Trump says ‘animals’ comment refers to criminals, Mexico protests

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was referring to criminal gangs when he called some illegal immigrants "animals," a term the Mexican government labeled as unacceptable and which drew rebukes on social media. Trump made the remarks on Wednesday during a meeting with California municipal leaders who support his goal of making the U.S. border impervious to illegal immigration.

The Latest: House votes to leave US sugar program alone

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis., promotes this year's renewal of the farm bill during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 17, 2018. GOP leaders have crafted the bill as a measure for tightening work and job training requirements for food stamps.

Republican says leaders discuss votes on 2 immigration bills

Republican leaders have discussed scheduling House votes on two immigration bills, two GOP lawmakers said Thursday, a move they hope would resolve an internal battle over an issue that threatens to worsen party divisions as the election season heats up. Under the still-evolving idea, one bill would resemble legislation strongly backed by conservatives that would curb legal immigration and open the door to building President Donald Trump's prized wall with Mexico.

Gone in 60 Seconds: Warren Reveals in Less Than a Minute Her Plan To Fundamentally Transform America

Massachusetts Democrat Sen. Elizabeth Warren reportedly stole the show at the Center for American Progress' annual Ideas Conference in Washington on Tuesday as she laid out an aggressive liberal agenda and attacked President Donald Trump for undermining American democracy. The Hill reported that this year's CAP conference was an occasion for 2020 presidential contenders to demonstrate why they should be the next Democrat nominee for president.

Trump draws rebuke for ‘animal’ remark at immigration talk 3 hours ago

While railing against California for its so-called sanctuary immigration policies, President Donald Trump referred to some people who cross the border illegally as "animals" - drawing a sharp rebuke from Democratic leaders for the harsh rhetoric. "We have people coming into the country, or trying to come in -- and we're stopping a lot of them," Trump said during the immigration round table after a sheriff commented about gangs.

‘Legislative act of cruelty’ used as method to get farm bill…

The conservative House Freedom Caucus is pushing hard for an immigration bill despised by many advocates for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals participants - an effort that has a chance of getting a House vote as soon as next week. If that vote occurs, it would make it far more difficult for DACA backers to get votes on legislation they've been seeking.

Freitas Woos GOP Voters In City Visit

Speaking before a crowd of about three dozen Wednesday evening at the Rockingham County Administration Center, Freitas, who left the U.S. Army as a sergeant after 11 years of service, said his active-duty experience helped prepare him for politics. "If you didn't know, Green Berets primarily focus on unconventional warfare and counterinsurgency, which really prepares you for domestic politics in Virginia," said Freitas, R-Culpeper, who volunteered to join the Army's Special Forces and served two tours in Iraq following the Sept.

Supreme Court’s embrace of states’ rights could aid California in …

The Supreme Court decision upholding states' rights to offer sports betting was backed mostly by conservative justices, but it may also give a boost to California and other liberal states that are defying the Trump administration's drive for stricter immigration enforcement. At issue on both fronts - sports betting and immigration - is whether Washington can require states to enforce a federal policy, or instead, whether they are free to go their own way.

The Latest: US, Chinese officials try to head off trade war

President Donald Trump listens during a roundtable on immigration policy in California, in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Wednesday, May 16, 2018, in Washington. President Donald Trump listens during a roundtable on immigration policy in California, in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Wednesday, May 16, 2018, in Washington.

Chrin secures GOP nomination in 8th Congressional District

The former Wall Street investment banker from Palmer Twp., Northampton County, celebrated his 55th birthday Tuesday by defeating two other candidates to win the Republican U.S. House nomination in the redrawn 8th Congressional District. His victory sets up a showdown in the Nov. 6 general election against incumbent U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright of Moosic, who was unopposed for Democratic nomination.

Barletta will take on Casey

MARK MORAN / THE CITIZENS' VOICE U.S. Sen. Bob Casey listens as he's introduced by Wilkes University President Patrick Leahy at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre on Friday. U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Pa., Republican primary candidate for U.S. Senate, smiles during a lunch gathering, Tuesday, May 15, 2018, in Scranton, Pa.

Trump supporter Barletta wins GOP nod to take on Sen. Casey

Four-term U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump who first got national notice as a small-city mayor for his attempted crackdown on illegal immigration, on Tuesday won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania. Barletta had paid little attention to his Republican rival, state Rep. Jim Christiana, during the primary campaign.

Barletta, Trump backer, wins GOP nod to take on Sen. Casey

U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Pa., right, Republican primary candidate for U.S. Senate, greets supporters during a lunch gathering, Tuesday, May 15, 2018, in Scranton, Pa. During Pennsylvania's Tuesday, May 15, 2018, primary election, Republican Party voters in the state will select Barletta or Pennsylvania state Rep. Jim Christiana as their nominee to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey's re-election bid.

The Latest: Supporters seek shielding of young immigrants

The Latest on a federal appeals court hearing in California on the battle over an Obama-era policy that shielded certain young immigrants from deportation : Supporters of an Obama-era policy that shielded certain young immigrants from deportation have gathered in Pasadena, California, where the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments over ending the program. About 40 people are on hand Tuesday, carrying signs that say "Immigrant rights are human rights" and "Our strength stems from our roots."

Sanctuary cities could get boost from sports betting ruling

A man watches a baseball game in the sports book at the South Point hotel-casino, Monday, May 14, 2018, in Las Vegas. The Supreme Court on Monday gave its go-ahead for states to allow gambling on sports across the nation, striking down a federal law that barred betting on football, basketball, baseball and other sports in most states.

Dreamers Face Crucial Test as Trump Urges Court to Undo Policy

The future of kids brought into the U.S. by their undocumented parents faces a crucial test in a federal appeals court in California. The Trump administration seeks to knock down one of a trio of lower-court decisions that have barred the government from ending the program for so-called Dreamers that allowed the children to stay in the country.

Exploring the Chinese Exclusion Act, a racist stain on the American dream

More than a century before US President Donald Trump began blocking arrivals from the Middle East and Africa, the American immigration debate was already being forged in the crucible of Chinese exclusion. On May 6, 1882 - the eve of the greatest wave of immigration in US history - president Chester A. Arthur signed a history-making yet little-known piece of legislation called the Chinese Exclusion Act.