ADDemocratic members of Congress are pressing ahead with preparations for the second impeachment trial of former president Donald Trump, saying there is a “compelling” case for Trump to be convicted of inciting an insurrection and arguing that moving forward with a trial is imperative for the country’s healing.Meanwhile, the fractures within the Republican Party were evident Sunday as GOP senators appeared split over whether it was constitutional to hold an impeachment trial for a president who had already left office. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), one of Trump’s most outspoken GOP critics,...…ADDemocratic members of Congress are pressing ahead with preparations for the second impeachment trial of former president Donald Trump, saying there is a “compelling” case for Trump to be convicted of inciting an insurrection and arguing that moving forward with a trial is imperative for the country’s healing.Meanwhile, the fractures within the Republican Party were evident Sunday as GOP senators appeared split over whether it was constitutional to hold an impeachment trial for a president who had already left office. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), one of Trump’s most outspoken GOP critics,...WW…

ADPALM BEACH, Fla. — Former president Donald Trump threw himself back into politics this weekend by publicly endorsing a devoted and divisive acolyte in Arizona who has embraced his false election conspiracy theories and entertained the creation of a new “MAGA Party.”In a recorded phone call, he offered his “complete and total endorsement” for another term for Arizona state party chairwoman Kelli Ward, a lightning rod who has sparred with the state’s Republican governor, been condemned by the business community and overseen a recent flight in party registrations. She narrowly won...…ADPALM BEACH, Fla. — Former president Donald Trump threw himself back into politics this weekend by publicly endorsing a devoted and divisive acolyte in Arizona who has embraced his false election conspiracy theories and entertained the creation of a new “MAGA Party.”In a recorded phone call, he offered his “complete and total endorsement” for another term for Arizona state party chairwoman Kelli Ward, a lightning rod who has sparred with the state’s Republican governor, been condemned by the business community and overseen a recent flight in party registrations. She narrowly won...WW…

ADWhen Donald Trump on Wednesday became the first president ever impeached twice, he did so as a leader increasingly isolated, sullen and vengeful.With less than seven days remaining in his presidency, Trump’s inner circle is shrinking, offices in his White House are emptying, and the president is lashing out at some of those who remain. He is angry that his allies have not mounted a more forceful defense of his incitement of the mob that stormed the Capitol last week, advisers and associates said.Though Trump has been , his relationship with lawyer Rudolph W. Giuliani, one of his most...…ADWhen Donald Trump on Wednesday became the first president ever impeached twice, he did so as a leader increasingly isolated, sullen and vengeful.With less than seven days remaining in his presidency, Trump’s inner circle is shrinking, offices in his White House are emptying, and the president is lashing out at some of those who remain. He is angry that his allies have not mounted a more forceful defense of his incitement of the mob that stormed the Capitol last week, advisers and associates said.Though Trump has been , his relationship with lawyer Rudolph W. Giuliani, one of his most...WW…

ADAMELIA ISLAND, Fla. — Winds of change did not blow through a luxury seaside resort here as top Republicans huddled Friday to chart their party's future.After disappointing elections that cost the GOP the White House and control of the U.S. Senate — and after a mob incited by President Trump to protest his election left five dead and his lame-duck administration in shambles — there was little appetite for a course correction, or for taking on the president.Ronna McDaniel, the chairwoman Trump installed four years ago as the titular head of the GOP, was reelected unanimously without a...…ADAMELIA ISLAND, Fla. — Winds of change did not blow through a luxury seaside resort here as top Republicans huddled Friday to chart their party's future.After disappointing elections that cost the GOP the White House and control of the U.S. Senate — and after a mob incited by President Trump to protest his election left five dead and his lame-duck administration in shambles — there was little appetite for a course correction, or for taking on the president.Ronna McDaniel, the chairwoman Trump installed four years ago as the titular head of the GOP, was reelected unanimously without a...WW…

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has intensified efforts to overturn the election, raising the idea of radical measures in recent days, including military intervention, seizing voting machines and a 13th-hour appeal to the Supreme Court. On Sunday, Trump said in a radio interview that he had spoken with Sen.-elect Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., about challenging the electoral vote count when the House and Senate convene on Jan. 6 to formally affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory. Related stories "He's so excited," Trump said of Tuberville. "He said, 'You made me the most popular...…WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has intensified efforts to overturn the election, raising the idea of radical measures in recent days, including military intervention, seizing voting machines and a 13th-hour appeal to the Supreme Court. On Sunday, Trump said in a radio interview that he had spoken with Sen.-elect Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., about challenging the electoral vote count when the House and Senate convene on Jan. 6 to formally affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory. Related stories "He's so excited," Trump said of Tuberville. "He said, 'You made me the most popular...WW…

ADThe White House began the annual holiday party season on Monday afternoon, officials said, kicking off a spate of indoor holiday parties that commemorate various religious traditions over the season.While many public health professionals have asked Americans not to congregate in large group settings and avoid travel over the holidays because of the pandemic that has killed more than 266,000 Americans and infected 13 million more, the White House is expected to throw more than a dozen indoor parties, including a large congressional ball on Dec. 10, officials say.The parties will be paid...…ADThe White House began the annual holiday party season on Monday afternoon, officials said, kicking off a spate of indoor holiday parties that commemorate various religious traditions over the season.While many public health professionals have asked Americans not to congregate in large group settings and avoid travel over the holidays because of the pandemic that has killed more than 266,000 Americans and infected 13 million more, the White House is expected to throw more than a dozen indoor parties, including a large congressional ball on Dec. 10, officials say.The parties will be paid...WW…

ADPresident Trump said on Thursday that he would leave the White House if the voted for President-elect Joe Biden next month, though he vowed to keep fighting to overturn the election he lost and said he may never concede.“Certainly I will, and you know that,” he said when asked if he would leave the White House if the electoral college picked Biden.Though advisers have long said he would leave on Jan. 20, it was Trump’s first explicit commitment to vacate office if the vote did not go his way.Trump said he planned to continue to make claims of fraud about the results and said, without...…ADPresident Trump said on Thursday that he would leave the White House if the voted for President-elect Joe Biden next month, though he vowed to keep fighting to overturn the election he lost and said he may never concede.“Certainly I will, and you know that,” he said when asked if he would leave the White House if the electoral college picked Biden.Though advisers have long said he would leave on Jan. 20, it was Trump’s first explicit commitment to vacate office if the vote did not go his way.Trump said he planned to continue to make claims of fraud about the results and said, without...WW…

WASHINGTON - The president who likes to put on a show is mostly offstage these days.Since President Donald Trump was declared the election's loser this month, gone are blustery speeches and stemwinder White House news conferences about the coronavirus, which never disappeared like he promised - or any other topic for that matter. Gone are lengthy call-in sessions with favored Fox anchors that often stretched so long that the hosts had to push to conclude the calls.Gone, too, are regular White House jousting matches with the press, impromptu Oval Office appearances with random guests or any...…WASHINGTON - The president who likes to put on a show is mostly offstage these days.Since President Donald Trump was declared the election's loser this month, gone are blustery speeches and stemwinder White House news conferences about the coronavirus, which never disappeared like he promised - or any other topic for that matter. Gone are lengthy call-in sessions with favored Fox anchors that often stretched so long that the hosts had to push to conclude the calls.Gone, too, are regular White House jousting matches with the press, impromptu Oval Office appearances with random guests or any...WW…

WASHINGTON - A Trump administration appointee is refusing to sign a letter allowing President-elect Joe Biden's transition team to formally begin its work this week, in another sign the incumbent president has not acknowledged Biden's victory and could disrupt the transfer of power.The administrator of the General Services Administration, the low-profile agency in charge of federal buildings, has a little-known role when a new president is elected: to sign paperwork officially turning over millions of dollars, as well as giving access to government officials, office space and equipment...…WASHINGTON - A Trump administration appointee is refusing to sign a letter allowing President-elect Joe Biden's transition team to formally begin its work this week, in another sign the incumbent president has not acknowledged Biden's victory and could disrupt the transfer of power.The administrator of the General Services Administration, the low-profile agency in charge of federal buildings, has a little-known role when a new president is elected: to sign paperwork officially turning over millions of dollars, as well as giving access to government officials, office space and equipment...WW…

WASHINGTON - The Trump and Biden campaigns remained at odds on the eve of the vice-presidential debate Wednesday, with no clear resolution to a standoff over where barriers should be placed onstage to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.Vice President Mike Pence is requesting that no plexiglass dividers be placed on his side of the stage at Wednesday night's vice-presidential debate, after an announcement Monday by the Commission on Presidential Debates that dividers had been agreed to as a safety measure.Marc Short, the vice president's chief of staff, said the vice president's team does...…WASHINGTON - The Trump and Biden campaigns remained at odds on the eve of the vice-presidential debate Wednesday, with no clear resolution to a standoff over where barriers should be placed onstage to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.Vice President Mike Pence is requesting that no plexiglass dividers be placed on his side of the stage at Wednesday night's vice-presidential debate, after an announcement Monday by the Commission on Presidential Debates that dividers had been agreed to as a safety measure.Marc Short, the vice president's chief of staff, said the vice president's team does...WW…

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump contracted the novel coronavirus after months in which he and people around him - his aides, his children, even his golf-club members - avoided taking basic steps to prevent the virus's spread, like wearing masks and avoiding large indoor crowds.Mask-wearing had become rare among Trump's staff and the Secret Service agents and military service crew aboard Air Force One - even after national security adviser Robert O'Brien tested positive in July.On the campaign trail, Trump's sons Donald Jr. and Eric have spoken to packed audiences in indoor venues. And...…WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump contracted the novel coronavirus after months in which he and people around him - his aides, his children, even his golf-club members - avoided taking basic steps to prevent the virus's spread, like wearing masks and avoiding large indoor crowds.Mask-wearing had become rare among Trump's staff and the Secret Service agents and military service crew aboard Air Force One - even after national security adviser Robert O'Brien tested positive in July.On the campaign trail, Trump's sons Donald Jr. and Eric have spoken to packed audiences in indoor venues. And...WW…

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — President Trump told a crowd here he would nominate a woman to the Supreme Court next week while basking in the loud repeated chants of “FILL THAT SEAT” after jokingly polling the crowd of supporters over whether he should pick a man or a woman.The president’s upcoming choice of a — which has jolted the with about six weeks to go — took center stage during his airplane tarmac rally, with a crowd raucously responding to the president’s rally rhetoric.After the president gave a 90-second tribute to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who after a long battle with cancer, the...…FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — President Trump told a crowd here he would nominate a woman to the Supreme Court next week while basking in the loud repeated chants of “FILL THAT SEAT” after jokingly polling the crowd of supporters over whether he should pick a man or a woman.The president’s upcoming choice of a — which has jolted the with about six weeks to go — took center stage during his airplane tarmac rally, with a crowd raucously responding to the president’s rally rhetoric.After the president gave a 90-second tribute to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who after a long battle with cancer, the...WW…

As Abbott Laboratories began shipping its new rapid-response tests across the country Wednesday, a new flash point emerged in the nation’s handling of the pandemic: where to deploy the covid-19 diagnostics that could be one of the most effective tools in combating the outbreak. Some White House officials want to ship many of the tests, which were approved Friday and can deliver results in five to 13 minutes, to areas where there are fewer cases, such as rural states and parts of the South. But officials in hard-hit areas and some public health experts favor directing them to the outbreak’s...…As Abbott Laboratories began shipping its new rapid-response tests across the country Wednesday, a new flash point emerged in the nation’s handling of the pandemic: where to deploy the covid-19 diagnostics that could be one of the most effective tools in combating the outbreak. Some White House officials want to ship many of the tests, which were approved Friday and can deliver results in five to 13 minutes, to areas where there are fewer cases, such as rural states and parts of the South. But officials in hard-hit areas and some public health experts favor directing them to the outbreak’s...WW…

President Trump on Monday said he is considering scaling back steps to constrain the spread of the coronavirus in the next week or two because of concerns that the impact on the economy has become too severe. But loosening restrictions on social distancing and similar measures soon probably would require him to override the internal warnings of senior U.S. health officials, including Anthony S. Fauci, who have said that the United States has not yet felt the worst of the pandemic, according to several people with knowledge of the internal deliberations. Trump said at a news conference...…President Trump on Monday said he is considering scaling back steps to constrain the spread of the coronavirus in the next week or two because of concerns that the impact on the economy has become too severe. But loosening restrictions on social distancing and similar measures soon probably would require him to override the internal warnings of senior U.S. health officials, including Anthony S. Fauci, who have said that the United States has not yet felt the worst of the pandemic, according to several people with knowledge of the internal deliberations. Trump said at a news conference...WW…

On Sunday, President Trump’s most senior national security advisers joined him at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where Trump was beginning the second week of his holiday vacation. The officials told reporters that U.S. F-15 Strike Eagles had just attacked Iranian-sponsored militia groups at their bases in Iraq and Syria, in response to a series of rocket attacks that had culminated in the death of an American contractor two days earlier. But privately, a different topic had come up with an agitated president: whether to kill Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, whom military leaders...…On Sunday, President Trump’s most senior national security advisers joined him at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where Trump was beginning the second week of his holiday vacation. The officials told reporters that U.S. F-15 Strike Eagles had just attacked Iranian-sponsored militia groups at their bases in Iraq and Syria, in response to a series of rocket attacks that had culminated in the death of an American contractor two days earlier. But privately, a different topic had come up with an agitated president: whether to kill Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, whom military leaders...WW…

President Trump’s attempt to pressure the leader of Ukraine followed a months-long fight inside the administration that sidelined national security officials and empowered political loyalists — including the president’s personal lawyer, Rudolph W. Giuliani — to exploit the U.S. relationship with Kiev, current and former U.S. officials said. The sequence, which began early this year, involved the abrupt removal of the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, the circumvention of senior officials on the National Security Council, and the suspension of hundreds of millions of dollars of aid administered...…President Trump’s attempt to pressure the leader of Ukraine followed a months-long fight inside the administration that sidelined national security officials and empowered political loyalists — including the president’s personal lawyer, Rudolph W. Giuliani — to exploit the U.S. relationship with Kiev, current and former U.S. officials said. The sequence, which began early this year, involved the abrupt removal of the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, the circumvention of senior officials on the National Security Council, and the suspension of hundreds of millions of dollars of aid administered...WW…

President Trump on Wednesday escalated his unrelenting attacks on the late senator from Arizona and former GOP presidential nominee John McCain, who even in death has remained one of Trump’s top targets for abuse as fellow Republicans have repeatedly begged him to stop. In a five-minute diatribe during an appearance at a General Dynamics tank factory in Lima, Ohio, Trump argued that McCain, a lifelong Pentagon booster and former prisoner of war in Vietnam, “didn’t get the job done” for veterans while also grousing that he did not receive proper gratitude for McCain’s funeral last September....…President Trump on Wednesday escalated his unrelenting attacks on the late senator from Arizona and former GOP presidential nominee John McCain, who even in death has remained one of Trump’s top targets for abuse as fellow Republicans have repeatedly begged him to stop. In a five-minute diatribe during an appearance at a General Dynamics tank factory in Lima, Ohio, Trump argued that McCain, a lifelong Pentagon booster and former prisoner of war in Vietnam, “didn’t get the job done” for veterans while also grousing that he did not receive proper gratitude for McCain’s funeral last September....WW…