Mike Pence is set to visit a southeastern Wisconsin business founded by two Republican donors next week.America First Policies, an organization that supports President Donald Trump's policies, said Thursday that Pence will visit Uline in Pleasant Prairie on Oct. 17.
Frustrated former teen vapers rally, meet first lady
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Teens across the country are saying enough is enough and want the government to put an end to the teen vaping epidemic.Dozens of teens rallied outside of Juul’s D.C. headquarters Wednesday, blaming the company for a surge in teen addicts.
President Trump defends Syria move, doesn't want US troops in Mideast
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday over sharp criticism of his decision to pull back U.S. troops from northeastern Syria, insisting he is focused on the "BIG PICTURE" that doesn't include American involvement in "stupid endless wars" in the Middle East."Fighting between various groups that has been going on for hundreds of years.
President Trump declares it in writing: He won't cooperate in probe
WASHINGTON — The White House declared Tuesday it will not cooperate with what it termed an "illegitimate" impeachment probe by House Democrats, setting up a constitutional clash between President Donald Trump and Congress.President Trump attorneys sent a letter to House leaders bluntly stating their refusal to participate in the quickly moving impeachment investigation.