Dr. Selwyn Cudjoe: President Trump and the Black Blowback

Last Friday Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 45th president of the United States of America. As in so many other offensive things he has tweeted since November, Trump began this year by trying to besmirch the reputation of John Lewis and his courageous actions in turning the USA away from its segregationist past and setting it on a path to achieve its founders' dreams.

Severe storms in Southeast U.S.: Death toll hits 16, more tornadoes ahead

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Sens. McCain, Graham to support Tillerson nomination despite Russia misgivings

Two senior Republican lawmakers on Sunday said they would vote to approve President Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, despite their concerns over the former ExxonMobil chief's relationship with Russia's president. "After careful consideration, and much discussion with Mr. Tillerson, we have decided to support his nomination to be secretary of state," Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said in a statement.

Deadly twisters ravage southern US

At least four people were killed when a tornado ripped through the Mississippi city of Hattiesburg on Saturday, January 21. The storm struck just before dawn, damaging homes and knocking out power for thousands in Forrest and Lamar counties. This video features footage from a Mississippi Army National surveying the tornado damage in Hattiesburg.

Little is known on status of US student held in North Korea

There's been little public word about what has happened to an American college student detained in North Korea, as a new administration takes over one year later amid deep U.S. concerns about the hostile country's nuclear and missile development. North Korea announced last Jan. 22 it had detained Otto Warmbier, a 21-year-old University of Virginia student from suburban Cincinnati, earlier that month for alleged anti-state crime.

More tornadoes ahead as death toll reach 15 in southeast US

Deadly weather in the Southeast killed 15 people and injured dozens more, authorities said Sunday, as residents along the Georgia-Florida line braced for more intense, fast-moving storms - including unusually strong "long track" twisters. On Sunday, a tornado blew through a mobile home park in rural Cook County in southern Georgia - sheering off siding, upending homes and killing seven people, officials said.

Cautious welcome from congressional Republicans to Trump era

President Donald Trump turns to House Speaker Paul Ryan as he is joined by the Congressional leadership and his family as he formally signs his cabinet nominations into law, in the President's Room of the Senate, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017. President Donald Trump is joined by the Congressional leadership and his family as he formally signs his cabinet nominations into law, in the President's Room of the Senate, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017.

Trump hits lowest approval, highest disapproval yet

The last time Trump had a higher approval rating than disapproval rating on the FiveThirtyEight tracker was on the 12th day of his presidency. The last time Trump had a higher approval rating than disapproval rating on the FiveThirtyEight tracker was on the 12th day of his presidency.

The Latest: Trump says media attacks to protect his agenda

President Donald Trump arrives speak during the Celebrate Freedom event at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, Saturday, July 1, 2017. President Donald Trump arrives speak during the Celebrate Freedom event at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, Saturday, July 1, 2017.

President Trump Tells CIA: a I Am With You 1,000 Percenta

President Donald Trump in his first official visit to a federal agency since the inauguration went to CIA headquarters in Virginia Saturday where he assured the 400 or so CIA staff in attendance that he supports them "a thousand percent." "Very, very few people could do the job you people do, and I want to just let you know, I am so behind you," Trump said.

Trump blames ‘political games’ for delaying Pompeo’s confirmation as CIA director

On a visit to CIA headquarters Saturday, President Donald Trump took a shot at Democrats, saying they were playing politics with the confirmation of Kansas Rep. Mike Pompeo, his choice to head the agency. An objection from three Democratic senators delayed the U.S. Senate's vote to confirm Pompeo as the CIA's new director Friday.

The Latest: Night falls on protesters still marching in DC

A day after protesters created chaos, thousands of women are descending upon Washington for what is expected to be a more orderly show of force on the first full day of Donald Trump's presidency More than 1 million people rallied at women's marches in the nation's capital and cities around the world Saturday to let President Donald Trump know they won't let his agenda go unchallenged Look to the National Mall in Washington for lots of bright pink hats and signs that say "less fear more love" and "the future is female."

Trump White House ringed by ‘swamp’ denizens despite pledge

Vice President Mike Pence, left, watches as President Donald Trump prepares to sign his first executive order, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Vice President Mike Pence, left, watches as President Donald Trump prepares to sign his first executive order, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.

Donald Trump embraces a Democratic presidential icon – and the controversy that comes with him

An ice covered statue of Andrew Jackson is seen in Washington's Lafayette Square, on March 2, 2015. Andrew Jackson is such a pillar of the Democratic Party that its biggest fundraising day is called "Jefferson-Jackson Day," with Jefferson-Jackson Dinners being held all across the country.

Senate confirms Mattis, Kelly

The Senate voted 98-1 for Mattis and 88-11 for Kelly while Trump's inaugural parade was proceeding from the Capitol to the White House on a damp evening in Washington. Sens. John Boozman and Tom Cotton, R-Ark., voted in support of both nominations.

Photo provided by Peabody Energy

Top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell on Tuesday introduced legislation to maintain health benefits for retired union coal miners whose companies have declared bankruptcy in recent years. McConnell was among those who successfully worked last year to provide a four-month extension of health benefits that protected 16,000 miners whose benefits would otherwise have been cut off on Jan. 1. Democrats made a major push as well, as the government neared a shutdown last December.