As Democrats in the US Congress debated possibly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-pro-impeachment-republican-total-lightweight-219968/amp">impeaching Republican President Donald Trump</a>, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Wednesday that he is engaged in a "cover-up."

Speaking to reporters after a meeting of House Democrats on Capitol Hill, Pelosi said, "No one is above the law, including the president of the United States. And we believe that the president of the United States is engaged in a cover-up."

Democrats who control the House of Representatives and Trump are engaged in a high-stakes power struggle over their ability to investigate him, with the president stonewalling multiple investigations of him by congressional committees.

The probes range from whether Trump obstructed justice during Special Counsel Robert Mueller's inquiry into Russian election meddling to his personal finances and businesses.

Pelosi and other senior House leaders have been trying hard for months to contain demands from more junior Democratic lawmakers to kick off impeachment proceedings.

Those demands mounted on Wednesday after former White House Counsel Don McGahn ignored a subpoena from the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday to appear before it and testify.

Pelosi made her remarks about an hour before she and other congressional leaders were scheduled to meet with Trump at the White House to discuss infrastructure development.

&nbsp;

As Democrats in the US Congress debated possibly impeaching Republican President Donald Trump, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Wednesday that he is engaged in a "cover-up.

As Democrats in the US Congress debated possibly impeaching Republican President Donald Trump, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Wednesday that he is engaged in a "cover-up." Speaking to reporters after a meeting of House Democrats on Capitol Hill, Pelosi said, "No one is above the law, including the president of the United States. And we believe that the president of the United States is engaged in a cover-up." Democrats who control the House of Representatives and Trump are engaged in a high-stakes power struggle over their ability to investigate him, with the president stonewalling multiple investigations of him by congressional committees. The probes range from whether Trump obstructed justice during Special Counsel Robert Mueller's inquiry into Russian election meddling to his personal finances and businesses. Pelosi and other senior House leaders have been trying hard for months to contain demands from more junior Democratic lawmakers to kick off impeachment proceedings. Those demands mounted on Wednesday after former White House Counsel Don McGahn ignored a subpoena from the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday to appear before it and testify. Pelosi made her remarks about an hour before she and other congressional leaders were scheduled to meet with Trump at the White House to discuss infrastructure development.

US House speaker Nancy Pelosi says Trump is engaged in a 'cover up'

Donald Trump on Sunday dismissed as "a total lightweight" the Republican lawmaker who a day earlier became the first member of the party to call publicly for the US president's impeachment.

Michigan Representative Justin Amash -- a staunch libertarian on the right of the party -- declared that any other person would have been prosecuted over Trump's multiple attempts to thwart Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report into Russian election interference.

"Never a fan of @justinamash, a total lightweight who opposes me and some of our great Republican ideas and policies just for the sake of getting his name out there," Trump tweeted.

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Never a fan of <a href="https://twitter.com/justinamash?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@justinamash</a>, a total lightweight who opposes me and some of our great Republican ideas and policies just for the sake of getting his name out there through controversy. If he actually read the biased Mueller Report, “composed” by 18 Angry Dems who hated Trump,....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1130109632645652480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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He said that if the Michigan lawmaker had "actually read the biased Mueller Report... he would see that it was nevertheless strong on NO COLLUSION and, ultimately, NO OBSTRUCTION..."

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....he would see that it was nevertheless strong on NO COLLUSION and, ultimately, NO OBSTRUCTION...Anyway, how do you Obstruct when there is no crime and, in fact, the crimes were committed by the other side? Justin is a loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1130109633673211906?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Trump called Amash "a loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands!"

Amash, who has broken with his party before, had laid out his case in a series of tweets.&nbsp;

He said Mueller had identified "multiple examples of conduct satisfying all the elements of obstruction of justice."

"Undoubtedly," Amash added, "any person who is not the president of the United States would be indicted based on such evidence."

Since Mueller issued his voluminous report, Trump has repeatedly attacked its authors as partisans even while insisting it exonerates him of allegations of collusion with Russia or obstruction of justice.

But Democrats note that the report lists around 140 contacts between Trump's inner circle and various Russians and that it exhaustively details evidence of at least 10 cases where Trump appeared to be interfering with the probe.

Amash has often been a lone voice in his party, and so his stance carried less impact than if it had come from a party mainstay.

A much higher-profile Republican, Senator Mitt Romney, spoke out on Sunday against impeachment even while praising Amash.

"I respect him," the Republicans' 2012 presidential nominee and occasional fierce Trump critic, told "Fox News Sunday" of Amash.&nbsp;

"I think it's a courageous statement. But I believe to make a case for obstruction of justice, you just don't have the elements."

Democrats have been divided on impeachment but support appears to be growing with the Trump administration resisting numerous congressional requests for witnesses or information.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has cautioned against moving too quickly, noting that the Republican-controlled Senate would likely acquit the president should the House of Representatives impeach him.

Donald Trump on Sunday dismissed as "a total lightweight" the Republican lawmaker who a day earlier became the first member of the party to call publicly for the US president's impeachment.

Donald Trump on Sunday dismissed as "a total lightweight" the Republican lawmaker who a day earlier became the first member of the party to call publicly for the US president's impeachment. Michigan Representative Justin Amash -- a staunch libertarian on the right of the party -- declared that any other person would have been prosecuted over Trump's multiple attempts to thwart Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report into Russian election interference. "Never a fan of @justinamash, a total lightweight who opposes me and some of our great Republican ideas and policies just for the sake of getting his name out there," Trump tweeted. Never a fan of @justinamash, a total lightweight who opposes me and some of our great Republican ideas and policies just for the sake of getting his name out there through controversy. If he actually read the biased Mueller Report, “composed” by 18 Angry Dems who hated Trump,.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019 × He said that if the Michigan lawmaker had "actually read the biased Mueller Report... he would see that it was nevertheless strong on NO COLLUSION and, ultimately, NO OBSTRUCTION..." ....he would see that it was nevertheless strong on NO COLLUSION and, ultimately, NO OBSTRUCTION...Anyway, how do you Obstruct when there is no crime and, in fact, the crimes were committed by the other side? Justin is a loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019 × Trump called Amash "a loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands!" Amash, who has broken with his party before, had laid out his case in a series of tweets. He said Mueller had identified "multiple examples of conduct satisfying all the elements of obstruction of justice." "Undoubtedly," Amash added, "any person who is not the president of the United States would be indicted based on such evidence." Since Mueller issued his voluminous report, Trump has repeatedly attacked its authors as partisans even while insisting it exonerates him of allegations of collusion with Russia or obstruction of justice. But Democrats note that the report lists around 140 contacts between Trump's inner circle and various Russians and that it exhaustively details evidence of at least 10 cases where Trump appeared to be interfering with the probe. Amash has often been a lone voice in his party, and so his stance carried less impact than if it had come from a party mainstay. A much higher-profile Republican, Senator Mitt Romney, spoke out on Sunday against impeachment even while praising Amash. "I respect him," the Republicans' 2012 presidential nominee and occasional fierce Trump critic, told "Fox News Sunday" of Amash. "I think it's a courageous statement. But I believe to make a case for obstruction of justice, you just don't have the elements." Democrats have been divided on impeachment but support appears to be growing with the Trump administration resisting numerous congressional requests for witnesses or information. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has cautioned against moving too quickly, noting that the Republican-controlled Senate would likely acquit the president should the House of Representatives impeach him.

Trump calls pro-impeachment Republican 'total lightweight'

US President Donald Trump on Monday entered the swirling debate over a US Congresswoman's comments regarding the Holocaust that Republicans have condemned as anti-Semitic.

The uproar began last week when Rashida Tlaib, a freshman congresswoman in the House of Representatives whose parents are Palestinian immigrants, said in an interview that she finds "a kind of calming feeling," in the fact that Palestinians were involved in creating "a safe haven for Jews."

"There's a kind of a calming feeling, I always tell folks, when I think of the Holocaust and the tragedy of the Holocaust, and the fact that it was my ancestors -- Palestinians -- who lost their land and some lost their lives," she told Yahoo's "Skullduggery" podcast on Friday.

"All of it was in the name of trying to create a safe haven for Jews, post-the Holocaust, post-the tragedy and the horrific persecution of Jews across the world at that time," she said, adding, "I love the fact that it was my ancestors that provided that."

Trump laid into Tlaib, saying the congresswoman "obviously has tremendous hatred of Israel and the Jewish people. Can you imagine what would happen if I ever said what she said, and says?"

Top House Republican Liz Cheney also seized on the remarks, saying they represented "vile anti-Semitism" and called on the House's Democratic leadership to take action.

"This must cross the line, even for them," she tweeted.

Tlaib said on Twitter her remarks were taken out of context and that "All of you who are trying to silence me will fail miserably."

She was backed up by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who said "Republicans’ desperate attempts to smear (Tlaib) &amp; misrepresent her comments are outrageous," adding that Trump and Republicans needed to apologise.

Yair Rosenberg, a writer for the online Jewish magazine Tablet, said Tlaib's comments were historically inaccurate but not anti-Semitic.&nbsp;

"Tlaib said she got a 'calming feeling' NOT about the Holocaust, but about how Palestinians gave refuge to Jews from it. This is ahistorical," he wrote on Twitter, "but it isn't anti-Semitic."

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Rashida Tlaib said she got a "calming feeling" NOT about the Holocaust, but about how Palestinians gave refuge to Jews from it. This is ahistorical (the local Arabs rioted &amp; got the British to halt Jewish immigration, and their Mufti was Hitler's ally), but it isn't anti-Semitic.
— (((Yair Rosenberg))) (@Yair_Rosenberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Yair_Rosenberg/status/1127958445599199233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Bend The Arc, a progressive Jewish association, also defended the congresswoman.

"The attacks on Rashida Tlaib are vile &amp; baseless. She did not minimize the tragedy of the Holocaust," the group tweeted. "Shame on GOP leadership for weaponizing antisemitism &amp; Jewish trauma to attack progressive leaders of colour and push Islamophobia."

Similar accusations of anti-Semitism were levelled against Ilhan Omar, who after Tlaib is the only other Muslim in Congress after she said earlier this year that American support for Israel was driven by money from a pro-Israel lobbying group.

US President Donald Trump on Monday entered the swirling debate over a US Congresswoman's comments regarding the Holocaust that Republicans have condemned as anti-Semitic.

US President Donald Trump on Monday entered the swirling debate over a US Congresswoman's comments regarding the Holocaust that Republicans have condemned as anti-Semitic. The uproar began last week when Rashida Tlaib, a freshman congresswoman in the House of Representatives whose parents are Palestinian immigrants, said in an interview that she finds "a kind of calming feeling," in the fact that Palestinians were involved in creating "a safe haven for Jews." "There's a kind of a calming feeling, I always tell folks, when I think of the Holocaust and the tragedy of the Holocaust, and the fact that it was my ancestors -- Palestinians -- who lost their land and some lost their lives," she told Yahoo's "Skullduggery" podcast on Friday. "All of it was in the name of trying to create a safe haven for Jews, post-the Holocaust, post-the tragedy and the horrific persecution of Jews across the world at that time," she said, adding, "I love the fact that it was my ancestors that provided that." Trump laid into Tlaib, saying the congresswoman "obviously has tremendous hatred of Israel and the Jewish people. Can you imagine what would happen if I ever said what she said, and says?" Top House Republican Liz Cheney also seized on the remarks, saying they represented "vile anti-Semitism" and called on the House's Democratic leadership to take action. "This must cross the line, even for them," she tweeted. Tlaib said on Twitter her remarks were taken out of context and that "All of you who are trying to silence me will fail miserably." She was backed up by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who said "Republicans’ desperate attempts to smear (Tlaib) & misrepresent her comments are outrageous," adding that Trump and Republicans needed to apologise. Yair Rosenberg, a writer for the online Jewish magazine Tablet, said Tlaib's comments were historically inaccurate but not anti-Semitic. "Tlaib said she got a 'calming feeling' NOT about the Holocaust, but about how Palestinians gave refuge to Jews from it. This is ahistorical," he wrote on Twitter, "but it isn't anti-Semitic." Rashida Tlaib said she got a "calming feeling" NOT about the Holocaust, but about how Palestinians gave refuge to Jews from it. This is ahistorical (the local Arabs rioted & got the British to halt Jewish immigration, and their Mufti was Hitler's ally), but it isn't anti-Semitic. — (((Yair Rosenberg))) (@Yair_Rosenberg) May 13, 2019 × Bend The Arc, a progressive Jewish association, also defended the congresswoman. "The attacks on Rashida Tlaib are vile & baseless. She did not minimize the tragedy of the Holocaust," the group tweeted. "Shame on GOP leadership for weaponizing antisemitism & Jewish trauma to attack progressive leaders of colour and push Islamophobia." Similar accusations of anti-Semitism were levelled against Ilhan Omar, who after Tlaib is the only other Muslim in Congress after she said earlier this year that American support for Israel was driven by money from a pro-Israel lobbying group.

Uproar follows US congresswoman Rashida Tlaib's Holocaust remarks

Democrats intensified their pressure on President <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/as-trump-team-prepares-mideast-plan-palestinians-face-financial-crisis-215666&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjZkvbGsf_hAhVBgI8KHaFiBI8QFjACegQICBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0ptpfPY9cPe6NnKfeXDjT9">Donald Trump's</a> administration on Thursday as US&nbsp;House Speaker <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/pelosi-accuses-barr-of-crime-as-democrats-step-up-pressure-on-trump-215496&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi8_YqEsv_hAhW0mOYKHWNWCj84ChAWMAB6BAgEEAI&amp;usg=AOvVaw1thrh_2rdgcDkNuZqPRQxf">Nancy Pelosi accused Attorney General William Barr</a> of committing a crime by lying to lawmakers and a key committee chairman threatened to hold Barr in contempt of Congress.

Even as Democratic lawmakers accused the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/venezuela-crisis-us-president-donald-trump-offers-prayers-to-venezuelans-215596&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjZkvbGsf_hAhVBgI8KHaFiBI8QFjAAegQIABAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Q1OUOSgF7sZMWRYtUgXzL">Trump </a>administration of a growing attack on US&nbsp;democracy and the authority of Congress, the White House showed no sign of backing down.

White House legal counsel Emmet Flood said in a defiant letter that Trump had the right to tell advisers not to testify to congressional panels on the findings of Special Counsel Robert Mueller`s Russia inquiry.

The duelling statements marked a sharp escalation in the conflict between the White House and Democrats who control the House of Representatives.

With Trump seeking re-election next year, Democrats are weighing whether to try to remove the Republican president from office using the impeachment process while pressing forward with demands for information on his taxes, businesses and other topics.

Shortly after Barr refused to appear before the House Judiciary Committee, Pelosi accused him of lying to lawmakers about interactions with Mueller after the special counsel ended a 22-month investigation into Russia`s efforts to interfere in the 2016 US&nbsp;election to boost Trump`s candidacy.

"That`s a crime," Pelosi, 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."

Democrats have accused Barr of misleading Congress by testifying in April he was unaware of any concern by the special counsel`s team about Barr`s initial March 24 characterization of the report, an account that led Trump to claim full exoneration.

Barr failed to mention a March 27 letter he got from Mueller complaining that Barr`s March 24 account did not "fully capture the context, nature and substance of this Office`s work."

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 report and the underlying evidence, as the panel has requested by a subpoena that had a Wednesday deadline.

That could potentially lead to legal steps against the top US&nbsp;law enforcement official.

Barr released Mueller`s report on April 18, with some parts blacked out to protect sensitive information.

Several Democrats have called on Barr, whom Trump appointed after firing Jeff Sessions as attorney general, to resign.

Pelosi and other House 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.&nbsp;

But Pelosi said the Trump administration was continuing to ignore congressional subpoenas and noted that Congress launched impeachment proceedings against President Richard Nixon after he resisted similar demands.

Nixon resigned in 1974 over the Watergate scandal.

'OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE'

Pelosi said, "Trump`s blanket statement that he`s not going to honour any subpoenas is obstruction of justice."

The White House signalled little appetite to cooperate.&nbsp;

Trump told Fox News in an interview on Thursday he was not inclined to let former White House counsel Don McGahn testify before congressional committees.

Nadler has issued a subpoena for McGahn to testify in its investigation of possible obstruction of justice by the president.

Trump told Fox News that McGahn had already spoken to Mueller`s team for 30 hours and allowing him to testify to Congress would open the door to others being called.&nbsp;

"I would say it`s done," Trump said.

Flood reiterated that point in a letter seen by Reuters, saying Trump`s decision to let advisers cooperate when Mueller was conducting his investigation did not extend to congressional oversight investigations now that the inquiry had been completed.

Flood also said Mueller`s 448-page report suffered from "an extraordinary legal defect" by failing to determine whether Trump had committed the crime of obstruction of justice.

''Mueller instead produced a prosecutorial curiosity - part `truth commission` report and part law school exam paper," Flood wrote to Barr in a letter dated a day after the report was released.

Democrats have argued Trump waived the right to assert executive privilege - which allows a president to withhold information about internal executive branch deliberations from other branches of government - by allowing advisers to cooperate extensively with Mueller.

Barr cancelled his House testimony after clashing with Nadler over the hearing`s format, particularly having staff lawyers question him in addition to committee members. Nadler said he would 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.&nbsp;

Democrats have said they may issue a subpoena to try to force Barr to testify.&nbsp;

Barr spent four hours before a Republican-led Senate committee on Wednesday defending his handling of Mueller`s report and justifying Trump`s actions.

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.

Democrats intensified their pressure on President Donald Trump's administration on Thursday as US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi accused Attorney General William Barr of committing a crime by lying to lawmakers and a key committee chairman threatened to hold Barr in contempt of Congress.

Democrats intensified their pressure on President Donald Trump's administration on Thursday as US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi accused Attorney General William Barr of committing a crime by lying to lawmakers and a key committee chairman threatened to hold Barr in contempt of Congress. Even as Democratic lawmakers accused the Trump administration of a growing attack on US democracy and the authority of Congress, the White House showed no sign of backing down. White House legal counsel Emmet Flood said in a defiant letter that Trump had the right to tell advisers not to testify to congressional panels on the findings of Special Counsel Robert Mueller`s Russia inquiry. The duelling statements marked a sharp escalation in the conflict between the White House and Democrats who control the House of Representatives. With Trump seeking re-election next year, Democrats are weighing whether to try to remove the Republican president from office using the impeachment process while pressing forward with demands for information on his taxes, businesses and other topics. Shortly after Barr refused to appear before the House Judiciary Committee, Pelosi accused him of lying to lawmakers about interactions with Mueller after the special counsel ended a 22-month investigation into Russia`s efforts to interfere in the 2016 US election to boost Trump`s candidacy. "That`s a crime," Pelosi, 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." Democrats have accused Barr of misleading Congress by testifying in April he was unaware of any concern by the special counsel`s team about Barr`s initial March 24 characterization of the report, an account that led Trump to claim full exoneration. Barr failed to mention a March 27 letter he got from Mueller complaining that Barr`s March 24 account did not "fully capture the context, nature and substance of this Office`s work." 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 report and the underlying evidence, as the panel has requested by a subpoena that had a Wednesday deadline. That could potentially lead to legal steps against the top US law enforcement official. Barr released Mueller`s report on April 18, with some parts blacked out to protect sensitive information. Several Democrats have called on Barr, whom Trump appointed after firing Jeff Sessions as attorney general, to resign. Pelosi and other House 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. But Pelosi said the Trump administration was continuing to ignore congressional subpoenas and noted that Congress launched impeachment proceedings against President Richard Nixon after he resisted similar demands. Nixon resigned in 1974 over the Watergate scandal. 'OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE' Pelosi said, "Trump`s blanket statement that he`s not going to honour any subpoenas is obstruction of justice." The White House signalled little appetite to cooperate. Trump told Fox News in an interview on Thursday he was not inclined to let former White House counsel Don McGahn testify before congressional committees. Nadler has issued a subpoena for McGahn to testify in its investigation of possible obstruction of justice by the president. Trump told Fox News that McGahn had already spoken to Mueller`s team for 30 hours and allowing him to testify to Congress would open the door to others being called. "I would say it`s done," Trump said. Flood reiterated that point in a letter seen by Reuters, saying Trump`s decision to let advisers cooperate when Mueller was conducting his investigation did not extend to congressional oversight investigations now that the inquiry had been completed. Flood also said Mueller`s 448-page report suffered from "an extraordinary legal defect" by failing to determine whether Trump had committed the crime of obstruction of justice. ''Mueller instead produced a prosecutorial curiosity - part `truth commission` report and part law school exam paper," Flood wrote to Barr in a letter dated a day after the report was released. Democrats have argued Trump waived the right to assert executive privilege - which allows a president to withhold information about internal executive branch deliberations from other branches of government - by allowing advisers to cooperate extensively with Mueller. Barr cancelled his House testimony after clashing with Nadler over the hearing`s format, particularly having staff lawyers question him in addition to committee members. Nadler said he would 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. Barr spent four hours before a Republican-led Senate committee on Wednesday defending his handling of Mueller`s report and justifying Trump`s actions. 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.

Democrats ramp up pressure on Donald Trump as Nancy Pelosi accuses William Barr of 'crime'

Hours after the release of Special Counsel Robert<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/what-is-mueller-report-everything-you-need-to-know-about-it-211667&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiMv_K109vhAhWHvo8KHURlD-kQFggUMAU&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw2uoG9gCtSSOwsq6LduPX55"> Mueller`s report</a> on Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer said that there were "stark" differences between what Attorney General William Barr and Robert Mueller have said.

"Barr presented a conclusion that the President did not obstruct justice while Mueller`s report appears to undercut that finding," said Pelosi and Schumer, in a joint statement.

According to CNN, several Democrats are also demanding the release of the unredacted version of the report.

"It`s clear AG Barr is acting as <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/mueller-report-trump-campaign-did-not-collude-with-russia-211662&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiMv_K109vhAhWHvo8KHURlD-kQFggOMAM&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ZZVFv6Yz1MtOxlFQrgnqg">Trump</a>`s (US President Donald) personal attorney, not America`s," Pelosi wrote on Twitter, adding, "Our country demands and deserves full transparency. That is why we must hear directly from Mueller. #MuellerReport."Jerrold Nadler, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, requested that Mueller testify to panel "no later than May 23".

Adam Schiff, chairman Democratic House Intelligence Committee, said<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/factbox-new-revelations-from-the-mueller-report-211679&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiMv_K109vhAhWHvo8KHURlD-kQFggdMAg&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw33LzHUUXErWWaUBDOB873h"> Mueller</a> has been invited to testify in front of the committee.

"After a two-year investigation, the public deserves the facts, not Attorney General Barr`s political spin," he said.

The United States Department of Justice on Thursday released a redacted version of Mueller`s report.

The 22-month long investigation into the alleged Russian collusion in the 2016 Presidential election was unable to clear <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/how-muellers-decision-on-obstruction-helped-save-us-president-donald-trump-211649&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiMv_K109vhAhWHvo8KHURlD-kQFggRMAQ&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0730ecLUreIfN8NYHNx3ng">Trump</a> in the matter, stating that the President`s action and intent "present difficult issues that prevent us from conclusively determining that no criminal conduct occurred," reported CNN.

Titled "Report on the Investigation into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election", the report further states that the Trump campaign knew they would benefit from Russia`s illegal actions to influence the election, but did not take criminal steps to help.

''After nearly two years of investigation, thousands of subpoenas, and hundreds of warrants and witness interviews, the special counsel confirmed that the Russian government-sponsored efforts to illegally interfere with the 2016 presidential election, but did not find that the Trump campaign or other Americans colluded in those schemes," Attorney General William Barr said in a press conference before the release of the report.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/in-unflattering-detail-mueller-report-reveals-trump-actions-to-impede-inquiry-211647&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiMv_K109vhAhWHvo8KHURlD-kQFgggMAk&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Dx9BZciZG1OFdWVwaCT2d">Mueller</a> also made it clear that Congress can continue to investigate Trump.

The report further states that following media reports that the "Special Counsel`s office was investigating whether the President had obstructed justice," Trump had directed his lawyer to remove Mueller."

On June 17, 2017, the President called McGahn at home and directed him to call the Acting Attorney General and say that the Special Counsel had conflicts of interest and must be removed.

McGahn did not carry out the direction, however, deciding that he would resign rather than trigger what he regarded as a potential Saturday Night Massacre," the report read.

The report further stated that Trump`s efforts to influence the investigation were "mostly unsuccessful", largely because "the person surrounding the President declined to carry out orders or accede to his request."&nbsp;

Hours after the release of Special Counsel Robert Mueller`s report on Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer said that there were "stark" differences between what Attorney General William Barr and Robert Mueller have said.

Hours after the release of Special Counsel Robert Mueller`s report on Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer said that there were "stark" differences between what Attorney General William Barr and Robert Mueller have said. "Barr presented a conclusion that the President did not obstruct justice while Mueller`s report appears to undercut that finding," said Pelosi and Schumer, in a joint statement. According to CNN, several Democrats are also demanding the release of the unredacted version of the report. "It`s clear AG Barr is acting as Trump`s (US President Donald) personal attorney, not America`s," Pelosi wrote on Twitter, adding, "Our country demands and deserves full transparency. That is why we must hear directly from Mueller. #MuellerReport."Jerrold Nadler, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, requested that Mueller testify to panel "no later than May 23". Adam Schiff, chairman Democratic House Intelligence Committee, said Mueller has been invited to testify in front of the committee. "After a two-year investigation, the public deserves the facts, not Attorney General Barr`s political spin," he said. The United States Department of Justice on Thursday released a redacted version of Mueller`s report. The 22-month long investigation into the alleged Russian collusion in the 2016 Presidential election was unable to clear Trump in the matter, stating that the President`s action and intent "present difficult issues that prevent us from conclusively determining that no criminal conduct occurred," reported CNN. Titled "Report on the Investigation into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election", the report further states that the Trump campaign knew they would benefit from Russia`s illegal actions to influence the election, but did not take criminal steps to help. ''After nearly two years of investigation, thousands of subpoenas, and hundreds of warrants and witness interviews, the special counsel confirmed that the Russian government-sponsored efforts to illegally interfere with the 2016 presidential election, but did not find that the Trump campaign or other Americans colluded in those schemes," Attorney General William Barr said in a press conference before the release of the report. Mueller also made it clear that Congress can continue to investigate Trump. The report further states that following media reports that the "Special Counsel`s office was investigating whether the President had obstructed justice," Trump had directed his lawyer to remove Mueller." On June 17, 2017, the President called McGahn at home and directed him to call the Acting Attorney General and say that the Special Counsel had conflicts of interest and must be removed. McGahn did not carry out the direction, however, deciding that he would resign rather than trigger what he regarded as a potential Saturday Night Massacre," the report read. The report further stated that Trump`s efforts to influence the investigation were "mostly unsuccessful", largely because "the person surrounding the President declined to carry out orders or accede to his request."

Stark differences between Mueller and Barr's conclusions, say Pelosi and Schumer

US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticised President Donald Trump on Saturday for a Twitter post that used 9/11 imagery while suggesting Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a Muslim, was dismissive of the New York attacks.

"The memory of 9/11 is sacred ground, and any discussion of it must be done with reverence," Pelosi said in a statement posted on Twitter. "The President shouldn't use the painful images of 9/11 for a political attack."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
WE WILL NEVER FORGET! <a href="https://t.co/VxrGFRFeJM">pic.twitter.com/VxrGFRFeJM</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1116817144006750209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
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On Friday, Trump tweeted a video suggesting that Omar, a U.S. representative from Minnesota, was dismissive of the Sept. 11 attacks.

The video spliced news footage of 9/11 with a clip from a speech Omar gave last month in which she described the terror attack as "some people did something."

The Trump tweet included the words "WE WILL NEVER FORGET!"

&nbsp;

In Omar's speech, given to a Muslim civil rights and advocacy group, she said Muslims had "lived with the discomfort of being a second-class citizen and, frankly, I'm tired of it, and every single Muslim in this country should be tired of it."

Omar said the advocacy group recognised that "some people did something and that all of us were starting to lose access to our civil liberties."

Lawmakers from Trump's Republican party have accused Omar of minimizing the 9/11 attacks, while critics of the president say he took Omar's words out of context in order to stoke anti-Muslim sentiment.

"No one person – no matter how corrupt, inept, or vicious – can threaten my unwavering love for America," Omar wrote in a tweet on Saturday. "I stand undeterred to continue fighting for equal opportunity in our pursuit of happiness for all Americans."

US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticised President Donald Trump on Saturday for a Twitter post that used 9/11 imagery while suggesting Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a Muslim, was dismissive of the New York attacks.

US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticised President Donald Trump on Saturday for a Twitter post that used 9/11 imagery while suggesting Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a Muslim, was dismissive of the New York attacks. "The memory of 9/11 is sacred ground, and any discussion of it must be done with reverence," Pelosi said in a statement posted on Twitter. "The President shouldn't use the painful images of 9/11 for a political attack." WE WILL NEVER FORGET! pic.twitter.com/VxrGFRFeJM — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 12, 2019 × On Friday, Trump tweeted a video suggesting that Omar, a U.S. representative from Minnesota, was dismissive of the Sept. 11 attacks. The video spliced news footage of 9/11 with a clip from a speech Omar gave last month in which she described the terror attack as "some people did something." The Trump tweet included the words "WE WILL NEVER FORGET!" In Omar's speech, given to a Muslim civil rights and advocacy group, she said Muslims had "lived with the discomfort of being a second-class citizen and, frankly, I'm tired of it, and every single Muslim in this country should be tired of it." Omar said the advocacy group recognised that "some people did something and that all of us were starting to lose access to our civil liberties." Lawmakers from Trump's Republican party have accused Omar of minimizing the 9/11 attacks, while critics of the president say he took Omar's words out of context in order to stoke anti-Muslim sentiment. "No one person – no matter how corrupt, inept, or vicious – can threaten my unwavering love for America," Omar wrote in a tweet on Saturday. "I stand undeterred to continue fighting for equal opportunity in our pursuit of happiness for all Americans."

Pelosi hits Trump over use of 9/11 images to criticise Muslim lawmaker

US President Donald Trump does not wish any ill will or any kind of violence towards anyone, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said on Sunday.&nbsp;

"Certainly President is wishing no ill will, certainly not violence towards anyone," Sanders told broadcaster ABC News' "This Week" show.

"But the President is absolutely and should be calling out the congresswoman for her, not only one-time but the history of antisemitic comments," she added.

On Friday, Trump tweeted a video suggesting that Omar, a US representative from Minnesota, was dismissive of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pelosi-hits-trump-over-use-of-911-images-to-criticise-muslim-lawmaker-210238">September 11 attacks</a>.

The video spliced news footage of 9/11 with a clip from a speech Omar gave last month in which she described the terror attack as "some people did something."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
WE WILL NEVER FORGET! <a href="https://t.co/VxrGFRFeJM">pic.twitter.com/VxrGFRFeJM</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1116817144006750209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and several lawmakers have&nbsp;criticised Trump for the Twitter post.

(With inputs from Reuters)

US President Donald Trump does not wish any ill will or any kind of violence towards anyone, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said on Sunday. "Certainly President is wishing no ill will, certainly not violence towards anyone," Sanders told broadcaster ABC News' "This Week" show.

US President Donald Trump does not wish any ill will or any kind of violence towards anyone, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said on Sunday. "Certainly President is wishing no ill will, certainly not violence towards anyone," Sanders told broadcaster ABC News' "This Week" show. "But the President is absolutely and should be calling out the congresswoman for her, not only one-time but the history of antisemitic comments," she added. On Friday, Trump tweeted a video suggesting that Omar, a US representative from Minnesota, was dismissive of the September 11 attacks. The video spliced news footage of 9/11 with a clip from a speech Omar gave last month in which she described the terror attack as "some people did something." WE WILL NEVER FORGET! pic.twitter.com/VxrGFRFeJM — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 12, 2019 × US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and several lawmakers have criticised Trump for the Twitter post. (With inputs from Reuters)

Trump wish no ill will, violence towards anyone: White House spokeswoman

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is calling on President Donald Trump to sign into law a resolution ending American involvement in the war in Yemen.

Historic resolution to end US role in Yemen war

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 href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-declares-complete-exoneration-after-mueller-report-finds-no-collusion-205408">Trump declares 'complete exoneration' after Mueller report finds no collusion with Russia</a>

US President Donald Trump declared Sunday that he had been completely exonerated after his campaign was cleared of colluding with Russia in the 2016 election, in a major boost for his re-election hopes.

The long-awaited final report of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Moscow's election meddling concluded that no member or associate of the campaign conspired or coordinated with Russia in its plot to boost Trump in the vote more than two years ago.

While not completely absolving the president, Attorney General Bill Barr's letter to Congress summarizing the still-secret Mueller report cleared a dark cloud that had hung over the Trump's legitimacy since he took office in January 2017.

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/huge-jump-in-rahul-gandhis-income-says-bjp-asks-where-its-coming-from-205426">'Huge jump' in Rahul Gandhi's income, says BJP, asks where it's coming from</a>

The BJP said Sunday that there had been a "huge jump" in Congress President Rahul Gandhi's income and asked where the money was coming from.&nbsp;

The BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said at a press conference on Sunday that Rahul's income, according to his election affidavits, had risen from over Rs 55 lakh in 2004 to Rs 9 crore in 2014.&nbsp;

"How can an MP, who is not a professional, witness such a jump in his income?" Patra asked.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-hindu-minor-girls-approach-court-seeking-protection-man-suspected-to-assist-in-wedding-held-205430">Pakistan: Minor Hindu girls approach </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-hindu-minor-girls-approach-court-seeking-protection-man-suspected-to-assist-in-wedding-held-205430">court</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-hindu-minor-girls-approach-court-seeking-protection-man-suspected-to-assist-in-wedding-held-205430">, </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-hindu-minor-girls-approach-court-seeking-protection-man-suspected-to-assist-in-wedding-held-205430">man</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-hindu-minor-girls-approach-court-seeking-protection-man-suspected-to-assist-in-wedding-held-205430"> suspected to have assisted in their&nbsp;wedding held</a>

A man suspected to have assisted in solemnising the wedding of two Pakistani Hindu minor girls, who were reportedly abducted and forcefully converted to Islam, was arrested on Sunday, as the teenagers approached a court in Pakistan's Punjab province seeking protection, according to a media report.&nbsp;

The two girls, Raveena (13) and Reena (15), were allegedly kidnapped by a group of "influential" men from their home in Ghotki district in Sindh on the eve of Holi. Soon after the kidnapping, a video went viral in which a cleric was purportedly shown solemnising the Nikah (marriage) of the two girls, triggering nationwide outrage.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had also ordered a probe into the issue.

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stricken-norway-cruise-ship-reaches-port-after-airlift-drama-205421">Stricken Norway cruise ship reaches port after airlift drama</a>

A cruise liner that ran into trouble in stormy seas off Norway reached port under its own steam Sunday after hundreds of passengers were winched to safety by helicopter in a spectacular rescue operation.

Escorted by tugboats, the Viking Sky arrived in the port of Molde at around 4:15 pm (1515 GMT), television images showed. Nearly a third of its 1,373 passengers and crew had already been airlifted off the ship.

The cruise liner lost power and started drifting on Saturday afternoon two kilometres (1.2 miles) off a stretch of Norwegian coastline notorious for shipwrecks.

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/on-the-back-foot-democrats-demand-release-of-full-mueller-report-205409">On the back foot, Democrats demand </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/on-the-back-foot-democrats-demand-release-of-full-mueller-report-205409">release</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/on-the-back-foot-democrats-demand-release-of-full-mueller-report-205409"> of full Mueller report</a>

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.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Trump declares 'complete exoneration' after Mueller report finds no collusion with Russia US President Donald Trump declared Sunday that he had been completely exonerated after his campaign was cleared of colluding with Russia in the 2016 election, in a major boost for his re-election hopes.

Trump declares 'complete exoneration' after Mueller report finds no collusion with Russia US President Donald Trump declared Sunday that he had been completely exonerated after his campaign was cleared of colluding with Russia in the 2016 election, in a major boost for his re-election hopes. The long-awaited final report of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Moscow's election meddling concluded that no member or associate of the campaign conspired or coordinated with Russia in its plot to boost Trump in the vote more than two years ago. While not completely absolving the president, Attorney General Bill Barr's letter to Congress summarizing the still-secret Mueller report cleared a dark cloud that had hung over the Trump's legitimacy since he took office in January 2017. 'Huge jump' in Rahul Gandhi's income, says BJP, asks where it's coming from The BJP said Sunday that there had been a "huge jump" in Congress President Rahul Gandhi's income and asked where the money was coming from. The BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said at a press conference on Sunday that Rahul's income, according to his election affidavits, had risen from over Rs 55 lakh in 2004 to Rs 9 crore in 2014. "How can an MP, who is not a professional, witness such a jump in his income?" Patra asked. Pakistan: Minor Hindu girls approach court, man suspected to have assisted in their wedding held A man suspected to have assisted in solemnising the wedding of two Pakistani Hindu minor girls, who were reportedly abducted and forcefully converted to Islam, was arrested on Sunday, as the teenagers approached a court in Pakistan's Punjab province seeking protection, according to a media report. The two girls, Raveena (13) and Reena (15), were allegedly kidnapped by a group of "influential" men from their home in Ghotki district in Sindh on the eve of Holi. Soon after the kidnapping, a video went viral in which a cleric was purportedly shown solemnising the Nikah (marriage) of the two girls, triggering nationwide outrage. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had also ordered a probe into the issue. Stricken Norway cruise ship reaches port after airlift drama A cruise liner that ran into trouble in stormy seas off Norway reached port under its own steam Sunday after hundreds of passengers were winched to safety by helicopter in a spectacular rescue operation. Escorted by tugboats, the Viking Sky arrived in the port of Molde at around 4:15 pm (1515 GMT), television images showed. Nearly a third of its 1,373 passengers and crew had already been airlifted off the ship. The cruise liner lost power and started drifting on Saturday afternoon two kilometres (1.2 miles) off a stretch of Norwegian coastline notorious for shipwrecks. On the back foot, Democrats demand release of full Mueller report 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.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The United States President Donald Trump would have no problem with the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/on-the-back-foot-democrats-demand-release-of-full-mueller-report-205409"> release of the Mueller report into Russia's meddling in the 2016 US election</a>, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said on Monday.

"I don't think the president has any problem with it," Sanders said on a television show on NBC channel.

"He's more than happy for any of this stuff to come out because he knows exactly what did and what didn't happen and now frankly the rest of America knows," Sanders added.

Echoing Trump, Sanders said the American public knows "there was no collusion, they know there was no obstruction and it's a complete and total exoneration of the president."

In a letter sent to Congress summarising Mueller report on Sunday, Barr quoted Special Counsel saying, "While this report does not conclude that the president committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him."&nbsp;

Barr said the investigation did not recommend any further indictments and does not have any further sealed indictments outstanding.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller found no evidence regarding Trump or his campaign conspiring with Russia to influence the 2016 election in his favour.

Following Barr's letter to Congress, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer demanded the report to made publicly release while stressing that it does not exonerate Trump.

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.

Meanwhile, Trump called the outcome a "complete and total exoneration" despite Mueller's caveat on obstruction.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The United States President Donald Trump would have no problem with the release of the Mueller report into Russia's meddling in the 2016 US election, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said on Monday.

The United States President Donald Trump would have no problem with the release of the Mueller report into Russia's meddling in the 2016 US election, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said on Monday. "I don't think the president has any problem with it," Sanders said on a television show on NBC channel. "He's more than happy for any of this stuff to come out because he knows exactly what did and what didn't happen and now frankly the rest of America knows," Sanders added. Echoing Trump, Sanders said the American public knows "there was no collusion, they know there was no obstruction and it's a complete and total exoneration of the president." In a letter sent to Congress summarising Mueller report on Sunday, Barr quoted Special Counsel saying, "While this report does not conclude that the president committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him." Barr said the investigation did not recommend any further indictments and does not have any further sealed indictments outstanding. Special Counsel Robert Mueller found no evidence regarding Trump or his campaign conspiring with Russia to influence the 2016 election in his favour. Following Barr's letter to Congress, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer demanded the report to made publicly release while stressing that it does not exonerate Trump. 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. Meanwhile, Trump called the outcome a "complete and total exoneration" despite Mueller's caveat on obstruction. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump has no problem with release of Mueller report: White House

US President Donald Trump should not be impeached unless the reasons are overwhelming and bipartisan, given how divisive it would be for the country, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a Washington Post interview published on Monday.

"I’m not for impeachment," Pelosi, the top US Democrat, said in the interview, which was conducted last week.

"Impeachment is so divisive to the country that unless there's something so compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan, I don’t think we should go down that path, because it divides the country," she said. "He's just not worth it."

It was Pelosi's most direct comment yet on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-slams-disgraceful-democrats-profane-impeachment-vow-188333">Trump's possible impeachment</a>, a topic she has dealt with cautiously as it carries the potential to sharply split Democrats and the public ahead of next year's White House and congressional elections.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential campaign, possible collusion between Trump's campaign and the Russian government and whether Trump has attempted to obstruct the probe. Trump has denied wrongdoing and called the investigation a witch hunt.

Mueller is expected to send a report soon to Attorney General William Barr outlining his findings, and any evidence of wrongdoing could prompt Congress to take action against the president. Several panels in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives are also investigating the president.

Although Pelosi said she believed it would be too divisive to impeach Trump, she characterized the president as unfit to hold office.

"No, I don’t think he’s fit to be president of the United States," Pelosi told the Post, adding he was "ethically unfit, intellectually unfit, curiosity-wise unfit."

Democrats face growing pressure from the left for impeachment, including a multimillion-dollar ad campaign from liberal billionaire Tom Steyer to build support for action against Trump.

The House Judiciary Committee, which would lead an impeachment inquiry, recently launched a broad probe of corruption, abuse of power and obstruction of justice allegations against Trump that could amount to impeachable offences.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler has said he believes Trump has committed obstruction of justice, but that it is too soon to decide on impeachment.

"We do not now have the evidence all sorted out," Nadler told ABC's "This Week" programme on March 3. "Before you impeach somebody, you have to persuade the American public that it ought to happen," Nadler added.

US President Donald Trump should not be impeached unless the reasons are overwhelming and bipartisan, given how divisive it would be for the country, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a Washington Post interview published on Monday.

US President Donald Trump should not be impeached unless the reasons are overwhelming and bipartisan, given how divisive it would be for the country, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a Washington Post interview published on Monday. "I’m not for impeachment," Pelosi, the top US Democrat, said in the interview, which was conducted last week. "Impeachment is so divisive to the country that unless there's something so compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan, I don’t think we should go down that path, because it divides the country," she said. "He's just not worth it." It was Pelosi's most direct comment yet on Trump's possible impeachment, a topic she has dealt with cautiously as it carries the potential to sharply split Democrats and the public ahead of next year's White House and congressional elections. Special Counsel Robert Mueller is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential campaign, possible collusion between Trump's campaign and the Russian government and whether Trump has attempted to obstruct the probe. Trump has denied wrongdoing and called the investigation a witch hunt. Mueller is expected to send a report soon to Attorney General William Barr outlining his findings, and any evidence of wrongdoing could prompt Congress to take action against the president. Several panels in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives are also investigating the president. Although Pelosi said she believed it would be too divisive to impeach Trump, she characterized the president as unfit to hold office. "No, I don’t think he’s fit to be president of the United States," Pelosi told the Post, adding he was "ethically unfit, intellectually unfit, curiosity-wise unfit." Democrats face growing pressure from the left for impeachment, including a multimillion-dollar ad campaign from liberal billionaire Tom Steyer to build support for action against Trump. The House Judiciary Committee, which would lead an impeachment inquiry, recently launched a broad probe of corruption, abuse of power and obstruction of justice allegations against Trump that could amount to impeachable offences. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler has said he believes Trump has committed obstruction of justice, but that it is too soon to decide on impeachment. "We do not now have the evidence all sorted out," Nadler told ABC's "This Week" programme on March 3. "Before you impeach somebody, you have to persuade the American public that it ought to happen," Nadler added.

Trump should not be impeached unless reasons are 'overwhelming': Nancy Pelosi

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/country-built-on-love-harmony-brotherhood-priyanka-gandhi-at-her-first-rally-202902">Country</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/country-built-on-love-harmony-brotherhood-priyanka-gandhi-at-her-first-rally-202902"> built on love, harmony &amp; brotherhood: Priyanka Gandhi at her first rally&nbsp;</a>

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who was recently made Congress general secretary of eastern Uttar Pradesh, addressed her first rally today in Gujarat's Gandhinagar where she said "this country is made on the foundations of love, harmony and brotherhood." She added that "today, whatever is happening in the country is very sad."&nbsp;

The rally is being seen as the Congress kicking off its campaign for the general elections which will be held from April 11 to May 19. The results will be declared on May 23.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-i-reiterate-bsp-will-not-have-any-alliance-with-congress-says-mayawati-202862">Lok Sabha polls: No 'grand alliance' in Uttar Pradesh as Mayawati rules out </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-i-reiterate-bsp-will-not-have-any-alliance-with-congress-says-mayawati-202862">tie-up</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-i-reiterate-bsp-will-not-have-any-alliance-with-congress-says-mayawati-202862"> with Congress in any state</a>

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Tuesday reiterated that her party will "not have any alliance with Congress party in any state". Her remarks came just a couple of days after the Election Commission of India announced dates for the Lok Sabha polls next month.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
"It has been reiterated once again that Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) will not have any alliance with Congress party in any state, to contest the upcoming elections," Mayawati said.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-should-not-be-impeached-unless-reasons-are-overwhelming-house-speaker-nancy-pelosi-202904">Trump should not be impeached unless reasons are 'overwhelming': Nancy Pelosi</a>

US President Donald Trump should not be impeached unless the reasons are overwhelming and bipartisan, given how divisive it would be for the country, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a Washington Post interview published on Monday.

"I’m not for impeachment," Pelosi, the top US Democrat, said in the interview, which was conducted last week.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/consumer-inflation-rises-to-257-in-february-government-data-202903">Retail inflation up to 2.57% in February: Government data</a>

Consumer inflation in the month of February rose to 2.57 per cent, government data revealed on Tuesday. Consumer inflation was revised to 1.97 per cent in January this year from 2.05 per cent.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/the-new-york-times-faces-backlash-for-missplelling-pm-modis-name-calling-pulwama-terror-attack-an-explosion-202885">New York Times faces backlash for calling Pulwama terror attack an 'explosion', misspelling PM Modi's name</a>

The New York Times, a leading American daily, raked controversy on Monday after it referred to Pulwama terror attack as an "explosion". Twitterati didn't spare a second to troll the US media giant with some even asking if the 9/11 terror attack was an airplane crash if Pulwama bombing was an "explosion".&nbsp;

The "explosion" bit wasn't the only folly exhibited in the NYT tweet. Its post on a story on the upcoming Lok Sabha polls had the Prime Minister's name spelt wrongly as "Narandra Modi".&nbsp;

Country built on love, harmony & brotherhood: Priyanka Gandhi at her first rally Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who was recently made Congress general secretary of eastern Uttar Pradesh, addressed her first rally today in Gujarat's Gandhinagar where she said "this country is made on the foundations of love, harmony and brotherhood.

Country built on love, harmony & brotherhood: Priyanka Gandhi at her first rally Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who was recently made Congress general secretary of eastern Uttar Pradesh, addressed her first rally today in Gujarat's Gandhinagar where she said "this country is made on the foundations of love, harmony and brotherhood." She added that "today, whatever is happening in the country is very sad." The rally is being seen as the Congress kicking off its campaign for the general elections which will be held from April 11 to May 19. The results will be declared on May 23. Lok Sabha polls: No 'grand alliance' in Uttar Pradesh as Mayawati rules out tie-up with Congress in any state Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Tuesday reiterated that her party will "not have any alliance with Congress party in any state". Her remarks came just a couple of days after the Election Commission of India announced dates for the Lok Sabha polls next month. "It has been reiterated once again that Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) will not have any alliance with Congress party in any state, to contest the upcoming elections," Mayawati said. Trump should not be impeached unless reasons are 'overwhelming': Nancy Pelosi US President Donald Trump should not be impeached unless the reasons are overwhelming and bipartisan, given how divisive it would be for the country, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a Washington Post interview published on Monday. "I’m not for impeachment," Pelosi, the top US Democrat, said in the interview, which was conducted last week. Retail inflation up to 2.57% in February: Government data Consumer inflation in the month of February rose to 2.57 per cent, government data revealed on Tuesday. Consumer inflation was revised to 1.97 per cent in January this year from 2.05 per cent. New York Times faces backlash for calling Pulwama terror attack an 'explosion', misspelling PM Modi's name The New York Times, a leading American daily, raked controversy on Monday after it referred to Pulwama terror attack as an "explosion". Twitterati didn't spare a second to troll the US media giant with some even asking if the 9/11 terror attack was an airplane crash if Pulwama bombing was an "explosion". The "explosion" bit wasn't the only folly exhibited in the NYT tweet. Its post on a story on the upcoming Lok Sabha polls had the Prime Minister's name spelt wrongly as "Narandra Modi".

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

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday called upon lawmakers to back a resolution to halt the national emergency declared by US President Donald Trump to fund a wall on the southern border with Mexico.

Trump announced the emergency in order to bypass Congress, which approved only a quarter of the $5.6 billion he wanted for the wall in a spending bill.

Sixteen states earlier this week sued over the declaration, but the Trump administration has continued with plans to pull together around a further $6.6 billion in federal funding, mostly from the Department of Defense.

Texas congressman Joaquin Castro had last week vowed to introduce a resolution to terminate the president's move.

Lawmakers have until 3:00 pm (2000 GMT) on Thursday to co-sponsor it, before it is formally introduced on Friday.

"I write to invite all Members of Congress to cosponsor Congressman Joaquin Castro's privileged resolution," Pelosi said in a letter to Democrats and Republicans late Wednesday."

"The President's decision to go outside the bounds of the law to try to get what he failed to achieve in the constitutional legislative process violates the Constitution and must be terminated," she said.

"We have a solemn responsibility to uphold the Constitution, and defend our system of checks and balances against the President's assault.

Democrats were quick to express their support.

"I'm a YES to overturn the declaration," Democratic Senator Brian Schatz tweeted.

Meanwhile, House Democrat Linda Sanchez, of California, said she was "proud" to support Castro's resolution.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday called upon lawmakers to back a resolution to halt the national emergency declared by US President Donald Trump to fund a wall on the southern border with Mexico.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday called upon lawmakers to back a resolution to halt the national emergency declared by US President Donald Trump to fund a wall on the southern border with Mexico. Trump announced the emergency in order to bypass Congress, which approved only a quarter of the $5.6 billion he wanted for the wall in a spending bill. Sixteen states earlier this week sued over the declaration, but the Trump administration has continued with plans to pull together around a further $6.6 billion in federal funding, mostly from the Department of Defense. Texas congressman Joaquin Castro had last week vowed to introduce a resolution to terminate the president's move. Lawmakers have until 3:00 pm (2000 GMT) on Thursday to co-sponsor it, before it is formally introduced on Friday. "I write to invite all Members of Congress to cosponsor Congressman Joaquin Castro's privileged resolution," Pelosi said in a letter to Democrats and Republicans late Wednesday." "The President's decision to go outside the bounds of the law to try to get what he failed to achieve in the constitutional legislative process violates the Constitution and must be terminated," she said. "We have a solemn responsibility to uphold the Constitution, and defend our system of checks and balances against the President's assault. Democrats were quick to express their support. "I'm a YES to overturn the declaration," Democratic Senator Brian Schatz tweeted. Meanwhile, House Democrat Linda Sanchez, of California, said she was "proud" to support Castro's resolution.

Pelosi on warpath with Trump again, calls for support to halt US president's 'emergency'

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sought Tuesday to reassure Europeans that there is broad-based and long-term US support for the transatlantic alliance despite President Donald Trump's harsh criticism.

In an implicit message, the Republican president is not omnipotent, the most powerful Democrat said she and fellow visiting congressmen were asserting the role of their legislative branch as co-equal to the executive.

The congressmen are "reaffirming our commitment to the transatlantic alliance, our commitment to NATO, our respect for the European Union and our ability and desire for us all to work together to strengthen our alliance," Pelosi told a press conference in Brussels.

The congressmen spent Monday and Tuesday in Brussels, headquarters of NATO and the European Union, where they attended a meeting of members of parliament from NATO nations as well as talks with EU officials.

Before Belgium, Pelosi had been in Germany as part of a larger group of Democratic and Republican lawmakers who attended the Munich Security Conference to support the transatlantic alliance.

Pelosi said the new Democratic-led house, which followed last November's mid-term elections, was helping assert itself in line with the constitution.

"We have Article 1, the legislative branch, the first branch of government, co-equal to the other branches and we have asserted ourselves in that way," Pelosi said.

With Democrats in control of the House, she said, the Republican minority came into line behind the NATO Support Act, which she said passed by an overwhelming 357 votes to 22.

The Democratic congressmen met EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and her boss, European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker.&nbsp;

Mogherini's office said the US and EU sides "confirmed the crucial importance of maintaining a strong transatlantic partnership."

It said this would happen through "continued cooperation and dialogue" in areas like trade, climate change and human rights.&nbsp;

Both Mogherini and Pelosi "confirmed the importance of safeguarding multilateralism and the international rules-based order in promoting democratic values," Mogherini's office said.

Washington's European allies in NATO remain on edge since Trump, during a summit in July, reportedly threatened to "go it alone" unless they boosted defence spending.

Trump's "America First" approach to trade, including tariffs on metals and threats of tariffs on autos, has also worried Europeans he will abandon the alliance.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sought Tuesday to reassure Europeans that there is broad-based and long-term US support for the transatlantic alliance despite President Donald Trump's harsh criticism.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sought Tuesday to reassure Europeans that there is broad-based and long-term US support for the transatlantic alliance despite President Donald Trump's harsh criticism. In an implicit message, the Republican president is not omnipotent, the most powerful Democrat said she and fellow visiting congressmen were asserting the role of their legislative branch as co-equal to the executive. The congressmen are "reaffirming our commitment to the transatlantic alliance, our commitment to NATO, our respect for the European Union and our ability and desire for us all to work together to strengthen our alliance," Pelosi told a press conference in Brussels. The congressmen spent Monday and Tuesday in Brussels, headquarters of NATO and the European Union, where they attended a meeting of members of parliament from NATO nations as well as talks with EU officials. Before Belgium, Pelosi had been in Germany as part of a larger group of Democratic and Republican lawmakers who attended the Munich Security Conference to support the transatlantic alliance. Pelosi said the new Democratic-led house, which followed last November's mid-term elections, was helping assert itself in line with the constitution. "We have Article 1, the legislative branch, the first branch of government, co-equal to the other branches and we have asserted ourselves in that way," Pelosi said. With Democrats in control of the House, she said, the Republican minority came into line behind the NATO Support Act, which she said passed by an overwhelming 357 votes to 22. The Democratic congressmen met EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and her boss, European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker. Mogherini's office said the US and EU sides "confirmed the crucial importance of maintaining a strong transatlantic partnership." It said this would happen through "continued cooperation and dialogue" in areas like trade, climate change and human rights. Both Mogherini and Pelosi "confirmed the importance of safeguarding multilateralism and the international rules-based order in promoting democratic values," Mogherini's office said. Washington's European allies in NATO remain on edge since Trump, during a summit in July, reportedly threatened to "go it alone" unless they boosted defence spending. Trump's "America First" approach to trade, including tariffs on metals and threats of tariffs on autos, has also worried Europeans he will abandon the alliance.

Pelosi pledges long-term US backing of NATO, EU

US President Trump will sign a spending bill averting a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-ready-to-sign-border-deal-averting-shutdown-reports-197220">government shutdown</a> but will also issue an emergency declaration to fund his controversial border wall, the White House and lawmakers said on Thursday.

Top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell told colleagues that he spoke by phone with Trump, who "indicated he's prepared to sign the bill. He will also be issuing a national emergency declaration at the same time."

The White House confirmed the plan minutes later.

"He will also take other executive action - including a national emergency - to ensure we stop the national security and humanitarian crisis at the border," Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said.

Declaring such an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-economist-says-economy-strong-despite-shutdown-195142">emergency, a rare </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-economist-says-economy-strong-despite-shutdown-195142">step</a>, would free Trump to seek to redirect federal funds from elsewhere to help pay for a wall along the US-Mexico border.

Trump saying he will sign the spending bill, expected ahead of a Friday midnight deadline, eases some pressure in Washington after he had openly expressed concern about the deal reached earlier in the week between Republicans and Democrats.

The measure includes only $375 billion for border barriers or fencing, far from the $5.7 billion that Trump has demanded for his long-sought border wall.

Trump's misgivings put the fate of the bill in question. But minutes after McConnell announced Trump's intention, the Senate took up the measure and advanced it overwhelmingly.

A final Senate vote was to follow, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said her chamber would vote later Thursday.

Pelosi, Trump's Democratic nemesis, expressed disdain for the president's upcoming emergency declaration, warning that he was doing "an end run around Congress." "It's not an emergency, what's happening at the border," she said.

Trump's declaration is expected to be challenged in court.

The compromise package funds until September 30th. The government operations would lapse if the bill is not signed by Trump by the midnight Friday deadline.

US President Trump will sign a spending bill averting a government shutdown but will also issue an emergency declaration to fund his controversial border wall, the White House and lawmakers said on Thursday.

US President Trump will sign a spending bill averting a government shutdown but will also issue an emergency declaration to fund his controversial border wall, the White House and lawmakers said on Thursday. Top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell told colleagues that he spoke by phone with Trump, who "indicated he's prepared to sign the bill. He will also be issuing a national emergency declaration at the same time." The White House confirmed the plan minutes later. "He will also take other executive action - including a national emergency - to ensure we stop the national security and humanitarian crisis at the border," Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. Declaring such an emergency, a rare step, would free Trump to seek to redirect federal funds from elsewhere to help pay for a wall along the US-Mexico border. Trump saying he will sign the spending bill, expected ahead of a Friday midnight deadline, eases some pressure in Washington after he had openly expressed concern about the deal reached earlier in the week between Republicans and Democrats. The measure includes only $375 billion for border barriers or fencing, far from the $5.7 billion that Trump has demanded for his long-sought border wall. Trump's misgivings put the fate of the bill in question. But minutes after McConnell announced Trump's intention, the Senate took up the measure and advanced it overwhelmingly. A final Senate vote was to follow, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said her chamber would vote later Thursday. Pelosi, Trump's Democratic nemesis, expressed disdain for the president's upcoming emergency declaration, warning that he was doing "an end run around Congress." "It's not an emergency, what's happening at the border," she said. Trump's declaration is expected to be challenged in court. The compromise package funds until September 30th. The government operations would lapse if the bill is not signed by Trump by the midnight Friday deadline.

Trump will sign shutdown bill but will also issue emergency declaration: Senator McConnell

President <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-not-happy-with-budget-deal-but-shutdown-unlikely-197021">Donald Trump</a> is ready to sign a border security funding deal, despite failing to get anywhere close to the money he sought for a US-Mexico border wall, US media reported Wednesday.

CNN and NBC television quoted sources close to the president saying that Trump has resigned himself to the deal crafted by his Republican Party and the Democrats in Congress.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders would not confirm or deny the reports but said Wednesday that "there are positive pieces" in the deal.

"We want to see the final piece of legislation," she told reporters.

Trump had demanded $5.7 billion for a dramatic extension of fences and walls along the Mexican border, claiming that the United States faces an "invasion" of criminals and illegal immigrants.

Democrats refused, accusing him of exaggerating the situation for political gain.

Trump retaliated in December by cutting funding to swaths of government in a five-week shutdown. He had threatened to trigger a new shutdown this Friday if his demands were not met.

The deal worked out in Congress this week will provide less than $1.4 billion for wall construction.

On Tuesday, Trump said he was not happy with the deal but "I don't think you're going to see a shutdown."

Trump says he can still add to that from other sources not requiring congressional approval, although he has been vague about how this would work.

President Donald Trump is ready to sign a border security funding deal, despite failing to get anywhere close to the money he sought for a US-Mexico border wall, US media reported Wednesday.

President Donald Trump is ready to sign a border security funding deal, despite failing to get anywhere close to the money he sought for a US-Mexico border wall, US media reported Wednesday. CNN and NBC television quoted sources close to the president saying that Trump has resigned himself to the deal crafted by his Republican Party and the Democrats in Congress. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders would not confirm or deny the reports but said Wednesday that "there are positive pieces" in the deal. "We want to see the final piece of legislation," she told reporters. Trump had demanded $5.7 billion for a dramatic extension of fences and walls along the Mexican border, claiming that the United States faces an "invasion" of criminals and illegal immigrants. Democrats refused, accusing him of exaggerating the situation for political gain. Trump retaliated in December by cutting funding to swaths of government in a five-week shutdown. He had threatened to trigger a new shutdown this Friday if his demands were not met. The deal worked out in Congress this week will provide less than $1.4 billion for wall construction. On Tuesday, Trump said he was not happy with the deal but "I don't think you're going to see a shutdown." Trump says he can still add to that from other sources not requiring congressional approval, although he has been vague about how this would work.

Trump ready to sign border deal, averting shutdown: Reports

By Scott Lucas

The State of the Union headline was not in Donald Trump’s script, which initially leashed him to a teleprompter before a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night.

The White House had trailed that the speech, given a week late because of the shutdown of the federal government, would emphasise a bipartisan approach to politics. So Trump – more like a newcomer carefully reading through an audition than the flamboyant actor at his rallies and impromptu press conferences – ticked off lines that could have been given by any of his predecessors.

“Millions of our fellow citizens are watching us, gathered in this great chamber, hoping we will govern not as two parties, but as one nation,” he opened. “Victory is winning for our country,” followed. And “Make America Great Again” was reworked as “Tonight I ask you to choose greatness”.

Trump sheltered in the safety of introducing various invited guests, from World War II veterans to Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin. He warmed up and loosened up a bit as he claimed credit for everything from the American economy to the release of former inmates Alice Johnson and Matthew Charles through clemency, who were also in the audience.

The woman behind

The story of the day had been off-script Trump. Before feigning the bipartisan in his speech, Trump spent a lunch with reporters assailing Democrats. There, he apparently dismissed former vice-president and possible presidential candidate Joe Biden as “dumb”, while Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, was a “son of a b****”.

But the story of the night was the woman behind Trump on the podium. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the legislator who uninvited and re-invited Trump to give the State of the Union address, silently exercised her new authority as leader of the Democrat-controlled chamber.

Pelosi gave courteous applause at points during the performance. But for much of it, she monitored Trump like an instructor watching a borderline student. She quietly marked Trump’s 15-minute peroration on immigration, filled with his boilerplate distortions about the “tremendous onslaught” of “large, organised caravans” arriving at the US border.&nbsp;

She gave a small shake of the head as he recited hyperbole about his immigrant straw man, “the savage gang MS-13”. She never broke into a gaze of disbelief as the claims got bigger and wilder, as he introduced three women whose relative was killed by an “illegal alien”. She just continued the silent marking of the man in front of her.

The women in front

The women of Congress were the story in front of Trump, and many of them were taking seats for the first time this January. They came dressed in white in tribute to the women’s suffrage movement.

As he got into his script, with more swagger and jabs in the words, Trump played to the Republicans who rallied to their cues. They backed him in his biggest swing of the night, when he attacked “ridiculous partisan investigations” as disruptive to the “economic miracle” taking place in the nation.

When they offered an impromptu opportunity by chanting “USA, USA”, Trump seized it. “That sounds so good”, he told them. Buoyed, he gave a finger jab at the Democrats as he claimed the achievement of making the US a “net exporter of energy”.

But the cameras were often on the 131 women sworn into the 116th Congress. Like the woman behind Trump, they monitored the chief executive rather than deferred to him. They stood in their own tribute to “greatness” but remained in their seats during Trump’s more frequent invocations of division and confrontation, including over his wall with Mexico.

And then they seized the evening

Trump, with his chequered personal and political record over women, again reached for self-congratulation: “No one has benefited more from our thriving economy than women, who have filled 58 per cent of the new jobs created in the last year.”

The 131 women leapt to their feet. They whooped, danced, and high-fived each other. They celebrated.

Appearing surprised and unsettled, Trump exclaimed: “You were not supposed to do that.” He tried to regain attention to himself: “All Americans can be proud that we have more women in the workforce than ever before.”

The dancing surged. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York gave a hip shake.

Trump tried one more time: “We also have more women serving in Congress than ever before.” Every eye on them rather than the president, the women hugged each other, waved, and danced some more.

Facing the wave, the Republicans pushed it with the chant, “USA, USA, USA”. But rather than giving way, the women took up the chant. Rather than letting the Republicans claim to represent the nation with their mantra, they shouted it, too – they danced to it.

Trump continued through his script. He announced another summit with North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, in Vietnam at the end of this month. He introduced a ten-year-old girl who defeated brain cancer. He spoke about “babies ripped from their mother’s womb, moments from birth”. But his State of the Union was done for the night.

And his rule of the state might be done for good. Behind him was a new political reality: one woman with her own control. In front of him, the many others not just blocking his path – likely to be a troubled one in 2019 – but forging their own.

(Scott Lucas is Professor of International Politics, University of Birmingham)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/state-of-the-union-the-women-in-white-stole-trumps-night-and-will-haunt-him-for-the-rest-of-the-year-111276">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

By Scott Lucas The State of the Union headline was not in Donald Trump’s script, which initially leashed him to a teleprompter before a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night.

By Scott Lucas The State of the Union headline was not in Donald Trump’s script, which initially leashed him to a teleprompter before a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night. The White House had trailed that the speech, given a week late because of the shutdown of the federal government, would emphasise a bipartisan approach to politics. So Trump – more like a newcomer carefully reading through an audition than the flamboyant actor at his rallies and impromptu press conferences – ticked off lines that could have been given by any of his predecessors. “Millions of our fellow citizens are watching us, gathered in this great chamber, hoping we will govern not as two parties, but as one nation,” he opened. “Victory is winning for our country,” followed. And “Make America Great Again” was reworked as “Tonight I ask you to choose greatness”. Trump sheltered in the safety of introducing various invited guests, from World War II veterans to Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin. He warmed up and loosened up a bit as he claimed credit for everything from the American economy to the release of former inmates Alice Johnson and Matthew Charles through clemency, who were also in the audience. The woman behind The story of the day had been off-script Trump. Before feigning the bipartisan in his speech, Trump spent a lunch with reporters assailing Democrats. There, he apparently dismissed former vice-president and possible presidential candidate Joe Biden as “dumb”, while Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, was a “son of a b****”. But the story of the night was the woman behind Trump on the podium. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the legislator who uninvited and re-invited Trump to give the State of the Union address, silently exercised her new authority as leader of the Democrat-controlled chamber. Pelosi gave courteous applause at points during the performance. But for much of it, she monitored Trump like an instructor watching a borderline student. She quietly marked Trump’s 15-minute peroration on immigration, filled with his boilerplate distortions about the “tremendous onslaught” of “large, organised caravans” arriving at the US border. She gave a small shake of the head as he recited hyperbole about his immigrant straw man, “the savage gang MS-13”. She never broke into a gaze of disbelief as the claims got bigger and wilder, as he introduced three women whose relative was killed by an “illegal alien”. She just continued the silent marking of the man in front of her. The women in front The women of Congress were the story in front of Trump, and many of them were taking seats for the first time this January. They came dressed in white in tribute to the women’s suffrage movement. As he got into his script, with more swagger and jabs in the words, Trump played to the Republicans who rallied to their cues. They backed him in his biggest swing of the night, when he attacked “ridiculous partisan investigations” as disruptive to the “economic miracle” taking place in the nation. When they offered an impromptu opportunity by chanting “USA, USA”, Trump seized it. “That sounds so good”, he told them. Buoyed, he gave a finger jab at the Democrats as he claimed the achievement of making the US a “net exporter of energy”. But the cameras were often on the 131 women sworn into the 116th Congress. Like the woman behind Trump, they monitored the chief executive rather than deferred to him. They stood in their own tribute to “greatness” but remained in their seats during Trump’s more frequent invocations of division and confrontation, including over his wall with Mexico. And then they seized the evening Trump, with his chequered personal and political record over women, again reached for self-congratulation: “No one has benefited more from our thriving economy than women, who have filled 58 per cent of the new jobs created in the last year.” The 131 women leapt to their feet. They whooped, danced, and high-fived each other. They celebrated. Appearing surprised and unsettled, Trump exclaimed: “You were not supposed to do that.” He tried to regain attention to himself: “All Americans can be proud that we have more women in the workforce than ever before.” The dancing surged. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York gave a hip shake. Trump tried one more time: “We also have more women serving in Congress than ever before.” Every eye on them rather than the president, the women hugged each other, waved, and danced some more. Facing the wave, the Republicans pushed it with the chant, “USA, USA, USA”. But rather than giving way, the women took up the chant. Rather than letting the Republicans claim to represent the nation with their mantra, they shouted it, too – they danced to it. Trump continued through his script. He announced another summit with North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, in Vietnam at the end of this month. He introduced a ten-year-old girl who defeated brain cancer. He spoke about “babies ripped from their mother’s womb, moments from birth”. But his State of the Union was done for the night. And his rule of the state might be done for good. Behind him was a new political reality: one woman with her own control. In front of him, the many others not just blocking his path – likely to be a troubled one in 2019 – but forging their own. (Scott Lucas is Professor of International Politics, University of Birmingham) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

State of the Union: The women in white stole Trump’s night

God "wanted" Donald Trump to become President, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders has said, in surprising remarks, and claimed that he had done a "tremendous job" in supporting "a lot of the things that people of faith really care about".

"I think God calls all of us to fill different roles at different times and I think that he wanted Donald Trump to become President," Sanders, the White House Press Secretary told the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), on Wednesday."That's why he's there and I think he has done a tremendous job in supporting a lot of the things that people of faith really care about," she added.

Sanders took on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in the interview and blasted the Democrats for supporting late-term abortion.

"Honestly, it's very hard at this point to even take a lecture from Democrats on what is moral and what isn't," she said in an apparent reference to Pelosi labelling the construction of a wall on the US-Mexico border as an "immorality".

The Press Secretary continued: "People who are willing to allow legislation to pass supporting late-term abortion. The idea that they would take out "So help me God," in the platform that House Democrats have raised this week. But the idea that protecting the people of your country, which is the fundamental duty of being President of the United States would in some way be immoral is a ridiculous charge and something that I think probably, I would think Speaker Pelosi may even regret making that comment because she's seen how ridiculous that sounds and how the evidence is so contrary to that comment."

The impasse between the US Congress and Trump over 5 billion US dollars in funding for the construction of the barrier triggered the longest-ever partial government shutdown in the United States.&nbsp;

800,000 federal workers went without pay for the entirety of the 35-day shutdown — starting from December 22 to January 25 — due to a lack of budget allocation.

"I would argue he's the most conservative President that we've ever had," Sanders also stated."

You look at the judicial nominations alone I think that will be one of the greatest legacies that the president has after his eight years in office is how he has completely remade the judiciary and started to stop this activist court that we've started to see over the last 8 years.&nbsp;

There's a reason evangelicals are sticking with the President, and that's because he's delivered on all the things he said he would do," the Press Secretary remarked.

Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court by Trump had sparked major outrage all across the nation, after professor and psychologist, Dr Christine Blassey Ford came forward with allegations of sexual assault against the now Associate Justice of Supreme Court.

Trump, a Republican, came into power as the 45th US President after the 2016 Presidential elections by defeating his Democrat opponent Hillary Clinton. The next round of Presidential elections is scheduled for November 2020.&nbsp;

God "wanted" Donald Trump to become President, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders has said, in surprising remarks, and claimed that he had done a "tremendous job" in supporting "a lot of the things that people of faith really care about".

God "wanted" Donald Trump to become President, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders has said, in surprising remarks, and claimed that he had done a "tremendous job" in supporting "a lot of the things that people of faith really care about". "I think God calls all of us to fill different roles at different times and I think that he wanted Donald Trump to become President," Sanders, the White House Press Secretary told the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), on Wednesday."That's why he's there and I think he has done a tremendous job in supporting a lot of the things that people of faith really care about," she added. Sanders took on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in the interview and blasted the Democrats for supporting late-term abortion. "Honestly, it's very hard at this point to even take a lecture from Democrats on what is moral and what isn't," she said in an apparent reference to Pelosi labelling the construction of a wall on the US-Mexico border as an "immorality". The Press Secretary continued: "People who are willing to allow legislation to pass supporting late-term abortion. The idea that they would take out "So help me God," in the platform that House Democrats have raised this week. But the idea that protecting the people of your country, which is the fundamental duty of being President of the United States would in some way be immoral is a ridiculous charge and something that I think probably, I would think Speaker Pelosi may even regret making that comment because she's seen how ridiculous that sounds and how the evidence is so contrary to that comment." The impasse between the US Congress and Trump over 5 billion US dollars in funding for the construction of the barrier triggered the longest-ever partial government shutdown in the United States. 800,000 federal workers went without pay for the entirety of the 35-day shutdown — starting from December 22 to January 25 — due to a lack of budget allocation. "I would argue he's the most conservative President that we've ever had," Sanders also stated." You look at the judicial nominations alone I think that will be one of the greatest legacies that the president has after his eight years in office is how he has completely remade the judiciary and started to stop this activist court that we've started to see over the last 8 years. There's a reason evangelicals are sticking with the President, and that's because he's delivered on all the things he said he would do," the Press Secretary remarked. Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court by Trump had sparked major outrage all across the nation, after professor and psychologist, Dr Christine Blassey Ford came forward with allegations of sexual assault against the now Associate Justice of Supreme Court. Trump, a Republican, came into power as the 45th US President after the 2016 Presidential elections by defeating his Democrat opponent Hillary Clinton. The next round of Presidential elections is scheduled for November 2020.

God wanted Trump to be President, says Sarah Sanders

Nancy Pelosi signs bill to reopen US government

President Donald Trump said Friday he will temporarily end the longest <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/will-do-the-address-when-shutdown-is-over-trump-192426">government shutdown in US</a> history, while dropping his previous insistence on immediate funding for wall construction along the Mexican border.

The announcement in the White House Rose Garden on the bipartisan deal marked a retreat by Trump, suspending a political row that has paralyzed Washington, disrupted air travel and left more than 800,000 federal employees without pay for five weeks.

The top Democratic senator, Chuck Schumer, said he hoped Trump had "learned his lesson."

The Senate and House of Representatives both passed the deal by unanimous consent Friday, sending it to the president for his signature.

Trump's reversal came as the full weight of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/how-us-shutdown-over-border-wall-fight-might-play-out-192604">shutdown</a>, including the financial cost on struggling employees and the national economy, became ever more apparent to the administration and power brokers in Washington, and as the president appeared outfoxed by his political nemesis Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic speaker of the House.

But while the president climbed down in agreeing to reopen government without first getting $5.7 billion in border wall funds, he still threatened to renew hostilities with a new shutdown, or a state of emergency, if there is no breakthrough on his pet project in the next three weeks.

"In a short while, I will sign a bill to open our government," he said. "Over the next 21 days, I expect that both Democrats and Republicans will operate in good faith."

"If we don't get a fair deal from Congress, the government either shuts down on February 15th again, or I will use the powers afforded to me under the laws and Constitution of the United States to address this emergency," he warned.

"We really have no choice but to build a powerful wall or steel barrier."

Shutdown pain&nbsp;

Trump triggered the shutdown in December as a way of putting pressure on congressional Democrats after they refused his wall funding demand.

But Democrats, led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, didn't blink, calculating that Trump would be blamed by voters for the ensuing chaos -- and polls showed that they were correct.

Federal workers as varied as museum attendants and US Coast Guard sailors were left without salaries. Even Secret Service agents guarding the White House have been working without pay.

By Friday the impact of the shutdown was focused on airports, where enough federally employed security staff have called in sick to slow down overall operations.

Air traffic controllers were working without pay and in New Jersey's busy Newark Liberty International Airport staffing issues led to delays, raising the specter of a wider degradation of US air travel.

This raised pressure on Trump and his congressional opponents to reach a deal. However, in the end Trump appears to have made the only compromise, even at the risk of angering his right-wing voter base.

Conservative commentator Ann Coulter wasted no time in lashing out at Trump's retreat.

"Good news for George Herbert Walker Bush: As of today, he is no longer the biggest wimp ever to serve as President of the United States," she tweeted, referring to the late president, a Republican moderate.

No way out

Trump says more border walls are needed to stop what he says are crisis levels of criminals and illegal immigration. Democrats say his focus on the wall distracts from more complex immigration problems and is used to whip up his base for political gain.

On Thursday, two competing bills to end the partial shutdown failed in the Senate, underscoring the inability of Democrats and Trump's Republicans to agree on a compromise that would reopen government while committing to wall construction.

Trump has spoken for weeks about using his presidential authority to declare a border emergency and bypass Congress, allowing himself to take funds from other sources for the wall.

However, this would almost certainly be blocked in court challenges.

So while Trump had previously stated he would not "cave" in the standoff, he was left with little alternative.

At his White House announcement, Trump sought to thank the many federal workers who suffered as collateral damage in the political battle, saying they showed "extraordinary devotion in the face of this recent hardship."

But Tiffany Cruz, who works at LaGuardia Airport in New York, which was also badly hit by delays, said she had little faith in Trump.

"He's just reopening (government) at his convenience," she said. "I don't believe he cares about anything but himself."

With the shutdown ending, the question arises whether Trump will be re-invited to deliver his State of the Union address in Congress next Tuesday.

Pelosi, who outfoxed him in the five-week showdown, had insisted he not deliver his speech until government reopened. On Friday she said the schedule remained undecided.

President Donald Trump said Friday he will temporarily end the longest government shutdown in US history, while dropping his previous insistence on immediate funding for wall construction along the Mexican border.

President Donald Trump said Friday he will temporarily end the longest government shutdown in US history, while dropping his previous insistence on immediate funding for wall construction along the Mexican border. The announcement in the White House Rose Garden on the bipartisan deal marked a retreat by Trump, suspending a political row that has paralyzed Washington, disrupted air travel and left more than 800,000 federal employees without pay for five weeks. The top Democratic senator, Chuck Schumer, said he hoped Trump had "learned his lesson." The Senate and House of Representatives both passed the deal by unanimous consent Friday, sending it to the president for his signature. Trump's reversal came as the full weight of the shutdown, including the financial cost on struggling employees and the national economy, became ever more apparent to the administration and power brokers in Washington, and as the president appeared outfoxed by his political nemesis Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic speaker of the House. But while the president climbed down in agreeing to reopen government without first getting $5.7 billion in border wall funds, he still threatened to renew hostilities with a new shutdown, or a state of emergency, if there is no breakthrough on his pet project in the next three weeks. "In a short while, I will sign a bill to open our government," he said. "Over the next 21 days, I expect that both Democrats and Republicans will operate in good faith." "If we don't get a fair deal from Congress, the government either shuts down on February 15th again, or I will use the powers afforded to me under the laws and Constitution of the United States to address this emergency," he warned. "We really have no choice but to build a powerful wall or steel barrier." Shutdown pain Trump triggered the shutdown in December as a way of putting pressure on congressional Democrats after they refused his wall funding demand. But Democrats, led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, didn't blink, calculating that Trump would be blamed by voters for the ensuing chaos -- and polls showed that they were correct. Federal workers as varied as museum attendants and US Coast Guard sailors were left without salaries. Even Secret Service agents guarding the White House have been working without pay. By Friday the impact of the shutdown was focused on airports, where enough federally employed security staff have called in sick to slow down overall operations. Air traffic controllers were working without pay and in New Jersey's busy Newark Liberty International Airport staffing issues led to delays, raising the specter of a wider degradation of US air travel. This raised pressure on Trump and his congressional opponents to reach a deal. However, in the end Trump appears to have made the only compromise, even at the risk of angering his right-wing voter base. Conservative commentator Ann Coulter wasted no time in lashing out at Trump's retreat. "Good news for George Herbert Walker Bush: As of today, he is no longer the biggest wimp ever to serve as President of the United States," she tweeted, referring to the late president, a Republican moderate. No way out Trump says more border walls are needed to stop what he says are crisis levels of criminals and illegal immigration. Democrats say his focus on the wall distracts from more complex immigration problems and is used to whip up his base for political gain. On Thursday, two competing bills to end the partial shutdown failed in the Senate, underscoring the inability of Democrats and Trump's Republicans to agree on a compromise that would reopen government while committing to wall construction. Trump has spoken for weeks about using his presidential authority to declare a border emergency and bypass Congress, allowing himself to take funds from other sources for the wall. However, this would almost certainly be blocked in court challenges. So while Trump had previously stated he would not "cave" in the standoff, he was left with little alternative. At his White House announcement, Trump sought to thank the many federal workers who suffered as collateral damage in the political battle, saying they showed "extraordinary devotion in the face of this recent hardship." But Tiffany Cruz, who works at LaGuardia Airport in New York, which was also badly hit by delays, said she had little faith in Trump. "He's just reopening (government) at his convenience," she said. "I don't believe he cares about anything but himself." With the shutdown ending, the question arises whether Trump will be re-invited to deliver his State of the Union address in Congress next Tuesday. Pelosi, who outfoxed him in the five-week showdown, had insisted he not deliver his speech until government reopened. On Friday she said the schedule remained undecided.

Trump climbs down in wall row, Congress passes bill ending shutdown

US senate rejects bill to end government shutdown

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday she was ready to meet with <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/will-do-the-address-when-shutdown-is-over-trump-192426">President Donald Trump</a> any time to discuss an end to the partial government shutdown as lawmakers prepared to vote on various bills to end the standoff.

“He’s the president of the United States. We meet with him any time he wants to meet," Pelosi, the House's top Democrat told reporters at a weekly news conference.

Pelosi also said Democrats were not negotiating any counter-offers behind the scenes and that they were continuing to efforts to reopen the government after finding lapsed December 22.&nbsp;

She said, however, that there would be some border security provisions within legislation Democrats are preparing for funding the Department of Homeland Security.

Pelosi said she was optimistic that Republicans in the Senate will look favourably on a House of Representatives proposal to reopen the government until February 8.&nbsp;

The Senate was to vote on the plan later Thursday. Democrats took control of the House earlier this month following their November election gains.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday she was ready to meet with President Donald Trump any time to discuss an end to the partial government shutdown as lawmakers prepared to vote on various bills to end the standoff.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday she was ready to meet with President Donald Trump any time to discuss an end to the partial government shutdown as lawmakers prepared to vote on various bills to end the standoff. “He’s the president of the United States. We meet with him any time he wants to meet," Pelosi, the House's top Democrat told reporters at a weekly news conference. Pelosi also said Democrats were not negotiating any counter-offers behind the scenes and that they were continuing to efforts to reopen the government after finding lapsed December 22. She said, however, that there would be some border security provisions within legislation Democrats are preparing for funding the Department of Homeland Security. Pelosi said she was optimistic that Republicans in the Senate will look favourably on a House of Representatives proposal to reopen the government until February 8. The Senate was to vote on the plan later Thursday. Democrats took control of the House earlier this month following their November election gains.

Ready to meet Trump anytime over government shutdown: Nancy Pelosi

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-regional-powers-recognise-maduro-opponent-as-venezuela-leader-192345">US, regional powers say they recognise Maduro's opponent as leader of Venezuela</a>

The United States and major South American nations recognised Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim leader Wednesday while the EU called for free elections to restore democracy, leaving President Nicolas Maduro increasingly isolated.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/house-speaker-pelosi-says-trump-cannot-give-state-of-union-speech-until-he-ends-govt-shutdown-192338">Trump forced to 'cancel' State of Union speech</a>

US President Donald Trump intensified his war of words with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Wednesday after she effectively blocked him from delivering his annual address in Congress during the government shutdown, now in its 33rd day.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/piyush-goyal-may-present-budget-as-he-gets-additional-charge-of-finance-ministry-192343">Piyush Goyal likely to present Interim Budget after he gets additional charge of Finance Ministry</a>

Piyush Goyal is likely to present the interim Budget on February 1 as he was Wednesday given the additional charge of finance ministry as Arun Jaitley is in the US for medical treatment, sources said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kim-expresses-great-satisfaction-over-trump-letter-state-media-192335">North Korea's Kim says he 'believes in' Trump ahead of </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kim-expresses-great-satisfaction-over-trump-letter-state-media-192335">second</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kim-expresses-great-satisfaction-over-trump-letter-state-media-192335"> summit: State media</a>

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un spoke highly of US President Donald Trump, state media said on Thursday, and expressed satisfaction over the results of talks between officials from both countries about a second summit between Kim and Trump.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/maduro-lacks-authority-to-snap-ties-expel-diplomats-us-192341">Maduro gives American diplomats 72 hours to leave, </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/maduro-lacks-authority-to-snap-ties-expel-diplomats-us-192341">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/maduro-lacks-authority-to-snap-ties-expel-diplomats-us-192341"> says he doesn't have the authority</a>

Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro has no authority to sever relations with the United States, the State Department said Wednesday, hitting back after the leftist leader gave American diplomats 72 hours to leave the country.

US, regional powers say they recognise Maduro's opponent as leader of Venezuela The United States and major South American nations recognised Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim leader Wednesday while the EU called for free elections to restore democracy, leaving President Nicolas Maduro increasingly isolated.

US, regional powers say they recognise Maduro's opponent as leader of Venezuela The United States and major South American nations recognised Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim leader Wednesday while the EU called for free elections to restore democracy, leaving President Nicolas Maduro increasingly isolated. Trump forced to 'cancel' State of Union speech US President Donald Trump intensified his war of words with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Wednesday after she effectively blocked him from delivering his annual address in Congress during the government shutdown, now in its 33rd day. Piyush Goyal likely to present Interim Budget after he gets additional charge of Finance Ministry Piyush Goyal is likely to present the interim Budget on February 1 as he was Wednesday given the additional charge of finance ministry as Arun Jaitley is in the US for medical treatment, sources said. North Korea's Kim says he 'believes in' Trump ahead of second summit: State media North Korean leader Kim Jong Un spoke highly of US President Donald Trump, state media said on Thursday, and expressed satisfaction over the results of talks between officials from both countries about a second summit between Kim and Trump. Maduro gives American diplomats 72 hours to leave, US says he doesn't have the authority Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro has no authority to sever relations with the United States, the State Department said Wednesday, hitting back after the leftist leader gave American diplomats 72 hours to leave the country.

US President Donald Trump intensified his <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-blocks-pelosi-trip-as-tensions-mount-over-government-shutdown-191083">war of words with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi</a> Wednesday after she effectively blocked him from delivering his annual address in Congress during the government shutdown, now in its 33rd day.

The growing acrimony came on the eve of a pair of US Senate votes that appear unlikely to end the longest-ever shutdown -- and as furloughed federal workers vented their fury on Capitol Hill.

The president and his Republicans still have the better part of a week to resolve differences with Democrats and get federal operations going again, allowing his State of the Union speech to proceed.&nbsp;

But the prospects were dim, with the Senate votes -- one on Trump's plan that includes money for his border wall, the other by Democrats seeking to reopen government before negotiating border security -- bound to fail on Thursday.

Traditionally the president's annual speech, scheduled for next Tuesday, is delivered before a joint session of Congress in the ornate chamber of the House of Representatives.

In an effort to force the hand of Pelosi, who had already urged Trump to reschedule due to shutdown-related security shortcomings, the president wrote to her saying it would be "so very sad for our Country if the State of the Union were not delivered on time, on schedule, and very importantly, on location!"

Pelosi, who has become the face of Democratic opposition to Trump in Congress, pushed back, informing the president that the House would not authorize the speech in the chamber.

"Again, I look forward to welcoming you to the House on a mutually agreeable date for this address when government has been opened," said Pelosi.&nbsp;

The rejection sent Washington's establishment into uncharted territory, and all but forced Trump to retreat over his address.

"The State of the Union speech has been cancelled by Nancy Pelosi because she doesn't want to hear the truth" about border security, Trump told reporters, adding that he is considering an "alternative" for the speech.

"We'll be announcing what we'll do," he said.

'Will work for pay' 
The shutdown, which has seen some 800,000 federal employees left without pay for a month, was triggered by Trump's refusal to sign funding bills in December.&nbsp;

This was in retaliation for the Democrats' refusal to approve funds for extending walls along the US-Mexico border.

With the closure of about one quarter of federal agencies affecting millions of Americans, hundreds of government workers who have not been paid in weeks used the power of protest to publicize their plight, peacefully occupying a congressional office building for several hours.

Some held posters or paper plates with messages including "Will work for pay" and "Do your job -- so Americans can do theirs."

And with no solution in sight, they were bracing for Friday, when they expect to miss their second paycheck in a row.

Trump says he will not reopen government before his wall funding comes through. But he also pointed the finger and Pelosi and her caucus.

"It's really a shame, what's happening with the Democrats," he said. "They've become radicalized."

The votes in the Republican-controlled Senate have the potential to break the impasse, but since both need to clear a 60-vote threshold to advance in the 100-member chamber, their passage is unlikely.&nbsp;

Government shutdowns are a disruptive political ritual that have occurred in various administrations and are almost unique to the American system.&nbsp;

This one is the longest on record, and has left a broad swath of federal workers unpaid -- among them airport security officers, FBI agents, museum workers, US Coast Guard personnel, and Environmental Protection Agency personnel charged with monitoring toxic chemicals or other pollutants.

US President Donald Trump intensified his war of words with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Wednesday after she effectively blocked him from delivering his annual address in Congress during the government shutdown, now in its 33rd day.

US President Donald Trump intensified his war of words with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Wednesday after she effectively blocked him from delivering his annual address in Congress during the government shutdown, now in its 33rd day. The growing acrimony came on the eve of a pair of US Senate votes that appear unlikely to end the longest-ever shutdown -- and as furloughed federal workers vented their fury on Capitol Hill. The president and his Republicans still have the better part of a week to resolve differences with Democrats and get federal operations going again, allowing his State of the Union speech to proceed. But the prospects were dim, with the Senate votes -- one on Trump's plan that includes money for his border wall, the other by Democrats seeking to reopen government before negotiating border security -- bound to fail on Thursday. Traditionally the president's annual speech, scheduled for next Tuesday, is delivered before a joint session of Congress in the ornate chamber of the House of Representatives. In an effort to force the hand of Pelosi, who had already urged Trump to reschedule due to shutdown-related security shortcomings, the president wrote to her saying it would be "so very sad for our Country if the State of the Union were not delivered on time, on schedule, and very importantly, on location!" Pelosi, who has become the face of Democratic opposition to Trump in Congress, pushed back, informing the president that the House would not authorize the speech in the chamber. "Again, I look forward to welcoming you to the House on a mutually agreeable date for this address when government has been opened," said Pelosi. The rejection sent Washington's establishment into uncharted territory, and all but forced Trump to retreat over his address. "The State of the Union speech has been cancelled by Nancy Pelosi because she doesn't want to hear the truth" about border security, Trump told reporters, adding that he is considering an "alternative" for the speech. "We'll be announcing what we'll do," he said. 'Will work for pay' The shutdown, which has seen some 800,000 federal employees left without pay for a month, was triggered by Trump's refusal to sign funding bills in December. This was in retaliation for the Democrats' refusal to approve funds for extending walls along the US-Mexico border. With the closure of about one quarter of federal agencies affecting millions of Americans, hundreds of government workers who have not been paid in weeks used the power of protest to publicize their plight, peacefully occupying a congressional office building for several hours. Some held posters or paper plates with messages including "Will work for pay" and "Do your job -- so Americans can do theirs." And with no solution in sight, they were bracing for Friday, when they expect to miss their second paycheck in a row. Trump says he will not reopen government before his wall funding comes through. But he also pointed the finger and Pelosi and her caucus. "It's really a shame, what's happening with the Democrats," he said. "They've become radicalized." The votes in the Republican-controlled Senate have the potential to break the impasse, but since both need to clear a 60-vote threshold to advance in the 100-member chamber, their passage is unlikely. Government shutdowns are a disruptive political ritual that have occurred in various administrations and are almost unique to the American system. This one is the longest on record, and has left a broad swath of federal workers unpaid -- among them airport security officers, FBI agents, museum workers, US Coast Guard personnel, and Environmental Protection Agency personnel charged with monitoring toxic chemicals or other pollutants.

Trump forced to 'cancel' State of Union speech

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/house-speaker-pelosi-says-trump-cannot-give-state-of-union-speech-until-he-ends-govt-shutdown-192338">US President Donald Trump</a> announced late Wednesday he would give the State of the Union address when the ongoing government shutdown ends, after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi effectively blocked him from delivering the annual speech in Congress.

"As the Shutdown was going on, Nancy Pelosi asked me to give the State of the Union Address. I agreed," the president tweeted.

"She then changed her mind because of the Shutdown, suggesting a later date. This is her prerogative - I will do the Address when the Shutdown is over."

Trump also said he was not looking for an alternative venue because none "can compete with the history, tradition and importance of the House Chamber," adding he looked forward to giving a "great" address "in the near future."

Traditionally, the president's annual speech, which was previously scheduled for next Tuesday, is delivered before a joint session of Congress in the ornate chamber of the House of Representatives.

In an effort to force the hand of Pelosi, who had already urged Trump to reschedule due to shutdown-related security shortcomings, the president had written to her saying it would be "so very sad for our Country if the State of the Union were not delivered on time, on schedule, and very importantly, on location!"

But Pelosi, who has become the face of Democratic opposition to Trump in Congress, pushed back, informing the president that the House would not authorize the speech in the chamber.

The rejection sent Washington's establishment into uncharted territory, and all but forced Trump to retreat over his address.

The standoff came on the eve of a pair of US Senate votes that appeared unlikely to end the longest-ever shutdown -- and as furloughed federal workers vented their fury on Capitol Hill on the shutdown's 33rd day.

US President Donald Trump announced late Wednesday he would give the State of the Union address when the ongoing government shutdown ends, after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi effectively blocked him from delivering the annual speech in Congress.

US President Donald Trump announced late Wednesday he would give the State of the Union address when the ongoing government shutdown ends, after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi effectively blocked him from delivering the annual speech in Congress. "As the Shutdown was going on, Nancy Pelosi asked me to give the State of the Union Address. I agreed," the president tweeted. "She then changed her mind because of the Shutdown, suggesting a later date. This is her prerogative - I will do the Address when the Shutdown is over." Trump also said he was not looking for an alternative venue because none "can compete with the history, tradition and importance of the House Chamber," adding he looked forward to giving a "great" address "in the near future." Traditionally, the president's annual speech, which was previously scheduled for next Tuesday, is delivered before a joint session of Congress in the ornate chamber of the House of Representatives. In an effort to force the hand of Pelosi, who had already urged Trump to reschedule due to shutdown-related security shortcomings, the president had written to her saying it would be "so very sad for our Country if the State of the Union were not delivered on time, on schedule, and very importantly, on location!" But Pelosi, who has become the face of Democratic opposition to Trump in Congress, pushed back, informing the president that the House would not authorize the speech in the chamber. The rejection sent Washington's establishment into uncharted territory, and all but forced Trump to retreat over his address. The standoff came on the eve of a pair of US Senate votes that appeared unlikely to end the longest-ever shutdown -- and as furloughed federal workers vented their fury on Capitol Hill on the shutdown's 33rd day.

Trump backs down, says will give State of Union speech after shutdown ends

As the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-govt-shutdown-enters-2nd-month-tuesday-no-quick-end-in-sight-yet-191897"> US government shutdown entered</a> its second month, President Trump in a series of tweets defended his decision on the Mexican border wall while blaming the Democrats of "playing politics".

President <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-shutdown-could-stunt-economic-growth-new-york-federal-reserve-chief-191315">Trump has been overseeing the</a> partial shutdown of key US government departments which began on December 22nd over funding for a wall to block illegal immigration at the border with Mexico.

"Without a wall our country can never have border or national security. With a powerful wall or steel barrier, crime rates (and drugs) will go substantially down all over the US," the president said, adding,"The Dems know this but want to play political games. Must finally be done correctly."

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Without a Wall our Country can never have Border or National Security. With a powerful Wall or Steel Barrier, Crime Rates (and Drugs) will go substantially down all over the U.S. The Dems know this but want to play political games. Must finally be done correctly. No Cave!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1087693453394432001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Trump has been demanding $5.7 billion from Democrats in the House of Representatives led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi to build the Mexican border wall, however, the Democrats haven't agreed to the deal instead have agreed to just over $1 billion deal which includes several border security measures.&nbsp;

A number of departments have been hit as a result of the shutdown including the crucial homeland security, transport and the State Department.

The president has stood firm in the past month demanding the full amount from the Democrats leading to a standoff, in a tweet Trump said: "If we create a wall or barrier which prevents criminals and drugs from flowing into our Country, crime will go down by record numbers!"

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Never seen <a href="https://twitter.com/senatemajldr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@senatemajldr</a> and Republicans so united on an issue as they are on the Humanitarian Crisis &amp; Security on our Southern Border. If we create a Wall or Barrier which prevents Criminals and Drugs from flowing into our Country, Crime will go down by record numbers!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1087723755898658816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
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About 800,000 workers have been furloughed or working without pay even as several national parks, museums and some airport security checkpoints have been closed.

In a tweet on Monday, Admiral Karl Schultz said: "Our USCG members sail across the world to protect US national interests while their loved ones cope with financial challenges &amp; no pay at home."

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Today, the 418-foot <a href="https://twitter.com/USCG?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USCG</a> Cutter Bertholf departed for a multi-month deployment in support of a <a href="https://twitter.com/DeptofDefense?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DeptofDefense</a> Combatant Commander. Our <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USCG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USCG</a> members sail across the world to protect U.S. national interests while their loved ones cope w/ financial challenges &amp; no pay at home. <a href="https://t.co/GtSo1GTUnp">pic.twitter.com/GtSo1GTUnp</a>
— Admiral Karl Schultz (@ComdtUSCG) <a href="https://twitter.com/ComdtUSCG/status/1087190396663447553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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As the logjam continued, The New York Times reported that Democrats had added more than $1 billion to their previous offer of $1.3 billion for new border security, even if that is still far short of Trump's $5.7 billion figure.&nbsp;

As the US government shutdown entered its second month, President Trump in a series of tweets defended his decision on the Mexican border wall while blaming the Democrats of "playing politics".

As the US government shutdown entered its second month, President Trump in a series of tweets defended his decision on the Mexican border wall while blaming the Democrats of "playing politics". President Trump has been overseeing the partial shutdown of key US government departments which began on December 22nd over funding for a wall to block illegal immigration at the border with Mexico. "Without a wall our country can never have border or national security. With a powerful wall or steel barrier, crime rates (and drugs) will go substantially down all over the US," the president said, adding,"The Dems know this but want to play political games. Must finally be done correctly." Without a Wall our Country can never have Border or National Security. With a powerful Wall or Steel Barrier, Crime Rates (and Drugs) will go substantially down all over the U.S. The Dems know this but want to play political games. Must finally be done correctly. No Cave! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2019 × Trump has been demanding $5.7 billion from Democrats in the House of Representatives led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi to build the Mexican border wall, however, the Democrats haven't agreed to the deal instead have agreed to just over $1 billion deal which includes several border security measures. A number of departments have been hit as a result of the shutdown including the crucial homeland security, transport and the State Department. The president has stood firm in the past month demanding the full amount from the Democrats leading to a standoff, in a tweet Trump said: "If we create a wall or barrier which prevents criminals and drugs from flowing into our Country, crime will go down by record numbers!" Never seen @senatemajldr and Republicans so united on an issue as they are on the Humanitarian Crisis & Security on our Southern Border. If we create a Wall or Barrier which prevents Criminals and Drugs from flowing into our Country, Crime will go down by record numbers! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2019 × About 800,000 workers have been furloughed or working without pay even as several national parks, museums and some airport security checkpoints have been closed. In a tweet on Monday, Admiral Karl Schultz said: "Our USCG members sail across the world to protect US national interests while their loved ones cope with financial challenges & no pay at home." Today, the 418-foot @USCG Cutter Bertholf departed for a multi-month deployment in support of a @DeptofDefense Combatant Commander. Our #USCG members sail across the world to protect U.S. national interests while their loved ones cope w/ financial challenges & no pay at home. pic.twitter.com/GtSo1GTUnp — Admiral Karl Schultz (@ComdtUSCG) January 21, 2019 × As the logjam continued, The New York Times reported that Democrats had added more than $1 billion to their previous offer of $1.3 billion for new border security, even if that is still far short of Trump's $5.7 billion figure.

Without a wall our country can never have national security, says Trump as government shutdown enters second month

United States President Donald Trump early on Sunday again took on House Democrat Speaker Nancy Pelosi, stating that he is still pondering over Pelosi's request to postpone addressing the State of Union amid the ongoing partial shutdown in the Federal government, which has lasted 30 days and is still counting.

"Nancy, I am still thinking about the State of the Union speech. There are so many options- including doing it as per your written offer (made during the Shutdown, security is no problem), and my written acceptance. While a contract is a contract, I`ll get back to you soon!" Trump tweeted.

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Nancy, I am still thinking about the State of the Union speech, there are so many options - including doing it as per your written offer (made during the Shutdown, security is no problem), and my written acceptance. While a contract is a contract, I’ll get back to you soon!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1086984547856732161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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According to The Hill, Pelosi, last week, had pleaded President Trump to reschedule his speech that was slated to take place on January 29 and had also suggested the latter to "work together to determine another suitable date after the government has re-opened."

President Trump on Thursday cancelled Pelosi`s planned seven-day trip to Brussels, Afghanistan, and Egypt, as a "public relations event", citing the government shutdown, adding that the trip would be rescheduled once the shutdown is "over."

Trump`s response came a day after Pelosi asked him to postpone his State of the Union address to a later date after raising concerns about the security apparatus due to the shutdown.

The House Speaker had also suggested the US President deliver his comments for the State of Union in writing.

In addition, the US President also termed Pelosi as a 'Radical Democrat'&nbsp;for behaving too`irrationally and has gone so far to the left`."Nancy Pelosi has behaved so irrationally and has gone so far to the left that she has now officially become a Radical Democrat. She is so petrified of the "lefties" in her party that she has lost control...And by the way, clean up the streets in San Francisco, they are disgusting!" Trump added.&nbsp;

United States President Donald Trump early on Sunday again took on House Democrat Speaker Nancy Pelosi, stating that he is still pondering over Pelosi's request to postpone addressing the State of Union amid the ongoing partial shutdown in the Federal government, which has lasted 30 days and is still counting.

United States President Donald Trump early on Sunday again took on House Democrat Speaker Nancy Pelosi, stating that he is still pondering over Pelosi's request to postpone addressing the State of Union amid the ongoing partial shutdown in the Federal government, which has lasted 30 days and is still counting. "Nancy, I am still thinking about the State of the Union speech. There are so many options- including doing it as per your written offer (made during the Shutdown, security is no problem), and my written acceptance. While a contract is a contract, I`ll get back to you soon!" Trump tweeted. Nancy, I am still thinking about the State of the Union speech, there are so many options - including doing it as per your written offer (made during the Shutdown, security is no problem), and my written acceptance. While a contract is a contract, I’ll get back to you soon! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2019 × According to The Hill, Pelosi, last week, had pleaded President Trump to reschedule his speech that was slated to take place on January 29 and had also suggested the latter to "work together to determine another suitable date after the government has re-opened." President Trump on Thursday cancelled Pelosi`s planned seven-day trip to Brussels, Afghanistan, and Egypt, as a "public relations event", citing the government shutdown, adding that the trip would be rescheduled once the shutdown is "over." Trump`s response came a day after Pelosi asked him to postpone his State of the Union address to a later date after raising concerns about the security apparatus due to the shutdown. The House Speaker had also suggested the US President deliver his comments for the State of Union in writing. In addition, the US President also termed Pelosi as a 'Radical Democrat' for behaving too`irrationally and has gone so far to the left`."Nancy Pelosi has behaved so irrationally and has gone so far to the left that she has now officially become a Radical Democrat. She is so petrified of the "lefties" in her party that she has lost control...And by the way, clean up the streets in San Francisco, they are disgusting!" Trump added.

Trump still 'thinking' on Pelosi's proposal of postponing State of Union speech

President Donald Trump said on Sunday his proposed immigration deal to end a 30-day partial government shutdown would not lead to amnesty for "Dreamers," but appeared to signal support for amnesty as part of a broader immigration agreement.

In a morning Twitter storm, Trump also said he would not seek the removal of millions of illegal aliens living in the United States, while bashing House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her fellow Democrats for turning down his offer on Saturday.

"No, Amnesty is not a part of my offer. It is a 3-year extension of DACA. Amnesty will be used only on a much bigger deal, whether on immigration or something else," Trump said on Twitter.

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No, Amnesty is not a part of my offer. It is a 3 year extension of DACA. Amnesty will be used only on a much bigger deal, whether on immigration or something else. Likewise there will be no big push to remove the 11,000,000 plus people who are here illegally-but be careful Nancy!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1086977510225727488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"Likewise there will be no big push to remove the 11,000,000 plus people who are here illegally-but be careful Nancy!"

The Dreamers, which refers to undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children, are protected from deportation under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

DACA was put in place under former President Barack Obama. The Trump administration said in September 2017 it would rescind DACA but it remains in effect under court order.

Trump did not make clear what he was referring to regarding the 11 million people mentioned in his tweet. About 12 million people are living in the United States illegally, according to U.S. Department of Homeland Security estimates.

About one-quarter of the US&nbsp;government shut down on Dec. 22 over Trump's demand for $5.7 billion to fund a wall along the border with Mexico, which Democrats have refused to consider. Some 800,000 federal workers have been ordered to stay home or work without pay during the shutdown.

On Sunday, a day after Trump's DACA proposal, there appeared to be signs of movement, even as Democrats insisted the government should reopen before proceeding with talks over border security.

"What the president proposed yesterday - increasing border security, looking at TPS, looking at the Dreamers - I'll use that as a starting point. But you've got to start by reopening the government," US&nbsp;Senator Mark Warner said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) refers to another class of immigrants - nationals from designated countries affected by armed conflict, natural disaster, or other strife.

Warner, a Virginia Democrat, said reopening the government ahead of border security negotiations was important for preventing future shutdowns.

"If the president can arbitrarily shut down the government now, he will do it time and again," Warner said.

Warner also said Congress should approve pay for federal workers affected by the shutdown before they miss another paycheck this week.

"Let's at least pay them on Thursday, so they don't have to go through more angst," Warner said.

President Donald Trump said on Sunday his proposed immigration deal to end a 30-day partial government shutdown would not lead to amnesty for "Dreamers," but appeared to signal support for amnesty as part of a broader immigration agreement.

President Donald Trump said on Sunday his proposed immigration deal to end a 30-day partial government shutdown would not lead to amnesty for "Dreamers," but appeared to signal support for amnesty as part of a broader immigration agreement. In a morning Twitter storm, Trump also said he would not seek the removal of millions of illegal aliens living in the United States, while bashing House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her fellow Democrats for turning down his offer on Saturday. "No, Amnesty is not a part of my offer. It is a 3-year extension of DACA. Amnesty will be used only on a much bigger deal, whether on immigration or something else," Trump said on Twitter. No, Amnesty is not a part of my offer. It is a 3 year extension of DACA. Amnesty will be used only on a much bigger deal, whether on immigration or something else. Likewise there will be no big push to remove the 11,000,000 plus people who are here illegally-but be careful Nancy! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2019 × "Likewise there will be no big push to remove the 11,000,000 plus people who are here illegally-but be careful Nancy!" The Dreamers, which refers to undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children, are protected from deportation under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. DACA was put in place under former President Barack Obama. The Trump administration said in September 2017 it would rescind DACA but it remains in effect under court order. Trump did not make clear what he was referring to regarding the 11 million people mentioned in his tweet. About 12 million people are living in the United States illegally, according to U.S. Department of Homeland Security estimates. About one-quarter of the US government shut down on Dec. 22 over Trump's demand for $5.7 billion to fund a wall along the border with Mexico, which Democrats have refused to consider. Some 800,000 federal workers have been ordered to stay home or work without pay during the shutdown. On Sunday, a day after Trump's DACA proposal, there appeared to be signs of movement, even as Democrats insisted the government should reopen before proceeding with talks over border security. "What the president proposed yesterday - increasing border security, looking at TPS, looking at the Dreamers - I'll use that as a starting point. But you've got to start by reopening the government," US Senator Mark Warner said on NBC's "Meet the Press." Temporary Protected Status (TPS) refers to another class of immigrants - nationals from designated countries affected by armed conflict, natural disaster, or other strife. Warner, a Virginia Democrat, said reopening the government ahead of border security negotiations was important for preventing future shutdowns. "If the president can arbitrarily shut down the government now, he will do it time and again," Warner said. Warner also said Congress should approve pay for federal workers affected by the shutdown before they miss another paycheck this week. "Let's at least pay them on Thursday, so they don't have to go through more angst," Warner said.

Trump says no amnesty for 'Dreamers,' signals support in broader deal

Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has claimed that she had to cancel her trip to war-torn Afghanistan as the White House had "leaked" her plans to fly commercially and caused a security risk.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump had Friday denied Pelosi's "excursion" to Brussels and war-torn Afghanistan, a tit-for-tat retaliation for her suggesting him to reschedule his annual State of the Union address slated for January 29. The speaker had made the suggestion citing security concerns triggered by a nearly four-week federal government shutdown.

The developments have only deepened the divide between the Trump-led Republican party and Pelosi-led Democrats which are already at loggerhead over the US-Mexico border issue that led to the shutdown.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Speaker Pelosi accused Trump of endangering the lives of Americans by revealing to the world about her trip to Afghanistan.

She told reporters Friday that "any time anyone with a bright light, of the presence of a high-level, or any level of Congressional Delegation in a region, you've heightened the danger. And this was a high power."

Recounting the sequence of events, Pelosi said around 2 pm on Thursday she and other members of a Congressional delegation were in a bus to Andrews Joint Air Base for the military plane headed to Afghanistan.

"Our Members who were on the bus - I was ready to join them for a 2:15 wheels up from here to Andrews Air Force Base to visit our troops, pay our respects; to thank them for their service, their sacrifice and their dedication; to get a measure of the leadership of Afghanistan, strength of their military, the morale of their people, she said.

The speaker said that "it's about governance, it's about security, it's about the civilian affairs in the country as we make our oversight decisions about our policy, the engagement that we have in Afghanistan."

She said the members were on the bus and she was about to join them when the president "cancelled the trip. "It was kind of a funny letter - saying seven days, going to Egypt - somebody didn't tell him it was a quick weekend trip, but nonetheless, that served his purpose,"&nbsp;Pelosi said.

"Forgetting him for a moment, not only that, but we had the prerogative to travel commercially and we made plans to do that until the administration leaked we were travelling commercially and that endangers us," she said.&nbsp;

Pelosi said they were not going to go, claiming that they had a report from Afghanistan that the president outing their trip had made the scene on the ground much more dangerous.

However, Trump alleged that Pelosi and the delegation were headed on an excursion trip.&nbsp;

"Why would Nancy Pelosi leave the country with other Democrats on a seven-day excursion when 800,000 great people are not getting paid. Also, could somebody please explain to Nancy and her "big donors"&nbsp;in wine country that people working on farms (grapes) will have easy access in!"&nbsp;Trump charged. 
The White House denied Pelosi's allegations, with a senior administration official saying that. When the speaker and about 20 others from Capitol Hill decide to book their "own commercial flights to Afghanistan, the world is going to find out".&nbsp;

The idea we would leak anything that would put the safety and security of any American at risk is a flat out lie," the official said.

Speaker Pelosi said one never gives advance notice of going into a battle area."You just never do. Perhaps the President's inexperience, didn't have him understand that protocol. The people around him, though, should have known that. That's very dangerous,"&nbsp;she alleged.

The president's statement has made it "dangerous for our travel". The fact that they would leak that we were flying commercial is a danger not only to us but to other people flying commercially, Pelosi, who is third in line to the presidency, said.&nbsp;

"We'll go again. We'll go another time. This would have been my ninth trip,"&nbsp;she said.

Earlier, her spokesman Drew Hammill said in a statement that "in the middle of the night, the State Department's Diplomatic Security Service provided an updated threat assessment detailing that the President announcing this sensitive travel had significantly increased the danger to the delegation and to the troops, security, and other officials supporting the trip.

He said the visit's purpose was to express appreciation to US troops and obtain "critical" briefings from them. The trip did not have Egypt as a stop.

Congresswoman Susan Davis, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, said for a president to cancel and leak the details of a speaker's trip to a war zone is beyond reckless.

"The importance of confidentiality until members and those accompanying safely returned from their mission is paramount. Not only did he and his staff endanger the Speaker and other members on the trip, but he also endangered our troops, security personnel, and the other travellers on our flights,"&nbsp;Davis said.

Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has claimed that she had to cancel her trip to war-torn Afghanistan as the White House had "leaked" her plans to fly commercially and caused a security risk.

Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has claimed that she had to cancel her trip to war-torn Afghanistan as the White House had "leaked" her plans to fly commercially and caused a security risk. US President Donald Trump had Friday denied Pelosi's "excursion" to Brussels and war-torn Afghanistan, a tit-for-tat retaliation for her suggesting him to reschedule his annual State of the Union address slated for January 29. The speaker had made the suggestion citing security concerns triggered by a nearly four-week federal government shutdown. The developments have only deepened the divide between the Trump-led Republican party and Pelosi-led Democrats which are already at loggerhead over the US-Mexico border issue that led to the shutdown. Speaker Pelosi accused Trump of endangering the lives of Americans by revealing to the world about her trip to Afghanistan. She told reporters Friday that "any time anyone with a bright light, of the presence of a high-level, or any level of Congressional Delegation in a region, you've heightened the danger. And this was a high power." Recounting the sequence of events, Pelosi said around 2 pm on Thursday she and other members of a Congressional delegation were in a bus to Andrews Joint Air Base for the military plane headed to Afghanistan. "Our Members who were on the bus - I was ready to join them for a 2:15 wheels up from here to Andrews Air Force Base to visit our troops, pay our respects; to thank them for their service, their sacrifice and their dedication; to get a measure of the leadership of Afghanistan, strength of their military, the morale of their people, she said. The speaker said that "it's about governance, it's about security, it's about the civilian affairs in the country as we make our oversight decisions about our policy, the engagement that we have in Afghanistan." She said the members were on the bus and she was about to join them when the president "cancelled the trip. "It was kind of a funny letter - saying seven days, going to Egypt - somebody didn't tell him it was a quick weekend trip, but nonetheless, that served his purpose," Pelosi said. "Forgetting him for a moment, not only that, but we had the prerogative to travel commercially and we made plans to do that until the administration leaked we were travelling commercially and that endangers us," she said. Pelosi said they were not going to go, claiming that they had a report from Afghanistan that the president outing their trip had made the scene on the ground much more dangerous. However, Trump alleged that Pelosi and the delegation were headed on an excursion trip. "Why would Nancy Pelosi leave the country with other Democrats on a seven-day excursion when 800,000 great people are not getting paid. Also, could somebody please explain to Nancy and her "big donors" in wine country that people working on farms (grapes) will have easy access in!" Trump charged. The White House denied Pelosi's allegations, with a senior administration official saying that. When the speaker and about 20 others from Capitol Hill decide to book their "own commercial flights to Afghanistan, the world is going to find out". The idea we would leak anything that would put the safety and security of any American at risk is a flat out lie," the official said. Speaker Pelosi said one never gives advance notice of going into a battle area."You just never do. Perhaps the President's inexperience, didn't have him understand that protocol. The people around him, though, should have known that. That's very dangerous," she alleged. The president's statement has made it "dangerous for our travel". The fact that they would leak that we were flying commercial is a danger not only to us but to other people flying commercially, Pelosi, who is third in line to the presidency, said. "We'll go again. We'll go another time. This would have been my ninth trip," she said. Earlier, her spokesman Drew Hammill said in a statement that "in the middle of the night, the State Department's Diplomatic Security Service provided an updated threat assessment detailing that the President announcing this sensitive travel had significantly increased the danger to the delegation and to the troops, security, and other officials supporting the trip. He said the visit's purpose was to express appreciation to US troops and obtain "critical" briefings from them. The trip did not have Egypt as a stop. Congresswoman Susan Davis, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, said for a president to cancel and leak the details of a speaker's trip to a war zone is beyond reckless. "The importance of confidentiality until members and those accompanying safely returned from their mission is paramount. Not only did he and his staff endanger the Speaker and other members on the trip, but he also endangered our troops, security personnel, and the other travellers on our flights," Davis said.

Pelosi cancels Afghanistan trip, cites security risk

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