Federal Government

9th Circuit permits lawsuit by Trump supporters over California rally violence to go forward

The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday that supporters of President Donald Trump may continue a lawsuit alleging police intentionally steered them into an “unruly mob” of protesters who injured them.

Jul 31, 2018 6:00 AM CDT

Judge allows lawsuit claim that US added citizenship question to census for discriminatory reasons

A federal judge in Manhattan ruled Thursday that the Constitution’s enumeration clause gives the Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross the authority to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census, but there could be an equal protection violation if the decision is motivated by discriminatory reasons. U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman…

Jul 27, 2018 1:15 PM CDT

Prosecutors in Cohen probe reportedly sought testimony from Trump Organization’s finance chief

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan have reportedly sought grand jury testimony from Allen Weisselberg, the chief financial officer of the Trump Organization. The testimony was sought in connection with the probe of Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen. The Wall Street Journal broke the news and the New York Times followed with…

Jul 27, 2018 10:00 AM CDT

Trump denies advance knowledge of ‘16 meeting between campaign officials, Russian lawyer

President Donald Trump is denying he had advance knowledge of the June 2016 Trump Tower meeting between campaign officials and a Russian lawyer who promised damaging information on Hillary Clinton.

Jul 27, 2018 8:18 AM CDT

Mueller reportedly examining Trump’s tweets in obstruction probe

Special counsel Robert Mueller is reportedly looking at President Donald Trump’s tweets and negative remarks about Attorney General Jeff Sessions and former FBI Director James Comey as part of a probe into obstruction of justice. According to the New York Times, Mueller wants to know whether Trump’s tweets, statements and…

Jul 26, 2018 12:10 PM CDT

Impeachment articles against Rosenstein tabled 1 day after being filed

Updated: Eleven House Republicans filed articles of impeachment on Wednesday against Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who is overseeing special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Jul 26, 2018 8:01 AM CDT

What is an emolument? Judge gives term a broad definition in refusing to toss lawsuit against Trump

A federal judge in Maryland has denied another motion seeking to dismiss a lawsuit that claims President Donald Trump accepted unconstitutional emoluments through the Trump Organization’s ownership of the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Jul 25, 2018 1:11 PM CDT

After Cohen’s lawyer releases McDougal tape, dispute arises over what Trump said about cash payment

The tape appears to show President Donald Trump had some familiarity with the National Enquirer’s $150,000 payment to Playboy model Karen McDougal for the rights to her story, though a lawyer for Trump differs with that interpretation.

Jul 25, 2018 8:10 AM CDT

What would it mean to impeach a president? (podcast)

The authority to impeach and remove a U.S. president is one of the legislative branch's most powerful weapons. But in the country's history, despite many periods of open hostility between Congress and the executive branch, no president has been removed from office through the impeachment procedure. Why is that?

Jul 25, 2018 6:00 AM CDT

Kavanaugh once questioned the Nixon tapes decision; was he espousing a ‘unitary executive’ theory?

A transcript given to the Senate Judiciary Committee over the weekend reveals that Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh once questioned the unanimous 1974 U.S. Supreme Court decision that forced President Richard Nixon to turn over his secret White House tapes. Kavanaugh’s remarks were made nearly 20 years ago during a…

Jul 24, 2018 9:43 AM CDT

Federal prosecutors have 12 Cohen tapes after Trump waives privilege

Twelve audio tapes recorded by Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer, have been turned over to federal prosecutors. The special master overseeing the privilege review of items seized in FBI raids of Cohen’s home, office and hotel room in April said in a court filing Monday that the…

Jul 24, 2018 8:03 AM CDT

Cuomo administration offers state attorney general a criminal referral in Trump Foundation probe

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's adminstration is willing to provide a referral to the state attorney general to pursue criminal charges against the Donald J. Trump Foundation.

Jul 19, 2018 8:45 AM CDT

FBI agent who wrote anti-Trump texts calls attacks on him ‘another victory notch in Putin’s belt’

An FBI agent in the crossfire over his texts criticizing then-candidate Donald Trump defended his work on the investigation of Russian election influence in an appearance before a congressional committee on Thursday. FBI agent Peter Strzok said he criticized many political figures, including Hillary Clinton, and he is not proud…

Jul 12, 2018 2:54 PM CDT

Senate confirms criminal division chief who represented Russian bank

The Senate has confirmed Brian Benczkowski to lead the Justice Department’s criminal division amid controversy over his representation of a Russian bank.

Jul 11, 2018 5:49 PM CDT

Trump tosses hiring process for administrative law judges, gives agency chiefs selection power

Updated: President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order eliminating the exam and competitive hiring process for administrative law judges.

Jul 11, 2018 10:58 AM CDT