After initial hesitation, a growing number of Republicans in the US Congress including almost half the Ohio delegation in the House have openly criticised <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-has-discussed-iran-nuclear-standoff-with-macron-white-house-234187">President Donald Trump</a> over his racially charged attacks on four Democratic lawmakers.

Three Republicans from Texas, a solidly pro-Trump state, also voiced some level of concern about his comments targeting the four minority women, joining the critics from Ohio, a key battleground state for Trump as he seeks re-election in 2020.

Fear of retribution from the president, who readily inveighs on Twitter against almost anyone he perceives as an opponent, has kept most Republicans quiet in the House of Representatives and the Senate almost since Trump took power in January 2017.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-trump-criticised-for-racist-rant-236528/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

But as of late Tuesday, about three dozen of the 250 in Congress, or 14 per cent, had called him out on his statements.

Texas Representative Will Hurd, for instance, called Trump's tweets from the weekend "racist and xenophobic" and "unbecoming of the leader of the free world."

Fellow Texan Pete Olson also distanced himself, saying he is proud to represent "the most diverse Congressional district in America," and urged the president to disavow his comments.&nbsp;

Ohio Representative Mike Turner called Trump`s words "racist." Another four Ohio Republicans joined Turner in condemning the tweets.

Trump tweeted during the weekend that the four congresswomen should “go back and help fix the totally broken and crime-infested places from which they came.” All four are US citizens and three were born in the United States.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, while refraining from directly criticizing Trump, said on Tuesday that public debate should be about ideas, not personal attacks.

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy dismissed the debate and an effort by House Democrats to pass a resolution condemning the president`s remarks as "all politics."

Republicans who criticise Trump risk his enduring ire, said Alex Conant, a Republican political strategist who worked for Florida Senator Marco Rubio in the 2016 presidential primaries.

“Trump never forgets a Republican who is disloyal to him,” Conant said, adding that “Republicans are very wary of criticising Trump because they don’t want to face his retribution in the primaries.”

In 2020, Trump will ask US voters to re-elect him. All 435 House seats are also up for grabs and a third of the 100 Senate seats. Of the nearly one dozen Republican senators who criticized Trump`s remarks, only three face serious re-election challenges.&nbsp;

But Senate Republicans in swing states may find that "a little bit of independence from Trump" helps, Conant noted.

"Every member has their own calculus and certainly some of them are taking a principled position, regardless of the politics," Conant said.

"But for the vast majority of Republican members, the lesson of the last two years is don`t comment on Trump`s tweets because they have a short shelf life, but the damage you can do to yourself can be permanent."

After initial hesitation, a growing number of Republicans in the US Congress including almost half the Ohio delegation in the House have openly criticised President Donald Trump over his racially charged attacks on four Democratic lawmakers.

After initial hesitation, a growing number of Republicans in the US Congress including almost half the Ohio delegation in the House have openly criticised President Donald Trump over his racially charged attacks on four Democratic lawmakers. Three Republicans from Texas, a solidly pro-Trump state, also voiced some level of concern about his comments targeting the four minority women, joining the critics from Ohio, a key battleground state for Trump as he seeks re-election in 2020. Fear of retribution from the president, who readily inveighs on Twitter against almost anyone he perceives as an opponent, has kept most Republicans quiet in the House of Representatives and the Senate almost since Trump took power in January 2017. But as of late Tuesday, about three dozen of the 250 in Congress, or 14 per cent, had called him out on his statements. Texas Representative Will Hurd, for instance, called Trump's tweets from the weekend "racist and xenophobic" and "unbecoming of the leader of the free world." Fellow Texan Pete Olson also distanced himself, saying he is proud to represent "the most diverse Congressional district in America," and urged the president to disavow his comments. Ohio Representative Mike Turner called Trump`s words "racist." Another four Ohio Republicans joined Turner in condemning the tweets. Trump tweeted during the weekend that the four congresswomen should “go back and help fix the totally broken and crime-infested places from which they came.” All four are US citizens and three were born in the United States. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, while refraining from directly criticizing Trump, said on Tuesday that public debate should be about ideas, not personal attacks. House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy dismissed the debate and an effort by House Democrats to pass a resolution condemning the president`s remarks as "all politics." Republicans who criticise Trump risk his enduring ire, said Alex Conant, a Republican political strategist who worked for Florida Senator Marco Rubio in the 2016 presidential primaries. “Trump never forgets a Republican who is disloyal to him,” Conant said, adding that “Republicans are very wary of criticising Trump because they don’t want to face his retribution in the primaries.” In 2020, Trump will ask US voters to re-elect him. All 435 House seats are also up for grabs and a third of the 100 Senate seats. Of the nearly one dozen Republican senators who criticized Trump`s remarks, only three face serious re-election challenges. But Senate Republicans in swing states may find that "a little bit of independence from Trump" helps, Conant noted. "Every member has their own calculus and certainly some of them are taking a principled position, regardless of the politics," Conant said. "But for the vast majority of Republican members, the lesson of the last two years is don`t comment on Trump`s tweets because they have a short shelf life, but the damage you can do to yourself can be permanent."

In 'GOP base' Texas & key battleground state Ohio, Republicans criticise Trump over 'racist' tweets

'Salute to America': Trump set to showcase US military strength on July 4 Independence Day

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-and-may-reiterate-commitment-for-us-uk-trade-deal-224303">US President Donald Trump</a> on Tuesday warned fellow Republicans in Congress not to block his efforts to impose tariffs on Mexico as part of his broader immigration fight amid reports that lawmakers are considering steps to block his latest trade salvo.

Trump, speaking at a news conference in London during a state visit to the United Kingdom, said he doubted congressional Republicans would follow through with any rebuke, and that he expected tariffs on goods imported from Mexico to go forward next week.

"I don't think they will do that. I think if they do, it's foolish," he said, citing his broad support generally among members of the party.

Frustrated over the migrant crisis at the southern US border with Mexico, Trump last week said he would impose tariffs on Mexican imports starting June 10 unless Mexico halted the flows of Central American immigrants crossing Mexico to reach the United States.

Mexican officials, eager to avoid punitive tariffs and salvage a separate trade agreement between the two countries and Canada, have embarked on a diplomatic push in Washington to reach an agreement over the migrant flows.

Trump on Tuesday acknowledged the US-Mexican talks this week but said the tariffs were still likely.

On Monday, the Washington Post reported that congressional Republicans were discussing whether they may need to act to block Trump's planned tariffs, which has been criticized by the US Chamber of Commerce and industry groups who worry about increased costs for US businesses and consumers.

Republicans and Democrats are also worried about the economic impact of Trump's latest tariff threat, particularly for the US agriculture and auto sectors. Tariffs could also derail a separate trade deal to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that the Trump administration is trying to get Congress to approve.

Politico on Monday also reported Republicans were weighing whether a vote to block the tariffs was possible or whether Democrats, who control the US House of Representatives, might act first.

Republicans were more cautious in public comments on Tuesday even as some acknowledged congressional action regarding the Mexican tariffs, if they materialize, is likely.

Rob Portman, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Homeland Security panels, said lawmakers would be forced to act because Trump was imposing the tariffs using his emergency powers, "which is going to require another vote of disapproval."

"If the tariffs do go into effect on Monday ... Congress is likely to have a vote," he told CNBC.

US House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy said he thinks a solution will be worked out to avoid the tariffs.

"I hope we can get to a good place, but I think the president has to use every device at his disposal," Republican Senator Thom Tillis told Fox News.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, the chamber's No. 2 Democrat, told Reuters he would discuss the tariffs with Democratic committee chairs on Wednesday. "They ought to be focused on that and the consequences it has on our economy and American consumers," Hoyer said, adding that he hoped Republicans were interested in tackling the tariffs as well.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned fellow Republicans in Congress not to block his efforts to impose tariffs on Mexico as part of his broader immigration fight amid reports that lawmakers are considering steps to block his latest trade salvo.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned fellow Republicans in Congress not to block his efforts to impose tariffs on Mexico as part of his broader immigration fight amid reports that lawmakers are considering steps to block his latest trade salvo. Trump, speaking at a news conference in London during a state visit to the United Kingdom, said he doubted congressional Republicans would follow through with any rebuke, and that he expected tariffs on goods imported from Mexico to go forward next week. "I don't think they will do that. I think if they do, it's foolish," he said, citing his broad support generally among members of the party. Frustrated over the migrant crisis at the southern US border with Mexico, Trump last week said he would impose tariffs on Mexican imports starting June 10 unless Mexico halted the flows of Central American immigrants crossing Mexico to reach the United States. Mexican officials, eager to avoid punitive tariffs and salvage a separate trade agreement between the two countries and Canada, have embarked on a diplomatic push in Washington to reach an agreement over the migrant flows. Trump on Tuesday acknowledged the US-Mexican talks this week but said the tariffs were still likely. On Monday, the Washington Post reported that congressional Republicans were discussing whether they may need to act to block Trump's planned tariffs, which has been criticized by the US Chamber of Commerce and industry groups who worry about increased costs for US businesses and consumers. Republicans and Democrats are also worried about the economic impact of Trump's latest tariff threat, particularly for the US agriculture and auto sectors. Tariffs could also derail a separate trade deal to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that the Trump administration is trying to get Congress to approve. Politico on Monday also reported Republicans were weighing whether a vote to block the tariffs was possible or whether Democrats, who control the US House of Representatives, might act first. Republicans were more cautious in public comments on Tuesday even as some acknowledged congressional action regarding the Mexican tariffs, if they materialize, is likely. Rob Portman, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Homeland Security panels, said lawmakers would be forced to act because Trump was imposing the tariffs using his emergency powers, "which is going to require another vote of disapproval." "If the tariffs do go into effect on Monday ... Congress is likely to have a vote," he told CNBC. US House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy said he thinks a solution will be worked out to avoid the tariffs. "I hope we can get to a good place, but I think the president has to use every device at his disposal," Republican Senator Thom Tillis told Fox News. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, the chamber's No. 2 Democrat, told Reuters he would discuss the tariffs with Democratic committee chairs on Wednesday. "They ought to be focused on that and the consequences it has on our economy and American consumers," Hoyer said, adding that he hoped Republicans were interested in tackling the tariffs as well.

Trump says Republican would be 'foolish' to block Mexican tariffs

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

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

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

Trump walks out on Democrats as impeachment talk heats up

The US Senate appeared poised to pass a proposal to terminate President Donald Trump`s declaration of an emergency at the southern border, despite his threat to veto the measure and heavy lobbying of his fellow Republicans.&nbsp;

Republican Senator Mike Lee, who had been shopping a second bill that would keep the emergency declaration in effect temporarily, said on Wednesday the White House had said Trump would not support his proposal, so he would be voting on Thursday to end the emergency declaration.

"For decades, Congress has been giving far too much legislative power to the executive branch," Lee said in a statement. "I will be voting to terminate the latest emergency declaration."

The Utah lawmaker was the fifth Republican senator to say they back a measure passed by the Democratic-led House of Representatives to terminate Trump`s declaration. In the 100-seat Senate, votes from at least four Republicans are needed to pass the measure, along with all 45 Democrats and two independents.

Given Trump`s threat to veto the legislation, it is unlikely to become law.

"We`ll see whether or not I have to do the veto. And it will be, I think, all very successful, regardless of how it all works out, but it`s going to be very successful," Trump told reporters on Wednesday.

At stake are billions of dollars in funding for a wall along the US-Mexico border that Trump is demanding but Congress has refused to fully provide. The stalemate led to a 35-day partial government shutdown that ended in January.

Under the emergency declaration Trump signed on Feb. 15, he would take money from other federal programs to build the barrier he says is needed to curb illegal immigration and the flow of illicit drugs. There are also court challenges asserting Congress, not the president, decides how taxpayer money is spent.

Republicans who oppose the national emergency are worried that future Democratic presidents could usurp the power of Congress to fund the government and use the tactic to pass their own pet programs.

Lee had introduced a second measure that would end future emergency declarations after 30 days unless Congress votes to extend them. That 30-day approval window would apply after Trump`s current border declaration expires in one year, meaning it could remain in place for at least a year without congressional approval.

Vice President Mike Pence met with Republican senators this week to push Lee`s plan, saying Trump would support it. Lee said on Wednesday the White House had subsequently made clear his bill did "not have an immediate path forward" and he hoped it could be the "starting point for future work."

The US Senate appeared poised to pass a proposal to terminate President Donald Trump`s declaration of an emergency at the southern border, despite his threat to veto the measure and heavy lobbying of his fellow Republicans.

The US Senate appeared poised to pass a proposal to terminate President Donald Trump`s declaration of an emergency at the southern border, despite his threat to veto the measure and heavy lobbying of his fellow Republicans. Republican Senator Mike Lee, who had been shopping a second bill that would keep the emergency declaration in effect temporarily, said on Wednesday the White House had said Trump would not support his proposal, so he would be voting on Thursday to end the emergency declaration. "For decades, Congress has been giving far too much legislative power to the executive branch," Lee said in a statement. "I will be voting to terminate the latest emergency declaration." The Utah lawmaker was the fifth Republican senator to say they back a measure passed by the Democratic-led House of Representatives to terminate Trump`s declaration. In the 100-seat Senate, votes from at least four Republicans are needed to pass the measure, along with all 45 Democrats and two independents. Given Trump`s threat to veto the legislation, it is unlikely to become law. "We`ll see whether or not I have to do the veto. And it will be, I think, all very successful, regardless of how it all works out, but it`s going to be very successful," Trump told reporters on Wednesday. At stake are billions of dollars in funding for a wall along the US-Mexico border that Trump is demanding but Congress has refused to fully provide. The stalemate led to a 35-day partial government shutdown that ended in January. Under the emergency declaration Trump signed on Feb. 15, he would take money from other federal programs to build the barrier he says is needed to curb illegal immigration and the flow of illicit drugs. There are also court challenges asserting Congress, not the president, decides how taxpayer money is spent. Republicans who oppose the national emergency are worried that future Democratic presidents could usurp the power of Congress to fund the government and use the tactic to pass their own pet programs. Lee had introduced a second measure that would end future emergency declarations after 30 days unless Congress votes to extend them. That 30-day approval window would apply after Trump`s current border declaration expires in one year, meaning it could remain in place for at least a year without congressional approval. Vice President Mike Pence met with Republican senators this week to push Lee`s plan, saying Trump would support it. Lee said on Wednesday the White House had subsequently made clear his bill did "not have an immediate path forward" and he hoped it could be the "starting point for future work."

US Senate Republican delivers blow to Trump border emergency

Republican and Democratic members of the US Senate asked the Trump administration on Thursday to tell them more about the murder of journalist <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-media-publish-image-of-local-collaborator-in-khashoggi-killing-197487">Jamal Khashoggi</a> at a Saudi consulate last year, days after a missed deadline for a detailed report on his death prompted an angry bipartisan backlash.

Ten of the 12 Republicans from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led by Chairman Jim Risch, wrote to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo asking for more information.

"The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is committed to pursuing all information available in its oversight role and, to that end, is in the process of arranging a classified briefing for the committee," Risch said in a statement.

All 10 committee Democrats, led by senior member Bob Menendez, along with Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Pat Leahy, signed their own letter demanding that Pompeo brief Congress on why President Donald Trump's administration missed last Friday's deadline to report to Congress on whether Saudi government officials and members of the royal family, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, were behind the death of Khashoggi, a legal US resident.

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of the Saudi government, was killed at a Saudi consulate in Turkey in October. His death fuelled simmering discontent with the Saudis among many in Washington angry over the kingdom's human rights record and heavy civilian casualties in Yemen's civil war, where a Saudi-led coalition is fighting Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

Members of Congress have been introducing legislation for months to push back against Riyadh. On Wednesday, the Democratic-led US House of Representatives approved a rare war powers resolution that would end US support for the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in Yemen. A Senate vote is due within weeks.

While several Republicans had demanded more of a response from Trump last week, Risch told reporters on Tuesday: "I'm really satisfied with the way they are answering questions and giving us information."

A State Department representative, commenting on the senators' letters, said Pompeo had provided an update to Foreign Relations on Friday and would continue to consult with Congress.

After initially denying his death, Saudi Arabia has confirmed that its agents killed Khashoggi. Riyadh denies its senior leaders were behind the killing.

Republican and Democratic members of the US Senate asked the Trump administration on Thursday to tell them more about the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate last year, days after a missed deadline for a detailed report on his death prompted an angry bipartisan backlash.

Republican and Democratic members of the US Senate asked the Trump administration on Thursday to tell them more about the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate last year, days after a missed deadline for a detailed report on his death prompted an angry bipartisan backlash. Ten of the 12 Republicans from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led by Chairman Jim Risch, wrote to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo asking for more information. "The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is committed to pursuing all information available in its oversight role and, to that end, is in the process of arranging a classified briefing for the committee," Risch said in a statement. All 10 committee Democrats, led by senior member Bob Menendez, along with Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Pat Leahy, signed their own letter demanding that Pompeo brief Congress on why President Donald Trump's administration missed last Friday's deadline to report to Congress on whether Saudi government officials and members of the royal family, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, were behind the death of Khashoggi, a legal US resident. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of the Saudi government, was killed at a Saudi consulate in Turkey in October. His death fuelled simmering discontent with the Saudis among many in Washington angry over the kingdom's human rights record and heavy civilian casualties in Yemen's civil war, where a Saudi-led coalition is fighting Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Members of Congress have been introducing legislation for months to push back against Riyadh. On Wednesday, the Democratic-led US House of Representatives approved a rare war powers resolution that would end US support for the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in Yemen. A Senate vote is due within weeks. While several Republicans had demanded more of a response from Trump last week, Risch told reporters on Tuesday: "I'm really satisfied with the way they are answering questions and giving us information." A State Department representative, commenting on the senators' letters, said Pompeo had provided an update to Foreign Relations on Friday and would continue to consult with Congress. After initially denying his death, Saudi Arabia has confirmed that its agents killed Khashoggi. Riyadh denies its senior leaders were behind the killing.

US lawmakers want more information on Saudi journalist Khashoggi's death

Democrats are already furiously jockeying for position to take on President Donald Trump in 2020.

But will Trump actually be on the ballot two years from now?

With approval ratings hovering around 40 per cent — even lower, according to some polls — speculation is mounting that Trump could face a primary challenge for the Republican presidential nomination.

Trump has shouldered much of the blame for a crippling government shutdown that failed to achieve his signature campaign promise — building a border wall with Mexico.

And Special Counsel Robert Mueller has not yet delivered the final report from his investigation into whether members of Trump's 2016 campaign colluded with Russia to get him elected. &nbsp;&nbsp;

It is rare for an incumbent president seeking reelection to be challenged for the nomination by a member of his own party — but not unprecedented.

In 1976, Ronald Reagan, a former California governor, sought to wrest the Republican nomination from president Gerald Ford.

Four years later, president Jimmy Carter faced a tough but ultimately unsuccessful primary challenge from Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy.

And in 1992, then president George H.W. Bush fended off an insurgent bid for the Republican nod by right-wing commentator Pat Buchanan.

All three incumbent presidents who faced a primary challenge — Ford, Carter and Bush — went on to lose the general election.

Kasich, Hogan among names floated 
&nbsp; 
You have to go all the way back to 1884 to find the last incumbent who failed to win his party's approval — an ailing Chester Alan Arthur, who lost the Republican nomination to James Blaine.

Although no Republican has come out so far and said that he — or she — would mount a challenge to Trump, several names have been floated.

Former Ohio governor John Kasich — who sought the Republican nomination in 2016, only to lose to Trump — is seen as one potential candidate.

The 66-year-old Kasich, a moderate Republican, has not ruled out a White House bid, telling students at the University of Florida last week that "all options are on the table."

"I'm only interested in running if I can win," The Gainesville Sun quoted Kasich as saying. "I'm not interested in running to damage someone else."

Another politician being talked about is Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, who easily won re-election in November as a centrist Republican in a heavily Democratic state.

The Washington Post reported on Monday that Hogan, 62, is "consulting with aides and national GOP critics of Trump about whether to pursue a White House bid."

The newspaper said that Hogan, who has been an outspoken critic of the president, could appeal to "Republican dissenters who are seeking a less-polarizing alternative to President Trump."

Hogan has apparently not made his mind up yet and the Post quoted people close to him as saying he is unlikely to run "unless Trump is severely weakened or decides not to seek a second term."

'We have a great record to run on'&nbsp;

Other Republicans who have been mentioned as potential primary challengers to Trump include retired Arizona senator Jeff Flake, 56, a vocal opponent of the president, and Utah Senator Mitt Romney, 71, who lost the 2012 presidential election to Barack Obama.

For the moment, Trump's approval ratings among Republicans remain relatively high — around 80 per cent.

Political analysts said those numbers will probably have to decline for any challenger to have a realistic chance of booting Trump from the 2020 ballot.

"At that point, even a loyal Republican — candidate or voter — might come to believe that the only thing that would save the party is to have someone else lead the ticket," wrote Paul Waldman of the Washington Post.

Amid the growing speculation, Mercedes Schlapp, the White House Director of Strategic Communications, was asked on Monday about the possibility of Trump facing a primary challenge.

"The president is ready for any candidate," Schlapp said. "We have a great record to run on. We have a great story to tell." 
&nbsp;

Democrats are already furiously jockeying for position to take on President Donald Trump in 2020. But will Trump actually be on the ballot two years from now? With approval ratings hovering around 40 per cent — even lower, according to some polls — speculation is mounting that Trump could face a primary challenge for the Republican presidential nomination.

Democrats are already furiously jockeying for position to take on President Donald Trump in 2020. But will Trump actually be on the ballot two years from now? With approval ratings hovering around 40 per cent — even lower, according to some polls — speculation is mounting that Trump could face a primary challenge for the Republican presidential nomination. Trump has shouldered much of the blame for a crippling government shutdown that failed to achieve his signature campaign promise — building a border wall with Mexico. And Special Counsel Robert Mueller has not yet delivered the final report from his investigation into whether members of Trump's 2016 campaign colluded with Russia to get him elected. It is rare for an incumbent president seeking reelection to be challenged for the nomination by a member of his own party — but not unprecedented. In 1976, Ronald Reagan, a former California governor, sought to wrest the Republican nomination from president Gerald Ford. Four years later, president Jimmy Carter faced a tough but ultimately unsuccessful primary challenge from Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy. And in 1992, then president George H.W. Bush fended off an insurgent bid for the Republican nod by right-wing commentator Pat Buchanan. All three incumbent presidents who faced a primary challenge — Ford, Carter and Bush — went on to lose the general election. Kasich, Hogan among names floated You have to go all the way back to 1884 to find the last incumbent who failed to win his party's approval — an ailing Chester Alan Arthur, who lost the Republican nomination to James Blaine. Although no Republican has come out so far and said that he — or she — would mount a challenge to Trump, several names have been floated. Former Ohio governor John Kasich — who sought the Republican nomination in 2016, only to lose to Trump — is seen as one potential candidate. The 66-year-old Kasich, a moderate Republican, has not ruled out a White House bid, telling students at the University of Florida last week that "all options are on the table." "I'm only interested in running if I can win," The Gainesville Sun quoted Kasich as saying. "I'm not interested in running to damage someone else." Another politician being talked about is Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, who easily won re-election in November as a centrist Republican in a heavily Democratic state. The Washington Post reported on Monday that Hogan, 62, is "consulting with aides and national GOP critics of Trump about whether to pursue a White House bid." The newspaper said that Hogan, who has been an outspoken critic of the president, could appeal to "Republican dissenters who are seeking a less-polarizing alternative to President Trump." Hogan has apparently not made his mind up yet and the Post quoted people close to him as saying he is unlikely to run "unless Trump is severely weakened or decides not to seek a second term." 'We have a great record to run on' Other Republicans who have been mentioned as potential primary challengers to Trump include retired Arizona senator Jeff Flake, 56, a vocal opponent of the president, and Utah Senator Mitt Romney, 71, who lost the 2012 presidential election to Barack Obama. For the moment, Trump's approval ratings among Republicans remain relatively high — around 80 per cent. Political analysts said those numbers will probably have to decline for any challenger to have a realistic chance of booting Trump from the 2020 ballot. "At that point, even a loyal Republican — candidate or voter — might come to believe that the only thing that would save the party is to have someone else lead the ticket," wrote Paul Waldman of the Washington Post. Amid the growing speculation, Mercedes Schlapp, the White House Director of Strategic Communications, was asked on Monday about the possibility of Trump facing a primary challenge. "The president is ready for any candidate," Schlapp said. "We have a great record to run on. We have a great story to tell."

Will Donald Trump even fight the US presidential elections in 2020?

Veteran Republican consultant <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/roger-stone-indictment-has-nothing-to-do-with-trump-white-house-192791">Roger Stone</a> was arrested in a predawn Florida raid Friday, becoming the sixth campaign associate of President Donald Trump indicted in the investigation into possible collusion with Russia in the 2016 election.

Stone, a renowned political dirty trickster who has consulted with <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-campaign-may-also-have-colluded-with-wikileaks-mueller-probe-180140">Trump for four decades</a>, was charged with lying to Congress and obstruction in relation to his contacts with WikiLeaks, whose publication of embarrassing Russian-hacked communications from Democrat Hillary Clinton's campaign in 2016 gave a boost to Trump.

Stone was also charged with witness tampering after he allegedly tried to persuade an associate to also lie to Congress to protect him.

The White House stiffly defended Trump, saying the Stone indictment brought by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who leads the investigation into possible election collusion with Russia in 2016, has no connection to Trump.

"This has nothing to do with the president and certainly nothing to do with the White House," spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told CNN.

Trump's lawyer Jay Sekulow added in a statement that the indictment did not allege Russian collusion by Stone or anyone else.

'Politically motivated'

The dapper 66-year-old was freed on $250,000 bail by a Ft. Lauderdale court where, true to form, his appearance took the form of the political theater he has long been proud of.

Hundreds of reporters thronged him while scores of protesters chanted "lock him up" as he declared his innocence and loyalty to Trump.

"I am falsely accused," he said. "I will plead not guilty to these charges. I will defeat them in court. I believe this is a politically-motivated investigation."&nbsp;

He castigated the heavily-armed 29-man SWAT team that arrested him in the dark at his home, charging that "they terrorized my wife, my dogs."&nbsp;

"The FBI agents were extraordinarily courteous," he added, quipping: "The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about."

Contacts with WikiLeaks

Stone, who launched his career as a campaign aide to Richard Nixon and has a tattoo on his back of the first US president to resign from office, has spent decades advising various US political campaigns.

His association with Trump dates back to 1979, and he was one of the first to enlist when the billionaire real estate magnate launched his run for the presidency in 2015.

Stone left the campaign months later but the indictment filed Friday shows he remained in active communication, providing support and information.

The charges arose from Stone's alleged lies in testimony to the House Intelligence Committee in 2017 involving his communications during the campaign with Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, which published material stolen by Russian hackers from the Clinton campaign.

The indictment said that Stone discussed his communications with Assange with "senior officials " of the campaign who wanted him to obtain information about what WikiLeaks had on Clinton and when it would release it.

Tantalizingly, it says that after WikiLeaks' July 22, 2016 release of stolen Democratic emails, "a senior Trump Campaign official was directed to contact Stone about any additional releases and what other damaging information" WikiLeaks might have on Clinton.

Adam Schiff, who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, said that was a key revelation.

"Our committee will be eager to learn just who directed a senior campaign official to contact Stone about additional damaging information held by WikiLeaks, one of the publishing arms of Russian government hackers," Schiff said.

Six Trump associates charged

Stone's arrest brought to 34 the number of individuals indicted in Mueller's sprawling probe into Russian meddling and possible collusion in the 206 election.

Besides Stone, five others were close to Trump and the campaign: &nbsp;chair Paul Manafort, deputy chair Rick Gates, national security advisor Michael Flynn, Trump's personal lawyer Michael Cohen, and foreign policy advisor George Papadopoulos.

But none has been charged with anything close to conspiracy to collude with Russia, and while the White House remains under pressure from Mueller's team, it is not known what might have on the president himself.

Stone's indictment was long expected, but he has repeatedly echoed Trump's argument that the investigation is a politicized "witch hunt."&nbsp;

"The charges relate in no way to Russian collusion or WikiLeaks collaboration," he said Friday.&nbsp;

He defended Trump as well, calling him a great leader.

"I am one of his oldest friends. I am a fervid supporter of the president," he declared.

"I will not testify against the president, because I would have to bear false witness against him," he added. 
&nbsp;

Veteran Republican consultant Roger Stone was arrested in a predawn Florida raid Friday, becoming the sixth campaign associate of President Donald Trump indicted in the investigation into possible collusion with Russia in the 2016 election.

Veteran Republican consultant Roger Stone was arrested in a predawn Florida raid Friday, becoming the sixth campaign associate of President Donald Trump indicted in the investigation into possible collusion with Russia in the 2016 election. Stone, a renowned political dirty trickster who has consulted with Trump for four decades, was charged with lying to Congress and obstruction in relation to his contacts with WikiLeaks, whose publication of embarrassing Russian-hacked communications from Democrat Hillary Clinton's campaign in 2016 gave a boost to Trump. Stone was also charged with witness tampering after he allegedly tried to persuade an associate to also lie to Congress to protect him. The White House stiffly defended Trump, saying the Stone indictment brought by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who leads the investigation into possible election collusion with Russia in 2016, has no connection to Trump. "This has nothing to do with the president and certainly nothing to do with the White House," spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told CNN. Trump's lawyer Jay Sekulow added in a statement that the indictment did not allege Russian collusion by Stone or anyone else. 'Politically motivated' The dapper 66-year-old was freed on $250,000 bail by a Ft. Lauderdale court where, true to form, his appearance took the form of the political theater he has long been proud of. Hundreds of reporters thronged him while scores of protesters chanted "lock him up" as he declared his innocence and loyalty to Trump. "I am falsely accused," he said. "I will plead not guilty to these charges. I will defeat them in court. I believe this is a politically-motivated investigation." He castigated the heavily-armed 29-man SWAT team that arrested him in the dark at his home, charging that "they terrorized my wife, my dogs." "The FBI agents were extraordinarily courteous," he added, quipping: "The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about." Contacts with WikiLeaks Stone, who launched his career as a campaign aide to Richard Nixon and has a tattoo on his back of the first US president to resign from office, has spent decades advising various US political campaigns. His association with Trump dates back to 1979, and he was one of the first to enlist when the billionaire real estate magnate launched his run for the presidency in 2015. Stone left the campaign months later but the indictment filed Friday shows he remained in active communication, providing support and information. The charges arose from Stone's alleged lies in testimony to the House Intelligence Committee in 2017 involving his communications during the campaign with Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, which published material stolen by Russian hackers from the Clinton campaign. The indictment said that Stone discussed his communications with Assange with "senior officials " of the campaign who wanted him to obtain information about what WikiLeaks had on Clinton and when it would release it. Tantalizingly, it says that after WikiLeaks' July 22, 2016 release of stolen Democratic emails, "a senior Trump Campaign official was directed to contact Stone about any additional releases and what other damaging information" WikiLeaks might have on Clinton. Adam Schiff, who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, said that was a key revelation. "Our committee will be eager to learn just who directed a senior campaign official to contact Stone about additional damaging information held by WikiLeaks, one of the publishing arms of Russian government hackers," Schiff said. Six Trump associates charged Stone's arrest brought to 34 the number of individuals indicted in Mueller's sprawling probe into Russian meddling and possible collusion in the 206 election. Besides Stone, five others were close to Trump and the campaign: chair Paul Manafort, deputy chair Rick Gates, national security advisor Michael Flynn, Trump's personal lawyer Michael Cohen, and foreign policy advisor George Papadopoulos. But none has been charged with anything close to conspiracy to collude with Russia, and while the White House remains under pressure from Mueller's team, it is not known what might have on the president himself. Stone's indictment was long expected, but he has repeatedly echoed Trump's argument that the investigation is a politicized "witch hunt." "The charges relate in no way to Russian collusion or WikiLeaks collaboration," he said Friday. He defended Trump as well, calling him a great leader. "I am one of his oldest friends. I am a fervid supporter of the president," he declared. "I will not testify against the president, because I would have to bear false witness against him," he added.

Trump's former advisor Roger Stone freed on $250,000 bail by court

A senior Republican senator on Saturday urged President Donald Trump to slow down the withdrawal of US ground troops from Syria until jihadists were defeated to avoid a "nightmare" for Washington's allies.

"I would hope that President Trump would slow the withdrawal until we truly destroy ISIS," <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/republican-senator-graham-says-us-saudi-cannot-move-on-until-prince-is-dealt-with-191389">Lindsey Graham</a> told a press conference in Ankara, using an acronym for the Islamic State extremist group.

He warned any hasty pullout could lead to a "nightmare" scenario for Israel because of increasing Iranian influence in the war-torn country and for Turkey because of its national security concerns.

The South Carolina lawmaker was in Turkey from Friday for a two-day visit during which he met Turkish officials including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

His talks with Erdogan lasted for over two hours after which he was invited by the Turkish leader to a concert on Friday night by pianist Fazil Say.

Ankara welcomed Trump's announcement last month that the US would pull out its 2,000 military personnel from Syria but American officials and security experts have been more cautious, worried about withdrawing too early.

Graham, who as a member of the Senate Armed Services committee has frequently visited US troops in combat zones, said he believed the "goal of destroying ISIS is not yet accomplished".

Their defeat had been "accomplished territorially" but there were "thousands of ISIS fighters that lurk in Syria", Graham warned.

Four Americans, including two service personnel, were among those killed in a suicide attack this week claimed by the group in the key city of Manbij in Syria's north.

Washington has also expressed concern over Turkey's plans to launch a cross-border military operation against the US-backed Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia. Trump last weekend warned of devastating economic consequences for Turkey over any attack on Kurdish forces.

US support for the YPG has caused tension with Ankara which views the militia as a "terrorist offshoot" of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

The PKK, which has waged an insurgency inside Turkey since 1984, is blacklisted as a terrorist organisation by Ankara, the US and the European Union.

Graham previously warned that "Kurds will get slaughtered" if the US withdrew immediately.

But on Saturday, the senator said the YPG's political branch, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), "is interlinked with the PKK" as he acknowledged Turkey's concerns over the militia.

A senior Republican senator on Saturday urged President Donald Trump to slow down the withdrawal of US ground troops from Syria until jihadists were defeated to avoid a "nightmare" for Washington's allies.

A senior Republican senator on Saturday urged President Donald Trump to slow down the withdrawal of US ground troops from Syria until jihadists were defeated to avoid a "nightmare" for Washington's allies. "I would hope that President Trump would slow the withdrawal until we truly destroy ISIS," Lindsey Graham told a press conference in Ankara, using an acronym for the Islamic State extremist group. He warned any hasty pullout could lead to a "nightmare" scenario for Israel because of increasing Iranian influence in the war-torn country and for Turkey because of its national security concerns. The South Carolina lawmaker was in Turkey from Friday for a two-day visit during which he met Turkish officials including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. His talks with Erdogan lasted for over two hours after which he was invited by the Turkish leader to a concert on Friday night by pianist Fazil Say. Ankara welcomed Trump's announcement last month that the US would pull out its 2,000 military personnel from Syria but American officials and security experts have been more cautious, worried about withdrawing too early. Graham, who as a member of the Senate Armed Services committee has frequently visited US troops in combat zones, said he believed the "goal of destroying ISIS is not yet accomplished". Their defeat had been "accomplished territorially" but there were "thousands of ISIS fighters that lurk in Syria", Graham warned. Four Americans, including two service personnel, were among those killed in a suicide attack this week claimed by the group in the key city of Manbij in Syria's north. Washington has also expressed concern over Turkey's plans to launch a cross-border military operation against the US-backed Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia. Trump last weekend warned of devastating economic consequences for Turkey over any attack on Kurdish forces. US support for the YPG has caused tension with Ankara which views the militia as a "terrorist offshoot" of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The PKK, which has waged an insurgency inside Turkey since 1984, is blacklisted as a terrorist organisation by Ankara, the US and the European Union. Graham previously warned that "Kurds will get slaughtered" if the US withdrew immediately. But on Saturday, the senator said the YPG's political branch, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), "is interlinked with the PKK" as he acknowledged Turkey's concerns over the militia.

Republican senator Lindsey Graham urges slow US pullout until IS 'truly defeated'

&nbsp;In a victory for President Donald Trump, the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/world-bank-says-assumption-is-russia-sanctions-will-stay-the-same-181465">US&nbsp;Senate on Wednesday rejected</a> legislation to keep sanctions on companies linked to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, including aluminum firm Rusal.

Senators voted 57-42 to end debate on the measure, as 11 of Trump's fellow Republicans broke from party leaders to join Democrats in favour of the resolution, amid questions about Trump's relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

That result fell short of the 60 votes necessary to advance to a final passage vote in the 100-member Senate, where Republicans have a 53-47 seat majority.

A similar measure will be brought up for a vote on Thursday in the House of Representatives, where Democrats control a majority of seats. But its long-term fate was uncertain. To keep the administration from lifting the sanctions, the measure must pass both the House and Senate and muster the two-thirds majority needed in both chambers to override an expected Trump veto.

Many members of Congress have been questioning the US&nbsp;Treasury Department's decision in December to ease sanctions imposed in April on the core businesses of Deripaska - Rusal, its parent, En, and power firm EuroSibEnergo - watering down the toughest penalties imposed on Russian entities since Moscow's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

Deripaska, an influential businessman close to Putin, himself would remain subject to US&nbsp;sanctions.

The Trump administration pushed Republican lawmakers not to support the resolution introduced by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, which would have prevented the administration from lifting the sanctions.

"Forty-two Republican senators chose today to stand with Vladimir Putin," Schumer said in a statement. "I’m extremely disappointed that many of my Republican colleagues are too afraid of breaking with President Trump to stand up to a thug."

Senate aides said Treasury officials had approached senators and staff repeatedly in recent days to argue that it was appropriate to lift the sanctions because Deripaska had agreed to cut back his controlling stakes.

They said the sanctions on Deripaska would punish him, but lifting restrictions on the companies would avoid potential effects on companies in the United States, Europe and elsewhere.

Rusal is the world's largest aluminum producer outside China. The sanctions on the company spurred demand for Chinese metal. China's aluminum exports jumped to a record high in 2018.

The Russian companies, along with some European governments, also lobbied for months for the sanctions to be eased.

Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney welcomed the outcome of the Senate vote, saying he hoped it would pave the way for sanctions to be lifted that affect the Irish company Aughinish Alumina, a Rusal unit.

"We respect different views in US&nbsp;on sanctions, but our focus has always been on protecting jobs and livelihoods in Ireland and EU," he said on Twitter.

Democrats had been optimistic they would get 60 votes on Wednesday, after 11 Republicans made the unusual break from Trump policies and supported the resolution in procedural voting on Tuesday.

Backers of the resolution of disapproval said it was too soon to ease sanctions, given Russia's continuing aggression in Ukraine, the finding by U.S. intelligence that Moscow interfered in the 2016 U.S. election to boost Trump, and Russia's support for the Syrian government in that country's civil war.

The US&nbsp;military said on Wednesday that four Americans had been killed in Syria in a bomb attack claimed by Islamic State militants.

Deripaska had ties with Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign manager, documents have shown. Manafort is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to conspiracy against the United States.

The Senate's Republican majority leader, Mitch McConnell, dismissed the Democratic-led resolution as a political stunt.

In a victory for President Donald Trump, the US Senate on Wednesday rejected legislation to keep sanctions on companies linked to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, including aluminum firm Rusal.

In a victory for President Donald Trump, the US Senate on Wednesday rejected legislation to keep sanctions on companies linked to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, including aluminum firm Rusal. Senators voted 57-42 to end debate on the measure, as 11 of Trump's fellow Republicans broke from party leaders to join Democrats in favour of the resolution, amid questions about Trump's relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. That result fell short of the 60 votes necessary to advance to a final passage vote in the 100-member Senate, where Republicans have a 53-47 seat majority. A similar measure will be brought up for a vote on Thursday in the House of Representatives, where Democrats control a majority of seats. But its long-term fate was uncertain. To keep the administration from lifting the sanctions, the measure must pass both the House and Senate and muster the two-thirds majority needed in both chambers to override an expected Trump veto. Many members of Congress have been questioning the US Treasury Department's decision in December to ease sanctions imposed in April on the core businesses of Deripaska - Rusal, its parent, En, and power firm EuroSibEnergo - watering down the toughest penalties imposed on Russian entities since Moscow's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. Deripaska, an influential businessman close to Putin, himself would remain subject to US sanctions. The Trump administration pushed Republican lawmakers not to support the resolution introduced by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, which would have prevented the administration from lifting the sanctions. "Forty-two Republican senators chose today to stand with Vladimir Putin," Schumer said in a statement. "I’m extremely disappointed that many of my Republican colleagues are too afraid of breaking with President Trump to stand up to a thug." Senate aides said Treasury officials had approached senators and staff repeatedly in recent days to argue that it was appropriate to lift the sanctions because Deripaska had agreed to cut back his controlling stakes. They said the sanctions on Deripaska would punish him, but lifting restrictions on the companies would avoid potential effects on companies in the United States, Europe and elsewhere. Rusal is the world's largest aluminum producer outside China. The sanctions on the company spurred demand for Chinese metal. China's aluminum exports jumped to a record high in 2018. The Russian companies, along with some European governments, also lobbied for months for the sanctions to be eased. Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney welcomed the outcome of the Senate vote, saying he hoped it would pave the way for sanctions to be lifted that affect the Irish company Aughinish Alumina, a Rusal unit. "We respect different views in US on sanctions, but our focus has always been on protecting jobs and livelihoods in Ireland and EU," he said on Twitter. Democrats had been optimistic they would get 60 votes on Wednesday, after 11 Republicans made the unusual break from Trump policies and supported the resolution in procedural voting on Tuesday. Backers of the resolution of disapproval said it was too soon to ease sanctions, given Russia's continuing aggression in Ukraine, the finding by U.S. intelligence that Moscow interfered in the 2016 U.S. election to boost Trump, and Russia's support for the Syrian government in that country's civil war. The US military said on Wednesday that four Americans had been killed in Syria in a bomb attack claimed by Islamic State militants. Deripaska had ties with Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign manager, documents have shown. Manafort is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to conspiracy against the United States. The Senate's Republican majority leader, Mitch McConnell, dismissed the Democratic-led resolution as a political stunt.

US Senate rejects sanctions on Russia's aluminium firm Rusal, tycoon Deripaska

Texas Democrat Julian Castro, a former San Antonio mayor who went on to be the top US housing official, announced his White House bid on Saturday, the first Hispanic in what looks to be a crowded field of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/tulsi-gabbard-to-run-for-president-in-2020-will-make-formal-announcement-soon-189728">candidates vying to challenge President Donald Trump</a> in the November 2020 election.

Castro, 44, the grandson of a Mexican immigrant, served as secretary of Housing and Urban Development under former President Barack Obama and has long been viewed as a rising star in the party. He will seek to position himself as a political outsider with liberal credentials.

Castro has endorsed the "Medicare for all" proposal, which would in effect create a national health care plan by allowing anyone to join the public health care system. That policy point is likely to divide Democrats in the primary, with more moderate candidates favouring a less drastic approach.

Castro, whose grandmother was born in Mexico, has sought to use his family's personal story to criticise Trump's border policies.

More than a dozen potential Democratic candidates are exploring a possible run for president in 2020. Moderates and progressives in the party have been debating about how to best challenge Trump, the likely Republican nominee.

Some Democrats believe an establishment figure who can appeal to centrist voters is the way to win back the White House. Others contend a fresh face is needed to energize the party's increasingly left-leaning base.

Castro, who was considered on the short list to be Hillary Clinton's running mate in the 2016 election, will try to leverage his Obama administration experience while making the case he is still a political newcomer.

Castro's identical twin brother, Joaquin Castro, is a member of the US House of Representatives from Texas. Joaquin Castro's position on the House Intelligence Committee has made him a frequent public critic of the president.

Texas Democrat Julian Castro, a former San Antonio mayor who went on to be the top US housing official, announced his White House bid on Saturday, the first Hispanic in what looks to be a crowded field of candidates vying to challenge President Donald Trump in the November 2020 election.

Texas Democrat Julian Castro, a former San Antonio mayor who went on to be the top US housing official, announced his White House bid on Saturday, the first Hispanic in what looks to be a crowded field of candidates vying to challenge President Donald Trump in the November 2020 election. Castro, 44, the grandson of a Mexican immigrant, served as secretary of Housing and Urban Development under former President Barack Obama and has long been viewed as a rising star in the party. He will seek to position himself as a political outsider with liberal credentials. Castro has endorsed the "Medicare for all" proposal, which would in effect create a national health care plan by allowing anyone to join the public health care system. That policy point is likely to divide Democrats in the primary, with more moderate candidates favouring a less drastic approach. Castro, whose grandmother was born in Mexico, has sought to use his family's personal story to criticise Trump's border policies. More than a dozen potential Democratic candidates are exploring a possible run for president in 2020. Moderates and progressives in the party have been debating about how to best challenge Trump, the likely Republican nominee. Some Democrats believe an establishment figure who can appeal to centrist voters is the way to win back the White House. Others contend a fresh face is needed to energize the party's increasingly left-leaning base. Castro, who was considered on the short list to be Hillary Clinton's running mate in the 2016 election, will try to leverage his Obama administration experience while making the case he is still a political newcomer. Castro's identical twin brother, Joaquin Castro, is a member of the US House of Representatives from Texas. Joaquin Castro's position on the House Intelligence Committee has made him a frequent public critic of the president.

Democrat Julian Castro of Texas launches 2020 US presidential bid

Senior Republican senator Lindsey Graham said Sunday that President Donald Trump had promised to stay in Syria to finish the job of destroying the Islamic State group -- just days after announcing he would be withdrawing troops immediately.

"The president understands the need to finish the job," Graham told reporters outside the White House after what he described as a two-hour lunch meeting.

"He told me some things I didn't know that made me feel a lot better about where we're headed in Syria," the South Carolina lawmaker said.

"I think the president is committed to making sure when we leave Syria that ISIS is completely defeated and we are inside the 10-yard line," he said, using an alternative name for the Islamic State group.

When Trump tweeted on December 19 that "we have defeated ISIS in Syria," several military and security experts said he was overstating the case, and warned against a hasty withdrawal.

'Thinking long and hard'

Graham said Trump was "thinking long and hard about Syria and how to withdraw the forces" after ensuring that ISIS is destroyed, that US-allied Kurdish forces are protected and that "Iran doesn't become the big winner of our leaving."&nbsp;

Graham, who as a member of the Armed Services committee has frequently visited US troops in combat zones, was once a frequent critic of Trump but, reversing course, now frequently defends him and seems to have gained privileged access to the president's ear.

The senator's remarks after the White House meeting were considerably modulated from his tone earlier in the day, when he told ABC television's "This Week" that "if we leave (Syria) now, the Kurds will get slaughtered."

"I'm going to ask the president to do something that President Obama would never do: reconsider," he said.

Graham said he knew Trump was "frustrated" by his limited options in Syria.

"The president is reconsidering how we would do this," Graham said.

"I get it. We're not the policemen of the world here."

He added: "I'm going to ask him to sit down with his generals and reconsider how to do this. Slow it down. Make sure we get it right."

A Trump announcement?

Kellyanne Conway, a close Trump advisor, seemed to hint that the president might be rethinking his withdrawal plans.

"In Iraq he had a closed-door meeting and he said watch what happens... Watch what happens because he's got plans and I won't get ahead of his announcement, but he did want me to convey that," she said on "Fox News Sunday."

Trump's abrupt decision on Syria stunned regional players, US politicians of both parties and military leaders, who expressed surprise that such a major decision would be announced after apparently so little advance consultation, against the advice of his national security advisors -- and on Twitter.

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis resigned following the announcement, which came on the same day that US officials said Trump was also planning a significant drawdown in Afghanistan, with some reports suggesting as many as half of the 14,000 troops could leave.

Graham warned at the time that a reduction now of US forces in war-torn Afghanistan risked "paving the way toward a second 9/11."

Another prominent critic of the move was retired US army general Stanley McChrystal, the former commander of US and international forces in Afghanistan.

On Sunday, he told ABC that the dual drawdowns could seriously weaken US influence in the region.

"We have a tumultuous regime or region (in Syria) that now has a Russian presence which had been out for about 30 years," he said.&nbsp;

"Iran has increased influence across the region now. If you pull American influence out, you're likely to have greater instability."

Similarly, he said, Trump's planned drawdown in Afghanistan could seriously undercut American leverage there.

"Just when we were starting to sit down with the Taliban, just as we were starting to begin negotiations, he basically traded away the biggest leverage point we have," McChrystal added.

Senior Republican senator Lindsey Graham said Sunday that President Donald Trump had promised to stay in Syria to finish the job of destroying the Islamic State group -- just days after announcing he would be withdrawing troops immediately.

Senior Republican senator Lindsey Graham said Sunday that President Donald Trump had promised to stay in Syria to finish the job of destroying the Islamic State group -- just days after announcing he would be withdrawing troops immediately. "The president understands the need to finish the job," Graham told reporters outside the White House after what he described as a two-hour lunch meeting. "He told me some things I didn't know that made me feel a lot better about where we're headed in Syria," the South Carolina lawmaker said. "I think the president is committed to making sure when we leave Syria that ISIS is completely defeated and we are inside the 10-yard line," he said, using an alternative name for the Islamic State group. When Trump tweeted on December 19 that "we have defeated ISIS in Syria," several military and security experts said he was overstating the case, and warned against a hasty withdrawal. 'Thinking long and hard' Graham said Trump was "thinking long and hard about Syria and how to withdraw the forces" after ensuring that ISIS is destroyed, that US-allied Kurdish forces are protected and that "Iran doesn't become the big winner of our leaving." Graham, who as a member of the Armed Services committee has frequently visited US troops in combat zones, was once a frequent critic of Trump but, reversing course, now frequently defends him and seems to have gained privileged access to the president's ear. The senator's remarks after the White House meeting were considerably modulated from his tone earlier in the day, when he told ABC television's "This Week" that "if we leave (Syria) now, the Kurds will get slaughtered." "I'm going to ask the president to do something that President Obama would never do: reconsider," he said. Graham said he knew Trump was "frustrated" by his limited options in Syria. "The president is reconsidering how we would do this," Graham said. "I get it. We're not the policemen of the world here." He added: "I'm going to ask him to sit down with his generals and reconsider how to do this. Slow it down. Make sure we get it right." A Trump announcement? Kellyanne Conway, a close Trump advisor, seemed to hint that the president might be rethinking his withdrawal plans. "In Iraq he had a closed-door meeting and he said watch what happens... Watch what happens because he's got plans and I won't get ahead of his announcement, but he did want me to convey that," she said on "Fox News Sunday." Trump's abrupt decision on Syria stunned regional players, US politicians of both parties and military leaders, who expressed surprise that such a major decision would be announced after apparently so little advance consultation, against the advice of his national security advisors -- and on Twitter. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis resigned following the announcement, which came on the same day that US officials said Trump was also planning a significant drawdown in Afghanistan, with some reports suggesting as many as half of the 14,000 troops could leave. Graham warned at the time that a reduction now of US forces in war-torn Afghanistan risked "paving the way toward a second 9/11." Another prominent critic of the move was retired US army general Stanley McChrystal, the former commander of US and international forces in Afghanistan. On Sunday, he told ABC that the dual drawdowns could seriously weaken US influence in the region. "We have a tumultuous regime or region (in Syria) that now has a Russian presence which had been out for about 30 years," he said. "Iran has increased influence across the region now. If you pull American influence out, you're likely to have greater instability." Similarly, he said, Trump's planned drawdown in Afghanistan could seriously undercut American leverage there. "Just when we were starting to sit down with the Taliban, just as we were starting to begin negotiations, he basically traded away the biggest leverage point we have," McChrystal added.

Trump vows to 'destroy' IS before leaving Syria, says top Republican

Outraged Democrats vowed to appeal a federal judge's ruling that could undo the US health care law known as Obamacare, saying on Saturday that they will use their new power in Congress to hold Republicans responsible and "expose their lies."

US District Judge Reed O'Connor ruled late Friday that the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/federal-judge-rules-obamas-affordable-care-act-unconstitutional-184151">health insurance reform, officially known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), is unconstitutional</a>.

The White House said it expects the ruling to be appealed to the Supreme Court. For now, it said in a statement, "the law remains in place."

But Democrats, who have seen the law survive scores of legal and legislative attacks, vowed to fight back, saying the health coverage of millions of Americans is at stake.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer tweeted that Republicans had pretended to care about those protected by Obamacare "while quietly trying to remove that support in the courts. Next year, we will force votes to expose their lies."

Democrats see the law as a signature achievement of former president Barack Obama, while Republicans dismiss it as governmental overreach. Donald Trump made abolishing and replacing the program a central pledge of his presidential campaign.

In a separate Obamacare case in 2012, five of the nine Supreme Court justices upheld the law. All five remain on the court.

Still, it remains unclear how they might rule in the new case. If the decision is upheld, it could significantly disrupt the US health care system.&nbsp;

In his ruling Friday, the Texas-based judge said that the full Obamacare program was unconstitutional because Congress, in its 2017 tax overhaul, eliminated a penalty for anyone lacking health insurance who failed to sign up for the program.

The 2012 case was over whether such a penalty was legal -- but now that it is gone, O'Connor said, the whole ACA should be stricken down because that provision is "the keystone" of the program.

Trump expressed delight at the court's ruling on a complaint brought by several Republican attorneys general and two Republican governors.

"It's a great ruling for our country. We'll be able to get great health care," Trump told reporters. "It was a big, big victory by a highly respected judge."

"As I predicted all along, Obamacare has been struck down as an UNCONSTITUTIONAL disaster!" he tweeted the previous day.

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Wow, but not surprisingly, ObamaCare was just ruled UNCONSTITUTIONAL by a highly respected judge in Texas. Great news for America!
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Trump urged Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the House of Representatives speaker-designate, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, to "pass a STRONG law that provides GREAT healthcare."

'Monstrous endgame'

The court ruling came on the eve of the deadline for people to sign up for ACA coverage for 2019.&nbsp;

Angry Democrats blamed Republicans for what they see as a debacle that could leave millions of Americans without health care. &nbsp;

Republicans "know that they can't repeal the ACA in Congress. So they've continued their crusade through the courts," tweeted Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, a consumer-protection activist. "The ACA is still the law of the land."

Polls consistently show strong public support for the ACA guarantee of coverage regardless of pre-existing health conditions -- an issue Democrats used with great success in last month's midterm elections as they won control of the House of Representatives.

"#Republicans' legal crusade against the #AffordableCareAct is a political stunt, but a dangerous one that puts health coverage and vital health protections for millions of Americans at risk," Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse tweeted Saturday.

Democratic Representative Joe Kennedy said "they found one judge to agree, and now Medicaid expansion could be gone, pre-existing condition protections could be wiped out, prices skyrocket and millions lose insurance. And they call that success."

O'Connor's ruling "exposes the monstrous endgame of Republicans' all-out assault on people with pre-existing conditions and Americans' access to affordable health care," Pelosi said in a statement.

While the court's "absurd ruling will be immediately appealed, Republicans are fully responsible for this cruel decision," she said.

She vowed that when Democrats take control of the House next month, lawmakers "will move swiftly to formally intervene in the appeals process" to uphold Obamacare.

Opposing the Republican lawsuit were 17 Democratic attorneys general led by Xavier Becerra of California.

They argue that the tax law changes do not mean that the whole Affordable Care Act becomes unconstitutional.

The Texas ruling "is an assault on 133 million Americans with pre-existing conditions" and on all who rely on Obamacare coverage, Becerra said in a statement. "Our fight to save Obamacare is far from over."

Outraged Democrats vowed to appeal a federal judge's ruling that could undo the US health care law known as Obamacare, saying on Saturday that they will use their new power in Congress to hold Republicans responsible and "expose their lies.

Outraged Democrats vowed to appeal a federal judge's ruling that could undo the US health care law known as Obamacare, saying on Saturday that they will use their new power in Congress to hold Republicans responsible and "expose their lies." US District Judge Reed O'Connor ruled late Friday that the health insurance reform, officially known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), is unconstitutional. The White House said it expects the ruling to be appealed to the Supreme Court. For now, it said in a statement, "the law remains in place." But Democrats, who have seen the law survive scores of legal and legislative attacks, vowed to fight back, saying the health coverage of millions of Americans is at stake. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer tweeted that Republicans had pretended to care about those protected by Obamacare "while quietly trying to remove that support in the courts. Next year, we will force votes to expose their lies." Democrats see the law as a signature achievement of former president Barack Obama, while Republicans dismiss it as governmental overreach. Donald Trump made abolishing and replacing the program a central pledge of his presidential campaign. In a separate Obamacare case in 2012, five of the nine Supreme Court justices upheld the law. All five remain on the court. Still, it remains unclear how they might rule in the new case. If the decision is upheld, it could significantly disrupt the US health care system. In his ruling Friday, the Texas-based judge said that the full Obamacare program was unconstitutional because Congress, in its 2017 tax overhaul, eliminated a penalty for anyone lacking health insurance who failed to sign up for the program. The 2012 case was over whether such a penalty was legal -- but now that it is gone, O'Connor said, the whole ACA should be stricken down because that provision is "the keystone" of the program. Trump expressed delight at the court's ruling on a complaint brought by several Republican attorneys general and two Republican governors. "It's a great ruling for our country. We'll be able to get great health care," Trump told reporters. "It was a big, big victory by a highly respected judge." "As I predicted all along, Obamacare has been struck down as an UNCONSTITUTIONAL disaster!" he tweeted the previous day. Wow, but not surprisingly, ObamaCare was just ruled UNCONSTITUTIONAL by a highly respected judge in Texas. Great news for America! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 15, 2018 × Trump urged Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the House of Representatives speaker-designate, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, to "pass a STRONG law that provides GREAT healthcare." 'Monstrous endgame' The court ruling came on the eve of the deadline for people to sign up for ACA coverage for 2019. Angry Democrats blamed Republicans for what they see as a debacle that could leave millions of Americans without health care. Republicans "know that they can't repeal the ACA in Congress. So they've continued their crusade through the courts," tweeted Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, a consumer-protection activist. "The ACA is still the law of the land." Polls consistently show strong public support for the ACA guarantee of coverage regardless of pre-existing health conditions -- an issue Democrats used with great success in last month's midterm elections as they won control of the House of Representatives. "#Republicans' legal crusade against the #AffordableCareAct is a political stunt, but a dangerous one that puts health coverage and vital health protections for millions of Americans at risk," Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse tweeted Saturday. Democratic Representative Joe Kennedy said "they found one judge to agree, and now Medicaid expansion could be gone, pre-existing condition protections could be wiped out, prices skyrocket and millions lose insurance. And they call that success." O'Connor's ruling "exposes the monstrous endgame of Republicans' all-out assault on people with pre-existing conditions and Americans' access to affordable health care," Pelosi said in a statement. While the court's "absurd ruling will be immediately appealed, Republicans are fully responsible for this cruel decision," she said. She vowed that when Democrats take control of the House next month, lawmakers "will move swiftly to formally intervene in the appeals process" to uphold Obamacare. Opposing the Republican lawsuit were 17 Democratic attorneys general led by Xavier Becerra of California. They argue that the tax law changes do not mean that the whole Affordable Care Act becomes unconstitutional. The Texas ruling "is an assault on 133 million Americans with pre-existing conditions" and on all who rely on Obamacare coverage, Becerra said in a statement. "Our fight to save Obamacare is far from over."

Outraged Democrats vow to challenge court ruling undercutting Obamacare

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-going-to-open-up-whole-country-they-want-to-please-me-trump-183898">Donald Trump</a>'s son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner is on the short-list of potential candidates for the president's next chief of staff, US media said Thursday.

Kushner, an influential White House adviser and husband of Trump's daughter Ivanka, met with the Republican leader to discuss the job, according to the Huffington Post, which first reported the story.

"I am not aware that he is under consideration but, as I think all of us here would recognize, he would be great in any role that the president chooses to put him in," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said of the news, which was also reported by CBS.

The president has been searching in vain for a new chief of staff after announcing that John Kelly, a retired general he had reportedly fallen out with, was to leave by the end of the year.

Nick Ayres, the 36-year-old chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence, had been touted as favourite to get the job, but announced he was taking himself out of the running, dealing a blow to the president.&nbsp;

Mark Meadows, a North Carolina Republican who heads the hard-right Freedom Caucus in the House of Representatives, showed more interest -- but also ultimately withdrew his candidacy.

Kushner was a key player in negotiations with Canada and Mexico to preserve a free trade pact between the North American countries.

He has also led efforts to draft a Middle East peace plan that the Trump administration said it will unveil in early 2019.

The 37-year-old has also cultivated close ties with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is accused of playing a role in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a case that has rattled the kingdom's ties with the West.

The news is sure to set off warnings of nepotism, however, especially considering that Kushner had no prior experience in government before Trump's election.

Like his father-in-law, he left New York real estate to become one of Washington's most powerful political players.

Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner is on the short-list of potential candidates for the president's next chief of staff, US media said Thursday.

Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner is on the short-list of potential candidates for the president's next chief of staff, US media said Thursday. Kushner, an influential White House adviser and husband of Trump's daughter Ivanka, met with the Republican leader to discuss the job, according to the Huffington Post, which first reported the story. "I am not aware that he is under consideration but, as I think all of us here would recognize, he would be great in any role that the president chooses to put him in," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said of the news, which was also reported by CBS. The president has been searching in vain for a new chief of staff after announcing that John Kelly, a retired general he had reportedly fallen out with, was to leave by the end of the year. Nick Ayres, the 36-year-old chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence, had been touted as favourite to get the job, but announced he was taking himself out of the running, dealing a blow to the president. Mark Meadows, a North Carolina Republican who heads the hard-right Freedom Caucus in the House of Representatives, showed more interest -- but also ultimately withdrew his candidacy. Kushner was a key player in negotiations with Canada and Mexico to preserve a free trade pact between the North American countries. He has also led efforts to draft a Middle East peace plan that the Trump administration said it will unveil in early 2019. The 37-year-old has also cultivated close ties with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is accused of playing a role in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a case that has rattled the kingdom's ties with the West. The news is sure to set off warnings of nepotism, however, especially considering that Kushner had no prior experience in government before Trump's election. Like his father-in-law, he left New York real estate to become one of Washington's most powerful political players.

Trump's son-in-law, senior adviser Kushner possible next chief of staff: Report

Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith won a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-republican-senators-rejects-trumps-embrace-of-saudi-after-murder-of-khashoggi-179406">US Senate special election</a> runoff in conservative Mississippi on Tuesday, defeating a black challenger after a campaign that recalled the history of racist violence in the deep South state.

The white former state lawmaker, who was appointed to the Senate in April, overcame a controversy over her comment on public hangings to defeat Democrat Mike Espy in the last contest of the 2018 election cycle.

Hyde-Smith, 59, is the first woman elected to Congress from Mississippi. If Espy had won, he would have been the first black senator from Mississippi since shortly after the Civil War.

Having been heavily favoured to win the reliably Republican state, Hyde-Smith became engulfed in a political storm over a video showing her praising a supporter at a November 2 event by saying, "If he invited me to a public hanging, I'd be on the front row."

The video sparked a furore in a state with a history of racism and violence against blacks, including lynchings, and fueled Democratic hopes of an upset in a state where 38 per cent of the population is black.

But Hyde-Smith triumphed by depicting Espy as too liberal for Mississippi, which last elected a Democrat to the Senate in 1982, and by touting her support for President Donald Trump, who won the state by 18 percentage points in 2016.

Trump attended two get-out-the-vote rallies in the state on Monday and tweeted his congratulations to Hyde-Smith after the race was called, saying he was "very proud" of her.

"Mr President, thank you so much for all of your help," Hyde-Smith said in a victory speech to supporters, calling her to win a triumph of "conservative values."

"Mississippians know me and they know my heart," she said.

Her victory means Republicans will hold a 53-47 majority in the new US Senate that convenes in January. With almost all precincts tallied, Hyde-Smith led by nearly 8 percentage points.

Espy, 64, campaigned as a moderate who would work with Trump and Republicans to benefit the state. He tried to recreate the coalition that propelled Democrat Doug Jones to a Senate win in neighbouring Alabama last year by energizing black voters, particularly women, and winning support from white swing voters.

Espy said he called Hyde-Smith to concede the race and wish her well.

"She has my prayers as she goes to Washington to unite a very divided Mississippi," he told supporters.

The runoff to serve the last two years of former Republican Senator Thad Cochran's term was necessary because neither Espy nor Hyde-Smith gained more than 50 per cent of the vote in a November 6 special election with four candidates. Cochran, 80, resigned earlier this year, citing health concerns.

Several businesses, including giant retailer Walmart, had demanded Hyde-Smith return their donations after her public hanging remark.

She sparked further controversy when she was shown on another video joking about suppressing liberal student votes, and photographs surfaced of her posing with Confederate artefacts in 2014.

She initially refused to apologize for the hanging remark, but said in a debate last week that she was sorry "for anyone that was offended." She accused Espy of twisting her words for political gain.

Espy denied the charge and said, "we all know what came out of your mouth." He has said the comment perpetuated negative stereotypes about Mississippi and hurt investment.

Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith won a US Senate special election runoff in conservative Mississippi on Tuesday, defeating a black challenger after a campaign that recalled the history of racist violence in the deep South state.

Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith won a US Senate special election runoff in conservative Mississippi on Tuesday, defeating a black challenger after a campaign that recalled the history of racist violence in the deep South state. The white former state lawmaker, who was appointed to the Senate in April, overcame a controversy over her comment on public hangings to defeat Democrat Mike Espy in the last contest of the 2018 election cycle. Hyde-Smith, 59, is the first woman elected to Congress from Mississippi. If Espy had won, he would have been the first black senator from Mississippi since shortly after the Civil War. Having been heavily favoured to win the reliably Republican state, Hyde-Smith became engulfed in a political storm over a video showing her praising a supporter at a November 2 event by saying, "If he invited me to a public hanging, I'd be on the front row." The video sparked a furore in a state with a history of racism and violence against blacks, including lynchings, and fueled Democratic hopes of an upset in a state where 38 per cent of the population is black. But Hyde-Smith triumphed by depicting Espy as too liberal for Mississippi, which last elected a Democrat to the Senate in 1982, and by touting her support for President Donald Trump, who won the state by 18 percentage points in 2016. Trump attended two get-out-the-vote rallies in the state on Monday and tweeted his congratulations to Hyde-Smith after the race was called, saying he was "very proud" of her. "Mr President, thank you so much for all of your help," Hyde-Smith said in a victory speech to supporters, calling her to win a triumph of "conservative values." "Mississippians know me and they know my heart," she said. Her victory means Republicans will hold a 53-47 majority in the new US Senate that convenes in January. With almost all precincts tallied, Hyde-Smith led by nearly 8 percentage points. Espy, 64, campaigned as a moderate who would work with Trump and Republicans to benefit the state. He tried to recreate the coalition that propelled Democrat Doug Jones to a Senate win in neighbouring Alabama last year by energizing black voters, particularly women, and winning support from white swing voters. Espy said he called Hyde-Smith to concede the race and wish her well. "She has my prayers as she goes to Washington to unite a very divided Mississippi," he told supporters. The runoff to serve the last two years of former Republican Senator Thad Cochran's term was necessary because neither Espy nor Hyde-Smith gained more than 50 per cent of the vote in a November 6 special election with four candidates. Cochran, 80, resigned earlier this year, citing health concerns. Several businesses, including giant retailer Walmart, had demanded Hyde-Smith return their donations after her public hanging remark. She sparked further controversy when she was shown on another video joking about suppressing liberal student votes, and photographs surfaced of her posing with Confederate artefacts in 2014. She initially refused to apologize for the hanging remark, but said in a debate last week that she was sorry "for anyone that was offended." She accused Espy of twisting her words for political gain. Espy denied the charge and said, "we all know what came out of your mouth." He has said the comment perpetuated negative stereotypes about Mississippi and hurt investment.

Republican Hyde-Smith wins racially charged US Senate race in Mississippi

A Republican senator said Sunday that a conservative should run against US President Donald Trump for the party's presidential nomination in 2020.

Jeff Flake, a vocal critic of the president, said he did not think he would run but that someone else should.

"I have said all along that somebody needs to run on the Republican side, if nothing else, to remind Republicans what it means to be conservative, what being a conservative really means, and what it means to be decent as well," he said in an interview with CNN's "State of the Union."

Flake, who is leaving the Senate in January, warned that in his state of Arizona, a Republican bastion in the past, voters are rejecting candidates "tied at the hip with the president."

"And I think that we're seeing that elsewhere in the country as well. We're losing the suburbs," he said. "If we had a mass movement from the suburbs for people to move back to rural areas, then perhaps our Republican Party would have more of a future -- but not the way that we're going now."

Democrat Kyrsten Sinema was elected in this month's midterms to the Senate seat Flake is vacating, defeating Martha McSally, a former air force pilot who embraced Trump. &nbsp;

Trump has said he is "100 per cent" certain he will run for a second four-year term in 2020.

A Republican senator said Sunday that a conservative should run against US President Donald Trump for the party's presidential nomination in 2020. Jeff Flake, a vocal critic of the president, said he did not think he would run but that someone else should.

A Republican senator said Sunday that a conservative should run against US President Donald Trump for the party's presidential nomination in 2020. Jeff Flake, a vocal critic of the president, said he did not think he would run but that someone else should. "I have said all along that somebody needs to run on the Republican side, if nothing else, to remind Republicans what it means to be conservative, what being a conservative really means, and what it means to be decent as well," he said in an interview with CNN's "State of the Union." Flake, who is leaving the Senate in January, warned that in his state of Arizona, a Republican bastion in the past, voters are rejecting candidates "tied at the hip with the president." "And I think that we're seeing that elsewhere in the country as well. We're losing the suburbs," he said. "If we had a mass movement from the suburbs for people to move back to rural areas, then perhaps our Republican Party would have more of a future -- but not the way that we're going now." Democrat Kyrsten Sinema was elected in this month's midterms to the Senate seat Flake is vacating, defeating Martha McSally, a former air force pilot who embraced Trump. Trump has said he is "100 per cent" certain he will run for a second four-year term in 2020.

Republican urges conservatives to run against Donald Trump in 2020

Democrat Andrew Gillum announced Saturday he was conceding his hard-fought race for Florida governor to his Republican rival, Ron DeSantis, vowing to keep fighting until he wins an election.

Gillum, who was aiming to become the state's first black chief executive, had vowed to keep in the race until every single vote was counted.

The race had gone to a recount, with results due by a Sunday deadline, as has a narrow Senate race between outgoing governor Rick Scott and incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson.

"I want to congratulate @RonDeSantisFL on becoming the next Governor of the great state of Florida," tweeted Gillum.

"We are going to keep fighting. We will keep working. And in the end, I believe that we will win. I am so thankful to each and every one of you."

Florida produced some of the nation's closest results in the November 6 midterm elections, including DeSantis's apparent narrow victory over Gillum.

"I can tell you, this has been the journey of our lives," Gillum said in a video posted on Facebook alongside his wife, R Jai.

For the Senate race, unofficial results show incumbent Nelson trailing Scott by about 12,600 votes out of more than 8.2 million cast, or 0.15 percentage points.

That narrow margin triggered a hand recount of problematic ballots, such as those where a voter filled in bubbles next to the names of Nelson and Scott.

Results are scheduled to be certified Tuesday.

Trump has repeatedly charged that Florida's elections were marred by vote fraud, but state and local authorities have said there is no evidence of wrongdoing.

In the neighbouring state of Georgia, Democrat Stacey Abrams, who was aiming to become the country's first ever black female governor, conceded to Republican Brian Kemp, Georgia's secretary of state.

They only had about a single percentage point between them.

She contemplated further legal action in the race, but her legal burden would have proven extremely steep.

In her concession speech on Friday, she cited hours-long lines at polling stations, thousands of voter registrations frozen before the election, and polling sites shuttered.

Democrat Andrew Gillum announced Saturday he was conceding his hard-fought race for Florida governor to his Republican rival, Ron DeSantis, vowing to keep fighting until he wins an election.

Democrat Andrew Gillum announced Saturday he was conceding his hard-fought race for Florida governor to his Republican rival, Ron DeSantis, vowing to keep fighting until he wins an election. Gillum, who was aiming to become the state's first black chief executive, had vowed to keep in the race until every single vote was counted. The race had gone to a recount, with results due by a Sunday deadline, as has a narrow Senate race between outgoing governor Rick Scott and incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson. "I want to congratulate @RonDeSantisFL on becoming the next Governor of the great state of Florida," tweeted Gillum. "We are going to keep fighting. We will keep working. And in the end, I believe that we will win. I am so thankful to each and every one of you." Florida produced some of the nation's closest results in the November 6 midterm elections, including DeSantis's apparent narrow victory over Gillum. "I can tell you, this has been the journey of our lives," Gillum said in a video posted on Facebook alongside his wife, R Jai. For the Senate race, unofficial results show incumbent Nelson trailing Scott by about 12,600 votes out of more than 8.2 million cast, or 0.15 percentage points. That narrow margin triggered a hand recount of problematic ballots, such as those where a voter filled in bubbles next to the names of Nelson and Scott. Results are scheduled to be certified Tuesday. Trump has repeatedly charged that Florida's elections were marred by vote fraud, but state and local authorities have said there is no evidence of wrongdoing. In the neighbouring state of Georgia, Democrat Stacey Abrams, who was aiming to become the country's first ever black female governor, conceded to Republican Brian Kemp, Georgia's secretary of state. They only had about a single percentage point between them. She contemplated further legal action in the race, but her legal burden would have proven extremely steep. In her concession speech on Friday, she cited hours-long lines at polling stations, thousands of voter registrations frozen before the election, and polling sites shuttered.

Democrat concedes to Republican in Florida governor race

Republican Brian Kemp's campaign said on Wednesday he had won Georgia's high-profile governor's race, but Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams vowed not to concede until all ballots were counted.

"Simply put, it is mathematically impossible for Stacey Abrams to win or force a run-off election," Kemp spokesman Cody Hall said in a statement Wednesday evening. "Brian Kemp will now begin his transition as governor-elect of Georgia."

Abrams, 44, is trying to become the first black woman elected governor of a US state. Unofficial results from Tuesday`s election showed Kemp leading by more than 60,000 votes and just over the 50 percent threshold he needs to avoid a runoff under Georgia state law.

Abrams'&nbsp;campaign manager Lauren Groh-Wargo said there were thousands more mail, provisional and absentee ballots, however, still to be tallied.

The Democratic campaign cited an "incredible amount of irregularities" on Election Day, including rejected ballots and broken voting machines, and said it would consider all options including litigation to ensure a fair election.

The Georgia contest was among three dozen governor elections on Tuesday.&nbsp;

In some states, the races were seen as an early test of the parties` strength ahead of the 2020 presidential race. Democrats seized seven Republican-held governorships, including in several states that helped deliver Republican President Donald Trump`s surprise win in 2016, without suffering any losses.

But Republicans triumphed in Florida and Ohio, both swing states that could play an outsized role in 2020.

In Florida, Democrat Andrew Gillum lost his attempt to become the state`s first black governor, suffering a narrow defeat to Republican Ron DeSantis in a racially charged contest.

Republicans also scored a major victory in Ohio`s governor race, where Mike DeWine, the state attorney general, defeated Democrat Richard Cordray.

But in Wisconsin, Democrat Tony Evers appeared to pull off a narrow win to deny Republican incumbent Scott Walker a third term.

Democrats also won gubernatorial races in three other states - Michigan, Pennsylvania and Kansas - that supported Trump in 2016.

In Michigan, Democrat Gretchen Whitmer turned back Republican Bill Schuette, while in Kansas, Democrat Laura Kelly defeated Kris Kobach, a staunch Trump ally.

Democratic candidates also triumphed in Illinois, Maine, New Mexico and Nevada, where Republicans had held the governorships.&nbsp;

'Every vote counted'

The races in Florida and Georgia were seen as a test of whether liberal candidates could prevail in Southern states, where centrist Democrats have repeatedly lost, by appealing to a coalition of young and minority voters.

Both DeSantis and Kemp had strong support from Trump, who travelled to their states in the closing days of the campaigns to energise Republicans at "Make America Great Again" rallies. Democratic former President Barack Obama swooped in to boost the Democrats.

Kemp, 55, oversees elections in his current role as secretary of state, a potential conflict of interest that drew repeated criticism from Democrats during the campaign. He refused to step down from his position and denied Democratic accusations that he used his office to suppress minority voters.

The fight for state power received less attention than the battle for control of the U.S. Congress but could have a major impact on issues such as congressional redistricting and healthcare.

Governors and hundreds of legislators elected this year will be in office when each state redraws congressional districts after the 2020 Census.

Going into Tuesday, Republicans controlled 33 governors` mansions and two-thirds of state legislative chambers.

Democrats, playing catch-up after a net loss of 13 governorships and more than 900 state legislative seats during the eight-year Obama administration, fielded their largest slate of legislative candidates in more than three decades.

The party flipped six legislative chambers on Tuesday and now has complete control of state government in Colorado, New York, Illinois, Maine and New Mexico.

Republican Brian Kemp's campaign said on Wednesday he had won Georgia's high-profile governor's race, but Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams vowed not to concede until all ballots were counted.

Republican Brian Kemp's campaign said on Wednesday he had won Georgia's high-profile governor's race, but Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams vowed not to concede until all ballots were counted. "Simply put, it is mathematically impossible for Stacey Abrams to win or force a run-off election," Kemp spokesman Cody Hall said in a statement Wednesday evening. "Brian Kemp will now begin his transition as governor-elect of Georgia." Abrams, 44, is trying to become the first black woman elected governor of a US state. Unofficial results from Tuesday`s election showed Kemp leading by more than 60,000 votes and just over the 50 percent threshold he needs to avoid a runoff under Georgia state law. Abrams' campaign manager Lauren Groh-Wargo said there were thousands more mail, provisional and absentee ballots, however, still to be tallied. The Democratic campaign cited an "incredible amount of irregularities" on Election Day, including rejected ballots and broken voting machines, and said it would consider all options including litigation to ensure a fair election. The Georgia contest was among three dozen governor elections on Tuesday. In some states, the races were seen as an early test of the parties` strength ahead of the 2020 presidential race. Democrats seized seven Republican-held governorships, including in several states that helped deliver Republican President Donald Trump`s surprise win in 2016, without suffering any losses. But Republicans triumphed in Florida and Ohio, both swing states that could play an outsized role in 2020. In Florida, Democrat Andrew Gillum lost his attempt to become the state`s first black governor, suffering a narrow defeat to Republican Ron DeSantis in a racially charged contest. Republicans also scored a major victory in Ohio`s governor race, where Mike DeWine, the state attorney general, defeated Democrat Richard Cordray. But in Wisconsin, Democrat Tony Evers appeared to pull off a narrow win to deny Republican incumbent Scott Walker a third term. Democrats also won gubernatorial races in three other states - Michigan, Pennsylvania and Kansas - that supported Trump in 2016. In Michigan, Democrat Gretchen Whitmer turned back Republican Bill Schuette, while in Kansas, Democrat Laura Kelly defeated Kris Kobach, a staunch Trump ally. Democratic candidates also triumphed in Illinois, Maine, New Mexico and Nevada, where Republicans had held the governorships. 'Every vote counted' The races in Florida and Georgia were seen as a test of whether liberal candidates could prevail in Southern states, where centrist Democrats have repeatedly lost, by appealing to a coalition of young and minority voters. Both DeSantis and Kemp had strong support from Trump, who travelled to their states in the closing days of the campaigns to energise Republicans at "Make America Great Again" rallies. Democratic former President Barack Obama swooped in to boost the Democrats. Kemp, 55, oversees elections in his current role as secretary of state, a potential conflict of interest that drew repeated criticism from Democrats during the campaign. He refused to step down from his position and denied Democratic accusations that he used his office to suppress minority voters. The fight for state power received less attention than the battle for control of the U.S. Congress but could have a major impact on issues such as congressional redistricting and healthcare. Governors and hundreds of legislators elected this year will be in office when each state redraws congressional districts after the 2020 Census. Going into Tuesday, Republicans controlled 33 governors` mansions and two-thirds of state legislative chambers. Democrats, playing catch-up after a net loss of 13 governorships and more than 900 state legislative seats during the eight-year Obama administration, fielded their largest slate of legislative candidates in more than three decades. The party flipped six legislative chambers on Tuesday and now has complete control of state government in Colorado, New York, Illinois, Maine and New Mexico.

Republican declares Georgia governor win, Democrat does not concede

In pictures: Democrats win House, putting Trump under scrutiny

US mid-term polls: Republican Andy Barr wins in Kentucky

US voters are just few days away from casting the ballot in the mid-term elections which are often seen as a referendum on the president and his policies. The results of these elections decide how much more or less power the President will have in Washington by the end of the election day.

What is the midterm election?

President in the United States serves four-year term, the election in between is called a midterm election which is a race for the House of Representatives and the US Senate.&nbsp;

Midterm elections sometimes change the political landscape of US as there is always a lot at stake for the President. The party that may end up in control of Congress can make the President's life either a breeze or a nightmare during the last two years of his term.

Historically, the president's party almost always loses seats in both houses of Congress, the loss sometimes changes the party in control of the legislature which can have an effect on&nbsp;President Donald Trump's ability to pursue his agenda during the remaining years.

Right now Republicans hold the presidency and majority in both the houses-- House of Representatives and the Senate.

On Tuesday, all 435 seats in the House are up for grabs while 35 seats in the 100-member Senate are at stake. Americans will vote for governor in 36 states.

Republicans have a slim 51-49 hold on the Senate, whereas Democrats have a tough hill to climb with 26 Democratic seats on the ballot and only nine Republican seats.

Democrats need a gain of 23 seats to take control of the House they lost in 2010 and House minority leader Nancy Pelosi boldly predicted this week they would do so.

Now if Democrats retake either the House, they will be able to block policies they disagree with. For example, the massive Republican overhaul of the US tax system that passed late last year would not be possible, neither would any rollback of Obamacare.

Democrats would also be able to legislate their own policies. Though President has to sign off on bills for them to become law&nbsp;but&nbsp;there will be a chance that Democrats and President Trump could work together on some issues.

Winning control of the Congress will also give Democrats the power to launch an investigation into President Donald Trump and to subpoena documents and witnesses. In an extreme situation, they may also be able to impeach Trump.&nbsp;

Former White House strategist Steve Bannon has also said in one of his recent address that if Democrats come into power they will try to impeach him by using Robert Mueller report as a blueprint.

What are the key issues in this year’s election?

Birth-right citizenship: Donald Trump in an attempt to sway voters, announced recently that he would issue an executive order to end birthright citizenship for everyone born in the US in a bid to prevent babies born to undocumented immigrants from being automatically American citizens.&nbsp;

Referred as birthright citizenship in the US, it is ensured by the 14th amendment to the constitution which added after the Civil War with an intention to give constitutional protections to former slaves.

But some Republicans, including Trump, has been saying that it creates an incentive for people to enter the country illegally to have children.

Immigration: Just like it was in 2016, this time as well Immigration issue is a big driver for Republican voters.&nbsp; Recent sensationalism over caravans of migrants heading towards the Mexican-American border has also put this on a full display.

Gender Rights: Following Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation as Supreme Court Justice, despite the multiple sexual assault allegations against him,&nbsp; supporters of female rights have become increasingly worried about what the Court's new conservative majority means for their cause.&nbsp;

Healthcare: The Republican Party has been trying to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare -- since Trump took office. While they have not been able to fully accomplish this but there is a possibility that big wins in the midterms may seal the deal.

Tighter gun laws: Multiple surveys released since the Florida shootings, including one by Quinnipiac University, have found that about two-thirds of voters support tighter gun laws. From Florida to Republican-leaning Southern California, Democratic candidates are campaigning on gun control in the race critical for their takeover of Congress.

The Democrats in their campaign have also shown confidence that with growing public support for stricter gun measures, it will help them win votes in these states.

How this may affect the world politics

As the country is divided into pro-Trump and anti-Trump, the results will likely change the way how President Trump is perceived by other world leaders. The winning for Republicans would give the impression that President Trump still has a firm grip on his country, making the President and his "America First" agenda look reaffirmed on the world stage. After which Trump can work more forcefully for the changes on how the US deals with the European Union and NATO allies. He also might challenge the Chinese more forcefully on economic trade issues or territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

US voters are just few days away from casting the ballot in the mid-term elections which are often seen as a referendum on the president and his policies. The results of these elections decide how much more or less power the President will have in Washington by the end of the election day.

US voters are just few days away from casting the ballot in the mid-term elections which are often seen as a referendum on the president and his policies. The results of these elections decide how much more or less power the President will have in Washington by the end of the election day. What is the midterm election? President in the United States serves four-year term, the election in between is called a midterm election which is a race for the House of Representatives and the US Senate. Midterm elections sometimes change the political landscape of US as there is always a lot at stake for the President. The party that may end up in control of Congress can make the President's life either a breeze or a nightmare during the last two years of his term. Historically, the president's party almost always loses seats in both houses of Congress, the loss sometimes changes the party in control of the legislature which can have an effect on President Donald Trump's ability to pursue his agenda during the remaining years. Right now Republicans hold the presidency and majority in both the houses-- House of Representatives and the Senate. On Tuesday, all 435 seats in the House are up for grabs while 35 seats in the 100-member Senate are at stake. Americans will vote for governor in 36 states. Republicans have a slim 51-49 hold on the Senate, whereas Democrats have a tough hill to climb with 26 Democratic seats on the ballot and only nine Republican seats. Democrats need a gain of 23 seats to take control of the House they lost in 2010 and House minority leader Nancy Pelosi boldly predicted this week they would do so. Now if Democrats retake either the House, they will be able to block policies they disagree with. For example, the massive Republican overhaul of the US tax system that passed late last year would not be possible, neither would any rollback of Obamacare. Democrats would also be able to legislate their own policies. Though President has to sign off on bills for them to become law but there will be a chance that Democrats and President Trump could work together on some issues. Winning control of the Congress will also give Democrats the power to launch an investigation into President Donald Trump and to subpoena documents and witnesses. In an extreme situation, they may also be able to impeach Trump. Former White House strategist Steve Bannon has also said in one of his recent address that if Democrats come into power they will try to impeach him by using Robert Mueller report as a blueprint. What are the key issues in this year’s election? Birth-right citizenship: Donald Trump in an attempt to sway voters, announced recently that he would issue an executive order to end birthright citizenship for everyone born in the US in a bid to prevent babies born to undocumented immigrants from being automatically American citizens. Referred as birthright citizenship in the US, it is ensured by the 14th amendment to the constitution which added after the Civil War with an intention to give constitutional protections to former slaves. But some Republicans, including Trump, has been saying that it creates an incentive for people to enter the country illegally to have children. Immigration: Just like it was in 2016, this time as well Immigration issue is a big driver for Republican voters. Recent sensationalism over caravans of migrants heading towards the Mexican-American border has also put this on a full display. Gender Rights: Following Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation as Supreme Court Justice, despite the multiple sexual assault allegations against him, supporters of female rights have become increasingly worried about what the Court's new conservative majority means for their cause. Healthcare: The Republican Party has been trying to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare -- since Trump took office. While they have not been able to fully accomplish this but there is a possibility that big wins in the midterms may seal the deal. Tighter gun laws: Multiple surveys released since the Florida shootings, including one by Quinnipiac University, have found that about two-thirds of voters support tighter gun laws. From Florida to Republican-leaning Southern California, Democratic candidates are campaigning on gun control in the race critical for their takeover of Congress. The Democrats in their campaign have also shown confidence that with growing public support for stricter gun measures, it will help them win votes in these states. How this may affect the world politics As the country is divided into pro-Trump and anti-Trump, the results will likely change the way how President Trump is perceived by other world leaders. The winning for Republicans would give the impression that President Trump still has a firm grip on his country, making the President and his "America First" agenda look reaffirmed on the world stage. After which Trump can work more forcefully for the changes on how the US deals with the European Union and NATO allies. He also might challenge the Chinese more forcefully on economic trade issues or territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Explainer: The US midterm polls; how they work and what is at stake

Democrats claimed their first pick-up of the midterm elections Tuesday, networks projected, flipping a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/control-of-congress-and-verdict-on-trump-at-stake-in-us-elections-175905">US House seat</a> in Virginia seen as crucial to their effort to regain a majority in the chamber.

With nearly two thirds of ballots counted, Democratic state lawmaker Jennifer Wexton was ahead of Republican incumbent Barbara Comstock by 57 per cent to 43 per cent in their suburban northern Virginia district that Hillary Clinton won in 2016, NBC reported.

Democrats must gain 23 seats in the 435-member House of Representatives to regain control of the chamber, which is currently led by President Donald Trump's Republicans.&nbsp;

Meanwhile,&nbsp;Vermont's<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/vermonts-bernie-sanders-cruises-to-3rd-senate-term-175924"> Bernie Sanders </a>has cruised to re-election for his third term in the Senate, easily outpacing eight candidates.

Sanders, the independent who has long been one of the state's most popular politicians, spent little time campaigning ahead of the election.

Sanders has faced few serious opponents since he was first elected to the state's lone seat in the House in 1990. He moved up to the Senate in 2006.

Democrats claimed their first pick-up of the midterm elections Tuesday, networks projected, flipping a US House seat in Virginia seen as crucial to their effort to regain a majority in the chamber.

Democrats claimed their first pick-up of the midterm elections Tuesday, networks projected, flipping a US House seat in Virginia seen as crucial to their effort to regain a majority in the chamber. With nearly two thirds of ballots counted, Democratic state lawmaker Jennifer Wexton was ahead of Republican incumbent Barbara Comstock by 57 per cent to 43 per cent in their suburban northern Virginia district that Hillary Clinton won in 2016, NBC reported. Democrats must gain 23 seats in the 435-member House of Representatives to regain control of the chamber, which is currently led by President Donald Trump's Republicans. Meanwhile, Vermont's Bernie Sanders has cruised to re-election for his third term in the Senate, easily outpacing eight candidates. Sanders, the independent who has long been one of the state's most popular politicians, spent little time campaigning ahead of the election. Sanders has faced few serious opponents since he was first elected to the state's lone seat in the House in 1990. He moved up to the Senate in 2006.

Democrats get first House pick-up of midterms: US networks

After a divisive campaign marked by fierce clashes over race,<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-elections-faces-of-the-campaign-175817"> immigration</a> and other cultural issues, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/americas/americans-start-voting-in-midterm-verdict-on-donald-trump-rule-175848">Americans began casting votes</a> early on Tuesday to determine the balance of power in the US&nbsp;Congress and shape the future of Donald Trump’s presidency.

The first national elections since Trump captured the White House in a stunning 2016 upset will be a referendum on the polarizing Republican president and his hardline policies, and a test of whether Democrats can turn the energy of the liberal anti-Trump resistance into victories at the ballot box.

“Everything we have achieved is at stake tomorrow,” Trump told supporters on Monday night in Fort Wayne, Indiana, at one of three rallies he held to stoke turnout on the last day before the election.

All 435 seats in the US&nbsp;House of Representatives, 35 US&nbsp;Senate seats and 36 governorships are up for grabs on Tuesday in elections focused on dozens of competitive races from coast to coast that opinion polls show could go either way.

Democrats are favoured by election forecasters to pick up the minimum of 23 House seats they need for a majority, which would enable them to stymie Trump’s legislative agenda and investigate his administration.

Republicans are expected to retain their slight majority in the US&nbsp;Senate, currently at two seats, which would let them retain the power to approve US Supreme Court and other judicial nominations on straight party-line votes.

But at least 64 House races remain competitive, according to a Reuters analysis of the three top nonpartisan forecasters, and Senate control was expected to come down to a half dozen close contests in Arizona, Nevada, Missouri, North Dakota, Indiana and Florida.

Democrats also threaten to recapture governor’s offices in several battleground states such as Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio, a potential help for the party in those states in the 2020 presidential race.

In a last-minute controversy, NBC, Fox News and Facebook on Monday pulled an ad by Trump’s campaign that critics have labelled racist. The 30-second spot featured courtroom video of an illegal immigrant from Mexico convicted in the 2014 killings of two police officers, juxtaposed with scenes of migrants headed through Mexico.

Critics, including members of Trump’s own party, have condemned the commercial as racially divisive. CNN already had refused to run the ad, saying it was “racist.”

Voter turnout could be the highest for a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-us-midterm-polls-how-they-work-and-what-is-at-stakes-175277">midterm election</a> in 50 years, experts predicted. About 40 million early votes were likely cast, said Michael McDonald, a professor at the University of Florida who tracks the figures. In the last such congressional elections in 2014, there were 27.5 million early votes.

Fears of immigrants

During a whirlwind six-day blitz to wrap up the campaign, Trump repeatedly raised fears about immigrants, issuing harsh warnings about a caravan of Central American migrants moving through Mexico toward the US&nbsp;border.

A debate about whether Trump’s biting rhetoric encouraged extremists erupted in the campaign’s final weeks after pipe bombs were mailed to his top political rivals allegedly by a Trump supporter who was arrested and charged, and 11 people were fatally shot at a Pittsburgh synagogue.

But on the eve of the election, the president said in an interview with Sinclair Broadcasting that he wished he had a softer tone during his first two years in office - even as he continued his relentless attacks on political rivals.

Trump blamed the political vitriol on election season.

“I’d love to get along and I think after the election a lot of things can happen,” Trump said. “But right now they’re in their mode and we’re in our mode.”

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Trump planned to spend Election Day making phone calls and monitoring the races from the White House. In the evening, he will watch election results with family and friends.

Many Democratic candidates in tight races shied away from harsh criticism of Trump, focusing instead on bread-and-butter issues like maintaining insurance protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions and safeguarding the Social Security retirement and Medicare healthcare programs for senior citizens.

But Democratic former President Barack Obama hit the campaign trail in the election’s final days to challenge Trump, questioning his policies and character.

“How we conduct ourselves in public life is on the ballot,” Obama told Democratic volunteers in suburban Virginia who were working for Senator Tim Kaine and House candidate Jennifer Wexton, who is challenging incumbent Republican Barbara Comstock.

After a divisive campaign marked by fierce clashes over race, immigration and other cultural issues, Americans began casting votes early on Tuesday to determine the balance of power in the US Congress and shape the future of Donald Trump’s presidency.

After a divisive campaign marked by fierce clashes over race, immigration and other cultural issues, Americans began casting votes early on Tuesday to determine the balance of power in the US Congress and shape the future of Donald Trump’s presidency. The first national elections since Trump captured the White House in a stunning 2016 upset will be a referendum on the polarizing Republican president and his hardline policies, and a test of whether Democrats can turn the energy of the liberal anti-Trump resistance into victories at the ballot box. “Everything we have achieved is at stake tomorrow,” Trump told supporters on Monday night in Fort Wayne, Indiana, at one of three rallies he held to stoke turnout on the last day before the election. All 435 seats in the US House of Representatives, 35 US Senate seats and 36 governorships are up for grabs on Tuesday in elections focused on dozens of competitive races from coast to coast that opinion polls show could go either way. Democrats are favoured by election forecasters to pick up the minimum of 23 House seats they need for a majority, which would enable them to stymie Trump’s legislative agenda and investigate his administration. Republicans are expected to retain their slight majority in the US Senate, currently at two seats, which would let them retain the power to approve US Supreme Court and other judicial nominations on straight party-line votes. But at least 64 House races remain competitive, according to a Reuters analysis of the three top nonpartisan forecasters, and Senate control was expected to come down to a half dozen close contests in Arizona, Nevada, Missouri, North Dakota, Indiana and Florida. Democrats also threaten to recapture governor’s offices in several battleground states such as Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio, a potential help for the party in those states in the 2020 presidential race. In a last-minute controversy, NBC, Fox News and Facebook on Monday pulled an ad by Trump’s campaign that critics have labelled racist. The 30-second spot featured courtroom video of an illegal immigrant from Mexico convicted in the 2014 killings of two police officers, juxtaposed with scenes of migrants headed through Mexico. Critics, including members of Trump’s own party, have condemned the commercial as racially divisive. CNN already had refused to run the ad, saying it was “racist.” Voter turnout could be the highest for a midterm election in 50 years, experts predicted. About 40 million early votes were likely cast, said Michael McDonald, a professor at the University of Florida who tracks the figures. In the last such congressional elections in 2014, there were 27.5 million early votes. Fears of immigrants During a whirlwind six-day blitz to wrap up the campaign, Trump repeatedly raised fears about immigrants, issuing harsh warnings about a caravan of Central American migrants moving through Mexico toward the US border. A debate about whether Trump’s biting rhetoric encouraged extremists erupted in the campaign’s final weeks after pipe bombs were mailed to his top political rivals allegedly by a Trump supporter who was arrested and charged, and 11 people were fatally shot at a Pittsburgh synagogue. But on the eve of the election, the president said in an interview with Sinclair Broadcasting that he wished he had a softer tone during his first two years in office - even as he continued his relentless attacks on political rivals. Trump blamed the political vitriol on election season. “I’d love to get along and I think after the election a lot of things can happen,” Trump said. “But right now they’re in their mode and we’re in our mode.” White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Trump planned to spend Election Day making phone calls and monitoring the races from the White House. In the evening, he will watch election results with family and friends. Many Democratic candidates in tight races shied away from harsh criticism of Trump, focusing instead on bread-and-butter issues like maintaining insurance protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions and safeguarding the Social Security retirement and Medicare healthcare programs for senior citizens. But Democratic former President Barack Obama hit the campaign trail in the election’s final days to challenge Trump, questioning his policies and character. “How we conduct ourselves in public life is on the ballot,” Obama told Democratic volunteers in suburban Virginia who were working for Senator Tim Kaine and House candidate Jennifer Wexton, who is challenging incumbent Republican Barbara Comstock.

Control of Congress and verdict on Trump at stake as US votes in midterm polls

Wall Street stocks were modestly higher early Tuesday as the United States headed to the polls for congressional elections seen as a referendum on Donald Trump's presidency.

About 15 minutes into trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.3 per cent at 25,526.12.

The broad-based S&amp;P 500 gained 0.4 per cent to 2,748.58, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index jumped 0.8 per cent to 7,363.92.

Polls are showing that Tuesday's election is most likely to yield a Democratic win in the House of Representatives and a Republican victory in the Senate.

Tuesday's session "will prove to be a great, big guessing game with respect to the results and the stock market's response to those results," said Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare. "Accordingly, don't be surprised if today's action has a seesaw feel to it."

"The polls might be suggesting one thing or another, yet the experience of the Brexit vote and the 2016 presidential election has diluted the value of polling data for many participants."

Companies reporting earnings were mixed, with Booking Holding gaining 6.8 per cent and CVS Health winning 2.0 per cent but Eli Lilly shedding 2.4 per cent.

General Electric climbed 1.5 per cent after announcing it had sold its Current business to American Industrial Partners, a private equity firm, for an undisclosed sum. The assets include technology for energy efficiency at commercial and municipal facilities.

Wall Street stocks were modestly higher early Tuesday as the United States headed to the polls for congressional elections seen as a referendum on Donald Trump's presidency.

Wall Street stocks were modestly higher early Tuesday as the United States headed to the polls for congressional elections seen as a referendum on Donald Trump's presidency. About 15 minutes into trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.3 per cent at 25,526.12. The broad-based S&P 500 gained 0.4 per cent to 2,748.58, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index jumped 0.8 per cent to 7,363.92. Polls are showing that Tuesday's election is most likely to yield a Democratic win in the House of Representatives and a Republican victory in the Senate. Tuesday's session "will prove to be a great, big guessing game with respect to the results and the stock market's response to those results," said Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare. "Accordingly, don't be surprised if today's action has a seesaw feel to it." "The polls might be suggesting one thing or another, yet the experience of the Brexit vote and the 2016 presidential election has diluted the value of polling data for many participants." Companies reporting earnings were mixed, with Booking Holding gaining 6.8 per cent and CVS Health winning 2.0 per cent but Eli Lilly shedding 2.4 per cent. General Electric climbed 1.5 per cent after announcing it had sold its Current business to American Industrial Partners, a private equity firm, for an undisclosed sum. The assets include technology for energy efficiency at commercial and municipal facilities.

US stocks rise as midterm vote gets underway

Despite President Donald Trump's overwhelming presence, the US midterm election -- driven by unprecedented Democratic enthusiasm, record numbers of women candidates and intense debate over presidential style and policies -- has seen charismatic personalities emerge.

Among the 470 US House of Representatives and Senate races and dozens of governors' campaigns being decided Tuesday, here are 10 candidates to watch:

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, hope of liberal left

Arriving in 2018 like a thunderclap on the US political scene, and sporting a captivating introductory campaign ad, this 29-year-old Hispanic-American could become the youngest lawmaker in Congress.

With a decidedly leftwing platform -- Medicare for all, tuition-free public college, and support for impeaching Trump -- the former waitress and educator who worked for Bernie Sanders's 2016 presidential campaign is likely to win her House race.

Her working-class New York district straddles neighbourhoods in Queens and the Bronx, where she was born and raised in a modest family.

Beto O'Rourke, ex-punk and Democrat stalwart

Sleeves rolled up, sweaty and delivering passionate campaign rhetoric: Beto O'Rourke rocketed onto the national political stage in August with his robust defense of the rights of black American football players to kneel during the national anthem to protest police brutality.&nbsp;

A "Beto" narrative quickly grew around this 46-year-old former punk musician, a Democratic congressman since 2013 who is trying to dethrone Senator Ted Cruz in deeply Republican Texas.&nbsp;

His current challenge is enormous, but Beto is already being discussed by some as a potential presidential candidate in 2020 or beyond.

Stacey Abrams &amp; Andrew Gillum, black trailblazers

Whether they win or not, Andrew Gillum and Stacey Abrams will enter the history books. Gillum, 39, is the first African-American nominee for governor in Florida, while Abrams, 44, is the first black female nominee for governor anywhere in the United States.

She is running in Georgia, a southern state still deeply marked by racial segregation. The latest polls have her trailing Republican Brian Kemp by a single point.

Gillum, mayor of Florida's capital city Tallahassee, has taken a small lead over his pro-Trump opponent Ron DeSantis, and is facing fiery criticism from the president.

Martha McSally &amp; Kyrsten Sinema, pioneer women

The first woman in the US military ever to pilot a jet fighter in combat, Martha McSally, 52, has proudly "taken the fight to the enemy, and the establishment," a campaign ad states.

With a determined bearing, this Trump-supported Republican congresswoman is aiming to become the first woman ever to represent Arizona in the US Senate.

Battling to claim that historic title is another woman 10 years her junior, Democratic congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema. The first openly bisexual Senate candidate lived during her teen years without running water or electricity in an abandoned gas station.

Ron DeSantis &amp; Pete Stauber, avowed Trumpists

Under Trump's ever-present shadow, Republican candidates have found a smaller spotlight. But many have shared the stage with the president in front of thousands of supporters at raucous campaign rallies, including Florida's Republican candidate for governor Ron DeSantis.

In a humorous viral campaign ad, DeSantis, 40, encourages his infant son, clad in a pro-Trump onesie, to repeat "Make America Great Again."&nbsp;

With less braggadocio, Pete Stauber of Minnesota could become one of the few Republicans to snatch a House seat from Democrats this year. Affable and poised, this 52-year-old policeman and popular former hockey player highlights the nation's economic successes under Trump. &nbsp;

Ilhan Omar, from refugee to lawmaker

Ilhan Omar seems to have lived several lives. At age eight she and her family fled Somalia's civil war. As a refugee in America, a teenage Omar arrived in the big city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she has risen to become a Democratic member of the state assembly.

On Tuesday she is likely to win a seat in the US House where, at age 36, she will become one of the first two Muslim women elected to the lower chamber in Washington. The other is Rashida Tlaib, a 42-year-old Palestinian-American who is running unopposed in a Democratic stronghold in Michigan.

Christine Hallquist, transgender candidate

When she speaks to voters in her state of Vermont, Christine Hallquist's sexual identity is rarely an issue, the Democratic candidate for governor told AFP.&nbsp;

But she could nevertheless make history. If she beats incumbent Phil Scott, a relatively popular Republican who has distanced himself from Trump, Hallquist will become the first transgender governor of a US state.

Despite President Donald Trump's overwhelming presence, the US midterm election -- driven by unprecedented Democratic enthusiasm, record numbers of women candidates and intense debate over presidential style and policies -- has seen charismatic personalities emerge.

Despite President Donald Trump's overwhelming presence, the US midterm election -- driven by unprecedented Democratic enthusiasm, record numbers of women candidates and intense debate over presidential style and policies -- has seen charismatic personalities emerge. Among the 470 US House of Representatives and Senate races and dozens of governors' campaigns being decided Tuesday, here are 10 candidates to watch: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, hope of liberal left Arriving in 2018 like a thunderclap on the US political scene, and sporting a captivating introductory campaign ad, this 29-year-old Hispanic-American could become the youngest lawmaker in Congress. With a decidedly leftwing platform -- Medicare for all, tuition-free public college, and support for impeaching Trump -- the former waitress and educator who worked for Bernie Sanders's 2016 presidential campaign is likely to win her House race. Her working-class New York district straddles neighbourhoods in Queens and the Bronx, where she was born and raised in a modest family. Beto O'Rourke, ex-punk and Democrat stalwart Sleeves rolled up, sweaty and delivering passionate campaign rhetoric: Beto O'Rourke rocketed onto the national political stage in August with his robust defense of the rights of black American football players to kneel during the national anthem to protest police brutality. A "Beto" narrative quickly grew around this 46-year-old former punk musician, a Democratic congressman since 2013 who is trying to dethrone Senator Ted Cruz in deeply Republican Texas. His current challenge is enormous, but Beto is already being discussed by some as a potential presidential candidate in 2020 or beyond. Stacey Abrams & Andrew Gillum, black trailblazers Whether they win or not, Andrew Gillum and Stacey Abrams will enter the history books. Gillum, 39, is the first African-American nominee for governor in Florida, while Abrams, 44, is the first black female nominee for governor anywhere in the United States. She is running in Georgia, a southern state still deeply marked by racial segregation. The latest polls have her trailing Republican Brian Kemp by a single point. Gillum, mayor of Florida's capital city Tallahassee, has taken a small lead over his pro-Trump opponent Ron DeSantis, and is facing fiery criticism from the president. Martha McSally & Kyrsten Sinema, pioneer women The first woman in the US military ever to pilot a jet fighter in combat, Martha McSally, 52, has proudly "taken the fight to the enemy, and the establishment," a campaign ad states. With a determined bearing, this Trump-supported Republican congresswoman is aiming to become the first woman ever to represent Arizona in the US Senate. Battling to claim that historic title is another woman 10 years her junior, Democratic congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema. The first openly bisexual Senate candidate lived during her teen years without running water or electricity in an abandoned gas station. Ron DeSantis & Pete Stauber, avowed Trumpists Under Trump's ever-present shadow, Republican candidates have found a smaller spotlight. But many have shared the stage with the president in front of thousands of supporters at raucous campaign rallies, including Florida's Republican candidate for governor Ron DeSantis. In a humorous viral campaign ad, DeSantis, 40, encourages his infant son, clad in a pro-Trump onesie, to repeat "Make America Great Again." With less braggadocio, Pete Stauber of Minnesota could become one of the few Republicans to snatch a House seat from Democrats this year. Affable and poised, this 52-year-old policeman and popular former hockey player highlights the nation's economic successes under Trump. Ilhan Omar, from refugee to lawmaker Ilhan Omar seems to have lived several lives. At age eight she and her family fled Somalia's civil war. As a refugee in America, a teenage Omar arrived in the big city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she has risen to become a Democratic member of the state assembly. On Tuesday she is likely to win a seat in the US House where, at age 36, she will become one of the first two Muslim women elected to the lower chamber in Washington. The other is Rashida Tlaib, a 42-year-old Palestinian-American who is running unopposed in a Democratic stronghold in Michigan. Christine Hallquist, transgender candidate When she speaks to voters in her state of Vermont, Christine Hallquist's sexual identity is rarely an issue, the Democratic candidate for governor told AFP. But she could nevertheless make history. If she beats incumbent Phil Scott, a relatively popular Republican who has distanced himself from Trump, Hallquist will become the first transgender governor of a US state.

US midterm polls 2018: Key faces of the campaign

In pictures: America goes to polls to decide if it is for or against Trump

Immigration, health care, jobs. The extraordinary US midterm election has been a tug of war over key issues, but none has had a more dramatic impact on voters than Donald Trump, the man who isn't even on the ballot.

The Republican president is the omnipresent figure as Americans render their verdict Tuesday on the past 21 months of Trumpism.

Democrats hope voter dissatisfaction with the contentious commander in chief will lead to a blue wave that flips control of the US House out of Republican hands.

Trump's minions are counting on enthusiasm about core issues to trigger strong conservative voter turnout that preserves their majorities in Congress.

Here are the key factors in the battle for political control in Washington and across the country.

Trump, Trump, Trump&nbsp;

He says it himself: Even though Trump is not on the ballot, he is at the heart of the 2018 vote.

The election near the halfway mark of a president's first term is traditionally a referendum on the White House occupant.&nbsp;

But the billionaire businessman's explosive and iconoclastic personality has taken the trend to a new level.

"A vote for Marsha is really a vote for me and everything that we stand for," he said at an October event for Tennessee's Republican Senate nominee Marsha Blackburn.

Trump's scorched earth campaign stops have whipped up conservative fears about a migrant caravan "invasion," waves of crime and a slide towards socialism should Democrats take congressional control.

Many Democrats are counting on anti-Trump fervor to drive their base to the polls,&nbsp;but some advocate ignoring the politics of personal destruction and zeroing in on policy debates.

Trump is "deploying demagoguery to distract and divide us," and wielding "fear" to shift focus away from issues that Americans truly care about, warned Senate Democrat Patrick Leahy.

Violence&nbsp;

The campaign's final weeks were marred by the worst anti-Semitic attack in modern US history, which left 11 dead in a Pittsburgh synagogue.

Days earlier, a frantic manhunt led to the arrest of a fanatical Trump supporter on charges of mailing pipe bombs to prominent Trump opponents, including former president Barack Obama.

This spasm of violence fueled a debate about the president's caustic rhetoric, and whether it has played a role in deepening American divisions.&nbsp;

Trump condemned the anti-Semitic attack but was more ambiguous about the homemade bomb threat. He quickly hit the road, and in typical Trump fashion attacked his opponents.

Women&nbsp;

Following the outbreak of the #MeToo movement denouncing sexual assault, and the massive women's protests against Trump, women voters and candidates will play critical roles in the first major election since Trump took power.&nbsp;

And they appear particularly motivated to vote.&nbsp;

Female college graduates in well-off suburbs are in the spotlight because many are voicing disgust with Trump's aggressive rhetoric, and their votes could decide tight races in Democrats' favor.

Also a record number of women -- 200 Democrats and 60 Republicans -- are candidates for Congress, where they currently hold only about 20 percent of the seats.

Immigration&nbsp;

Sending thousands of troops to the US-Mexico border to counter a migrant "invasion," questioning the validity of birthright citizenship, and spreading stories of scandalous murders by undocumented immigrants: Trump and his Republicans&nbsp;are making immigration a closing argument of the campaign.

It may be a logical move. Immigration is a top concern among Republican voters, and driving those issue-focused Trump supporters to the polls is key.

Adding to the fear-mongering are Republican-led conspiracy theories about Jewish billionaire philanthropist George Soros helping finance the caravan of Central American migrants.

Health care&nbsp;

For months, Democrats have drilled their central message into the minds of voters: if Republicans strengthen their grip on Congress, they will destroy your health care, including coverage protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions.

It is an arresting theme in a country that does not have a universal health coverage system. The reforms signed into law by Democratic president Barack Obama have helped millions of Americans gain insurance.&nbsp;

Despite their big 2016 campaign pledge, Trump and Republicans have so far failed to outright repeal Obamacare, although they have unravelled it little by little.&nbsp;

Recognizing that the concern about pre-existing conditions has galvanized voters regardless of party, Republicans have seized on it in the campaign's closing month, insisting that their plans would enshrine such protections.&nbsp;

"It's a lie," Obama declared on Friday.

The economy&nbsp;

Between Trump's "trade war," his renegotiation of international treaties, robust US growth and full employment, the economy is at the heart of this election.&nbsp;

In mining territory and industrial zones, Trump's protectionist policies are welcome. But farmers themselves have suffered from retaliatory measures imposed by America's trading partners.&nbsp;

Even with the US economy largely humming along, and Republican candidates desperate for Trump to highlight the gains, the president himself often prefers to rile up a crowd over immigration.

"Sometimes it's not as exciting to talk about the economy, right?" he told voters Friday in West Virginia.

Immigration, health care, jobs. The extraordinary US midterm election has been a tug of war over key issues, but none has had a more dramatic impact on voters than Donald Trump, the man who isn't even on the ballot.

Immigration, health care, jobs. The extraordinary US midterm election has been a tug of war over key issues, but none has had a more dramatic impact on voters than Donald Trump, the man who isn't even on the ballot. The Republican president is the omnipresent figure as Americans render their verdict Tuesday on the past 21 months of Trumpism. Democrats hope voter dissatisfaction with the contentious commander in chief will lead to a blue wave that flips control of the US House out of Republican hands. Trump's minions are counting on enthusiasm about core issues to trigger strong conservative voter turnout that preserves their majorities in Congress. Here are the key factors in the battle for political control in Washington and across the country. Trump, Trump, Trump He says it himself: Even though Trump is not on the ballot, he is at the heart of the 2018 vote. The election near the halfway mark of a president's first term is traditionally a referendum on the White House occupant. But the billionaire businessman's explosive and iconoclastic personality has taken the trend to a new level. "A vote for Marsha is really a vote for me and everything that we stand for," he said at an October event for Tennessee's Republican Senate nominee Marsha Blackburn. Trump's scorched earth campaign stops have whipped up conservative fears about a migrant caravan "invasion," waves of crime and a slide towards socialism should Democrats take congressional control. Many Democrats are counting on anti-Trump fervor to drive their base to the polls, but some advocate ignoring the politics of personal destruction and zeroing in on policy debates. Trump is "deploying demagoguery to distract and divide us," and wielding "fear" to shift focus away from issues that Americans truly care about, warned Senate Democrat Patrick Leahy. Violence The campaign's final weeks were marred by the worst anti-Semitic attack in modern US history, which left 11 dead in a Pittsburgh synagogue. Days earlier, a frantic manhunt led to the arrest of a fanatical Trump supporter on charges of mailing pipe bombs to prominent Trump opponents, including former president Barack Obama. This spasm of violence fueled a debate about the president's caustic rhetoric, and whether it has played a role in deepening American divisions. Trump condemned the anti-Semitic attack but was more ambiguous about the homemade bomb threat. He quickly hit the road, and in typical Trump fashion attacked his opponents. Women Following the outbreak of the #MeToo movement denouncing sexual assault, and the massive women's protests against Trump, women voters and candidates will play critical roles in the first major election since Trump took power. And they appear particularly motivated to vote. Female college graduates in well-off suburbs are in the spotlight because many are voicing disgust with Trump's aggressive rhetoric, and their votes could decide tight races in Democrats' favor. Also a record number of women -- 200 Democrats and 60 Republicans -- are candidates for Congress, where they currently hold only about 20 percent of the seats. Immigration Sending thousands of troops to the US-Mexico border to counter a migrant "invasion," questioning the validity of birthright citizenship, and spreading stories of scandalous murders by undocumented immigrants: Trump and his Republicans are making immigration a closing argument of the campaign. It may be a logical move. Immigration is a top concern among Republican voters, and driving those issue-focused Trump supporters to the polls is key. Adding to the fear-mongering are Republican-led conspiracy theories about Jewish billionaire philanthropist George Soros helping finance the caravan of Central American migrants. Health care For months, Democrats have drilled their central message into the minds of voters: if Republicans strengthen their grip on Congress, they will destroy your health care, including coverage protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions. It is an arresting theme in a country that does not have a universal health coverage system. The reforms signed into law by Democratic president Barack Obama have helped millions of Americans gain insurance. Despite their big 2016 campaign pledge, Trump and Republicans have so far failed to outright repeal Obamacare, although they have unravelled it little by little. Recognizing that the concern about pre-existing conditions has galvanized voters regardless of party, Republicans have seized on it in the campaign's closing month, insisting that their plans would enshrine such protections. "It's a lie," Obama declared on Friday. The economy Between Trump's "trade war," his renegotiation of international treaties, robust US growth and full employment, the economy is at the heart of this election. In mining territory and industrial zones, Trump's protectionist policies are welcome. But farmers themselves have suffered from retaliatory measures imposed by America's trading partners. Even with the US economy largely humming along, and Republican candidates desperate for Trump to highlight the gains, the president himself often prefers to rile up a crowd over immigration. "Sometimes it's not as exciting to talk about the economy, right?" he told voters Friday in West Virginia.

Key factors in 2018 US midterm elections

A number of notable races are taking place on Tuesday in the US midterm elections, when Americans go to the polls to elect governors and members of the US House of Representatives and Senate.

Here is a look at some of the most interesting contests:

Beto-mania&nbsp;

One of the most expensive and closely watched Senate races is in Texas, where incumbent Republican Senator Ted Cruz is facing Democratic Representative Beto O'Rourke.

O'Rourke, 46, whose given names are Robert Francis but who goes by Beto, is mounting a suprisingly strong challenge to the 47-year-old Cruz in the reliably Republican "Lone Star State."

O'Rourke, a three-term congressman and former member of a punk band, is drawing enthusiastic support from many urban dwellers in Texas while Cruz does better in conservative rural areas.

Plucking the Senate seat from Cruz, who battled Donald Trump for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, would be a major victory for the Democratic Party.

Dueling female candidates&nbsp;

Arizona will have a woman representing the southwestern state in the US Senate for the first time as two women battle for the seat being vacated by Jeff Flake, a Trump critic who is not running for reelection.

The Republican flag-bearer is Martha McSally, a 52-year-old former US Air Force fighter pilot and two-term member of the House of Representatives.&nbsp;

McSally's Democratic opponent is Kyrsten Sinema, 42, a three-term member of the House of Representatives who spent several years of her childhood in poverty after her parents divorced.

McSally and Sinema are running neck-in-neck in a state which President Donald Trump won by 3.5 percentage points in the 2016 presidential election.

Democrats in danger&nbsp;

Democratic Senate candidates are in danger of losing their seats in Missouri, North Dakota and Indiana.

In Missouri -- which Trump won by 18 points in 2016 -- Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill, 65, is facing a strong challenge from Republican attorney general Josh Hawley.

Trump has campaigned personally for the 38-year-old Hawley and called him a rising star in the party.

In North Dakota -- which Trump won by 36 points in 2016 -- Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp, 63, is fighting for her political survival against Republican Kevin Cramer.

Cramer, 57, who has served three terms in the House of Representatives, currently leads in the polls.

In Indiana, Democratic Senator Joe Donnelly, 63, has a small lead over his Republican challenger Mike Braun, a 64-year-old businessman, in a state which Trump won by 19 points in 2016.

Bob Menendez, 64, a Democrat from New Jersey who has served in the Senate since 2006, could also be in trouble after facing corruption charges.

The case ended up with a hung jury and a mistrial and the charges were dropped. Menendez is being challenged by Republican businessman Bob Hugin, 64.

Close eye on Florida&nbsp;

Two of the most-watched races in the country are in Florida.

Democrat Bill Nelson, 76, was first elected to the Senate in 2000 and was easily reelected in 2006 and 2012.

But Nelson, who served as a payload specialist on a Space Shuttle in 1986, is facing a tough challenge this time from Florida's Republican Governor Rick Scott.

Gun control is a big issue in the race following the February shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida, which left 17 people dead.

Another close race in Florida is for governor to replace the 65-year-old Scott.

Democrat Andrew Gillum, 39, the African-American mayor of Tallahassee, is locked in an acrimonious battle with Ron DeSantis, 40, a member of the House of Representatives and ardent Trump supporter.

Trump has personally campaigned for DeSantis and has had harsh words for Gillum, considered by some to be a potential future star of the Democratic Party.

First black female governor&nbsp;

In Georgia, Stacy Abrams, 44, the former minority leader of the state House of Representatives, is running for governor against Republican Brian Kemp, the 55-year-old Georgia secretary of state.

Abrams, who has received the support of Oprah Winfrey and other celebrities, would be the first black woman to become governor of a US state if she wins.

The race has seen allegations that Kemp has attempted to prevent tens of thousands of mainly black voters from taking part in the election.

A number of notable races are taking place on Tuesday in the US midterm elections, when Americans go to the polls to elect governors and members of the US House of Representatives and Senate.

A number of notable races are taking place on Tuesday in the US midterm elections, when Americans go to the polls to elect governors and members of the US House of Representatives and Senate. Here is a look at some of the most interesting contests: Beto-mania One of the most expensive and closely watched Senate races is in Texas, where incumbent Republican Senator Ted Cruz is facing Democratic Representative Beto O'Rourke. O'Rourke, 46, whose given names are Robert Francis but who goes by Beto, is mounting a suprisingly strong challenge to the 47-year-old Cruz in the reliably Republican "Lone Star State." O'Rourke, a three-term congressman and former member of a punk band, is drawing enthusiastic support from many urban dwellers in Texas while Cruz does better in conservative rural areas. Plucking the Senate seat from Cruz, who battled Donald Trump for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, would be a major victory for the Democratic Party. Dueling female candidates Arizona will have a woman representing the southwestern state in the US Senate for the first time as two women battle for the seat being vacated by Jeff Flake, a Trump critic who is not running for reelection. The Republican flag-bearer is Martha McSally, a 52-year-old former US Air Force fighter pilot and two-term member of the House of Representatives. McSally's Democratic opponent is Kyrsten Sinema, 42, a three-term member of the House of Representatives who spent several years of her childhood in poverty after her parents divorced. McSally and Sinema are running neck-in-neck in a state which President Donald Trump won by 3.5 percentage points in the 2016 presidential election. Democrats in danger Democratic Senate candidates are in danger of losing their seats in Missouri, North Dakota and Indiana. In Missouri -- which Trump won by 18 points in 2016 -- Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill, 65, is facing a strong challenge from Republican attorney general Josh Hawley. Trump has campaigned personally for the 38-year-old Hawley and called him a rising star in the party. In North Dakota -- which Trump won by 36 points in 2016 -- Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp, 63, is fighting for her political survival against Republican Kevin Cramer. Cramer, 57, who has served three terms in the House of Representatives, currently leads in the polls. In Indiana, Democratic Senator Joe Donnelly, 63, has a small lead over his Republican challenger Mike Braun, a 64-year-old businessman, in a state which Trump won by 19 points in 2016. Bob Menendez, 64, a Democrat from New Jersey who has served in the Senate since 2006, could also be in trouble after facing corruption charges. The case ended up with a hung jury and a mistrial and the charges were dropped. Menendez is being challenged by Republican businessman Bob Hugin, 64. Close eye on Florida Two of the most-watched races in the country are in Florida. Democrat Bill Nelson, 76, was first elected to the Senate in 2000 and was easily reelected in 2006 and 2012. But Nelson, who served as a payload specialist on a Space Shuttle in 1986, is facing a tough challenge this time from Florida's Republican Governor Rick Scott. Gun control is a big issue in the race following the February shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida, which left 17 people dead. Another close race in Florida is for governor to replace the 65-year-old Scott. Democrat Andrew Gillum, 39, the African-American mayor of Tallahassee, is locked in an acrimonious battle with Ron DeSantis, 40, a member of the House of Representatives and ardent Trump supporter. Trump has personally campaigned for DeSantis and has had harsh words for Gillum, considered by some to be a potential future star of the Democratic Party. First black female governor In Georgia, Stacy Abrams, 44, the former minority leader of the state House of Representatives, is running for governor against Republican Brian Kemp, the 55-year-old Georgia secretary of state. Abrams, who has received the support of Oprah Winfrey and other celebrities, would be the first black woman to become governor of a US state if she wins. The race has seen allegations that Kemp has attempted to prevent tens of thousands of mainly black voters from taking part in the election.

US midterm elections 2018: Races to watch in US midterm elections

Clemente Torres has proudly cast his vote in person at Dodge City's lone polling place in every election since he became a naturalized citizen 20 years ago.

This year is different.

After Republican officials said in September they would move the Hispanic-majority city's only polling place to a remote spot outside the city limits, across railroad tracks and away from bus lines, Torres decided to vote by mail.

"I wanted to be sure I could vote," said Torres, 57, who works at a meatpacking plant in this western Kansas city best known for its history as a Wild West outpost. "I didn't want to take any chances."

Torres and other voters interviewed by Reuters said they were worried voting would be more difficult at the new location. Some were skeptical of the official explanation: that construction will hinder access to the usual site.

The move sparked an outcry from voting rights groups that say Republicans are trying to limit Hispanic votes. The American Civil Liberties Union asked the courts to force Dodge City to open another polling site – a request denied by a judge on Thursday.

Democrats are mobilizing to rent vans, line up volunteers to drive people to the polls and set up a hotline to ask for rides.

Kansas is just one front in a broad national struggle over voting restrictions passed by Republicans, who say they are needed to combat voter fraud.

Democrats and advocacy groups are scrambling in courtrooms and on the ground to resist efforts they say will stack the deck against minority voters likely to back Democrats in next Tuesday's elections, where control of the US Congress will be at stake.

The national voting rights debate, which accelerated after the US Supreme Court struck down parts of the Voting Rights Act in 2013, has been particularly intense this year in states with tight, high-stakes election races such as Kansas, Georgia, North Dakota and Tennessee.

"There are a lot of grim things happening, but people are awake and highly engaged to fight back on this issue," said Leah Aden, deputy director of litigation at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

'SLAP IN THE FACE'

On a recent afternoon in Dodge City, where about 60 percent of the 27,000 residents are Hispanic, many of the mostly Hispanic workers pouring out of a beef processing plant during a shift change were surprised to find a trio of Kansas Democrats waiting for them.

"Do you know your polling place has moved?" Democratic congressional candidate Alan LaPolice asked as he and two aides handed out more than 300 packets with bilingual information on where to vote and how to call for a ride to get there.

Alejandro Rangel-Lopez, 18, a first-time voter in November and a plaintiff in the ACLU lawsuit, said the new polling site would make it tough on people unable to get time off from work to vote, or had transportation or language issues.

"People can't just leave the plants to vote. You can't just run over on your lunch break," Rangel-Lopez said.

Suspicions about the motive behind the polling place change come naturally in Kansas, where Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach, one of the country's foremost advocates of restrictive voting and immigration laws, is in a tight race for governor against Democrat Laura Kelly.

"This is a slap in the face to voters here," said Ford County Democratic Party Chairman Johnny Dunlap. "They should be making voting easier, not harder."

Debbie Cox, the Republican county clerk who ordered the move, declined requests for comment on her decision to set up a new polling place about 4 miles (6 km) from the old one.

But the state's elections director, who works under Kobach, said Cox chose the best available alternative with adequate parking and space.

'KOBACH HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS'

"I have trouble understanding how this was voter suppression. There just weren't many options for polling sites that fit the criteria," Kansas Elections Director Bryan Caskey said. "I can say with 100 percent certainty that Secretary Kobach had nothing to do with this."

Kobach has relentlessly promoted theories about the threat of voter fraud and was a leader on President Donald Trump's disbanded election integrity commission formed to look into possible fraud in the 2016 election.

While Republicans say new voting restrictions such as tougher ID requirements and aggressive voter-roll purges are necessary to ensure honest elections or clean up voter rolls, independent studies have found that voter fraud is extremely rare.

Other states with major election races also have wrestled with voting rights issues. In North Dakota, where Democrat Heidi Heitkamp and Republican Kevin Cramer are in a close Senate race, Native American tribal leaders have mobilized to help up to 10,000 residents in rural reservations whose voting eligibility has been threatened by a state law requiring a residential street address on ID's.

Many reservation residents use post office boxes for mail delivery and do not have street addresses. The law, which Republicans said was aimed at fighting voter fraud, was passed after Heitkamp was elected to the Senate by fewer than 3,000 votes in 2012 with strong Native American support.

Precinct maps and satellite images of the state's five reservations are being used to help generate street addresses, which can be recorded and printed on tribal letterhead, said OJ Semans, co-executive director of Four Directions, a Native American voting rights group.

"This is about being pushed into a corner and having to fight back," Semans said. "We want to make sure the state thinks twice about doing something like this again."

Groups in Georgia sued to block Democrat Stacey Abrams' opponent for governor, Secretary of State Brian Kemp, who is also the state's top election official, from throwing out more than 50,000 voter registration applications put on hold under the state's "exact match" law requiring personal information on voter applications to match state databases.

The lawsuit alleged the vast majority of the disputed applications were from black voters.

Jimmy Carter, a former US president and Georgia governor, even weighed in, calling on Kemp to resign his post supervising elections. Kemp has refused to step down and says he is fairly applying Georgia's laws.

In Tennessee, home to another crucial US Senate race between Democrat Phil Bredesen and Republican Marsha Blackburn, a lawsuit by voting rights groups led a judge to order that people in majority-black Shelby County be allowed to fix their incomplete voter registration applications and vote.

Democrats in Tennessee have formed the first statewide voter protection team to watch for problems at the polls. Tennessee Democratic Party Chairwoman Mary Mancini calls them an "army of poll watchers."

Clemente Torres has proudly cast his vote in person at Dodge City's lone polling place in every election since he became a naturalized citizen 20 years ago. This year is different.

Clemente Torres has proudly cast his vote in person at Dodge City's lone polling place in every election since he became a naturalized citizen 20 years ago. This year is different. After Republican officials said in September they would move the Hispanic-majority city's only polling place to a remote spot outside the city limits, across railroad tracks and away from bus lines, Torres decided to vote by mail. "I wanted to be sure I could vote," said Torres, 57, who works at a meatpacking plant in this western Kansas city best known for its history as a Wild West outpost. "I didn't want to take any chances." Torres and other voters interviewed by Reuters said they were worried voting would be more difficult at the new location. Some were skeptical of the official explanation: that construction will hinder access to the usual site. The move sparked an outcry from voting rights groups that say Republicans are trying to limit Hispanic votes. The American Civil Liberties Union asked the courts to force Dodge City to open another polling site – a request denied by a judge on Thursday. Democrats are mobilizing to rent vans, line up volunteers to drive people to the polls and set up a hotline to ask for rides. Kansas is just one front in a broad national struggle over voting restrictions passed by Republicans, who say they are needed to combat voter fraud. Democrats and advocacy groups are scrambling in courtrooms and on the ground to resist efforts they say will stack the deck against minority voters likely to back Democrats in next Tuesday's elections, where control of the US Congress will be at stake. The national voting rights debate, which accelerated after the US Supreme Court struck down parts of the Voting Rights Act in 2013, has been particularly intense this year in states with tight, high-stakes election races such as Kansas, Georgia, North Dakota and Tennessee. "There are a lot of grim things happening, but people are awake and highly engaged to fight back on this issue," said Leah Aden, deputy director of litigation at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's Legal Defense and Educational Fund. 'SLAP IN THE FACE' On a recent afternoon in Dodge City, where about 60 percent of the 27,000 residents are Hispanic, many of the mostly Hispanic workers pouring out of a beef processing plant during a shift change were surprised to find a trio of Kansas Democrats waiting for them. "Do you know your polling place has moved?" Democratic congressional candidate Alan LaPolice asked as he and two aides handed out more than 300 packets with bilingual information on where to vote and how to call for a ride to get there. Alejandro Rangel-Lopez, 18, a first-time voter in November and a plaintiff in the ACLU lawsuit, said the new polling site would make it tough on people unable to get time off from work to vote, or had transportation or language issues. "People can't just leave the plants to vote. You can't just run over on your lunch break," Rangel-Lopez said. Suspicions about the motive behind the polling place change come naturally in Kansas, where Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach, one of the country's foremost advocates of restrictive voting and immigration laws, is in a tight race for governor against Democrat Laura Kelly. "This is a slap in the face to voters here," said Ford County Democratic Party Chairman Johnny Dunlap. "They should be making voting easier, not harder." Debbie Cox, the Republican county clerk who ordered the move, declined requests for comment on her decision to set up a new polling place about 4 miles (6 km) from the old one. But the state's elections director, who works under Kobach, said Cox chose the best available alternative with adequate parking and space. 'KOBACH HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS' "I have trouble understanding how this was voter suppression. There just weren't many options for polling sites that fit the criteria," Kansas Elections Director Bryan Caskey said. "I can say with 100 percent certainty that Secretary Kobach had nothing to do with this." Kobach has relentlessly promoted theories about the threat of voter fraud and was a leader on President Donald Trump's disbanded election integrity commission formed to look into possible fraud in the 2016 election. While Republicans say new voting restrictions such as tougher ID requirements and aggressive voter-roll purges are necessary to ensure honest elections or clean up voter rolls, independent studies have found that voter fraud is extremely rare. Other states with major election races also have wrestled with voting rights issues. In North Dakota, where Democrat Heidi Heitkamp and Republican Kevin Cramer are in a close Senate race, Native American tribal leaders have mobilized to help up to 10,000 residents in rural reservations whose voting eligibility has been threatened by a state law requiring a residential street address on ID's. Many reservation residents use post office boxes for mail delivery and do not have street addresses. The law, which Republicans said was aimed at fighting voter fraud, was passed after Heitkamp was elected to the Senate by fewer than 3,000 votes in 2012 with strong Native American support. Precinct maps and satellite images of the state's five reservations are being used to help generate street addresses, which can be recorded and printed on tribal letterhead, said OJ Semans, co-executive director of Four Directions, a Native American voting rights group. "This is about being pushed into a corner and having to fight back," Semans said. "We want to make sure the state thinks twice about doing something like this again." Groups in Georgia sued to block Democrat Stacey Abrams' opponent for governor, Secretary of State Brian Kemp, who is also the state's top election official, from throwing out more than 50,000 voter registration applications put on hold under the state's "exact match" law requiring personal information on voter applications to match state databases. The lawsuit alleged the vast majority of the disputed applications were from black voters. Jimmy Carter, a former US president and Georgia governor, even weighed in, calling on Kemp to resign his post supervising elections. Kemp has refused to step down and says he is fairly applying Georgia's laws. In Tennessee, home to another crucial US Senate race between Democrat Phil Bredesen and Republican Marsha Blackburn, a lawsuit by voting rights groups led a judge to order that people in majority-black Shelby County be allowed to fix their incomplete voter registration applications and vote. Democrats in Tennessee have formed the first statewide voter protection team to watch for problems at the polls. Tennessee Democratic Party Chairwoman Mary Mancini calls them an "army of poll watchers."

Ahead of US elections, fears of voter suppression and efforts to fight back

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump on Friday said that the news coverage of the suspicious packages targeting high-profile Democratic politicians and critics of the president had slowed momentum for Republican candidates ahead of congressional elections.

"Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this 'Bomb' stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows - news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on," Trump wrote on Twitter as he urged Republicans to get out to vote.

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Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this “Bomb” stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows - news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on. Republicans, go out and vote!
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Authorities found two more suspicious packages on Friday addressed to US Senator Cory Booker and James Clapper, the former US director of national intelligence, amid a manhunt for the person who sent bombs to prominent Democrats and critics of Trump.

The 11th package was found at a mail sorting facility in Florida and was addressed to Booker, the Democratic senator from New Jersey, the FBI said on Twitter. A 12th package was addressed to James Clapper, the former director of national intelligence, and sent to CNN, the cable network reported.

Authorities called the parcel bombs an act of terrorism. They were sent less than two weeks before national elections that could alter the balance of power in Washington.

No one has claimed responsibility for the bombs so far, and the public was asked to report any tips.

All the people targeted were frequently maligned by right-wing critics. They included Democratic Party donor George Soros, former President Barack Obama, former Vice President Joe Biden, and former Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

(With inputs from news agencies)

US President Donald Trump on Friday said that the news coverage of the suspicious packages targeting high-profile Democratic politicians and critics of the president had slowed momentum for Republican candidates ahead of congressional elections.

US President Donald Trump on Friday said that the news coverage of the suspicious packages targeting high-profile Democratic politicians and critics of the president had slowed momentum for Republican candidates ahead of congressional elections. "Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this 'Bomb' stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows - news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on," Trump wrote on Twitter as he urged Republicans to get out to vote. Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this “Bomb” stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows - news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on. Republicans, go out and vote! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 26, 2018 × Authorities found two more suspicious packages on Friday addressed to US Senator Cory Booker and James Clapper, the former US director of national intelligence, amid a manhunt for the person who sent bombs to prominent Democrats and critics of Trump. The 11th package was found at a mail sorting facility in Florida and was addressed to Booker, the Democratic senator from New Jersey, the FBI said on Twitter. A 12th package was addressed to James Clapper, the former director of national intelligence, and sent to CNN, the cable network reported. Authorities called the parcel bombs an act of terrorism. They were sent less than two weeks before national elections that could alter the balance of power in Washington. No one has claimed responsibility for the bombs so far, and the public was asked to report any tips. All the people targeted were frequently maligned by right-wing critics. They included Democratic Party donor George Soros, former President Barack Obama, former Vice President Joe Biden, and former Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. (With inputs from news agencies)

Donald Trump says bomb alerts harming Republicans' vote 'momentum'

A Republican congressman in central Arkansas and his challenger on Thursday condemned a political action committee's radio ad that suggests white Democrats will lynch black Americans if they win the midterm election next month.

GOP Representative&nbsp;French Hill criticized the ad from Black Americans for the President's Agenda, which invokes the accusation that Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted a woman when he was a teenager.

A woman in the ad says that "white Democrats will be lynching black folk again."I'm voting to keep Congressman French Hill and the Republicans because we have to protect our men and boys," the woman in the ad says.

"We can't afford to let white Democrats take us back to bad old days of race verdicts, life sentences and lynchings when a white girl screams rape." Hill, who represents the 2nd District covering Little Rock and seven central Arkansas counties, blasted the ad.

"I condemn this outrageous ad in the strongest terms," he said in a statement. "There's no place in Arkansas for this nonsense." Vernon Robinson, the PAC's co-founder and treasurer, said the ad has been running in Little Rock.

He said the ad is part of a US $50,000 buy that includes a similar spot running on stations in Missouri, where Republican Josh Hawley is trying to unseat Democratic Senator&nbsp;Claire McCaskill. The group had not coordinated the ad with Hill or spoken to his campaign about it, Robinson said.

Robinson did not immediately respond to an email Thursday night from The Associated Press asking if the group planned to pull the ad. Clarke Tucker, the Democratic state legislator trying to unseat Hill, also condemned the ad.

"Congressman Hill and his allies will have to live with the kind of campaign they're running. This radio ad is disgraceful and has no place in our society,"

Tucker said in a statement. "We won't let these shameful tactics distract us from why we're running, to stand up for the people in Central Arkansas on the critical issues in our lives, not just health care and good-paying jobs but also having some basic decency in our political process."

The North Carolina-based PAC was formed earlier this year and this week reported having about US $52,507 cash on hand and US $62,769 in debt.

Arkansas hasn't sent a Democrat to the US&nbsp;House since 2010, but Tucker is mounting a surprisingly competitive bid to unseat the two-term Hill.

Democrats are relying on a heavy turnout in Little Rock and its surrounding county, which is about 37 per cent black and 6 per cent Hispanic.&nbsp;

A Republican congressman in central Arkansas and his challenger on Thursday condemned a political action committee's radio ad that suggests white Democrats will lynch black Americans if they win the midterm election next month.

A Republican congressman in central Arkansas and his challenger on Thursday condemned a political action committee's radio ad that suggests white Democrats will lynch black Americans if they win the midterm election next month. GOP Representative French Hill criticized the ad from Black Americans for the President's Agenda, which invokes the accusation that Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted a woman when he was a teenager. A woman in the ad says that "white Democrats will be lynching black folk again."I'm voting to keep Congressman French Hill and the Republicans because we have to protect our men and boys," the woman in the ad says. "We can't afford to let white Democrats take us back to bad old days of race verdicts, life sentences and lynchings when a white girl screams rape." Hill, who represents the 2nd District covering Little Rock and seven central Arkansas counties, blasted the ad. "I condemn this outrageous ad in the strongest terms," he said in a statement. "There's no place in Arkansas for this nonsense." Vernon Robinson, the PAC's co-founder and treasurer, said the ad has been running in Little Rock. He said the ad is part of a US $50,000 buy that includes a similar spot running on stations in Missouri, where Republican Josh Hawley is trying to unseat Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill. The group had not coordinated the ad with Hill or spoken to his campaign about it, Robinson said. Robinson did not immediately respond to an email Thursday night from The Associated Press asking if the group planned to pull the ad. Clarke Tucker, the Democratic state legislator trying to unseat Hill, also condemned the ad. "Congressman Hill and his allies will have to live with the kind of campaign they're running. This radio ad is disgraceful and has no place in our society," Tucker said in a statement. "We won't let these shameful tactics distract us from why we're running, to stand up for the people in Central Arkansas on the critical issues in our lives, not just health care and good-paying jobs but also having some basic decency in our political process." The North Carolina-based PAC was formed earlier this year and this week reported having about US $52,507 cash on hand and US $62,769 in debt. Arkansas hasn't sent a Democrat to the US House since 2010, but Tucker is mounting a surprisingly competitive bid to unseat the two-term Hill. Democrats are relying on a heavy turnout in Little Rock and its surrounding county, which is about 37 per cent black and 6 per cent Hispanic.

Radio ad in Arkansas suggests 'lynching' if Democrats win

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