Updated 11:22 am, Tuesday, May 16, 2017
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the report that President Donald Trump shared classified information with Russian officials (all times EDT):
10:50 a.m.
President Donald Trump’s national security adviser plans to brief reporters at the White House.
The White House says H.R. McMaster will hold an on-camera briefing before noon. He was originally scheduled to appear with press secretary Sean Spicer, but Spicer plans to hold a separate, off-camera session with reporters later in the day, after McMaster’s appearance.
Reporters had been promised a briefing from McMaster about Trump’s first overseas trip, which opens Friday. But McMaster is likely to face questions about reports that Trump shared classified intelligence information with Russian officials when they met in the Oval Office last week.
McMaster has denied the reports, telling reporters Monday after the story broke: “I was in the room. It didn’t happen.”
National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster speaks to the media outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Monday, May 15, 2017.
National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster speaks to the media outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Monday, May 15, 2017.
Photo: Susan Walsh, AP
President Donald Trump awaits the arrival of Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the White House in Washington, Monday, May 15, 2017.
President Donald Trump awaits the arrival of Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the White House in Washington, Monday, May 15, 2017.
Photo: Susan Walsh, AP
Click through to see previous Trump Today items and updates on the president’s actions so far.
Click through to see previous Trump Today items and updates on the president’s actions so far.
Rep. Devin Nunes, under attack from Democrats for his handling of the House Intelligence Committee’s investigation into possible ties between Russia and Donald Trump’s presidential campaign in 2016, said on Thursday, April 6 that he was temporarily stepping aside from heading the panel’s probe. The Tulare Republican said in a statement that he was standing down while the House Ethics Committee looks into complaints filed against him by “several left-wing activist groups.” Those groups allege that Nunes broke federal law and House ethics rules by disclosing classified information about the possibility that U.S. intelligence agencies “incidentally” monitored Trump transition team members after the election. MORE HERE less
Rep. Devin Nunes, under attack from Democrats for his handling of the House Intelligence Committee’s investigation into possible ties between … more
Photo: NICHOLAS KAMM, AFP/Getty Images
President Trump lashed out at Democrats and the media in a tweet Friday, March 31, blaming them for a “witch hunt” that’s pushed his former National Security Adviser Mike Flynn to seek immunity in exchange for interviewing with House and Senate investigators on the Trump campaign’s ties to Russia. “Mike Flynn should ask for immunity in that this is a witch hunt (excuse for big election loss), by media & Dems, of historic proportion!” Trump tweeted. MORE HERE less
President Trump lashed out at Democrats and the media in a tweet Friday, March 31, blaming them for a “witch hunt” that’s pushed his former … more
Photo: Carolyn Kaster, Associated Press
A San Francisco lawmaker’s claim that President Trump is a “Manchurian candidate” set off a heated partisan debate Thursday, March 23 on the floor of the California Senate. “This is an issue about the integrity of our government,” said Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, who made the reference to the 1959 novel “The Manchurian Candidate” to say that Trump is a puppet of the Russian government. Republican state Senators said Democrats need to “move on” instead of continuing to attack the president. “Manchurian candidate? Folks that’s way over the top,” said Sen. Jim Nielsen, R-Gerber (Tehama County). “If we want to have heated rhetoric and diminish the collegiality in this house, then let’s just keep up this almost daily and weekly tirade against the president.” MORE HERE less
A San Francisco lawmaker’s claim that President Trump is a “Manchurian candidate” set off a heated partisan debate … more
Photo: Chris Kaufman, Special To The Chronicle
On Monday, March 20, FBI Director James Comey debunked assertions on Twitter by President Trump that President Obama wiretapped him at his residence at Trump Tower before the election. While testifying before the House Intelligence Committee, Comey said, “I have no information that supports those tweets and we have looked carefully inside the FBI.” Comey added that the Department of Justice “has no information that supports those tweets.” Comey was referring to Trump’s March 4 tweet saying, “Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my ‘wires tapped’ in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism!” MORE HERE less
On Monday, March 20, FBI Director James Comey debunked assertions on Twitter by President Trump that President Obama wiretapped him at his … more
Photo: J. Scott Applewhite, Associated Press
President Trump issued a major disaster declaration Thursday, March 16 that will trigger federal funding for California following an estimated $113 million in damage from late January storms in the state. Gov. Jerry Brown sought the presidential disaster declaration, marking the third granted by the president in just over a month. Trump previously approved Brown’s request for aid for the Oroville Dam spillway damage and mass evacuations and to help the state deal with the widespread effects storms in early January. MORE HERE
President Trump issued a major disaster declaration Thursday, March 16 that will trigger federal funding for California following an estimated
Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
President Trump took to Twitter Wednesday, March 15 to pan Snoop Dogg’s latest music video, which depicts the West Coast rapper shooting a prank gun at a clown resembling Trump. Trump took time to criticize Snoop between a tweet calling NBC News “Fake news” for MSNBC revealing two pages of his 2005 income tax returns, and another tweet about revitalizing car production in Detroit. Trump tweeted: “Can you imagine what the outcry would be if @SnoopDogg , failing career and all, had aimed and fired the gun at President Obama? Jail time!” The video in question is for the song “Lavendar,” a collaboration between Snoop Dogg and the Canadian group BADBADNOTGOOD, which denounces officer-involved shootings. MORE HERE less
President Trump took to Twitter Wednesday, March 15 to pan Snoop Dogg’s latest music video, which depicts the West Coast rapper shooting a prank gun … more
Photo: Nicholas Kamm / Getty Images, Robyn Beck / AFP / Getty Images / /
Former Utah Gov. and onetime Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman Jr. is being vetted for the job of U.S. ambassador to Russia, according to media reports. The former ambassador to China and Singapore, and native of the Bay Area, was critical of President Trump in last year’s campaign, even calling for the businessman’s withdrawal, but he still won Trump’s nomination for the post. Huntsman, 56, was officially offered the position earlier this week, Politico reported Wednesday, and is in the process of submitting paperwork to take the job. MORE HERE less
Former Utah Gov. and onetime Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman Jr. is being vetted for the job of U.S. ambassador … more
Photo: David Goldman
President Trump spent part of his morning firing off a wide-ranging barrage of tweets — many attacking former President Barack Obama — while apparently watching his favorite cable news talk show Fox and Friends. As he’s prone to do in his spur-of-the-moment tweeting, the president ignored some basic facts while taking shots at his predecessor and the media. Trump also referenced the “wonderful” plan to repeal and replace Obama’s signature health care legislation introduced Monday, March 6 by Congressional Republicans. MORE HERE less
President Trump spent part of his morning firing off a wide-ranging barrage of tweets — many attacking former President Barack Obama — while … more
In his first remarks to his staff Monday, March 6, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson referred to slaves trafficked across the
Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
President Trump signed a revised travel order Monday, March 6 morning behind closed doors in the Oval Office that takes Iraq off the list of countries whose citizens are banned from entering the United States for 90 days. People from Iran, Sudan, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and Libya — with one notable exception, Iraq — will be banned from entering the U.S. for the next 90 days unless they already have a valid visa. Iraq was removed from the list of banned countries after the government reached an agreement with the Trump administration to cooperate with the U.S. government on the vetting of its citizens. MORE HERE less
President Trump signed a revised travel order Monday, March 6 morning behind closed doors in the Oval Office that takes Iraq off the list of countries whose … more
Photo: MANDEL NGAN, Staff / AFP/Getty Images
The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday, March 6 that it would not hear a Virginia transgender student’s case to use the boys’ bathroom in school — kicking it back to a lower court to come up with an analysis and an opinion on the case. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, a lower court in Richmond, Virginia, will instead make a ruling in the title IX case and determine how it applies to transgender students. The decision comes after President Trump reversed a federal directive enacted by former President Barack Obama that included bathroom rights for transgender students under title IX and advised schools to allow students to use the bathroom of the gender they identify with. Since the reversal, no appeals court has conducted an analysis of how title IX will impact transgender students. MORE HERE less
The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday, March 6 that it would not hear a Virginia transgender student’s case to use the boys’ bathroom in school — … more
Photo: Jose Luis Magana, FRE
Hear by. Hearby. Hereby. The third time was the charm for President Trump on Twitter Friday, March 3, as he took three tweets over a span of 15 minutes to land on the correct spelling of “hereby” in calling for an investigation of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi for her own meeting with the Russian ambassador to the United States. MORE HERE less
Hear by. Hearby. Hereby. The third time was the charm for President Trump on Twitter Friday, March 3, as he took three tweets over a … more
Photo: Alex Brandon
President Trump’s prayers weren’t answered. Or maybe they were. Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced Friday, March 3 that he will terminate himself from hosting “Celebrity Apprentice.” The one-time Mr. Universe bodybuilder said the “baggage” resulting from Trump’s ascendance from the boardroom to the White House was too heavy for him to lift the show out of a slump. Schwarzenegger’s decision came a month after Trump asked attendees at the National Prayer Breakfast to pray for the “Terminator” star amid low ratings. MORE HERE less
President Trump’s prayers weren’t answered. Or maybe they were. Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced Friday, March 3 … more
Photo: Jordan Strauss
President Trump praised merit-based immigration Friday, March 3 as he endorsed an Australian author’s latest book, which criticizes the immigration system under the Obama administration.
The president tweeted Friday morning, “Nick Adams new book, Green Card Warrior, is a must read. The merit-based system is the way to go. Canada, Australia! @foxandfriends ”
In Adams’ book, subtitled My Quest for Legal Immigration in an Illegals’ System, he outlines his efforts to obtain a green card in what he called “the enormous difficulty of legal immigration with the red-carpet welcome of illegal immigration.” MORE HERE less
President Trump praised merit-based immigration Friday, March 3 as he endorsed an Australian author’s latest book, which criticizes the … more
Photo: Evan Vucci /Associated Press
Facing growing criticism following revelations that he did not disclose speaking with on two occasions Russia’s ambassador to the United States, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Thursday, March 2 that he would recuse himself from any investigations related to the 2016 campaign. That includes federal investigations into Russian interference with the U.S. presidential election. The Washington Post first reported that Sessions had twice met with Sergey Kislyak, Russia’s U.S. ambassador. “Let me be clear,” Sessions told reporters at an afternoon news conference. “I never had meetings with Russian operatives or Russian intermediaries about the Trump campaign.” MORE HERE less
Facing growing criticism following revelations that he did not disclose speaking with on two occasions Russia’s ambassador to the United … more
Photo: NICHOLAS KAMM, AFP/Getty Images
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions fired back Thursday, March 2, calling reports that he spoke with Russia’s ambassador to the United States twice during the presidential elections about campaign issues “unbelievable” and “false.” Officials from the Justice Department told The Washington Post that Sessions did not disclose his encounters with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak from September in the then-senator’s office. On CNN, Sessions’ said that, “Those remarks are unbelievable to me and false.” When asked whether he would recuse himself from investigating Russian interference in the presidential elections, Sessions said, “I have said that whenever it’s appropriate, I will recuse myself.” Sen. Nancy Pelosi, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, accused Sessions of lying under oath and demanded his resignation. MORE HERE less
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions fired back Thursday, March 2, calling reports that he spoke with Russia’s ambassador to the United States … more
Photo: Susan Walsh, STF
President Trump has decided to delay signing a modified travel ban following his well-received address to a joint session of Congress, senior administration officials told multiple media outlets. Trump was expected to sign the reworked executive order banning some travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries on Wednesday March 1, but delayed the move so he can continue riding to wave of favorable coverage, following the speech. The address to congress was softer and more unifying than Trump’s previous speeches that often had a bleak vision of America. An administration official told CNN that the White House delayed signing the executive order so it would “have its own moment.” MORE HERE less
President Trump has decided to delay signing a modified travel ban following his well-received address to a joint session of Congress, senior administration … more
Photo: Aude Guerrucci, Bloomberg
President Trump signed a bill Tuesday, Feb. 28 repealing an Obama-era regulation that made it more difficult for people with certain mental health issues, including schizophrenia and psychotic disorders, to purchase guns. The bill wipes out a rule that mandated the Social Security Administration to report people who receive disability benefits for mental-health conditions to the FBI’s background check system — which would ultimately determine whether someone was eligible to buy a gun. The regulation would have added 75,000 people who get Social Security benefits for mental health issues to the national background check database. MORE HERE less
President Trump signed a bill Tuesday, Feb. 28 repealing an Obama-era regulation that made it more difficult for people with certain mental health … more
Photo: Damian Dovarganes, Associated Press
President Trump signed an executive order Tuesday, Feb. 28 requiring the Environmental Protection Agency to review federal water regulations aimed to protect 60 percent of the bodies of water in the United States from pollution, including wetlands and rivers. “I am directing the EPA to take action paving the way for the elimination of this very destructive and horrible rule,” Trump said as he signed the executive order. MORE HERE less
President Trump signed an executive order Tuesday, Feb. 28 requiring the Environmental Protection Agency to review federal water regulations … more
Photo: Zach Gibson
President Trump signed an executive order Tuesday, Feb. 28 that intends to bolster the federal government’s support for the nation’s historically black colleges and universities. The order will transfer Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) from the Department of Education to the White House for direct oversight. “This executive order will make HBCUs a priority in the White house, an absolute priority,” Trump said Tuesday. “A lot of people are going to be angry that they are not a priority, but that’s OK.” The move intends to pave the way for partnerships with government agencies and allows for the leaders of HBCUs to serve as strategic partners under Trump’s “urban agenda” to create jobs and make inner cities safer. MORE HERE less
President Trump signed an executive order Tuesday, Feb. 28 that intends to bolster the federal government’s support for the nation’s … more
Photo: Pool, Getty Images
The day after White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer warned states of “greater enforcement” of federal laws against marijuana use by President Trump’s Justice Department, Lt. Gavin Newsom called Spicer’s comments “grossly uninformed.” In a letter to Trump on Friday, Feb. 24, Newsom urged the president to allow California and the seven other states and Washington, D.C., that have legalized recreational marijuana to enforce their own laws governing its use. “The government must not strip the legal and publicly supported industry of its business, and hand it back to drug cartels and criminals,” Newsom wrote. MORE HERE less
The day after White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer warned states of “greater enforcement” of federal laws against marijuana … more
Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle
Journalists from a number of news outlets were blocked from entering a White House press briefing on Friday, Feb. 24 — just hours after President Trump’s railed against “fake news” and reiterated charges that the media are the “enemy of the people” during a speech to the Conservative Political Action Committee. Reporters from the New York Times, CNN, Buzzfeed and Los Angeles Times were among the outlets that were banned from the off-camera gaggle with Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary. MORE HERE less
Journalists from a number of news outlets were blocked from entering a White House press briefing on Friday, Feb. 24 — just hours after … more
Photo: Aaron P. Bernstein, Getty Images
President Trump signed an executive order on Friday, Feb. 24 that aims to curb “excessive” regulations that he says are driving businesses and jobs out of the country. This order will direct each federal agency to establish a regulatory reform task force, which will recommend which regulations can be simplified or eliminated. MORE HERE less
President Trump signed an executive order on Friday, Feb. 24 that aims to curb “excessive” regulations that he says are driving … more
Photo: DOUG MILLS, NYT
President Trump bashed the FBI’s inability to “stop the national security leakers” on Friday, Feb. 24 — a day after a report emerged that the bureau rejected a White House request to publicly “knock down” claims that Trump’s advisers were in frequent contact with Russian intelligence officials during the presidential campaign. “The FBI is totally unable to stop the national security ‘leakers’ that have permeated our government for a long time. They can’t even find the leakers within the FBI itself. Classified information is being given to media that could have a devastating effect on U.S. FIND NOW,” Trump tweeted. MORE HERE less
President Trump bashed the FBI’s inability to “stop the national security leakers” on Friday, Feb. 24 — a day after a report emerged that … more
Photo: Susan Walsh, Associated Press
White House press secretary Sean Spicer said that states should expect to see “greater enforcement” of federal laws against marijuana use under the Trump administration’s Justice Department. Addressing reporters at a press conference Thursday, Feb. 23, Spicer suggested that the administration and Attorney General Jeff Sessions would be taking a hard look at states that have legalized marijuana for recreational use. Those include California, where sales of marijuana for recreational use are set to start next year. MORE HERE less
White House press secretary Sean Spicer said that states should expect to see “greater enforcement” of federal laws against marijuana use under … more
Photo: JORDAN STEAD, SEATTLEPI.COM
The Trump administration reversed an Obama-era federal policy Wednesday, Feb. 22 that said transgender students at public schools should be allowed to use the bathrooms and locker rooms of their gender identity. The new directive leaves it up to individual states and school districts to decide whether federal sex discrimination law applies to gender identity. California passed a law in 2013 allowing public school students to use the restroom and participate in the sports of their choice. Several school districts, including San Francisco Unified, have had such policies for years. MORE HERE less
The Trump administration reversed an Obama-era federal policy Wednesday, Feb. 22 that said transgender students at public schools should be … more
Photo: Sara D. Davis /Getty Images
Shortly after President Trump denounced the rise of anti-Semitic incidents sweeping the nation on Tuesday, Feb. 21, the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect dismissed the overture as “too little, too late.” In a statement, Steven Goldstein, the organization’s executive director, said Trump’s statement Tuesday morning at the National Museum of African America History and Culture was a “Band-Aid on the cancer of Antisemitism that has infected his own Administration.” MORE HERE less
Shortly after President Trump denounced the rise of anti-Semitic incidents sweeping the nation on Tuesday, Feb. 21, the Anne Frank Center … more
Photo: Andrew Burton, Getty Images
The Department of Homeland Security issued two memos Tuesday, Feb. 21 outlining how it will implement President Trump’s
Photo: BILLY CALZADA, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
President Trump spoke out Tuesday, Feb. 21 against a wave of threats against Jewish community centers around the country. During a speech at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Trump called the threats “a very sad reminder of the work that still must be done to root out hate and prejudice and evil.” His comments come after the latest wave of bomb threats at Jewish community centers across the country on Monday, Feb. 20 and major vandalism over the previous weekend at a Jewish cemetery in St. Louis. Eleven community centers across the United States received bomb threats on Monday. Those threats come after dozens of similar bomb threats in January 2017, including at two Bay Area locations. MORE HERE less
President Trump spoke out Tuesday, Feb. 21 against a wave of threats against Jewish community centers around the country. During a speech at the … more
Photo: AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEBSAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images / /
The White House on Friday, Feb. 17 labeled as “false” a memo reportedly drafted by Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly that indicated the Trump administration was considering using up to 100,000 National Guard troops to round up undocumented immigrants. White House press secretary Sean Spicer issued a statement saying the report was “100 percent not true.” “It is false,” Spicer told reporters on Air Force One. “It is irresponsible to be saying this.” He added that the memo, obtained by the Associated Press, “is not a White House document.” However, a unidentified Homeland Security official told Cox Media Group that the memo was a “very early, pre-decisional draft.” The official added that the suggestion was “never seriously considered by the department.” MORE HERE less
The White House on Friday, Feb. 17 labeled as “false” a memo reportedly drafted by Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly … more
Photo: Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images
In the first solo press conference of his presidency, President Trump said Thursday, Feb. 16 that the”media doesn’t get it” and repeatedly said the press was “out of control.” Shortly after he finished speaking at the White House, the Trump Make American Great Again Committee blasted out an email asking its followers to take a “Mainstream Media Accountability Survey.” The committee is a joint fundraising venture made up of Trump’s presidential campaign PAC, Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. and the Republican National Committee. It was composed to help fund Trump’s general election campaign, and it now acts as a mouthpiece for the administration. The survey contains 25 multiple-choice questions, leading off with, “Do you believe that the mainstream media has reported unfairly on our movement?” MORE HERE less
In the first solo press conference of his presidency, President Trump said Thursday, Feb. 16 that the”media doesn’t get it” and … more
Photo: Evan Vucci, Associated Press
President Trump’s administration withdrew its legal defense Thursday, Feb. 16 of its ban on travel to the United States and said the president would submit a new order to meet the objections of a federal appeals court. The executive order banning anyone from seven predominantly Muslim nations from entering the U.S. was signed by Trump on Jan. 27 and was blocked a week later by a federal judge in Seattle, whose ruling was left intact Feb.9 by a panel of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. Both courts said the order, issued without warning, likely violated the constitutional rights of immigrants and refugees. MORE HERE less
President Trump’s administration withdrew its legal defense Thursday, Feb. 16 of its ban on travel to the United States and said the president … more
Photo: AL DRAGO/NYT
President Trump nominated Alexander Acosta, a former U.S. attorney in Miami and dean of Florida International University’s College of Law, as labor secretary on Thursday, Feb. 16. Acosta, a son of Cuban immigrants, was South Florida’s top federal prosecutor during the second term of the Bush administration, according to the Miami Herald. Acosta has more government experience than many of Trump’s other nominees. He is a member of the National Labor Relations Board and is a former clerk for Justice Samuel Alito (he has a degree from Harvard Law school). He has been through the Senate confirmation process three times. MORE HERE less
President Trump nominated Alexander Acosta, a former U.S. attorney in Miami and dean of Florida International University’s College of Law, as … more
Photo: Joe Raedle
President Trump ranted on Twitter Thursday, Feb. 16, calling anyone disclosing classified information to news organizations “low-life leakers” and accusing Democrats of concocting stories about Russia to explain their loss in the presidential election. Alternating between calling recent controversies consuming his administration “fake news” and “leaks,” the president shared a storm of tweets. “Leaking, and even illegal classified leaking, has been a big problem in Washington for years. Failing @nytimes (and others) must apologize!” Trump tweeted. MORE HERE less
President Trump ranted on Twitter Thursday, Feb. 16, calling anyone disclosing classified information to news organizations “low-life leakers” and … more
Photo: Evan Vucci, Associated Press
President Trump’s pick for labor secretary withdrew his nomination Wednesday, Feb. 15, one day before his confirmation hearing was scheduled to begin, after a number of GOP senators expressed doubts about supporting him. Andrew Puzder, the CEO of CKE Restaurants — the parent company to Carl’s Jr., La Salsa, Hardee’s and other popular fast-food chains — came under fire after admitting to hiring an undocumented housekeeper and allegations that he physically abused his former wife. MORE HERE less
President Trump’s pick for labor secretary withdrew his nomination Wednesday, Feb. 15, one day before his confirmation hearing was scheduled to begin, … more
Photo: Al Seib /Los Angeles Times /TNS
In a series of tweets and statements on Wednesday, Feb. 15, President Trump railed about the “real scandal,” appearing to accuse U.S. intelligence officials of leaking information about intercepted phone calls between his aides — including his onetime campaign manager — and Russian operatives. Trump’s Twitter storm came after the New York Times reported that the intercepted communications showed that his campaign advisers were in repeated contact with Russian intelligence officials during his presidential campaign. Those conversations came as Russians were attempting to disrupt the U.S. presidential election by hacking into the Democratic National Committee, according to U.S. intelligence officials. MORE HERE less
In a series of tweets and statements on Wednesday, Feb. 15, President Trump railed about the “real scandal,” appearing to accuse U.S. … more
Photo: Mandel Ngan/Agence France-Presse
American oil and mining companies won’t need to report payments to foreign governments after President Trump signed legislation wiping out a regulation staunchly opposed by the petroleum industry. The legislation, House Joint Resolution 41, eliminated a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission June regulation that would have forced extractive industries to report payments they make to governments abroad for access to natural resources. Supporters saw the new rule as a key way to fight corruption in resource-rich countries. The rule was developed under the sweeping 2010 Dodd-Frank financial reforms. MORE HERE less
American oil and mining companies won’t need to report payments to foreign governments after President Trump signed legislation wiping out a regulation staunchly opposed … more
Photo: DOUG MILLS, NYT
The White House addressed the emergency at Lake Oroville for the first time since nearly 200,000 people were ordered to evacuate on Feb. 12,
Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle
Addressing the public for the first time since National Security Adviser Michael Flynn resigned, President Trump said the controversy
Photo: Olivier Douliery, MBR
President Trump signed three executive orders Thursday afternoon focused on crime reduction, public safety and violence toward cops. Only one of the orders was posted on the White House website immediately after the signing. The order has two main points: It commits the government to “enforcing the law and developing policies that comprehensively address illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and violent crime,” and also commissions the Department of Justice to take the lead on federal actions to support nationwide law enforcement efforts on the local and state level. MORE HERE less
President Trump signed three executive orders Thursday afternoon focused on crime reduction, public safety and violence toward cops. Only one of … more
Photo: Aude Guerrucci
White House counselor Kellyanne Conway gave Ivanka Trump’s fashion line a “free commercial” on national television from a West Wing briefing room, encouraging viewers to buy from Ivanka Trump’s online fashion line.
In response to Nordstrom’s decision to drop the first daughter’s clothing line, Conway said on Fox & Friends, “Go buy Ivanka’s stuff. I hate shopping, but I’m going to get some myself today. It’s a wonderful line. I own some of it. I’m going to give a free commercial here. Go buy it everybody. You can find it online.” Conway was put through counseling after her comments. MORE HERE less
White House counselor Kellyanne Conway gave Ivanka Trump’s fashion line a “free commercial” on national television from a West … more
Photo: Charles Krupa, Associated Press
Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry shot back on Feb. 8 at praise heaped on President Trump by Under Armour boss Kevin Plank. Plank, the Under Armour CEO, said in an interview with CNBC’s “Fast Halftime Report” on Tuesday that “to have such a pro-business president is something that is a real asset for the country. People can really grab that opportunity.” Curry, who has a sponsorship deal with Under Armour, said in an interview with the San Jose Mercury News that he was surprised at Plank’s comments. “I agree with that description,” Curry said, “if you remove the ‘et’ from asset.” MORE HERE less
Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry shot back on Feb. 8 at praise heaped on President Trump by Under Armour boss Kevin … more
Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch called President Trump’s tweets criticizing the federal judiciary “demoralizing” and “disheartening” during a Feb. 8 meeting with Connecticut Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal, CNN reported. Trump called US District Judge James Robart of Seattle a “so-called judge” when he suspended the president’s executive order banning travelers and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries. MORE HERE less
Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch called President Trump’s tweets criticizing the federal … more
Photo: AL DRAGO, NYT
There was no ruling Feb. 8 on whether to reinstate President Trump’s ban on travel to the United States from seven predominantly Muslim countries.
The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which heard arguments by telephone Tuesday, said at midday that no decision would be issued by the end of the day. MORE HERE less
There was no ruling Feb. 8 on whether to reinstate President Trump’s ban on travel to the United States from seven predominantly Muslim countries. … more
Photo: Photos By Alex Clausen, US Court Of Appeals Office Of Circuit Executive
Intel CEO Brian Krzanich and President Trump announced that the company will invest $7 billion to complete an existing factory space in Arizona that has been idle for the past few years.
The Chandler, Ariz. manufacturing plant, where Arizona has long had manufacturing operations, will be used to make computer chips. In a statement, Intel said the opening of the factory will lead to 3,000 “high-tech, high-wage jobs” and will create more than 10,000 long-term jobs in Arizona. MORE HERE less
Intel CEO Brian Krzanich and President Trump announced that the company will invest $7 billion to complete an existing factory … more
Photo: Pool, Getty Images
The president leaned on the judges of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which is based in San Francisco, anticipating they will uphold a
Photo: Gabrielle Lurie, The Chronicle
A UC Berkeley student and a Stanford student, both Muslims, joined forces and filed a lawsuit against President Trump over his executive order banning travelers entry to the United States from seven predominantly Muslim counties. The suit, filed in federal court in San Francisco, alleges that Trump’s executive order, which affects even those with valid visas, is an “unconstitutional and discriminatory ban” against Muslims. In their suit, filed on their behalf by the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, Stanford student Hadil Al-Mowafak, a national of Yemen, said Trump’s order prevents her from returning to the United States to continue her studies if she goes to Yemen to visit her husband, as she had planned. MORE HERE less
A UC Berkeley student and a Stanford student, both Muslims, joined forces and filed a lawsuit against President Trump over his executive order … more
Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
The country’s tech giants — including Bay Area bigs Google, Facebook, Apple and Uber — joined forces in a letter penned to President Trump opposing his travel ban on seven majority-Muslim countries. A draft of the letter obtained by the website Recode expressed concerns to Trump that his executive order signed last week “will affect many visa holders who work hard here in the United States and contribute to our countries success.” The letter also states that, “As entrepreneurs and business leaders, our ability to grow our companies and create jobs depends on the contributions of immigrants from all backgrounds.” MORE HERE less
The country’s tech giants — including Bay Area bigs Google, Facebook, Apple and Uber — joined forces in a letter penned to President Trump opposing his travel … more
Photo: Tsering Topgyal, AP
President Trump has chosen a leader for a new federal task force he is creating to deregulate the nation’s colleges and universities: Jerry Falwell Jr., president of a Christian university in Virginia, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education. Falwell, 54, son of the late conservative televangelist and Moral Majority founder Jerry Falwell, heads Liberty University, a religious school founded by his father. In 2009, the school barred students from forming a College Democratic Club because the Democratic Party platform supports abortion and gay rights. MORE HERE less
President Trump has chosen a leader for a new federal task force he is creating to deregulate the nation’s colleges and universities: Jerry … more
Photo: DAMON WINTER, NYT
San Francisco’s Democratic Assemblyman David Chiu invited immigration advocates to tell the public personal stories about the lives of
Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle
President Trump threatened to eliminate federal funds from UC Berkeley, prompting an outcry from city and university officials, the morning after police shut down an event featuring the right-wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos when destructive demonstrations erupted at the campus. “If UC Berkeley does not allow free speech and practices violence on innocent people with a different point of view – NO FEDERAL FUNDS?” the president tweeted. UC Berkeley received $370 million in federal grants from 2014 to 2015. The federal dollars went toward funding multiyear research projects and other expenditures, according to the university’s website. MORE HERE less
President Trump threatened to eliminate federal funds from UC Berkeley, prompting an outcry from city and university officials, the morning after … more
Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle
Oakland Congresswoman Barbara Lee wants Stephen Bannon, the White House chief strategist, booted from his permanent position on the National Security Council, an unprecedented appointment by President Trump. “By placing Steve Bannon – a man who has promoted the alt-right and white nationalism – at the center of our nation’s most senior diplomatic and intelligence council, President Trump has placed our national security in grave danger,” Lee said in a letter addressed to Trump. “There is no place for such inexperience and bigotry at the center of America’s national security apparatus.” MORE HERE less
Oakland Congresswoman Barbara Lee wants Stephen Bannon, the White House chief strategist, booted from his permanent position on the … more
Photo: Paul Morigi, Getty Images For The Elizabeth T
Kevin Harrington, a longtime associate of Trump adviser Peter Thiel, has been appointed to a senior staff position at the National Security
Photo: Albin Lohr-Jones, Bloomberg
President Trump kicked off a National Prayer Breakfast by asking everyone to pray for former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, saying “The Celebrity Apprentice” host has suffered lower ratings since replacing him on the reality TV show.
The “Terminator” star quickly shot back by suggesting that he and Trump switch jobs “so people can finally sleep comfortably again.”
Trump began his speech at the annual Washington D.C. religious event by prioritizing prayer for Schwarzenegger, who took over the NBC reality competition show after Trump, who is still an executive producer on the program, did 186 episodes. MORE HERE less
President Trump kicked off a National Prayer Breakfast by asking everyone to pray for former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, saying … more
Photo: Jordan Strauss, Associated Press
Former Exxon Mobil chief executive Rex Tillerson has been confirmed as Secretary of State by a 56-43 vote, with both of California’s senators opposing the move. Shortly after the confirmation, Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., tweeted that she voted against Tillerson. Tillerson has no formal diplomatic experience, and was seen as a widely controversial pick for the position. “I voted against Rex Tillerson’s nomination. We need a Secretary of State who will put America’s national security first,” she wrote. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., also voted against his confirmation, according to a spokesman. She had strongly opposed Tillerson’s nomination, saying Exxon has a history of “undermining American policy.” MORE HERE less
Former Exxon Mobil chief executive Rex Tillerson has been confirmed as Secretary of State by a 56-43 vote, with both of California’s … more
Photo: Cliff Owen, Associated Press
California Democratic senators met with Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards and former U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric Holder Jr. during an annual policy retreat in Sacramento as lawmakers map out strategies to resist policies pushed by President Trump and his administration.
Richards spoke to Democratic senators about how to preserve access to health care nationwide at a time when congressional Republicans are working to defund Planned Parenthood and repeal the Affordable Care Act. MORE HERE less
California Democratic senators met with Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards and former U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric Holder Jr. during an … more
Photo: Jose Luis Magana, Associated Press
Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Hillsborough, nominated Sally Yates for the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award the day after President Trump fired her as acting Attorney General.
Yates was canned after she refused to defend Trump’s executive order temporarily banning citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries and all refugees from entering the United States. MORE HERE less
Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Hillsborough, nominated Sally Yates for the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award the day after President Trump fired her as … more
Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta, Associated Press
President Trump rolled back some of terms of his quickly written order banning travel from seven Muslim-majority countries — including banning residents with green cards. After calling the order a ban for several days, both Trump and White House press secretary Sean Spicer on Tuesday began insisting the order was actually not a ban. Trump seems to have abandoned what had essentially turned into a semantic dispute. “Everybody is arguing whether or not it is a BAN,” Trump tweeted. “Call it what you want, it is about keeping bad people (with bad intentions) out of the country!” MORE HERE less
President Trump rolled back some of terms of his quickly written order banning travel from seven Muslim-majority countries — including … more
Photo: Evan Vucci, STF
Frederick Douglass, who has been dead for 121 years, is an “example of someone who’s done an amazing job,” according to comments by President Trump. It was not immediately known if Trump believed that Douglass, the great 19th century abolitionist, was still alive. But several people listening to the president’s comment thought so. In rambling remarks during a ceremony in Washington to kick off Black History Month, Trump said: “I am very proud now that we have a museum on the National Mall where people can learn about Reverend King, so many other things, Frederick Douglass is an example of somebody who’s done an amazing job and is getting recognized more and more, I notice. Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, and millions more black Americans who made America what it is today. Big impact.” MORE HERE less
Frederick Douglass, who has been dead for 121 years, is an “example of someone who’s done an amazing job,” according to comments by … more
Photo: File Photo, ST
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10:45 a.m.
The Senate’s top Democrat says Congress needs to have immediate access to a transcript of President Donald Trump’s meeting at the White House last week with senior Russian officials.
Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York says that if Trump has “nothing to hide,” he’ll turn over unedited transcripts to the House and Senate intelligence committees. If Trump refuses, Schumer says Americans will doubt that their president is capable of safeguarding critical secrets.
The request came in response to published reports that the president revealed classified information about the Islamic State group in the meeting with Russian officials.
Congress is investigating Russia’s alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential election, including hacking Democratic emails.
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10:40 a.m.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain says reports that President Donald Trump revealed highly classified information to senior Russian officials during an Oval Office meeting last week are “deeply disturbing.”
The Arizona Republican said Tuesday that it sends a troubling signal to U.S. allies and partners around the world. McCain also said in a statement that reports that the information was provided by a U.S. ally and shared without the country’s knowledge could mean that other countries won’t share intelligence with Americans in the future.
He said the time Trump spent sharing sensitive information was time he did not spend focused on Russia’s aggressive behavior, including interference in elections, and its illegal invasion of Ukraine.
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9:35 a.m.
The Senate’s top Republican says “we can do with a little less drama from the White House” so the GOP can focus on advancing the party’s legislative agenda.
Appearing Tuesday morning on Bloomberg Business, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky was responding to reports that President Donald Trump revealed highly classified information about the Islamic State group to Russian officials.
McConnell says, “I think we could do with a little less drama from the White House on a lot of things so that we can focus on our agenda.” He said the agenda is deregulation, tax reform and repealing and replacing the health care law.
McConnell also says he recommended to Trump that he nominate Merrick Garland to replace fired FBI Director James Comey. Garland, the federal judge nominated to the Supreme Court last year by President Barack Obama, was denied a Senate hearing by McConnell.
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9:15 a.m.
President Donald Trump says more attention should be paid to find who is leaking information to the media.
The Washington Post first reported that Trump’s closed-door remarks with the Russians jeopardize a valuable intelligence source on the Islamic State group.
Trump defended himself in a tweet Tuesday by saying he had an “absolute right” to share what he wanted.
In a follow-up tweet, Trump said he had asked ousted FBI Director James Comey and others “from the beginning of my administration, to find the LEAKERS in the intelligence community.”
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9:25 a.m.
A senior European intelligence official tells The Associated Press that his country might stop sharing information with the United States if it confirms President Donald Trump shared classified details with Russian officials.
The official said Tuesday that doing so “could be a risk for our sources.”
The official spoke only on condition that neither he nor his country be identified, because he was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
-By Jan M. Olsen
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8:25 a.m.
A senior German lawmaker has expressed concern about reports that President Donald Trump revealed highly classified information about the Islamic State group to Russian officials.
Burkhard Lischka said in a statement to The Associated Press that “if it proves to be true that the American president passed on internal intelligence matters that would be highly worrying.”
Lischka, who sits on the German parliament’s intelligence oversight committee, noted that Trump has access to “exclusive and highly sensitive information including in the area of combating terrorism.”
The Social Democratic Party lawmaker said that if the U.S. president “passes this information to other governments at will, then Trump becomes a security risk for the entire western world.”
Germany is heavily dependent on U.S. intelligence.
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8:25 a.m.
The Kremlin has dismissed reports that Donald Trump shared classified information with Russian officials last week as “complete nonsense.”
The Washington Post’s report on Monday claimed that the revelation made by Trump during his meeting with visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov put a source of intelligence on the Islamic State at risk.
Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday dismissed the reports as “yet more nonsense” and said that Moscow doesn’t “want to have to do anything with it,” adding that “there is nothing to confirm or deny.”
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7:25 a.m.
President Donald Trump is using Twitter to defend his sharing of information with the Russians.
Trump says he wanted to share with Russia “facts pertaining to terrorism and airline flight safety.” He notes that as president, he has an “absolute right” to do this.
The Washington Post reported Monday that Trump divulged highly classified “code-word” information that could enable the Russians to trace the source of the intelligence.
Trump added a line in his tweet suggesting why he did it: “Humanitarian reasons, plus I want Russia to greatly step up their fight against ISIS & terrorism.”
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6:40 a.m.
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.
—Associated Press reporter Paisley Dodds in London.
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4:30 a.m.
Jordan says King Abdullah II is to speak by phone Tuesday with President Donald Trump.
The Royal Court says arrangements for the call were made last week.
The conversation will take place amid a report by The Washington Post that Trump revealed highly classified information to senior Russian officials at a meeting last week, putting a source of intelligence about the Islamic State extremist group at risk.
Jordan is a key ally in the U.S.-led international military coalition against Islamic State, which controls territory in neighboring Syria and Iraq.
The Post, citing current and former U.S. officials, says Trump shared details about an Islamic State terror threat related to the use of laptop computers on aircraft with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak.
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3:30 a.m.
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull won’t comment on a Washington Post report that President Donald Trump revealed classified information to Russian officials, or say whether the report will affect Australia’s intelligence-sharing agreement with the U.S.
Australia is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing program with the U.S., Canada, Britain and New Zealand.
Turnbull declined to comment specifically on the report, but said during an interview Tuesday with Adelaide radio station 5AA that he is confident in the Australia-U.S. alliance. Turnbull called it “the bedrock of our national security.”
New Zealand’s Foreign Affairs Minister Gerry Brownlee said in a statement that the report was rejected by senior U.S. officials. Brownlee said a resolution to the situation in Syria requires a concerted effort from the U.S. and Russia. Brownlee said he hopes the meeting between Trump and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov “is a step towards that.”
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3:13 a.m.
President Donald Trump revealed highly classified information to senior Russian officials during an Oval Office meeting last week, putting a source of intelligence on the Islamic State at risk, The Washington Post reported.
The disclosure late Monday drew strong condemnation from Democrats and a rare rebuke of Trump from some Republican lawmakers. White House officials denounced the report, saying the president did not disclose intelligence sources or methods to the Russians, though officials did not deny that classified information was disclosed in the May 10 meeting.
H.R. McMaster, Trump’s national security adviser, said: “The president and the foreign minister reviewed a range of common threats to our two countries including threats to civil aviation. At no time, at no time were intelligence sources or methods discussed and the president did not disclose any military operations that were not already publicly known.”