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Indictment shows White House lawyers struggling for control as Trump fought to overturn election
Read full article: Indictment shows White House lawyers struggling for control as Trump fought to overturn electionThe latest federal indictment against Donald Trump vividly illustrates the extent to which the former president’s final weeks in office were consumed by a struggle over the law, with two determined groups of attorneys fighting it out as the future of American democracy hung in the balance.
Jan. 6 takeaways: Final revelations from investigation
Read full article: Jan. 6 takeaways: Final revelations from investigationInterview transcripts released by House investigators in recent days give further insight into the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and the weeks leading up to it, as Donald Trump tried to overturn his defeat in the presidential election.
Sedition trial win bolsters Justice Dept. in Jan. 6 probe
Read full article: Sedition trial win bolsters Justice Dept. in Jan. 6 probeThe seditious conspiracy convictions of Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and another leader in the far-right extremist group show that jurors are willing to hold accountable not just the rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, but those who schemed to subvert the 2020 election.
Trump White House lawyers arrive for Jan. 6 grand jury
Read full article: Trump White House lawyers arrive for Jan. 6 grand juryThe White House counsel under then-President Donald Trump and his top deputy have arrived at a federal courthouse to appear before a federal grand jury investigating efforts to undo the 2020 presidential election.
Jan. 6 panel asks former Speaker Gingrich for information
Read full article: Jan. 6 panel asks former Speaker Gingrich for informationThe House panel investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection is seeking information from former House Speaker Newt Gingrich about his communications with senior advisers to then-President Donald Trump in the days leading up to the 2021 attack on the Capitol.
Lawyers in Trump White House to appear before 1/6 grand jury
Read full article: Lawyers in Trump White House to appear before 1/6 grand juryThe White House counsel under former President Donald Trump and his top deputy are set to appear before a federal grand jury investigating efforts to undo the 2020 presidential election.
FBI search at Trump Mar-a-Lago estate one of several probes
Read full article: FBI search at Trump Mar-a-Lago estate one of several probesThe FBI search of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate marked a dramatic and unprecedented escalation of the law enforcement scrutiny of the former president, but the Florida operation was just one part of one investigation related to Trump and his time in office.
Trump White House lawyers subpoenaed by 1/6 probe grand jury
Read full article: Trump White House lawyers subpoenaed by 1/6 probe grand juryA federal grand jury investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol has subpoenaed the White House counsel under then-President Donald Trump and his top deputy.
The tough words Trump never spoke: Jan. 6 panel's new video
Read full article: The tough words Trump never spoke: Jan. 6 panel's new videoAn original script for Donald Trump’s speech the day after the Capitol insurrection included lines ordering the Justice Department to “ensure all lawbreakers are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law’ and stating the rioters “do not represent me."
From 'an attempted coup' to chaos, searing moments of Jan. 6
Read full article: From 'an attempted coup' to chaos, searing moments of Jan. 6Through eight hearings, 20 live witnesses and dozens of hours of recorded testimony, the House Jan. 6 committee has focused its case squarely on former President Donald Trump.
Jan. 6 hearings traced an arc of 'carnage' wrought by Trump
Read full article: Jan. 6 hearings traced an arc of 'carnage' wrought by TrumpThe Jan. 6 congressional hearings have paused, at least for now, and Washington is taking stock of what was learned about the actions of Donald Trump and associates surrounding the Capitol attack.
Panel: Hearing to show Trump's Jan. 6 'dereliction of duty'
Read full article: Panel: Hearing to show Trump's Jan. 6 'dereliction of duty'A prime-time hearing Thursday will offer the most compelling evidence yet of then-President Donald Trump’s “dereliction of duty” on the day of the Jan. 6 insurrection.
Jan. 6 probe: Trump sets rally after 'unhinged' WH meeting
Read full article: Jan. 6 probe: Trump sets rally after 'unhinged' WH meetingIn a heated, “unhinged” dispute, Donald Trump fought objections from his White House lawyers to a plan, eventually discarded, to seize states' voting machines, the House Jan. 6 committee has revealed.
Trump White House counsel Cipollone to testify to 1/6 panel
Read full article: Trump White House counsel Cipollone to testify to 1/6 panelPat Cipollone, Donald Trump’s former White House counsel, has agreed to testify before the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, according to a person briefed on the matter.
Jan. 6 panel: More turning up with evidence against Trump
Read full article: Jan. 6 panel: More turning up with evidence against TrumpA member of the House Jan. 6 committee says more witnesses are coming forward with new details on the Capitol insurrection following former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson’s devastating testimony last week against former President Donald Trump.
'Stay tuned' for new evidence against Trump in July hearings
Read full article: 'Stay tuned' for new evidence against Trump in July hearingsA member of the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot says more evidence is emerging that lends support to recent testimony that President Donald Trump wanted to join an angry mob that marched to the Capitol and rioted.
1/6 panel hears of Trump’s pressure on Justice Department
Read full article: 1/6 panel hears of Trump’s pressure on Justice DepartmentFormer top Justice Department officials have testified to the Jan. 6 committee that President Donald Trump hounded the department to pursue his false election fraud claims.
Jan. 6 panel's 1,000 witnesses: From Trump aides to rioters
Read full article: Jan. 6 panel's 1,000 witnesses: From Trump aides to riotersThe House Jan. 6 panel has interviewed more than 1,000 people who were directly or indirectly involved in the U.S. Capitol insurrection as it's probed the violent attack and former President Donald Trump’s unprecedented efforts to overturn his election defeat.
House panel requests Trump WH records from National Archives
Read full article: House panel requests Trump WH records from National ArchivesA congressional oversight committee has sought additional documents from the National Archives related to former President Donald Trump’s handling of White House records.
Report details Trump's all-out bid to undo election results
Read full article: Report details Trump's all-out bid to undo election resultsA report by the Senate Judiciary Committee's Democratic majority details Donald Trump’s extraordinary effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election that he lost.
Trump can't hang on to lawyers after false election claims
Read full article: Trump can't hang on to lawyers after false election claimsSince losing the November election to President Joe Biden, Trump has been hemorrhaging attorneys. Trump's impeachment lawyers started off their defense by misspelling the words “United States” in their brief. Navarro told The Associated Press that he “warned the president that his legal team was going to fail him." Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana said Trump’s team did a “terrible job." AdBut after impeachment, Trump's legal needs will likely accelerate, with the investigations in New York, Georgia and possibly Washington, D.C., where prosecutors will have the power of subpoena.
Trump names 2 lawyers to impeachment defense team
Read full article: Trump names 2 lawyers to impeachment defense teamFormer President Trump has named two lawyers to his impeachment defense team, one day after it was revealed that the former president had parted ways with an earlier set of attorneys. AdThe announcement was intended to promote a sense of stability surrounding the Trump defense team as his impeachment trial nears. Trump’s team had initially announced that Butch Bowers, a South Carolina lawyer, would lead his legal team after an introduction from Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham. Many legal scholars, however, say there is no bar to an impeachment trial despite Trump having left the White House. Schoen met with financier Jeffrey Epstein about joining his defense team on sex trafficking charges just days before Epstein killed himself in a New York jail.
'He's on his own': Some Republicans begin to flee from Trump
Read full article: 'He's on his own': Some Republicans begin to flee from TrumpTrump still has supporters, especially among the many rank-and-file Republican voters and conservative activists beyond Washington. That makes Trump the first outgoing president since Andrew Johnson 152 years ago to skip the swearing-in of his successor. Meanwhile, there is no clear path for the Republican Party without Trump. “We need a Republican Party,” Biden said, noting that he spoke with Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, a leading Trump critic. Doug Deason, a Texas-based donor who served on the Trump campaign's finance committee, said this week's events have done nothing to shake his confidence in the Republican president.
'He's on his own': Some Republicans begin to flee from Trump
Read full article: 'He's on his own': Some Republicans begin to flee from TrumpTrump still has supporters, especially among the many rank-and-file Republican voters and conservative activists beyond Washington. That makes Trump the first outgoing president since Andrew Johnson 152 years ago to skip the swearing-in of his successor. Meanwhile, there is no clear path for the Republican Party without Trump. “We need a Republican Party,” Biden said, noting that he spoke with Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, a leading Trump critic. Doug Deason, a Texas-based donor who served on the Trump campaign's finance committee, said this week's events have done nothing to shake his confidence in the Republican president.
Can Trump be charged with inciting a riot? Legal bar is high
Read full article: Can Trump be charged with inciting a riot? Legal bar is highWASHINGTON – President Donald Trump's top White House lawyer has repeatedly warned the president that he could be held responsible for inciting Wednesday's riot at the Capitol, but the standard for legal liability is high under court decisions reaching back 50 years. Trump did just that in a video from White House on Thursday. Trump urged the crowd to march on the Capitol, even promising to go with them, though he didn’t in the end. A police officer died from injuries suffered during the siege, and a rioter was shot to death by Capitol Police. The court found that invalid parts of the law that encompassed speech tending to “encourage” or “promote” a riot, as well as speech “urging” others to riot or involving mere advocacy of violence.
AP sources: Trump floats Sidney Powell as special counsel
Read full article: AP sources: Trump floats Sidney Powell as special counsel(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump floated naming lawyer Sidney Powell, who was booted from his campaign's legal team after pushing unfounded conspiracy theories, as a special counsel investigating allegations of voter fraud as he grasps for straws to stay in power. It is unclear whether Trump intends to try to move forward with the effort to install Powell. Trump’s campaign and his allies have now filed roughly 50 lawsuits alleging widespread voting fraud and almost all have been dismissed or dropped. That includes Giuliani, who during the Friday meeting pushed Trump to seize voting machines in his hunt for evidence of fraud. "She is not a member of the Trump Legal Team.
Trump asking about special prosecutor for Hunter Biden case
Read full article: Trump asking about special prosecutor for Hunter Biden caseBeyond appointing a special prosecutor to investigate the younger Biden, the sources said Trump is interested in having another special counsel appointed to look into his own baseless claims of election fraud. Trump announced that Barr would be stepping down from his position on Dec. 23, amid lingering tension between the president and the attorney general over the Hunter Biden investigation. Appointing a special counsel could prove to be complicated, requiring consolidating different investigatory angles and bringing in someone new to run the probe and get up to speed. Either way, the probe is complicating Joe Biden’s pick for attorney general, upon whose shoulders this probe would land. Any nominee for attorney general is likely to face a mountain of questions at a confirmation hearing about how they would oversee the probe.
Trump asking about special prosecutor for Hunter Biden
Read full article: Trump asking about special prosecutor for Hunter BidenBeyond appointing a special prosecutor to investigate the younger Biden, the sources said Trump is interested in having another special counsel appointed to look into his own baseless claims of election fraud. Trump announced that Barr would be stepping down from his position on Dec. 23, amid lingering tension between the president and the attorney general over the Hunter Biden investigation. Trump was angry for days after learning that Barr knew of the Hunter Biden tax investigation before the election but did not disclose it. Appointing a special counsel for the Hunter Biden probe would also signal a more prolonged and complicated investigation than the current inquiry, so far largely centered on his taxes. Either way, the probe is complicating Joe Biden’s pick for attorney general, upon whose shoulders this probe would land.
Trump vents about election as agencies aid Biden transition
Read full article: Trump vents about election as agencies aid Biden transitionSo yes it’s already begun.”By Tuesday afternoon, the Biden transition had been in contact with all federal agencies about transition planning, according to a transition official. It also came as an increasing number of Republicans were publicly acknowledging Biden’s victory, after weeks of tolerating Trump’s baseless claims of fraud. At the same time, he warned staffers who are not specifically authorized to interact with the Biden team against contact with the incoming administration. “We are immediately getting them all of the pre-prepared transition briefing materials,” Azar said. “HUD career officials have begun the process of scheduling briefings with the Biden transition team in response to their requests," said a spokesperson for the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Biden transition gets govt OK; President Trump vows to continue fight
Read full article: Biden transition gets govt OK; President Trump vows to continue fightBut Trump did tweet that he was directing his team to cooperate on the transition. The Republican president had grown increasingly frustrated with the flailing tactics of his legal team. Trump tweeted moments after Murphy's decision: “We will keep up the good fight and I believe we will prevail! President-elect Biden won the State of Michigan by more than 154,000 votes, and he will be our next president on January 20th,” Michigan Gov. Trump was increasingly frustrated by his legal team, led by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, whose erratic public performances drew bipartisan mockery in recent weeks.
Despite Trump attacks, both parties vow orderly election
Read full article: Despite Trump attacks, both parties vow orderly electionAmid the uproar, Trump said anew he's not sure the election will be “honest." But his increased questioning before any result is setting off alarms ahead of an Election Day like no other. But it doesn’t surprise me.”On Capitol Hill, Trump's possible refusal to accept the election results has been discussed privately for weeks as lawmakers consider options. Before the 2016 election, much as now, Trump refused to commit to accepting the results during the summer. “I have to see,” Trump said two months ago on “Fox News Sunday.” “No, I’m not going to just say yes.
Grassley vows to block Trump nominees over watchdog firings
Read full article: Grassley vows to block Trump nominees over watchdog firings(Greg Nash/Pool via AP)WASHINGTON WASHINGTON (AP) Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley says he is blocking two Trump administration nominees until the White House provides adequate reasons for the termination of two inspectors general. Grassley has been seeking answers on President Donald Trump's recent firings of several inspectors general, including Michael Atkinson, inspector general for the intelligence community, and State Department Inspector General Steve Linick. Atkinson, who was fired as intelligence community inspector general in April, advanced a whistleblower complaint that resulted in the presidents impeachment. A 2008 law requires the president to provide Congress with a written explanation at least 30 days prior to removing an inspector general. The law is intended to prevent politically motivated terminations, although there is little Congress can do to block an IGs firing.
Democrats to interview ousted State Department watchdog
Read full article: Democrats to interview ousted State Department watchdogWASHINGTON Members of three House and Senate committees will interview former State Department Inspector General Steve Linick on Wednesday as part of an investigation by House Democrats into his abrupt firing by President Donald Trump. Democrats announced Friday that they are expanding their probe into Linick's firing earlier this month with a series of interviews. The Democrats plan to interview multiple officials in the administration who may have more information about Linicks dismissal on May 15, including whether Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recommended the firing for retaliatory reasons. Linick is one of several inspectors general whom Trump has removed from office, sparking outrage among Democrats who say the administration is undermining government accountability. Democrats were probing Trumps pressure on Ukraine to investigate Democrats.
Democrats expand probe into firing of State Dept. watchdog
Read full article: Democrats expand probe into firing of State Dept. watchdogFILE - In this Oct. 2, 2019, file photo State Department Inspector General Steve Linick leaves a meeting in a secure area at the Capitol in Washington. A senior department official said President Donald Trump removed Linick from his job as State Departments inspector general on Friday, May 15, 2020, but gave no reason for his ouster. Linick is one of several inspectors general whom Trump has removed from office, sparking outrage among Democrats who say the administration is undermining government accountability. Linick is the second inspector general to be fired who was involved with the impeachment process. In addition, Trump demoted acting Defense Department Inspector General Glenn Fine, effectively removing him as head of a special board to oversee auditing of the coronavirus economic relief package.
White House defends, but does not explain, watchdog firings
Read full article: White House defends, but does not explain, watchdog firingsFILE - In this Oct. 2, 2019, file photo State Department Inspector General Steve Linick leaves a meeting in a secure area at the Capitol in Washington. A White House letter issued in response to concerns from a prominent Republican senator does little to explain the decision-making behind Trump's recent upheaval of the inspector general community. The tumult has not been limited to the watchdog offices at the State Department and intelligence community. Democrats say Steve Linick was fired as State Department inspector general as he was conducting multiple investigations tied to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The White House Counsels letter does not address this glaring conflict of interest," Grassley said.
White House letter doesn't explain why Trump fired watchdogs
Read full article: White House letter doesn't explain why Trump fired watchdogsA White House letter issued Tuesday in response to concerns from a prominent Republican senator does little to explain the decision-making behind Trump's recent upheaval of the inspector general community. The White House letter failed to explain why Trump fired the inspectors general, which should put to rest any question whether the current law is adequate. Michael Atkinson, who was fired as intelligence community inspector general last month, advanced a whistleblower complaint that resulted in the president's impeachment. The White House Counsels letter does not address this glaring conflict of interest," Grassley said. Congress established inspectors general to serve the American people to be independent and objective watchdogs, not agency lapdogs."
Trump's emergency powers worry some senators, legal experts
Read full article: Trump's emergency powers worry some senators, legal expertsWASHINGTON The day he declared the COVID-19 pandemic a national emergency, President Donald Trump made a cryptic offhand remark. That prompted 10 senators to look into how sweeping Trump believes his emergency powers are. They have asked to see this administration's Presidential Emergency Action Documents, or PEADs. The senators think the documents would provide them a window into how this White House interprets presidential emergency powers. The most publicized example was Trumps decision last year to declare the security situation along the U.S.-Mexico border a national emergency.
Trump trial closing arguments aim at voters, history
Read full article: Trump trial closing arguments aim at voters, historyWASHINGTON, D.C. – Closing arguments Monday in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial were directed more toward history than to sway the outcome, one final chance to influence public opinion and set the record ahead of his expected acquittal in the Republican-led Senate. The House Democrats unveiled a striking case centered on Trump's personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, running an alternative foreign policy that drew alarm at the highest levels. She warned that if senators do not convict, Trump will try to “cheat” again ahead of 2020. One key Trump lawyer, Alan Dershowitz, who was forced to walk back a sweeping defense of presidential power in last week's arguments, did not appear. It becomes the first impeachment trial in the nation’s more than 200-year history without any witnesses.
Democrats appeal for GOP help to convict 'corrupt' Trump
Read full article: Democrats appeal for GOP help to convict 'corrupt' TrumpHe played several clips of testimony from Ambassador William Taylor, who said the assistance was held back as Trump pushed the country to announce investigations of Democrats. Democrats, meanwhile, described the evidence against the president as overwhelming but said senators have a duty to gather more. One question theres wide agreement on: Trump should allow top aides to appear as witnesses at the trial. About 7 in 10 said so, including majorities of Republicans and Democrats, according to the poll. Joni Ernst of Iowa spoke sarcastically about how excited she was to hear the overwhelming evidence" the House Democrats promised against Trump.