US treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin has failed to release Donald Trump's tax returns in time to meet a deadline demanded by House Democrats as the president continues to insist, incorrectly, that he cannot do so himself because his affairs remain “under audit”.
“The legal implications of this request could affect protections for all Americans against politically-motivated disclosures of personal tax information, regardless of which party is in power,” Mr Mnuchin wrote in a letter to House Ways and Means committee chairman Richard Neal.
The president has meanwhile called for an inquiry into the “attempted coup” against him, attacked the EU over Brexit on Twitter and marvelled at the sheer size of Texas on a trip to San Antonio.
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Donald Trump has now claimed he knows “nothing about WikiLeaks,” adding, “It’s not my thing.”
The president has expressed support for WikiLeaks countless times, calling it a “treasure trove” and “amazing” in past comments.
In fact, Mr Trump was responding today to questions about whether he still loves the anti-secrecy group, according to pool reports.
Nancy Pelosi described her “complicated” relationship with Donald Trump in an interview with the Associated Press, a portion of which is below:
"It's so very self-evident that the president is very different from every other person that anybody ever served with," Pelosi said Wednesday.
"He is not only unique, he's ... what would be the word?" she said, trailing off. "To be president of the United States is to have a very special personality. But there are shared values about commitment to our Constitution, to the vision of our founders to the Constitution of the United States. I don't see those features yet in this president."
She says 80 percent of their conversations, including the talk last Thursday, are about infrastructure. They're trying, she said, to find areas of "common ground."
Fox Business Network has issued a correction after echoing Donald Trump’s false claims over his inflated approval ratings:
Donald Trump’s appointee to the Federal Reserve could face a tough uphill battle during his confirmation process if accusations of sexual assault against him are reignited.
Sharon Bialek, who has previously accused him of sexual misconduct, says she would be willing to testify before Congress about her experiences with Mr McCain.
Donald Trump has just tweeted the following screenshot of Fox News’ Tucker Carlson:
With Julian Assange’s arrest captivating the world this morning, it’s important not to forget the president’s comments surrounding WikiLeaks.
Donald Trump supported the anti-secrecy group throughout his campaign, saying in 2016, “Boy, I love reading those WikiLeaks.”
Donald Trump has not yet commented on new US charges against Julian Assange, but a press conference is currently being held at Westminster Magistrates’ Court (video below) -
Democrats are expressing concerns following Attorney General William Barr’s public testimonies this week over his handling of the Mueller report.
“When Barr opens his mouth, Trump's words come popping out,” said Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono on CNN this morning. “So I'm sure that made Trump very happy ... I found it astounding that the Attorney General would use a highly charged word like 'spying' — astounding, but, you know, he sounded like the president to me."
As MSNBC’s Mika Brzensiski pointed out on live television, Donald Trump’s new poll number claims do not reflect reality.
“There’s a problem — it’s totally inaccurate,” the morning news show host said Thursday. “It’s false.”
She’s right. The president does not have 55 per cent approval. His approval instead stands at 43 per cent — according to the very poll he’s citing.
It’s another high-profile day of White House visits and Congressional hearings.
The Senate Committee on Armed Services is examining proposals to establish a US Space Force, as subcommittees meet on Capitol Hill to pour over 2020 budgets.
Meanwhile, the president and first lady will meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in and his wife at the White House at noon, before the two leaders participate in an expanded bilateral working lunch.
Donald Trump will also greet World War II veterans later this afternoon.
"Using the word 'spying' plays into the president’s language that the Russia investigation to him is just a witch hunt. Every time they’ve brought up this allegation, there has been zero factual basis for it," he continued.
"It doesn’t matter what the truth is, does it? I mean, I hate to say this now, but that’s the whole point. It feels like that basically the attorney-general gaslit the country."
The Abolition of Abortion in Texas Act, which would criminalise both women who have abortions and doctors who carry them out, stipulates that state and local government officials should enforce the bill "regardless of any contrary federal law, executive order, or court decision".
Maryanne Trump Barry, an 82-year-old federal appeals court judge, filed her retirement papers in February, 10 days after a court official notified four complainants in the case the probe was “receiving the full attention” of a judicial conduct council.
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