Trump administration pauses enforcement of abortion restriction

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is giving taxpayer-funded family planning clinics more time to comply with its new rule that says they no longer can refer women for abortions.A notice sent Saturday night to representatives of the clinics by the Department of Health and Human Services said the government "does not intend to bring enforcement actions" against clinics that are making "good-faith efforts to comply." A copy of the notice, which includes a new timetable for the clinics, was provided to The Associated Press.The department had said last Monday that it would require immediate compliance.

House condemns Pres. Trump's 'racist' tweets with 240-187 vote

WASHINGTON — In a remarkable political repudiation, the Democratic-led House voted Tuesday night, July 16 to condemn President Donald Trump's "racist comments" against four congresswomen of color, despite protestations by President Trump's Republican congressional allies and his own insistence he hasn't "a racist bone in my body."Two days after President Trump tweeted that four Democratic freshmen should "go back" to their home countries — though all are citizens and three were born in the U.S.A. — Democrats muscled the resolution through the chamber by 240-187 over strong GOP opposition.

President Trump nominates Mark Esper to be defense chief, succeeding Jim Mattis

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Monday asked the Senate to confirm Mark Esper as the successor to former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, whose resignation last December opened an unprecedented period of senior-level instability at the Pentagon.The moment the nomination was received by the Senate on Monday afternoon, Esper was required to step out of his role as acting defense secretary — a job he has held since June — until he is confirmed as the permanent secretary.

Pres. Trump says nationwide immigration arrests to begin Sunday: 'Nothing to be secret about'

WASHINGTON — The head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement said efforts to deport families with orders to leave the country will continue after an upcoming national sweep that President Donald Trump said would start Sunday.Matthew Albence, the agency's acting director, said targets were on an "accelerated docket" of immigration court cases for predominantly Central Americans who recently arrived at the U.S. border in unprecedented numbers.

Pres. Trump asks Supreme Court to unfreeze border wall money

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Friday asked the Supreme Court to lift a freeze on Pentagon money it wants to use to build sections of a border wall with Mexico.Two lower courts have ruled against the administration in a lawsuit over the funding.

Pres. Trump pushes trade deal in formerly blue Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE -- President Donald Trump barnstormed for his new trade deal with Mexico and Canada during a visit to Wisconsin on Friday, hoping that its economic impact will help him to retain a battleground state vital to his re-election effort."I'm great to be back in your great state, a state that I won," said President Trump.President Trump reminisced over his 2016 upset, and touted the campaign promises he says he's delivered."Millions and millions of jobs were lost in what I called the stupid years.

Trump administration citizenship plan will face logistical, legal hurdles

WASHINGTON — After failing to get his citizenship question on the census, President Donald Trump now says his fallback plan will provide an even more accurate count — determining the citizenship of 90 percent of the population "or more." But his plan will likely be limited by logistical hurdles and legal restrictions.Pres.

Labor Secretary Acosta resigns amid Epstein deal scrutiny

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta is stepping down following criticism of his handling of a plea deal with a wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein, who is accused of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls.President Trump announced the news with Acosta by his side at the White House as President Trump left on a trip to the Midwest.Acosta says stepping aside was the right decision.He was the U.S. attorney in Miami when he oversaw a 2008 nonprosecution agreement with Epstein.

President Trump unloads on Paul Ryan after 'American Carnage' excerpts

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump unloaded via Twitter on Republican former House Speaker Paul Ryan after Ryan's comments critical of President Trump appeared in excerpts from a new book.Ryan condemns President Trump in "American Carnage," by Tim Alberta of Politico, in excerpts running in various publications.

Rough total for President Trump's July Fourth extravaganza: $5.4M

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's July Fourth extravaganza — featuring tanks, a military flyover, and a President Trump speech at the Lincoln Memorial — cost an estimated $5.4 million, according to rough figures Thursday.Interior Secretary David Bernhardt provided the latest share of costs, $2.45 million for his agency, in a letter to lawmakers, saying his agency pulled money from operating funds for national parks, recreation fees, and another source to help fund President Trump's Salute to America.The event included donated fireworks, a military flyover, and President Trump's speech to a rained-on crowd at the Lincoln Memorial.President Trump announced Monday he would do it all again next year , calling the event "remarkable."Democratic lawmakers have condemned the extra expenditures for the Independence Day celebration, which came in addition to the traditional concert, fireworks and events held at near the U.S. Capitol.Arizona Democratic Rep.