Democratic lawmakers accused President Donald Trump on Thursday of giving Russia the green light to interfere in the 2020 US presidential race, while a top Republican ally said Trump was wrong to say he would <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nothing-wrong-with-accepting-dirt-from-foreign-governments-on-opponents-trump-226696">accept political dirt from foreign sources</a>.

The uproar followed televised comments in which the US president told ABC News he would be willing to listen to such damaging information about political opponents as he seeks re-election.

"I think you might want to listen, there isn`t anything wrong with listening,” Trump said in an interview aired on Wednesday.&nbsp;

"It`s not an interference. They have information, I think I`d take it. If I thought there was something wrong, I`d go maybe to the FBI - if I thought there was something wrong."

Trump`s comments came less than three months after Special Counsel Robert Mueller submitted a report that found Russia waged a hacking and influence campaign to help Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election.

Democratic lawmakers roundly condemned the remarks.&nbsp;

"What the president said last night shows clearly, once again, over and over again, that he does not know the difference between right and wrong," said US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the top Democrat in Congress.

While some 2020 Democratic presidential candidates renewed their call to impeach the president, Trump`s comments did not seem to move House Democrats who have been on the fence closer to initiating impeachment proceedings.

Trump`s statement drew a rebuke, however, from one of his closest allies in Congress, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.

"I think it`s a mistake," said Graham, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.&nbsp;

He accused Democrats of having accepted damaging information from foreign nationals on political opponents and said any public official contacted by a foreign government with an offer of help to their campaign should reject it and inform the FBI.

House of Representatives Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said he was confident Trump was speaking hypothetically. Others prominent Republicans were outspoken in their discomfort, without naming Trump.

"It is never appropriate to allow a foreign government or its agents to interfere in our election process. Period," said Republican Senator Mike Rounds.&nbsp;

Mitt Romney, a senator and former Republican presidential candidate, said it was "unthinkable" to accept adverse information on a political opponent from a foreign source. "It would strike at the very heart of our democracy," he said.

Senate Democrats failed on Thursday to ram through legislation requiring US presidential campaigns to report to the FBI offers of help from an agent of a foreign government. The move was blocked by Republicans who control the chamber.

Senator Mark Warner, who pushed the legislation, recalled Trump`s "Russia, if you are listening" call for Moscow to dig up Clinton`s missing emails during the 2016 campaign.

"The President has given Russia the green light to interfere in the 2020 election," Warner wrote on Twitter earlier.&nbsp;

'Thing of value'

Any foreign contribution of "money or other thing of value" violates US campaign finance law. Legal experts say knowingly soliciting information from a foreign entity would also be illegal.

In a statement on Twitter prefaced with the comment: "I would not have thought that I needed to say this," Federal Election Commission Chair Ellen Weintraub warned political campaigns not to accept foreign help, saying it risked putting them "on the wrong of a federal investigation."

An FBI counterintelligence investigation of Russian election activities in the 2016 presidential election sparked Mueller`s probe, which confirmed US intelligence agencies` findings that Russia worked to help Trump win.

Mueller, whose investigation examined a 2016 meeting at Trump Tower that Trump`s campaign had with Russians promising dirt on Clinton, did not charge Trump campaign staff who attended the meeting.&nbsp;

Trump defended his remarks in a flurry of tweets on Thursday morning in which he said it would be "ridiculous" to report his contacts with foreign leaders to the FBI.

The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee expressed alarm at Trump`s comments.

"The president has either learned nothing in the last two years or picked up exactly the wrong lesson - that he can accept gleefully foreign assistance again and escape the punishment of the law," Representative Adam Schiff said.

Democratic presidential candidates who renewed calls for Trump`s impeachment included US Senators Elizabeth Warren and Kirsten Gillibrand and US Representative Eric Swalwell.

"A foreign government attacked our 2016 elections to support Trump, Trump welcomed that help, and Trump obstructed the investigation. Now, he said he`d do it all over again. It`s time to impeach Donald Trump,” Warren said.

Democratic lawmakers accused President Donald Trump on Thursday of giving Russia the green light to interfere in the 2020 US presidential race, while a top Republican ally said Trump was wrong to say he would accept political dirt from foreign sources.

Democratic lawmakers accused President Donald Trump on Thursday of giving Russia the green light to interfere in the 2020 US presidential race, while a top Republican ally said Trump was wrong to say he would accept political dirt from foreign sources. The uproar followed televised comments in which the US president told ABC News he would be willing to listen to such damaging information about political opponents as he seeks re-election. "I think you might want to listen, there isn`t anything wrong with listening,” Trump said in an interview aired on Wednesday. "It`s not an interference. They have information, I think I`d take it. If I thought there was something wrong, I`d go maybe to the FBI - if I thought there was something wrong." Trump`s comments came less than three months after Special Counsel Robert Mueller submitted a report that found Russia waged a hacking and influence campaign to help Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election. Democratic lawmakers roundly condemned the remarks. "What the president said last night shows clearly, once again, over and over again, that he does not know the difference between right and wrong," said US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the top Democrat in Congress. While some 2020 Democratic presidential candidates renewed their call to impeach the president, Trump`s comments did not seem to move House Democrats who have been on the fence closer to initiating impeachment proceedings. Trump`s statement drew a rebuke, however, from one of his closest allies in Congress, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. "I think it`s a mistake," said Graham, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He accused Democrats of having accepted damaging information from foreign nationals on political opponents and said any public official contacted by a foreign government with an offer of help to their campaign should reject it and inform the FBI. House of Representatives Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said he was confident Trump was speaking hypothetically. Others prominent Republicans were outspoken in their discomfort, without naming Trump. "It is never appropriate to allow a foreign government or its agents to interfere in our election process. Period," said Republican Senator Mike Rounds. Mitt Romney, a senator and former Republican presidential candidate, said it was "unthinkable" to accept adverse information on a political opponent from a foreign source. "It would strike at the very heart of our democracy," he said. Senate Democrats failed on Thursday to ram through legislation requiring US presidential campaigns to report to the FBI offers of help from an agent of a foreign government. The move was blocked by Republicans who control the chamber. Senator Mark Warner, who pushed the legislation, recalled Trump`s "Russia, if you are listening" call for Moscow to dig up Clinton`s missing emails during the 2016 campaign. "The President has given Russia the green light to interfere in the 2020 election," Warner wrote on Twitter earlier. 'Thing of value' Any foreign contribution of "money or other thing of value" violates US campaign finance law. Legal experts say knowingly soliciting information from a foreign entity would also be illegal. In a statement on Twitter prefaced with the comment: "I would not have thought that I needed to say this," Federal Election Commission Chair Ellen Weintraub warned political campaigns not to accept foreign help, saying it risked putting them "on the wrong of a federal investigation." An FBI counterintelligence investigation of Russian election activities in the 2016 presidential election sparked Mueller`s probe, which confirmed US intelligence agencies` findings that Russia worked to help Trump win. Mueller, whose investigation examined a 2016 meeting at Trump Tower that Trump`s campaign had with Russians promising dirt on Clinton, did not charge Trump campaign staff who attended the meeting. Trump defended his remarks in a flurry of tweets on Thursday morning in which he said it would be "ridiculous" to report his contacts with foreign leaders to the FBI. The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee expressed alarm at Trump`s comments. "The president has either learned nothing in the last two years or picked up exactly the wrong lesson - that he can accept gleefully foreign assistance again and escape the punishment of the law," Representative Adam Schiff said. Democratic presidential candidates who renewed calls for Trump`s impeachment included US Senators Elizabeth Warren and Kirsten Gillibrand and US Representative Eric Swalwell. "A foreign government attacked our 2016 elections to support Trump, Trump welcomed that help, and Trump obstructed the investigation. Now, he said he`d do it all over again. It`s time to impeach Donald Trump,” Warren said.

Trump comments give green light to foreign election meddling: Democrats

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would see nothing wrong in accepting damaging information on a US political opponent if it were offered to his re-election campaign by a foreign government.

Asked in an interview with ABC News if he would accept the information or alert the FBI, Trump said, "I think maybe you do both. I think you might want to listen, there`s nothing wrong with listening."

"If somebody called from a country, Norway, `we have information on your opponent` - oh, I think I`d want to hear it," Trump said.

Trump`s son Donald Trump Jr. was questioned by a US Senate committee on Wednesday in a closed session about a June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower in New York in which a Russian lawyer had offered damaging information on Hillary Clinton, the elder Trump`s Democratic opponent in the 2016 presidential election.

The younger Trump, on learning the topic of the meeting, had written in an email: "I love it." But people who attended the meeting said later it focused on other matters.&nbsp;

Special Counsel Robert Mueller investigated the meeting as part of his probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. He documented extensive contacts between Trump`s 2016 campaign and Russia, but did not establish that members of the campaign conspired with Moscow.

Speaking to ABC News on Wednesday, Trump said he disagreed with FBI Director Christopher Wray, who told Congress last month that political campaigns should contact the agency about any suspicious communications from a foreign government.

"The FBI director is wrong," Trump said.

"I`ve seen a lot of things over my life. I don`t think in my whole life I`ve ever called the FBI. In my whole life. You don’t call the FBI. You throw somebody out of your office, you do whatever you do,” Trump said. “Oh, give me a break – life doesn`t work that way.”

Trump compared damaging information on an opponent supplied by a foreign government to opposition research conducted by all political campaigns.&nbsp;

"It`s not an interference, they have information - I think I`d take it," Trump said. "If I thought there was something wrong, I`d go maybe to the FBI - if I thought there was something wrong."

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would see nothing wrong in accepting damaging information on a US political opponent if it were offered to his re-election campaign by a foreign government.

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would see nothing wrong in accepting damaging information on a US political opponent if it were offered to his re-election campaign by a foreign government. Asked in an interview with ABC News if he would accept the information or alert the FBI, Trump said, "I think maybe you do both. I think you might want to listen, there`s nothing wrong with listening." "If somebody called from a country, Norway, `we have information on your opponent` - oh, I think I`d want to hear it," Trump said. Trump`s son Donald Trump Jr. was questioned by a US Senate committee on Wednesday in a closed session about a June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower in New York in which a Russian lawyer had offered damaging information on Hillary Clinton, the elder Trump`s Democratic opponent in the 2016 presidential election. The younger Trump, on learning the topic of the meeting, had written in an email: "I love it." But people who attended the meeting said later it focused on other matters. Special Counsel Robert Mueller investigated the meeting as part of his probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. He documented extensive contacts between Trump`s 2016 campaign and Russia, but did not establish that members of the campaign conspired with Moscow. Speaking to ABC News on Wednesday, Trump said he disagreed with FBI Director Christopher Wray, who told Congress last month that political campaigns should contact the agency about any suspicious communications from a foreign government. "The FBI director is wrong," Trump said. "I`ve seen a lot of things over my life. I don`t think in my whole life I`ve ever called the FBI. In my whole life. You don’t call the FBI. You throw somebody out of your office, you do whatever you do,” Trump said. “Oh, give me a break – life doesn`t work that way.” Trump compared damaging information on an opponent supplied by a foreign government to opposition research conducted by all political campaigns. "It`s not an interference, they have information - I think I`d take it," Trump said. "If I thought there was something wrong, I`d go maybe to the FBI - if I thought there was something wrong."

Nothing wrong with accepting dirt from foreign governments on opponents: Trump

US congressional Democrats moved closer on Thursday to suing in federal court for access to the unredacted Mueller report on Russian election meddling, and its underlying evidence, taking a step bound to intensify their clash with President Donald Trump.

After months of stonewalling by Trump of their many investigations of him and his presidency, Democrats unveiled a resolution that authorizes the House Judiciary Committee to seek a court order to enforce its subpoenas against US Attorney General William Barr and former White House Counsel Don McGahn.

Both have refused to cooperate with the Judiciary Committee, which wants the unredacted report by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller on his probe into Russian election meddling and possible obstruction of the probe by Trump, and documents related to the investigation, as well as testimony from McGahn, a major player in the Mueller inquiry.

The resolution, which the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives is expected to consider on Tuesday, replaces an earlier plan by House lawmakers to vote formally on whether to hold Barr and McGahn in contempt of Congress, aides said.

Introduced by the House Rules Committee, the measure also sets out terms for possible court action by other House committees that are investigating the president and authorizes the Judiciary Committee to petition a federal judge for access to Mueller`s grand jury evidence.

The House Ways and Means Committee is similarly poised to file a federal lawsuit to enforce subpoenas of Trump`s individual and business tax returns.

Congressional committees already have the authority to seek court remedies. But Democratic aides said Tuesday`s vote is intended to reaffirm congressional authority to enforce subpoenas against White House efforts to stymie investigations by six separate House committees.

"We will not allow this president and his administration to turn a blind eye to the rule of law," Rules Committee Chairman James McGovern, who will take up the measure on Monday, said in a statement.

"The Trump administration is waging an unprecedented campaign of stonewalling and obstruction ... This resolution will allow Congress to hold the president accountable."

Justice Department officials were not immediately available to comment on the resolution.&nbsp;

The measure follows through on House Democrats` plans to go to court in their quest for an unredacted copy of Mueller`s report. Democrats say they are confident of swift court victories after decisive court rulings against Trump`s efforts to block subpoenas of his financial records issued by three other House panels.

Barr released a redacted version of the 448-page report on April 18. He later disregarded a House Judiciary Committee subpoena demanding release of the full report, along with the underlying evidence that Mueller relied on.

The House Judiciary panel voted on May 8 to cite Barr for contempt of Congress. The House Oversight Committee is also weighing contempt citations against Barr and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross for failing to comply with subpoenas in its probe of their handling of the US Census.

The Oversight panel had set a Thursday deadline for Barr and Ross to produce the requested documents.

In a letter to Cummings on Thursday, the Justice Department called a contempt vote "entirely premature" and declined to hand over the specific documents demanded, saying they were protected by attorney-client privilege and other doctrines. It said it was still working to produce other papers the committee requested.

The White House has asserted the seldom-used principle of executive privilege to try to keep the full Mueller report under wraps, even though Trump allowed aides to speak with Mueller during his investigation.

House Judiciary also subpoenaed McGahn, seeking his testimony, which he refused to provide in line with a pattern of stonewalling by Trump of Democrats` inquiries.

Lawmakers have said they would vote to hold Barr and McGahn in contempt. But on Thursday, aides said a formal contempt vote would have referred the case for criminal prosecution, a move unlikely to succeed with Barr at the helm of the Justice Department. Lawmakers instead opted for the new resolution.

US congressional Democrats moved closer on Thursday to suing in federal court for access to the unredacted Mueller report on Russian election meddling, and its underlying evidence, taking a step bound to intensify their clash with President Donald Trump.

US congressional Democrats moved closer on Thursday to suing in federal court for access to the unredacted Mueller report on Russian election meddling, and its underlying evidence, taking a step bound to intensify their clash with President Donald Trump. After months of stonewalling by Trump of their many investigations of him and his presidency, Democrats unveiled a resolution that authorizes the House Judiciary Committee to seek a court order to enforce its subpoenas against US Attorney General William Barr and former White House Counsel Don McGahn. Both have refused to cooperate with the Judiciary Committee, which wants the unredacted report by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller on his probe into Russian election meddling and possible obstruction of the probe by Trump, and documents related to the investigation, as well as testimony from McGahn, a major player in the Mueller inquiry. The resolution, which the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives is expected to consider on Tuesday, replaces an earlier plan by House lawmakers to vote formally on whether to hold Barr and McGahn in contempt of Congress, aides said. Introduced by the House Rules Committee, the measure also sets out terms for possible court action by other House committees that are investigating the president and authorizes the Judiciary Committee to petition a federal judge for access to Mueller`s grand jury evidence. The House Ways and Means Committee is similarly poised to file a federal lawsuit to enforce subpoenas of Trump`s individual and business tax returns. Congressional committees already have the authority to seek court remedies. But Democratic aides said Tuesday`s vote is intended to reaffirm congressional authority to enforce subpoenas against White House efforts to stymie investigations by six separate House committees. "We will not allow this president and his administration to turn a blind eye to the rule of law," Rules Committee Chairman James McGovern, who will take up the measure on Monday, said in a statement. "The Trump administration is waging an unprecedented campaign of stonewalling and obstruction ... This resolution will allow Congress to hold the president accountable." Justice Department officials were not immediately available to comment on the resolution. The measure follows through on House Democrats` plans to go to court in their quest for an unredacted copy of Mueller`s report. Democrats say they are confident of swift court victories after decisive court rulings against Trump`s efforts to block subpoenas of his financial records issued by three other House panels. Barr released a redacted version of the 448-page report on April 18. He later disregarded a House Judiciary Committee subpoena demanding release of the full report, along with the underlying evidence that Mueller relied on. The House Judiciary panel voted on May 8 to cite Barr for contempt of Congress. The House Oversight Committee is also weighing contempt citations against Barr and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross for failing to comply with subpoenas in its probe of their handling of the US Census. The Oversight panel had set a Thursday deadline for Barr and Ross to produce the requested documents. In a letter to Cummings on Thursday, the Justice Department called a contempt vote "entirely premature" and declined to hand over the specific documents demanded, saying they were protected by attorney-client privilege and other doctrines. It said it was still working to produce other papers the committee requested. The White House has asserted the seldom-used principle of executive privilege to try to keep the full Mueller report under wraps, even though Trump allowed aides to speak with Mueller during his investigation. House Judiciary also subpoenaed McGahn, seeking his testimony, which he refused to provide in line with a pattern of stonewalling by Trump of Democrats` inquiries. Lawmakers have said they would vote to hold Barr and McGahn in contempt. But on Thursday, aides said a formal contempt vote would have referred the case for criminal prosecution, a move unlikely to succeed with Barr at the helm of the Justice Department. Lawmakers instead opted for the new resolution.

US House Democrats move to fight Trump's stonewalling in court

Donald Trump should be sent to "prison," US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told fellow Democrats in a closed-door meeting about whether to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/impeachment-is-not-a-quick-bye-bye-birdie-nancy-pelosi-224875">launch impeachment proceedings</a> against the president, Politico reported Thursday.

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/mueller-looks-like-a-fool-and-pelosi-is-a-disgrace-trump-in-normandy-225206">Pelosi, Trump's political nemesis</a> in Congress, has long stated she is not ready to proceed with what would be a deeply divisive impeachment action, and that she would prefer to see the president defeated at the ballot box next year.

But in a meeting late Tuesday with House committee chairmen, she clashed with Judiciary chairman Jerry Nadler over whether to begin an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amash-becomes-first-republican-lawmaker-to-call-for-trump-impeachment-219754">impeachment</a> inquiry, using language that ramped up the rhetoric surrounding top Democrats and Trump.

"I don't want to see him impeached, I want to see him in prison," Pelosi said, according to Politico which cited multiple Democratic sources familiar with the meeting.

Pelosi prefers to see Trump lose the 2020 election and then face prosecution for his alleged crimes, the sources told the US media outlet.

Many Democrats say they believe Trump broke the law by allegedly seeking to obstruct investigations into Russia's interference in the 2016 US election.

He is also accused of paying pre-election hush money to two women who claimed to have had affairs with Trump, and of violating constitutional prohibitions on presidents receiving financial benefits from foreign governments.

But Pelosi has argued that launching an impeachment inquiry should only be done if there are sufficient public support and significant bipartisan backing.

Polls show a majority of Americans currently oppose impeachment, and to date, only one House Republican has expressed support for removing the president.

'Out of touch'

Asked about Pelosi's "prison" comment, White House director of strategic communications Mercedes Schlapp offered an acerbic response.

"How shocking. The Democrats are radical and out of touch," and refusing to work with the president on issues like the current crisis along the US border with Mexico, Schlapp told Fox News.

"They're more focused on attacking this president, undermining this president than they are to solving the (country's) major problems."

Trump also had fresh criticism of the first and only female speaker of the House.

"I call her nervous Nancy," Trump told Fox. "Nancy Pelosi is a disaster... And let her do what she wants. You know what, I think they're in big trouble."

Pelosi has toughened her language about the president in recent weeks. She has said Trump "is engaged in a cover-up" and that his staff and family should stage an "intervention" with the president.

She has also sought to project unity within her Democratic Party on the path forward regarding impeachment.

"Make no mistake, we know exactly what path we're on," she told reporters Wednesday. "We know exactly what actions we need to take."

With Trump's administration stonewalling various Democratic-led investigations, several of the party's lawmakers have publicly called for impeachment.

Many of them point to the report by special counsel Robert Mueller as confirmation of Trump's wrongdoing.&nbsp;

The report did not find any clear evidence to charge members of Trump's campaign with conspiring with Russia, but neither did it exonerate the president on obstruction of justice.

Rather, Mueller outlined 10 instances of potential obstruction that he uncovered during the probe.

A Pelosi spokeswoman, Ashley Etienne, said Pelosi and the chairmen had a "productive meeting" about the state of play with Mueller's report.

"They agreed to keep all options on the table," Etienne said.

Donald Trump should be sent to "prison," US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told fellow Democrats in a closed-door meeting about whether to launch impeachment proceedings against the president, Politico reported Thursday.

Donald Trump should be sent to "prison," US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told fellow Democrats in a closed-door meeting about whether to launch impeachment proceedings against the president, Politico reported Thursday. Pelosi, Trump's political nemesis in Congress, has long stated she is not ready to proceed with what would be a deeply divisive impeachment action, and that she would prefer to see the president defeated at the ballot box next year. But in a meeting late Tuesday with House committee chairmen, she clashed with Judiciary chairman Jerry Nadler over whether to begin an impeachment inquiry, using language that ramped up the rhetoric surrounding top Democrats and Trump. "I don't want to see him impeached, I want to see him in prison," Pelosi said, according to Politico which cited multiple Democratic sources familiar with the meeting. Pelosi prefers to see Trump lose the 2020 election and then face prosecution for his alleged crimes, the sources told the US media outlet. Many Democrats say they believe Trump broke the law by allegedly seeking to obstruct investigations into Russia's interference in the 2016 US election. He is also accused of paying pre-election hush money to two women who claimed to have had affairs with Trump, and of violating constitutional prohibitions on presidents receiving financial benefits from foreign governments. But Pelosi has argued that launching an impeachment inquiry should only be done if there are sufficient public support and significant bipartisan backing. Polls show a majority of Americans currently oppose impeachment, and to date, only one House Republican has expressed support for removing the president. 'Out of touch' Asked about Pelosi's "prison" comment, White House director of strategic communications Mercedes Schlapp offered an acerbic response. "How shocking. The Democrats are radical and out of touch," and refusing to work with the president on issues like the current crisis along the US border with Mexico, Schlapp told Fox News. "They're more focused on attacking this president, undermining this president than they are to solving the (country's) major problems." Trump also had fresh criticism of the first and only female speaker of the House. "I call her nervous Nancy," Trump told Fox. "Nancy Pelosi is a disaster... And let her do what she wants. You know what, I think they're in big trouble." Pelosi has toughened her language about the president in recent weeks. She has said Trump "is engaged in a cover-up" and that his staff and family should stage an "intervention" with the president. She has also sought to project unity within her Democratic Party on the path forward regarding impeachment. "Make no mistake, we know exactly what path we're on," she told reporters Wednesday. "We know exactly what actions we need to take." With Trump's administration stonewalling various Democratic-led investigations, several of the party's lawmakers have publicly called for impeachment. Many of them point to the report by special counsel Robert Mueller as confirmation of Trump's wrongdoing. The report did not find any clear evidence to charge members of Trump's campaign with conspiring with Russia, but neither did it exonerate the president on obstruction of justice. Rather, Mueller outlined 10 instances of potential obstruction that he uncovered during the probe. A Pelosi spokeswoman, Ashley Etienne, said Pelosi and the chairmen had a "productive meeting" about the state of play with Mueller's report. "They agreed to keep all options on the table," Etienne said.

Nancy Pelosi told Democrats she'd like Donald Trump 'in prison': Report

Donald Trump erupted in fury Wednesday at unrelenting probes into his links to Russia, as the top Democrat in Congress <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-speaker-nancy-pelosi-says-trump-is-engaged-in-a-cover-up-220648">accused the president of a "cover-up"</a> that could be an impeachable offense.

A livid Trump abruptly shut down a White House meeting with Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, announcing he could not deal with them on policy until "phony investigations" are brought to a close.

The clash marked a dramatic escalation in Trump's war of words with congressional opponents seeking to bring him to account for what they say is presidential wrongdoing.

Trump's ire was seemingly triggered by House Speaker Pelosi, his nemesis in Congress, who declared following an emergency meeting with lawmakers earlier Wednesday: "We believe that the president of the United States is engaged in a cover-up."

"I don't do cover-ups," Trump shot back at a hastily arranged Rose Garden press event moments after the aborted White House talks.

"So get these phony investigations over with," Trump said -- warning a failure to do so would spell gridlock on issues like fixing the country's infrastructure, on which the two sides had hoped for a breakthrough Wednesday.

"You can't investigate and legislate simultaneously," he added. "It just doesn't work that way."

A two-year investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into Russia's interference in the 2016 US election concluded there was no hard evidence Trump's campaign colluded with Moscow.&nbsp;

But the prosecutor said he could not rule clearly on whether Trump obstructed justice, leaving it to the Trump-appointed attorney general, Bill Barr, to declare there was no obstruction.

'Impeachable offense'

The Democrats' decision to pursue the grey areas of the investigation -- and their open discussion of whether to pursue the politically perilous process of impeachment -- has enraged Trump.

"PRESIDENTIAL HARASSMENT!" he tweeted Wednesday, as he stepped up his attacks on the probes.

Any pretense of cooperation on policy evaporated as Trump and Pelosi locked horns, with the impeachment issue inching toward center stage in Washington.

Trump was visibly angry when he arrived at the meeting with Pelosi and Schumer, according to people familiar with what transpired.&nbsp;

The president did not shake hands or sit down, and accused Pelosi of saying something "terrible."

Republican leaders sought to pin the blame on Democrats.

"Their obsession with impeaching this president is paralyzing any progress we could be making," House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said on Twitter.

Speaking after she left the White House, Pelosi doubled down, charging that Trump could have committed an impeachable offense by publicly refusing to comply with congressional subpoenas connected to Mueller's probe.&nbsp;

She likened it to the "cover-up" that brought down former president Richard Nixon in the Watergate crisis.

"The fact is, in plain sight, in the public domain, this president is obstructing justice and he's engaged in a cover-up," she told a Washington conference. "And that could be an impeachable offense."

In a letter to the Democratic Caucus Pelosi wrote that Trump threw a "temper tantrum" -- something the president denied.

"This is not true," Trump tweeted late Wednesday. "I was purposely very polite and calm, much as I was minutes later with the press in the Rose Garden."

He then wrote that House Democrats only want "put the Mueller Report behind them and start all over again. No Do-Overs!"

Pelosi's remarks appeared to reflect the growing anger by Democrats at White House stonewalling, even as she has worked hard to tamp down talk of impeachment.&nbsp;

A day earlier, Democrats were left seething when Trump's former lawyer Don McGahn, a key figure in the Mueller report, refused to testify about obstruction allegations against the president.

Goading Congress?

Democrats also argue that Barr is subverting congressional oversight powers in order to protect the president.

But on Wednesday, the House Intelligence Committee's chairman said the Justice Department had agreed to begin honoring a subpoena for material related to Mueller's probe.

Despite her accusation of a cover-up, Pelosi has been mindful of the politically-charged nature of an impeachment move ahead of a 2020 presidential election, especially one that is likely to fail in the Republican-led Senate.

She has argued in favor of keeping the focus on educating the public through the court process and congressional probes, rather than leaping to impeachment.

The issue has divided Democrats for months. Even as some in Congress -- and several Democratic presidential contenders -- are eager to assert its historical oversight powers as a check against the executive, there are concerns the tactic could backfire, energizing Trump's base ahead of the election.

"He's really trying to goad Congress into impeaching him," congressman Peter Welch, a member of Democratic leadership, told CNN.&nbsp;

Pelosi and Schumer meanwhile offered their own scathing descriptions of Wednesday's heated scene.

Schumer called the meeting's dramatic cancellation "a pre-planned excuse" and said "what happened in the White House makes your jaw drop."

Likewise suggesting Trump manufactured the row to avoid committing to an enormously expensive infrastructure bill, Pelosi said: "I pray for the president of the United States."&nbsp;

Donald Trump erupted in fury Wednesday at unrelenting probes into his links to Russia, as the top Democrat in Congress accused the president of a "cover-up" that could be an impeachable offense.

Donald Trump erupted in fury Wednesday at unrelenting probes into his links to Russia, as the top Democrat in Congress accused the president of a "cover-up" that could be an impeachable offense. A livid Trump abruptly shut down a White House meeting with Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, announcing he could not deal with them on policy until "phony investigations" are brought to a close. The clash marked a dramatic escalation in Trump's war of words with congressional opponents seeking to bring him to account for what they say is presidential wrongdoing. Trump's ire was seemingly triggered by House Speaker Pelosi, his nemesis in Congress, who declared following an emergency meeting with lawmakers earlier Wednesday: "We believe that the president of the United States is engaged in a cover-up." "I don't do cover-ups," Trump shot back at a hastily arranged Rose Garden press event moments after the aborted White House talks. "So get these phony investigations over with," Trump said -- warning a failure to do so would spell gridlock on issues like fixing the country's infrastructure, on which the two sides had hoped for a breakthrough Wednesday. "You can't investigate and legislate simultaneously," he added. "It just doesn't work that way." A two-year investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into Russia's interference in the 2016 US election concluded there was no hard evidence Trump's campaign colluded with Moscow. But the prosecutor said he could not rule clearly on whether Trump obstructed justice, leaving it to the Trump-appointed attorney general, Bill Barr, to declare there was no obstruction. 'Impeachable offense' The Democrats' decision to pursue the grey areas of the investigation -- and their open discussion of whether to pursue the politically perilous process of impeachment -- has enraged Trump. "PRESIDENTIAL HARASSMENT!" he tweeted Wednesday, as he stepped up his attacks on the probes. Any pretense of cooperation on policy evaporated as Trump and Pelosi locked horns, with the impeachment issue inching toward center stage in Washington. Trump was visibly angry when he arrived at the meeting with Pelosi and Schumer, according to people familiar with what transpired. The president did not shake hands or sit down, and accused Pelosi of saying something "terrible." Republican leaders sought to pin the blame on Democrats. "Their obsession with impeaching this president is paralyzing any progress we could be making," House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said on Twitter. Speaking after she left the White House, Pelosi doubled down, charging that Trump could have committed an impeachable offense by publicly refusing to comply with congressional subpoenas connected to Mueller's probe. She likened it to the "cover-up" that brought down former president Richard Nixon in the Watergate crisis. "The fact is, in plain sight, in the public domain, this president is obstructing justice and he's engaged in a cover-up," she told a Washington conference. "And that could be an impeachable offense." In a letter to the Democratic Caucus Pelosi wrote that Trump threw a "temper tantrum" -- something the president denied. "This is not true," Trump tweeted late Wednesday. "I was purposely very polite and calm, much as I was minutes later with the press in the Rose Garden." He then wrote that House Democrats only want "put the Mueller Report behind them and start all over again. No Do-Overs!" Pelosi's remarks appeared to reflect the growing anger by Democrats at White House stonewalling, even as she has worked hard to tamp down talk of impeachment. A day earlier, Democrats were left seething when Trump's former lawyer Don McGahn, a key figure in the Mueller report, refused to testify about obstruction allegations against the president. Goading Congress? Democrats also argue that Barr is subverting congressional oversight powers in order to protect the president. But on Wednesday, the House Intelligence Committee's chairman said the Justice Department had agreed to begin honoring a subpoena for material related to Mueller's probe. Despite her accusation of a cover-up, Pelosi has been mindful of the politically-charged nature of an impeachment move ahead of a 2020 presidential election, especially one that is likely to fail in the Republican-led Senate. She has argued in favor of keeping the focus on educating the public through the court process and congressional probes, rather than leaping to impeachment. The issue has divided Democrats for months. Even as some in Congress -- and several Democratic presidential contenders -- are eager to assert its historical oversight powers as a check against the executive, there are concerns the tactic could backfire, energizing Trump's base ahead of the election. "He's really trying to goad Congress into impeaching him," congressman Peter Welch, a member of Democratic leadership, told CNN. Pelosi and Schumer meanwhile offered their own scathing descriptions of Wednesday's heated scene. Schumer called the meeting's dramatic cancellation "a pre-planned excuse" and said "what happened in the White House makes your jaw drop." Likewise suggesting Trump manufactured the row to avoid committing to an enormously expensive infrastructure bill, Pelosi said: "I pray for the president of the United States."

Trump walks out on Democrats as impeachment talk heats up

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - May 18th, 2019

United States President Donald Trump on Monday said that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-xi-likely-to-meet-in-japan-in-june-white-house-adviser-larry-kudlow-218133">China</a> is "dreaming" that former Vice President Joe Biden or any Democratic candidate will win the 2020 presidential election as they "love ripping off America."

"China is DREAMING that Sleepy Joe Biden, or any of the others, gets elected in 2020. They LOVE ripping off America!" Trump tweeted.

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China is DREAMING that Sleepy Joe Biden, or any of the others, gets elected in 2020. They LOVE ripping off America!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1127715742898692097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Trump accused China of wanting a Democrat to win the US election so they could "continue to rip-off the USA" and warned them that it would not happen as he is "going to win."

Earlier, Trump in a tweet said that 'We are right where we want to be with China '.

The tweet read: "We are right where we want to be with China. Remember, they broke the deal with us &amp; tried to renegotiate. We will be taking in Tens of Billions of Dollars in Tariffs from China. Buyers of the product can make it themselves in the USA (ideal), or buy it from non-Tariffed countries".

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We are right where we want to be with China. Remember, they broke the deal with us &amp; tried to renegotiate. We will be taking in Tens of Billions of Dollars in Tariffs from China. Buyers of product can make it themselves in the USA (ideal), or buy it from non-Tariffed countries...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1127681372896800768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
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In another tweet, he further said: "We will then spend (match or better) the money that China may no longer be spending with our Great Patriot Farmers (Agriculture), which is a small percentage of total Tariffs received, and distribute the food to starving people in nations around the world! GREAT!"

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....We will then spend (match or better) the money that China may no longer be spending with our Great Patriot Farmers (Agriculture), which is a small percentage of total Tariffs received, and distribute the food to starving people in nations around the world! GREAT! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAGA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MAGA</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1127681373966409730?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The trade dispute between the United States and China, the world’s two biggest economies, has been escalating for over a year.&nbsp;

Both nations have repeatedly slapped billions of dollars worth of retaliatory tariffs on each other's goods as the rivalry between them has soared.

Trump had asked China to act immediately and strike a trade deal without waiting for the 2020 US presidential elections. He warned Beijing saying that the negotiation would be "far worse" if it had to be done in his second term.&nbsp;

This comes after Trump's decision to raise tariffs on 200 billion dollars worth of Chinese imports from 10 to 25 per cent, a move which infuriated Beijing, saying it would retaliate.&nbsp;

Trump on Friday had said that the tariffs levied on Chinese goods "may or may not be removed" depending on the outcome of trade talks. The trade war between the world`s two largest economies has been going on for a year.

(With inputs from agencies)

United States President Donald Trump on Monday said that China is "dreaming" that former Vice President Joe Biden or any Democratic candidate will win the 2020 presidential election as they "love ripping off America.

United States President Donald Trump on Monday said that China is "dreaming" that former Vice President Joe Biden or any Democratic candidate will win the 2020 presidential election as they "love ripping off America." "China is DREAMING that Sleepy Joe Biden, or any of the others, gets elected in 2020. They LOVE ripping off America!" Trump tweeted. China is DREAMING that Sleepy Joe Biden, or any of the others, gets elected in 2020. They LOVE ripping off America! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 12, 2019 × Trump accused China of wanting a Democrat to win the US election so they could "continue to rip-off the USA" and warned them that it would not happen as he is "going to win." Earlier, Trump in a tweet said that 'We are right where we want to be with China '. The tweet read: "We are right where we want to be with China. Remember, they broke the deal with us & tried to renegotiate. We will be taking in Tens of Billions of Dollars in Tariffs from China. Buyers of the product can make it themselves in the USA (ideal), or buy it from non-Tariffed countries". We are right where we want to be with China. Remember, they broke the deal with us & tried to renegotiate. We will be taking in Tens of Billions of Dollars in Tariffs from China. Buyers of product can make it themselves in the USA (ideal), or buy it from non-Tariffed countries... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 12, 2019 × In another tweet, he further said: "We will then spend (match or better) the money that China may no longer be spending with our Great Patriot Farmers (Agriculture), which is a small percentage of total Tariffs received, and distribute the food to starving people in nations around the world! GREAT!" ....We will then spend (match or better) the money that China may no longer be spending with our Great Patriot Farmers (Agriculture), which is a small percentage of total Tariffs received, and distribute the food to starving people in nations around the world! GREAT! #MAGA — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 12, 2019 × The trade dispute between the United States and China, the world’s two biggest economies, has been escalating for over a year. Both nations have repeatedly slapped billions of dollars worth of retaliatory tariffs on each other's goods as the rivalry between them has soared. Trump had asked China to act immediately and strike a trade deal without waiting for the 2020 US presidential elections. He warned Beijing saying that the negotiation would be "far worse" if it had to be done in his second term. This comes after Trump's decision to raise tariffs on 200 billion dollars worth of Chinese imports from 10 to 25 per cent, a move which infuriated Beijing, saying it would retaliate. Trump on Friday had said that the tariffs levied on Chinese goods "may or may not be removed" depending on the outcome of trade talks. The trade war between the world`s two largest economies has been going on for a year. (With inputs from agencies)

China loves ripping off America, says US President Donald Trump

The White House on Wednesday invoked the legal principle of executive privilege to block the release of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's unredacted Russia report. Watch this video to know more.

Democrats demand full Mueller report

House Democrats passed its first major piece of legislation addressing climate change on Thursday, aiming to prevent the US from leaving the Paris climate agreement. Watch full video to know more.

House Democrats pass major climate change bill

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-press-on-as-us-attorney-general-refuses-to-testify-215419">Congressional Democrats stepped up pressure</a> on President Donald Trump's administration on Thursday as US&nbsp;House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi accused <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-attorney-general-william-barr-refuses-to-testify-before-house-judiciary-committee-on-mueller-report-215205">Attorney General William Barr</a> of committing a crime and an influential committee chairman threatened to hold Barr in contempt of Congress.

In a defiant letter released on Thursday, the White House said Trump has the right to instruct advisers not to testify before congressional oversight probes related to the Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia inquiry and called Mueller's report on the matter defective.

The statements mark a sharp escalation in the conflict between Trump's administration and Democrats in Congress, who are weighing whether they should try to remove Trump from office using the impeachment process as they demand information on his taxes, his businesses and other topics.

Democrats accused the Republican president and his administration of a launching a growing attack on American democracy.

Pelosi, the top Democrat in Congress, accused Barr of lying to lawmakers about his interactions with Mueller after the special counsel concluded his 22-month investigation into Russia's efforts to interfere in the 2016 US election to boost Trump's candidacy.

"That's a crime," the top Democrat in Congress told reporters, referring to Barr's congressional testimony.

Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec called Pelosi's allegation "reckless, irresponsible and false."

The exchange came shortly after House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler threatened to hold Barr in contempt of Congress if he does not provide a full, unredacted copy of Mueller's findings. That could potentially lead to fines or imprisonment for the top U.S. law enforcement official.

Barr released Mueller's report on April 18, with some parts blacked out to protect sensitive information.

Pelosi and other leaders in the House, which is controlled by Democrats, previously had cautioned against launching the impeachment process, which would begin in the House but would face long odds of success in the Republican-controlled Senate and could alienate voters ahead of the 2020 presidential election in which Trump is seeking re-election.

But Pelosi said the Trump administration was continuing to ignore congressional subpoenas and noted that Congress launched impeachment proceedings against President Richard Nixon in the 1970s after he resisted similar demands. Nixon resigned in 1974.

"I think that the statements being made by the president of the United States as giving a blanket statement that he's not going to honor any subpoenas is obstruction of justice," Pelosi said.

White House legal counsel Emmet Flood, in an April 19 letter to Barr obtained by Reuters on Thursday, said Trump's decision to let advisers cooperate with the Mueller probe does not extend to congressional oversight investigations.

"It is one thing for a president to encourage complete cooperation and transparency in a criminal investigation conducted largely within the Executive Branch. It is something else entirely to allow his advisers to appear before Congress," the letter said.

Democrats have accused Barr of misleading Congress by testifying in April that he did not know whether Mueller agreed with his initial characterization of the report - failing to mention a March 27 letter from the special counsel complaining that Barr's initial public summary did not "fully capture the context, nature and substance of this Office's work." Several Democrats have called on him to resign.

Nadler had set a Wednesday deadline for Barr to hand over the unredacted report and its underlying evidence. Barr canceled his testimony after clashing with Nadler over the hearing's format. Nadler said he will move forward with a contempt citation as soon as Monday.

"The very system of government of the United States - the system of limited power, the system of not having a president as a dictator - is very much at stake," Nadler told reporters after a 15-minute committee session held in place of Barr's appearance.

Democrats have said they may issue a subpoena to try to force Barr to testify before their committee.

"The failure of Attorney General Barr to come to the hearing today is simply another step in the administration's growing attack on American democracy and its attack on the right of Congress" as a co-equal branch of government, Nadler said.

Barr spent four hours before a Republican-led Senate committee on Wednesday defending his handling of Mueller's report on Russia's interference in the election to boost Trump's candidacy and whether the president subsequently tried to obstruct Mueller’s probe.

Representative Doug Collins, the House Judiciary Committee's top Republican, said Barr did not appear before that panel because Nadler had insisted on an aggressive format with an extra hour of questioning from its own lawyers, in addition to those from the committee's lawmakers.

"They want it to look like an impeachment hearing because they won't bring impeachment proceedings," Collins said.

The report detailed extensive contacts between Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and Moscow and the campaign's expectation that it would benefit from Russia's actions, which included hacking and propaganda to boost Trump and harm Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. The report also detailed a series of actions Trump took to try to impede the investigation.

Mueller, a former FBI director, concluded there was insufficient evidence to show a criminal conspiracy and opted not to make a conclusion on whether Trump committed obstruction of justice, but pointedly did not exonerate him. Barr has said he and Rod Rosenstein, the Justice Department's No. 2 official, then determined there was not enough evidence to charge Trump with obstruction.

Congressional Democrats stepped up pressure on President Donald Trump's administration on Thursday as US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi accused Attorney General William Barr of committing a crime and an influential committee chairman threatened to hold Barr in contempt of Congress.

Congressional Democrats stepped up pressure on President Donald Trump's administration on Thursday as US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi accused Attorney General William Barr of committing a crime and an influential committee chairman threatened to hold Barr in contempt of Congress. In a defiant letter released on Thursday, the White House said Trump has the right to instruct advisers not to testify before congressional oversight probes related to the Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia inquiry and called Mueller's report on the matter defective. The statements mark a sharp escalation in the conflict between Trump's administration and Democrats in Congress, who are weighing whether they should try to remove Trump from office using the impeachment process as they demand information on his taxes, his businesses and other topics. Democrats accused the Republican president and his administration of a launching a growing attack on American democracy. Pelosi, the top Democrat in Congress, accused Barr of lying to lawmakers about his interactions with Mueller after the special counsel concluded his 22-month investigation into Russia's efforts to interfere in the 2016 US election to boost Trump's candidacy. "That's a crime," the top Democrat in Congress told reporters, referring to Barr's congressional testimony. Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec called Pelosi's allegation "reckless, irresponsible and false." The exchange came shortly after House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler threatened to hold Barr in contempt of Congress if he does not provide a full, unredacted copy of Mueller's findings. That could potentially lead to fines or imprisonment for the top U.S. law enforcement official. Barr released Mueller's report on April 18, with some parts blacked out to protect sensitive information. Pelosi and other leaders in the House, which is controlled by Democrats, previously had cautioned against launching the impeachment process, which would begin in the House but would face long odds of success in the Republican-controlled Senate and could alienate voters ahead of the 2020 presidential election in which Trump is seeking re-election. But Pelosi said the Trump administration was continuing to ignore congressional subpoenas and noted that Congress launched impeachment proceedings against President Richard Nixon in the 1970s after he resisted similar demands. Nixon resigned in 1974. "I think that the statements being made by the president of the United States as giving a blanket statement that he's not going to honor any subpoenas is obstruction of justice," Pelosi said. White House legal counsel Emmet Flood, in an April 19 letter to Barr obtained by Reuters on Thursday, said Trump's decision to let advisers cooperate with the Mueller probe does not extend to congressional oversight investigations. "It is one thing for a president to encourage complete cooperation and transparency in a criminal investigation conducted largely within the Executive Branch. It is something else entirely to allow his advisers to appear before Congress," the letter said. Democrats have accused Barr of misleading Congress by testifying in April that he did not know whether Mueller agreed with his initial characterization of the report - failing to mention a March 27 letter from the special counsel complaining that Barr's initial public summary did not "fully capture the context, nature and substance of this Office's work." Several Democrats have called on him to resign. Nadler had set a Wednesday deadline for Barr to hand over the unredacted report and its underlying evidence. Barr canceled his testimony after clashing with Nadler over the hearing's format. Nadler said he will move forward with a contempt citation as soon as Monday. "The very system of government of the United States - the system of limited power, the system of not having a president as a dictator - is very much at stake," Nadler told reporters after a 15-minute committee session held in place of Barr's appearance. Democrats have said they may issue a subpoena to try to force Barr to testify before their committee. "The failure of Attorney General Barr to come to the hearing today is simply another step in the administration's growing attack on American democracy and its attack on the right of Congress" as a co-equal branch of government, Nadler said. Barr spent four hours before a Republican-led Senate committee on Wednesday defending his handling of Mueller's report on Russia's interference in the election to boost Trump's candidacy and whether the president subsequently tried to obstruct Mueller’s probe. Representative Doug Collins, the House Judiciary Committee's top Republican, said Barr did not appear before that panel because Nadler had insisted on an aggressive format with an extra hour of questioning from its own lawyers, in addition to those from the committee's lawmakers. "They want it to look like an impeachment hearing because they won't bring impeachment proceedings," Collins said. The report detailed extensive contacts between Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and Moscow and the campaign's expectation that it would benefit from Russia's actions, which included hacking and propaganda to boost Trump and harm Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. The report also detailed a series of actions Trump took to try to impede the investigation. Mueller, a former FBI director, concluded there was insufficient evidence to show a criminal conspiracy and opted not to make a conclusion on whether Trump committed obstruction of justice, but pointedly did not exonerate him. Barr has said he and Rod Rosenstein, the Justice Department's No. 2 official, then determined there was not enough evidence to charge Trump with obstruction.

Pelosi accuses William Barr of 'crime' as Democrats step up pressure on Trump

US Attorney General <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-attorney-general-william-barr-refuses-to-testify-before-house-judiciary-committee-on-mueller-report-215205">William Barr's refusal to testify at a House of Representatives hearing</a> on Thursday is set to escalate tensions with Democrats probing his role in the release of Special Counsel Robert Mueller`s report into Russian interference in the 2016 US election.

Barr said on Wednesday he would not attend the hearing of the Democratic-led House Judiciary Committee in a dispute with Chairman Jerrold Nadler about the questioning format.

Nadler told reporters the hearing would go ahead in the hope that Barr would reconsider his position overnight. Committee Democrats have vowed to issue a subpoena in an effort to force Barr to testify if he fails to show up.

At a Senate hearing on Wednesday, Barr defended his handling of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-is-mueller-report-everything-you-need-to-know-about-it-211667">Mueller report</a> on Russia’s interference in President Donald Trump’s favor in the 2016 US&nbsp;election and whether Trump subsequently tried to obstruct Mueller’s probe.

The Mueller report details a series of acts by Trump to impede the Russia probe but does not conclude whether those actions constitute the crime of obstruction. It found, however, that Trump and his campaign did not engage in a criminal conspiracy with Moscow.

Barr has come under fire for his characterization of the report in a summary he issued on March 24, several weeks before the report was released, which Trump seized on to declare he had been fully exonerated.

The House panel is one of several that are investigating Trump, his presidency and his business interests.&nbsp;

Barr`s decision surfaced hours after the committee adopted a more aggressive format that would subject the attorney general to an extra hour of questions from committee lawyers, in addition to questions from Democratic and Republican lawmakers on the panel.

A Justice Department spokeswoman said in a statement on Wednesday that the panel had placed "unprecedented and unnecessary" conditions on Barr`s testimony and called the questions posed by committee staff inappropriate.&nbsp;

The Trump administration has been contesting requests from Congress for documents and testimony on various fronts.&nbsp;

The Justice Department said on Wednesday it would not comply with a subpoena seeking Mueller`s full report on Russian meddling in the 2016 election and underlying investigative files from the probe.&nbsp;

Nadler said he would weigh a contempt citation against the attorney general if the unredacted version of the report was not made available.

US Attorney General William Barr's refusal to testify at a House of Representatives hearing on Thursday is set to escalate tensions with Democrats probing his role in the release of Special Counsel Robert Mueller`s report into Russian interference in the 2016 US election.

US Attorney General William Barr's refusal to testify at a House of Representatives hearing on Thursday is set to escalate tensions with Democrats probing his role in the release of Special Counsel Robert Mueller`s report into Russian interference in the 2016 US election. Barr said on Wednesday he would not attend the hearing of the Democratic-led House Judiciary Committee in a dispute with Chairman Jerrold Nadler about the questioning format. Nadler told reporters the hearing would go ahead in the hope that Barr would reconsider his position overnight. Committee Democrats have vowed to issue a subpoena in an effort to force Barr to testify if he fails to show up. At a Senate hearing on Wednesday, Barr defended his handling of the Mueller report on Russia’s interference in President Donald Trump’s favor in the 2016 US election and whether Trump subsequently tried to obstruct Mueller’s probe. The Mueller report details a series of acts by Trump to impede the Russia probe but does not conclude whether those actions constitute the crime of obstruction. It found, however, that Trump and his campaign did not engage in a criminal conspiracy with Moscow. Barr has come under fire for his characterization of the report in a summary he issued on March 24, several weeks before the report was released, which Trump seized on to declare he had been fully exonerated. The House panel is one of several that are investigating Trump, his presidency and his business interests. Barr`s decision surfaced hours after the committee adopted a more aggressive format that would subject the attorney general to an extra hour of questions from committee lawyers, in addition to questions from Democratic and Republican lawmakers on the panel. A Justice Department spokeswoman said in a statement on Wednesday that the panel had placed "unprecedented and unnecessary" conditions on Barr`s testimony and called the questions posed by committee staff inappropriate. The Trump administration has been contesting requests from Congress for documents and testimony on various fronts. The Justice Department said on Wednesday it would not comply with a subpoena seeking Mueller`s full report on Russian meddling in the 2016 election and underlying investigative files from the probe. Nadler said he would weigh a contempt citation against the attorney general if the unredacted version of the report was not made available.

Democrats press on as US attorney general refuses to testify

US&nbsp;congressman Seth Moulton, one of 20 Democrats running for president, criticised rivals Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren on Friday, saying they were so liberal they risked handing President Donald Trump a second White House term.

Moulton is a long-shot candidate at this stage. But his comments reflect a growing conflict between the Democratic Party's moderate and progressive wings that will likely be laid bare during the battle to decide who will take on Republican Trump in next year`s presidential election.

A representative from Massachusetts and Iraq war veteran, Moulton said Trump is a much more difficult candidate to defeat in 2020 than many Democrats realize because of his appeal to voters in the heartland who are frustrated with Washington.

"We can`t go too far left or we will lose middle America," Moulton said in an interview in Los Angeles, part of a tour to California and other early voting states since he announced his candidacy on Monday.

He said the message of candidates such as Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren was going to make it difficult to win Congress and "take back the White House."&nbsp;

While he agreed the wealthy ought to pay their share of taxes, Sanders and Warren wanted to "punish the rich," Moulton said, which he called un-American.

Moulton, 40, built his political career on challenging the Democratic Party establishment, entering Congress in 2015 after winning a primary challenge against John Tierney, who had held the seat for 18 years.

After Democrats took control of the House of Representatives in 2018, Moulton helped organize opposition to Representative Nancy Pelosi’s bid to become Speaker for a second time.

In Friday`s interview, Moulton sounded particular alarm over Sanders, a self-described "democratic socialist" elected to the Senate as an independent. Sanders has emerged as an early Democratic front-runner along with former US&nbsp;Vice President Joe Biden, who entered the 2020 field on Thursday.

In some of the harshest words yet uttered by a Democratic presidential candidate against a rival, he said: "Bernie wants to change us into a socialist country, and we`re not a socialist country."

He added: "That`s not what America is all about. I don`t think that a socialist nominee is going to win the presidency. I'm a Democrat, I`m not a socialist … He’s a socialist, not a Democrat."

Sanders spokeswoman Sarah Ford responded to the charge by saying the candidate was doing well in the polls because he is a "champion for working people."

"Senator Sanders has a long and well-known record leading the effort to create a government that works for all Americans," she told Reuters in an email.

Warren proposes raising taxes on America`s 75,000 richest families to pay for programs such as universal childcare and universal free public college.&nbsp;

"The problem with some of the candidates in our party is that they`re divisive in the same way that Trump has been so divisive," Moulton said. "They are pitting different parts of America against each other."

He said most Americans aspire to be rich.

"That`s the sprit of America, that`s the American dream," he said.

Warren`s campaign did not respond to an email for comment.

Moulton said his candidacy would gain traction by focusing on foreign policy, a subject he said many Democratic rivals were afraid to address, and by running as a "change agent" against the old guard in Washington. 
&nbsp;

US congressman Seth Moulton, one of 20 Democrats running for president, criticised rivals Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren on Friday, saying they were so liberal they risked handing President Donald Trump a second White House term.

US congressman Seth Moulton, one of 20 Democrats running for president, criticised rivals Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren on Friday, saying they were so liberal they risked handing President Donald Trump a second White House term. Moulton is a long-shot candidate at this stage. But his comments reflect a growing conflict between the Democratic Party's moderate and progressive wings that will likely be laid bare during the battle to decide who will take on Republican Trump in next year`s presidential election. A representative from Massachusetts and Iraq war veteran, Moulton said Trump is a much more difficult candidate to defeat in 2020 than many Democrats realize because of his appeal to voters in the heartland who are frustrated with Washington. "We can`t go too far left or we will lose middle America," Moulton said in an interview in Los Angeles, part of a tour to California and other early voting states since he announced his candidacy on Monday. He said the message of candidates such as Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren was going to make it difficult to win Congress and "take back the White House." While he agreed the wealthy ought to pay their share of taxes, Sanders and Warren wanted to "punish the rich," Moulton said, which he called un-American. Moulton, 40, built his political career on challenging the Democratic Party establishment, entering Congress in 2015 after winning a primary challenge against John Tierney, who had held the seat for 18 years. After Democrats took control of the House of Representatives in 2018, Moulton helped organize opposition to Representative Nancy Pelosi’s bid to become Speaker for a second time. In Friday`s interview, Moulton sounded particular alarm over Sanders, a self-described "democratic socialist" elected to the Senate as an independent. Sanders has emerged as an early Democratic front-runner along with former US Vice President Joe Biden, who entered the 2020 field on Thursday. In some of the harshest words yet uttered by a Democratic presidential candidate against a rival, he said: "Bernie wants to change us into a socialist country, and we`re not a socialist country." He added: "That`s not what America is all about. I don`t think that a socialist nominee is going to win the presidency. I'm a Democrat, I`m not a socialist … He’s a socialist, not a Democrat." Sanders spokeswoman Sarah Ford responded to the charge by saying the candidate was doing well in the polls because he is a "champion for working people." "Senator Sanders has a long and well-known record leading the effort to create a government that works for all Americans," she told Reuters in an email. Warren proposes raising taxes on America`s 75,000 richest families to pay for programs such as universal childcare and universal free public college. "The problem with some of the candidates in our party is that they`re divisive in the same way that Trump has been so divisive," Moulton said. "They are pitting different parts of America against each other." He said most Americans aspire to be rich. "That`s the sprit of America, that`s the American dream," he said. Warren`s campaign did not respond to an email for comment. Moulton said his candidacy would gain traction by focusing on foreign policy, a subject he said many Democratic rivals were afraid to address, and by running as a "change agent" against the old guard in Washington.

Democratic 2020 candidate Moulton says Sanders, Warren too liberal to beat Trump

Former US Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday formally announced his entry into the race for the Democratic party's presidential nomination for the 2020 election.

"We are in the battle for the soul of this nation," Biden said in a stark video released online, calling on voters to deny Republican US&nbsp;President Donald Trump a second term in office.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/big-democratic-field-taking-shape-for-2020-us-presidential-race-213249">Big Democratic field taking shape for 2020 US presidential race</a>

Biden, 76, had been wrestling for months over whether to run. His candidacy will face numerous questions, including whether he is too old and too centrist for a Democratic Party yearning for fresh faces and increasingly propelled by its more vocal liberal wing.

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The core values of this nation… our standing in the world… our very democracy...everything that has made America -- America --is at stake. That’s why today I’m announcing my candidacy for President of the United States. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Joe2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Joe2020</a> <a href="https://t.co/jzaQbyTEz3">https://t.co/jzaQbyTEz3</a>
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1121353260231688192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Still, he starts as the leader of the pack in opinion polls of a Democratic field that now will total 20 contenders seeking the chance to challenge President Donald Trump, the likely Republican nominee, in November 2020.

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Former US Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday formally announced his entry into the race for the Democratic party's presidential nomination for the 2020 election.

Former US Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday formally announced his entry into the race for the Democratic party's presidential nomination for the 2020 election. "We are in the battle for the soul of this nation," Biden said in a stark video released online, calling on voters to deny Republican US President Donald Trump a second term in office. Also read: Big Democratic field taking shape for 2020 US presidential race Biden, 76, had been wrestling for months over whether to run. His candidacy will face numerous questions, including whether he is too old and too centrist for a Democratic Party yearning for fresh faces and increasingly propelled by its more vocal liberal wing. The core values of this nation… our standing in the world… our very democracy...everything that has made America -- America --is at stake. That’s why today I’m announcing my candidacy for President of the United States. #Joe2020 https://t.co/jzaQbyTEz3 — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 25, 2019 × Still, he starts as the leader of the pack in opinion polls of a Democratic field that now will total 20 contenders seeking the chance to challenge President Donald Trump, the likely Republican nominee, in November 2020.

Former US Vice President Joe Biden enters 2020 presidential race

The Kremlin argued on Friday that Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report has not offered any credible evidence of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Watch full video to know more.

Kremlin: Mueller report has 'no reasonable proof'

Self-described Democratic socialist <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bernie-sanders-launches-his-presidential-campaign-calls-trump-most-dangerous-president-200819">Bernie Sanders</a>, the 2020 presidential candidate who has long assailed America's growing income inequality, released 10 years of tax returns Monday that confirm his newfound status as a millionaire.

The senator, who routinely rails against "millionaires and billionaires" and the "rigged" economic system that protects their standing, saw his income spike on royalties from sales of his book, "Our Revolution," published shortly after his 2016 race for the Democratic nomination.

According to tax returns released by the Sanders campaign, Sanders had an adjusted gross income of $561,293 in 2018, $1,131,925 in 2017 and $1,062,626 in 2016.

His 2015 income was substantially less, at $240,622, the returns showed.

"These tax returns show that our family has been fortunate. I am very grateful for that, as I grew up in a family that lived paycheck to paycheck and I know the stress of economic insecurity," Sanders said in a statement.

"I consider paying more in taxes as my income rose to be both an obligation and an investment in our country."

The increased wealth of the liberal candidate who has positioned himself as a champion of the people has raised questions about whether he can still speak for working-class Americans.

Sanders said he will still "strive every day to ensure every American has the basic necessities of life, including a livable wage, decent housing, health care and retirement security."&nbsp;

The release comes amid continued pressure on billionaire President Donald Trump to show his tax returns.

The New York real estate tycoon refused to do so during the 2016 campaign, saying that he was under audit, but the Internal Revenue Service has said this is no impediment to their release.

Democrats have seized on the issue of Trump's undisclosed taxes since taking control of the House of Representatives in January, and have cited a little-known law that allows Congress to review anyone's returns to conduct an investigation.

On Saturday, Democratic lawmakers gave tax authorities a final deadline of April 23 to hand over Trump's returns, but it remained unclear if his administration will comply.

Self-described Democratic socialist Bernie Sanders, the 2020 presidential candidate who has long assailed America's growing income inequality, released 10 years of tax returns Monday that confirm his newfound status as a millionaire.

Self-described Democratic socialist Bernie Sanders, the 2020 presidential candidate who has long assailed America's growing income inequality, released 10 years of tax returns Monday that confirm his newfound status as a millionaire. The senator, who routinely rails against "millionaires and billionaires" and the "rigged" economic system that protects their standing, saw his income spike on royalties from sales of his book, "Our Revolution," published shortly after his 2016 race for the Democratic nomination. According to tax returns released by the Sanders campaign, Sanders had an adjusted gross income of $561,293 in 2018, $1,131,925 in 2017 and $1,062,626 in 2016. His 2015 income was substantially less, at $240,622, the returns showed. "These tax returns show that our family has been fortunate. I am very grateful for that, as I grew up in a family that lived paycheck to paycheck and I know the stress of economic insecurity," Sanders said in a statement. "I consider paying more in taxes as my income rose to be both an obligation and an investment in our country." The increased wealth of the liberal candidate who has positioned himself as a champion of the people has raised questions about whether he can still speak for working-class Americans. Sanders said he will still "strive every day to ensure every American has the basic necessities of life, including a livable wage, decent housing, health care and retirement security." The release comes amid continued pressure on billionaire President Donald Trump to show his tax returns. The New York real estate tycoon refused to do so during the 2016 campaign, saying that he was under audit, but the Internal Revenue Service has said this is no impediment to their release. Democrats have seized on the issue of Trump's undisclosed taxes since taking control of the House of Representatives in January, and have cited a little-known law that allows Congress to review anyone's returns to conduct an investigation. On Saturday, Democratic lawmakers gave tax authorities a final deadline of April 23 to hand over Trump's returns, but it remained unclear if his administration will comply.

Socialist Bernie Sanders' tax returns show millionaire status

Finns can expect a broad, ineffective coalition government for the next four years as the Social Democrats, who narrowly won weekend elections, focus on keeping the surging anti-immigration populists out, analysts said.

The polls were closely watched to see how the nationalists would do ahead of European Parliament elections in May when many believe they and the eurosceptic camp as a whole could make significant inroads.

As <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/voting-begins-in-finlands-anti-austerity-election-210249&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwikj_HB79HhAhUR7nMBHVoaC4QQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1v2etSAySLXb-ynDe5Rqrw">Finland</a>'s politicos digested Sunday's vote, the big question Monday was what role the far-right anti-immigration Finns Party, which more than doubled its seats in parliament under the leadership of hardline nationalist Jussi Halla-aho, would play.

The Social Democrats came in as Finland's biggest party with 17.7 per cent of the votes, just ahead of the Finns Party on 17.5 per cent.

Halla-aho told Finnish media Monday he did not want to repeat the mistakes his party made in 2015 when it entered government and was forced to compromise on <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/finland-populists-eye-election-upset-as-anti-immigrant-feeling-rises-210029&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwikj_HB79HhAhUR7nMBHVoaC4QQFggIMAE&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1hP9dYU4GQV_TOsRrkC3A-">immigration</a> and EU bailouts.&nbsp;

"We were flexible about the wrong things," he told Finland's biggest newspaper Helsingin Sanomat.

"I don't see it as possible that the Finns Party would take part in a government which doesn't clearly commit to reducing humanitarian migration," he added.&nbsp;

On the campaign trail, Halla-aho told supporters he wanted to see the refugee intake reduced to "almost zero".

This would appear to clash directly with the Social Democratic Party's manifesto pledge to make it easier for refugees in Finland to be joined by family members from their home countries.

Social Democrat leader Antti Rinne told reporters early Monday that cooperation with the Finns Party "looks unlikely".

While Halla-aho said he would be interested in the post of interior minister, in charge of immigration, he was also upbeat in interviews at the prospect of being in opposition.

He told reporters that the huge increase to his party's parliamentary seat-count -- from 17 to 39, just one shy of the Social Democrats -- would give his party sway over any future discussion on immigration, whether or not it was a member of the government.

"Of course they're scared of losing voters to us," he told Helsingin Sanomat.&nbsp;

"It would be quite strange if they didn't take that into account in some way."

Grand left-right coalition&nbsp;

Political analyst Sini Korpinen told AFP that, in a bid to keep the nationalists in opposition, a coalition between the leftist Social Democrats and the centre-right National Coalition appeared almost a certainty.

"It's very hard to see that the other parties would say no to working with the Social Democrats because then we would be in a situation with Halla-aho trying to form a government and I just don't see that happening," she said.

Political commentator Jeanette Bjorkqvist agreed.

"Rinne has been pretty clear that there are substantial ideological differences between the Social Democrats and the Finns Party. It would be astonishing to see them in the same government," she told public broadcaster YLE.

Korpinen predicted the Social Democrats would likely try to build a coalition with the National Coalition, the Greens, the far-left Left Alliance, and centrist Swedish People's Party.

"But the broad coalition Rinne will need to keep the Finns Party out will be difficult to manage and ineffective," Korpinen said.&nbsp;

Goran Djupsund, a political science professor at Abo Akademi University, said the outcome showed how rising populism across Europe was fragmenting and weakening political systems.

"A splintered political landscape makes it harder to build a government and nations become harder to lead," Djupsund said.

"When populists win, the EU also becomes hard to govern... then no one cheers, with perhaps the exception of our neighbour to the east," Russia.

Belts loosened

Much of the pre-election discussion centred around whether cuts to Finland's cherished welfare state and education system went too far.

Social Democrat leader Rinne has been a staunch opponent of the National Coalition's austerity policies over the past four years.

Meanwhile, Petteri Orpo, leader of the conservative National Coalition Party and co-architect of the government's savings programme, has repeatedly denounced the Social Democratic Party's anti-austerity plans as "irresponsible".

However, there are signs the two parties may be able to reach some agreement to restrict further belt-tightening, as Orpo has insisted that the economy is now strong enough to allow for some more generous public spending.

Rinne has said he aims to nail down a coalition deal and agree on a programme of policies for the next government by the end of May.

Finns can expect a broad, ineffective coalition government for the next four years as the Social Democrats, who narrowly won weekend elections, focus on keeping the surging anti-immigration populists out, analysts said.

Finns can expect a broad, ineffective coalition government for the next four years as the Social Democrats, who narrowly won weekend elections, focus on keeping the surging anti-immigration populists out, analysts said. The polls were closely watched to see how the nationalists would do ahead of European Parliament elections in May when many believe they and the eurosceptic camp as a whole could make significant inroads. As Finland's politicos digested Sunday's vote, the big question Monday was what role the far-right anti-immigration Finns Party, which more than doubled its seats in parliament under the leadership of hardline nationalist Jussi Halla-aho, would play. The Social Democrats came in as Finland's biggest party with 17.7 per cent of the votes, just ahead of the Finns Party on 17.5 per cent. Halla-aho told Finnish media Monday he did not want to repeat the mistakes his party made in 2015 when it entered government and was forced to compromise on immigration and EU bailouts. "We were flexible about the wrong things," he told Finland's biggest newspaper Helsingin Sanomat. "I don't see it as possible that the Finns Party would take part in a government which doesn't clearly commit to reducing humanitarian migration," he added. On the campaign trail, Halla-aho told supporters he wanted to see the refugee intake reduced to "almost zero". This would appear to clash directly with the Social Democratic Party's manifesto pledge to make it easier for refugees in Finland to be joined by family members from their home countries. Social Democrat leader Antti Rinne told reporters early Monday that cooperation with the Finns Party "looks unlikely". While Halla-aho said he would be interested in the post of interior minister, in charge of immigration, he was also upbeat in interviews at the prospect of being in opposition. He told reporters that the huge increase to his party's parliamentary seat-count -- from 17 to 39, just one shy of the Social Democrats -- would give his party sway over any future discussion on immigration, whether or not it was a member of the government. "Of course they're scared of losing voters to us," he told Helsingin Sanomat. "It would be quite strange if they didn't take that into account in some way." Grand left-right coalition Political analyst Sini Korpinen told AFP that, in a bid to keep the nationalists in opposition, a coalition between the leftist Social Democrats and the centre-right National Coalition appeared almost a certainty. "It's very hard to see that the other parties would say no to working with the Social Democrats because then we would be in a situation with Halla-aho trying to form a government and I just don't see that happening," she said. Political commentator Jeanette Bjorkqvist agreed. "Rinne has been pretty clear that there are substantial ideological differences between the Social Democrats and the Finns Party. It would be astonishing to see them in the same government," she told public broadcaster YLE. Korpinen predicted the Social Democrats would likely try to build a coalition with the National Coalition, the Greens, the far-left Left Alliance, and centrist Swedish People's Party. "But the broad coalition Rinne will need to keep the Finns Party out will be difficult to manage and ineffective," Korpinen said. Goran Djupsund, a political science professor at Abo Akademi University, said the outcome showed how rising populism across Europe was fragmenting and weakening political systems. "A splintered political landscape makes it harder to build a government and nations become harder to lead," Djupsund said. "When populists win, the EU also becomes hard to govern... then no one cheers, with perhaps the exception of our neighbour to the east," Russia. Belts loosened Much of the pre-election discussion centred around whether cuts to Finland's cherished welfare state and education system went too far. Social Democrat leader Rinne has been a staunch opponent of the National Coalition's austerity policies over the past four years. Meanwhile, Petteri Orpo, leader of the conservative National Coalition Party and co-architect of the government's savings programme, has repeatedly denounced the Social Democratic Party's anti-austerity plans as "irresponsible". However, there are signs the two parties may be able to reach some agreement to restrict further belt-tightening, as Orpo has insisted that the economy is now strong enough to allow for some more generous public spending. Rinne has said he aims to nail down a coalition deal and agree on a programme of policies for the next government by the end of May.

Finland eyes left-right coalition to keep populists out

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-could-send-migrants-to-sanctuary-cities-209995">US President Donald Trump</a> questioned Saturday whether Congressional Democrats should have access to a redacted version of the Mueller report that cleared him of conspiring to collude with Russia during the 2016 election.

Attorney General Bill Barr has indicated he will hand over a restricted copy of the 400-page report by Special Counsel Robert Mueller that edits out "sensitive" details sometime next week.

"Why should Radical Left Democrats in Congress have a right to retry and examine the $35,000,000 (two years in the making) No Collusion Mueller Report when the crime committed was by Crooked Hillary, the DNC and Dirty Cops?" Trump tweeted. "Attorney General Barr will make the decision!"

Trump had previously said the decision to release the report would be "totally up to" his attorney general, while his press secretary Sarah Sanders in March said, "I don't think the president has any problem" with its publication.

The president's latest comments come days after he called the probe an attempted "coup," while Barr promised to investigate FBI "spying" on Trump.

Trump has described former FBI officials who initially decided to investigate him as "dirty cops."

Three years on from his election victory, he is still railing against his former Democratic White House opponent Hillary Clinton over her use of a private email server for government business and threatens to reopen an investigation into the matter.

US President Donald Trump questioned Saturday whether Congressional Democrats should have access to a redacted version of the Mueller report that cleared him of conspiring to collude with Russia during the 2016 election.

US President Donald Trump questioned Saturday whether Congressional Democrats should have access to a redacted version of the Mueller report that cleared him of conspiring to collude with Russia during the 2016 election. Attorney General Bill Barr has indicated he will hand over a restricted copy of the 400-page report by Special Counsel Robert Mueller that edits out "sensitive" details sometime next week. "Why should Radical Left Democrats in Congress have a right to retry and examine the $35,000,000 (two years in the making) No Collusion Mueller Report when the crime committed was by Crooked Hillary, the DNC and Dirty Cops?" Trump tweeted. "Attorney General Barr will make the decision!" Trump had previously said the decision to release the report would be "totally up to" his attorney general, while his press secretary Sarah Sanders in March said, "I don't think the president has any problem" with its publication. The president's latest comments come days after he called the probe an attempted "coup," while Barr promised to investigate FBI "spying" on Trump. Trump has described former FBI officials who initially decided to investigate him as "dirty cops." Three years on from his election victory, he is still railing against his former Democratic White House opponent Hillary Clinton over her use of a private email server for government business and threatens to reopen an investigation into the matter.

Trump questions why Democrats should get Mueller report

Top US Democratic and Republican lawmakers said Monday they want Special Counsel Robert Mueller to testify before Congress about his investigation into Russian meddling during the 2016 election campaign.

Two weeks ago, Attorney General Bill Barr cleared US President Donald Trump of colluding with Russia in a four-page summary of the report. But the special counsel's final report on the investigation -- and whether Trump himself was involved in obstructing the probe -- remains unreleased.

Doug Collins, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, said he wants Democrats to immediately bring Mueller before the panel to testify about his report.

"If you seek both transparencies and for the American public to learn the full contours of the special counsel's investigation, public testimony from Special Counsel Mueller himself is undoubtedly the best way to accomplish this goal," Collins wrote in a letter to the committee's Democratic chairman, Jerry Nadler.

Nadler said he "fully" agreed, but stressed that Mueller should testify after the full report is delivered to Congress and Barr testifies. He called on Barr to testify before the committee on May 2.

"We look forward to hearing from Mr Mueller at the appropriate time," Nadler said.

It comes amid a heated battle in Washington over what Congress will actually be able to see of the report itself.&nbsp;

Democrats are demanding access to the entire, unredacted 400-page text, saying the evidence within could be damning to the president.

But Barr has said he will not release key evidence that is part of any investigation by a grand jury, a special panel used by prosecutors in politically sensitive cases.

Last week Nadler was among six Democrat committee chairs who wrote to Barr demanding the full report with its underlying evidence be submitted to Congress.

In his letter, Collins said Democrats were politicizing the situation by seeking the protected grand jury materials, despite an appeals court last Friday ruling that federal judges do not have authority to disclose such evidence except in specifically authorized situations.

Collins wrote that courts have determined that such situations include a formal impeachment inquiry, something Democrats have so far refused to launch.

"If you decline to launch an impeachment inquiry, which is your clear legal path to the 6(e) grand jury information, I suggest instead inviting Special Counsel Mueller in to testify before the Committee as soon as possible," Collins wrote.

Top US Democratic and Republican lawmakers said Monday they want Special Counsel Robert Mueller to testify before Congress about his investigation into Russian meddling during the 2016 election campaign.

Top US Democratic and Republican lawmakers said Monday they want Special Counsel Robert Mueller to testify before Congress about his investigation into Russian meddling during the 2016 election campaign. Two weeks ago, Attorney General Bill Barr cleared US President Donald Trump of colluding with Russia in a four-page summary of the report. But the special counsel's final report on the investigation -- and whether Trump himself was involved in obstructing the probe -- remains unreleased. Doug Collins, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, said he wants Democrats to immediately bring Mueller before the panel to testify about his report. "If you seek both transparencies and for the American public to learn the full contours of the special counsel's investigation, public testimony from Special Counsel Mueller himself is undoubtedly the best way to accomplish this goal," Collins wrote in a letter to the committee's Democratic chairman, Jerry Nadler. Nadler said he "fully" agreed, but stressed that Mueller should testify after the full report is delivered to Congress and Barr testifies. He called on Barr to testify before the committee on May 2. "We look forward to hearing from Mr Mueller at the appropriate time," Nadler said. It comes amid a heated battle in Washington over what Congress will actually be able to see of the report itself. Democrats are demanding access to the entire, unredacted 400-page text, saying the evidence within could be damning to the president. But Barr has said he will not release key evidence that is part of any investigation by a grand jury, a special panel used by prosecutors in politically sensitive cases. Last week Nadler was among six Democrat committee chairs who wrote to Barr demanding the full report with its underlying evidence be submitted to Congress. In his letter, Collins said Democrats were politicizing the situation by seeking the protected grand jury materials, despite an appeals court last Friday ruling that federal judges do not have authority to disclose such evidence except in specifically authorized situations. Collins wrote that courts have determined that such situations include a formal impeachment inquiry, something Democrats have so far refused to launch. "If you decline to launch an impeachment inquiry, which is your clear legal path to the 6(e) grand jury information, I suggest instead inviting Special Counsel Mueller in to testify before the Committee as soon as possible," Collins wrote.

Republicans, Democrats want Robert Mueller to testify on report on Russian meddling in 2016 election

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-vote-on-healthcare-can-wait-until-after-2020-election-207350">President Donald Trump</a> said Tuesday he is "100 per cent" prepared to close down the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-threatens-closure-of-us-mexico-border-next-week-to-stem-asylum-surge-206626">US-Mexico border</a>, warning Congress and Central American governments to take action to stem the flow of migrants into the country.

Delays were already rising at several key border crossings as Trump ratcheted up pressure on Democrats in Congress to toughen US laws against illegal immigrants, threatening to hurt the US economy in the name of border security.

"It is a national emergency on the border," Trump said.

If Mexico does not stop migrants from transiting across its territory, and if Congress does not act, he said, "the border's going to be closed, 100 per cent."

"Sure it's going to have a negative impact on the economy," he said. "Security is more important to me than trade."

Trump said Democrats were blocking reforms for political reasons but could fix the problem "in 45 minutes."

He was not specific, but Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen has asked Congress to give border officials the power to forcibly repatriate Central American illegal immigrants, including children who arrived alone, back to their countries.

The threat to close the border, which handled some $612 billion worth of trade in 2018, sent shivers through the economy, and drew warnings from allies of the president.

"Closing down the border would have potentially catastrophic economic impact on our country, and I would hope we would not be doing that sort of thing," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said.

His call was backed by the Chamber of Commerce, which said in a statement that while it backed immigration reform, closing the border "would inflict severe economic harm on American families, workers, farmers and manufacturers across the United States."

100,000 migrants a month&nbsp;

Homeland Security officials said they were preparing for the possibility of a shutdown of at least some border entry points as they divert staff to deal with the flood of migrants from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, expected to hit nearly 100,000 a month.

Nielsen cut short an official trip to Europe to return for meetings early Tuesday on the border crisis, and on Monday Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said he would be meeting Nielsen and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the crisis.

Officials said facilities for handling the migrants -- who for the moment cannot be sent back after they cross the border and request asylum -- are overtaxed and understaffed, creating hazardous conditions.

"We are in a full-blown emergency. The bottom line is all options are on the table right now," a senior Homeland Security official, who declined to be named, told journalists Tuesday.

"The volume of vulnerable populations that are arriving is unsustainable... The humanitarian situation cannot be ignored and the security situation cannot be ignored."

Trump said Mexican officials had reacted to his threat to close the border last week by clamping down on the caravans of migrants fleeing poverty and violence in the three Central American countries.

Mexico "made a big step over the past two days," he said, adding that they would have to continue if they don't want the border closed.

He also defended his decision to cut off "hundreds of millions of dollars" in US aid to the three countries, accusing them of arranging the caravans of migrants.

The three "don't do anything for us," he said.&nbsp;

Long lines at border ports

On Monday, Nielsen ordered an "emergency surge" of personnel to deal with the situation, including moving 750 staff to areas of the border where the migrants arrive.

Many were being diverted from official ports, leading to slowdowns in processing arriving visitors and commercial vehicles.

Delays for incoming traffic were three hours at Brownsville, Texas, for the second straight day, and more than two hours in other areas.

On the Mexican side, Andres Morales Arreola, head of operations for border crossings in Chihuahua state, said the border between Ciudad Juarez and El Paso had "collapsed" because so many US border officials have been reassigned to deal with the migrant influx.

Long lines have formed at the border since Thursday, with wait times of up to eight hours for those trying to cross.

Ciudad Juarez Mayor Armando Cabada Alvidrez called on the city's bustling manufacturing sector to temporarily cut back shipments to the US in order to reduce the backup.

However, White House chief economist Larry Kudlow said they were working to minimise the economic impact from a closure of the border -- including keeping truck lanes open.

"The question is, can we deal with that and not have any economic damage?" he told CNBC television.

"I think the answer is we can and people are looking at different options, particularly if you can keep those freight lanes, those truck lanes open."

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he is "100 per cent" prepared to close down the US-Mexico border, warning Congress and Central American governments to take action to stem the flow of migrants into the country.

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he is "100 per cent" prepared to close down the US-Mexico border, warning Congress and Central American governments to take action to stem the flow of migrants into the country. Delays were already rising at several key border crossings as Trump ratcheted up pressure on Democrats in Congress to toughen US laws against illegal immigrants, threatening to hurt the US economy in the name of border security. "It is a national emergency on the border," Trump said. If Mexico does not stop migrants from transiting across its territory, and if Congress does not act, he said, "the border's going to be closed, 100 per cent." "Sure it's going to have a negative impact on the economy," he said. "Security is more important to me than trade." Trump said Democrats were blocking reforms for political reasons but could fix the problem "in 45 minutes." He was not specific, but Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen has asked Congress to give border officials the power to forcibly repatriate Central American illegal immigrants, including children who arrived alone, back to their countries. The threat to close the border, which handled some $612 billion worth of trade in 2018, sent shivers through the economy, and drew warnings from allies of the president. "Closing down the border would have potentially catastrophic economic impact on our country, and I would hope we would not be doing that sort of thing," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. His call was backed by the Chamber of Commerce, which said in a statement that while it backed immigration reform, closing the border "would inflict severe economic harm on American families, workers, farmers and manufacturers across the United States." 100,000 migrants a month Homeland Security officials said they were preparing for the possibility of a shutdown of at least some border entry points as they divert staff to deal with the flood of migrants from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, expected to hit nearly 100,000 a month. Nielsen cut short an official trip to Europe to return for meetings early Tuesday on the border crisis, and on Monday Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said he would be meeting Nielsen and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the crisis. Officials said facilities for handling the migrants -- who for the moment cannot be sent back after they cross the border and request asylum -- are overtaxed and understaffed, creating hazardous conditions. "We are in a full-blown emergency. The bottom line is all options are on the table right now," a senior Homeland Security official, who declined to be named, told journalists Tuesday. "The volume of vulnerable populations that are arriving is unsustainable... The humanitarian situation cannot be ignored and the security situation cannot be ignored." Trump said Mexican officials had reacted to his threat to close the border last week by clamping down on the caravans of migrants fleeing poverty and violence in the three Central American countries. Mexico "made a big step over the past two days," he said, adding that they would have to continue if they don't want the border closed. He also defended his decision to cut off "hundreds of millions of dollars" in US aid to the three countries, accusing them of arranging the caravans of migrants. The three "don't do anything for us," he said. Long lines at border ports On Monday, Nielsen ordered an "emergency surge" of personnel to deal with the situation, including moving 750 staff to areas of the border where the migrants arrive. Many were being diverted from official ports, leading to slowdowns in processing arriving visitors and commercial vehicles. Delays for incoming traffic were three hours at Brownsville, Texas, for the second straight day, and more than two hours in other areas. On the Mexican side, Andres Morales Arreola, head of operations for border crossings in Chihuahua state, said the border between Ciudad Juarez and El Paso had "collapsed" because so many US border officials have been reassigned to deal with the migrant influx. Long lines have formed at the border since Thursday, with wait times of up to eight hours for those trying to cross. Ciudad Juarez Mayor Armando Cabada Alvidrez called on the city's bustling manufacturing sector to temporarily cut back shipments to the US in order to reduce the backup. However, White House chief economist Larry Kudlow said they were working to minimise the economic impact from a closure of the border -- including keeping truck lanes open. "The question is, can we deal with that and not have any economic damage?" he told CNBC television. "I think the answer is we can and people are looking at different options, particularly if you can keep those freight lanes, those truck lanes open."

Trump says '100%' ready to shut down Mexico border

Joe Biden, who is leading polls for the Democratic presidential nomination, on Friday faced a misconduct accusation by a Nevada ex-lawmaker claiming the then-vice president inappropriately kissed her before a campaign event.

Lucy Flores, the state's Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2014, said she was beside the stage awaiting her turn to address a rally when Biden put his hands on her shoulders from behind, then leaned in and smelled her hair.

"I was mortified," Flores, 39, recounted in New York magazine.

"He proceeded to plant a big slow kiss on the back of my head," she added.&nbsp;

"My brain couldn't process what was happening. I was embarrassed. I was shocked. I was confused," and "I wanted nothing more than to get Biden away from me."

It was unclear just how the accusation might impact Biden's decision to officially enter the race. Those close to the Democrat have reportedly said Biden, 76, could announce his plans in April.

Biden's spokesman Bill Russo said Friday that Biden was "pleased" to support Flores's candidacy, but does not recall the incident.

"Neither then, nor in the years since, did he or the staff with him at the time have an inkling that Ms Flores had been at any time uncomfortable, nor do they recall what she describes," Russo said in a statement.

He added that Biden "believes that Ms Flores has every right to share her own recollections and reflections and that it is a change for better in our society that she has the opportunity to do so."

Biden's overly familiar approach with women has been a subject of discussion for years.&nbsp;

He has had a reputation for awkwardly touching the wives, mothers or daughters of senators during swearing-in ceremonies, and he came under criticism for massaging the shoulders of new defence secretary Ash Carter's wife in 2015.

Biden's behaviour is receiving renewed attention in the #MeToo era when the movement against sexual assault has led to the downfall of dozens of politicians, entertainment figures and businessmen.

At a Democratic Party dinner in Delaware this month, he acknowledged how his physical style has raised questions.

"I'm a tactile politician, always have been. That's what gets me in trouble as well," Biden said.

Flores wrote that the celebrated Democrat ignores the "power imbalance" that exists between Biden and the women he touches.

"Even if his behaviour wasn't violent or sexual, it was demeaning and disrespectful," she added.

Joe Biden, who is leading polls for the Democratic presidential nomination, on Friday faced a misconduct accusation by a Nevada ex-lawmaker claiming the then-vice president inappropriately kissed her before a campaign event.

Joe Biden, who is leading polls for the Democratic presidential nomination, on Friday faced a misconduct accusation by a Nevada ex-lawmaker claiming the then-vice president inappropriately kissed her before a campaign event. Lucy Flores, the state's Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2014, said she was beside the stage awaiting her turn to address a rally when Biden put his hands on her shoulders from behind, then leaned in and smelled her hair. "I was mortified," Flores, 39, recounted in New York magazine. "He proceeded to plant a big slow kiss on the back of my head," she added. "My brain couldn't process what was happening. I was embarrassed. I was shocked. I was confused," and "I wanted nothing more than to get Biden away from me." It was unclear just how the accusation might impact Biden's decision to officially enter the race. Those close to the Democrat have reportedly said Biden, 76, could announce his plans in April. Biden's spokesman Bill Russo said Friday that Biden was "pleased" to support Flores's candidacy, but does not recall the incident. "Neither then, nor in the years since, did he or the staff with him at the time have an inkling that Ms Flores had been at any time uncomfortable, nor do they recall what she describes," Russo said in a statement. He added that Biden "believes that Ms Flores has every right to share her own recollections and reflections and that it is a change for better in our society that she has the opportunity to do so." Biden's overly familiar approach with women has been a subject of discussion for years. He has had a reputation for awkwardly touching the wives, mothers or daughters of senators during swearing-in ceremonies, and he came under criticism for massaging the shoulders of new defence secretary Ash Carter's wife in 2015. Biden's behaviour is receiving renewed attention in the #MeToo era when the movement against sexual assault has led to the downfall of dozens of politicians, entertainment figures and businessmen. At a Democratic Party dinner in Delaware this month, he acknowledged how his physical style has raised questions. "I'm a tactile politician, always have been. That's what gets me in trouble as well," Biden said. Flores wrote that the celebrated Democrat ignores the "power imbalance" that exists between Biden and the women he touches. "Even if his behaviour wasn't violent or sexual, it was demeaning and disrespectful," she added.

Ex-lawmaker says Joe Biden inappropriately touched her in 2014

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/1-billion-from-pentagon-for-trumps-wall-us-congress-committee-says-move-not-permitted-205901">$1 billion from Pentagon for Trump's wall: US Congress committee says move not permitted</a>

A Democrat-led congressional committee challenged Tuesday the Pentagon's plan to divert $1 billion to support President Donald Trump's plan to build a wall on the US-Mexico border.

Less than one day after acting Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan authorized moving the funds from existing Defense Department projects to border construction, the House Armed Services Committee said this move was not permitted.

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boeing-737-max-makes-emergency-landing-in-us-faa-205906">Boeing 737 MAX makes </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boeing-737-max-makes-emergency-landing-in-us-faa-205906">emergency</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boeing-737-max-makes-emergency-landing-in-us-faa-205906"> landing in </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boeing-737-max-makes-emergency-landing-in-us-faa-205906">US</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boeing-737-max-makes-emergency-landing-in-us-faa-205906">: FAA</a>

A Boeing 737 MAX aircraft operated by Southwest Airlines made an emergency landing Tuesday after experiencing an engine problem as it was being ferried from Florida to California, the US Federal Aviation Agency said.

"The aircraft returned and landed safely in Orlando," the FAA said in a statement, adding that no passengers were on board the aircraft, which was being transferred to Victorville, California for storage.

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/737-max-pivotal-day-today-for-boeing-as-it-meets-with-pilots-airlines-205915">737 MAX: Pivotal day today for Boeing as it meets with pilots, airlines</a>

Wednesday will be a pivotal day for aircraft maker Boeing Co and federal aviation safety regulators as they try to rebuild trust following two deadly crashes of Boeing 737 MAX airliners.

Boeing has scheduled a briefing on Wednesday for about 200 pilots and airline representatives in Renton, Washington, home of its 737 assembly complex. The company is expected to outline changes to software that controls a system designed to automatically prevent a mid-flight stall.

Also on Wednesday in Washington, DC, a US Senate panel plans to question the acting head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Transportation Department's inspector general and the head of the National Transportation Safety Board about how thoroughly the 737 MAX's automated flight control system was tested, and what will be done to assure that any fixes work.

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nawaz-sharif-released-from-jail-after-he-gets-bail-205903">Nawaz Sharif released from jail after he gets bail</a>

Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif was released from a jail here in the early hours of Wednesday after the Supreme Court granted him bail for six weeks on medical grounds.

On Tuesday, a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa accepted Sharif's appeal and allowed him to get medical treatment from any health facility of his choice within the country.&nbsp;

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/mma-star-conor-mcgregor-under-investigation-for-sexual-assault-nyt-205909">MMA star Conor McGregor under investigation for sexual assault: NYT</a>

Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor is under investigation in his native Ireland on an accusation of sexual assault, the New York Times reported Tuesday.

The report, in which the Times cited four unnamed sources, came a day after the trash-talking star of the Ultimate Fighting Championship wrote on Twitter that he had decided to retire from his career inside the octagon.

$1 billion from Pentagon for Trump's wall: US Congress committee says move not permitted A Democrat-led congressional committee challenged Tuesday the Pentagon's plan to divert $1 billion to support President Donald Trump's plan to build a wall on the US-Mexico border.

$1 billion from Pentagon for Trump's wall: US Congress committee says move not permitted A Democrat-led congressional committee challenged Tuesday the Pentagon's plan to divert $1 billion to support President Donald Trump's plan to build a wall on the US-Mexico border. Less than one day after acting Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan authorized moving the funds from existing Defense Department projects to border construction, the House Armed Services Committee said this move was not permitted. Boeing 737 MAX makes emergency landing in US: FAA A Boeing 737 MAX aircraft operated by Southwest Airlines made an emergency landing Tuesday after experiencing an engine problem as it was being ferried from Florida to California, the US Federal Aviation Agency said. "The aircraft returned and landed safely in Orlando," the FAA said in a statement, adding that no passengers were on board the aircraft, which was being transferred to Victorville, California for storage. 737 MAX: Pivotal day today for Boeing as it meets with pilots, airlines Wednesday will be a pivotal day for aircraft maker Boeing Co and federal aviation safety regulators as they try to rebuild trust following two deadly crashes of Boeing 737 MAX airliners. Boeing has scheduled a briefing on Wednesday for about 200 pilots and airline representatives in Renton, Washington, home of its 737 assembly complex. The company is expected to outline changes to software that controls a system designed to automatically prevent a mid-flight stall. Also on Wednesday in Washington, DC, a US Senate panel plans to question the acting head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Transportation Department's inspector general and the head of the National Transportation Safety Board about how thoroughly the 737 MAX's automated flight control system was tested, and what will be done to assure that any fixes work. Nawaz Sharif released from jail after he gets bail Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif was released from a jail here in the early hours of Wednesday after the Supreme Court granted him bail for six weeks on medical grounds. On Tuesday, a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa accepted Sharif's appeal and allowed him to get medical treatment from any health facility of his choice within the country. MMA star Conor McGregor under investigation for sexual assault: NYT Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor is under investigation in his native Ireland on an accusation of sexual assault, the New York Times reported Tuesday. The report, in which the Times cited four unnamed sources, came a day after the trash-talking star of the Ultimate Fighting Championship wrote on Twitter that he had decided to retire from his career inside the octagon.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Top congressional Democrats said Sunday it was "urgent" that the full report on Russian interference in the 2016 US election be publicly released, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-declares-complete-exoneration-after-mueller-report-finds-no-collusion-205408">stressing it does not exonerate Donald Trump</a>.

The president was quick to claim vindication by Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report findings which, according to a summary by Attorney General Bill Barr, found that no Trump campaign official was involved in Russian conspiracies to interfere in the 2016 US election.

Such a conclusion would no doubt blunt a key weapon for Democrats desperate to oust Trump in 2020.&nbsp;

But with the report declining to determine whether there was obstruction of justice by the president, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer escalated their demands for the full document's release.

"The fact that Special Counsel (Robert) Mueller's report does not exonerate the president on a charge as serious as obstruction of justice demonstrates how urgent it is that the full report and underlying documentation be made public without any further delay," the Democratic pair said in a joint statement.

They also said Barr, nominated just months ago by Trump, is "not a neutral observer" in the process and that his summary of the report is not an objective determination about Mueller's findings.

The two Democrats also said Trump's declaration that the report is a complete exoneration of the president because it clears him of colluding with Russia "directly contradicts the words of Mr Mueller and is not to be taken with any degree of credibility."

Congressional Democrats appeared stung by the failure of Mueller's report, after a 22-month investigation, to directly uncover presidential wrongdoing.

'I want the whole damn report' 
Several lawmakers including 2020 presidential hopefuls like senators Amy Klobuchar, Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker vented on Twitter, saying a mere summary by a Trump ally was insufficient.

"I don't want a summary of the Mueller report. I want the whole damn report," tweeted Bernie Sanders, a liberal senator in the 2020 race.

Several Democrats have called for Barr and Mueller to testify before Congress.

"Special Counsel Mueller clearly and explicitly is not exonerating the president, and we must hear from AG Barr about his decision making and see all the underlying evidence for the American people to know all the facts," said House Judiciary Committee chairman Jerry Nadler.

His panel will call Barr to testify "in the near future," Nadler said.

With the Mueller probe running its course, the various congressional investigations into possible Trump team connections with Russia may enter the spotlight.

Nadler's committee is one of at least three pending congressional inquiries.&nbsp;

Earlier this month he launched the Democrats' most ambitious investigation yet into alleged obstruction of justice and abuse of office by Trump, targeting 81 individuals and entities.

The probe has already yielded more than 10,000 documents, ensuring that the probe carries on for several months or longer.

House Republican Liz Cheney hinted at the influence the Mueller's report findings will have on the presidential race, saying Americans "will long remember how wrong and irresponsible the Democrats have been."&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Top congressional Democrats said Sunday it was "urgent" that the full report on Russian interference in the 2016 US election be publicly released, stressing it does not exonerate Donald Trump.

Top congressional Democrats said Sunday it was "urgent" that the full report on Russian interference in the 2016 US election be publicly released, stressing it does not exonerate Donald Trump. The president was quick to claim vindication by Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report findings which, according to a summary by Attorney General Bill Barr, found that no Trump campaign official was involved in Russian conspiracies to interfere in the 2016 US election. Such a conclusion would no doubt blunt a key weapon for Democrats desperate to oust Trump in 2020. But with the report declining to determine whether there was obstruction of justice by the president, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer escalated their demands for the full document's release. "The fact that Special Counsel (Robert) Mueller's report does not exonerate the president on a charge as serious as obstruction of justice demonstrates how urgent it is that the full report and underlying documentation be made public without any further delay," the Democratic pair said in a joint statement. They also said Barr, nominated just months ago by Trump, is "not a neutral observer" in the process and that his summary of the report is not an objective determination about Mueller's findings. The two Democrats also said Trump's declaration that the report is a complete exoneration of the president because it clears him of colluding with Russia "directly contradicts the words of Mr Mueller and is not to be taken with any degree of credibility." Congressional Democrats appeared stung by the failure of Mueller's report, after a 22-month investigation, to directly uncover presidential wrongdoing. 'I want the whole damn report' Several lawmakers including 2020 presidential hopefuls like senators Amy Klobuchar, Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker vented on Twitter, saying a mere summary by a Trump ally was insufficient. "I don't want a summary of the Mueller report. I want the whole damn report," tweeted Bernie Sanders, a liberal senator in the 2020 race. Several Democrats have called for Barr and Mueller to testify before Congress. "Special Counsel Mueller clearly and explicitly is not exonerating the president, and we must hear from AG Barr about his decision making and see all the underlying evidence for the American people to know all the facts," said House Judiciary Committee chairman Jerry Nadler. His panel will call Barr to testify "in the near future," Nadler said. With the Mueller probe running its course, the various congressional investigations into possible Trump team connections with Russia may enter the spotlight. Nadler's committee is one of at least three pending congressional inquiries. Earlier this month he launched the Democrats' most ambitious investigation yet into alleged obstruction of justice and abuse of office by Trump, targeting 81 individuals and entities. The probe has already yielded more than 10,000 documents, ensuring that the probe carries on for several months or longer. House Republican Liz Cheney hinted at the influence the Mueller's report findings will have on the presidential race, saying Americans "will long remember how wrong and irresponsible the Democrats have been."

On the back foot, Democrats demand release of full Mueller report

A supporter of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-announces-first-new-north-korea-sanctions-since-failed-summit-204745">President Donald Trump</a> pleaded guilty on Thursday to mailing crude bombs to prominent Democrats including former president Barack Obama and former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

Cesar Sayoc, 57, who was arrested in Florida in October, pleaded guilty to 65 counts and could face life imprisonment at his sentencing in September.

Appearing in court in a blue prison jumpsuit, and with his hair pulled into a gray ponytail, he apologized for his actions during an appearance in a US District Court in New York.

Reading a statement prepared with his lawyers, he admitted he fashioned the homemade devices from materials including plastic piping, a digital alarm clock with electric wiring attached, fireworks and glass fragments.

"I know these actions were wrong and I am sorry," he told the court, in a barely audible, choked voice.

The slew of charges relates to 16 package bombs Sayoc sent from a Florida post office to leading Democrats as well as the Manhattan offices of CNN.

Besides Obama and Clinton, those targeted included billionaire George Soros, former president Bill Clinton, former vice president Joe Biden, actor Robert De Niro and several Democratic lawmakers, including 2020 presidential hopefuls Cory Booker and Kamala Harris.&nbsp;

None of the packages exploded and most did not come anywhere near their intended recipients.

"Our democracy will simply not survive if our political discourse includes sending bombs to those we disagree with," said General John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney for the National Security Division, following the hearing.

"I applaud the efforts of so many in our law enforcement community whose alertness and tirelessness led to the prompt arrest of the defendant."

Sayoc had initially been charged with 30 counts, already putting him at risk of life in prison. His guilty plea does not guarantee a more lenient sentence -- but Judge Jed Rakoff stressed he did not have to hand down a life sentence in September.

A former strip club manager and bodybuilder and martial arts practitioner, Sayoc was an ardent supporter of Trump, who has rejected accusations that his rhetoric fuels extremism.

Sayoc, who lived in a white truck plastered with pro-Trump and anti-Democrat stickers, was arrested in Florida five days after the first device was discovered in Soros's upstate New York mailbox.

The episode heightened political tensions in the lead-up to the November 6 US midterm elections, which saw Democrats gain control of the House of Representatives while Republicans retained control of the Senate.

Police found Sayoc's fingerprints and DNA on the packages.

Sayoc has a criminal record dating back to 1991, peppered with convictions for theft, fraud, violence and a threat to blow up his electric utility company. &nbsp;

A supporter of President Donald Trump pleaded guilty on Thursday to mailing crude bombs to prominent Democrats including former president Barack Obama and former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

A supporter of President Donald Trump pleaded guilty on Thursday to mailing crude bombs to prominent Democrats including former president Barack Obama and former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. Cesar Sayoc, 57, who was arrested in Florida in October, pleaded guilty to 65 counts and could face life imprisonment at his sentencing in September. Appearing in court in a blue prison jumpsuit, and with his hair pulled into a gray ponytail, he apologized for his actions during an appearance in a US District Court in New York. Reading a statement prepared with his lawyers, he admitted he fashioned the homemade devices from materials including plastic piping, a digital alarm clock with electric wiring attached, fireworks and glass fragments. "I know these actions were wrong and I am sorry," he told the court, in a barely audible, choked voice. The slew of charges relates to 16 package bombs Sayoc sent from a Florida post office to leading Democrats as well as the Manhattan offices of CNN. Besides Obama and Clinton, those targeted included billionaire George Soros, former president Bill Clinton, former vice president Joe Biden, actor Robert De Niro and several Democratic lawmakers, including 2020 presidential hopefuls Cory Booker and Kamala Harris. None of the packages exploded and most did not come anywhere near their intended recipients. "Our democracy will simply not survive if our political discourse includes sending bombs to those we disagree with," said General John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney for the National Security Division, following the hearing. "I applaud the efforts of so many in our law enforcement community whose alertness and tirelessness led to the prompt arrest of the defendant." Sayoc had initially been charged with 30 counts, already putting him at risk of life in prison. His guilty plea does not guarantee a more lenient sentence -- but Judge Jed Rakoff stressed he did not have to hand down a life sentence in September. A former strip club manager and bodybuilder and martial arts practitioner, Sayoc was an ardent supporter of Trump, who has rejected accusations that his rhetoric fuels extremism. Sayoc, who lived in a white truck plastered with pro-Trump and anti-Democrat stickers, was arrested in Florida five days after the first device was discovered in Soros's upstate New York mailbox. The episode heightened political tensions in the lead-up to the November 6 US midterm elections, which saw Democrats gain control of the House of Representatives while Republicans retained control of the Senate. Police found Sayoc's fingerprints and DNA on the packages. Sayoc has a criminal record dating back to 1991, peppered with convictions for theft, fraud, violence and a threat to blow up his electric utility company.

Trump supporter pleads guilty to sending bombs to Democrats

US President Donald Trump blasted Democrats as "anti-Israel" and "anti-Jewish" Friday after they passed a congressional measure opposing hate speech in general instead of specifically condemning alleged anti-Semitic comments by a Muslim congresswoman.

His remarks follow days of tense debates in Congress addressing sensitive questions about national allegiance, discriminatory tropes aimed at Jews, and accusations of show votes that failed to call out a member for controversial comments.

"I thought yesterday's vote by the House was disgraceful," Trump said at the White House.

The resolution was originally intended to deliver a direct rebuke of anti-Semitism following comments by a Muslim Democratic congresswoman, Ilhan Omar, that were deemed anti-Semitic and offensive by many colleagues.

But after blowback from progressives, it was revised to broadly condemn discrimination against Muslims and other minorities as well.

Trump seized on the shift, injecting a new angle of attack as he readies a 2020 re-election bid and fellow Republicans seek to claw back ground they lost in the House in last year's mid-terms.

"The Democrats have become an anti-Israel party, they've become an anti-Jewish party," he said.

The issue has caused a deep rift. Some Democrats wanted to include language condemning other forms of bigotry and expressed concerns about singling out Omar.

The resolution, which made no mention of Omar, ultimately passed 407 to 23. Republicans who voted against it complained it had been watered down.

The debate made clear that Democrats' growing diversity in Congress -- in ethnicity, religion, gender, age and ideology -- has created new challenges for the party.

Among those is a policy about Israel. Omar, a Somali refugee who resettled in Minnesota, had sparked fiery debate with her repeated criticisms of Israel and how a powerful pro-Israel lobby in Washington exerts influence on US politicians.

"I am told every day that I am anti-American if I am not pro-Israel. I find that to be problematic and I am not alone," Omar tweeted. "Our nation is having a difficult conversation."

Rise in anti-Semitic incidents

But Democrats insisted Trump was out of bounds to suggest their party was anti-Jewish.

"Mr. President, you have redefined chutzpah," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who like Trump is from New York.

"As illustrated by history and yesterday's overwhelming vote to condemn anti-Semitism, there is strong support for Israel and the Jewish faith among Democrats," congresswoman Elaine Luria, a military veteran who is Jewish, told AFP.

The debate comes amid a rise in anti-Semitic incidents across the United States. The Anti-Defamation League reported a 58 per cent increase in such incidents between 2016 and 2017.

In October a gunman killed 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue, the deadliest attack ever on Jews in America.

Trump proclaims himself as Israel's closest ally, having moved the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and forged a close alliance with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

But Trump and other Republicans have also courted controversy with the Jewish community, and have been accused of trafficking in age-old tropes about money that anti-Semites have used to attack Jews for centuries.

Speaking to the Republican Jewish Coalition in 2015 during his presidential campaign, Trump said, "you're not going to support me because I don't want your money."

"But that's okay," he went on. "You want to control your own politician."

Trump drew outrage in 2016 with a tweet showing his rival Hillary Clinton and a Star of David with the word "corrupt" superimposed over stacks of $100 bills.

And his closing 2016 campaign ad contained alarming messaging, with images of prominent financial figures George Soros and Janet Yellen, both Jewish, as Trump speaks of "those who control the levers of power in Washington."

As president, Trump sparked a firestorm by saying there were "very fine people on both sides" at a 2017 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, where demonstrators chanted "Jews will not replace us."

Of the 535 members of the US House and Senate, 35 are Jewish, including just two Republicans, according to the non-partisan American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise.

Pew Research Center says that among Jewish voters in the 2018 midterms, 79 per cent supported Democratic candidates.

US President Donald Trump blasted Democrats as "anti-Israel" and "anti-Jewish" Friday after they passed a congressional measure opposing hate speech in general instead of specifically condemning alleged anti-Semitic comments by a Muslim congresswoman.

US President Donald Trump blasted Democrats as "anti-Israel" and "anti-Jewish" Friday after they passed a congressional measure opposing hate speech in general instead of specifically condemning alleged anti-Semitic comments by a Muslim congresswoman. His remarks follow days of tense debates in Congress addressing sensitive questions about national allegiance, discriminatory tropes aimed at Jews, and accusations of show votes that failed to call out a member for controversial comments. "I thought yesterday's vote by the House was disgraceful," Trump said at the White House. The resolution was originally intended to deliver a direct rebuke of anti-Semitism following comments by a Muslim Democratic congresswoman, Ilhan Omar, that were deemed anti-Semitic and offensive by many colleagues. But after blowback from progressives, it was revised to broadly condemn discrimination against Muslims and other minorities as well. Trump seized on the shift, injecting a new angle of attack as he readies a 2020 re-election bid and fellow Republicans seek to claw back ground they lost in the House in last year's mid-terms. "The Democrats have become an anti-Israel party, they've become an anti-Jewish party," he said. The issue has caused a deep rift. Some Democrats wanted to include language condemning other forms of bigotry and expressed concerns about singling out Omar. The resolution, which made no mention of Omar, ultimately passed 407 to 23. Republicans who voted against it complained it had been watered down. The debate made clear that Democrats' growing diversity in Congress -- in ethnicity, religion, gender, age and ideology -- has created new challenges for the party. Among those is a policy about Israel. Omar, a Somali refugee who resettled in Minnesota, had sparked fiery debate with her repeated criticisms of Israel and how a powerful pro-Israel lobby in Washington exerts influence on US politicians. "I am told every day that I am anti-American if I am not pro-Israel. I find that to be problematic and I am not alone," Omar tweeted. "Our nation is having a difficult conversation." Rise in anti-Semitic incidents But Democrats insisted Trump was out of bounds to suggest their party was anti-Jewish. "Mr. President, you have redefined chutzpah," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who like Trump is from New York. "As illustrated by history and yesterday's overwhelming vote to condemn anti-Semitism, there is strong support for Israel and the Jewish faith among Democrats," congresswoman Elaine Luria, a military veteran who is Jewish, told AFP. The debate comes amid a rise in anti-Semitic incidents across the United States. The Anti-Defamation League reported a 58 per cent increase in such incidents between 2016 and 2017. In October a gunman killed 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue, the deadliest attack ever on Jews in America. Trump proclaims himself as Israel's closest ally, having moved the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and forged a close alliance with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But Trump and other Republicans have also courted controversy with the Jewish community, and have been accused of trafficking in age-old tropes about money that anti-Semites have used to attack Jews for centuries. Speaking to the Republican Jewish Coalition in 2015 during his presidential campaign, Trump said, "you're not going to support me because I don't want your money." "But that's okay," he went on. "You want to control your own politician." Trump drew outrage in 2016 with a tweet showing his rival Hillary Clinton and a Star of David with the word "corrupt" superimposed over stacks of $100 bills. And his closing 2016 campaign ad contained alarming messaging, with images of prominent financial figures George Soros and Janet Yellen, both Jewish, as Trump speaks of "those who control the levers of power in Washington." As president, Trump sparked a firestorm by saying there were "very fine people on both sides" at a 2017 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, where demonstrators chanted "Jews will not replace us." Of the 535 members of the US House and Senate, 35 are Jewish, including just two Republicans, according to the non-partisan American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise. Pew Research Center says that among Jewish voters in the 2018 midterms, 79 per cent supported Democratic candidates.

Donald Trump brands Democrats an 'anti-Israel' and 'anti-Jewish' party

USA: Democrats launch new 'Trump probe'

US Democratic lawmakers launched Monday their most ambitious investigation yet into alleged obstruction of justice and abuse of office by Donald Trump, targeting dozens of individuals in the president's inner circle.

With controversies swirling around Trump, the powerful House Judiciary Committee's chairman sent strongly worded letters to family members of the president -- including sons Don Jr and Eric -- as well as political confidantes and related entities.

The letters demanded documents that could shed light on possible wrongdoing by the administration and Trump himself.

Son-in-law Jared Kushner and the Trump Organisation's longtime chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, were among the 81 people and organisations -- such as the National Rifle Association -- receiving letters from the panel's Democratic chairman Jerry Nadler.

They also include White House ex-aides Steve Bannon and Hope Hicks, current Trump personal lawyer Jay Sekulow, former attorney general Jeff Sessions, and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

The request is the most serious overt ramp-up of investigations into Trump since Democrats took control of the House of Representatives in early January, and seeks to uncover whether Trump or his administration participated in the obstruction of justice or public corruption -- potentially impeachable offences.&nbsp;

"This is a critical time for our nation, and we have a responsibility to investigate these matters and hold hearings for the public to have all the facts," Nadler said in a statement.

"Over the last several years, President Trump has evaded accountability for his near-daily attacks on our basic legal, ethical, and constitutional rules and norms," he added.

"Investigating these threats to the rule of law is an obligation of Congress."

'Political hoax'?

Trump himself swatted away the probe as a "political hoax," but said he would cooperate.

He later hardened his reaction, tweeting that any effort by the Democrats to probe new avenues of possible wrongdoing "will never work."

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders lambasted the probe as "disgraceful and abusive."

"Chairman Nadler and his fellow Democrats have embarked on this fishing expedition because they are terrified that their two-year false narrative of 'Russia collusion' is crumbling," she added.

"Their intimidation and abuse of American citisens are shameful. Democrats are harassing the president to distract from their radical agenda of making America a socialist country, killing babies after they're born, and pushing a 'green new deal' that would destroy jobs and bankrupt America."

The unusually strong statement further claimed that "the Democrats are not after the truth, they are after the president."

Conspicuously absent from the list of Nadler's targets -- who have two weeks to respond -- is the president's eldest daughter Ivanka Trump, a senior White House advisor married to Kushner.

The chairmen of three other House panels also joined the fray, demanding the White House produce details of communications between Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, after reports that such information was destroyed or hidden in the aftermath of their 2017 Helsinki summit.

The US intelligence community has concluded that Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election and that Putin ordered the influence campaign as a way to help elect Trump. The US president has repeatedly cast doubt on the findings.

Nadler's broad investigation focuses on Trump's business dealings and obstruction of justice allegations, along with possible Russian collusion.

It also will address accusations of campaign finance law violations and potential violations of the US Constitution's ban on foreign emoluments.

Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen, in explosive congressional testimony last week, implicated the president in illegal activities, including a scheme shortly before the 2016 election to pay hush money to two women who say they had affairs with Trump.

One of the women reportedly received the payoffs through American Media Inc, a company run by longtime Trump ally David Pecker.

Nadler demanded information from both Pecker and AMI about their involvement.

Letters to other key players include requests for information on the June 2016 meeting in Trump Tower attended by Kushner, Trump Jr, now-jailed former campaign manager Paul Manafort and a Russian lawyer reportedly close to the Kremlin, and documents surrounding the termination of FBI director James Comey.

The expansive new probe could pave the way toward possible impeachment proceedings against Trump.

But Democratic congressional leaders, including Nadler and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have been reticent about pushing for the president's impeachment.&nbsp;

Nadler told ABC television's "This Week" that such action would be "a long way down the road."

However, he added, "it's very clear that the president obstructed justice."

In addition to the NRA, Nadler also sought documents from the White House, the Trump Organisation, Trump's charity, the FBI and Cambridge Analytica -- a data company that worked with the Trump campaign and has been investigated by Congress in connection with Russia's election interference efforts.

US Democratic lawmakers launched Monday their most ambitious investigation yet into alleged obstruction of justice and abuse of office by Donald Trump, targeting dozens of individuals in the president's inner circle.

US Democratic lawmakers launched Monday their most ambitious investigation yet into alleged obstruction of justice and abuse of office by Donald Trump, targeting dozens of individuals in the president's inner circle. With controversies swirling around Trump, the powerful House Judiciary Committee's chairman sent strongly worded letters to family members of the president -- including sons Don Jr and Eric -- as well as political confidantes and related entities. The letters demanded documents that could shed light on possible wrongdoing by the administration and Trump himself. Son-in-law Jared Kushner and the Trump Organisation's longtime chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, were among the 81 people and organisations -- such as the National Rifle Association -- receiving letters from the panel's Democratic chairman Jerry Nadler. They also include White House ex-aides Steve Bannon and Hope Hicks, current Trump personal lawyer Jay Sekulow, former attorney general Jeff Sessions, and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. The request is the most serious overt ramp-up of investigations into Trump since Democrats took control of the House of Representatives in early January, and seeks to uncover whether Trump or his administration participated in the obstruction of justice or public corruption -- potentially impeachable offences. "This is a critical time for our nation, and we have a responsibility to investigate these matters and hold hearings for the public to have all the facts," Nadler said in a statement. "Over the last several years, President Trump has evaded accountability for his near-daily attacks on our basic legal, ethical, and constitutional rules and norms," he added. "Investigating these threats to the rule of law is an obligation of Congress." 'Political hoax'? Trump himself swatted away the probe as a "political hoax," but said he would cooperate. He later hardened his reaction, tweeting that any effort by the Democrats to probe new avenues of possible wrongdoing "will never work." White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders lambasted the probe as "disgraceful and abusive." "Chairman Nadler and his fellow Democrats have embarked on this fishing expedition because they are terrified that their two-year false narrative of 'Russia collusion' is crumbling," she added. "Their intimidation and abuse of American citisens are shameful. Democrats are harassing the president to distract from their radical agenda of making America a socialist country, killing babies after they're born, and pushing a 'green new deal' that would destroy jobs and bankrupt America." The unusually strong statement further claimed that "the Democrats are not after the truth, they are after the president." Conspicuously absent from the list of Nadler's targets -- who have two weeks to respond -- is the president's eldest daughter Ivanka Trump, a senior White House advisor married to Kushner. The chairmen of three other House panels also joined the fray, demanding the White House produce details of communications between Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, after reports that such information was destroyed or hidden in the aftermath of their 2017 Helsinki summit. The US intelligence community has concluded that Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election and that Putin ordered the influence campaign as a way to help elect Trump. The US president has repeatedly cast doubt on the findings. Nadler's broad investigation focuses on Trump's business dealings and obstruction of justice allegations, along with possible Russian collusion. It also will address accusations of campaign finance law violations and potential violations of the US Constitution's ban on foreign emoluments. Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen, in explosive congressional testimony last week, implicated the president in illegal activities, including a scheme shortly before the 2016 election to pay hush money to two women who say they had affairs with Trump. One of the women reportedly received the payoffs through American Media Inc, a company run by longtime Trump ally David Pecker. Nadler demanded information from both Pecker and AMI about their involvement. Letters to other key players include requests for information on the June 2016 meeting in Trump Tower attended by Kushner, Trump Jr, now-jailed former campaign manager Paul Manafort and a Russian lawyer reportedly close to the Kremlin, and documents surrounding the termination of FBI director James Comey. The expansive new probe could pave the way toward possible impeachment proceedings against Trump. But Democratic congressional leaders, including Nadler and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have been reticent about pushing for the president's impeachment. Nadler told ABC television's "This Week" that such action would be "a long way down the road." However, he added, "it's very clear that the president obstructed justice." In addition to the NRA, Nadler also sought documents from the White House, the Trump Organisation, Trump's charity, the FBI and Cambridge Analytica -- a data company that worked with the Trump campaign and has been investigated by Congress in connection with Russia's election interference efforts.

Democrats launch sweeping probe targeting dozens in Trump orbit

Republican US Senator Rand Paul said he would vote in favour of a<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/the-house-will-terminate-the-emergency-declaration-says-us-democrat-nancy-pelosi-199736"> resolution to end President Donald Trump's US-Mexico border emergency declaration</a>, according to a media report, likely giving Democrats the votes to pass the measure in the Senate.

Trump, who has promised to issue his first veto if the Senate approves the resolution, declared an emergency last month in a bid to fund a wall along the border without congressional approval.

While the Senate appears unlikely to muster the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-strikes-down-trumps-border-emergency-199924"> two-thirds majority needed to override a veto</a>, a passage in the Republican-controlled chamber would be an embarrassment for the president, who has failed over more than two years in office to persuade Congress to fund his wall, a central promise of his presidential campaign.

"I can’t vote to give the president the power to spend money that hasn’t been appropriated by Congress," Paul said in a speech on Saturday at Western Kentucky University, according to the Bowling Green Daily News.

"We may want more money for border security, but Congress didn't authorise it. If we take away those checks and balances, it's a dangerous thing," he added.

Paul's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report.

Trump's demand for $5.7 billion in funding for his "great, great wall" triggered the longest-ever partial US government shutdown in December and January. The government reopened but Trump later declared a national emergency in an effort to obtain funds Congress had approved for other purposes.

Rand became the fourth Republican senator to publicly back the resolution. Assuming all Democrats and the two independents who caucus with them vote in favour of the resolution, it would clear the Senate and end up on the president's desk. Republicans hold 53 of the 100 Senate seats.

An identical version of the measure has already been approved in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives.

Democrats argue there is no border emergency and that Trump is overreaching with his declaration given that the Constitution grants Congress the power of the purse strings.

The declaration is already being challenged in the courts.

Trump has warned Senate Republicans not to vote for the resolution, saying that doing so would put them in "great jeopardy" politically with voters.

Republican US Senator Rand Paul said he would vote in favour of a resolution to end President Donald Trump's US-Mexico border emergency declaration, according to a media report, likely giving Democrats the votes to pass the measure in the Senate.

Republican US Senator Rand Paul said he would vote in favour of a resolution to end President Donald Trump's US-Mexico border emergency declaration, according to a media report, likely giving Democrats the votes to pass the measure in the Senate. Trump, who has promised to issue his first veto if the Senate approves the resolution, declared an emergency last month in a bid to fund a wall along the border without congressional approval. While the Senate appears unlikely to muster the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto, a passage in the Republican-controlled chamber would be an embarrassment for the president, who has failed over more than two years in office to persuade Congress to fund his wall, a central promise of his presidential campaign. "I can’t vote to give the president the power to spend money that hasn’t been appropriated by Congress," Paul said in a speech on Saturday at Western Kentucky University, according to the Bowling Green Daily News. "We may want more money for border security, but Congress didn't authorise it. If we take away those checks and balances, it's a dangerous thing," he added. Paul's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report. Trump's demand for $5.7 billion in funding for his "great, great wall" triggered the longest-ever partial US government shutdown in December and January. The government reopened but Trump later declared a national emergency in an effort to obtain funds Congress had approved for other purposes. Rand became the fourth Republican senator to publicly back the resolution. Assuming all Democrats and the two independents who caucus with them vote in favour of the resolution, it would clear the Senate and end up on the president's desk. Republicans hold 53 of the 100 Senate seats. An identical version of the measure has already been approved in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives. Democrats argue there is no border emergency and that Trump is overreaching with his declaration given that the Constitution grants Congress the power of the purse strings. The declaration is already being challenged in the courts. Trump has warned Senate Republicans not to vote for the resolution, saying that doing so would put them in "great jeopardy" politically with voters.

Republican Senator Rand Paul to vote against Trump's emergency order

President Donald Trump rallied right-wing activists Saturday with a speech offering conservative red meat on immigration, trade and the threat of "socialism" as he sought to move on from a bruising week in domestic and international politics.&nbsp;

"We believe in the American dream, not in the socialist nightmare," he said to boisterous applause from hundreds of supporters at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) near Washington.

"America will never be a socialist country," Trump added in a mammoth two-hour speech that seemed to draw energy from the fervent reception offered by some of his influential supporters in the room.

It was his first public appearance since coming home empty-handed, and to criticism from all sides, after a nuclear-disarmament summit with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un. He told CPAC the meeting was "very productive" -- but that he would not "make a deal just for the sake of doing it."

The White House is also smarting from explosive testimony on Capitol Hill by Trump's former lawyer and fixer on Wednesday that branded him a cheat and a racist.

Trump, often speaking in mocking tones, portrayed the Green New Deal climate strategy touted by the left of the Democratic party as a socialist plan that will devastate the fossil fuel and automotive industries.

He said progressive healthcare policies would "lead to colossal tax increases" -- and accused the Democrats of having "totally abandoned the American mainstream" on issues such as immigration and abortion.

'These people are sick'

With the federal investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia reportedly approaching its conclusion, Trump again berated Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team as partisan hacks out to get him, adding that "these people are sick."&nbsp;

His voice dripping with sarcasm, he suggested that his call in summer of 2016 for Russia to find and release Hillary Clinton's emails was a joke that had been obtusely taken at face value by the media.

On the foreign front, Trump repeated his claim that the last Islamic State group fighters in Syria would be captured or killed imminently -- "as of tomorrow" -- after on Thursday telling US troops "we just took over" 100 per cent of the caliphate. Two weeks earlier Trump had declared the fall of the so-called caliphate would be announced, "over the next 24 hours."&nbsp;

He railed against Chinese tariffs on American goods and said the US loses $500 billion a year to the world's second-biggest economy -- "such a disaster."

Trump regularly ignores the dominant US services sector to focus only on goods, when in 2017 the US trade deficit with China was actually $337 billion -- not $500 billion.

Trump last year initiated a tariff war with Beijing, which has taken a nasty bite out of US growth. Although both sides say they are now close to resolving the dispute Trump insisted he's "fine with it" and told his supporters: "The beauty is this. I have $250 billion more to put tariffs on."

The word "socialism" has been in heavy rotation since some Democratic candidates began openly embracing liberal platforms including the Green New Deal and a Medicare for All.&nbsp;

On Friday, Vice President Mike Pence spoke at the four-day conference in National Harbor, Maryland, to warn that Democrats are taking a "hard left turn" ahead of 2020.

"Under the guise of Medicare for All and a Green New Deal, Democrats are embracing the same tired economic theories that have impoverished nations and stifled the liberties of millions over the last century. That system is socialism," he said.

Trump's speech came at the same time Senator Bernie Sanders, who has embraced the label of "democratic socialist," spoke at a rally in New York, assailing Trump as "the most dangerous president in modern American history."

'Freedom' or 'socialism'

It was Sanders' first major speech since announcing he will again seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020.

Republicans hoped Trump's address would serve as a diversion from the Mueller investigation and to the testimony this week on Capitol Hill by the president's former personal attorney Michael Cohen implicating him in crimes.

In December a court sentenced Cohen to three years in prison for hush-money payments to two women and for lies to Congress -- both of which he said were to protect Trump -- and tax evasion.

During Cohen's testimony the president was in Vietnam where a high-stakes second summit between Trump and Kim broke up in disarray Thursday, without even a joint statement. The pair failed to reach an agreement on curbing Pyongyang's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

President Donald Trump rallied right-wing activists Saturday with a speech offering conservative red meat on immigration, trade and the threat of "socialism" as he sought to move on from a bruising week in domestic and international politics.

President Donald Trump rallied right-wing activists Saturday with a speech offering conservative red meat on immigration, trade and the threat of "socialism" as he sought to move on from a bruising week in domestic and international politics. "We believe in the American dream, not in the socialist nightmare," he said to boisterous applause from hundreds of supporters at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) near Washington. "America will never be a socialist country," Trump added in a mammoth two-hour speech that seemed to draw energy from the fervent reception offered by some of his influential supporters in the room. It was his first public appearance since coming home empty-handed, and to criticism from all sides, after a nuclear-disarmament summit with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un. He told CPAC the meeting was "very productive" -- but that he would not "make a deal just for the sake of doing it." The White House is also smarting from explosive testimony on Capitol Hill by Trump's former lawyer and fixer on Wednesday that branded him a cheat and a racist. Trump, often speaking in mocking tones, portrayed the Green New Deal climate strategy touted by the left of the Democratic party as a socialist plan that will devastate the fossil fuel and automotive industries. He said progressive healthcare policies would "lead to colossal tax increases" -- and accused the Democrats of having "totally abandoned the American mainstream" on issues such as immigration and abortion. 'These people are sick' With the federal investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia reportedly approaching its conclusion, Trump again berated Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team as partisan hacks out to get him, adding that "these people are sick." His voice dripping with sarcasm, he suggested that his call in summer of 2016 for Russia to find and release Hillary Clinton's emails was a joke that had been obtusely taken at face value by the media. On the foreign front, Trump repeated his claim that the last Islamic State group fighters in Syria would be captured or killed imminently -- "as of tomorrow" -- after on Thursday telling US troops "we just took over" 100 per cent of the caliphate. Two weeks earlier Trump had declared the fall of the so-called caliphate would be announced, "over the next 24 hours." He railed against Chinese tariffs on American goods and said the US loses $500 billion a year to the world's second-biggest economy -- "such a disaster." Trump regularly ignores the dominant US services sector to focus only on goods, when in 2017 the US trade deficit with China was actually $337 billion -- not $500 billion. Trump last year initiated a tariff war with Beijing, which has taken a nasty bite out of US growth. Although both sides say they are now close to resolving the dispute Trump insisted he's "fine with it" and told his supporters: "The beauty is this. I have $250 billion more to put tariffs on." The word "socialism" has been in heavy rotation since some Democratic candidates began openly embracing liberal platforms including the Green New Deal and a Medicare for All. On Friday, Vice President Mike Pence spoke at the four-day conference in National Harbor, Maryland, to warn that Democrats are taking a "hard left turn" ahead of 2020. "Under the guise of Medicare for All and a Green New Deal, Democrats are embracing the same tired economic theories that have impoverished nations and stifled the liberties of millions over the last century. That system is socialism," he said. Trump's speech came at the same time Senator Bernie Sanders, who has embraced the label of "democratic socialist," spoke at a rally in New York, assailing Trump as "the most dangerous president in modern American history." 'Freedom' or 'socialism' It was Sanders' first major speech since announcing he will again seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. Republicans hoped Trump's address would serve as a diversion from the Mueller investigation and to the testimony this week on Capitol Hill by the president's former personal attorney Michael Cohen implicating him in crimes. In December a court sentenced Cohen to three years in prison for hush-money payments to two women and for lies to Congress -- both of which he said were to protect Trump -- and tax evasion. During Cohen's testimony the president was in Vietnam where a high-stakes second summit between Trump and Kim broke up in disarray Thursday, without even a joint statement. The pair failed to reach an agreement on curbing Pyongyang's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

Trump warns conservatives against 'socialist nightmare'

US Senator Bernie Sanders returned to the place of his birth Saturday to deliver the first rally speech of his presidential campaign, vowing to defeat "the most dangerous president in modern American history" in Donald Trump.&nbsp;

The Vermont independent voiced confidence at the address in the New York borough of Brooklyn that he would first beat the crowded field of his rivals for the 2020 nomination, with much of his liberal, populist agenda now considered mainstream Democratic policy.&nbsp;

"I want to thank all of you for being part of a campaign which is not only going to win the Democratic nomination, which is not only going to defeat Donald Trump, who is the most dangerous president in modern American history," Sanders told the crowd of several thousand people.

"But, with your help, we are going to transform this country and finally create an economy and a government which works for all of us, not just the one per cent."

His promised that his campaign would say "loudly and clearly that the underlying principles of our government will not be greed, hatred and lies."

Sanders returned to Brooklyn College, which he once attended, for a rally emphasizing his personal story, as the working class son of a Jewish immigrant who grew up in poor housing.

"I did not have a father who gave me millions of dollars to build luxury skyscrapers, casinos and country clubs," Sanders said in another dig at Trump.&nbsp;

"I did not come from a family that gave me a $200,000 allowance every year beginning at the age of three."

'Too radical'

Sanders spelt out his big-ticket items for 2020, his second presidential campaign after losing the nomination to Hillary Clinton in 2016 -- "Medicare for All," a $15-an-hour minimum wage and climate change.&nbsp;

Many are long-held principles previously dismissed as too radical by more moderate Democrats but are now more widely accepted talking points as he squares off against several other progressives who have embraced many of his issues.

Following November's midterm elections, the Congressional Progressive Caucus -- co-founded by Sanders in 1991 -- wields more power than at any time in its history.

Senators Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren and Kirsten Gillibrand, all 2020 candidates, co-sponsored his Medicare for All legislation in 2017.

Julian Castro, another Democratic hopeful, joins Gillibrand in supporting universal early childhood education.

And Warren, Booker and Harris have all proclaimed support for the Green New Deal, an ultra-progressive platform to combat climate change that was unveiled this month by congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a rising liberal star.

Sanders was an outsider candidate three years ago. But with his massive political network, muscular fundraising capacity and resilient message, he is now a frontrunner.

He would need to best multiple formidable rivals -- including former vice president Joe Biden, should he enter the race -- and victory is anything but assured.

On Sunday, Sanders heads to Selma, Alabama, to mark the anniversary of the 1965 clash known as "Bloody Sunday" and will also visit Chicago, where he graduated from college and was active in civil rights protests.

US Senator Bernie Sanders returned to the place of his birth Saturday to deliver the first rally speech of his presidential campaign, vowing to defeat "the most dangerous president in modern American history" in Donald Trump.

US Senator Bernie Sanders returned to the place of his birth Saturday to deliver the first rally speech of his presidential campaign, vowing to defeat "the most dangerous president in modern American history" in Donald Trump. The Vermont independent voiced confidence at the address in the New York borough of Brooklyn that he would first beat the crowded field of his rivals for the 2020 nomination, with much of his liberal, populist agenda now considered mainstream Democratic policy. "I want to thank all of you for being part of a campaign which is not only going to win the Democratic nomination, which is not only going to defeat Donald Trump, who is the most dangerous president in modern American history," Sanders told the crowd of several thousand people. "But, with your help, we are going to transform this country and finally create an economy and a government which works for all of us, not just the one per cent." His promised that his campaign would say "loudly and clearly that the underlying principles of our government will not be greed, hatred and lies." Sanders returned to Brooklyn College, which he once attended, for a rally emphasizing his personal story, as the working class son of a Jewish immigrant who grew up in poor housing. "I did not have a father who gave me millions of dollars to build luxury skyscrapers, casinos and country clubs," Sanders said in another dig at Trump. "I did not come from a family that gave me a $200,000 allowance every year beginning at the age of three." 'Too radical' Sanders spelt out his big-ticket items for 2020, his second presidential campaign after losing the nomination to Hillary Clinton in 2016 -- "Medicare for All," a $15-an-hour minimum wage and climate change. Many are long-held principles previously dismissed as too radical by more moderate Democrats but are now more widely accepted talking points as he squares off against several other progressives who have embraced many of his issues. Following November's midterm elections, the Congressional Progressive Caucus -- co-founded by Sanders in 1991 -- wields more power than at any time in its history. Senators Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren and Kirsten Gillibrand, all 2020 candidates, co-sponsored his Medicare for All legislation in 2017. Julian Castro, another Democratic hopeful, joins Gillibrand in supporting universal early childhood education. And Warren, Booker and Harris have all proclaimed support for the Green New Deal, an ultra-progressive platform to combat climate change that was unveiled this month by congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a rising liberal star. Sanders was an outsider candidate three years ago. But with his massive political network, muscular fundraising capacity and resilient message, he is now a frontrunner. He would need to best multiple formidable rivals -- including former vice president Joe Biden, should he enter the race -- and victory is anything but assured. On Sunday, Sanders heads to Selma, Alabama, to mark the anniversary of the 1965 clash known as "Bloody Sunday" and will also visit Chicago, where he graduated from college and was active in civil rights protests.

Bernie Sanders launches his Presidential campaign; calls Trump 'most dangerous President'

Former US Vice President Joe Biden said this week he was "very close" to deciding whether to make a 2020 White House bid and will run only if he thinks he can win the Democratic Party`s nomination.

He is not alone in questioning if he is the man for the moment.

The clamor for Biden to join the pack seeking to challenge Republican President Donald Trump has quieted as the Democratic field has grown more crowded and diverse, according to interviews with more than two dozen strategists, activists, party organizers and voters.

Opinion polls show Biden, a former US senator from Delaware who served two terms as former President Barack Obama`s vice president, remains popular. But the Democratic Party may no longer need him in order to be competitive against Trump.

"I love Joe Biden. He`s a great guy and a great politician," said Jerry Shriner, a Democratic national committee member from Idaho. "I wish he were the president right now. But I`m not sure I wish he is president in 2021."

Democrats are in the early stages of an internal debate about how best to challenge Trump in next year`s presidential election, weighing factors like electability, ideology and identity.

The strength of the field - expected to include at least six sitting U.S. senators, plus several current or former governors, US House of Representatives members and a former Cabinet secretary - is a factor in Biden`s calculations, those close to him say.

He will be more likely to remain on the sidelines if he feels a strong candidate capable of beating Trump is emerging.

But a source close to Biden said: "If I had to guess, he`s probably going to do it."

Biden associates have held discussions with potential staffers and supporters who could serve political strategy, grassroots organizing and digital campaign roles, according to two sources. One source said those conversations were necessary to quickly ramp up a formal campaign operation should Biden decide to run.

Some party activists say, however, that Biden has not reached out to broad donor networks to gauge the level of monetary support he could expect.&nbsp; 
Biden, who mounted failed presidential campaigns in 2008 and 1988, said at an event in Delaware on Tuesday that he did not want a third bid to be "a fool`s errand."

"What I don’t want to do is take people’s time, effort and commitment without there being a clear shot I could be the nominee," he said. "I think I can."

'TOO OLD'

Biden chose not to run in 2016 when former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was widely considered the heavy favorite for the Democratic nomination.

Some political analysts have since speculated he could have won industrial battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin that proved crucial to Trump`s surprise victory.

Biden`s high name recognition among Democratic voters means he likely can afford to wait longer than lesser-known candidates to enter the 2020 race. But even that comes with a risk.&nbsp;

"The longer he waits, the more people are going to start to want to follow some of the new and younger voices they`re hearing," said Bret Niles, the Democratic Party chairman in Linn County, Iowa.&nbsp;

Biden`s age, ideology and record already are drawing scrutiny. If elected, he would be 78 when he was sworn in.&nbsp;

"Joe Biden is too old," said Mary Donough, 60, a Democrat from Des Moines, Iowa, who plans to participate in her state`s crucial primary caucus next year and wants a younger candidate to challenge Trump.

"There is just more energy there," she said.

Biden`s backers will argue his age represents experience, said a former aide who asked to speak on background in order to explain internal talking points.&nbsp;

"Voters look at Donald Trump and they look at what we’re missing, which is someone who understands the institution, someone who is an adult, someone who is seasoned, someone who respects the institutions," the former aide said.

The Democratic Party undoubtedly has moved left since the last time Biden appeared alone on a ballot in 2008, when he was re-elected to the Senate by Delaware voters for his seventh term.

“Times have changed," said Adam Green, chairman of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee. “Does he meet the moment?"&nbsp;

Green, whose group supports the candidacy of US Senator Elizabeth Warren, lumps Biden in with white, male, moderate Democrats who have faltered in recent elections, like Phil Bredesen, who lost his US Senate race in Tennessee last year.

Biden also will have to answer for his record.

He chaired the 1991 confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and was criticized for not doing enough to protect Anita Hill, who accused Thomas of sexual harassment. Biden has since apologized and said he should have done more to shield Hill from attacks by Republicans.

Unions remain unhappy about the free-trade deals advocated by the Obama administration, and liberal progressive groups point to the bailout of Wall Street banks during the financial crisis that provided no help to distressed homeowners.&nbsp;

Sharon Holle, who has been working to organize for Biden in Iowa ahead of his decision, argued his experience would appeal to Democrats nervous about the country`s direction under Trump.

"People are scared," Holle said. "We`re in a crisis right now. We need somebody we can trust."

Former US Vice President Joe Biden said this week he was "very close" to deciding whether to make a 2020 White House bid and will run only if he thinks he can win the Democratic Party`s nomination.

Former US Vice President Joe Biden said this week he was "very close" to deciding whether to make a 2020 White House bid and will run only if he thinks he can win the Democratic Party`s nomination. He is not alone in questioning if he is the man for the moment. The clamor for Biden to join the pack seeking to challenge Republican President Donald Trump has quieted as the Democratic field has grown more crowded and diverse, according to interviews with more than two dozen strategists, activists, party organizers and voters. Opinion polls show Biden, a former US senator from Delaware who served two terms as former President Barack Obama`s vice president, remains popular. But the Democratic Party may no longer need him in order to be competitive against Trump. "I love Joe Biden. He`s a great guy and a great politician," said Jerry Shriner, a Democratic national committee member from Idaho. "I wish he were the president right now. But I`m not sure I wish he is president in 2021." Democrats are in the early stages of an internal debate about how best to challenge Trump in next year`s presidential election, weighing factors like electability, ideology and identity. The strength of the field - expected to include at least six sitting U.S. senators, plus several current or former governors, US House of Representatives members and a former Cabinet secretary - is a factor in Biden`s calculations, those close to him say. He will be more likely to remain on the sidelines if he feels a strong candidate capable of beating Trump is emerging. But a source close to Biden said: "If I had to guess, he`s probably going to do it." Biden associates have held discussions with potential staffers and supporters who could serve political strategy, grassroots organizing and digital campaign roles, according to two sources. One source said those conversations were necessary to quickly ramp up a formal campaign operation should Biden decide to run. Some party activists say, however, that Biden has not reached out to broad donor networks to gauge the level of monetary support he could expect. Biden, who mounted failed presidential campaigns in 2008 and 1988, said at an event in Delaware on Tuesday that he did not want a third bid to be "a fool`s errand." "What I don’t want to do is take people’s time, effort and commitment without there being a clear shot I could be the nominee," he said. "I think I can." 'TOO OLD' Biden chose not to run in 2016 when former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was widely considered the heavy favorite for the Democratic nomination. Some political analysts have since speculated he could have won industrial battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin that proved crucial to Trump`s surprise victory. Biden`s high name recognition among Democratic voters means he likely can afford to wait longer than lesser-known candidates to enter the 2020 race. But even that comes with a risk. "The longer he waits, the more people are going to start to want to follow some of the new and younger voices they`re hearing," said Bret Niles, the Democratic Party chairman in Linn County, Iowa. Biden`s age, ideology and record already are drawing scrutiny. If elected, he would be 78 when he was sworn in. "Joe Biden is too old," said Mary Donough, 60, a Democrat from Des Moines, Iowa, who plans to participate in her state`s crucial primary caucus next year and wants a younger candidate to challenge Trump. "There is just more energy there," she said. Biden`s backers will argue his age represents experience, said a former aide who asked to speak on background in order to explain internal talking points. "Voters look at Donald Trump and they look at what we’re missing, which is someone who understands the institution, someone who is an adult, someone who is seasoned, someone who respects the institutions," the former aide said. The Democratic Party undoubtedly has moved left since the last time Biden appeared alone on a ballot in 2008, when he was re-elected to the Senate by Delaware voters for his seventh term. “Times have changed," said Adam Green, chairman of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee. “Does he meet the moment?" Green, whose group supports the candidacy of US Senator Elizabeth Warren, lumps Biden in with white, male, moderate Democrats who have faltered in recent elections, like Phil Bredesen, who lost his US Senate race in Tennessee last year. Biden also will have to answer for his record. He chaired the 1991 confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and was criticized for not doing enough to protect Anita Hill, who accused Thomas of sexual harassment. Biden has since apologized and said he should have done more to shield Hill from attacks by Republicans. Unions remain unhappy about the free-trade deals advocated by the Obama administration, and liberal progressive groups point to the bailout of Wall Street banks during the financial crisis that provided no help to distressed homeowners. Sharon Holle, who has been working to organize for Biden in Iowa ahead of his decision, argued his experience would appeal to Democrats nervous about the country`s direction under Trump. "People are scared," Holle said. "We`re in a crisis right now. We need somebody we can trust."

As Biden weighs 2020 bid, Democrats ask, 'Does he meet the moment?'

US House of Representatives unveiled an ambitious proposal on Tuesday to move all Americans into the government's Medicare health insurance program, tapping into public frustration over the rising cost of healthcare that has become a key issue for the party as it seeks to gain control of Congress and the White House in 2020.

The bill, unveiled by Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal from Washington state, would transition the US healthcare system to a single-payer "Medicare for All" program funded by the government in two years. The legislation is the party's most high-profile and ambitious single-payer proposal in the new Congress and has more than 100 co-sponsors, many from the party's progressive flank.

It is unlikely to gain the support of any Republicans in the House or the Senate, who have derided single-payer healthcare as a socialist policy and oppose government interference in healthcare. It also remains unclear whether Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will bring the legislation up for a vote.

"Americans are literally dying because they can't afford insulin or they can't get the cancer treatment they need," Jayapal said on a call with reporters on Tuesday. "There are some things that should not be provided through the for-profit market."

Medicare currently serves about 60 million Americans who are age 65 or older, or disabled. Jayapal's legislation would eliminate the age threshold. The new Medicare would not require any beneficiaries to pay premiums or deductibles and would not charge patients co-pays or out-of-pocket costs after receiving care.

It does not include new or increased taxes or other additional revenues to pay for the healthcare overhaul. Jayapal said possible ways to pay for the bill include a tax on millionaires and billionaires, employer premiums and closing tax loopholes for the wealthy.

The idea of Medicare for All was first proposed by Independent Bernie Sanders in 2017 as a single-payer system that would largely replace private insurance. It gained traction among Democrats running for congressional office in 2018, and is now a central campaign issue for party members vying for the 2020 presidential nomination.

A Reuters/IPSOS poll in August found that 70 per cent of Americans supports some sort of single-payer system.

The health industry has opposed single-payer proposals, saying they would ultimately lead to less access to care. Critics include the American Hospital Association and America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the health insurance industry's biggest trade group.

"This bill will hurt patients, consumers, and taxpayers: Americans will pay more, to wait longer, for worse care," AHIP said in a statement. "Let’s focus on real solutions that deliver real results, not a one-size-fits-all government system."

The House proposal unveiled on Tuesday would not eliminate private health insurance entirely, as it would allow patients to purchase supplemental coverage. Many Americans under the age of 65 rely on private insurance provided by their employer.

A single-payer system is variously understood as one in which the government pays for healthcare for more people or one where the governments own health services providers and manage all aspects of care, such as in the United Kingdom.

Several US Democratic lawmakers have introduced different versions of expanded Medicare, such as allowing people aged 50 and older to buy into the program.

The new House proposal would cover most aspects of patients' care, including primary care, hospital and outpatient services, prescription drugs, dental, vision, audiology, women's reproductive health services, maternity and newborn care.

US House of Representatives unveiled an ambitious proposal on Tuesday to move all Americans into the government's Medicare health insurance program, tapping into public frustration over the rising cost of healthcare that has become a key issue for the party as it seeks to gain control of Congress and the White House in 2020.

US House of Representatives unveiled an ambitious proposal on Tuesday to move all Americans into the government's Medicare health insurance program, tapping into public frustration over the rising cost of healthcare that has become a key issue for the party as it seeks to gain control of Congress and the White House in 2020. The bill, unveiled by Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal from Washington state, would transition the US healthcare system to a single-payer "Medicare for All" program funded by the government in two years. The legislation is the party's most high-profile and ambitious single-payer proposal in the new Congress and has more than 100 co-sponsors, many from the party's progressive flank. It is unlikely to gain the support of any Republicans in the House or the Senate, who have derided single-payer healthcare as a socialist policy and oppose government interference in healthcare. It also remains unclear whether Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will bring the legislation up for a vote. "Americans are literally dying because they can't afford insulin or they can't get the cancer treatment they need," Jayapal said on a call with reporters on Tuesday. "There are some things that should not be provided through the for-profit market." Medicare currently serves about 60 million Americans who are age 65 or older, or disabled. Jayapal's legislation would eliminate the age threshold. The new Medicare would not require any beneficiaries to pay premiums or deductibles and would not charge patients co-pays or out-of-pocket costs after receiving care. It does not include new or increased taxes or other additional revenues to pay for the healthcare overhaul. Jayapal said possible ways to pay for the bill include a tax on millionaires and billionaires, employer premiums and closing tax loopholes for the wealthy. The idea of Medicare for All was first proposed by Independent Bernie Sanders in 2017 as a single-payer system that would largely replace private insurance. It gained traction among Democrats running for congressional office in 2018, and is now a central campaign issue for party members vying for the 2020 presidential nomination. A Reuters/IPSOS poll in August found that 70 per cent of Americans supports some sort of single-payer system. The health industry has opposed single-payer proposals, saying they would ultimately lead to less access to care. Critics include the American Hospital Association and America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the health insurance industry's biggest trade group. "This bill will hurt patients, consumers, and taxpayers: Americans will pay more, to wait longer, for worse care," AHIP said in a statement. "Let’s focus on real solutions that deliver real results, not a one-size-fits-all government system." The House proposal unveiled on Tuesday would not eliminate private health insurance entirely, as it would allow patients to purchase supplemental coverage. Many Americans under the age of 65 rely on private insurance provided by their employer. A single-payer system is variously understood as one in which the government pays for healthcare for more people or one where the governments own health services providers and manage all aspects of care, such as in the United Kingdom. Several US Democratic lawmakers have introduced different versions of expanded Medicare, such as allowing people aged 50 and older to buy into the program. The new House proposal would cover most aspects of patients' care, including primary care, hospital and outpatient services, prescription drugs, dental, vision, audiology, women's reproductive health services, maternity and newborn care.

US House Democrats introduce sweeping 'Medicare for All' bill

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